remembering why I'm here...

I've made a change today that I'm so excited about! Before I tell you about this change I've got to rewind a bit... When Kate and I arrived in Taiwan, I was on fire with getting things done as quickly as possible. Within 1 week of living in the country, I had two jobs (33 hours a week of work), an apartment, a cell phone and I was looking for tutoring jobs. Given my work-a-holic nature and being so employable in this city, I was so excited to begin working like crazy and start kicking that OSAP debt's butt. In the beginning working this many hours as a new teacher was exciting and energizing, until last week when I realized that I had been running on adrenaline the whole time. Last week I crashed! I was coming home every day, exhausted and unhappy only to go to bed to rest up for another crazy day! With some great advice from Kate and my mom I realized that I must take a month or so to really focus on teaching and resting; not to push myself too hard in order to avoid burning out.

This week I began to do just this, focus on teaching and resting. Then last night I was out with Kate and some friends at a delicious Indian restaurant and I was talking about how utterly exhausted I am continually; how I seem to have lost my love for teaching in this whirlpool of a life that I've created for myself (in just one month!). Oh, you've got to LOVE the outside perspective in times like these. The great friends that they are stopped me and said something alone the lines of, "Laura, why are you even working two jobs right now?" It was at this point that I realized, Yeah! Why AM I working two jobs right now? The thought of cutting down my working hours had never crossed my mind until now and I was instantaneously delighted at the idea! Again, being the great friends that they are, the dinner conversation then led to hashing out a plan for Laura's sanity and happiness in Taiwan. I decided that leaving my morning teaching job at the Kindergarten was not only feasible but exactly what I need to begin remembering why I'm here! It seems that in all of this "look how employable I am overseas" business, I've completely forgotten that I came here to a) have an adventure and b) learn about a new culture.

So, today I went to work and announced that it would be my last day. I was finishing up my month trial (where either the employee or employer could end it) and while they were very sad to see me go (I've got boast, I'm a very good catch, hehe) they understood completely. They've witnessed each day how very tired I am and they are still going to call me as a substitute for vacations here and there. They also would love to see me return as a teacher when I am more settled.

Well, that's that! I wanted to share this because upon reading these blog entries, one might think that it's all been so easy! And certain things like getting jobs, settling into an apartment, etc... really have been easier than anticipated. However, climatizing and teaching have been very draining and so that's the other side of the coin shared! I am very optimistic about my next few week with only one job. Kate and I have discussed how we can both use our mornings to continue running, go on hikes, find great places to eat, etc... Just making this decision has given me a burst of energy! Good thing too, we're visiting the most famous night market in Taiwan tonight! I'll be sure to take my camera!