Saturday, June 18, 2005

Just a note..
Before I write anything.. I'd like to comment on 'signing guestbooks' and 'adding friends'.

I don't sign guestbooks or add people unless I think they're interesting. Also, I'm an English teacher. I mean, honestly. Why would I add anyone who wrote something like:

'kool colers, k coome 2 my site 2?'

-Chris
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Things..
I've almost been here a month now. I find that hard to believe. It doesn't feel like it.

A lot has happened, and I've found myself frusterated with a few things, but fine with others. For those of you who are unhappy that I complain too much, I'll remind you that my journal isn't forcefed to you, so you aren't required to read it. I will say this vaugely to avoid insulting anyone, but I know I've somehow done it anyway.

I had an interesting last few days, where I felt bored for some time, which surprised me greatly. I've made a friend, and that makes things much easier. Yiyi's daughter, Nanako, wants me to pick her up and carry her all the time. Things seem to have settled.

I'm still a bit lonely, but being online a lot has helped me. My family e-mails me all the time, and I recieve almost daily e-mails from my friend Adrienne.

I was a substitute teacher for an adult school about three days ago, and it's calmed me down a lot. I'm not frightened of teaching adults anymore. I also joined in with Yiyi's class. I don't think anything will be as hard as it was my first day.

Being a teacher is really rewarding. Scary sometimes (you try to explain the word 'everything'...) but really rewarding. Nana can now say 'hello, how are you', 'fine thank you', and 'whats wrong?' She mimicks me, and she knows more English than I know Taiwanese.

I really miss everyone. My mother is getting married again. I don't know what to say or think of that.

This entry is actually pretty non informative. I haven't done much besides relax and write lesson plans lately. Thats why there are so many pictures of just me and Even in my photo blog. We were hanging around in the school.

I'll post an entry about the wedding reception I'm going to tonight after I get home. This is the second one in two days.. I'm very curious as to how different or how much alike it will be.

Bye then,

-Chris
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Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Damn..
There's a thunderstorm outside, so this is going to have to be short, but I put up my photobucket account now.

I'll answer e-mails in the morning, kay?

http://photobucket.com/albums/b191/chrisintaiwan/

-Chris
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Sunday, June 12, 2005

Sleep is for sissies.
Or so it seems. I am tough, like monster. Gwar.

So no sleep for me. Too many lesson plans.

Eric, thanks for commenting on like, everything I write. It means a lot to me. I really appreciate it. You don't know how much you cheer me up. It helps to know someone's standing behind what I'm doing.. and thanks to everyone else too. You are effing cool.

Things have gotten a bit better since that day. I can't believe I'd want to go home so badly and then feel.. kinda okay about not being able to.. I've gone over my lesson plan, Yiyi has told me exactly what she needs, and I feel much better.

Yesterday was a bit of a living hell. Sometimes talking to people back home is like entering the realm of a drama. And I write drama, but I couldn't even think of some of the things that happen at home.

Naturally, everything else went wrong yesterday too. I drank some vodka by mistake; I can't handle vodka, and it made me quite sick. Obviously, I'm the brightest girl ever, so I took two tylenol to balance the alcohol. Because mixing drugs is *the cool thing* to do..

I should also mention that this was at the grand opening of our school. Good thing nobody speaks English. All I had to say were the default open sentances. (Hello! How are you? Where are you from?) so it was easy.

As pie.I went to Taichung City both yesterday and today. I took lots of pictures. Uh.. once I become computer literate, we'll see em too.

I continue to be amazed by the way the city is carved out. America makes too much of an influence in the malls though. I saw enough Tommy Hilfiger today that I thought I would vomit.

(WARNING! PERSONAL OPINION LOOK OUT!! AHH! IT'S COMING!!)

Because class is brandishing the American flag across your chest. -_- For a designer who hates other races and cultures. Sure. Right.

I don't like brand names anyway. They're too expensive, and I'm clearly a cheapskate. And the clothes look really bad and are cheaply made anyway.

