Make good use of $

我覺得這一週還不錯，有一位老師請假，教務處找我代課，
我當然高高興興地去上課，而且沒有什麼壓力，因為個性有
大而化之的缺點，黑板上時有錯字，學生就會很親切地提醒
我，、老師喔，你的加拿大寫錯了啦！、 真的，把 Canada
寫成 Canado...實在...你唸唸看，難怪全班笑瘋了，不過
臨走前我說很開心來代課，可能以後沒機會再來玩，大家吵
說還要再來玩，啊學生真現實...( 我有請答對英文問題的
孩子吃糖果。)

OK I have typed so many chinese characters. *sobs*
This pin yin input method is real good...the only
problem is I don't have many chances to practice
typing chinese. That's why I still can't master it (
maybe I am finding an excuse for myself again. )
Anyway, I had 3 sessions OT this week and the best
way to celebrate for the extra pay is go have hot
pots with friends. See I know how to make good use
of my money...( too bad my parents never think so. )

My ex classmate CJ rang me up around a week ago, and
said our friend, who I mentioned on another blog,
'WS'...I lent her 15000 NT, undertook a surgery
lately and stayed in a hospital not far away. She
told me WS also asked her and another friend of ours
for money. *sighs* What's wrong with my lovely
friend... She is not only good looking but diligent,
always being nice to people around her. How come
she's always drawn to lousy guys, who can bring her
nothing but doom! Her karma or what, I have no clue.
But I do hope she can get well soon and find the One
that is real good to her. ( in whispering mode: I
hope I can find one for myself too...*smiles* )

Taiwan's Retrocessing Day

今天是台灣光復節，但是有誰會在意呢？沒有放假就只不過是一個普普通通的星期二。

School gave all the classrooms and offices this notice that asks us to pay attention to the very scary Avian Influenza (禽流感). However, we don't seem to have many cases here in Taiwan, but it's always better to keep safe. That's why I told students it's okay to bring along eggs and chicken for our hot pot party next Mon, but we gotta make them well-done. As a matter of fact I have neither eggs nor meat--only vegetarian meals I would get. But that doesn't mean I won't fall sick as others...still have to be careful.

Some friend paid me a short visit while I was having a break this morning, kind enough to give me a package of dried tofu ( vegetarian for sure. ) I had some in my office later...yummy! Then shared with my colleagues and some students later on when they had good performance in class.

Lucky me :D

How come time flies like this! *big smile* The weather in Taipei is turning cold ( finally ) but the leaves remain green as well ( different to those in Vancouver, my best friend ww told me. ) I pretty much enjoy autumn time...it's pleasant to take a walk on the street or in the park nearby. Sometimes I can see the beautiful moon in the sky--lucky since you guys know the air here is quite polluted.

It is a given that friends around are always kind enough to teach me something new and share with me interesting stuff. Some nice guy who knew I was slow in typing chinese characters sent me a new software: Natural Input Way. *grateful* He told me it could improve my speed to type chinese after some more practice--I believe so! The best is I found there's this 'pin yin' input method, which I learned about as I studied in NTNU. I didn't ask my prof for the software that time ( how regretful I am you know; it's all for free! ) Felt so surprised and happy to see the pin yin there! I don't need to stare at the keyboard hard trying to find the zhu yin I want anymore. Thanks so much my friend! ^_^

Happy people

今天買珍珠奶茶請一些段考有達到的標準的學生,另外要在近期為班上舉辦火鍋party,因為孩子們開學以來表現都不錯,獎勵一下囉!
As for myself, I have a good time watching Densha
Otoko, and Full Mental Panic the 2nd Raid. People
are always involved in some relationship and
that's why problems can't stop popping up. hehe
Maybe we human being are just too complicated?

The 1st periodical test's done

We had the first periodical test this week, and it
seems most students can't do well on their English
test. Hmm maybe I should be a bit harsh on kids?
*grins evilly* Shall I ask them to write more
homework...or just use a rod? Kidding ok.

I watched Densha Otoko to ep. 8 and these 2 couldn't
give up their relationship ( or more likely their
friendship? they didn't even kiss... ) easily even
they came from way too different backgrounds. I
wonder if I can be like the lady; it's not easy to
accept a guy who doesn't look like a match for me.
*chuckles* yah I know I am picky, as opposed to just
settle and go date with wrong types. Heh life is
short. Never waste time like this then.

