Melfort

It's getting late. It always seems to be late when I write. I put it off. Maybe it's because I have too many stories to tell. I'm either scared to tell them, or too lazy to tell them. I've thought about so many different things to talk about since the last entry. I wanted to start with an easy story. Believe me, these past couple of years have not been 'easy stories'. That's in my opinion. I guess that's the point of a blog. My hard luck stories are probably not even close to real hard luck stories.

However, for most of my life, as I like to say, I was living in a bubble. I understood difficulties, but I had never truly experienced them. The worst I had experienced by the time I was 25 was death of pets and break ups. To be honest, the break ups weren't bad. The most painful one was when I was turning 25. I was in Korea, and broke up with my boyfriend of five years. That was hard, but looking back, not as hard as it should have been. Either way, I was still in my bubble.

The stories I have are from beyond the bubble. The one I wanted to start with was about my condo, and the people I rented it to, but that's so far into my bubble being popped, that it may cause confusion.

I have a different blog about Korea. Which, I hate to say, but that's where life started for me. That's where I lost some of my insecurities, and began to live life. I stopped caring, and just did. That was probably naivety as well, but that's the way I stayed for a few years. Either way, I'm not going to start any stories from Korea because while they were important to the way I am now, they have already been read. I plan to someday write about my experiences there (a book would be great), but not here. This is the place for me to be brave and talk about all those things I haven't.

I'm going to start in Melfort. I stopped writing in broadcasting school. I lived in Saskatoon at that point. To be honest during the duration of Broadcasting school and being a receptionist at Leon's Furniture, I was pretty precarious with my life. And I don't mean in dare devil experiences. I should have cared more about myself when it came to flings and relationships because although I loved being single, I was actually pretty desperate. I don't know how to explain it because I'm no longer there. It's like I was scared of relationships, but I wanted one so badly.

Either way, I moved to Melfort for radio. Instead of going into broadcasting, I went into Creative Writing in radio. I wrote the commercials. And I loved it.

What I had trouble with was Melfort Saskatchewan. (I just googled it, but haven't found the population yet, I think it's around 8000). I found it quite clique, and had trouble finding a group. I wanted friends, but found myself travelling to Saskatoon a lot to see my old ones. I had work friends, but they were married, with kids, and were happy. I loved that, but felt bad for myself.

I feel like I should mention that at this point in my life, even though I was 27 in Melfort, I did not have my driver's licence. It's really something I was truly embarrassed to admit. I didn't get it in high school because I was scared to, in University I took the bus and didn't need it. In Korea we had a subway system, and I had no reason at all to drive. While I lived in Saskatoon, I walked everywhere, took the bus, and relied on friends. However, when I was in Melfort, I wanted to get out. What should have been an hour and a half drive to Saskatoon took about four hours on bus.

Finally, I asked for help. I do not ask for help easily. When I asked, I cried because I was so embarrassed. My boss (who was my age) took me driving, and let me drive her truck for the test. I passed and had my license. It was that easy. Makes you wonder why I didn't go earlier.

You have no idea how long that was on my New Year Resolution list. The list started looking pretty empty after that.

Back to how I got to where I am now. While in Melfort, although I loved my job, I craved moving out of Melfort. Let me make myself clear, I loved my job, and I loved my coworkers. I had a great time everyday that I was at work. To be honest, I miss it to this day. My job was to write every day. I gave it up so move. That was my motive. I wanted to get out of Melfort. I wanted to start my life and Melfort wasn't the place for a single girl (especially with no single guys). I wrote commercials for a 'sister' radio station in Whitecourt Alberta. I loved it, but wished I lived in this far off town. I was given the opportunity when they needed to replace a sales person. Account Executive... My bosses convinced me (although they were in sales as well), that I would love the job.

I was ready for something new, and looked forward to the new experience. My travel bug instincts were in full force and I was ready.

That's Melfort. Not as exciting as the rest. Exciting may be the wrong word, but it's close.