(KK IT'S GONE NOW KTHNKSBYE)

I tried to explain why I didn't like Hilfiger, but now Yiyi thinks I hate Americans. I don't hate Americans. I just don't want anyone to think I am one. The sentiment for them isn't great. It really isn't. I'm Canadian, and the stereotype of peaceful and quiet suits me better than the crazy stereotype that all Americans are crazy beer guzzling gun toting folk.

I know that sounds outrageous. I'll give an example:

(At a dinner invitation)

Guy 1: Drink. Have drink. You like drink? (very loud.)
Yiyi: No no. She's not American. Canadian.

EXCESSIVE APOLOGIES!! Then he calmed down. A lot. And was much quieter and more polite.

This has happened THREE TIMES in a week. Three times. People change how they act because I'm not American. It's bizarre.

Funny, because I always thought the sterotype for Canadians was that they were all drunks. I mean, the good beer all comes from Canada, eh?

Okay, I can't drink or hold alocohol, so I wouldn't know. (You'd be a sissy for alcohol too if every time you drank it you were immediately sick.)

It's really bizarre how much sentiment I hear about America.. I kinda feel bad for teachers who come from there.

Another conversation:

Yiyi: I don't like American teachers.
Me: How come? They're just like everyone else.
Y: We have many problems with American teachers.
Me: I have a lot of friends from America. They really aren't bad.

She was kinda set though. I fought for my peeps, though. FIGHTIN! (I'm waaay the fuck too hyper. I'm sorry.)

Moving on.. we went to a mall called Shinkong Mitsukoshi. It's a very big and popular mall in Taiwan, so it was extremely full, especially since it was on the weekend. The mall is completely ginormous and most of the shops were for clothing.

I really don't like clothes shopping. See, I'm a cheapscate. Thirty bucks is just too much for a shirt I could buy at Value Village. I mean, it's gotta be a really nice shirt... (Cheap cheap.)

I wish it was a more cultural expierience, but as I said, there was an Old Navy, a Roots, United Colors of Bennetton, and Tommy Hilfiger. And lots of expensive stores. Yiyi really likes clothing shopping so this took most of the day.

Three ladies sprayed me with perfume. o.o It itches.

She bought me this cute Hello Kitty outfit. ^^ It doesn't cost much here. Japan's closeby.

It was so nice of her.

Ah.. we also got some nice new textbooks for my classes. And I managed to find a D&D novel for myself. (NERDNERDNERD) I'm happy to have something to read.

Nanako (Yiyi's daughter) doesn't like shopping either. Her and I spent a good deal of time playing peek a boo in the bookshop. For a three year old, she's an awesome companion. And she's not as spoiled as some kids.

Oh. While I'm thinking.. restrictions on kids doesn't go anymore in Taiwan. They're just bratty. People can and do have as many kids as they want. I saw a woman on a scooter today with three kids with her. It blew my mind. I'd be scared of one falling off.

But damn they're adept with those things. I can't drive well. I gave it up for a bike. XD

I think this may be a very whiny and unsensitive message. I feel horrible for it. I don't mean to be rude. I hope I'm not.

..today it rained, and I felt at peace. I think that was the one thing that really chilled me out, and made me feel better about stuff that went wrong, about the poor kid who hurt herself, and about everything that I miss. I thought of the day Luke proposed to me, and I thought of how I missed him.

I didn't cry, because the sky was doing it for me. It made me feel warm. I'm so happy he's waiting for me at home. A year is nothing.

Rain cleans the world, and it always clears my mind. I don't understand it. Maybe it's the way there are less people outside, or the sound, or the way the air tastes.

But it makes me feel so much better.

By the way.. I downloaded Skype. My name on it is chrissalter. Please feel free to phone me anytime or leave a voicemail.

Thanks for reading again.

-Chris
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Friday, June 10, 2005

Egh. 0.o
I had a hard day. Yesterday was hard, too. I stayed up late because my class the day before hadn't gone well. Then I woke up very very early.

I didn't do anything today, which is somewhat aggravating since I have so much to actually do..

I did accompany Yiyi to one of her classes. This was a good idea, for many reasons. I learnt that you actually need to be a lot more severe with Taiwanese students than Canadians. Why? Because Taiwanese kids are brats. I hate to say it, but it's true.

It's like nine times the most spoiled child you've ever met. All in one lovely group of screaming, innatentive brats.

