The Imagined Life

November was my first real full month as a freelance writer, and it's gone by so quickly and has been quite the adventure! I've had a few disappointments such as rejections or some writing jobs not working out or being what I hoped, but they're nothing in comparison to what lovely success I've had! At this point, I'm defining success in making enough money to support myself with my writing work! I work for two main websites: Skyscanner Singapore and Free Homeschool Deals, but I am also the lucky recipient of two recent jobs: one with a cat blog, and one with a women's dating online magazine! I have been very blessed to be able to get these chances. I'm learning a lot about how to deal with people (virtually--real life is too scary! ;)), and I'm learning a lot about myself and my style. Well, when your "business" is a population of one, you get a lot of 'me' time--no complaints there. Fun facts I've gleaned working as a freelance ...

It's true everyone! All you doubters out there. Jet lag is a very real and horrible thing. It feels like your skull has doubled in size, and is trying to push its way out through your eyeballs. And, your eyelids suddenly weigh 100 pounds each and your pupils have no choice but to cross and leave you incapacitated for many days. It has now finally passed, but boy was it a bit rough there in the beginning. Going ahead in time by 12 hours AND arriving in the morning (so you can't go to sleep yet) is the worst. This was probably my least favorite bout of jet laggishness yet. And, a couple days after I landed, we flew off to Vietnam for the weekend since it was a school holiday for James. So, I feel as though I deserve the Jet Lag struggle and victory award of the year! Back in Taipei. It feels good to be back. I was loving my vacation, don't get me wrong, but there's something about being in your own house and doing your own tasks that's just so restorative. I feel ...

Hello all! Almost exactly one year later, I am back in the business of writing this blog. Aren't you all excited? Get ready to enjoy sometimes dull yet sometimes slightly humorous blog posts that will just keep everyone informed of the goings on over here in Taiwan with no more teaching! It's my way of connecting to you from afar :) But, as of right now, I'm out at the beach with Mom and Dad. And Katie and her new boyfriend Billy are in the area, so we've gotten to hang out with them sometimes. It's been a wonderful time of speed reading books (me and Mom), riding bikes, jogging on the boardwalk, birdwatching (Dad, NOT me), swimming, and having dinner by the water (all of us!). It's been amazing weather, and each day has been lovely to relax and enjoy our time together. But, today we got swarmed by flies, and as others are sitting casually on the sand in their beach chairs, mom and I are being feasted upon hungrily by angry flies who appear to look just like...

I am resolved. I would like to publish a blog at least once a month despite my crazy chock full brain at the moment. It needs to happen. Not only is it cathartic, but it also keeps you all updated since I hardly ever get to speak to you all! And, now that I am finally teaching 7th graders, I will now have boatloads of stories to tell. Yay! Yes, I have moved on from the comatose 8th graders to the mentally insane and energetic 7th graders, hoity toiter honors 8th graders, and the slowly leaving their comatose state 9th graders. I never thought I'd get the opportunity to teach this subject since my degree is in Elementary Ed. and English. Who knew that Kerilee Nickles would be pondering the skills of geography and the woes of history and talking away to groups of young people who have no idea that in reality, I'm just a regular girl who doesn't feel like an adult, and who doesn't actually know everything. One of my classes is World History. Ok, so I have to know the his...

I'm back in Taiwan! The second year is always the best, and it's a lot easier. You're kind of over the initial frustrations of adjusting to a new life and a new job, and you can kind of just slide into your old routine and can now focus on new things and more fun things. James and I have moved into a beautiful new rooftop apartment, so now I can officially live an adult life. Last year, I was living in the crustiest apartment in the world with a really nice yet strange woman. And living in a crusty place makes you crusty. But, now I feel refreshed and made new and can head into this world with a renewed power and enthusiasm! James and I had a beautiful summer vacation. We traveled to London to see many members of his family including his brother, and we went to Ireland to visit friends, and I even went to Wales to visit other friends. It was amazing! We could go to dark mahogany pubs where people understood what you were saying when you were ordering. I could order glute...

Even though I'm only 27, I still feel like I'm the last of an antiquated generation--those who had a free and amazing childhood that is, these days, almost the stuff of myths. My parents pushed us. They wanted us to do well, and they expected a lot of us. But, they wanted so much for us. They wanted us to be free, independent, and to have fun. They always encouraged me to push myself out of my comfort zone. They wanted me to try new things, explore opportunities, and to get the most out of my experiences! I may honestly be one of the last people around who truly had a Mayberry-like childhood. And it was heaven. I played in the park, rode bikes, made teepees and forts outside, created culinary mixtures, went to bonfires, played card games, went camping and watched the stars, and listened to the sound of the crickets at night. I spent summer evenings on a back porch, watching the fireflies gather. I went bowling, went to awesome church events, met new people, made great friend...

Wow, I don't think I've ever been this busy in my life. I remember last year I had a lot of time to myself and a lot of time to just wander aimlessly around, not sure what to do with myself. Now, I wouldn't dream of going back to that, but sometimes it can get a bit much over here. We have this long work day, and so when I get home it feels like there isn't so much time left in the evening. And there are social events, exercise groups, sports practice, grading to do, online courses to complete, articles to publish famously, etc. :) So, it seems as if there is no end! The weekend can seem like our own getaway from our busy lives, but then we feel like we need to do so many things! Exercise, spend time outside, see cool things in Taiwan, etc. And the vibe of the city does not lend itself to quiet and relaxation. There are so many people, and they are always doing something! Even if you want to go on a relaxing city hike, there's like a bajillion people up on the m...