That's Tagalog for Christmas time is here. Too bad I don't remember how to say it in Mandarin...in other words, Merry Christmas everyone.
At our school we had a Christmas Pagaent. The theme for the pagaent was Christmas Around the World. The Eagles(my class) did a song in Tagolog. I attempted to choreograph the dance and my co-teacher taught the words to the song. In the end it all turned out pretty well. All the parents really want to see is their kid in a cute outfit and a white person dressed up for Christmas teaching them.
We had a pretty good Christmas here. Bethany and I both got stockings and gifts sent from home so we were able to open some on Christmas morning, and I made cinnamon rolls. We went to a cocktail party on Christmas Eve and a dinner party on Christmas day. Needless to say, I had to keep reminding myself it was Christmas. And now here I am, the day after Christmas, at work. Se la vie.
On a different note, I have taken on some privates the last couple weeks. On Wednesdays, I meet with an ex-coworker, Alice to teach her Spanish for an hour in exchange for her teaching me Chinese. Its a fair deal to me...I get to learn Chinese for free and practice my Spanish. On Thursdays, I teach a little boy named David English. He is very shy, and not very good at speaking English, but all I have to do is talk to him for an hour and a half and I get paid about $25. It gives me something to do at night and the extra money doesn't hurt.
Bethany and I leave for the Philippines on Friday night!!! I am so excited. I am happy here in Taiwan, but I think we really just need a break from it all...yay! I'll let you all know how it is when I get back with my tan!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A much needed getaway
In two and a half weeks, Bethany and I will be here:
That's right, when you're celebrating New Years in the cold, think of us. We're going to the Philippines. I hope it actually looks like those pictures....
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Culture Shock 101
In our training, they lectured us on the stages of culture shock. It seems like such a big deal before you actually realize you are going through it. Then, it is frustrating and manifests itself in weird ways.
I’ve mentioned before the celebrity status white people seem to have in Taiwan. That got old really quickly. A couple of weeks ago, Bethany and I went to RT Mart, which is a big store that you can buy anything (comparable to Wal-Mart), to buy groceries. We had to buy some French bread for a friend’s birthday party. She had requested 6 rolls. That doesn’t seem to odd, right? We also wore some warm hats because it was cold outside. The majority of the Taiwanese in the store found the combination of 2 white females in hats buying 6 french bread rolls to be utterly fascinating. We had people actually stop what they were doing, point, stare, and laugh. Not just a few people, but about 60% of the people in the store.
I keep thinking how weird it will be to go back home and not be a minority. I experienced this when I lived in Guatemala, and I remember being frustrated by it then as well. As a child, I had Guatemalan children staring at my eyes and saying that it was weird my eyes were blue. Here, my students call my hair “yellow” and often ask me if I have a baby in my stomach because I am bigger than most of the Taiwanese women!
It will also be weird to go home and not be able to talk openly when I am in public because I know the people around me don’t understand what I am saying. I think I will have to get out of the habit once again of commenting openly on weird style preferences.
This is the point in my stay where it has become a little harder to find positive aspects of my time here….mainly because I would like to be home right about now, seeing as it is the holiday season. There are still things that I love about Taiwan and that I have found to be beautiful about this place and this culture. Those things are not as exaggerated as the negative things, but I’ve been told that this will pass.
I’ve mentioned before the celebrity status white people seem to have in Taiwan. That got old really quickly. A couple of weeks ago, Bethany and I went to RT Mart, which is a big store that you can buy anything (comparable to Wal-Mart), to buy groceries. We had to buy some French bread for a friend’s birthday party. She had requested 6 rolls. That doesn’t seem to odd, right? We also wore some warm hats because it was cold outside. The majority of the Taiwanese in the store found the combination of 2 white females in hats buying 6 french bread rolls to be utterly fascinating. We had people actually stop what they were doing, point, stare, and laugh. Not just a few people, but about 60% of the people in the store.
I keep thinking how weird it will be to go back home and not be a minority. I experienced this when I lived in Guatemala, and I remember being frustrated by it then as well. As a child, I had Guatemalan children staring at my eyes and saying that it was weird my eyes were blue. Here, my students call my hair “yellow” and often ask me if I have a baby in my stomach because I am bigger than most of the Taiwanese women!
It will also be weird to go home and not be able to talk openly when I am in public because I know the people around me don’t understand what I am saying. I think I will have to get out of the habit once again of commenting openly on weird style preferences.
