Bees probably have similes comparing themselves to me; I've been doing mad-crazy work this week. Consequently, I have a backlog of things to post, but no time to post them. Sorry for micro-blogging.
Today, I'll move from the hostel to my own apartment. Then, I'll spend a few days cleaning with bleach, buying some essentials, and making the space my own. Then, I'll spend a few days without internet.
Thennnnnn, I'm gonna post things things like it's 1999.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Apartment
I signed the lease for an ohhhh so sick apartment. I got a killer deal: 7000NT (230USD) a month. I'm also lucky because housing isn't the easiest to find in Donggang - lot's of places are at capacity.
I move my two backpacks of stuff into my giant apartment Sunday so expect pictures then.
Short term, I'll probably put baby powder on the floors and slide around wearing only tube socks and underwear. Long term, I hope to find a roommate or put up a couchsurfing offer because wasting space is uncool.
I can't wait to show everyone the view from the rooftop.
I move my two backpacks of stuff into my giant apartment Sunday so expect pictures then.
Short term, I'll probably put baby powder on the floors and slide around wearing only tube socks and underwear. Long term, I hope to find a roommate or put up a couchsurfing offer because wasting space is uncool.
I can't wait to show everyone the view from the rooftop.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Long Day
Today was a loooonnnnggggg day.
I was up at the crack of dawn and on a bus for my new school in Donggang. In the morning, I watched a couple of the foreign teachers' lessons. Then, I taught some classes so the administrator and principle could evaluate and critique. There will be much more of that throughout the training period. Chicken curry, rice, and cabbage soup for lunch provided by the school. Free lunch = awesome.
After lunch, I had to get pictures taken for the multitude of documents that will be processed in the following week or so. The first of which was the physical examination from today. Cost: two photos, $50USD, and a test tube of precious blood and plasma. Benefit: I got to do a little scouting and was impressed with the nursing staff, mostly young and cute. I hope they live in the city.
Afterwords, more paperwork at the school.
The day ended with apartment hunting. The school administrator also helps foreign teachers find housing in Donggang. Today, we looked at two housing options.
The first was a huge apartment. Three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, and two mini-balconies. It was somewhat furnished, ie., a couch, some chairs, a bed that looked like it came straight out of a telo, drawers, a refrigerator, and cabinets. I told Vivian that it was way too big for one person.
The apartment manager mentioned three Latter-day Saints living on the 4th floor interested in another roommate. I politely said, "No fucking way!"
Next, I looked at option two, the suite. The suite is a dorm room. It had a bed. No kitchen, no refrigerator, and a shared bathroom. This is the more economical option, but frugal as I am, I don't want to live there for a year. It was dingy, even by my exceedingly low standards.
Ideally, I'll find a studio or one bedroom apartment with a kitchen. Unfortunately, I get the impression that housing options are one extreme or the other.
I asked Vivian to call and ask about the rental rate of the first apartment. Hopefully I can justify the higher cost to avoid the suite and Mormons.
I was up at the crack of dawn and on a bus for my new school in Donggang. In the morning, I watched a couple of the foreign teachers' lessons. Then, I taught some classes so the administrator and principle could evaluate and critique. There will be much more of that throughout the training period. Chicken curry, rice, and cabbage soup for lunch provided by the school. Free lunch = awesome.
After lunch, I had to get pictures taken for the multitude of documents that will be processed in the following week or so. The first of which was the physical examination from today. Cost: two photos, $50USD, and a test tube of precious blood and plasma. Benefit: I got to do a little scouting and was impressed with the nursing staff, mostly young and cute. I hope they live in the city.
Afterwords, more paperwork at the school.
The day ended with apartment hunting. The school administrator also helps foreign teachers find housing in Donggang. Today, we looked at two housing options.
The first was a huge apartment. Three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, and two mini-balconies. It was somewhat furnished, ie., a couch, some chairs, a bed that looked like it came straight out of a telo, drawers, a refrigerator, and cabinets. I told Vivian that it was way too big for one person.
The apartment manager mentioned three Latter-day Saints living on the 4th floor interested in another roommate. I politely said, "No fucking way!"
Next, I looked at option two, the suite. The suite is a dorm room. It had a bed. No kitchen, no refrigerator, and a shared bathroom. This is the more economical option, but frugal as I am, I don't want to live there for a year. It was dingy, even by my exceedingly low standards.
Ideally, I'll find a studio or one bedroom apartment with a kitchen. Unfortunately, I get the impression that housing options are one extreme or the other.
I asked Vivian to call and ask about the rental rate of the first apartment. Hopefully I can justify the higher cost to avoid the suite and Mormons.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Bravo, Display Designer
I am not versed in advertising, but storefronts placarded with Chinese convey zero information to me. Thus, I rely on visualizations quite a bit more than I would stateside. I like this one.
