How to reach Heidi

I think that some people are wondering how they can best contact me while I’m in Taiwan.

The number one BEST way is to use Skype.

Skype is a multi-functional program. First, you can contact me for free by simply downloading the application and sending a call to “heidibriones”. It’s as simple as that. I’m usually online if I’m at home. This is the best way to talk to me because it’s free for both of us. Second, you can buy some Skype minutes and call my international phone number. It’s really really cheap to make these calls. I mean 3 cents a minute cheap. Third, I may eventually get a Skype-in account where you can call a U.S. number which will forward to my cell phone.

Electronically, you can e-mail me at heidibriones@gmail.com. You can comment on my blog (which I really appreciate! Keep them coming). You could even join my forum at heidibriones.com/forum.

Please check my blog for frequent updates. They will be more frequent as I’m getting used to my schedule and becoming more comfortable teaching. I love being a teacher and I love living in Taiwan!

P.S. – Will someone PLEASE help Grandma set-up her Skype account? I left her a headset and everything. Uncle Leo? Dad? Aaron? Someone?

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The Three R’s and America

So, I’ve been teaching a massive unit on recycling to my mid-level kids. Their ages are 11-14.

Some highlights:

Reading the Conversation Comic and acting out the superhero “The Recycler” with the kids.

“Hey guys! What’s the matter?”

“We wanted to go to the park but there is this big trash heap in the way!”

“Hmmm… Sounds like the Litter Bug…. This looks like a job for…..”

I dramatically exit the room at this point and come back in as I say….

“The RECYCLER! REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!”

Then all the kids exclaim….

“WOW! It’s the recycler!”

I also get to sing The Recycle Song with actions.

“R-E-C-Y-C-L-E! Earth is home to you and me! R-E-C-Y-C-L-E! Pick it up! Use it again”

I guarantee that many of you would pay money to see me to do this. And if you would, please come to Taiwan immediately.

I also asked my kids to brainstorm some things that could make out of old bottles, string, paper, etc. One kid named Peter was so excited to tell me what he thought of making from some old paper.

“TEACHER! TEACHER! I KNOW!”

“What Peter?”

“AN ANT! HAHAHAHA! So small!”

One of my other classes is doing a unit on America. Their reading book is about a Taiwanese boy who goes to live in Seattle with an American family. I have to ask them reading comprehension questions.

“What is different about America and Taiwan? How are the people different?”

“EYES!”

I open my eyes really wide and say, “LIKE THIS?”

“No, no! They are blue!”

“Well, some of them are but many people have eyes that are brown or black just like yours. American has many different kinds of pe… ”

*Blank stares*

“Nevermind… So, how is the food different?”

Anyway, overall, teaching is pretty great. It’s getting easier but I still spend a huge amount of time grading homework and quizzes. Oh, and I finally received my A.R.C. and I’m an official resident of Taiwan. I’ll get my national health insurance card soon as well. But that is all terribly boring. I will write again when I have something to say.

Picture Time!

The following are some random pictures that I’ve been taking lately… Enjoy:

A plant from a park near my apartment.

There is supposed to be a typhoon coming in this shot…

So, I taped my windows.

Uh, oh… Now it looks like a storm is actually coming… it turned out to be a normal storm and not typhoon worthy.

We went to a hot springs where people cook their eggs next to the springs.

This is the group that went on the adventure.

We went for a hike afterwards.. Be careful monkey!

A shot of the start of our trail.

Stephen is taking fancy pictures on his camera

Here I am at the top of the hill that we hiked.

We found some weird toy and played on it.

Bollywood! Note the Native Americans in front of the Indian restaurant. Hilarious.

A few difficulties

One thing that I immediately noticed upon arriving in Taiwan was the huge language and culture barrier. This may seem obvious but I didn’t realize how much I took for granted in the U.S. until trying to live my life in Taiwan.

A few examples of difficulties:

• Ordering a pizza from Domino’s (Picture me trying to explain that I only speak English right off the bat “EEENG-YUNG, ENGLISH!”)
• Trying to find a DVD player in the huge technology store NOVA (I had to have someone write the location in Chinese so I could show other Chinese people in an attempt to locate it. By the way, I found it and it was really cheap and very nice)
• Walking around the city (People drive INSANELY. There are traffic laws but they are more like suggestions. Plus, scooter dodging is a sport in its own right)
• Taking taxis. (You have to have the address in Chinese. I carry around my Chinese address in my pocket at all times)
• Making friends (Do you speak English? THANK GOD! You are my new best friend)
• Being American (Americans are truly a weird species in the scheme of the world. The differences between English speaking countries are amazing. I’ve been spending all my time with a South African and a British guy. Everything is “Cheers!” and “Do you fancy a bite to eat?” Quite amusing to me)
• Using public restrooms (They are often squat and drop style toilets. I really miss the ability to sit down in public restrooms)

Also, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I know A LOT more Spanish than I thought I did. I often find myself thinking of how I would communicate certain things in Spanish rather than in Chinese. I feel as though I’m a million times more intelligent now than I was when I arrived. Not to toot my own horn but it’s not easy to adjust to a new country, learn how to be a teacher, and figure out different ways of communicating non-verbally. Not to mention the English knowledge that I’m gaining. Anyone care to quiz me on the Past Continuous tense?

