Frustration

Well to honest this update will be short and not very happy. I've had a pretty bad week where it is making me think about leaving. Yeah it is that bad. I am not going to go into much detail because it would take forever to really explain and like I said I don't want my blog to be rants and very negative. To sum it up my fellow foreign teacher got a parent complaint which is pretty much a lie coming from the kid. The student said he was scared of this teacher, but at school he runs up to them and hugs them all the time. So we know it can't be true. None the less she got in trouble and yelled at by my boss. So they decided to take this teacher out of this class and put me in there. This now makes me have 2 main classes and a secondary class. I don't have time to do all the prep work this teacher did since they didn't have any main classes, but now I have to take care of my classes and help with this one. I have a very heavy schedule as it is and it is only getting worse. So I am very annoyed and upset that they keep treating me and the rest of the teachers like shit. I know I stayed for my Davinci/Einstein class, but they way they are treating me I am getting to the point of wanting to quit. If you know me I hate quitting things. I always try to finish things to the end, but for my own sake I may need to leave. I don't know what to do yet. I still need to think.

Anyways on a happier note I saw Andy, Philip, Haris and Leah yesterday. We went out for dinner in Hongdae which was a lot of fun. Philip is back in town and looking for a job. It was really nice to see him again. So we hung out for 5 hours yesterday, just catching up and walking around. It was nice to see them and made me realize how much I miss them and how they made working at my job bearable.  We supported each other and were a team, where as the group now isn't so much. Oh well I will have to decided soon. That is really it. I am getting sick. lol just what I need right? Anyways, I am off to bed. I need to sleep. Hopefully this cold won't last long. I hope everyone has a great week! Besos!

Having fun with my kids and Infinite Concert!!!!

Haha okay so yes I went to another concert for a different group and I will be going crazy over that later in this post but I will first update about my week with my kiddos. :) So it was a pretty good week and kind of quiet. I had a lot of fun with my kids and have pictures to share of Beethoven. I also heard from Aiden. He told me he loved me and missed me! Man I miss him so much and Emily wasn't here this week. I think she is still on vacation. Those two have my heart! Dang them for wiggling their way into my heart! lol Anyways here are photos!

Alex and I. (His cousin is Lumi in my Einstein class)

Colin and I. (I used to teach his sister Chennie)

Anna and I

Irin and I. She is moving away this week :(

Ashley and I

Alice and I. (I used to teach her brother Harry)

Eric and I

Colin and I again. haha he kept wanting pictures.

Lily and I.

Amber and I.

Haha these kids are super smart and work really hard. They also love to play red light green light. haha.

Okay now for Kpop and concert talk. haha So if you don't want to read about me going crazy about Kpop skip to the last paragraph! I am warning you because it will probably be just like my blog post on SHINee's concert. Speaking of them they came back with 2 new songs this week and I have them stuck in my head because they are so good. So I will share. One is written by Jonghyun of Shinee called Selene 6.23 and the other is called Better Off.

Okay now on to another boy group. I have been listening to EXO lately and they have an awesome new song and dance. They also have a great ballad song so I will share those with you.
Here is the dance song and it is a live performance.

Haha okay now 2 girl groups before I talk about the concert. Here is Fx with Rum Pum Pum Pum (This is the English title) The Korean title means Wisdom Tooth. It is a catchy song. Also Airplane is really good. So I will share both of those with whoever reads my craziness. lol Both songs are in the video. It is a live performance. Oh and just so everyone knows all of them are girls. Amber is not a boy even if she looks like one.

Lastly is a group called A Pink. I only recently started listening to them. I am not a huge fan of them, but they are growing on me so this is there song called No No No.

Okay now onto the concert! Yay! So I went to see Infinite! They are my next favorite boy dance group next to Shinee! (Yes Shinee is my favorite if you haven't figured that out by now). Anyways Infinite is a group of 7 members Sungkyu is the oldest and the leader. He is 25 Korean age (24 international age). Dongwoo is the main rapper and is 24 Korean age (22 international age). Woohyun is lead vocal and is 23 Korean age (22 international age). Hoya (real name is Howon) is the lead dancer and 23 Korean age (22 international age). Sungyeol is a vocalist and is 23 Korean age (21 international age). His birthday is in 2 weeks so that is why he is 2 years younger than his Korean age. L (real name is Myungsoo) is the visual and 22 Korean age (21 international age). The youngest or maknae is Songjong who is a vocalist and 21 Korean age (20 international age). Wow okay that was long. haha They have a fan club and it is call Inspirit and they debuted in 2010. I got into this group because of my friend Leah who is a huge fan of them. My favorite member is Hoya because he is an awesome dancers. So the concert lasted 3 hours and luckily there was no rain. Leah and I had a blast and they played some really great songs. They played a lot from their most resent album which I enjoyed. So I have a coupe of photos from outside and the stage setup the rest will be some fancams or videos that I didn't take. So I hope you enjoy!

Hoya! Fans donated 500 Kg of rice for charity under his name.

