More Goodbyes

I had to say goodbye to two of my Grade 1 classes this morning. In the first one, it was so sweet. I said that if anyone wanted to come give me a hug after the bell rang, I would wait. Then the bell rang, and I had about thirty kids trying to group-hug my knees from all directions. So then we did a line up, and that worked better. In the next class, someone started giving 'gifts.' The gifts were anything and everything that they could find in their desk. I got old Christmas tinsel, a random dinasour drawing, a stroyform snowflake, and even a small dot of what appears to be silica gel. It was so cute. It meant a lot to me. And it was harder to say goodbye than I thought it would be - they've really grown on me.
We walked home behind these boys. The older one is holding the younger brothers backpack up, so it won't weigh so much. Isn't that darling!

Grade 9 Girls Party

The Grade 9 Girls threw me a surprise party on Thursday. I was really, really surprised! I didn't tell them it was my birthday, one of the girls heard two of the grade 7 boys talking about it! How sneaky. They got me a huge card and they all wrote a special message in it. Then they got a huge cake, big enough for all 28 of us to have a chunk of.
They sang happy birthday, and I made a wish and blew out the question mark candle, which they said was good luck because it means long life. I thought it was just because they didn't know how old I was, but whatever!


Kathleen was giving her class a written, open notes test, so she left them to it, ran upstairs to get my camera, and came back to have a slice of cake. So much fun.

Good-bye Lunch

All the elementary English teachers took Stephanie and I out for a good-bye lunch. It was so much fun. They got us each a going away present, for me a beautiful necklace from Carolee, because they know how much I love jewellry, and it's my name. They got Stephanie a really nice backpack for her travels. It meant so much that they made such an effort to find gifts specifically for each of us. Rachel gave this beautiful gift about being friends instead of co-workers, and that with the gift, I almost started crying!

We ate at Jimmy's Kitchen, which is an all-you-can-eat buffet type of place. So much food and fun conversation.

Another fun group shot. We figured it make more sense to put all the foreign teachers in the back, then we don't look quite so washed out.

K. Wiederholt quote

eBay: JEANINE PAYER Engraved Sterling Pendant-Quote:

Could we belong here,

Could this become a different kind of home, a kind of welcome resting place,

One where in the night we do not dream

While we hold each other of moving on.

Instead, could there be a movement in,

To inherit the intricate stores of time,

To tell each other the dreams we sleep with,

The ones that make us belong to ourselves and each other.

Where in this new place we learn how a home can move into us, belong in us,

Where we tell the story of place and the dream brings us home

.-K. Wiederholt

The Elementary Teachers

We had a beautiful "Good-bye" lunch with all of our co-workers yesterday. It was so touching. We went to a nice restaurant called "Jimmy's Kitchen" and we all ate till we were stuffed. I think I'll put on some pictures this weekend. They also did a very nice job picking out presents - they bought me a beautiful "Carolee" silver necklace, and got Stephanie a backpack! They know us so well. And Rachel made a speech about not just being co-workers but being friends and I was so close to crying! I didn't though. I'll just always remember having the chance to work with such wonderful women.

And speaking of crying, I don't think I told you about Saturday Class. Well, as you know, teaching the Saturday Class Writing Club has been one of the highlights of my time at Fu-Hsing. So I was feeling pretty sad that Saturday was our last class. Everything went wrong in the class, nothing I had planned worked. I was feeling upset, when one of the Grade 8 boys asked if he could just leave 15 minutes early. I think he was just kidding, but it pushed me over the top. I started chanting to myself: "Don't cry! Don't cry!" But I couldn't do it. I turned around and just stared at the board, but there was nothing I could do, I just started to bawl. NOT what I wanted to do. The sweet grade 7 girls noticed, and came up to give me hugs and tissues. Then I had to turn around and explain to my mostly baffled class that I wasn't going to be coming back next semester, and I was VERY sad to leave them. It was awful. I couldn't get ahold of myself and sniffled all the way home. I think it's out of my system though, I haven't cried saying goodbye to any classes since.

Welcome 2006!

