Oh my.

This is a caterpillar. Things are different here.

Bau Bau

So, last week we went to the brand new Bau Bau spa, "Bali in Taipei." Kathleen and I both have a thing for Balinese luxury, and there was a mother's day special, 40% off. So for the bargain price of $80 CND, we had an afternoon of luxury. The full-body massage took two hours! Then there was the beautiful shower room, the afternoon tea, and it expanded to take up the entire afternoon. (We had the afternoon off from school, we didn't skip!) It was the best massage I've ever had, and the most pampered I've ever felt. But it's too expensive to become a regular indulgence.

Ahhh...

Me, at the spa. Relaxing. Shortly after this two hour long full-body massage we got the bad news from the company and had a horribly stressful and emotional week. Oh well, for two hours I was at peace.

A little spot of loveliness

Another orchid shot. They are everywhere, I can't help myself.

'pretty' dancers

Alright, I'm still catching up from last week. This was Thursday night's entertainment, a trip to see Swan Lake.

It was performed by the Moscow City Ballet, and we bought our tickets a month ago. The third balcony on the side seats we had cost $40, so we expected it to be good. I was especially looking forward to it, because Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" was the first cd I ever bought. (That really tells you something about my childhood!) I think it was about $5.99 with a purchase from the supermarket Dominion near our house. Well, since it was the only cd I owned for awhile, I am very familiar with the music.

However, we were generally disappointed. It lacked passion or grandeur or something. It was very 'pretty.' We had just watched the movie "The Company" a few nights earlier, and that impression of the Chicago Joffery Ballet Company may have been an unfair comparison to the Russians.

Well, at least now I've seen Swan Lake. Whoptedo.

Swan Lake

There they go! These pictures were not taken by me, they are from the website. I was much farther away.

A first

I was always jealous of the elementary education majors who got to make bulletin boards for assignments in college. So when I got to do my first one this semester, I was pretty excited. Well, it turned out that one of our ever-helpful students teachers in the department did all the work with layout and such. No cut and paste for this school. All the student work was scanned in and the final poster was printed off the huge printing machine thingy. But I was still proud of it and all the student's hard work on their Maps.

The Dancers Company

I've had a rather full two weeks, and because of computer troubles I have a lot to catch up on. (On my blog and on my online Joyce course!)

So, this was our evening's entertainment last weekend, on Friday night we went to see "The Dancers' Company" from Brigham Young University, in Utah. We went because we figured it would be in English and tickets were only about $8 CND. It was a very enjoyable evening, although I kept thinking about Heather Armstrong from Dooce, and how her hilarious stories have forever changed the way I view Mormons.

Well, that's something you don't see everyday!

This was my illegal, flashless photo of the BYU dancers. They were perforing a modern dance designed to honor the survivors of the Great Depression, oddly enough. The dances were all over the map, including Norah Jones, a 'Stomp' imatation, and the Great Depression.

There was one extra that very much added to the contrast. In the 'intermission' there was a performance by the NeoClassical dancers, who were a Taiwanese troupe performing traditional Chinese dance. It was stunning visually, although very slow moving compared to the American modern dance.

Funny story. We went to see the BYU show last Friday night, during the whole 'Company Fiasco.' So, at the time, I was 100% sure that I had lost my job and wouldn't be able to come back to FuHsing next year. So my emotions were haywire, furiously angry and really disappointed. Anyway, I got out my camera to take another flashless photo of the Chinese dancers for my blog. But some guy standing next to me put his hand in front of my lense and said "No Pictures." He was very polite about it, but it was just too much. I started to cry. Bawl would be an accurate word. Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I had to work to catch my breath. Needless to say, he left as soon as the dance was over. I wonder what he thought of me, "psycho foreigner" probably. But for that weekend when I thought I wouldn't be able to come back, I felt like crying whenever I thought about leaving my students. I don't know how teachers who have new students every year do it.

A Sunny Taipei Day

Well, I finally gave in and bought a sun umbrella. This particular trend is noticeable among certain Asian groups in Canada, but it is absolutely rampant here in Taipei. It seems every Taiwanese woman carries a delicate parasol to protect her fair complexion from the sun. If it saves me wearing sunscreen, I'm all for it, even if I look a bit dopey.

