Teacher's Day

Today was Teacher's Day here in Taiwan. Though named Teacher's Day, we didn't get the day off of work. This day is actually set aside to mark the birthday of the revered Eastern scholar and teacher, Confucius. However, on this day awards are also given to outstanding educators throughout Taiwan.

Early this morning (around 6:00 am) at Confucius temples across Taiwan, people gathered to observe or participate in ritual celebrations. The ceremony follows 2,000 year old procedures to honor the educator. The morning's activities include ancient ceremonial dance and music played on traditional instruments, both performed in ceremonial costumes. The temple doors are opened to the sounds of drums and the blood and hair of sacrificed animals is symbolically buried, the gods are welcomed, incense is burned, and gifts are offered, among other activities.

Since the holiday fell on Moon Festival last year, I was able to attend the ceremony along with my friends Becky and Rick. Therefore, the pictures you see posted here are actually from last year's Teacher's Day. Afraid there would be a crowd and not really sure what time things got started, we arrived very early in the morning (like between 4:30 - 5:00am!) so as not to miss anything.

An early ceremony was held around 6:00am. I think it's during this one that the animals are sacrificed and some of their blood and hair taken. We, however, did not actually get to see the animals.

Later (around 9:00am) a larger and more elaborate celebration was held. Noticing us foreigners among the crowd, a special welcome was made to us during the opening and quick arrangements were made to have some of the proceedings translated into English to help us better understand the ceremony.

The ceremony concluded with a hand washing ritual in which all in attendance could participate. Shutters clicked wildly as we were surrounded by photographers when we took our turn at the hand washing table. It was all very interesting and in the end I was glad I had sacrificed sleep to attend.

While Confucianism is a philosophy rather than a religion, some have made a religion out of following his teachings. The ideas and philosophies taught by Confucius are still very much a part of Taiwan's culture and society.

Last year I found a good site explaining the ceremony. I hope to find it again and post it here for anyone interested in further reading on the subject.

Conversation of the day:
Me: Ouch! Why did you just pull out one of my hairs?
Student: Because . . . it has your DNA.

Best conversation of the day:
Me (to my kindergarten class): How was your weekend?
Student: Bad. My mom went to Taipei.
Me: Oh, cool. So you got to have a boys' weekend at home - just
you, your brother, and your dad. So what did you do?
Student: I cried.


Quote of the Day:
"Teacher, your hair is like a Barbie."

Behold the Power of Jersey

No, I'm not referring to the Atlantic state, athletic clothing, or even a breed of Holstein. Rather, I'm talking about my jersey knit sheets.

Now my bed is not exactly what I'd call comfortable though it has been improved upon this year by the addition of a memory foam thanks to the generous birthday gift from my roommate. Since I spend too few hours sleeping, the quality of sleep I get is very important in order for me to function during the day. Since my trip home last summer, my slumber has benefited tremendously thanks to a set of jersey knit sheets. I love 'em.

While my roommate may have moved out a month ago, my old friend insomnia has been back for a visit these past few weeks. The past 2 weeks in particular have been filled with many long sleepless nights. In the month that I've been back from summer vacation, a lot has happened both in my life and in the lives of others I'm close to, so no doubt all the change and craziness may have triggered my sleepless state of being. Ever hear the Sleep song by Riley Armstrong? I feel like it's on repeat play in my head.

So, insomnia, jersey knit sheets - there really is a point to all of this. For the past 2 weeks I've also decided to switch back to my regular cotton sheets for awhile - in other words, I didn't feel like doing my laundry until I had to. While I used to like my old sheets, I don't find them as comfortable anymore. I happened to catch up on the olde laundry this past weekend and since switching back to the jersey knit, I find it much easier to lull myself back into the cozy comfort of my bed and easily drift to sleep. Coincidence? - Perhaps not. Only time will tell if the power of the jersey will help to break my cycle of sleeplessness. And on that note, I'm going to bed. Good night.

Qualities of an Ideal Mate:
(according to my class of 4th-6th grade students)

Top answers given by the boys:
Wife
1. Makes a lot of money
2. Can do housework
3. Has a good heart
4. Beautiful
5. She's a teacher
6. She's a doctor

Top answers given by the girls:
Husband
1. Knows many languages
2. Smart
3. Doesn't go out to drink beer
4. Responsible
5. Listens to you
6. Doesn't smoke

This was one of the follow-up assignments after reading a true story about a man who had a classified ad for finding wife painted on the side of his truck. I was impressed that the students actually gave the assignment some serious thought and I was further impressed by the answers offered by the girls.

Not a single student out of 17 cared if their spouse could cook. I found this interesting because I think it holds a higher place in Western or American culture. When I pointed out the fact that no one mentioned cooking the boys laughed hysterically and most commented that their mom doesn't even know how to cook, so it's ok - they can eat out all the time. This of course explains why they're so easily impressed anytime I make something for them - like on the rare occasion, cookies, or even something as simple as jell-o or a boiled egg. Can't get much more basic than a boiled egg, yet when I cooked eggs for them to color last Easter, they raved about how delicious they were. Considering people eat eggs all the time in Taiwan and you can buy boiled "tea" eggs at the corner 7-Eleven, these kids are impressed way too easily.

Side note - Coolest way I've ever cooked an egg: on the beach in the boiling water of a natural saltwater hot spring - Green Island, Taiwan (one of only 3 hot springs in the world fed by saltwater).

Typhoon's a comin'

Batten down the hatches, the typhoon draws nigh. As I drove to work this morning, I could already feel the typhoon's approach in the occasional strong gusts of wind. By the afternoon, the underside of leaves on arching trees set the backdrop out classroom windows. By the time I arrived home this evening, the sound of the wind was growing louder and stronger.

And now the rain has begun. According to meteorological services, the eye of the storm is just beginning to pass over the island with winds gusting up to 111 mph. While the eye should be past the island by morning, the radius will continue to move over us until Thursday evening. This is the second typhoon to hit this summer, the first being in July while I was home in the States. However, it is only the beginning of typhoon season so more are in store.

What this means for me is that tomorrow is a Typhoon Day. It's kind of like the Snow Days I looked forward to as a kid only minus the snow and add in plenty of rain, strong wind, and humidity. So basically nothing like a Snow Day except that there's no school tomorrow. For the most part, when a typhoon hits, the island shuts down. I confess looking forward to Typhoon Days because I enjoy having a day off stranded indoors every now and then, though of course I'm concerned for the safety of others and hope the damage is minimal.