I am so appreciative of the fact that I still get summers.  I don't know how you working people go all year without a long break, but I definitely respect you.  Not trying to rub it in, but I felt like it was still too short.

I definitely got to do a lot of fun things: visiting Japan for the first time and spending time with Julie and Corinna...revisiting Taiwan and eating like mad...going back home for a bit and loading up on more Chinese food....experiencing free St. Louis summer stuff...talking with old friends...moving to a new place and having kind friends to help with the move...riding a motorcycle!  Don't tell my dad that last one- he'd seriously freak out.

Well summer is winding down, and school is starting up again.  Don't you feel autumn in the air?  Whatever!  It's hotter than ever right now.  And gas prices are too painful to go out and do anything.  But my most exciting news is that I am teaching 3rd grade next year!  I got my own class and am super pumped.  If you ever see me in a cheesy romper with pictures of big apples or chalkboards that say "ABC," please just shoot me.  Really.  I don't expect it to happen, but being in the elementary setting can really warp your mind sometimes.   

Oh and if anyone has any old children's books that you don't have any use for anymore, I'd love to take them off your hands!!!  Really.  And if you really like kids and want to come to my school this year to be a "special guest," or teach something, just let me know.  No, this isn't my way of getting out of preparing lessons. :)

Once again, I am relying on Corinna's fabulous web-blogging skills to relay the rest of our time spent in Taiwan.  She posted some great pics so check out the link below!

*We are now in Kamogawa, Japan- an itty bitty town 2 hours from Tokyo.  Julie's apt. is super clean and cute- just the way i like it.  Let me just say that I love 100 yen shops!!!  They are like Japanese versions of the dollar store, but the stuff is much cooler here!

Here's the link: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=corangey

www.xanga.com/corangey

I'm too lazy to update myself, but Corinna has done an awesome job summing up our time thus far in Taipei.  Yes, it's really just eating and shopping.  And that first picture is highly misleading...she failed to mention that we shared that lunch!

Only 30 more minutes until I am a free woman!  After today, no more waking up early, being with kids all day long, and coming home exhausted!  Well for 2.5 months!  I am teaching summer school in July, but I'm not going to think about that right now :)

June14-22: Going to Taiwan to see relatives!...June 22-29: Will be in Chiba, Japan to see Julie! 

All this done with the fabulous Miss Corinna (btw, I'm sorry I sounded disturbed when you called me last Friday!)

July: Bia visits!, summer school, moving to a new place in the West End!  So excited!

August 2-9: Houston!  Ahh, get to eat good Chinese food and play with mom and dad.  My dad says we're gonna "foan" (which means "wild" in Mandarin)!  So if you're in Houston at that time, I want to see you!

I have a good chance of getting my own classroom next year!  I might be teaching 4th grade, but I really don't want to get my hopes up.  I'm just happy to have a job right now b/c my district went through some financial craziness this year.  I think all of the 4th graders will be taller or almost as tall as me. 

I don't think I will do as much travelling next year b/c the new apt. is a bit pricier than the one i live in now...BUT I would love for any of you who care enough to read my xanga to come visit St. Louis!  Except you xanga-stalkers who I have never met or talked to.  Melissa, Mandy, and I are going to have lots of room in our new apt., and I love having visitors! 

Until next time, "A center for ants?!?  How can the children learn to read if they can't even fit inside the building?!"  Haha, I love Zoolander.

Entry Title: Thank the Lord for spring breaks.

I have never been so glad to be a part of the teaching profession.  Spring break was a long-anticipated, greatly received time of rest, play, and food.  What a deadly combination.

I went to California (north and south) and visited some of the ladies of the Land O Sugar.  I saw Teresa in San Fran and the Karen's in L.A.  What fun we had bounding from one restaurant to the next.  Ho said one afternoon before the day was even thru, "What's the eating schedule like tomorrow?" just to figure out the meals for the remainder of the day!  It was a glorious time.

Some highlights of the trip:

-Wine-tasting in the beautiful Napa Valley (well more like wine-dumping b/c I still haven't learned to appreciate the taste of wine)

-Getting complimentary desserts after a busboy spilled water on T's pants!  Thanks for taking one for the team bud.

-Winding up at a fun club after being rejected from a party - a friend was not in "dress code" (Woo-hoo!...go white tennis shoes!)

-Seeing a mixed-beach Corgi, Beagle, and Pitbull puppies at random places in L.A.  Yay for cute dogs!

-In-N-Out and Diddy Reese (it's basically FREE!)

-Manhattan Beach: seeing Sheryl, meeting boyfriends, and homemade Italian food

-Discovering Canadian comedian Russell Peters.  Funniest man alive.

Thanks for the great times girls!

It's actually good to be back at work, education the young minds of our future and updating xanga.