Friday, May 29, 2009

Weekend away

I am so excited for this weekend. It will be a nice weekend away. Heading to Krakow, Poland. It's not going to be a completely cheerful weekend, as we are going to tour Auschwitz. But it'll be a good weekend to learn and see a bit of history. I know that the tour will be very sobering and sad. I did end up going to Buchanwald at the end of the year, and you could just feel the sadness there. And they didn't use the gas chamber at that camp.

I can and cannot imagine what Auschwitz will be like.

I am ready to look at and hopefully purchase some Polish Pottery. I've seen some for the past few years and they are pretty. It'll be a nice keepsake. Anyway....need to pack, clean, and do all the rest before leaving.

Have a great weekend, and safe travels for anyone heading out of town!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Waiting

Waiting and being patient is difficult for me. So are many other things, but waiting is really hard. I am currently waiting for a girl to come and stay with me for 2 nights. I don't know her. She's going to be teaching at my school next year and is checking it out a bit. She didn't want to get a hotel room, and so I offered my place.

Our HR person is supposed to have brought her to my friends apt that she's going to be talked into taking over and then over here by 7:00 I thought. But it's now 8:00 and I haven't heard anything about where they are or anything. I'm hoping that by now, they've made it to my friend's house.

Anyway....another beautiful day in Naurod! And HOT! I can't believe that we went from 5 cold months to a pretty much 90 degree day. And in a school with no AC. Ugh! My classroom faces the afternoon sun and that whole wall is a wall of windows. Where that is a very good thing when it is winter, it is not so much fun in the summer. I had no lights on, the shades were down, the fan was blowing, but....it didn't help much with the coolness factor.
Don't get me wrong....I enjoyed the fact that it was nice and all, I'm just not prepared when there's no AC! Especially after going from needed jackets one day to needing to be in a tank top the next.

Ok, still waiting....I'll try to be patient, but it's going to start getting really bad here soon! I like to be in the know, and I'm not in the know at the moment. Where was the phone call to say, "hey, sorry, but we're running late. We'll be there around 9:00."

*photo is from when I was first moving into my classroom so it's a bit of a shambles....

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Beautiful Weekend

Yep, so I met my goal of finishing up all my report cards this weekend. Boy is that a relief! I cannot believe that I'm done, though. It'll be amazing, if tomorrow, when I read them over, they sound alright. It has been a nice long weekend over here. 4 days away from school! Yippeee!!! I love my students, I really, do, but I'm ready to be done with the school year already!

The weather was amazing! It's been sunny and warm. I just sat out on my balcony for about an hour, reading, listening to music, and just enjoying the warmth of the sun as I closed my eyes for a bit. RE-LAX-ING!

So, now, it's Sunday evening (early yet, still) but evening nonetheless. I'm dreading heading into work tomorrow. Don't wanna go! If I could get away with calling in sick, I probably would. But it's far easier to suffer through the day than come up with sub plans!

Alright, here are a list of things I'm grateful for today (it's much needed after last weekend's plight!):

1. Blue skys and singing birds.
2. Friends who call to check up on you and make sure you're doing alright.
3. A clean kitchen - it took me a few hours to actually complete it today, but it's done and I'm happy about that!
4. The sunshine! Germany sure is pretty when the sun comes out!
5. The discovery of new music. I had been watching some "Ghost Whisperer" episodes and liked a few of the songs, and found out who sang them. The Script will be my new obsession. They're a band out of Ireland. Good sound!
6. Having someone else make dinner for me, and hearing her kids in the background get excited that I was invited over....how blessed do I feel that I'm wanted company!

Ok, so six isn't so bad for today...Oh, and I must welcome Trudy....thanks for being my first follower....how exciting is that!

To all those stateside this weekend, enjoy your Memorial Day tomorrow. Be safe and all!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Writer's Workshop: Sick and tired...

3.) List ten things you are currently sick of.

This list is in no particular order. They are all just pretty annoying at this particular moment.

1. Passive aggressive people! I have a few of these people in my life, mostly because they are those I work with....I don't enjoy them. It's not fun to be the recipient of their passive aggression....

2. Double negatives....if I could give an example, I would, but seriously, my ears start to bleed when I hear one!

3. Report Card writing! I know parents want to see the comments and all...but it's ridiculous the amount of writing I must do per child. Seriously, do parents really want to read all of that? I don't think so! Not that I'm a parent or anything. I just don't think that it's necessary for teachers to spend their weekends and "free time" working on report cards that are read once then put in a drawer.

