The rest of the week went by very quickly. We had a last dinner with my Mom and sister at 801, the restaurant/bar at White Sands, before they left for Taipei the next morning. On Tuesday I met Will and Mike for dinner at Ayala Terraces and met Mike there again on Wednesday before he flew back to Tampa. Both times ending up at TGI Friday's. Thursday we were at the resort all day before my Dad, Sue, and Braden all left from the long trek back to Vancouver.
With everyone gone, Cebu suddenly got a lot quieter. Yen and I moved to our condo in San Marino. We've stayed there before and, while it is a decent place to stay a few weeks, I am not sure why you would build a condo there, and I am sure I would never buy in it. Only 10 years old but looks and feels at least 30 years old. We had a good couple of weeks though. Travelled around the city a bit, did the last few things we had never done in Cebu, and relaxed. Yen's cousin Ivy came by for a couple days with her daughter, and we did a tower in Cebu, the Daoist temple, and went to see a band at the terraces at Ayala mall. Fun, but hardly stuff you'd travel across the world to see.
While I love the Cebu/Mactan area, I doubt I will be back anytime soon. As a city Cebu itself is fairly quiet. I've well and truly done the tourist trail there, and with no good friends there, there isn't much for us to actually do there anymore. If I owned a condo there, and could spend my vacation swimming, fishing, and reading and I'd probably feel differently, but to rent a cheap condo for two weeks isn't exactly something I'd want to do every year. I think the next time we are in the Philippines together we will try for a resort area. Boracay or Puerto Galera.
Still, it was the best August of my life. Next August I am assuming we will be back in Vancouver for a visit. I think we have a couple more years before we come back for good, but it is hard to see much more than a couple years in to the future right now.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Summer Vacation Pt. 2
We landed in Cebu and walked out right in to the biggest rain storm we would experience the entire trip. However, it was a dry cab and a short run to White Sands.
I was actually one of the last to arrive. Yen had arrived with her family from Dipolog that morning, and most of my friends has showed up during the day. Only Mike and Will were still in transit. I ran in to Bobby first and met his lovely new girlfriend Karishma. I didn't have much time to talk with friends or family though, as we had to meet with the wedding coordinator.
After all that it was a bit of a family and friends reunion and a day at the resort.
The next day of course I got married.
On Sunday Yen and I moved to our condo, back at San Marino, which we had stayed at in February. Then it was back to the resort for more visiting and dinner at 801, the rooftop bar at White Sands. Sunday was also the day that much of the wedding party left Cebu. Yen's family were all off home, Darren back to Daejeon and Bobby to Seoul, and UK Mike off for a week in the Philippines with his wife.
Monday was our first real day trip. Rosie had organised a trip to Oslob, to see the whale sharks that go there to feed every day year round. It was an early start and a long trip to south Cebu island, but well worth the effort.
I was actually one of the last to arrive. Yen had arrived with her family from Dipolog that morning, and most of my friends has showed up during the day. Only Mike and Will were still in transit. I ran in to Bobby first and met his lovely new girlfriend Karishma. I didn't have much time to talk with friends or family though, as we had to meet with the wedding coordinator.
After all that it was a bit of a family and friends reunion and a day at the resort.
The next day of course I got married.
On Sunday Yen and I moved to our condo, back at San Marino, which we had stayed at in February. Then it was back to the resort for more visiting and dinner at 801, the rooftop bar at White Sands. Sunday was also the day that much of the wedding party left Cebu. Yen's family were all off home, Darren back to Daejeon and Bobby to Seoul, and UK Mike off for a week in the Philippines with his wife.
Monday was our first real day trip. Rosie had organised a trip to Oslob, to see the whale sharks that go there to feed every day year round. It was an early start and a long trip to south Cebu island, but well worth the effort.
a whale shark.
south Cebu island
After the whale sharks we went to see a waterfall, which was cool as well (in every sense of the word, that water was downright cold). It was great to get in to the countryside, as that is where the Philippines really shines. I do like Cebu city, and I even like Manila, but if I were to ever permanently relocate to the Philippines it would not be to the city, it would be a chunk of land with a view like the one above. Anyway, after the waterfalls we began the long trek to Cebu City.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Summer Vacation Pt. 1
This summer I, of course, got married. That is obviously the biggest part of my summer. However, that was only a part of the summer. Part of the reason we chose Cebu as our wedding location was so that friends and family could also have a vacation in the Philippines while they were at the wedding.
It started with me on a LONG haul flight from nanning to Xiamen, a lengthy stopover, and a flight to Manila. I had been worried about exchanging money in China, because the rates charged at the airport are extortionate. I would have cost me 9000 PHP ($220 Cad) to exchange my rmb, so I got on the pane to Manila with 600 PHP in my pocket. Charge for changing money in Manila. 50 PHP. Note to self, NEVER change money in China, just take the rmb out and change it at your destination.
