Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!! I was recently told that the fact that I don't have kids is not an excuse, so I'm joining the blog world, even if the only blogs I've ever seen always have all these cute little children on them. I was told that my many adventures from jumping around the world and the country are reason enough to share with friends that I haven't seen or who haven't heard from me in some time, whether months or years. I am also the self-proclaimed favorite aunt of 20, which means I still can add pictures of my favorite kids and teenagers!!

So for my Christmas card this year (and to make up for many years of not sending any out), I'm sending you all a quick update of my life and a picture or two for starters. I am currently in the Washington, DC area, but not living here. I am here for Christmas, and for a month off of graduate school at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, California, where I've been for the past year and a half. As my niece, KateLynn, used to say, I came "home for Christmas from college, because that's what college students do!" Last year, I was not able to make it back to DC, but went to my parents' home. It had been a long time since I had Christmas with my parents. To explain the "home" part, I lived in the DC area for three years, one in Columbia, Maryland and two in Falls Church, Virginia. So the DC area is more of a home than anywhere, because I've never been anywhere else that long.
You may be thinking that a month is a long time off of school, but don't worry ... it's not much of a break. However, I have given my brain and regular sleepless life a bit of a rest for the last few days. But after Christmas, I've got to get back to work. I am an Editorial Assistant for The Modern Language Journal and I have an end-of-the-year deadline. Also, this coming semester is my final semester and I've got plenty of work to do on my Portfolio that needs to be done before the first week of classes ... and in order to try to be sane with a couple of hours of sleep here and there during the frightful portfolio semester. This portfolio is for my Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a certificate in Language Program Administration. Last summer, I taught English to three different groups, two from Japanese Universities and I tutored the other group with their English writing as they were preparing to enter into Masters programs at MIIS or other schools around the US.
So, for my other adventures ... Well, the last year and a half has not allowed for many, even if many have questioned whether it was possible to study in such a location. Believe me ... I haven't been able to see much of what is around. However, I have made it to Big Sur once, to Yosemite twice, to the famous Monterey Aquarium twice, and the beach mostly for a number of singles ward FHEs and Activities. I should add that I was the Activities Co-chair and FHE Chair in the singles ward, which kept me extremely busy, but I'm moving on to the family ward in January.
Other adventures, for those I've not kept in contact with for more than a few years... I was blessed to be able to do a little traveling while living in the DC area. I traveled a bit around the Northeastern states, Costa Rica, Germany, and Austria. Prior to DC, I lived in Taiwan for almost a year, where I taught English in two cities and schools. I was also able to travel to the Mariana Islands of Saipan and Tinian. At the end of the year, I was able to go to Thailand, but not to other locations, because of SARS. The greatest blessing of that year, was being there with my sister and brother-in-law, Sidra (Angela) and Scott. (Sorry ... this is prior to my digital camera.)
If it has been even longer since I've been in touch with you, say from my mission, which has already been nine years since my return. Or undergrad, depending on which of the three schools I knew you from ... Or, even longer ... My apologies that I've neglected to keep you updated and that I don't have digital pictures from that far back.
(This is unedited and done with a lack of experience, so hopefully I can figure out how to clean it up soon.) :)

I hope you all have enjoyed this wonderful day and have a wonderful rest of your holiday!!