Life in Taiwan

2009-06-10T05:24:00.010+08:00

The agony of defeat. Well more than that really. Evan's boat fell apart during the race - someone did step on it before the race because he didn't put it in a safe place like I suggested. But he loved his boat.

Students made their own "sail" boats out of recycled materials for fun science . They used about 9 or so 40 minute periods and worked in small groups.

In my class, students had a lot of freedom and ownership of their boats. I gave them guidelines and materials. They could also bring in their own materials. I made sure their design would at least float. It was a great experience although a bit hectic at times managing a class full of second graders pretty much in free mode while building their boats. My two classes ended up winning 8 out of 11 prizes including fastest and most environmentally friendly (the same boat).

It's interesting that some teachers chose a different philosophy and made the boats for the students. Their boats were nicer than ours, of course, but I don't think their students had much fun or took ownership of the boats.

Some winners below. I love teaching.

States of Matter \ States of Mind

2009-05-22T05:40:00.007+08:00

What is inside the balloons? Matter? Yes! Molecules? Yes! Gas? Yes!

What's inside my mind? I'm trying to decide what to teach next year. I'll be staying at the same school but I have the choice of teaching the same students in 3rd grade or starting with a new group in the 1st grade. I have taught my current students since 1st grade and know them well. It would be exciting to see them grow and progress in the 3rd grade.

However, I won't teach science in the 3rd grade. Students in the 3rd grade on up are taught by science teachers. I love teaching science to 1st and 2nd graders. I put in a request to teach 1st grade but I still have some time to change my mind. I'm uneasy about my decision though.

Busy

2009-05-19T06:48:00.005+08:00

I'm into the third week of the Master's program. Really busy. Lot's of reading, message boarding, journal writing and projects. It's going fine though, just taking up most of my off time.

Last Sunday we did leave the house around 5 am and went stone hunting for a half a day. Nice. I brought the computer and books and got some studying in too. Not only that, we found, or Annie found around 90 stones with the metal in it. That's what we're looking for. About 17 of those were the size of a half-dollar or New Taiwan $10 coin. Nice. I found two. My eyes really haven't tuned into what to look for. Her's have.

I'm still not sure what the metal is in these stones or even know what type of stones they are. Some of the stones in the river also contain iron. Little nodules of iron are rusting through the stone. I'm told the shiny metal could be zinc or bronze.

More research is needed.

Fun Science et el

2009-05-14T05:13:00.012+08:00

Our 1st - 3rd grade "Fun Science" projects are to build boats and race them in the swimming pool. The parameters are you should use recycle materials, they must float and catch wind from the fans and most of all students should have fun! (Only one boy was unhappy and had trouble getting along in his group.)

There are two philosophies of boat building going on.
1. Student-built boats assisted by teacher.
2. Teacher-built boats

My classes built their own boats out of mostly recycled materials supplied by me and brought in by them. Their boats are "unique" and look mostly like barges but they do meet the parameters. They were very creative with their designs not missing out on important things like the Hello Kittie view area, the swimming pool, sleeping quarters, drivers and many other amenities... I made sure they float. The design contest is next Tuesday and the boat race is next Wednesday.

et el Really busy with classes these days so less blogs, less golf, less a lot of things. Loving school though. Thanks to my two UH Hilo on-line experiences - science and children's literature - I'm familiar with on line learning.

Masters Program

2009-05-06T06:27:00.003+08:00

I've started a Master's program in Education. MaED in ESL. Yikes, back to school. It's a lot of work, of course, and it's only the first week. It will be worth it as the masters should make me a more valuable commodity in the education world both here and in the US. It really is a lot of work. Did I mention that?

It's through Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. The program is 36 units long and only for those with teaching credentials. The course lasts 2 months. I'm starting six units. It's a lot of work. The summer program is 8 weeks long.

I hope to graduate at the end of next year.

My classmates are mostly "older," women and ex-military. Many spent time in Iraq and most have older kids. I only saw one other male name.

Well, time to watch a lecture.

Polishing the Stones and Disaster...

2009-04-29T06:28:00.012+08:00

Last Sunday we went to James' factory and worked at polishing the stones that we found during our two outings of rock hunting. The stones need to be polished to bring out the Taiwan jade and the metal. I'm not sure what the metal is but it could be zinc or brass.

After polishing we drill a hole in the stone so it can be worn around your neck.

There is one more step. We need to heat and wax the stone. This is where I made my big mistake. I heated the stone for too long. I put it in the oven for 15 minute and the Taiwan jade turned brown. the metal also dulled. I''m bummed. The stone you see sitting on the cardboard is so much more beautiful now than after I stuck it in the oven.

Apparently, I misunderstood and should have only put it in the oven for a few minutes. We'll polish it again this week and see what happens. Bummer.

Making Yogurt for Darwin

2009-04-22T06:38:00.008+08:00

To celebrate Charles Darwin's 200th birthday anniversary the school decided everyone will make yogurt. The students had a great time although only a few of them actually ate it. Some parents tossed it right away because they they were worried about disease. I understand that. But it was still fun.

I ran into one of my students at COSTCO on Saturday. In class he usually speaks very well but in COSTCO he couldn't say anything in English.

This is not the first time that this has happened. I think it's very common in Taiwan. Students only can speak English in school or in a classroom situation. Outside of that something happens and they lose it.

The government recognizes this problem and is building an "English" village. The idea is to loosen student's tongues by immersing them an an English atmosphere.

2009-04-19T21:04:00.009+08:00

We went on another day of rock hunting. This time we left home at 5 AM. It's a good time.

We ate breakfast fixed by the lady below. Then we went searching for a place.

This is part of Taiwan I really love, as you can see.

What you don't see is the garbage being tossed into the river - by some of the aboriginal people who live here.

Nice, just like the rest of the world.

This river has few or no fish. It's something about the water being clogged with a dark soil. It is and it's natural. However, I thought the lack of fish could be due to the dam down below. It may have exterminated a salmon or trout like speices. Just a hunch.

Sunday Golf

2009-04-13T06:52:00.009+08:00

Yesterday was a "real" golf day. After ride back with Annie from Changhua to Taichung I went golfing with Duncan and his wife Meg.

We only go to golf course about once every two months. Not enough to really improve much. I practice at a driving range about twice a week and South African friend is my coach.

