A Much Needed Update

I always thought that I would be the guy that would blog, like, everyday. I mean, as I adjust to this new world, I have new and exciting things happen each day, so why not jot them down. Well, I guess I never accounted for “travel drain”, or whatever you want to call it. In the US we can pretty much go through half of the day, if not more, on full autopilot. At home, I would wake up, make coffee, iron my clothes, kiss Jamie and catch my bus without having to think once. On the way home, I’d get picked up, eat dinner (or be able to order with no issues), and go to bed. Now that I am living in Taiwan, it’s completely different. I have to think about everything, I even think about how I want to sleep at night (fan? fan and AC? maybe just fan and an open window?). When crossing the street I have to think about which way the next flying scooter might be coming at me, and when I’m hungry, I have to think about finding a place which allows me to point, and mutter horrible Chinese.  I’m drained, and I’m having a hard time finding motivation to write!

Anyhow, I’m going to try to break my dry spell by catching everyone up on my time here so far. The first thing I’ll talk about is work, because it’s usually the number one thing on my mind (besides of missing all of you guys, of course). To stay here in Taiwan, I need to be working. Now, most people teach English, which is a pretty cool gig that pays well, has some flexibility, but also has some drawbacks (like kids that don’t want to be there, and sometimes shifty cram school owners). I thought that I would push the boundaries a bit and apply for some jobs that weren’t education related. A month ago or so I applied for a job at Shin Wu Machinery Trading Company, and I was stoked when I found out that I got an interview, which was scheduled on my third day in Taiwan. Upon arrival at Shin Wu, I was pretty impressed with the facility, and the crisp manner in which all employees were behaving. Shin Wu sells machines to large companies that make things like cell phones and computers. They wanted to hire someone who could speak with English customers about products, and also help out on the day to day English end of things.

After a 1.5-hour written exam, a lengthy interview, and a lot of rattled nerves, I found out I got the job! Sweet. So, I arrived for my first day of work two-days ago, and jumped right into learning every nook and cranny of one of their most popular machines, the GTWIII – H Series Laser Drill made by Mitsubishi. This was cool, and I truly enjoyed learning about how a laser beam travels through various lenses and mirrors of the machine and is then directed by a Galvano which allows it to drill tiny holes into PCB at about 2,500 per second. The thing that disgruntled me was the environment. This company is Japanese owned, and run by a large Japanese family. Ok, cool, whatever. But after finding out that time-off, any time off, was a no go, and the pay was pretty good, but not mind shattering, I forced myself to realize that I came to Taiwan to not only work, but to play to, and this job would afford little time for that. So, long story short, I start my new teaching job next Monday at TPS English School in Da-An (Taipei City). I’m pretty stoked to get working, and get in a fairly routine schedule, because right now I don’t have one.

Jamie’s family has been amazing to me. Whenever I start getting that little sinking feeling in my gut that I’m really crazy for being over here, their company, generosity and kindness gets me through. I’ve gone on little trips (you’ll see pics on FB), been shopping, and even ridden on the back of a 150 CC motorcycle through Taipei City (hold the fat jokes).

I’m finally starting to feel like I can do this. I’m transitioning from the mindset of being a visitor in a different country, to knowing that I can do everything I need to do to have fun, make great memories, and enjoy my time. I’m confident with the bus now, I am going to the night market to get food by myself, and I’m doing quite well. With that said, I cannot wait for Jamie to get here. She arrives on September 14^th, and it couldn’t be soon enough. You forget how much of a partnership you are in when things are easy, but you sure as heck miss it when things are tough or are different.

I’m excited to start actually studying Chinese, I’m excited for Husky Football/Seahawk Football/Adna Football, I’m excited for making new friends, I’m excited for not taking each day for granted, I’m excited for learning news things and seeing new places, and I’m excited at the prospect of friends/family coming to see us here. OH, and I’m also excited for Jamie to get here because then we can get an apartment AND I can get a scooter. Watch out Taipei, I’m going to rock my scooter.

Love you all, and I promise I’ll TRY to write more.

Hello from Taiwan

I have been in Taiwan for four days, going on forty. As I near my fifth day here, I feel like I might finally be catching my breath. My flight over was great, mostly because EVA takes good care of you, and I slept from SEA to Japan, which only left four hours of actually flying time. Of those four hours, I watched Fast Five and episodes of the Mentalists. Ah, you gotta love the 21^st Century.

