The Adventures of Menace and Cheddar Bob started with the decision to leave the safety of the bubble at home and travel across the world. We left the comforts of the familiar behind to take on the challenge of teaching english overseas. This is our story....

Monday, December 28, 2009

Best. Monday. Ever.

So this is just a little video of Carrie and I being complete children at Christmas. . .

Our care packages from home have been held in customs for 5 days now and were delivered to our work today. So like mature adults we ran home at lunch, each carrying our 30lbs boxes to rip into like savages. Our families had originally planned a skype conversation on Christmas where we could open our presents together.....a video blog will just have to do.

We love you all and thank you so much for the wonderful gifts. Carrie and I are truly grateful for such thoughtful family and friends and now see just how spoiled we really are!

xo

Sunday, December 27, 2009



After working all day, attending a staff dinner and skyping our family Carrie and I ventured downtown around 12pm...so technically it was Boxing Day celebrations. We left some poor stragglers at home in bed as it had been a long day but everyone knows we don't want to miss out on a little party....it's Christmas time!
Our friend Tommy was playing some tunes at a local bar and we went along to support and enjoy the all you can drink beverage specials.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

A Christmas concert like no other...




These kids are just the cutest!

Scooter



For some reason it took Carrie and I four months to finally get a scooter. We test drove the scooter and paid for it one night then had to return the following night to pick it up. I choose to drive the scooter home as doubling for the first time was not the smartest decsion we could make. This was terrifying to say the least. I had not yet driven a scooter successfuly but now had no choice but to drive on my own, at night in rush hour traffic for 20 minutes to bring our baby home. Mike was kind enough to give me a lift and guide me safely back. He was very patient with me and the whole process. When we arrived to get the scooter it was not ready. For some reason the engine was exposed and a sketchy looking bike was torn apart next to it. He apparently wasn't done working on the bike. Once he was finished he let Mike test drive it. Something seemed a little off....I don't know much about scooters but it sounded different. He then began to fix it again. The old man at the shop was next to test it. They said now I was ready to go. I geared up and got on. As I am ready to entire traffic the light turns green, Mike leads, I grab the throtle and....nothing. Eeeee! I try again....bahh what do I do? I relaize it has stalled and I re-start but the light is now red. I sit paitently waiting for Mike to return having to continue to rev the engine to keep it running. We take the bike back to the mechanics who speak zero english and use charades to desribe the problem. Once again the bike is ripped open and we are waiting. Finally it is finished and off we go again! This time it was a success! I made it all the way home without crashing into anything or anyone! The next day Mike took Carrie and I on a tour around our town so we could be become more familiar with how to get places via scooter. This was my first experience driving with a passenger.... after a scary first right turn it was smooth sailing. After lunch it was Carrie's turn drive. I rode with Mike and Carrie was on her own. We are now both practiced up and ready to rock!!

Nothing is stopping us now!

Famous in a small town

Our first school outing Denise and I went on a 10km bike ride and ended up playing drums with government officials. It was a joke that somewhere we were all over the news. It turns out, we were!One of my students gave me this book and was so excited to tell me I was on the front. This is the cover of a Hsinchu County guide of some sort. Of course it's in Chinese so we can't read it...but now I'm really regretting choosing the au natural look. Now, these are being dispersed in our apartment building. I've always wanted to be a cover girl! haha

Christmas in Taiwan



Denise and I were talking earlier about how sad and depressing Christmas would be this year. No family, turkey, presents, songs...no ugly Christmas sweaters! While Denise was getting down about this I simply turned to her and said "We're not skipping Christmas! We're downsizing!"
Christmas is what you make it and although we couldn't be with our friends and family, we are thinking of you and love you very much!
This year was a slight stray from the norm. New friends to spend it with and new ways to celebrate. Happy Holidays from Taiwan! xo

Twas the season of Christmas
And all through Jhubei
Not a snowflake did fall
No Christmas songs would play.

Our fingers were crossed
Our spirits were held high
In hopes that our packages
Soon would arrive.

Christmas morning came
But our packages did not
Ebenezer Scrooge owns Fedex
In customs our packages were caught.

But Christmas does not come
In packages, boxes, or bows
It is the feeling inside
This is what everyone knows.

