Chinese food and boyfriends

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

Creature Comforts

I hate to take being abroad for granted. However, I hate that I took being home for granted. There are some things that one starts to miss when all of a sudden ones routine is changed drastically. While I know that Malta is not the desert, it does lack certain items that I find myself longing for day after day. One of these items is body lotion. I dont know if it there is something in the sea, or just in their tan skin, but it seems as if Maltese do not use this item, because I cannot find body lotion. All I want is a bottle of Vaseline body lotion. Or my Olay face lotion. Another thing I cannot wait to return to is sweatpants. Ahhh, sweatpants, the comfortable "athletic" pant made of cotton and fleece. Such a thing seems not to exist here. The same would go for the sweatshirt. Since i'm on the topic of pants, lets talk about pants. Pants are not made to fit people here. They seems to be made to be super tight on the leg, and big in the waist, or super tight in the waist and leg, or fit like mens pants, with the waist down to your butt, so while just walking or standing, your crack hangs out. I have given up on finding pants. Of all materials. European sizes are much smaller than they are here. Much. Even though some store claim to have a size 6 or size 14 American...they are really saying they have a size 0-4. I remain in my obviously American, flared leg jean.

I miss Quaker Apples and Cinnamon, lower sugar oatmeal, Wheat Thins, Hershey's Nuggets Toffee and Almonds candy, Coffee (big, steamy cups of actual coffee that doesn't taste like dirt), grilled cheese on sour dough bread made on my stove, and I never thought i'd say this, but...I MISS BEEF! The meat here has a slightly different taste to it, and while I cannot put my finger on it, its there, and its there enough to taste so completely different, that if I were here on fourth of July, I'd forgo the bbq and just drink beer.

But, I'm abroad. I think I can give up some things I am used to, to spend four months living in Europe.

Marsa

Yesterday was my first day teaching english to African immigrants at the Marsa Open Center. It was one of the best three hours I have ever spent. The men there want to learn so badly, and they all are really good students so far. They have focus and drive and really try so hard. I worked with three men. One just wanted the alphabet, one wanted to read and one, Stephan, with whom I spent the majority of the time with, wanted to learn grammar. He specifically wanted to learn vowels and the sounds they make, and how to know what vowel is which. He stumped me. I tried my best, but teaching is a lot harder than it seems. Especially grammar to someone who only knows conversational english. It was so much fun though.

We went on a tour of Mdina. One of the coolest towns I have ever been to. It is all enclosed behind walls, because of the many wars from long ago. A very european town, with some really good food. We also went to the catacombs, which was one of the creepiest experiences of my life. I wasnt a fan. The first two minutes or so were fun, then when you were deep underground with mass graves all around you, and people in front of you and behind you, and its dark, and cold...you get a little clausterphobic and then realize that you are surrounded by graves. By actual energy of the dead people. Creepy. I bought some cool things from the craft stores around there though. We went to a glass blowing studio, and a jewelry studio. They have some really wonderful crafts and art here.

Tonight our local pub owner, Simon, is throwing us sangria night. He does this every year evidently, and I am pumped for it. Simons is one block down the street, so we frequent there a lot. I have made a couple of friends from malta at the pub, and I have met many, many English people, who are quick to buy you lots and lots of pints. I counted about 6 last night. I kept saying no, but apparently, no isnt an acceptable answer in a pub. I have met so wicked cool people in the sauna too! From all over the world. Its rather entertaining.

Its chillier here now. Or maybe we have just adapted to the weather, but this means to sun tanning. Brr. So i'll just have to be pale for a little while longer. I will continue to watch these year round tan people stare at me because of it. haha, oh the joys of being American. I think its better to be Canadian. Also, EVERYBODY has an opinion on our election. I have heard it all over and over. Clinton is the favorite here.

Thats all for now.

Alas, it is raining. The weather was amazing the whole time we have been here, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. The Maltese must believe that they are going to melt or something, because as soon as one little drop fell from the sky, the people ran for cover as fast as they could. Even the nuns and priests, and men in business suits. I remained walking in the rain, because it was merely a sprinkle. Today it is colder out, and pretty windy. The half and hour walk to the university was the slowest to date. We had a lecture on the economy of malta, but there were so many notes to be taken (yay a professor that utilizes white boards!) and the professor talked so fast, that it was hard to write and listen. I wrote. I tried to listen, but then my notes seems to go from on the line, to down, and up, and back and forth. I am now safe at home in my flat. the long narrow hallway with rooms stemming off from it. The room I am sharing, with Jenny, is the smallest of the rooms, but while some made fun of us for having the smallest room, and we were a little bit bummed too, the room is awesome because it does not get as cold as the rest of the flat. And believe me, it gets cold! Speaking of rooms, our room has two tiny beds, one dresser and one wardrobe. The wardrobe is straight out of the 70's. It is very brightly colored, plastered with flowers. Also, there is not such thing as a fitted sheet. To flat sheets make up your bed, which makes it a daily project to re-make ones bed. Brown plaid is the sheet style. Plus one FLAT pillow. Thank heavens I brought my own from home.

Foos ball. I hated foos ball with a passion, until I came here. I play it over at the pub down the street. Simons Pub. Concordia/Luther students have made it their own for fourteen years. And Simon throws a Sangria night for us every year. I am excited for that. I wound up playing foos ball by accident, and have now made it a thing to play whenever I go. I am by no means good, in fact, the people I play with, Antoine and PH and whomever happens to join our game, laugh at me. I pass back very nicely. But I do occasionally score! And you'd think I had just scored in a real game! By the time I leave here, I will be amazing at foos ball. Challenges anyone?

