Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thursday thoughts
Hello - I decided to do this quick post during the week because normally I post on the weekend and can never remember anything interesting from the week.
Today was a performance day for one of my classes. They did two plays, "Going to the Zoo" and "The Wizard of Oz" (a very condensed version). It was probably the least theatrical version of Oz that I've seen...but their parents liked it. I wish we could show them the film one day in class, but that's not part of the curriculum. They also sang a song called, "If I were" which was very catchy, and two students gave their speeches which they will be doing at the National Speech and Writing contest. Then the CT talked about the books and materials for the next level, and I gave out awards for perfect attendance and the highest overall averages in the class. It never seems like that big of a deal to me, but the parents always like to take pictures of me with the students and their awards. My friend Asheigh jokes that she will buy this purse that says, "look at me. I am famous" because people stare so much. On the note of other "Engrish" items, I saw a hooded sweatshirt that says, "I only sleep with the best" on the back. One of my students was wearing a sweatshirt with a paparazzi picture of some teeny bopper hollywood star (like miley cirus or someone), but the student had no idea who it was. I think it's so interesting that people will wear anything even when they don't know what it means.
There have been a lot of changes going on at my branches since the new year. People leaving and preparing to leave, which is completely normal with Hess, and not a bad thing. That's one of their accolades. They are very good at adapting each branch to the frequent changes and keeping everything running smoothly. As a result, my schedule will gradually be changing over the next 3 weeks with new classes. I'm glad because sometimes I think that my students get bored with the 4 or 5 games that I rotate, so now they'll be exciting again for my new classes.
I know I always talk about the weather, but it's really a large determinant of how good or bad my life is haha. It's been in the 70s and 80s this whole week! Friday (tomorrow) is supposed to go back to being in the teens (so...50s and 60...which is cold, I know it doesn't sound like it, but it is). In fact, I was in short sleeves today, in 70 degree weather and my Taiwanese coworkers thought I was crazy haha.
I've been trying to be good about keeping my apartment clean, and have been at least sweeping every week. I probably dust and clean the bathroom every other week. I am waiting for a day that is less than 50% humidity to air out my apartment though, because I still come home and it feels like I'm walking into a sauna (if I don't leave the AC on). I actually have the fan function of my AC running now, along with my heater (they are separate units) to keep the moisture out of the air, but keep it warm too. My electric bill will probably be higher than the summer when I just had the AC running. Ahhh... I dream of the day when I'll have central air and heating.
I've been working on my Treehouse portfolios since the end of the semester is almost here. This is a compilation of all of their quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and any extra creative work they've done. I only have 12 students, so it's not that bad. It reminds me of scrap booking which I used to do, so I don't mind coming home to do that.
Hope you're all having a good week...the weekend's almost here!
Today was a performance day for one of my classes. They did two plays, "Going to the Zoo" and "The Wizard of Oz" (a very condensed version). It was probably the least theatrical version of Oz that I've seen...but their parents liked it. I wish we could show them the film one day in class, but that's not part of the curriculum. They also sang a song called, "If I were" which was very catchy, and two students gave their speeches which they will be doing at the National Speech and Writing contest. Then the CT talked about the books and materials for the next level, and I gave out awards for perfect attendance and the highest overall averages in the class. It never seems like that big of a deal to me, but the parents always like to take pictures of me with the students and their awards. My friend Asheigh jokes that she will buy this purse that says, "look at me. I am famous" because people stare so much. On the note of other "Engrish" items, I saw a hooded sweatshirt that says, "I only sleep with the best" on the back. One of my students was wearing a sweatshirt with a paparazzi picture of some teeny bopper hollywood star (like miley cirus or someone), but the student had no idea who it was. I think it's so interesting that people will wear anything even when they don't know what it means.
There have been a lot of changes going on at my branches since the new year. People leaving and preparing to leave, which is completely normal with Hess, and not a bad thing. That's one of their accolades. They are very good at adapting each branch to the frequent changes and keeping everything running smoothly. As a result, my schedule will gradually be changing over the next 3 weeks with new classes. I'm glad because sometimes I think that my students get bored with the 4 or 5 games that I rotate, so now they'll be exciting again for my new classes.
I know I always talk about the weather, but it's really a large determinant of how good or bad my life is haha. It's been in the 70s and 80s this whole week! Friday (tomorrow) is supposed to go back to being in the teens (so...50s and 60...which is cold, I know it doesn't sound like it, but it is). In fact, I was in short sleeves today, in 70 degree weather and my Taiwanese coworkers thought I was crazy haha.
