chronicles of a modern expl☮rer

#9 Today I learned...

2012-02-04T22:31:00.001+02:00

2/4/12 - Today I learned that an iron nail stuck through a potato helps it bake twice as fast. I always learn something new when I go visit my Grandma. She lives alone in a small house in Indiana, coincidentally right next to my coworker with whom I enjoy a ride every now and again. It was her birthday, so I decided it was time for my monthly visit to celebrate with her. Grandma is a great

#8 Today I learned...

2012-02-03T22:26:00.002+02:00

2/3/12 Today I learned that insider trading is legal for government employees. They have all the inside info, knowing important laws and decisions before they are made public. Officials can be bribed by corporations to spill the beans, giving the companies time to make their move and benefit financially. Obama mentioned in brief that he was going to put a stop to it during his most recent State

#7 Today I learned...

2012-02-02T22:19:00.001+02:00

2/2/12 - Today I learned how to make cake pops. This is a ton of fun! It's time consuming, but, combining the work with good friends makes the night a memorable one. I had three friends over to help me, and it was a blast! Cake pops are relatively simple. I baked a box white cake, and crumbled it when it cooled. After adding store bought frosting, I molded the cake into balls and stuck the

Chinese New Year!

2012-02-01T20:36:00.001+02:00

I can't believe it's been 3 years since I was in China. It feels like just yesterday I was there; Yet, I also feel al huge disconnect from the person I was, and the person I am today. Its amazing how much you experience and mature in 3 years. To celebrate, I taught a few lesson at school about China, or Chinese, and had some pretty interesting discussions with my students. It was very difficult

#6 Today I learned...

2012-01-30T21:27:00.000+02:00

1/30/12 - Today I learned that "ketchup is shunned in the hot dog world". Not only was today a Monday, but it was an AWFUL day. I love being a teacher, but sometimes you just have bad days. Teaching, in my opinion, is much different from other professions in that it is incredibly personal. When attacked by a parent or criticized (even constructively) by a superior, if feels like you personally

#5 Today I learned...

2012-01-29T21:27:00.000+02:00

1/29/12 - Today I learned about the Verichip. http://epic.org/privacy/rfid/verichip.html This implantable chip has been used for years in tracking certain soldiers in the army, as well as more recently in domesticated dogs, lest they wander off. However, now it's being used in humans. Watch a fox news report on how it's being promoted for Alzheimer's patients. Scary Big Brother stuff!

#4 Today I learned...

2012-01-28T21:26:00.000+02:00

1/28/12 - Today I learned that adding hot sauce to soup is a GREAT idea. One of my favorite cooking blogs of the moment is Closet Cooking. It's very creative and inspiring food-wise, and I have tried many of the recipes laid on on the site. I was a bit skeptical about adding hot sauce to my Buffalo Chicken Chowder, but, as always, Kevin knows best! The boyfriend came to join me for dinner,

#3 Today I learned...

2012-01-27T20:15:00.000+02:00

1/27/12 - Today I learned that killer whales were the largest member of the dolphin family. It was one of the last days of the semester, and, with little reason to introduce new material to the 8th graders, I decided to introduce them to one of my favorite things: Pub Trivia. Minus the pub, of course. We divided into teams, and each team received an answer sheet. We completes 5 rounds of trivia

#2 Today i learned...

2012-01-26T20:14:00.001+02:00

1/26/12 - Today I learned how to make glace-iced cookies. First, sugar cookies. I cut them in circles for a nice and easy first attempt. I had never made sugar cookies before, and this seemed an easy recipe to follow. It was, and they turned out delicious. Next, followed the tutorial on Our Best Bites blog. I feel like the first time I make anything, it never turns out just right. It takes two,

#1 Today I learned...

2012-01-25T20:14:00.000+02:00

I have had this idea for a book for a long time, but have sporadically made advances in bringing it to life. As one of my many New Years Resolutions (yes, I am one of those that has about 50 of them, and will only make it to the first 5), I will be blogging more, and being more conscientious in my efforts in writing. I do love to write, but it seems that in the constant buzz that is my daily life

Chicken and Dumplings, with a Jalapeno twist.

2012-01-16T19:49:00.000+02:00

As a first attempt at this comforting dish, I must say that I did pretty well. Chicken and Dumplings remind me of cold winter evenings around the kitchen table with my family, laughing at something ridiculous my Dad said, listening to Mom relate an interesting biblical antecdote learnt from her Master's study, or standing by as my sister burst into tears after discovered someone ate one of "her"

French Onion Soup: The cure for the work-day blues.

2012-01-11T20:24:00.000+02:00

After a long day at work, the boyfriend turned to me and said, "If I buy the stuff, will you make me french onion soup?" I sighed in feigned submission, secretly hiding the fact that I was thrilled with the idea. These moments can be used in successfully soliciting future favors; "Please won't you (insert undesirable task here)? But remember that time I made you french onion soup?" French onion

Stuffed Pumpkins.

2011-12-20T17:27:00.000+02:00

A little bored one day at work, I found my self minlessly browsing the internet at work. Clicking my way through an endless string of foodspirations on my favorite site, Epicurious, I stumbled upon something so fabulous that I gasped aloud. The 3 people I work in a tiny office have learned to ignore my random exclamations, giggles, and self-mutterings. My animated self cannot be contained.

