Good-Bye Fu-Hsing

Goodbyes

Me in my last Grade 1 class = bawling
Me saying goodbye to the Junior High teachers = bawling
Me saying goodbye to the Elementary teachers = bawling
Me walking out the Fu-Hsing Gate for the last time = bawling

I seriously never cry like this. I realized that I usually just cry when I'm really tired and stressed out, whether or not I'm really sad. There are very few times I'm really sad enough to cry. I can remember crying like this when I left the girls at Ruth St. in Huntington, and that's about the only other time. I don't like it, but at least everyone really believes me when I say that I'm quitting because of Foresight and that I REALLY love Fu-Hsing.

So, my last Grade 1 class, the teacher had them all make little cards for me, then come up to give it to me and get a hug. NOT the way to keep me from crying, but it was just so sweet and meaningful. Here's the card that made me start crying again:

Dear: Miss Carole
Why you neat to Go home? I Don't You Go home. You can't Go home. I Like you! can you Don't Go home?

URRGH!

So today we all had meetings with our boss. I found out he's fining me over $1000, which means I'm only getting paid a measly amount for January, which was three weeks of working my tail off! It makes me angry, but I kind of expected he would be a jerk about it. My quitting insulted his feeling of power, so there was bound to be repurcussions. I asked very politely if he could possibly lower the fee, since I gave him over 2 months notice, and I've been very careful not to slander his or the company's name at school. No deal. (Which means, consequently, it's open season on Slander. Although I'll need to check the legal policy on actually naming the company and devil-like individual involved).

I was fine, I was going to just sign the paperwork and call it good riddance. However, J. is emotionally manipulative, and he knew my weak spot. He called me irresponsible and said I was abandoning my students and that I didn't care about Fu-Hsing. That, of course, made me burst into tears I was so furious. URRRRGH! (Still angry.) Of course, at that point, all I could do was sign and walk out. Later, I realized I probably should have taken that opportunity to really tell him off, and make it clear that I think he is an absolutely corrupt, power hungry, weak little man, and that most of us are more qualified than he. If the devil had a face it would look like J. Strong words, I know, but he is truly evil.

So tonight, in between boughts of packing, I am writing my scathing letter about everything that J. has done to screw us over, manipulate and hurt us. I really think it may be what's needed to convince Fu-Hsing to change companies. Still, part of me wishes I could have just yelled at him. Ah, the pen is mightier than the sword, especially if you're like me and can't defend yourself in an argument.

Oh, and Kathleen left for South Korea. She mentioned that it's the most blaize she's ever been about international travel. She's really excited about seeing Jill and So-Young. I wish I could go. Alas. India calls. I leave Saturday!

My Birthday Present

Stuff...

Fluff...

Dress...

Twins on the 24th!

My finished bear... Phoebe! (Not many girls do Build a Bear for their 24th birthday, but Kathleen and I aren't exactly normal. We still have leftover obsessions from childhood!)

NINA SIMONE ( Feeling Good Lyrics )

Alright, I'm not usually one to quote song lyrics, but this one fits. I hear this song all the time at Body Balance, so I put it on my MP3 player. It's Nina Simone "Feeling Good"

Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom in the tree you know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

To-Do Lists are the Devil.

I leave on Saturday. That is if I can make it three more days without my head exploding. I haven't been this stressed since second year university! My to-do lists are miles long, with grading, packing and moving the offices to the new building, finishing applications for next year, doing all my travel planning, visas and hotels, closing my bank account, going to the denitist, and getting ready to move to Australia! Too many things. But organization pays off, it will all get done. Don't be surprised if I don't write much the next few days. Although I probably will put up the last of the photos that I have taken and haven't blogged yet.

Like this one, that Kathleen took, of some street art near our house. (The red and yellow are always there, the spray painted flip flops are new.)

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...