For the first time in forever....

I hope that title reminds you of a slightly annoying, but oh-so-catchy song from a recent Disney movie, and you'll hum it as you read....

Haha... Just kidding. I wouldn't wish that on you. =)

Sorry to all my loyal friends and family out there who have been wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth. Truth is, I've fallen into the face of the earth. My life has been swallowed up by the busy busy busy, go go go that is NYC.

I'm super excited to be living here. Things have fallen into place nicely with a job, an apartment, an awesome roomie, and even some adventures.

I'm sure many of you are curious about the life in NYC... So I've got a a topic...

 "Lessons from New York: Things you can't learn anywhere else."

1. Peeing is acceptable in multiple locations. I lived in China. I definitely heeded natures call in a few off beat places. Mostly disgusting, but manageable. However, in NYC, there aren't any bushes to hide behind.... So people pee in broad view of those surrounding. (Not me. I have standards people) But one evening I was waiting for a train. It was pretty late. And an extremely drunk man, not homeless just drunk, was peeing off the edge of the platform onto the tracks. Yes.

2. Cat calls are not indicative of sex appeal. Don't make any sort of response to them. Because no doubt if you look over to see who said "nice hat" it will be some older man with less than all his teeth and questionable hygiene.

3. During daytime hours, especially from 3-7, subways are fairly packed. It's rush hour. SO.... if for some reason there is a mostly empty car during these hours. Don't fist pump and rejoice because you'll get a seat. There is a 99% chance that there is a homeless person in the car. Now, I'm not opposed to homeless people. I know they have hard luck. I AM opposed to their stench. The kind of pee-body odor that clings to your nostrils. I'd rather be squished in a clean smelling car.

4. Finding an apartment in NYC is hard. I'm over it now because I have an apartment. But let me tell you, I spent the same amount of effort on job searching and apartment hunting. I found a job a month before I found an apartment. ugh..... But it's over, and I am very happily housed.

5. The subway is not your friend. And in the ever waging war on time, it's your enemy. Need to be somewhere and you leave on time... Subway is delayed. Whether it's a power outage that leaves you mostly stranded, someone sick on the train ahead of you so you're stuck between stations, or the every popular "we are delayed because of train traffic", you're probably going to be late. So leave a little earlier.

6. Lastly, my favorite story so far. Don't pick fights on the subway. My roomie and I were sitting on a train in the evening when two guys suddenly start throwing words. The first guy bangs his hand on the door and says "Get out! Don't talk to me like that, get out" to which the second guy responds, "I don't wanna fight you." Well guy #1 wasn't having it, he wanted a fight. But just as the train doors were going to open, an older gentleman across from me stands up, pulls out a walkie talkie and says "This is officer blah-blah and we have a delinquent on the 1 train, grey hoodie, blue jeans, red shoes wearing a black hat and orange backpack, coming up the whatever street stairs." WHAT!! Everyone on the train is stunned and the kid jumps out and walks away pretty quickly. We had no idea he was a cop. When the train starts moving again, a lady says "Well, you never know I guess" And then the guy on the other side of me says "Yeah, I'm NYPD too, so he wasn't going to get away with fighting" ...... Floored. I'm floored.

Speaking of late, I'm late to my tutoring session. I gotta travel way deep in Queens, which means an hour train ride.

I hope you all are well, and I'll do my best to post again with more stories.
In the mean time, leave comments or questions and I'll answer asap!

Until next time.

Stateside and the adventure continues

Well, it's been a while, and much has happened.

My last post eluded to a change in life. Looking to my departure from China. Well, that departure has happened. It's a bit ahead of the normal schedule, and I've known for a while about it. But I kept it real quiet because I wanted to surprise my Gram. (my biggest fan)

She was quite surprised. The face clutching, scream inducing, tears flowing kind of surprised. It was great. She had no clue. (everyone else knew)

Since my return I've been very busy running around doing all the things I've not had a chance to in 6 months, seeing people, eating american food, and getting over jet lag. My time to relax is still a little ways off as my life is not going to reach equilibrium for a bit yet.