Upon arrival, my aunt Joline picked me up, and I had my ceremonial first meal in Taiwan, which was McDonalds of course. After that, I had a full day to settle in, most of which I spent trying not to fall asleep, and aimlessly walking around the streets of Sanchong. On Saturday, my second day, my cousin Pablo picked me up for a weekend trip (no rest for the wicked, I suppose). We headed south to Central Taiwan (Puli, to be exat) to meet up with nine of his classmates and spend time taking pictures, and taking pictures, and um… taking pictures. We also got to see the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, in addition to going to a pretty cool amusement park tattooed with One Piece (Japanese comic) paraphernalia. I’m posting pictures, so you can see more of my amusement park experience, in addition to my new friends that I met.

After a late arrival Sunday night back at my new home in Sanchong, I got a night of sleep and headed to my first interview, which went well…. I think. After the 1.5-hour written exam and 3-hour wait to get my one-on-one, we will see how it goes. I have an interview tomorrow and Wednesday at Buxibans (cram schools), so I’ll let you all know how those go as well!

I have been able to hit the streets a little, and got a small taste of the night markets. My next week will be spent job hunting, in addition to figuring out the public transit here in Taiwan. I have had a good vibe since getting off the plane, and I hope to keep that rolling. I’m posting these pics, and then I’m hitting the sack. As I said above, I’ll provide more detail when I’m feeling awake enough to do so.

Street view taken on my first day while out exploring

A little delicious street treasure

My new bedroom (with AC, woot woot)

Sun Moon Lake in Central Taiwan

Taking pictures with my new Taiwanese brother, the Professor

Boooooofay, Taiwanese style (our group of 11 stayed here for prob 3 hrs)

Dominating a ride at the night market in Puli

Loud new Taiwanese friends playing cards, cold Taiwanese beer, and some delicious fruit. 1 night in Puli = success

This is a toilet, not a sideways picture of a urinal, hahaha.

Beef Noodle Soup for $85 NT (Less than $3US)

Meat! and other various things....

The crew and I dominating a freefall ride at the amusement park. I think I cried on this one...

Some of us after being dominated by a "Splash" ride

A nice way to close out my first weekend in Taiwan!

 

Pre-Departure Stress

Maybe it’s just me, but before any big event or move, I find new things to stress out about. I can hear my friends and family chuckling to themselves as they read this thinking that I stress even when I don’t have anything going on, and it’s true. Either way, this “life transition” is really testing my sand (see Gangs of New York for sand reference). What’s crazy, though, is that when I feel like I’m going to explode with nerves, stress and anxiety, I keep getting these waves of peace. I’m not sure if it’s of divine origin, or it’s a result of my growth as a person, but I am finding that I have been handling all of the unknowns pretty well.

To help keep me organized (and lessen my stress even more), I thought I’d list my packing list and some of the things that I have to do before I leave. I also hope that it will help remind of other things that I’m forgetting! If you can think of anything I’m leaving out, don’t hesitate to comment. 

Things I still need to do:

-          Call BECU

-          Go shopping for sunglasses/vision glasses, belt, light clothing, new hat, etc.

-          Clean car thoroughly

-          Pack

-          Get vaccinations if possible

-          Print directions to interview

-          Print ticket/confirmations

-          Visit grandparents

-          Figure out phones

-          Finish Chinese phrase book

-          Help Jamie finish packing house

Things to pack:

-          Clothes, underoos, socks, ties, shoes, hats, one jacket, sunglasses, etc.

-          Personal hygiene items

-          Glasses

-          Work documentation stuff like transcripts, degree, etc.

-          Meds, vitamins, ibuprofen, tums, pepto, some first aid stuff, etc.

-          Biking stuff

-          Passport/Visa

-          Money stuffs

-          Laptop, case, charger

-          iPod

-          Gifts

-          Teaching material

-          Chinese study material

-          Books

-          Any home décor and/or anything Jamie needs me to bring

-          Snacks

Phew, I think that is it! 7 days and counting!

P.S. Here is a photo of the plane I’ll be flying on. I’ve got a really dorky friend who blogs about planes (http://www.airlinereporter.com/) and I’m considering doing a guest blog about my flying experience with EVA. :)

Saying Goodbye... a few times.

One of the benefits of moving to another country is that it forces you to see people you haven’t seen in awhile. In my case, it also requires you to have one last coaches meeting. I am fortunate that over the past 25-years, I’ve built incredible relationships with some pretty incredible people. Near the top of the list are the gentlemen (and some ladies) that belong to the “coaches meeting” fraternity.  To better understand the significance of these people to me, you need to know a little bit of my history (I know that some of you already do, so I apologize for any redundancies).

