I am a teacher living abroad with my husband. We have never been expats and WHO KNEW such a lifestyle existed. We love to travel, experience culture and explore so this is an amazing opportunity for us.
This blog is mostly about the crazy happenings of our day-to-day experiences, sights and sounds of life in China. Life is so different from that at home. Often we do a double take and wonder can this really be happening? Old world traditions intermingle with modern growth and financial successes… what a combination. You never know what you are goining to see.
This blog is a result of friends who suggested it. I have maintained it as an easy way to keep in touch with home and let them know what we have been up to.
Canadian Travel Bugs 
nice blog…love it
but i think you are jealous of my culinary skills! you didn’t even add garlic!!!!!!!!!!!!
and you wonder why you didnt win!!! HA
: )
I have truly appreciated having a new blog to read each week. I have learned so much about China from your blogs. Your writing is so descriptive and fun to read…never dull or boring. Thank you!!
I did a club rental at the Navy Club today with two athletic directors from Laurier. The club is doing a banquet for 140 students next Wed. Greg Stewart and I started talking and I mentioned that you had gone to Nippissing here, that you were in Shanghai. His parents live in Shanghai, his sister went to the BISS school, I think he said. Wouldn’t it be a small world if that is where you teach!!
No I don’t work there, but John knows a few people there. It has been fun writing and sharing. I enjoy the reactions from people and try my best to make it a bit funny. Keeping an open mind and sense of humour when here is the only way to live some days since things do not always go as planned, normal or using common sense. For me it will be a great ‘journal’ to look back on once we are move on. Things have changed over time and now others are coming across my blog and reading it too… it is a good feeling to know people are out there and enjoying my thoughts and words.
You know you are an experienced blogger when you change your background and add buttons! Congrats, it is looking great!
Thanks to fellow bloggers that inspired me to update my ‘look’ somewhat… way beyond what I could even attempt! My new theme seemed fitting as it is a journal of travel adventures… Also thanks to Dave & Aly (fellow bloggers) who helped me with the award buttons… took awhile and many tries, but I got it Finally!
I said I’d figure out how to properly thank you for your nomination of The Wanderlust Gene – and I think, I hope I have. Many, many thanks, once again. I’m so enjoying your travels and the insights you have of all the different things you see and encounter, Follow this link, I think: http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/twice-nominated-how-can-that-be/
Ciao
m
Thanks Wanderlust… I enjoy reading your blog too 🙂 Whenever I am not too busy with work I always check it out.
That’s nice to know. I understand how difficult it is to check in on everyone – sometimes I feel I’m drowning trying to post and create a network. But things like the VB award help that and I’m learning to use the technology better, which helps too:) Thanks again. See you somewhere in Blogsville:)
Again you are welcome. After I hit send I thought about your compliment I realized I did not thank you 🙂 Thanks! Living in China can be hard -away from home and the culture is SO different. We have tried to keep a positive spin on things and if something frustrating, strange, or time consuming happens my husband and I say… that will make a good blog! Keeps us sane! I teach primary school and I always talk to them about descriptive writing so I try to practice what I preach to create visuals for readers. One day when we leave China it will be a good reminder of our time here. Thanks again and I will keep reading your blogs too!
We were Canadian expats for five and a half years – 2 years in the UK and the rest of the time in the Middle East. The experience was both wonderful and awful, depending on how much I missed my new grandchildren back home! While it is good to be back home again, I wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world!
We love it although we miss home sometimes… especailly my Tim Horton’s coffee 😉 Instant coffee in little packets just isn’t the same.
I’m glad that your started this blog. Being away from home is hard and no matter how beautiful the new place is, we will always yearn for home. Friends and family are two amazing support system that will help fill those times of homesickness and longings. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventures. Take care….
Thank you again for your kind words and comment. It is an adventure being away from home, but there are some things we miss, friends and family are number one.
I have been reading along with your adventures on your blog as well and I enjoy your very poetic way of writing, so romantic 😉
Great blog guys! Have really enjoyed x
Thanks 🙂
Thanks for stopping by
Hello from Australia! We’re also Canadian who live in the Gold Coast and Sydney. Looking forward to reading more on your blog 🙂
– Jo
Hi Jo,
Thanks for the visit… we are living in Shanghai and have visited some of Asia while we have been here. So where ‘abouts’ in Canada do come from?
Toronto, Ontario! Although we have also lived in Montreal, QB and Abbostford, BC as well :). How long are you planning on living in Shanghai?
We have been here 2 years already! I just re-signed a contract for another 1-2 years!
We grew up just across the water from Toronto -closer to Niagara Falls. Small world!
Thanks for reading. Funny I was just writing on the blog the other day how Canadians always seem to find each other – we are magically drawn together like magnets!
