Didn't your mother ever tell you it's impolite to stare?

Last night a bunch of us went bowling after school. I bowled a 134 which I'm pretty sure is my highest score ever. It was ridiculous; I got so many spares!

I stayed up pretty late last night though, so I woke up really late today! I looked at my clock and saw it was 11:30 and almost freaked out. I had two hours to get ready and get to school and I had no idea when the bus would come or how long it would take!

I'm so proud of myself though. I knew exactly when to get off the bus. I didn't get lost at all and I had plenty of time to get some dumplings before class.

I observed three classes today. I realized that I hadn't watched any female foreign teachers until my first class today. The kids were pretty good at English and it was a pretty low-key class. There was one little boy in particular who was going crazy! He wanted to answer every question. It was really funny.

Then I watched a kindy class and there were TONS of parents watching the class too so Josh didn't make me teach the last 10 minutes because that would have been SO stressful. I did teach a little bit in the last kindy class though.

I had a two-hour break between Josh's kindy classes though, so I went and familiarized myself with the area. I was at Chen-Kung School which is kind of downtown and a nicer area as far as I can tell. There are tons of shops and markets around there

I had a supreme pizza for dinner and it was really weird because it had PEAS on it. Who puts PEAS on pizza?!?!

I bought a new wallet for $100NT (~$3 USD) and then I walked down to this park that's right down the street from the school.


It's right next to Taoyuan Elementary School. There were a lot of older people there and they all stared at me as I walked around. A few said "Hello" and waved.


There is a temple at or near every park it seems and I think they are so pretty although I'm not sure exactly what they're supposed to represent or if they belong to a particular religion. There are quite a few major religions in the area.


I sat down and watched some construction workers building an addition to a temple that's at the park and this guy walking by stopped and starting talking to me. He asked if I was a high school teacher and I explained that I teach English mostly to little kids. Then he asked me a couple of other questions. After that he said he wanted to be my boyfriend and that he wanted to kiss me good-bye. Luckily he didn't actually try so I just laughed it off and went back to trying to learn Chinese.



Another guy saw me reading my little Chinese language map that Flannery gave me and he asked if I could speak Chinese. I told him not really and then he didn't really say anything else. He just sort of sat near me for awhile until I left. As I left, I saw him get up and start to walk around again.

It's so funny to me because as far as I'm concerned, I don't think foreigners are really that much of a novelty here. I see them EVERYWHERE! But all of the natives just stare every time they see a foreigner, especially people like me and Megan because we have blonde hair and blue eyes so we stick out from a mile away.

Oh well, apparently getting stared at is one of those things you get used to and just learn to accept.

How do you say four?

So much has happened since I posted last!

Sunday was a pretty relaxed day. I slept extra late and then took my time getting anything done.

I went with Megan and Allen (her boyfriend, I suppose?) to Taipei. It was just a really quick trip. 

We scootered over to the downtown station and took a train into the city and then the subway to Ximending. It's this big center in the city with lots of shops and stuff. It was CRAZY busy. 

This is right when you come out of the MRT (subway) station at Ximending. The screen had just gone to black, but they just play a bunch of music videos all day. I thought that was pretty funny. It reminded me of being in Times Square in New York, except take Times Square and put it in the middle of Chinatown.

We walked around and tried to find a bag for me because I don't have a purse right now. I almost bought this tote bag that had a huge apple on it and said "I like apples!" It was hilarious. In the end, I didn't buy anything 'cause I'm cheap. 

But we went to this place that has these "sundae" things. It's like a mix between a sno-cone and a sundae. 

Underneath the pile of mangos, kiwis and strawberries was a ton of shaved ice and then under that there were these little jelly pearls. Apparently Taiwanese people really like jelly things and put it in all kinds of things. I'm not a fan of the texture. The little jelly pearls are really resistant to chewing.

Everything is totally Americanized here it's hilarious. I mean, a Coca-Cola themed restaurant??