Cheesecake Stuffed Pumpkin Cupcakes. Yes, Please.

2011-10-31T12:50:00.000+02:00

Hosting a dinner party is a ton of fun. Especially when you are trying out an promising new cupcake recipie on your guests. I dont' usually go for Rachel Ray recipies, but this one looked too good to pass up. And my intuition was right, as usual! Click here for the recipie. Using a cute turqoise cupcake liners to contrast the orangey brown of the cupcakes, these cupcakes christened my

Car rides.

2011-10-29T04:39:00.000+03:00

With the commute down to school, it feels like I spend a lot of my days in cars. Idle conversation. Unwinding from the day. Recovering from the previous night. Good music. Dance parties. Rain or shine. Gotta love this passenger seat.

Yikes. And Mustaches.

2011-10-25T17:04:00.001+03:00

It's been awhile. I am making a really late New-Years Resolution (or early, depending on how you look at it) to get back into blogging. Not to toot my own horn, but I have an incredibly colorful life that needs to be shared with the world. And the world will love it. Returning to my school this year was great. This is the first time in a very long time that I have actually put down roots and

Red Velvet & Creamy Cheese

2011-10-24T19:30:00.000+03:00

A perfect end to a lip-smacking meal. Even the prep was picturesque, thanks to the lovely (literally) cutting board given to me by one of my besties. Baked wontons stuffed with spinach, artichoke, cream cheese and parmesean and a touch of cayenne. Homemade red wine marinara with red pepper flakes abound, spinach-garlic linguini, with a mezcla of seafood. I let the sauce simmer and cook for

Pumpkin Picking & Carving.

2011-10-02T19:27:00.001+03:00

@patch @Carving Party Voila. Another successful year!

The Six Legged Stuff of Dreams

2011-04-15T19:30:00.001+03:00

I regularly dream. My dreams are not of the wishy-washy, semi- forgotton, rather vague variety. My dreams are suspense filled, clearly plotted, crystal clear mind films that my brain puts on to entertain me while I am sleeping. That's right. Mind films. I remember these dreams like I remember actual events, with imaginary emotions carrying over into real ones in the waking hours. I will feel

What do I have going on? Why, let me check my awesomely bizarre wall calendar.

2011-04-07T03:13:00.000+03:00

So, rather belated, yes, but recently I have decided that I was in dire need of a calendar. Honestly, I am not sure I have juggled my rather intense social calendar and increasingly suffocating work schedule; I must have the mind of a machine. Which explains quite a lot, actually. Anyhow, one day last week I had had enough. Dates jumbled in my mind as my arduous brain-cogs lost their inertia,

"There's nothing more dangerous than a resourceful idiot" - S. Adams

2011-01-10T20:00:00.001+02:00

I am a very laid back person, yes. I have a high tolerance for human error, and usually let the little things slide with a laugh and a friendly smile. It's silly to get huffy over this minor details; because, as stated in the latter clause, they are minor. I pride myself in this quality, the ability to forgive and forget on a daily basis. It keeps me happier and emotionally healthy. Yet, every

wining and dining.

2010-12-20T01:59:00.000+02:00

Ah, la vie de les jeune.

Waggoner Weekend

2010-12-17T16:53:00.000+02:00

A few weeks ago, I took a long-overdue trip south to my old college town, Bloomington-Normal, to visit an old college friend. I hadn't seen Sarah for over a year, selfishly forsaking her for the allure of the foreign experience. Seeing her again, brought back a rush of memories and sparked our friendship back into life. I didn't forget, but I didn't remember either how much I love this girl. We

Potrait of a City

2010-12-15T17:53:00.001+02:00

It's an odd carry over process for me, transferring the activities I have enjoyed so much over the past two years of globe trotting. I have stopped taking photographs like I used to, as, in my mind, it's associated with travel. I've stopped blogging, given the same reason. Recently, though, I've really felt the pull back to these activities. My two lives (life pre-travel and life

I forgot how much I ♥ scrapbooking...

2010-12-12T19:00:00.000+02:00

... and hanging out with Candace! I got together with my student teaching mentor for an afternoon of mostly conversation, but we did fit some scrapping in. One page down! Watch for more to come - I am definitely taking the time for this hobby starting ahora.

Settling - the good kind.

2010-10-20T22:06:00.057+03:00

These past few months have flown by, bringing with them so many new experiences and taking with them so much unease. Teaching was rough at the beginning; stressful, time consuming, and heart-hardening. I've settled into a comfortable routine with my classes now. My co-workers are just awesome, and these kids make me laugh so hard. I have finally broken them into seeing Spanish as an academic,

Getting my Driver's Liscese in Illinois was more difficult and time consuming that getting my Chinese work visa. And premonition inducing.