Also watched Full Mental Panic the Second Raid to
ep.9--sadly they are separated and the girl's in
danger without her bodyguard being around protecting
her. She bursted into tears in the end while sitting
on the roof finding she's been all alone to fight
with enemies. Poor baby...gotta be more strong-
minded herself. No idea if I have time for movies
today...always busy on Sundays. Ah well.

Don't you come back

肚子好餓...
我在學校等吃便當,
下午還要開會.
今天有個已經畢業一陣子的男生
回來學校找我,
還想一起吃中飯呢!
哎,我當然不願意...
不過我有鼓勵他要好好工作存錢,
嫌累嫌煩找藉口一律禁止,
他走之前還說,
老師我下次還要再來看妳,
哎,我不願意啊... -_-

Tired after a long weekend

Back to work after a long weekend. Most of us seem tired...students were dozing off in class, and one colleague looked pale because she caught a cold. As for me...under great stress ( a bit exaggerating I admit ) you know the first periodical test is coming! I hope my kids can do well for sure...that's why I felt today's tiring even though I have only 4 sessions.

Good news is I can watch Densha Otoko 6 soon. Heh it's enticing...no wonder even students read or watch it ( I happened to find they brought the novel to school. ) *grins evilly* Of course one more reader in this world then. By the way, I am grateful to say some friends of mine are so kind-hearted. They often inform me about nice anime and movies; moreover, a friend allows me to d/l stuff directly from his HD. *sobs* I think I should do something to return the favor after all...But I'm not that useful when it comes to computers--cannot give them a hand there. Ah...thank you very much, my good friends. *big smiles*

Harry Potter & Densha Otoko

Today is a happy day, altho it's windy and rainy. I enjoy taking a walk but didn't do so today because the weather's not good enough. Instead I stayed indoors and finished reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It's interesting...too bad my british friend R announced he wouldn't read Harry Potter anymore since he thought it's way too commercialized. *shrugs* I don't really mind...what ppl do these days is more or less commercialized ain't it. Even when we look for the One, we are informed in advance s/he had better match our background well in the first beginning. Otherwise parents may object strongly. Isn't that another kind of commercialism?

Talking about backgrounds, I also finished watching Densha Otoko ep. 5 this evening. Their backgrounds seem quite different--not perfect match at all! But who knows? Maybe they will be a couple in the end? I didn't surf for the plot of this story--don't wanna spoil the fun watching it bit by bit. *grins* Maybe ends up he dates with the nasty slut? Aww that will be fun too.

Call it a busy week

啊,一大清早就下起雨來,
看來氣象局說的沒錯,
我家電費上次將近四千元,
這下可以省一點了吧...
這個星期都好忙,
沒辦法下星期第一次段考.

朋友說他在看Densha Otoko,
問他要了URL我也找來看看,
現在已看過1,2集了,
哈...男生要約女孩子真有那麼緊張嗎!
我一直覺得男的都很聰明,
我們女生才比較會東想西想呢...

最近看了大潤發的周年慶傳單,
天啊精英G536的筆電,
全新18888元而已!
各位相信嗎,
稍早我在雅虎拍賣挑二手筆電時,
有位小姐要賣她的精英筆電,
說可燒錄保養佳21000元割愛,
還好我沒買...二手滴當然是一萬左右,
有些五千元就符合上網打打字的需求囉!
像我這台康柏1400的二手筆電,
音效真的很不錯!
等它退休後我就不再買二手的,
說不定那時一台新的只要一萬五...ㄏㄏ

He's hungry

This morning I bought an extra spring roll for snack on my way to school. Ended up I was too full to finish it during my break. My boy student Gary came up to me and asked 'teacher do you have cookies I am hungry!' Erm just fine then. No free lunch right. Told him, 'sure I can give you the spring roll but you gotta call me mom.' In a sec he said, 'mom' and happily proceeded to my office to get the spring roll.

