Graduation is Tomorrow

Tomorrow is graduation and the end for another cohort. It is always sad to see your students depart but at the same time you are happy for them as they move into an exciting new future. I have watched this happen with both Jaime and Jordan and it is a tremendous growth opportunity for them as they head off to University. It is always a little scary for weparents but in the end the results are awesome.

Friday is what we call an 'Open day', kind of an open house when new parents and students come to see us and ask, 'Why should I send my precious child to you?' It is a good question and the simple answer is that they will grow more with us than competing programs because the Ontario educational system is unique. We educate the whole child.

Shelley and I will bring our luggage to work on Friday as the limo will pick us up and take us directly to the airport and then on to Hong Kong where we overnight.

TTYL,

Jim

Exams are Done and Marks are in!

It is Sunday and I am in at work making sure all the Science and Mathematics are into the student administration system. We have our promotion meetings tomorrow and then we start the final preparations for graduation which occurs on Thursday. On Friday we have a final recruitment day and we fly back to Canada that same night. I think we arrive on the Saturday because we gain a day back.

Sunday will be a recovery day from the flight and I have a luncheon date at the Prescott with the chimps plus some of the other boys from work. It should be fun as I have not had a meatball sandwich and a quart of beer since the last time I was home in July.

Jordan is supposed to pick Shelley and I up at the airport and bring us a winter jacket. So far, from what I have heard, Ottawa has only a dusting of snow. We overnight in Hong Kong and then fly through Detroit to Ottawa. The flight is much different this time as we are paying for it ourselves and saving our free flights for the new year.

Jaime apparently arrives back in Ottawa the day after we arrive.  No hugs for her :-)

TTYL,

Jim

Last Class

I taught my last class today. I have lots of marking to do over the next 2 weeks. I also am attending a 'Teaching Computer Science' conference in Phukett Thailand. I fly out this Sunday and return on late Tuesday night. Taylors pays the whole shot. Every teacher gets one conference a year, all expenses paid!  Just like the school boards back in Canada :-)

Shelley and I have still not decided if we are staying on past June. I have an interesting job offer coming up, not much different than my past job as Coordinator of Learning Technologies.

TTYL,

Jim

After Today - 5 More Classes

The CPT's have come and gone, except for marking of the code and debriefing the programing teams. All in all, they were pretty good, with some of course exceptional. 

I now have 4 days of power point presentations of current computer science topics.  These presentations are very quick, no longer than 5 minutes and include a research paper of 3-5 pages of their information.

I then have 2 days of review on Monday and Tuesday and then exams start on next Wednesday. My exam is on the last day, a week later on the Friday. I have one day to mark and the results must be in on the Saturday. Shelley also has her exam on the last day, lucky us.

Our flights are booked are we are looking forward to being home for Christams in the Great White North. I sure hope our kids meet us at the airport with winter jackets :-)

TTYL,

Jim

10 Days to Go

There are now only 10  days of classes left. My first 3 groups of students presented their Game CPT's today and they were all good but one was awesome, the best yet, in 4 semesters of projects. This particular group also did not ask for any help in creating their game. They also appear to be the 3 smartest students in my class, judging by their marks to date.  If the other projects turn out this well I will be very happy.

Shelley and I went into KL yesterday and had the Traders buffet which was excellent and very inexpensive at 100 ringgits for the 2 of us. We then walked over to the Petronas Towers' mall and visited our favourite bookstore where we both bought some fiction books. We then had a coffee and tea at Coffee Bean and headed home to read for the night. I went for a quick workout before turning in for the night.

Graduation is just around the corner and then we will, as the song goes, 'Be Home for Christmas'.

TTYL,

Jim

New Coffee House

There is a new coffee house we expats frequent quite often. A recent graduate of Taylors' hospitality and tourism program has opened it. It features an art deco decor right from South Miami Beach. He plays jazz music and Frank Sinatra tunes mostly. He must have visited or studied restaurants or hotels in Miami because it is a great reproduction. He also makes the most amazing cappucinos (hope I spelled that right), much better than we had during our European Odyssey of 37 days.

I spent all afternoon in the lab helping my students and other students complete their games CPT. They are always so thankful of any help you give them. Canadian students could learn a lot from these kids. I did a quick survey to determine if these kids were genxers or genyers. By their age they should be genY but they have the value system of genX instead. They use technology and multi-task like genY but laughed so hard when I told them everyone on the haockey team got a trophy for particpating. They thought only the best player on the winning team should get a trophy. They certainly are not part of the me generation.

TTYL,

Jim

12 Days of Classes Remaining

This semester is just blowing by. My game CPT's are due this Friday and presentations start next week. The final week the students present their research papers on current Computer Science topics. They do this via power point.

The game projects are coming along nicely but I anticipate quite a few bugs in their final effort. Some students are taking advantage of teh extra lab time, but many are not. It are the students that should be taking advantage of the lab time who are not coming, but that is usually the case.

Shelley and I are booked for home, leaving on Dec. 17th and arriving in Ottawa on the 18th. We fly back to Malaysia on the 5th of January which gives us 3 full weeks at home. We look forward to visiting everyone over the Christmas break.

TTYL,

Jim

Back From Vietnam

Shelley and I  flew via Air Asia on Wednesday to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Wednesday night. We stayed over at the Windsor Plaza Hotel (highly recommended) that night and we were up early the next morning and flew JetStar (not highly recommended) to Hoi An. It was raining buckets when we arrived in Hoi An and continued to do so 24/7 for the next 3 days.

The weather really did not matter as Shelley was there to shop. It was monsoon season and there was flooding but nothing we could not handle in our crocs. Shelley wimped out and purchased a plastic rain coat but I made do with my folding umbrella. The benefit of being there in the rainy season was the turn around time for custom tailored clothes and shoes was very short (24 hours).

I lost track of what Shelley purchased but I hade 3 pairs of leather shoes custom made for me for $200 U.S. and I also purchased 2 leather belts for $25 each.

It turns out Vietnam has a huge women garments industry. I would estimate that there are about 750 designer womens' cothing stores in a town of 100,000 people. To get to Hoi An you fly to Danang (about 1 million people). Saigon has 11 million people. From Danang to Hoi An it is about a 45 minute cab ride.

We stayed in a beautiful boutique hotel recommended by jaime for about $25 U.S. a night. A suite could be had for $50 a night if so desired.  There is quite an expat community springing up in the area and restaurants are plentiful.

