Chinese New Year

YAY! No kindy for two weeks!! Somehow or another I have managed to get 2 weeks off kindy, because it's Chinese New Year and the numbers will be so low they have combined the two 'middle' classes and the other English teacher will be teaching the classes!!

I found out yesterday that the superbowl is on right now...I think after work tonight I'm going to head to a bar that will be replaying the game. Not that I'm really even interested, but HEY I don't have kindy the next day so I can do it!!!

This past weekend was pretty low key, I've had some kind of cold the past week so I'm trying to get better before I leave for the Phillippines on Tuesday! I cannot wait for this trip. We're headed to an island called Boracay! I'm going with Kim and Tristan and our friend from Taipei is meeting us there. A lot of other foreigners from Kaouhsiung are also going to be heading that way as well! All I want to do is spend 4 days on the beach..doing nothing but sip pina coladas, and listen to Jimmy Buffet..that's it! Although I heard that they rent out sailboats that would take us island hopping which I think would be worth the money!

2 weekends ago was our Chinese New Year Banquet which is a pretty big deal for HESS. All the local politicians showed up, and so did the founder of HESS. I'm not sure what I was expecting but needless to say I was shocked at it all. It was like a combination of 'Star Search' and the Grammys...weird. Every branch of school had to put together some kind of performance or something. And after each act we voted on which was the best...I don't know it was strange. But it was a lot of fun! It was nice to see all the Chinese teachers looking so nice, I didn't even recognize a few, they all had their done professionally...I felt very underdressed!

As of now I'm still struggling with what I want to do for the rest of my life...Chinese Medicine..or do I still want to pursue Psychology? I don't know...how will I ever know? Oh well..ne who thanks everyone for staying in touch, it really makes a difference! I hope all is well with everyone, and be sure to keep emailing..or calling on Skype!!

Oh and the first picture is of me and Kim at the Banquet..not very good but it's all I have. The second one is of Tarako Gorge and the last picture is the apartment complex we live in!! It's a view from a tower in the park across from our apartment!!

Motorcylcle gang...

This past weekend we went to Baoli..this little mountain town in the middle of nowhere. A group of about 6 of us headed out on various types of scooter/motorcyles on Saturday and started our own motorcylce gang. It was one of my happiest moments being apart of this motorcycle gang..haha. Nothing but the wind in my hair..well sort of..the helmet kind of ruined that...BUT nothing but road in front of me and mountains around me..fresh mountain air. I felt in my element. Of course what kind of adventure would it be without a few bikes breaking down..several near accidents...roadkill...and of course a few unavoidable detours. We did make it to our hot spring resort finally, and were able to relax in the hot springs for about 15 mins...before they closed down for the night. After this we resorted to about the only thing there is to do in a small mountain town..drink at the local 7-11 and sing karaoke! So this is how we spent our night. Here are a few pics of the motorcycle gang.

5 days...!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello, well what better time to update my live journal then now!! Yup, I'll be home in about 6 days..so I hope everyone is ready to get a full dosage of megan time...because I will be eating up every moment of it!!

Nothing substantial has happened since the last time I wrote. I think all the newness of Taiwan has worn off, and I'm starting to see it in a different light...not good or bad..just different. Taiwan is starting to feel a little more homey for me. I feel like I have finally started my life here. I can look back and see that my first 3 1/2 months here were the hardest. I just couldn't get a handle on my emotions. I was constantly either up or down..nothing in between and that is no fun...haha...especially when you combine it with a feeling of isolation. But seriosly in the past month I just feel different. I'm beginning to enjoy teaching (a little) and I'm able to see past it now. Like if I teach something wrong and the C.T says something it doesn't keep me up all night anymore. The anxiety has gone gone WAY down....thank god. I'm just feeling much more content..and that is a good feeling to have...I reallly was starting to miss that the most.

I'm 100% soooo excited to come home, but at the same time a little nervy. Just because I feel like I've finally gotten past the homesickness hump...and will going home bring it all back. Ick..just having to say goodbye again..makes me feel sick. Seriously I don't know if I can go through all that again..ha. Augh...but it won't be like that. I know what to expect now...and I have people to come back to in Taiwan.

I was feeling a little guilty about leaving Kim here in Taiwan over Christmas...BUT her sister is now coming to visit...so I'm super glad about that. None of the foreigners are really going home for Christmas. It seems like most people just stay here and have their own Christmas. I just think that would be so depressing..having no family around...! But I guess if Em wasn't getting married I would prb be doing the same thing...so thanks em!!!!

All my friends here keep asking me "what are you most looking forward to when you get home?" I mean of course I say the obvious things...family/friends/food (we call them the three F's here) But truly..what I'm really excited about is being COLD..haha. I MISS IT! I mean the weather is perfect right now...low 80's...and at night it does get cold...but not Ohio cold. Like the bitter cold. The cold where you walk outside and the the insides of your nose freeze (I didn't use 'the word' because of you mom). The other I can't wait to do is just sit around and get updates on everyone...I mean yea sure email is good..but to FINALLY hear the intimate details..makes me giddy with anticipation!!!

Anyway...I posted this also because Uncle Tom asked if I was still alive...I guess my parents don't give updates on me anymore...:) So yes, I'm alive and still kicking. If I don't talk to anyone until then...I hope everyone has safe travels to Tiffin...and that everyone is ready to get out on the dance floor...and sing "We are FAMILY..." (the song came on at a local taiwanese place for breakfast this morning...and made me VERY excited...!!!!)

