The 'Joy' of Teaching

After arriving in Taiwan on Friday morning, I've spent the last couple of days trying to adjust to this new way of life. My new home, Taiwan. Still rather jet lagged, I have yet to have a full 8 hours of sleep which makes things even more difficult. I spent the weekend getting to know my new life, the life of a girl name Sarah who is moving to New Zealand to be with her boyfriend whom she has only spent one night with. I say I'm taking over her life because well, to be honest I kind of am. I've moved into her room in this three bedroom apartment which is on the 15th floor of a complex in Jhongli City. I'm mentioning the floor because if you recall one of my facebook post from when I was here previously, you will remember that I was in not one but TWO earthquakes. I was in John's 3rd story apartment and felt the shake of the quake quite nicely so one can only imagine what it will be like when I first experience one from the 15th floor.

Aside from the apartment, I have taken over Sarah's job as well and purchased her phone/phone number from her. So I suppose you should just call me Sarah from now on. Just kidding. Currently, I am sitting in the apartment as she frantically finishes packing after arriving home from a night of craziness at 9 am this morning. At least that is one thing I can say I will NOT be taking over from her. My latest night thus far has been 1 am and not because of partying. John an I were reading and watching T.V.

(It's been a few days so...now it is Friday the 18th of December)

I've now been working at the Joy Cram School for 4 days. How can I describe to you exactly what it is like....oh,I know...BABYSITTING! Yes, I'm getting paid $600NT and hour to babysit children from the ages of 8 to 11 for up to four hours a day. Not exactly what I had in mind. A cram school is basically a private English school that the children come to AFTER their regular school day hours. They typically spend from 3-8:30pm 'learning' English. So what do I do with them? Usually the teacher gives me a handbook with a particular unit they are learning. For instance last night one of the classes and I worked on words such as bat, bet, pick, peck, and kiss. I have no idea how they come up with these units because to me, they have no rymnn or reason. We play games such as duck duck goose, heads down thumbs up, danger island, and so many more. I'm trying to figure out what my purpose there is. Since it is predominately Taiwanese teachers teaching them English, I suppose they want a 'real' native English speaking person there so he kids can hear correct pronunciation as well. Overall, it's not a bad gig. I mean, it's nice to know that I'm bringing in a little money right off the bat. I'm in the process of finding more work. Maybe private lessons or a kindy (kindergartners).

Aside from work, it's pretty darn cold here right now. Like SEATTLE cold. Thailand is just around the corner though and so is warmer weather. John and I leave on Feb. 4th and return on Feb. 19th. We are thinking of spending some time in Thailand and then Cambodia. My roommate Carrie said Cambodia is unreal. I'm not sure what I'm more excited for, the beaches of Thailand or going to Angkor Wat.

Tonight we are going to KTV and a Love Motel. So, before you let your mind go into the gutter, the Love Motel IS what you think it is. A big hotel where people can rent a room to get it on BUT it is also a place groups of people can rent a room to party and hang out. There are rooms with pools and hot tubs so THAT is what we are doing. Karaoke and Love Motel. Oh KTV is a big building full of rooms that people can rent out to go Karaoke. Strange I know. But you know they say...when in Rome...