Crazy Weather

So it's been well below freezing for over a week now, and yesterday it suddenly warmed up to almost 70. Bizarre but very nice. The ice melted. And then, oh yes, middle of the night I wake up thinking it's a tornado. My windows are rattling so hard I'm afraid they are going to break and I can hear the wind outside and I don't think I've ever heard it that loud before. I got out bed and Dad was up, walking around the house wondering the same thing. We'd been priming last night (and I can't get the dang stuff off my arms, they are covered in white spots), and we left some windows open. The Christmas tree had been knocked over, but so had our really heavy grill outside. Our patio furniture is now strewn across the lawn, too. We decided it wasn't a tornado and I went back to bed, but the wind, thunder and lightening was intense.

Now, just a few hours later, the temperature has dropped again and can you guess what it's doing now? Did you say freezing rain again? Oh, you're right! Great. I'm having soooooo much fun with this ice and driving bit this year. Verdammte Scheisse. Isn't it time I moved to a warmer country?

Aside from the weather, I was in Des Moines for Christmas and when I got back Dad had stripped the wallpaper from the kitchen and as I set my bags down he looked at my shocked face, grinned and said, "ready to paint?" Um, sure.

But of course, first comes the Kilz. Man that stuff is nasty. And, as already mentioned, I am absolutely covered in tiny white freckles of Kilz. Lovely. Maybe I'll wear gloves for the next round. Dad picked out sea foam, a color which is like white (or just simply white in my opinion) with a hint of blue and green. I maintain that it's white. I'll put up a pic when it's done and we'll have a little vote.

Anyway, I hope everyone's holidays have gone splendidly. : )

Winter in the Midwest

Today on my way to Lee's Summit I drove through the mini blizzard in my car that doesn't even like rain, thinking, please let it stop soon and the roads be decent by the time I get done working. However, it just continued to come down, and instead of staying at Mom's (which would have been the smart decision) I decided to drive home. There were so many cars off the road, and it actually took me two full hours to get home. Talk about really bad roads. So tomorrow I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere. Oh yeah, when I got home I shoveled the driveway - twice - and it's still a sheet of ice. Fun stuff. I'm betting those of you in places that don't have this problem are just laughing. If only Dad's truck was still here....

And the doc said my eye is looking great, it's changing shape and everything. So maybe in a few weeks we can stop with the eye-shaping contacts.

I'm so glad I have a fireplace right now. : )

Japan

I know I've not been updating this blog often, but there hasn't been a lot of excitement lately. However, I do have some news.

First of all, I know I was planning to move to Spain, but I think the jobs are better in Asia, and I've been seriously considering Japan. I am too late (just missed the deadline by a few weeks) to apply to the JET program, but there is another that Kelly is with that is legitimate and sounds good. So I am applying to them. I am also taking the Foreign Service Officer Exam in a few months just to keep my options open. As long as I do well on the exam, that is!

And I can see!!!!!!!! Ok, not perfectly, but better. The contact experiment we've been doing the past few weeks seems to be working and my doctor is getting really hopefully. I'm still hesistant to get too enthusiastic, but things seem to be looking up. : )

I also have a job interview next week. So fingers crossed.

The thesis is coming along slowly, but coming along. I have just over 20 pages on it now.

I think that is all of the news. I'll update again soon if anything spectacular occurs!

Oklahoma City

Dad got a job in OKC and will be starting on Monday. Therefore, he'll be there the next few months (not entirely sure how long) and I'll be staying in KC with the house. I'm going to miss him, he's a great roommate and we all know how I dislike living alone, but it is a great opportunity for him. He'll be teaching air traffic control at the academy. Luckily, he'll be back for a few days next week for Turkey Day.

I am really excited about the holidays this year. Maybe because I kinda missed them last year. lol.

And I keep reading Kelly's blog in Japan and it's really making me want to go there. So many fun adventures, like all the beautiful pictures, funny toilets, and not being able to find face wash. Ahhh, life abroad.

I went to add Quark to my red sauce the other night as I cooked, but then I sadly realized we don't make it in this country (at least as far as I know), which is a shame b/c it makes red sauce amazing. And tomato soup. Hmmm.

