T*5: gurTinn woT cheaTers Toni alerTers

This is what absentee early childhood education looks like

2008-04-25T23:38:00.000+09:00

Borough Assignment: Bronx

2008-04-02T23:41:00.002+09:00

A little ahead of schedule, I've gotten my borough assignment from the fellows program. I'll be working in the Bronx, no surprise there, though it's up to fellows to find their own employment.

In travel related news, we recently took off for Utila, a Honduran island. 'Twas a good primer on Caribbean reef life, including an evening lecture by the Whale Shark Oceanic Research Center (WSORC). In the end we left with many good pictures, but no whale shark. On the upside, three friends learned to scuba dive and some new dive friends were met as well.

A sick day for test prep

2008-03-28T11:08:00.002+09:00

I've been given time off from work to recuperate from severe congestion & coughing, so I was well rested this afternoon. I peeled the plastic wrapper from the DVD case, courtesy of NYC Teaching Fellows, and took out the third review disc for the Math CST. On April 5th, I'll be taking the LAST (Liberal Arts Scholandardeciality Test) and the Math CST (Content Speciality Test). The program and the state require me to pass these exams, but according to program veterans, the CST contains esoteric knowledge that most of us have forgotten since high school.

After plowing through 20-some odd sample questions (multiple choice, naturally) and a sample 'strong' answer to a written assignment, I'm confident that a full-blown review week won't be necessary. But for all I know, the pass mark is 90% - keep fingers crossed for me.

NY Teaching Fellows Update

2008-01-07T12:49:00.000+09:00

Exciting news - Sween-dog will be applying to the program (math immersion as well) this summer, so there's a good chance that we'll be shaping young minds together.

But the real news today is that I started a new website, Deadly Number Arts (DNA) to support my in-class activities. Courtesy of Freewebs, the site will be under construction until August. Expect to see a fresh take on the true power of high school algebra.

Life Abroad Guide - Northern Vietnam

2007-10-04T02:04:00.000+09:00

Introduction
If you recently finished school, quit your job, or are wanted for murder in three states, you might have considered living abroad. Are you full of comprehension, but ready to take on the challenge of starting a life in a new exotic setting? There are as many reasons for taking the plunge as there are people who do indeed work overseas. But where to start? Right here with an LAG article.

2005-2007 Hanoi, Vietnam - Welcome to part 1 of a practical guide series on life as a foreigner. I'll be writing about places I've actually lived and summing up the best, worst, and misunderstood about each place.

Northern Vietnam, and Hanoi in particular, often goes overlooked by those world travelers looking to finance the next step of their adventure. In Asia, most people think first about working in Thailand, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan. But Hanoi holds some real possibilities for work and adventure. Let's skip the pitch and assume you want useful information about what it takes to make it in the Red River Delta.

Section 1. Finding work

No matter how cheap the cost of living is, you'll need money to finance your adventure. Luckily for native English speakers, there is a growing demand for English teachers and not much concern over credentials and training. There are other opportunities available, but for those of you at the beginning of your career, none pay as well as teaching English. If you want to get involved in other fields, you should consider the chances for advancement and the value of experience before the take-home pay.

1.A Teaching English

As of 2007, private English teachers could make $15-20 per hour at any number of places. Factor in more if you look stereotypically Western (blond hair, blue eyes), less if you look decidedly Asian. Most schools look for those with a clean, friendly appearance and a four-year degree. Cleverlearn has a relatively new language center in town, and is a popular place to teach, given the free use of their media room and fitness gym. Apollo is another large private school. The city is exploding with private language institutes, and you really can find opportunities within a week if you just show up and start asking around. There are also some positions that are only available to those with teaching experience or credentials, but it is unclear whether employers are really being discerning. Universities are among this questionable group, since they often demand experienced teachers but don't pay a higher wage or bother to check resumes.