Anyway, when I got there I met Darren, who had flown in to Manila from Daejeon. We then headed to Manila 101, a great hotel in Pasay, for a 1am check in. However, we were still hungry and so opted to head to a place near Sea Residences and MOA, a quick walk. We met two Spanish guys and chatted til almost 4. Then off to bed.
After a bit of a sleep in we decided to head up to Intramuros. I had not been there since 2013 when I visited the area with Mike on my first trip to Manila (about a month before I met Yen actually). We did the fort, art museum, and Luneta Park. However it was getting late and Mike (from UK, not to be confused with best man Mike) and his wife Xiaoshan had arrived from Guangzhou and we were going to meet them at MOA for dinner.
We went and went to the Pad, which has been a regular spot for me for years. However, the menu has changed and the food was a real disappointment, so we went over to Roadhouse for a cocktail before going to bed.
The next day we got up, checked out, and headed to the airport to catch the flight to Cebu.
It started with me on a LONG haul flight from nanning to Xiamen, a lengthy stopover, and a flight to Manila. I had been worried about exchanging money in China, because the rates charged at the airport are extortionate. I would have cost me 9000 PHP ($220 Cad) to exchange my rmb, so I got on the pane to Manila with 600 PHP in my pocket. Charge for changing money in Manila. 50 PHP. Note to self, NEVER change money in China, just take the rmb out and change it at your destination.
Anyway, when I got there I met Darren, who had flown in to Manila from Daejeon. We then headed to Manila 101, a great hotel in Pasay, for a 1am check in. However, we were still hungry and so opted to head to a place near Sea Residences and MOA, a quick walk. We met two Spanish guys and chatted til almost 4. Then off to bed.
After a bit of a sleep in we decided to head up to Intramuros. I had not been there since 2013 when I visited the area with Mike on my first trip to Manila (about a month before I met Yen actually). We did the fort, art museum, and Luneta Park. However it was getting late and Mike (from UK, not to be confused with best man Mike) and his wife Xiaoshan had arrived from Guangzhou and we were going to meet them at MOA for dinner.
We went and went to the Pad, which has been a regular spot for me for years. However, the menu has changed and the food was a real disappointment, so we went over to Roadhouse for a cocktail before going to bed.
The next day we got up, checked out, and headed to the airport to catch the flight to Cebu.
"so, now that we are all in a free country,
we all agree Taiwan is a country right?"
Friday, August 18, 2017
Married
It is all done. Six months of incredibly hard work has finally paid off, as Yen and I tied the knot at Cebu White Sands on August 5th.
It was made all the more special because I had so many friends and family members who were able to make it from across Asia and Canada. My immediate family was able to come out and visit the Philippines and see other destinations in Asia as well. It was great to show them a place that has, effectively, become a second home for me. I also had friends come from Korea, China, and Vietnam for the ceremony, so a big thanks to all of them for coming. I also was happy that they had a chance to see a bit of the Philippines, and have vacations of their own, even if for some of them it was just a 3 day weekend. Also a big thanks to Mike for landing at 6am the day of the wedding and still being good to go on best man duties. Much appreciated.
The ceremony itself was held in the White Sands garden area. For Yen, preparation began at 10am with hair and makeup. For me it was far less work (as it usually is for men and women on wedding days). Still, I was very excited when the ceremony finally got started.
It is really a situation where pictures tell a much better story than words could, but I will just say that August 5th has now become the most important day in my calendar, and the event was exactly what I wanted it to be.
It was made all the more special because I had so many friends and family members who were able to make it from across Asia and Canada. My immediate family was able to come out and visit the Philippines and see other destinations in Asia as well. It was great to show them a place that has, effectively, become a second home for me. I also had friends come from Korea, China, and Vietnam for the ceremony, so a big thanks to all of them for coming. I also was happy that they had a chance to see a bit of the Philippines, and have vacations of their own, even if for some of them it was just a 3 day weekend. Also a big thanks to Mike for landing at 6am the day of the wedding and still being good to go on best man duties. Much appreciated.
The ceremony itself was held in the White Sands garden area. For Yen, preparation began at 10am with hair and makeup. For me it was far less work (as it usually is for men and women on wedding days). Still, I was very excited when the ceremony finally got started.
It is really a situation where pictures tell a much better story than words could, but I will just say that August 5th has now become the most important day in my calendar, and the event was exactly what I wanted it to be.
Babysitting duties while the women get ready.
