Had this beautiful view while working a flight to Chicago !
Perks Of The Job
I really hate waking up early when I HAVE to. The other morning I was called at 3 a.m. to work at 6:05 flight . I hopped up and got dressed feeling super annoyed. I got to work an hour and a half later and loaded the plane. There were some empty seats in first class and the flight was long so I sat down and looked out the window . I don’t really get to do that often so it was nice. The views were amazing and it reminded me how lucky I am to get to see them. So the perks of being a flight attendant aren’t so bad!
Proud to be from West Virginia!
So if you haven’t been made aware of it yet . The whole state of West Virginia has been on strike for 8 days this Monday . This strike has made history due to the fact that all 55 counties in the state have stuck together and closed every school. This strike is not only about teachers, but public employees also. That includes cooks, bus drivers , aides, and service personnel. It’s takes a lot of people to make a school run well and without one part it’s not possible to have it fully functioning.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking while not getting called to sub here recently. Thoughts just run like a wild fire through my head at times. While teaching abroad I met a ton of different people. I’m still friends with some and others were just acquaintances.
There was this girl I introduced myself to and told her I’m from West Virginia . When you tell people your from West Virginia you usually get one of three responses.
1.) Where is that?!
2. Oh yeah, Virginia! I know where that is! 🙄
3. Oh yeah, *insert singing here* Country Roads Take Me Home!
She responded with “When I think of West Virginia I think poor and uneducated.”
I was dumbfounded by her response to say the least and highly offended! I was so shocked by what she said I couldn’t find the right words to respond.
Instead I asked her where she was from and she said Kansas. And went of to tell me she was voted most likely to not leave her bubble in high school and so on. While I seemed to tune the rest out I couldn’t stop thinking about what she had said to me.
I grew up in a low income family, but it seems I never really noticed that I didn’t have much until I got older . But for that to be someones first impression of my State was unbelievable.
If you know me and know me well you know that I would give you the shirt off my back if you liked it. I’d go out of the way to try to help you. I’d offer you anything from my house just as if it were your own. I’ll give you my honest opinion and be a listening ear when you need one.
The thing is I’m not the only person that has these characteristics. If you ever come to West Virginia you will quickly see that anyone would go out of their way to help you if needed . People come together in times of need, and people work hard … Really hard to make a living.
I was offended when I heard her thoughts on West Virginia , but it made me realize how proud I am of the people in my State, and how hard people work to get what they want. I won’t lie her comment did make me really sad at first. I’d go out with friends and we would be drinking. Out of the blue her words would come back to me and make me really upset because regardless of where people are from no one wants to hear that.
I moved to West Virginia when I was 5 years old. As I got older I like many others wondered why we moved to West Virginia in the first place . My grandpa always told me it was a safe place and the people were some of the nicest you’d ever come by. It’s sad to say I had to leave before I realized that this was true.
I was so naive when I left West Virginia . I’d wave, smile, and say hello to people just passing by and they would look at me like I was a total weirdo . People I walked with would ask me if I knew that person I was saying hello to. Apparently that’s not really a thing in other places .
So back to this strike . I’m so proud of the teachers in West Virginia . Not only for standing up for what they want but doing it with class. We have not had school in 8 days . During the state wide work stoppage these last 8 days there hasn’t been any injuries. There are no threats being made . People in the community, Churches, and Teachers themselves have came together to still be able to feed students breakfast and lunch. The Churches have volunteered to watch students who’s parents still have to work or so parents can picket. Some students if not most of the Teachers kids have been on the picket line as well.
Some people will argue that the days are being wasted by not having school. I will beg to differ. A day is not wasted as long as you don’t make it that way. Go to the library, read a book, go to the park, work on some math, go on a trip. A child can learn from anything you do . You may surprised what you may learn in this free time as well.
If you haven’t heard about the strike please check out the following links below.
https://t.co/qGAwmUaYkf?ssr=true
The state wide work stoppage has gained a tremendous amount of attention from the media and public so far . Our Governor Jim Justice proposed a 1% for the next five years raise when teachers brought this up to begin with . That paltry amount won’t even be noticed on a pay check ! That jumped to 2% when teachers disagreed . Then he wanted to give teachers a 5% raise and service personnel 3% . Then this statement was issued from WVEA . Saying that the 5% should be for both teachers and service personnel and it’s not right to take from one to give to the other. It’s sad that we do have to fight against this .