Subbing has been *interesting* lately, as in, I got shoved by a very large boy into a table (I'm fine, no worries) and today I had not only ignorant skinhead wannabes in my class, but also emo kids who I thought were going to break things in the classroom with the slamming, etc. Subbing isn't supposed to be dangerous, right? lol. I feel like I say this a lot, but man, I really need a new job. : D I know, I know. You're shaking your head, right?

Any votes on where I should go next? I'm thinking South Korea, China, Japan.......or should I go to Europe first? Asia seems to pay better. If you know of any good programs, let me know!

Timber!

It is seriously the most beautiful time of year in the Midwest. The trees have turned the colors of fire and we are having an unseasonably warm start to November (hello 70s!).

Dad and I have been cutting down the big-ass tree in the front yard. You can actually see the house now! But it was quite exciting today, as he was cutting it at the base and it was still taller than the house and we didn't know which direction it was going to fall. We ended up getting the neighbor boys and we threw a rope around part of the tree, then we all grabbed hold of the rope and pulled like crazy. I've never seen a tree bounce quite like that before! But it finally gave and we ran like mad and then there was a huge mess to clean up. Needless to say, Dad and I are pretty tired right now.

Congrats to Mary for doing her run the other day! : )

And I've gone back to subbing. I had German and French this morning. It was pretty fun. I think I'm teaching Science tomorrow. I like the variety.

I hope everyone else is having a great week!

Frozen

I've been temping in a warehouse and while it's not bad work, there is no heat, and I am literally freezing! I freeze all day, get home, and it takes me all night to thaw out. I think I'm using up all my calories trying to stay warm, because I've had zero energy for exercise for almost three weeks now, and that's no good! Luckily I've decided to go back to subbing for the time being, so this week is my last as a human popsicle. I wear so many layers I probably waddle like the Pilsbury doughboy!

I'm really enjoying reading Kelly's blog while she's in Japan. Makes me want to move again! I can't believe there's a shrine right behind her place, and it all sounds so exciting.

Other than that, I'm just working on my thesis (gasp, I know, I am actually doing that, albeit slowly), and doing regular, boring things. But I'm quite happy nonetheless!

Birthday Party!

Saturday Dad and I had our joint birthday party. We had a good turn out. Lots of friends, food and fun! We played badminton, grilled, and when it got dark Dad lit the outdoor fireplace and we all sat around and talked. It was a great weekend!

Birthday, First Friday, etc.

Thursday was my birthday so I took off of work and Dad and I drove up to Parkville, which I had heard has a quaint old downtown. We bummed around, ate fun food, and had a nice time. If you look at the third pic you can see a train, and if you live in Europe, you now know why I get all excited by European trains.

Friday was First Fridays and my sister was selling her art work at her studio and sold both pieces right off the bat! Check that out. So we (and her friends, Mom and Joe) all walked around the other art galleries and listened to a kid rock band seriously rock out. I love First Fridays.

Megan ran her marathon yesterday! Yay! Go Meegan! Very cool my dear.

Dad and I are having our joint birthday party this next weekend. And that's about it for news!

Subbing

I had my first day of substitute teaching work on Friday, and I was a PE teacher at an elementary school! It was pretty fun. Basically I got to tell kids to play games all day. I really wanted to join in on the scooter races, but realized I was being paid to be the supervising adult, sadly.

I also have several assignments over the next two weeks, however most of them are half days. But it's so much better than having no income! Yay! And I get to sub for my old German teacher (not that he's old, but old as in he used to be my German teacher in high school), so that will be cool.

Man it's nice to be employed! : )

Small update

I thought I'd update since it's been awhile. Not too much to report here. I am STILL looking for a job, it's never been so hard to find one before! But I'm ready and willing to work, so bring on the job!

My eye is still the same. +2.25. Sigh. Vision is an issue, but I'm hoping that in a few months things will get better.

Dad and I are throwing a joint birthday party on Oct. 11th. Just a casual backyard get together.

Dad and I are also stepping it up with the workouts. I'm trying to do two cardios a day and weight train six times a week. He's building muscle faster than I am, but I suppose that's to be expected.

Megan's next marathon is just a few weeks away and I'm excited for her. She's trying to qualify for Boston and I know she'll do great. Go Megan!

That's about it for news for now, but when something exciting happens, I'll post it.

