What a day

Yesterday I had one of the most fascinating days I've had in a really long time. My mom actually had three different events to attend for the day and it started with a trip to an AA meeting. I know what you're wondering and no I do not have a drinking problem. Here's a little back story. My mother's boyfriend/significant other will be three years sober in March. This is a huge accomplishment and I want to commend him for his efforts at successfully overcoming another year. Congratulations! There was an open meeting on Saturday where members could bring their families. So we went to support Jorge and to celebrate. However, I wont lie and say that's the only reason why I went. I will admit I went for selfish reasons as well. Let's be real...unless you're an actual alcoholic or Edward Norton in Fight Club, who can say they've attended an AA meeting? Plus I absolutely love being able to observe/be apart of different environments and people. I'm a little weird and if I had the chance to be in prison for a day (with the assurance no one would shank me) I would jump on that! Some things I noticed - It really is true that once one stops a habit or addiction they start another! Yes everyone was a recovering alcoholic, but by the way they were chugging coffee and chain smoking they have another habit on board. There was definitely a range of people. Although gender was fairly split up equally, there were people of different age groups, ethnicity and socioeconomic class. If you're interested, check out this website for more stats. It does have an interesting article with more information. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm Overall AA was great. It was eyeopening listening to the guest speaker. She couldn't have been older than seventeen years old and to hear her struggle as well as her families struggle with addiction makes you realize how difficult, but amazing life can be.


After AA, there was my mothers work appreciation dinner a complete turn from where we've just been. Virginia (mom) is one of two cooks at a nursing home in a fairly small town. Let's just say the dinner was very Iowan and I loved it! We arrived for cocktail hour and you can just tell people were there to get loose. I had myself a gin & tonic, yes a G&T after AA, and was ready to win a door prize. I held my blue ticket up and waited for my number to be called while my mother and Jorge mingled with friends. Finally the lucky number 252 was called and I won beer mugs! YES! Next was dinner and I just knew it would be what I've been craving. A hearty midwestern meal filled with meat and potatoes. And not just basic mashed potatoes, but sliced cheesy gooey taters that melted in your mouth. Of course there's always a hypnotist at any event. It was hilarious until one lady was so deeply hypnotized (or intoxicated I'm not really sure) she kept hysterically laughing and screaming at the crowd. Needless to say they had to escort her off the stage and out of the room. It didn't end there. Throughout the show she would randomly make her way back to the room and start laughing and yelling at people. Although the hypnotist lost his mojo after her initial outburst this was even better than the hypnotist. I just sat back with my brownie cake and watched her with awe.

Last, we had to attend a Mexican baby shower. I say Mexican because it wasn't your typical baby shower. When Mexicans, not mexi-americans, but true Méjiconos have something to celebrate they celebrate. They didn't have games like guess the baby weight or guess the candy bar by eating it melted out of a diaper. It was a true fiesta with lots of food, dancing and booze. What a great day!

I'm losing my mind...

This week I've tried and tried and tried to write, but just couldn't find the words or, lets face it, motivation to post anything. It's February 17th 12:43 in the a.m. and I for some reason have the motivation and desire to update and revamp my blog. So...how does it look? I'm going for a cool, modern, simple look while also keeping true to the point of this blog -- living & teaching in South Korea. Feel free to post a comment if you find the new change great or fugly. I promise it wont hurt my feelings!

I actually  have a few things I would like to talk about, but first an update an what the heck is going on with my life. For those who do not know, I have a position in Gyeongbuk which is a province located in the southeast part of the country. It's not Busan like I was really really REALLY hoping to live, but it's definitely closer so I'm still happy. It is a public school position, exciting. I am so happy to be done with private schools or as the correct term is hagwons. There's just so much politics and unnecessary drama that typically comes with working in an hagwon and I was just personally done with the nonsense.Goodbye "insert name of hagwon" and hello EPIK! Are you wondering the name of my old school? Well I wont tell you. Remember I said "unnecessary drama and nonsense." The last thing I want is to have that shit directed towards me so I've left the name out to avoid any crap. Moving on...unfortunately, I do not know where exactly I will spend the year. I wont know this until I arrive at orientation in March.Yes it's somewhere in Gyeongbuk province, but I have no clue if I'm in a city or a tiny tiny town. Please pray I get a city! As of now I'm waiting to receive my visa in the mail and by the sounds of it I should get this early next week. Orientation isn't until the end of March, but I may leave early to mid March to get luggage from friends. The departure date is still being looked into.

Next. I have been home for almost 2 months now and I am losing my mind. Like really losing it. I've had several melt downs/cry sessions that included screaming at people like a maniac while large tears roll down my face. After a few counseling sessions with myself and a check-yo-self moment I've realized two things. A.) I am completely overwhelmed with being around my family again for an extended amount of time. I just have too many siblings who all have strong opinions/personalities. Plus, I haven't been home this much since I was home after my freshman year of college and that was seven years ago. B.) I'm not a good unemployed person. I need to work. I really don't understand how people choose to not work. I actually have a job and am just waiting patiently to get back to work and I'm going crazy.

To solve these issues I'm currently staying in Storm Lake, Iowa where it's just my mom Virginia, Jorge and three dogs. The great thing about this is I have my own room and I don't feel too bad about yelling at the dogs. To solve my boredness and to also save my insanity I may potentially work at my mothers job a few times a week until I leave. I'm sure Virginia spoke to her boss because she doesn't want to come home and find that I've shaved the dogs fur and was now eating out of the garbage while wearing new clothes made of foil.

Since I am spending a ton of time with my mom, I am lucky (and I mean LUCKY) to experience some Virginia T moments. Here is one below:

me - mom do you have hand lotion?

VT - yes, in my purse. looks for about 5 minutes in her over packed purse before handing me a bottle.

me - squirts "lotion" in palm. realizes it's clear.

me - MOM....this isn't lotion!

VT - yes it is. it's antibacterial lotion.

me - no mom. It's hand sanitizer.

VT - are you sure? I've been using it as lotion.

me - yes mom, it's not lotion.

I've also had time to terrorize my father. YOU'VE BEEN BABY POWDERED.

Hilarious!

thoughts

Originally I had a lot to say, but ran out of time and motivation to write a full blown out post. So instead I'm just going to write a few thoughts down.

1. Go Girls Generation!

2. When are people's behavior not tolerated anymore? Dealing with the same old nonsense just gets exhausting. Exhausting to listen to, be around and to watch others "try" and fix it. It's just all exhausting.

3. Why is it okay for some to act a certain way, but higher expectations are put on yourself? Is it ever their turn to be the bigger person?

4. New favorite person in the world...Analyssa Noel

5. HERE I COME VEGAS!!!