Living the Life » Uncategorized

Family Reunion

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:32:57 +0000

Since I’m studying in China, the holiday season will be Chinese New Year for me, rather than Christmas, I plan on going back to Australia to see my family in January. By that time, it will have been eighteen months since I saw them. I have one baby sister who is less than a year old – I still haven’t seen her in person. Not being able to see her has been my one regret in coming to Shanghai. Meeting her and reuniting with the family and friends that I left behind when I came here to study are all the plans I need for my winter holiday.

A hobby for a student

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:31:38 +0000

A few months ago, I decided that I wanted a hobby; something interesting to do as an extra-curricular activity. Since at school I was studying Chinese, I decided, naturally, that the best thing for me to take as a hobby would be to study Korean. Believe it or not, this was my idea of “fun”. Learning things and finding new ways to communicate, and discovering new ways to think abut the world are all things I enjoy. Ever since I was a child, I was more likely to be found enjoying myself in the library than anywhere else. Give me a book, or something to learn, and I’ll be happy.

Hobbies With Exercise (barbieinablender.org)

Not your typical woman

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:31:05 +0000

I have always found it difficult to find activities to do with my female friends. You see , I hate shopping. I find it tedious. When people ask where I like to shop, I always tell them that it’s not so much a matter of where I like to go, but rather which places I hate the least. At which point I mention a few shops that I know often have a few things that I like, none of which is a supermarket (which I hate more than regular shops). When I must shop, I choose a shop where there isn’t much of a line, and where I can get what I want with as little fuss and hassle as humanly possible. That way, the ordeal is over as quickly as possible.

The Cold

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:28:15 +0000

: Image by Tatters:) via Flickr

Winter (apart from the fact that it is footy season) is, I must say, the worst time of year. You see, it is cold. And with the cold comes the need to wear extra clothing. Jackets and coats and scarves and hats and all kinds of things that get caught up in your hear and are heavy and never seem to look quite as good as a summer dress. It’s absolutely horrid. Winters became even worse since I moved to China, because upon moving here, I discovered one thing – Australian winters aren’t even that cold. At least it’s given me a new appreciation for the Australian “winter” (which, I’ve discovered, is not even cold by world standards). I still don’t like it though. Too cold.

Goodnight and “Adios”

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:27:34 +0000

Today will end sadly, because my housemates are leaving (permanently) for Spain tomorrow in the early morning, so I will finish the day off by saying, “Adios,” and wishing them good luck in their life without me. They have been the best housemates a person could ask for. I still remember the argument we had recently about mopping the floors – they felt guilty that I was doing it, and tried to insist that I stop and let them do the mopping instead! Before they leave, I must go out and buy a few things – a goodbye present for them; a card to wish them well; and a box of tissues for myself to wipe away the tears when they leave.

So My Friend Asked Me a Question

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 06:26:00 +0000

The other day, thanks to the power of FaceBook, an old college friend asked me when my CD was coming out. He remembered the days when I would sit downstairs in our boarding house and spend hours hammering out music on the beat up grand piano. I spent several years creating new melodies and intricate counterpoints, and promised that all those who endured my early-process cacophony would be the first to receive a copy of my CD. Anyway, this friend decided to take me up on the offer. Unfortunatly, my response to him was “I haven’t quite made it yet. Hopefully I’ll have it done by the time you ask me again.”

Is Facebook Really Good for Making Friends? (socyberty.com)

The Perfect Place for Kids

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:25:16 +0000

Though my wife and I avoided moving to our corner of suburbia from the rolling foothills of California, we are so happy we decided to move to civilization! Perhaps the coolest thing about Roseville is that there are so many things for kids to do. From hundreds of swim lessons and three large libraries to numerous summer camps and pretty much any sports league one could imagine, Roseville truly is a great place to raise children. This past year, one of my kids sang in a musical, one learned ancient tracking techniques from local Native American tribes, and a third had the chance to express herself in tiny tot gymnastics. We feel lucky to be able to provide our children the opportunities that living in Roseville has provided for us.

Thank You San Francisco!

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:23:46 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

While I love my teaching job, I would have to think long and hard if someone presented me the option of being an instant rock star. Having the chance to entertain the masses from coast to coast while encouraging youngsters to devote time to learning music would be such a thrill, and the extra income would be pretty nice too! I can just see myself with my microphone stand perched next to my tricked out grand piano as I start the power ballad of the century, knowing that thousands of fans are ready to sing along and sway with the music that I have created. That would be an incredible rush.

Where’s My Dream Home?

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:23:01 +0000

If I could pick one thing that I really would like, it would be a chance to move into my dream home. As a teacher, I long ago abandoned the thought of having my perfect home with individual rooms for each of my four kids and a yard big enough to play a game of stickball. If there was a way that I could contact a realtor, tell her my specifications, let her know that money is no concern, and get my family into my dream home, I would certainly want to pursue it! In the meantime, I am content to simply dream.

My Trip to Put in Bay

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:59:29 +0000

: Image by gobucks2 via Flickr

My girlfriend took me on vacation. Unknown to me at the time, to Put in Bay, located in the shallow western end of Lake Erie. We left on Tuesday and stayed until Saturday. It was a wonderful time, a little rain, but when the sun came out it was great! The Put-in-Bay Jet Express ride was smooth, and quick. We ate at the Crescent Tavern and Catering for lunch, very good food, the Tavern had a Victorian look to it, beautiful! For dinner we enjoyed eating at the Boardwalk restaurant, and had the special for only $19.00. Mouth watering sword fish. Very good fresh seafood. We also went to the Mossbacks Island Bar and Grill which is and upscale casual restaurant that has a great view of downtown, Put-in-Bay, the park and Lake Erie. This was such a fun trip, renting the golf cart, our principal method of transporting, was a bit interesting, I was pleasantly surprised at the place we stayed, Aunt Jane’s Victorian Manor, because they are equipped with refrigerator, stove and even pot and pan, not that we were going to cook. But once again it was beautiful. Life is good and we all need time to get away and get refreshed.