Chapter 14--Just Some Rambling

Now the end of September, not much has changed.  Work, home, exercise, repeat.  That's pretty much how it's been going.  I've done 17 days of Insanity workout and been running a mile most days. I've had stressful days, hell even stressful weeks, but I've had good days to balance them out.  Some days I cried.  Some days I smiled.  Some were just a mixture of both.  Sometimes I wish life would give me all the answers but that's just not how it works. What fun would that be if it did.  What challenges would we have to face?  Life is about what we make of it.  What we want the outcome to be.  I'm always glad to make my own decisions…point my life in the direction I want it to go.  Sometimes, I feel that people judge me because I'm young.  I feel like they think things have been handed to me all along and that's probably my biggest pet peeve.  And sometimes, I feel like they think I don't do my work.  I want to punch them in the face.  (Is that wrong?)  Note to all:  I may be young but that doesn't mean I'm like the rest of those my age. I've worked my ass off to get where I am today and will continue to work my ass off to get where I will be.  Don't put me in the same shitty category as you put others.  I will always strive for better…always wanting the best for my life..our life. It always gets to me when someone looks down on me when I know how hard I've worked and what I've gone through to get here today.  Sorry for this rant but it's what my fingers started typing and my mind just went along with it. Until next time...(enjoy some pretty pictures I've taken!)

For those moments you just need to sit back, relax, and take it all in.

Make like a bird and spread your wings and fly.

Chapter 13--Getting My Camera!!

Here we are...the end of June.  It's just amazing how time can fly by and you not even realize it.  I've been back from Korea for almost 7 months and it sure doesn't feel like that long.  But...in the world of me, lots of things are unfolding.  From getting a promotion in May after only being at the job for 4 months to finding out a little of who I am...what I like to do.  


I've always been interesting in photography but never really thought I could create all those beautiful pictures like so many others.  I was wrong...as of recent, I started snapping away taking pictures with my phone and editing them to look fairly decent.  "Hey, I've kinda got a knack for this...I'd love to get a "real" camera."  And...so that's exactly what I did!  I began researching and researching and...well more researching.  My husband kept telling me, "Why don't you just hold off...see if someone buys it for you?"  My response: "yea like that would happen."  So I just kept right on researching.  


Then it happened...kinda! It was unexpected to find such a good deal on the bundle but he saw the look in my eyes.  "How bad do you want it?" ..."Ummm...extremely bad!" ..."Ok. I was gonna surprise you for your birthday but I don't think I can hold you off any longer so surprise! You can get it!"..."Seriously?!?!"  


And that's how that went...we checked out with a big smile on my face. He went pick it up and we trotted along to the car when he asked "Do you want me to buckle it in?" ..."Hey, that's not a bad idea!"  (No we didn't buckle it in...but I did watch it almost the whole way home.)  


So I am officially the proud owner of the Nikon D5100 DSLR (as of 6/15/12 roughly 8pm).

Chapter 12--My Sister's Graduation

Well people.  It's been a while since I last posted.  Life has a way of keeping us busy but it's a eventful life nonetheless.  May was a big month...my sister turned 18 and graduated high school!  I actually can't believe I didn't cry.  I am beyond proud of her and look forward to watching her blossom in everything she does.  The weekend of graduation was filled with family and food...lots of food.  Jambalaya, gumbo, steak, hamburgers, and plenty dessert...definitely didn't want to go back to work after all that!  See below for some pictures!

Congrats graduate!

You know we had to do it!

I got ya!

Don't drop me!

Chapter 11

The bus ride didn’t take more than an hour to arrive at the airport.  Then it was a battle of hauling around my luggage, checking in, and waiting.  Luckily, I was able to check in my things quite early, which helped a lot.  

Finally it was time to board…or so I thought.  They had about a 30 minute delay.  I was ready to board and get away from the crying little boy I had been hearing for the last hour or so.  Ok…now on to boarding…yes!  Oh no!!!  That little crying kid was in the row by me.  So for 10 hours, he cried almost non-stop.  Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep.  

The layover in Seattle was only a couple hours and then I was on my way to Dallas.  A 4 hour flight squished in this fairly small airplane…good thing I had the window seat.  

