Never again - But that's what I said last time.
It is now December 11, 2008 and already the unpleasant memories grow dim and I find myself sometimes wishing that I was back in Taiwan. Michael has asked to go back almost daily. He misses all the action and attention. Home is very dull by comparison, let alone having a younger brother around all the time again.
Robert says we enjoy Taiwan so much because we were always around rich/successful people. We wouldn't have had such a great time if we weren't always being spoiled by everyone. Another big plus is that I never needed to cook, and there was very little cleaning to do as we were never home. That was probably my favourite part about Taipei. Great food and no mess. I must also admit that I liked having the chance to improve my old school. In almost every job I've had, my specialty has been coming up with ways of making things better and more efficient. It's what I enjoy doing.
Michael changed A LOT during the few months we were away. Basically, he really did become a big boy. He is now talking fluently, he never has "accidents," and he is much more independent. However, he did get used to sleeping in Mommy's bed and is very reluctant to give that up. Sharing a room with Jeremy just isn't the same.
By the time I got home, Jeremy was a pro at saying "Daddy" and he would say, "Moh" for the word "more," but he will not say anything for Mommy. He has adjusted well to having everyone home again, but he always was very easy-going. It was nice for him to have a few months where he had Daddy's undivided attention. Robert says he gets cuter everyday - and it's true.
This blog was probably the best thing that came out of the whole trip as I have never been good at keeping a journal. It's nice to know that even though Michael will have forgotten the whole thing in a few years, he will have something to show him what he was like and what he did during these few months of his childhood.
Will I start another blog? I doubt it. But, I doubted that I would ever go back to Taiwan as well. You never know.
Friday 20 June 2008
Sunday 8 June 2008
Not Jetlagged?
When Trina and Michael arrived home, they seemed to have no trouble sleeping. The first day back was pretty quiet, because they felt tired, but Trina did notice all the hard work Jeremy and I had done getting the house ready for them. It was tidy in a way that it can never be with two toddlers living in it. I was glad that Trina was so pleased about my little surprise.
The other little surprise was a family dinner I arranged at our house, on Sunday. I made lasagnes and invited both sets of Michael's grandparents over. Trina wasn't too keen, because she wasn't in peak form yet, but everyone was understanding. After all, they were really excited to see Trina and Michael again.
I know that Trina was still affected by jetlag, because the next time we made lasagne, I said something offhand about the last time we had lasagne, and the fact that I made it. She said, "no you never," and I found out that Trina doesn't even remember that family dinner. Jetlag makes a pretty good excuse.
The other little surprise was a family dinner I arranged at our house, on Sunday. I made lasagnes and invited both sets of Michael's grandparents over. Trina wasn't too keen, because she wasn't in peak form yet, but everyone was understanding. After all, they were really excited to see Trina and Michael again.
I know that Trina was still affected by jetlag, because the next time we made lasagne, I said something offhand about the last time we had lasagne, and the fact that I made it. She said, "no you never," and I found out that Trina doesn't even remember that family dinner. Jetlag makes a pretty good excuse.
Saturday 7 June 2008
Trip Home
The trip home was a lot more uneventful that then trip to Taipei. For one thing, I didn't have to worry about Michael wetting his pants anymore. That was a big bonus.
The plane was completely full this time around, so although we were in the very last row, we still didn't get an empty seat beside us. But, we weren't squished in the middle either. I sat on the aisle. Literally, as Michael took both of our seats while he slept, leaving me a tiny little corner on which to sit. And that was with his head being on my lap. Needless to say, I didn't sleep much. Michael only slept for six hours which surprised me considering that he hadn't napped on the way to the airport. Maybe it's because he couldn't sprawl out as much as usual. Luckily, the flight home is a lot shorter than the flight to Taiwan, so he was awake for the same amount of time as before.
And then we were back in Canada! Here's Michael in the Vancouver airport with our plane in the background.
The Vancouver layover was probably the worst part as nothing was open and it was a long, long walk from the international wing to our connecting flight to Calgary. The airport was actually pretty nice with large fountains and comfy places to sit, but Michael was too tired to explore. It was probably so hard because we were so close to home, and yet so far away. By this time, we just wanted to go home!
And then we arrived in Calgary. We raced off the plane and I told Michael that Daddy would be waiting for us on the other side of the doors. Alas, our flight was a few minutes early and Daddy was a few minutes late. We had collected all our luggage and everyone else from our flight had gone and I was just starting to rummage through my purse looking for something to use to make a phone call when I spotted him down the hallway. Michael ran down the hallway to his Daddy and everything was good in the universe once more.