4. Job searching! I hate moving and I hate looking for new jobs. I just wish this was already over with! UGH!

5. The yearbook! I've complained about this on previous posts....and it's so up in the top ten! I am ready for the books to be here so that they can be given out! Oy vay!

6. Clean freaks! My desk, in my working classroom, gets a tad messy, because it's basically a place to put papers. I rarely sit there! My passive aggressive boss has found my desk mess an embarrassment to her. I don't see what she has to be embarrassed about...It's my mess, not hers. And not only that, it's not that bad. It's really just organized chaotic piles. I know exactly what I have on my desk! Seriously! Just ask...I'll go right to it! Damn PR principals!

7. Doing Dishes....without a dishwasher, other than myself, I despise this job. My kitchen is small and when a few dishes stack up, it gets even smaller! Ugh! I wish I had a maid....

8. Cramps. 'Nuff said!

9. People acting like my mother. I know they are doing it out of love and to be helpful. But they are really starting to get on my nerves! I already have a mother...I don't need another two or three!

10. My cell phone battery! My goodness, this darn thing will be nice and plumped up at the beginning of the day, and then in a few hours it's already almost dead. There are times that it stays charged for two or three days without a problem. Now, though, it's dying quickly. That's annoying, especially when you need to use it and you can't!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Some good news....

So....I have a few interviews (FINALLY) set up. One is on Tuesday for a school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Crazy. I'm not really all that sure I want to go to Asia, but...if that is where the wind is going to blow me, then....I suppose I'll have to see what happens.

I also have an interview for a school in San Diego! Yeah! Although it's a good 2-2 1/2 hrs away from my condo, I don't care. I would be back where I was hoping to be. So...we'll see about it all!

Life is complicated right now, though. I'm SOOOOOO ready to come home. I'm SOOOOO done with being here. But I'm scared about the change, especially since I don't know where I'll be. If I knew where I'll be then I'd be at least a bit ok with the change. But....without knowing, I don't know, I'm freaking out about it.

I'm sad to leave friends. I'm scared of that last day when we all do say goodbye. When will we see each other again. Will it just be a Facebook relationship, or will we talk on the phone. Will we be able to work out visits? Huh....just too much. Plus I have report cards to work on and loads of other very boring paperwork that needs to be finished!

YIKES!!!

Homesickness sucks at a time like this! Hope I get over it soon so that I can focus on what needs to be done.

Friday, May 15, 2009

The Friday from H-E-double hockey sticks!!!

Oh! My! Gawd!!! Today just totally bit the big one. I'm stressed with the end of the year normal close-out chaos that happens in a school. But to add to all of that, I'm still on the job hunt for another teaching gig, and I'm moving, and I'm having to do things the "German" way (which is SOOOOO not the easy way!!!)

I've been working on the yearbook - ugh times infinity! And then my friend asks, but doesn't actually "ask" more like "demands" that I should go to our school's flea market tomorrow morning and set up shop and sell the yearbook to those there.

It was the straw that broke the camels back!!! I swear! This happened right before the day started, and I'm still reeling from it! I did do the "adult" thing and talk to her about it. It was a good thing to do. I'm glad that we spoke, but....I'm still hurt and pissed and, and, and, and, and.....

When will this end???? This is when I'm so freakin' DONE with being in Germany. This is when I want so BADLY to be HOME!!! I miss people so very much....and this type of stuff just brings it all into my view again!

OKAY....I've vented. I'm better....well, better-ish. I'm ready for a BIG bottle of wine! Or a good stiff drink....if only I had some hard liquor....

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wed. Writing prompt Day

Yep, it's writing prompt time again....I found this one particularly interesting from MamaKat.

1.) Define goodness...joy...sorrow...and anger using pictures you've taken.

So, I think I'll go backwards....never good to end with anger:


So this guy was at the Temple Philae in Egypt. He doesn't look so happy as he has tumbled down from his original spot and just in general...he looks a bit angered about something. Sometimes I wish the tour I had been on wasn't in German...I might have picked up a bit more information...although I don't think our guide actually talked about this fella.


For sorrow:


The birdie sitting there, as the snow tumbles down, seemed a ton sad. It was spring, last year, and we had had tons of sun and the flowers had bloomed, and then....BAM! The snow started to fall again. This young feller was trying to stay out of the major snowfall!

