Uncle Bryan to the rescue with plane tickets!

I took Friday off of work and my father and I drove to Toronto to see my grandmother. She was supposed to be moving to Montreal to live with my parents, but she recently took a turn for the worse and she has had to be hospitalized. She is comfortable and in good spirits, and it was very nice to see her yesterday.

This weekend was a little tough: but Nanny is in very good spirits and had us all laughing last night. I am really glad that I went to see her. I would like to hope and pray that she gets better, but I don't think that it is going to happen this time. In the meantime, however, she was happy to see everybody and was with-it and alert. I don't think that she is aware of how serious her condition is, but if she is aware, she is certainly not letting on.

She knows about my upcoming trip and is all excited for me. I had to promise to send her a postcard (but not in Chinese LOL!). She also thinks that it is wonderful that my uncle has offered to lend me the money for my ticket!

My uncle Bryan has offered me a loan for the airfare to Taiwan. It would certainly make this entire operation a lot easier, so I have gratefully accepted! From what I gather from Nikki, I would be fairly well paid for my work at the school, and I should be able to repay him any money that he would lend. I am not too keen on going into debt before I even get to Taiwan, but it seems like the best way to manage this.

I am using my cousin Christopher's computer to write this, as I am still in Ontario at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Oshawa. Tomorrow, Dad and I will head back to Montreal and I will formally give my two weeks notice at work.

I am really anxious to get to Chiayi: I am hardly a world traveller.... and this opportunity is simply too good to pass up! I have often mentioned that I would love to teach English abroad, and I have looked into it before, but this opportunity to go to Taiwan is the first time that I have ever felt that it might actually be feasible!

The timing couldn't be better either as I am currently employed in a job that is slowly making me miserable. I have been working as an insurance claims adjuster for Blue Cross, but the office atmosphere is dreadful. There is a distinct dislike of Anglophones from many of the French employees and it is pretty oppressive. Add to this the fact that I have just ended an 8 year relationship and am soon-to-be homeless... well... it just makes sense to take this opportunity to travel to Taiwan!

I need a job and a new place to live... Taiwan certainly fits the bill!

As I said above: Monday I will hand in my two weeks notice and it will be official. It's a little scary, but I am excited to start this new chapter in my life!!