I'm going to try to proof read now. But really, I'll probably just press spell check. Which means nothing for the real proof reading... but it's late. So hopefully tomorrow, I'll fix any mistakes.

I have a story to tell

It will have to wait though. I promised my friend that I would write every day, so that's why this post is only a line. It's almost 1am, and I work tomorrow. It'll be a good story though. I promise. (a real story, not a made up one... I'm not ready to share my fiction with the world yet). Sorry, I know this is cheating!

Do One Thing A Day That Scares You

"Do one thing a day that scares you'. I have a lulu lemon bag that sits in my bathroom (It holds bathroom stuff), and that's one of the things it says. It has a lot of inspirational saying, but that's the one I notice first. In fact, I'll probably be quoting more from the bag in different posts.

I've already hopped off the topic. For a while in my life, I was completely comfortable with myself, with my life, and I felt invincible. I felt like I could do anything, and nothing scared me. Since than, life has kicked me, and I've changed. I'm scared of a lot more. In other words, to do one thing a day that scares me, shouldn't be hard to do. I'm scared of a lot of things. However, it feels like I've been letting life pass me by.

While, I don't think I'll be bungee jumping anytime soon, just coming back to this blog is a little bit scary to me. I know I'm a good writer, but I'm planning to write things here that are personal. I'm planning on at some point telling the story about life kicking me when I'm down. Not today though. I need to start slowly.

The other worry I have about blog writing is that I don't have a lot to say that deems important enough to write in a blog (in my opinion). If you've looked at the other entries, they're not very interesting. Possibly because I haven't made them interesting. I loved writing when I traveled. It seemed like it was something people enjoyed reading, and a great way to remember my trip. As well, I love reading blogs from people travelling, and doing exciting things. Or people going through scary things. I highly recommend The Bees Knees. You should be able to google it. It's about a very brave woman (only in her late 20s) going through a battle with breast cancer. She was candid and honest about everything, and let people know what she was going through. It was well written, and so very sad.

Those are the blogs that people should read. I'm not there. This is going to be about my thoughts and my life. When I get brave enough, I will be completely candid, and talk about the last few years.

Obviously, because the last entry was written in 2007, and it's now 2010 a lot has changed. So to quickly update on my life, I'm living in Whitecourt Alberta right now. I came here for a sales position at the local country radio station. I LOVED working in radio (before sales, I was a Creative Writer for the commercial), but I didn't love sales. I met Cameron here. He'll be mentioned a lot.
That's enough for now. I'm going to try to write a lot, but I can't guarantee that.

Erin

Good news

Okay, so things are looking pretty up right now. I just got accepted into the Western Academy Broadcasting College very last minute, and I start on Monday.

The friendly people at Royal Bank are helping me with paying for it (I have to speak to them again today, but it looks like things are a go).

The course is short and pricey, and according to them well worth the money. It has broadcasting booths and a mock TV station as well. So with all it's latest technology, it should help me out to be a great broadcaster...

Which brings me to my next subject, kind of. I've decided not to go into education. I forgot for a time that I'm not a fan of children. I think this career may be more suited for me, and hopefully I'm right.

NEXT, I'm moving out of my house at the end of this month. I don't want to jinx this but after one day of looking at newspaper ads, I may have already found the perfect apartment. It's downtown (or City Park) (where I wanted), it's a bachelor suite (which I wanted), it's a nice price (which I really needed). It also has hard wood floors, the building is really old which they refer to as 'classic'. I haven't actually seen it yet, but I will as soon as I make an appointment to.

I'm so excited.

And lastly, It's GROUNDHOG DAY! Yeah!

Erin

whoa... flashback

Consequently, while looking at my last tease of a blog I realised, that if I were still with Garnet, the day before that entry would have been our 7 year anniversary of dating. Shit that's weird. What's more strange is that I met a new guy that day.

Enough of that, tonight is my update night, but unfortunately it won't last long b/c I haven't seen my cat in more than a day, and he really wants some attention, and pretty soon he'll be sitting on my laptop... guess that means I should take a break and watch the latest Torchwood. OOOhhh, I love that show.