They did Inception, but I can't find a fancam so here is the song when they had their comeback.

Before the Dawn is a cool dance.

Be Mine

Paradise

Okay I didn't find any great pictures to show so I didn't add them. I hope you enjoyed the videos and if not I am sorry you listened to all of them. haha

Well that is all I have for this week. Nothing too crazy went on, just been busy at work and having fun with my kids. I have to go make a phone teaching sheet now since I have to phone teach Einstein on Wednesday. So I am off. Have a great week everyone! Besos!

Taiwan Vacation Part 2 (Just as long as the last post)

Day 3 Night 4

Kenting Park

The centerpiece of the Hengchun Peninsula is Kenting National Park, Taiwan's only tropical national park. Established in 1982, Kenting National Park covers a total area of 33,268 hectares of land and maritime environments. This is Taiwan's most densely populated national park, and it includes large stretches of

agricultural land's providing visitors with a view of typical Taiwanese rural life. In addition, the national park includes mountains, forests, pasture, lakes, sand dunes, beaches, and coral reefs imply everything you could desire when you want to get up front and personal with Mother Nature.

Oluanpi Lighthouse

"E-Luan" also call” Olanpi Light House” is the transliteration of sail in Paiwan Tribe’s language. It is because that there is a sail-like reef rock in this place. "Bi" means protruding. Since this place is a cape, it is named "E-Luan-Bi". The scenery here is naturally beautiful and fascinating; therefore, E-Luan-Bi Park is established according to its original landscape. E-Luan-Bi Park covers an area of some 59 hectares and is located in the most south part in Taiwan. It is also the demarcation point between Pacific Ocean and Bashi Channel. E-Luan-Bi Park is a recreation area of both natural and cultural landscape which is listed as one of the eight nature wonders of Taiwan.The whole area of E-Luan-Bi is rising coral reefs. Giant reefs are everywhere. Further, it is eroded by strong wind and sea water for a long time; there are countless kinds of rock landscape.

Including Fei-Fei Cave, Ancient Cave, Quiet Valley, Porcupine Rock, Qing-Tian Rock and Kissing Rock, they all are famous reef landscape in this area. Only hearing of the names can make people imagine how different the rocks look like. Walking along the well-planned trail inside the park, every so often you can find screw pines, portia trees, Philippine ebony persimmons and Paatii growing everywhere on the rocks. And, those plants are never lonely. There are always birds and butterflies staying with them. Large tree nymph, birdwing butterflies, gray tree pies and Taiwan bulbuls seem to live here. The ecology of plants and animals in E-Luan-Bi Park is quite expectable.

Maopitou

Maobitou is located in the west cape of southern Taiwan, right on the demarcation point of Taiwan Strait and Bashi Channel. Since there is a rock falling from the sea cliff which looks like a crouching cat facing toward the sea, it is named Maobitou. The whole area of Maobitou is a typical erosional landform of coral coast which just faces windward and has abundant sea erosion. It is an excellent land form classroom with various scarps, reef

columns, sea trenches, sea erosion caves and pot holes. From the trail aside Maobitou Tourist Center to the observation deck, standing on the deck on the cliff, you will see the boundless scenery of blue sky and sea. Although sky and sea are in the same color, the left side is Bashi Channel and the right side is Taiwan Strait, standing on the demarcation point of sea is such a wonderful experience. From here, you can overlook many famous and beautiful scenes on Hengshun Peninsula. From the left front land, they are SanTai Hill, Nan Wan, DaSanMu Hill, XiaoGien Hill, MenMaLao Hill, DaGien Hill, KenTing National Forest Recreation Area, Big Bay, DaYuan Hill, Xiao Wan, Chuanfan Rock, HsianGioWan Eco-Protection Area, ShaDao and E-Luan-Bi. 

 

This day was a very scenic day! It was so beautiful and very interesting to hear all the history behind it. It is the second time I have seen the ocean. It is the same ocean though. haha I saw the Pacific when I was in California and now I have seen it from the other side in Taiwan. All the water we saw was so blue and clear. From high up you can see where the coral is located under the water. I could see the dark tones and maybe my pictures show them. It was so beautiful! On this trip my tour guide told us about the aboriginal people of Taiwan. It was interesting to hear because a lot of it is similar to the history of the Natives in the States.  The hotel we stayed at was run by aboriginal people and they were very nice. Not many spoke English though. The light house was very cool too because on one side it was the Bashi channel and on the other was the Pacific Ocean. It was pretty cool to see where they met. So here are my photos.