The beauty of teaching English in Hanoi is that you are free to profit fully from networking and taking on new jobs. The work pays by the hour and I know one person who was able to maintain a luxurious lifestyle and save money for the future on only nine hours of teaching each week. It's often small corporate lessons and at-home tutoring that pay very well but don't offer many hours. You can't get these jobs right away, so don't be so quick to completely fill up your schedule with jobs that pay just the average. Above all else, teaching English is a great starting point - giving you the security and flexibility to look for that perfect job.

1.B Teaching other stuff
Experienced or certified teachers can look for work at Hanoi's two international schools, the United Nations International School (UNIS) and the Hanoi International School (HIS). They do most of their hiring at international job fairs, but they do seek local hires from time to time. You can also call and put your name on the substitute teachers' list.

Don't be afraid to teach what you know. Many have successfully taught yoga and other trendy classes to the executive expat crowd. Just don't expect to get rich teaching ordinary Vietnamese. English lessons are seen as a valuable investment that will pay off professionally, unlike Pilates.

1.C International intrigue
You won't find an entry-level or mid-level job at many foreign companies in Hanoi, but you might have more luck with international charities and development organizations. Don't expect to make much money at first (or ever) but it is a good chance to get your hands dirty. Talk to the people at the NGO Resource Center to find out where the action is.

1.D Journalism
Hanoi, like anywhere else, holds possibilities for the aspiring journalist or photojournalist. Be aware though that calling yourself either of these things without the proper government approval is a recipe for disaster. Writing any news content carries a risk.

That said, many freelance journalists operate successfully from Hanoi with proper press ID. And the country's English-language daily, the ever popular Vietnam News, often hires young foreigners to help edit and rewrite their content. The capital's media has been growing at a furious pace recently, and there are even opportunities in television and radio.

Section 2. Living

Everyone has their own needs, but it's a safe bet that you'll want food, shelter, and some protection against sudden death. Read on...

2.A Housing

To avoid costly mistakes, arrange housing before you get to Hanoi. While housing is affordable, the city's hotels are not. Check out classified sites like The New Hanoian or Expat Vietnam. Having roommates is ideal because of the way most houses are built. Tall and narrow, it's easy for everyone to have their own bedroom. Decent apartments are becoming more common, though you pay a large premium over sharing a house. Here is some housing market data to think about:
-a typical furnished five story house cost me $450/month
-the same house was leased for $600 after I left; the difference? I had a Vietnamese blood relative negotiating for me.
Most houses rented to young foreigners will go for between $600 and $900, split between three or four people. Even without expert negotiators, that's much cheaper than apartments which are in such high demand that they start around $400 and are much harder to bargain down.

2.B Eating

Here's where you can make the case that Hanoi is a horrible place to live. The food tastes great, but it has a price. If you are pulling down over $2000/month, you can pay that price in cash by going to upscale restaurants and ordering delivered food from trusty restaurants. However, most will want to be extremely careful about what they put in their mouths.
Rule 1: Assume you will get parasitic worms. Buy and take worm pills every six months.
Rule 2: Ask for no MSG. Khong mi chinh! (pronounced hchkhchhckhck-hoe-ng mee ching) Any Vietnamese person who was allergic or sensitive to MSG died long ago, so none of the survivors think twice about adding two tablespoons of MSG to every dish.
Rule 3: Say no to extras. Oh, how nice! They gave you a moist towelette. Don't worry, as it WILL show up on your bill. If you aren't going to use the towelette or eat the peanuts be sure to send them back immediately.
Rule 4: Don't rely on subtlety. If you need a waiter scream, "Em oi!" (pronounced M-uhhh-ee!) This is the equivalent of screaming, "yo bee-atch," and it's the only way to get attention and respect in a local eatery.
Rule 5: Don't eat ice, raw vegetables or cut fruit. That's where the serious parasites live and you should eat this things only once you have built a resistance to local microbes AND found people you trust to run a sanitary kitchen.

There is a whole other set of rules for buying and cooking your own food, but I will give you the condensed version: HIRE SOMEONE TO DO YOUR SHOPPING.

2.C Safety

While not strictly required, I couldn't send you off to Hanoi without a brief primer on personal safety. Hanoi is a boiling kettle of death, and it's only by luck that one is able to survive. Again, we have some simple rules.