I am considering what to make for lunch. Pretty much sandwiches or pasta. Or some gross soup. Oh the joys of being broke in Europe. I also need to think of where to go for spring break. The choices, the choices. From Venice to Malta it only $15 airfare! I just have to get to Venice...

Alright, i'm off to the kitchen to make something on our gas stove (with the tank right next to the stove) which is the size of a closet. no more the two people in the kitchen. Or the hallway, or the bathroom for that matter. I love it here, but do not take for granted carpeting and wood. Just for my sake. They are wonderful things! Or paint. Stone walls, and floors, and ceilings and buildings and roads and etc...just gets a little old after awhile. But, when I need a change, I go walk to the boardwalk, and just stare at the sea.

for anyone wondering, I live In Sliema on depiro st. if you are a geek and want to google earth it!

Be careful of the flu

It's roughly 60-70 degrees on any given day. Coming from - degree weather, it is fabulous. Yet, we have been warned that if we do not bundle up, we will get the flu, because of how cold it is outside. While I do not have the flu, I did catch a cold, but I suppose that living with 7 other people in a flat will bring a fair share of illnesses. I dried all my laundry on the roof of the flat. It is a very cool view from the top. I layed in the sun for a little bit (blonde and pale REALLY makes me stand out, so I figured I'd try for a little tan). We had our first day at the refugee center. It will be so life changing to work with these men. They have all come from parts of Africa, escaping war, walking across deserts, surviving the mediterranean waters (1:4 make it) only to be put in detention centers for at least 1 year, sometimes more, all while being treated like animals, in inhumane conditions, then to come to the center if they are lucky. The center is nothing but a building the by the grace of God is still standing. The men who run it are amazing English men, who do this by the good of their hearts. Maltese are not welcoming to refugees. It is a very sad sight and situation. The men are sooo eager to learn english. They saw us, and started asking when we'd be coming to teach, and us girls have had at least 3 marriage proposals so far. The men who run it (Terry, Tom, Glen, Adul) keep a tally of how many proposals each girl gets. We were served authentic Somalian food, made by the only women in the center. It is some of the best food I have ever eaten. I made a mistake, however, and ate with my left hand. That is HORRIBLE. Your left hand is meant for using as well, toilet paper. So you eat with your right, and NEVER with your left. Ew. Needless to say though, I use toilet paper. So its safe. Tomorrow we are going on a tour of Valetta. One of my favorite cities here. We had a cake from there. Not sure what it is called, but it was really, really good. After the first bite though, it got to sweet, but it is only found in Malta and it is only served during carnival. Classes are going ok. A little bit more challenging than I expected. There is no organization what so ever, so it is difficult to follow along with the lecture. I'm off now to take a stroll on the board walk along the sea and sit for awhile and watch the mediterranean waves hit the rocks!

Up, down, down, down

Malta is so amazing. So pretty! I went jogging along the boardwalk yesterday, while watching the sailboats in the water. I walked some dogs in Gozo. I was having so much fun. We went to Gozo for a carnival. People get dressed up and party. THis is a carnival that is meant for people to go crazy before lent. needless to day, it seems they do. The grocery store is called Price chopper. I cant get away, can i?! haha. The weather might be more perfect if it were about 2 degrees warmer. Sun, and about 60 or 65 degrees on a daily bases. Over all its all good. One encounter with a man who found us girls attractive and fun. He was weird, and i wont go into detail, but lets just leave it at his telling us of his tiger wrestling and japanese massages that he likes becuase they are rough...Yea, ok....My feet hurt because we walk all over, but its getting better. Watching people drive on the other side of the road is weird. I want to do it! K, i'll update more later.

ROMA

Rome is AMAZING!!!! I am in love!!! We were blessed by the Pope, we went to alll the major sights!! It was suriel! I have had a couple comments from the Italian men but overall, i think they are a bigger hit with me! There are cats everywhere, and no matter where you go, Ruins appear out of no where. We have seen everything, i even took a couple of pictures of the Sistine Chapel! Oops, thats not allowed! Overall, rome is fabulous amazing, WARM!!! and so wonderful. Expensive, really expensive. There coffee is super small, and there "American" size is about the size of a dixie cup. That is really large here. I have a ton of pictures and i'll try to post some later on. We are headed to Malta tomorrow and i'm very excited. The plane here wasnt so bad. I got creative with ways to sleep so that helped!! The tray table makes a great bed for your legs! Until next time, CIAO!

Im off!!!

Tomorrow I leave for Minneapolis where I will stay for thursday and friday night. Then EARLY sat. morning, i will be on my way to ROME!!! I am currently packing, aka, packing/unpacking x 100...I'm allowed one bag no more than 44 pounds. For someone who overpacks like its her job and whos leaving for 4 months, one bag isnt going to cut it. UGH so i'm sitting here just pondering how i'll get all my packing and cleaning done before i head to the airport. Its just gonna get done somehow...So i'll try to update this as much as possible, but Im not sure how the internet will be in Malta etc... So it may not be consistent. Anyway, i'll be thinking of you all back in North America and i'll try to think of you all when i'm watching the sun set over the mediterranean sea. So keep coming back here to see how things are going. I cannot wait to write about my time in ROME! and maybe i'll figure out how to post pictures too! Bye!