As for joy:


Hanging with good friends just brings me tons of joy! Especially since I'm so far away from my family....my adopted family of friends help with tough times!


And last but not least, goodness:


When you get the chance to sit on the beach on your birthday on a beautiful island in Greece...that is complete goodness. You can tell just how happy and relaxed I was feeling then...and that's without liquid nourishment. That came later that evening!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Fest time....

I love that Germany has so many fests....any excuse for a bratwurst and some alcohol! It's fabulous. My little village is having it's Apple Bloom (Appelblutte) Fest this weekend. Now, this village is quite sleepy all throughout the year...I kind of like that....and this weekend it comes ALIVE!!! It's amazing....you see so many people out and about. People open up their courtyards and have drinks and food in there....it's quite nice.

A few of us went down last night to enjoy some drinks and good company. They have this Eierliquor (Egg liquor - I know it sounds disgusting, but it's not) that they pour into a chocolate dipped shot glass cone - you know, so you can eat the glass after drinking your drink....it's amazing. It's not something I'd ever drink at any other time, I don't think, but....all the same, it's great - I think the chocolate helps that!

I'm not doing too shabby this morning either. A bit of a headache, but I am feeling good. Will probably head down again tonight for some goodies just because this village is hopping for the weekend!

It's so enjoyable to be in a country that uses any excuse to have a weekend of eating and drinking...the apple trees are in bloom, the early wine is ready, the onions have been harvested...you get the picture! It's endless!

I'll cheers to you all while I'm enjoying my splash of wine, or eierliquor, or sekt, or whatever else I might decide to enjoy!

Happy weekend!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Where do I REALLY want to be?

Huh? I don't know anymore...For most of this school year I thought I wanted to be back home in the desert where my condo is, but now that it's been difficult in locating a job in that same desert...I don't know. Going the int'l route again is ok, I suppose, I know I can do it, as I've already done it for 2 years. But do I really WANT to do it?

I want to be back in the desert because I'll be closer to family and friends that I've missed tremendously. And I'll also be closer to a special someone who hasn't left my heart. But do I move home just because I want to be closer to him? Is that really what I should do? Would that be a completely stupid thing? (I don't really need the answers to those questions - they are more rhetorical :o) ! ) I am pretty sure I know the answer I should give and yet, the heart, and brain are battling it out!

I suppose that time will tell what is supposed to happen both job-wise and man-wise....If he comes to travel with me this summer, then it might help me to know more of what I should do....but what if I get a job offer somewhere around the globe, but none in the desert? Do I say "No" just so that I can be in the desert to maybe get back together....

That's the thing, I don't know if he would even want to get back together - yep haven't asked that question yet. I think I know the answer, but I don't want to ask for fear that I'll receive the other answer that would make me sad. I'm a wimp, I know.

We actually have pretty good communication, but I find I get a bit scared here and there, so then i just don't ask the "tough" questions that might lead to a broken heart. I shouldn't even worry about it....we've been apart for 2 years. Although we still talk and email, and he came and traveled me last year for my spring break....we haven't been together for 2 years.

I'm a dork for even worrying about this, I'm sure, but I am a woman and this is what we do tend to worry about....especially when we're single. Well, perhaps the answer will come to me in a dream, or a job offer - I suppose that either one would do at the moment!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

My summer vacation plans (Writing Prompt)

This summer I've planned to go and hit my last "must see" country before I head back to the states or wherever the wind is going to blow me....I'm heading to Ireland.

Now, I don't have my plane ticket yet, but that's only because I'm not exactly sure of the day I want to arrive and all. Plus I have to make hotel reservations and the like.

So, anyway...there is a parent at my school from Ireland who owns a B&B there. I need to speak with her and find out if I can get a room with their establishment before I make too many plans.

But my basic plan at the moment is:

Arrive in Dublin and stay for a few days checking out the city and what it has to offer. Rent a car and drive to the B&B (I think it's in County Cork somewhere) and make that my base for the remainder of my time. Since I'll have a car I can take day trips to Blarney Castle and Kiss the Blarney Stone (it apparently gives one the gift of gab - not sure I need more gab, but what the hell, right? -When in Rome and all...)

There are many things I'd like to see, but having a bit of a relaxing time is also on my mind. I'll have been in End Of The Year Mode at school for quite some time - as it's starting now - and then packing and shipping my things back home (or, again, wherever), and then saying goodbye to the many very dear people that I have met....I'm going to be EXHAUSTED!