I need it today! It's been alternating thundershowers and bright sun, and this weekend got the 'hot and sunny' choice. Unfortunately, it was also "ENGLISH CAMP" weekend. Meaning we had to work Saturday and Sunday, teaching 340 Grade 6 students in a class called "Sports and Games." I can hear you laughing, yes, Kathy and I volunteered for sports! It's a whole different perspective telling the kids what to do and watching them run around. Anyway, the weekend turned out to be much more fun than work; except for the fact that both Kathy and I had our 'classrooms' outside. ALthough there was shade, it made for two hot and sweaty days. Last night I went to bed at 8:30, I was so wiped out from the heat. Ahh, to spend the summer in Halifax!

Kathleen and Umbrella

Kathy with her cat umbrella

A self-portrait

This is a self-portrait I took so you could see my new hair and glasses. Unfortunately, you can't really see either very well. He-he. I'll try again. Oh, and we still don't have internet at home, but I brought in the home laptop to work, and just put on a lot of pictures. So there will be a lot of pictures in the next week. That is if I can find time to post them!

a pen pal letter

This was one of my favorite pen pal letters. Jenny said she 'spent an afternoon' making this very elaborate paper leaf envelope. I do hope Tyler appreciates it!

Where can I go to curl up?

Oh dear. Today I have a doozy of a stress migraine (self-diagnosed) that I haven't seen the likes of since university. My sophmore year, I now realize, was a horribly overloaded time when I was under too much stress and started to have migraines and need daily naps. For me, stress=sleepy. Anyway, this last week is about on-par. It's a whole, long, drawn-out story, which holds very little interest for anyone not directly involved. That was one reason I didn't blog about it, the other being a sneaking suspicion that the 'boss' might be reading my blog. (Are you?)

So long story short. I LOVE the school I work for in everyway. I STRONGLY DISLIKE the Company that hired me and is my direct employer. School wants me back. Company gives me a horrible contract with no benefits and even more requirements and extras than last year. I love school, want to come back. I hate the injustice of the company being able to demand everything and give nothing. I could go on and on. The way the whole thing was handled was very shady too, and I hate feeling I am being lied to and manipulated. Kathy and I talked about whether it was better to stick to my principles and turn down the crappy contract and the injust employer, thus giving up a wonderful school, to stick to my principles and refuse to be treated like trash; or swallow my sense of pride and justice and just accept my position of indentured servitude.

You wonder what I decided? Well, on Sunday I was 100% sure I was going to finish the year here, spend the summer in Halifax, and then move to Vancouver. I was very excited. However, that was based on something the company had told me last week was 100% for sure, which they then had a change of heart about on Monday. So I decided to say 'yes.' I haven't actually signed anything yet, so if any of you think it's not worth it, I'd appreciate advice.

On a side note, I've greatly enjoyed watching the political drama unfolding in Canada. It makes the headlines in our Taiwanese newspaper, there's usually an accompaning picture of Paul Martin looking grave. However, the news on CBC today looked brighter. Go Belinda, way to be a mover and shaker. I always knew I liked her. Actually, when my family went to that Conservative Rally sort of thing, I came away liking Belinda and mistrusting that Stephen Harris. Now that little contradiction has worked itself out.

Pen Pal Letters

So, at the moment I am entirely obsessed with pen pal letters. My grade 6 and 7 classes all write to pen pals in Claire's grade 6 classes in Indiana, and my grade 8 girls are doing that environmental pen pal programme with a grade 6 class in San Fransisco.

* One of my grade 7 girls had written to their penpal about how busy they are with tests here in Taipei (they really do have at least one big test a day). Her pen pals reply: "I'm sorry you are busy with tests, I am busy two, I just got two new baby pigs!" Our class had a laugh over that, and I explained the different mindset between Taipei and Indiana. Frankly, if I had kids I'd rather they be busy with pigs than tests in grade 6.
* Last week's assignment for the grade 8 girls was to talk about the endangered animals in their country. Our class' letter read like a research report, talking about living conditions, length, eating habits, etc. The letter we got back from San Fransisco had a series of poems the students had written about the endangered animals there. It was like night and day, how different the two approaches were.