We didn't have nearly as much of a problem adjusting to the time difference this time around. Probably because we had slept so little in the past 24 hours that we had no problems going to sleep as soon as we arrived home at 2am, getting right back on track.
And thus ended our little adventure.
The plane was completely full this time around, so although we were in the very last row, we still didn't get an empty seat beside us. But, we weren't squished in the middle either. I sat on the aisle. Literally, as Michael took both of our seats while he slept, leaving me a tiny little corner on which to sit. And that was with his head being on my lap. Needless to say, I didn't sleep much. Michael only slept for six hours which surprised me considering that he hadn't napped on the way to the airport. Maybe it's because he couldn't sprawl out as much as usual. Luckily, the flight home is a lot shorter than the flight to Taiwan, so he was awake for the same amount of time as before.
And then we were back in Canada! Here's Michael in the Vancouver airport with our plane in the background.
The Vancouver layover was probably the worst part as nothing was open and it was a long, long walk from the international wing to our connecting flight to Calgary. The airport was actually pretty nice with large fountains and comfy places to sit, but Michael was too tired to explore. It was probably so hard because we were so close to home, and yet so far away. By this time, we just wanted to go home!
And then we arrived in Calgary. We raced off the plane and I told Michael that Daddy would be waiting for us on the other side of the doors. Alas, our flight was a few minutes early and Daddy was a few minutes late. We had collected all our luggage and everyone else from our flight had gone and I was just starting to rummage through my purse looking for something to use to make a phone call when I spotted him down the hallway. Michael ran down the hallway to his Daddy and everything was good in the universe once more.
We didn't have nearly as much of a problem adjusting to the time difference this time around. Probably because we had slept so little in the past 24 hours that we had no problems going to sleep as soon as we arrived home at 2am, getting right back on track.
And thus ended our little adventure.
Friday 6 June 2008
Last Day
Since I took extended lunch hours for the past two days, and since I still had so much work to do, I worked through lunch and after school had a teacher's meeting to present everything and to give them a page long list of things I didn't have time for, but that really should get done. Hopefully, someone will take initiative.
It was May's last day as well, so in the morning, Teresa gave us each a parting gift, except she mistakenly handed me the larger one and May the smaller one. They were both glass sculptures by a Taipei artist that Teresa really likes. Many of the other assistants noticed and were upset on May's behalf that she had gotten something so small after eight years loyalty. Teresa apologized to May privately later and told her that she would get her a larger one. May told her not to worry about it as she was sure that I would switch with her as soon as I found out, but Teresa was horrified at the thought of asking for a gift to be exchanged for a smaller one and refused. As soon as May told me, I immediately told her that I wouldn't mind in the slightest (especially as I knew my suitcases were already quite full), but it was too late.
May also worked through lunch and was busy all day running around making sure that all her responsibilities to the school were taken care of. We were both tired by the end of the day. As it was raining heavily (of course) and we were both leaving at the same time, I suggested taking a taxi, which Michael was very happy about. Halfway home, I realized that I hadn't returned my school key but, it turns out, May had forgotten as well (and she had even more keys that I did), so she made arrangements to drop them off tomorrow so that we wouldn't have to turn around. Good thing, because I still had a lot of packing to do, and May wanted to take us out to dinner before heading to the airport.
In the middle of packing, Annie rings the bell and asks if we can leave now as the restaurant was all booked up for the night, but that we would get a table if we arrived within a half hour. She assured me that we would come back afterwards so that I could finish packing up. So, off we went.
It was the best meal that I have ever had. It was a small Szechuan restaurant and the food was amazing. I knew that Robert would be so jealous as he loves real Szechuan cuisine, so I took a picture for him. There was just the right mix of spicy and non-spicy food, and for anyone who doesn't like tofu - you have never tried the tofu here. It tasted like pudding and was so yummy that Michael ate almost the entire plate by himself. He was a very happy boy. I love the restaurants here because the food arrives piping hot within minutes of being ordered, so Michael never gets bored waiting. Maybe I will miss Taipei a little bit after all...
Well, back to the apartment. May took Michael so that I could pack without distractions. I managed to get all the packing done, except for some dirty clothes which I would pack after my shower. However, during my shower, Joseph came and took away all the suitcases to the car, so I had to shove them in my purse. Good thing for big purses.
