Beijing: The First 24 Hours

Saturday, February 9, 2013. 4:00am.

Having gone to bed at 11:30pm on Friday (rather than around 9pm like I'd planned), 4am came extremely early. But, as soon as John Mayer started singing to me I couldn't stop thinking "I'm going to China today!" So, with a big smile across my face, I got ready for the following 24 hours...

Planning a Vacation

Last week I got some bad news that my boyfriend will not be able to visit over Lunar New Years like we had been hoping. I haven't seen him since July 31 and by Feb 9 it will be over 6 months without seeing each other. Thankfully we have FaceTime, but of course that only helps so much. Anyway, it was very depressing news, so I decided that I needed to take advantage of this upcoming holiday (4-day weekend) rather than mourn my lost time with Michael.

(Korean) Kids Say the Darndest Things

I wish I had begun a log at school, of the things my kids say to me. I'm sure I would have a lot more funny things to tell about, but I did make special note of two things today that made me laugh out loud in class.

The Rosie Diaries: The Smell of a Hog

I just realized that I have neglected to do a "Rosie Diaries" entry since I initially got Rosie! I mean, I think I have mentioned her in some other posts, but she really does need her own entry. Things with Roise have been up and down, but not nearly like with Reggie. In general, I would say that Rosie and I get along well.

Korean Essentials

Jjimjilbang: a large, gender-segregated public bathhouse in Korea, furnished with hot tubs, showers, Finnish-style saunas, and massage tables.
Noraebang: small rooms, rented by the hour, which contain microphones, TVs, tambourines, lighting, alcohol, and songbooks. Think: karaoke (but in Korean) that is only with your friends/coworkers (not in front of an entire restaurant or bar)

An Assortment

I don't have one central topic for tonight's blog, so it will be an assortment of things that have been going on in my life. Not even sure where to start! I guess I'll go back to the weekend.

Open Class: 3SAP

About twice a year for each of my "SAP" classes (the more intense classes) I have to have an Open Class. Each time it is held, it is a little different. But, in December I have 2SAP and 3SAP Open Classes. I also technically teach a 4SAP but they are also called Leap High and I don't have to do the same things with them. Weird. Anyway...

The Rosie Diaries: The Great Exchange

It is with a small amount of regret and guilt that I write to you now. Reggie is no longer with us. Please, allow me to explain...

Korean Healthcare

I've had my first legitimate experience with the Korean healthcare system. Yes, I had my medical check back when I first got here, but that was mandatory and everything was arranged for me. This time, I did everything from setting up the appointment to getting there to figuring out the system all by myself.

The Reggie Diaries: Handling

It's been a little stressful with my new pet hedgehog Reggie. I only got him on Saturday, but I've already questioned myself in buying him. I know I needed something to keep me from being so lonely, and he is certainly taking my mind off of home, but I'm not sure that it's any less stressful!

The After-Effect

I knew this would happen... Mom comes and I live on cloud 9 for a week. And now, she is gone, and I'm back to living in reality. And reality is only a few hundred square feet of living space, a 20 minute walk to work in freezing temperatures, and hundreds of screaming Korean children. *Sigh...*

I need to fill you guys in on what's been happening at work recently. It's a mess but it will make my current state of depression more understandable...