Chinese food and boyfriends.
What do you do, when you're in a Med. country, and you are bored? You go out for Chinese food of course. So there I sat, sitting on the waterfront looking out at the sea, eating chicken fried rice, and drinking diet sprite. Wow, that is one of the more weird sentences I have written. I must admit though, that I enjoyed it. The rice was slightly dry, and I found myself longing for Joyce's Noodle House lo mein, which wasn't on Yuu's menu. The diet sprite tasted more like Ginger Ale, and oddly enough, 7up tastes more like Sprite, so that leads me to believe that Ginger Ale, would therefore taste like 7up.
I went to Marsa for tutoring yesterday. I had Stiphen again. Ironically, Stiphen, has a lot of trouble with vowels, hence the spelling of his name! He is my favortite. He apologised to me, for not asking permission to go blow his nose. So cute! Anyway, another guy there, Ados, professed his "like" for me yesterday, and in his country, when a man tells you that he likes you, you are supposed to date him. I told him sorry, I'm flattered, but I have a boyfriend in the U.S. and that I can only have one boyfriend. To this he replied that he just told me he liked me, and so therefore I am supposed to date him. I told him no, that we can be friends, but my boyfriend would not like it if I dated Ados. Ados became very upset. Literally. So to make it all better, I had to promise that one day, if it's in Gods plan, if he sees me in America, we can become good friends, if i'm not with my boyfriend. Uff dah! (If only it were that easy!)
I have wednesdays off because I go to Marsa on Tuesdays, but today, I have decided to take a day off and just sit. I watched Friends (So funny after you haven't seen TV for over a month, let alone in your own language and accent) and I'll probably watch Harry Potter. I wish Harry was from America though. English accents, and German accents and Maltese accents are just becoming boring. I met a Canadian, and man, I could have listened to him talk forever! He is from Windsor? Right above, next to? Detroit. It was like he was sent here just for my ears! His name is Dugan, as I learned after he repeatedly asked my name and then goes, "ohhh Annnnniiii, thats ok, my name is Dugan..." Um? Ok? I wasn't aware that my name was that weird, let alone that I should feel better that your name is Dugan, so therefore my name isn't so bad.
Anyway, Meg and I are trying to plan our trip. We have until tomorrow to plan it. We leave at 4am on friday for GREECE! whoo hooo! Then Turkey! I have been waiting for this! So psyched!
I ask one thing for all you reading this: Go buy a bagel, maybe onion or something, with cream cheese, and eat while thinking of me. I would love a bagel right now. Boo hoo! Instead I had a honey ring. Not the same, not the same...
Ok, that is all for now I suppose. My computer is still broken (curse you apple) so until then, no pictures. But perhaps, by April! Keep thinking good computer thoughts for me!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Gozo. Still technically Malta, but Gozitans do not consider themselves to be Maltese. Anyway, it is the little island next to Malta and next to Comino. We went there for a day trip! Absolutely fantastic! I had so much fun. We went to the Citadel which was really cool, and had some really awesome views of Gozo. Gozo is not as developed as Malta, so the fact that I saw evidence that the color green still exists and that grass is not just something I thought I once knew, made Gozo a little special place in my heart. We also went to the salt pans, which are square "pans" cut into rock on the shore, and after tide goes out, the sun dries up the water left in the pans, and the sea salt is all that is left! We played around on some huge boulders like we were five again, which I must say, was really enjoyable. We then went to my favorite place so far. The Azure Window. SO BEAUTIFUL! I could have spent so much time there, but we spent to much time climbing the rocks at the salt pans, so we only had 20 minutes. But, I did get plenty of pictures. Oh yea, and we saw more ruins.
We ate lunch at a little restaurant in a little town. I don't remember what either of them are called, but the town was very cute and nice, and the restaurant was good. So much food. And, sun dried tomato paste. YUM! We had fish with potatos, which was very good, and some desert consisting of a really good sauce. I obviously paid a lot of attention to what the waitress was saying.