Mother's Day Gift

Kathleen and I had a hard time thinking of what to get Mom for Mother's Day. Flowers, chocolate, and knic-knacks don't cut it. So this year, we decided to do something lasting and valuable.

There's an organization called "Room to Read" that I find inspiring. It started at the grass-roots level and still maintains a very low overhead and operating cost by keeping much of their administration in the countries they work in. The basic premise is that literacy is the key to development. They focus on early childhood education and literacy in poorer communities in countries such as Nepal, India and Cambodia.

For Mother's Day, Kathy and I were able to sponsor a girls scholarship in honour of Mom. They have a beautiful slide show online that has an overview of the programme. Basically, it's a commitment to pay for one girl to complete her entire education, over the course of 10 years. By educating one girl, you ensure her economic survival, as well as the education of her family. I encourage you to look into this organization, you can donate online through CanadaHelps.org.

Silly / Superficial Post

Well, on a superficial level:
I got a haircut! It's fabulous, my hair has finally found it's calling: short and curly. Who would have thought it, I have hair that would have taken a woman in the 1920's hours of work. And the best part is that is just gets curlier in the Taipei humidity / rain. I finally have a real 'wash-and-go' cut, I don't even need a hair brush. I can't find any pictures online that look like my hair, so you'll just have to wait a week or two for a photo.

I also got a great deal on some new shirts from Anthropologie, via the local Export Store by our apartment. This shirt, in particular, and another that's not on their website. It's a wonderful feeling, going into a little shop and coming out with Banana Republic dress pants or an Anthropologie blouse. It's like the thrill of Value Villiage, only this stuff is new with the tags on it!

And finally, I bought some new glasses! Taiwan is known for cheap glasses, and I found it to be true. Lots of designer labels for much less than home (still the same quality, though). So I shopped at a few stores, and ended up with a quirky frame from Alexander McQueen. It only took a day, and cost about $150 CND total. They are this shape, but an entirely different frame. You'll just have to wait for a real photo.

A Groovy Rump and Lasses

Today one of my grade 8 boys tried to turn in a restaurant review he had printed off from this internet. It was the H.K. Diner, reviewed by Restaurant Spy. I read in during class, and the words groovy, lasses, and rump stuck out to me.
So I started the interrogation. "What is a rump?" "Use 'groovy' in a sentence." "When were you in London?" He answered rather unconvincingly.
I asked him, "Did you write this? Because it sure looks like you printed it off the internet." He denied it, so I said, "Well, then, I'll just check to be sure." We have a computer in the classroom, so I googled it. Word for word with poor K's.
He's one of my good students, so I offered him grace. He can write his own, and turn it in tommorrow, only getting docked for being late. I don't want him to get in trouble with the administration. But it made me laugh that he thought I would buy 'rump.'

Any help?

A quick question. Does anyone know of good cheap accommodation in Halifax? I can stay in the dorm for most of the summer, but not the last week. So I have to find somewhere to stay downtown for 7 days. The three hostels all look a bit shady, and they are $50/night for a private! Yet, the cheapest hotels seem to be over $100. Any recommendations for a B&B or cheap motel in the heart of the city? I thought I'd ask.

Well, the internet situation is still sketchy here, which is no good for an online course. Sigh. We're going to mention the problem today. Then I'll have lots of interesting pictures and articles to post, which I haven't time to do in between classes at work. And work is not the time to blog, anyway. I am a contentious employee!

And I thought it couldn't get any worse

So, the internet at the apartment computer has gone. Basically, life is over. Kathy was trying to encourage me that survival without the internet is possible, but frankly, between blogging, an online course I paid a fortune for, summer planning and trying to keep in touch with family and friends; I feel entirely cut off without my dear internet (made even better by my new discovery of the wonders of Firefox - highly recommended).

So all that to say - my blogging may continue to be erratic until further developments, hopefully in my favor.

Oh, and I saw Kingdom of Heaven last night, a good 2.5 hour movie, with lots of interesting ideas about religious conflict and peace. I really enjoyed it, and would say more, except that I need to get off to Body Pump.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Love you! Check your email.

Boring Update Post - May Skip.

