I have internet again!!

Hello!

I'm living in Point Loma right now, renting a room from one of the girls in my amTEFL program, Katy. We finished the class last week before Thanksgiving, and now I'm back to continue volunteering/assistant teaching until the end of the semester, Dec. 14th.

Life is pretty much a party now; I go in to teach about 3 hours a day at most, or not at all if I don't feel like it. (Or if I get locked out of my apartment for 4+ hours, as was the case last Wednesday. It was time well-spent bonding with the neighbors.)

The rest of the time is generally spent trying to get into jogging mode again (haven't done it for about five months), taking belly dancing classes (yes!), exploring the new bars in the area (and attempting to flirt with bartenders before finding out they moved here from Minnesota to get married....), and going to shows (we saw Iron and Wine on Tuesday, and perhaps Grand Ole Party or Blues Traveler this Sunday).

All of this translates into my bank account rapidly decreasing. But I figure it's worth it. And I'll only be down here for two more weeks. I can't completely use up my money in that span of time, right? :/

Also, my apartment is literally a 2-minute walk from the bay (I don't really know which bay, but you can kind of see Downtown San Diego on the other side), so it's really relaxing to walk along the beach and sit on the rocks to read a book or watch these weird sea black birds diving under the water for food. They can stay under the water for about a minute. Dylan, any guess what those birds might be?

OK, that's all I can think of for now. I will close with a link to this news story I found funny, and totally unimportant.

You wait much long for update, yes?

Yes. I am updating.

I still have no internet within a mile radius, so that's why I don't update much. I went through initial Facebook and shopping-online withdrawals, but have gradually been learning to appreciate this new-found time. I can read books! I can go for walks! I can...watch TV! (Is this an improvement? I seriously doubt it.)

Anyway, I had my first FULL week of class training to be a teacher. Class is from 9 to 5. AND we had make-up class on Saturday too. So basically, it feels like I have a job. But definitely more fun, even though it is quite boring at times. But I have to present my first lesson plan tomorrow! Exciting and challenging. I decided to do it on manners, and comparing what people consider to be good and bad manners at a dinner party. Hopefully people won't be too bored.

And Halloween! Hannah's post about Halloween motivated me to post something as well. I partied with Cammy and her ex-roomie Sarah and all of the International Relations grad students in La Jolla. It was good times. It's been a long time since I've been at a party where I pretty much didn't know anyone, and we were all about the same age.

Yeah, I can't figure out how to rotate this picture. Oh well.

My initial costume was Laura Ingalls Wilder after she came to L.A. I figured I could spice up the bonnet and plaid dress with some big sunglasses and stilettos. But the first comment about my costume happened to be, "Are you Paris Hilton from the Simple Life?" So I decided to nix the shades and fancy shoes and just be Laura Ingalls Wilder. Which prompted many other interesting costume guesses, including Betty Crocker, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Aunt Jemima. Yes, I think many people had had quite a bit to drink. It was rather amusing.

Cammy conceived and assembled her entire costume the day of the party; she managed to concoct an AWESOME Wilma Flintstone costume, red-haired beehive and all. She was also very excited to have bare feet as part of her costume.

The theme of the party was Day of the Dead. So Cammy's friend, Sarah, dressed up as La Llorona, the weeping ghost woman who murdered her children, according to Mexican folk tales. She was dressed all in black with lots of runny mascara. Sarah's current roommate, Cathy, dressed also dressed up as an awesome Frida Kahlo.

OK, I think my writing skills are going down the drain. This is my conclusion. Friends, drop me a line sometime! Much love to you all!