I have forgotten to blog recently! I'm sorry! :) I have had quite a bit on my plate lately (both literally and figuratively). I'm in MN right now--Martin and I drove back on what was possibly the WORST weekend--winter storms, icy Colorado mountains and holiday traffic. We had a nice family Christmas--quiet, but cozy.
Today, the fam is heading over to help my brother (the goat farmer) with some chores. I guess he has some ply-wood to hang, wood to chop and barns to insulate. Lots of fun! :) The only problem is that I spent an hour and a half shoveling off the patio yesterday for our bratwurst BBQ last night, and my muscles are sore. It was good exercise, but I don't think I will be chopping or throwing wood today!
I will get back to blogging. I will. I just like to take a little vacation (OK, like, the whole month).
Merry Christmas everyone!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Coolest Neclace
I found this necklace today online (click Etsy). I didn't buy it, but I LOVE it! If anyone ever sees little matroyshka charms/beads let me know!
NOTE: I apologize for my last blog entry...I know it grossed out a few people, but I did warn you! :)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Musings from a coffee shop.
I am sitting in a coffee shop working on some lesson plans for work. My internet connection has been really inconsistent at Edna's (I am not paying for the service, so I guess I can't complain). Since I have been here, there have been two people having a very loud, opinionated conversation next to me. People of the world: the f-word is NOT THE BEST ADJECTIVE YOU CAN THINK OF!! Tap into your higher-level vocabulary and dazzle us with something else. Please.
I have thought about starting a collection of short stories about my time with Edna. I am not much of a creative writer, but I have lots of stories to tell! It seems like there is something new everyday! To give you a short preview (if you are easily grossed out, do not continue--really):
One night, I came home late from work, grabbed my toothbrush and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Edna's teeth were soaking in a small, plastic, pink box next to the sink. The lid was open, which kind of grosses me out, but I was even more horrified when I saw what was inside the box crawling around on the teeth! I shooed the giant, nasty cockroack out of the box, but didn't know what to do next! I mean, what could I do? I was freaking out! I went to bed and set my alarm early so I could get up and tell her to clean them extra well before putting them in. I woke up too late. The teeth were in her mouth. What would you do? I didn't think it would be appropriate to say something about it, and to this day, I close the box every night after she goes to bed. It isn't like I can ever mention this instance to her or hint that she should close the box. The lesson I have learned from this is: when I have to soak my teeth some day, I will ALWAYS close the lid.
*Since this instance, we had a guy come and spray a strong repellent around the house which has GREATLY reduced the number of roaches and other insects inside the house. They still get in, but only one or two a night instead of a dozen or more. I sleep much better now.
I have thought about starting a collection of short stories about my time with Edna. I am not much of a creative writer, but I have lots of stories to tell! It seems like there is something new everyday! To give you a short preview (if you are easily grossed out, do not continue--really):
One night, I came home late from work, grabbed my toothbrush and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Edna's teeth were soaking in a small, plastic, pink box next to the sink. The lid was open, which kind of grosses me out, but I was even more horrified when I saw what was inside the box crawling around on the teeth! I shooed the giant, nasty cockroack out of the box, but didn't know what to do next! I mean, what could I do? I was freaking out! I went to bed and set my alarm early so I could get up and tell her to clean them extra well before putting them in. I woke up too late. The teeth were in her mouth. What would you do? I didn't think it would be appropriate to say something about it, and to this day, I close the box every night after she goes to bed. It isn't like I can ever mention this instance to her or hint that she should close the box. The lesson I have learned from this is: when I have to soak my teeth some day, I will ALWAYS close the lid.
*Since this instance, we had a guy come and spray a strong repellent around the house which has GREATLY reduced the number of roaches and other insects inside the house. They still get in, but only one or two a night instead of a dozen or more. I sleep much better now.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thankful.
Thanksgiving came and went in one of those "boy, that was fast" ways, didn't it?
It was such a good day, even though we couldn't make it to MN for the holiday. Martin's boss invited us to join her and her family in going to ANOTHER family's Thanksgiving. I guess this family traditionally takes in strangers (me, Martin, and two other international students from Martin's college) for the big meal. They were so welcoming and hospitable to invite us to share their house and holiday for the evening.
Wanting to contribute to the meal, Martin and I dipped a HUGE container of Thanksgiving strawberries in melted, 65% dark chocolate, and carefully balanced each berry on its hat to ensure perfect, smooth, fingerprint-free coating. After only 30 minutes, the chocolate was hard and the dessert was ready to go. It was a lot easier than it sounded before starting, and is a fail-proof way to make people like you! :) They were a tasty edition to the evening.
We didn't leave our host's house until midnight! We had so much fun sitting around the house, sipping wine and cider, eating pies and strawberries, and getting to know one another. The highlight for me was that there were a few girls around my age with whom I had things in common. I also really liked spunky uncle George, who is retired and watches DVDs everyday while he crochets.
To the family who invited us in, fed us really well, and welcomed us back next time, thanks!
