Decisions...Decisions

Ok, so I'm now faced with another huge decision that needs to be made soon. I have been offered a new job with a private school. I think I mentioned in a post before, but I did a fake lesson plan, and they liked it and said I could have the job. The job pays more...more hours, about 24 a week. Not only that, but I'll be the only teacher, no Chinese teacher. I will work for about 7 families, who provide me all the materials I need, and the classroom. I will have to make my own curriculum, which will be much more challenging. At this point though, the challenge seems exciting. I'm really leaning towards this new job, but am scared of how this will all fall through. Like with my VISA and ARC. I know I have this month to decide if I want to leave without having to pay the $600 fee for breaking the contract. But in this month if I decide to quit, it says that I have to go back home. I can't stay in Taiwan, but I'm not sure what that means. Like do I just need to make a VISA run out of the country for a day? Then go through the VISA prcoess again? I'm just not sure how to do this. I keep asking people and I keep hearing different stories about what to do..like be honest...or to just lye to them, and just say I'm going home. If I do that I will just have to fly to the Philipenes for like one day and then fly back. But I wonder if there is a way to do this without having to leave the country? Argh...I'm thinking of emailing the guy in charge at HESS and telling him the situation....maybe he'll feel bad for me..haha. I don't know. Tomorrow I meet with the woman again at the new school and were going to discuss in further detail, the job and exactly what it will entail. So I'll have more information about it later.

The other thing I'm worried about taking this new job is my social network. There are no other teachers so I hope that I'll still be able to meet people. I've discussed this with everyone I work with at HESS and they all understand, and have been understanding. Except Simone...ha..she really wants me to stay at HESS because she has an invested interest in me. Her kindergarten is too huge so they are going to split it mid-september, and give me half for about 7 more hours, but even with that I'll only be getting 19 hours a week. Anyway, what do you all think? I know mom and dad think I should take the new job, but it's such a terrifying thought messing with the big HESS corporation, what if they just squash me and take me for all I"m worth?!! hahaha..ok ok....maybe i'm overreacting. Anyway I have to get going, I'm going to check out the Chinese classes right now and see how pricey they are. Miss you all! I hope the flooding has gone down and that things are back to normal.

Being the newbie.....

The move to the beach has postponed, mainly because the apts that I looked at were a little on the scary side...ha. But Johan found a place that is used as a resort, but you can rent out the rooms. So once I get on my feet, financially, I think I may make a move there. Again, on the beach, with a nice pool and hammocks. Still cheaper then living in Lou Dong, weird just weird. Anway, this weekend was fun! Friday night after work me and Johan met up with Sarah and we all went to Julies apt, they were having a b-day party for one of her roomates. It was on the roof of their apt, the view was incredible. After that we went to a bar called, Blue Bar, it seems to be a good place where a few foreigners hang out. We stayed and played a few games and then me and Johan took my scooter back. It's about a 20 minute ride, and we got caught in the this horrible downpour. That is miserable, at that point it was 4 am and all I wanted to do was get to bed, and we had to pull over and stand in the rain because you literally could not see in front of you. Then we got lost, so spent another 2o mins trying to find Lou Dong. FINALLY, we made it home around 4:30, but was up at 9 to teach. I have now learned my lesson, never let Johan drive my scooter, and to ALWAYS bring rain gear. Saturday afternoon Sarah took me out, and we scootered around to surrounding mountains, visited a waterfall. We went on a mini hike, mainly she gave me a mine tour of the area. I'm so grateful for her right now. She is great because she has been here for 8 months, and knows the area really well. Plus, her 2 good friends just left so were kind of in the same boat. I met a girl while we were hiking, and she invited us to a going away party at a bar in Ilan. Me and Johan grabbed the TRAIN..no scooter..Ilan and met up with Sarah there. I met a lot of people that night as well. I met a girl named Sam is also leaving and told me about her private job. She works in at a school owned by a group of families. It's in an office building in Lou Dong, it seems to an interesting option. SO if I don't get the hours that I NEED, I may leave HESS and start work with this family.
Yesterday I went hiking again, and did a beautiful hike along the coastline. We hiked up the mountain hugging the coast and walked along that for about 4 miles. It was gorgeous...but after about 5 mins of being around each other Sarah and Johan were at each others throats. Johan likes to talk, which I don't mind, but apparently drives Sarah crazy. Basically, they bring out the worst in each other. By the end of the 3 hour hike I was ready for it to be over. Another lesson, spend time with those SEPERATELY. They both are great people, but together not so much. Also talking with Sarah, I have decided that I am going to take Chinese lessons at the University in Ilan. I'm sooooooo excited about this. I really, really want to learn the language...at least the basics. It's lasts for one semester, 4 months, and is 6 hours a week. So this also means I'll be keeping very busy! So day by day...my motto for this trip....has become a reality. Just from the stories I've heard from people, life in Taiwan is a new expierence every day. Anyway, I do miss everyone. It's funny I was talking to mom yesterday and was saying how I miss everyone so much. But I've only been gone a month...haha...I've gone this long many many times before without seeing people...but I don't know...I would say thus far, that is the hardest emotion to deal with...the isolation. But it's getting with the expanse of new friend, and the feeling of settling. So yes, I do miss everyone and I REALLY appreciate everyone staying in touch...it really does help. In fact, I just got a phone call from Aunt Barb and Uncle Tom, and got to talk to them for a bit!!! I don't want to pressure anyone....but GET SKYPE...I can talk to you for free!! Ok ok..enough I miss you all!