It’s true! It’s a small world, indeed. How exciting that you’ll be living there for another 2 years…can’t wait to hear what other adventures you’ll be having 🙂
Funny we don’t double take at the odd passing bys as we did at the start… sign that it is just ‘normal’ now 😉 Although today I saw a guy with a pet chicken… that will be a whole blog itself!
I am starting to understand the language (very little) and it fades into the background now where before it was blaring and overwhelming; system over load!
It’s nice to meet another teacher in wordpress,com. What are you teaching, Canadian TravelBugs?
I like your blogsite. It’s very interesting. I look forward to read more of your stories about your adventure abroad. 🙂
Hello Pinay I am teaching 7-8 year olds and we follow the British Curriculum. I teach Math, English, Science and Topic (like a history/geography mix). I also do assemblies (like drama) and 1 short PE a week. It is busy with all the extra school events. What do you teach and where?
Thanks for the visit and I am glad you enjoy my ramblings 😉
I just resigned from my job because of our plan to relocate and move close to the beach.
I used to substitute for preschoolers and school agers. However, in the Philippines, I taugh ESL part-time. Now that I already got my eligibility to teach ESOL here in Florida, I am thinking of going back to TESL.
I enjoy reading your blogs. Thanks for sharing your stories. 🙂
Good Luck with your teaching. Thanks again for reading. Writing helps me stay sane with all the ups and downs of life in China and how things don’t always go as planned… makes for good stories. 😉
Found your blog from Third Eye Mom. Looks like you’ve had some interesting experiences in Shanghai. Five years in, I have too – keep writing and posting!
Thanks and thanks Third Eye Mom! Shanghai and China is very interesting and I love the uniqueness. I was stuck for awhile on what to post since I had talked about most things I have happened upon. Lately I have seeked out a few things so I have MANY ideas of what to post. Going home for the summer so I should have enough material to carry me though!
So you are also living/working in Shanhai?
Thanks for reading and stopping in!
Yes, I’ve lived in Shanghai for almost five years now. The time has gone so fast! I have had my blog now almost a year and I know what you mean – sometimes you just think – I don’t have anything else to say – but something always happens that can serve as inspiration. Have a safe trip home, just got back from a month in the US myself.
What do you do in Shangahi?
I think I may have missed your question here – I taught English for a year, but that was an interim arrangement, instead now I returned to my corporate roots – consulting with lots of travel. The teaching was more of a soft landing – the last four years have been a different type of learning.
That sounds good… a job with lots of travel 😉
Hi! I really enjoy your blog and I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award and the Beautiful Blogger Award! Here’s the link: http://megtraveling.com/2012/08/19/a-second-year-of-travel/.
Oh why thank you SO much. I am tickled sunset shades of pink 😉 I will check it out later as I am on my way to work. Thanks Meg!
I´ve nominated you for the “Capture the Colour” competition hosted by Travelsupermarket.com. There are only a few days left until the closing date, but you can read all about it here http://eastofmalaga.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/capture-the-colour/
If you are a category winner you could win an iPad3 with the overall winner being awarded £2,000 to be spent on travel……not bad, eh?
Good luck
Marianne
Wow that is a deal! Thanks so much for the nomination… just made my day and it is Monday AND we have a meeting after work 😉
You stories of travels and family are truly inspiring. Each post brings colors of joy to its readers. Thank you. I nominated you for Capture the Colour. Hope you like it.
http://thismansjourney.net/2012/08/28/capture-the-colour/
Great Thanks so much Island Traveller! I was just nominated for this by Marianne too! Great minds think alike 😉
Busy week so I will get to it this weekend.
Now off to do the Happy Dance 🙂 Thanks again I am SO flattered.
Surprise!! …….
http://mybyeworld.com/2012/11/27/%E2%99%A5-blog-of-the-year-2012-award-%E2%99%A5/
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I’m moving to China on Wednesday to start teaching. I’m so happy to hear you’re working over there and enjoying your experience. How long have you been living there? I look forward to reading more about your travels! Thanks! 🙂
Hi Erin, or should I say Ni Hao 😉 I have been here 3 years going into my fourth year. China has been very different and it could bring frustrations, but we have tried to look at the experience as fun and adventerous 🙂
Where in China will you be?
I’ll be in Shanghai and yes I’m sure it’ll be one huge adventure! Where are you located?
We are also in Shanghai. Great city with East meets West… Old vs New. It will be a great adventure! Maybe we should meet up?
That would be awesome! What company are you teaching for? I’m teaching with Disney English.
I am teaching at an international school and I teach in English.
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Hi. I just nominated you for the Liebster Award. The details are on my blog. If you don’t participate in awards, please just accept my compliments on your blog. It’s very well done. –Patti
Oh thanks so much. I am flattered. I will look into later as I am running off to work now.
