Okay everyone - play along!

Heh everyone - this blog is supposed to be semi-interactive! Is anyone out there? I feel so narcissistic posting and posting and not knowing if anyone is reading. So, whenever you feel so inclined - put a comment on a post - just click on the little "0 comments" button at the bottom of the post. This way I get to know who's actually reading this little site occasionally. And I'm really disappointed more of you haven't put little people into my Guestmap. It would make my day!

I will try to make my posts a little more interesting. I realized reading over the last few that I've fallen into the habit of telling you little stories about my kids and telling you where I eat. This is not exactly exciting stuff. I'm going to try to be a bit more aware of moments and events that are a bit more unique to Taiwan - and perhaps I'll even through in something intellectual or thought provoking now and then? I was going to post a poem, but I couldn't find the perfect one. I'll keep looking. Until then - I'll tell you more about food. Did you know, I've found a new favorite food in Taiwan? Oddly enough, I have discovered a great love for Japanese BBQ Pork pizza. Words cannot describe it - the best pizza I've had anywhere, and that includes Italy. I recognize that I should be trying Chinese food more often, but I have all year!

Little Hugs

Today has been a lovely day, for a few reasons.

This morning I had my grade 2 class, with some of the sweetest students. One, A., reaches out her arms for a big hug whenever I come to class. I usually make her wait until after class - because I can't actually hug all my students before class. So as soon as we were done, she ran up and before I had a chance to squat down to hug her, she had wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed her head against my stomach! Then she just stood there, and hugged. A few other girls noticed and came up behind her to join in. It was so sweet. Then, I have two little boys who like to walk me back to the office after class. One, R. never says anything, and he has these really big geek glasses. Sometimes he just follows a few steps behind me and pretends he's a mouse. Today, he grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go until he saw me to the office door. Isn't that cute?

The other thing that made my day was my lunch at Starbucks. I've been going quite often, I've a new addiction to their Oriental Chicken Salad. Anyway, since the last time I went, last week, they had a new addition. Sitting on the top of the display case was a cardboard Starbucks cup, autographed by my favorite Taiwanese artist - Jimmy Choo. I recognized his signature in English and Chinese, and it just made me smile that I go to the same coffee shop as him. Of course I wouldn't know if I sat right next to him, but still. I put two of his illustrations below. It doesn't really express the utter enjoyment I get from his work.

I finished my 100th page today, and chapter 11 is online. Plucking Blackberries.

 

 

WHOO-HOO!

Well, I've done it - reached the half way mark on my novel and on schedule! I passed the 25,000 word mark tonight and I feel quite proud of myself. Not neccesarily proud of my plot, though - it does ramble a bit. But, heh, I guess that's the downside of writing a novel in a month. Chapters 9 and 10 are online now. Plucking Blackberries.

My address???

Here is what I'm going to call my official, but untried, address. It should work - the school is well known and supposedly they get enough English mail that the post office should be able to direct it quickly. It also means my packages come to me, instead of me having to go pick them up. So give it a try it your so inclined - I'll let you know when I get anything.

Fu Hsing Private School
Carole Nickle - ERC
262, Sec. 1, Tunhua S. Road
Taipei, 106
Taiwan (R.O.C.)

In other news - today I was again blown away at how pro-Christian this school is. My job includes teaching the Grade 2 classes "Angels From the Realms of Glory" to sing at the Christmas concert. This is not an easy job, think about it, it's about the trickiest carol out there. So we're taking it verse by verse, and I have to explain "Well, we're telling the angels to come and sing about the birth of the baby Jesus. Then we are all supposed to come and worship." And for my Grade 5 classes, they have to be narrators for their performance, and today we went through what they were supposed to say about "the most wonderful story, ever" and one of the kids raised his hand: "Jesus is God's Son, right?" It almost made me laugh that I have such freedom not only to present the Christmas story, but to be able to present it as true, and the real point of the holiday.

Finally, tonight should be a milestone for my novel - the half way point. Fireworks and a marching band are in order, but I'll probably just treat myself to an extra cup of tea and an hour to read. I'm in the middle of the novel "Hideous Kinky" which is the story of two young girls travelling with their hippy mother in Morocco. Highly recommended to the aunts and cousins - enjoyable and an easy read.