My next adventure is just around the corner. And it's NYC. I'm off to a teaching job in the Big Apple.

It's a huge life change, but I figure its only half the size of Shanghai.... I'm excited to be doing something new, to be close enough to home for a visit, and also to be only an hour's time change away. :)

And to quote a favorite movie of mine...

You can't have roots and wings.

Luckily, my wings always know how to find home.

Until next time.

P.S. My blog is getting a little makeover for the change to NYC, but the web address will remain the same. I hope you'll stick around as I explore my new home.

Observations on Life 2.3

The semester is winding down. I'm working on exams...Giving them and correcting them. Finishing up things before I travel. Cleaning, organizing, making new messes out of old messes, the usual.

While sorting through some things I hadn't in a while, I was thinking about when I leave China. When I have to pack up for more than a short trip and never return to this place. I will move on and this place, these things won't be here when or if I ever come back.

What a concept. In the short moment that I spent dwelling on this idea, all I could think was "What will I take home?" ...Followed quickly by "I only have two suitcases. Oi!" And all I could see on all of my things were tiny price tags. Indicating the amount of money I would have to leave behind me. I don't have my future planned out (who does, right?) but it seems like such a waste to leave stuff here that I might need right? (the key word is 'might')

So, as I was talking to my mom (she's a smart lady), she was saying that it would be hard to leave because "You're leaving a whole life behind"

....

Let that sink in.

A

whole

life.

Wow. I hadn't thought of that before. But she's right. (I told you she's smart)

It put a few things into perspective for me. As I think ahead to what I might or might not do. As I think about where my life's highway is rolling, China will be just another town I pass through. I made roots, I settled, but the road is calling again.

I wonder where it leads.

I know many people wish they could know the outcome, but for me I enjoy the excitement of the unknown, the wonder that lies beyond the horizon, and the thrill of finding out. I've got some time yet in China to enjoy the roots I've created here, but before I know it I'll be pulling them up and moving on.

Until then... and,

Until next time.


P.S. We've reached the 6000 visitor mark. Thanks guys for stopping by... I love you all.

Christmas Party

Quick update: 

We had our Christmas party last night. And it was awesome!!

We had all our friends here, cookies, frosting, paper snowflakes cutting, singing and fellowship. 

Everyone cut out their hands on green paper and we made a Christmas tree of hands that turned out awesome. We sang a slew of songs with guitar, bass, ukulele, piano and (of course) the tambourine. 

We told the Story of Christmas and finished out the evening with more singing. 

It's at this time of year that I really appreciate all that I have and all that I'm missing.

Clichéd, I know.... But let me explain. 

Here in China, I've got friends who are my 'family' while I live here. They are my support system, and my strength and my laughter. I would not be nearly as content here with out all of them. Plus, all the new friends I make on a weekly basis. There is some pretty great food, things to do, and the weather is decent (most of the time). 

In America, I'm missing my blood family and the festivities that usually surround Christmas. Baking with Gram, watching White Christmas with Twig, building a snowman with Beasty, and shopping with Mom. And of course, ch.rch with my whole family. 

However, it's not the 'haves' and 'have-nots' that I'm thinking about. It's just the joy that I have because all of these things exist in my life. I can talk to my mom and family on Christmas. I can spend Christmas with my family here. I could be anywhere... But at this time in my life I'm here. For a purpose. And for that I'm thankful. 

I hope each of you can find contentment this Christmas season in all that you've been given. 

Merry Christmas.

Until next time. 

P.S. Seth says 'All hail. ....' (He's a little odd) 

December starts rolling...

Hi friends...

So, December has rolled in.

And, boy, did it roll in like a bowling ball set on a strike.

The month started off grand with a package arriving from home with goodies from St. Nick.