Quick update. I'm still here, still over my head with work. This weekend I don't have Saturday class, so I may devote all my attention to grading for my Grade 5-8 classes. I'll schedule breaks to come out of my room for air and coffee. Perhaps I'll blog if I find some funny pen pal letters / restaurant reviews, menus, or Endangered Species information. At least I have a bunch of different assignements, unlike the over 400 personal introduction letters I had to grade that one week last fall.

Exclamation Marks

Yesterday was the first day of my James Joyce's Ulysses course. We all had to do a self-introduction on the discussion board. Everyone else was older, semi-retired, from Greece, Austrailia, England and the US. I added my little intro, trying to make myself sound at least semi-smart. I read it aloud to Carolyn and Kathy to make sure it wasn't dumb. Then I posted it. Afterwards, I wondered aloud "I wonder if there were too many exclamation points?" Carolyn looked skeptical, "You mean you put exclamation points in that?!" Kathy said that it made it obvious I was trying to hard. I couldn't change it, so I'll just have to be that young girl in Taipei who is too excited. Reminds me of what Dr. Doughty used to say in Creative Writing, that each person should be allowed one exclamation point for their life. I'm over my limit.

death to multitasking

It's been a long time since I missed a day blogging, but I've been busy since the weekend. I feel somewhat like a juggler, trying to keep all 12 flaming swords in the air, eh? Multitasking is one of my strengths, but at the expense of my mental health. When I get swamped I can't relax and even when I try to just sit I'm mentally checking off my to-do list. Urgh. I suppose we're all the same way, just with different lists.

Anyway, all the things "to do" are getting done. Mainly everything is worked out for this summer. That's a relief. My two pen pal programs are in full swing, and I feel like I run a post office. I start my Ulysses course tommorrow. Work is good, home life is good, and I've been very good at going to the gym. Last night Kathleen and I tried out Body Combat. It was very entertaining, although I feel rather silly spending an hour punching the air.

I haven't had a chance to fix "hello" and put photos up. Part of the problem is sharing the office computer with 5 people and the home computer with 6 people. Ah, the joys of a 'personal' computer. I'll try to get photos up soon. THis post is rambling. Let it speak to my mental state. If I owe you an email, please give me a weeks grace!

The love of money is...

Sorry, this is the continued post about my students' desire to be rich.

So whatdya think? Would you rather be rich or happy? What do you think the students said? Well, almost 100% said they'd rather be rich and some were quite adamant about it. As much as I argued the opposing side, the students said their goal was to be rich, and then they'd have enough money to buy whatever they wanted so they'd be happy, of course. Can you imagine?! It made me think about how much cultural information we are given that influences our views on rich = happy.

I feel like I was raised to believe that the point was to have a life that mattered, to make a difference in the world, build strong relationships, be content. Money was only a means to an end. Part of me wants to keep trying to convince my students of this, although it feels like I'm forcing my cultural viewpoint onto a different paradigm. Taiwan, at least what I've seen of it in this private middle school, is all about being rich. You work excessively hard in school to get into the right high school. Same for high school to college. Then you try to get a high-paying job and the ladder goes on and on until you die.

I find that mindset so demotivating and depressing. I feel like asking the kids how they have the will to live, when their lives seem to be on such a straight track to nowhere. But to them it's a straight track to a life where you can buy whatever you want. Anyway, it's something I've been thinking about. Anyone have an opinion? Is the love of money cultural? Or is it just that I grew up in a family and a community that is an anomaly? Are the Canadian and Taiwanese educational mindsets equally valid? Is it alright for me as a teacher in Taiwan to try to encourage my students to follow the Canadian mindset of 'school shouldn't matter so much, go out and play for a minute'? Hmmm.

New Passport

I just picked up my brand new passport, and my cut-off old one. Sadly, I've now officially joined the ranks of folks with embarrasingly bad passport photos. It's a horribly ugly, just got out of jail type photo. So I won't be posting it here anytime soon. I suppose I should just feel lucky that my first two passport photos were flattering, back in the good old days when we were allowed to smile. Oh, and I was optimistic and got the 48 page one this time (instead of the 24 like my old one). I can't wait to see which visas and stamps will fill the pages. I'm hoping that between now and 2010, I'll be all over the place. Australia? Africa? I'll just have to be careful not to show the photo more than necessary!