This is the point in my stay where it has become a little harder to find positive aspects of my time here….mainly because I would like to be home right about now, seeing as it is the holiday season. There are still things that I love about Taiwan and that I have found to be beautiful about this place and this culture. Those things are not as exaggerated as the negative things, but I’ve been told that this will pass.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
school daze
I'm trying to keep up with blogging, I really am. I feel like a lot of my computer time is in 30 minute intervals at school, so it takes more planning to blog.
It seems like there has been a lot going on lately. At school, the weeks are flying by. There are good days and bad days, but overall, the weeks fly. And I need that. My thoughts on teaching are still in the making, but right now, I don't think it is something I will be doing forever. My opinions may be influenced by the school and the kids that I work with. My least favorite part of the day is teaching my 4:30 until 6:30 elementary class. It may seem easy; I have 8 students, its only an hour and a half, and the lesson plans are made out for me already. But the kids don't want to be there. I found out last week that most of my students in elementary start school at 7:30am and go to school all day, come to my class, and then sometimes have another drawing class, dance class, or music class. Can you imagine?? Would you want to go to a Spanish or Chinese class for an hour and a half when you were 10? I feel for them, I really do. It just stinks for me because I have to deal with a class of mostly boys who don't want to be there and won't do most things I tell them to do. At least I didn't have to go to school 12 hours a day when I was growing up.
And the rest of the day, I get the joy of my kindergarteners. They are great. They make me laugh, they make me scream, and I get to play with them for most of the day. All the girls have started to come to me after nap time every day to have me do their hair, so now I have my own real live barbie dolls(I'm getting really good at pig tails). It really is a lot of fun. I even get to nap almost every day if I want to. If you know me well, that truly is a great thing for me.
More later. I have to tell you about Bethany's birthday and Thanksgiving still!
It seems like there has been a lot going on lately. At school, the weeks are flying by. There are good days and bad days, but overall, the weeks fly. And I need that. My thoughts on teaching are still in the making, but right now, I don't think it is something I will be doing forever. My opinions may be influenced by the school and the kids that I work with. My least favorite part of the day is teaching my 4:30 until 6:30 elementary class. It may seem easy; I have 8 students, its only an hour and a half, and the lesson plans are made out for me already. But the kids don't want to be there. I found out last week that most of my students in elementary start school at 7:30am and go to school all day, come to my class, and then sometimes have another drawing class, dance class, or music class. Can you imagine?? Would you want to go to a Spanish or Chinese class for an hour and a half when you were 10? I feel for them, I really do. It just stinks for me because I have to deal with a class of mostly boys who don't want to be there and won't do most things I tell them to do. At least I didn't have to go to school 12 hours a day when I was growing up.
And the rest of the day, I get the joy of my kindergarteners. They are great. They make me laugh, they make me scream, and I get to play with them for most of the day. All the girls have started to come to me after nap time every day to have me do their hair, so now I have my own real live barbie dolls(I'm getting really good at pig tails). It really is a lot of fun. I even get to nap almost every day if I want to. If you know me well, that truly is a great thing for me.
More later. I have to tell you about Bethany's birthday and Thanksgiving still!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Things I like about Taiwan...
I needed an uplifting post, so here we go:
1) Scooter riding. I was scared at first, but it has quickly become one of my favorite activities. Crazy law-breaking, wind in your hair, maneuvering between cars fun.
2) Cheap food. An average meal out in Taiwan costs about $7-$10 US dollars for a drink or two and a main dish. For great food.
3) 7-11's on every corner. Literally. And if its not a 7-11, its a Family Mart, OK Mart, or something of the sort, with essentially the same supply of goods.
4) Cheap rent. I pay about $130 US a month for rent and utilities. Beat that California.
5) My new cats. Despite the previous belief(held by me) that cats are annoying, bratty, unfriendly, stinky creatures that should never be owned by humans, I have fallen for these cute little things. I think its gonna last too.
6) Bethany. I get to hang out with one of the coolest people every day and get to know her better than I have in 15 years. How lucky am I?
7) Cute kids that love me. As annoying as they can get sometimes, they are really adorable most of the time, and I have taken to them. I've also somehow convinced them that I am cool.
8) Being a celebrity. Everyone in Taiwan says hello to me and Bethany because we are white and have light hair. We feel like celebrities, and although it can be annoying, we secretly enjoy it.
That's all I can think of for now. More to come later maybe.
1) Scooter riding. I was scared at first, but it has quickly become one of my favorite activities. Crazy law-breaking, wind in your hair, maneuvering between cars fun.