Waiting patiently
Yen coming
yes I may
Oh yeah, Mike is 6'3. I forgot about that :D
Monday, July 31, 2017
Off to Cebu
Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving Nanning early to get a flight to Xiamen, and from there on to Manila. Despite being a short distance, my flight in Xiamen has been delayed, and so I will not get in to Manila until around 1130pm. Ah well.
I'll be meeting Darren and probably crashing early. I'll fly down to Cebu on August 4th, and hopefully get there in time to meet with the coordinator at 430. Yen gets in at like 6am though, so if worse comes to worse she can deal with it.
It is going to be a very busy, but also very fun few days.
Mike will be showing up late on Aug 4th, so will get filled in on best man duties on the 5th. I think it'll be low key. It is also cool because the last time I saw him was over a year ago in Chilgok. Also, with him possibly off to Miami this year, it may be the last time we see each other for a while. I have other friends coming who I haven't seen in a while, and a few that couldn't make it but have sent well wishes.
My Mom and sister leave soon and my Dad and his whole side are currently in Hong Kong (technically Macau at this exact moment) so it is cool to see everyone else having fun.
I am excited as well.
For today, I just need to exchange some RMB in to USD, pack, get a haircut, and do all the other fun stuff to get ready. Tomorrow I leave here at 9am, which isn't bad at all, but it means I don't have time for much else. I also know that I don't get to settle down until almost midnight. A few hours of Travian and Civilization in Xiamen may be in order :P
I'll be meeting Darren and probably crashing early. I'll fly down to Cebu on August 4th, and hopefully get there in time to meet with the coordinator at 430. Yen gets in at like 6am though, so if worse comes to worse she can deal with it.
It is going to be a very busy, but also very fun few days.
Mike will be showing up late on Aug 4th, so will get filled in on best man duties on the 5th. I think it'll be low key. It is also cool because the last time I saw him was over a year ago in Chilgok. Also, with him possibly off to Miami this year, it may be the last time we see each other for a while. I have other friends coming who I haven't seen in a while, and a few that couldn't make it but have sent well wishes.
My Mom and sister leave soon and my Dad and his whole side are currently in Hong Kong (technically Macau at this exact moment) so it is cool to see everyone else having fun.
I am excited as well.
For today, I just need to exchange some RMB in to USD, pack, get a haircut, and do all the other fun stuff to get ready. Tomorrow I leave here at 9am, which isn't bad at all, but it means I don't have time for much else. I also know that I don't get to settle down until almost midnight. A few hours of Travian and Civilization in Xiamen may be in order :P
Friday, July 21, 2017
July
A busy month.
Officially the semester ends the first week of July, but for some there is an option of overtime work with the College. Most teachers have opted out and decided to head off on vacation, but a couple of us have stayed and agreed to do it.
And boy is there overtime.
I have not had a day off since last Saturday, though I should get Sunday off. I then have a very busy 6 day stretch before I too am on holidays, with a nice little bonus that will disappear in wedding costs almost as soon as I get it :D
ah well.
I then have 3 days here before I fly out to Manila on Wednesday Aug 2nd.
Of course the reason I am doing all this is so the wedding is as good as it can be. I have had to say no to a few things that I just can't afford, but a lot of it seems like stuff that we don't need anyway. I think some people blow 40-50k on a wedding, which seems a sure way to ensure that you will spend that again on a divorce :D. We are having a good wedding, but I hope it is remembered more for friends and fun than for the tacky crap.
It is actually strange being on campus in the summer. Most of the staff have left and it is oddly quiet, or as quiet as China ever is, and it is nice. I'll be here for part of next summer, but my visa expires on July 20th and I am sure that we will be back to Vancouver then, even if just for a visit and a visa renewal to wherever we are going next. Still, it means I'll only really get this month to live like this in Nanning. Kinda cool.
Officially the semester ends the first week of July, but for some there is an option of overtime work with the College. Most teachers have opted out and decided to head off on vacation, but a couple of us have stayed and agreed to do it.
And boy is there overtime.
I have not had a day off since last Saturday, though I should get Sunday off. I then have a very busy 6 day stretch before I too am on holidays, with a nice little bonus that will disappear in wedding costs almost as soon as I get it :D
ah well.
I then have 3 days here before I fly out to Manila on Wednesday Aug 2nd.
Of course the reason I am doing all this is so the wedding is as good as it can be. I have had to say no to a few things that I just can't afford, but a lot of it seems like stuff that we don't need anyway. I think some people blow 40-50k on a wedding, which seems a sure way to ensure that you will spend that again on a divorce :D. We are having a good wedding, but I hope it is remembered more for friends and fun than for the tacky crap.