Golfing is a tough game. I do love the experience though and it is one way to get nearer to nature here in Taiwan without needing to drive so far.

I still don't keep a score although I made some nice puts, good approach shots and a couple of nice drives. I pared a couple of holes.

Afterward we ate a late lunch at the Lotus Flower restaurant. Not bad.

Before golfing my wife and I road the scooters home from Changhua. We decided to stop at Mos Burger for breakfast. It's a Japanese chain that is pretty good. Cheers!

Rice is Nice

2009-04-09T07:39:00.006+08:00

On my scooter ride home the other Monday morning I noticed how nice the rice looks at this time a year. The color is very GREEN even in the morning haze - yes it is haze - I think. It could be pollution from mainland China but I don't think so.

There is a certain secure feeling about seeing rice like this all over Taiwan. Food. This is really where it comes from, not from the store. It reminds me of when I was a kid and seeing the vast corn fields all over northwestern Ohio. I have more appreciation for it now.

Back to Bloggin

2009-04-08T05:48:00.012+08:00

Well I miss blogging so after a break here I go again.

On April 5 we went rock hunting with some friends. It was a great way to spend the day. I really mean the day. We left our house at 5:30 AM and returned at 8:30 PM. Whew, and the only nap was in the van.

I only found one decent stone. Just getting an eye for it. However, the time slipped dreamily away. It was so peaceful to hear the river all day long.

By the way, the photo of the bridge shows women doing laundry the "old way" in the background, not rock hunting.

Blogging Bye for Now

2008-06-26T06:39:00.008+08:00

Photos 1.E-Jay, my niece, she's three.

2. James at the BBQ. Kingsford charcoal complements of Costco.
3. Hoejah - delicious
4. I guess Cindy had a lot of Johnny Walker Green.

I haven't been blogging lately - just haven't been in the mood. I'm going to end this blog and leave it dormant. I'll start a new blog and post its address here. I'm not sure what I'll call it yet, I'll let you know.

Aloha and Tzsi Jin

Teacher Gerald

Science Fair II - We Won It All

2008-05-31T04:18:00.017+08:00

The winning Groups - The Kitties - above - (they chose their own names) from Dalton Class and the Rabbits from Powell Class.

The results of the first grade science fair came out yesterday and my classes - both of them - took first place! Hooray! This is a big deal for the students and for me. It just validates my teaching and validates that great teacher program at University of Hawaii, Hilo. Thank you Annelise!
The winners in the morning or Powell class (see previous blog) was the group that made compasses to find out if the Earth has a magnetic field, and in the afternoon Dalton class the group that used a magnetic powered boat to see if the magnetic force can do work. I'm so proud of them for giving an excellent presentation in front of all the parents and judges.

Science Fair I

2008-05-30T06:42:00.005+08:00

We've been working on our first grade science fair project (and competition) for about a month (maybe more). It all came down to yesterday's presentations in front of the parents and family and judges. The competition was between classes at the same level - four first grade classes and one second grade class.

Our Science Fair topic focused on magnets. In each class we had four groups of 4 or 5 students in each group. Each group had a question about magnets that they had to answer doing experiments.

This is the text of our parent handout for one of our classes.

Welcome to the 2008 Science Fair. The students have worked very hard to bring you their science programs. We hope you enjoy them.

The main focuses of our 2008 Science Fair are based both in science and with exposing students to working successfully in small groups.

The students conducted experiments and learned how to express the results of those experiments in a presentation and also on their science boards.

Students also experienced the challenges and rewards of working together in small groups. I’m sure your son or daughter has a few stories to tell about working in groups.

The Groups

Group One – Deer (Jeff, Emily, Coco, Joanna, Maxine)

Science Question:

“Is the Magnetic Force of Larger Magnets Stronger than the Magnetic Force of Smaller Magnets?”

Group Two - Rabbits (Ingrid, Laina, Evan, Penny)

Science Question:

“Does the Earth have a Magnetic Field?”

Group Three – Owls (Jeffery, Darren, Josh, Patrick, Philippe)

Science Question:

“Are Larger Magnets Stronger than Smaller Magnets?”

Group Four – Powells (Annika, Claire, Johnny, Angel)

Science Question:

“Can Magnets Do Work When They Attract and Repel?”

Feeling Better \ A Play

2008-05-19T07:15:00.003+08:00

Feeling better now. The homesickness is passing. I went a play the other night. Very entertaining. It was written, produced and directed by a couple at my school. It was about woman and based on 100 interviews. It was called "Woman, The Final Act."

Sunday Homesickness

2008-05-04T10:57:00.003+08:00

So, I wake up today early, 4 am. Feeling homesick. So I just fall asleep. My wife calls me at 7. "Where are you?" She is upset. She should be. We were supposed to take a little trip this morning. I'm too self-absorbed with the homesickness to go. I don't want to go anywhere. Just home. Back to my friends, loved ones, etc.

Since I can't go back right now this is what I did at 8am.

Homesick and Gardenias

2008-05-03T10:14:00.009+08:00

They do smell good!

Home sicknesses is real. It comes and goes and many different things can set it off. I have it again. It's been around for a couple of days. I miss my friends in Hawaii and the Aina (land) there. Thursday I bought some gardenias at Costco. Perhaps they are the catalyst for this latest bout of homesickness.

I really love it here in Taiwan too. My family here is kind and wonderful. Some of the land is beautiful. My job is fantastic. Yet the homesickness persists.

I do have a trip to the mainland and Hawaii in August.

Future Clothes

2008-05-03T08:50:00.007+08:00

I did a lesson on future clothes in our Windows to the World class. We watched a little Jetsons video and a strange piece on You Tube about fashion. The kids used recycled materials to make their clothes. They really got to be first graders and had a good time. I really love teaching these kids.

2008-04-20T19:13:00.005+08:00

Rice Paddy and Rice Paddy with Old Building

This is the ride home from Changhua to Taichung. The price of rice, wheat and other food staples has risen and continues to rise a lot. Here the answer to the high prices is very Capitalist. Plant more rice. This is a common field of rice seen all over Taiwan. In some areas of the country farmers, really small farmers, plant only 1 time a year. In other areas they plant up to 4 times a year. The dark green rice paddies are very beautiful.

Hsaio Liuchui and thoughts

2008-04-11T22:38:00.010+08:00

Vase rock on an early morning walk.

Fish farm nets, I think.