2) Cheap food. An average meal out in Taiwan costs about $7-$10 US dollars for a drink or two and a main dish. For great food.
3) 7-11's on every corner. Literally. And if its not a 7-11, its a Family Mart, OK Mart, or something of the sort, with essentially the same supply of goods.
4) Cheap rent. I pay about $130 US a month for rent and utilities. Beat that California.
5) My new cats. Despite the previous belief(held by me) that cats are annoying, bratty, unfriendly, stinky creatures that should never be owned by humans, I have fallen for these cute little things. I think its gonna last too.
6) Bethany. I get to hang out with one of the coolest people every day and get to know her better than I have in 15 years. How lucky am I?
7) Cute kids that love me. As annoying as they can get sometimes, they are really adorable most of the time, and I have taken to them. I've also somehow convinced them that I am cool.
8) Being a celebrity. Everyone in Taiwan says hello to me and Bethany because we are white and have light hair. We feel like celebrities, and although it can be annoying, we secretly enjoy it.
That's all I can think of for now. More to come later maybe.
just two pictures because it takes too long...
Fajita on my birthday. You have no idea how wonderful this tasted.
In Hualien at the Farmtastic Hostel. Beautiful place, really.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Names
Well, we named the cats....or at least we came up with names we like. The black one will be Ziggy and the tabby one will be Jet Li. He is more of the Kung-Fu type.
Not much going on lately here. But since this blog is such a hit, I just have to keep the fans satisfied ;) Saturday was Open House at school and I got to meet some of my Kindergarteners' parents. Lots of excitement there, and we don't get paid for it.
Saturday night I sang Karaoke. Don't asked me what possessed me. We were at a place that had it and it just happened. That's what they all say, right??
In other news, Bethany and I just booked our flights to Bangkok for Chinese New Years(end of January). We get about 18 days total off, and we are taking that entire time to travel around Thailand, and hopefully Cambodia and Vietnam. Can't wait. Really really really can't wait. Before then we have Thanksgiving and Christmas to get through. That's gonna be hard. Feel free to send me stuff:)
Till next time...
Not much going on lately here. But since this blog is such a hit, I just have to keep the fans satisfied ;) Saturday was Open House at school and I got to meet some of my Kindergarteners' parents. Lots of excitement there, and we don't get paid for it.
Saturday night I sang Karaoke. Don't asked me what possessed me. We were at a place that had it and it just happened. That's what they all say, right??
In other news, Bethany and I just booked our flights to Bangkok for Chinese New Years(end of January). We get about 18 days total off, and we are taking that entire time to travel around Thailand, and hopefully Cambodia and Vietnam. Can't wait. Really really really can't wait. Before then we have Thanksgiving and Christmas to get through. That's gonna be hard. Feel free to send me stuff:)
Till next time...
Monday, October 8, 2007
Kittens!!
Bethany and I got new kittens last night! They are really the cutest things I have ever seen and I think they like me :) We got a black one and a tabby one. Still thinking on the names....
any suggestions?
any suggestions?
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Typhoon Days
Before I came to Taiwan I had heard of typhoon's and had some idea in my mind that they were something like a tidal wave. I don't know why I thought that, because I think it is more like a hurricane than anything else. So, if there is a really bad one, all the businesses close and the government declares it a Typhoon Day. Since I have been here(two months almost exactly), there have been 3 declared Typhoon Days. Two of them have been on weekends, which means the only thing I get to do is sit indoors and pout. One of them was on a weekday and we got to stay home from school. I just don't know why there can't be more during the week. Do they plan it this way?
Today, Bethany, Sam and I decided to brave the typhoon and go to FE21, the department store in town. We got a cab there, which was slightly scary because the cab was actually rocking a few times(winds can get really strong during a typhoon). We made it there, wandered around for a couple hours, spent some of our paycheck, and when we were ready to leave, we went to the front desk to have them call us a cab. "No more taxi's" we were told. What? No more? Okay....
So, we went downstairs to have a cup of coffee and decide what we were going to do for dinner. When we were just about done, we ran into a girl from work who informed us the department store would close in 10 minutes. Now it was time to really figure out how we would get home(we were not within walking distance, and it didn't really seem that safe to walk with sign posts flying around and all). Basically, we stood by the front door for about 20 minutes(yes the place closed) looking at each other, wondering what we were going to do. We asked for a taxi, and they kept telling us there weren't any. Finally, I guess we looked distressed enough and some lady came up to us and handed us a slip of paper with a four-digit number on it and said "Your taxi number". Thank goodness someone decided to call a cab company that was working and we didn't get stranded in the mall! I didn't really think anyone would just abandon three helpless-looking white people, but you just never know....
