Email from brother Eric: Is Mom with you?
My Reply: No, she is not in China with me. She's in Guatemala with Amy.
Call from brother Chris: Where is that box of DVDs we packed?
My Reply: Chris, I am standing on the Great Wall of China...can this wait?
Email from Dad: I'm going to Moscow on business. Could you hop over for a visit?
My Reply: Dad, that's a wee bit more than a hop.
Some conversations highlight just how NOT normal my family is...these are just a few. (We've apparently gone International)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Another Top 5 List
Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Foreign Teacher in China
5. No day is ever the same!
4. I celebrate American holidays AND Chinese holidays. Basically, I'm celebrating something every other week.
3. I'm always learning. Living in a different culture daily challenges my worldview and teaches me new things.
2. Baking is literally part of my job.
1. My Students! They make every day worth it!
5. No day is ever the same!
4. I celebrate American holidays AND Chinese holidays. Basically, I'm celebrating something every other week.
3. I'm always learning. Living in a different culture daily challenges my worldview and teaches me new things.
2. Baking is literally part of my job.
1. My Students! They make every day worth it!
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| 2nd Majors! |
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| Freshmen! |
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Cold Medication
Dear Readers,
I am under the influence of cold medication. For those of you who know me, you know this is never good. Things have gone missing. Sentences have gone unfinished, and I have stood in front of my gas burner for 10 minutes thinking, "Wow, I'm watching a pot boil...a watched pot boiling. Who knew?" Then I thought, who in the world let me use a gas burner while on cold medicine?
Therefore, I'm restricting myself from writing any blogs at this time. It just wouldn't go well...I'm sure. So if you came to my blog hoping for a laugh, I'm redirecting you here.
I'll be back. (That's a promise not a threat)
Sincerely,
Lizzie
I am under the influence of cold medication. For those of you who know me, you know this is never good. Things have gone missing. Sentences have gone unfinished, and I have stood in front of my gas burner for 10 minutes thinking, "Wow, I'm watching a pot boil...a watched pot boiling. Who knew?" Then I thought, who in the world let me use a gas burner while on cold medicine?
Therefore, I'm restricting myself from writing any blogs at this time. It just wouldn't go well...I'm sure. So if you came to my blog hoping for a laugh, I'm redirecting you here.
I'll be back. (That's a promise not a threat)
Sincerely,
Lizzie
Monday, April 2, 2012
Reading in Progress
I love traveling because I enjoy being stuck in my seat with the complete inability to be distracted by various tasks and to-do lists. For a multi-tasker like me, inability to complete tasks often results in reading euphoria. For this current trip, I'm logging 15 hours of train time (aka 15 hrs. to finish some of the books I'm currently reading).
This leads to my confession...I'm a book polygamist. I usually have anywhere between 3-15 books in progress at a time. I'm not kidding. Free book reading, provided by ebookfling, has led to my wandering ways.
On the way to Beidaihe I completed the following:
Are there others like me out there? Should I seek help for this?
This leads to my confession...I'm a book polygamist. I usually have anywhere between 3-15 books in progress at a time. I'm not kidding. Free book reading, provided by ebookfling, has led to my wandering ways.
On the way to Beidaihe I completed the following:
- The Golden Compass
- A Voice in the Wind (Almost missed my stop while engrossed with this book)
- Harry Potter - the Philosopher's Stone
- Surprised by Hope
- Generous Justice
- Heaven's Wager
- Pilgrim's Progress
- Absolute Surrender
- Pictures of the Mind
- Individualism and Collectivism
- The Robe
- The Purpose Driven Life (ironic, I know)
- Perelandra
- The Hunger Games
- Anne of Green Gables
- The rest of the Harry Potter Series
Are there others like me out there? Should I seek help for this?
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Hedging and Regrets
1st Part of Today's Sophomore Lesson: Hedging
You should use hedging in the English language if you would like to remove yourself from your statement. Hedging uses words like perhaps, it would seem, or possibly.
Me: Boys, you might want to use hedging if your girlfriend ever says, "Does this dress make me look fat?"
Charles: *shouts a phrase in Chinese* which roughly translated means, "Maybe this dish isn't so delicious."
Class: Hilarious laughter
Me: No!! Don't say that! You could say something like, "Perhaps that dress does not show how truly beautiful you really are!"
Keith: *slaps Charles* See! I told you we need to listen in class! We need to know this stuff!!
2nd Part of Today's Sophomore Lesson: Wishes and Regrets
(aka language to use when you didn't use hedging)
You should use hedging in the English language if you would like to remove yourself from your statement. Hedging uses words like perhaps, it would seem, or possibly.
Me: Boys, you might want to use hedging if your girlfriend ever says, "Does this dress make me look fat?"
Charles: *shouts a phrase in Chinese* which roughly translated means, "Maybe this dish isn't so delicious."
Class: Hilarious laughter
Me: No!! Don't say that! You could say something like, "Perhaps that dress does not show how truly beautiful you really are!"