I apologized to May for not cleaning the apartment thoroughly before leaving, as I knew that now she would have to do it. I tried to give her money so that she could just pay someone else to do it, but of course, she wouldn't hear of it.
I was surprised that Michael didn't fall asleep on the way to the airport as it was 9pm when we left. I guess he was too excited to be going on an airplane again. In fact he stayed awake all the way until boarding time at 11:30pm, although he was asleep before takeoff. The people at the airport were so nice and helpful. As soon as they see a white kid, they bend over backwards to help you. One guy actually hopped over a counter to lift our suitcases onto the conveyor belt for us.
It was May's last day as well, so in the morning, Teresa gave us each a parting gift, except she mistakenly handed me the larger one and May the smaller one. They were both glass sculptures by a Taipei artist that Teresa really likes. Many of the other assistants noticed and were upset on May's behalf that she had gotten something so small after eight years loyalty. Teresa apologized to May privately later and told her that she would get her a larger one. May told her not to worry about it as she was sure that I would switch with her as soon as I found out, but Teresa was horrified at the thought of asking for a gift to be exchanged for a smaller one and refused. As soon as May told me, I immediately told her that I wouldn't mind in the slightest (especially as I knew my suitcases were already quite full), but it was too late.
May also worked through lunch and was busy all day running around making sure that all her responsibilities to the school were taken care of. We were both tired by the end of the day. As it was raining heavily (of course) and we were both leaving at the same time, I suggested taking a taxi, which Michael was very happy about. Halfway home, I realized that I hadn't returned my school key but, it turns out, May had forgotten as well (and she had even more keys that I did), so she made arrangements to drop them off tomorrow so that we wouldn't have to turn around. Good thing, because I still had a lot of packing to do, and May wanted to take us out to dinner before heading to the airport.
In the middle of packing, Annie rings the bell and asks if we can leave now as the restaurant was all booked up for the night, but that we would get a table if we arrived within a half hour. She assured me that we would come back afterwards so that I could finish packing up. So, off we went.
It was the best meal that I have ever had. It was a small Szechuan restaurant and the food was amazing. I knew that Robert would be so jealous as he loves real Szechuan cuisine, so I took a picture for him. There was just the right mix of spicy and non-spicy food, and for anyone who doesn't like tofu - you have never tried the tofu here. It tasted like pudding and was so yummy that Michael ate almost the entire plate by himself. He was a very happy boy. I love the restaurants here because the food arrives piping hot within minutes of being ordered, so Michael never gets bored waiting. Maybe I will miss Taipei a little bit after all...
Well, back to the apartment. May took Michael so that I could pack without distractions. I managed to get all the packing done, except for some dirty clothes which I would pack after my shower. However, during my shower, Joseph came and took away all the suitcases to the car, so I had to shove them in my purse. Good thing for big purses.
I apologized to May for not cleaning the apartment thoroughly before leaving, as I knew that now she would have to do it. I tried to give her money so that she could just pay someone else to do it, but of course, she wouldn't hear of it.
I was surprised that Michael didn't fall asleep on the way to the airport as it was 9pm when we left. I guess he was too excited to be going on an airplane again. In fact he stayed awake all the way until boarding time at 11:30pm, although he was asleep before takeoff. The people at the airport were so nice and helpful. As soon as they see a white kid, they bend over backwards to help you. One guy actually hopped over a counter to lift our suitcases onto the conveyor belt for us.
Thursday 5 June 2008
My Treat, Finally
I finally convinced May to let me take her out to eat, and I insisted that it be somewhere nice. We went to Sonoma for lunch, a kind of japanese steakhouse (yes, they have japanese everything here). It was very nice and very good and we got the last table! I was glad to finally pay for something. May and her family have been so kind and generous throughout our stay and she always refuses any form of compensation.
We went home right after school today. I was supposed to finish packing up as we are leaving tomorrow. Yeah right... I'm a huge procrastinator when it comes to packing.
We went home right after school today. I was supposed to finish packing up as we are leaving tomorrow. Yeah right... I'm a huge procrastinator when it comes to packing.
Wednesday 4 June 2008
Chinese Haircuts
Five years ago, I got a hair cut in Taiwan. Robert had to translate what I wanted. Not that it would have mattered what he said, because everyone always comes out with the same Chinese haircut. The style only depends on the length of your hair. I hated it.
