Was Wishing...

...I had this tonight...

...an American-sized kleenex. The whole 2-square-toilet paper-sized kleenex just doesn't go far, ya know? At least it's more than 1 ply ;) [that was for all you Ellen fans out there who are now quoting that entire scene either in your heads...or out loud...and probly laughing to yourself....and now you're quoting the elevator scene and thinking about what funny thing you could say next time...you're welcome, that was all bonus]. ANYWAY, wishin for some big kleenex for this cold of mine. That's all. Sometimes, bigger really is better.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday, I had my first motorcycle lesson. It was so fun! I was really nervous, to be honest, especially about staying balanced, but it was actually really easy. I think going 4wheeling so much helped me a lot. I just turned the triple speed bumps in my path into logs/trees that I'm used to driving over in my quad. Thanks for all the lessons and experience, Dad :) Haven't driven on busy streets yet...not even close, but I'll get there :)

Today, we went to the local fair. Many similarities and also many differences. There were booths, cotton candy, popcorn, paintings, even a ferris wheel. There were also cultural buildings that showcased the specific cultural foods, art, fabrics, dances, etc. of each part of our province. It was really fun to see such rich culture :) One difference--I've never been famous or had random people take my picture at any fair in the states. At one point, I told my roommate, "If one more person takes a picture of me without asking, I'm gonna..." Not sure what I was gonna do, but it made me mad. Not a very good attitude to have, but sometimes a girl gets tired of being stared at and yelled at and taken her picture taken by total strangers just cuz of the color of her skin, ya know?! All in all, though, a very fun evening with my friends :)

In the Land of Toilet Paper, Soap, and Paper Towels

I just got home from a land that had all of the above in every restroom I went to! Now, that sounds like a very small thing, but really, it was shocking...in a good way! Here are some pictures :)

Bellamy and me

Celebrating Bellamy's bday with Lizzie and Megan :)

Asher...trying to hold up the volcano??

Sirsak (green fruit)--one of my favs--and marquisa (orange)

MOUNTAINS!!!! made this CA heart happy :)

View from our hotel room--can't beat that!

When the tide went out, it went OUT!

Clouds--one of my favorite parts of creation in this part of the world

Reminded me of the Nor Cal coast with all the rocks

Asher and Brenden

Hope you enjoyed some pictures from the first 2 legs of my vacation. It was an amazing time with family and also of meeting new friends. And all the scenery I got to enjoy from volcanoes to mountains to beach was a like a breath of fresh air from the busy, dirty city I spend every day in. And, I got to enjoy toilet paper, soap, and paper towels for a week and a half :) What else can a girl ask for?!

Music Play

Last week, we had a music play day at a preschool behind my house that I've been working at every other week. It was so much fun playing with 3-6 year olds all morning :) They learned the Hokey Pokey--definitely the favorite--Itsy Bitsy Spider, I'm a Little Teapot, and others. A family visiting from the states juggled for them too! They were so impressed.

So grateful for the opportunity to be with kids! I've been able to hang out with the teachers a lot this past semester and am hoping to continue that when school starts again. They're such sweet women!! And these kids--adorable :)

End of the Semester Party

Last night we had our end of the semester party. We had so much fun! I love my students and am reminded how much I love them every time I hang out with them! I'm not ready to say goodbye to them for the summer :( Many of them have to do an internship away from the city for the summer. Hopefully, we'll still be able to hang out when they get back, whether or not they're in my classes next semester.

Anyway, last night...

We taught them how to play Mafia, and they actually got into creating stories, accusations, defenses, etc., which I didn't know if they would! So fun! One of my students, who was the mafia, told the townspeople that she can't even bear to hurt an animal much less a person (and that totally fits her personality!)--so hilarious!

We also did a photo scavenger hunt, making them run upstairs and downstairs and outside and inside for 15 pictures. Pretty sure that's the most exercise many of them have had since any PE class in high school! lol. They were gasping for air and dripping sweat when they were finished! It was great :)

Also just enjoyed lots of fun conversations with my students. I love them! I know I already said that, but I do! They gave me some sweet letters and a gift specific to our province...it was so sweet! I'm going to miss them a lot. Ok, enough rambling about how much I love my students :)

Sorry, I forgot my camera, so you'll have to wait on pictures from last night till I get them from my roommate.

There Should be a Law

against bringing durian to the workplace. I'm just sayin.

I'm Wondering...

...how time slips away so quickly! I just looked at the clock and it's almost 11 already! Where do the evenings go?! I ask myself this every night and have yet to find an answer. If anyone else has one for me, I'd much appreciate your words of wisdom ;)

Seriously, before this last year (thanks to someone whose name I'm not going to mention, but you know who you are), 11pm was on the late side of a normal bedtime for me. If I hit the hay much past 11, it was rare, and I hated life in the morning. Now, however, I'm rejoicing if I get to bed by 11--like it's still in the PM time frame, and that makes me happy! What?! What's happened to me?!

You might be asking, well, then, do you sleep later in the morning? Maybe that's why you don't go to sleep till late. The answer--Oh no! Still get up early! Have no fear--not THAT much of me has changed!

My consolation? Chai awaits me in the morning...no matter what time that morning might come :)