We were to fly back via Jetstar on Saturday night to Ho Chi Minh but when we arrived at the airport they had cancelled our flight and had notified us by email. Of course, being on vacation, we Shelley was not checking her email. They did refund us our money and we rebooked with Vietnam airlines for an extra $70 U.S. per person. When we arrived back in Ho Chi Minh city we booked into the Windsor Plaza where they upgraded us to the exexcutive floor at no charge as we were return customers :-) The next morning Shelley went shopping and I relaxed with a book. We flew back via Air Asia at 5:30 pm and arrived back in Kuala Lumpur at 7 pm.

We will return to Vietnam as it is a lovely country. I have decided that the poorer the country, the happier the population is and Vietnam is both. Hoi An needs about a full week and a couple of thousand dollars to appreciate the shopping. If you are a guy in search of suits, you would be better off in Bangkok and I have a tailor to recommend.

TTYL,

Jim

Broadway Musical Tonight

Wednesday until Saturday, Taylors presents a Broadway Musical where students from CPU present their singing and dancing talents to the community. Last year was the first edition of this show and from what I hear, this group is even better. Shelley and I procrastinated getting our tickets and are going tonight (Thursday) when we would have preferred Friday or Saturday night.

There are now 20 classes left in this semeter. The next two weeks will be tiring as I keep the computer lab open 4 days a week until 8 pm next week and 9 pm the following week. We are well into our exam review.

TTYL,

Jim

TGIF

I do miss my TGIFs, TGITs, TGIW (thank goodness it's whatever) from Ottawa. It was always fun to meet at East Side Marios for a beer (or many beer - Larry) and rehash and laugh about the week that had just passed. That does not really happen much here as the staff is quite transient with 1/3 of them turning over each year. We get another 5 newbe's this January and wejust got 6 in July. Sometimes it would be fun to run a pool to see how long some of them will last :-)

Shelley and I do not have much planned this weekend. We have a workout tonight and probably once more on the weekend. Other than that it may be lounging by the pool, a little marking and planning, as well as some grocery shopping. Oh, what would I do to have my Yamaha FZ1 here in Malaysia :-)

TTYL,

Jim

Dinner at Tarbush

Jim Leonard, the principal of CPU is back from Canada so some of the staff got together for a welcome back dinner at Tarbush last night. Some of the new staff members that arrived in July came and were very happy to be introduced to Tarbush because of the quality of the food and the ambiance.

After dinner, which lasted about 2 hours, Jim gave us a lift home and it was an early night for both Shelley and I.

Shelley has a former Mother Teresa student staying with us on Monday night as she passes through the airport at KL with a one night stop over.

Other than that, not much happening. We are still trying to book our return flight home at Christmas. I have started my review for the final exam (couple of questions per day) and there are 25 classes left to teach.


TTYL,

Jim

27 Classes Remaining

The countdown to graduation continues. There only 27 classes left to complete the CPT - Game project, teach the remaining topics and review for the exam. It will be tight.

This week I am keeping the lab open on Tuesday and Thursday until 7 pm. Next week, it will be Tues, Wed, and Thursday, and the following week it will be Mon-Thurs. This extra lab time enables the students to put the finishing touches on their projects, get them documented, and get ready to present.

Other than that, not much going on. We look forward to our Vietnam trip in early November, and being home with the family for Christmas.

TTYL,

Jim

Another Sunny Day in Subang Jaya

Actually it is rather beautiful today. About 33 degrees but very little humidity. We will be exiting the rainy season shortly and we will get more of these dry days. However, you can often count on the weather changing 2-3 times a day. A weather front comes in and out very quickly, in terms of hours rather than days in Ottawa.

There are now 31 days left of classes. The game projects are coming along quite nicely now. These students are actually surprising me. There performance on the CPT is much better than their classroom performance. Go figure. Maybe it is the group work or the game design. :-)

Shelley gets back from her conference tonight so maybe we will head off to our favourite coffee shop to get caught up.  TTYL,

Jim

33 More Classes

Wow, the second part of this semester is flying by. There are only 33 classes left. This past weekend was busy. On Saturday I attended the 2010 MotoGP motorcycle races and on Sunday Shelley and I went into KL. Shelley is attending a 3 day educational conference in KL and staying in at the Seri Pacific Hotel. We checked her in and then went to the KLCC shopping mall where I visited my favourite bookstore and Shelley visited the Jewelry show that was in the convention centre.  I then headed back to Subang Jaya for my workout and Shelley returned to her hotel for the conference opening night dinner (10 course). Shelley got to sleep late as it takes quite some time to work your way through 10 courses. Malaysians love to eat :-)

TTYL,

Jim

Next Trip - Vietnam

The next trip Shelley and I have planned is Vietnam. We leave on November 4th and are gone for 5 nights and 4 days. It's a bit of a whirlwind trip with 2 cities in the 4 days. Apparently Ho Chi Minh city is quite a busy city. We fly in there the first night and then travel to ? and then return their on the last day. It used to be called Saigon.

Apparently crossing the street in Ho Chi Minh City is even more of an experience than Cambodia. It will indeed be interesting if that is the case. I heard you just close your eyes and go and the traffic will part like the Red Sea. Maybe if I invest in a white cane :-)

jaime had some clothes made up by a tailor here so apparently we are getting some more clothes made for her and will bring them back at Christmas.

TTYL,

Jim

Tuesday is Tuna Sub Day

There is a Subway restaurant 2 minutes from campus that I usually go to on Tuesday. Tuesday's sub is Tuna, my favourite. I usually go at 3:30 and I get a toasted 6" Tuna on parmesan and a coke for 10 ringgit. You can tell I am a little bored at this point as I am talking about a sub. Could be worse, those that know me well, know I could be talking about my breakfast of a coffee and peanut butter toast :-)

There are 37 classes left in the school year and the students are fully engaged in their game CPT. Academically it is a good time for me. The Malaysian MotoGP motorcycle races are this weekend and I am thinking of going.

TTYL,

Jim

Saturday PD Session

The Taylor's teaching staff is engaged in a Saturday morning PD session. I can imagine that happening back home in Canada with federations, etc. We originally had it scheduled for a Monday but we decided to take a long weekend and move the PD day to a Saturday instead. We are done at 12:30 and then we will go for lunch as a staff for an hour or so. Then the weekend begins.

I think I need a trip into KL to search for some good science fantasy to read. I think I have mentioned before that the best bookstore in KL is in the Petronas Towers shopping mall, level 5.  Definitely recommended. It also has the best selection of IT books that I have found anywhere in my travels.

The next session just started and it is on Google Docs so I better say TTYL and pay attention. You never know, I may learn something.

