Well next week is Chinese New Year, and the decorations are starting to pop up everywhere (lots of red lanterns and fake firecrakers). This is my little decoration - a lion dance puppet. It's just so cute! I thought it would be a good 'keeper' souvenier of Taiwan. 

This is the poster I bought at the Chinese New Year Sale at Ikea. I had my eye on it from before - I love it because it is exactly like the little pier I liked to sit on at the Muskoka Woods Sports Resort - the same two docks, the same kind of view, the same purply morning light ( I got up early to go out and sit before quizzing competitions). 

One of the fun parts of Taiwan culture - the reciept lottery! I like lottery - I like shopping - I am good at keeping things. So I keep every single recipet, and every two months, check my numbers. So far, I've only won about $8 CND, but still. I was only one customer off a $40 win!

A Day off

Hi folks.

You'll never guess what! It's 8:30 am on Monday morning and I'm sitting on the couch. No, I didn't run crying out of the classroom and call it quits. Actually, I have a day off, after 7 days of working. I wasn't supposed to have the day off, we were supposed to go on a field trip with our winter camp students to the Taiwan equivalent of Canada's Wonderland. I was kinda excited, sounds like fun. The tickets are expensive, and it was all paid for, and we didn't have to watch kids, we could go off by ourselves. Well, why didn't we get to go? I mentioned to my boss a few nights ago a simple question about overtime. See, working for the then planned 12 days straight does warrant overtime, no? Well, the threat of overtime was all he needed. Then, he came in the next day, and told us that the field trip was 'optional'. I wanted it spelled out: "So if it's optional you're not going to let us count it as teaching hours so it won't be overtime, right?" No beating around the bush. It stinks because that was the only fun part of the camp, and I did sort of want to go. But I knew I needed a day off a lot more, by the end of camp yesterday (Sunday) I was ready to scream, literally. Some of the kids annoy me to no end.

Anyway, I could keep venting about the camp and my company. However, I have no desire to get dooced (new word, means get fired for what you write about your job on your blog) so I shall use restrait.

Summary:

Still love Taiwan, still love my school FuHsing, it's teachers, administration and students.

Very much dislike: the 'company', the boss, the winter camp structure, small children (just at the moment).

I'll post more tonight - I should have pictures of a newly designed bedroom!

I saw this in the store window on the way home, and it made me look twice and then laugh. It's not real - it's a fox fur stole, I believe. But it sure looked like a cat curled up in a chair! 

This is me with some of my students at the Musuem. It was actually a really interesting musuem and we had just the right amount of time to see it all in.  

This is just like Doncrest Day Camp, in a way. Although it's run by colleged aged kids instead of high school aged kids, which makes a big difference. This is the groups of kids waiting to go into the Taipei Astromological Musuem this morning. Rather interesting. 

quickie

There's so much that I want to say, but prudence tells me I should go to bed - now. So briefly,

Today was my first day teaching at a Winter Camp, a different school, different kids. I didn't want to, but it's part of my contract with Foresight. I took over the class, that's been going all week, and I just met the kids today. Then, at 2pm, I was informed that we would need to stay for the evening for Parents Night. I had to cancel my tutoring, and do the rounds, meeting parents of kids I didn't really know. I did a pretty good job of lying through my teeth, first i'd check the kids name tag, then say "Oh, yes, Sarah is a wonderful part of our class - she tries very hard!). But being social in such an odd situation, and making up so much stuff - it was a long night.

Now to bed. Tommorrow morning we're taking them to the Astronomilogical Museum, which will be interesting. Then making pinatas in the afternoon...hmm. I just keep reminding myself that it's only a few days more and then vacation, but boy, it's alot of work on little sleep. I will remidy that now by stopping blogging and starting sleeping.

relational

Quick Update:
1. My cough is worse, and I've been coughing so hard that now everytime I do, pain shoots through my head. Thank goodness for Advil Liqui-Gels.
2. My sunburn is much less painful - I could sleep on my side last night for the first time (although I still didn't sleep well because I kept coughing). Some of my skin is peeling, and some of it is all bubbly and blistery. Eew. I'd put a picture on, but it grosses me out so I doubt you'd want to see it. I was trying to think about how to describe what it looked like, when at lunch I looked down and realized - "my skin looks just like these french fries!" C. thought that was gross, but it's true.
3. Mental state - much better, for two reasons: first, we didn't have to sing today, they are going to wait till next week. So instead, C. and I made flashcards all day, one of the most fun parts of my job (don't worry, I'll leave some for you, K.)