I've been trying to be good about keeping my apartment clean, and have been at least sweeping every week. I probably dust and clean the bathroom every other week. I am waiting for a day that is less than 50% humidity to air out my apartment though, because I still come home and it feels like I'm walking into a sauna (if I don't leave the AC on). I actually have the fan function of my AC running now, along with my heater (they are separate units) to keep the moisture out of the air, but keep it warm too. My electric bill will probably be higher than the summer when I just had the AC running. Ahhh... I dream of the day when I'll have central air and heating.
I've been working on my Treehouse portfolios since the end of the semester is almost here. This is a compilation of all of their quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and any extra creative work they've done. I only have 12 students, so it's not that bad. It reminds me of scrap booking which I used to do, so I don't mind coming home to do that.
Hope you're all having a good week...the weekend's almost here!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Tired but happy
Regarding the Haiti earthquake, my heart goes out to the country and anyone who's lost friends and family. The conditions there, from what I see on CNN, are dire, and I can't imagine being in there, in what is described as a "death camp." For anyone worrying about Taiwan being on the same latitude as Haiti : since I've been here we've already experienced two earthquakes between 6.0 and 7.0 with no deaths or destruction. The reaction of people while these earthquakes were happening was minor, and not alarming at all. The earthquake in Haiti was 7.0 and has destroyed most everything and killed over 100,000 people. This makes me feel better about the quality and design of Taiwan buildings and cities. Most of the buildings may be made of concrete, with thin metal roofs (to prevent downward destruction) but at least they can withstand any rumbles that impact the island.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
First "vlog"
Part 1
Part 2
...it's kind of entertaining, and kind of weird, but hopefully you will like this. I hope you don't think my voice sounds annoying. It was really sunny today, and I think my face got a little burnt because it was red in the video. Alright, well I'll let the vlog do the rest. Let me know how you like it :)
Part 2
...it's kind of entertaining, and kind of weird, but hopefully you will like this. I hope you don't think my voice sounds annoying. It was really sunny today, and I think my face got a little burnt because it was red in the video. Alright, well I'll let the vlog do the rest. Let me know how you like it :)
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas
Christmas Eve was spent at Jenny's apartment. It was a smaller gathering than Thanksgiving, which was nice because we could all share conversation. There were about 12 people total. We snacked on popcorn, donuts, hazelnut truffles, hot chocolate, and white Russians! Her apartment was traditionally decorated and a small Christmas tree adorned her coffee table. We took turns manning the you-tube Christmas playlists, exchanged presents, and some of us painted our nails. When I got home, I opened some things sent from home. My sister sent me some holiday edition lotions from Bath and Body works and I really enjoyed the traditional home-made picture calendar from Grammy. She included some pictures from facebook, so I was really surprised to see my college friends, outer banks friends, and Taiwan friends featured on the February page!
On Chirstmas "morning" ( I slept in, so it was more like Christmas afternoon), I ate breakfast while watching tv episodes on my computer. I then took the brown line on the MRT to Jinan Rd. to meet friends Rachel and Brian. The brown line is the newest MRT line and scales Northern Taipei communities. Since it is exposed to and raised above buildings, it is narrower and most of the time, I don't get a seat. During my ride, there was a chubby-cheeked baby girl sitting in her stroller looking at me. She would not stop smiling and was so cute with her mary-jane booties (some I remember Eva having). As the train pulled into the station, I was really impressed by the station. Looking out you can see mountains all around, and the Western mecca across the way. There is an Imax theater there and lots of Westerner geared activities, including, what I've heard called, "the worlds largest ferris wheel." Rachel and Brian drove their scooter from nearby Neihu where they live. We wasted no time capturing pictures of everything Christmasy. There's a department store called "Wego" and outside is a giant purple sculpture of the logo which mimics the Philadelphia Love Park structure. We walked around the mall where the movie theater and ferris wheel were. We wanted to see the movie 2012, but it wasn't playing until later that night. We chose a good day to visit this area because there was a fashion show and movie premier going on at 7, so we would check that out after Christmas dinner at TGI Fridays.