I was going to post a picture of my passport, the old good one that is, but Hello isn't working again, and I've got too much to do to waste an hour trying to get it to work.

Oh, and I've been asked to work with some grade 5 students to put together a Mother's Day presentation. Basically just a one or two minute poem or story that would be easy for the kids to recite and easy for everyone to understand. Anyone have any suggestions?

germ alert!

Today, in Saturday class, I thought I would use the last few minutes to introduce the student's to one of my favorite games from when I was their age. It was called "Oh Henry" although any chocolate bar works. Basically, the students take turns rolling the dice, then putting on gloves, mittens, scarf, and hat. They must then attempt to pick up a knife, and start slicing off pieces of the chocolate bar. They must do this quickly, before some other student rolls the right numbers and gets to come up and go.

Sounds fun, right? Well, I was amazed when instead of being excited, the students started to worry and complain about germs! They didn't think that the knife was clean enough, because I had set it on the desk. They didn't think using a mittened hand to hold the chocolate bar would be clean enough, and who knows where that plastic bag's been. I scoffed at them, and told them they it was all clean, and they should just get over it. Then they all ended up playing and having fun.

P.S. I'm all registered for my Dalhousie classes. Actually, I got the first and the last one, and am waitlisted for the middle one. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't get it, I'd probably have a more relaxing summer just spending two weeks doing nothing. Maybe I should do that.

Interview Me!

My new favorite conversation activity is called "Interview Me." I'm pretty sure I thought of it all by myself, but I can never be entirely sure.

Anyway, one student comes to the front of the class, sits on the teacher's stool and says "Interview Me" ideally with gusto. Then any student may ask any question ( although I've made it very clear that the interviewee may answer "None of your business.") It took off surprisingly well, with questions like "What countries have you been to?" or "Use an adjective to describe yourself." Every so often I'd throw in a question to keep things moving. One day I randomly asked "Would you rather be rich or happy?" and boy, did it start a dialogue!

To be continued...

This is a picture courtesy of my cousin Michelle. She posted it on our family site, and I'm she'd probably post it on her blog, but she's in the process of figuring out how to get pictures online. (We've all been there!) So I'll borrow it, for your personal edification. 

More exciting than...

I was checking the Canadian news last night, and I read some of the best political news ever. Really, I haven't been this excited about a political story, well, ever. Here: share my joy:

If you're not Canadian, the long story short is that the current Liberal government led by Paul Martin as Prime Minister has been embroiled in a "Sponsorship Scandal" which is just the media's term for shady government grants and gifts with tax-payers money. The Conservative party has been trying to bring a "vote of no-confidence" which would likely end up with the Conservatives in another minority government. It was the proverbial rock and hard place.

But then... a deal! In a strange turn of fate, the Liberals found themselves in need of support from the NDP party. The New Democrats are certainly the party I most agree with, although they are not strong enough to really ever have a chance at government. But because the Liberals need the help of the NDP to maintain their position, they had to make a deal.

The CBC article explains the specifics of the deal better than I could. It's all about the budget, and it adds up to a $4.6 billion dollar boost in social program spending. This goes toward: reducing tuition fees, building more affordable housing, increasing foreign aid and spending more to fight pollution. And, imagine this, it includes scrapping tax-cuts for corporations, while implementing small-business cuts. Aboriginal housing, public transportation, foreign aid to meet the 0.7 % of GDP goal, it's almost like the NDP made their own budget!

So the Liberals keep a weak hold on power, and the NDP make the world a better place. I'm happy and very proud of Canada at the moment.

My first blogger meeting.

So Sunday night was my first 'internet meeting'. Now, meeting people you meet in chat rooms is always a bad idea, there are a lot of weirdos faking it, but I feel blogs are different, because you'd really have to do a lot of work to make a fake identity on a blog. But just to be safe, I gave Jo my phone number and asked her to call me when she got to Taipei. I wasn't going to agree to a meeting time and place until I heard a female British accent on the other end of the line! The precautions were unneccessary, and we had a great time on Sunday.