2010-09-19T18:15:00.000+03:00

Truth. Here's the background story: I went to highschool in Illinois, thusly receiving my Driver's Liscense for the first time in this state. If we passed the written test, driving test, and simulation test in our Driver's Education course in school, we could march straight into the DMV on our 16th birthdays, stand in line to take what would be one of the most un-flattering photos of our lives,

The Switch

2010-09-17T13:01:00.004+03:00

To be honest, I never really thought about being a Spanish teacher. I love the language, sure, but always pictured myself as a general classroom teacher in my [wildest?] work-time fantasies. I recieved my endorsement as a result of my minor, but never really considered pursuing it as a career. How I underestimated that little addition to my teaching certificate! Not only did it find me a job in

THE "The Move"

2010-09-05T21:00:00.004+03:00

My whole life I've been moving. When I was young, my family moved five times before I was in high school due to my father's job. In college, I moved to Spain for a semester, and then to Chicago for my student teaching. After that, I moved to France. Peru. China. Miami. Japan. Turkey. Miami. The list is not meant to boast, but just to verify the fact that, YES, Amy is a modern-day gypsy.

Summer 2010 in a Nutshell

2010-08-25T14:35:00.000+03:00

After a long flight to Istanbul, and a [slightly awkward, to be honest] night in my old apartment, I headed back to the Ataturk Airport for the last time. Departing from Istanbul was different than the other locations; I didn't feel that sense of attachment to the city. If I had the chance, I would love to spend six months back in Cusco, or China (not in Jinan, though!). I honestly attribute the

L☮nd☮n with the BBFF [British Best Friend Forever]

2010-08-16T20:48:00.002+03:00

I have wanted to go to London for FOREVER. I think most Americans feel the same - there is just something alluring about that place. The class, the accent, the history, the music... I could go on and on. And on and on. I would have my visit there if I had gone alone, but this happening metropolis was magnificent when coupled with the reunion of one of my best friends, Stephanie. She came down

Athens... Actually Apathetic

2010-08-15T20:14:00.002+03:00

I had heard before hand about the de-romanticized, rather placid city that Athens had become. However, I couldn't simply leave it off the itinerary. Having just perused three Greek isles, I had already decided in my heart that this would not be a Return-To-Country (a place, like Japan, where I would return to in a heartbeat). Knowing this, Athens was a city on my list of "Places to Go" that

Mykonos

2010-08-14T02:05:00.001+03:00

Ah, to be touristy and cliche. I simply had to stop on this island for a night and see what it was all about. As it turns out, it was exactly as expected; contrary to what that usually means, it was lovely and enchanting. My time there is best summed up in photos; enjoy the reel.

Santorini

2010-08-13T02:02:00.002+03:00

YIKES. Blogging has fallen out of my daily routine; I have begun to associate the thing with travel and adventure and, having settled in one location for the time being, it seems somewhat unnecessary now. However, I really do need to continue - I have plenty to share! But first, Santorini. I stayed four days on this gorgeous island, which is apparently notorious for attracting American tourists

Sincerest Apologies, Readers... And My Fond Memories of Rhodes

2010-06-29T23:42:00.002+03:00

As I was perusing the overwhelming amount of adorable merchandise at Nordstrom Rack this morning, I realized I had not written in disappointingly long time. What triggered the neurons in my brain to connect the two seemingly unrelated subjects, I have no clue. I am glad though, for my erractic synapses; I love to write, and a busy schedule truely should not prevent it. Not only a busy schedule,

Palmyra

2010-05-18T23:37:00.000+03:00

Palmyra was the next stop on our list. A 4-hour bus ride from Damascus, we arrived in early afternoon. We met some Australians on the trip, the only other western travelers on a rather intimidating busload of surly Syrian men, and followed them to the hotel they had selected from their guide book. Here, we learned that the owner, Muhammed, was a Bedouin. The Bedouins are an

Damascus

2010-05-02T07:57:00.000+03:00

Our first morning in Damascus, we rested until noon. We were exhausted from the previous days of constant motion, and it was nice to lie still for a time. Once we made it out of the room, our first order of business was to get to Old Damascus. What a cool place! We entered through the Bazaar – arched tunnels buzzing with the international pastime of buying and selling. A

Aleppo (Halep)

2010-04-30T08:17:00.001+03:00

I was so exhausted that, while typing some thoughts of the day down on my computer, I fell asleep several times. So, I slept, for 12 hours straight. Apparently, right after I laid down, Robin came out of the shower and asked me a question. I had fallen so fast asleep, that I began to sleep talk and walk, rambling on about photos and madly gesticulating my artistic direction

The Road to Syria

2010-04-29T10:45:00.001+03:00

Deciding to venture off the Turkish track, My friend Robin (Canadian, 26, English Teacher/ Aspiring Journalist and World Leader) and I decided to head south, into the Middle East. Syria, with it’s shared border with Turkey, cheap currency (Syrian Pounds, if you were wondering) and exotic allure made it the perfect destination. As icing on the cake, I had met several travelers who had just past

Fethiye & Ölüdeniz

2010-04-27T10:54:00.002+03:00

I arrived late to Fethiye, but woke early due to excitement. Why was I excited? Well, for one thing, I was in Fethiye. For another, I could run here! I took a leisurely jog around the harbor. Fethiye is a charming, sleepy port city. Covered streets and quaint cafes waited patiently in the town. Yachts and small fishing boats crowded the harbor. My first day, I took one of the popular island