Hope you all are well and enjoying the return to better weather! Yay sun!

Visiting Megan

This weekend I visited Megan in Dublin and got to see her and the family and friends. We also went to the beach at Half Moon Bay, went to Berkeley, went to the top of Mount Diablo, cooked all sorts of interesting things, and just had an overall fabulous time!





I like the reflection in my sunglasses at the beach.




Berkeley.



Card games at the bbq.




Us near the ostriches and zebras.



Half Moon Bay and surfers!!!




View from Mount Diablo.




Me climbing at Rock City on Mount Diablo.




Megan climbing.




Mary, Megan and I at the airport.




Mount Diablo.




My favorite pic of me on Mount Diablo!




Megan on Diablo.




Me and ostrich.




Beach.




Diablo.



First day with Mom.




Family dinner in Livermore.

So the pics are out of order but it was too much effort to rearrange.

Of course it was an absolutely wonderful trip and it was so great to see Megan! Like Christmas came early. And thanks to Dad for letting me use his frequent flier miles to pay for the ticket!

Now it's back to Uni work, finding a job (asap!) and hopefully some salsa dancing in the near future.

Miss you Megan! : )

Woe is my eye...sniffle sniffle

I went to the eye doctor yesterday and somehow, against all medical textbooks, I have gone to a +1.75. That is being far-sighted. I have never been far-sighted before, and my eye has no idea what to do. Perhaps that is why I can't see to read? I asked the doc if this is normal, to which he said no, and in 15 years of practice has never seen anything like it. The eye is healing well, and there is no reason whatsoever that I should be seeing that dramatic of a change. So now I am wearing a contact that is helping, but reading is still a challenge. Which is even more fun with Uni now in session.

And irony of all ironies? I got a card from my surgeon in the mail today saying he hopes we got it this time and thanking me for my patience. I just wanted to immediately respond, no, we didn't get it and I would really, really appreciate it if I could see well and read. I asked my doc if there was anything I could do, and he said just wait and see. Sigh. Nothing new here.

On a happier note, I'm off to SF tomorrow to see Meegan! Juhu! : )

Oh, Lisa had Lasik today so I hope it all went well!

Oh how the weekend flew by!

Megan came to visit me this weekend (YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I hadn't seen her in over a year. It was really great. We were lazy bums and watched tv and hung out. And ok, I guess she wasn't that lazy b/c she got up and ran for three hours (about 20 miles) this morning. But other than that we were bums. It was really, really, really great to see her!!!!!!

And yes, Kate, I knew that was you even without identifying yourself, b/c other than me, I don't know who else says "dude", and when you mentioned Yuko and Kensuke I figured no one else was in Japan. You know Kelly leaves for Japan Sept. 11th, but I don't know what part of the country she will be in.

And next weekend I am off to San Francisco to see Megan! Then the traveling will halt for a bit. Hopefully I will get a job really soon and I can see well enough to work on thesis stuff since the assignments have already started (though Uni officially starts tomorrow). Sheesh.

: )

Update time.

I'm applying to be a substitute teacher in a few areas. It's a bit longer of an application process than I had imagined so I've not completed them yet. Haven't done the fingerprinting or gotten my TB test read yet....lol. But hopefully in two weeks I will be working some!

Classes start the last week of August. I think.

And today my vision is so blurry it's actually double. Impressive. I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo completely ready for good vision. I really hope it comes soon.

Progress

I saw the nice eye doctor this morning and he said my eye is healing wonderfully and ahead of schedule so I am allowed outside again and in the pool again! Yay! Talk about good news!

Dad and I enjoyed some pool time today and the water was 30 C for those of you over in northern Europe, in the cold, frozen tundra (as Megan and I like to call it!). Couldn't resist rubbing that one in.

I'm still waiting to start on my thesis until I can read decently, but I need to really kick it in gear b/c one of my advisers is moving in January. And no, no job yet, but I'm thinking of subbing.

That's it for now! : )

Salsa!

Mario and Joe dancing.


Monica and Abigail.


Monica and Joe sharing a napkin. On their heads. Totally sober. Nice.


