Dec 2000
Reza,
My experience is stimulating.  I'm learning from the
culture, growing in my teaching, and within myself.
It is hard to put a finger on one event or learning
experience that stands out.  Living in Taiwan for six
months has giving me so much.   One thing I have
learned and have had to adjust to is that I am here to
learn from the culture, not change the culture.  The
educational philosophy is different to how I would
imagine perfect learning to take place.
My first grade students are remarkable. They are
fluent in English and want to learn, learn, learn.
The young students have a very structured academic
life.  My students attend Chinese school from the
early morning hours to noon.  In the afternoon the
students come to my school for English instruction.  A
long day for such little guys and girls.  There is a
lot of pressure on my students to preform well on
tests, memorizing, and contests.  Most of my students
have some sort of tutoring and extra lesson after
English school.
Overall the experience of teaching in Taiwan is
priceless.  I am thankful to have the opportunity to
teach in Taiwan and come in contact with the good
people and children.
Away from teaching, I am trying to learn the language,
staying in shape, and traveling.  I have a trip
planned to visit Vietnam during Chinese New Year.  In
April, I am going visit Hong Kong and mainland China.
 

Sincerely,
r

It has been a long time since I have had any communication with you.  I
hope all is well.  My dad was telling me that your CD is on its way to the
US.  Both my dad and I are both looking forward to hearing it.

I should update you with my latest experience in education.  About three
weeks ago, I attended an international teaching job fair in Waterloo,
Iowa.  What an experience I had!  There, I was able to meet educators from
all over the world who shared a passion for education.  Something I love
to see.  To top it off I walked away from the weekend with a contract from
Cornel English School in Taichung, Taiwan.  It only took me a few days to
realize that this was an opportunity that is a chance of a life time.  In
late June, I will be leaving to teach in Taiwan.  I can hardly wait for
the adventure of teaching overseas!

Take care,
RL

Thanks,
RL

Best Regards
Reza
www.dtc.ch/reza

RL

RL

 >
>Reza,
>
>Hi, Im an occasional poster to rec.music.classical.guitar, and I wanted to
>ask you a question about something.  I saw on your web page (nice job by
>the way) that you had studied classical guitar and computer science in
>college.  I am going to be taking that route now - I recently changed my
>major from Management Information Systems to Computer Science.  I haven't
>taken any of the CS courses yet, but Im getting worried that I won't be
>able to hack it.  I take a private lesson each semester, and next semester
>I will begin taking the Computer Science classes as well as the guitar
>instruction.  I wanted to ask if you had some tips on this kind of
>situation.  Is the CS degree a difficult route to go?  Do you believe is
>was well worth it?  Im anxious to begin, but at the same time Im nervous
>about it.  Did you have any free time left with this kind of schedule.  I
>work full time too, so I think Im getting in over my head.  Thanks in
>advance for any reply, I appreciate your time, and I enjoy your
>posts....have a good day
>
>Rob C.
>
----------
  Reza,
Thanks for your reply, it was nice of you to take the time to write.  Well
let's see, I decided to switch from MIS to CS because I wanted to get into
more with computers.  MIS tends to lean more on the  business degree side
of things, whereas CS is stronger with computers.   I think my scholastic
aptitude is more shaped for the MIS degree however, thats why I hesitate.
I've never been a good student, and I know that the Computer science will
be a challenge.  I used to have more people skills, and I am building my
technical skills, so I can't put my finger on what my forte really is.
Right now I'd say 60% technical, 40% people.
    Did you ever have any trouble with the course work?  With the CS
degree?  Business bores me...accounting, economics never really stimulated
my brain.  I really didn't want to soak it up.  I think the change to CS is
an experiment in a sense, lemme tell you why, and tell me if its strange
thinking.  I first started playing the electric guitar, fast punk music and
small blues, then when I heard the classical guitar, I switched.  I had to,
it was beautiful.  I knew that the difficulty would increase; I knew
nothing about reading music or playing complicated melodies.   A funny
thing happened though, I got into the classical guitar seriously....the
difficulty never mattered, I continued to do it regardless.  Now I think
that the electric guitar represents MIS and the classical represents CS,
and maybe taking the step into CS will uncover some kind of desire to learn
that I had not felt with MIS.  Enough to get past the studies and make
myself a better student, much like the guitar.  Weird, huh?  Thats my
reasoning on the whole thing.
   You studied philosophy I see...I had taken one Philosophy class, which
was just an introduction, and I must say that I have never been the same
since.  We went over one text book, Discourse on Method and Meditations, by
Rene Descartes.  It opened up my world on believing, existence, and why we
are all here.  Never been the same.  It still amazes me though.
   Im at x University   Still working on my
undergraduate; currently I attend class almost full time (3 classes) and I
work full time for a local Applications Service Provider.   I am working
with Linux, just starting actually, and learning about sendmail, dns, perl
programming and such.  Yeah, Im interested in your cd...can you hook me up
with a discount?  I'll be glad to send it in, just tell me where
Thanks again for your help, Reza, not many take the time to answer big
questions.

Rob C.

----------
Dear Rob
Good question. Thanks for sharing...

Lennon: Nothing you can do that ca't be done.... All you need is love.

I enjoyed CS study - it's important to find right teachers... and right program....
Actually MIS is quite good too. What made you change?
I did software engineering work later shifted to MIS but the background I had made me really a
hotshot in MIS. Depends what your apptitutue is. What is your job now? Are you in school part-time?
what do you want to do later? Do you want to stay technical - or do you also like business analysis,
people stuff? Are you good with people? Do you love people? Both fields are hot now as far as the
job market. What languages do you use? If you go the CS route you can easily get a job as a Java
programmer or C++ etc... MIS also has a good career - they're very similar.... CD is perhaps more
solid. Are you at BS level? Do you want to do masters?

I also studied philosophy at same time which was a nice balance - but the best study with that
regards is J. Krishnamurti www.kfa.org - great stuff that helps with everything.

Do it now - you'll have plenty of time for play later - get the study while you're young - you can
always play later...
If you manage your time right and don't waste it, you can do a lot...
Write back and tell me more about yourself.... where are you? what school? etc... :-)
 

How's your finances? Can you afford my CD? I'll give you a special rate if you want......
Cheers
Reza

> Reza,
>
> Greetings from Taiwan.  I am into my sixth month of
> living and teaching in Taiwan.  The experience of
> living and working overseas has been a valuable
> learning experience.  Thank you for the e-mail. Best
> of luck in the new year.
>
> Randy
 
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