Ono Travels

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve updated this site, but writing has been at the bottom of my priority list for the past month or two. I got back from the States a week and a half ago, and have been relatively busy ever since. First and foremost, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do about my Visa situation. As many of you already know, I am no longer teaching, which means that I am on a regular 60 day visitor Visa for the time being. The good news is that it can be extended for up to 5 years, provided I make a short trip out of the country every 60 days. While I briefly considered changing it into a Student Visa by enrolling in Chinese courses at Chung Hua University, the 40,000 NT a semester price tag didn’t seem worth it. Perhaps I’ll reconsider that option closer to the Fall semester, but right now, I just want to focus on settling down a bit more permanently in Hsinchu. This brings me to my second issue….finding a new apartment.

As of this week, I am officially in the market for a new place to live. The fact that I’m now working from home means that my 5 pings of living space is becoming incredibly claustrophobic. I also have an ongoing desire to have my own kitchen. Of course, the icing on the proverbial cake is the fact that listening to the near-constant noise from the two kindergartens next door is beginning to test my sanity. In fact, as I write this, I am being bombarded by the symphonic sounds of screeching children. Le sigh.

Aside from that, life is good. I’ve been working out regularly since I returned to Taiwan and have caught up on some much neglected reading. I’m also looking forward to my two major trips this year: Chinese New Year in Thailand and a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich this fall.

Till next time!
-Rachael