Resolution...

Things haven't been the best recently. Not bad necessarily, just a lot of work and not much fun. It's getting to the point where I'm almost tempted to come home instead of try and tough it out. Today though, I decided that before I make any drastic moves, I'm going to attempt to visit one new place every weekend. Just some simple Saturday or Sunday day trip, most likely somewhere in Taipei city. I keep saying that I've seen all the tourist places, but I know there's plenty more I haven't seen yet. And I think getting out of the house (and out of Sanxia) will give me more energy during the week.

Today I went to a BBQ with some Uncle Sam teachers, at a co-workers house in the mountains. After lots (and lots) of food, we played with water balloons (pictures soon hopefully), and then went to another house and sang some Karaoke. It was a lot of fun and has me motivated to go out more. I get to Friday and the end of my week I'm just so tired I don't want to leave my comfy bed again until Monday morning. So I'm attempting to change that, and we'll see if that helps how I'm feeling during the rest of the week. Plus it'll give me interesting stuff to post every week (and I will attempt to post every week!)

Dance Time

I teach extra hours at Joy Language School, and I usually get there at least an hour early so I can plan my lesson. Most of the time there's other kids there doing some private study or working on homework and things for class. Two of my students where there one day and when they're there I don't get any work done! So I pulled out my camera and we had some fun!

My new class

I've been asked to teach some older classes.  G level classes they're called.  It's Elementary kids that usually go to a Chinese elementary school then come to Uncle Sam afterwards for English classes.  I originally started with one class from 4:30-6:00 (which is considered overtime :D) and for the first 3 weeks there were only 3 students.  Now that the new semester has started it's up to 16 students, most of which are brand new to English classes.  I have some pictures of the 3 boys I had in the beginning, and I'm hoping to get some more pictures next week at the birthday party of the rest of the class.  It's a loud, rowdy class, but it's fun that way!

My boys - Peter, Leo and Hubert

Leo - the wildest one

Hubert - the smartest of the three but he gets silly sometimes

Peter - he's the newest, but most determined

My new home!

I decided I wanted to live by myself this year, so around August 15th I moved to my new apartment :D

Living room, with a very small couch.

Looking from my front door - kitchen on the left, bedrooms on the right

Little bar/sitting area looking between the kitchen and bedrooms

Spare bedroom - everyone's invited for a visit!

Closet space in my bedroom - there's so much room!

Kitchen with door to laundry room

Huge shoe closet!

Bathroom with plenty of counter space just for me

Say Cheese

We have a new class of babies at Uncle Sam, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some pictures.  Enjoy the cuteness!!

Home Sweet Home

Sorry I've been on vacation for about a month it seems.  I went back to the states from July 22-Aug 2 and had a great time.  Now I'm back in the swing of things at work.  Signed a new contract with the same school.  They asked me to stay and I liked that idea more than going to a brand new school and starting all over.  So one more year at Uncle Sam.  I have had some moments of homesickness because I miss the people I got to spend 10 days with, but I also love my kids, so it gets tough.

I drove a car (and rode in many) for the first time in a year!

Sisters!

Lots of shots!

Lots of karaoke - something that is hugely popular in Taiwan.

 

I love my sister!

I was cold in Nebraska in July!

The best bro-in-law

Sisters and best friends!

Played a whole lot of Guitar Hero

My brother.

Best friend ever!!

Fun times!

Welcome Home!

I've been in the states since Wednesday, July 23.  It's different, but a nice vacation.  I'll leave again Friday, August 1, which I think I'll be ok with leaving, but it'll still be sad.  I promise to blog more later, especially because I have lots of pictures to put up...but for now I'm gonna go spend more time with my family!!