Well the typhoon has ceased. It came Friday night, and lasted all day Saturday and that night. Classes were cancelled for Friday and Saturday, so that left me with a lot free time…to do a whole of nothing. No internet, all the cafes were closed, no TV. So I somehow managed to join a rental DVD (lots of body gestures and strange noises). Friday night me, Johan and Casey ( a guy who is from Lou Dong, but went to school in Kansas) played cards and had a few drinks. Saturday I slept in, and we all met again for lunch. That night me and Johan watched 4 movies..haha. Yea, needless to say this weekend was not very exciting. Although on the good side it gave me a lot of time to get to know Johan, and see he is not a bad guy. He is just very, very different than myself. But we’re both in the same situation; neither of us really know many people. So we talked for awhile about going to the coast. I think I am now leaning towards moving. Especially because I now have a SCOOTER!! I just bought one today, and I got a steal…I think. I only paid 8,000 for it…and Johan used to work for a bike shop and he said that everything looks like it’s in perfect condition. It’s a greenish/blue Suzuki…it has a little basket on the front…I think it’s cute! We had to go to Ilan to get it, and I had to drive it back to Lou Dong. Oh my, I wish I could have recorded this experience…it was hilarious. I have never driven a scooter before, so I was all over the place. But I made it back fine. Ok, so here is my list of pros and cons of leaving the city…
Pros
I’m living on the OCEAN..always been a dream of mine
It’s way cheaper, esp. if I live with someone…it’ll cut my rent cost in half.
There is a community of foreigners to live with
There are girls who surf, and are willing to teach me for free
When will I ever be able to say, “It’s cheaper to live on the coast”
Cons
A 15 min commute to work everday
The winter (lots and lots of rain, pretty chilly air as well)
Apparently the coast is very damp…things get moldy very easily.
No heat..there are no heaters anywhere…but I guess it’s much colder on the coast because everything is always damp.
So what do u think? We’re going to look at apts. in the morning, so maybe then I’ll be able to make up my mind. Keep me updated...if you can download skype.

