Rebecca A. Foster

'Choggles' is a combination of two words, 'China' and 'goggles.' Choggles are similar in function to beer goggles, but with a broader spectrum. For example, you buy some cookies. Are they good cookies, your friend asks you? They're choggle good, you say, meaning, not good if you're in America and have access to Mrs. Fields, but good when you're in China and desserts are commonly sweetened with red beans. What you mean is, these have a little sugar in them, not beans, and are somewhat edible. Choggles make it difficult to remember what you like and don't like. You wonder, do I like this because it's good, or because I'm wearing choggles? Is The Hangover actually this funny, or do I just miss Western irony and sarcasm so much, I'm willing to laugh at even the weakest examples of it? Is that guy actually hot, or is he just a lot taller than me and therefore I can't take my eyes off of him? And so on. How long does it take choggle...

I saw this picture today on the interweb and thought, "Mmmmm...he looks like a good kisser."  Here's why: 1. The hand on the back of her head. I love this move! Along with the cheek, chin, and hand sliding inside the hair on the back of the head; these are the sweet spots of a good kiss. 2. Other hand on her hip, no lower, no higher. (Good for first-ish kisses and public kisses, unless you KNOW she likes more in public, which I do not. So I like this.) 3. He thoughtfully brings along a plank for her to stand on so she doesn't get neck-crick. (Haha.) 4. Kissing her fully on the lips. I used to take this for granted, but you get a lot of variation with this one. I like a lip-to-tongue ratio of about 2/3 to 1/3 in action. So I like this. 5. A man who will keep you warm with kisses is a good man to find.   p.s., if you have time to think about any of these things during the kiss, it ain't so great. I'm just saying is all. 

In quotations, because it's the name of this song. My new favorite stripper song!  And yes, I watch Gossip Girl .   I checked it out because my Chinese students love it, building bridges and all of that; I lose credibility if THEY know something about American culture that I don't.  It's a silly show, but the clothes are fun and Nate is hot. And Chuck Bass is hilarious. 

I love that my laptop and iPod run on 100 - 240 voltage and I don't have to carry converters.  I love that I can take antibiotics when I get sick.  I love that I can download silly American tv shows and get a small respite from daily life here.  I love that I can get dimsum 24 hours a day on the street near my apartment.  I love that I have friends who know I am eccentric and have a hard time moving past my mistakes, and like me anyway.  I love that I can still shop on Amazon, Target and iTunes because my credit card address is still U.S. based.  I love cheese.