Like I said before and I’ll say it again . I am so proud of the teachers for standing up for what they believe in. I am proud of the parents and service personnel. I’m proud of the support. I hope that we are able to see some change in the coming days. I know the teachers are willing to fight for it.
I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for teachers along the way. Think about it you are in school for most of your life in school. At least 17 years if you go on to get a Bachelors degree. You spend 8 hours a day in school with your teachers up until 12th grade. How can you say that they have no impact on your life ? Teachers are the ones who help mold you into productive human beings. They help you find yourself . They are more than teachers in so many ways. I’m so thankful I had someone stand up and guide me along the way.
Even though our state may have some of the lowest incomes . I’m proud to be from such a place. A place that cares for their own people when the going gets tough. A place that comes together in unity when trying to improves their lives and the lives of others. A place that welcomes others. A place that has made history for such beautiful scenery. A place where people want better for themselves and will work hard to get that. I’m so proud to be a Mountaineer! I’m proud to be from West Virginia no matter what other people say!
>
<
“>
Big Timber Brewing Company
I recently stopped in here while visiting Elkins,W.V.
The people were very kind and the beer was great. I’ll be back to try some more!
If you ever get the chance to stop in the Big Timber Brewing Company in Elkins, W.V. you won’t regret it!
Seneca Rocks
If you ever get the chance to visit Seneca Rocks in West Virginia I’d highly recommend it. This is one of the most relaxed places to go and camp or stay in their cabins. This time we stayed in one of Yoyums TP tents. For 26.00 you can’t beat the price . The Tp was 12×12 ! It also had electrical outlets and a fan inside. I would definitely do it again.
This was the view from our tp in the morning .
We also rode horses to the top of the rocks. It’s really a great experience! We got off the horses at the top and had about 15 min to take photos .
If you ever get the chance go relax at Seneca . It’s one of my favorite little get aways.
Trying to catch a big one.
New Martinsville, W.V.
Damaged Hearts
The heart is amazing wouldn’t you know.
For the scars over the years are never to show.
You can go on living your life and move on from fear
but the words that scarred will always be near.
We live in a society that always moves on.
People doubt what makes us tick
but little do they know the heart is drowning by a flick, flick, flick.
Damaged hearts will always be worn, some may even be scorn.
Some may say the damage makes you stronger
but what would they know, because the heart will always ponder.
Ponder the things that it’s faced, because they are things that are untraced.
You may be thinking this is all very somber.
Yes that is true, but does it not make you wonder?
Wonder how people carry burdens so freely?
How do they determine how life will be;
once they are free and no longer drowning in the sea?
Why do we pass each other so carelessly?
Maybe it’s because of uncertainty.
Regardless of how your heart may be
everyone hopes for sort of normality.
Actually there are a ton of people who are abnormal
some just try to act formal.
Internally it’s all a different game. Some may feel shame.
Some may look for others to blame.
The heart is simply amazing.
Like a rapid forest fire spreading
you run and you run to get away.
Some parts turn grey while other parts fray.
But no matter where you go those wounds will always stay.
Wounds heal and usually leave a scar.
The scar makes a story that can be shared with those who look from a-far.
Your story can make a difference and make others perspectives a little more a-jar.
The heart is truly amazing.
There is still a fire that’s blazing.
Blazing and burning for something more.
Keep your head held high, and ignore the carnivores that try to eat you alive.
The harsh words and actions that may come out;
are often a defense mechanism to survive.
These repressed feelings are something you can’t ignore.
Go on now, the crowd is screaming encore.
Below are some photos that make my heart beat a little more.
My friend Lyndel is a part of a Non Profit Organization called Football For The World Foundation. They hold camps all over the world to To improve the quality of life of children through the game of football. Football For The World Page
Lyndel was able to get over 40 pairs of football boots,jerseys, balls, and vest donated and sent to Korea so she could hold a camp. I was fortunate enough to be able to help with the camp this time.
