Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Posted in Sharing at 4:55 am by YaOmri
It’s very late at night when I am writing this; I can’t sleep. It has been over a month since I flew back to the USA from Taiwan, and just a couple days since I left Germany, my adopted second home. So much has happened these past few months, and so much more will happen in the next few years, it’s hard to believe that just last winter I walked off a podium with a diploma and no idea what to do next. I spent the summer working small jobs that had so little to do with my English/German literature degrees, that my family thought it was deliberate. I watched my friends, all who had confided in me the same loss of direction, go on to pursue Master’s degrees or get married. I was in no hurry to further establish my adulthood by getting in more debt, but at the same time I felt left behind.
I had a vague idea about TESL; in my room was a stack of pamphlets I’d collected from an international job fair at my university. An “international” job appealed to me; I’d long ago decided it was very romantic to live abroad permanently and my boyfriend, a foreigner, only added to that dream. I found the pamphlets in a box and my interest was re-kindled. TESL Express was the first school to pop up on Google and within a few days I was registered.
It’s difficult to adequately describe the amount of luck I had in stumbling onto TESL Express. The school was amazing and I doubt I would have had a better experience elsewhere. Our teacher was rightly enthusiastic about the topic and most everyone there seemed to genuinely care about our interests. Dozens of little things made TESL Express so special for me, like the carefully thought-out curriculum, free textbooks and mini-library, the location (right next to B&O Café), the staff and my fellow students, and even the decor was well done!
I would have been satisfied with that, but halfway into the course I received an email from TESL Express, offering a free two-month stay in Taiwan at its ESL partner school, David’s English Center. I hastily sent in my CV. Surprisingly, they offered me an apartment in Jhong-Li, an hour outside of Taipei, and a visitor’s job teaching English conversation. I would leave immediately after my practicum. I was thrilled—and nervous. I had accepted the offer without really knowing what it was about. I didn’t know anything about Taiwan and less about David’s English, although it shares the same owners as TESL Express. I had never even been to Asia. In the end, of course, my lack of knowledge actually supported my decision to go. When else would I have this opportunity?
Jhong-Li was a different world. It took me nearly two weeks to orient myself, as every street in the city looked identically crowded, but the people were wonderful and thankfully the bus practically went straight to David’s from my apartment. I coped with my glaring “foreignness” by generally ignoring it and, despite the fact that I am semi-vegetarian, I was able to enjoy some really delicious food—food I miss now that I am home!
The students were so generous; I can’t thank them enough for accepting me. They practically did the job for me, asking questions, telling stories, and listening with interest to what I had to say, even if I was saying I didn’t know the answer! Their time with me was voluntary, time taken out of a very busy schedule, and I felt proud watching them improve their speaking skills in a difficult, finicky language. They truly have motivation!
I didn’t get to see or experience nearly as much of Taiwan as I wanted to. Although I had the opportunity to stay, I missed my family in Germany and needed to be near, for a little while.
In a few weeks, I will leave for South Korea on a yearlong contract. I am excited and nervous this time around, too. It’s a much longer commitment, but I have already enthusiastically invited my family to come visit me on the other side of the world. Hopefully, after I finish, I will be able to at least visit Taiwan and David’s English Center, which helped me realize this wonderful opportunity that TESL Express opened my eyes to: the chance to teach English as a second language.
Thanks!
Rachel
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Posted in Sharing at 8:25 pm by Administrator
I woke up this morning and thought my apartment was on fire. There was an acrid smell of smoke and I became keenly aware that there were no smoke detectors. It turned out to be smoke from the Chinese New Year fireworks outside. It was so loud I thought I was in the middle of a popcorn maker. There were so many, and it's not even full blast yet.
The holiday began Friday and the fireworks have been steadily increasing. I walked down the street today and there were "Jumping Grasshoppers" bouncing off the street signs, "Enchanted Garden Happy Monk Frogs" rolling under cars and exploding, "Temples of Happines" scaring the dogs away. My regular coffee shop was closed and there were 2 boys in it's place selling Flying Eagles, Peacocks in Season, Sky Monkeys, Wild Geese, etc. I walk out of there with with a couple Golden Vesuvius's and a God of Thunder…the biggest firework I have ever seen. I'm looking forward to lighting off that bonfire bomb.