Best thing about the day...Cows. I saw cows! Never in one billion years did I think I'd see a cow in Malta. I was hoping that i could take a picture, but we were on the bus, so alas, I'll just have to have the memory. I think I like Gozo...Green grass and Cows, what more could one want? How about a Creamee or a Slushy? Oh yes, Gozo has both. I opted for the Slushy, a red slushy, and a couple people got creamees. It was like some person knew I was coming, and had an idea to incorporate Vermont into Malta somehow, and this is what they came up with.
Overall, Gozo was probably one of my favorite days here so far.
We ate lunch at a little restaurant in a little town. I don't remember what either of them are called, but the town was very cute and nice, and the restaurant was good. So much food. And, sun dried tomato paste. YUM! We had fish with potatos, which was very good, and some desert consisting of a really good sauce. I obviously paid a lot of attention to what the waitress was saying.
Best thing about the day...Cows. I saw cows! Never in one billion years did I think I'd see a cow in Malta. I was hoping that i could take a picture, but we were on the bus, so alas, I'll just have to have the memory. I think I like Gozo...Green grass and Cows, what more could one want? How about a Creamee or a Slushy? Oh yes, Gozo has both. I opted for the Slushy, a red slushy, and a couple people got creamees. It was like some person knew I was coming, and had an idea to incorporate Vermont into Malta somehow, and this is what they came up with.
Overall, Gozo was probably one of my favorite days here so far.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Hello, my name is: Janet
I just wanted postcards. They were only 19 euro cents!! Normally they are 35 euro cents, so I was excited that I could get more for my euros. Enter Edward. The Maltese owner who apparently has a thing for blondes and pinching peoples noses as he says "I just kid, ok" after some more flirting (on his part) he asked for my name...panic! Whats my name? Do I say it? No, no, I do not say it. "My name is Janet" (out of every name, I chose Janet) he asked my friend Jenny, and her reply was Marcia. Janet and Marcia, the American students that Edward decided to befriend...
Tomorrow we are headed to Gozo. We are going to the Azure Window. Google it. I am excited for that. Of course the tour will be fun as well, but this seems like one of the more interesting/fun thing that we will do. We also are bringing suits so we can jump into the Med. Yes! swimming in Feb... Oh ps. whats up VT and MN with the whole snow, ice and winter thing...I'll think of you often when I walk to university and sweat in my shirt, and walk in flip flops...Or, I mean, I miss you, so I'll think of you often!
Last night was Jenny's 21st. We held a surprise party at Simons and went out for a fantasic dinner at which they offered fish. The WHOLE fish. I ate penne. Rob (from Germany/South Africa) decided to "eat the eye" and "eat the meat under the cheek bone, cuase it's the best" EW.
The party was fun, I was of course, along with Meg, the last to leave Simons. I was busy talking to Linus and Simon from Sweden and Dennis and Johannes from Germany. Plenty of European men...
Update: Breman, Hamburg, Berling, Munich (maybe Cologne) and maaaybe AMSTERDAM!
Ok, I'm getting disappointed as I write this, I don't feel as though it's anything but a ramble...
So, ok, goodbye until I'm back from Gozo!
Tomorrow we are headed to Gozo. We are going to the Azure Window. Google it. I am excited for that. Of course the tour will be fun as well, but this seems like one of the more interesting/fun thing that we will do. We also are bringing suits so we can jump into the Med. Yes! swimming in Feb... Oh ps. whats up VT and MN with the whole snow, ice and winter thing...I'll think of you often when I walk to university and sweat in my shirt, and walk in flip flops...Or, I mean, I miss you, so I'll think of you often!
Last night was Jenny's 21st. We held a surprise party at Simons and went out for a fantasic dinner at which they offered fish. The WHOLE fish. I ate penne. Rob (from Germany/South Africa) decided to "eat the eye" and "eat the meat under the cheek bone, cuase it's the best" EW.
The party was fun, I was of course, along with Meg, the last to leave Simons. I was busy talking to Linus and Simon from Sweden and Dennis and Johannes from Germany. Plenty of European men...