So I learnt many things today.

The class ended really badly though. One of the kids was running around, playing on the junglegym. She fell off and cracked her head against the slide.

I've never been so scared in all my life. She was sceaming, and there was blood *everywhere*... Yiyi and the principal left me in charge for the remaining hour and had to rush her to the hospital.

The thing that really freaked me out was how little the other kids cared. She was screaming, and she needed stitches, but they didn't pay it any mind. They just kept playing.

(Culture shock x 10)

I'm still shaking, and this happened hours ago. Hours and hours..

I've finally been given a bit of a schedule now, though. Here it stands:

Adult Demo Class- Sunday and Monday. 1 hour each.
Elementary Demo Class- Tuesday- 1 hour.
Kindergarten Demo Class- Wednesday. 1 hour.

---

Adult Classes-
Women's Class- Wed, Fri (1 hour, 30 minutes)
Men's Classes- Tuesday, Thursday (1 hour, 30 minutes.)

So I'm working... nine hours this week.

When I get into doing elementary school, I'll be doing six more classes a week on top of that. I'll be making 300 dollars a week. 1200 a month. Plus whatever I earn as a tutor.

This is the hardest job I've ever done.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post.

...

Okay, thanks to the one person who tried to cheer me up. I appreciate you commenting so often and being so nice. I was really depressed when I put that on my personal journal and nobody said anything.

-Rayne
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Thursday, June 9, 2005

..that was awful..
The kids didn't understand me. Why? Because they speak no english.

None.

I'm so depressed, unhappy, angry.. my training didn't work with this. And the contract of my job keeps changing. I do not want to teach low level beginner adults. No. I wanted to teach kids.

And right now I just want to go home..
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Tuesday, June 7, 2005

First lesson plan/Stuffs
It turns out my first class starts next week.

Okay...

I didn't know that. But I think I can manage anyway. I'll be teaching the adult level, something of which I have expierience in. Since I didn't know of those beforehand, my boss is giving me 20 dollars an hour instead of 15. I think she's crazy, because she seemed very apologetic and like it wasn't very much. I am so greatful for this job.

The hardest thing now is understanding culture of students here. They have normal classes during the day, and come to our cram school in the afternoon. Except the adults, obviously.

This is very very common. The only kids who don't go to cram school are those who can't afford to. Most already go to one, or will be soon. I'm going to be the only teacher at ours, which is mind boggling.

Children know more English than Adults do, as it is becoming more of a fad out here lately. In such, they are often easier to talk to. The adult classes will move slower because adults take longer to learn things than children.

Strange, but true.

So my kids will be doing a lot more than adults in a class.

Last night Yiyi gave me a package of.. some kinda cookie with a cow on the package. See, reasons like this are why I'm not a vegetarian anymore. I don't know what the heck I'm eating.

It tastes okay, but odd. Maybe it's milk? I dunno.

Thats been my general approach to food here. I ate a fish off the bone with chopsticks. Why? Because everyone else was, and I didn't wanna be rude. Granted, my skills with chopsticks probably made me look it anyway. ^^;

I found a picture of my County if anyone is interested. I don't have a cord to my camera yet, but here's the best I can do:



-Rayne
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Update
I'm so not used to the time it is here. I think maybe I have jetlag. Thats entirely possible.

I freaked out on some friends of mine this morning for something completely ridiculous just because I was tired and I couldn't understand something. I'm sure they understand now, but I'm worried I was a bit out of line. It's nice, in a way, to argue with someone though.

Yiyi's husband; whose name I cannot remember (I don't think they ever even told me,) cannot speak any English whatsoever. I spent an interesting day with him.

Ah, thats ovveracting. He can say 'lets go', 'ok', 'lets have lunch' and 'hello.' Which is about as much Mandarin as I know. So it was interesting.

He came to get me at about 9:45 am. I was on the computer. (Why wouldn't I be? I'm me. I didn't even know anyone was awake. The house has four floors and I live on the third.) He knocked, and I opened.

'Lets go,' he says. I nod, and go. Yes, thats all it took. I turned off my laptop, didn't say goodbye to anyone, deleted half of a really good post in the process, and took off in a hurry.