Second, I was sitting down at the computer to fill in some time between finishing my flashcards and when S. is supposed to come for tutoring, and I was so tired and yucky feeling, I felt like I was going to start crying (remember tired = emotional). Then I opened up my email inbox and had the nicest letters from my two closest friends, and they made me cry in a good way! I'm soooo fortunate to have such incredible friends. For an introvert with relational problems (due to a case of identical twinship), I am so lucky that I found such great friends, I often feel unworthy. Thanks C. and H. for being so great! (That's actually rather ambigious because I have an abnormally large percentage of friends with a name starting with C., however this C. knows who she is!)

Finally, switching back from the "I'm so Lucky" mindset to the "Woe is Me" mindset, I'm in the middle of a 12 day work week. Seriously! This is made worse by the aforementioned illnesses and my evening tutoring sessions. We started with 4 days at FuHsing recording the dialogues and songs, then 5 days teaching a winter camp at another school called Wesley (the camp runs through the weekend), then the final 3 days back at Fu Hsing, finishing up all the songs we didn't do. However, there is a huge neon light glaring at the end of the tunnel, which is the promise of one fabulous vacation I have planned in Singapore and Malaysia. Only 8 more days to make it through.

Somebody Shoot Me!

Oh dear! I've officially hit the 'somebody shoot me' stage of being sick. I can handle a painful sunburn, I can handle a horrible cough, I can handle a bad night's sleep. The three together is too much! Well, woe is me. This is the only place I will complain about it, because one of my pet peeves is people who can't handle being sick and have to moan to everyone. I'll just moan to all of you who aren't sitting around listening to me hack up flem. (Lovely picture, eh?)

Well, given the description of my physical condition, can you guess what I did all day? Yes, sleep in bed should be the correct answer, but you'll never guess what I really did....

Started my career as a recording artist. Yes, very soon, you too can hear a very scratchy and sick voice singing such classics as "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on the Fu Hsing CD. "Oh, my!" is right! If you've ever heard me sing, you realise how preposterous this is. I mean, I can sing on key, but I can never find the right pitch for an alto, and I'm very breathy.

Well, that, and a horrible cough and sore throat didn't stop me. We did almost all of the kindergarten songs today (about 4o songs), and although it's not going to win any Grammys, it is surprisingly on-key and listenable. I had Carolyn singing all the songs with me, and we both sing low, so those little kindies are going to have a surprise when they sing along! WE have all the grade 1 and grade 2 songs still to do, but our 'bosses' took pity on us, and suggested we wait till next week to give our voices a rest. Will do, my voice and me need a rest!

On the plus side, I had tutoring tonight with S., and I was less than adequately prepared. But he brought in interview questions, and it ending up being one of those evenings when I look at my watch an hour and a half later and realize the time has flown. It's a two hour session, and when we're both tired, it can seem like forever. But tonight was quick and painless, he's fun to talk to.

