Christmas Fail

I can't say that I didn't feel like sobbing out loud this morning when I had to wake up at the ungodly hour of 6am. And not just because it's so damn early and so cold, or the fact that The Fiancé was still in a deep snooze in our cozy bed, totally oblivious to my early morning pity-party. Yes, all those things make my bottom lip quiver as well, but mostly because it's Christmas, and I had to head out to work like it's just some normal day in May.

No matter how much I complain and wallow in self-pity though, Christmas isn't, and probably won't ever be, a public holiday in Taiwan. Even though many foreigners get the day off work, some of us still need to punch the clock like any other day. So, please enjoy Christmas Day with your loved ones, you don't know how lucky you are. I would give ANYTHING to be with my family today! At least I finish work at 4:30pm and can spend the rest of Christmas Day with The Fiancé. 

Don't feel too bad for me though, get back to your festive cheer, presents, ugly Christmas sweaters, food and family. I'll just be over here, chasing after a bunch of unruly 7-year olds who has no idea why Teacher Liesl isn't smiling today...

Merry Christmas! 

Day 83 – A picture of something that makes you feel accomplished

Chances are pretty slim that you will have ANY idea what these two pages are, and why they make me feel accomplished. Allow me to explain.

As most of you know, I'm going on vacation soon, and I'll be gone for almost a month. That means that when I get back to Taiwan, the new school year will start and I have to be ready to start teaching my classes again.

Thus, the two-page check list of things I have to finish before leaving for vacation. I'm proud to say that I've finished all my preparation for next semester, and I'll have a sound mind on vacation, knowing that all my work is finished and everything's ready for me when I get back.

Let me tell you, it feels great to have finished all this work. It took me many many hours in front of the computer, creating lesson plans, worksheets and other teaching materials. But it was totally worth it! Man, there really are only a few things in life that can give you as much satisfaction as checking things off a list. Am I right?

Day 81 – A picture of a place you went today

Oops, I didn't post a photo yesterday. Please forgive me. It was Sunday and I was just way too lazy to do anything more than eat and nap.


So this is a photo of my office at work. As you can see, there are six seats, but no people in them. Everyone's already on their summer breaks, but I'm only leaving this coming weekend. So I have the office to myself, and I'm busy preparing for next semester.


Not that exciting, but this is where I'll be spending most of my day, and then I'll run some errands and go back home.

Did you go, or are you going, somewhere interesting today?

Dumplings or diapers?

If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I've been contributing as a weekly columnist on LAFamily.com's "Life After College" section.

This week's article is about all the life changing decisions you have to make after graduating from college. My first big decision was whether I would stay in South Africa to be a teacher, or move to Asia to teach English. Read the article, Dumplings or diapers, and please rate, "Like" and share it!

Don't forget to check out the other "Life After College" articles, too! What has been the biggest, life changing decision you've had to make after leaving college?

If you'd like to share your story of what life after college has been like for you, you can email LAFamily.com's editor, Michael Soll (editor@lafamily.com) for the opportunity to be a guest contributor.

8000 Miles from Home

Last week, I had my first article, Small Town Girl in the Unknown World, published in LAFamily Magazine. It's been extremely exciting for me, and the support I've received from family, friends and strangers have really warmed my heart.

I'm delighted to announce that my second article was also published in the magazine yesterday. This week, I wrote about what it's been like moving 8000 miles away from my home, my family and my friends in South Africa, and starting from scratch in a foreign country.

You can read the article, 8000 Miles from Home, and don't forget to rate it, "like" it and leave a comment if you so wish.

Once again, I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone who has shown me nothing but love and support as I've taken on this new endeavor. It means the world to me.

Top 10 Tuesday: Things I love about living in Taiwan

When I tell people I've been living in Taiwan for four years, I'm usually greeted with strange looks and then comes the questions; Why have you been here/there so long? Don't you miss your family? How long are you planning to stay?