Update: Breman, Hamburg, Berling, Munich (maybe Cologne) and maaaybe AMSTERDAM!
Ok, I'm getting disappointed as I write this, I don't feel as though it's anything but a ramble...
So, ok, goodbye until I'm back from Gozo!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
No Country For Old Men
Wow, we went last night to see No Country For Old Men. Intense is one word that sums it up. The movie just won an oscar for best film? The acting is really good, but wow. In Malta, they take a five minute intermission in the middle of every film. Imagine, the most intense part of the film, and all of a sudden, the screen goes dark and what do you know, it's intermission. I went and bought some insanely salty "party mix"...This party mix must be why there is no salt in the food here because it uses up all the salt for its one little air filled bag. I decided I needed a distraction, so party mix it was.
We were invited to the movie by our new friends Tim (from New Forest England) and Rob (from Munich and some where in S. Africa). We went to Simon's Pub after for a pint, and before we knew it, it was roughly 1:00 am. Early by Maltese standards, late by mine. I slept surprisingly well considering I just sat through an intense suspense filled scary movie, normally, I would sleep with the lights on, but I put on my mask (hehe) and went to bed! I am now up, and thinking really hard about going to the gym.
I had english lessons yesterday at Marsa. I had one of the same men as before. I forget his name (and he remembers mine...guilty!) and I had a new man as well. The one man, we'll call him Joe, was awesome. He tries so hard, has fun, and is doing so well! The new man was complicated. We'll call him Bob. Bob, was not very helpful. He would write a sentence such as: He did going to school yesterday. I would try to then correct him and say, very close, but actually what would the word be instead of "going?"... Then he'd get mad, and argue that it was correct, and then he'd say move on. This went on the whole time. Ugh! Then, I was trying to help Joe, so I told Bob to write a song, using correct english, about a dog and a cat. He did. It was not perfect but then he made me sing it. So I did. And Bob laughed at me! It is also very hard when a simple word you use everyday, becomes a word someone has never heard and you have to explain it. Huh? What? Then try to explain it using as little english words as possible, because they don't speak enough to actually know what you are talking about when you are trying to explain it. Whew.
Our toilet has decided to stop flushing for awhile. Maybe once a day it will humor us, but its gross. Not to mention that the walls are covered in mold and the floor is always wet because the shower curtain does not cover the end of the shower and is essentially useless. So put all this together, and you have a disgusting room that I try to not frequent. If I MUST shower here, I go to shower ready for a fight. Sputtering water that spits at you, and goes HOT to COLD every two seconds is not my idea of a nice morning shower. I try to shower at the gym as much as possible considering their endless supply of hot water and rain shower heads. Luxury!
Oh, I mentioned the gym again, I suppose that it's a sign. Now that I am not as sick, I can finally go workout, go to the sauna and take a shower that doesn't make you think that maybe being dirty and greasy is actually better than being hygienic.
Off I go then, I'll update of the spring break plans, so everybody can follow along with my travels, and marvel in the fact that I can go around the world, virtuallly by myself and come back in one piece!
We were invited to the movie by our new friends Tim (from New Forest England) and Rob (from Munich and some where in S. Africa). We went to Simon's Pub after for a pint, and before we knew it, it was roughly 1:00 am. Early by Maltese standards, late by mine. I slept surprisingly well considering I just sat through an intense suspense filled scary movie, normally, I would sleep with the lights on, but I put on my mask (hehe) and went to bed! I am now up, and thinking really hard about going to the gym.
I had english lessons yesterday at Marsa. I had one of the same men as before. I forget his name (and he remembers mine...guilty!) and I had a new man as well. The one man, we'll call him Joe, was awesome. He tries so hard, has fun, and is doing so well! The new man was complicated. We'll call him Bob. Bob, was not very helpful. He would write a sentence such as: He did going to school yesterday. I would try to then correct him and say, very close, but actually what would the word be instead of "going?"... Then he'd get mad, and argue that it was correct, and then he'd say move on. This went on the whole time. Ugh! Then, I was trying to help Joe, so I told Bob to write a song, using correct english, about a dog and a cat. He did. It was not perfect but then he made me sing it. So I did. And Bob laughed at me! It is also very hard when a simple word you use everyday, becomes a word someone has never heard and you have to explain it. Huh? What? Then try to explain it using as little english words as possible, because they don't speak enough to actually know what you are talking about when you are trying to explain it. Whew.
