Comments on: You wanna get personal, I’ll show you personal http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/ Travels and Life Experiences of a Corporate American Runaway Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:35:49 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bren http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5701 Bren Tue, 25 May 2010 04:53:25 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5701 oh oh, I am sorry to hear that ): I really can't do humid. I put up with it for a few years in Shanghai but at least the Shanghainese like air-cons unlike the Koreans who use them as ornaments. I will have to re-think HCM I'm afraid. It sounds like a happening place though oh oh, I am sorry to hear that ): I really can’t do humid. I put up with it for a few years in Shanghai but at least the Shanghainese like air-cons unlike the Koreans who use them as ornaments. I will have to re-think HCM I’m afraid. It sounds like a happening place though

]]> By: Sherry http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5698 Sherry Tue, 25 May 2010 04:04:56 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5698 Sorry to tell you - but I found it VERY humid in HCMC...but you do adapt - a bit. :) Sorry to tell you – but I found it VERY humid in HCMC…but you do adapt – a bit. :)

]]> By: Sherry http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5697 Sherry Tue, 25 May 2010 04:03:59 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5697 Thanks for the pat on the back Jenn! Yup - absolutely on twitter - always tweeting on travel! I"m @ottsworld Thanks for the pat on the back Jenn! Yup – absolutely on twitter – always tweeting on travel! I”m @ottsworld

]]> By: Bren http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5696 Bren Tue, 25 May 2010 03:50:36 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5696 "I lied the weather in Thailand" No really I didn't lie about the weather in Thailand! I meant to type "liked" “I lied the weather in Thailand” No really I didn’t lie about the weather in Thailand! I meant to type “liked”

]]> By: Bren http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5695 Bren Tue, 25 May 2010 03:48:55 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5695 I'll have start saving a little to cover myself for my first few weeks in HCM. Does it get humid there. The humidity wrecks me here in S. Korea. I don't mind the heat though. I lied the weather in Thailand, it wasn't hunmid I’ll have start saving a little to cover myself for my first few weeks in HCM. Does it get humid there. The humidity wrecks me here in S. Korea. I don’t mind the heat though. I lied the weather in Thailand, it wasn’t hunmid

]]> By: Jenn Pedde http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5590 Jenn Pedde Thu, 20 May 2010 13:58:41 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5590 Great post about moving and being an expat!! I did it a few years ago when I moved from NYC to South Korea and I loved your line that said, "...is something that any strong person would struggle with and any sane person would not do." because that is 100% true! Though the benefits for the crazy one to move far outweigh the ones who never went at all. Would love to follow your journey through twitter if you're on it - follow me at @relocationally Great post about moving and being an expat!! I did it a few years ago when I moved from NYC to South Korea and I loved your line that said, “…is something that any strong person would struggle with and any sane person would not do.” because that is 100% true! Though the benefits for the crazy one to move far outweigh the ones who never went at all. Would love to follow your journey through twitter if you’re on it – follow me at @relocationally

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5569 admin Wed, 19 May 2010 20:58:08 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5569 I'm not a huge fan of working for private language schools...but it's normally the easiest to find work at. If you can get into a university (RMIT) it's better pay. It's even better when you can find a corporate gig like mine...yet I kind of lucked into that through networking with some expat friends. I honestly wanted to start my own business where I would have set up small onsite classes for businesses serving expats. The people working at the expat businesses often had horrible English and even worse customer service skills. So I thought I could set up little 8 week classes that would cover English specific to their business/industry. You'd simply have to hit the pavement and sell the idea to a few small businesses in Phu Mi Hung or An Phu (expat communities). I’m not a huge fan of working for private language schools…but it’s normally the easiest to find work at. If you can get into a university (RMIT) it’s better pay. It’s even better when you can find a corporate gig like mine…yet I kind of lucked into that through networking with some expat friends. I honestly wanted to start my own business where I would have set up small onsite classes for businesses serving expats. The people working at the expat businesses often had horrible English and even worse customer service skills. So I thought I could set up little 8 week classes that would cover English specific to their business/industry. You’d simply have to hit the pavement and sell the idea to a few small businesses in Phu Mi Hung or An Phu (expat communities).