Pamukkale

2010-04-26T14:54:00.000+03:00

I was up and out of my hotel early, catch my tour bus to my next destination – Pamukkale. After a quick stop for breakfast, and a long 3.5 hour drive inland, we finally made it. Pamukkale, a natural occurrence, is unique in this world. Formed by calcium deposits and water seeping up through the earth, this was a sight to behold! We took off our shoes,

Ephesus, and Selçuk

2010-04-17T10:00:00.008+03:00

Opting not to do a tour, I decided today to do Ephesus on my own. I caught a series of buses to the sight, but made it in good time. Plus, my new friends at the Otogar treated me to several cups of tea and nice conversation before the trip. I just LOVE that custom - the complimentary tea. Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek Ruins. It’s a sprawling city, even today, with floods of

Bodrum - Formerly Known as Halicarnassus

2010-04-16T22:45:00.001+03:00

After an irritating, idiotic, yet undeniably entertaining airport skirmish that resulted in my baggage being sent to Bodrum without me, I arrived a day later than planned to this coastal Aegean city. And yes, I reconnected with my trusty backpack, which had been safeguarded the previous night in a very secure location: propped up outside a door. Thank goodness I had removed all of my valuables

Cappadocia: Tour-riffic!

2010-04-14T20:10:00.000+03:00

I got up early the next day, before even the sun was up. One of the key tourist activities on Cappadocia is to take a balloon trip at sunrise over the region, and I was not about to miss out. Not only was it extremely exciting to be in a hot air ballow, it was breathtaking, the scenery. (It was freezing so early in the morning!)(There were tons of balloons everywhere. I wonder if any of them

Cappadocia: Around Göreme

2010-04-11T23:43:00.000+03:00

Growing increasingly tired on the constant full throttle atmosphere of Istanbul, I took a cheap flight away from it all- to the region of central Turkey known as Cappadocia. Kapadokya is an ancient area of Turkey with some surreal landscapes, yet remains widely unknown to most. Famous for its' "fairy chimneys", or strange rock formations in which the locals have chosen to make their homes. I

"A Whirl of a Night", "Out of This 'Whirl'd", "Of Nuts and Sq-Whirlls", and a Million Other Cheesy Title Possibilities To Introduce a Blog about the "Whirling Dervishes" Ceremony In Istanbul

2010-04-04T19:43:00.001+03:00

The Whirling Dervishes, aside from sending a million galavanting blog-post titles through your brain, are one thing that Turkey is famous for. When I learned about them, it rang only a distant bell in my memory; most Americans, myself included, know too little about this amazing country. Due to my recent fascination with Islam, as well as a growing obsession with politics (just finished "

An Unexpectedly Great Day

2010-03-28T08:32:00.000+03:00

I love those days where you have nothing special planned, but things spontaneously happen to craft your schedule into an enjoyable one. I don't mean that some massive party erupts, or there is some huge groundbreaking discovery on any given subject. No, it's the occurrence of little things that can make a day special. Yesterday was one of those days. I had planned to spend it in one of the

Oh, The Little Things That Make This City Great!

2010-03-24T09:37:00.002+02:00

Istanbul is such a lovely city, especially at this time of year. I decided to put together a short ode to the place, where I have spent the last two and a half months. To the flowers, which are popping up everywhere: from the trees, from the grass, from the roadside vendors taking advantage of the Turkish passion for love.To the mosques, so picturesque, from which the booming call to prayer

Topkapi Palace - Too Cool!

2010-03-22T09:31:00.000+02:00

On my "weekend" this week (Thursday and Friday, as we have weekend classes here), I took advantage of the beautiful weather to visit the beautiful, historical Topkapi Palace in Sultanahment. Apparently, there was a very famous film made about the place in the 1950s chronicling the gift of a certain dagger to a Shah of Iran, which was, in transit, sent back to Istanbul after the sudden death of

The Narghile Experience

2010-03-14T08:49:00.001+02:00

The Turkish folk love to sit, chat, and mingle with friends. Hence, there are an abundance of cafes in this city- more coffee than a coffee love like me could ever dream of. In addition to bars, where the Turks can drink you under the table, there's one other place where they gather in masses - Narghile cafes. Narghile [nahr- geel- ah] is the Middle-Eastern word for 'hookah', a water pipe used to

Football Frenzy

2010-03-08T12:37:00.002+02:00

Every country has a certain sport or national pastime that the male population whole-heartedly obsess over. In China, it's basketball: in Japan, baseball. In America, it's American football. In Turkey, as well as rest of the world, it's soccer-football, and it inspires a fantastic amount of both comraderie and rivalry in this culture. In Turkey, there are three teams to which one vows

I Don't Think I've Ever Been This Frustrated!

2010-03-05T14:48:00.004+02:00

Well, I hate to dissapoint, but I have absolutely nothing new to post. Except, I guess, the fact that my frustration with work has reached it's breaking point . First, let me say that I love the people that I work with - the Turkish Staff, my fellow teachers, and my students. There are no problems there - except for the Head Teacher. He is a likeable fellow, but his tact and managerial skills

It's Raining Cats and Dogs.... Literally.

