Today we're having a lecture on the situation in Bosnia. Last week, there was a lecture on the expansion of the EU. I feel comfortable saying that I'm very impressed with the history of the people presenting, and their expansive knowledge, but I wonder if they expect us to be astounded by their brilliance. I don't think they'll get that kind of ( Read more... )

Today was my final lesson with my favorite-beyond-any-doubt class. So, I gave them awards! These are the awards I bestowed upon them, based on the four books we read: Lord of the Flies, Phantom Tollbooth, Inherit the Wind, and Animal Farm.

For Nana, for her increadibly positive outlook, and exquisite personality: The Simon Award (Simon, from "Lord ( Read more... )

So, I've got less than a month in Japan, which is encouraging me to do things I have yet to do in Japan. Specifically, I'm pushing myself to eat foods I can't obtain in the USA, or even in Italy.

Anyway, I'm in the supermarket, and it's past 7pm, which means super-reduced prices. Whee! And there, in the fish isle, I spot a whole (LIVE!) crab, ( Read more... )

Deodorant.

Makeup that doesn't melt in the heat.

Extra bags that have nothing in them for day trips and HUGE amounts of return gifts.

Very very light shirts, and undershirts to go under them (to collect all the sweat)

Very very light pants - khakis are best. If you wear jeans, it's like peeling a fruit rollup when you get out of them, and they take ( Read more... )

Some new things have happened since I've written:

I've got no boyfriend
I'm going to Italy!
I am almost done with JET!

...
A lot can happen when you don't write for 7 months.... Anyone else still here? :)

Kisses,
Mel

Just a little bit longer until I'm in D-Ville again. It's been 15 months since I've been home, and I'm excited, but expectant.

I KNOW what Davis is like, but I bet it's at least a teeeny bit different from when I was home. Certainly, now that Renee isn't there, and lots of my buddies have graduated and moved on (fortunately, not Wyatt and Kristen) ( Read more... )

So let's get to the bad part first, shall we?
Halloween on Saturday was the first all-nighter I've had since... since... christ, I can't remember.
But Halloween on Tuesday, when I dressed up, was by far more stress-inducing.
Raukura and I had pumped the kids up to ask us for candy and say, "trick or treat" when they saw us, which is exactly what they ( Read more... )

Hey there! Just thought you'd like to see the full costume for me and Raukura! This is us, today, at school :)


( Read more... )

And this year, I'm gonna be a bunny!

In a week, I'm going to CHINA, to see the great wall (but I'm only going to be there for three days, because I have to save up my holidays) and in three weeks, I'M COMING HOME for Thanksgiving!!!! I'm really excited.  I'm dying to see my family, my friends, and Davis in general. It stinks that quite a few people ( Read more... )

I'd like to recommend a book for you ( Read more... )