]]> By: Bren http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5552 Bren Wed, 19 May 2010 05:00:04 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5552 Thanks again for the info. I'm looking forward to getting there. It won't be until September as I still have a few months left in my present contract here in S. Korea where I work for a government school. What's a better deal in HCM, government school or a private language place? I always like working in universities but they are usually pretty tricky to get into Thanks again for the info. I’m looking forward to getting there. It won’t be until September as I still have a few months left in my present contract here in S. Korea where I work for a government school. What’s a better deal in HCM, government school or a private language place? I always like working in universities but they are usually pretty tricky to get into

]]> By: Sherry http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5551 Sherry Wed, 19 May 2010 04:13:12 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5551 Yes - all schools and places I taught had AC. Also I always had aptments that had AC. If you really, really want to go and live cheaply, you can do it without AC...but no real need to do that. Sounds like you won't have a problem adapting! Yes – all schools and places I taught had AC. Also I always had aptments that had AC. If you really, really want to go and live cheaply, you can do it without AC…but no real need to do that. Sounds like you won’t have a problem adapting!

]]> By: Bren http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5550 Bren Wed, 19 May 2010 04:07:27 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5550 Thanx for the advice Sherry. Yes I am planning to get an ESL teaching job ih HCM. It sounds like an interesting place. I lived in Shanghai for five years have met many teachers who got burned by signing contracts from overseas. Employers seem to be much more obliging and adaptable when one is actually on location in Shanghai and from what you've told me it looks like it's the same in HCM too. One thing that is of vital importance to me is air conditioners ...do most schools have them? and apartments also? Thanx for the advice Sherry. Yes I am planning to get an ESL teaching job ih HCM. It sounds like an interesting place. I lived in Shanghai for five years have met many teachers who got burned by signing contracts from overseas. Employers seem to be much more obliging and adaptable when one is actually on location in Shanghai and from what you’ve told me it looks like it’s the same in HCM too. One thing that is of vital importance to me is air conditioners
…do most schools have them? and apartments also?

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5534 admin Tue, 18 May 2010 14:40:41 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5534 Hi Bren! HCMC was very rewarding...however it's certainly not easy in the beginning! Are you thinking of teaching ESL? If so, then I think you can do just as well showing up there, and finding a job once you get there. English teachers are in demand! That way you can get a better feel for locations of schools and who you will work with. You may even be able to work out a shorter contract than the standard year long one most schools make you sign prior to arriving. When you are there in person...all the 'rules' go out the window. Plus, you may even find that you can pick up private tutoring and make more money than at a school. It's really cheap to live there for a few weeks for next to nothing while you look for the right job...so if I could do it over again - I think that's what I'd do. Shoot any more questions my way - I'm happy to help! Hi Bren! HCMC was very rewarding…however it’s certainly not easy in the beginning! Are you thinking of teaching ESL? If so, then I think you can do just as well showing up there, and finding a job once you get there. English teachers are in demand! That way you can get a better feel for locations of schools and who you will work with. You may even be able to work out a shorter contract than the standard year long one most schools make you sign prior to arriving. When you are there in person…all the ‘rules’ go out the window. Plus, you may even find that you can pick up private tutoring and make more money than at a school. It’s really cheap to live there for a few weeks for next to nothing while you look for the right job…so if I could do it over again – I think that’s what I’d do.
Shoot any more questions my way – I’m happy to help!

]]> By: Bren http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-5527 Bren Tue, 18 May 2010 07:25:40 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-5527 Cool site Sherry. I have been planning to move to Ho Chi Mihn City for some time now. Is it better to get a job before going or wait and search on spec? Thanx (: Cool site Sherry. I have been planning to move to Ho Chi Mihn City for some time now. Is it better to get a job before going or wait and search on spec? Thanx (:

]]> By: Ann http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-2790 Ann Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:09:17 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-2790 Hey thanks for the reply, I requested to join that group on facebook :). BTW love your helmet, looks really cool better than the one I had when I was there. Hey thanks for the reply, I requested to join that group on facebook :) . BTW love your helmet, looks really cool better than the one I had when I was there.

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-2786 admin Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:34:50 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-2786 Hi Ann! Good luck on your move! I hope my blog can be of some help in that regard! The photography club website is http://www.saigonamateurs.com/ - however it's under construction at the moment and we are trying to change our name. We used to be called Saigon Amateurs - but that will be changing soon. Regardless - the facebook group is also called Saigon Amateurs and you can contact the leader through that and learn about how often we meet, exhibitions, etc! It's a great group! Hi Ann! Good luck on your move! I hope my blog can be of some help in that regard!
The photography club website is http://www.saigonamateurs.com/ – however it’s under construction at the moment and we are trying to change our name. We used to be called Saigon Amateurs – but that will be changing soon. Regardless – the facebook group is also called Saigon Amateurs and you can contact the leader through that and learn about how often we meet, exhibitions, etc! It’s a great group!

