Amanda Takes Off...

I spent a few days with Scott and Mark's family up at Mark's family's cabin on the White Earth Reservation in northwest Minnesota.

Amongst water-skiing (Mark), tubing with the boat (all three of us),and lounging around while snacking and watching a lot of movies, we also went to (Lake) Itasca State Park and walked across the Mississippi "with five steps down."

You know that old saying about packing? Take half as much clothing and twice as much money (and film). Add to that, "and allow three times the expectation for red tape stuff."

A great-uncle that I didn't know well died on Thursday. I got to see some of my cousins (all of the not-graduated ones) and some family I haven't seen in a while. One of my poor cousins, I refused to agree that he, as a twelve year old, needs a cell phone. He told me I wasn't being "the cool, older cousin." He is a very, very good kid, and I'm sure he'll use his prepaid cell phone for good rather than evil.

I sat near these two cousins.

Both good kids, I left with the Boy Cousin for a while because he couldn't sit still. His mother and Cell Phone (Brother) Cousin were both giving speeches (and Cell Phone Cousin is going to be the president, I promise you) and his dad was in another row, so I followed him to keep an eye on him. He sat down and drew pictures of planes and I showed him how to write his name in Korean. I asked him to draw my picture.

He said, "You're too hard. My mom told me to start with easy things."

"But I am beautiful! Draw me!" I struck a pose, leaning back on one arm.

"OK, but only your head. And don't move your eyes. Stay still."

Voilà! (BS are his initials. Not a comment about me!)

I've released 15 books through Bookcrossing, a website where you register and release books for other people to find.

For the first time ever, two years after its release date, someone has caught one of my books. This is too exciting!

I got my E2 visa number yesterday and Peter Pan Ex dropped off all the paperwork for me. In typical red tape fashion, Peter Pan Ex lost the parking slip in some vent in the Scout and so $1 parking fee cost him $15. Oh well! The passport is on its way here!

Meanwhile, before we went out dancing last night Scott taught me the Korean alphabet. He made me write my name, some polite phrases, "ice cream" and my new city. He has, as I've said, been a great resource. He was a good teacher, too. Tonight I've been practicing online. I know I can't learn a language without reading or writing it.

Further, I'm trying to find FAA approved flight schools in territories. Anyone know if there's a flight school in Guam?

Last night Mark came home from his adventures around the world. Robbie, Scott and I picked Mark up and then enjoyed dinner together.

Scott taught in Korea a few years ago and has been a huge resource to me ("Quit reading Dave's"), and he says he wants to cook some Korean food for me. Robbie brought out four desserts, and Mark's neighbor stopped by. We had some home-brew white wine and ate Nerds. We talked about former teachers and home remodeling. We talked travel, politics, and bad tour guides.

As I sat in a kitchen I've known for 13 years, I thought, "This is what I need to do for the next week. This is my going away party."