New Year's Eve has never been that exciting to me. I equate it with curling up in front of the TV, watching the Royal Canadian Air Farce year end special. So, living in Taipei, I had the opening of going out to 'celebrate' with hundreds of thousands of strangers, or staying home with Kathleen. It wasn't a tough choice! But when midnight rolled around, we untangled ourselves from the blankets and pillows on the couch, threw on some shoes and coats, and stumbled out onto the street. Much to our suprise, our little alley was already full of our neighbors, similarly attired. It was quite the sense of community spirit, standing in the street, staring up at the giant 101. Then Boom! One and a half minutes of fireworks and back inside. It was a lot of fireworks, but we Canadians are used to a little bit longer show.

My new toy

One of Claire's Christmas presents for me was a new calendar: Mary Engelbreit paper dolls! Claire knows me well. One day when I was in particular need of mental space, I got out my scissors and spent an hour creating my winter scene. It's even 3D!

Cosi Fan Tutte

On Friday we went to see Mozart's opera Cosi Fan Tutte. It's not my favorite, but it's the only (Western) opera in Taiwan this year, so I'm there. It was set in 1920's Shanghai, a nice switch from when we saw it in Indiana, with the traditional white wigs, fans, and big dresses. Supposedly this adaptation was also meant to mirror current Taiwanese culture. Which meant that the men, when they came back in disguise were dressed as Westerners, even donning red and blonde mullet wigs! The costumes were quite exciting, and the singers were really talented. A very enjoyable evening.

Then on Saturday night we had another exciting evening out. Harking back to one of our favorite memories from childhood, we decided to splurge for tickets to "Holiday on Ice" the European version of the Ice Capades. It was in the new Taipei arena, and we enjoyed it so much. The theme was movies, so it was all the classic movie tunes. 2 and a half hours of fun.

Happy Friday!

Once again, I'm thrilled I made it to Friday. I love my job, but there has just been too much going on, with all the end of semester details, planning for travel, and moving to Australia. (I got my visa approved - which means I'll be able to work in Australia for up to 12 months. Incidently, it also means I do not have TB! there was a required chest x-ray because I've been living in Taiwan so long. Since I was approved I assume that means I passed). Some more pictures, from our Christmas party with all the teachers.

Kathleen with two of her smiliest grade 1s. They're both teachers kids.

Another of the English teachers' cute kids. (Taken by Amber; the picture, not the kid.)

Kathleen in front of the Christmas tree that Dr. Lee put in our entry way. What a nice gesture.

Our furry scarfs

Amber's mom send Christmas gifts for us all, so we all have cuddly matching scarfs. Pretty cute, huh?

Christmas

A late Christmas Eve Dinner at Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill. Late because we didn't have reservations!

Kathleen digging into the traditional Christmas meal. It was almost as good as home.

We rented a suite at one of the local hotels, and carted all our presents over in suitcases. The four of us had a relaxing Christmas morning, with Starbucks, presents for each other and presents from home.

Kathleen bought the Taiwan version of Monopoly for Amber, so we all played two rounds. I was the big winner, by a fluke, first round; then fell into my usual position of first to go bankrupt second round.

Last of the Elementary Christmas Pics...I think!

Spectacle on a grand scale - view from the balconey

The ending pose for the Grade 1's chosen to dance on stage

Surprise!

And to represent the children of America...hula dancers and cowboys!

The elves prayed between songs. Then they sang Amazing Grace.

The grade 5's did the 12 days of Christmas. Here, the two turtle doves check their ties.

Best of 2005

New Loves:
Alice Munro stories
Halifax
Spring Salad with strawberries, feta, red onions, grapes, etc.