As a young man entering high school, my world truly revolved around sports. From my earliest years, I remember playing baseball, soccer, football, or something, and enjoying every minute. Coming from the Boistfort Valley, my coaches were usually my friend’s parents, and they taught us not only how to play the game, but all the other life lessons that young kids should be learning. When it was time to start at Adna, I had serious concerns that I was losing this connection with my coaches, and that sports might not be as significant to me anymore. Well, I was wrong. I found that my coaching community at Adna was as strong as any I had experienced, and I loved going to games almost as much as I loved going to practice.  

During the baseball season of my sophomore year, I came home from a game in Mossyrock on a Friday evening and was promptly sat down in the men's locker room at the high school. With my coaches all around me, a family friend told me that my father had unexpectedly passed away. From that day forward, my coaches remained around me. They went out of their way to make sure that I “made it”, that as a young man without a father, I had good solid role models to lean on and look towards. While the baseball coaching staff was amazing, I have to say that my other coaches and my small community also helped raise and support me over the years.

After high school, I promptly moved to Spokane to pursue education (and Jamie). There was a span of about 3-years where I didn’t have an opportunity to come home much, and I only stayed in touch with my coaches via email and phone calls. This all ended when one of my coaches came up the idea of having coaches meetings at his house. Basically, a select group of former players and all the coaches (past and present) are invited over for an evening of baseball talk, barbeque and sodas. It grew from small gatherings a few times a season to pretty much a mainstay in all of our lives.

Anyhow, the whole point of this rambling blog post was to say that I had an awesome going away coaches meeting last Saturday, and will greatly miss that group of guys while I am gone. Without them, I know I wouldn’t be in the position I am now, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.

We do have our last official going away party this Saturday at our house, so if you haven’t already set aside some time on the evening of the 30^th, you should. 16 days and counting.

Below are a few pictures (taken very EARLY on) from the last coaches meeting. 

Colton and Rex (head baseball coach)

Qued Oysters - a Coaches Meeting tradition

Papa Ike eating said oysters

Planked Steelhead

Have fun in Thailand, I mean, Taiwan, I mean.. uhh…..

After announcing our big move to Taiwan, I’m finding that there is one common theme to what people know of Taiwan. Are you ready for it? Are you sure? Okay, it’s really not exciting, but I’ve found that most people don’t know anything about Taiwan. I’ve been asked if I’m excited to try the Phad Thai (that’s Thailand, folks), if the Taiwanese are under Communist rule (that’s China), and of course, where the country is located. So, in honor of education, I decided to type up a quick little ditty on my layman’s knowledge of Taiwan.  

Taiwan is a small island located about 100 miles off the east coast of China. It sits between Japan and the Philippines, and is home to around 25 million people. In regards to language, most of the older generation speaks Taiwanese, but the schools instruct using Mandarin. I would imagine over the next 50 years, there will be more Mandarin speakers in Taiwan than Taiwanese speakers. The island of Taiwan has an indigenous population, and from what I can remember, they have similar statistics to the United States’ Native Americans. In regards to the history, I’m not exact on the dates, but I know that in the 1500-1600 time periods, Taiwan was settled by the Dutch. After that, from the 1600’s to the late 1800’s, it was ruled by both the Qing and the Ming Dynasties (China). Japan was able to gain control of the island at the turn of the century, and ruled until they were defeated in WW II. At that time, there was internal strife in China between Mao (the Communists) and Chiang Kai-shek (the KMT), with the eventual defeat of Kai-shek and the KMT. In their retreat of Mainland China, Chian Kai-shek found safety in Taiwan with about 2 million other Chinese, and established the ROC (Republic of China), which Taiwan is still considered today. The politics are a bit muddled, but I know Taiwan was run under martial law through the 1980’s, and it wasn’t until recently that Taiwan democratically elected their first president that was not from the KMT party.

The summer months of Taiwan are hot and humid, and the winters are very comfortable. When I was there during the summer, I sweated, a lot. From what I remember, there is a lot of fish consumed on this island (go figure), and the fare can be quite diverse. If you come and visit Jamie and I, you can satisfy any homesickness you might get with a Big Mac, Starbucks mocha, or my favorite, a Sprite and Snickers from 7 Eleven. However, we will encourage you to eat the local food with us (I’m excited to learn and EAT the local foods!). Taiwan is also known for its night markets, which have some of the best (and strangest) food on the planet. The night markets usually get going late in the evening, and offer anything from clothes, to squid, to pirated DVD’s, to shaved ice!

Mmm... Squid.