Today is August 15, now starts the year. One year from now my contract will be up, and I will be jet setting home. I don't think I should be thinking like that. huh? I started teaching Monday, and today is Wednesday. Thus far, things have gone pretty smoothly. I don't have an overload of classes, so I have all the time in the world to prepare for the classes. I really enjoy it right now, it helps to keep me busy and my mind occupied. Actually I wish I had more hours, not only for the money but to keep some sanity also. Yesterday I convinced Johan to go on a run with me in the sports park. The Lou Dong sports park is really pretty neat. It has tennis courts and basketball courts, running trails, etc. And it's really pretty. The run ended up being a bit too exhausting for me. It was so funny because I started off thinking it would be a walk in the park running with Johan, a thirty year smoker, a bit overweight. Ummm..no. I ended up being the one having to WALK....I don't know what happened. My body just shut down, and I started to see spots. I could not catch my breath, and my heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest...it was a horrible feeling. So I don't know if it's the humidity here, or the heat, or just me being WAY out of shape. But it was enough to scare the crap out of me.
After class last night, Johan and I went to a going away party for a kid leaving the Ilan branch. We went to a cute little bar, and I got to meet up with a couple who were in my training group. They are now teaching at the Ilan branch and really like it. So it was good to talk to them. I met another girl, who has been at the Ilan branch, but lives down by the coast. I think I'm going to buy a scooter off her, it's 125 cc and only 8,000 NT!! So that is great! Also I think I'm going to consider living down on the beach. The girl I met said there is a commuinity of foreigners that live there and it's dirt cheap. It would be about a 15 min commute for me on the scooter everyday, but I think that's doable. I still havn't signed a contract for the apt I'm in now, just a deposit. So maybe I'll keep holding off and see if I can't find a place on the coast! Sarah said she takes surfing lessons every morning....so maybe I could do the same!
So I was talking to the kid who we had the going away party for, and his piece of advice to me was to never give with my hours. I'm only getting 14 hours a week this whole month...and for the first month you're guranteed 16 hours. After the first month it's 20 hours. He said they will only pay me for the hours I work, unless I say something. It's just a hard situation. I don't want to burn bridges yet, but I cannot live on 14 hours a week...so I'm still trying to get the nerve up to say something. I stillll cannot get my shower or washer to work...haha. So i've been taking baths..and handwashing my clothes. And my address...I have no clue how to find out what it is. I tried to ask people and they look at me like I'm crazy. My apartment has no number on it, and each section of Lou Dong is numbered and I can't figure out what section I'm in...so it's a work in progress I guess. I still struggle with my varying moods, it's so funny I'll be on cloud for one minute and the next...be crying because something reminds me of someone I know. I don't know...weird. Well it sounds as though the bachelorette party was a success..haha. If you guys got pictures send them my way, I'd love to see them. Miss you all...very much.

My first weekend in Lou Dong

Ok first of all, THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the responses I got. It really and truly puts a smile on my face, and makes me feel not so alone at times. I am a lucky girl to have such supportive family and friends. I've 'officially' moved into the apartment and it really is such a nice place. No internet yet, but I think it's coming. I spent Friday searching Lou Dong for apartment necessities...that was an adventure. I was stopped at a fruit stand and a man let me try one of his peaches..YUM...so I bought and it cost me 570 NT..which is about $15 US...I paid it out of sheer shock. I soon found out that peaches are imported goods...pricey. So no more peaches for me. I found this store that is kind of like a Home Depot...that was interesting. People kept trying to talk to me...and I would just smile...I need to learn more Chinese...soon. Friday night I spent trying to convince myself that these little bugs that infest my apt weren't crawling on my bed...haha. Sat. I woke up with a throbbing headache..that has yet to go away. But that was actually one of my best days yet. I shopped some more in the morning and in the afternoon I did some more observing classes. Aftere that Julie met me and we went back to my apartment. Some of the Fullbright people she is with live in Lou Dong so that night we all met up and sang some karaoke...o yes...now my second karaoke expierence. I was a tidge nervous meeting everyone, I wasn't sure how they would feel about an 'outsider', but everyone was very nice and now I have met some people who live in Lou Dong!!! YAY!! One of the guys I met actually went O.U, and a girl is from OSU. After I had some people up to my apt, so I had my first guests...I was so pleased! Jules ended up staying the night and the next day we met everyone and went to the coast. It rained all day, but that didn't stop us, we played in the water for a couple hours and played some frisbee. The coast is BEAUTIFUL...I'm glad I finally got to see it. I'm so happy I finally some people my age, it's still a little hard to get my foot in just because they have already formed strong friendships, but oh well. I will force them to be my friend..ha. So tomorrow is my first day of teaching, I have two classes one with 8 year olds and the other with 12-13 year olds. I'm nervous about both...but I as long as I prepare..it should be ok. Ok well again YAY to everyone who responds..haha. O yea, I had my first trash expierence today...I heard the music outside and grabbed my trash....searched for my keys...finally found them and ran onto the elevator when I finally made it down I the trash man had passed so I ran after him...in the rain. Finally caught up and he stopped and I went to throw my trash and the trash man intercepted my bags and WENT THROUGH MY TRASH!! He threw some things at me..and starting talking Chinese to me in a stern voice. I assume he was lecturing me about recycling...I had not because I have not yet figured out their system. I walked away sheepishly and embarrassed with my recycleables. Oh well...I have to ask the teachers about that. Ok enough of that....miss you all.