It is actually strange being on campus in the summer. Most of the staff have left and it is oddly quiet, or as quiet as China ever is, and it is nice. I'll be here for part of next summer, but my visa expires on July 20th and I am sure that we will be back to Vancouver then, even if just for a visit and a visa renewal to wherever we are going next. Still, it means I'll only really get this month to live like this in Nanning. Kinda cool.
Monday, July 10, 2017
Semester Done
This week I handed in final grades and said goodbye to year one at the university. It was a neat feeling. I have worked very hard over the last 4 years to get to a point where I can do this job, and to have done my first year here has been great. I have learnt a lot, and it has been good. I made a few learning mistakes, but I think overall I did alright. I am already contracted here for another year, and at the end of that time I will have my two years experience, and the world opens up to me.
With that being said, I think two years in Nanning will be enough. Not that this has been a bad experience, because it has been great, but after two years I'll be setting my sights a bit higher I think. Frankly because I can. Yen is fairly adamant that if we don't stay in the Philippines or Canada then she wants to go back to Korea. I don't blame her either. Korea has great jobs and I can't imagine a better country to have a child in, which is another goal of hers for next year. With good friends working there I feel like I am in with a chance (you reading this Mat, Darren and Tobe? :D).
Also, and this is a China thing, the visa requirements for teachers don't guarantee the best results. As an example. To work in Korea as a university teacher I usually require and MA and 2 years experience. For public schools an education background (and in Seoul increasingly teacher certification), and for the cram schools a BA in anything. I am okay with that. In China to work at a cram school you need a BA and either two years experience or a TEFL certification (approx 28 days). To work at a university? A BA in anything and either two years experience of a TEFL certificate. The result is that, while I work with many great people, the backpacker crowd is still alive and well at the university level. I am also not crazy about the way in which Chinese schools are run. Very communal and almost paternalistic. Add to that the housing situation, internet censorship, and in general everything just being less efficient than it could be, and I think two years will be ample.
So for the summer, I am in Nanning for July doing IELTS exam training. Then on August 2nd I leave for Manila where I'll meet Darren. Then on the 4th I fly down to Cebu to meet Yen and get married. This wedding has stretched the budget a bit (a lot), but it will be well worth it. I am also looking forward to a few weeks in Cebu just relaxing. Then it is back at the end of August for my second year in Nanning.
For next year, I would like to see a bit of China, as once I go I am not sure how much I'll be back even if I live in Korea (Hong Kong/Macau notwithstanding) and especially if I live in Canada. Mostly because the visa process is such a hassle. However, I mostly want to save and get more experience. I am actually looking forward to next year. Having a year done feels like a real accomplishment, and even though it may not be where I want to settle down, I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had in Nanning. It certainly won't be a time in my life I will remember badly.
With that being said, I think two years in Nanning will be enough. Not that this has been a bad experience, because it has been great, but after two years I'll be setting my sights a bit higher I think. Frankly because I can. Yen is fairly adamant that if we don't stay in the Philippines or Canada then she wants to go back to Korea. I don't blame her either. Korea has great jobs and I can't imagine a better country to have a child in, which is another goal of hers for next year. With good friends working there I feel like I am in with a chance (you reading this Mat, Darren and Tobe? :D).
Also, and this is a China thing, the visa requirements for teachers don't guarantee the best results. As an example. To work in Korea as a university teacher I usually require and MA and 2 years experience. For public schools an education background (and in Seoul increasingly teacher certification), and for the cram schools a BA in anything. I am okay with that. In China to work at a cram school you need a BA and either two years experience or a TEFL certification (approx 28 days). To work at a university? A BA in anything and either two years experience of a TEFL certificate. The result is that, while I work with many great people, the backpacker crowd is still alive and well at the university level. I am also not crazy about the way in which Chinese schools are run. Very communal and almost paternalistic. Add to that the housing situation, internet censorship, and in general everything just being less efficient than it could be, and I think two years will be ample.
So for the summer, I am in Nanning for July doing IELTS exam training. Then on August 2nd I leave for Manila where I'll meet Darren. Then on the 4th I fly down to Cebu to meet Yen and get married. This wedding has stretched the budget a bit (a lot), but it will be well worth it. I am also looking forward to a few weeks in Cebu just relaxing. Then it is back at the end of August for my second year in Nanning.
For next year, I would like to see a bit of China, as once I go I am not sure how much I'll be back even if I live in Korea (Hong Kong/Macau notwithstanding) and especially if I live in Canada. Mostly because the visa process is such a hassle. However, I mostly want to save and get more experience. I am actually looking forward to next year. Having a year done feels like a real accomplishment, and even though it may not be where I want to settle down, I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had in Nanning. It certainly won't be a time in my life I will remember badly.
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