We've moving BACK!!!

I think I finally have a moment’s peace.  At last I can try to describe the events of the past 3 months.  Well, for those who just wish for the reader’s digest version, here’s the bullet-point list:

• ·         Terry accepted a job at Microsft working on their Kinnect team
• ·         We’re moving to the Seattle area
• ·         He starts April 25 and has already left Taipei permanently
• ·         The girls and I are staying in Taipei until they finish school
• ·         We anticipate leaving TPE around July 5
• ·         I am now teaching kindergarten English as an Additional Language full-time at Taipei European School (the girls’ school)

Now, for the full-version for those of you with a bit more time on their hands.

Yes, yes…everyone here keeps asking…’isn’t this soon?  I thought you were staying in Taipei for at least 3-5 years…or indefinitely?’  The answer is that we honestly did too.  To be truthful, Terry and I moved to Taipei thinking that we’d be here for 3 years, up to around 5.  Around our 8th month here, we convinced ourselves that 3 years was just right, and we strategized that Terry would start looking for a job in Spring 2011, with the goal of moving back as soon as Fall 2011 and as late as Fall 2012 (with or without a job).

You see, we had two worries which were speeding up our time frame.  One was the fear of finding a company willing to relocate us back to the USA.  The second was the difficulty I would face finding a job after not having worked for 2 years…3 years would be even worse!  With those thoughts weighing heavy on our minds, Terry decided to begin his job search around March, 2011.  It turns out that he wouldn’t have that long to search.

Around January, a recruiter from Microsoft (MSFT) called him and mentioned the Kinnect position to him.  The product sounded exactly like what Terry was looking for, and the position sounded intriguing.  Terry briefly asked me if I’d be open to relocating to Seattle and I half-heartedly said ‘yes’.  I mean, what were the chances?  I honestly didn’t think anything would come out of it; and I thought the interview practice would be good…especially as Terry seemed to be in a funk around that time.  The phone interview went well and within a week MSFT called asking if he’d be willing to come to Redmond, WA for a face-to-face interview.  Clearly things were getting serious.  He and I then began our talks in earnest about this possibility.

Travelling for the interview would be no easy feat.  It would mean that Terry would spend as much time in the air as he would on the ground.  So, he literally spent 48 hours in Redmond.  To say he was exhausted was putting in mildly; however, as tired as he was, he returned quite excited.  First, he was very impressed with the MSFT campus and the perks awarded to employees.  Second, he really loved the area.  He began to imagine a new life for us in Redmond and was eager to share with me his thoughts to see how we felt.  I soon had (and still do!) about 3 emails a day from him about the surrounding cities of Redmond (e.g. crime rates, pollution, economy, traffic), the school districts, home prices, job prospects (for me of course), etc.  His enthusiasm also meant he had to have a new toy, much to the delight of the girls who have really loved playing with the Kinnect (especially Elaine who loves Kinnectimals!!).

It was hard not to be excited about the prospect…Terry had not been happy working in Taipei.  Both of us can agree that we enjoy Taipei living; however, he had mixed feelings about working here.  People in Taipei (and Asia in general) have a different working style, and Terry was finding it more of a grind as of late than he anticipated. 

As for me, I have been like a willow tree…bending with the wind.  I promised myself I would be working full-time this September, whether in Taipei or somewhere else.  With my accounting background and skill-set, I know I’m versatile enough to make it work anywhere.   There are going to be challenges regardless of which country I work in.  It’s a big change to our whole family; however, thankfully, Terry fully supports it and understands the demands it’s going to place on him.  I said above, and I truly mean it, other than missing my family, I actually enjoy living in Taipei.  There are a great many things about this place that are very difficult to give up.  There are also things I’m happy to leave; however, overall it’s been a pleasant experience.