Rule 1: Always be safe on the road.
-Funny, right? goes without saying? You'd think so, but foreigners in Hanoi are a boastful bunch, and often fueled by alcohol. Don't get on a bike without a helmet (get one that fits well and protects your jaw and face). You probably shouldn't even cross the road without one. Also, don't drive beyond your abilities. Most young foreigners are riding motorcycles for the first time in their lives, and you should NOT fold under the pressure to be as nonchalant as they are. Ride as a passenger everyday for at least a week to learn the real rules of the road. In two years, I never drove myself, relying on motorcycle taxis instead. They are affordable and you can pick experienced drivers. Try calling Cokbi (tel:04 262 6364), and remember to brind a helmet with you.

Rule 2: Master your fears, cross the road
-There is a true art to crossing the road in Hanoi. Continuously look both ways, no matter how impossible it is at the moment to imagine someone driving the wrong direction. Move smoothly - no sudden stops or starts. NEVER step backwards. Waggle your hand in front of you to signal that you are moving forward.

Rule 3: Be aware of trends in crime
-Violent crime is low in Hanoi, but rising. Keep your bling hidden and keep yourself visible. Motorbike theft and home burglary are very common, so don't leave your bike on the street at night and keep a safe at home for cash and valuables (the heavier, the better).

Rule 4: Don't give up your passport
-You are nothing without a foreign passport. Authority figures may try to lay their hands on it, either because they want to put you in a helpless situation or because they don't know better. By law, foreigners are required to carry their passports at all times, but you can get away with a photocopy. Always give the photocopy, and leave the real thing in a safe.

...
and we also have one suggestion - not a safety issue, unless you consider sounding stupid a risk to your ego:
Remember, they call it the American war.
-The Vietnamese had plenty of wars before ours, and plenty of independence wars. The one with marines, napalm, the Ho Chi Minh trail, and all that good studd is called the American war in Hanoi.

Section 3. Having fun
Why else would you be going to Hanoi? Here's the top ten:

10. Bobby Chin's
This upscale dining establishment sets the standard in town. Western prices for western fusion -a nice treat for special occasions.

9. Truc Bac lake
This underrated lake is only one of many in Hanoi, but it's well worth the visit. It's where John McCain parachuted during the war. You can easily walk around the lake, but like all walking tours, it's best to get it done early. By 6am the street traffic will give all but the most hardy foot jockeys a hard time.

8. Books and DVDs
"Copyright?!! We don't need no stinking copyright!" Pirated foreign language books and DVDs still flood the market in Hanoi, and who could blame the sellers? There is not enough demand and no legitimate market for these products here.

7. Dragonfly
This bar has become somewhat of an institution. A bit of a sweaty meat market, but let's be honest, that's why you like it. (15 Hang Buom, dragonfly_bar@yahoo.com)

6. RnR Tavern
Day or night, the tavern is the best place in town for affordable tacos and burritos. At night, the mood turns decidedly psychedelic and the all-Vietnamese Grateful Dead cover band plays weekly. There's always a pool table, satellite TV and a balcony, making this a safe and comfortable hang out for all. (47 Lo Su Street, tel:04 934 4109,rockandrolltavern-hanoi.com, randrhanoi@hn.vnn.vn

5. Hang Trong street
Don't know what to do with your weekend? Go to Hang Trong. Popular rooftop cafe, PUKU, is here to help nurse your hangover. When you're done, window shop the art shops and haggle yourself a famous oil painting.

4. Cinematheque
This 'club' is the best place for theater-style movies. There's excellent food, wine and coffee that you can take into the movies. They often have special theme weeks with a truly international film selection and lots of highly rated documentaries. Best of all, they run on donations and concessions only. (22A Hai Ba Trung)

3. Titanic (aka the Ship of Fools)
This bar on a boat is on the 'bad' side of town (i.e. the side not protected from flash floods), but that's only part of the reason why it's known by some as the Ship of Fools. Titanic is usually open after most other bars have been shut by the police. Definitely THE place to lose some inhibitions and be silly. That all stops the moment it's time to go home, since you'll have deal with walking across the narrow gang plank and, of course, the 'bad' side of town.