Santa did not lose our address
Just a slight delay
The postal service is no match
For Santa's reindeer and sleigh.

Our Christmas dinner was non-traditional
No turkey, pie, or stuffing
But celebrations with new friends
Until the wee hours of morning.

Before shutting our eyes
We turned on our skype
Sent love to our family and said,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Scooterville!

Last night we did it! We bought a scooter! It was exhilarating and terrifying. I was the lucky one to do the test drive to make sure it was up to par. You know, because I'm a scooter expert.
I followed Mike to make sure I didn't die and he said I did okay. Despite the rush hour crazy traffic, just about hitting a pedestrian, almost getting run over by a bus, it was a success! Sale made. We pick up the mean green machine tonight after work.

Pictures and videos I'm sure will follow. Wish us luck!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Episode 19



Introducing Mike and Tommy.

Welcome boys to the adventure!

When In Taiwan...

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Movember



Here is our tribute to all the mustaches around the world and the proud men who wear them.

Harlem Globetrotters in Taiwan

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Miss Madelynn



Happy Birthday to the best niece in the whole wild world!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Are you Superstitious?


Yesterday was Friday the 13th. Most people seem to think this day is unlucky. I think it's just an easy way to blame anything bad happening on this day, to bad luck.

For example:

At lunch I was getting settled and ready to eat some delicious "water soup", moved my bowl and spilled most of the soup on myself. Good thing I was wearing black. And it's a good thing I decided to wear Denise's dress that day! :) Normally I would just call myself and klutz and leave it at that. But, on Friday the 13th, I could blame it on something else!

Example #2:

Denise has a couple 'firsts' yesterday. She drove a scooter for the first time and she dumped a scooter for the first time. Normally we would blame Denise for being a bad driver, but on Friday the 13th, we could blame the day.

So we learned a couple things. Friday the 13th gets a bad wrap and I will be the driver.


Thursday, November 12, 2009

Head Over Heels

In my grade 2 phonics class, we learned about the aw and au sound. I introduced different words, told them meanings, drew on the board or acted them out to help them understand.

Straw, claw, saucer, pause, yawn....somersault.
"Teacher, what is that?" I finally got to put my years of elementary school gymnastics to good use. Luckily we have a padded area in our classroom which made the landing slightly smoother. I forgot how far away the ground is. Even if you're 5'3.

Ah, the things teachers do for kids!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Cheddar Bob Square Pants

Everyone in Taiwan seems to not only know but LOVE Sponge Bob Square Pants!

What I find wildly entertaining is the fact that Sponge Bob lives in the ocean and my very own Cheddar Bob has NEVER even touched an ocean!!!

Our staff field trip this past Saturday was a tour of the North Coast where Carrie had high hopes of finally reaching the ocean and checking it off her life list.....

Episode Thirteen

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

The votes are in! Denise and I are officially winners! We finally got our bank cards from Taiwan Cooperative Bank. They of course say "Winner" on the front. We have to go to the bank to change our pins. Of course the bank is only open until 3 or so. We work till 5. Convenient.

Western Wednesday

The lunch on Wednesdays is the school's take on "western" food and Denise and I always load up on the familiar food choices. This Wednesday was spaghetti and salad. The choice of utensil, not so western. Spoons all day everyday. Or of course, chopsticks.
I'm not sure why the school refuses to use knives and forks though. Is it pride? Is it just pure dislike? Or maybe it's a safety thing. I'm not really sure but I'll tell you this - try eating spaghetti with a spoon. It's enough to make you wanna stab your eye with a...well....spoon.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Magically Delicious


Our new addiction. Melon flavoured ice cream bars. They are creamy, delicious and flavourful. What more do you need? Thanks for introducing us Emily. Please come to Canada!


Inari. The perfect balance of sweet and salty. You wouldn't believe they are made simply out of deep fried tofu and rice. And, from that description you wouldn't believe they are at all good. But, they are delicious. These are available in Canada and pretty much everywhere since sushi has become ever so fashionable. In Taiwan though, they are found at your local 7-11, Always Open!

I think I'm turning Taiwanese...