There was a series of small 'bumps' in the road that meant we didn't actually meet up till after 10! Then we wandered around the Taipei Main Station area, looking for food and chatting. Jo's postgrad degree is in Journalism and she used to work for the BBC, so we had lots to talk about outside of comparing teaching ESL in Taiwan and Japan. And we saw two very odd groups of people: first, in one of the restaurants we tried to eat at, there was a group of Amish people, sitting around a table with multiple bottles of Taiwan Beer! I was shocked, and felt like taking a picture. Later Kathy explained that they were probably Mennonites, some of whom have more lax rules on drinking yet still wear headcoverings. The other odd group was a bunch of Spainish ballroom dancers. They were tanned and beautiful and overdressed. I really had to fight to keep from staring, it was like the cast of "Strictly Ballroom" on a Taipei streetcorner at midnight. I decided I should go to the Taipei Main Station area more often. One sees the oddest things.

It was very nice to come home to a sister. When she first moved here I was worried about losing the independence of being able to come and go whevever I liked without anyone worrying about me. But I came home to a light under the door and got to tell Kathy all about my evening. And she hadn't been worried at all. I told her I had expected her to call to ensure I hadn't been abducted by crazy internet psychos. The thought had never occurred to her. Then I went to fall into bed and found she had gotten my sheets out of the dryer and made the bed, how sweet.

This is me and Jo (from the Jo in Japan blog)! I survived my first blogger meeting, and actually had a great time with Jo. Story to follow. (Oh, and this picture was not flattering of either of us, and a sepia tint with a glow greatly improved it. 

Last night I went to see Circkus Cirkor's "99% Unknown." I really wasn't too sure what it would be like, the descriptions for these things are usually in Chinese. But the performance was at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall near our apartment, so I bought a ticket. It was an incredible performance, like a Swedish Cirque de Soliel. I've realized that one of the few things I remember vividly from my past are live performances and theatre. I think it's because I'm a visual person, and I remember the scenes and such. So I've decided that tickets are a good investment, at least something I'll be able to remember in a year. I couldn't tell you one thing I learned in my first year university introduction to communication class, but I can remember all the details from the "Love's Labour's Lost" production I saw at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre that fall.  

This was my evening's entertainment, can you tell what it is? I'll explain tommorrow, but right now I'm so ready to just go to sleep! 

Home away from home

For those of you who may not know, there are Ikeas all over the world, and they are all the same. I find this comforting, which is odd, because I find the same truth about McDonalds downright scary. I think it is because Ikea is comfortable in it's identity as "seller of all things Swedish" and is only trying to bring the joys of Sweden to the world, instead of trying to take over the local culture, like McDonalds. Just a thought. (This is a picture of me - at the small, urban, underground Taipei Ikea - reading a magazine while waiting for Kathleen to make a decision. A quick Ikea run turned into a two-hour marathon, but I have to be emphathic, because I am equally indecisive.) The two-hour shopping marathon was followed by a two-hour assembly marthon, after which Kathleen had a "Grum" shelf, and I had a "Bardu" white nylon egg thing with shelves.

"Squelch, squerch!"

Goodness, it's Friday. I woke up with a whopper of a sinus cold, and have thus spent the day in my own parallel world. It's a nice place. And it's okay to be a bit spacey, because it's Friday. My day in my world (for those who care):

* I stayed up too late last night finishing my powerpoint introducing the Pen Pal program to the Grade 8 girls. I got up too early to come into work and test it out.
* I did one big song and dance (figuratively) for the Grade 8 girls, and did everything other than cartwheels trying to get them excited about the opportunity. You should have seen it. They were still reserved and kept their 'cool', but they were as engaged as they get, I believe.
* Ran over to the Grade 2 class, got there 5 minutes late. Alas. My co-teacher was on a field trip, so I had them all by myself. 42 pairs of eyes, on me. Fortunately, this week's story is the best one we've ever done. We're Going on A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury will forever be a favorite of mine. I end up looking like a fool while I act out all the parts, and they especially enjoy it when I pretend to get stuck in the mud. This is designated in the book by the words: "Squelch, squerch! Squelch, squerch!" Trying saying that five times fast, while taking slow giant steps across the classroom. Yup.
* And finally, I got my course materials for Ulysses. On a "How thrilled are you?" scale of 1-10, I am a 10. I can hardly wait to start. But I will wait because I am in the middle of some great books. I will update my "currently reading" sidebar item over the weekend.

