Monday, May 23, 2011

70 to Canada

I have started my countdown and I have about 70 days until I return to Canada. It always seems more real when I have a countdown :-) I am making a list of things I have to do before departing from S.E. Asia.

Visit Australia
Visit Langkawi one last time
Walk in a thunderstorm
Watch a sunset and sunrise on the same day
Have one too many beers :-) with some friends

I guess that is about I want to accomplish.  I came for a year and stayed 2 years.

It is too bad that I will miss being here in Malysia with Jaime, however, I do know the way and I hope to visit once or twice while she is teaching at Sunway College.

I am still working at the Blended Course initiative here at Taylor's. I also have lots of ONSIS work to complete and training for the staff who will take it over once I leave. I doubt if I will have time to get bored.

TTYL, 70 and counting ...

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Resigned

Big News ... for me anyways ... I handed in my resignation today. I hope to be back in Canada in early August (Ottawa). It is time to put my life back in some semblance of order and I figure I can do that best in Ottawa with some help of a few good friends.

Shelley will be joined by Jaime in June and they will reside in Subang Jaya. Jordan will be working in Ottawa for the summer, attending the Faculty of Education at U of O in the Fall.

So that is my big news. Other than that, it is 33 degrees and 90% humidity as usual.

TTYL,

Jim

Monday, May 16, 2011

Back in Malaysia

Jill McGrath coined the phrase 'sauna hell' when she was describing the climate here in South East Asia and she had it correct.I spent a day in London (actually in the Air Canada Lounge at Heathrow), transfered in Singapore, and arrived in Subang Jaya on last Monday night. I spent the week jet lagged (travelling around the world in 13 days does take it's toll) and had a relaxing weekend.

Here it is, Monday again and my first full week back. I have workshops for Malaysian teachers on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.The workshop is on how to use Math and Science Gizmos (learning objects). That will make for a long week. I also have to meet with the eLearning folks from Taylor's University as they just announced they will be 100% blended course delivery for 2015.

My time here in Malaysia may be limited as I find my feet are itching to be elsewhere, mainly back in Canada. I miss the seasons, my family, and my friends and I have things to take care of back in Canada related to my separation that are very difficult to complete from the other side of the world.

Not much news :-( I guess that is a sure sign it may be time to move on :-)


TTYL,

Jim

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Currently in Halifax

I am currently in Halifax, awaiting my 11:30 pm flight to London England. I did take the airporter into Halifax today and had fish and chips down by the harbour. I hope to get into downtown London as well tomorrow as I have about an 8 hour layover before my flight to Singapore.

Travelling around the world can result in lots of wait times. My daughter Jaime had warned me about that after her first European trip.

Not much to talk about as airports are kind of boring, even if you are in a lounge with free booze and food :-)

So far I have enjoyed the fresh air in Canada, but have been way too busy!!!

TTYL,

Jim

Monday, May 2, 2011

Jordan's Graduation :-)

May 30th has come and gone and Jordan has graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Trinity Western University. The convocation ceremony was held in a large Pentecostal church in Abbotsford B.C. and was well done. Jordan was happy, but I think I was happier seeing him graduate. He has worked hard over the 4 years and should be proud of himself. He has been accepted to the Faculty of Education at the University of Education this Fall.

I met jordan the next morning and he showed mehis new set of wheels, a 2003 BMW 325. He says he looks better getting out of a BMW in a suit, rather than a truck.

After I met Jordan for coffee I decided to drive to Whistler as I have never been there and I hear the drive is great now that the roadwork for the Olympics is completed. I fly out the next morning to Ottawa and look forward to visiting some friends and my mom.

TTYL,

Jim