We went on a trip to an island off the west coast of southern Taiwan. It was fantastic. Clean water and air, fish and country feeling and a nice time with Annie. The island reminded me of home in Hawaii.

Life is going well here in Taiwan. My job is challenging and rewarding. The first graders are really something. Kids are the same throughout the world. The schoolwork load that they have here is quite extensive. We just finished our mid-term reading and science exams. Yes, I gave the first graders a midterm. It was 13 pages and had 100 answers. One class took 2 hours and the other about 1 and half hours. The scores ranged from 83% to 100%.

Ummmmmm, I don't recall taking a test let alone a 100 answer midterm in early elementary school. Of course, I don't remember doing too much about that time but I do remember some things. Nap time, magnets, getting spanked, Sally and Jane, Dick and Spot, blocks, bird eggs and Mrs. Mansfield who didn't seem to like me, baseball and running away from school a couple of time, oh and a girl who played the violin.

No sunburn please.

Butterflies and First Graders

2008-03-22T09:57:00.005+08:00

We've been reading about Butterflies in our H.M. US first grade reading book. So I took the first graders out to the school butterfly cage. I love first graders. How they see the world...Check out the video.

Another Wonderful Sunday Morning Trip - Oyster Beds

2008-03-16T19:04:00.021+08:00

The sticks show where the oysters are.

I have started to really love these little trips with Annie on Sunday mornings. Really fun exploring the area on scooter. Scooters are really fun. If you get the opportunity, try one out.

Back to the Sunday morning, it's like the weekend is extended another day.

Couple of oyster workers walking on the flats. I do love the oysters here.
Honey and I, with lighthouse in the background.

Here are some movies of our early morning scooter trip to the oyster beds in Changhua County along the Taiwan Straight. The first one at night is the bridge I have to cross when I go to Changhau from Taichung. The rest of the videos are of the oyster farmers going to work. I suggest watching them all in a row. They're pretty interesting. I would have made one movie but it'd take too long to download.

What's for dinner? Hello everyone

2008-03-09T18:27:00.006+08:00

It's Sunday evening. My honey is working in the kitchen. She says hi to everyone!

2008-03-09T18:11:00.000+08:00

Sunday Morning Ride

2008-03-09T17:16:00.010+08:00

The hippy couple. I wear the orange jacket so I can be seen on my scooter.

I decided to do something different this morning. Now that the weather is warming it's nice to take a morning scooter ride. So I took the back roads to Changhua (from Taichung) and picked up my wife. We went to see the blooming flower fields but they were changed to rice paddies. I guess the price of rice is up (maybe because of the food to gasoline process going on now?).

"Soil Analysis" Science Class and Other Classroom Things

2008-02-26T06:59:00.010+08:00

I asked the students to draw a picture of their scientific findings....hummm...did they all get the concept? Interesting soil...

We had a great science class last week. We analysed what was in the soil in our school yard. The students had a great time but a lot of them didn't get some of the scientific points of the analyses.

This was evident when they filled in their science notebooks. They were supposed to list the ingredients that they put in the groups and then draw pictures of the groups. The did have some it down and some spoke well in their interviews. As far as the science notebook went....Well, they sure did have fun. After all, they are first graders in a second language environment.

I had fun too but at times it was a juggle between loose class management (noise) and science exploration and fun. Where is the line between order and creative expression and learning? I felt I was on the head of the balance tip many times and told myself to error in the favor of creative expression and fun. So, since it is my class, and the school gives plenty of freedom to their teachers, I did. But really, where is the boundary? Especially in an ESL environment.

Usually, when the students come to class at the beginning of the day, there is a lot of bantering and talking - bull shitting in adult terms - going on. How much of this should I let go on? I let some go then cut it off. They do their bantering among themselves in English - their second language. I think their should be a class called bull shitting for about 40 minutes a day to help improve their English. Why not? Imagine your child or you having to learn Chinese curriculum in Chinese text? And you're only in the first grade...

Fish Kill

2008-02-25T07:34:00.002+08:00

There' s a news story here about a fish kill off the west coast Taiwan islands caused by a "cold front." They said the cold front caused the water to become cold enough to kill the fish but this didn't make sense to me. Water doesn't get that cold from the air that quickly and it hasn't even been freezing at sea level. Here's the false story on BBC. It just doesn't make sense to me. I thought it had to be human activity related.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7260000/newsid_7260200/7260230.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Then yesterday the real story - it was weather-related. In the past month or so there was a lot of record-breaking snow in mainland China - especially during the Lunar New Year. The weather warmed a bit and all that record snow started melting and pouring into the Taiwan Straits sending massive quantities of near freezing water into the Taiwan Straits causing the cold water to overwhelm and kill the fish. I hope some scientists somewhere are examining this phenomena as it could give insights global warming impacts in the future.

Taroko trip on Scooter

2008-02-17T06:05:00.005+08:00

Nice bridge. I've wanted to cross it for two years but it is still closed. Not finished yet. I guess that's okay. I don't want to cross before it's really safe!

Taiwan has some of the most beautiful places in the world, all hidden behind the urban garbage jungle.
"Honey, come on!" My wife doesn't like me taking chances. I love taking chances in nature. I really don't like taking chances in human life....hummm why is that? What about you? Do you love taking chances?

2008-02-16T18:50:00.005+08:00

Yet more East Coast

2008-02-16T18:50:00.004+08:00

I want to buy any land hear because I know the "Hawaii Effect" and, believe it or not, the "Toledo" effect on the value of coastal lands. People want it, it's only a matter of time here. Even in Toledo the value of lake front property increased. But I just want to live there as I get old. But family here tells me not to buy.

More Lunar New Year East Coast trip

2008-02-14T07:04:00.008+08:00

Li-Wen looking at the view from the Boat House Home Stay.
There is a mountain view and an ocean view. As I ask my students, which is the mountain and which is the other?
Humm here is the mountain. The Boat B&B is set between the mountain and the ocean. It's really perfect. We're looking for land to buy like this.

This place reminds me of Hawaii although the price doesen't. Our landlords are aborigial Taiwanese. The father plays guitar. We ordered dinner for $200 NTD each (about $7 US. )
It was really good.

Leaving Changhua on the 5:50am train. Five hours later we arrive in Hualian. In a couple of hours we'll catch a bus south.

View from the Hualian train station.