 As discussions and negotiations began around late Feb, early March, things became more stressful.  I don’t remember a time when Terry was more torn about a decision.  It took him weeks to convince himself of what he wanted to do.  As a testament to his value at HP, the company did offer to relocate us to the USA and provide Terry a position there should he desire it.  That’s where Terry and I had the most difficult discussions.  We could go back to exactly where we were 19 months ago.  But, we faced a lot of difficulty in moving back.  Yes, we could move back to Pleasanton..in many ways it made the most sense; (1) we own a house there, (2) Terry’s parents live 1 mile away and are close enough that the girls can walk there after school, and (3) I have a large network of friends and family to rely on to help when I go back to work full-time.  However, there was one large problem…a commute which Terry simply found unbearable (rightly so).  Part of the allure of Taipei in the first place was removing the commute for Terry.  Going back to it was something he dreaded.  For me, moving to the South Bay meant giving up too much help.  In many ways, moving to Seattle helps to alleviate that problem (yes yes…you’re all correct…I do have to figure out how to care for the girls when I go back to work…I’ll have time to figure that out when we move).

I find it odd that it took a move half-way around the world to convince us that a move to Seattle is not that bad.  I mean, air plane tickets at 20% of the cost of an international airline ticket…and being in the same time zone as our family make Seattle VERY appealing.  We also found that living away from the Bay Area provided us a bit more ‘family’ time.  I mean…just the 4 of us family time.  Most people know what a large family I have, and I’m sure you all know how intimate Terry’s family is involved in our lives.  It’s wonderful to have them all, and I wouldn’t have it any other way…and yet having a bit of distance has allowed us a bit more freedom to be alone and to miss/appreciate them in a new way.

Ultimately, we felt that moving to the Bay Area was a step backwards.  We would be moving back to similar problems we had when we left (e.g. long commute), and Terry wasn’t convinced that his move within HP would be a move forward for his career.   So, we both agreed that moving to Seattle made the most sense. 

MSFT agreed that Terry could start a little later on April 25 (the offer letter came around March 20), which gave us a bit of time to prepare.  We both decided that it would be best for me to stay behind with the girls.  I thought it would be too disruptive to move them with so little time left before the end of school.  While the girls’ school doesn’t end until July 1, if we moved with Terry, they’d only have about 7-8 weeks of school left.  That barely leaves enough time to get to know anyone, let alone learn anything!  We both also felt that it would allow Terry to concentrate on work completely for a few months without having to worry about how we would adapt.  He could also scope out the area and identify a good school district and neighborhood which would be a fit for us.  Personally, I think he’ll spend most of his time on Craig’s List researching stuff to buy for a new place (e.g. bike for him, a new car which we’ll need, etc.) :).

Well, that should have been the end of things…and they were for a time…until a friend asked us about our ARC status.  ARC stands for ‘Alien Residence Card’.  If one wishes to stay in Taiwan for more than 30 days, it is necessary to have one.  I had assumed that the expiration date I have on my ARC is valid and that all would be well.  Apparently I was wrong!

Terry had a work permit from HP which provided him an ARC.  As his dependents, we were also granted an ARC.  Without the work permit, which was cancelled when he quit, our ARC becomes invalid.  Now I had a new dilemma.  I would have to leave the country every 30 days (which amounted to twice) to maintain legal status.  Ugh!  I mean…ugh in terms of time, but also ugh in terms of expense!  Do you know how much we’re going to have to replace when we move back?  I am NOT looking forward to this!

I tell you…when one door closes, it is so true that another opens!

It just so happens that the girls’ school (Taipei European School, TES) had suffered its own tragedy.  A beloved and highly-regarded kindergarten English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher suffered 2 brain aneurisms and her return was questionable.  I had been confiding my travel woes to a friend (Elaine’s kindergarten teacher from last year) and she was sharing this news with me when we both realized that there is a win-win solution in this.  Knowing that the EAL teacher would most likely come back, the school only needed an EAL teacher for the remainder of the term…I only needed employment for the remainder of the term.  I realize that my teaching experience is limited to Sunday school and choir, but I believe I’ve always been an effective teacher in those limited situations.

So, much to my relief (and certainly the British Infant principal’s), TES agreed to the proposal and I now work full-time as a kindergarten EAL teacher.  I have 4 groups of kids…about 18 in all, that I work with.  I help provide them support in the class, as well as pull them out of class for additional English work (speaking, listening, reading, writing).  They are all wonderful kids.  I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.  My colleagues have been more than supportive.  As intimidating as it is trying to step in for someone as respected as the EAL teacher I’m replacing (for this year), my colleagues certainly have not contributed.  The girls love the fact that I’m at their school now.  Elaine asks me every day if I need help planning my lessons.  She’s been a great help.

