The Jenna Summary....:)

Can I trigger all my adventures and experiences within the past month. I will try. So, some of you know I just recently went back to Thailand (BKK, Kanchuburi and Chaing Mai) to extend my Taiwan visa and spend some time with some friends along the way. Well, I have landed back in Taiwan as of yesterday and will be headed back to Thailand, Chaing Mai on Sunday to stay for a while (maybe 2 months). For now Chaing Mai feels good; blue sky's, delicious and healthy food, mountains, riding a push bike, being among friends and just feeling at ease. It feels good. I will be living with my lovely friend Elinza (with an 'I') and Kom who is Thai/German. They live in an amazingly huge house with character and I will be paying rent for a couple months. It will feel good to finally land my wings for a bit and take a rest. I'm hoping to find temporary work along the way and at least make enough money to live off of (food and rent). I'm hoping (Gusio???) to still have an interview in Sorth Korea in July and open the door to a possible job that starts in September but we will see....:) Sounds as if Nouth Korea is not such a friendly place at the moment in the news (not that it has ever been a friendly place). Anyway, what is up with people in this world anyway...how can there be such people (making nucleur bombs) on this planet...Makes me sick! Sorry, got a bit off subject.

So......Back to Thailand on Sunday to hang with my friend Manis for a couple days in the big city (BKK) and then taking the overnight train (this time I will make it) to Chaing Mai to feel a bit grounded for a while. I did find a great little yoga studio around the corner and going to hopefully trade English lessons for yoga classes. Looking forward to getting back with my love of yoga. I'm also hoping to find some camps and other options of teaching just to get some experience and give it a go.

I have to admit my last few weeks in Taiwan were pleasant. I decided to just relax, enjoy the culture and travel around a bit. I was so consumed with finding a job and adjusting to the culture shock here that I wasn't even enjoying what was in front of me (not at all like me and disappointing at times). I actually like Taipei, it's a very nice Taiwan city and it has a lot to offer if you travel around to the different areas. It is expensive though, nothing like Thailand where everything is affordable. I also enjoyed watching all the break dancers in the MRT stations along the way, they are great and so talented. A famous food in Taiwan is "stinky tofu" and believe me when they say STINKY, you can smell it from far far far away. Today was the day to try the tofu and so me and couple friends ventured out. The smell IS overwhelming but it's actually quite nice if you can get past the st inkiness....:) Today was the Dragon Boat races on the river so we attended a huge festival. They have several teams that race and all the boats are in shapes of dragons. Tonight I will be going to a dumpling eating contest.....hmmm, I don't think I will partake :).

Last weekend was my 38 (yikes, what happened, 38!!!) in Chaing Mai and a few friends sneaked around while planning a surprise Birthday Bash for me. It meant so much to me since I have been in a state of confusion and missing all of you....:) Everyone made tons of food, a huge Birthday sign with balloons, corn burnt over a fire in a flower pot...:), music was played throughout the night with talent guitarist along the way and a delicious chocolate desert that Elinza made...............YUM!

And so there you go in a nutshell. I know there is so much more to tell but hopefully I will have a few more stories once I reach my destination of Thailand for a while.

Sending all of you an abundance of happiness with the acceptance of change and the unknown!!

love,
Jenna

Not so confused but maybe a little Dazed....:)

Sorry for the non commitment with my blog writing. I was a bit confused of my desire to teach, live in a different country etc...and thought it be best to take a break....:) However, so many of you are writing and asking what is going on it has given me strength to visit my blog.

I'm back in Thailand visiting friends in Bangkok and Chaing Mai and enjoying the easy culture of Thai people and the comfort of getting around easily...AND my love for Thai food was missed greatly!!! I'm still a bit undecided in the teaching world but have no desire to give. Of course I'm missing you all in ways I can't even explain but I have to know in my heart this is the right decision, to teach abroad. I think I have given up on Taiwan and have decided to pursue a different path but I don't want to say to much until I have a concrete answser......:)

Sending you all love and inspiration to live each day with passion!

Jenna

Two Days to Decide..Yikes!

Well, I'm still in Pingtung and having such a hard time figuring out if this is the place for Jenna. I know I know, toss a coin, make a decision, just do it...right? Ok, not so easy. Do I choose a place that has VERY few foreigners and really emerse myself in the chinese culture (take a chance on going insane) or do I head to the city and have a few foreigner friends and take a chance on another job offer will come along. If any of you want to send me what you think I should do then bring it on. I can't decide and I feel like my little Jenna head my pop off.........POP! So, I will head to Kaoshuing tomorrow (city) and check it out.

OK, that is all for now...oh yeah just to give you a glimpse in this town.....When I'm riding around on my push bike people litterally drive along the side of me, stare at me or say "hello, where are you from?"...it's actually quite funny expecially when they are not even paying attention to the traffic coming at them.......crazy peeps! :)

Joan of Arc

I dedicate this blog to an amazingly beautiful woman who touched everyones life in a very graceful and beautiful way. I will always carry a part of her spirit within my life and I have no doubt I'm a stronger woman because of her!

So much love to her in her next journey!!!!

I will miss you Terry!

love,
Jenna

Pingtung

I have finally (I think) reached my destination to teach in Pintung. I'm still a little dazed and confused if this is the right area but I'm always dazed and confused so maybe I just go with the flow. Once again, I think anywhere in Taiwan (Korea, Hong Kong, etc...) is going to be a challenge at first but I have to remember why I'm here...:). So far I have seen only one other foreigner and he has been here for so long he didn't really care if I was a foreigner or not....HA!! I have started shadowing classes and I'm amazed how well the kids know English and they are very excitted to learn (that is a plus).

I haven't signed any contracts yet because I still feel there is some negotiating to do on both ends and I'm a little hesitant to stay here as well. However, negotiating is starting to get better and I think it will work out in the end. I do think about Thailand a lot and wonder if I should have stayed there but the money just isn't there. I will be flying back to Thailand on the 13th to figure out my visa and staying for 7 days to hang out with some friends and already (yes already) take advantage of a mini vacation. Right now I'm staying in a nice flat for free and I also got lucky with a bike to ride around Pingtung and check things out. It's so funny to watch people stare at me or even be shocked that there is an actual white person in town...:) Now I know what it feel like to be a star or rock star and for all they know, I am a rock star damn it!!!! :)

So, leave it me to find a Hip Hop class in the middle of Taiwan...YEP!!! I did a Taiwanese style hip hop class all in the language of chinese...it was so much fun and funny!!! I couldn't understand a word he was saying but thank god I have some funk within my moves and could just watch and get it...I think he was impressed....:)Afterwards there was a gay Taiwanese man teaching high low aerobics and NO, I didn't take this one but it was one of those true Asian culture moments...........I wish I would have had a video camera. So freakin funny!!!!! Anyway, the gym is really nice and I was impressed with the weight / exercise machines, spin class area (I may try to teach) and the yoga room SO...if I and when I loose my sanity here I will be there A LOT!!!!!!

That is all for now...oh yeah...I went grocery shopping (real shopping) for my first time in 4months and I cooked a real dinner........I can't even express to you all the way it felt, fucking great! Excuse the language but I'm so ready to eat my way and a healthier way. So if anyone feels like coming over for dinner, I will cook...hehehehe.

Love from Pingtung!