2. Master Quang
Master Pham Vu Quang teaches Shao Lin kung fu, as well as Tai Chi. I recommend the kung fu, at least twice a week if you are physically able. You can arrange very affordable one-on-one lessons at his personal studio overlooking Hai Ba Trung street.

1. Quan An Ngon
Literally, 'Delicious Restaurant', Quan An Ngon is one of the best places in town, and surprisingly it's also one of the cheapest (not to mention safe). Generally, the more dishes offered in a Vietnamese restaurant, the worse and more expensive the food is. If a place offers only one dish, it's sure to taste great and be cheap. Here, dozens of food stalls operate within one courtyard, each serving only one dish at rock-bottom prices (with a modest mark-up for wait staff and rents). Perhaps the best reason to eat here is that none of it is local food. Food at the 'Delicious Restaurant' is all southern style, replacing the fat, grisle, and MSG of the north with fresh herbs and spices of the south. (18 Phan Boi Chau street)

There is one more reason to live and work in Hanoi and that reason is Air Asia. Now that this low cost airline has opened flights between Hanoi, Bangkok, and KL, there is nothing to keep you from exploring Southeast Asia's treasures. Factoring in the relative ease of saving money in Hanoi (versus Bangkok or Tokyo) and you've got to agree, nothing beats it as a home base for your adventures.

Crumbling cookies

2007-09-29T13:43:00.000+09:00

I'm sad to report that it doesn't look like I'll be allowed to teach here in NY. The NYC Teaching Fellows program wanted me to teach math, but after my high school transcripts were lost, they just put my application to the side. Another example of our educational bureaucracy gone mad, I guess. Just think... if I waiting until college to take calculus, I'd be in like Flynn.

H.S. 425 High School for Leadership and Public Service

2007-08-25T07:38:00.000+09:00

Tuesday's visit to a downtown high school went well. I interviewed for the NYC Teaching Fellows program and will hear back shortly. If accepted, I'll be temporarily certified to teach at a high-needs school in the city while I complete a subsidized degree in education. Fingers crossed yall!

T5-2

2007-07-22T07:19:00.000+09:00

Whew! That was one long trip. It's been over a year since we've posted here, and boy what a year. We got a round-the-world ticket and saw every last country on our list. No more travel for us, thank you!

OK so maybe not. We did tick off a few must-see places, but didn't get close to going round the world. All in all, I would say that we've done our fair share of traveling though. And that is why I am back to this blog. The title on the page will stay the same, but we're looking at a slight change of theme here at T5.

We head to New York City in August, and since we've already signed an apartment lease, I am betting that our travels are on hiatus for a few years. This soon-to-be-New Yorker is considering getting back into teaching. I've applied to the NYC Teaching Fellows program - fingers crossed- and may be headed back into the classroom early in 2008. If I get in, get ready for T5-2: Turning This Traveler inTo a Teacher (again).

We're Back!

2006-06-17T17:51:00.000+09:00

We have returned from our 18-day tour and Grandma has safely returned to Fremont, Nebraska after her 0ne-month stay with us. I could not have enjoyed her time here more! After our travels to here, there, and everywhere else (see below for the itinerary), Grandma still had 10 days to hang out in Hanoi with us. She had wanted to do some day trips, but decided the heat was TOO much!!! Thankfully, Dan's mom likes to run around and she and Grandma did some MAJOR shopping. Silk here is great and inexpensive. Some other things that caught my grandma by surprise is the men getting haircuts on the side of the road, the art of haggling, cheap - EVERYTHING!, relentless humidity over 80%, geckos in the house, and transport by motorbike (family of four; two hogs; giant mirrors; trees; etc). There were many highlights on the trip - too much to mention here. Hopefully we will soon have some photos up.

