Almost A Month!

Time flies! I have been back in America for almost a month.

I am still waiting for the culture shock to set in. It has not come yet, making me a little worried about my own sensitivity. Perhaps I am insensative after all. Now, I have proof.

So, I have sorted a job out and signed the papers. It is official, I am teaching 7th grade math and science next year for gifted kids. But, that is about all I have sorted out. I have not yet begun to figure out the rennovations I want to do to my house. Granted, it's hard to get stuff done when I don't have access to the house for measuring.

Match dot com is not really doing it for me either. I am not enjoying the internet dating. It's so much like going on a job interview. And, even when there is good internet raport, there is no other connection when we have met (or I have had bad luck so far). I am going to have to have a man look over my site and tell me what to change.

My goal for the next month, before school starts up: find someone to date, re-do the kitchen and bathroom floors, paint my house, get new kitchen counters. Oh, and maybe go somewhere fun: Alaska, California, or New York.

The First Weeks

Life in America is off to a running start. Coming back doesn't feel strange at all, I don't feel reverse culture shock yet. I have kept myself so busy, I don't think I have had time to contemplate much. Perhaps overexamining the process of uprooting my life wouldn't be that productive anyways, at least this is how I rationalize my headlong rush into doing stuff. If I did stop to think, it might get a little overwhelming with the: not living in a permanent house, looking for a job, having a big test to take, trying to see everybody, having to deal with family for the first time in years, not having my dog, trying to date, thinking about renovations on the house, etc.

On day one I bought a car. I know people live in this country without cars and thrive, but I just didn't see how I could do what I needed to do: visit my dog in Vancouver, visit friends, find a job, go places, and all the rest. So, I bought a similar car to the one I had before, but better. This time, I had the cash and could just buy it, which feels so much better than having a monthly payment. I got a black, 2006, Mazda 3 hatchback. Originally, I had thought to put the dog in the back, but then I took one look at him and figured that he might get crushed if I got rear ended, so he is in the back seat when I take him out and about. It's a black car, he's a black dog... How messy can it get?

On the job front, things are progressing. I have an offer (from my first interview). But, it is 7th grade math and science, so I have to go up to Bellevue (near Seattle) next Friday to take a math test. The test covers all the math I haven't done since sophmore and junior year of high school... a good 16 years! So, studying is in order. I am up to linear equations :( I have a lot more to do and am just taking a break. I am thinking 8 hours a day of studying. Luckily, I am still in contact with my former teaching partner, and he lives 15 minutes from the test site. So, I'll go and spend Friday night up there with him and he said he'd do last minute tutoring with me.

The job will be good, if I pass the test, because I needed a new challenge and making math interesting and understandable should keep my on my toes for two to three years.

I have not yet found a boyfriend... But, I guess that is harder to find than a job (even in this economy).

Street Performer

Street Performer
Originally uploaded by Ju Li Et

My last road trip through Europe, for this year (at least) took a bit of a detour due to the fine print. The rental agency said that Romania was only allowed if we took responsibility for 30% of the value of the car if it were stolen. I can't do that... Even though the odds of the car being stolen are small, they are clearly greater in Romania than in other EU countries.

We ended up touring the East of the Czech Republic and visiting Vienna (the picture is of a street performer in Vienna). I love the contrast between the background and the silver of his outfit.

On the trip we visited Brno, Olomouc, Mikulov, and Vienna. In Olomouc I got groped. That was a bit scary. It's not often that I am out of control, but as we were sitting in a bar a man came up and was quite taken with the idea of dancing/taking me off. He resorted to speaking slower and louder (and I can vouch that this did not make Czech more comprehensible). He was a body builder, which made the experience a little more scary, as he had his hand at the back of my neck for a bit and I couldn't shake him. I eventually weaseled out and we ditched.... the bar and the country.

The next day in Vienna was quite nice. It has redeemed itself a bit in my eyes. It helped that this was the first time in forever that I was there when it was not freezing.

Starting to Say Goodbye

This weekend I was thrown a surprise goodbye party and went to another woman's surprise goodbye... It was a lot of fun, but may be sad in a bit.

Here I am being the center of attention at an Irish bar. Kind of a nice change. I rarely see candid pictures of myself, and it's kind of odd to see how I look to an outsider. I look like I am the center of attention... which is not my usual operating mode.

Near Edinburgh

IMG_4952
Originally uploaded by Ju Li Et

This looks like it is out in the wilds of Scotland, but really it was quite near to Edinburgh. After my friend left me on Sunday, I took a walk down the Royal Mile (the road connecting the Edinburgh Castle and the Holyrood Palace -- Where the Queen of England lives when she is in Scotland). Just past the palace, there was a hill and large park. I headed up the hill and on the way took this picture. From the top, I could look at Edinburgh and the palace. It was quite idyllic.. and, aside from the wind, quite warm as well.

I took this last trip because I had begun to feel a little travel fatigued... sick of planning trips. And, though it is not intuitive to take another trip on top of that, I wanted to end on a positive note... to reclaim traveling as something I loved. I had been with people for so many trips, and it was always fine, but I wanted to have some time to travel by myself. I like the time to reflect, think in peace, and listen to what my inner voice is telling me I want.

When I am with people, I tend to vibrate a little higher... wondering whether they are happy, whether they are having a good time, etc. It was lovely to have a chance to just think about what I wanted. If I am bored, I don't mind... I just change what I am doing with no repercussions or self flagellation. If a place is not all that I had hoped, I can move on. I could do all that with someone there, but I find it a little more difficult.

In a Crypt in Porto

IMG_4721
Originally uploaded by Ju Li Et

I finally got some photos up from Portugal. In this one, I opened my umbrella inside a crypt. This is supposed to attract ghosts... I figured, a crypt was definitely the place to test that superstition. I have yet to notice any more ghosts than usual in my life.

Road Sign at the Rest Stop

Road Sign at the Rest Stop
Originally uploaded by Ju Li Et

This is my favorite warning sign, from a gas station on the M1 (heading from Lake Balaton/Vienna to Budapest. Hungary is so safe... for the most part... that the sign is funny. But, it must have happened that someone got robbed while they were changing their flat (probably more than just one person). Sad.