We've been teaching here in Taiwan now for about 2 1/2 months. I've noticed a few things:

As hand talkers already, Denise and I have morphed into wild, crazy arm flailing machines!

Our speaking has slowed down and we enunciate very, very CLEARLY!

We have made our sentences very simple.
"Very bad!"
"So good!"

To understand completely, please feel free to view the Ms. Swan clip. I'm pretty sure it's an accurate comparison.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a03cOIp5Euw

If you find yourself as a recipient of our new way of speaking, please don't be offended, old habits die hard.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween @ Korrnell

Devil's Night 2009 was one of the longest days of our lives! It started out like any other regular Friday teaching our morning classes. Except of course, we were in full costume. Denise and I are avid lovers of the Halloween Holiday season. We want to apologize for our shameful Halloween costumes this year. We were "one of those girls." Yes, we wore cute dresses with only wings and other accessories. We do have an excuse though...We are in Taiwan! We don't speak Chinese! We don't know where anything is! Our sincere apologies.

The afternoon classes were cancelled because kids got trick or treat to different classrooms. The chant they were taught:

Trick or Treat, Smell my feet!

Give me something good to eat!

Not too big, not too small!

Just the size of Korrnell School!

After school hours came the Halloween games. Teachers set up games in the classrooms and hundreds of kids came around to complete them from 7pm until 10pm. But, I will say, the Pizza Hut pizza at the end of the night made up for the long hours slightly.

Although Denise and I were dead tired, our spirits were high! A party at "The Batcave" awaited us. We had no idea where it was, what it was or who was going to be there. All we knew was there was cheap beer - we were there. We trekked to the party with our new buddy Mike and with Chinese directions (with the help of a Chinese teacher, thanks!). By midnight we had made it. Officially Halloween and officially ready for a good time! We made it home around 5:30am after putting a sufficient dent in the beer tub.

With no concept of time and no one to tell us when it's time to go home...I think we may be in trouble!

Teaching in Taiwan

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Cowboy Coffee

We were recently introduced into a new way of making coffee by our buddy Berma. It's rustic but it works.
Water, check.
Coffee grounds, check.
Boil, check.
Let the grounds settle to the bottom, and you've got yourself some cowboy coffee!
We've never been so peppy!

Define That

Yesterday, in my reading class we were talked about immigrants. We are doing a unit called "Coming to America". (I know - they use American books, it's silly. Try to explain money to them, geesh!) I told them an immigrant is someone who comes from another country to live in a different one. "Like you teacher?" one little boy asked.
Sure, we are immigrants.

Nice Package

Everything here, including coffee, comes individually packaged. It's odd. You buy cookies or coffee or crackers and they come either in a bag or a box. Inside are individual sized separate packages of the item. Inside each of those is a stay fresh "do not eat" package. It's a little overboard. And the students had the nerve to ask me what "package" meant! So I drew it on the board - a donut and/or bagel inside a package. I'm no artist, but they got it.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

KTV 101



Carrie's dream came true!! We finally went to a KTV aka karaoke where you get your own room to sing, drink and rock out in. Where have these been all our lives?!? This KTV (The Holiday Star) was about 15$cdn for 4 hours of tunes, an all you can eat buffet and a couple drinks. Let me tell you, this will not be our only KTV experience.

ps. Emily was totally the star of the night!

Taipei 101

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hilarious Answers

Students had their midterms for reading, math and science this past week and after much grading I thought I'd share a few funny answers. The kids of course can't spell a lot of words because English is not their first language but we usually can decpiher their meaning. Also the lower grades aren't deducted marks for their spelling, it's not really fair.
The grade 2 reading midterm had a story about kids breaking a neighbours window playing baseball. The children in the story had to work at the man's house to pay off their debt and had 3 more days of it. The students were suppose to predict what would happen the next day. A good response being they had to go back to the man's house to work.
One kid wrote: "They broke someone else's window." Not a typical answer but I gave the kid part marks...it made me laugh out loud.

Another question related to a story they had read about a boy named David at school. They were asked how David helped his teacher. Correct answers were: he helped catch a lizard, gave the teacher a napkin, found the teacher's glasses and gave the teacher some chalk.
One student wrote: "He gave the teacher the cock." Now, this student received full marks because I knew that he meant chalk.
I'm not sure what's scarier, that I knew what the student meant or that he received full marks for his answer!