I want to be openminded, but today was boring as sin. He basically dragged me to his workplace. The worst thing is that I really don't know why.. cause he can't speak English at all.

I found out later from Yiyi that he works for a shoe factory. He places orders and makes sure things get done. I didn't know that. My first glimpse of a Taiwanaese factory was a bit frightening though. They are much different than Canadian ones. Very damp, very very hot, and the workers are not in safe conditions. I guess it's different everywhere.

I ended up following him along to a few different places. It wasn't so bad. In each place people offered me either a drink or food. I think thats customary in Taiwan, as everyone does it.

There are a few common English phrases that are repeated over and over here. 'How old are you?', 'Where are you from?', 'My English is bad.', 'Do you speak Chinese?'. Any time anyone opens a conversation with any of those phrases it usually goes pretty dry, because neither of us have enough skill to continue the conversation.

Still, everyone's really nice.

This morning I watched Yiyi's husband play poker.. or something resembling poker. Then I sat with him while he argued or something about these different panels of fabric.

Honestly, I don't know why he brought me. It was really boring, and I have a feeling I was really in the way. Maybe he didn't want to leave me home alone cause I'd be bored? I'm not sure.

I did learn about factories in Taiwan though. Maybe thats why he brought me. I don't know.

People are allowed to smoke and drink everywhere here, though. That blows my mind. People will be anywhere, and they'll just light up a smoke. It's pretty icky. Thats not a commentary on Taiwan, I just don't like smoking.

And I'm relieved to find out that it's not common to eat beef and pork; it was a welcoming ceremony. They were welcoming me to Taiwan. Mostly fish is eaten, and I can live with that.

I found out that 'Jappan' in Taiwanese means 'Lets eat lunch.' For such small people, they sure eat a lot. It blows my mind.

Luke will be happy. I'll probably gain like fifty pounds while I'm here. I was a vegetarian. Thats why I'm small and skinny. Thats gonna pass really damned quick.

(yes, my boyfriend likes fat girls. I don't know why.)

I went to the school today. It's almost all set up. It's so cute, and it's not too big. My first class will be next week, apparantly. Sooner than I thought. I'm just waiting for Open Office to download, so I can write a lesson plan. Next month, I will start my kindergarten/grade one class. I'm the only teacher in the school.

A cram school, for anyone who doesn't know, is an extra school students go to after their normal ones. The classes last one hour and fourty minutes long and are generally very expensive. It focuses on one certain subject, and is designed to force students to study hard to prepare for higher education.

I'll be teaching six days a week. o.o Scary.

But since I have a textbook, it won't be too hard, I don't think. I mean, everything is laid out, in order for me, right here.

Not much else to report. I had a pretty uneventful day. I like those.

I miss Luke a lot, though..

-Christine
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Monday, June 6, 2005

I'm here. o.0
Life is interesting now.

I don't think I've ever been so amazed, so taken back, and so overwhelmed by anything in my life. I think this is one of the most remarkable things I've done, ever. And I'm a bit scared, and a part of me wants to go home.

But I'm in a very cool place, to be sure.

I'm in what is considered 'a small town' here, but it looks a lot like most of the large citiies I know in Victoria. It's crazy. There are flashing signs everywhere, bright lights, millions of people on scooters, street vendors.. today I ate pizza with squid on it. I'm serious.

I will mention that I'm no longer a vegetarian. It's impossible, I'm afraid. When I go home again I will be.. but for now it's a bit of a problem.

Today internet was set up in my room. I'm so happy. When I first got here, it was sooo hard, just because I couldn't talk to or contact anyone. But being able to come online makes me feel a bit closer to my friends and family, so I feel much better now.

Maybe I should write some of the things that have happened so far. I think this might be a big entry. Bear with me.

My arrival was a bit difficult. It was a *very* long trip. After everything, it took about 18 or 19 hours to get here; thats after the bus, plane and car ride from the airport.

And I must say, it's just longer when you're freaking out the whole way. 'Why am I doing this?', 'Holy fuck, I'm in Hong Kong; I don't know what anyone is saying', 'I want to go home', etc. It just doesn't help.

