Which season do you like best?

I know what you're thinking. "We did this one already, right?"

But it seems that Autumn is upon us and let me tell you how it is certainly my new favorite season.

I say new favorite because Autumn simply doesn't exist in Texas. There you go from blazing hot hell of a summer to iced roads and the biggest coats you can find (because everything is bigger in Texas).

Of course, I'm not really seeing evidence of leaves changing colors and falling — though my sister now lives in Seattle and she is. Jealous.

I wore a sweater and a scarf today — and I actually needed them. I think I'm probably going to have to buy a new helmet because the colder it gets the more my ears and face are going to freeze off — and apparently it will indeed get colder.

Right now, it's slightly chilly on the scooter, but nothing I can't handle (especially with the help of a cardigan and a light scarf).

I simply love the fact that I'm not sweating through my clothes before I even get to class and then sweating through my clothes all over again while I'm in class.

I know, gross/TMI.

Autumn just makes me feel young and energetic though. I know that I am young, but this is different. I guess I just don't feel like time is blurring by anymore. I don't understand how weather makes me feel that way, but it does.

Now I just have to figure out how to clothe myself for a couple of season that I wasn't really expecting. Apparently it actually gets pretty cold here (at least from a Texan's perspective).

Let the shopping spree begin?

Which season do you like best?

Today was relatively uneventful. I had originally planned to wake up; make poached eggs, bacon and toast; and do some leisurely reading. Instead I had a really bad headache and ended up sleeping halfway through the afternoon trying to get rid of it in time for class.

Success.

I borrowed another teacher's scooter since she was teaching here today and I drove super fast to Dar-Nan. I subbed my first class. They're yellow book and still trying to feel my out. Most of them were super respectful and smart. They just need to dial up the fun factor. We'll see how next week goes when I see them again.

I was really pumped for my second class which was my regular red book class that is huge. We have 23 kids in that class and 3 were out on vacation today. We played a lot and I was being super goofy when I was explaining vocabulary words. I love being goofy with kids.

All my boys are starting to warm up to me more in that class too, so we're able to goof off just enough. This one kid, Kevin, is really smart and I think his English is probably at a higher level. Our QA today was, "What is your favorite season? Why?"

Kevin: "I don't like any seasons because there is not fun."
Me: "Kevin, I don't mind that you want to be obstinate, but you're going to do it using proper English. Write 'I don't like any of the seasons because they are not fun.'"

He seemed pretty shocked that I didn't make him change it to the standard, "I like ____ best because ______." (i.e. I like Spring best because there are lots of flowers.)

I honestly hate that we teach these kids so much formatted speech. The QAs are called "Free-talk Questions," but they're everything but "free."

After I got home I satisfied my craving for some amazing pasta. I found cheese ravioli at Carrefour and bought some pasta sauce and made up some quick pasta just as if I were at home. I miss that!

I can't wait 'til it starts to cool off a little. Then I'm going to be all over that kitchen cooking and baking in my free time. It's going to rock everyone else's world!