The vast majority of business are closed, probably a self preservation instinct! It's the first time I've seen the streets like that. Normally there's things going on all night long. You know, I was kind of sad not have seen the traditional Chinese Dragon Parade. I was in downtown Jhong Li last night and you wouldn't ever have known it was New Years Eve. I know for sure that this first day of Lunar New Year is meant to get together with family and play Mah Jong. Perhaps the party days are still to come, because Chines New Years lasts for more then 2 weeks.
The rain has been very consistent. The north of Taiwan has the cold and rainy weather this time of year. The South is tropical and mild now. If I'm allowed to bring my bike on the train, I'm going to the south of the island for a relaxing bike ride. There are some National parks and beaches that I'm dying to check out. There is one area that I'm nervous about. According to the maps, The Highway dead ends about 8km after it begins. Then it starts again after about 4km and continues all throughout the Kenting National Park. In other words, it's a regular coastal Hwy that has a 4km chunk removed. The Satellite images show that the area in question is a rather beautiful beach. Hopefully I can walk my bike across the beach and climb back up to the road. I think I'll be able to. If it is impossible, then I have to ride through the mountain roads. By the way…It is North South Hwy 26 that I'm talking about, if anyone has any feedback.
Just can't wait to go. Remember the apartments in Taiwan almost never have heat so you can see your breath when your inside. My blanket is huge and unusually thick. Once you get out from under it, the cold is inescapable. I won't be there long enough to buy a heater so all I can do is dream of swaying palm trees on the toasty hot sand.
Bye for now. Will write more later. Sheen neen qui ler…Happy New Year!
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—Joseph Steinman
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Sunday, January 27, 2008
Posted in Sharing at 8:31 pm by Administrator
The English school branch in Taipei had their anniversary dinner party last night. The company parties here are much better then company parties I've been to in America. There was choreographed hip hop dancing. There was also belly dancing which I think is pretty popular in Taiwan, very sensual. The teachers that performed had obviously practiced a lot. We also popped the balloons for prizes, had drinking games, played twister, a guy was singing a playing guitar.
The food was great. Peking duck – which is my favorite food of all time, crab with salad, mushroom soup, sausage slices, I think maybe even shark. Everything was delicious. The students and teachers at both the Jong Li branch and the Taipei branches are all good people. Lots of interesting conversations. I met a person who I had already met on Alki beach 2 or 3 years ago. Wild!
After dinner I went to the biggest club in Taipei with a few of the other teachers. There were D.J.s in 2 separate rooms, both of which were packed. It was super loud. When I ordered a drink, I couldn't even hear myself and I was yelling…but the bartender served it right up. He must have known the ancient Chinese secrets of super hearing… Watch out! We had a lot of fun. At the end of the night we passed a drunk driving checkpoint. They didn't bother me this time. I like the concept of the checkpoints because drinking and driving used to be a big problem. Traffic in Taiwan is insane enough as it is. Cars drive on the right side of the road. There will be sections where, with some bizarre method, the cars in both lanes drive on the wrong side of the road. Somehow, it all seems to work out.
Yesterday afternoon, the students took me to Taipei. We went to a couple of malls and electronic stores. There are some pretty cool phones that I want now. We found a street vendor selling all kinds of Chinese and Japanese antiques. There were bronze spear tips that were two thousand years old – not museum quality but interesting. I'm glad I didn't have a few thousand U.S. dollars on me because I would have walked out with some very impressive Samurai swords, statues, vases. I loved it, the students were not too thrilled though. The most beautiful thing I saw were these three pieces of driftwood that looked like a post modern sculpture. I wanted to buy it but when I asked the price – they were more expensive then the swords. Almost one thousand dollars U.S.
I've been snooping around Jhong Li looking for a really good Thai food place. The Director took me to a place that is owned by a former student. I'm officially in love with Taiwan. I was so happy with the food that I tapped on my plate with chop sticks. That is a faux paux in Taiwan. She told me the belief is, if you make noise while your eating, then you will become a beggar. Indeed the very few beggars I've seen on the island (two), have had pots and pans and where banging them like Jon Bonham.