This was the first time I'd been to the franchise in Taiwan, although they can be found in just about every section of Taipei. They took our name and gave us a number that would be called when our table was ready. Unlike waiting time in the US, however, we were giving hot chocolate and candy while we waited! This follows the study I learned about in my Services Marketing class that I had in Australia. Jana told us that occupied waiting time is faster than unoccupied waiting time, and customers will be happier...which proved true. Rachel and I wandered around the extensive lingere department of the mall and critiqued the difference in American and Taiwanese bras haha. Although they're cute, most of the them seemed very structured and were wider under the arm. We certainly didn't see any huge D, E, F cup sizes or ugly grandma-looking bras either. We were shown to our table by the costumed Friday's staff. The restaurant was very festive and of course, the menu was just like home. I had the best chicken sandwich ever! I know I enjoyed it more here that I would in the US. A Santa Claus came around to the tables singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and handing out candy...when he got to our table, he made us join in. It was cute, but kind of embarassing because we were the only Westerners in our section of the restaurant. Another peculiar thing about our service was they told us exactly how long we would be waiting for our food - "that will be 12 minutes" "your food will be ready in 2 minutes." Again, this follows the study, proving that customers who know how long they will be waiting are more satisfied than those who don't know.
When we finished dinner, the stars of "The Treasure Hunter," Jay Chou and Lin Chi Ling had already made their appearance on the red carpet, but were having a photo session in a tent with lucky fans. We stuck our heads in, and I saw them. They are really famous here...there were paparazzi and all. I felt like I was in LA or something.
At night, I got to talk with my family on their Christmas morning. Everyone, including Ruthie, Nick Nick, and grandparents could see me on the web cam. Dad also called Mom Mom and I talked to her through my computer on my house phone...she was pretty excited to hear my voice. They would all be going to New Jersey to visit family on Saturday. On my Saturday, Grammy told me on Facebook that my Dad gave my mom a big surprise, figuring I had already heard the news, and "the only issue now would be timing." My guess was that she got a trip to visit me, but then I saw a picture that said "Pass for 4 for Taiwan." So I guess my whole family is going to try to come! I was pretty surprised and excited. I have already started thinking about when they could visit and what we will do. I'll get to talk to Mom tonight about it. My friend Colleen is hoping to visit in February during Chinese New Year, so I feel pretty lucky to have these visitors and am looking forward to 2010!
On Chirstmas "morning" ( I slept in, so it was more like Christmas afternoon), I ate breakfast while watching tv episodes on my computer. I then took the brown line on the MRT to Jinan Rd. to meet friends Rachel and Brian. The brown line is the newest MRT line and scales Northern Taipei communities. Since it is exposed to and raised above buildings, it is narrower and most of the time, I don't get a seat. During my ride, there was a chubby-cheeked baby girl sitting in her stroller looking at me. She would not stop smiling and was so cute with her mary-jane booties (some I remember Eva having). As the train pulled into the station, I was really impressed by the station. Looking out you can see mountains all around, and the Western mecca across the way. There is an Imax theater there and lots of Westerner geared activities, including, what I've heard called, "the worlds largest ferris wheel." Rachel and Brian drove their scooter from nearby Neihu where they live. We wasted no time capturing pictures of everything Christmasy. There's a department store called "Wego" and outside is a giant purple sculpture of the logo which mimics the Philadelphia Love Park structure. We walked around the mall where the movie theater and ferris wheel were. We wanted to see the movie 2012, but it wasn't playing until later that night. We chose a good day to visit this area because there was a fashion show and movie premier going on at 7, so we would check that out after Christmas dinner at TGI Fridays.
When we finished dinner, the stars of "The Treasure Hunter," Jay Chou and Lin Chi Ling had already made their appearance on the red carpet, but were having a photo session in a tent with lucky fans. We stuck our heads in, and I saw them. They are really famous here...there were paparazzi and all. I felt like I was in LA or something.
At night, I got to talk with my family on their Christmas morning. Everyone, including Ruthie, Nick Nick, and grandparents could see me on the web cam. Dad also called Mom Mom and I talked to her through my computer on my house phone...she was pretty excited to hear my voice. They would all be going to New Jersey to visit family on Saturday. On my Saturday, Grammy told me on Facebook that my Dad gave my mom a big surprise, figuring I had already heard the news, and "the only issue now would be timing." My guess was that she got a trip to visit me, but then I saw a picture that said "Pass for 4 for Taiwan." So I guess my whole family is going to try to come! I was pretty surprised and excited. I have already started thinking about when they could visit and what we will do. I'll get to talk to Mom tonight about it. My friend Colleen is hoping to visit in February during Chinese New Year, so I feel pretty lucky to have these visitors and am looking forward to 2010!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Christmas Darlings!