Personally, I love living in Taiwan. The Boyfriend and I have great jobs which we love, I have amazing friends, and generally I just really enjoy my lifestyle here. Yes, of course I miss my family back in South Africa, but it's not possible for me to live the life I want to, and which I've grown accustomed to, over there. We are truly happy here, and are not planning on leaving any time soon.

Here are the top 10 things I love about living in Taiwan:

1. Convenience

Anyone who's ever set foot in Taiwan will know what I'm talking about. You don't have to walk far before you hit a dentist's office, a doctor's office, a hairdresser or a 7/Eleven. (Which, by the way, they should have called "24/Seven", because it's open all the time!). Also, you can basically do everything at a 7/Eleven; buy food, drinks, makeup, magazines and all the other usual convenient store stuff. But you can also pay your bills, buy phone credit or Skype credit, do banking, buy concert tickets, pick up parcels and buy alcohol 24/7.

2. Public transport

Talking about convenience, in Taipei City there is no need to own a car. Buses, taxis and the MRT (Taipei's subway) can take you anywhere you need to go, and it's super affordable.

3. Respect for teachers

In most countries, my experience is that society looks down on teachers. Not in Taiwan. Here it is a respected profession and when I tell a local person I'm a teacher, they admire me like I'm a heart surgeon.

4. Safety

Not once in my four years here have I felt unsafe. (Not counting the creepster that followed me on his bike to my work one day. But I think he was just intrigued by the blonde foreinger...) Taipei City has 24/7 surveillance cameras all over the city, so I guess people are less likely to commit a crime. Also, owning a gun here is illegal, and drug smuggling is punishable by death.

5. Efficient public services

Even though I can't speak Mandarin, going to the bank, post office or the doctor is a pleasure. I've found there is always someone that's eager to help the foreigner. People know what they're doing in their jobs, and things just get done here.

6. Ease of traveling

Taiwan is a great place to travel from, especially if you want to see as much of Asia as possible. Destinations like Hong Kong, China, Korea, Japan, Philippines and Thailand are only a hop, skip and jump from Taiwan.

7. Different cultures

The culture in Taiwan never seizes to amaze and amuse me. It's just so different from my home country, South Africa. Also, people from all over the world come to Taiwan to teach English and to study Mandarin, so throw in all those cultures as well, and it makes for a very interesting combination.

8. Low cost of living

Most teachers in Taiwan can make a decent salary. And like I said, there's no need to have a car when you're living in Taipei, which means no car payments or petrol. Also, food is relatively cheap, healthcare services are a steal and you can get a nice apartment for a good price. Which means, there's lots of money left for recreational activities.

9. Variety of things to do

There's really something for everyone here. Lots of movie theaters, shopping centers and restaurants for indoor entertainment. And then, for the outdoor enthusiasts, there are numerous options for weekend activities. Hiking in the mountains, going to the beach, visiting famous sites like Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, numerous hot springs and Kenting National Park. 

10. Free Wi-Fi

Last year the government launched a free wi-fi program in Taipei City. Which means that on many buses, at the airport, at bus stops and on some subway trains, you can go online for free. Yes, please!

As you can see, it's a pretty awesome place to live. Why wouldn't I stay?

I got published!

What an exciting week! The online magazine, LAFamily posted one of my articles today, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Right now, I'm one of a bunch of columnists that will be writing for LAFamily magazine for a few weeks, and later on the readers' favorites will get to carry on contributing to the magazine's Life After College section.

My first article is called "Small Town Girl in the Unknown World" and it's about my journey so far after graduating from university; from a normal small town girl from South Africa, to traveling the world and now calling Asia my home.

Please check it out, and click "like" if you do like it. Also, please rate the article, leave a comment or share it on Facebook or Twitter. Your support means the world to me. Just follow this link, and tell me what you think.

Top 10 Tuesday: Things I'll teach my child(ren)

No, I’m not preggers! But being an elementary school teacher, and dealing with all types of rascals every day, I’ve been forced to think about how I would raise my kids one day, and what type of person I want them to grow into.