2010-02-24T19:00:00.002+02:00

Around Istanbul, there are more stray animals that I have ever seen in any other location. They are everywhere: on the streets, living in groups inside quaint courtyards, or making thier homes in shop entrances. These dogs and cats are extrememly friendly, though dirty, and often approach the casual pedestrian, simply asking for love. At the very least, they look at you with those eyes. You know

A Heart-And-Home Warming Valentine's

2010-02-23T18:58:00.000+02:00

This Valentine's was a great one. Istanbul was decorated to the nines, complete with a mass of rose vendors, cheesy window illustrations, and, of course, a festive trolley. I spent the holiday in the luxury of my own place. My roommates and I decided to throw a Valentine's/ House Warming party, inviting many of our fellow English Teachers, as well as some Turkish friends. With my sub-concious

Adding Some Spice to Tasteless Fog

2010-02-22T13:26:00.001+02:00

Recently, my two lovely roommates and I took a much anticipated journey to one of Istanbul's most famous bazaars: the Spice Bazaar. Located in Sultanahmet, the traditional and very touristy area of this sprawling metropolis, the Spice Bazaar is a cheaper, but smaller, altermative to the all-encompassing Grand Bazaar. First, we journied into Asia, via a long bridge. Underneath, restaurants and

Feast Your Eyes!

2010-02-16T08:54:00.002+02:00

Finally, photos of my new home. Enjoy! Sunny Istiklal Street Shops in TaksimSide Streets in Taksim Grim-Reaper-esque snow statueTurkish Treats - These people love their sweets! The Backroads: A glimpse at the Traffic MadnessMy Home Street: TalebasiNight Shops in Taksim Near Taksim SquareIstiklal at Night Istiklal, which is normally this crowded or much, much worse.Roasted chestnuts, anyone?

Now Interrupting Your Regularly Scheduled Bloggering With This Totally Urgent Breaking News...

2010-02-12T11:02:00.001+02:00

The weather is great: the sun is shining, and the winter clouds have gone on their not-so-merry way to haunt some other [fortunately] far-away location for the next few seasons. I'm happy as a clam. Istanbul is sinking into my ever-permeable skin, and it resonates well with my natural biorhythms. My computer is fixed. Look out for photos in the next couple days. Back to work! Go, go!

Hamam - a - mia!

2010-01-30T11:02:00.001+02:00

Despite an exorbident fee, I did join a gym here in Turkey. I'm the kind of girl that need my exercise, and running is simply out of the question. It's both suidical, with the agressively self-entitled traffic, and for the most part, completely unheard of by the general populace. 'Agressively self-entitled' is a bit of an understatement in regards to the traffic of Istanbul. Pedestrains seem to

My New Life -Turkey Style

2010-01-29T09:36:00.001+02:00

It's about time for an update, and, boy, are you in for it! Istanbul has been great thus far. Having been here for exactly two weeks now, I can say for certain that I will enjoy the coming 6 months immensely. Istanbul is colorful and vibrant, a fact obvious even in the depressing and isloating weather we've been experiencing. Today is the first sunny day we've had since I've arrived - perhaps

Istanbul - A Ton of [Not So Great] Firsts

2010-01-19T12:00:00.000+02:00

Well, after 2 weeks of good ol' American lovin', I was back on the road. I left Miami with a bit of self- struggle - it's always exhausting, after just coming from a new country, to head right back out again. New gets old fast. I flew from Miami to JFK without problems, even managing to pack both of my checked bags under the 50 pound limit. I was pleasantly surprised, and perhaps even emitted a

My First 1/2 Marathon - Disney style!

2010-01-12T15:49:00.000+02:00

This past weekend, my family, minus the brother, piled in the car up to Orlando for a ridiculously exhausting vacation. My mother, sister, and I would be doing the Donald Challenge - a 1/2 marathon (that's 13.1 miles!) though the disney theme parks. My father, the expert runner and chronic overachiever, would be taking head on the Goofy Challenge - running the Donald 1/2 marathon on Saturday,

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

2010-01-05T15:20:00.000+02:00

So, I have been so lucky in my life to meet some amazing people: people that have shown me so much kindness, been so supportive, and have pushed me to be and do better. Sure, I've had my share of conflicts, but I'd say, overall, I've been so incredibly lucky in my friendships. I hadn't heard from Stephanie, an awesome English girl, and my BFF from my China days, in awhile. She was back in

My last days in Tokyo

2010-01-05T15:03:00.000+02:00

It was a sad time, saying goodbye to all my new friends, and a city that I have grown to love. My last few days in Tokyo I was alone, all of my fellow teachers having gone home. It was really nice - I relaxed, and really pulled myself together in preparation for leaving. I wandered around the city, visiting the areas that I had left to visit. I walked from Shibuya up to Shinjuku (a long walk!),

Iga- Ueno

2010-01-01T16:41:00.001+02:00

The next day, after spending a leisurely morning reading in (you guessed it) Starbucks, I headed off to Iga-Ueno, an ancient town known for being home to an infamous clan of Ninja. The town was small and a bit run down, but Ueno Park made up for all of that. Here is located an old clan house preserved nicely. The guides were great, demonstrating with enthusiasm and surprising agility the many

Osaka & Nara

2009-12-31T15:13:00.001+02:00

I stayed in Osaka a total of 3 nights, mainly using this urban location as base camp for all of the interesting things I planned to see around it. Yes, it's clean, it's pretty, and the people are lovely, but, after Tokyo, it was simply boring. Been there, done that... 10 times bigger, better, brighter. Anyhow, after my first night in Osaka, I took a train to Nara, an ancient capital of Japan.

