Well, the new year looms, and I’ve had many changes….
I moved to California for those of you who didn’t know. Before this I was in Appleton, WI btw. contracts in Korea teaching English for over a year after being in China for a few weeks learning to be an English teacher. Whew! I guess you could call it an adventure phase, I had lots of fun blogging my overseas time. Before that I was living in Milwaukee, only slightly less adventurous, which I think you all knew.

I would say California is the hardest part if you can believe that! Not the best time to be searching for a job, or in this case, jobs, in one of the most expensive parts of the US. Too many people, fires, traffic, pollution, blah blah blah. I’m hoping this adventure does not include a rather large earthquake as well. It’s supposed to be laid-back, but I don’t get that. I think the rich surfer kids who became 40 year olds who never moved out of their parents house started that.

I did just get a job at UCLA! OK, that sounds really good except that it’s part-time and it takes about 2 hours in morning traffic to get there, and one hour to get back to where I’m living. So I’m driving almost as long as I’m working. At least it has some benefits, which is nice. I’m also tutoring, but the organization is terrible, and therefore I’m working about 2 hours a week so far, a mere two months after they hired me. Last night a really cute kid coughed in my face for an hour. Makes me so thankful again for real teachers, the best people ever.

Anyone want to start a pool as to how long I’ll last here? Maybe some people had thoughts of this already….I’ll take a cut, please….

Nice things about being here right now – no snow! It’s about 70 degrees today. I’m seeing a few autumn colors…yes, it’s the middle of December and the colors are there. Now mind you, they’re quite limited, but I have seen a red or two. Mostly golds and browns. Quite pretty, even next to palm trees.

Nice Things Bullet Points Without Actually Doing Bullets in No Particular Order:

Cheap Mexican food. Brushing up on Spanish. My sister and fam (that’s sooooo cool). Meeting new people. Friends to commiserate with (you know who you are!). Friends of friends. Rock Band (thanks for including me, Gerbils). Laughing so hysterically at a comedian, my face almost stayed that way. Generally friendly strangers. A darn nice roomie.

This doesn’t really flow with the update, but I just have to share a couple funny signs that I see on my way to “work” – they’re both strip joints. I can find entertainment anywhere, I guess. One place is actually called “Strip Joint.” To the point. Further down the street, I see a sign that says “100% of Beautiful Girls and 3 Ugly Ones.” I kid you not. Plus, the cute English. Also saw a Christmas lights Green Bay Packers “G” on someone’s garage in Ontario, California.

The news covered the death of Mark Ruffalo's brother....as the top story. Everything going on in the world and this is the headline???? Hollywood is whack. (Do you know who he is?) Anyhow, no disrespect to his family, but geez. Maybe that was the top news story in your neighborhood, too. Fill me in.
I guess that’s the major stuff. Any questions?
Traci