TTYL,

Jim

Another Sunny Day in Malaysia

It is sunny and relatively cool for Malaysia, maybe 29 degrees. What seems to make the most diffence is the humidity. This is the rainy season so we get dumped on once a day for 60 minutes, usually from 3:30 - 4:30 but it can vary by an hour.

The students are rested and in my class are excited about working on their game CPT (culminating performance task). They were very impatient to get started but now they have the basic skills required to start their game.  They work in groups of 2 or 3 for this project. Personalities should emerge over the next 2 weeks which either make or break the groups.

I am back to working out every second day and will have to decide to stick at 180 pounds or go lower. I think I will stick, but I will have to up my food intake for that to happen as I still seem to be dropping with my current exercise and diet.  I am the incredible shrinking man at the moment :-) down, from 220 to 182 pounds.

TTYL,

Jim

Exactly Half Way

As of today, I am exactly halfway through my course. The second half always seems to fly by more quickly so it won't long before we once again are preparing for graduation. Shortly there after we should be heading home for Christmas.

Not much else is going on. We do leave for Vietnam for 4 days in early November but other than that, it is lesson after lesson.

TTYL,

Jim

Cambodian Pictures

Shelley and I arrived in Cambodia on Sunday and today is Thursday. We visited more wats (Shelley more than me) ate in some great restaurants, lounged by the pool, soaked up some sunlight, and relaxed.

Many of these pics were shot from a helicopter. This was also the rainy season so the floating village has moved into the rivers from the lake.

Here are some random pics.

Pilot was Australian

Our hotel - pool

This was all dry last time we visited

Among the poverty - a golf course

This girl new the capitol of Canada and the Prime Minister

Monk wannabe

Red Piano restaurant - recommended

Recommended

Tuk Tuks for hire

Leaving for Bankok at 1 pm

Shelley and I catch the airport limo at 1 pm for a 3:30 international departure to Bangkok via Air Asia. We spend 4 nights in Bangkok and will see John McGrath on Friday night and Saturday day. It will be good to get caught up on news with John.

The first stop is the tailors as I have to take my tux and 2 suits in to get adjusted. I have lost 30 pounds in 3 months and nothing fits :-) which is good I guess. After that I will do some shopping as the shopping is good in Bangkok. Bangkok is a very cosmopolitan city and you can find just about anything there.

Friday night is drinks and Saturday is a road trip to a day at a resort that has a great beach.

After the 4 nights in Thailand, we head to an RCI resort in Siem Reap. We were able to use our resort points for a week's accommodation at a 5 star hotel. RCI is starting to acquire more properties in Asia :-) we have been to both places before, and enjoyed both, so this should be a very relaxing vacation for both Shelley and me.

TTYL,

Jim

Monday September 6th

So why is this date important? Everything is marked, marks are entered, and sent into the office. 10 teacher appraisals are done, signed off, and photocopied. 10 Malaysian Teacher Evaluations are completed and collated.  Administrivia is finished for the term and Shelley and I fly out to Thailand on Wednesday night.  We plan on spending some time with John McGrath.

I also need to take my tux, and 2 suits back to the tailors because I have lost 30 pounds since middle of May. That is 2 belt buckles worth so everything needs to be taken in.

After 4 days in Bangkok, Shelley and I travel back to Cambodia to spend 7 nights at a RCI resort on points. It is a 5 star hotel so hopefully the internet will be good. I plan to spend lots of time poolside and perhaps get caught up on my programming.

TTYL,

Jim

Holidays are here!

It is August 26th, Thursday and Shelley and I are now on vacation for the next 5 days. School resumes next Wednesday and we are into September, midterm marks and report cards. I should have a posting a day with pics. That's assuming I have a decent internet connection.

However, I do have a data plan on my HTC Desire Android 2.2 phone and when I tether my laptop to it, I have speedy access anywhere I have phone connectivity! Isn't technology wonderful?

I don't know where we are going as Shelley booked everything, but once I get there, I will let you know.

TTYL,

Jim

Mea Culpa

I have been bad. Paul cotton just pointed out I have been slipping on the frequency of my blog posts. I have been busy, but that is no excuse. The good news is that Shelley and I have a 5 day break coming up on August 27. We are going to some beach resort in Malaysia to veg out. If they have internet access I will post daily with pics.

Shortly thereafter we have 11 days off and will be going back to Siem Reap and Bangkok. We quite enjoyed both of theses places so they will be rest and relax vacations rather than see as much as you posssibly can in as few a days as possible :-)

Teachers are going crazy trying to get assessments done for the midterm report coming up. The students are getting by with 4-5 hours of sleep and it is starting to show.

We all need a break!

TTYL,

Jim

Last 2 TPA's Typed Up!

I have completed all 10 of my classroom visitations and I have typed up all my evaluations. Now I have to meet with the 10 teachers and go over their evaluations. If all this sounds like a lot of work, believe me, it is! Probably a minimum 15 minutes per teacher or about 3 hours of meeting time.

Shelley and I are finally booked for a beach vacation at the end of August. I think I will need it.

My class of 35 is progressing and the students are learning lots of good stuff. The problem is the amount of marking for that one class is equal to 2 classes. Presentation time is also a major problem as I lose too much instructyional time if each student presents. So I will have quite a few group presentations.

TTYL,

Jim

Saturday August 7th

If you have a test on Friday and then collect the student journals as well, you kind of have to expect to have some marking on the weekend. I am 6 hours into it and have another 4 hours to go.  The pitfall of teaching is the marking.

The good news is that 8 of my teacher performance appraisals are complete and typed up waiting for signatures. That leaves 2 more to complete this coming week.

Apart from marking tomorrow, I am not sure what Shelley has planned. We have not been into KL for a while so maybe we will make it a trip for the afternoon.

TTYL,

Jim

It's Tuesday August 3rd

Well, we are definitely back into classes. This is week four and quizzes and tests are the norm. My class size settled down as 35 and for the most part they are great students.

I am in the middle of 10 TPA's. Teacher Performance Appraisals. Here at Taylors each teacher gets reviewed once a year, where in Canada, it is every five years. One is too short, and the other too long.  Two or 3 years would be a good choice.

Other than that, not much to report on except we had a 3 day vacation to Kuching which is in east Malaysia. We visited a great cultural village, similar to Upper Canada Village but much larger and more diverse. We then visited the orangutans in the wild and saw about 8 of them, including 2 babies.