My class!

Here are few pictures of my kindy class. We went on a field trip to a science musuem. Things are better on this side of the world! I'm really looking forward to the trip home though...missing everyone lots!

Happy Halloween!!

I can't believe it's almost November...crazy! This past weekend we decided to celebrate Halloween. I spent all day Saturday between classes frantically trying to find costumes..haha. NOT an easy task here. I finally managed to throw a together a somewhat, pirate costume. I had to work until about 5, and then flew home to try and make it to a baseball game. I got to witness a real deal Taiwan baseball game...it was so surreal, seeing such a 'normal' thing in Taiwan. It was like for a moment I could pretend that I was home...(that is when I closed my eyes..haha) I mean they had hot dogs...and crazy fans...lol. It was fun. Unfortunatly I could only stay for about 40 mins because there was a kindy halloween party I had to get to. I was feeling bitter about the whole just because I'd spent all Saturday and DID not want to go back. But it was actually pretty fun. My kids were so cute, and I got to meet some of the parents. I WISH I had brought my camera but of course I forgot it. After I scootered back to the apt and got ready to head out to a Halloween party! But before we did that me and Kim felt it necessary to parade our costumes around the neighborhood..haha. We walked around, a pirate and a ladybug, and decided it necessary to visit our local KTV place (karaoke). We started to walk and noticed pictures of nudey girls everywhere..and also an excess of scantily dressed girls...ummm yea...apparently it was a 'dirty' KTV place..whatever that means.....whoops!! So we ran out of there...horrified.
I really want to get pictures of my kids to show you guys...but I'm not sure how they would feel about me taking pictures...I don't know. So work is going good, I just feel like there is so much pressure. I don't know I kind of feel like my life is consumed with HESS. Since I've gotten to Kaohsiung I havn't left, and I'm just worried this is how it will be...not much freedom. But I guess that is what I get huh? I wanted more hours so I got them!! Last week was one of my roughest yet. I was pretty sick all week, and with no mic I had no way to communicate with people. Plus I was having issues sleeping and was just feeling so blah...really missing my comfort zone. I kept getting so angry at all the Taiwanese people...when they would cut me off on the scooter or but in front of me. I was just so angry...all week. This week is much better though. I feel a lot better and managed to find some 'herbal' sleeping pills that I took for a couple nights....no longer though.
This weekend I think me and Kim will take a trip to Taichung and visit some people. I think it will be good for us to get out of here. I got a Saturday off when Bob gets here, so I think were all going to Kenting that weekend. And then the weekend Bob leaves we're having a company trip to Sun Moon Lake. So I think the next month will fly by and Dec 22 will be here soon. Anyway, I can't wait to see everyone in less than 2 months!! Also mom and dad...I know your busy...but you should call me!!!! I'm your long lost daughter in Taiwan...don't you love me anymore? :( (guilt trip)...hehe. I'm just kidding...but not about the calling part!! Love and miss you.

Life as I know it.It's

Hello all! Well I decided I need to keep updating this blog....because I have not been! This past weekend was good. One of the guys I work with is in a band so went and watched them play Sat night! They were actually pretty good, and I really enjoyed it because they played all 80's music...I'm pretty sure me and Kim were the only ones who seemed to enjoy it to the full extent. Sunday morning I woke up around 10:00 and met up with a couple people and we went to a restaurant to eat brunch. We go this place every Sunday, and I look forward to it every weekend!! They have the best omelettes, and they also have a small bakery in the back, that makes real chocolate!! It is seriously probably the best chocolate I have ever had, no joke. I'm definatly going to bring some home for Christmas...make sure I'm not just sorely deprived of chocolate!
Teaching is getting better. Today one of my older classes (8-9 yr olds) had their first 'performance day'. This is when all the parents come in, and watch the kids put on a little skit and show off the English they have learned. It's so cute, although a little strange, considering more than half of the parents don't know any English. I have to stand up there and talk about the kids and introduce them...etc. Then the Chinese teacher has to repeat everything I say in Chinese, it's just a little awkward at times. I have this one student and I call him the Drill Sargeant because he is always telling people what to do, and to stop talking...so today when I gave him his award I said "Augh, yes our drill sargeant...Andy" After class, the parents came up concerned....wondering what it was I had called him. Ok no more nicknames for the kids. I have one Chinese Teacher who has been giving me a little trouble lately...interrupting me while I'm teaching...correcting me in front of the class. It is just irritating..I know I make mistakes, but I just don't think it's right for her to talk to me in front of the class. It's just really frustrating...it makes me feel so uneasy in the class, and I just think less about what I'm teaching and more about what she's thinking.
So how is everything?! I've seen pictures from homecoming...sad. And have been updated on things at home. But if anyone has anymore news to talk about...email me or call me on Skype!! Love you all...and miss you lots!!

Here are a few pictures of my apartment...the first one is the view from my bedroom. This was right after the typhoon, so it's a bit dreary looking, but normally the sun wakes me up every morning. The second picture is of me and Petrey (the devil cat)...and the last one is our family room..with the ugly blue couches...i'm looking for seat covers right now!! Anyway, things are coming along and work is keeping me very busy. Tomorrow (Sat.) I have to work 6 hours...to make up for the typhoon day we had off...last Saturday...bragh..annoying! Ne way I hope all is well...miss you all.