The dark lining on my silver cloud

As you know, I’ve been loving my time in Taipei. I haven’t been upset much, but the closest I’ve been to crying is when I think about my lost mail. Yes, it seems trivial, but most of you know how important mail is to me, and it just makes me so sad to know that you all sent me letters and I can’t have them. As I was standing on the street corner, telling myself not to cry about this, I realized something. I’ll just write to you again with an address that works, and you can write me back again! This cheered me up considerably, although it won’t bring back Kathy’s package from Kazakhstan or the cd I bought from the states (there’s $20 wasted). I have the correct address for our apartment, as well as permission to get any mail sent directly to the school. Kathy’s going to do a test card to both addresses to check them. I think it will be easiest to get letters and cards sent to the apartment, because I don’t want to bug the mail people at the school too much, and any packages to the school – or penpal letters from Indiana. That sort of thing. I’ll let you know when Kathy’s test letters arrive, and be expecting mail from me in the next few weeks. Unless you’re someone who just found my blog on the web and don’t know me. You won’t be getting a letter. If you really want one leave a comment, and I’ll consider it.

If Carole was a restaurant...

If I was a restaurant, I would be Apple Cobo. (Yes, I think they meant Apple Cobbler.) I found it a few weeks ago, but I didn't get around to going in until Friday (mostly because there wasn't an English menu). But C. and I went for and it really is what I would make if I were making a restuarant. The walls were all pink and yellow with white lacy accents. The decoration was a bit shabby chic and a bit Paris chandliers - some chairs had white flowered slip covers, some were big, plush cherry red velvet armchairs. The waitresses wore little flowered bandanas on their heads. We both had a salad with lettuce, kiwi, melon, tomatoe, and dragon fruit, yum! And dessert was included (dessert is their specilalty - they have an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet!) and unlimited teas, juices, and coffees. We're going to go every week - it's very much C.'s style just as it is mine.

I've put chapter 8 up on the website. I feel my plot is meandering a bit, but I had fun with some descriptive passages. Plucking Blackberries.

This is a picture I took of one of the bulletin boards in the elementary school a week or so ago. I thought of it tonight, because I just ate a slice of chocolate mousse cake and now I feel like a little pig! (actually, we're talking about that in class this week - what it means to call someone a pig). 

Someone had to be the first!

When we moved into our apartment, they gave us each a key to our room. I remember thinking: "hmm, that's dangerous, it would be so easy to lock it inside!" But at the time I assumed it would be someone else to do it first.

Well, last night I had tutoring cancelled, right, so I planned on taking a shower and writing for the rest of the evening. I came out of the shower, wrapped in my towel, and turned the door to my room, and yes, I locked my keys inside. I felt like the biggest idoit, although I still claim it was the door's fault - I had noticed earlier it was locked, but I had played around with it, and couldn't get it to unlock. I had that warning light going off way in the back of my head, but did I listen, no. Lesson learned: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

So what did I do, I changed back into my dirty clothes in Carolyn's room, then through a series of calls and crys for help, we eventually found someone still at the school who could get the keys, so I ran to the school to get them. I didn't know whether they meant literally or figuratively run to the school, so just to be safe, I ran - and thanks to spinning, I made it all the way to school without getting out of breath. Whew. I was lucky that it wasn't any later at night - I would have been sleeping on the couch in my dirty clothes.

I was so happy to get into my room, it felt weird to have all my stuff and sense of home in one room and to not be able to get in. The whole find a key thing greatly cut into my writing time, but thanks to my verbosity over the last weekend, I'm still on schedule to finish before the end of November.

A Melancholy Day

Today was brilliantly sunny and 32 degrees, this made me depressed (if you know me you understand). My body was just beginning to enjoy the cooler weather when, boom, it's back up in the 'sweaty' zone. And now I've gotten addicted to spinning classes (4 times a week) which leaves me throughly drenched. Anyway, I'll be happy when it gets cold enough to wear my new coat.
I was bemoaning my schedule today - Wednesday through to Sunday is full up. I was worring about staying on track with my novel, too; when I got the call from my tutee, S, that he has a headache and can't meet tonight. The quality of his excuse aside, I was thrilled. A whole evening to drink tea and write. I can't wait. Also, the chance to put up Chapter 6 and 7 written earlier this week: my novel's site Plucking Blackberries. I had one of my students say she read it, but otherwise I think it's only my family. If anyone else is reading it, let me know.
I have to tell you about my Grade 7 boys class. I think they are my favorite, because they are so funny and energetic, I go into class with a smile on my face and I leave with one. Well, today I gave them time to work on their letters to their PenPals in Bloomington, IN. I graded their last letters, but because they did such a good job - I told them I trusted them to write on their own this time, but I'm still collecting them to mail. Anyway, one of the student's penpal asked if they could teach them a little chinese, and I'm afraid I started their devious thoughts by suggesting they could give their penpal a Chinese name. Another kid suggested giving a boy's name to the poor Indiana girl, and I said something about how they could call her "poo-poo" and she would never know. They think "poo-poo" is the funniest thing ever, and I feel like it's a harmless thing to laugh at, but it got the ball rolling. Later another kid wrote in his letter that he would teach his penpal how to say "hello" and "how are you?" in Chinese. Then he wrote out how to say something either inappropriate or stupid, because all the kids were cracking up. I think a couple of the students did this, so I'm going to have to send a warning note with them: Do not use the chinese taught in these letters! But it was pretty funny.

self-portrait

Whew - can I go throw up now?

