Wow! It's almost a year since I wrote ANYTHING!!

It's been too long since I wrote. I haven't had the inclination, energy or inspiration. We spent 9 months working at Hess and it was 9 months of hell. I think the last time I blogged must have been when my energy from South Africa ran out, and the excitement of moving to another very strange country wore off. I wouldn't recommend working at Hess to anyone. It felt like we were worked like slaves, weren't respected and didn't have enough time to do any of the travelling we had hoped to do.

The location of our branch didn't help either. It felt like it was in the middle of nowhere, even though DaJia is just outside Taichung City! 

Anyway, thankfully we moved! We are now living in Luodong in Yilan county. The pace of life is much slower and the school we work at treats us a lot more like human beings. Renalda and I both teach kindergarten which is QUITE a change. We haven't done a lot since moving here as it is the rainy season. Apparently it's been a mild rainy season this year, but it's been pretty wet in our books.

I've been struggling with the "new school bugs." I think I'm just about over it now.

We had always intended for friends and family to come and visit, but at Hess it was impossible. We didn't have the leave. Even when we did get leave we had a ton of work to do before and after the time off. Now it's much easier, we do hardly any work outside of the classroom.

My father is here in Taiwan now, and my mother will arrive in a week's time. It should be great as Chinese New Year is around the corner.

Anyway, I hope to post some pictures soon of our travels while they are here.