On the bus South to the Boat House, "Home Stay," another name for a bed and breakfast.

Family New Year Fun

2008-02-11T17:52:00.000+08:00

This is the first day of Lunar New Year also known as Chinese New Year. It last six days this year. It's traditional for every one to do their spring cleaning during this period, so the water ways are very dirty. I stayed home in our Taichung house for as long as I could so I wouldn't get stuck with cleaning in our other home in Changhua - bad and babyish I know. Well here I am in Changhua hanging the protection and make money paper.

Here is video of the family New Year dinner. Yummmm!
Of course a New Year Dinner must have some good scotch!

Lunar New Year Costco Shopping

2008-02-06T12:43:00.000+08:00

In Taiwan the Lunar New Year is "the" holiday of the year. Most people are off work from February 6 and go back to work February 12. The exception being western type businesses like 7-11, MacDonalds, KFC and even Costco. People shop for food for the special holiday dinner that is tonight Feb. 6. The streets in all the cities will be very empty during that time. However, right now the streets are full of cars and scooters of people going home. I'll be one of the scooter drivers in about 10 minutes. Yikes!

Scooter Accident in Front of our Apartment

2008-02-06T10:50:00.000+08:00

Scary, scary and more scary. This just happened a few minutes ago.

I drive a scooter almost every day. It's the way to get around most of Taiwan. In the largest cities, Taipei and Kaoshone, you can use the mass transit mostly because they have an MRT. But here in central Taiwan, I have to use a scooter.

Today I'll drive from Taichung to Changhua, about an hour and ten minute drive. I will have my 360 degree sensors on but what can you do if someone just smashes into you?

This is what happens after a scooter accident. It looks like a van didn't stop and hit the scooter which had the right of way. It's the first day of Chinese New Year holiday and everyone is trying to get home for dinner tonight - including me.

Vacation to Taroko National Park

2008-02-06T09:29:00.000+08:00

This is Taroko Gorge National Park. What a place. We went there as part of our winter break \ Lunar New Year trip. Good fun!

Rain wasn't too bad especially if you're equiped with a plastic baggie rain coat (it came with the scooter). The flip flops or slippers weren't a probelem up to this point. I changed here because of the cold.

We took a scooter ride to Taroko Gorge National Park. It was really awesome to be on the scooter. Almost like riding on a "real" motorcycle. We rented the scooters so they were new and in good shape. Taroko is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

This shine was built to honor those who died building the road. I think there were 80 or so who died.This is one of the higher cliffs in Taroko.

Nature Hit

2008-02-05T12:35:00.000+08:00

I really needed a hit of nature. It's been too much urban for me. So my wife and I went to a couple of B&Bs on the East Coast of Taiwan. This is really where I'd love to live but finding $$$s there is the problem. We are working on it. Here's the lovely Pacific Ocean.

Vacation Creatures

2008-02-02T09:51:00.000+08:00

Annie and I took four nights to a couple of bed and breakfasts on the east side of Taiwan. Here a re a few of the creatures we encounterd. I like some of the background sounds.

Winter Camp and Winter Break

2008-01-22T06:31:00.000+08:00

Winter Break\Chinese New Year is coming. Chinese New Year starts February 6 and ends February 11. Now that's the way to have New Years. It's a big travel time all over Taiwan because most everyone goes home. Lots of businesses are closed during the time.

Annie and I will go to the beautiful east coast for four nights at a couple of B&Bs. We'll go January 26th -30th, before the big Taiwanese travel rush.

It's Winter Camp at Future Heir. (Nice for me, just 12 teaching hours an plenty of planning time for next semester.)

This is one week where some of the students - about 10-20% come for a week of "fun" and learning. The theme this year is the Olympics since the Olympics are being held in China this year. However, my part of winter camp is to teach regular reading curriculum to a different 1st grade. This is okay since I've taught this curriculum before and I don't have to do a lot of research. I did change the lessons thought to adapt to lower-ESL-level kids. Yesterday was the first day and I was quite the hard-ass. I had one boy cry for about 1\2 hour, but he came around and had a good time.

We're reading a story from their Houghton Mifflin book called "The Kite." It's a good news\bad news type story. The good news is . . . We ended up writing our own good news\bad news story about going to Tom Dragon (Tom Dragon is a giant play ground with 1000s of colored balls and tunnels similar to what you see in Mac Donald's indoor playgrounds.)

Today we'll review the story and everyone will make a kite.

Freezing Point Depression - Making Ice Cream

2008-01-16T06:34:00.000+08:00

For our final Science Club this semester we made ice cream - thus launching me into the realm of "amazing" and perhaps becoming one of the most popular "club" teachers.

(Thanks to the University of Hawaii, Hilo, science elementary education teaching certificate professors and students "2005-2006"for this idea)

The science is about depression the freezing (and melting) point of ice from 32F to 20 something degrees F by adding salt to the ice.

The ice gets really cold and the bag frosty on the outside.

We didn't get a chance to measure the temperatures but I hope to do this when the Science Club continues next semester.

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/a/aa020404a.htm

Helen Keller

2008-01-15T07:31:00.000+08:00

This is my afternoon class working on their book reports. In the past few months I've been reading a short version of "Helen Keller." They love the story.

It amazes them how Helen learned to talk and listen by putting her hands on a person throat and mouth. Also, seeing with her hands was a big hit.

I wonder if they'll remember the story in a couple of years. I don't remember much or anything about first grade. Do you?

Here one of my students shows Helen reading Braille.

Sunday Morning at the Traditional Market

2008-01-14T07:34:00.000+08:00

Breakfast after going to the traditional market. All vegetarian noodles and soup. Very delicious.

Mushrooms at the market.
Busy day at the Sunday morning traditional market.

Hello Bye

2008-01-14T07:20:00.000+08:00

Saying goodbye to the family. Cindy, Nan, Maytai (doesn't like picture taken), mom and day, Polo (puppy) and Annie. Sunday afternoon in Changhua. Everyone is going somewhere. We will go back to Taichung. Others will go to Taipei. Nice weekend.

More Bubble Fun at Science Club

2008-01-09T06:21:00.000+08:00

It's the second to the last science club for this semester. We did one more bubble procedure. We made a different recipe of bubble juice and bubble blowers out of rolled up paper. The science part is measurements, shapes (cone) and air pressure, and of course fun. There isn't any formal assessment but my goal is to make science fun. I believe I succeeded.