And this corner is just nothing but American. I have quickly learned that 7Eleven is not to be used as a landmark. There are an impossible number of them and there is no way to tell the difference. 

After we got back from Taipei, 10 of us went to this place called Mama's Kitchen. It was SO good. A few of us shared food family-style, so I had a ton to eat. Unfortunately, I didn't eat in time to make my headache go away, so I went to bed extra early.

As they say, early to bed, early to rise. I made myself sleep as late as I could and then I hopped to it. 

I went to grab breakfast with Megan this morning. There is a place on the corner mere feet away from the dorm. I tried to go there the other day, but everything is in Chinese and I couldn't order by myself. 

Now I know that I can order Dan Bing, which is basically this thin pancake-like bread with egg in it. I got mine with cheese and ham in it too. Megan has since taught me how to say each of those, but I have no idea how to spell them.

Then I had a workshop. It was supposed to be about lesson planning, but I don't feel like I learned too much about actually planning lessons. He went over basic class time structure, but I'm not sure that helped much. I learned quite a few games though. 

After the workshop I folded all of my clothes. They ordered a new closet for me — how hilarious does that sound? — because mine is messed up. It has no shelves and the bar is kind of broken so I can't hang clothes on it. Turns out my new closet won't be here until tomorrow though, so I'm going to just have to put the piles of clothes on the floor. 

I had to go do a physical check-up at the hospital today too. It was really simple; They took my blood, a chest X-ray and checked my eyes. I think I switched my contacts because I can't see ANYTHING out of my left eye. It was ridiculous how terrible it was. 

Their eye check is a little harder too, I think. Instead of a chart with letters they have this board that little circles pop up on. Each circle is missing a piece that is either on the top, bottom, left or right. Well, if it's the least bit blurry you can't tell if a piece is missing or not. 

At least I can make out that something is a B even if it's blurry! But I guess that's the point?

I had two observations at a school that was REALLY far away. They were pretty interesting. The kids seemed to really like both of the guys that taught them. I think the key is to joke around with the kids now and then. Almost like you're making fun of them, but not quite. And making fun of yourself is a real winner.

During break in my second class I got the girl sitting next to me to pronounce numbers in Chinese for me. I'm learning to count in Chinese. It's pretty simple once you know one through 10, but the pronunciation is kind of wonky on some of them.

After my last class, this totally random kid walked up to me while I was waiting to get paid and started asking me for help on his work. It was a subject/verb agreement question. I was happy to help but it was kind of strange. Danielle and Megan said it is rare for a kid that isn't in one of your classes to come up to you because they tend to be really shy. Even in your own classes it's hard to get the kids to speak loudly. 

Quite a few of us went to Tepanyaki for dinner and it was so yummy. I had this crab stir-fry. I'm really proud of myself for being enthusiastic about trying the food. I'm happy to try new things. 

Of course, I feel like I'm snacking throughout the day and then only eating one meal at night. We'll see how that works out for me. Hopefully I will lose weight instead of gaining it!

How many people can you fit on a scooter?

So yesterday was my first full day and I was able to take in a lot more. 

Oddest thing I've seen so far: practically anything on a scooter. Apparently my concept of right of way and what is safe or not safe on a scooter means nothing here. 

Right of way goes to whoever is biggest or boldest; Pedestrians are not top dog. As for pedestrians, there is no J-walking. You cross wherever possible and hope you don't get hit. Generally drivers will try to swerve around you... if they can. 

But the craziest thing to me is the fact that, instead of having a car, people here try to fit their whole family on one little scooter. It reminds me of the Snakes on a Plane spoof "Hippos on a Big Wheel" at Alamo Drafthouse. For instance, yesterday I saw: A man (with a helmet), who I assume to be his wife (with a helmet) behind him, their 3-4 year old child (with a helmet) standing on the platform in front of him, and then the wife was holding on to their infant-sized baby all wrapped in blankets in one hand and holding on to her husband with the other. 