Taipei is certainly gearing up for Christmas. Although, when I ask my students, "What are you excited about for Christmas? - presents? good food? travel?" none of these options are their responses. One girl said she'll sleep. No one said they will travel out of town or have good food. This is what I've heard about Christmas here. It's all about the build up, the pretty decorations and holiday edition merchandise everywhere from 7-11 to department stores, to grocery stores. My favorite are the holiday edition Pringles - does anyone know if they are in the US? I don't know what the cans here say, but there is a picture of cheese, and they taste like white-cheddar flavor. There are Christmas trees of all types lit up everywhere. I even saw one made out of recycled plastic green bottles. The kids all know more Christmas carols than I expected. We'll be singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Deck the Halls" tomorrow across the street for whoever is out and about...hopefully that goes alright... There is a really magical display of lights near the Banciao MRT stop. As you walk through a park, there's a canopy of blue lights that hang overhead.
The weather here has been really inconstant. Last week it was 29C and now it's in the low teens. In fact today, I was so deceived because I think my apartment was colder that the temperature outside. I was dressed with two pairs of socks and a sweater and jacket, but when I got out to my scooter, I realized it was only 23C. However, after driving home at night, I'm always frigid when I get inside and have adapted a routine introduced to me by a college roommate, Kristen - shooting a hairdryer up my shirt to warm up. I usually do this while I'm waiting for my dumpling water to boil.
On to food - the past few weeks, I've been grocery shopping more because I see things in the store that look interesting or remind me of home. I was also finding that toast in the morning was not tying me over until lunch, so I've been having some hearty muesli (these were 2 for 1 at Jason's Marketplace, a popular Western grocery store in Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong) and 2 eggs. Seems to suppress my regular runs to 7-11 between classes pretty well. Taiwanese do cook a lot with eggs, and the woman at the breakfast stand near my apartment knows what I want now on Saturdays - dan bing with corn and cheese (it's like an omelet inside a crepe). I have been frequenting this place after my Saturday morning classes before a Saturday afternoon "welcome to the weekend" nap. I don't think there's been a Saturday when I haven't gone out to eat over the past 2 months. I probably eat more ethnic/Western food here than Taiwanese/Chinese food...at least on the weekend. This past weekend, we were at a Mediterranean restaurant when shaken by the 6.4 earthquake. Yes, I could see the walls and door frames moving, though we were on the first floor, and it's been the biggest one in 2009 - but that was the most excitement we had, thank goodness. Crazy weather all around the globe with the blizzard in the US and Europe, and the Mayon volcano in the Philippines about to erupt any day now.
Two weekends ago I visited a friend in Hsin Chu, about an hour train ride (on the local, slow train) southwest of Taipei. It was the weekend after my birthday, but I was told I should still commemorate it, and was made to wear a home-made aluminum foil crown at all of the touristy destinations in Hsin Chu - these included the Glass Museum, Market, Buddhist Temple, and Lake Placid (yes, that's what it's called...it's a man made pond outside of the Museum).
My friends and I have been making Christmas Eve/Day plans as well as NYE. I do have to work Xmas Eve, so I won't be able to attend the church service that some will be enjoying, but I'll be joining them at Jenny's apartment for gift exchange, board games, carols, and hot chocolate afterwards. I have Christmas day off, and tentative plans are to meet in Tianmu (western district) for a few hours. We figured, since you regularly see more Westerners there than Taiwanese, something Chrismasy is likely to be occuring. Many options have been mentioned for NYE including a party with a view of the fireworks show from Taipei 101. Since there will be so many people crowded together, cell phones won't be too reliable and the MRT will pretty much shut down...taxis will be crazy (I imagine it being like NYC)...so there's been mention of getting a hotel room for the night. I do have off on Jan. 1.