Where was I going? Oh yeah, I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to write at all, and today I finally had a chance to write in my paper joural (for lack of better words) before I went to work. It felt good, and I'm almost finished it. I love being finished journals because it's like and end of something, and time to start fresh. I love it. And I need it right now very badly.

I'm still working two jobs, but may not be able to keep the job at Coles after Christmas... because I like to have the occasional day off.

Good news though... Christmas is coming, and I am not prepared in the slightest... although I did put up a beautiful Christmas tree.

Okay, gotta go.

Erin

It's COLD Here!

Last night I woke up freezing, I added a hoodie to my layer of clothing and then lay in my bed freezing for the next two hours until I fell back to sleep. Today it was absolutely freezing outside thanks to the wind... I kept thinking... I miss Korea. So to all you that are feeling the cold in Korea... I don't feel sorry for you or believe you!

The good news is that it's snowing again and I LOVE SNOW.

Erin

Being Single

Today I decided to go and watch a movie. My sister has sent me a free movie pass, so I decided I'd go to the movies all by myself.

I'm not sure how I thought it would make me feel. Liberating. That probably sounds silly to poeple who go to movies by themselves, but for me it was the first time I had. It was a celebration of being single I guess. I had a bad night (but good in some ways) that basically left me feeling confused and a little upset with the direction my life is going.

I'm sick of being single. But I'm not really. I don't mind doing things on my own, I just sometimes wish that I had another single friend to do it with. That's pretty hard to find, apparantly. You'd think it wouldn't be, but my friends right now are all either engaged or in a committed relationship. Scary, I know.

Point is, I don't mind being single, I just miss having somebody to do single things with... but if there's no one else, why not hang out with the best single girl there is: me.

The movie I went to see was The Gridiron Gang. Gridiron as in Grid Iron... I mispronounced it when I went to buy the ticket. Now this may seem like a silly choice for me to see... it's a sports movie with absolutely no 'chick-flickishness' in it. Let's be honest though, any sports movie ever made is a cry movie. All the inspirational crap really gets to a person. This one was no different. I needed a good cry, and I got it.

Of course, if all else fails, I just watch Sex and the City. Those single girls are the most understanding girls there are.

Okay.

update on the pajamas

Okay, so I have now joined a gym which means that I no longer have to wear my cute workout clothes to bed.

Erin

Oh yeah, here's a pic with my newly coloured hair.
And this is of my newly painted wall and my new map design... I like this one better, I made it prettier, and the wall looks pretty good as well.

Picture Time

Let's see... pics are of... my new wall in my new house... I put up my world and added pictures from places I have been in the world (and tried to put the pics in the right places, but this world is smaller than my pics... but there they are none the less. The other pics are of pretty trees, Rolo in my new house, and Rolo and Sylvia at Karen and Aric's.

Okay bye.

Back again

Hey so this will be short because I'm tired. Actually to be completely honest, I have nothing to do tonight, but refuse to leave my room because I'm tired of being social with my new roommates. I moved into a new place on Sunday. I live with a 21 year old guy and a 19 year old girl... and I feel old. Because I don't want to grow up, I assumed they would be more mature than me... I was mistaken.

The rent is good though, so I'll be here for a while... and my cat is with me so he keeps me company... he won't leave the room because he's too scared of the dog that lives here. I never realised before that the reason Rolo (my cat) is such a jerk is because he's just scared. Poor thing, as I explain to everyone who comments on his jerkiness, he came from a broken home, and has had trouble dealing with his issues.

I'm working at Coles bookstore (I may have mentioned that), but am looking for something ANYTHING that has to do with my degree and that will give me better hours and more money. Maybe soon.

Okay enough, I have to find something else to keep me busy.

E

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

After that sadsack post yesterday I thought I'd post one more time even though I don't have anything to say but HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. 26 is going to be a great year... it will be challanging to beat 25... but I will.

E

I may grow older, but I'll never grow up.

So I know this is an insult to anybody older than me, but I don't want to get any older. I've been fighting off turing 26 for about a year now, and I think -in about two and a half hours -the fight is going to end.