We came home and I cooked some more fajitas. Yum, that was worth it.
Today, Bethany, Sam and I decided to brave the typhoon and go to FE21, the department store in town. We got a cab there, which was slightly scary because the cab was actually rocking a few times(winds can get really strong during a typhoon). We made it there, wandered around for a couple hours, spent some of our paycheck, and when we were ready to leave, we went to the front desk to have them call us a cab. "No more taxi's" we were told. What? No more? Okay....
So, we went downstairs to have a cup of coffee and decide what we were going to do for dinner. When we were just about done, we ran into a girl from work who informed us the department store would close in 10 minutes. Now it was time to really figure out how we would get home(we were not within walking distance, and it didn't really seem that safe to walk with sign posts flying around and all). Basically, we stood by the front door for about 20 minutes(yes the place closed) looking at each other, wondering what we were going to do. We asked for a taxi, and they kept telling us there weren't any. Finally, I guess we looked distressed enough and some lady came up to us and handed us a slip of paper with a four-digit number on it and said "Your taxi number". Thank goodness someone decided to call a cab company that was working and we didn't get stranded in the mall! I didn't really think anyone would just abandon three helpless-looking white people, but you just never know....
We came home and I cooked some more fajitas. Yum, that was worth it.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
a note about the pictures
So I can't efficiently upload photos to this blog, so I am just uploading them to facebook(slowly) for now. If you want to see them, look there!
Working Saturday??
So, it has been awhile. I apologize, even though I know there aren't too many out there who are actually reading this :)
It has been a crazy couple of weeks. Angela visited, it was my birthday, moon festival, and I had to work on a Saturday. Maybe I will work backwards beginning with the working Saturday.
In Taiwan they have a holiday called the Moon Festival. I believe the holiday is celebrating the end of the harvest and getting ready for the winter months. Basically, they eat mooncakes, barbecue, and drink tea(like that is out of the ordinary?) So, this year it fell on Tuesday September 25, which meant we got Monday off as well, and thus got a four day weekend. Cool, right? Well, the kicker is, that they decided we should work on Saturday for missing that Monday. NOT fun. No one was happy about it. We just had a one day weekend. I seem to relate everything back to when I studied in Spain, but I was thinking about how in Spain if there is a holiday in the middle of the week, they will take as many days off as possible. This is one of those times where I think Asians are weird.
So that brings me to what we actually did for the Moon Festival. Angela and Shaun had just returned from their little jaunt to the south of Taiwan, and I had just celebrated my birthday on the roof of our apartment. Bethany's boyfriend Sam was also here and we all decided to go to Taroko for the weekend. Note: this trip had minimal planinng. Bethany and I did our best to reserve a place to stay for 3 nights, but were only able to reserve one night in a hostel called the "Farmtastic Hostel". We also for some reason neglected to reserve a rental car ahead of time. Bethany and I spent half of Saturday riding around on the scooter in the rain looking for two car rental places recommended by friends. Eventually we were so frustrated that we gave up and came home. Sean saved the day by calling a higher end rental car place and we got one.
So we left for Taroko/Hualien Saturday afternoon. The entire trip was rainy. Constant. Rain. We even got stuck on a road for 2 hours because a rock slide. The drive was beautiful, but terrifying(at least for me) because we were driving on the side of a cliff in the rain. I kept reliving a skidding-out experience my family had when I was little on a mountain road in Mexico. We made it there, and our host met us and showed us the way to what turned out to be a very beautifully located hostel/home-stay.
We explored Taroko Gorge the next day....in the rain. This place is amazingly beautiful. I can't even explain it. It's up there with Yosemite and the Grand Canyon for sure. The first 20 minutes we were driving through the gorge, we were wide-eyed and snapping pictures like crazy. Actually, I don't think the cameras stopped all day. Pretty cool despite the rain. If you ever come to Taiwan, I will take you there.
The second night we staying in another home-stay with the craziest Taiwanese couple I have met yet. They were kind enough to show us around the town, take us to dinner and take us to an Aboriginal dance. The lady didn't know much english, so the night mainly consisted of a lot of laughing, gestures, and "ums". She was really hillarious....they took about 1,000 pictures of all of us. Since I was the only one on the trip without a significant other, they thought it was appropriate to have me pose for pictures by myself. How sweet.
