So, I have been teaching an English class to Korean students, using the text "Junior Great Books,"

but mainly what I've been doing is expanding my own vocabulary.

Avuncular, ingratiate, etc.

You can vote however you like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxlwYP0HNdc

And then, a week later, the pumpkins rotted on our table and leaked all over my purse.

Shouldn't pumpkins last more than a week?

The first year, the pumpkins stayed at Tim's apartment:
The second year, the pumpkins stayed at my apartment:
This year, the pumpkins stayed at our apartment:

(that's Jack Sparrow, if you couldn't tell.)

We had a good weekend.

This past weekend, Tim and I journeyed to the North Carolina mountains to go camping.

10 things I learned:

1) People in the mountains really love to give you directions. When we asked how to get somewhere, the detail of the instructions that followed was amazing. It took about ten minutes for the camp manager to tell us how to get to Oktoberfest, when it came down to: stay on the same road. We could have gotten there in less time than it took for him to tell us how to.

(an attraction of Oktoberfest: Axe Man)

2) North Carolina must often feel like it's not a town name until you've added "ton" to the end. For example, we passed "Lincolnton" and "Rutherfordton."

3) There are a ridiculous amount of churches. Really, I've never seen so many churches in an area with not a lot of people.

4) Old Fort has a lot of passionate musicians at Oktoberfest. For example, there was the musical entertainment of a man singing karaoke for a few hours. Then, there was a band made up of about eight people, each with a different instrument, that all played the same chords at the same time. Apparently, this band didn't believe in different parts, or harmonies or anything like that. And I had a great time listening to all of them!

5) The scenery can be diverse. For example, there were pretty leaves, and areas without any leaves.

6) Off-brand cooking wear is not the way to go. As evidence, the little pot that could not:

7) There can be an apple orchard on the side of a mountain. And, it can also have the best apple cider you've ever tasted.

8) When wearing a cowboy hat, people in the mountains (or perhaps just in North Carolina) will refer to you as "Tex" and greet you with "howdy."

9) The Biltmore is expensive, but way cool.

10) It is so very beautiful, and I can't wait to go again!

I fully believe every person who meets the guidelines should vote.

With that being said, I do wish people would believe me when I tell them I'm registered to vote. A certain campaign has been by our apartment three times. Usually the conversation goes like this:

Them: Are you registered to vote?
Us: Yes
Them: Are you sure?
Us: Yes, quite sure
Them: Where did you do it?
Us: At the driver's license place.
Them: Did you receive a card?
Us: Yes
Them: Are you sure you know where to vote?
Us: Yes
Them: You vote at the school
Us: Right
Them: It says that on the card you should receive
Us: Got it
Them: You're sure you registered
Us: This is actually the third time you've been by to ask
Them: Where did you say that you registered?

The thing is, I'm not exaggerating...

but you can't be mean to someone who is supporting a cause you believe in. So, I'll probably have this conversation again (unless I spy their political sticker through the peep hole).