3 Work days - 5 Days Until Flight

Not that I am counting. My ONSIS training went well and I am into a day or 2 of review. Timee to start planning for packing my suitcases. It is best to take just what I need and give everything else away.

I hope to fit everything into 2 large suitcases but that could be wishful thinking on my part. I really have not accumulated much "stuff" here in Malaysia apart from memories and that is probably good.

TTYL,

Jim

Starbucks and Last Week - 5 days!

I am at Starbucks having my usual tall latte, double shot. This is my last week at work and the end is in site. It is a little bittersweet because my 2 and a half years in Malaysia have been life altering to say the least. What if ...

However, there is no looking back and you do not want to live your life in a rear view mirror but rather looking forward optimistically and making the best of what life has to offer you.

So I return to Canada, without a house or permanent address, a divorce in the process, and nothing guaranteed except for my teacher's pension :-)

I get into Ottawa on the 6th of October and if anyone wishes to get together give me a shout at CoachJimDale@gmail .com.

TTYL,

Jim

11 days and 9 Working Days Left

I am getting excited as the countdown enters single digits. I have not seen the Autumn colours in Canada for almost 3 years! I am so looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to a few brisk rides on my motorcycle before I have to put it away for the winter.

I have many things to do before leaving to return to Canada. I am coming back to Malaysia and Thailand in late October for the month of November and part of December. That takes some of the pressure off me as I will have a chance to finish packing and tie up the usual administrivia of leaving a country. I will soon go from a working visa to a visitor's visa (90 days at a time in Malaysia).

I had a great time in Bangkok this past weekend and really enjoyed my visit with John. If you ever get to Bangkok, 2 places I highly recommend is Seafood Market in Soi 23 and Hillary's 2 in Soi 4 (Nana) for live bands and a great crowd.

TTYL,

Jim

16 Days - 12 Working Days

It will not be long now before a major event in my life comes to an end. My contract at Taylors ends in 16 days on September 30th. That is only 12 more days that I have to get up and go to work. Actually, it is only 11 days as this Friday is Malaysia Day, a national holiday. For the first time in my life, I will actually be retired. The last time I retired, I go on an airplane the next day and flew halfway around the world, found a condo to live in, and started teaching 4 days later. So much for my first retirement. Hopefully this time around I last more than 6 days without working :-)

Having said that my company that I share with Brent Wilson always seems to need some programming done whenever I have a moment to spare. I guess I should thank Brent for saving the work until he knows I have time to complete it :-)

Jordan just asked if he could take a young lady that he met at U of O out for a ride on my Motorcycle. That is great that he is having some fun and my motorcycle gets some exercise. I hope he enjoys his last year at university :-)

I am booked with China Easter Air for my flight on October 3rd. For those of you who have flown Cina Eastern Air, you will feel sorry for me ... $1050 return, but no movies, or other inflight
entertainment :-( However, lots of noodles for dinner :-)

I fly to Bangkok again this Thursday see about a job, visit John, listen to some music, and maybe eat some fried bugs or grasshoppers. Did I mention that beer and booze is much cheaper in Thailand?

Take care, TTYL,

Jim

18 days - 14 working days

I have 18 days and 14 working days until the end of my teaching contract at Taylors. The end is in sight and I am so looking forward to fresh, unpolluted air, the moment I step off the plane in Canada on October 3rd. I think I have mentionned that we Canadians should never feel guilty about our carbon footprint and the amount of pollution we add to the earth's atmosphere. It is miniscule compared to China, India, the rest of Asia and all South east Asia.

Then there is the massive amount of clear cutting without replanting or replanting cash crops like palm oil. All in the name of ecomnic development. There is also no world price for gas or oil. Would not get relected if the government were to do that. However, sooner or later they will have to move the price of gas to discourage the waste that goes on.

My programming is going well as of late. However that is good, as I have been logging many hours and it is good for me to see the results of my labour. Remember, Programming is the only art form that fights back!

TTYL,

Jim

22 Days left on Contract

It is coming to the end of my 4th last week at taylors and there are only 22 days left. My flight back to Canada is booked for October 3rd and I managed to get a flight for $1050 with China Eastern Airlines which means BUDGET, no movies, lots of rice and noodles.

I arrive back on October 3rd as I gain a day flying west. I fly into Vancouver and will spend 3 days before flying on into Ottawa, about October 7th.

I will soon start packing up my things and I guess I will need to purchase a larger suitcase for the trip home. I hate to do it, but I will leave lots of books behind. They just weigh too much to take with me and I seldom reread fiction or refer to technical books much these days as I have the internet for research.

TTYL,

Jim

25 Days Remaining Until Canada

This morning I visit the Malaysian Income Tax Department and EPF (Employee Pension Fund) Department to arrange for my tax clearance and pension payout prior to leaving Malaysia for good (or until I visit again). It apparently takes all day which somehow, does not surprise me in the least.

I will spend the next 3 weeks training Taylor's staff on how to complete the ONSIS reports that the MOE in Ontario requires from all Ontario schools, including private overseas schools, which Taylor's falls under.

I will also start packing up my apartment and arrange to ship some of my stuff home (sorry Mom) before my final flight. I have to start cancelling things as well as any kind of administrivia stuff usually requires a face to face meeting to accomplish in Malaysia. Try to do it via eMail and phone and you get the proverbial 'Can not'!

I am also into programming now as Brent has sent me a list of items that need my attention.

TTYL,

Jim