I specifically got my hair cut before leaving this time. I always go to cheap salons now because I never like how I come out, whether I pay $14 or $80, so why pay more? This time, I actually had to do it twice because the first one was so very awful. But, it was definitely better than the Taiwan cut.
Maybe I had become desensitized by all the Chinese haircuts around me, but I decided to get my haircut on my lunch hour today because it really needed it. The service was great. Head massage, a shampoo before the cut and one in the middle, and the hair dresser even looked in great detail at the picture I brought in. The whole thing took one and a half hours and cost me $20Cdn, and the outcome was (predictably) terrible. No picture will be given.
I wanted to do some clothes shopping without Michael, so I asked May if she could take him after school today and I would pick him up from her place at bedtime. She had to do things at the school until 4:30, so I took Michael to IKEA and Toys 'R Us for the last time. Still no Thomas plates.
After dropping Michael back off at school, I went to the university area where there are usually good deals to be found. And there were a lot of good deals. Just not in anything my size, my style or my colour. However, it was still very nice to have a few hours on the streets of Taipei to myself.
When I went to pick up Michael, May told me that she had taken him to the Children's Museum and he had a blast playing with Annie. Oh, and that he had chocolate cake for supper. He's going to have a hard time adjusting to life back in Canada...
I specifically got my hair cut before leaving this time. I always go to cheap salons now because I never like how I come out, whether I pay $14 or $80, so why pay more? This time, I actually had to do it twice because the first one was so very awful. But, it was definitely better than the Taiwan cut.
Maybe I had become desensitized by all the Chinese haircuts around me, but I decided to get my haircut on my lunch hour today because it really needed it. The service was great. Head massage, a shampoo before the cut and one in the middle, and the hair dresser even looked in great detail at the picture I brought in. The whole thing took one and a half hours and cost me $20Cdn, and the outcome was (predictably) terrible. No picture will be given.
I wanted to do some clothes shopping without Michael, so I asked May if she could take him after school today and I would pick him up from her place at bedtime. She had to do things at the school until 4:30, so I took Michael to IKEA and Toys 'R Us for the last time. Still no Thomas plates.
After dropping Michael back off at school, I went to the university area where there are usually good deals to be found. And there were a lot of good deals. Just not in anything my size, my style or my colour. However, it was still very nice to have a few hours on the streets of Taipei to myself.
When I went to pick up Michael, May told me that she had taken him to the Children's Museum and he had a blast playing with Annie. Oh, and that he had chocolate cake for supper. He's going to have a hard time adjusting to life back in Canada...
Monday 2 June 2008
Principal for a Week
Only five more days of school... And about four years worth of work to catch up on...
Needless to say, I wasn't planning on spending much time in the classroom this week. I wrote the school's teacher training manual before I left four years ago. It hasn't been updated since despite the many changes that have occurred in the school, so the teachers weren't even looking at it anymore. The owner asked me to update it before I left, as well as changing the parent communication book, teacher curriculum planning books, report cards and the teacher's resources CD. Basically, do everything that the principal should have been doing over the past few years. I decided to let Michael stay in his class until 3pm everyday to give me a few extra hours in front of the computer.
I also had to make sure that the teachers would use whatever I developed, as otherwise, it would all be wasted as I wouldn't be here to defend it and make sure that everyone used it. So, as soon as I finished anything, I would have to take it around to all the teachers to get their feedback, and then change anything one of them didn't like.
If I hadn't been pregnant with Michael and had decided to stay in Taiwan four years ago, they would have made me principal. I'm so glad I left. One week is plenty!
Needless to say, I wasn't planning on spending much time in the classroom this week. I wrote the school's teacher training manual before I left four years ago. It hasn't been updated since despite the many changes that have occurred in the school, so the teachers weren't even looking at it anymore. The owner asked me to update it before I left, as well as changing the parent communication book, teacher curriculum planning books, report cards and the teacher's resources CD. Basically, do everything that the principal should have been doing over the past few years. I decided to let Michael stay in his class until 3pm everyday to give me a few extra hours in front of the computer.
I also had to make sure that the teachers would use whatever I developed, as otherwise, it would all be wasted as I wouldn't be here to defend it and make sure that everyone used it. So, as soon as I finished anything, I would have to take it around to all the teachers to get their feedback, and then change anything one of them didn't like.
If I hadn't been pregnant with Michael and had decided to stay in Taiwan four years ago, they would have made me principal. I'm so glad I left. One week is plenty!
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