I've been listening to Carpenters Christmas music and set up a temporary Christmas tree (a potted plant decorated with candy canes and some ornaments sent by friends, the Kadjeskis :)), but there are things I miss about being home this time of year - Christmas cookies, candles in our windows, the smell of the wood stove burning in the kitchen (we just got a new one, so I wonder if it smells the same?), holiday specials on TV, snow (seeing it, not driving in it), driving around town seeing houses aglow with lights, singing with the SSPC choir, Christmas ornaments and Christmas tree smell. I must say that in general though, I'm better off than I was last year, packaging holiday baskets at Sherrie's Berries and missing Australia. I get to help little kids learn a new language (which isn't that difficult...just exhausting), be with great friends I've met, and experience Christmas in another country. I'll sure be missing my family on Christmas Eve and during the Christmas morning routine (Aunt Linda's coffee cake, Ruthie being in the middle of everything) but hopefully we'll get to skype at some point. Merry Christmas to all!
The weather here has been really inconstant. Last week it was 29C and now it's in the low teens. In fact today, I was so deceived because I think my apartment was colder that the temperature outside. I was dressed with two pairs of socks and a sweater and jacket, but when I got out to my scooter, I realized it was only 23C. However, after driving home at night, I'm always frigid when I get inside and have adapted a routine introduced to me by a college roommate, Kristen - shooting a hairdryer up my shirt to warm up. I usually do this while I'm waiting for my dumpling water to boil.
On to food - the past few weeks, I've been grocery shopping more because I see things in the store that look interesting or remind me of home. I was also finding that toast in the morning was not tying me over until lunch, so I've been having some hearty muesli (these were 2 for 1 at Jason's Marketplace, a popular Western grocery store in Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong) and 2 eggs. Seems to suppress my regular runs to 7-11 between classes pretty well. Taiwanese do cook a lot with eggs, and the woman at the breakfast stand near my apartment knows what I want now on Saturdays - dan bing with corn and cheese (it's like an omelet inside a crepe). I have been frequenting this place after my Saturday morning classes before a Saturday afternoon "welcome to the weekend" nap. I don't think there's been a Saturday when I haven't gone out to eat over the past 2 months. I probably eat more ethnic/Western food here than Taiwanese/Chinese food...at least on the weekend. This past weekend, we were at a Mediterranean restaurant when shaken by the 6.4 earthquake. Yes, I could see the walls and door frames moving, though we were on the first floor, and it's been the biggest one in 2009 - but that was the most excitement we had, thank goodness. Crazy weather all around the globe with the blizzard in the US and Europe, and the Mayon volcano in the Philippines about to erupt any day now.
Two weekends ago I visited a friend in Hsin Chu, about an hour train ride (on the local, slow train) southwest of Taipei. It was the weekend after my birthday, but I was told I should still commemorate it, and was made to wear a home-made aluminum foil crown at all of the touristy destinations in Hsin Chu - these included the Glass Museum, Market, Buddhist Temple, and Lake Placid (yes, that's what it's called...it's a man made pond outside of the Museum).
My friends and I have been making Christmas Eve/Day plans as well as NYE. I do have to work Xmas Eve, so I won't be able to attend the church service that some will be enjoying, but I'll be joining them at Jenny's apartment for gift exchange, board games, carols, and hot chocolate afterwards. I have Christmas day off, and tentative plans are to meet in Tianmu (western district) for a few hours. We figured, since you regularly see more Westerners there than Taiwanese, something Chrismasy is likely to be occuring. Many options have been mentioned for NYE including a party with a view of the fireworks show from Taipei 101. Since there will be so many people crowded together, cell phones won't be too reliable and the MRT will pretty much shut down...taxis will be crazy (I imagine it being like NYC)...so there's been mention of getting a hotel room for the night. I do have off on Jan. 1.
I've been listening to Carpenters Christmas music and set up a temporary Christmas tree (a potted plant decorated with candy canes and some ornaments sent by friends, the Kadjeskis :)), but there are things I miss about being home this time of year - Christmas cookies, candles in our windows, the smell of the wood stove burning in the kitchen (we just got a new one, so I wonder if it smells the same?), holiday specials on TV, snow (seeing it, not driving in it), driving around town seeing houses aglow with lights, singing with the SSPC choir, Christmas ornaments and Christmas tree smell. I must say that in general though, I'm better off than I was last year, packaging holiday baskets at Sherrie's Berries and missing Australia. I get to help little kids learn a new language (which isn't that difficult...just exhausting), be with great friends I've met, and experience Christmas in another country. I'll sure be missing my family on Christmas Eve and during the Christmas morning routine (Aunt Linda's coffee cake, Ruthie being in the middle of everything) but hopefully we'll get to skype at some point. Merry Christmas to all!
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