I'll take you in my backpack

12/17/18 I will start this by saying that I am writing from the perspective of someone who has access to a Consulate within a close-ish distance, if you don't, this becomes more difficult. I'll also say that this is a giant pain in the ass, but it will save you money by doing it yourself vs going through a travel agency, and it's totally possible to do on your own, just prepare yourself for a bit of a headache (and well, dealing with a communist country!). I prepared, I had all of my documents, looked over the list of requirements several times on the website, I had it all. So I thought. Just go into it knowing that you probably won't and you'll probably have to change it all. Despite having literally everything, I had to re do the application when I got there, went through all kinds of interrogation from the ladies working at the office, they needed copies of my work orders (if you're military or working for the military bring this with you, it's not...

Time to diversify things a little, after all I'm totally equal opportunity when it comes to my dating. So this post is about a different branch of service. Although I won't disclose which one, because while some of the shit that I was put through as a result of this is funny, now , someone having a drinking problem certainly is not. So let's laugh at the mess that I dealt with, and hope that this person is in a better place! So this scenario is slightly more unique than others in that there was a common connection between me and said fellow (one that I discovered, but that he did not know about). You see, I had been talking to a good friend and she mentioned this person who she knew, like hey maybe I should try to set you up with him, well some days passed, maybe a week, and I "matched" online with this guy, I instantly recognized pictures that she had sent me, I did a quick screenshot and sent them to her to confirm. All signs a go, same guy. Hilarious. Perha...

10/27/17 This has been a draft for some time. Waiting in the wings for the perfect time. While I won't disclose real names or identifying information for any of the disasters in this little mini series I'm dubbing "A Single Girl's Guide to Online Dating", I will give you the information that I was given, as well as the roller coaster rides I was taken on. Here's what they don't tell you about online dating. You have to become the FBI. The freaking FBI. You might think you're smart, you need to get smarter. Everything is a lie. Perhaps some of you are out there reading this thinking, that cynical bitch doesn't know what she's talking about. I do, I assure you! Believe absolutely NONE of what you read and hear online. NONE. Don't get caught up in the web of lies. People have no shame in lying to your face. Know this, understand this. You should also know that someones crazy is not a reflection of you. You also don't have to go down th...

10/4/17 Today's the big day! I've had this little nugget in my back pocket eagerly awaiting it's release! This was recorded the same week my life made a drastic change (not something I had planned or a change I initiated) an engagement ended, but this turned out to be the biggest blessing and enabled me to open my eyes to the treatment I was receiving, the position someone was putting me in, and ultimately what I deserve in life. So when Natassia asked me to be on her amazing Podcast how could I possibly say no?! So I didn't! Give it a listen, it's on all podcast platforms, FREE, and available for download now... here is the link to the iTunes version: Brodette Nation And, have no fear, we have some things in the pipeline and I'll be back for season 2. Ever wonder what it's like dating at 37 years old, better yet online dating? Want to hear some of the bullshit and nightmares I've encountered? I assure you I can't even make some of it up! We...

9/23/17 I meant to write this post a few days ago, when I actually hit the milestone, but, 200 classes! I would have gotten to this point sooner but I took a lot of time off this summer, and I don't really teach on weekends, the beauty of a flexible schedule! I want this blog post to be as helpful and beneficial as possible to those wondering about VIPKids so please, leave questions/comments if there is something more you would like to know! I'll start it off with some tips that I wish I knew prior to hitting my 200th class Tips If you plan to teach weekends, open the bookings (with the 24 hour booking option clicked) with less than 24 hours notice. Why? Because this will enable students to last minute book you, and for you to earn an extra $2 for each of those classes Make/use your own reward charts. Get creative. Set yourself out from other teachers Make your classroom (background) interesting but not distracting. Having a good "bulletin" that suppor...

8/12/17-8/14/17 So I had the opportunity for a nice little staycation and I won't lie, I was shitting my pants a little thinking about it because camping really isn't my jam! When I think of camping I think of a 3 star hotel type setting! But, since it's basically paradise, and camping on the beach, I figured I would give this a go. I'm so glad that I did, it was an amazing opportunity! I'm so glad that I did! The snorkeling was beyond any words that I can put onto paper! Ok so the not so glamorous part of it: the bugs and the heat. I won't spend too much time on that because there is SO much positive to touch on that it truly outweighed these two things, yes even for me, the person who hates being too hot and doesn't like bugs! I will never ever be able to properly describe the snorkeling. "Amazing" is doing it a disservice. When you have the ability to snorkel with sea turtles every single day, multiple times a day, you truly have to...

1/11/16 I'll preface this by saying that I had great intentions when I signed up for this (and the Nago half marathon 1/24/16). I started a training plan, I stuck to it for the first half, etc.  somewhere along the way things fell off schedule. Then I had an unplanned trip to the US (and back to Japan) which resulted in severe jet lag. It also resulted in no running. Prior to leaving for the US I had been experiencing hip issues so I was not running, resting the hip. Flash forward to 1/4 when I returned to Japan. I ran 3.6 miles (my first run in almost a month) and it hurt. The following day I ran 3 again and was stifled by the hip pain. I took the rest of the days off until race day  Getting there was an adventure. A 3 train 45 minute adventure. Which on the way back home with baby deer legs would prove quite the challenge.  I was most certainly the only white person there; also likely the only person who couldn't read or speak Japanese. So when I wa...