I normally love my birthday. I like the celebration... and being the center of attention! This weekend was great, but now that I actually have to turn a year older, it's not seeming like it'll be fun at all.

My problem is this: I had a huge year. Being 25 resulted in having a competely great year. I had ups and downs, but mostly ups. I'm scared of 26, and of not having the same great year... which I know is completely up to me, and me alone.

But seriously, while I was 25, I was single for the first time in five and a half years. I had some fun flings -and some not so fun flings. I had a crush... well crushes. I lived in a different country. I lived alone for the first time (no roommates or other such things). I ran off a cliff twice (paragliding)- I snorkelled in the ocean. I tried new things that I should have tried years ago like snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding (I know the skateboarding thing didn't work out, but I still did it). I learned that while I did try new things, I'm really not as brave as I thought I was, but it will make me try harder (bungee jumping: some day I will do it). I went to three different countries. I learned more about myself, and learned that I will never stop learning about myself. I met some of the greatest people, and I know that some I will continue to be friends with, and some I will lose touch with, but the point is that they were wonderful people who made my year great. I also reconnected with older friends that I had lost touch with. I learned how to get over the little things, and I learned that I still need to learn how to get over the little things. I may have also learned what I want to do with the rest of my life... but knowing me that will change in a month anyway, so I'll wait to announce my newest life plan. I laughed a lot. I also learned to laugh at the many embarrassing things I did. I came home. -But I'm still looking for where home is.

I just needed to write some of those down. I'm scared for 26 because I am back to real life now, and things are not going to be the same. I am fighting this growing up thing in EVERY WAY possible. So far it's working, but I'm scared that my luck may have run out.

Erin

Update Time

Well, I guess it's time for an update. Here it is: I'm still jobless, still homeless (but have a place to stay), and getting sadder at the state of my life by the second... but don't worry, I'll figure it all out. It's moments like this, however, that I think back to that moment when I decided I didn't want to teach for another year, and almost regret the decision. Almost. I'm glad I'm home though.

It was my grandfather's 80th birthday on Labour Day, and I was there with all the rest of my family to help in celebrate. That felt pretty good, it seems like I've missed every Burton family celebration since I've graduated high school (the 50th Anniversary, and last year my Grandma's 80th), so it was nice to see everyone. The best part though was seeing how happy my grandpa and grandma were to have there whole family at home. Everyone made it out, all their kids, and all their kid's kids. (And the kid's kid's kids). If only I hadn't been PMSing... I would have been able to handle the question, "Have you found a job yet?" a lot easier. My family is very supportive though, so that's nice.

What else? I'm still jobless. I had an interview to sell shoes at The Bay, but I couldn't force myself to do that. I'd rather work at a restaurant or a coffee shop or something. Actually, to be completely honest, I'm planning to go back to school as soon as possible because obviously an English degree gets a person (me) no where in life.

The good news... My Birthday is coming soon!!!! I love my birthday. Monday is the day, and I'm planning to celebrate all weekend!!

I'm sure it will go better than my last birthday when the cops drove me home (because I couldn't get there on my own!) Cheaper than a cab I guess... that was Korea though, luckily there is no soju here.

Okay. Bye.

Erin

Home... well, my parent's home

I'm home.

My flight to Vancouver from Taiwan was long long long, and Katie and I were not anywhere near eachother, and I almost got charged about $400 C'dn for my fat luggage (luckily with some shuffling, we were able to put some in Katie's bag).

I'm still pretty tired now, and tomorrow, I'll start the whole job hunting thing. I'm not looking forward to it.

What else? I had a makeover in The Body Shop for free in Vancouver while waiting for the plane to Calgary. They must have been really bored, and losing business because anything they sold would have to be returned if people were boarding a plane. I did discover the most amazing new makeup/thingy that I didn't buy because it may have been a bomb.

Anyway, I'm home, and will hopefully soon be getting a job... and will be in Saskatoon soon as well.