Now to Dallas…I waited.  I ate.  I waited.  Time to board!!!  Nope.  They decided to come out right after supposed boarding time and let everyone know the flight was cancelled.  CANCELLED.  REALLY.  I was not a happy camper at this point.  I called up Shane to let him know they’d be putting us in a hotel for the night and the flight was rescheduled for first thing in the morning.  However, I was just ready to go home.  So, he drove 4 hours to Dallas and picked me up!  How sweet!  

I slept a lot the first week to adjust to the time difference.  It was great to be back that’s for sure.  That first day I was home, we went to the grocery store and I was amazed and excited with all the “normal” choices of stuff!  And I could read everything! 

Chapter 10 Part 4

Monday came and my students had just found out it was my last day.  They weren’t happy.  Some of them cried.  Others were sad and held back the tears. And one little boy was extremely excited.  Time came for all of them to go home so they lined up and gave me hugs.  One of my favorite little boys, Henry, tried pulling me into the elevator with him.  I had tears in my eyes because he has a special place in my heart.  I was truly going to miss him. 

The next day, I brought my luggage to school and sat and waited for a few hours until they brought me to the bus station.  I tried to stay out of sight but the kids managed to catch sight of me and tell all the others.  Since they had already seen me, I had them line up to give them one last hug.  Romeo climbed on my lap and wouldn’t let go.  He said he was coming with me.  As much as I would have loved to take him, I don’t think his parents would have like that.  Later on, Bella had to be taken out of class because she was crying too much.  She came sit in my lap and held on tight.

Those kids really made me feel special.  And as much as they could work my nerves, I was going to miss (most of) them. 

Chapter 10 Part 3

The next couple weeks were just like all the others…days dragging on even though the week went by quick.  Then come the middle of November and I decided to put in my 20 day notice.  I was ready to go home and he was ready for me to be home.  

So in the those next few weeks, I packed and unpacked and packed again to make sure I met weight with the airlines.  They really have some crazy restrictions sometimes, especially the difference between the States vs Asia.  I met criteria in Asia but it was a possibility I'd have issues on my transfer flight in the States. 

 

The weekend before I left, Shannon, Sarah, and I went on the DMZ Tour (Demilitarized Zone).  This was the border between South and North Korea.  Let me just say it was extremely cold and by mid-day I couldn’t really feel my nose anymore.  The tour began at 7am.  We hoped on the tour bus and traveled to a few places and explored a bit before we headed for the next stop on the list.  Even though it was mostly country side that we saw, it was still cool to be in that area.  I can actually say I saw North Korea! We finally made it home for around 9pm.  What a long day!

 

Chapter 10 Part 2

That last week of October seemed to drag on forever.  It probably didn’t help we had to stay late a couple days. On Tuesday, we had a meeting that lasted longer than it should. Then I had to head out to tutor.  Wednesday rolled around and I was so glad it was hump day—although they seemed to be some of the more difficult days.  On Thursday, we went on a field trip to see a black light show in Suwon…it was a real nail biter…NOT.  I was so bored and was close to falling asleep.  I probably would have if I wouldn’t have been texting.  That night, we stayed after school to decorate for the Halloween Party the next day.  (They fed us which was the plus).  Friday was the Halloween party for the kids…all day…by the time 6 o’clock came I was exhausted and still had to go to the gym.  That was the most exhausted I had been in a while.  I struggled keeping my eyes open but gave in around 11…just wish I could have slept in.  

That Sunday, I decided to brave the crowds and do some grocery shopping at Home Plus.  I really wanted it to be a one stop outing but they didn’t have what I needed…wanted...so I headed home to drop off the stuff from Home Plus and made my way to E-mart afterwards.  E-mart on Sundays is never a good idea.  I knew that but went anyway…thankfully I’d been practicing the deep breathing and closing my eyes technique to keep patient.  If it wouldn’t have been for that, I would have pushed down an old lady…multiple ones.  I hate being pushed out of the way (and rotated in the process) when there is plenty of room beside me.  (Get yourself up off me people…I’m about done putting up with you).  But I guess I got my payback every time I got on the bus. I liked to block them from getting on…stick out the elbows, practice a wide stance…it’s amusing.  Anyways, the rest of Sunday was spent watching tv…ahh X-factor and Prison Break…oh yes!