Sugar Hangover




Hello, our names our Carrie and Denise and we are sugaraholics.
It is extremely dangerous to have a big tub of candy next to your desk meant to bribe and reward the children. You inevitably eat it.
With Halloween around the corner it doesn't look like our sugar binge is about to end any time soon. We have felt the effects of our candy munching with sugar headaches and sugar stomach aches. I think it might be time to turn to a much healthier addiction....caffeine.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Another Birthday Shout Out


Happy Birthday Momma!!

Sorry to broadcast your increasing age via facebook and the blog but I just really like birthdays and YOU!

much love!
xo

Sidenote: In Taiwan it is customary for the children to bring treats for everyone in the class on their own birthday.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Someone's Another Year Older!

Happy birthday daddy-o!!! Hope you have a great day and try not to work too hard!
Love you and miss you! I'm sending you a big birthday hug all the way from Taiwan!
xo

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Oh, The Places You'll Go!


Sometimes we all need a boost, a little reminder that who we are and where we are going have a purpose. For anyone who is stuck or at a crossroads. It does not matter whether you stay or leave, you gave it a shot and that is more then so many others can say.

Keep your head up Jamie!!


Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Friday, October 9, 2009

More Heavy Gravy?

This weekend at home everyone is celebrating Thanksgiving. We are here missing out on the delicious meals and great company of friends and family. A Thanksgiving tradition with our family is also the endless Seinfeld references from a great episode. "More heavy gravy?" is said around the table more than once. It never gets old.
Of course the myth that turkey makes you sleepy is a popular one but it is not entirely true. The chemical tryptophan is in turkey but there is more than that which makes us crave a little after dinner nap. Eating huge meals, drinking delicious wine and other alcoholic beverages is enough to make your eyes droop.

So while we are here in Taiwan, (where at our school they do have Thanksgiving dinner, but it is of course the American version), we are thinking of you!

Happy Thanksgiving!!


























Thursday, October 8, 2009

Darla

There is a new addition to the Dixon family! I skyped mom and dad recently and saw the adorable little bundle of joy! I'm not sure if Darla is her official name...but it suits her I think.



Don't you just love her already? I asked mom if she could send her in the next care package...she said no. :( We are one impulse buy away from getting our own puppy. Denise is not good at talking me out of things. Uh oh....

Overdue Updates!

We are bad bloggers. We have been neglecting our duties keeping you updated with our life and adventures. We apologize for any inconvenience or withdrawal this left you with.

The past week started with Teacher's Day! A few of our cute little students got presents and cards for us. There were of course some odd gifts (pork chips, vitamin B?). But it's the thought that counts.

Tuesday and Wednesday was the dreaded open house. Parents of the students came in to our classrooms all day long and watched us teach and interact with their children. It was stressful to say the least but of course we made it through with shining colours!

After that week we were in need of stress relief. Friday night we went out in Hsinchu and had a grand old time! Despite the warning of typhoon Parma looming...we were not going to let that stop us!
Saturday night we headed to a nearby watering hole. Denise and I had frequently passed a restaurant called Water Frog BBQ and wanted to see if it was any good. Well....we were pleasantly surprised! This place had a buffet style of all raw meats, vegetables and noodles. You went and picked out what you wanted to eat and cooked it at your table which was equipped with your very own BBQ! We're thinking of opening up our own at home! (Of course waivers and liability would have to be involved). Being the klutz I am...we had a slight fire that had to be taken care of. Oops! All of this food was only 299NT (or about $9CDN) and we ate like royalty! Another fantastic part about the Water Frog is the beer! One glass....multiple kegs....all you can drink - 100NT (or ~$3 CDN). It was like our very own keg party! We highly recommend it!

Our night ended with a little trip to the local 7-11. We purchased some more beer and watched the sights at the main intersection. Unfortunately my camera was running on it's last juice so I didn't get much of a video. But, a local "gang"? was driving crazy at the intersection. Easily amused? You betcha!