A flower in the rain

I saw this tiny bud with its shiny center after my grade 6 class. We have been warned that it will rain every afternoon for the next month or so, but I don't mind because it makes the flowers beautiful and the air fresh. This flower is much smaller than it looks in the photo, and it grows on these scary, spikey stems. I'll have to take a picture of the whole plant, it's really something to behold. Oh, and I have to add that I did not alter this photo in any way, this is straight from the camera. Now that I now how easy it is to make any bad picture look good with Picasa, I feel the need to point out when I have a 'real' photo.

The end is near.

I very clearly remember a rather unfortunate G. J. prophecy conference as a teenager. It was all gloom and doom, and Y2K was presented as one scary future. I seriously felt I would be lucky to make it to my eighteenth birthday. The other thing I remember was his warning against cards that could carry money, like ATM cards, etc. He thought it was the first step towards the "Mark of the Beast" talked about in Revelations. I was sure my Canada Trust bank card was the first step.

If only G. J. could see me now. The 'cashless society' he was so afraid of is manifest in my wallet. This is my Starbucks Card, my 7-eleven i-cash card, my MRT easy card, and my California Gym membership card. With only these four pieces of plastic, I could easily live my normal life in Taipei without any cash. Every so often, I just stick another $1000NT ($40CND) on each card and off I go. Well folks, the end must be near.

Another 'Jimmy'

Everytime I find a new Jimmy illustration somewhere, I feel the need to take a picture of it. This one was on a poster in one of the grade 6 classrooms. I believe it was a 'reading is good' type motivational poster. Makes me want to read. In fact, I think I'd rather read than go to work, but sadly that's not an option.

Ulysses...Can you handle it?

I heard about the courses at All Learn back when I was at Oxford. They provide long-distance 'continuing-eduation' type courses by professors from Oxford, Standford and Yale. I've been feeling the need for a challenging project outside of work (kind of like my novel was in November) and all the courses listed on All Learn looked exciting. After much deliberation, I have decided to take Ulysses: Reading and Understanding James Joyce's Epic Adventure as my first course. At first I was a bit put off by the price, but it's a ten week course, and I've always felt that understanding Ulysses was a sort of litmus test of a true English major. Right now, it's all gobbleygook to me, but in ten weeks it will all make perfect sense. I hope so, or else my identity as an English major, shaky at best, may be throughly damaged.

grace

I've enjoyed all of the beautiful flower photos on visual-voice, and I was motivated to take more myself. However, all I have is half-dead orchids, and this one just fell from the stem. I thought it was surprisingly fresh and elegant. A blooming daffodil would be more appropriate for a warm spring day (this particular April day is a balmy 34C in Taipei!)

But, as always, "the fairest things have sweetest end"

Website Additions

Two new additions on the sidebar to draw your attention to: new books I'm reading and my personality profile.

My personality type is #5. You can click on the little icon to be taken to the website and try for yourself. I realized that its probably a good indication that you're a type 5 cerebral, reclusive, introvert when on a Saturday night your friends go out to a busy Salsa club and you choose instead to spend the evening strolling around the bookstore and come home with a "Self-Teaching Guide to Economics" and "Manage your Postgraduate Career." See, a #5 is always researching and predicting - believing that knowing as much as possible will be a protection against future ills. Not wanting to look silly in my first Master's class this summer - I'm going to read up to have a background in economics and a good handle on what to expect in my post-graduate degree. Plan ahead, I say!

Shall I call him Winifred?

The Taipei 101 mall is something to behold. It is supposedly still the tallest building in the world, and there's a really snazzy mall in the basement. There are all sorts of luxury stores: Prada, Escade, Tiffany & Co. (We had to pop in, Kathy wanted to point out some Christmas present possibilities.

A few stores down we saw this bear in a bedding store window. I thought it was really cute, so I checked the price - $19,200 NT or about $800 CND! Now I don't think of myself as especially cheap or provincial - but I found that a shocking price.