Momma and Gram send me some love in the form of socks, chocolate (twix!!) and a couple cards. St. Nick has always been my favorite part of the holiday season. I love Thanksgiving, and I love Christmas with the family. But my Mom and Gram have always made a big deal out of St. Nick. It was something fun as a kid to wake up on a school day and get a couple little treats. Because it was right after the Thanksgiving holiday was over and Christmas excitement hadn't quite set in yet, I just loved it. This grand tradition continued all through high school and college for me, and now has followed me to China.

I love it.

Then, this past weekend we had a large gathering of Women at my apartment for Women's Retreat weekend. We had friends come in from Shanghai and Hangzhou for some crafts, cooking, singing, dancing and quality time with each other and HIS word.

It was such a joy to see all my friends, and spend time with them. We had about 30 people here... which is not quite the hullabaloo that was Thanksgiving but nothing to sneeze at. Particularly when sleeping arrangements needed to be made. We had three to a bed in some places, and the living room had about 14 people on the floor and couches and snuggled in for body heat. (it's pretty cold and we don't have any full house heat. Only stand alone heaters) But we all had a good time.

Then, Jen and Liqing (lee ching) stayed for an extra day and us girls baked up a storm!! We made two batches of chocolate chip banana bread, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip muffin cake (we ran outta muffin cups, so we put the extra dough into a pan), apple cinnamon bread, and nutella sugar cookies. The kind that you roll into a ball and then roll in sugar. It felt like home and baking for christmas....

I loved it.

Not to mention I loved eating it. (I might have had treats for lunch today....)

Then, this week classes, and this weekend we're having a small group of girls over to help me roll out and cut sugar cookie dough to bake. Which we will save all our cookies for the following weekend when we have our giant Christmas party. Hopefully we'll have a big turnout and a lot of fun.

I planned, organized and executed Women's weekend with the help of my fellow women. I've got this next weekends cookie cut out day planned, and the plans for the Christmas party just went out to my teammates.

I feel like I can add project manager to my resume... haha!! But I love to do this sort of thing.
I like being the behind the scenes woman. I feel like organize people well, handle the unexpected, and delegate. But I'm not so great in the spot light... Luckily, I have always had cohorts that take that role and execute it spectacularly.

After our holiday party, a few of us are heading up to Hangzhou to help them with their holiday party as the musical entertainment. We have a couple guitar/bass/ukulele players here, and I've taken up the tambourine.....

I play a mean "We wish you a Merry Christmas".

Then, back to classes, and such until Christmas Eve when the team will get together to spend the holiday as a family. We have to work around the holiday, but we get Christmas Day off.

And after ALL OF THAT..... whew... I'm tired just thinking about it all. I have to teach a bit again, but  I'm planning a trip to Shanghai for the New Year to spend it with Jen and Sam and the team up there. And after that, hopefully, I'll get to breathe a little bit..... And start looking forward to Spring Holiday.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Advent season.

Until next time.

Turkeysaurus Rex and the dinosaur called Thanksgiving

Hello friends, 

I'm headed off to bed shortly. But I thought of all of you as I was wrapping up cleaning the dishes this evening. I haven't talked to you in a while, so I'll give you a recap of the last weeks events. 

We've been in full Thanksgiving planning for quite some time. I've been point woman on the festivities which included: Thanksgiving on Thursday with other foreigners, cooking a storm on Friday (today) and then a large group Thanksgiving with our Chinese friends. 

So, Tuesday, Tony and I spent about 3 hours at the grocery store getting all the supplies and such for this large extravaganza. Oh, I should mention we are expecting 60+ people for Saturday. 

Wednesday, Tony made shepherds pie, and I made apple pie together after school. 

Thursday, Thanksgiving!! But, I had school. China doesn't observe western holidays... Which obviously makes sense... doesn't mean I like it. Then after school I headed back to warm the pies. Both shepherd and apple... and Tony and I headed into town to the shindig. 

It was great. There was good company, good food, and we played a fun 'get to know you' game. 

Then.... THEN! Friday. Hang on to something, this is about to get crazy. 

I had to teach in the morning, finishing two classes at about 11:30 and I walked home (about 15 minutes) stopping along the way to pick up some yeast (it's important later) and get some lunch. 