DAY	CITY	DETAILS
1	Ninh Binh Province (Vietnam)	Phat Diem Catholic Cathedral and its deafening cicadas! Tam Coc – row boat through rice fields with karst topography Our guide Mr. Luu taught us the useful term “happy house”
2	Hue (Vietnam)	Afternoon tour of the Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 with Mr. Tam, our guide cum photographer, nicknamed #8 for being the 8^th of 15 kids
3	Hue	Guided day tour of Hue via car (Grandma out sick) Dragon boat down the Perfume River Thien Miu Pagoda American bunkers Tu Hiey Pagoda Emperor’s Tomb of Tu Duc Lunch at Monastery – veggie food that looked like meat!
4	Hoi An (Vietnam)	Drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass – stops to view the sea and mountains, along with Marble Mountain and the Cham Museum Wander about Hoi An
5	Hoi An	Lots of shopping in the town center, Grandma and Christi had matching shoes made! Tailored clothes ordered (including the traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai for Christi)
6	Hoi An	Visit the Ancient Town and see low-tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Cantonese Assembly Hall, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas, and the Tan Ky House
7	Saigon (Vietnam)	Morning flight Da Nang – Sai Gon ½ Day Cyclo city tour: Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, Chinatown, Thien Hau Pagoda
8	Saigon	Agent Orange victim lacquer ware factory Cao Dai Temple (observe chanting) Cu Chi Tunnels, complete with anti-American propaganda video featuring phrases such as “American Killer Hero Award”
9	Mekong Delta (Vietnam)	Tour of the Mekong Delta `Private boat tour around the river and canals: observe traditional singing, coconut candy making, and floating fish farm 4 more hours to Can Tho, board mini boat to our “homestay” – a total bust – truly a guesthouse with many backpackers`
10	Mekong Delta	Boat tour of the Mekong Delta featuring the floating market with the freshest, tastiest pineapple pops EVER! Drive many hours to the airport, Sai Gon – Siem Reap
11	Siem Reap (Cambodia)	AM: Southern gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Baphuon Temple, Elephant Terrace, and Leper King Terrace 3-hour lunch break back at hotel (to get out of the heat) PM: Angkor Wat temple and sunset on Phnom Bakheng Hill
12	Siem Reap	AM: Preah Khan Temple, Neak Poan Temple and Tasom Temple 3-hour lunch break with A/C PM: Chao Say Temple, Thomonun Temple, Takeo Temple, and Taprohm/Jungle Temple, and Prasat Kravan
13	Siem Reap	AM: Banteay Srey, Banteay Samre, PreRup PM: Rolous Group: Lolei Temple, Preah Koh Temple, and Bakong Temple
14	Siem Reap	Morning tour of Tonle Sap Lake, including floating fish farm and store, and many beggars Afternoon tuk-tuk to the bakery and souvenir shopping
15	Bangkok (Thailand)	Optometrist stop – new glasses all around! Relaxation at the nice hotel
16	Bangkok	Dan out sick Grandma and Christi go to the Paragon shopping center via the Sky Train and do some fun shopping – matching earrings to boot! Grandma tries Dim Sum for the first time Christina goes to world renowned Bumrungrad Hospital for some minor treatments Dinner at Shangri-La on the Chao Phraya
17	Bangkok	Visit to the Summer Palace outside of Bangkok Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew Wat Pho Calypso Cabaret at the Asia Hotel – fantastic entertainment!
18	Bangkok	More shopping Japanese lunch at Fuji’s Evening flight back to Hanoi

Grandma is Coming!

2006-04-09T14:32:00.000+09:00

Grandma Maly arrives in about a month and will be with us for as long! We have just paid the deposit for our 18-day trip, whoo hoo! It is a private tour for the 3 of us. It includes our own English speaking guide on all tours, private cars, several regional flights, meals and decent hotels. It seems it is a very reasonable deal. It will be all new locations for all of us—well, almost. Dan has been to Bangkok before, but everywhere else, for everyone else it is all brand new.

See our trip on the 16 June post.

Happy New Year Again

2006-01-25T20:18:00.000+09:00

We began the year jealously listening to tales of Phu Quoc island, and promptly left Hanoi for the tropical paradise. Suffice to say that we are not getting bored of visiting idyllic beaches.