During the camp we did drills and games with the students. 
They had a great time and at the end all the supplies that were donated to use for the camp were gave to the students to keep. It was a great day. 
This was a stand when we arrived in the Philippines. This lady makes skewers of chicken and pork to sell for less than a dollar. She was so kind and welcoming. 
This was the view from our hostel. I was amazed that we were so close to the beach. It was beautiful. 
These were some scallops we ordered. I had tried scallops before and never liked them that much. I’m proud I gave them another chance, because they were absolutely delicious. 
This was right before the sun came up. There has been a storm the night before but I liked the shadow effect it left. 
The day cleared up and we did an island tour. It was breathtaking. 
My travel buddy Alana! Grateful we could share this experience together. 
This fella gave both of us a ride with our bags.. I would imagine we weren’t the lightest of the bunch. He did this each day for his wages. It made me appreciate him even more.
This was a flower outside of a resort we went to visit. Just up the road was the gate to the exit and outside that exit was a lot of poverty. I would like to think that those who face such extreme conditions can still find beauty in the little things.
This is my little sister Mikki. She went fishing and sent me this picture of her first fish. It made my heart smile.
My heart beats with scars on it, but thankfully I can still see the beauty in all the madness.
Your heart beats the same as mine. Give someone a little bit of your time.
Floaters
I was recently introduced to the term floaters… and I don’t mean in terms of turds floating in the toilet..
In between leaving Korea the first time and coming back the second time a lot has changed. In change I mean with people. It’s not really even Korea itself…well besides a couple of coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants.
I think I have grown a lot since the first time I was here. I look at things a little more logically. I don’t mind not staying out all night, and I cherish getting enough sleep haha… well saying that it seems like I am a granny…
So I am back now and teaching P.E. this time. The school provided me with a very nice apartment. I have upgraded since the last apartment.
I’ll have to work on making that more homey…but for now this is my “home”
Back to the floaters…
float·er
ˈflōtər/Submit
noun
plural noun: floaters
1.
a person or thing that floats, in particular.
This was new terminology to my ears.. these are people who just skip from group to group..I also heard they are called chameleons because they transform into whatever group they hang with.
I don’t think I noticed people doing this as much when I was here before, because I came here knowing no one and then I made all kinds of new friends. I can relate to this term the most when I went home after being away for a long time.Now that I am back in Korea again it’s like hindsight is 20/20 ….just like in all situations you go through.
Anyways I think the point of this is that people are just weird.. and I am not sure if I should care of just keep going on with my life.
I hate the way that life goes on no matter what happens. No one stops for you. You don’t stop for anyone. Life goes on. It’s sad. I like checking on people. That’s became a rarity anymore though. Not for me, but just in general… our society and it makes me sad.
Then again I can’t expect others to be like me.
But these floaters …they just come in your life and then stay for a while and maybe they will leave after a while…and then after time goes by its like you never knew those people before.. hell for all I know people could see me this way.. I hope not but you never know.
I try to stay in touch with people, but sometimes it just gets draining. These days I don’t mind my quiet time and reading a book. I love pen pals and snail mail. So I have found a different way to keep in touch with people.
But the floaters like I said sometimes they stay sometimes they go … So do I make an effort to keep them around or do I just say fuck it? I hate to think that people aren’t worth my time, but then again if it’s going be that mentally draining then maybe it’s not worth it. I JUST DON’T KNOW. It messes with my head just thinking about it honestly… then again maybe I am just over thinking like I do a lot of time.
Has this ever happened to you ? If so how does one take on this situation.
SON
Son asking if we are ready to move on..
These young boys were sitting along the road with three bottles of eels that they had caught.
While in Vietnam I planned a trip to go trekking in Sapa. I had been hiking before, but this was like no other experience I have ever had in my life. It was simply breath-taking. My tour guide was Son. She was a small but cheerful woman filled with all kinds of knowledge. I was lucky to have her as my guide. While hiking, trekking up hillsides, and tip toeing through rice terraces we had a lot of meaningful conversations.