At least going to Ireland should bring me some goodness....they speak English (I'll ignore the fact that they also speak Gaelic at the moment) and I'll be able to understand them! I won't have to stare at the lovely folks of Ireland with that I-have-no-idea-what-you-just-said-but-I'll-nod-as-if-I-did-understand look. It'll be bliss...plus I love Irish accents....they're so much fun!

Maybe I'll meet a lovely Irish man who will sweep me off my feet! Or maybe the man I want to travel with will come and meet me there....who knows....

But, the URGENT must see list of mine will be complete after Ireland. I'm excited to see this country. I've wanted to go ever since I found out I had a bit of Irish in my blood. Not enough to really amount to anything (1/16) but all the same, it's something and to be in the land that held some of my ancestors is kind of neat. Wish I knew where they hailed from. But....I don't have that information. I know that they immigrated during the potato famine to the South....that's all....but I'm not sure that it matters all that much. It will be a pleasure to have a chance to visit the country and see the beautiful countryside!

Up for consideration...

As I am going through my job search methods....which is looking each and everyday on the internet at various job searching sites for teachers, I have now found myself considering Asia as a place to work and live....I've never had an inkling, really, to go to Asia, and yet, I may be given the opportunity to interview with a school there....although that isn't a fact quite yet.

I had sent a query into an international school in Kuala Lumpur and they responded with a "please send your resume and letters of recommendation for review." This definitely pleased me! I was like - YEAH!!! AWESOME!!! But at the same time, I'm thinking, OH MY GOD!! Where might I end up? The school itself looks AMAZING and I think it would be another fabulous experience. I'm just not sure I'm ready to go to another spot.

I have people, specific people, that I was hoping to go back home to, and now....I may not be given the opportunity to go back home. But I suppose if I'm meant to be off somewhere in Asia, then I should take that opportunity and consider it a blessing that I'll be given a job! Plus, one never knows what is around the corner waiting for them.

Maybe I'll meet the most fantastic man ever over there or wherever and that will be it! Maybe I won't, but who can ever tell?

Sooooo, considering that I don't have a job to home to, and yet I'm going home....I suppose that I should be happy that they contacted me based on the form they ask prospective teachers to fill out. As they wouldn't have contacted me unless they found my information interesting, right? Or was I one of only a few who actually noticed they had an opening? In any case....good things will come my way - they will, they will, they will!

I think I need to make sure that I start believing this!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Cleaning and procrastinating

Yep....must clean the apt today. My landlords informed me that they are bringing someone in to look at my apt at 4 pm. Not so bad...but I'm just a bit procrastinator when it comes to cleaning....and now it's not just that my apt must be clean....it must be CLEAN!!! If my landlords and other people are coming....AAAAHHHHHH!

I've started to get things put away in the proper places. I have laundry hanging out to dry on the balcony! Yeah! The sun is out. But now I'm sitting on my couch and typing on my blog. Procrastination 101....find anything else to do BUT what you are supposed to do!

It's not that I have a lot to do. My dishes are done already. My bedroom is done except for clean sheets and vacuuming. My living room isn't too bad, but needs to be vacuumed. And then it's just the bathrooms. If I could just snap my fingers and my bathrooms were clean....I would do it. I sometimes wish I were Samantha - wiggle my nose et voila! Sparkling clean everything!

Too bad I'm not. Maybe in my next life.

Ok. No. More. Procrastinating. Must. Clean. Now.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Writing prompt time...again

Although the prompt said to write about a recent email exchange...I'm changing it to a recent IM exchange I had with a friend. I think I do more IMing now...I love Skype. Totally has helped me stay in contact with friends and family (and for free - with most of my friends and fam - which is fab-u-lous!) Here it is, my IM with a friend of mine who is in Vietnam.

Her: Hey! How's it going?

Me: Hey you! I'm ok...didn't get the job at Marywood, so a bit bummed, but it was a longshot! How are you?

Her: Aw, I'm sorry, that sucks. I'm good.

Me: Yeah, well, they went with a computer teacher...

Her: I'm actually doing a bunch of applying this evening....computer smumputer

Me: That's all I did yesterday...I sat in front of the computer and looked at job openings. Ugh! I saw that there are a few in Ho Chi Mihn City. Maybe you should stay!!

Her: yeah, ugh! Nope, not staying! I wanna go home.