More Hushanyan

2008-01-06T12:42:00.000+08:00

Through the circle. This temple was built sometime in the 1700's.
Close to the god.
The incense burner.
The lion gods. The sign says "don't sit on them."

What does it all mean. I don't really know yet.

Hushanyan (a temple)

2008-01-06T12:29:00.000+08:00

A nice sunny Saturday afternoon at a temple. Very nice time.
You have to know where the incense burner and restrooms are...
The main god.
A trail on the mountain side.

A break.

Making Bubbles Science Club

2008-01-04T07:08:00.000+08:00

"Say something. "In 2nd grade science club we've been making bubble juice and trying different recipes. Here we are testing the giant bubble juice and wand. It still needs work. Science club is really fun. I teach it every Monday for 40 minutes. This clip was taken at 5:40 pm December 31 at the end of class.

I like the dissapointing sounds the kids make when the bell goes off.

The goal of the class is to introduce the 2nd graders to the fun and wonder of science.

The Election

2008-01-03T22:30:00.000+08:00

The election process has started in the US. The same people that brought us the Iraq war are in power. They are changing their story but their story is is really the same.

Now it almost seems like invading Iraq was a good idea. Why is that? What's changed?

Think, what our lives might be like if we didn't invade Iraq. Maybe our country would have done something different. Maybe opportunities to really lead the world into something greater would have presented itself. Maybe there would be enough money to buy houses.

Or ? Let me know what you think.

The media isn't reporting Iraq so much now. How many years has it been? How many have died.
The people who brought us Iraq are still there. For money people = how much has this cost? How much is oil? How much are organic beans?

Here's an Eminem video. Nice reminder. It's right on. Eminem is cool. He gives me hope for rap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOLMVQa0KD8

Sun Moon Lake

2007-12-28T06:13:00.000+08:00

Our school took everyone who wanted to Sun Moon Lake, a popular scenic area. Really a fun time, beautiful place and nice to see work people somewhere else.

This is my morning walk after only 4 hours of sleep. It was really nice to get near nature again. Besides family and friends I miss nature here so much. Its not that nature isn't here, but it's difficult to live near. I guess I'm spoiled by Hawaii, California and New Mexico.

As I type this I see on CNN that Benazire Bhutto was assassinated. What a crazy fucking world.

Jenny's Wedding

2007-12-17T07:19:00.000+08:00

Here is Li-Wen, her friend Irene, who manages the housekeeping department of a 5 Star hotel in Taipei, her friend and boss Kincer and Irene's brother.

The boats have sashimi.

Yesterday we went to one of Li-Wen's grade school friend's wedding reception. She got married a couple of weeks ago. It's the way it works in Taiwan. The wedding can be months earlier than the reception. Nice lunch at a Japanese restaurant.

The purple sign is the seating list for this table. Our name is three characters starting with the 7th char actor from the left on the bottom.

More Science Club

2007-12-12T07:05:00.000+08:00

More fun things in the once-a-week after school science club. The magical imploding balloon is a big hit in the 2nd grade. It's all about heat and cold, expand and contract. This is a really fun club. It also presents some challenges since the English level of the students vary from almost fluent to very limited. Still, a good time though.

The Afternoon after the speech contest

2007-11-29T21:02:00.000+08:00

A speech contest is really important at our school. Lots of pressure to do well, for the students and us. Most parents come to the speech contest - especially in the lower level elementary. This is really different than my experience in Hawaii. It was tough to get parents to come to a class in Hawaii. In Taiwan, at this school parents come to class. Of course they bring with them their concerns which is also good. But sometimes it can go awry. I'll see. I've been warned of parents with too much influence affecting classes. I'll see soon.

So here are a few of us celebrating the end of the speech contest. My biggest problem was that students showed up with big bags of props to use in their speeches. Huh? These are first graders. They never practiced with the props. I mean, I have a hard time using new props without practice. They're first graders for ***** sakes! It actually ruined some of the student's speeches. Oh well.

This story is not over. I have to choose two from each of my classes to go on to the finals. I do have a big star in one of my classes. And many good 2nd candidates that with a little more coaching and practice could end up a "star." The unknown factor is the parents and the school's reaction to the parents. The final is in two weeks and the finalist will be picked in a couple of days.

Science Club - Soap Boats

2007-11-28T06:58:00.001+08:00

It's amazing what you can do with cardboard, soap and a bowl of water. You cam make soap boats. The students had a good time and so did I. All you do is cut a piece of cardboard into the shape of a boat. Put a notch in the back for the motor and put a small piece of soap in the notch, set it in the water and watch it go. You can also drop a little dish soap on motor and watch it go. It all has to do with water surface tension. You have to change the water after each run. Really fun.

Typhoon Mitag

2007-11-26T07:55:00.000+08:00

The typhoon seems to be coming this way although the wind speed has dropped. We are supposed to get rain from it starting today.

Typhoons - strange

2007-11-25T18:16:00.000+08:00

It's so strange, these are all happening at once. Speaking of the word once, how do you define it to an ESL student?I do wish my teacher training included more ESL studies, but I didn't know I'd be here.

The typhoon action is so strange. Is this climate change? Here are three.

Dinner Movie

2007-11-25T13:17:00.000+08:00

I have many movies I want to put here but the upload won't work.

More dinner experience

2007-11-25T10:49:00.000+08:00

This is Queenie.
This is May and Amy

What a fun dinner. Li-Wen, has really nice friends. This was the first dinner in our home. Good fun!
This is my honey and I.
This is Amy. She is single and not wanting to be.

Who is this?

Dinner!

2007-11-25T10:44:00.000+08:00

We had our first dinner party last night. yummmmm!

2007-11-25T09:50:00.000+08:00

Typhoon crazy

2007-11-25T07:11:00.000+08:00

What a crazy storm. Will it come here? It seems no one knows. It may not even go across the PI. There is another forming east of PI. Is it normal to have so many typhoons form this late in the year?

November Typhoon? Mitag

2007-11-21T20:07:00.000+08:00

I've been watching the late spawning storms. Most go East or West depending on where they were born. This one was born in the in between these places. Now it seems to be turning North. The worst thing that could happen here is the storm goes in the channel between Taiwan and Mainland China.

Li Wen said that a typhoon that reaches Taiwan during this time of year has to be very strong.