A hot January

It's January 25 and I have my air conditioning on. At 10 pm at night! Wonders never cease. I have every hope that this is simply a little mid-winter heat wave and does not signal the beginning of spring quite yet. I'm not ready to pack up my sweaters and go back to being a sweat bucket.
Which reminds me, I got a new sweatshirt today! And a bunch of other great stuff. Kathy's birthday present was waiting for me at work today, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm absolutely miserable with a hacking cough and an incredibly painful sunburn and three nights of little sleep because I can't lie in any other position than straight on my back, arms at my side. Anyway, I usually have a pretty high pain tolerance, but I have no tolerance for not getting enough sleep. None at all. As some as you know, as soon as I sleep much below 7 hours a night I start getting very emotional. So I've been feeling depressed, for no good reason. But Kathy's gift made everything okay - I got a new Roots Sweatshirt, which is exactly what I've been craving (I didn’t bring any sweatshirts with me). I got the new Tim Hughes cd I bought and had shipped to Taiwan but never got, I have a new leather Roots GB wallet / passport holder. Maple candies, and Misty mints. Yum. Mulled Cider from second cup, which I am keeping until it gets nice and chilly again, I know it will. Anyway, I'm saving some to open tomorrow - spread the joy and all, but as I walked home tonight in my new sweatshirt, snacking on misty mints, and awaiting my cd, I was so happy to have a twin sister whose love language is gifts too!
Tonight I went to see "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and greatly enjoyed it, right up till the end, when it had a happy ending. If you've read the books, you'll know what I mean. The whole point is that it's NOT a happy ending. Oh well, it was still worth seeing. I agree with Claire - Jim Carrey is not right for the role - It was too much jim carrey and not enough Count Olaf. The children were perfect though.
On the walk home from the movie, the weather was so nice, it reminded me of May nights in Huntington, when I'd be walking and want to just go around the block one more time, because the weather was so perfect. And so I did. However, I ended up getting exhaust blown in my face from the 7-eleven truck, having two scooters screech by me, and looking up to see a purply / orange haze in the sky instead of the Indiana stars. Not quite the same relaxing walk. I did however pass the two florists on my block, whose store fronts are full of orchids of every sort. The truck was parked in the street and loaded down, so I stopped to admire. I believe that everyone gives gifts for Chinese new year- and Orchids are good luck. So they are everywhere. Lovely.

Tourist Attraction

Hualien was a fairly good-sized city that is about half way down the island of Taiwan. There are however, very few foreigners there, and I got stared at everywhere I went, walking down the street, eating, etc. Here I was having lunch in Starbucks, when two women came up to me and asked to take my picture. I laughed and agreed, and after got them to take one with my camera, for the record.

The final strech

This was the very end of the bike path, the last pavillion I stopped in. I saw the end, and food in sight, so I took some time to enjoy the view. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, and the air was fresh. But now I have a nasty sunburn, I'll save you the details.

The ocean

This was the view of the ocean from the beginning of the bike path, where the taxi dropped me off. I had my little McDonalds coffee an bagel listening to the waves.

Self-Portrait

I have learned the importance of self-portraits when travelling alone - otherwise you have no proof that you've really been there. Here is my little picture set up along the bike path, at the beginning of the day, when I was still gloriously white. (P.S. I do know the dangers of the sun, I hate sunburns, and I would have done anything to prevent this one, but I was in the middle of nowhere - no taxis, no buses, no stores, and the only option was to walk back to town. Just so you know, so I don't need a reminder of the dangerous of skin cancer).

My feet

Following the bike path along the ocean was relatively straightforward, there were lots of signs. Every so often there was a pavillion like this to sit in and relax while enjoying the sound of the ocean. I took this opportunity to sit in the shade, and take of my shoes!

Tarako Gorge

A typical view of the gorge - it is considered the number 1 tourist attraction in Taiwan, and is beautiful indeed. It was an interesting mini-break for me, since a spa getaway is a good deal more my style than trekking, however. I was still blown away by how lovely it was, this picture doesn't really capture it.

Pondering Self-Portrait

pondering self portrait

The View

This is what I was looking at while pondering. I climbed down off the main road to find a big rock to sit on and listen to the river gushing. The rocks were really really big.

My 'toursit' lunch

I gave in and had a 'tourist' lunch at the hotel in the Gorge. It was a much deliberated decision, and I was going to put the whole thought process on here, maybe later. Anyway, it was lovely, a tuna sandwich and Earl Grey Milk Tea.