We visited the city of Kuching (almost a million) and had a tour. It was the start of their festival and their was a regatta on as well. Kuching is billed as the second cleanest city in Asia next to Singapore, and I would have to agree.

Some of our students met us on Saturday night and showed us around the festival grounds. They all head to Canada in the next few weeks, most to U of Toronto. I will upload some photos over the next week.

TTYL,

Jim

Monday Morning - 3rd week in

Shelley and I had a lazy and busy weekend. We worked out Saturday morning and then lazed around until 3 and headed over to Sunway Pyramid for supper and pick up some grocery items. We were going to go to the show but the lineup for tickets was just way too long. Oh yes, Shelley got a new phone, this time a semi smart phone with a touch screen.

On Sunday, I went into Taylors as I had to do some Onsis work. I ended up spending the whole day there. Shelley took Sunday to learn her phone, import her contacts and start organizing the hundreds of photos she has taken.

This is a short week for us as we head out early Friday morning for Couching in Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

TTYL,

Jim

TGIF

It is finally Friday! This is our first full week and I must admit I am looking forward to sleeping in Saturday morning. Last Saturday we were up early as we had to give a PD session to 180 Malaysian teachers at the Taylor's Lakeside Campus. This weekend is totally unplanned except for the sleeping in on Saturday, followed by a workout in the gym.

It will also be a good time to go over long and short term planning for our courses now that class enrolments have settled down and we have an idea what we can hope to accomplish.  I have good students, but there are still 25 of them.  I am also missing 2 workstations at the moment which reminds me I have to put in a request to It to have them installed.

Next weekend Shelley and I are involved in the annual Taylor's vacation trip to Couching in Sarawak. We fly there, stay for 2 nights, get fed, and sightsee all for $200 ringgits. It is really nice that Taylors puts these staff vacations on each summer. I hope they have internet in teh hotel. I will have to check. The only downside is we have to be at the airport at 5 am! However we do get Friday off school.

TTYL,

Jim

34 Students :-)

I now have the largest class in the school with 34 students. I really have to learn to say no, but it is hard when they want to be in your class. Good thing the research shows that class size has very little impact on student performance.

The only classes over 30 are the 3 Computer Science classes. The students seem to be really enjoying the course and that is all good.

Tonight is my workout night and I really look forward to those nights. I am getting in really good shape and the more I run, the more weight I lose and the easier it is to run. I am also getting much stronger as well. I am currently at 196 lbs down from 220, eight weeks ago :-)

TTYL,

Jim

The First Real Week of Classes

This is it. Registration, add/drops, ice breaking, and meet/greet the students is over and into the curriculum we go. All 3 Computer Science classes are still at 32 so we are at capacity with other students waiting to get in.  Nice problem to have.

I am back into my routine of working out every second day. Shelley has been bad and has yet to make the trek up the road to the fitness centre so a little encouragement will be necessary.

TTYL,

Jim

The First Week has come and gone!

All in all, a great week. I have 32 students in my class and they are a wonderful mix. Lots of girls this term for some reason. Tomorrow is the big PDday for 180 Malaysian teachers that I have been planning. I think I finally have evrything nailed down and it has not been easy :-(

My session (which gets repeated 6 times is on Gen Y students and how to motivate them. I have done this workshop for the past 3 years so it is pretty easy for me. I may even take along a Gen Y student as a visual aid :-)

Sunday is a get together for all the newby teachers who live at Boulevard. It should be fun, but after Saturday, I would probably just want to rest and go for a workout.  Maybe I will duck out early.

That's it for news, weather is same as always,

TTYL,

Jim

Thursday, day 3 into a new semester

Computer Science class sizes have ballooned. We now have 3 sections of ICS4U with 32, 32, and 31 students. I guess we are doing a good job and students do talk. However, if you have ever taught CS then you know that anything over about 25 students is really difficult unless you really know the programming environment you are teaching with. I feel sorry for my teaching partner as he is just learning Adobe Flex and Actionscript 3.0. He seems quite flexible though so I hope he survives.

Other than that, not much happening as Shelley and I are just about over our jet lag. This Saturday I and 5 other teachers are providing workshops for 180 Malaysian high school teachers at Taylors Lakeside Campus. It could turn into anorganizational nightmare but hopefully not.

I will let you know how it went,

TTYL,

Jim

First Day of School

This is the first day of school but only for the new students. Enrolment is at its highest in the past 10 years. Tomorrow, actual classes commence for new and returning students. Computer Science enrolment is up and there are 3 sections with 29,29, and 30 students in a class.  That makes for one busy class in CS!!! I will survive but the rookie new teacher will find it difficult.

I am still a bit jet lagged as I woke up at 1 and 4pm last night.  Therefore I am a little sleepy at this moment.

Today is also a workout day and getting there will be tough. best to do it right after the van drops me off.

That's it for now,

TTYL

Back Home in Malaysia :-)

We arrived back about 8 ish on Saturday night.  We were on the same flight as Pam and Steve as well as Lindsay. It was great to see everyone altough we all looked like we had been sitting in an airplane seat for 24+ hours. The good news is I actually drifted off for an hour on the Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur leg.  I was in bed by 10 ish and woke up at 1:30, 4:00 (coffee and toast), and eventually got out of bed for good at 6:30 am (coffee and toast again).

I am going into Taylors for about 10 am to meet with Rowena re the scheduling. Apparently our enrolment is up again. I like to think it is because we have a great staff and program. In the internet age, it is much easier for 'word of mouth' (text of fingers?) to get around.

Both Shelley and I are looking forward to getting into our routines of teaching and working out. Eight more pounds and I will be back to my university football playing weight of 190 lbs.  It's all good from here on in ...

TTYL,

Jim

16 Hours until we fly.

It won't be long now until we board and start the journey back to our second home.  I am packed already. I never like leaving the packing to the last minute and being rushed. I have more 'stuff' going back because I had to buy new clothes as I have lost about 20 lbs over the last month.  Mostly working out, running, and eating half what I normally eat.  The running is getting much easier now so I will probably drop another 9 lbs which will put me at my football playing weight of 190 lbs. I will be happy to stay there :-)

Shelley, jaime, Jordan, and Lauren are visiting my Mother this pm. I plan on taking one last motorcycle ride and will go visit her by myself tonight. We also have a barbecue dinner planned for 3 pm which is just before Jordan has to drop Lauren off at the airport for 4:30 pm. She has to fly back to Vancouver as she works this weekend.  It has been fun to have her visit for the past 5 days.

Jordan will prep my motorcycle for the year when he leaves at the end of the month because he plans to use it while he is here for the rest of July.  That saves me doing it, although it does not take long.  The less it sits the better.

