My August turned out much different than originally planned. I intended to take an intensive CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages) class because I am thinking of leaving China next year and wanted some extra qualifications to increase my hireability. On July 22nd, I had an hour or so interview to get into the class. The interviewer said that I passed and that I would shortly find out if I was accepted to the class. The next morning I received an email from the school stating that I was accepted. Four hours later, I was notified that the class was full. I was understandably frustrated with these events, so in a fit of pique I decided to buy a ticket home for the month of August. The price was a little high at $1900, but it was on short notice.
I left Beijing on a flight to Washington, then to Houston and finally Gulfport. It was a long flight. It was the normal 12-13 hours to the US. Embarrassingly I did not look at my ticket and thought I was going to SEA-TAC, Washington state, not Washington, D.C. It is okay though because I became a little acquainted with the place during my 11 hour lay-over. Sleeping on airport benches, in a word, suck.
I stayed with Jason for a couple of days. We had several good conversations as usual. We spent quite a bit of time trying to get Ethan’s jeep fixed. I was also able to speak to Morgan about her doing temple work. After this, I went back home. It is strange but when I come home it always feels a little like I never left. One big difference was Tyler. That boy grew a lot taller in the last 6 months. He may even top me one day. I spent a couple of days sleeping, still recovering from the jet lag. It was brutal this time around. Marianne was kind enough to volunteer Tyler’s bed to me.
I was there about five or six days. I spent some time with John and Marianne watching Criminal Minds on Netflix. They really enjoy that show as much as I do. I think Dad started watching it first. They mentioned a steak joint that they said was fabulous. I also spent some time with Dad and Darlene. They are crazy about this dice game called Farkle. It is a stupid name for a game, but it was fun hanging out with them.
I went to Doug’s house down in Grey for a couple of days. He was still recovering from his surgery. He had a horrible time with infection and spent about a month and a half to two months fighting it. He looked really good though. We hung out and watched TV together. I wish that there had had been some football on then. Although I like the Saints, he is a much bigger fan. I prefer college and love only my beloved Tigers.
After I left his house, I went to Baldwin Co., Alabama once again to get some land papers there. I also received a lawsuit and an orphan’s court record from the Archivist. They were extremely helpful. When I was done there, I headed back to Jason’s in Gulfport.
From Thursday the 20th to Monday the 24th, we headed out on a road trip to North and South Carolina. Jason and I toured the Biltmore. Jason had never been and he enjoyed it a lot, even though he complained about the $60 entrance fee. It was really high. But the highlight of the trip was that I was able to see two ladies, Ms. Blue and Rhonda. Ms. Blue kept me as a baby while mom worked and our annual trips to Maine were never complete without stopping and seeing her. She looked great and oh did I miss her and Rhonda.
On Saturday, we made our way to Myrtle Beach to see my favorite cousin, Jacob. He is a graphic design professor there. We made a day trip out to Charleston to see the sites on Sunday. That is a beautiful town, a lot like New Orleans without the grime and crime (as Jacob says). We went to the Battery and saw the old buildings and then headed out to Ft. Sumter. It was a great trip. I had not seen him in two years since I helped him move from Oklahoma to South Carolina. All in all, it was a great road trip and something that I needed desperately. I enjoyed seeing people and hanging out with my brother.
This past week has been an eventful one. First, I finished writing a very rough draft of the introduction to my thesis that my Advisor praised a little. We discussed where I should be headed and she gave me quite a few insights that I can use in writing my thesis body. Luckily, quite a bit of it is already there because I did a great deal of it before my mental crap out in December 2010. I feel way more confident this time around than last time. I still have to control my impulses for procrastination and such, but I have a much better handle on how this is all going down.
This holiday weekend has been one of highs and lows for me. It started out pretty well when I had Thanksgiving at my Aunt Madge’s house with my cousins Mike and Renee. Renee’s kids were there as well as Aubrey, her granddaughter. I had a great time talking with all of them and eating the food. We had turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and several other delicious dishes. After that, I went over to my Dad’s and talked to with him and Darlene. I then went to John and Marianne’s house. Jason and DeAnne had arrived from Biloxi, so I got to hang out a little with everyone at John’s. It was a good day although I did get a little irritated. My only brother that I didn’t get to talk to was Doug, who was coming back home from his trip to Gatlinburg. I will see him and everyone else on Dec. 10th though.
A couple of months ago, I made the acquaintance of two girls from China that had come over to work and travel here in the U.S. They were in a pretty bad spot because they were plunked down in Watson, LA, the community where I work. There is not much to do there and life is pretty much impossible without having your own vehicle. We have no public transportation and they were unable to go anywhere until they procured some bicycles at Walmart. It is about a 3 and 1/2 mile walk.