Of course, what would a typhoon warning be without a little earthquake. That's right ladies and gentlemen, we had our first taste of a little earthquake action. Saturday night as we were enjoying our 7-11 beer I all of a sudden felt a slight movement. Earthquake? I guess so....
Sunday night, right before I headed to bed I felt a little shake and the table moved. Survived earthquake #2....whew, that was a close one!

Typhoon Parma definitely didn't hit like it was expected to. It did rain and there was wind but apparently it is always that windy in this area and the rain wasn't overly impressive. We were looking forward to our first typhoon day, well maybe next time!

Please find Episode 7 below for your viewing enjoyment...


Sunday, September 27, 2009

Mini Adventures

September 26, 2009

Carrie and I finally leave the apartment to take in a few tourist experiences. Our school planned a day trip for the new Native English Speaking Teachers (NEST) aka it was free!! haha. Only a few decided to come but it was a still an exciting little day.

Highlights not in the video

Carrie tried some of the traditional Hakka food that I couldn't try because it was looking at me! Her face as she tried to de-shell the giant shirmp was priceless. Also her face after I told her the "meatloaf" tasting dish was squid and random seafood. She was unaware as they chose not to tell us what we were eating but I could see little tentacles in it, suction cups and all. Finally Carrie and two little girls were looking at fish in the pond and as Carrie pointed at one it jumped up out of the water and bit her finger! I would have paid money to see that happen. The litte girls thought it was the funniest thing ever!!


Episode Six

Monday, September 21, 2009

Just another Manic Monday

Monday, September 21, 2009

Monday....the beginning of another week at Korrnell. Luckily, Denise and I have a fairly relaxed Monday to start off our week.
A student who missed one week of class due to illness came back today. I found out he had the swinepox. Not sure if it's related at all to chicken pox but I had my first experience wearing a mask. I didn't wear it for very long though because it's hard to breathe in those! Don't they know it's hot out?

We found out on Saturday we are going on a little excursion with the NEST teachers. We're excited, it should be fun. We haven't done a lot of "touristy" things yet so this will be a nice change.

My care package came today! YAY! Thanks Mom, you're the best!

Episode 5


Friday, September 18, 2009

Shoppin

Sept 17th, 2009

Our fresh food supply was running a little low so Denise and I took a little trip with our buddy Berma to A-Mart. With our bags packed tight and our arms full, we knew we wouldn’t feel like making supper when we got home. McDonald’s it was…Denise had her first taste of the fries in about 3 years. Yes, I tattled.

Just a Wednesday

Sept 16th, 2009

Hump Day! Denise and I finally feel like we’ve started to get into a groove…except they keep throwing things at us. “Oh by the way…do this…by tomorrow.” Gee, thanks for the warning.

Parent's Night...

Sept 10th, 2009

Parent’s PTA evening. Arrived at school around 7:00am to start our day and left around 10:30pm or so. The teachers are expected to make a Powerpoint presentation to introduce themselves to the parents of each classroom they teach in. So, in other words, our nightmare. Parents are very vocal here about their children and their issues. It’s a completely different way of looking at things…what the parents say – goes!

Saturday Mayhem


Sept 5th, 2009

After our first week of teaching we have learned one very important thing…we are not the only ones who have no idea what’s going on. How refreshing…neither does anyone else at Korrnell. The things we do throughout the day are very ritualistic and in no way have anything to do with a normal school day. Korrnell is much more concerned with doing things the same way than doing them the right way or the best way. We were given some wise words of wisdom comparing ourselves to jellyfish. Just float along with the current, nod and smile and don’t ask any questions.

Wednesdays are our monthly NEST teacher meetings. We were told (not asked) that we would be going on a 10k bike ride. Umm, ok? Saturday morning, the one morning we were so looking forward to sleeping in, would be spent biking around Jhubei. It was for the Deaf Olympic Games so how could we say no? The day turned out beautiful and we wished we had showered. We’re probably on the news somewhere here in Taiwan. Pictures were taken left, right and centre. Played the drums with the Governor of Hsinchu!


Episode Three



After that week and our tiring bike ride, we were in high need of some beverages and a night out on the town. We did a little research on Hsinchu county nightlife…turns out, not a whole lot is happening! Found a little bar called “The Flying Pig” and made do with that.