It has been 35 degrees all week so Shelley and I will feel comfortable slipping back into Malaysian weather.

It has been a blast seeing everyone!  The invitation is always open to anyone who wants to come visit. The longer the better :-)

TTYL,

Jim

3 Days and we board ...

It's Tuesday, our last one in Canada,  already and we still have dinners to attend and people to see. It will be nice to get back to our daily routine in Malaysia. Up at 5:30, coffee and peanut butter toast for 30 minutes; 1 hour to shower and get dressed; and then downstairs for our van ride to Taylor's. Sounds kind of boring, but it is far from boring.

300 new minds to warp (sorry, educate :-)), and 10 new rookies (teachers) to break in. We also have a new vice-principal that we will be kind and gentle with (maybe).

Apparently registration has gone much better than we anticipated and there could be problems with scheduling of teachers as we try to juggle our teachers and classes to meet the needs of our students. I will find out Sunday if I manage to stay awake (jet lag).

It will be great to see the students I taught last semester. They grow and mature so fast at CPU and it's wonderful to see them become more confident and outgoing.

I really should go and get a new science fantasy book to get me through the witching hour of the 14 hour flight from Toronto to Himg Kong. That is the time period from 7 pm  to midnight that usually occurs about 6 hours into the flight after I have watched 3 movies. I can usually drift off to semi sleep after midnight and before you know it, they are serving breakfast and we are landing.

I am enjoying my last few days in Canada,

TTYL,

Jim

5 days until I head Back :-)

Wow, 5 more days and we will be boarding the plane out of Ottawa into Toronto. Then comes the iron butt 14 hour into Hong Kong. Four hours later and we are back in KL. Then comes 2-3 days of jet lag and we are right back into teaching.

I always find the first week of school so exciting. New minds to explore and personalities to understand. We also have 10 new teachers on staff who will need to be mentored and most of them are in my department.  It should be a busy first month.

I hope the initial scheduling is solid and there is only a little fine tuning to do on Sunday. I am not quite sure how long I will last. Lots of caffeine may help somewhat.

Shelley and I are also in our new condo and we are finally done with our old landlord. I can hardly wait until she finds out we owe her money. I just may make her wait as long as she made us wait for the air cons to be fixed.

Tomorrow is Sunday and we are off to see Father Tom and say goodbye again for another year. We saw him last Sunday and we hope to convince him to come visit us for a month next year when he retires.

Monday is dinner at my sister Ann's place on a lake in the woods. It is always a pleasant time and is quite peaceful.

Tuesday is back to the optometrist to pick up my new reading glasses and then Wednesday is a little bit more shopping. Thursday is packing and goodbye's all around. I will visit my mom on Tuesday and Thursday as well.

Lauren, Jordan's girlfriend just flew in from Vancouver and it was a real surprise for Jordan. Hopefully he was behaving himself at the keg party he was at!

I also hope to see John McGrath on Thursday night before we head out.

That is just about it for now,

TTYL,

Jim

Friday, July 2nd

We have one week left in Canada.  The time is flying by, but the good news is that Shelley and I have pretty well managed to get everything done that was necessary to do.

Today I went shopping and picked up new running shoes, 4 new shirts, and 2 new belts. That just leaves some pants and regular shoes to purchase.  Good thing I arrived with a half full suitcase.

We have about 2 more dinner dates and then we are home free to do whatever we want.  The weather is warming up to the low 30's with some humidity over the next few days.  That should acclimatize us for our return back to Malaysia. It should be interesting to hear everyone complain about the heat here, except for us :-)

We fly out eary Friday am, July 8th and arrive in KL at 6:30 pm the next day due to the date change. I work Sunday as the admin staff has to finalize the class and teaching schedules.

TTYL,

Jim

Canada Day - July 1st 2010

It is Canada Day today and so far it has been very quiet.  I had a meeting with Brent this morning and Shelley and I are going to Rheal's for a pool party. Probably too cool for the pool as it is in the low 20's but sunny.

The one thing we won't be doing is heading downtown for the Canada Day celebration on Parliament Hill. It is mostly tourists that do that as 'seen it, done it, before, and don't like the crowds!'

Jordan has planned a garage party and is having about 6 buddies over for a barbecue and game console night.

TTYL,

Jim

Home in Canada

That is one lllllllooooooonnnnnngggggg flight. From the time we departed to the time we arrived it was 27 hours of travel time. However, it is worth it. It is a beautiful 28 degrees, sunny, no humidy, not a cloud in the sky!

Yes, I have been to Timmy's this morning and I had a breakfast sandwich and a medium double double. It does not get much better than that.  I have been busy getting a lot of administrivia out of the way before getting down to visiting folks. It is amazing the amount of mail that accumulates over a year :-)

Unfortunately my motorcycle battery disappeared over the year.  The culprit just may be Yams who may have thought it was junk and threw it out in the trash. I went to the motorcycle shop to get a new one and they were out of stock. Fortunately the owner is a friend of mine and pulled a battery from one of the new motorcycles. All is good!

We changed Jordan's flight to today from this coming weekend and he gets in at noon. Lots of hugs! So the whole family will be together again for a couple of weeks.

TTYL,

Jim

Leaving for Canada

It's June 18th and my last post was June 8th. My bad! Things just got busier and busier. The prom has come and gone (pics later) and the grad was today. Shelley and I are home packing for our Saturday morning flight back to Canada.  It's been quite an adventure.

We have an airport limo picking us up at 7 am and our flight leaves about 9:30 am. We have learned not to go to early as they don't open the counters until 45 minutes before boarding.  Going early is a waste of time.

We fly Air Malaysia from KL to Hong Kong. We then fly Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Toronto and then Air Canada to Ottawa. We get in about 8 pm same day if I remember correctly. It's not really same day for us but we cross the international date line again and get back the day we lost last June.

Our daughter Jaime is picking us up at the airport and I expect a big hug. Sunday will be jetlag day and time to visit my Mother. Monday is Dale's retirement party and perhaps breakfast with some of the chimps.  Tuesday is the Prescott with more  of the chimps.  I expect I will be going for a motorcycle ride or two on Monday and Tuesday as well.

Living in South East Asia will either leave you changed or deranged.  I will leave it up to you folks to determine what happened to me :-)

See you all soon,

TTYL,

Jim

The Missing Week!

Wow, it has been a week since my last post and I think that is the longest stretch I have gone without a post.  That gives you some indication of how busy I have been.  It has been a week of presentations, review, exam invigilation, year end meeting, meeting of all other kinds, software issues back at my previous Board, and Shelley and I are trying really hard (and have been successful) to work out every second day.