Our toilet has decided to stop flushing for awhile. Maybe once a day it will humor us, but its gross. Not to mention that the walls are covered in mold and the floor is always wet because the shower curtain does not cover the end of the shower and is essentially useless. So put all this together, and you have a disgusting room that I try to not frequent. If I MUST shower here, I go to shower ready for a fight. Sputtering water that spits at you, and goes HOT to COLD every two seconds is not my idea of a nice morning shower. I try to shower at the gym as much as possible considering their endless supply of hot water and rain shower heads. Luxury!
Oh, I mentioned the gym again, I suppose that it's a sign. Now that I am not as sick, I can finally go workout, go to the sauna and take a shower that doesn't make you think that maybe being dirty and greasy is actually better than being hygienic.
Off I go then, I'll update of the spring break plans, so everybody can follow along with my travels, and marvel in the fact that I can go around the world, virtuallly by myself and come back in one piece!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Britney spears should move here.
It is not uncommon to see babies around here. They are like any other baby in the world. The parents seem pretty similar too. This is where Britney Spears comes in: Driving with babies. They have carseats, but rarely is the child buckled, or actually in it. It shocked me when I first saw a baby riding in the front seat just hangin' out with its parent. Oh! Ok! Its not like they drive very far, because lets face it, the furthest they drive is MAYBE 20 mins. and that is unlikely. Crazy drivers. They bus drivers are no exception either.
New spring break plans: Malta to Breman, train to Hamburg, train to Berlin, train to CR, train to Poland...and maybe on the way home, one night in Switzerland.
I cannot wait!!
I am leaving soon for Marsa to go and teach. In the meantime it is really nice out, so I may head to the roof and sit with a book. I finished the one I had brought with me initially, so until I can get another one, I am reading tourist books. Not the greatest reads ever, but it's something.
I have decided the Maltese food is not my favorite. Yes, sometimes it tastes ok, but mostly, there is no salt, no spice and full of fat. gross. The best coffee comes from McD's. No joke. Imagine a world were something from McD's is actually better than anywhere else. It is the biggest coffee I have found also. Maybe the size of a styrofoam coffee cup. Until I am back in the States, aka, the land of super size EVERYTHING, I will savor my cup of McD's coffee, which unless I make a special trip, I can really only get easily on Tuesdays. So for 1 Euro and 5 cents, I have a cup of sanity!
I purchased some awesome socks today. Not just socks, but slipper socks! They are knits, so they are warm, but the bottom almost resemble those mens suits that have the elbow patches. Well, anyway, my socks have "elbow" patches. They are not ever coming off, because for once, my feet don't freeze when walking on the cold, hard floors that are everywhere in Malta. One of our classes is held at a Seminary. IT IS A CARPETED classroom! To my complete and utter joy, somewhere in Europe has carpeting! I don't know how they keep it clean though, because I have yet to see a vacuum cleaner anywhere. People here believe in mopping and sweeping. Everyday. Every morning. The women wash the step and sidewalk in front of the house, and then the insides, and wash the windows. Gosh forbid there is a spec of dust for someone to see. Man, they would not like America so much. I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually wash a side walk.
Oh yea, people in my group are finally getting over the plague. We didn't lose anyone. I am finally feeling better today, but I was pretty miserable for awhile. When we leave for Greece and Turkey, our guide is coming from America, with Abreva for me which is going to be so nice. Abreva here (I've seen once) costs nearly over 20 euro! Thats like, $40 USD. Ugh! Yikes.