Himeji - Surprise, Surprise!

2009-12-23T05:00:00.002+02:00

Himeji was next on the itinerary. My guidebook mentioned a famous old Samauri castle located there. I planned to just stop over for the afternoon on my way to Osaka; I had no idea how much I would fall in love with the place! It was a gorgeous afternoon. Walking a short 15 minutes form the station down a gorgeous tree lined avenue, I approached the castle. Situated on the top of a hell, it is

MIyajima Island

2009-12-22T08:43:00.001+02:00

Wednesday, I woke up bright and early to visit one of the famous Islands off the coast of Hiroshima, Miyajima. Actually, it was so early it wasn't even bright. It was pitch black as I hopped on the train. Reason being, the most beautiful time to view the famous "floating" O'Tori is at sunrise, high-tide. This giant arch in the bay is supposed to be one of the most beautiful spots in japan. And

Hiroshima ~ Peace on Earth

2009-12-18T01:30:00.001+02:00

My trip started Friday, December 11th, when, after a long day of packing and cleaning (I won't be back until the morning of Sian's checkout), I headed to Tokyo to catch my first Sinkansen. With my perpetual fear of being late, I made it 2 hours early. To my dismay, I realized that there was nowhere but the plaform to wait. The evening air was chill, the seats like rocks, and the wind was

Another さようなら (Sa-yo-na-ra)

2009-12-11T01:14:00.002+02:00

I can't believe I'm saying this again, but wow! How time flies! Yesterday was my last day teaching, and it was another heart-wretching goodbye to my students that I have come to know and really care about. 12 weeks was too short a semester - just enough time to get settled into a routine and make friends. I really did meet some amazing, interesting people here, people that made my day to day

Hakone

2009-12-09T23:51:00.002+02:00

I've been wanting to go here since I first arrived; we finally made the trip last week back to the Fuji area. I didn't understand the obsession with Fuji beforehand, but it's truely something that you have got to experience for yourself. Every morning, I see Fuji on my run - it rises majestically out of the other mountains, illuminated in the sunrise oranges and pinks, towering over a sea of

Retreat-o to Nikko

2009-11-24T23:14:00.000+02:00

This weekend's Saturday agenda included a day trip up to Nikko - a historic town 2 hours north of Tokyo by train. This location is one of the most important sites for Buddhism in the country - there are many beautiful temples nestled in the mountainous terrain. The Trio (Sian, Ian, and I) took the two hour train up, up, up on Saturday morning... but not after a big, warm, latte-hug from Starbucks

A [Typical] Wednesday Night in the Tokyo Area

2009-11-18T23:24:00.002+02:00

Wednesday is the designated hump of the work week. Right smack in the middle, it marks the half-way point at which you are 2 days in, 2 days out of the weekend. Most people loathe Wednesday, taunted by the fact they are only half way through to the weekend, yet so tired already. In Japan, however, it's not the case. With Sian as my partner-in-crime, we took Wednesday night by storm. Since I get

Fish, 'Bucks, Rain, Shucks! Garden, Shrine, Karaoke Time!

2009-11-16T23:42:00.001+02:00

That little spur-of-the-moment poem pretty much sums up my weekend. Saturday morning, Sian, Ian and I got up early (we're talking 5am early!) to go to the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. This is where all of the local restaurants buy their fish for the day, and where little restaurants and vendors line the streets selling a smorgasboard of nibbles - from fresh squid hanging from clothespins, to

Time Flies When You're Having Fun (And Japanese Time Flies the Fastest!)

2009-11-12T23:33:00.000+02:00

I just realized that I have only one month left of teaching here. I feel like I've just settled into life, friendships, and work, only to uproot myself once again. I guess there's the catch to the short contract - you get a taste for the country, and then boom, you're out. I really have enjoyed Japan, possibly even more than China. A combination of factors come into play on this, and it speaks

Early Nights, Aching Bones, and Nightmares

2009-11-11T00:33:00.000+02:00

Despite what the title implies, I am still having a great time in Tokyo. This weekend was nice, though maybe not as fun as I had hoped. Friday, Sian, Shelvin, and I ate at a really nice Indian restaurant in Hachioji - a great city east of Tokyo. I paid a bit extra to get the second spiciest dish - and it was so worth it. My eyes were watering , my lips were burning, my nose running... this is not

A Halloween Weekend in Kyoto ... and I did manage to get dressed up!