Freak out time

Well I would say that I definatly had my first breakdown yesterday. It was a long, long, long day of watching classes and meeting new people. First of all it was frantic trying to get to the train station in Taipei, we almost missed the train. I was literally throwing a 40 pound suitcase into the train and jumped on it as it started to move...not an easy task. I said my final goodbye to a couple who got dropped off in Ilan. Then I was alone...completely. I got off the train and Emily was there to pick me up. I thought we would spend all day looking for an apartment, getting a cell phone...that kind of stuff. Instead we went straight to the school and I started observing. I was bursting with thousands of questions, but knew I needed to hold off. Everyone told us MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION. If not you're screwed, it will take awhile for them to a warm up. First of all, there is no Head English teacher at my branch. The head Chinese teacher takes care of all the NST's...the foreigners. So when I say ALL the NST's, I'm talking about me and 2 other people. Yes there is a total of 3 foreign teachers at my school. The one guy is married and with a child. The other guy is from South Africa, and is very nice but seems very jaded. He has done nothing but warn me about everyone.

So anyway, finally the day is over and I still have not seen a single apartment. So Johan (South African guy) asks me if I want to get sushi, so I went with him. We talked for a bit and he told me about Lou Dong, and how everyone will try to screw me out of money...hours...etc. He told me that there is no way I'll even get 2o hours a week because the enrollment here is so low. So at this point, I'm in definatly starting to feel very uneasy. I didn't know this guy at all, he's telling me not to trust anyone. Then he takes me to his apartment, a TINY TINY apt that looks like the size of Em's bedroom (at home). It fits about a bed...that's it. It smells like smoke and dirty clothes. Then he says, "So what do u think?" I was polite and told it was nice, then he says "well then it's yours..I'm looking for a new one." WHAT?! I practically yelled that..no joke. I almost burst into tears, but managed to choke back. He then proceeded to tell me the landlord was coming..blah blah blah. I told him straight up, that I was not living there. I know I sounded snobby...whatever. I just couldn't do it....it was a hole in the wall.

