No Longer an Unemployed Bum

It’s now been ten weeks since I’ve went to work. It seems like ages. A lot has happened in those ten weeks. Here’s a short list of some things things that have occurred.

• As mentioned below, I went home and was lazy for six weeks.
• My new roommate, Frikkie, returned from his visit to South Africa.
• We got a new roommate from Spain, of all places. Not many Spaniards in Taiwan that I’m aware of.
• I’m joined a health club here in Hsinchu. It’ll be great to work out again on a regular basis.
• I’ve been searching high and low for a job, with what seemed to be little success.
• Most importantly, I met a wonderful girl named Vanesa. She’s the best!

So it’s been a good ten weeks, I think.

And if you’re wondering, I did indeed find a job. I’ll be working at a school called Hsinchu Royal Academy. Classes start on Monday. While I originally interviewed for a kindergarten position, it turns out I’ll be teaching buxiban classes, which is the same thing I did last year. Only this time I’ll be getting better pay and better hours. Funny how life works, eh? But I’m looking forward to it and God knows I could use the money. I’ve got a number of bills to pay. Getting to Taiwan, having a new girlfriend, and being unemployed for more than two months ain’t cheap, ya know?

Crazy Chinese Customs

Got this from my former roommate and good buddy Jim today.

China Acts on Funeral Strippers

Five people have been detained in China for running striptease send-offs at funerals, state media say.

The once-common events are held to boost the number of mourners, as large crowds are seen as a mark of honour.

But the arrests, in the eastern province of Jiangsu, could signal the end of the rural tradition.

Local officials have since ordered a halt to “obscene performances” and say funeral plans have to be submitted in advance, Xinhua news agency said.

The arrests, in Donghai county, followed striptease acts at a farmer’s funeral, the agency said.

Two hundred people were said to have attended the event, which was held on 16 August.

The Beijing News said the event was later revealed by a Chinese TV station. The leaders of five striptease troupes were held, it said, including two involved in the farmer’s funeral.

“Striptease used to be a common practice at funerals in Donghai’s rural areas to allure viewers,” Xinhua agency said.

“Local villagers believe that the more people who attend the funeral, the more the dead person is honoured.”

As well as ordering an end to the practice, officials have also said residents can report “funeral misdeeds” on a hotline, earning a reward for information.

Make mine an open casket ceremony, please.

Taiwan/China Politics

I’m not much of a political kind of guy, but this was a pretty interesting read. Personally, I don’t think the people of Taiwan really have anything to worry about, especially with the Olympics looming. China just likes to show everyone who the big guy on the block his every now and then.

Back in the TW

Damn, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? According to my records, June 26th was the last time I updated ye ole weblog. Seems like longer than that, actually. At any rate, I just returned back in Hsinchu after a six week visit to the States. Here’s a quick list of things that I did whilst home.

• Ate a huge buffalo sirloin steak, complete with A1 and sautéed mushrooms and onions
• Watched my brother get married… again
• Dined on a 150 pound roast pig at my bro’s wedding reception
• Rode ATVs with my parents in the Black Hills
• Played 27 holes of golf
• Drove my pickup
• Paid damned near $200 for gas on a four day trip to Colorado in said pickup
• Caught up with some old friends in Colorado
• Felt significantly out of place at an American shopping mall
• Wished random people in public places were speaking Chinese so I couldn’t understand some of the insipid conversations I overheard
• Ate American Chinese food… it’s quite a bit different than Taiwanese Chinese food
• Gazed at blue skies during the day and bright stars at night
• Saw two of my cousins whom I hadn’t seen in years
• Drove a skidder just like this one
• Witnessed Jumbo pass out on a pool table at a local pub
• Rode my Suzuki Marauder… how I’ve missed her
• Enjoyed some quality time with my cats, Sara and Harvey
• Made a new friend in Hsinchu, ironically enough
• Won $50 playing poker in Deadwood
• Lost $20 playing poker in Vegas on an 8 hour layover during my trip back to Taiwan
• Spent a few days doing absolutely nothing… and it was everything I thought it could be
• Drank my fair share of Mountain Dew

I’m sure I’m leaving out a few things but those are most of the highlights. Speaking of Mountain Dew, I was wandering around downtown Hsinchu with my new friend I mentioned above and we went into a Filipino grocery store because she wanted buy me a jar of peanut butter she had been telling me about. While perusing around the shop, I happened upon a small cooler that, to my surprise, contained a number of ice cold cans of Mountain Dew. I was rather shocked at this discovery since I didn’t think it was possible to find Mountain Dew in Taiwan. So that was a good bit of information to gather.

The flight back was good and went rather quickly. I’ve made the 12 hour plus flight between the US and Taiwan three times now and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly it goes. One of the highlights was meeting a 9-year-old boy from Los Angeles named Andy. Andy and his family were headed to Vietnam to visit relatives for three weeks. It was a lot of fun just being silly with him. It really passed the time. I almost had him talked into proposing to a particularly attractive flight attendant. But every time she walked by, he would chicken out. While he might not have done so well this time around, I have a feeling that that kid is gonna end up doing alright for himself in that department. So look out, ladies.

On the docket this week is looking for a job. I’ve got an interview at a kindergarten tomorrow morning so we’ll see how that goes. I’ve also got my resumé in at a couple of other kindergartens but I’m still waiting to hear back.

At any rate, it’s good to be “home”. I have a distinct feeling that this year is going to be really great and I’m looking forward to it in a big way. Cheers!