Moral for this event: guys know how to sweet talk while you have what they want. :P

The 3rd strong typhoon

Heh it's Sun but I got waken very early by the big noise from
outside. How come? Oh Typhoon Longwang *chortling* is visiting
Taiwan! Aww I cannot go out today I guess. Lucky got the Net.
^^ I then came online and chatted merrily with some friend via
skype. MSN has been having some trouble lately, keeping disc me
from time to time. And this became more serious for today--
maybe it's because of the typhoon? Or the version 7.5 ain't
stable enough? Who knows. I have more than one way to chat with
friends.

In addition to chatting, I watched some anime. Both are
fun...Bleach 50 is a bit 'nutty', got neither serious fighting
scenes nor gorgeous and invicible death gods. Honey & Clover 21
is as good as the other epispodes, and the term 'soul-searching
trip' inspired me again, made me think of the time I went
travelling alone. It's fabulous, when I was totally alone, all
by myself, and the feeling that I myself is the best friend of
mine. Guess the others can't understand what I am talking about
... *chuckling* Never mind. It's my monologue.

So...here I am. I found the lyrics for another good song I
listened to today:
阿沁-我們之間的距離

我看著你　那紫色的背影
又讓我想起微笑的你
我多希望　或許你會答應
對你不是隨便說說而已
我想放棄　明知道不可以
我只剩下最後的勇氣
想大聲說　對你說我愛你
你的嘴角是否還會揚起
還沒有讓你明白　我怎麼能夠離開
我可以試著假裝　不在乎他的存在
我猜你也會猶豫　猶豫要怎麼反應
又開始沉默不語　害怕讓自己傷心
還沒有開始就散　我怎麼願意離開
我不想翻開日記　全都是你的空白
難道你不會猶豫　和不和我在一起
我們之間的距離　只差一句我愛你

My favorite line is 我想放棄 就算是不可以...Well I really would
like to give up some stuff in my life but they ain't supposed
to be given up by me at all. Even I think bright, even I never
give up...sometimes I just wanna let go. hehehe ok enough let
me stop right here. Gotta enjoy this typhoon day some more.

Fell sick

No idea why I fell sick like this...took a medical
leave yesterday! It's Fri and I was supposed to
enjoy it since I only have 4 sessions to teach. But
after the 1st class I started to feel weak, having a
headache and a stomachache. At first I thought I'd
be fine again, just to take a rest at my desk during
break time. But still felt bad and it seemed the
world's turning around in my head. Finally the
decision was made--my colleagues would take over my
duty and I drove home to rest asap. ( *sobs* my turn
to pay for others' teaching )

Also got a fever, but no sneezing or sore throat.
Weird...blame it to the troublesome activity on
Teacher's Day! I had 6 sessions and school asked all
the teachers and students to come for a school
meeting in the afternoon, bathing in the great
sunlight ( over 35 C. ) The purpose? Sure, for the
celebration of Teacher's Day! It's just stupid and
torturous. Who would concentrate on the
'performance' if the sun is so shining and burning?
We sweated like hell and the school court was like
the hell really. Terrible experience...I told others
I didn't enjoy such after it's over. Altho it's to
celebrate Teacher's Day, altho some students were so
sweet to give me cards and gifts ( I never asked
them to and I told them I got my salary
already...there's no need to give me stuff. )

Anyway, I feel a bit better today. It said a typhoon
Longwang is coming. While chatting on an American
channel, my friend told me he knew there will be a
typhoon in TW and found its name amusing. I said yah
I found some typhoons' names are funny. Then he
private messaged me--'wang' is a slang word for
penis. What the... LOL no wonder he found it
amusing! Oh no many people here have their surname
Wang. :P Ain't it fun when their English name's
read by Americans if they go to the states?

Not true

I kind of 'yelled at' my students this early
morning in class. They wouldn't like to take the
responsibility for preparing something important;
furthermore they didn't behave and upset their
Chinese teacher yesterday. That made me mad and
sure they must get punishment for that. Weird I
watched the news and it said my horoscope is very
lucky today, both in 'love' and 'business'. Hmm
thus, here's the motto: seeing is NOT ALWAYS
believing.

Stressful?

