Apple pie! Apple cider! Apple cobbler! Apple anything!

This last weekend I went to an apple festival 3 miles south of Sioux Falls, SD to do some apple picking. It was my first time picking apples, and when I told mom about it she wanted some so she could make pies (yay pie!), so I attempted to find the best apples I could for her and there were plenty to pick from! And no I didn't pick any off the ground, I just tried not to trip on all of them :)

Home

I’m home indefinitely.  I got home May 14th and started working part-time at Wayne State College on May 18th :)  So I’ve been home almost 2 weeks.  And it’s still weird (there’s so many white people!)  The decision to come home was made within a 24-hour period, and then I had about 6 days to get here, so it was very rushed and very overwhelming.  I am happy to be home, I missed family and friends so much, and my past month in Taiwan hadn’t been going so well.  I just still feel out of place here sometimes.  It’s weird how easy it always is to get back into what feels normal, and yet in the back of my mind I know it’s way different than what I’ve been used to the past few years!  I do miss Taiwan a lot, I had some really awesome friends there and I think I will always be a big city girl, so coming home to Wayne, Nebraska has been a bit difficult (I miss my Starbucks and Dante Coffee shops!!!!)

But at least I have a job, even if it is only part time at the moment, it’s secure for awhile.  And I’ll be working on my MBA at the same time, so I’m excited to be going back to school.  Eventually I’ll get over the lost feelings I hope :)

SORRY :(

I WILL blog more!! Not having a computer has made it very difficult, and I feel bad for stealing my roomies laptop ALL the time :) But not having a job right now should make me get my butt in gear to blog about things. Hopefully soon my mom will send me my new laptop (the old one was to messed up to be fixed according to the Geek Squad!) and then I will post so many new things, you won't be able to read them all in one sitting!! :D Yay!

Let it snow!

I haven't seen snow (in real life, I have seen pictures) since Christmas 2006, so I was very excited to return to a Nebraska with 10 inches of snow.  Plus I was only there for two weeks, which is just long enough to enjoy it and not hate it completely :)  So of course I made sure I had an opportunity to go play in the snow, it's a must.  And I got my sister to go with me, which was extra fun when I got to throw snowballs at her.


Our backyard, where all the snow fun begins.

Momma bundling me up, I don't know how many layers I have on.

I think we're ready, I was starting to get hot in the house.

The snow was to dry to make a snowman

The snow was deep

Snow angels - I hate trying to make them because when I try to stand up it messes them all up!


Winter love


And love for all! 

Party like it's 1999

Although in 1999 I would have been 14, so I was probably "partying" with my parents.  This New Year's I actually had a lot of fun.  I was back in the states for two weeks: December 21-January 2.  It was a wonderful vacation and I'm not ready to be back in Taiwan teaching my babies, but I'll get back into the swing of things soon I'm sure. 

New Years Eve consisted of a small get together at Mom and Dads house with friends until about 9:30 when my sister and I headed downtown to the bar to meet up with friends.  It was a lot of fun, especially compared to last year when I worked until 9:30 pm and then sat at home alone (that sounds really pathetic).  Anyways, my pictures are always more enjoyable than my words, and I have intentions of writing more posts with more pictures of current events so I'll just get on with it.

 

Megan and me hanging out with are awesome new year hats.

 

The first shot of the night (of many). Shocker shot, Megan's favorite.

 

The cute couple :)

Next shot of the night, at my request: tequila.  Megan was scared.

And I think tequila was her least favorite!

The Skittles shot - tastes like a rainbow!
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! The bar served champagne right at midnight.
 

This shot was so good, I had two of them. 

And this is when it becomes obvious that we've all had a bit to much to drink.

Because we are way to happy :)

And I'm not even sure what to say to this....

Myths and Realities

I was doing some research on teaching abroad and found a website with things people assume about teaching and the truth about it, I enjoyed reading it because it was very true to what I experience.

Myth: Teaching is glamorous.  You can travel everywhere you want.

Reality:  Hours can be crazy, you might be working 6 days/week, split shifts and the only time you can prepare for your classes is on your own time (unpaid, naturally).  Often there is very little time to travel and see the countryside.  When you do get a day off you are so tired, you sleep.

Myth: Teaching is easy, anyone can do it.  You just speak English and chat with your students.

Reality: Teaching is hard work; there are lessons to prepare and tests to write and grade.  Often students have a good command of English grammar and you must anticipate questions that might arise out of the lesson.  It is necessary to continually reflect upon your teaching abilities in order to become a better teacher.

Myth: It is not a “real” job.  This is just something you do until you grow up.

Reality:  For many people, teaching English abroad is a job they do for only a year or two.  However, others have made this into a career and as such treat this job professionally.  We make “real” money and put “real” food down on the table to support our families.

Myth:  You can get rich.

Reality:  I would say there are few jobs that I would consider high paying, especially when you compare what teachers and students drive (or ride on) to school.  There are a few countries where salaries are quite high, but those are rare in the big scheme of things globally and these jobs usually require a masters degree or higher. 
       However, teachers can live quite comfortably as the cost of living can be very low.  It is only when you convert the salary back to your home country that you realize how limited your savings can be.

Myth:  After a year or two of teaching abroad, my experiences will help me find a job when I return home.

Reality:  Unfortunately this is false as most employers couldn't care less about what you did and will assume you were living it up while you were “on holidays”.  Even friends and family will grow tired of hearing about your experiences.  As a result, many people go back overseas to teach as they miss their more carefree lifestyle.

The last one kind of surprised me, but I don't think my family will get tired of hearing me talk about stuff...at least I hope not :P

The Grocery Experience

I don't enjoy buying eggs in Taiwan.  Not that I don't like eggs or don't use them, because I do.  Grocery shopping in Taiwan is just very different than in America, for me at least, it involves more strategic planning.  Buying eggs in America, or anything really, is easy: find what you want, pay for it, put it in your car, and drive home.  The main difference I have between the two countries is the car, or lack thereof here in Taiwan.  In America I would have no problem buying a large quantity of groceries to fit in my trunk or backseat to take home.  Shopping in Taiwan depends on how much I can (or am willing to) carry on the walk home.  I usually pick the day ahead of time, usually the last day I think I can survive without food (and when I actually have time).  Don't worry Mom, I eat everyday, just not always the healthiest or "home-cooked".  I empty my bookbag except for my wallet and extra bags.  Grocery bags cost 1-2NT so I try to reuse what I have.  Then I start off on the 10-minute walk, if it's raining I take a bus.  Then I start my shopping.  Milk, juice and other larger/heavy items will be passed over if I have no food at all.  And eggs are purchased if I have a light load.  Fruits and vegetables are most commonly found in my basket, along with bread, peanut butter, frozen dumplings, and maybe some crackers.  Most of these items can handle being piled into my bookbag.  One thing I can say is I'm an excellent bagger now.  The cashier will shove everything into one large grocery bag, so I don't have to pay for two, then I'll take it to a table by the exit and repack it - I've got a system now :) Just another habit I've picked up living in Taiwan!