2009-11-04T10:37:00.000+02:00

This weekend, I visited Kyoto: a place I've been dying to visit every since reading 'Memiors of a Geisha', and subsequently reading anything about Kyoto I could get my hands on. I love cultural stuff, and Kyoto seemed to be chalk full of it. Let me tell you, I wish I could have spent a month there, let alone two days! Sian and I ventured south on a overnight bus from Tokyo. The bus took about

Of Toilets and Alarms

2009-10-29T03:57:00.000+02:00

Ok, so SERIOUSLY. The one complaint I have about Japan is that the toilets here are ridiculously complicated. Everytime I use a public restroom, it takes at least a few minutes to find the flush button, which conventiently changes locations every time. There are several other buttons, not even half with pictures, in various locations in the toilet stall.Now, I just ate lunch in the student

A Day on Fuji-San

2009-10-28T22:06:00.000+02:00

This past weekend was non stop from the beginning. Friday night, Sian, Shelvin and I visited an izakaiya, or traditional style Japanese bar. You take your shoes off at the entrance, and sit at low tables (with a pit underneath for your legs). It was a very serene and clean place - in the bathroom, there were slippers provided, and the most sophisticated toilets I've ever has the pleasure of using

Random Thoughts

2009-10-21T01:30:00.001+03:00

Well, payday is Friday, and I'm literally strung out to the last yen. Japan has been WAY more expensive than I thought, and, with the American dollar not being as good as it once was, coupled with the fact that Japan is a cash-based country and my bank charges a nice fee everytime I take out cash... it's left me quite skint. This weekend, it'll be nice to eat a nice (and healthy!) meal

Busy, Busy Busy - But That's The Way I Like It!

2009-10-19T00:10:00.001+03:00

Well, I realize I've been a bit behind on posting. To be honest, the work week takes its toll! I leave my house at 8am, and return at 8pm. With squeezing a job in most mornings, I'm pretty much at a loss for energy in the evenings. Saturday is a day for fun, and Sunday for rest. I'm not saying that I am not enjoying life; Personally, I prefer to be this busy. I do better when I have something to

Home and Work - My Everyday Japanese Life

2009-10-08T12:07:00.000+03:00

After my first full week of work, and ending my second week in Japan, I already feel quite at home. Japan really is a lovely place to live, with so much variety in what it has to offer. Even Tokyo is widely varied - Hino City, Tokyo couldn't be more different to the Down town area.The train station is the life-blood of Hino. Supermarkets, dry cleaners, and convenience stores are crowded around

A Day in Harajuku

2009-10-08T11:25:00.000+03:00

Last weekend, Ian, Sian, and I took a day to explore Harajuku, one of the famous wards of Tokyo. New friends and new places always make for promising new experiences - and so it was!I've wanted to see Harajuku for a long time, ever since Gwen Stefani made her love for this area public in her song, 'Harajuku Girls'. The fashion is supposed to be wild, the atmosphere eclectic and artsy. I was not

Yo-ho, Tokyo!

2009-09-29T04:36:00.000+03:00

Well, needless to say, the last week has been a whirlwind of excitement. Immersing yourself in ‘brand new’ always is, and Japan is definitely full of that crazy stuff! Because I have so much to relate, I have broken up the hefty portion of ‘brand new’ and divided it into categories. Please comment, I love to hear back! TRAVEL: Leaving Home Behind After a wonderful 7

"Went to Chicago/ All things go, All things go"

2009-08-14T15:02:00.000+03:00

I love retail, don't get me wrong. Put me in a commission sales environment and I blossom. But, man alive! It's exhausting, time consuming, and expensive. Though you're not forced to buy the clothes there, it's impossible to resist.And so, I answered the age-old question, "if you live in an world class vacation spot, where do you go on vacation?" in my own way. I took a week off and headed up

Quick LIfe Updates - Precious Little Time

2009-07-12T16:11:00.000+03:00

Life has been continuing nicely these past couple months. Work at Nordstrom as been full-filling, fruitful, and full-time. I enjoy myself immensely while practically living there, and have been cranking the numbers recently. Everyday, they post the top 25 sales people from the day before, and my name is now a regular appearance in not only the top 25, but the top ten. *Insert victory dance here*

Change is Constant!

2009-06-08T15:31:00.001+03:00

Well, it did seem too good to be true.After enduring odd troubles in obtaining essential visa information from the family I was going to be traveling with, the deadline was upon me. I called them one last time, stating that if I did not get the information immediately, I would not be able to go. I was leaving the next day for Indiana, making it impossible for me to get the visa for Brazil (you

Visits and A Travel Opportunity of One-in-a-Million Lifetimes

2009-05-14T03:27:00.000+03:00

The reason I haven't written in awhile is, quite frankly, that there hasn't been much worthy of an update. This past month, I have settled back into working full time, adjusted nicely to the Miami heat, and enjoyed some great quality time with my family. It's been especially great getting back in touch with my sister, who just got home from school. My mom just smiles when we interact, and wonders

Work Hard, Play Not So Hard, if You Play At All

2009-04-10T20:08:00.000+03:00

Wow. Going from a month of relaxation and no responsibility (save job hunting), to working 48 hours this week was a BIG change for me. Though I do love the work, as well as having some responsibilities in life again, it is exhausting! Being on my feet all day, dealing with sometimes snobby customers, resisting the awesome fashion garments, and getting used to all of the policies and technology at

