If I Ever Write a Book

All of last year people kept mentioning that I should write a book. Now let’s be realistic, I don’t consider myself that great of a writer. I use the same boring ,words, my grammar is crap and I have more typos than many of my students probably would. But if I ever did write a book I have finally thought of a title for it.

“So You Think the Cheese and Beer is Bad in                         ?”

So you thought the cheese and beer was bad in Albania? My first sip of milk from my cereal bowl had to be spit out. The so-called “plain” yogurt was extremely sweet. I splurged on what I assumed to be the good gouda in the store (because it cost way more) and it is still processed disgusting cheese. Take me back to Europe. I’ll take the brie, fresh mozzarella, and parmesan over this. I think it is safe to say my days of consuming vast amounts of dairy are over. When I was back in Wisconsin my stomach couldn’t even handle an ice cream cone, or a few slices of cheese. With the exception of putting yogurt in my smoothies (I will continue to search for a decent kind) I don’t think I’ll be eating much dairy at all.

Beer-wise, I get pilsners. I’m trying not to get too disappointed on this one yet.  I've seen some decent beer listed, but it is all very expensive. I'm already angry at myself for thinking the beer in Albania was bad. It took me a few months to find good beer in Albania, so I still have hopes. I saw some stout in the store, I purchased each of the kinds, and they are each the worst stouts I’ve ever had. Nothing will compare to you, oh glorious IPA, or to you, Midwest coffee/chocolate stouts.

My goal for this blog was to be more optimistic and happy, and less homesick. So here goes. The great thing about Indonesia is that there is a ton of delicious fruit to try, and I have a blender. All the fruit is also very inexpensive in comparison to American prices, which will hopefully make it fairly easy to eat healthy. Oats for breakfast, canteen for lunch, smoothie for dinner, is the ultimate plan. Angelique has agreed to help me learn to pick out good fruit, if I in turn teach her how to like beer. Lucky for her the thing she dislikes the most about beer is the bitter taste. Pilsners are perfect.

Another good thing about being here: Rumor has it I’m like a model here because I have 4 of the 4 things people look for. Firstly I have white skin. Then I have what is called a “tall nose” meaning that my nose is long and pointy instead of flat to my face. 3^rd I have blue eyes, and lastly I have blond hair.

Today we went out to lunch with some other people from the school and I met an expat who is very involved in Inter-nations. He has already suggested a trip to the Islands next weekend. I'm psyched to hopefully remain friends with him so that I can continue to meet others ex-pats. I had some curry that cost me a total of $2.20, which was less than my ice tea cost me. Insane. It was incredible! Then we went out for coffee and continued to talk about the school with the preschool teachers. They all seem really nice and I'm happy to be making friends with both ex-pats and locals :)

So there is my complaining, and my optimism.