The tunnel

The scariest part of the trek was this tunnel. There was no going back, so I had to just walk into the darkness and keep walking. I was very much freaked out, and kept expecting someone to jump out and scream at me. I just walked slowly, with my hands shielding my face, and waited for the proverbial light at the end, which did come eventually.

Japanese Trail

this is the trail I took - left over from the Japanese occpation when they used it to transport soliders and canons and stuff. The trail is kind of hard to see, it's just a little railing about half way up the mountain. It made my stomach flip when I looked down. They definitely have different safety standards in Taiwan.

on my way

Well, in an hour I'm off for a mini-break! It's pretty mini, but still I need it.

I'm taking a three hour train ride down the coast to the city of Hualien. When I get there, I call the hostel and they pick me up at the station...nice! The hostel is new and clean, and I am the only person booked in the dorm room, so basically it's my eight bed room with private bathroom! Yeah.

I was going to do lesson plans all weekend, but now that I have such good curriculum, I think what I really need is a weekend away! So I'm taking lots of books, my journals, cameras and cross stich. I plan on spending lots of time sleeping and a lot of time sitting on some rocky beach on the coast, thinking and freezing my butt off.

I might be able to blog, might not. Either way, I have high hope of writing this weekend, stuff that will be a little bit more shall we say creative, to put on this blog.

Well, happy end of semester and mini-break to me, and happy inaguration to Bush, and happy January 20 to the rest of you.

Breakfast time - decisions, decisions. A glimpse of some of the choices at the Japanese bakery, Yamazaki. I chose the coconut raisin bread on the left of the second shelf. 

This was our 'working tea' at a new restaurant we tried called "Sweets Kitchen." The tea was your choice of salad, soup, bread, your choice of dessert and your choice of drink. Quite lovely. This is my fresh fruit hot tea, and the new curriculum I bought today for next semester's special interest classes. Sadly, I seemed to like the most expensive book in the store, and had to pay almost $50 CND for it. But the school may reimburse me, or I do feel it's worth it to save myself re-inventing the wheel. 

This is the product of a 90 minute 'working tea' and three hours in the evening. Well, this and a four page lesson plan. On the right we have the menu for the restaurant "Animeals", on the left is a worksheet where the kids draw the food and write a description. Then finally, we made a Play-doh model of our example dish: "Grass Noodles with Snuffle Eggs and Berries." 

Once again I find myself at the end of the day feeling very sick, very tired, and very boring. I can't think of anything interesting to write about today either. So I'll just post my pictures, and explain my day through them.

Oh, of note, I did finally visit the export store my housemate was raving about, and I got an Eddie Bauer flowered cordory blouse, a light blue cotton American Eagle blouse, a pair of mauve track panks, and Anne Taylor The LOFT dress cords with a great cut, all for about $40 CND. It was quite a find, and I LOVE everything I bought. That made my day.

I also found the perfect curriculum book for next semester. Now I have a really good handle on what I'm going to do for both my Advanced English special interest classes and my writing class. Good curriculum that is fun for the kids and easier for me makes me feel so much more excited about the planning I'm doing this weekend.

Other than shopping, about all I did today was proctor tests, which is mind-numbingly dull. Oh, and Carolyn and I created a 3 hour lesson plan to do with 'Food' for the winter camp, which we are quite proud of. See photos.

How to make a novel (well, I mean after you spent a month writing it): Start by printing out the pages in 'signatures' so that about 20 pages fold together to have the front and back sides in the right order. Then make a pattern with the holes evenly spaced and punch thrown the center crease of each signature. 

Kathy sent me some embroidery floss that I am supposed to coat in beeswax, but in a tight fix, I figure any old candle would do. So now, my floss smells like the Ikea winter candle from rubbing it back and forth across the hardened wax. 

Then, I take one 'signature' of pages at a time and sew from inside to outside, over the ribbon, inside, to outside, etc. Then on the ends, I do a sort of gathering stich to connect each signature to the other. 