It was such a good day, even though we couldn't make it to MN for the holiday. Martin's boss invited us to join her and her family in going to ANOTHER family's Thanksgiving. I guess this family traditionally takes in strangers (me, Martin, and two other international students from Martin's college) for the big meal. They were so welcoming and hospitable to invite us to share their house and holiday for the evening.
Wanting to contribute to the meal, Martin and I dipped a HUGE container of Thanksgiving strawberries in melted, 65% dark chocolate, and carefully balanced each berry on its hat to ensure perfect, smooth, fingerprint-free coating. After only 30 minutes, the chocolate was hard and the dessert was ready to go. It was a lot easier than it sounded before starting, and is a fail-proof way to make people like you! :) They were a tasty edition to the evening.
We didn't leave our host's house until midnight! We had so much fun sitting around the house, sipping wine and cider, eating pies and strawberries, and getting to know one another. The highlight for me was that there were a few girls around my age with whom I had things in common. I also really liked spunky uncle George, who is retired and watches DVDs everyday while he crochets.
To the family who invited us in, fed us really well, and welcomed us back next time, thanks!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Funny Running Quote
"A genuine penguin, but in my dreams I'm Kenyan."
This really describes me! I am such a slow runner, but always wonder what it is like to be one of those really fast ones who finish in half the time I do! :)
This really describes me! I am such a slow runner, but always wonder what it is like to be one of those really fast ones who finish in half the time I do! :)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Let me explain...
Now that I've started this new job, I have tried a few times to explain how it all works without success. Images are sometimes better.
Last night, as I waited for my students to finish their placement test, I snapped a few pictures of my non-traditional classroom. Here is what I see:
On the TV screen, you can see a small box in the upper left-hand corner. That is the image the students see on their TV. Here is my whiteboard (only about 6 feet away from the video camera):
BTW: I hate when kids are made to call me Miss Bonnie--I would prefer them to either call me just plain 'Bonnie' or to be really formal and address me by my family name.
Even though most of my teaching experience is with elementary students, I don't really do the cutesy teacherey things (like, baby talk, naming the paper bear mascot on the board, etc.). I generally feel that kids don't want to be patronized and respond just as well, if not better, to normal speech patterns and vocabulary. Just my opinion.
Finally, here is a close-up of the video camera that figures out all the details of how to make it all work:
Clarification: My students are Koreans in Korea. Their school is really close to where I used to live in Seoul.
Last night, as I waited for my students to finish their placement test, I snapped a few pictures of my non-traditional classroom. Here is what I see:
On the TV screen, you can see a small box in the upper left-hand corner. That is the image the students see on their TV. Here is my whiteboard (only about 6 feet away from the video camera):
BTW: I hate when kids are made to call me Miss Bonnie--I would prefer them to either call me just plain 'Bonnie' or to be really formal and address me by my family name.
Even though most of my teaching experience is with elementary students, I don't really do the cutesy teacherey things (like, baby talk, naming the paper bear mascot on the board, etc.). I generally feel that kids don't want to be patronized and respond just as well, if not better, to normal speech patterns and vocabulary. Just my opinion.
Finally, here is a close-up of the video camera that figures out all the details of how to make it all work:
Clarification: My students are Koreans in Korea. Their school is really close to where I used to live in Seoul.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Where are the firecrackers?
This is so frustrating! I can hear the firecrackers outside my window, but I can't SEE THEM!! Aahh! I LOVE fireworks, but HATE when I have to listen to them and can't watch! Grand finale--NO WAY!!--these must be awesome! Now that I am thinking about it, this same thing happened last Sunday night...hmmmm...a pattern. I will have to investigate this matter.
I got called into work tonight--now, I will be teaching four nights a week instead of two! And, the boss called me into his office about "an important issue" tonight. He offered me a full time job starting in a month or two! I know, it sounds funny, but thisbusiness school just started about a month ago, and they keep adding more classes. Soon, I will be taking over regular classes, but not until after Christmas, I think.
This is very good news! I really like the job so far, and don't mind the evening hours. I am teaching math, but am figuring out that it isn't as difficult as I have always made it out to be (maybe I inherited some of my mom's mad math skillz after all).
P.S. I got my camera back from Martin, so this week's posts will include a few more visuals. I know you're excited! :)
I got called into work tonight--now, I will be teaching four nights a week instead of two! And, the boss called me into his office about "an important issue" tonight. He offered me a full time job starting in a month or two! I know, it sounds funny, but this
This is very good news! I really like the job so far, and don't mind the evening hours. I am teaching math, but am figuring out that it isn't as difficult as I have always made it out to be (maybe I inherited some of my mom's mad math skillz after all).
P.S. I got my camera back from Martin, so this week's posts will include a few more visuals. I know you're excited! :)
Friday, November 21, 2008
one more foreign film
Tonight was the final night of the free foreign film festival in Fullerton (how's that for alliteration?). I have to say that the selections have been awesome and now I am going to rent the ones I missed out on!
We saw The Kite Runner (Afghanistan) tonight. Wow. What a story. I haven't read the book yet (I know, I know...I'm a little behind on my current lit titles), but the movie was really powerful. I don't want to say too much, but, again, this is a must see movie (there are some pretty tough parts in it--it is probably not for kids). Be prepared for some heart-wrenching moments.