I just finished being observed. It was highly stressful, similiar to a very important job-interview, I think. See, all the teachers (Taiwanese or Canadian) get observed once a semester. Half of us are getting observed in our elementary classes, half in junior high. I was quite glad they had me for Grade 8 girls class. My grade 2 teaching skills are still be worked on. Anyway, I wasn't too scared, because my Grade 8 girls are very well-behaved, and I built in 'outs' in the lesson plan in case the girls were shy and wouldn't talk (they wouldn't).

There were about 5 Taiwanese English teachers who watched, and they videotaped my lesson. I think my heart was beating during the whole time. But I did well, I think, and the students were very sweet about behaving like angels, albeit quiet angels. I'm not sure if my lesson was 'good' or if it met the right educational objectives - but I did my best!

Now it's over and I can relax, and spend entirely too much time writing my novel when I should be going to the gym. Oh, and for those of you who sent me mail that is lost somewhere in Taipei, I finally asked my 'boss' about it, and she put one of the student teachers right on it. If it can be found, I trust S. will find it, and it is awfully nice to have such helpful student teachers who speak Chinese!

P.S. Do you like my new "weatherpixie"? She changes her clothes based on the weather data from Taipei. I think it's highly entertaining, and it should help you picture me over here - night or day, hot or cold, etc. Although I should put a disclaimer on her - although she may be wearing a sundress, I'm still wearing my long sleeve t-shirt and a hoodie. 27 degrees in Canada and 27 degrees in November in Taipei do not warrent the same clothing choice. It's all relative. But I think she's fun. I should name her. Any suggestions?

Saturday Morning Snapshot

Saturdays Mornings are good for the soul.

I’m in one of my ‘relax’ Saturday morning states. This goes very well with Norah Jones “sunrise” on the cd player, my second cup of Nescafe 3-in-1 instant coffee (an Asian invention? Do they have 3-in-1 in Canada? It’s a great idea). I’ve also got two small luxury items from Ikea, a new Christmas candle that smells wonderful (it’s called Kold and looks like snowflakes when you burn it, in case anyone needs a reason to run to Ikea!) and slippers just like my navy ones, only these ones are the softest, fuzziest, chenille / teddy bear material ever. I just cannot find words to express the wonderful feeling of these slippers. I was so excited about them, I took a picture. That’s my $4 teddy bear from Ikea on the right, my new slippers in the middle, and my fancy coffee mug on the left. Did I put a picture on before? It was a teacher’s day gift from one of my Grade 8 boys classes. It’s Noritake china with gold accents. I’m such a gift person that I just love using it, even though the Grade 8 boys are somewhat bratty. Their card said “To the best teacher from the best class” Yeah, right!

I’m sitting at the living room computer, watching a small colony of ants go in a little river, back and forth from the coffee table to the wall. This is mildly upsetting, but it’s not my job to clean the living room (actually my only chore is to take out the garbage, which I try to do when I’m in the apartment, but I’m out so much I never seem to do it. Hopefully my housemates won’t kick me out!) Anyway, the ants are miniscule, I really only notice them when there are tons, like in the living room. Nothing like the giant ants in our house on Ruth St. in Indiana, where they were so big they crunched when you killed them. (Ahh, found memories of that terribly-flawed house!) As long as the ants stay out of my room, I allow them to live in peace, and go about their food gathering tasks.

Anyway, I’ve found writing my novel fits right in with ‘relax’ mode. I was so excited to get up this morning and get started writing. (Good thing, too, because I didn’t have a spare moment to write on Friday). Chapter 3 is on the “Plucking Blackberries” site. One of my friends is starting her novel this weekend, and the other decided to fly off to another continent for awhile, which exempts her from her novel writing duties (living life, or writing about life? Hmmm) What about the rest of you? I want to be able to procrastinate by reading your novels!

What does your Daddy do?