Well, I'm also out of groceries. If you want to eat anything healthy here, you have to be prepared to shell out the mulah, or else you can be cheap, and eat like sh*t. For now, i'm eating like shi*t. I walk a lot everyday, so I figure it's ok until I'm back from my travels. So toast with Nutella it is. Peanut Butter is expensive here, plus, I was in a bind and the little corner store didn't have any, so I bought Nutella. It's good, but nothing that I will miss.
I found Absenthe (sp?) today. I'm thinking I might smuggle some back. Meg had a shot of it the other night. She didn't know thats what it was. Ew. But nonetheless, I am thinking of trying some, and perhaps for once in my life, I may be able to create a masterpiece that doesn't involve stick figures.
Tomorrow I have the day off! I always look forward to days off. I am headed out to look for a travel backpack! How official! Haha! I will look even MORE like a tourist than I already do!
Tata for now.
New spring break plans: Malta to Breman, train to Hamburg, train to Berlin, train to CR, train to Poland...and maybe on the way home, one night in Switzerland.
I cannot wait!!
I am leaving soon for Marsa to go and teach. In the meantime it is really nice out, so I may head to the roof and sit with a book. I finished the one I had brought with me initially, so until I can get another one, I am reading tourist books. Not the greatest reads ever, but it's something.
I have decided the Maltese food is not my favorite. Yes, sometimes it tastes ok, but mostly, there is no salt, no spice and full of fat. gross. The best coffee comes from McD's. No joke. Imagine a world were something from McD's is actually better than anywhere else. It is the biggest coffee I have found also. Maybe the size of a styrofoam coffee cup. Until I am back in the States, aka, the land of super size EVERYTHING, I will savor my cup of McD's coffee, which unless I make a special trip, I can really only get easily on Tuesdays. So for 1 Euro and 5 cents, I have a cup of sanity!
I purchased some awesome socks today. Not just socks, but slipper socks! They are knits, so they are warm, but the bottom almost resemble those mens suits that have the elbow patches. Well, anyway, my socks have "elbow" patches. They are not ever coming off, because for once, my feet don't freeze when walking on the cold, hard floors that are everywhere in Malta. One of our classes is held at a Seminary. IT IS A CARPETED classroom! To my complete and utter joy, somewhere in Europe has carpeting! I don't know how they keep it clean though, because I have yet to see a vacuum cleaner anywhere. People here believe in mopping and sweeping. Everyday. Every morning. The women wash the step and sidewalk in front of the house, and then the insides, and wash the windows. Gosh forbid there is a spec of dust for someone to see. Man, they would not like America so much. I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually wash a side walk.
Oh yea, people in my group are finally getting over the plague. We didn't lose anyone. I am finally feeling better today, but I was pretty miserable for awhile. When we leave for Greece and Turkey, our guide is coming from America, with Abreva for me which is going to be so nice. Abreva here (I've seen once) costs nearly over 20 euro! Thats like, $40 USD. Ugh! Yikes.
Well, I'm also out of groceries. If you want to eat anything healthy here, you have to be prepared to shell out the mulah, or else you can be cheap, and eat like sh*t. For now, i'm eating like shi*t. I walk a lot everyday, so I figure it's ok until I'm back from my travels. So toast with Nutella it is. Peanut Butter is expensive here, plus, I was in a bind and the little corner store didn't have any, so I bought Nutella. It's good, but nothing that I will miss.
I found Absenthe (sp?) today. I'm thinking I might smuggle some back. Meg had a shot of it the other night. She didn't know thats what it was. Ew. But nonetheless, I am thinking of trying some, and perhaps for once in my life, I may be able to create a masterpiece that doesn't involve stick figures.
Tomorrow I have the day off! I always look forward to days off. I am headed out to look for a travel backpack! How official! Haha! I will look even MORE like a tourist than I already do!
Tata for now.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The plague
De La Valletta. We went today to see the 3 cities, the ones during the great siege. It was interesting. I loved the maritime museum. It makes me miss the summer, working on the boats!