I suppose you’re wondering how the girls feel about all of this??  Well, to be truthful, NONE of us are looking forward to living apart for 10 weeks.  I certainly am not looking forward to working full-time AND managing an international move on my own.  Terry’s mom will be here for a month helping out, which will cut down on the loneliness and help with everyday challenges (e.g. grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking). 

Brianna is really excited to get back to American pop culture and shopping.  She’s been content with her experience here in TPE; however, she really feels that America is her home.  She misses the food, driving in the car, having friends who are all native English speakers…and hopefully more people she ‘connects’ with.  Her school is very small, which is great and also challenging.  She’s looking forward to being in a bigger school.

Elaine…well, Elaine is so easy.  Yes, she will miss her friends terribly.  However, she’s over the moon about being closer to family.  She can’t wait for Christmas this year because we get to be with my parents AND Terry’s.  She’s also excited about meeting new friends and riding a bike again.  I’m really blessed to have such an easy-going child.

So, there you have it…I told you it was a long story.  But at least you’re all updated on our lives…at least the last 3 months of it.

I anticipate writing here a bit more as Terry’s now gone and I’ll probably need a place to vent from time-to-time.

Thank you all for your love and support.  I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to live here.  Taipei is such a GREAT place to live.  If you haven’t been here and have Asia in your sights as a vacation destination, I can’t recommend it enough.  There’s so much to see, do and experience here…and if you don’t know where to start…just ask!  I feel I am now VERY well qualified to play tour guide J.

Chinese New Year 2011

Yes, it does say 'Sun Moon Lake' in Chinese, but
this was taken during our stay in Taichung

Last year we left on Chinese New Year’s Eve to go to Cambodia, hence we missed out on all of the festivities.  While we had a great time, Terry and I both wondered what a real Chinese New Year would be like…not like our quasi-celebrations back in the USA (which primarily consists of the girls getting red envelopes and us usually eating out at a Chinese restaurant!).  So, while we did take a short trip to Taichung, in central Taiwan, for 3 days, we made certain to get back on New Year’s Eve!

The best way for me to equate Chinese New Year is to compare it to Christmas in the USA.  It is very similar.  The shops are all decorated and very lively…the aisles are crammed more than usual with candy, sausage and other dried meats, and an assortment of other things I couldn’t name and would probably not want to (they don’t look exactly appetizing to my western palate, as adventurous as it is!).  People seem to have a bit more spring to their step, and there is a general buzz in the air that I can’t quite put my finger on.

While many here in Taiwan believe that people in the USA are provided with more paid vacation days, I have done the math and, depending on your industry, the paid days off are around the same!  The primary difference is this one week at Chinese New Year.  Unlike the USA, all of China and Taiwan are typically provided a full week of paid vacation (vs. 1-2 days at Christmas and 1 day at New Year for USA).  The misunderstanding is that most people choose to take personal vacation days to round out the week! 

I will concede that the schools in the USA definitely have more holidays during the school year vs. Taiwan, although I am uncertain if the actual days of instruction (180 in the USA for those who are counting) are the same.  During Chinese New Year, the local schools are on winter break, the length of which varies from year-to-year.  This year, the kids at local schools get 2 ½ weeks off.  Last year, the local schools received almost 4 weeks off…much to their delight and their parents’ chagrin! So, the week before Chinese New Year, all the kids are out very late, celebrating with their friends and having a general good time.  The vibe in the air is excited…much like it is at Christmas time at home.  One can feel that something special is coming, but words simply don’t do it justice!

Many of our local friends lament that Taipei is quite boring during New Year as most people leave Taipei…either going travelling out of the country or visiting family who mostly live outside of Taipei.  Terry and I awoke on New Year’s Eve really excited to go to the traditional market to get a few last-minute things…looking forward to no crowds…quiet streets…ahhhhhhh.  Much to our surprise, we found the morning of New Year’s Eve much like any other day.  In fact, at the traditional market, one could equate it to your local grocery store on Christmas Eve!  Everyone scrambling for those last-minute items forgotten, or scrambling to buy the fresh produce to serve for New Year’s dinner…the market was FAR from quiet and empty!! 