上一篇blog才說做了一個怪夢,心想並不覺得像朋友說的可能有壓
力,結果昨晚在夢中我用美工刀刺進自己左手的食指尖約0.5公分,
看著鮮血冒出來大約有一兩CC吧!畫面很慢,很清晰...
Well, I am really under lots of pressure? Somehow I just can't believe it, since people around think ( and so do I ) I am a optimistist always. I don't have a serious relationship at this moment--no guy brings me any trouble now. Hmm it's work then? Been busy working since this school term started--my grade 9 students will have CBT ( 基本學測 ) next year. Certainly I keep them companly and do my best to instruct them, but I haven't felt stressed before. *chuckles* no good to think too much, anyway.

What a dream

Had a weird dream...I didn't know who that guy was. He's there while I was doing shopping in somewhere like a big supermarket. He approached and I didn't feel comfortable; thus, I was trying to avoid seeing him. But he wouldn't give up coming near. Even after I left that supermarket, I was walking down some dark alley, feeling both upset and scared. Why he couldn't just leave me alone? What did he want? Moreover I saw my ex walking in front of me on the same street a while later, as I still tried to get rid of that stalking guy. I could hear him talking. Certainly he was not someone I would like to see ( even it's in my dream :P ) so I walked a bit faster to pass over. Unfortunately it ended up he was following me. I felt...darn how come they acted like that. Woke up confused. I didn't think of my exs at all once we broke up. He shouldn't have come into my dream. :P

Moon Festival

Ah...lousy we gotta work today. I remember we wouldn't go to school or work on Mon if the national holiday was on Sun. Since when it's changed? *sighs* No idea if my foreign friends have the same situation. They don't work on the weekend either, and apparently they have more holidays than us--Easter, Christmas, and so on. I don't think we have a longer one except the Lunar New Year ( around 1 week that's it. ) Heh I complained enough I guess.

Talking about this Moon Festival, we had a guest from UK. He likes TW so much that he's to get PR, wouldn't go back to his country in the future. No need to say his ideal wife will be a Taiwanese--of course not my business. I never think I should do anything for my male friends when it comes to dating or marriage--guys are smart. They know what they want precisely. *chuckles* Girls never have to worry about guys because they can take care of themselves very well, even better than us gals!

Thus I didn't plan to meet this British friend R after he informed me he's already here in Taipei. But he told me in another email he brought my family some little gifts from UK. O...K...we wouldn't owe others favor. That's why he's invited to our place and had a big dinner, moon cakes, and I did have a good time listening to a beautiful English accent. The best is he's pretty interested in teaching English--guess I can ask any questions about vocabulary and grammar of him from now on. ( As a matter of fact I don't have many questions to ask.hehehe :P )

Hot and heaty!

這星期好炎熱,隔壁班有個女生拿美工刀,
劃傷同班一位白目男生的手臂,
我在辦公室裡目睹她以抓狂的語氣,
和她的導師吵架,
說為什麼她不能割騷擾她的人,
假如像她説的,
我也要準備一支美工刀放包包囉!
開玩笑滴!
喝一點涼的降火氣啦...

Can practice English more

One colleague took leave and I gotta take over her duty for a week. I went lecture in that class for 3 classes so far...and their homeroom teacher told me, 'my class wish you could go on teaching them...they said you're easy going and teach well.' :D So happy to hear that.

It's still hot these days, and my friend from UK moved to Taipei lately. I pretty much enjoy listening to his british English, not as 'heavy' as those on TV or movies, but a pleasant light accent. I guess I will have chances to speak English IRL from now on. hehe :P

A hot and sleepy day

Been sleepy all day...even a boy student asked me in
class 'teacher are you in a bad mood?' Hah I guess I look
real serious when there's no smile on my face. ( But I
can't keep smiling all the time, you know...that's silly.
)
Some events for today. A boy in the class next to mine
got hurt. He's that kind of person who's being pampered
by his parents too much to know in fact he is annoying to
others. He didn't behave in class and finally a gal,
who's his classmate and sat near him, couldn't stand his
noise and bothering anymore, went cut his arm with a
knife. So the boy ran to the teacher's office and asked
for help. He's soon sent to the school clinic. The gal
felt very angry while she's being asked by her teacher:
'how come you cut your classmate like this?' She roared,
'why can't I? he keeps bothering me!!' Shouting and
crying in our office you can imagine the chaos that time.

