Obligatory Thanksgiving Post

Although I can’t have a real Thanksgiving celebration, it doesn’t make me any less thankful for everything that I have in my life.

My Grandparents: I’m thankful for my Grandma and Grandpa who have done everything for me. I would not be who I am today without them. Your sacrifices are infinite and I love you so much that it hurts. I only hope to make you more and more proud.

My Dad: Thanks for always being a voice of reason in a world of chaos. You’ve helped me level my head many times and I won’t forget it.

My Mom: For showing me where my creativity, imagination, and lively spirit come from.

My Uncle Leo: I don’t know how to begin to thank you but I appreciate the kindness and love that you have always shown to me. It means the world.

My Aunt Martha: For encouraging me to travel and explore the world and all its wonder.

The rest of my beautiful family: I could go on individually for hours but I just want everyone to know that I appreciate the support through everything in my life. You’ve been there for me since I was a little baby, a curious young girl, and a moody adolescent. It does not go unnoticed and I love you all in very unique and special ways.

To my friends: Thanks for all the support, the laughs, and the memories. Although I don’t get to see many of you all the time, you are in my heart and mind. Thanks for always trying to keep in touch. For my new friends, thanks for being so amazing and being so kind and open during this time of great change. I hope we will always stay close and in touch.

To everyone else who may read this: Take some time to thank someone today. Not only does it feel good but it’s also good for human morale. We have to lift each other up in order to keep the earth spinning. I love you all. Happy Thankgiving from a silly California girl in Taiwan.

What’s up with the trash, Taiwan?

There is never a morning that goes by where I’m not awakened by the sound of Fur Elise coming from the streets of Taichung. Some Americans might be tempted to run outside for the ice cream man. In fact, I think it may just be a cruel joke that the Taiwan government plays on Americans living in Taiwan. If I were to run outside in anticipation of a sweet and cold delight, I would be gravely disappointed.

The sound that has become my alarm clock on many a morning is actually the garbage truck. Yes, the garbage truck plays music. Ice cream truck music even. But this isn’t even the worst part of trash in Taiwan.

There are no public trashcans . Seriously. There are virtually none except for the measly ones that you will find in front of 7-11′s (which are a WHOLE ‘nother story entirely).

This leads to people either having to hold onto their trash until they get home or throwing it on the already polluted streets. It doesn’t seem to phase anyone but I started to ask my Taiwanese friends about it.

“What’s up? Why are there no trash cans in public?”, I asked as I tried to figure out if it were some sort of cultural difference that I’m not keen to.

“I don’t know. I can’t answer that. It’s a big problem”

Hmm… It appears that I’m not alone in this sentiment. A little research shows that the public opinion is that insufficient public trash cans are a huge problem. So, what’s the deal Taiwan? How hard is it to put out some public trash cans and have them properly disposed of? I can deal with the Fur Elise and even the burning trash thing but I really need something to properly dispose of my Zen Zu Ni Cha. Work on it.

Being a Teacher

So, I love being a teacher.  It’s tough, it’s trying and it can really get to you sometimes but overall it is very rewarding.

However, I’ve been feeling a lot of work related pressure lately.   I have only been teaching for three months but I’m really frustrated that I’m not a better teacher yet.  Yes, I know that it takes time and yadda yadda yadda but I feel like I have the natural ability and the drive to be better than I am currently.

The tough part about teaching in Taiwan is that you are constantly being scrutinized based on performance.  You are subject to frequent (if not daily) observations by both Chinese teachers and your direct managers.   Sometimes these observations can affect your pay raise or even your job status.  What’s tough about teaching for an established school with a set curriculum is that the the material may not always make sense to the teacher.  You are forced to teach lessons that are poorly put together or ill-explained in your teacher’s manual.   I suppose it’s better than coming up with your curriculum but sometimes I wonder if I couldn’t do a better job if everything wasn’t quite so rigid.

Teaching ESL is also difficult in itself.   You must constantly think of new games and ways of challenging students while also keeping them interested.   Many times, students will have no drive to learn the second language and you have to create that drive through consistent praise and effective stimulation.   None of these things are easy tasks and especially difficult for the new teacher.

Despite all the difficulties that you face as a teacher, if you are truly a TEACHER then you find that will to move past your obstacles.  You find a will to grow, to change, to adapt and to progress.  Just because one holds the title of teacher; does not make one a teacher and does not make one no longer a student.  I  hope I can remember to always be a student of life and to take this as an opportunity to grow not only as an educator but also a human being.