happy halloween!

So finally, it's the big day, my favorite holiday!! Luckily I have the day off so I'm just going to watch scary movies and cook the creepy recipes from the holiday magazines I collected. Usually I have a great weekend along with the holiday, but I suppose everyone's going to have an off year sometime. So I'm going to reminisce about Halloweens past!

There was my first year in college, where I went on a haunted walking tour and won a night in a haunted hotel room by myself!! It was beautiful, but nothing happened.

Another year and I went to Disneyland for their Halloween celebrations.

There was another year where I threw a fantastic Halloween party at my apartment!!

The following year, same place same party. But with way better food and David Bowie!!

Another year found me working in a costume store for Halloween. The best thing about was getting to dress up to work everyday. Fun job.

Then of course last year I was in Korea and it was loads of fun. My kids dressed up, their was a party everyday, and the night out was super fun. Although I was Katy Perry, most Koreans thought I was Lady Gaga haha.

korea -- round 2

Looks like I'm bound for Korea again, this time I managed to score a public school job offer.

Not quite sure how to react at this point.

and the second round commences

Well it looks like I'll be heading back to Korea.

Had my first phone interview. Err--

It just kinda confirms what I'm feeling about this second job hunt. Oh I don't want to go back. I don't want to go back! And yet that clock started ticking, the one that haunts you and says things like, "401 K... car payments.... loans..... You don't have any skills that will allow you to find a job here that pays over minimum wage..."
I mean, I'd teach in Thailand if it weren't for the crushing anxiety having debt and the urge to go back to school cause. Money! Y U MAKE WORLD GO ROUND?!?!

Burgh. BURRRR, I heard this one guy that has his own web show made 54K in a year due to revenue from the ads on his videos. Why can't I do that? Oh man.

Ah, and to answer any questions-- I'm not taking that first job I just interviewed for.  I've got standards people. So the hunt continues!

graduation dances

So this week is my last week, but my last day isn't until Friday. I felt a little sad yesterday saying good-bye to some of the kids, but I don't think it will feel real until my final day.

We had our graduation ceremony last Friday. There was a colorful stage and flashy costumes-- I felt like a child pageant mom at one point. Of course I recorded some snippets to remember this by!

Barbie Girl from that girl on Vimeo.

Streamers from that girl on Vimeo.

Hey Mickey from that girl on Vimeo.

So Shy from that girl on Vimeo.

2011 and so long 2010 -- also in memoriam to my uncle

Whew, this post is very late and I apologize. I didn't want to start blogging until I covered this. I went to Japan and Micronesia for Christmas and New Year's, and it was an incredible way to end and start a year.

While in Guam I opened a letter I wrote to myself six months ago. It's quite an enjoyable mini-time capsule experiment. Well, my response to my past self is mostly personal, but what I can share with everyone is this:

2010 saw a great, many changes. There were many new experiences and people, some bad, but some were also very great! Actually, there were far more fun and memorable people than anything else! And I do not regret moving to Korea at all. I love my kids and my apartment, I love that I supported myself, and I love that in one year I was able to see 4 countries. That isn't a bad year at all.

2011 I want to be just as great, if just a tad bit more laid back and drama-free. It already seems so.

However, with a great sadness I report that I have just learned about the passing of a dear uncle of mine. He will not be able to listen to the stories I have of my year abroad, and I regret not being able to say good-bye. He was kind and generous and I truly miss him. The most moving thing he ever did was dedicate a part of my sister's wedding toast to me, saying he was proud of who I grew up to be. In either case, I will dedicate this post in his honor. I will continue on my journey and hope to have made him proud.

R.I.P.