I was scared out of my mind. No exaggeration. And when I got here, I cried my first night, because I couldn't phone Luke; well, I could have.. but we got here at 1am Taiwanese time. And my host family was all asleep, so I didn't want to call until I could ask.

The next morning I phoned. That was nice.. I'm hanging onto his voice like a pathetic lovesick puppy. I remember everything he said. I remember how sad he was when I needed to cut off the conversation, and I remember him trying to hide it too. But I can tell; cause he's my boy. ^_^

I have Skype now. I'm not entirely sure how to use it. But if anyone gets an account, I can phone them through that.. and I think I'll get a cellphone when I can too. So let me know if you do.

Anyway.. the first day was SO eventful I couldn't think straight. Firstly, I woke up very very early.. and I didn't sleep much, because of the time difference, being afraid, etc. Yiyi (the woman who owns the school I'm staying at,) took me all over the place. She showed me the temple she prayed at, introduced me to her family, and showed me so many things. Taichung is a very interesting city. The houses are traditional, and so are many of the people. The streets usually don't accomidate sidewalks, and traffic rules are often ignored. Seatbelts aren't required in the backseats of cars, and it's legal not to have a carseat for your children.

Fish is prepared as it is. It's fresh, always. People don't buy that from the supermarket, they usually get it from family or friends, or they buy it from street vendors. Fruits like pineapples, bananas, and kiwis are cheap because they are grown locally.

Water isn't safe to drink. It's filtered, always. You can't brush your teeth with tap water.

Thats kinda sad, but I understand. There are a lot of people here.

We went for a hike in the woods. It was spectacular. Trees were so green it was amazing. The view is gorgeous. I can't even explain it.

I keep seeing fruit I don't know; I ate a banana right from the tree today. It was great. Yiyi keeps giving me food, though. Yesterday was hard because I ate so much that I could barely move. She insists I keep eating, cause she wants to be nice. But I don't eat much to start with. ;_; She's too nice.

They also taught me to drive a scooter. I crashed into a post the first time. They are much faster than electrics.

But I did okay afterwards.

I had this problem with talking to the kids here. Most of them actually speak some English. Yiyi's daughter Nana doesn't. But today I opened up anyway.

I was horrified the first night I was here. But today I feel much better. I'm going to stay up pretty late so I can talk to Luke when/if he gets online soon. I think he probably will.

Today was much calmer; I didn't do much of anything. They brought me a desk and an endtable. I have the net. It's nice. I like having time to myself.

We had pizza today. I got the hawaiian. Mostly because I'm a loser and that was the only kind I recognised, but partially because it reminds me of Luke. Yiyi got pizza with squid on it.

....

I ate said pizza. I don't find it any different than other types, but I find it strange too.

And spagetti apparantly commonly has shellfish in it here.

Mmhmm.

I had a good day. I played with Nana and her cousin. I talked to them, and we drew together. It was very nice.

Now I'm going to chill. Yep.

See you soon,

-Chris

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Friday, June 3, 2005

Wow. Really?
I'm amazed it worked. Apparantly the security on wireless connections at the airport is quite bad, because that's where I am right now. This isn't supposed to be possible, since I don't have a Business or First class ticket, but I'm still here.

Haha.

I probably should be posting this in my other journal.

So far all I've done is taken the bus and ferry to Vancouver. I was really entertained by this. There's this really neato bridge that goes under water instead of on top. And I know this shouldn't impress me, but BY GOLLY it does.

Wow. That would be stupendous if it fell down, hunh? Probably pretty bad, too. Oh well.

I talked to a really nice girl on the bus. Unfortunately, I've forgotten her name. How awesome of me. I feel kinda bad. It's sad, how you can meet someone so nice and then just not be able to see them again. And I know I won't see her again. Thats lame. She's from Ontario too, though. I was sad before she talked to me.

I miss Luke already. I cried last night before he went to work.. and again before I got on the bus.. but I feel a bit better now. I know he wouldn't want me to cry. And I'll see him again soon.

Being able to go online calms me down. I'm such an internet junkie. If this doesn't make me an addict, I don't know what does..

I'm going to study some Mandarin so when I get to Hong Kong for my connection I can ask where my gate is.

Hopefully.

-Christine


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