]]> By: Ann http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-2785 Ann Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:13:18 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-2785 Hi there! I m planning to move to Vietnam soon and was wondering does the photography club have a website? Can anyone join the club? I can't wait to have some good shots of Vietnam :D Hi there! I m planning to move to Vietnam soon and was wondering does the photography club have a website? Can anyone join the club? I can’t wait to have some good shots of Vietnam :D

]]> By: Aimee http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1790 Aimee Fri, 22 May 2009 00:04:13 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1790 I know this is an older blog but gave me a sense of how you are doing. I'm glad that you have re-discovered the holy trinity! You were very good at all 3 in New York as I recall... :-) I know this is an older blog but gave me a sense of how you are doing. I’m glad that you have re-discovered the holy trinity! You were very good at all 3 in New York as I recall… :-)

]]> By: kim http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1764 kim Wed, 13 May 2009 02:17:13 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1764 I came, I read, I clicked. Thanks! I came, I read, I clicked. Thanks!

]]> By: Iris http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1747 Iris Thu, 07 May 2009 15:03:03 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1747 I love your blog! So inspiring. I REALLY wish that I discovered it before I became a Corporate American Runaway last February (traded NYC for Beijing). Keep up the great posts. I love your blog! So inspiring. I REALLY wish that I discovered it before I became a Corporate American Runaway last February (traded NYC for Beijing). Keep up the great posts.

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 admin Fri, 01 May 2009 04:24:53 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1722 Got the helmet in Dalat - a local helped me pick it out! A little warm here - but saving my brain is worth a little sweat! Yes - just checked out her blog...love it! Got the helmet in Dalat – a local helped me pick it out! A little warm here – but saving my brain is worth a little sweat!
Yes – just checked out her blog…love it!

]]> By: livinginSGVN http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1719 livinginSGVN Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:12:09 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1719 Very spiffy helmet- where'dya get that? I noticed your remark about being a nuoc ngoai phu nu here in Vietnam- have you seen Lisa/alfpaspider's blog: alfaspider.livejournal.com/ She talks about that a bit, too. Very spiffy helmet- where’dya get that? I noticed your remark about being a nuoc ngoai phu nu here in Vietnam- have you seen Lisa/alfpaspider’s blog: alfaspider.livejournal.com/ She talks about that a bit, too.

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1717 admin Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:22:14 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1717 Colin - OMG - I love the fact that someone actually looked at that ridiculous picture of me and thought the helmet was cool! :) I actually got the helmet up in Dalat. I told myself that I wouldn't ride here without a proper helmet. I'm sure they have them here though somewhere. A local took me to buy mine at the market in Dalat. I live in District 1 - great location, but not so nice apt. I'm planning on moving out to Dist. 2 for the summer to do some housesitting. You sound like you have a sweet deal in Dist. 4 though! Colin – OMG – I love the fact that someone actually looked at that ridiculous picture of me and thought the helmet was cool! :) I actually got the helmet up in Dalat. I told myself that I wouldn’t ride here without a proper helmet. I’m sure they have them here though somewhere. A local took me to buy mine at the market in Dalat.
I live in District 1 – great location, but not so nice apt. I’m planning on moving out to Dist. 2 for the summer to do some housesitting. You sound like you have a sweet deal in Dist. 4 though!

]]> By: Colin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1716 Colin Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:13:41 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1716 hey, where did you get your helmet, I love it, I want a more full head helmet like that! where do you live? what district, I have a super nice spacious one bedroom, kitchen, washing machine, clean bathroom with huge balcony place in D4 for $400, it is only about 7 minutes to get downtown. i love it. hey, where did you get your helmet, I love it, I want a more full head helmet like that!

where do you live? what district, I have a super nice spacious one bedroom, kitchen, washing machine, clean bathroom with huge balcony place in D4 for $400, it is only about 7 minutes to get downtown. i love it.

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1709 admin Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:01:10 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1709 Cherie - just sent you a note, I'll be in Singapore next week - May 7th! Hope to catch up with you and Philip! Cherie – just sent you a note, I’ll be in Singapore next week – May 7th! Hope to catch up with you and Philip!

