Overdue #2

Here we go again. You know, it is really nice to speak grammatically correct English! (Even if I’m only writing it. I narrate things in my head.) I have to simplify my speech in the daytime to make sure my students understand. Another funny note: some students have complained that their foreign teachers’ English gets worse as the year goes by. I can totally understand that! You speak at the level you hear, hoping to help them understand better. I’ve caught myself doing it. You speak at their level but then you are speaking poorly, especially in terms of grammar. Yikes!

So, what do I need to share. Well, Saturday I went out in the rain and wind to visit the store. I’m getting much more comfortable on my scooter now! It’s fun :P I even got blasted by wind and rain as I neared my apartment. Probably not the best idea to go out in a typhoon. Oh well. And I didn’t wear a jacket or raincoat. The temperature was fabulous – cool with wind blowing. *sigh*

And Saturday was a good, mellow day. I needed it after another busy week at school. I was super tired! I let myself sleep in until 8 am. Quite a luxury since most days of that week I was up by 4:30 am. Just so much work! Oh here’s something I planned to say: work all day, work all night – sure wish I could put “play” in there! Things are getting better. I’m figuring out how to work at the office (too much is going on and I have someone to speak English too. Very distracting.) And I’m trying to stay ahead. I can’t even explain. I’m just not as stressed. This week is mostly planned and I’ll finish it by Wed. and start on next week.

Sunday was a good eventful day. I was with Scott’s family pretty much the whole time. They picked me up at 8:30 am. We arrived at church by 9 and stake conference started at 10. My head boss Steve was released as a counselor and called as the President. Ha ha! Quite interesting. I definitely work with good people. Some general authority was visiting but I don’t remember the name. I just know I say a white couple –yeah!

After church we headed to another member’s house (the one where we had the food and I tried a chicken heart.) to pick up some moon pies. It was Moon Festival on Sunday. They were tasty. Much better than the ones the school gave all the employees. Of course, I did try the coffee one. Ha ha! What can I say? The writing is Chinese characters.

We hung out at their house for quite awhile. And none of the people that live there were there. Interesting. Scott fell asleep on the couch and I almost did. They were hoping to get some food. And we sure did!! I ate a decent amount quickly because I was hungry. It was super delicious! Noodles with egg and pork on top. One not-so-good thing was what Scott made me taste. Sarah almost told me what it was, but Scott and I stopped her. I tried some and didn’t love it. Becca and Scott made me try 3 pieces altogether. As I finished chewing the last piece Scott said it was pig’s ear. I gagged a little. And the first words out of my mouth: “we feed that to our dog!” It’s true. I remember giving pig ear treats to Thor. Ugh.

I managed to swallow the piece. I definitely didn’t have any more. I talked with Sarah and said how I cut fat off my meat back home. She says, and I’ve noticed, they eat every part here. Later that night I saw here suck the brains of the shrimp out. I shuddered. Still makes me feel queasy. Yuck.

So I thought that was the meal (we had already eaten a bunch of fruit). Then they bring out soup. AH! I’m full. And they are making sure I get big helpings since I’m a guest. Fabulous (with a strained smile) I was almost done with the broth when the mom puts another spoonful in my bowl. Becca saw it and cracked up. I didn’t have much luck with that soup. A hunk of meat slipped out of my chopsticks and onto my skirt. Then I was focusing on Sarah’s mission story and spilled the broth on my skirt! I stopped eating at that point. They gave me a hard time about spilling to get rid of it. Whatever.

I was FULL. And then they bring out another Asian pear. It was really good. Sarah offered one and I said yes, held my hand out, and put a grimace on my face. She laughed at gave me a piece. Fruit is so yummy!! I also tried a Taiwanese fruit that is like grapefruit but sweeter. It was okay. I liked the pear better.

We eventually leave that house. I think we were there for about 3 hours. And we head back to the school for a party. Moon Festival! And more food. Ugh. Just thinking about it was too much for me. But I got sucked in – they had caramel popcorn. Oh my! It was delicious. The girls loved it too. At one point we had 3 of the plates they served it on at our table. The girls just picked them up and walked back to the table. Crazy. But it was so delicious. And then I had some noodles. I made Jessica fix my shrimp so I could eat it :) I don’t like getting the shrimp blood and such on my fingers.

It was a pretty fun “party” although I didn’t take advantage of it like I could have. I was too full from my previous meal! After it ended, we headed home. And I was totally exhausted. It was great to be with a family and have that kind of love and acceptance. But families are tiring! Phew.

I just remembered another great thing from this past weekend. Can’t believe I forgot until now. Friday night Yvonne asked if I wanted to go to a steak house. I pounced on that! And I was smarter this time – I ordered steak. I would actually have been satisfied without it. Their “salad bar” was fabulous. Salad, veggies, fruit, pasta, chocolate fountain, popcorn, etc. I was so happy! I had a bunch of cucumbers which put me in heaven. And I had some French fries. Happy sigh. And at the end I had two bowls of popcorn. Oh wonderfulness! It wasn’t very expensive – around $10 US. All in all a very good experience.

I’ve done other stuff but I’m very tired and I promised myself I would get to bed at a decent hour tonight. It would be fun to keep typing, but my hands are tired and my eyes are drooping. My neck is sore and my head is lolling. Off to bed I go! Don’t want to turn into a pumpkin, as my mom says it. Adios!

P.S. I’ve decided my knowledge of Spanish is detrimental. I keep thinking of words in Espanol instead of Chinese. So lame! I’m taking Chinese lessons on Tues. and Thurs. from another teacher at the school. I’ve had 3 so far. It is good. (Once my Chinese is better, I’ll help her improve her English.) I totally understand my students better since I’m scared to practice. People always laugh at me! Oh well, it must be done.

Some pictures
Me and my Young Women. Becca, Grace, and Joy. Grace is now in the Seattle area! She just had a birthday and is in her 2nd week of 9th grade in America. Yeah for her!
Another one. Don't know why they kept standing in the corner.