Particularly, I think this display is effective because it elicits an emotional response and also a direct link to the product.
I saw this and was instantly transported from sidewalk to cockpit. The mental shift from pedestrian to pilot in command widened my eyes, perked my brows, and put Kenny Loggins on repeat in my skull while I visualized blue skies. Even if I wasn't a pilot, I know I would look at those instruments for a second and think, "I could do that!"
Then I start to think about how important those instruments are. And what they do? This is where, for me, emotions start transferring to the watches. How could I possibly fly a plane without an altimeter, attitude indicator, or engine gauges? How can I keep time with anything less precise than a Bell & Ross watch? This watch provides a direct link to badassness (think Iceman and Maverick) even when I'm not tearing up the skies.
This display does more for me than most. For example, pictures of food at a restaurant leaving little to the imagination - it's direct, and I get it - fair. Others, not so much: a scantily clad schoolgirl and air conditioners? Yeah, I'm thinking, but not about air conditioners. If anything, that advertisement transfers to the babe I just walked past, re-incarnated as a schoolgirl, and mindfu...yeah, you get it.
The watch display just totally nails it, and I can appreciate that.
I saw this and was instantly transported from sidewalk to cockpit. The mental shift from pedestrian to pilot in command widened my eyes, perked my brows, and put Kenny Loggins on repeat in my skull while I visualized blue skies. Even if I wasn't a pilot, I know I would look at those instruments for a second and think, "I could do that!"
Then I start to think about how important those instruments are. And what they do? This is where, for me, emotions start transferring to the watches. How could I possibly fly a plane without an altimeter, attitude indicator, or engine gauges? How can I keep time with anything less precise than a Bell & Ross watch? This watch provides a direct link to badassness (think Iceman and Maverick) even when I'm not tearing up the skies.
This display does more for me than most. For example, pictures of food at a restaurant leaving little to the imagination - it's direct, and I get it - fair. Others, not so much: a scantily clad schoolgirl and air conditioners? Yeah, I'm thinking, but not about air conditioners. If anything, that advertisement transfers to the babe I just walked past, re-incarnated as a schoolgirl, and mindfu...yeah, you get it.
The watch display just totally nails it, and I can appreciate that.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
What I'm Drinking
I had to try it...
It exceeded my expectations, however, was only 20% juice. Flavored sugar water never disappoints.
It exceeded my expectations, however, was only 20% juice. Flavored sugar water never disappoints.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Decision Donggang
After plenty 'o deliberation, I decided to accept the position in Donggang.
I think I was hesitant because larger cities have a certain allure; being an urbanite is sexy. I say that because I grew up in a very small town. Aside from visiting my parents and seeing old friends, Chilton, WI has nothing to offer me - the routine of life there is pretty stagnant. On subconscious level, I equated Donggang with my hometown, and that made me cringe. After talking to a few friends, I realized it was an awful comparison and my aversion to Donggang was more emotional than rational. Donggang will be plenty stimulating and more congruous with my goals on the island. I am happy with my decision.
So, yeah. Job hunting is officially over. Time to start the process of obtaining a work permit, finding housing, and planting some roots. Wooohoooo !
I think I was hesitant because larger cities have a certain allure; being an urbanite is sexy. I say that because I grew up in a very small town. Aside from visiting my parents and seeing old friends, Chilton, WI has nothing to offer me - the routine of life there is pretty stagnant. On subconscious level, I equated Donggang with my hometown, and that made me cringe. After talking to a few friends, I realized it was an awful comparison and my aversion to Donggang was more emotional than rational. Donggang will be plenty stimulating and more congruous with my goals on the island. I am happy with my decision.
So, yeah. Job hunting is officially over. Time to start the process of obtaining a work permit, finding housing, and planting some roots. Wooohoooo !
Kaohsiung vs. Donggang
I have spent most of yesterday and today agonizing over whether to take a job in the smaller town of Donggang, which is an hour bus ride south of Kaohsiung. Donggang is a harbor city most well known for fishing. Population is ~50k.
Pros of Donggang :
Pros of Kaohsiung:
** I would be relatively isolated living in the small town. That means a lot less distraction. It would be my Walden Pond, and I could really focus on self-improvement: reading, studying, and new hobbies like surfing or paragliding on the weekends. At my core, I am a party animal. I know my own limitations and would probably not be able to choose studying over swilling beer and chasing tail. Obviously, living up to higher pursuits would be easier with the latter far removed.