A question that I get a lot lately, and with concern, is how do I like Taiwan. My response, of course, is that I love it. There are few negative things for me to deal with and they are not that bad. People tell me that their first month in a new country was their hardest time. For me, it's like the natty dread song goes, Everyday is Just a Holiday! That may stop, but I'm hopeful not for a long long time. It will depend on if I'm granted my work visa. I don't see why I wouldn't get it, but I'll be much relieved when I do. I should know in about 10 days or later.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Posted in Sharing at 7:25 am by Administrator
Yesterday I went to Kaohsiung, South of Taiwan. I rode the bullet train with the top brass of Davids. They were checking the progress of the construction of another Davids English Center. The progress seemed to be going well. I noticed that in Taiwan and Japan the construction is noticeably sturdy. For instance when you walk up a flight of stairs, it's perfectly solid. Zero creaking and when you step down its a thud, like your stepping on a boulder. The ceilings commonly have hidden light effects. Sometimes you see lights hidden under the table tops, shining down. And the front desks themselves are beautiful. The feel of the interior spaces are tastefully brought together.
The new school will be officially open after the first of Chinese New Year although there are already a few students that are taking lessons now. The demand for English instruction is like wild fire. If anyone is seriously thinking about teaching English please contact me. I promise you won't be sorry. You'll have an attractive standard of living and easily pay your student loans off.
Anyway the climate in Kaohsiung is super sweet, at least in the winter. They say all of Taiwan is sizzling hot in the summer. Kaohsiung is south of the tropic of Cancer, which basically means coconut trees grow there. We hung out at the beach and the sea breeze was sweet tasting, you know that balmy, salty, tropical sweet taste of the ocean air. Very refreshing and healthful. I liked the city as well, the roads were roomy so traffic flowed smoothly. I think I even saw sidewalks along the roads, it's been a long, long time since I've seen a sidewalk.
I haven't spent very much time in Taipei so it's hard to compare the two cities. Taipei in the north, is the largest. Kaohsiung is second largest, about 215 miles South. It took 90 minutes by high speed train, and we made at least 6 stops along the way. Having a system like that really simplifies things, I really hope that America is bold enough to build something like that so people aren't forced to drive all the time. I returned to Jhong Li late at night, just as the Drunk Driving checkpoints were in full swing. The police stopped the taxi I was in and asked to see my Passport which I didn't have. I wanted to ask the cop if I was being detained and for what purpose. But I just kept quiet and they let me go after about 2 minutes. No big deal, besides the cops here all know Kung Fu.
We had our School Anniversary on Saturday. All the teachers and staff got together and ate fancy Chinese food. Terrific seafood, there was roast fish, lobster and sea slugs. I ate my share of sea slug. I'd never heard of sea slugs before. They looked like a sausage or kielbasa and the texture is very soft like jello jigglers. Not bad. It's the weirdest thing I've had…so far.
The next day we wend to a Meow Ling in the mountains to pick strawberries. The weather finally behaved for a change. The whole town is a monument for strawberries. We picked a box of ripe, juicy strawberries each. The farmers were definitely proud of their crops too because not only did I have to pick them, but they charged me about $12 U.S. for my box full. It was fun and pleasurable to do that. We went in the town later and I got the point pretty soon. Strawberry sausage, strawberry cookies, strawberry egg rolls, strawberry tea, strawberry shaped balloons and hats and toilet paper. I looked for the hot girl strawberry wrestling pit but couldn't find that. I bought 6 little bottles of strawberry wine for special occasions.
Last Wed. I went to Taipei for a few hours to visit one of the administrators. I wound up at a foot massage place with her and I received one of the most relaxing treatments ever. First, they asked me to put my feet in this tub of "hot" water. It was more simmering then hot, like they were preparing my feet for dinner. I had to go to a safe place within my mind and concentrate on a peaceful floral meadow landscape because my feet were in wretched torment. "Is that too hot" they asked…."no, it's fine – thanks" I said. A foot massage in Taiwan apparently includes your shoulders, neck, and head. I'm not going to tell them what the English word "foot" means because then a foot massage would just be too expensive. Overall it was blissful. Funny enough, a violent Harrison Ford movie that was silently playing on the enormous flat screen T.V. People were getting tossed off buildings and beat up in the movie. All this playing in a feng shui like atmosphere with running water and incense while people are lounging in robes getting professional massages.
Hey thanks for your feedback everyone. Talk to you again soon
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Posted in Sharing at 9:04 am by Administrator
The last few days have been incredible.
