Some Gifts and Cards From Students and Teachers

These are some gifts and cards I got from my students and teachers.

A gift from some teachers at school. A 'fire' bull glass sculpture from Tittot. It is titled "Akin To Kindling Fire" and the sub-title reads (from translation): My dreams you pump vigor / Our friendship your passions enriched / I plow deep and strive to reach / Come and light my fire with your fervor.

 

A gift from my advanced 7th grade class. I have a reputation at school for always being happy and it's true. Just call me Mr. Happy!

These are some of the wonderful cards I received from my classes. Wow, it's enough to melt your heart! I will keep these forever.

Taipei Dragon Boat Race and Tittot Glass Museum

I went to Taipei a couple of weeks ago. Many of the foreign teachers with the Ministry of Education met in Taipei for the Dragon Boat Race. We had a team that raced a boat. The Taiwanese were very impressed by the waigourens who came in last but managed to finish. Most teams train for weeks before the race. The team had no time to get together to train, but they kept the boat going straight and grabbed  the flag. No small feat since some of the other boats did go in circles or didn't finish. We came in last, but we were proud of our accomplishment all the same. And, it's always cool to participate in the local holidays and customs. It's good to be a positive ambassador. 

So, with my free time in Taipei I had a chance to visit with some the foreign English teachers I've come to know so well and see some of Taipei. I visited the Tittot glass museum. Tittot is a very famous glass manufacturer of detailed glass castings. They have also collected some excellent glass art from around the world. The museum also provides a great historical perspective of the history and process of glass and has many examples of antique glass.

This is a glass casting made by Tittot.

This is another glass casting made by Tittot.

Some of the examples of antique glass. The origins of glass can be traced back to 3500 BC in Mesopotamia.

Going Away BBQ

Well, it's hard to believe that I've been in Taiwan almost a year. Well, 11 months to be exact. It's a bitter sweet feeling for me. I have made some good friends and had many wonderful experiences. Spend a year anywhere and you are bound to leave some of yourself behind.

Some teachers from my school had a going away BBQ for me a couple of weeks ago. The table has holes cut into the middle where small grills fit. Everyone sits around the table and you just keep throwing food on the grill. We drank beer and ate for over four hours. A short list of the foods on the menu: sausage, beef, pork, oysters, fish, corn, peppers, mushrooms, and stuffed rice sausage. Instead of wrapping meat in bread they wrap food in romaine lettuce and top with veggies. Yummy!