The last night we got to stay in a roomy hotel with piped-in "hot springs". The third night it FINALLY stopped raining! There wasn't much to do, so we just sat in the springs and ate traditional street food. The perfect end to the vacation.
We said goodbye to Shaun and Angela on Tuesday. It was so great to have them here....my birthday they made Fajitas and Margaritas. That was definitely the best present I got. Besides them coming here of course. :)
It has been a crazy couple of weeks. Angela visited, it was my birthday, moon festival, and I had to work on a Saturday. Maybe I will work backwards beginning with the working Saturday.
In Taiwan they have a holiday called the Moon Festival. I believe the holiday is celebrating the end of the harvest and getting ready for the winter months. Basically, they eat mooncakes, barbecue, and drink tea(like that is out of the ordinary?) So, this year it fell on Tuesday September 25, which meant we got Monday off as well, and thus got a four day weekend. Cool, right? Well, the kicker is, that they decided we should work on Saturday for missing that Monday. NOT fun. No one was happy about it. We just had a one day weekend. I seem to relate everything back to when I studied in Spain, but I was thinking about how in Spain if there is a holiday in the middle of the week, they will take as many days off as possible. This is one of those times where I think Asians are weird.
So that brings me to what we actually did for the Moon Festival. Angela and Shaun had just returned from their little jaunt to the south of Taiwan, and I had just celebrated my birthday on the roof of our apartment. Bethany's boyfriend Sam was also here and we all decided to go to Taroko for the weekend. Note: this trip had minimal planinng. Bethany and I did our best to reserve a place to stay for 3 nights, but were only able to reserve one night in a hostel called the "Farmtastic Hostel". We also for some reason neglected to reserve a rental car ahead of time. Bethany and I spent half of Saturday riding around on the scooter in the rain looking for two car rental places recommended by friends. Eventually we were so frustrated that we gave up and came home. Sean saved the day by calling a higher end rental car place and we got one.
So we left for Taroko/Hualien Saturday afternoon. The entire trip was rainy. Constant. Rain. We even got stuck on a road for 2 hours because a rock slide. The drive was beautiful, but terrifying(at least for me) because we were driving on the side of a cliff in the rain. I kept reliving a skidding-out experience my family had when I was little on a mountain road in Mexico. We made it there, and our host met us and showed us the way to what turned out to be a very beautifully located hostel/home-stay.
We explored Taroko Gorge the next day....in the rain. This place is amazingly beautiful. I can't even explain it. It's up there with Yosemite and the Grand Canyon for sure. The first 20 minutes we were driving through the gorge, we were wide-eyed and snapping pictures like crazy. Actually, I don't think the cameras stopped all day. Pretty cool despite the rain. If you ever come to Taiwan, I will take you there.
The second night we staying in another home-stay with the craziest Taiwanese couple I have met yet. They were kind enough to show us around the town, take us to dinner and take us to an Aboriginal dance. The lady didn't know much english, so the night mainly consisted of a lot of laughing, gestures, and "ums". She was really hillarious....they took about 1,000 pictures of all of us. Since I was the only one on the trip without a significant other, they thought it was appropriate to have me pose for pictures by myself. How sweet.
The last night we got to stay in a roomy hotel with piped-in "hot springs". The third night it FINALLY stopped raining! There wasn't much to do, so we just sat in the springs and ate traditional street food. The perfect end to the vacation.
We said goodbye to Shaun and Angela on Tuesday. It was so great to have them here....my birthday they made Fajitas and Margaritas. That was definitely the best present I got. Besides them coming here of course. :)
Friday, September 7, 2007
Taiwanese Baseball
A few pictures from Baseball.
You can bring food and beer into the baseball stadium...very good considering there are no concession stands...
Desiree(my boss), Bethany and I. It was stinking hot, even though it was late evening.
I thought it was cool to look and see these apartment buildings. Something you definitely don't see in the U.S.
We paid about $4US to get into this game, and I probably had more fun at this baseball game than any I have been to in the US. They seem to have it backwards. Instead of being quiet when your team is up to bat, you are supposed to get really really loud. There were some interesting cheers as well. We chose to root for the "Bears" mainly because there was a guy with the last name "Gonzalez" and it was the only one we could actually read. They have a cheer for him: "Go! Go! Gonzo!" He was an outfielder and was right in front of us so we took to cheering extra loud for him. He eventually turned around and talked to us!! How exciting....