Time has flown and before you know it we will be on the plane back to Canada to visit friends and family. Our schedule is filling up quickly and we will need the down time as well.

We will also miss some of the wonderful people and students (not that students aren't people) that we work, live with, and teach with here in Malaysia.  No doubt we will be sorry to leave Canada once again, but we are also looking forward to another year at Taylors.

TTYL,

Jim

Last Day of Classes

It's arrived. Yippie kai yah. The last day of classes.  It's been a very busy week of presentations and marking of presentations.  I noticed that I am one of the few teachers still going full tilt. I do so because I try and give the students as much time as possible to complete their CPT's. So, unfortunately, no class parties in my class for year end.

I have quite a bit of invigilating and other exam duties so next week is pretty busy as well.  Then there is the prom as well as the graduation.  I will defintely look forward to stepping on the plane and vegging out for 24 hours or so.

Jordan caught a bad bug and was sick for quite a while but is now on the mend and in his summer courses. I have not heard much from Jaime (hint) and I hope she is well.  She apparently is working quite a bit.

That's it for now,

TTYL,

Jim

300th Post

I never thought I would still be posting to this blog at the 300th post mark. To mark this momentous occasion I changed my photo.  I recently purchased a membership to a local fitness club and I have quite enjoyed it.  It's not if I was completely out shape, I was not.  It was more that life had become routine once again, and if I was going to be here for another year then I had to vary the routine. 

So every second day I head off to the fitness club.  I took this photo after walking back home and I was still sweating.  Sweating is something you get used to in the tropics or you simply head home. to another climate.

This coming week is the last week of school and I have 20 days until I step on the plane to head home.  It will be a busy 20 days with review, presentations, exams, the Prom, and last but not least graduation and hugs all around.

We heard from Jordan and he told us he ended up in the hospital.  Turns out he picked up a bad bug and couldn't keep any liquids inside his body. He was so dehydrated that Lauren took him to the hospital and they filled him up with 4 bags of fluid. He seems to be on the mend now.  I can't wait to get home to give him a big hug.  He gets in a week after we do so I will have some time to wait.  While I am waiting I will get Yammy ready for a ride and spend some quality time with Jaime (Yams). Maybe Yams and I will go for a ride on Yammy :-)

TTYL,

Jim

Next up 300

This post #299.  I will have to come up with something really good for #300, complete with pictures. The experience has been very worthwhile and I do believe I am much changed by the experience, both inside and out. We are just days away from our second graduation and this one is much more meaningful as we know most of the students graduating this time around.  It's kind of sad to just have them for a year, and then they are gone.

Tonight we work out (really sore yesterday) and then head out for dinner with Bill Roach the person who recruited us.  Bill has been holed up in an office all day, talking to teachers who he has recruited for Taylors.  He just wants to know how their experience has been and whether he sold them a bill of goods.  It's nice to know he cares :-) I am still ticked off my company car has yet to arrive :-(

I think we will head out to Tony Roma's for dinner tonight at Sunway.  We meet Bill at the Grand Dorsett where he is staying and cab it to Sunway Pyramid. That is also where are fitness club is located.  Turns out Jordan reads my blog and knows I have started working out.  Guess that means I have to stick with the program :-)

Wednesday and Thursday are audit days when teh auditors come in and make sure everything is on file and uptodate such as long and short range plans, course outlines, etc. It's all based on ISO standards and sure results in lots of trees being wasted.

Well that all I have for #299,

TTYL,

Jim

2nd Workout, 1st with the Group (27 days until Canada)

I had my second workout in the fitness centre and this time Amy, Michel and Shelley came along. Shelley, signed up today as well.  Everyone agreed that this was great decision and it was a great way to spend Sunday morning. After the workout we went for a swim and then Shelley managed to talk the restaurant manager into a 2 for 1 special for the Sunday buffet.  Don't worry, we went light on the carbs and heavy on the protein and salads.

Shelley and I then walked back to the condo and it was back to some programming, marking and planning for the final 8 days of classes. We also have graduation and the prom coming up so it will be a very busy 3 weeks before we head back to Canada for the break.

Michel and I had a chat in the pool and we both agreed our stint in S.E. Asia has made us appreciate how great a country Canada is. That is not to say S.E. Asia is bad, it is not, simply different.

TTYL,

Jim

Saturday Night out for a Bday Dinner

Just a note for Rheal, we are back in Ottawa for 3 weeks from June 19th to whenever.  We lose a bit on either end for travel time and jet lag. 

Tonight seven of us are heading out to celebrate Steve's birthday. Steve's wife is back in Canada, looking after a parent who is very ill so Steve is on his own and you just can't celebrate birthdays by your self.  He picked a nice Japanese restaurant that we have never been to so it should be fun.

I signed up for my fitness club membership today and so did Amy and Michel.  Shelley will probably sign up tomorrow.  I also had my first Malaysian workout in air conditioned comfort while watching the news on CNN.  There was an Air India crash and it did not look like anyone survived.  Air plane crashes are unfortunately more common here than in North America and Europe.

Bill Roach, Taylor's recruiter is visiting this week and Shelley and I are heading out for dinner with him on Tuesday night. Bill is always lots of fun. If anyone is looking for employment as a teacher here at Taylor's Bill is the person to talk to.

Unfortunately I have some programming to do this weekend so it could be a late night or an early Sunday morning.  Neither really appeals to me.

TTYL,

Jim

TGIF

Apparently someone has organized a TGIF today in the new mall at Chilis. I need to check with Shelley to see if she has anything planned.  If not, a TGIF would be good.  There are now only 8 days remaining until exams start and 29 days until we depart for Canada.

Our son, Jordan started his journey back to Canada from Australia today.  It sounds like he had a great time but we will know more when he gets back to Canada and we can actually call him on the phone.

This weekend, 2 of our teachers are playing in a hockey final at Sunway Pyramid.  The game is at 9 pm and we have a birthday dinner to attend at 6 pm.  Makes it just about perfect to have dinner and then catch a cab to cheer on our fellow teachers. Apparently about 60 students have been showing up to cheer them on.

TTYL,

Jim

Thursday and I am Bored!

It's 5:30 and I am in the lab with my best students working on their CPT's.  It's funny that the students who really need the extra help are usually the ones who avoid it.  The best get better because they work harder at whatever they are doing.  Holds true for sports and academics as well.