In Chinese New Year tradition, Elaine and I cleaned most of the apartment.  While I wouldn’t call it ‘spring cleaning’, we certainly dusted and vacuumed and made the apartment more pleasant to live in J.  Terry and I had purchased a few decorations, so the house seemed a bit more ‘festive’.  Our landlord had kindly dropped off a sweet and a savory New Year’s cake, the latter which I cooked up for lunch (I was the only one who ate it…delicious!).   We all rested a bit and generally prepared to go to our adopted Taiwan family’s home for dinner.  Inspired by the most amazing honey we purchased in Taichung, I made biscuits to bring with us to dinner.  Brianna, tired from homework but excited for New Year’s, opted to make a batch of chocolate-chip cookies on her own (the only help from me was just telling her the amount of each ingredient to add).  At 6pm, with eager anticipation, we headed off for Adone’s home!

Clockwise, I-Ru, Adone, 2nd brother, youngest brother

A side-note about our adopted family in Taiwan.  Adone is an old friend of Terry’s mother’s.  She has 5 children, and 4 grandchildren.  Terry has a special fondness for Adone and the entire family as he lived with them for 9 months as a child when his mom first moved to the USA with his dad (step-dad Howard) and was unable to take Terry due to visa issues.  I have a special fondness for them as Adone and her two daughters, I-ru and I-ring, were the only ‘family’ from Taiwan which flew to the USA for our wedding.  I was quite honored to have them and hold them all dear to my heart.  As there are always a lot of people in their home during the holidays, it reminds me of being with my father, whose home is typically equally as busy!  It really helps the home-sickness and makes for a really fun, local experience!

I-Ru and myself 

Now, I also need to set the scene…with the exception of I-Ru (oldest daughter), NO ONE speaks English!!  While I-Ru can speak a bit, her English is truly not that wonderful; however, she certainly tries.  The best part of this is that, while we may not always understand one another, the conversation is always lively, and my Chinese always improves J.  For the first time, Brianna opted NOT to bring any electronics and deliberately chose to engage with the other kids, even though her Chinese is the worst of all of us.  I was quite proud of her.  She discovered that the twins (who are only one year younger than her) like the same crazy Korean show which she does, and they know the same songs.  They were quick to go into Adone’s bedroom and practice their dance moves and practice their singing (even though none of them knew what they were singing about!!!).

Everyone gathered round the coffee table for the feast which Adone prepared.  The only family member missing was I-Ring, youngest sister.  I have been informed that at Chinese New Year, it is a firm tradition that a woman must accompany her husband to his family’s home.  Tradition states that married women go back home on the day after Chinese New Year’s day to visit their own families.  While I was surprised at this firm tradition, I then realized that it must ease some tension.  In the West, many couples and families struggle over offending family members, or arguing over whose family will receive the ‘honor’ of a visit during Christmas.  Can you imagine if, in the West, tradition dictated that Christmas would always be spent with the man’s family?  Hmmm….I’ll have to ponder that a bit more J.

The meal was laid out…holy cow, what a spread.  Adone must have laid about 10 different dishes in front of us…most of which my kids would NOT eat (no fish, no stinky fish, no fish-like soup, and no weird sea-weed looking veggies).  Thankfully, everyone loves white rice, and the cold chicken was quite good.  Also, I had the foresight to feed them a bit before we left in the event that they didn’t like any of the food, hee hee.  Terry and I basked in the company of lots of food and even better fellowship as we all dug in to the spread.

Brianna trying to work a lighter!

After all compliments were paid, it was time for fireworks!  I tell you, I will never view a fireworks display in the same regard after being here at Chinese New Year.  What a great time!  The kids all had a stick of incense which they could use to light fireworks.  Brianna kept getting more and more brave, and before we knew it, she was lighting the ‘butterfly’ fireworks and throwing them in the street.  These were the kind which flew in the air and ended in a ‘POP’, spewing colorful sparks in the air.  So brave! 

Finally, when all the fireworks were burnt, at 10:30pm, we bid adieu to our dear friends.  However, the kids were all in for a great treat, for what Chinese New Year is complete without RED ENVELOPES??!!  Terry and I were quite humbled at our friends’ generosity.  Brianna and Elaine are quite excited about their new-found riches and are eagerly planning on what to do next!  All in all, a New Year worth remembering.  I’m so glad we decided to stay J.