Countries Visited:
Taiwan
Singapore
Malaysia
Canada

Homes:
#1 - 3F, 45, Ln. 78, Sec. 1, An-ho Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
#2 – Risley Hall, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
#1 - 3F, 45, Ln. 78, Sec. 1, An-ho Rd., Taipei, Taiwan

Top Three Soundtrack CDs:
Theresa Sokyrka – These Old Charms
Damien Rice – O
Iron and Wine – Love and Some Verses

Top 3 Books Read:
The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You – Alice Munro
Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

Top 3 Performances:
Unwelt – September 25
Cursive III – Nov 20
Falstaff – June 24

Top 3 Movies:
Before Sunset
Broken Flowers
Crash

Top 3 Favorite Days:
February 6 – First day in Singapore – Orchid Garden, Borders, Shopping
(perhaps I will aim to make February 6 my day for doing something new and exciting every year – from Murano / Venice, to exploring Singapore to ???)
July 4 – Day from hell on Green Island, adventures with Claire in Taiwan
July 14 – Mapleton, NS: Doing strawberries, playing crockinole, cats, a church strawberry supper, family


Resolutions for 2006:

1. Read at least 12 quality books this year. Write them down.
2. Do something so adventurous it scares you.
3. Make at least three new friends in each new city – be assertive.

More munchkins in pink...

Welcome 2006!

Well, 2005 is just about over. I'm quite happy to say goodbye to it. 2004, you may remember, will quite possibly go down as the best year of my life. 2005 was simply blah. I feel like all the days blended together - work, work, work! 2005 was Taiwan - cockroaches, earthquakes, and classes.

And here's a bit of news I'm finally at liberty to share: I'm leaving Taiwan for good. In 22 days! Yes, I'm leaving Fu-Hsing Private School, which was a really, really hard decision. This is the best job I've ever had - I love my classes, my students, my co-workers, my school. I don't think I'll ever find anything better. So why am I leaving? A multitude of reasons, but the deciding ones all have to do with 'the company.' Remember over the last year, how I kept complaining about the company while loving the school? Well, it hit a boiling point, and I just couldn't stay in the situation. I'm still technically working for the company, and they can withhold my last month's pay for resigning, so I'm keeping tight lipped about my specific reasons.

What's the plan for 2006, you might ask? Well, the picture is a clue. I had already planned to travel for Chinese New Year, so I'm sticking with that: Taipei to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, India, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore. Then, instead of going back to Taipei as I had planned, I have a flight onward to Perth, Australia.

I crave wide open spaces, warm winds, sunshine and space. I ready for a new adventure. So on the recommendation of Kathleen and Claire, I chose Perth to start in. I've applied for a Working Holiday visa, so I'll be able to travel and work to cover the costs. I plan on starting in the vineyards near Perth, picking grapes. Of course if the work is too hard, or the bugs and sunshine prove too much for my composition, I can always get an office job or maybe work in a photo lab, which I know I would love.

Australia will be home probably until the end of May when I'll fly back to Canada to visit friends and move all my stuff to Nova Scotia. Then, hopefully, I will be entering school in Nova Scotia in the fall. That's up in the air a bit, I'm filling out three different applications currently, and we'll see what I get accepted for.

So, hope that's not too surprising for you all. It makes me very excited, but so sad too. Everytime I think about saying goodbye to my students, I seriously start to cry. They want Kathy to take over my classes, but she's pretty happy with her travel classes, so we'll see. I'm telling my kids that I'm leaving this week, so we'll see how that goes. Sometimes I feel guilty for leaving, but I know that I'm making the right decision. Happy 2006 to you all!

Getting Ready

Behind the Scenes of the Junior High Play

Innkeeper's wife, and the three shepherds, all adorned in excessive taffeta

Sheep roasting over an open fire

The angels groove while waiting for their heavenly appearance

Shepherd's Play Performance

Cast Photos

Change of wording

I feel I should clarify - I am not in the least depressed. It's much more of a sentimental melancholy - which gives the days an extra dose of beauty - "That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet." ~ Emily Dickinson. I wouldn't want you to think I was sulking around, I'm pretty happy with sadly reminiscing and excitedly planning for the future.

Oh, and tonight is The Chronicles of Narnia premerie! Who-ho! I was really looking forward to it, but then I read some reviews that made me think that perhaps it won't live up to my expectations. We'll see.

And it just keeps going and going...

Alright, I'm a little post-Christmas depressed, and my to-do list is lengthy. So you probably can expect Christmas photos for the next few days. I choose only the best ones out of the 300 or so I took. Count yourself lucky. (=

The 'Foreigners'

This is our Christmas photo of all 6 of us who teach together and share an office and apartment. We're generally all stuck together for most of our time, but we like it.