Son has a family with five children and husband. Her kids attend school and her husband goes to the hospital twice a week for his kidneys. She has been doing these hiking tours for the last five years. While doing these tours her wages have changed since she started but not by much. Son gets paid 7 dollars per trekking tour. These tours can rage from a day to 3 days, and I’m sure longer if planned ahead. When Son first started doing tours she didn’t get paid and she couldn’t speak any English. She learned to speak English from all the people she has met by doing the tours and practicing conversation. She still can not read or write.
Haha.. Can we make it across??
Why yes we can!
Son has never left Sapa. She has lived and stayed there her whole life. Can you imagine never leaving your home town? She said she loves her job no matter how much she gets paid. Each person that did this tour paid through a hotel or agency. The cost was anywhere between 50-75 per person. Son gets $7.00 per tour she does no matter what the group size is. These tours aren’t exactly what I would call a walk in the park. I am young and able to do this and it was difficult for me. We trekked 26 kilo or 16 miles in the matter of 2 days. Most of the time Son was way ahead of us and hopping and skipping over the hillsides. She was such a strong woman physically and mentally.
Son took good care of everyone in her group with an honest heart. She had no secret intentions to get us to buy things. She warned us not to buy things from the kids selling bags and bracelets along the way because they weren’t in school, and they should be. Instead they were out trying to make money for their family off of all the tourist that were passing through the mountains.
We stayed overnight at a homestay that consisted of a family style dinner with rice wine…a little too much. I really think the group I was with was something special. I have been traveling and working abroad since last September and I have never felt so accepted and welcomed by such a variety of people in my journey alone. Being the only American with a mild twang … well you know how that goes .. haha. We had people from Israel, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Belgium and France. Everyone was so open and we shared a lot of stories along with personal experiences. So thanks to everyone who made me feel so welcome and happy. Our homestay was cozy and we each had our own mattress on the floor.
Son bought us ice cream once we were close to our homestay. We were grateful.
Over lunch the next day a couple of boys asked me if I was staying longer and I said no I had to be back for my flight. Son quickly spoke up and said “If she was staying I would invite her to stay with me.!” She then proceeded to tell me that if I did a “real” local homestay things would be different. We wouldn’t have wi-fi. I would sleep downstairs and the family would sleep upstairs. Theres a bathroom and shower but they both were outside of the house. If you want warm water you must heat it over the open fire. If I ever go back to Sapa or if you ever to Sapa. I would recommend just getting the over night bus or train and then planning a local stay once you get there. The money will go directly to them and it will be a great experience with the locals. Her name is Sung Sapa on Facebook or get ahold of me and I can get in contact with her. I couldn’t recommend the trip any more. It was my favorite thing that I have done during my travels and I wish I could have stayed longer.
It was clear that Son has overcome a lot. I’m sure that there is more to her story that I haven’t heard. Regardless she has left a huge impact on me already.
P’ Toy
She walked up beside me while I was talking to a student and said “hello” I quickly replied “Hello, how are you?” Her response like so many other people when asked was “I’m fine, thank you and you?” I said I was doing well.
I finished my conversation with my student and went over and sat down beside her. I asked her if she spoke English and she said “Verrrrrry little bit!” We got to talking and she told me her nick name was p Toy. I asked her if she had been to see the students art display she said “No I have to finish work.”
She does three different jobs at the school including washing the dishes after breakfast ,lunch, and dinner, cleaning the toilets, and working with the students to help them set up for different events.
She began to open up and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her. She always wanted to speak English, but was scared. It turns out she speaks pretty well and it was easy to understand!
P’Toy had previously been married and lived in Australia and her Ex husband treated her more like a maid than a wife constantly screaming to make him something to eat or demanding work to be done. She was criticized for not knowing much English, but who would want to learn it when your being screamed at all the time?
She divorced and moved back to Thailand. She started working two jobs for real estate and for a cleaning service in a hotel. The money was good, but she was working long hours and didn’t feel happy.
I asked her if she liked her job now and she said ” Yes, I get paid little now but my heart is happy.”
It was so nice to sit and talk as she washed dishes and I think she like it because it made the time go a little faster. When I left Thailand she gave me a scarf she had knitted and a hand made wristlet.
sillylillyblog 