Erin

Home soon

I will be adding pictures later. I need to try to fix my camera first, for some reason it is sick of me and no longer works. So as soon as it stops keeping the pictures hostage, I will work on getting them back.

I'm completely packed and wasting time on this mean computer that steals my money. Once again, I have overpacked, but there's nothing I can do about that now. I'm really looking forward to getting home, but not really looking forward to finding a job when I get home.

I actually have a lot I would like to say, but to be completely honest, and as I have been doing for this whole trip, I am sweating from every body part, and really uncomfortable in this computer roomish heat sauna wave place, so I think I will get off the computer and go to my air conditioned room, and then type more when I get home... wherever that may be.

Erin

Jeju-do you have nothing on Green Island

Well, right now we are in Taitung. We are staying at a cheap little hostel that gives us our own bathroom. Sold.

Today we decided to take just a day trip to an Island called Green Island (appropriatly named because of all the green water). We had been planning to spend the night, but didn't want to lug our luggage (haha ironic) all that way with the chance of not finding a place to stay. Green Island is by far one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and if I had known I was going to get to a PC room tonight I would have brought my camera and shown some pictures.

Katie and I rented a scooter to drive around the island (which takes only a half hour if you don't stop at the sights). So we had plenty of time to drive around and see everything. Katie drove, and I was the backseat navigator ("Stop here, it's pretty." "That sign looks cool." "Umm, I don't see any English on that sign it must not be good.") It went pretty well, we had a great day, and once again got burned -it's a never ending viscious circle.

So the island was good. Way better than the 'best island ever, Jeju-do' -and much cheaper to get to.

It was a good day, and although we didn't do anything but tour and take way too many pictures, it was fun.

Tomorrow we are off to our next destination... hopefully Keelung with a few stops on the way.

Erin

Uh, sorry for the spelling mistakes, this blogger is in Chinese, and I don't have the patience to reread it, although I know there are many. I suck.

Typhoon typhoon

Another crisis diverted. For the past couple of days we have been in Kenting (or Kending) trying to go surfing.

We stayed in a little town right before Kending actually -we were lucky enough to stay above the surf shop that we would have rented boards from the next day. When we asked if he had a room (a Westerner who lives there now) he said he had bunk beds, and after finding out the price we went for them. It was actually a room full of bunkbeds and we had the most uncomfortable mattress ever, but it was still cool sleeping above a surf shop. We decided to stay for two nights because we wanted to get as much surfing in as possible. The next day, they closed the beach because of a typhoon headed to the area. It was sad that we didn't get to surf, but we had a relaxing day, and did get in the water before they closed it down. We have one more spot to hit that is supposed to have good surf, so I guess we'll see. The little town was nice though, and the people warmed up to us.

We are back in Kaohsiung right now, but won't be for long. We leave tomorrow for Taitung. My camera won't hook up to the computer so I can't put up anymore pics, but I will someday. Tonight we are going to a KTV room which in Korea would be called a Singing Room. I'm pretty excited about it.

I'm not sure when I'll have access to the Internet again. We will be back in Taipei on the 15th of August, so then for sure, but who knows if sooner. We fly out on the 17th, and I'm really looking forward to it!

Anyway, hope the weather is going great where you are because it's still SOOOO HOT here.

Melting,
Erin

Taiwan Pictures

Here are some pictures of my time in Taiwan. Most of them were taken in Taipei, and all of them were taken on Katie's camera because she already put the pictures on the computer, and I am too lazy to use my own pictures.

The first one is the Ghost Festival, which so far includes starting a fire and burning 'ghost money'. Which is what the guy is doing. It's taken in Taipei.

The second one is taken at the beach here in Koshieng (I don't have the spelling with me and I can never remember how to spell it), but it's a couple who were getting there wedding photos done (before the wedding, of course).

The next one is my head in the 101 building. We were on the 89th floor I think.

The next one is a picture of the night markets. My head is in that one as well.

The last one is of our first meal in Taiwan. It was actually called Japanese BBQ, but it was just like a Korean bbq as well (without the great paste tasty thing).