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1708 admin Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:59:55 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1708 Re: am I back in corporate...well, not really. Granted - I go to a corporate environment to teach - but I'm my own boss! Actually I find it quite interesting to teach in a corporate environment in a foriegn company - it's like a little cultural adventure that you normally can't experience if you are simply traveling! Re: am I back in corporate…well, not really. Granted – I go to a corporate environment to teach – but I’m my own boss! Actually I find it quite interesting to teach in a corporate environment in a foriegn company – it’s like a little cultural adventure that you normally can’t experience if you are simply traveling!

]]> By: Brian and Amy http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 Brian and Amy Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:03:20 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1682 Glad to see things are tuning around for you! The rice terraces looked incredible, I've just added them to my 'places to see before I die' list. Off to click on your ad banners, keep the posts coming ;-) Brian Glad to see things are tuning around for you!

The rice terraces looked incredible, I’ve just added them to my ‘places to see before I die’ list.

Off to click on your ad banners, keep the posts coming ;-)

Brian

]]> By: Troy http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1681 Troy Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:40:47 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1681 You might have ann easier time breathing if you remove the pair of polka dot underware from over your face before you put on your helmet. You might have ann easier time breathing if you remove the pair of polka dot underware from over your face before you put on your helmet.

]]> By: eklemmer http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1671 eklemmer Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:59:53 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1671 Is the Corporate Runaway back in the corporation(s)???? Yikes! Is the Corporate Runaway back in the corporation(s)???? Yikes!

]]> By: Cherie http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1670 Cherie Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:45:09 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1670 Sherry: Your articles, photos and site are fantastic! Let me know when you will be in Singapore next! Cheers, Cherie Sherry:

Your articles, photos and site are fantastic! Let me know when you will be in Singapore next!

Cheers, Cherie

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 Cheryl Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:39:19 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1669 OK...ignore my email question about what you'll be doing next! LOL ... I'm now off to click on some of your banner ads and help you get some of that much needed ad revenue! OK…ignore my email question about what you’ll be doing next! LOL … I’m now off to click on some of your banner ads and help you get some of that much needed ad revenue!

]]> By: Baron http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 Baron Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:01:39 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1668 Since you asked if I like following your blog... Yes, yes I do. You're an inspiration. I expect I'll be laid off from work sometime in the next 4-6 months. If/when that happens I think I'll be following you path for my own "career break". And like Dave said, the French... really? Keep writing. Since you asked if I like following your blog…

Yes, yes I do.

You’re an inspiration. I expect I’ll be laid off from work sometime in the next 4-6 months. If/when that happens I think I’ll be following you path for my own “career break”.

And like Dave said, the French… really?

Keep writing.

]]> By: Amy Skidmore http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1666 Amy Skidmore Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:59:19 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1666 Sherry- you brave girl! Glad to hear things are lookin' up! You can have a 6th job and help me with my real estate e-newsletter and website :). Your photography is amazing. I think you should get a job with National Geographic and I vote for you moving to a place that isn't hazardous to your health! I love that you are learning the Lindy dance. Sounds so fun! Sherry- you brave girl! Glad to hear things are lookin’ up!
You can have a 6th job and help me with my real estate e-newsletter and website :) . Your photography is amazing. I think you should get a job with National Geographic and I vote for you moving to a place that isn’t hazardous to your health! I love that you are learning the Lindy dance. Sounds so fun!

]]> By: Angie Kalousek http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1665 Angie Kalousek Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:09:18 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1665 Yay! Sherry is back! I love the swing dancing class...I keep picturing you dancing with a little vietnamese man...fabulous visual :-). xo, A Yay! Sherry is back! I love the swing dancing class…I keep picturing you dancing with a little vietnamese man…fabulous visual :-) .

xo, A

]]> By: admin http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1664 admin Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:08:30 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1664 Re: David - yes, but this apartment only costs $300 and trust me, I haven't lived in anything this small since my dorm room at University! Re: David – yes, but this apartment only costs $300 and trust me, I haven’t lived in anything this small since my dorm room at University!

]]> By: David http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1663 David Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:50:42 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1663 The French? How could you work for the French?! Things must be really bad out there. Hey, that room looks about as big as an apartment in San Francisco! The French? How could you work for the French?! Things must be really bad out there.

Hey, that room looks about as big as an apartment in San Francisco!

]]> By: Magdalena http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/you-wanna-get-personal-i-will-show-you-personal/comment-page-1/#comment-1660 Magdalena Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:16:48 +0000 http://www.ottsworld.com/?p=2931#comment-1660 Great post! Thanks for sharing :) Great post! Thanks for sharing :)

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