Me: I hear that...but I'm thinking I'd need a job more than I need to be home...we'll see, we'll see. Any other interviews for ya?

Her: Yeah, I think I'm in the opposite position, I need to be home more than I need a job. I can always sub. No other interviews.

Me: Did you hear back from the schools you sent your video to? And yep...subbing is always an option...if I really feel the need to be home, then...I'll do that.

Her: Nope, they said they would send them to the principals, and "let me know"

Me: Ugh!

Her: Yup

Me: Perhaps a little reminder that you're still interested is necessary. I had my interview with the school in DC last Monday...went well. Said they were in the middle of interviews though...but gonna send a little reminder about who I am tomorrow and say that I'm still interested in their school...We'll see. I hate searching for jobs!

Her: Well that's good hopefully that will work out for you. Yeah, the job search sucks. I think I will send them a reminder today.

Me: Good girl!!!

Her: On a lighter note I actually went out drinking last night!

Me: Yeah, if it wasn't for my bloody condo...I'd be ok with going to a few other areas.... Drinking? You? Wow! Hope you didn't wake up with a huge hangover!

Her: No, I didn't do the excessive drinking, I still don't trust everyone you know to be that out of control but I was good and drunk. It was great.

Me: Good for you! Always nice to have a night to social and drink. Fri we went to a friends house for a BBQ and had wine, or mojitos, margaritas. It was fab.

Her: Yeah I had a good time. I hung out with a bunch of Vietnamese, Korean, English, Australian, Irish and a New Yorker, fantastic!

Me: I bet that was great fun! What day do you fly back home again? It's in June, right?

Her: June 14th

Me: I'm a month behind ya. July 16.

Her: I'll be in LA at 10:05 am on the 14th, Sunday...oh wow

Me: Boy will you be nice and tired! I get into PS at like 6 pm. But I stop in Chicago and then again in Phoenix. Ugh!

Her: How long are you staying in Ireland? 2 stopovers huh?

Me: Not sure yet. Prob somewhere between 7 and 10 days. Esp if I'm on my own...I think that will be enough. You should come!!! That would be fun!

Her: Yeah, I think so. I leave for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday....come to Ireland?!

Me: Yes!

Her: or to the airport?

Me: Ireland babe! I'm looking at a school that has an opening in Kuala Lumpur!

Her: Huh, now I have to look up ticket prices and put off applications... Oh really? I'll let you know how it is.

Me: Oops..sorry!

Her: (Of course)

Me: Anything to be distracted right? I didn't do any cleaning yesterday...although that was my hope....and it's not looking good today...

Her: Pretty much. I got a pedicure this morning...you know because I had to have one...so why are you applying for the job in DC not in Northern Ca?

Me: But I must...our relocation person is coming to check out my apt. to see if she'd be willing to get someone into it for next year...so must be clean by Tue. Don't know...it was an int'l school and the east coast would be interesting. I've applied to lots of jobs in Vermont, too.

Her: Huh, that's cool.

Me: Yeah....I miss our pedi and mani days...They're not the same here...no cool foot baths and massaging chairs.

Her: Yeah, same here...no massage chair but it was nice. I got a mani pedi (a nice one) for $10. That's the nice thing.

Me: Wow!!! $10....amazing...Have you been able to save a bunch? Can I be nosy and ask what you take home each month?

Her: Yeah, I save a good amount. I bring home $2100. I get $2400 each month with my housing allowance.

Me: Nice! I think I might need to go to Asia just to afford to keep my condo! Europe is great...I love it....but it's not a place to teach if you want to save money!

Her: For example this month...I bought my plane ticket home, my plane and hotel for Malaysia, paid rent, bought shoes, clothes, drinks and every other thing I wanted including expensive coffee and food and I am still managing to save $800. yeah, Asia is totally the place to save.

Me: Wow!! That's amazing...nice for being able to enjoy the finer things in life, huh? Like manis and pedis!

Her: Well, "finer" on a busy dirty street and miserably hot places! Such a dichotomy. Well yes I do like the mani's and pedi's.

Me: Funny girl! But....you understood what I meant.


There's a bit more....however....it just goes on a bit more and then a few British terms get thrown in there. I love that I use "bloody" in normal conversation, as well as "bugger" (although that's a really horrible term!) Hope you were able to follow the conversation I had with my friend.....it's so much easier when you're in the IM moment....

Happy May Day!