So, I have three grade 2 classes, right? Well, I did the "Daddies at work" lesson for my first two classes, and got the predictable answers. Mostly all were:"My daddy is a Doctor" or "My daddy is a businessman." Also a couple lawyers. Then, I had my last grade 2 class (also, oddly enough, the one full of devilchildren. It seems they decided to put all the children with behaviour problems into one class!) Anyway, I asked my question and got the usual mix of doctors and businessmen, but then they surprised me. One kid came up and drew a bottle of wine on the board and said that was what his father did (I wanted to ask "Drink!?!" but I didn't!). Another kid said their father was a clown! (Really) But my favorite was little B. She has no attention span whatsover, but she is really smart, just always seeking attention. Anyway, she raised her hand and said "My daddy is a superstar." I smiled and said that's nice, thinking she was simply using the expression. But no, the other kids pointed out that her dad was "So and So" the famous star. I thought, no wonder she's the way she is!
My only other news of the day is that I fell going up the stairs to my office and whacked my right knee really well. It's actually gross, I pulled up my jeans to look at it, and promptly put a bandage on it so I wouldn't have to see it again. And now its swelling up and doesn't want to bend - not a good thing when you have to go up 100 stairs to get to your office. We'll see how it is in the morning.

Sliding Doors and Open Windows

Right now the US presidential election is still to close to call - it all comes down to Ohio! It's 4 pm here, so I'm assuming I'm probably the only one watching the play by play election results.

I was telling my afternoon classes about how I ran back to the apartment for lunch so I could watch the results, and how I found election coverage really, truly fascinating. (They did seem skeptical!) And I thought of something - I was so very, very close to watching these election results from a ratty couch in a tiny, old, house in some slum of Washington, D.C. Really, if I had been offered that internship I would have taken it, and it would have entirely changed my life, and the lives of the students I am affecting now.) I would be working my butt off at Sojourners for no pay, instead I am here doing work I really enjoy for very good pay. I could be living in the most uncomfortable circumstances I can think of, and going through all the culture shock of innercity US life, but instead I have a city I love and feel safe and comfortable in. I could be surrounded by the American mindset all day, and instead I live with Canadians, work with Taiwanese people, and hang out with all sorts of different cultures from my church on the weekend. I get overwhelmed when I think of how much hinges on the tiniest little decisions. Remember the old Gywenth Paltrow movie "Sliding Doors"? It's like that. I just remind myself that I am blessed that I have a God who works all things for good; in Taipei or Washington, DC. But from this vantage point, I wouldn't switch and make them accept me for that intership for anything!

Oh, one more thing. I made the split second decision in my grade 9 girls class today to let them know where my novel is online. They were just so interested, I figured it couldn't hurt. So we'll see if they like it. I can see them looking at the site but not actually reading the novel, its alot of reading for them. I definitely don't want to let my students know about this blog, it's just a bit too candid about my teaching life! But they shouldn't be able to trace it back from "Plucking Blackberries" unless they are computer geniuses. Oh, I have Chapter 2 almost finished. I have to tutor this evening from 6:30=8:30, but after that I'll finish the chapter and have it online by 10pm ish Taipei time (something like 9am for most of you all).

I'm sitting in the living room, wasting time finding new little things for my blog (by the way, I hope everyone will click on the "Guestmap" link on the righthand side of this page underneath my profile - you can put a little person to mark where you live - or if you like, you can put your little person where you wish you were! You can still put a Canadian flag by your name, even if your little person is in Timbuktu.) Anyway, I noticed the Orchids we have on the bookcase, and realized I hadn't put a pictures of them online yet. See, one of the housemates who shall remain nameless bought these orchids to give to the Principal of our school when we went to her house for dinner. However, white flowers in Taiwanese culture mean that you are wishing death for the recipient. So, they became our house flowers. That was almost three weeks ago, and they still look completely fresh. They are stuck in wet foam, or something, we don't do anything to them. Pretty, aren't they? 

The first fruits...of blackberries!

Well, yesterday was the first full day of writing and it went quite well. I spent a total of two hours writing and got 7% of my novel done! I think that's quite encouraging.

Anyway, I wasn't going to let you all know where my novel was online, because I was embarrassed about how bad it will be. However, I realized this is just my pride, and, moreover, I just spent two hours working with the HTML code to make the new website beautiful. So, it's up, online, and there's a permanent link on the sidebar of this website, right next to my progress meter. Please check out the site to see how pretty it is, but only read it if you absolutely feel you must. Otherwise save yourself from my convoluted and confused ramblings! Plucking Blackberries.

On Schedule!

I stayed up last night so that I could start my novel at 12:01 am, November 1. Yes, it's a bit silly, but I was excited. I only worked on it for about 15 minutes, and got 500 words. I just spent another 45 minutes on it, and in one hour I hit my daily target. So I'm on schedule, and according to the motivational "report card" I downloaded, I only have 28 writing hours to go. That's not bad.

So far, it's been really fun. The writing comes easily (although I do have to fight the urge to go back over my writing and fix it!) and I'm liking my ideas. I still have decided exactly what target age I'm going for, I think it will be young adult, although I still keep putting in too big words, I think. Anyone else started writing?