Wednesday, September 23, 2015

"Summertime is always the best of what might be."



Upon my arrival into Omaha, Nebraska, I was greeted by my cousin Ashley and her handsome, soon to be one-year old, Kameron. Also waiting at baggage claim, my mom and Dominic, my two and a half year old nephew.







After loading the suitcases, we headed straight into my hometown across the river, Council Bluffs. Mexican food had been on my mind for weeks, and I was sure to get plenty of it while back in Iowa. 
My first full day was spent floating down the Elkhorn River in Nebraska, a real Midwest welcome home. I went with one of close friends, Britta, along with a group of young Summer lovin Midwesterners. The river swallowed up a few prized possessions, but overall the day was a success. Having me in bed by 8 o'clock. 
Float Trip Crew
I spent a few days of my first week out on my grandma's farm in a small town about 40 minutes from the city. Most of the time we spent outside picking up apples, filling up water jugs, or picking zucchini. When we wanted a break we worked on puzzles, sifted through family photos, or made some tea. 

Thousands and thousands of apples.
Zucchini plants taking over. 
Back in town, I made it out for some bar hopping in the Old Market. The Old Market has loads of restaurants, art galleries (my favorite being Thomas Mangelsen's), and shopping. The streets are brick paved 'from the turn of the century,' and you can still experience horse-drawn carriage rides and witness plenty of street performers.
Photo cred, NPCA.
On my one week mark, Ashley and her fiancĂ©, Kirt, hosted a welcome home dinner for me with most of my Mother's side of the family in attendance. My Uncle Brad and his wife were able to join, as well as my grandma, cousin Jessica, and my sister Michelle. The home cooked food was excellent. However, my favorite part was finally getting to see Dominic and Kameron interacting. 

Trying out the selfie stick with some of the family.
The little hunk, Kameron & I 
My sister Michelle, Grandma Connie, & Me. 
Youngest to oldest, but I'm still the shortest.
Jessica, Michelle, Kalee, Ashley hold Dominic.
Uncle Brad 
I stayed pretty busy during the evenings with dinners and such. 

Britta, Kira, Kristina, & myself.
BLT's, corn on the cob, wine, games, & endless laughs.
PINKS

A little bit of bar food at the well-known sand
volleyball spot with some old college friends.

Delicious $5 burgers during bike night at
Quaker Steak catching up on life tales with old high school friends. 

And my first steak of the year while getting to
visit with my cousin Sandie, her husband, and little Emma. 

Well into my second week home, I was picked up by my long time running, partner in crime, Bailey Rae. We were spending the next week together in multiple towns across good ol' Iowa, with many stops, and laughs, along the way. 

To start the week off right, we enjoyed a great pool day with her family and a seafood dinner. We blasted through Des Moines, making stops at Adventureland and the Iowa State Fair

Getting to see one of my best friends Deric was a highlight of the weekend! 
4th place. 
Iowa Pork. 
Live births at the Iowa State Fair.
This calf was not even 2 hours old yet.
Her aunt graciously hosted us for a night that started with wine & cheese, but later turned into tales of the glory days, midnight Thai food, and a rookie mistake with candle wax.

Once we got up to Cedar Falls and Waterloo, we spent the week lounging and shopping. Of course with Bailey and her beloved, we'd be listening to some great tunes, eating right, & making countless runs to Hy-Vee as well.

The one and only, Pooter.

Paul, Bailey, Morgan, & I before hitting the town. 
The week ended on a high note,
getting to see her grandparents,
sunshine by the pool,
and half a dozen takes at Dubsmash. 


Back in my hometown, I was estatic to spend the weekend
with my great, great friend Allyssa. Stories and laughs, questions and curiosities, there's never enough time for them all. 
Katie, Kinley & I showing off our cool specks. :-P
I went to church for the first time in years. Mostly to be with the family and to support the fundraiser for my Uncle Brad. Later on, my mother and I went to the Josyln Art Museum. 
My last week went by the quickest.
I had a perfect day at the zoo visiting some of their new exhibits.



Jellies!
A thrilling day of shopping
on the hunt for all my must haves
with my favorite little man.

Froyos, the dog park, and pizza tacos!  

A night at the infamous 100 Block of Council Bluffs. 

And of course some hometown favorite meals
with some of my favorite people.
Blue Sushi, Spagetti Works, The Great Wall,
Wheatfields, Panera, Rojas, just to name a few.
Callie & Sophia at lunch!
I spent my last day (or what I thought to be) with my close cousins Ash & Jess, and their beaus. Later in the evening I had an amazing, homemade last meal arrangement with my mom and Mike, my sister and Dominic, Ashley, Kirt, and Kameron. 
Nephew Love! 
My sister took me to the airport early Monday morning where I soon found out I was booked on a flight that left three hours prior. The only option I had was to take the same flight I'd unknowingly missed, only 24 hours later. I was a little unenthused to go through goodbyes again. However, the day turned out perfect with getting to attend Kameron's first year baby photos, which included playing in toddler friendly water sprinklers and equipment. My mom joined us again for the real last homemade meal, and I flew out at 6 am the next morning. 

Photo I snapped while he was getting his 1-year pictures done.
ADORABLE!
The 11-12 hour flight went surprisingly fast from San Fran to Taipei. Although, I did sleep half of the time (the most I've ever been able to sleep on a plane).

I arrived on my block around 9 pm Wednesday night. After getting any exhaustion I had scared right out of me by some of my biggest fans ;-) , I unpacked and unwound to start my short week off on Thursday morning!

I could not have been happier to see all of my students faces, hear their summer stories, and feel their sweet hugs. However, after being gone for 23 school days, and not speaking with the sub, there  was a bundle of things to sift through, sort out, and gather knowledge on in order to get my kids and I on the same track again. We were back by Tuesday. =)
Birthday Girl Bella! 
Annie and Coco before dance class.

I had an epic first weekend back in Taiwan being able to attend a Music Festival in Miaoli with my now-roommate (woot woot) Brittany and nearly all of the new teachers
The rest of September has been jammed with dinners, birthdays, running errands, and of course, one more music festival.
Duck Soup Dinner with some of the Nan Men staff.
Met a new friend, Olivia, who is helping me set up date for language exchange.
(To finally learn some Mandarin)
Pizza & brews with some of the new & old crew.
Josilin's Birthday 7-11 stops & surprise cakes!
Yoga classes with Jessie continue!
Back in the classroom we've been learning about our families, our five senses, and this week all about Fall! Their working on the many parts of reading, writing, and spelling of course. I also work in some math and centers, crafts, games, show and tell, and they all still love our Yoga Thursday's. 
I am also teaching a reading comprehension class to even younger students than my own. We had our annual meet-n-greet with all the parents, and our campus was hosted at a buffet dinner for having a higher number of students this year than last. 

My Wonderful Pirates!
Birthday Boy Andy!
T. Brittany and I doing Saturday morning storytelling!
This great looking group. 
Birthday girl Krista & I at the
music festival in Taichung!
Passion fruit mojitos were delicious! 
Feast at the fest.
Love these dapper looking fellas!
The Crew, aka Michael, Tyler, and Jake 
Birthday Girl Lauren & I out for some birthday shenanigans. 






Happy 1st birthday to Kameron Anthony &
Happy fall to everyone, especially those back home. 
This time of year is my favorite in the Midwest! 
Much love & thanks for the support in year three! XO - K