So anyway, the landlord showed us another apartment that night and it was the same except it was a two bedroom..much bigger but seriously down this dark alley and the apartment was just creepy....so I left with no apartment. So I BEGGED the landlord to ask his friends for anything else! He spoke a little English, so I kept saying..."Please ask friends". Luckily I had Julies cell number and told him to call that if he found anything...just a tidge more...lit? So I called Julie and asked if I could stay with her in Ilan for the night. Emily drove me alllll the way over there. So I cried to Julie for about 2 hours and told I wasn't sure if I could do this. It just was all overwhelming. i had not home, no phone, no transportation....it was just a very scary feeling. We tried to find apts online..nothing. I kept reading Lou Dong is a booming city with scarce apts. Johan told me all night, that 2 bedroom place I should take because places are so hard to find. So we both agreed I need to wake up the next day and make as good as I can with what I have. So I did just that. I cried twice in the morning, but pulled myself together. Jack (the landlord) ended up calling Julies phone, and said he found an apartment...but his friend only rents to girls. So after me and Jules grabbed some lunch, Emily picked me up and we met Jack and his friend. I walked into it, and knew it was the one. It's on the 8th floor and has a great view! It's a small flat, but the bedroom is sanctioned off a little. It has a bed..TV...dresser..a little couch. It is comfortable. So anway today was 100 times better. I'm still a little unsure about my hours, but tomorrow I will try and figure that out. One day at a time right?

The End of Training!!

CHEERS! Tomorrow is the last day of training! I'm excited to be leaving Taipei, but am a little apprehensive about having to start new again. It feels like I've been here awhile and have already made some pretty good friends, and I have to leave them. I guess on the positive side this just means I'll have people throughout Taiwan to go visit on the weekends! It's amazing how close you become with people when you're thrown into the right situation. Last night we all went out a pub style bar, and watched an f-1 race....? and a soccer game. But again, it's just good to just get out. Tonight I just got back from the night market...I forgot to take my camera...so I didn't get any pictures. Just think...skinny street with every single crevice of this street full of people, food, and various kinds of fake name brand purses, watches, jewelry, etc. It was a sight to be seen.

We actually have a 'graduation' ceremony tomorrow, ha. They are treating us to a wine and cheese party at the HESS president's house. I also will FINALLY get to go to Lou Dong and apartment search and hope that I find a liveble place. I found out today that basically people in Lou Dong and the surrounding cities do not speak English. Here in Taipei almost everyone speaks at least a little English, so it's quite easy to get away with not knowing Mandarin. So I'm actually starting to get a little nervous about knowing ANY!! I guess I'll just have to learn quickly...right? Here in Taipei, it's kind of easy to forget you're in a foreign country, the toilets are western, you can find western food and again English is pretty prominent. Well I hope all is well, again keep me updated...em on the wedding planning and the bachelorette party too!

Pics

Ok well I could not figure out how to post pics on this, so this is the website of where I have posted a few pics! http://www.flickr.com/photos/10925229@N08/
Let me know if this works!

Oh my...so Taipei is having it's wear and tear on me. Today I spent allllllll day in the office building, came out to the hot stuffy humid air and immediatly began to sweat. I walked onto the street and almost got trampled by a stampede of mopeds. The stinky tofu seeped into my nostrils and I gagged in my mouth...that stuff is NASTY...how anybody could ever think of putting that stuff anywhere near their mouth is beyond me. It smells like vomit...and I am not kidding. Well now that I have officially turned everyone away from ever coming to visit me...ha...I must say the good things thus far that I have discovered. First and foremost..the people...everyone, and I mean everyone has so much respect for all teachers. Not just English teachers but all teachers. When people find out you are a teacher they immediatly smile, and offer help in any way possible. Also, the fresh fruit (when it is fresh) is fabulous!! I love waking up and having a buffet of dragonfruit, and melon and tomatoes...mmmm. Yea they add tomato into every fruit dish..I love that!
I think the thing that is most wearing me down, is the training. I honestly don't know if I have the energy to be an effective teacher. I mean the curriculum for these schools are crazy....the teacher is go go go go..like full throttle...for hours and hours. I mean whenever our trainers go over a lesson they are all sweating by the end....! We had our first demos today..and my group seemed to do ok. I know for me personally I was in charge of the alphabet, phonetics and some vocab words...it was only a 15 min lesson and my brain was shot after. Ha...maybe i'll just blame it on jetlag. So to counteract all this craziness during the day, we all end up at this local 'pub'. So that always makes things better!!! Alrite, well I hope all is well. Miss you all!