Taiwan Strait

Bashi Channel

light house

my hotel

Day 4 Night 5

East Coast National Scenic Area

The East Coast National Scenic Area, known as "Taiwan's last unspoiled land," stretches 170 kilometers down the east coast of the island from the mouth of the Hualien River in the north to Xiaoyeliu (Little Yeliu) in the

south. To the east it is bounded by the Pacific Ocean; to the west rises the Coastal Mountain Range. The land here consists of volcanic rock, classic rock from deep beneath the sea, and shale that has been pushed upward-and is still being pushed upward- by tectonic action. Weathering, erosion, and accumulation have produced a wide range of land forms here, including coastal terraces, sand and pebble beaches, shoreline reefs, inshore islands, and capes along with sea-eroded platforms, trenches, and caves. This varied topography provides habitat for a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The East Coast is the primary homeland of the Amis aboriginal tribe. Amis villages' dot the coastline and the harvest festivals that they hold in July and August every year offer visitors an opportunity to gain insights into the culture of this unique people. Before the Amis settled here there were prehistoric peoples who came and went, leaving a rich store of artifacts and ancient sites that can still be seen today. Among the more modern cultural features of the coastline are enchanting temples, churches, and quaint fishing villages. This rich store of natural and cultural assets prompted the Tourism Bureau to establish the East Coast National Scenic Area in 1988, and to engage in the active development of the leisure resources here. 

 

This was another day of mostly just seeing scenic views of the coast line and then we headed to the marble factory and gorge. It was really pretty and it was lot of bus riding. It was very nice to not have to hike as much on this day. They hotel was also in a remote area and was very pretty. It had a rooftop pool which was really nice. They also had hot tubs. I went to them in the evening with Ann and Billy. We also saw Ivy later there and she talked my ear off. haha She was really cute. We also had bats flying over us when we were at the hot tub. It was kind of cool. 

The stepping stones

Aboriginal people singing

There is Ivy

pebble beach

8 arch bridge

We weren't allowed to take them.

Marble factory

Mother bridge

My hotel

The view from my room

around my hotel

roof top pool

Dinner

Dessert that I shared with Ann and Billy

The front of my hotel

 Day 5 Night 6

Taroko Gorge

Taroko became a national park in 1986, including Hualien County, Nantou County and Taichung City. Taroko is famous for its spectacular mountains and marble canyons. Cliffs and canyons stretch along Liwu River.

Four million years ago, the island of Taiwan was formed by the collision of plates. After millions of years of wind erosion, the marble rocks were exposed and cut by Liwu River, creating impressive grand canyons. From

Qingshui to Nanhu Peak, the drop height is 3,742 meters. Such special geography has also bred special flora and fauna in this area. The waterfalls characterized Taroko National Park and the most famous ones are

Baiyang Waterfall, Yindai Waterfall, Changchun Waterfall, and Lushui Waterfall. Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) are the most impressive natural scenes in Taroko and the canyons here are the narrowest. Tourists can appreciate the natural beauty along the tour track. Swallows nest on the cliff, chirping and flying backforth. The Taroko monumental is designed in Chinese style and Changchun Temple is to remember 

 

So this was the last day of the trip. We went into the gorge more and did a little bit of hiking. It was a lot of fun and very pretty. We also went to a shrine that was dedicated to all the men who died building the highway that we used to get into the gorge. It was very nice and kind of sad. However, before we left in the morning Ann, Billy and I went to hike the temple by our hotel. It was so pretty and we saw monkeys! It was so cool because they were so close. In the gorge I took pictures with Ann and Billy, my tour guide Alan and Ivy. When we returned to Taipei around 6 I met up with Ann and Billy and we went to the Shilin night market which is one of the biggest and probably most famous in Taiwan. It was really cool to see and of course I ate more food! I love street food! 

to the pagoda and temple

At the pagoda

The view from the pagoda

My hotel from the pagoda

The monkey is on the railing

As we walked down we ran into a family of monkeys

This one came close to say hi

Into the gorge

Ivy and I. Leave it to me to make friends with the 6 year old! haha

My tour guide Alan and I

Ann, Billy and I

The shrine

the Pacific Ocean

This was for tips and since my tour guide knew I came from Korea he wrote it in Korean. haha

My lunch. Spicy Chicken, stinky tofu, bamboo, ham, egg cooked in tea, bok cho and mixed vegetables with rice. It was pretty good and it only cost me 2 dollars US

Mango mochi! Yummy

The night market was so full

Beef fried rice and oyster omelets.

Coconut milk bubble tea /boba tea

 Day 6

Well I didn't do much on this day since I was flying out back to Korea. So I really just got up and ate breakfast. I then got the bus to the airport. I checked in and hung out at the airport till I got on my plane. Saw some interesting things in the airport and I am sad I couldn't find a music store during my time there, but none the less I had an amazing time and I would love to go back and visit sometime. It was such a great experience for me since I never traveled to another country by myself for a long period of time, but I really enjoyed it! I am happy I did it and I didn't let the fear of getting lost or anything stop me from going. I am glad I did a tour because I met a lot of cool people and learned so much! It was a wonderful time and I would highly recommend people to go visit Taiwan. I feel like not many people go and visit Taiwan and Korea and it is kind of sad because they are both wonderful places to visit. Well that is all I have for now. I will tell you all about this week and the concert in the next update! Until then have a wonderful rest of the week! Besos!

In the airport

Leaving Taiwan