It now rains much later in the day.  Earlier in the spring it rained about 3 pm.  Now it rains about 5 pm.  We will soon be in the summer dry period which if I remember correctly from when we arrived, lasts for about 3-4 months. Does not mean that it is less humid, just that it does not rain :-)

There is definitely trouble in Bangkok and I hope John McGrath is okay as the military went in and broke up the red shirts camp and carried off their ring leaders.  There were deaths reported on both sides but mostly withy the red shirts.  They managed to torch quite a few building before being ousted.

Shelley is already at home, probably marking. I will walk home at 7:30 and it takes me less than 30 minutes and I view it more as exercise than transportation.

TTYL,

Jim

31 Days Until Canada

It's Wednesday and it has been a long week as I am at school until 7 pm every night as I keep the computer lab open and help my students with their CPT (game).  That makes for a 12 hour day as I am at school at 7:30 and don't get packed up and out the door until 7:30 pm.  However, the week is almost over and the projects will soon be complete and then we just have presentations and review as their are only 10 days left until exams start.

I can't count how many times I have been approached by students asking if they should accept U of T's offer or UBC's offer.  I tell them, everything else being equal choose the institution where your friends are going as you will need housemates by the end of February to move out at the end of April into some form of student ghetto.

They sure are an excited group of 180 students heading off to Canadian universities in Canada. Many are attending Carleton, Queens, and U of T.  If anyone wants to adopt a Malaysian student for the Christmas holidays I can easily find a match.  They don't go home for Christmas and will be spending it in residence.  Shelley and I are thinking of taking in about 10 of them as we will be home for this coming Christmas.  Should be lots of fun :-)

TTYL,

Jim

Jordan Did It!

Well, Jordan went sky diving in Australia.  He has lots of pics up on facebook if you want to see him do it in living colour, all the way down :-)

I had cabin fever today and decided to head out for a walk.  I met up with Shelley at Sunway Pyramid and we had a late lunch about 3 pm and then we decided to take in our first movie here in Malaysia.  We, decided on Robin Hood and it was 2.5 hours long.  Lots of action but not as good as Gladiator with Russel Crowe as well.  We bought a double seat.  A double seat is made for a couple and has no arm rest in between.  This is great as you get quite a bit more room.  Seats are preassigned and they let you in 5 minutes before the ads start.  You get to pick where you want to sit, first come first served.  Quite civilized.  What was not so civilized upon exiting, way too many people were filed into a small corridor with one set of exit doors opening inward.  This was also the fire exit.  A disaster waiting to happen but Shelley and I have noticed this quite a bit in Malaysia.  I guess that is why it is still called a developing country.

Today was really hot, probably about 38 degrees with 95 percent humidity. I worked out for about 20 minutes in the little fitness centre at the condo (no AC).  I just found out I can join the fitness club at the Grand Dorset (used to be the Sunbang Jaya Sheraton) for 120 ringitts per month with no contract.  That's about $40 Canadian per month which is a great deal as it includes a very large pool, hot tubs, and great equipment with 5 treads with individual T.V.'s.  I am going to sign up tomorrow!

I have to do something or Jordan is going to be trash talking me when he sees me in July.  He has really been working out and is tremendous shape.

Time to finish my book and hit the sack.

TTYL,

Jim

35 Days until we are back in Ottawa

I am officially starting the count down to Canada.  I also started lifting weights again today as I do not want to be dissed by my son Jordan who seems to have been pumping iron all over Australia.  Check Jordan Dale (Trinity Western University) out on Facebook to see what I mean.  It looks like he is having a great time.

I was chatting via eMail with jaime and she says she is missing her daddy and is looking forward to having him at home for 3 weeks of hugs :-)

This is another weekend of marking and preparation for the final 3 weeks of school which means review, lots of it.  I also plan to keep the lab open until 7 pm Monday - Thursday as I really encourage the students to finish the CPT game project before the last week of classes.  I hope they take advantage of it.

McDonalds supper just arrived via their motorcycle delivery service at $3 ringitts for the delivery.  That's 90 cents Canadian.  You can't even start your vehicle in Canada for that amount of gas.

Don't want it to get cold, so

TTYL,

Jim

Week Flying By

This week is just flying by.  It's Friday tomorrow and there are just 15 class days left before exams.  It's going to be hard to fit everything in, especially the review.

It's time to vary my diet.  I never thought I would get tired of McDonalds and Subway but I am.  I am especially tired of chicken.  I need an Outback, The Keg, or Milestones for a really big steak and baked potato, mushrooms, and a fine glass (make that a bottle) of red wine.

Another item I missed is a plate of bacon and eggs.  I will definitely have to do the greasy spoon deal at Mellos with the boys.  The Prescott for a meatball sandwich platter is another gotta do as well as Timmies for the breakfast sandwhich and a large double double.  No takeaway there, but a sit and savour, and soak up the Canadiana :-)

Our return flight takes us through stop overs in Hong Kong and then Toronto and the hop to Ottawa.

See you soon,

Jim

The Terminator

I had to terminate a student today with 20 days left in the year.  If you miss 15 days the policy is you get the boot.  I decided to try to save this kid 3 weeks ago and tried working with him after everyone gave up on him.  He signed a contract with me that he would not miss any more classes and had to visit me every morning at 9 am to check in.  He had to miss 2 days (long story as he was called up to the army) and I had to cut him loose.  The only thing between him and the army was his enrollment at Taylors so he will be marching in a couple of weeks.

Not a fun part of my job :-(

Jordan has lots of Australian pictures up on Facebook so check them out if you have time.  He really seems to be learning lots and having lots of fun.  He managed to get everyone to sign up for sky diving the last week in Sydney before they head home.  I am really looking forward to having a couple of nights out with Jaime and Jordan when I get home in June.  I don't think Jaime has ever been to the Prescott so perhaps, King Louie, Katie, Patrick, Jordan,  Jaime and I can indulge in a meatball sandwich a few quarts one night.

TTYL,

Jim

Funny Movie

Shelley and I just watched a very funny movie called 'Old Dogs' featuring John Travolta and Robin Williams.  It is hilarious, you have to rent it. We, of course, bought it from one of the friendly dvd sales persons in Malaysia, land of copyright (not!).

It is now Mother's Day in North America so Happy Mothers' Day to all you moms back in Canada!

TTYL,

Jim

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!

I hope Jaime picked up a card and managed to get you flowers. I know she was quite busy with extra shifts at Milestones.