Taiwanese Baseball Fans

2007-11-16T07:16:00.000+08:00

Taiwanese baseball fans are wonderfully insane. I went to the USA vs Chinese Taipei game this week. The USA (we) won but it was a good game - 10 -7, lots of hits and 2 USA home runs.
Check the video clip below. I'd think all that crazy stuff was because something amazing happen. But really, it was just for a strike or an out... RE ALLY FUN!

Big Island Snow Mauna Kea

2007-11-10T11:47:00.000+08:00

Now this photo taken November 4, 2007 by my friend Jeff really is making want to go to Hawaii. Beautiful snow on Mauna Kea - so early in the year - and banana leaves at the bottom of the picture. Love it. Thanks Jeff.

Baseball is very, very good to me - US vs Mexico

2007-11-10T11:26:00.000+08:00

Friends from work. Meredeth, Eamon (from Canada) Eamon's dad (Really cool guy) Pam (Taiwanese girlfriend of Aussie Joe) and Aussie Joe. We had a good time at the game. Not many people at this game but the games between Chinese Taipei (a name forced upon the Taiwanese by mainland China - because of independence confusion) are packed with crazy Taiwan fans. Can't wait!
The US team. They weren't very friendly or talkative in the field but they played like professionals. And they won.

US scoring runs.
Mexico had more spirit. Lots of, "Vamoose!" It was cool.

Baseball is very, very good to me - Japan vs Mexico

2007-11-10T10:53:00.000+08:00

This was really fun for me. But few people went out to this game. Japan won 15-3. They were a fun team and had lots of chatter, all the time.

Uh Oh... The Mexico manager thought the Japan baserunner went out of bounds - and he did. But Japan got the call. Not that it mattered much. Mexico couldn't get much going against a really good Japan team.
After the game I stopped by the night market to get a wrap. Very good or Hoe Jah! in Taiwanese. Saying Hoe Jah gets me a lot of smiles and friendliness.

Baseball is very, very good to me! The ride to the game!

2007-11-10T10:46:00.001+08:00

This is the scooter ride to the old stadium. Such fun. Every trip on a scooter is more dangerous than chest pains. Really, you have to pay really close attention or else. I've seen "or else" and it's well, as Forest Gump said in the movie, "that's all I've got to say about that." It is kind of fun though. There are two ways to drive your scooter. Very fast or very slow. It's more dangerous to drive in the middle.

Costco comes to Taichung

2007-11-10T09:03:00.000+08:00

This is what I got. Now...how do I take it all home on a scooter?
Costco opened yesterday in Taichung. I went even though I knew it would be crowded - but not this crowded. This is on my way out about 8 PM. It's a little bit of home. I look around of all the stuff here and think I wouldn't buy most of it even if I was living in the US. But here, well it helps with the reoccurring homesickness.

Sunday Morning 8 - Adding to the Blog

2007-11-04T14:36:00.000+08:00

Well, here I am at home entering my Sunday blog.

I'm listening to "Car Talk" on a pod cast in addition to "The Thundering Heard, Football Today," and "Around the Horn." What a Sunday. The markets and the ride was fabulous.

As you see the previous 7 posts, click on some of the photos to enlarge and get more detail. Some are pretty wonderful.

A Sunday Morning 7 - Going Home

2007-11-04T14:16:00.000+08:00

I found a new way home. It took me by the Taichung Metro Park. Not sure about the park. I didn't stop this time.

In the science park on my ride home, here is a building coated in solar panels. Whew home. Now I'm spending two hours or so, putting all this Sunday on the blog. So, one more photo, which you already have seen in Sunday Morning 8.

A Sunday Morning 6 - The Ride Home

2007-11-04T14:08:00.000+08:00

Scooterized. My I am getting old. I should get a better helmet. One with a chin guard.

The rice is almost ready to harvest. It's really special. Like the corn in Ohio.
Rice and Road
Rice and Scooter

Rice and Scooter again.

A Sunday Morning 5 - Color and Vegies

2007-11-04T13:55:00.000+08:00

The veggies are here. There's been a shortage or price rise since the last Typhoon. Seems to be settling down now.
This is fish and vegy stuff used in hot pots - another story. The colors are amazing and probably artificial. But it does taste good!

Garlic, onions and ainge - or sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes are great for keeping your morning routine on a routine - really!

A Sunday Morning 4 - The Fish

2007-11-04T13:46:00.000+08:00

Fish. Get your fish here! Fresh and dried, it's at the market! (also fresh ginger and garlic and the exchange of money) This is my favorite market photo.!
This fish smelled really nice too. Fresh for sure unless someone thought of a way to give fresh fish smell to bad fish - it's really possible.

A Sunday at the Market 3 - Veggies and Clothes

2007-11-04T13:34:00.000+08:00

My honey shopping. "Humm, this looks good. So does this? Is the price right?" All serious questions at the morning market.

clothes

A Sunday Morning 2 - At the Market

2007-11-04T13:14:00.001+08:00

Chickens at the market. It's not Safeway or Krogers. This is how the chickens are kept fresh. Notice the knife on top of the cage. Do the chickens know what's up? They don't look happy.
The poor yummy birds are ready to pick up. I am sure you could pick your own live one too. I think it's a better way than mass produced factory chickens. Here you really see the whole enchilada. (I haven't bought one yet).
Pork and scooters. This is where you get anything with pig in it. Not as good as chicken. You can't pick your pig.
Here's the beef. Again, you see it fresh - not as fresh as chicken. But here it is. People in Taiwan don't eat much beef. You can tell by the size of the pork and chicken booth compared to the beef booth. Li-Wen's mom and dad won't eat beef. It has to do with the cow being a tool instead of food.

A Sunday Morning Part 1 Breakfast and Go to Market

2007-11-04T12:48:00.000+08:00

This is what Li-Wen and I did Sunday morning. A trip to the traditional market (place where real people go) and my scooter ride back to Taichung home.

Getting the scooter ready. Gwua Gwuae joint Yummy

The market. It's where most people go to buy affordable anythings. We bought, pinto beans for science and eating, some traditional food that Li-Wen got from a memory of childhood.

Chest Pain Reality Check

2007-10-31T06:43:00.000+08:00

On Monday I woke up and felt a tight pain in my chest. It was located "inside" the chest and covered the whole chest from the ribcage up to just below the shoulders. My thoughts, "Okay, I've never felt this before. What is it?" and "I'm I having a heart attack?