We are determined to make 2006 the year of the career. Which is a good priority, since neither of us enjoys eating dog-food straight from the can.

On January 20th, Christina began an internship period at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). We hope that the work will be its own reward, and that the rewards will be few or non-existant -wink wink.

DMB is phasing out teaching at the university, and will begin a consultancy for a State Department contractor. It all looks like positive additions to the old CVs.

The night of Saturday 28th, marks the beginning of the Tet holidays here in Vietnam. Our second 'new year's day' of 2006 will be spent in Hanoi.

If we ever get our fill of this city, an Indochina tour is in the works. More to follow...

Teachers Again

2005-10-20T17:27:00.000+09:00

It is no sooner do we redefine ourselves that the world chooses to have its way. Less than 2 weeks in Hanoi, and already we are teachers again. The good news is that CMB and I are splitting 18 hours a week and earning more disposable income per hour than in Japan. The bad is that for the first time ever, I will have to commute more than 5 minutes.

So far, we have found a lot on our list. Let's review.

We found wetsuits in Florida. Our time was short and we could not dive there. The season in Nha Trang has also just ended, leaving us without immediate plans to go underwater. Phu Quoc, an island to the south, is in season, but more difficult flight arrangements will be.

Cafes seem to be everywhere, although we have not quite gotten into the groove of wandering the streets. It seems there are few places to enjoy a walk without fearing for your life, so every venture outside is with purpose.

Our internet is fairly reliable, although the wireless router that I brought cannot penetrate the concrete walls of the apartment. No internet in our bedroom stinks.

We have some part-time work and are continuing to meet good people. I am quite content to study Japanese and do odd computer projects. Hopefully, there will be the chance to volunteer for an NGO soon, which is how I am hoping to first visit the coastal areas.

We've decided on having a famous painting reproduced. Email me or comment here if you have any suggestions. We haven't quite had the energy to go to a tailor, but will get around.

The market we visited on an early morning walk was quite amazing. I felt trapped while walking through the meat aisle. We had some trouble navigating around two dead pigs on a motorcycle. It was nothing compared to the pictures seen in the book, Bikes of Burden .

Perhaps the most exciting thing about being in Vietnam is the proximity to Asia. More than we ever felt in Japan, things are accessible. If we go light from here, we should be able to truly become travelers.

Teachers no longer?

2005-07-20T09:19:00.000+09:00

We just got a taste of what it will mean to become full-time travelers again. Christina and I boarded the ferry to Niijima, and left behind the crowdedness of an established life. Island camping it was for one of our last weekends in Japan. If there is a secret to long life, it is living outdoors. Never have 3 days seemed so long, nor been so enjoyable.

The big news is that our time as teachers is at an end. The summer vacation has begun, and when the students return in the fall, our contracts will have ended. Step one for turning teachers into travelers.

Step two would be the actual traveling. We will return to the US for a short time, and then go to Vietnam. Visas already approved. At the start of this project and this blog, was the idea that a year "in foreign lands" would improve us in some way. We have been living in Japan, but don't really considered it to be the mind-expanding experience that we want.

Starting in October, the planning phase will be over, which is good because there was very little to plan, and even less to write about planning. I will be writing about what we find, and keeping a list of what to look for.

SCUBA Diving Sites
Good Cafes
Internet Connections
Francophones
Vietnamese teachers
Volunteers
Wetsuits
A good reading light
Freetime
Employment
Boat owners
Art galleries
Guinea Pig Babysitter
Markets

Where should we go?

2004-09-07T14:59:00.000+09:00

Help us plan our life-itinerary. The following are the countries under consideration. Please leave your comments or suggest additions to the list.

Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Bonaire
Brazil
Cambodia*
China
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Egypt
Fiji
France
Laos*
La Reunion (France)
Greece
India
Italy
Kenya
Jordan
Madagascar
Micronesia
Morocco
Nepal
New Zealand
Philippines
Samoa
Uganda

We will continue refine the list as your comments and our research suggest.
*Current plans to visit

Tickets

2004-09-03T13:58:00.000+09:00

It's a sad thing to book a flight from Japan. Most international flights are sold through travel agents that specialize in organised tours. They don't offer tickets more than 3 or 4 months in advance so as to create a mad rush. We couldn't even get a quote on last year's prices. Add to that the absence of flexible working schedules and your chances are slim of getting away for winter holidays for less than 3 months pay.
Most English-language online ticket sellers only offer tickets originating from the US or UK. For those of you who are from North America, check out Airline Consolidator. Despite what they say on the front page, they do sell tickets departing from any location as long as you have a credit card billed to a US or Canadian address.
Still looking for a cheaper, more flexible way to travel next year, but this will do nicely until then.

with a little help from our friends

2004-08-02T14:23:00.000+09:00

How many times has the phrase, "the internet is great," been written? I feel the need to increase that number by 2. The internet is great!
Reading your comments, I am thankful that we can get that bit of advice and support from people anywhere. Only 3 comments so far, but each one helpful. Even once we leave, our friends won't ever be quite that far away.
Thank you, come again!

Taking the plunge

2004-08-02T13:52:00.000+09:00

We are still a long ways from departure and any number of things could happen between now and then. One difficulty in planning the perfect trip for us will be trying to balance our love of Scuba diving with our bank book. Diving isn't cheap, but we want to include at least some underwater experiences in our itinerary.

After a quick review of the oceans' offerings, I have tentatively added Bonaire to our destination list. Also, we plan to consider Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the corals of Fiji and Micronesia. Probably our most likely opportunity to scuba dive will be in Costa Rica. There is a high density of attractions (including a stunning rain forest) and so we may consider a longer stay. The dive sites there are known for large animal sightings.

I certainly want to spend a great deal of time diving, but the issue of cost is a bit more important. We have played with the idea of diving professionally, probably as recreational instructors. It sounds promising to work our way around doing something we both love. Is it just a pipe dream? My main concern is that, like any job, being a pro recreational diver would tie us to one spot. That might be acceptable in one or two locations, as long as we weren't tied down for too long. But how for briefly can you get such a job and what is too long?

In the meantime, we will continue to improve our diving skills and read Scuba Diving Magazine. Maybe someday we can make a buck or two diving, but I'm not going to dive into that just yet.

12-18 months from now

2004-07-15T17:53:00.000+09:00

This log is intended to share a project that, as of this afternoon, we shall call T5, or "turning 2 teachers into trainees," created by my wife and I. The goal of T5 is to learn from the wonders and realities of the world. We will spend roughly 12 months, starting in the second half of 2005, migrating around the globe. During this time, we hope to see many things and answer many questions about the many choices before us. Lifestyle, family, social duty, career and education are some of these choices, which because of the merciless march of time, we must learn to see as precious opportunities.

One question that crosses my mind involves the value of experience. Christina, my wife, and I have had years of schooling and work experience. Christina has quite an impressive work history for someone so young, but I wouldn't do her justice by mangling her resume. I have only been out of school for 2 years now, and have spent the whole time employed by a public school in Japan as an English instructor. I was chosen for the work through the JET program, which, while prestigious, is competitive in an academic way. More precisely, I mean that no one involved in the decision to hire me is involved at my level of the educational system, therefore I never had to convince anyone to work directly with me. My wife is on the same program currently.

So far, the experience you might describe us by is looking less like a picture of who we are and more like a collection of institutions that have held our names on their rolls. You might expect this kind of experience to be highly valued because it indicates a tendency to work in a structured way. It also shows the ability to adapt the self to the task. Though, I imagine now that institutions are unlikely to gain the skills and perspective needed to guide themselves from a person who has only seen the inside of a structure.

Christina and I have quite a bit of travel experience, but probably not enough to mark as a major achievement. Can a year in foreign lands with the person you love turn two teachers into... something better? Can it at least reveal the next step?

For the near future, we will build a record of our thoughts as we save for and plan our way around the world.