*** Bigger cities have more stuff. More stuff to eat, see, and do. This aspect worries me a little.. What good is the freshest seafood in all of Taiwan without a talented chef? I would be leaving behind Museums, restaurants, and a myriad of other venues. You find talent in big cities. End of story. However, thinking about all of the things giant Kaohsiung has that tiny Donggang doesn't is somewhat unfair. Perspective: after four years, Minneapolis still had a lot of things I hadn't done. It's time consuming scouring a city and taking advantage of everything there is to offer. I think it's a situation where ambition exceeds time constraints. If I didn't cover all the ground in Minneapolis in four years, why should I expect to here with the addition of a language barrier?
**** Lastly, I also think cities are cultural epicenters. There are museums, theatres, and orchestra halls. Again, not so in the small town. But how much would I appreciate a play I couldn't understand? I think eventually, I'll be able to check these things out when I have a basic grasp on the language. When I do, I'm an hour bus ride away.
I am clearly leaning towards moving to the small town. I just need to convince myself. It's not easy when everyone in Kaohsiung tells me to stay here. They even try to find jobs for me with a sense of exigence. Will I regret this six months from now because I'm bored and lonely? I don't know but feel like I should try and find out.
More pragmatically, it's where I have a guaranteed job.
Input? Much appreciated, comments please.
Pros of Donggang :
- Few English speakers would force exposure to Chinese *
- Distraction-free environment for self-improvement **
- Cheaper cost of living
- More coconuts
- A nursing school
- Seafood capital of Taiwan
- Closer to Kenting (scuba diving, surfing)
- Ferry city for Liouciou Island
Pros of Kaohsiung:
- More resources, conveniences, talent and opportunity ***
- Higher salary
- Cultural epicenter ****
- Nightlife
- A really cute girl from Poland
- A few universities
- Huge network of foreigners
** I would be relatively isolated living in the small town. That means a lot less distraction. It would be my Walden Pond, and I could really focus on self-improvement: reading, studying, and new hobbies like surfing or paragliding on the weekends. At my core, I am a party animal. I know my own limitations and would probably not be able to choose studying over swilling beer and chasing tail. Obviously, living up to higher pursuits would be easier with the latter far removed.
*** Bigger cities have more stuff. More stuff to eat, see, and do. This aspect worries me a little.. What good is the freshest seafood in all of Taiwan without a talented chef? I would be leaving behind Museums, restaurants, and a myriad of other venues. You find talent in big cities. End of story. However, thinking about all of the things giant Kaohsiung has that tiny Donggang doesn't is somewhat unfair. Perspective: after four years, Minneapolis still had a lot of things I hadn't done. It's time consuming scouring a city and taking advantage of everything there is to offer. I think it's a situation where ambition exceeds time constraints. If I didn't cover all the ground in Minneapolis in four years, why should I expect to here with the addition of a language barrier?
**** Lastly, I also think cities are cultural epicenters. There are museums, theatres, and orchestra halls. Again, not so in the small town. But how much would I appreciate a play I couldn't understand? I think eventually, I'll be able to check these things out when I have a basic grasp on the language. When I do, I'm an hour bus ride away.
I am clearly leaning towards moving to the small town. I just need to convince myself. It's not easy when everyone in Kaohsiung tells me to stay here. They even try to find jobs for me with a sense of exigence. Will I regret this six months from now because I'm bored and lonely? I don't know but feel like I should try and find out.
More pragmatically, it's where I have a guaranteed job.
Input? Much appreciated, comments please.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
What I'm Eating - Raddish Squares
My standard breakfast:
The white squares are [phonetically] lo bo gow. They are made from Daikon and rice puree. Their taste is crisp and fresh but more mellow than biting into a radish - could be the addition of rice. Anyhow, the puree is formed into squares, dried, and then grilled.
The green things are [phonetically] jee-ow bing. Bing is popular as a breakfast food and it's basically a crepe / scrambled egg combination. The "jee-ow" part is what signifies the green color - I think the addition of green squash into the mix. The owner of the hostel suggested that this may be a special recipe because dan bing [you guessed it, phonetic] is more popular.
Dan bing is white and pictured here with lo bo gow :
I prefer the green one because of a crispier texture and the squash adding a more-than-flour flavor. The details of "What I'm Eating" posts will improve as I learn Chinese.
The white squares are [phonetically] lo bo gow. They are made from Daikon and rice puree. Their taste is crisp and fresh but more mellow than biting into a radish - could be the addition of rice. Anyhow, the puree is formed into squares, dried, and then grilled.
The green things are [phonetically] jee-ow bing. Bing is popular as a breakfast food and it's basically a crepe / scrambled egg combination. The "jee-ow" part is what signifies the green color - I think the addition of green squash into the mix. The owner of the hostel suggested that this may be a special recipe because dan bing [you guessed it, phonetic] is more popular.
Dan bing is white and pictured here with lo bo gow :
I prefer the green one because of a crispier texture and the squash adding a more-than-flour flavor. The details of "What I'm Eating" posts will improve as I learn Chinese.
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