Thanks for following my blog and the lovely comments you made. So interested in travelling myself; hence my blog after ending up in Ireland. What happened that made me stay 11 years and counting? Only people who emigrate know what it’s like to emigrate, I always think.
We came here for work and it was a 2 year contract. I figured we would stay 4. This is our fourth year now. My contract is done this year, but not quite ready to say good-bye to the travel and interesting adventures here, so we have signed on for 1 more.
You have just been nominated for the Liebster Award! For more, click here: http://ireland-ms.com/2014/02/03/liebster-award-no-4/
Thanks Billie… We have limited internet so I will respond more when I get a better connection this weekend.
Haha, expat life is the best, eh?? 😉
Yes it has been a chance of opprotunities. We have liked it, but I think our expat life is winding down. We lived abroad 4 years and just extended for 1 more.
Will you ever move back to Canada?
We’ve been expats for almost the same amount of time! We spent 3 years, then took off on our RTW for a year, and have just completed our 4th year here. I don’t see any end in sight for us though (maybe because I’m Korean, so it’s kind of like home).
I don’t think we’ll ever go back to Canada. It’s kind of finished for us, and honestly I don’t think I can deal with the long winters again. My hubby is European, so if anything, we’re thinking Italy one day. 🙂 You’re heading back after this year?
Yes my contract was done this year and we extended. I love the opprotunity of travel and what a big city offers. The pollution has been bad and worried about that. The place I work for is hard core and it is really wearing me out. Home there is no chance of teaching jobs, but we’ll give it a go. Who knows after a year at home we may get itchy feet and want to take off again.
Actually we are suffering from Chinese pollution here in Seoul right now. 😦 Every spring, it blows in from over there, and it’s really terrible. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live with it all the time.
Well, if things don’t work out for you in Canada, there’s always Korea. With the amount of experience you have, you wouldn’t have much trouble sorting yourselves out a good gig here. 🙂
I have talked to another blogger who taught in Korea and they loved it. She sounds like she was paid more than I get and worked a third of the hours I work. Work here is super busy with lots of events etc, which the families love. Unfortunately it means we may lose prep time. Other work still needs to get done so I stay after work or do it on weekends. Shame since there is so much to see here. We could do a lot of fun weekend trips. Maybe one day we will head to Korea… we went there for 5 days October 2012 and we really liked it. Very modern and lots to do.
Hello! I’ve really enjoyed your blog and have nominated you for the ‘One Lovely Blog’ award: http://traveldefined.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/one-lovely-blog-award/
Happy Blogging!
Thanks so much Vasudha. It has been a busy week and I haven’t been on line much 😦 I will get to it as soon as I can. Thanks again for the nomination and reading! 🙂
You are very welcome! I look forward to reading your post.
I am taking a short break… too much on the go, but hopefully on the weekend.
So thrilled to have discovered your blog. Looking forward to discovering more. Your images are inspiring and reflect corners of the globe I would love to visit.
Thanks 🙂 Asia is not a place that was on my travel bucket list, but after getting a job here I have discovered so many great places. Glad you are enjoying the blog and getting to be an ‘armchair’ traveler.
Thanks for the visit and kind words. Much appreciated.
Asia is on all my lists! I will keep playing the lottery to make it possible 😉 Thank you for taking my armchair to inspiring places.
It is an expensive flight, but pretty cheap when you get here. Fingers crossed you make it here soon.
Here’s to it!
Start saving your pennies 🙂
China can be expensive if you do the western thing… Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines are pretty cheap… even the more western style things.
It’s a wonderful idea!! I have a few friends who travelled USA, then on to South America and then Czechoslovakia…I learned a lot AND they now have amazing memories too.
We are back in Canada now… I guess time to update the info page. However, I miss our time away so I don’t want to change it… strange maybe, but it keeps that connection open 🙂
Your blog looks lovely. Look forward to exploring more. Warmest wishes from a like minded traveler in Australia.
Thank you again 🙂 I have just clicked to head over to visit you.
On my travel bucket list I plan on heading to Australia again one day. Loved it when I went long ago and want to go back again.
Hope you do manage to get back here. There’s so much to see and love. 🙂
Yes I enjoyed the visit. I try to visit blogs, but lately I haven’t had time to do much more than post 😦 Hopefully I will see you again soon.
I hope so as well. 🙂
Yes just busy and less time for blogging. I traded my blog time for working out and getting healthy, so I guess it is a good reason 😉
Definitely a good reason. Good for you. That’s what I need to do more of, exercising. Stay well. 🙂
Thanks. After a rough health year for 2014 – 2015 I decided in the fall to get in shape and start to feel good again. Its hard work, but worth it.
Glad to hear that. Keep it up then. Take care.
Thanks 🙂