Oh what fun...Shaun and Angela will be excited to join me for the next one....
You can bring food and beer into the baseball stadium...very good considering there are no concession stands...
Desiree(my boss), Bethany and I. It was stinking hot, even though it was late evening.
I thought it was cool to look and see these apartment buildings. Something you definitely don't see in the U.S.We paid about $4US to get into this game, and I probably had more fun at this baseball game than any I have been to in the US. They seem to have it backwards. Instead of being quiet when your team is up to bat, you are supposed to get really really loud. There were some interesting cheers as well. We chose to root for the "Bears" mainly because there was a guy with the last name "Gonzalez" and it was the only one we could actually read. They have a cheer for him: "Go! Go! Gonzo!" He was an outfielder and was right in front of us so we took to cheering extra loud for him. He eventually turned around and talked to us!! How exciting....
Oh what fun...Shaun and Angela will be excited to join me for the next one....
a social worker's perspective?
It's friday, I just started teaching my elementary 2nd graders and I am exhausted. It's times like this that I wish I had the privilege the Taiwanese staff has of being able to lightly smack the kids on the hand when they are misbehaving. I really don't have a problem with is because my parents used to do it....obviously I would have a problem if it was painful at all. The fact is, it works. Kids are not intimidated by me at all and it makes my days twice as long. Well...at least I can threaten them with sending them to the Chinese teachers. I guess that year in social work changed me?
Sunday, September 2, 2007
copycat
As you can see, I just updated the title of my blog. I liked Bethany's originality and with my need for constant change and copying those around me, I decided to change it to match.
I have never really started a life with someone until now. Bethany and I have not spent this much time together since we were in 3rd grade. Even then, we weren't living together, working together, eating together, and sharing just about everything. It has been about 3 weeks that we have been together this much, and we haven't even got sick of each other(well, I suppose I am speaking for myself there). This is a lot to say for the friends that used to fight after about 4 days of the jaunts we had every 2 years.
This weekend was a nice refreshing escape. We visited some of Bethany's family's friends in Taichung, which is about 1 hour from Hsinchu. If you have read Bethany's blog, you would know that we got a free taxi ride to the bus station. The taxi driver nearly drove us into a ditch and when we got out of the cab and were preparing to pay him, he quickly drove off. We waited for him to come back around to demand his cash, but he didn't. I told Bethany this is Karma for a time I got ripped off during a taxi ride in Spain. (Let's just say he took me 45 minutes out of the way, dropped me off and demanded a ridiculous amount of money). What goes around comes around?
The signs in Taiwan are some of my favorite things.
I especially like the do not "stride" over the line. Bethany and I really wanted to walk over it and wondered if that would be acceptable. The drug sign was in a park. And the first one, we couldn't figure out what "stop to entrance" meant. Isn't Bethany a cute one??
I have never really started a life with someone until now. Bethany and I have not spent this much time together since we were in 3rd grade. Even then, we weren't living together, working together, eating together, and sharing just about everything. It has been about 3 weeks that we have been together this much, and we haven't even got sick of each other(well, I suppose I am speaking for myself there). This is a lot to say for the friends that used to fight after about 4 days of the jaunts we had every 2 years.
This weekend was a nice refreshing escape. We visited some of Bethany's family's friends in Taichung, which is about 1 hour from Hsinchu. If you have read Bethany's blog, you would know that we got a free taxi ride to the bus station. The taxi driver nearly drove us into a ditch and when we got out of the cab and were preparing to pay him, he quickly drove off. We waited for him to come back around to demand his cash, but he didn't. I told Bethany this is Karma for a time I got ripped off during a taxi ride in Spain. (Let's just say he took me 45 minutes out of the way, dropped me off and demanded a ridiculous amount of money). What goes around comes around?
The signs in Taiwan are some of my favorite things.
I especially like the do not "stride" over the line. Bethany and I really wanted to walk over it and wondered if that would be acceptable. The drug sign was in a park. And the first one, we couldn't figure out what "stop to entrance" meant. Isn't Bethany a cute one??
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
tunnels, tanks, unicorns, swine and swimming
There is an event here in Hsinchu, and apparently many other countries in the world called the Hash House Harriers. It is a "run" that happens the last saturday of each month. Someone decides on a course through the jungle, and a bunch of people pay $100NT(about $3US) to go on this run/walk and get a bunch of free drinks on the way(including beer...always good to have on a hike). Bethany and I were told that we have to experience it, so on Saturday we hopped in a car with our new friends and drove out to some parking lot in the mountains to begin the trek. Some people ran, but considering the humidity, intensity of the hike, and beer consumption, we walked. There were definitely some characters, but I won't get into that, I probably will end up saying something mean.