When I arrived home I took the turkey out of the fridge to warm to room temp and dry off. OH, I totally forgot to tell you that my friends and I killed a turkey. Tony went to Wenling, a city south of here, and bought a live turkey. You heard me. Live. He took it to school on Monday and everywhere that Tony went the Turkey was sure to go........   ..... sorry. 

Anyway, on Monday night we decided to lop off Turkeysaurus's head. (that's his name) We prepped, we had a little liquid courage, and finally we just did it. Unfortunately, we were unaware of the practice usually involved in bird murder..... You tie the wings together so they don't flop so bad. We just had Seth and Jordan holding them. So as soon as the head came off and the bird went berserk! they let go and ran, so the bird was left to flop around the room. Seth also chose this moment to go berserk as well. I am not using the term berserk carelessly here. Its the only word that properly describes what he did. Running around the bird and trying to catch it, screaming quite loudly and trying to not step in the blood. 

If you have the stomach for it... and are looking for a good laugh... here's the video 

<The death of Turkeysaursus Rex>

Okay, back to Friday, I had taken the turkey out of the fridge. Here's the order of events. Ate lunch. Made banana bread. Made another banana bread. Made rolls. Set oil on the stove to heat. Made more rolls. Wrapped my arm in a towel and glove (rubber bands were used) and grabbed Turkeysaurus by the wing. 

Lowered him gently into the oil...which promptly overflowed all over the counter. Effectively scaring the shit out of all of us (oil+stove=fire) But I stuck my gloved hand into the spatter to turn off the burner and quickly mopped all the oil into the sink. Through all this I was telling Seth (my sous chef) that we had to get the burner going again or the turkey would be lost. So we got it cleaned up a bit and the burner going again. 

(whew)

Then, I left Seth to watch over Turkeysaurus. Made more rolls. Gave Petra instructions for banana bread. And another banana bread. Took the turkey off the stove and set to cool on a rack. 

Of course I had to see if he was done, so I cut out a small piece and take a bite. I promptly swoon with the amount of flavor in my mouth. IT WAS SO GOOD!! So good. 

Now, all of these things happen simultaneously: Eggs boil. And cool. Potatoes washed and sliced. Eggs peeled. Deviled eggs made. Waldorf salad made. Chicken breasts thawed. Turkey carved. 

Then, chicken gets deep fried because Turkeysaurus turned out so well. And cleaning-paloooza commences. 

Now, I'm headed to bed and the items we have sitting for lunch tomorrow:

• 4 banana breads
• 3 batches of rolls (about 80)
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Waldorf salad
• 60 deviled eggs
• gravy (made from turkey juices)
• cranberry sauce
• Mashed potatoes (get made in morning)
• Stuffing (morning too)
• Fruit salad (also morning)
• Rice (because this is china)
• veggies (just need to heat up)

And then everything needs to be warmed for serving. And we will have ourselves a pleasant little feast. And I say little, but I mean whopping. 

I'm practically falling asleep as I type and sorely need to go to bed. So I bid you adieu and will update you on the success of tomorrows lunch and if we had enough food or if we have a mountain of leftovers. 

Happy Thanksgiving, and Merry Start of Christmas music all the time!

Until next time. 

NEW!!

Quick thing...

Usually I don't have too many new things happening in my daily life. China is china, and I'm just being me. But yesterday (Saturday) I was on my way home on the bus. Which was crowded. As per the norm on a saturday. But it seemed extra crowded. I mean, sardines have more room to wiggle in their canisters than this bus did. Anyway, we were about half way home and all of a sudden...

PHthudaKaTAdisssSSsssssssss

We went over a bump and flat tire. The front tire of the bus. Flat.

We all got off and some people walked to the next stop a couple hundred yards up the road. Carina and I waited for a taxi. Which took about 20 min or so because we were not in a part of town that has many taxis.

We got a taxi and got home and it was fine. But it was something new for the books.

Until next time.