And that's it. I'll write in a couple of days.

Erin

hot hot hot

I'm kind of looking forward to winter in Saskatchewan. Although the cold usually gets too cold, I've always loved winter -the briskness, the snow, all of it. I guess that gives me something to look forward to... but job first!

Here -it is hot. Always always hot. However everywhere has aircon so you go from hot hot hot to cold cold cold to hot hot hot, and there is never an in between.

I just realised how tired I am, and that this is boring even for me typing it.

Right now we are in the second largest city called Koahsiung. Katie knows a friend of a friend from Calgary who is teaching English here. I've learned that there are as many Canadians as there are in Korea teaching. They seem to be enjoying it, but it hasn't changed my mind about going home for a while. The place these two Calgary girls live in is absolutely beautiful. I'm in love with it. They pay rent themselves, but the place is so great, and has everything. Katie and I are lucky to be able to stay here. So we've been hanging out with English teachers. So far, two Canadians, a Kiwi, and an American girl (who has lived everywhere). It's about the same as in Korea, Saturday nights are the nights where they let loose, and drink a lot of beer. I certainly enjoyed it! We also went to the beach, but were not allowed to swim because it's ghost month, and they don't want us to drown or be drowned by the ghosts... not sure really yet all about that.

Today we relaxed most of the day (got over the tiredness from the Sat Beer night) and then went out for supper at a nice Mexican restaurant. We also went to the night markets here... I love markets, but I really miss shopping in Korea. The stuff seemed cheaper, but maybe it's because I'm on a budget now that I don't have a job.

Tomorrow we will do some sort of sightseeing in the morning, and then take the bus to Kenting (which is at the bottom of Taiwan), and hopefully go surfing and swimming, and everything. We are leaving some things here, as to make our backs hurt less from all of our things, and then when we come back here we can stay one more night and then get on the train to our next destination. (Don't know where yet).

My brain just shut off.

Erin

my own sauna

The place in this hostel that has the one crappy computer, is so hot that I think I may be losing weight just sitting here. This was going to be a longer entry, but now I'm looking forward to getting back to my air con room.

Can I just say that Thailand may be the cheapest place in the world, and I'm sad that we had to leave it to live in this pricy place for three weeks. Korea was so much cheaper it seemed. I've been doing a lot of comparing between the two (Korea and Taiwan) since I've been here, and have noticed a lot of differences. Most important is the price of things. Second most important is how different and easy the subway system is here. I enjoyed the complicated Seoul one though.

So here is my update for anyone who cares. I am not going to stay here for a year. With all the trouble with the crappy new ex job, I had a thought. I don't want to be here. I don't want to teach for another year in a country where nobody speaks English, and where foreignors tend not to talk to one another unless it's at a bar. Taiwan seems like an absolutely beautiful place, and it would have been nice to teach here, but I need a break from it. I'm going to go home for a year, get a job, and apartment in Saskatoon, help with Karen's wedding (YAH), attend two other weddings that I know about, and see my family. After my year is over, I'll make a new plan... Actually I've already decided to buy the Lonely Planet for Ireland and have it near me all the time, so it will give me initiative. I am going to get there!

So for those of you planning to see me in Taiwan, I'm sorry my plans changed. I felt absolutely horrible about giving up or quitting. For anyone who knows me, you know that I don't quit (accept for volleyball), and I don't take it lightly that I am stepping away from a committment. However, coming home is going to be incredibly hard as well because it will be a step towards doing that growing up thing that I swore I wouldn't do. We'll see what happens. My guess is I'll only last a year... but I promise (Karen) that I will stay for a year!

Anyway, we are heading out of Taipei tomorrow, which will be nice. I'm enjoying the city, but am looking forward to heading to some coasts and going surfing and swimming. (but once again, it won't be as cheap as Thailand). I miss Thailand now!

Okay, if I can find a computer from a far, I will definately update or add pictures, but I don't even see any place in Taipei that has them, which is strange. (Once again, in Korea, there was a PC room on every street).

Erin