Monday, June 27, 2005

Leave me alllooonnneee
I think the one thing I miss most lately is my complete inability to have any time to myself.

One thing that I find interesting about being out here is how busy everyone is. Everyone is *always* busy. If you aren't, the people around you will assume you're bored, and you will be taken somewhere to do.. something. I probably seem really lazy to them, with my enjoying sleeping in on Sundays and wanting to simply stay indoors when it's hot.

I like doing nothing! I'm lazy! Not all the time, of course, but on occasion...

Another unusual thing I've notice is that we never seem to eat at home. I have had one meal at the house since I moved in here a month ago, and that was thought to be unusual. I'm not sure if it's because Yiyi simply dislikes cooking, or if this is commonplace. It might be rude to ask, so I've decided to flat out not.

In any case, I've been busy. I'm only teaching two classes now, both adult level. My beginner kindergarten and elementary levels start next month. The advanced elementary class starts in August. I'm a bit disappointed by my lack of hours, but Yiyi has offered me substitute classes once she finishes training me. This training isn't really 'learning to teach' so much as learning how Taiwanese children learn. I'm still mildly offended every time she asks me if I know how to teach elementary now. I know what she means, but it just doesn't sound right.

I spent $112 Taiwanese at the 7-11 today. This concept horrified me until I realised that I'd only spent about $3.80 Canadian. Not bad for ten packs of instant coffee and something to eat. I'm a bit surprised by how much bread costs here, but.. everything is different everywhere.

I really miss my coffee pot. I also miss instant food thats really really bad for you, like pop tarts and sugar cereals. I know it's awful, but there's just something that makes me feel all happy when I have a chocolate pop tart. My stomach doesn't agree, but we can't all be friends.

To get past my whining... I went to a barbecue yesterday. Taiwanese barbecues are very interesting. They cooked something like, six or seven fish, three full chickens and corn on the cob. Beer was also served. This is a bit different than what I'm used to, but still really fun. I have no idea what this one guy was saying to me the whole time, but he seemed facinated with talking endlessly to me in Chinese. Every once in a while I'd nod, as if I understood, and say 'ah'. He seemed pretty nice though. Yiyi assures me that he was putting the moves on me, but he wasn't doing very well for someone who I didn't understand.

I think that's really funny.

Aferwards, I went to Yiyi's kindergarten class. They were graduating. It was very cute. I have pictures, but my batteries in my camera are dead. I don't know how to ask to buy them yet from the 7-11, since they're behind the counter, so I need to wait until I figure out how to get to another store where I can just kinda nod and hand the money to someone.

I shop for everything at the 7-11, because if you spend $60 Taiwanese, you get a Hello Kitty magnet. Thats about $2.35 Canadian. I have six magnets now. I really only go to the 7-11 so much because it's cheap and it's sorta like something I recognise from home. I'm a pathetic person sometimes.

Anyway.

At the Kindergarten graduation, I met another native speaker. He teaches English at Yiyi's school, and his name is Eric. I found him to be quite obnoxious , but apparantly everyone else thinks he's very funny. Maybe thats what I need to do. Act more obnoxious. Sure.

He asked me if I wanted to go out with a bunch of other English Teachers. I'd love to, but I really dislike bars, and I know thats where I'd end up.

Since I can't drive and don't know my way around, I hate the concept of being stuck somewhere I don't know. I know if I went out it wouldn't exactly be safe, and I have no idea who is his! Also, he's obnoxious. And really loud!

I was happy to see that the girl who had cracked her head open had still gone to the graduation. She seems to be doing well. Good news.

I'll post those pictures as soon as possible. I need to go get ready for my adult class now.

Oh. Since I was asked, but haven't answered yet... I teach Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for Adult level, currently, from 8pm to 9:30. I'm really not working much. It's troublesome, but I wasn't supposed to work at all this month, so I guess it's not too bad.

Goodbye, then.

-Chris
Current Music: Kiss! Bang!- Komatsu Ayaka

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