I think the point of the event is to get foreigners out to a part of Taiwan you would never find on your own. First we climbed to the top of a mountain that had a beautiful view of the ocean...this was the first good look I got of it, I was happy! We were told to bring flashlights, and the route took us into a pitch black tunnel that must have been some artillery storage place. After awhile, we hit a clearing that had about 20 army tanks parked, with soldiers training around them. Of course, we did the touristy thing and tried to get a picture, but I think they would have gotten in trouble. Later on in the hike, we walked through some elaborate grave sites, over a highway that was in a tunnel, through a pig farm, and lastly around an olympic size pool. At one point we fully expected to see a unicorn. Its hard to explain what a drastic change in scenery we had about every 20 minutes....maybe one of the most interesting days in Taiwan so far, pictures on that soon.
I think the point of the event is to get foreigners out to a part of Taiwan you would never find on your own. First we climbed to the top of a mountain that had a beautiful view of the ocean...this was the first good look I got of it, I was happy! We were told to bring flashlights, and the route took us into a pitch black tunnel that must have been some artillery storage place. After awhile, we hit a clearing that had about 20 army tanks parked, with soldiers training around them. Of course, we did the touristy thing and tried to get a picture, but I think they would have gotten in trouble. Later on in the hike, we walked through some elaborate grave sites, over a highway that was in a tunnel, through a pig farm, and lastly around an olympic size pool. At one point we fully expected to see a unicorn. Its hard to explain what a drastic change in scenery we had about every 20 minutes....maybe one of the most interesting days in Taiwan so far, pictures on that soon.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I know how to drive a scooter.
So, if you want to read more about my time in Taiwan, read Bethany's Blog.
This weekend I learned to drive a scooter(don't be mad mom, I wore a helmet). Our scooter is huge, and Bethany went first(she had to since she is older). Bethany and I and our flatmates from South Africa went on adventure through the crazy Hsinchu traffic and rain(yeah, there was a "typhoon" this weekend, no big deal). I sort of came back in one piece. I nearly burned through my shin when I decided it was okay to lean against the exhaust pipe. Don't do that, ever. Its not pretty.
So later when I was driving, we got a little lost and I sort of freaked out a little and ran into another girl on a scooter. the thing about driving in Taiwan is that you can't be concerned about the people coming from behind...that was my mistake. I heard all these people from behind and felt like I needed to watch them as well as those who were in front of me. Now that is just too much to take in. Lesson learned: look ahead at all times. If someone behind you needs your attention, they will honk. Don't doubt it. Anyway, it was more of a nudge than a hit, and she just gave me a look and drove on. It wasn't until later that I discovered a few scratches on my right leg. Nothing that won't go away in a couple days. I wouldn't say this is a good rate to be going at though.
Overall, scooter riding/driving is one of the most fun things I have ever done.
This weekend I learned to drive a scooter(don't be mad mom, I wore a helmet). Our scooter is huge, and Bethany went first(she had to since she is older). Bethany and I and our flatmates from South Africa went on adventure through the crazy Hsinchu traffic and rain(yeah, there was a "typhoon" this weekend, no big deal). I sort of came back in one piece. I nearly burned through my shin when I decided it was okay to lean against the exhaust pipe. Don't do that, ever. Its not pretty.
So later when I was driving, we got a little lost and I sort of freaked out a little and ran into another girl on a scooter. the thing about driving in Taiwan is that you can't be concerned about the people coming from behind...that was my mistake. I heard all these people from behind and felt like I needed to watch them as well as those who were in front of me. Now that is just too much to take in. Lesson learned: look ahead at all times. If someone behind you needs your attention, they will honk. Don't doubt it. Anyway, it was more of a nudge than a hit, and she just gave me a look and drove on. It wasn't until later that I discovered a few scratches on my right leg. Nothing that won't go away in a couple days. I wouldn't say this is a good rate to be going at though.
Overall, scooter riding/driving is one of the most fun things I have ever done.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Ni Hao!
For those of you who want to send me nice things, send it to:
1F., No. 76, Sec. 2, Dongda Rd.
Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan
No, you don't have to leanr to write it in Chinese characters. It should still get to me!