The finished project! 

sick and sleepy

My apologies, but I can think of nothing interesting to write. I really think it's because I am sick - a sinus cold is a real creativity-killer. Fortuately, it has not been a very trying day, only one class in the morning and one in the afternoon. Then I sat on my bottom all evening to 'cut and paste' lesson plans and curriculum from online sites onto my disk. See, the plan is to take the train down to the cozy coastal city of Hualien on Thursday. Then I'll have almost three whole days of uninterrupted alone time to do some lesson planning for the new semester and some pleasure reading. But before I can do all my planning, I want to get all the internet information onto my laptop so I can read it over the weekend, without an internet connection. Wow - this is one boring blog entry, I should just stop before I put as all to sleep.

I'll try to perk this site up a bit tommorrow. Sorry, folks!

Post B-Day

Well, my birthday is over, no matter what time zone you are in. It was quite lovely. Starting with the Dinosaur dinner with crickets last week, then with more fun yesterday.

I started the morning by opening my card from my parents, which had a beautiful pair of Silver and Rose Quartz earrings inside. Then I opened the jewellery-box shaped gift to find a lovely set of gold earrings and a pink-gold ring with little diamonds in a leaf design, from Kathy, from Kazakhstan, right? I didn't have time to open any more presents, before setting off to work. I made a point of not telling people it was my birthday, but J. and C. did a very good job of making the fact known, and by the end of the day I had many wishes for a happy birthday. Lunch was at TGIFriday's, although I couldn't taste any of it, because I am coming down with a whopper of a sinus cold. That came in handy later, though, after I finished my classes and an hour of tutoring, and I met up with the gang for dinner. We went to an all you can eat Thai place, where you order as many dishes off the menu as you like ( much nicer than the usual buffet all you can eat places). There was a lot of spicy stuff, which would usually probably reduce me to a teary eyed mess, but had just the right level of zip when I was all stuffed up! We had a great time, with lots of conversation, and a few occasions of laughing till we cried (this happens often when eating with J., it's a combination of a klutzy eater and a youngest child syndrome!) After dinner they surprised me with a chocolate mousse cake and Hagaan Daas Ice Cream back at J. and A.'s.

Then we decided to watch a movie. The girls stayed home, and the boys went out in the cold to fetch a DVD. (It was supposed to be the coldest day all winter, below 10!) I said no killing kinds. What did they come back with? The Village! Can you imagine? I decided to work at the computer typing in grades, because watching a movie like that would give me nightmares for a week! So I did my usual half-watch, half-work, and it was actually a great movie. Yes, very scary, but I just looked at the computer for that part. And the usual M. Night Shamalyan twist was incredible, and made the entire movie worth watching for me.

C. and I went home together, and once again I was reminded by the fact that two people who are scared by scary movies should not walk home together after! We were jumping at every little thing. I got to the door, put the key in the lock, and turned. Nothing. After 15 minutes of trying unsuccessfully to either get the key to turn, or come out, we had to give up, call and wake up a housemate to unlock the door from the inside (which fortunately still works). My key is still stuck in the door, anyone know what to do?

So, we finally got into the apartment, and it was close to 1. Sitting on the coffee table was a card from Aunt Dorie and Grammie. I was so excited, and it came right on my birthday! I loved reading Grammie's letter, it's so sincere and heartfelt, I read it with a big smile on my face. Then I jumped in bed and went to sleep!

Then on Saturday morning, I woke up, went out for coffee and orange juice, blew my nose multiple times, then settled down to open my presents. Here is a picture. Although I think only Kathy cares, and she picked most of them out, so it's rather unimportant to put on this site. In fact this whole post seems better suited to my journal than my website. Alas, can I blame it on the sinus medication?

My birthday gifts, calendar, cross stich, Zoe puppet, stuffed animal (cow or dog? with lady bug), a letter from Grammie, chocolates, earrings from parents, jewellry from Kathy, magnet with my favorite quote, and my new Cashmere gloves from Carolyn. They are beautiful, with delicate stiching, beads, and a little button! She has lovely taste.