What's happening...

Geez, it has been quite a while since I last posted something about my life here in Kaohsiung. Now, I have only about three weeks left before I move. Well, I guess I better give you some updates...

Earlier this year, the Doctor was offered a new job that was more permanent that his current year-to-year contract. Hence, he accepted it and is due to start on the 1st of August. So, we have been planning to move at the end of July; which is now rapidly approaching.

One of our main concerns was the logistics of moving from Kaohsiung (southern Taiwan) to LinKou (northern Taiwan). We don't have that much possessions to move but more than a few suitcases. So, during my week holiday during the end of May, the Doctor encouraged me to go for my driving test.

I thought it was a good idea because it is another part of Taiwan living that I can embrace (I also knew that the Doctor was looking to get me to do a bit of driving). Well, I started to study up just as I did for my Scooter license test that I did last year. And this time I didn't have a need to deliberately crash the computer test (not that I did it intentionally the first time - it just happened... really).

After the computer test came the real challenge - doing a driving test. Now in Taiwan, people sit in the left side of the car and drive on the right (literally right) side of the road. In Australia and New Zealand, it is the opposite way. So my driving test in Taiwan was the first time I have driven a left drive car. Also, the assessor spoke very little English and I did not understanding that much Chinese. But he was very kind because he took me for a practice drive through first.

When I did my test in Australia many years ago, I had a lot of trouble with parallel parking. And this was with poles sticking up in the air so I could see them. In Taiwan, I just had a yellow line that I had to kept with in - plus using opposite logic for reversing in. The other part of the test that was particularly challenging was driving forward through a tight "S" bend. Then I had to reverse back through the "S" bend I just drove through. I have never encountered this before.

Then just to make matters worst, during my actual test run, some wild dogs ran in front of me - but the instructor had a sense of humour when I suggested this was another test he didn't warn me about. Anyway, after all that, I successfully passed my driving test; and with a better score than I did in Australia and New Zealand...

The next bit of news that I have for you is regarding my job hunting experiences. I have been to three job interviews at different Taiwan's universities. I have to admit that I was getting a little despondent, especially after my second interview where I thought I did really well - but ended up them telling me that my skills do not match the university's requirements. Anyway, for my third interview I thought that I would receive a similar answer. However, to my surprise they offered me a job.

I received my contract earlier this week along with a twenty page document in Chinese that I have to complete for their personal office. It has taken me about three days to work my way through it using an online translator and asking the Doctor for the other bits I don't understand. So now with that complete, my next task is trying to get some information about what the university wants me to teach. During the interview process, it was only briefly discussed and their job offer came without a second interview.

So after securing a job in Taichung and the Doctor has a job in LinKou, we have decided to live in our respective cities where we work and visit each other on the weekends. So this weekend, we are going on a road trip. First to Taichung to find a place for me, and then to LinKou to find a place for him.

I think that brings up to date on what's happening with me. The next three weeks, I will be busy catching up with all my friends in Kaohsiung - and hopefully they will come and visit me in Taichung. Plus I can also visit them in Kaohsiung for time to time.

I am quite excited about the next phrase my life is about to enter into.

Sorry, no pictures with this post.

Till next time, haveagoodone...