Their is a plague that has broken out in our flats. All but two out of fifteen are sick. Including me. I am lucky though, because it is not so bad, or at least as bad as some of the other peoples. I think we should go to the chapel dedicated to the plague, maybe we'll all get better sooner, and no one will be sick for Greece or Turkey. Speaking of which, we are headed out in a week and a half! I can hardly wait!
My spring break travels as of now as are follows: Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Krakow, Prague and somewhere with the Swiss alps.
Anything that you recommend I do on this trip I will consider. If I can fit it in between the Erotic art museum and Torture museum...Did I mention I was traveling with Meg. Haha, this trip will be so fun! We will spend the majority of our time in Berlin staying with her uncle! I'm verrry excited!
I looked through my camera, and was surprised to see just how many pictures of streets one can take. They are so pretty, but after a while, it just becomes a street.
I am expecting a package from home. Nothing to exciting, actually, just kidding there are two boxes of mac and cheese in there! American cuisine! I will post my address on here if anyone get an urge to write a letter, or maybe pack a package and say, I dont know, wish you knew someone who lived in Malta to send it to...
For now I'm going to go nap a little bit then walk to the Price Chopper for some overpriced groceries. Maybe like, a pepper and onion. Yum! It is raining once again, so I'm not to excited to be outdoors. Ick. Its wet and muddy. Ok, i'm done complaining! lol! Bye!
Their is a plague that has broken out in our flats. All but two out of fifteen are sick. Including me. I am lucky though, because it is not so bad, or at least as bad as some of the other peoples. I think we should go to the chapel dedicated to the plague, maybe we'll all get better sooner, and no one will be sick for Greece or Turkey. Speaking of which, we are headed out in a week and a half! I can hardly wait!
My spring break travels as of now as are follows: Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Krakow, Prague and somewhere with the Swiss alps.
Anything that you recommend I do on this trip I will consider. If I can fit it in between the Erotic art museum and Torture museum...Did I mention I was traveling with Meg. Haha, this trip will be so fun! We will spend the majority of our time in Berlin staying with her uncle! I'm verrry excited!
I looked through my camera, and was surprised to see just how many pictures of streets one can take. They are so pretty, but after a while, it just becomes a street.
I am expecting a package from home. Nothing to exciting, actually, just kidding there are two boxes of mac and cheese in there! American cuisine! I will post my address on here if anyone get an urge to write a letter, or maybe pack a package and say, I dont know, wish you knew someone who lived in Malta to send it to...
For now I'm going to go nap a little bit then walk to the Price Chopper for some overpriced groceries. Maybe like, a pepper and onion. Yum! It is raining once again, so I'm not to excited to be outdoors. Ick. Its wet and muddy. Ok, i'm done complaining! lol! Bye!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
brrr, its 65 degrees! I'm so cold!
So I heard that Moorhead/Fargo got down to -50 degree and broke a "coldest ever" record. Puts into perspective that maybe 50-65 degrees isn't so bad after all.
Speaking of cold, The blue grotto. look it up online. A very cool rock, water place. That is the best to describe it. We went yesterday, and then paid a maltese man to take us back to the bus stop. Actually, he offered us a ride, and like all good and easy tourists, we accepted.
Sorry, for the lack of pictures. My computer is broken and until I get it fixed there will most likely no pictures.
this blog kinda represents how I feel at the moment. Drinking some crappy coffee, knowing I have class soon and yet, not moving to get ready. Just sorta chillin' at the table, and talking about random subjects.
alright, my next blog will make sense! haha!
Speaking of cold, The blue grotto. look it up online. A very cool rock, water place. That is the best to describe it. We went yesterday, and then paid a maltese man to take us back to the bus stop. Actually, he offered us a ride, and like all good and easy tourists, we accepted.
Sorry, for the lack of pictures. My computer is broken and until I get it fixed there will most likely no pictures.
this blog kinda represents how I feel at the moment. Drinking some crappy coffee, knowing I have class soon and yet, not moving to get ready. Just sorta chillin' at the table, and talking about random subjects.
alright, my next blog will make sense! haha!
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