Dear future child of mine

To avoid you being that kid at school that all the teachers despise, and to ensure that you grow into a respected individual, I’ve created this list of guidelines, or tips if you will, that will help you on your journey of becoming the best possible person you can be.


1. Treat others how you want to be treated
Yes, it's that simple. Always be considerate of others, and how your words or actions might affect them.


2. Be independent
No one has respect for a lazy, dependent moocher. Stand on your own two feet, and learn how to take care of yourself. Earn your own money and have pride in your work.


3. Be yourself
Don’t follow the crowd. Always listen to others’ opinions, but make sure you have your own. Be true to yourself and what makes YOU happy. In the words of Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”. 


4. Take care of your mind and body
Make sure you exercise regularly, take pride in your appearance and eat healthily. (But never deprive yourself of anything, you will be very unhappy.) "Balance" and "moderation" are the key words here. 


5. Respect others, but most importantly yourself
If you don’t respect yourself, no one else will. Have high standards for yourself and know your worth. Second best is not good enough for you if you know what you deserve. Never lower your standards to accommodate someone else in your life.


6. Find your passion
Out there in the world is something that you will be passionate about. Don’t stop until you’ve found it. When you do find it, spend your time learning more about it, practicing it, and enjoying it.


7. Be positive and thankful
No one wants to be around Negative Nancy or Debbie Downer. Yes, the world can be a terrible place, but try to always see the positive in life, and find solutions to problems instead of dwelling on them. Be thankful for your blessings.


8. Give second chances, but not third
We’re all human and we all make mistakes. Forgive and forget. I know some mistakes are bigger and might be unforgivable, and you will have to use your own discretion. But, never give third chances. (see #5) If that person really cares about you, and value you in their life, they wouldn’t screw up again.


9. Surround yourself with enthusiastic, positive and inspirational people
Some people will build you up, make you better, or at least inspire you to be better. But unfortunately, there are the ones that will drag you down and drain the life and soul out of you. That said, never leave a friend behind, not if you haven’t tried everything possible to help them out. Avoid jealous, superficial and pretentious people. Don’t waste time and energy on people that don’t treat you right. That precious time is for the ones that you love and care about you, the ones who feel the same about you.


10. Travel as much as possible 
Traveling is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Nothing else can ever make you learn more about yourself, and make you grow more as a person.  "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page" (St. Augustine)

Day 50 - A picture of your most frequented place

The school where I work

I guess my most frequented place would have to be my workplace, wouldn't it? I’m there for nine hours every day, five days a week.

I teach English as a second language at a public elementary school in Taipei, Taiwan. I’m one of those freaks who enjoy going to work, because I think my co-workers are awesome, and my students, well most of them, are adorable.

My job is a little different than most teachers’. I don’t have a traditional classroom, but instead teach in real life scenario classrooms. We have a restaurant, hotel room, airplane cabin, supermarket, clinic and even a movie theater.

Students in Taiwan don’t get that many opportunities to speak English, so here we provide them with an environment where they can practice the English that they are already familiar with. As you can imagine, it’s a lot of fun teaching in this setting and sometimes it doesn’t even feel like work.

Supermarket

Airplane cabin

Hotel room

Hotel lobby

Traffic zone

So that's my most frequented place. What's yours?

Day 49 - A picture of where you live

For almost four years, Taipei has been my home away from home. I came here originally to teach for a year, and that year turned into a year and a half, and that turned into indefinitely. I fell in love here, not just with this place, but also with The Boyfriend. Taiwan has been good to us and we are very happy living and working here.

Taiwan is a great place to live. People from all over the world come here, most of the time to teach English as a second language, which is what I do. I would probably have never met so many people from different countries if I didn't grab that chance to move to Asia.

My favorite thing about living in Taipei is that it's really a very interesting place, especially if you can't speak the language and get by mostly with charades and pointing at things, and that you never know where the day might take you. I love the public transport system here, and that there's always something fun going on. Also, I like the fact that I can travel around Asia easily. 