The other day, a few students from Davids and I went to a Go Cart track. The go carts at this particular place where unlike any go carts I've been in. They were big and fast, and the track itself was hella bad. It was similar to a supercross track, made of dirt and having crazy ramps and obstacles. You won't find anything like that in the U.S. for $6 for 10 laps. Total deranged fun.
I went to a western style pub and met a bunch of other English Teachers. Only myself and two others were from the U.S. All the others were from Canada, England, and South Africa. It was a rowdy, charming, raucous birthday party. Good times, I'm definitely looking forward to partying with them again. They had a ton of great advice like, don't drive a scooter. Then they proudly show me their scars.
Earlier in the day some of the students were telling me to stop whistling at night. I was lit up on coffee and whistled a tune absent mindedly. They said when you whistle at night, the ghosts can hear it and will follow you to lead them to the afterlife like obedient dogs. It's a tough habit to break and it was funny to see their reactions when I kept doing one in a while! They said something that was very striking to me about ghosts. The general idea is this; if you live with a lot of regret in your lifetime, then you will not go to heaven or hell but remain lost and confused in the natural world and become ugly and repulsive ghoul. People believe strongly in that here and some claim they can see ghosts with second sight. If you whistle at night and ghosts follow you, they will occupy your house. If that happens, you have to make an agreement that they hide, and don't show themselves while you are home. When you come home, you have to knock on your own door to give the funky ghosts a chance to hide!
Yesterday I visited a neighborhood with, a long time resident as my tour guide. We visited a metal smith who was making tiny bolts with a huge metal lathe. We also met a chicken cleaner, very good at her job. In her shop, a metal frame held 3 full sized road cones. She would cut the throat of a docile chicken and stick it upside down in a road cone for a few minutes. Next it would be dipped repeatedly into hot water with a machine similar to a paddle wheel on a river boat. Then she would toss it into a modified washing machine with lots of stiff rubber fingers and then… flip the switch. I had to stand back because splashing water and feathers and crap was flying around like it went into a fan. And it was loud too. Surprisingly, when she pulled it out, it was perfectly without feathers and bruises. Very impressive.
We ate at a typical Chinese place serving pot stickers, steamed vegetables, boiled peanuts, tofu, and eggs. Sooo good. Upstairs the owners were putting the finishing touches on a karaoke bar. I destroyed a few songs: Oh Carol, Diana, Let It Be, 500 miles, and House of the Rising Sun. Maybe a few others, the people clapped only out of politeness!
It was the same day of elections. People were very charged up and lighting off fireworks. We went to a beautiful pedestrian bridge to a historical part of Taiwan. They sold expensive lacquered wood furniture. We did all that because my bike tire went flat and we couldn't go for a bike ride which was the original plan. Forget about finding the correct size tube for my American Bike. It was funny because the tube was "Made in Taiwan". The bike mechanic didn't think that was very amusing. At the end of the day it was super windy. Windy like coming from an angry place in the earths mind – kind of scary
Today was awesome. 4 students and I met up around 9 this morning, after breakfast we went to this wild building. I don't know what it was, a temple, mansion, or what. The students didn't know either. I think it was the creation of a eccentric millionaire. The bottom floor was normal like an apartment, complete with the obligatory half dozen mangy dogs. We checked with the residents to make sure it's cool that we were there. Then it was a spiral staircase to a M.C. Escher style place. Staircases EVERYWHERE. Mind boggling! There were staircases build right on top of more staircases – not kidding. It was a freak show. Everything was concrete, it was very windy outside but the structure did not flex or anything, totally solid. It had wooden roofs, but it was open on all sides. Whatever it was, it was being remodeled, so it was both very old and new at the same time. It was so strange and different then anything I've ever seen. I'll attach pictures next time.
For lunch we went to a fish restaurant. We picked out our fish from a large live tank full of the biggest carp I've ever seen. They came from the reservoir in Taiwan. Our small fish weighed 4.2 KG. Theyserved it in 5 or 6 courses and they were all great, including the fish head soup. Whoever said carp are not good to eat was simply wrong. It was delicious and there is a lot meat in a 9 Lbs fish.
Then we went bowling, played pool, batting cages, blah blah blah. We ended the night another Karaoke bar and I sang the same songs as before. I'm sure I'll sing those songs many more times because that's all they have in English. Thanks for making it to the end, I'll write more later.
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