I picked up a card for Shelley last night and booked a reservation at Trader's Hotel in KL.  Their brunch, which starts at 12 noon is probably the best brunch I have ever experienced.  I loved the roast beast and Shelley loved the seafood. Lots of other stuff as well and the desserts were many and yummy all around.

Where we had brunch.

Roof top swimming pool and bar.

Lobby

View from roof top pool.

After Traders we went to my favourite bookstore in Petronas Mall and I picked up two computer books on creating games in Actionscript and Shelley purchased another purse.  You just can't have too many purses and shoes and they have to match of course.

Shelley is on the net right now booking us into Tioman for the long weekend at the end of May. Tioman is a YATI (yet another tropical island) but we have not done it yet, so what the heck, off we go for the weekend.  I will have pics for you as always.  It will be our last trip before heading home for 3 weeks.

I managed to get my exam written this weekend as well as a bit of programming for ePLC. I have some marks to input into Markbook and then it is some reading and a call home to Ottawa about 9 am to wish my mom a happy mother's day.

Hey Larry, did you spring for the pedestal this Mother's Day?  Don't want you spoiling Lorraine now :-) Then again, she is all alone on her pedestal as far as I am concerned.  It's not often you find a woman that knows a Tarheel from a Blue Devil and manages to keep the fridge stocked with beer with King Louie around. That, and she even likes the Prescott!

TTYL,

Jim

TGIF

It's great it is Friday but it is bound to be a busy weekend with marking and an exam to make up. There are 18 days of classes and we are trying to cram everything in to cover the curriculum. With any luck I will make it :-)

It will be another hot and sunny weekend, as it always is.  There is nothing as constant as the weather here in KL.  The only thing that changes is what time in the late afternoon we get our 20 minute downpour. Lately we have had a few very nice thunderstorms with lots of lightning and thunder.  Great fun, much louder than you get in Canada.

I am reading a great Science Fantasy novel and I will be torn between school work and pleasure reading.

We had an email from one of Jordan's TWU profs stating that they all arrived safely but tired due to the jet lag. The actual course starts today and runs for the next 3 weeks.  Sure wish I had that opportunity while I was in University, but perhaps it was there but I never could afford it.  Come to think I probably could have afforded it as I was working 2 jobs at a time through most of University as well as playing a varsity sport. Not complaining, I had lots of fun and never ran out of beer money :-)

I just did a count and there are 45 days until TGIM (Monday) at East Side Marios on Hunt Club when I arrive back in Ottawa. We just might want to do breakfast at Mellos to kick off my return to Ottawa.  If I don't show, you chimps know the drill :-)

TYYL,

Jim

Eagle has Landed!

Jordan landed safely in Australia and is 'chillin' according to his Facebook page.  Today is CPU Open House day for parents.  The school office area is all decorated in red and white and there are university pennants and brochures up everywhere.

Shelley was talking to former students last night who have gone on to Taylor's university and are quite disillusioned. After learning how to question, problem solves and use their higher level thinking skills, their new profs have told them not to ask questions, 'They are the lectures, you are the students!', sit and listen, take in my knowledge and wisdom.

Sadly, one of these students is in Journalism.  Go figure!

Next time I meet with the university president I think I will have a chat :-) The good news is that he listens, but how do you change a teaching and learning culture so archaic?

TTYL,

Jim

Jordan is in the Air

Jordan left this morning for Australia and seemed quite pumped for the experience.  It is a great trip and he gets 2 course credits for the experience as well.  Apparently he took his MacBook along for teh ride to take notes for his courses.

It's hot and sticky here (what's new) and I have extra help for students from 3:30 - 5 pm in the lab.  It's that time of year when their CPT's are getting near due and they start to count down the days.  They have 19 classes left and that will fly by.

I had many students sign up for my course next semester so word must be getting around that it is a great course.  They haven't lived through the last month of the course yet :-)  Lots of girls signed up as well which is a pleasant change.

I just have time to make a coffee and head down to the lab, so

TTYL,

Jim

Drying with Toilet Paper

I will never get used to drying my hands in the washrooms with toilet paper.  They are the exact same rolls you find next to the toilet. Ever tried drying your hands with toilet paper? You can always tell who washed their hands after using the washroom as they will have little bits of tissue sticking all over their hands. There may be a market for hand towels here in Malaysia :-)

The 'Night on Broadway' put on by Taylor's students and CPU teachers was awesome.  It sold out all 3 performances and the money raised went to the Somali Refugee School. It really demonstrates what good things happen when you educate the whole child, including the Arts.  It makes me want to start up a couple of basketball teams here at Taylors. They have a multi-purpose hall that is only used for large assemblies and exam writing.  It is the same size as Canadian gyms.  All I need is a couple of decent portable hoops, 25 basketballs, and 2 sets of uniforms (ladies and gents).  Anyone out there have a spare $15,000 CDN to start a basketball program at Taylors.

If King Louie, Mr. Fixit, or Grasshopper are reading this, you would not believe the number of Chinese students who are over 6 feet tall.  I can definitely field a team here that would be the scourge of KL :-)

Today is a shortened day as the students have to choose their options for next semester.  They visit the department that the course is offered in and ask the teacher what prerequisites are required and what the course is like.  The teacher initials the course and they are good to go.

We are now into May which is pretty much the home stretch at Taylors.  Students are hard at work on CPT's, ISU's, essays, and last minute assignments.  The prom is also coming up at the end of May. There is lots of excitement in the air and a little sadness as well.  CPU is a one year program and the students just get into the program in semester 2 and then they are done.  It's kind of like teaching at Frank Ryan, except compressed into 1 year.

I don't know if I have mentioned the makeup of my class. This semester I have students from Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Tanzania, India, and Malaysia of course.  It is fascinating to learn about them and their countries.  And no, the students from Kazakhstan are not the least like Borak!

TTYL,

Jim

Pics of our new Condo

 Jaime has been asking for Pics of our new Condo (maybe she is coming for a second visit :-)) We probably went from 2,000 sq ft. to 1,500 sq ft. Still lots of room for 2 more visitors at a time.

Nicer dining room table with marble top (there are 2 more chairs for company, hint).

The living room with nice leather couches.

The newly renovated kitchen.

The second bedroom with lots more cupboard space and a new mattress.

View from balcony in second bedroom.

Washroom # 2 in second bedroom.

Living room closeup. Television is being replaced by LCD unit.

View from living room window. 11th floor.

Master bedroom with Jim's work area.

New mattress for master bedroom as well :-)

Lots of cupboard space for Shelley.

Won't be empty long :-)

Counter area in master bedroom washroom.

Shelley's makeup area.

Living room window.