Sometimes I can't believe where I live. Here I am, just a small town girl from South Africa, doing my thing in a huge city in Taiwan. But I love every second of it and wouldn't have it any other way!

20 Things I'm thankful for

 Even though I'm South African and don't celebrate Thanksgiving, I like the idea of sharing what I'm grateful for this time of the year. I have too many blessings to count, but here are the top 20 things I'm thankful for.

Top 20 Things I'm thankful for: 
(in no particular order)

1. The Boyfriend - How lucky am I to have met the love of my life. He is kind, generous, loving, my best friend, and the person I want to grow old with. I'm very thankful that he loves me just as much as I love him.
2. My family - I'm truly thankful for my amazing, supportive family. There is so much love and laughter, and if I had to choose a family myself, I would definitely not have it any other way.
3. My friends - Having friends from all over the world is a huge blessing. Even though I can't see all of them often, I carry them around in my thoughts and prayers every day.
4. Excellent health - I can use all my senses, my legs, my arms and my brain. I'm very thankful for physical and mental health. And not just for myself, also for my friends and family.
5. Traveling - I'm fortunate to be able to travel regularly and I couldn't imagine a life without being able to see the world.
6. My job - I can honestly say that I love my job, and I'm so thankful to be able to walk into work everyday, getting to be creative and happy, and to feel proud of my work.
7. Internet - I need to thank the World Wide Web for giving me so much. Not only can I stay in touch with friends and family around the world at the click of a button, I can also get any information I need in less than 10 seconds.
8. Food - I'm thankful that I get to go to bed every night with a full belly, and that I never have to worry where my next meal will come from.
9. Water - This is often taken for granted, and I'm thankful that I always have access to fresh water, and that I can swim in the ocean.
10. Digital cameras - Thanks to digital cameras, I will be able to share so much of my life with my children and grandchildren one day. 
11. The future - I appreciate the fact that I can dream about the future and that almost anything is possible. I'm thankful that I will be able to get married one day and be able to have my own children.
12. Humor - In a world filled with hate, violence, war and crime, I'm thankful that humor still exists.
13. Technology - It makes my life so easy and convenient. We have smart phones, that can basically do anything now except our laundry, internet, airplanes, iPods, TiVo and the list goes on.
14. Taiwan - Taiwan has been very good to me. I'm thankful for always feeling safe and free and that I'm able to work here and have a good life. 
15. My childhood - Whenever I see an elementary school student here in Taiwan, walking home after public school, additional English classes, violin class and science class at 8pm, I'm so thankful that I got to finish school at 2pm and got to play sports and with my friends for the rest of the afternoon, and then spend some quality time with my family in the evenings.
16. Books - Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and I'm very grateful that I can visit the bookstore often and buy amazing books.
17. My dogs - I'm very thankful that I grew up always having dogs in the house. Currently, my dogs are very old and living with my parents in South Africa. They still bring me lots of happiness though.
18. My apartment - With all the crappy apartments in Taipei, I'm very grateful that The Boyfriend and I found an apartment that is perfect for us and that is our little sanctuary here in the city.
19. Seasons - I love the fact that the seasons change every three months. I can't imagine living somewhere where the weather is always the same. 
20. Music - Music is always there for me, no matter what mood I'm in.

I would love to hear what you are most thankful for.

Day 19 - A picture of a letter

For the past 3 years I've been an English teacher in Taiwan. During this time, I've taught in an elementary school, a senior high school, and I've tutored adults and children. I'm currently teaching at an elementary school in Taipei City, and I absolutely love it.

I've received many adorable letters from students during my time here, and by adorable I mean very sweet, mostly misspelled and often incomprehensible. This one was the latest, and was still lying on my desk this morning. I think all the English teachers got the same letter, and I suspect that their Taiwanese homeroom teacher wrote the original.

As it's the end of the semester and also the end of the school year, I received this letter from the grade 6 class last month, inviting me to their graduation. Please note that I am not in charge of teaching grammar. I'm only here for conversational purposes.