The thought of going to the hospital and getting checked out was repulsive. So I went about my morning routines and off to work. Throughout the day the pain worsened. I had a hard time bending down. Hard time breathing in deep breaths but not enough to feel the suffocating feeling. But the pressure was getting worse.

So I did what every computer literate person would do - went on the Internet to self diagnose. Didn't seem like a heart problem. No shoulder, jaw or arm pain. But still. It was getting worse.

So at lunch I scootered home and tried to be comfortable. I called Li-Wen and told her what was going on - just in case. Of course, I told her I loved her. She was concerned but I played it down. Otherwise I would have been lovingly hounded to go to the hospital - an option I am very opposed to.

I worked the rest of the day including science club and came home. Did some more internet research and decided it wasn't the heart but something still really strange. I went to bed early.

As I was laying there I thought about what if. What if it's really something major and I don't wake up. What if it really is my turn (funny, Tuesday's science class was about life cycles)?

I felt fear and panic. The fear subsided. Then I felt okay about it - almost warm. Okay, my turn. I didn't feel happy about it. I have lots of things to do, people to see and places to go. But I didn't feel regrets about my life. If it was my turn now then that's how it is.

I could have done more I thought. I could have done more to slow the damage to the Earth that people cause, finish writing that movie and book - stuff like that. But really no painful regrets. I've done a lot of really great things. My life hasn't been boring. So okay.

I also thought well if it isn't my turn now then it will be soon. I'm 51 years old and certainly living the last half or quarter of my life cycle.

It's Thursday morning and I'm fine. All the pain is gone and I feel great. However the thoughts and feelings of the little peek at death are fresh in my mind. How about the future?

I think I'll keep living like I've been.

Maybe I'll work on that book and movie a little more, and look for ways to be more environmentally active. (I also will get a complete physical just to see what was going on.)

Well, time for work. Thirty six little lives in the first stages of their life cycles waiting for me. That's a happy thought!

love, teacher gerald

More Jazz Concert Day

2007-10-24T18:41:00.000+08:00

Don't forget your goat! Who would go to a jazz concert in large city in central Taiwan without your goat? Not this kid. (They were selling goat milk.)

Here's the street scene a few hours before the show. It's a good day (they all are) to drive a scooter instead of a car. The thing about a scooter though - it seems you take your health in your hands every time you go out on a scooter.

Some CD art with kids!

Annie with her friend May's baby. A Heavy 7 month old kid getting a dose of jazz. Here is Taiwan babies don't get a name till after the first year. There is a strange birthday thing going on too. Many kids are said to be 3 or 4 when in US time they are a year younger.

Can't Stop Jamming

2007-10-21T10:24:00.000+08:00

More Lamb

2007-10-20T07:00:00.000+08:00

Here are some lamb dishes. I ate some of them including lamb stew, lamb liver, stir fried lamb and the angle noodles with sauce. I avoided the lamb stomach and some other one but I don't know what it was called.

The Lamb Lies Down on Hua Tan

2007-10-16T20:45:00.000+08:00

I went out with the in-laws to a lamb lunch. It's very popular this time of year. The lamb is supposed to be medicinal and help men similar to Viagra. I couldn't tell. However, I did eat lamb liver and it tasted good. The soup was rich. I'm holding a bottle of a "medical" drink that supposed to give energy. The ingredients include nicotine, B vitamins, caffeine, amino acids and booze. You can only buy it in a drug store but no prescription is required. It actually numbed my nose a bit. Apparently laborers drink it a lot to give them energy. I surprised by the nicotine.

My family said not to drink too much or I'll get addicted. I guess so with those ingredients....

My Neighbors

2007-10-13T09:26:00.000+08:00

These are my neighbors. They run a restaurant across the street from our home in Taichung. These photos were on Typhoon day. We had an occasional fun time during the storm. They speak Taiwanese and Mandarin. So sometimes we spend an evening exchanging language. They're really nice and outgoing people.

A little improve typhoon singing and dancing.

Back to Work

2007-10-08T06:57:00.000+08:00

It's Monday. The storm has headed to mainland China. Back to work for me. I'm glad I love my job, but work is still work.

Bye Bye Krosa

2007-10-07T14:58:00.000+08:00

Krosa has left Taiwan. Now just rain. Tomorrow work... Good thing I love my job.

Krosa rain rain rain

2007-10-07T06:56:00.000+08:00

The typhoon's eye is gone but the storm is sitting over Taiwan. Looking at the satilight it seems to be near or over Taichung where I live. It is rain, rain and rain. Kind of cold. The streets have a lot of crap from the wind. I won't go anywhere today.

Krosa Update

2007-10-06T20:29:00.001+08:00

The typhoon did a circle on the east coast. Right now it's quiet. There is no rain and just some wind. I think we are in the eye. The back side contains a lot of rain. Let's see.

I took a walk. No rain. Quiet.

By the way, the Yankees lost two.

Krosa turned to us

2007-10-06T17:02:00.000+08:00

The eye turned. Really no one knows where it is but this is the best bet.

Krosa breaking up

2007-10-06T12:59:00.000+08:00

It's 1 pm and they say the storm is breaking up. Down graded to typhoon. I can't tell. In the photo you can't even see Taiwan.

They are so accurate in the prediction of the storm path. How do they do it? Models they say.

Makes me believe the climate models for global warming are really accurate.

Stronger and Stronger.

2007-10-06T10:45:00.000+08:00

This is taken from CNN at about 11 am on Saturday - this side of the dateline. It's strange, this storm isn't going to hit Taiwan with the eye but it's the strongest of the storms this year and many have hit. The wind is rough. From this photo it looks like the storms from the movie "The Day After Tomorrow."

The Yankees lost again. The Red Sox are losing.

Typhoon Update Satuday Morning

2007-10-06T04:40:00.000+08:00

As I watch Game 2 of the NY Yankees at Cleavland playoffs the Typhoon approaches.

Steady light rain this morning. It's increasing. The air is cooler and contains pockets of heat. It is humid. The storm track is dancing a bit but still looks like it will really affect the weather today - October 5 at about 20:00 or 8 PM. I'm just hanging. It's too windy to scooter to Changhua. A good day to play around with the web, do house chores, watch TV, the playoffs which I can get in English because I have a bi-lingual TV or movies, read a book....nice really.

