We’ve got some construction going on at the kindergarten this week, so this morning when I walked into the building there was sawdust covering the floor and I couldn’t hear my co-workers over the noise of pneumatic tools being used to construct a small stage. In other words, it finally seemed like the sort of place where I would work ( Read more... )

Are you ready for the super exciting story of my Thanksgiving ( Read more... )

I bought a new toy, isn't it pretty?


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Tonight I went to a blues festival with Sandy, another English teacher at my school.

The beer was cheap, the smell of barbecue was in the air, and the music was fantastic.

Just one more song, we kept saying. We can only stay for one more song...


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My kindergarten kids were so adorable on Halloween that I want to just devote the next few weeks of blogging to pictures of 3 yr. old Taiwanese kids in costumes. But I'll just give you a small sample of the Halloween cuteness.

You want to learn English, do you? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!


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My plan for today was to go to the "Roots and Shoots Animal Parade" in Taipei with Amy, an English teacher from Iowa who I met at a party last weekend, and her boyfriend. The parade was to raise awareness about protecting Taiwan's animals, and Jane Goodall was there. Unfortunately, we didn't quite make it to the parade but we did get to see most ( Read more... )

I've been in a brighter mood lately, so I felt a little optimism was in order. Here are some things that make me happy here, in whatever random order they pop into my mind ( Read more... )

My pet and companion for the last 12 years died yesterday. I knew it would probably happen when I was in Taiwan, but it's sad to think I'll never give her another belly rub. Farewell Scannon, you'll be missed.


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There was an earthquake in Taiwan last night. Apparently it measured 5.9 on the Richter scale in parts of Taiwan, but was only about a 2 in Taipei. Just a gentle swaying here in my 3rd floor apartment. Still, it was definitely a new experience for me!

In Taiwan it is the custom to never wear shoes in the house. Most people leave their shoes outside their door and have slippers that they wear inside. I usually remove my shoes when I go into my apartment as well, after all things stay cleaner and it's more comfortable that way, but it's not that important to me so now and then, for example if ( Read more... )