By the way, does anyone have a copy of the book I could borrow?
OK. Here is the list of the films I didn't make it to:
Pauline and Paulette (Belgium)
La Vie en Rose (France)
The Way Home (South Korea)
Have you seen any of these titles? Are they hits or misses? I am sure that they are pretty good, but if anyone has any input, I would love to hear it!
We saw The Kite Runner (Afghanistan) tonight. Wow. What a story. I haven't read the book yet (I know, I know...I'm a little behind on my current lit titles), but the movie was really powerful. I don't want to say too much, but, again, this is a must see movie (there are some pretty tough parts in it--it is probably not for kids). Be prepared for some heart-wrenching moments.
By the way, does anyone have a copy of the book I could borrow?
OK. Here is the list of the films I didn't make it to:
Pauline and Paulette (Belgium)
La Vie en Rose (France)
The Way Home (South Korea)
Have you seen any of these titles? Are they hits or misses? I am sure that they are pretty good, but if anyone has any input, I would love to hear it!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
French Night at the Foreign Film Festival
My new city is pretty great. I never expected it to feel so non-city like. There are so many free community events going on all the time, and one of them was tonight.
Tonight was French night at a local community college's film festival. I only was able to stay for one of the movies shown, but I think I saw the best one! The movie is called Les Choristes (The Chorus in English).
I loved it! If you are a fan of foreign films--you MUST watch this one. Especially if you are a teacher, know a teacher or had a good teacher in school. The movie is about a school of boys with behavior problems and a teacher who works hard to reach them. The teacher begins a choir and helps transform the boys' lives. It is really endearing and the music is beautiful. It made me think of Mr. Holland's Opus in many ways (and who doesn't like that movie?). If you see it or have seen it, let me know what you think!
Yesterday, the festival featured a film from Spain. It was called Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother). It was a good movie, too, however, I am not sure I want to recommend it. This movie addresses a range of issues, like prostitution, transgendered individuals, drugs, unplanned pregnancy and death. It is kind of emotionally heavy.
Tonight was French night at a local community college's film festival. I only was able to stay for one of the movies shown, but I think I saw the best one! The movie is called Les Choristes (The Chorus in English).
I loved it! If you are a fan of foreign films--you MUST watch this one. Especially if you are a teacher, know a teacher or had a good teacher in school. The movie is about a school of boys with behavior problems and a teacher who works hard to reach them. The teacher begins a choir and helps transform the boys' lives. It is really endearing and the music is beautiful. It made me think of Mr. Holland's Opus in many ways (and who doesn't like that movie?). If you see it or have seen it, let me know what you think!
Yesterday, the festival featured a film from Spain. It was called Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother). It was a good movie, too, however, I am not sure I want to recommend it. This movie addresses a range of issues, like prostitution, transgendered individuals, drugs, unplanned pregnancy and death. It is kind of emotionally heavy.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Hip-hip-hooray!
I am starting to think that I need to set more big goals for myself. Why is it that we doubt what we can accomplish? What keeps us from pushing our own boundaries a little more?
I wasn't sure I could live in Korea for a year, but it had always been a goal of mine to live abroad, so I tried it. It wasn't so bad...in fact, it turned out to be a good experience. Now, I have set this goal to finish a marathon and I am finding that it really isn't a big deal. Sure it's challenging me physically and mentally, but it is really not too bad!
Today I conquered the Newport boardwalk not only once, but three times! The days I do my long runs (over 6-8 miles) are spent at the beach, but I've never run this far in my whole life! Ready to be blown away by the grand total? OK, here it is:
18 MILES!!! Woohoo!!! :)
It took me three and a half hours to complete my run, and I could hardly walk after I finished, but I did finish. My legs and feet are sore, but I now am realizing that this is a really positive experience for me. I am beginning to think about what things I want to do and see and experience:
1. finish the marathon in February
2. become fluent in Spanish (and, eventually, German)
3. purchase an around-the-world plane ticket
It is my goal to have lots and lots of stories to tell when I am Edna's age! :)
I wasn't sure I could live in Korea for a year, but it had always been a goal of mine to live abroad, so I tried it. It wasn't so bad...in fact, it turned out to be a good experience. Now, I have set this goal to finish a marathon and I am finding that it really isn't a big deal. Sure it's challenging me physically and mentally, but it is really not too bad!
Today I conquered the Newport boardwalk not only once, but three times! The days I do my long runs (over 6-8 miles) are spent at the beach, but I've never run this far in my whole life! Ready to be blown away by the grand total? OK, here it is:
18 MILES!!! Woohoo!!! :)
It took me three and a half hours to complete my run, and I could hardly walk after I finished, but I did finish. My legs and feet are sore, but I now am realizing that this is a really positive experience for me. I am beginning to think about what things I want to do and see and experience:
1. finish the marathon in February
2. become fluent in Spanish (and, eventually, German)
3. purchase an around-the-world plane ticket
It is my goal to have lots and lots of stories to tell when I am Edna's age! :)
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