Episode Four

Date Night

Sept 4th, 2009

Movie night. Denise and I stay in for a romantic evening to watch some movies together. We don’t quite feel like we’re spending enough time together so we thought we should stay in. Found a bootleg copy of “The Ugly Truth” on the internet. Shut the lights off, curled up on the couch…good to go!

Day One

August 31st, 2009

Our first teaching day at Korrnell Academy. It was hectic and confusing to say the least. We had no idea of our time table for the day or what we were expected to do. The whole day was in Chinese so we had no idea what was going on. Bilingual school? Really? Alive and kicking though…so we peg it a success.

Teacher Training


August 28th, 2009

Teacher training day. This consisted of telling us about the textbooks, a tour of the school, getting our textbooks (no teacher editions) and hearing what classes we would be teaching. That’s about it. Thanks?

The Zoo

August 27th, 2009

Now that we mastered the Hsinchu shuttle bus, we decided to take a little tourist trip and visit the Hsinchu Zoo. After walking/wandering around for about 1 hour or so…we managed to find the entrance.



Hsinchu (About 32 degrees and very humid)


We were told there was a free shuttle bus that would take us to Hsinchu city. Our apartment is within walking distance from the THSR so we wandered our way in that direction. Everything is of course written in Chinese and no one speaks English. We were on our own. Taking a chance with the only bus with English writing we got on. Thankfully we were successful! We rode the bus to the end of the line, and our hungry eyes spotted a beautiful yellow glowing arch. McDonalds! And breakfast nonetheless. This day is turning out great! Denise broke her 3 year ban on the food.

After our highly nutritious and satisfying meal we roamed around searching for the elusive Dongmen market. We must have stuck out like a sore thumb because a nice stranger could tell we were lost and pointed us in the right direction. The Dongmen “Market” in reality is a dark alley behind stores and buildings. Little old ladies sat on the ground selling fruit, meat, rice and clothing. We bought fruit, as it was the only food we could eat with no utensils. After buying cherries, oranges, bananas, grapes and some other fruit our total came to 541 NWT. We continued to wander around and stumbled across what looked like a mall. Thirteen floors of clothing and shoes later, we found housewares and groceries. Not being able to read 95% of the labels makes guessing what the food is a little game, and trying to cook it quite interesting.

After our first trip we bought:
Chicken
Rice
Soya sauce
Salt and pepper
Noodles
Bread (6 slices)
Jam
Mini croissants
Juice
Eggs
Sushi
A pot
For a grand total of about 1000 NWT

To eat our meals, we stopped at a 7/11 and bought paper plates, bowls, cups, a fruit knife and chopsticks.

Living it up Taiwan style.

The Adventure Begins...

August 19th

Now two blondes along with their little brunette buddy, were on our way. Our flight was from Toronto to LA to Taipei airport. Total travel time averaging to about 22 hours. While being in the air we managed to lose a whole day, arriving in Taiwan on the 21st.

We left Emily back at the airport to fend for herself, and we were swept away with our driver to take us to our school.

We got to Korrnell Academy around 7:30am and got an unnecessary tour of the school. Hungry, tired and sweaty we still had no place to live. Luckily, our supervisor Lee was able to help us with our living situation. Dorms? Apartment? Dorms? Apartment? The closest place to sleep and shower was the apartments. Decision made!

The first two days consisted of a lot of sleeping on our sectional couch. Jet lag is NOT a myth…it is very real, and very long. We had a place to shower and a place to sleep, 2 out of 3 of our problems were fixed. Point us to the food please!


Episode One

The Beginning...


Once upon a time, one brunette and one blonde were sitting in a bar talking about their next step and getting their next beer. The problem: with no money and no real jobs, what were we to do? The solution was so simple of course…teaching abroad!

With our guru Emily on board we knew we were set. The only question remaining now, where did we want to go?

South Korea? Nope Emily has been there, done that.

Japan? Too expensive.

Taiwan? Sounds good to me!

The hardest part of the whole process was convincing ourselves that it was actually happening. After many phone interviews late at night and people changing their minds (Emily!), the night came to book our flight. Talking via phone and msn we had to make sure we booked the flight together. Done and done. The countdown could begin.