For your viewing pleasure (or disgust) I leave you with an example of a “squat and drop” public toilet. Try not to be too grossed out.

Computer is on a hiatus

I am typing this from a friend’s computer as mine is currently broken. It’s a long and somewhat frustrating story. It started a few months ago with a fruitcup that was not properly disposed. The fruitcup somehow made its way into the workings of my laptop. Then, months later, I move to a humid climate during typhoon season. The rest of the story involves small insects, the dislocation of keys at 1:30am, and some crying. But regardless, I am going to try to make my way to the technology district tomorrow in order to attempt to remedy the situation. Sorry if my updates are few and far between until I find a resolution to this matter. Thanks for all your comments! They keep me going.

Teacher, where do you come from?

The idea of being a foreigner is definitely something that I will need to get more comfortable with. Walking down the streets of Taichung City, I am a foreigner. Sure, I’ve had people give me weird looks before but never on such a consistent and predictable basis.

For example, I taught the most adorable group of children the day before yesterday. During the break, I was getting ready for the next part of my lesson while facing the whiteboard. I turn around and there is a group of ten students surrounding me. They stare at me for a while before figuring out some questions to ask me.

“Where are you from?”, said a tiny little girl named Candy.

“I am from America”, I replied.

“OH, OH! USA?”

“Yes, yes. USA”

“REALLY? Wow.”

Another girl named Jenny comes up and starts touching my hair. The following exchange occurs.

“Do you like my hair?”

“Yes… It is… Rock!”

“Rock and Roll?”

“Yes, yes. Rock and roll.”

“Is it crazy?”

“No, it is beautiful!”

“Aw, thank you. You are so sweet”

It’s funny because I feel like I am existing as an F-list celebrity. The Taiwanese think I’m cool but they are not quite sure why. The beauty of working with young children is that they are not afraid to admit their curiosity and to ask the questions that everyone else is thinking. I’m getting really into teaching because the children possess a work ethic and discipline that is lacking in the United States. Plus, I can see that even after one day, I am having an effect on their lives. It makes me want to strive to be the best possible teacher that I can be for these intelligent and curious children. I know I will succeed.

The city of Taichung is beautiful and the people are often friendly. Some locals have attempted to talk to me on the street. Honestly, their English is terrible but it is much better than my Chinese. In a sort of Chinenglish, we can sometimes get our point across.

I will leave you with a view of my apartment in Taichung (pronounced Tai-JUNG). I hope you enjoy the view as much as I do.

Hey, it’s Taiwan outside!

I’m adjusting to being in a completely different environment. The best analogy that I can think of is that of a video game that you have never played. As a novice video game player, you’re not quite sure what to do and it can take you time to figure out the rules of the game. This is much like living in another country where you do not speak the language.

So far, I can say “I want water”, “I want this one”, “Thank you” and a few other necessities. I’ve purchased clothes, a cellphone, and began looking for an apartment. However, the previous activities were with the help of a Chinese speaker. I’m beginning to understand the term “culture shock”. To me, it is when your brain is on constant overload because nothing is the same as your normal environment.

However, I’m having a great time and I’m learning a lot. I begin teaching a full load of classes next week. I’m currently training at my branch in Taichung City. I love Taichung City so far as it is MUCH more dry the capital city of Taipei. It seems like it rains much less and it is far less crowded.

However, when I wake up in the morning, it is still Taiwan outside.

Temporary update from Formosa

Wow. I have been so incredibly busy. My brain is working overtime while living in a new land. Some tidbits that I will drop on you before taking off.

You cannot flush toilet paper in most places in Taiwan. You have to put it in the trash in the bathroom. This is because the pipes are old here and cannot handle the toilet paper.

7-11′s are everywhere and everything is very inexpensive and convenient.

Food is great thus far. It’s cheap and tasty. Sometimes I’m not sure what I’m eating but it doesn’t change its taste.

I have to take off to breakfast unfortunately. But I have been taking lots of pictures and videos which I will share soon. Thanks for all your e-mails and kind words. They are highly appreciated and I’m excited about sharing this new adventure with all of you.