Last night I finally got to get some salsa in! Monica and I tried out a new place, Bacchanalia's (that was not easy to find, I think most people got lost getting there!). There was lots of room to dance, and some great people were there. We even got Joe to try out salsa for the first time and he rocked! Janet was modest about her abilities, but she was looking pretty good as well.

Man I missed the people here and the salsa dancing! : )

Monica is in the other room doing stuff for Namibia. Pretty dang exciting. Can't believe she leaves this December!

As for my vision, there are moments/hours of clarity, and then lots of blurriness. Monica assures me this is progress.

Mario's Birthday and Katherine's Going Away Party

Last night Monica and I made the rounds and saw Mario for dinner and then headed to Barley's for Katherine's going away party.




Janet, me, Monica and Katherine. : )




The gang. Can't forget the guys!




A little black and white.




Mario turned 36 yesterday (or so he said!). Mon and I met him for a quick meal to tease him about getting old.





Emma Jane, I'm glad to know you're reading! Thanks hon! I'll look for you online soon. With my left eye, of course. ; )

Eye Surgery

I had the surgery yesterday and it went ok. I am quite blurry (probably shouldn't be on the computer so I'll make it quick). Hopefully it will have worked this time! The vision is supposed to get worse before it gets better. So for now I'm staying inside and listening to books on tape. Oh yeah. : )

Homecoming

Dad picked me up from the airport Tuesday. As I was going on about something, we stepped outside and he tried to get my attention so I would look forward and I was all, what? Then it took me a moment to process. Standing across the street beside a limo were Mom, Auntie, Lexi, Dusty and Lisa, and Danny and Rona! I about fell over! I definitely wasn't expecting anything like that!





We took the limo to Overland Park and ate some delicious Japanese food.










The next two pics are more random. The first is of Dan playing at Legends last night.





And the last one is for Emma Jane. It has the Progress of the Mullet. As well as pic of our new bumper boats! Oh yeah!






It's good to be home.

Last Day

My last night I had dinner at Emma and Chris's. I love eating there! It was a weekly thing for us. Afterwards I went back home and Steffi and Katha had decided to stay at our place so they, along with Kathi and Sandra, could take me to the airport at 5 a.m. Which meant getting up at 4 a.m., after going to bed at midnight. I couldn't believe they were so sweet! And willing to get up so dang early. Talk about the butt crack of dawn!

They also made a great little movie/slide show of my time with them. I'm still not sure how they did that!




Here are the girls, Sandra, Steffi, Kathi and Katha with a huge sign they made for me in ENGLISH! It was amazingly sweet and I was sorry I couldn't take it with me!





There we all are in the airport, looking just a bit sleepy.




One last look at my girls before heading home.

Going Away Parties

The Saturday before I left I went out with the gang (Emma, Chris, Nayeon, Eric and Ryan). We went to the Hofbraeu Haus for dinner, walked around Planten und Blomen, and went to do some Korean karoake and eat Korean food and drink (too much!) soju. It was a fun evening.





This is Eric eating the aloe plant. Very nice.




Me, Emma and Nayoen posed by a lovely waterfall.




The boys found an equally lovely area to pose by! Then Chris and Eric hopped across the water to climb a tree until Emma gave that warning tone and they obediently came back.






We learned that in Korean culture it is respectful to hold your empty shot glass above your head once you drink it to show you really drank it. Nayeon and Eric are demonstrating.




I don't think Emma is as amused as the boys...





The boys at the Hofbraeu Haus. And their one liter beers. Wow.





Chris baked me a cake from scratch and Emma wrote my name on it with chocolate chips (or Germany's closest version). The "e" started to fall off the side, which I thought was pretty dang cool. Chris even let me cut the cake, until I started making funny geometrical shapes out of it, at which point I was quickly relieved of cake-cutting duty.




A passerby took a photo of us in the park.



Eric and Ryan jamming in Korean. Man, those boys can sing! Luckily I didn't get up or else everyone might have vacated the premises....

The next night Jens and Silke invited Kathi and I over for dinner. We grilled on their balcony, talked, smelled someone below us smoking pot, and had a really nice time.






One guess who took this pic.





The roomies, me, Jens and Kathi.





Their kitchen is similiar to ours! Or, I should now say, Kathi's.

Both going away parties were really wonderful. I was glad to be able to celebrate with some of my favorite people from the past year.

I'm really going to miss them!