Former Expat Teacher Acclimating to the American Way!

Its serious over here! I have specific hydrating times so I dont get caught slipping! And while its annoying waking up too many times to count while youd rather be sleeping, its better than the alternative. Also, if you THINK you may have to use the bathroom while you are out, consider a few things.  #1. Did you bring tissue or baby wipes? #2. What kind of shoes are you wearing? #3. Are you wearing pants that touch the floor? #4. If you are wearing long shorts, will they touch the floor when you pull them down? #5. Will  you be ok when-not if-the smell gets in your mouth??? This is why I Just Say No ,lol. Id honestly rather do like this little guy and go on the street-its much cleaner! All the babies wear them! But thats another topic for another day.

Also known as Chrysanthemum tea . Apparently, it has many benefits of which I was unaware. I was craving tea and since Ive not yet been to a tea house (shameful, I know). I decided to walk to, of all places, Walmart and get some tea.I actually didnt know what type of tea it was until I got home but it was 15 quai so no love loss if I didnt like it. Its actually smooth and no need to add sugar or honey. Here are a couple other links: Beat the Heat With Ju Hua Cha  and 10 Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea and pictures of my tea and new cast iron tea set! Bowsers.Ive been eating them all week. They have meat and idk what else inside. They are yummy and you get ten for 5 quai (sp?) My new tea kettle.I love cast iron! The tea I bought kettle came with two little cups first time have tea like this-flowers instead of leaves inside of kettle.

Be sure to click the link for travel vids. Ive updated it today and will add more videos soon.

Earlier this year I wrote about living in various places abroad. This is definitely tier two living. see  here  for my explanation. Its not a major issue but there are things I would do IF I knew how to get there AND could have someone to communicate with once I got there. The tea market, the antique market, the herb/spice market to name a few. Last night we went to the Big Goose Bagoda. Or is it Pagoda? I really should know,lol.Anyway, there is a strip of restaurants adjacent to it so we ate at a German restaurant and I decided to do something I never do-eat steak! It was thin and tasted good.After that, we headed over to see what this tourist attraction had in store. If you are a person who doesnt like touristy places, this isnt a place you would necessarily like. I hope to compile my vids and post them but that will have to wait til I get back home. We missed the water show but everything is lit up, people are selling things that light up and fly. There are stores that a...

Im gonna go ahead and start out giving a shout out to the Dabs,lol. People who havent lived anywhere else outside of their home country and who have loads to say about the Dabs should maybe try living someplace else where your language isnt spoken. Unless you are a language learner, its quite difficult. Very few things are written in English.I cant take a cab or ride the bus as a visitor. They do have a train and I can take that and as long as I know exactly where Im going, its good.If I happen to get turned around,forget it.If you find someone who speaks English,you are extremely lucky! The other day it took an extended conversation to get an order of ice cream without strawberries.Actually, I wanted a cone-which was right beside the cups-but I couldnt get her to understand thats what I wanted so cup it was. So far, Ive eaten at quite a few Chinese restaurants.1 Japanese restaurant, and a couple western places where I enjoyed having pork in my meal. Ive gone to the bell and drum to...

Went to the dentist today and it was a bit too much for me. I didnt have my normal person because I have things to do and had to go early. I ended up with this guy that reminded me of Johnny Bravo-the Lebanese version,haha. IDK if he is or not.ijs. Anyway, he seemed very unsure of himself and asked many questions when talking to the Dr.s/instructors. Yeah,yeah,they are students but I guess I expect some sort of confidence. Look at my file before or when  you bring me back.Dont ask ME what you are going to do. IM NOT THE DR! Of course, my confidence in him was rather low. Then he didnt wear a mask, which was uber irritating. I found myself working to hold my mouth open while holding my breath because I didnt want to breathe his air.Really dude? What else? Oh, when I got downstairs I had a cracker and the bracket in the back popped off so I went right back up. Immediately after his look of disapproval, I told him that a cracker was not a reason for the bracket to come off. Rather ...

Travel fashion for anyone from the minimalist to the "omg,what if I want to wear THIS?!" check out the above link for help.I just took so many unnecessary things out of my luggage!