Typical Night Market Scene

Taiwan is a highly developed Asian country, where you will find air conditioning, clean water and “normal” toilets.  Although we aren’t 100% certain, it looks like Jamie and I will be living in the city of Taipei. This is the largest city in Taiwan, and has population of around 7 million people. There are many different districts of Taipei, all of which have their own unique features (mountains, rivers, night markets, etc.). Having spent some time in Taipei in 2005, I know that there isn’t a city on the west coast of the United States that matches the hustle and bustle of Taipei. Even though it sounds intimidating, I’m excited to get there and experience all that it has to offer! If you have questions about Taiwan, feel free to post them in the comments section. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll either find it, or wait until I’m over there and experience it firsthand and then share with you.

Taipei 101 and the surrounding city

Presidential Palace

Scooootttteeerrrrssss!

How it all started...

It’s funny. I can tell you the exact moment when moving to Taiwan popped into my head, but before I do, let’s recap where I am at in life. After graduating from the University of Washington Bothell, I got hired as an admissions advisor intern, which was awesome. My job was to travel around the state of Washington and tell students why my alma mater rocks. During the off season, I would sit in my office and act as part of the freshmen holistic review committee, which makes the admissions recommendations for incoming freshmen. After some time as an intern, I got hired as a professional staff member for the UW, and felt like I was finally making it. All and all, my professional life was on the perfect path. My personal life was also great. In 2008, I married my longtime girlfriend from Adna, Washington (check out her blog here), and we have been enjoying a great partnership ever since. Last year, with two great jobs, and an American urge to be “home owners”, we started making offers on houses. While there were many great buys to be had, it seemed like ours kept falling through, which brings me back to March 30^th.

It was raining… hard. I was working a fair at a community college that ranks very low on my list, and I couldn’t get any internet connection (believe me, internet connection is important). This was piled on top of the fact that I got drenched trying to find my building and there were no students at this particular fair. Anyhow, once I finally got access to the internet I read that the house that Jamie and I fell in love with and had recently made an offer on had went to someone else. You could say I’d had better days. It was one of those moments in life where you start to really ponder your purpose, what you are doing, why you are doing it, and where you think you want to end up. It wasn’t that I all of the sudden hated my job, or that I was completely dejected from the housing market, but I started critically evaluating the direction that I was going. And just like that, the idea of Taiwan popped into my head. It’s important to know that Jamie and I have been talking about an extended visit to Taiwan for a long, long time. We both felt crappy every time it got brought up because it felt like we would never have the time or money to go visit. Well, after a quick phone call, a surprising “let’s talk about it when you get home”, and a whole lot of deliberating on my drive back; it looks like this little idea is turning into a reality.

On August 11^th, 2011, I will be flying to Taiwan on a 60-day, multiple entry, visitor visa. Jamie will be following me over sometime in September after she shoots a wedding. There is SO much we have had to plan and account for, but it finally feels like we are starting to clear most of the hurdles. Things we’ve had to deal with range in complexity and stress level, but we are nearly there. For me, the most challenging items I had to figure out were how to say goodbye to family and friends here in the States, how I wanted to handle the move professionally, what we were going to do with our beloved Finny, and what I was going to do for a visa. In regards to work, the plan right now is for me to find a job teaching English, which will provide a working visa and allow me to stay in the country as long as I am employed. Because I don’t have a teaching license, I cannot teach at any of the “standard” schools, but I do qualify to teach at private bilingual schools, private religious schools, or buxibans, which are cram schools. The working aspect is important, but I really don’t imagine it being the highlight of this blog.

I named the blog “Transforming a Wai Guo Ren: Taiwan”. Wai guo ren translates into English as foreigner, or outsider. The point of this blog is to allow you the opportunity to see my personal transformation as an outsider. I’m most excited to see my relationships grow with both Jamie and her family in Taiwan. I’m also really excited to advance my level of Mandarin, and hopefully be conversational when I return. Also, I cannot wait to experience the people, food, and culture of Taiwan. I know that when I leave, people on the streets will still see me as a wai guo ren, but hopefully on the inside I will feel like I have found a place on the island.

My next few blog posts will probably be more about the actual process of gearing up for my move. I’ve still got a lot of things I need to get done in the US, and I’m sure I’ll need a good outlet for the extra stress. Hopefully all of my friends and family back home can keep tabs on me following this blog, and also get to experience a little bit of Taiwan by the stories, pictures and videos I share with you all!

Lastly, you should try to come by our house in Bothell on July 30^th for our going away party. We aren’t doing anything special, but it’ll be a great opportunity to have one last chat before we take off on this new adventure in Taiwan!