The Charles Deering Estate, Fully Furnished with Manatees

2009-04-05T20:56:00.000+03:00

Though it's located about a mile from my house, I visited the Charles Deering Estate just a couple days ago with my mother for the first time. With great landscaping and prominent history, this was a really cool daytime excursion. Charles Deering was born in 1852. His father was an entrepreneur, owning a very successful company that manufactured agricultural machines. This gave Charles a deep

Clearwater & Kind-of-Bittersweet Water

2009-04-05T19:28:00.000+03:00

Feeling the urge to escape from Miami life, my Mom and I took a weekend vacation (if you can call hauling our things from one beach to another just that) to my favorite place in Florida, Clearwater.My parents do own some property in this laid-back, quirky little town. Known for its magnificent fine white sand beaches, it's off the beaten path for most Spring-Breakers, who tend to opt for more

A Bridal Shower to Remember

2009-04-02T01:40:00.000+03:00

Yes, I realize that I haven't posted in forever (which, by my definition, constitutes a period of more than 7 days). And, yes, I realize that a lot has happened since my last post. So, let's get down to the nitty gritty, so to speak. Life got quite busy as March came to a close! Firstly, I had my big trip (4 days) up to the cold nether0regions of my home country. I flew into Chicago early

Good Ol' US of A

2009-03-19T09:31:00.000+02:00

Though I'm glad to be home, in some ways a part of me hated that I was taking a breather from my mission to see the world. So much to see, so little time.However, I forget that, even within the United States, there are opportunities abound to travel and experience the unknown. In fact, especially within the United States, I know this to be true.Towering mountains, desert basins, glorious beaches,

News, Shnews, Let's Sell Some Shoes!

2009-03-16T22:14:00.000+02:00

After a few more miraculous days, Sarah left and returned back to Normal, our college town. This left me, once again, with absolutely nothing to do. As a result, my life has been filled up with the following few things, creatively introduced by catchy titles.1. The Hunt is ON! - There are literally NO jobs to be had in Miami. The only place that seems to be hiring is the Miami Beach area, which

Life is a BEACH!

2009-03-09T14:14:00.001+02:00

This past couple days have been amazing, taking me back to the vacation-like feel I used to have for Florida.Firstly, my new Nikon D60 has provided a lot of entertainment for me. I've snapped numerous pictures that sum up everyday life with my family, and others that are just for laughs. 'The Dad', despite what the picture shows, actually loves ahving me home.Saturday afternoon, we picked Sarah

Home, Sweet Miami

2009-03-07T14:14:00.000+02:00

Just a quick update:I'm finally home, after a grueling (not so much) 24 hours of traveling. Both of my flights were nearly empty, meaning I had the rare opportunity to sprawl out and lay across a row of seats. Not too bad! Arriving home, I both fell easily back into the routine, yet found it difficult to do so in other ways. First Meal in the US: 2 bowls of Honey Bunches of Oats and a Peanut

Another Trip, Another Goodbye, and Beans Galore

2009-03-02T03:01:00.000+02:00

Though living abroad and travel make for some spectacular experiences and an abundance of fun times, it's the ending that makes me question whether I'm cut out for it or not. I genuinely care about everyone that I meet, even those that are not that nice to me, and find it very difficult to say those last words. I have lost a lot of sleep and shed many tears leaving this adventure behind, like

The Last Days, Gladiator Style

2009-02-27T12:18:00.000+02:00

This past, and last, week in Jinan has been spent doing the things I love most here, and, at the same time, doing whatever necessary to avoid beginning packing.With my close friends, I have eaten one last time at my favorite restaurants. I have made final stops at our favorite DVD shops (adding to an already impressive collection). We've had movie nights, girle sleep overs with my favorite

AMY: Anitdisestablishmentarianism Meaty Yemen

2009-02-24T14:27:00.001+02:00

Having finished exams this past weekend for Sunday classes, this was Parents' Weekend for the Sunday Schedule. Without any real lesson to drill forcefully into their little heads, I had a full hour and a half to fill before meeting the 'rents. On a whim, I assigned what I deemed a simple task to my class of mostly 7 year olds.Remember those poems you wrote in elementary school, where you write

The Harbin Ice Festival: Rated 'Very Cool' by Tourists Everywhere

2009-02-24T04:27:00.000+02:00

This past week, I traveled with a group of 6 teachers up, up, up into the northern nether-regions of China. Harbin was a gorgeous town, surprisingly so; we had heard mediocre reviews. Being so close to Russia, the architecture and aura of the place were distinctly different from other Chinese towns that I have visited. It was very eastern European, very clean, and very, very cold.After wrapping

Lazy Bones: Recapping the week of 2-19

2009-02-24T03:24:00.000+02:00

I sincerely apologize, both to dedicated readers (of whom I know there are a hefty amount) and to myself, for being hands down lazy in the blog department. In my defense, however, I have been quite the busy little bee. The week of 2/19 was one dedicated to exploring the parts of Jinan that had been neglected these long months. There are actually a few tourist attractions in the city; a few