Warning for Whole Country

2007-10-05T19:30:00.000+08:00

A typhoon warning is issued for the whole country. This means all government and most private business will be closed. Why didn't this happen on Monday - my work day?

Here's the Super Typhoon Krosa after work today. It's windy and it blows the scooter sideways. Seems like tomorrow is the day. It will, or should, be north of me but the wind is steady. It should rain for three days. Kind of exciting.

Super Typhoon Krosa

2007-10-05T07:10:00.000+08:00

It's about 8 hours since my last post about now Super Typhoon Krosa. The path has edged southward and appears it will pass over the north part of Taiwan, south of Taipei, which brings it closer to me in Taichung. The eye has become bigger by about 5 kilometers or 2+miles. Krosa is supposed to have lots of rain.

It should start raining here tonight and the Sunday or Monday it should be going quite well. If it's intense on Monday we may get a "Typhoon" holiday which would go nicely with the 10/10 national holiday on Wednesday.

Typhoon Krosa

2007-10-04T20:44:00.000+08:00

Typhoon Krosa is heading our way - October 7 or so is the hit day. When the weather services (Taiwan Central Weather Bureau and US Military Joint Typhoon Warning Center) began to track the storm it was heading north of Taipei and Taiwan. It has steadily moved south and now shown to pass over the island. Before it gets here I think it will pass over the central part of the island. I'll keep this blog updated as the storm nears.

My Afternoon Class

2007-10-03T06:58:00.001+08:00

Here is my afternoon class. I have all personalities types. The smart girl, the rascal boys the sneaky girls the smart boys, the taddle tales, the dreamers, the story tellers, the sleepers... I do love them and teaching. Both of my classes are good. It's great to have a co-Chinese teacher too helping with the class and teaching the English Grammar.

2007-10-03T06:50:00.000+08:00

Science Club is so cool. It's 40 minutes of anything that I want to teach in Science and of course it must be FUN! So far we've done the straw flute (vibrations in air makes sound), balloon rocket (Air Pressure) and here are photos of paper airplanes (Bernoulli' Principle). Now that's fun. I do it once a week.

Students and Parents and School

2007-09-25T19:09:00.000+08:00

Well the honeymoon with the school is over. It happenned during parent day. One parent had doubts about me. I'm told this parent has a lot of sway with the school and that I need to do what she wants. So now I'm under the school's eye which seems to means her son needs to win the upcoming speech contest (he's one of the lower level readers I have). This means I give him more attention at the expense of others.

It doesn't seem right but it is reality. Parents pay the tuition. So I start tomorrow with the new "parent" - motivated teaching style.

Science Science Science

2007-09-15T09:55:00.000+08:00

One of the wonderful things happening at the school for me and the students is that I get to teach science. So far in the first grade classes, we've been observing plant leaves and flowers and naming the parts of a plant and the roles they play in the plant's life. It's really fun. I had the first graders "become" the parts on stage and tell or show what they do. We also collected leaf and flower samples and observed them with magnifying glasses. They draw and write about them. Good fun! I have a lot of freedom on how I teach the classes. That is so important to me as a teacher. I don't think I'd get that freedom back in the USA.

I also am running the after school 2nd grade science club. It meets once a week for 40 minutes so it's just enough time to do and explain fun experiments. The first 3 club meetings we'll be doing "Air Pressure." Can't go wrong here. The first meeting we'll be making straw flutes. The second meeting we'll do balloon rockets, third is paper airplanes. Then we get into fluids and solids using cornstarch and water. Should be fun! I hope to have photos.

Here's a good physics experiments web site http://littleshop.physics.colostate.edu/onlineexperiments/

First Grade Thoughts

2007-09-14T23:08:00.000+08:00

I've had the first graders for two weeks and two days. My first thought is - they all have teeth missing! It's so funny. Almost every one of the boys and girls have one or more front tooth or another tooth missing. Too much! Too cute!

Second thought. What a smart group of kids.

Third thought. A lot of my lessons are about socialization and routines. They crave it. I need it!

Fourth thought which is the main thought! I love this teaching job and the students. First graders are way cool! They are such cute little people. I can't stop smiling.

More John and Randy Visit Photos

2007-09-14T22:54:00.000+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hh96Ex-94s (Dangerous)
Outside of club Danger. Wow what a time. Brother John and his son Randy are very happy! I would have never gone there myself and I haven't been back since. I think they still have a bottle of Johnny Walker Black there with my name on it.
A street party with John and Mei Mei. Randy actually helped a woman across the street start her scooter in the "Typhoon" rain. Mei mei had fun speaking English and playing with us.
Brother John and I having an intense, important discussion on the walk home from Danger. We are obviously both right but of course, since this is my blog and country, I am really right. Good fun.

PS photos of any bar Mei mei have been censored due to the marital status of these two guys.

More Hawaii - 4 Mile

2007-09-10T07:07:00.000+08:00

I'm slowly going through my Hawaii photos which is really fun. Here are a few photos of a morning at 4 - Mile with friends Annelise and Bumblebee. We spent some of the time avoiding the sun and avoiding the weed-whackers. After the maintenance people left we had a really, relaxing and easy time catching up. Anneliese was my esteamed professor in the UH teaching certificate program. "Good Fun.!"

Brother John Visits

2007-09-06T07:26:00.001+08:00

John and Randy visited for 6 days. The typhoon had a big affect on their visit. Mostly because of rain, rain and rain. Also the trains were closed for a day.
John bought hand-painted fans from the artist in Lugang, Changhua County. His son Randy is on the left.
Karaoke at Club Danger near my house in Taichung. It cost $3000 for about 3 hours there = $90 US.

The Farm - Big Island Hawaii

2007-09-04T06:28:00.000+08:00

The Wave! Leaving Ric and Mary's farm and the Big Island and headed back to Oahu and Taiwan. Very sad. When I lived there almost every time I or anyone left the farm they would wave. A fine tradition!Friends Mary and Ric - I'm in the middle.
Friends Ric and Mary - I'm still the one in the middle.

Rosie the cow. Still hanging in there - about 30 years old.
Sunrise on Ric and Mary's farm. Nice, nice and more nice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaFgU0C2Rtw Bon Jovi doing live and almost acoustic "Here Comes the Sun," in memory of George.