As for my class, I ordered chocolate shattered ice (巧克
力冰沙) for students, planned to let them enjoy it after
their PE class this afternoon. Woo how nice you can have
something cold after outdoor activities under a burning
sun. It's almost the time to go get the ice...the boss
rang me and informed me their machine was broken. No
shattered ice but juice. -_- I had no choice but change
it to passion fruit juice--told the boss to add more ice
cubes for us. Lucky students didn't complained ( maybe
they dare not? ) to me.

Guess I should leave early tonight. My eyes are so tired.

Graduation trip

趕在卡努颱風來襲之前帶學生去畢旅,真是好運啊!
這三天中部的天氣很好,我們大家都玩的很盡興.
可惜沒在回台北的途中唱卡拉OK,因為大家都累癱,
全班睡成一團好可愛呢!

This week we didn't concentrate on studies for sure--who
would when it's time for the graduation trip. Think about
it! 3 days 2 nights with dear classmates in the middle of
Taiwan, visiting some famous scenic spots during the day,
playing games or cards in the hotel room with mates.
Ain't it terrific for a 15-yr-old boy/gal. Me? oh well I
am NOT a student but I pretty much enjoy travelling no
matter when I go with a tour or alone. ( plan to visit
Korea next break...not confirmed though hehe )

Our tour guide was Panda ( his nick of course, I know
about his real name but he said 'you can call me Panda'
well I didn't mind indeed ) and he's there to help me
take care of my students for 3 days. Tall and tan, this
tall young guy majors in cooking, and he always talks in
a gentle tone. Not like me, the 'fierce' homeroom teacher
would yell at them once in a while. *grins evilly* So we
got on the bus and headed off to Janfusun Fancyworld in
Yunlin county. They have many facilities you can see in
most playgrounds, so I don't bother to intro them one by
one ( you can always check online.) Some differences I
could tell...they didn't have the Coffee and Tea museums
last time as I paid a visit. So I entered both to see the
exhibition--friends you know I am into tea and coffee;
they even shouted us teachers coffee in the evening. I
had a orange-fragrant hot coffee. To my surprise, later
on when we were in the Janfusun Prince Hotel I could
still fall asleep well at night. Maybe walked a lot in
the afternoon, watched a show ( a circus from Russia )in
the evening and eventually felt tired enough.

The next morning we proceeded to the well-known place Sun
Moon Lake and most students went pray for good luck--they
will take CBT next May to enter their ideal senior high
schools. I prayed with them...truly hope their dreams can
come true. ( Weird...come to think of it I didn't even
get a thought to pray for myself at the moment! ) Then we
left for another famous playground--Formosan Aboriginal
Culture Village, located in Nantou county. Needless to
say they got good sights and attractions; moreover they
have a great stuff--cable cars. I remember the last time
I took a cable car was when I was in Syd. And this time
it's the same fun--enjoyed the view from high above with
my 3 colleagues. I had my second coffee again ( and once
again fell asleep nicely at midnight. hah )

We had a party after dinner; some students went perform
on the stage ( every class had to 'push' a few
representatives there as a matter of fact. ) When it's
going to end all students stood up and started to dance.
Panda took my hand and pulled me up to the stage--ended
up I gotta take more exercise even when I thought I did
get enough from earlier the day. ( Why teachers can keep
fit easily can you see now ) Oh there's an event which I
didn't expect after I took a bath though. Got a boy
student's call and reported to me one boy from the next
room climbed over the fence to their balcony and
something's wrong with their window. My students were
told by me they gotta pay for what's broken in the hotel
room. It's late but I gotta call the other homeroom
teacher and Panda to take a look. Well that naughty boy
who climbed over and caused the trouble didn't admit at
first. Sure most ppl would defend themselves no matter
what. Being tired I just said without looking at the
'suspect', 'ok then big hotels like this one always have
cams installed to maintain their safety let's just get
the tape and the evidence will talk.' In a few secs time
he said 'yah it's me.'

The boy who called was praised by me later on in class
since it's correct to ask for help right away. Otherwise
they might have got into big trouble. Anyway, the third
day our destination was for more knowledge--National
Museum of Natural Science in Taichung. My 'detour' to get
quite a few boxes of Sun cakes, 'wife' cakes and
'husband' cakes made this trip a perfect ending. :P