I started teaching monday. I have 16 kids right now, but next week or so, I will have 19. Big class! My coteacher Donna is from Oregon and she actually has a teaching degree unlike me. She has very good kindergarten decorating creative juices. I have been teaching the kids the songs. Everytime I dance even a little bit, the kids think its the most hilarious thing in the world...kids have a way of making you feel great about yourself.
American Eagle has lunch and dinner for all the teachers everyday. I have been mostly okay with it until last friday when my food was looking at me. Taiwanese love fish, and my dinner had some kind of pudding with tiny little fish that were the size of caterpillars on it. I told myself I would try the things I hadn't tried before, but I just couldn't make myself to do it. Sometimes when I taste the food here my tastebuds don't seem to know what to think. Bethany and I got Pizza Hut last night and it was the best pizza I have tasted in years. That is going to be gold in the next year I think.
I forgot to take pictures in the first week, but now Bethany is here and will help me remember. Soon, I promise!
1F., No. 76, Sec. 2, Dongda Rd.
Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan
No, you don't have to leanr to write it in Chinese characters. It should still get to me!
I started teaching monday. I have 16 kids right now, but next week or so, I will have 19. Big class! My coteacher Donna is from Oregon and she actually has a teaching degree unlike me. She has very good kindergarten decorating creative juices. I have been teaching the kids the songs. Everytime I dance even a little bit, the kids think its the most hilarious thing in the world...kids have a way of making you feel great about yourself.
American Eagle has lunch and dinner for all the teachers everyday. I have been mostly okay with it until last friday when my food was looking at me. Taiwanese love fish, and my dinner had some kind of pudding with tiny little fish that were the size of caterpillars on it. I told myself I would try the things I hadn't tried before, but I just couldn't make myself to do it. Sometimes when I taste the food here my tastebuds don't seem to know what to think. Bethany and I got Pizza Hut last night and it was the best pizza I have tasted in years. That is going to be gold in the next year I think.
I forgot to take pictures in the first week, but now Bethany is here and will help me remember. Soon, I promise!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
where did that day go?
I am here!!! I left on friday from San Francisco at 2pm and arrived in Taipei at 5pm on saturday, yet the flight was only 12.5 hours long. With the 15 hour time difference from California, I travelled ahead in time.
Everything has been really smooth since arriving. There are a few girls in my dorm from South Africa who are teaching summer camp. They were nice enough to take me to the RT Mart(big grocery store) with them yesterday. I bought yogurt, orange juice, coffee, and a frozen meal. I had to guess at what exactly were the contents, but I think I picked the right things...guess I will have to get used to that!
After shopping we went to Sushi Express. You pick what you want off the conveyer belt that goes through the restaurant. Most of the plates were unrecognizable rolls to me. I picked some that looked pretty safe and they were amazing! $30NT a plate means they are a little under a dollar a plate!! I think I am going to like this place.
I spent the rest of the day settling into my room and fighting the heat. Yes, it is hotter than I could imagine. Today I got a physical, came to the school to meet the chinese staff and signed my official contract. There are some adorable kids form summer camp running around and it makes me even more excited about teaching.
More later!
Everything has been really smooth since arriving. There are a few girls in my dorm from South Africa who are teaching summer camp. They were nice enough to take me to the RT Mart(big grocery store) with them yesterday. I bought yogurt, orange juice, coffee, and a frozen meal. I had to guess at what exactly were the contents, but I think I picked the right things...guess I will have to get used to that!
After shopping we went to Sushi Express. You pick what you want off the conveyer belt that goes through the restaurant. Most of the plates were unrecognizable rolls to me. I picked some that looked pretty safe and they were amazing! $30NT a plate means they are a little under a dollar a plate!! I think I am going to like this place.
I spent the rest of the day settling into my room and fighting the heat. Yes, it is hotter than I could imagine. Today I got a physical, came to the school to meet the chinese staff and signed my official contract. There are some adorable kids form summer camp running around and it makes me even more excited about teaching.
More later!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
A real blog!
Here it is, no more xanga, less facebook, more blog. I'm going to try to keep this up, but we will see. I head to Taiwan tomorrow. I have done as much as I can do to prepare myself, and now we will see how far that gets me in the next couple of days. For a person that has travelled as much as I have, this is the first time I am going to a country where I know nothing of the language except for the snippets I have listened to on my Berlitz: Learn Mandarin Chinese in 30 days. I guess they probably expect you to use those cd's all day every day for 30 days in a row. That didn't happen for me. Anyway, here I go!!
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