Keith: *slaps Charles* See! I told you we need to listen in class! We need to know this stuff!!
2nd Part of Today's Sophomore Lesson: Wishes and Regrets
(aka language to use when you didn't use hedging)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Challenges
I am an ENTJ, which is the smallest percentage of personality type. So yes, it has been confirmed. I am odd. Moving on…
"ENTJs love, and are energized by stimulating interactions with people. They often challenge people's statements and behaviors, expecting that others will defend them and that, as a result, mutual learning takes place. ENTJs admire and seek out people who are knowledgeable and who stand up to them, say what they think, and argue persuasively."* I couldn't agree more! I am a bit more cautious these days, but this statement resonates to the core of my being.
My brothers challenge me…and I LOVE it. They have pushed me to do things I would have never thought possible, and I have become a stronger person for it (a bit more bruised perhaps, but stronger).
Challenges Presented Over the Years:
* Learn to Water Ski
* Ski down a Black Diamond before you learn on the Bunny Slope (because apparently no sister of Chris Talcott is allowed on the Bunny Slope)
* Work at a camp in New Hampshire
* Learn to play the guitar (still working on this one)
* Go Skydiving
* Run a Mini-Marathon
* Travel to Europe
* Move overseas
* …never accept mediocre
I don't know if you are like me, but I tend to stockpile friends who push me and challenge me. This leads me to my question, "Who is challenging you?"
*Introduction to Type by Isabel Briggs Myers
"ENTJs love, and are energized by stimulating interactions with people. They often challenge people's statements and behaviors, expecting that others will defend them and that, as a result, mutual learning takes place. ENTJs admire and seek out people who are knowledgeable and who stand up to them, say what they think, and argue persuasively."* I couldn't agree more! I am a bit more cautious these days, but this statement resonates to the core of my being.
My brothers challenge me…and I LOVE it. They have pushed me to do things I would have never thought possible, and I have become a stronger person for it (a bit more bruised perhaps, but stronger).
Challenges Presented Over the Years:
* Learn to Water Ski
* Ski down a Black Diamond before you learn on the Bunny Slope (because apparently no sister of Chris Talcott is allowed on the Bunny Slope)
* Work at a camp in New Hampshire
* Learn to play the guitar (still working on this one)
* Go Skydiving
* Run a Mini-Marathon
* Travel to Europe
* Move overseas
* …never accept mediocre
I don't know if you are like me, but I tend to stockpile friends who push me and challenge me. This leads me to my question, "Who is challenging you?"
*Introduction to Type by Isabel Briggs Myers
Monday, March 26, 2012
Rolodex of Answers
Remember when we used a Rolodex to store important information? Well, I still have a mental Rolodex, and it stores answers to questions I have been asked.
Q: Miss Lizzie, do you want to marry a Chinese man?
For the correct answer(s), spin to the "Date a Chinese man" section of the Answer Rolodex. Wow! There are three cards in this section!
1. Well, he would have to talk to my father!
2. I don't think I'll get married until my older brothers get married.
3. Maybe I should learn Chinese before I think about that.
Q: Miss Lizzie, can you use chopsticks?
*Spin to the Chopsticks section*
1. I learned back in America.
2. I sure hope so, otherwise I'd starve!
3. We should have dinner so you can see my chopsticks skills! (Best answer)
Q: Miss Lizzie, do you like Chinese Food?
*Spin to the Chinese Food section*
1. I love Chinese food!
2. I love Chinese Chinese food...American Chinese food is just not that good!
3. I love Chinese food...do you?
4. I love Chinese food...do you want to go get some?
Q: Miss Lizzie, can you advise me on how to live in a love triangle?
*Spin to the...the ummm...dating section* Nope
*Spin to the love section* Nope
*Spin to the No Answer section*
Only card available: "Class, how would you answer that in English?"
Q: Miss Lizzie, do you want to marry a Chinese man?
For the correct answer(s), spin to the "Date a Chinese man" section of the Answer Rolodex. Wow! There are three cards in this section!
1. Well, he would have to talk to my father!
2. I don't think I'll get married until my older brothers get married.
3. Maybe I should learn Chinese before I think about that.
Q: Miss Lizzie, can you use chopsticks?
*Spin to the Chopsticks section*
1. I learned back in America.
2. I sure hope so, otherwise I'd starve!
3. We should have dinner so you can see my chopsticks skills! (Best answer)
Q: Miss Lizzie, do you like Chinese Food?
*Spin to the Chinese Food section*
1. I love Chinese food!
2. I love Chinese Chinese food...American Chinese food is just not that good!
3. I love Chinese food...do you?
4. I love Chinese food...do you want to go get some?
Q: Miss Lizzie, can you advise me on how to live in a love triangle?
*Spin to the...the ummm...dating section* Nope
*Spin to the love section* Nope
*Spin to the No Answer section*
Only card available: "Class, how would you answer that in English?"
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