Four people, no matter their size, do not belong on one scooter!

Scooters can also cut lanes and drive on sidewalks. Oh and red lights are suggestions for just about anyone. 

In fact, two of the teachers were on a scooter last night and got T-boned in the middle of an intersection despite the fact that they had a green light. The guy hit the teacher on the back right in the leg. He picked up his scooter and then drove off. 

I'm kind of terrified to drive a scooter now. Originally, I thought that since I've driven a motorcycle on highways at home that I would be fine. This is a whole different gig with a million more obstacles. It's ridiculous.

Otherwise, yesterday was great. 

I observed two classes with this guy Bill at Chen-Kung school. Bill has been teaching with Gloria for nearly 20 years. See what I mean by people come here, fall in love with it and then never want to leave?

Either way, he's a great teacher and the fact that he actually knows Chinese now helps, I'm sure. His classes were a lot of fun though. They were WOW classes, which are Jr. High and some Sr. High kids and they're more advanced.  I got to correct the kids' diaries (writing journals) and then I played quite a few games and did some Q&As with them. 

I would love to have WOW classes. Not just for the fact that they already know quite a bit of English, but they seem to really have fun and like to joke around a lot.

After class, Megan took me to the market down the street. I bought a bunch of fruit and some vegetables. I seriously spent $4 on two bags full on fruit and less than $3 on veggies. 

I stuck to pretty regular stuff as far as veggies go (bell peppers, broccoli and green beans) but I branched out on the fruit. 

I bought kiwi, guava and some wax apples (sometimes called bell fruit). I had some with Megan on my first day and I really liked them. 

While we were at the market, Megan showed me some of the crazy food that you can buy from the vendors on the side of the street. Some of it was absolutely awesome. Some, made me want to gag, for instance, that fried chicken foot that I saw... Gross.

Megan also taught me about a million Chinese words, about half of which actually stuck. But now I can tell someone if I have or don't have something (or ask if they do) and if I want or don't want something (or ask if they do). Now I need to learn how to say all of the somethings, heh.

I need to learn numbers so I can pay for things at the market and then the names of teas so I can order those. I've decided green tea really isn't so bad. 

Today is Sunday and that's everyone's day off. Megan said we're going to go somewhere, we're just trying to decide if it's going to rain or not so we can decide which somewhere.

Off to another adventure!

Pictures of the Day

I haven't really been going picture crazy just yet because I'm not sure if there are any instances in which taking a picture would get me in trouble. Either way, I took a few. Here is a glimpse of Taiwan.

This is a picture of the Tung-An school and our dorm. 

Coca-Cola. I was reading something earlier that said 98 percent of the world recognizes the Coca-Cola brand. That's ridiculous. This can of coke cost me $17NT though. I think that's funny.

This is just an open air temple at the park right next to the dorm.

Just a random view of the city. So many of the buildings are really tall.

This is the park right next to the dorm. Everyone calls it "Olympic Park." I have no idea what it is actually called.

I just thought this is one of those funny "Engrish" things. I have no clue what electric socks are nor do I understand what about them would be fun...

OK, I'm being lame and spending my Saturday night in. A lot of people are going to a bar, but after a day of classes and then crowded markets and streets, I'm tired. 

Waking up at 6:30 a.m. probably didn't help much.

Overload

My first day in Taiwan was a long one. 

Once I got to my dorm, Steve (my ride from the airport) showed me around the place. There is a shared kitchen and living area. The teachers live on the top two floors of the building. The rest of the building is actually a school — one of the main ones in fact. 

After he left I started trying to get in touch with everyone again. I think I talked to my parents more yesterday than I did in the entire week before then.

Anyway, when Megan woke up we ate fruit and talked for a really long time. Then she took me to Carrefour. This is essentially a French version of Wal-Mart. Except, take Wal-Mart and make it the center department store of a mall. 

It has three floors and everything you can imagine. Well, mostly.

I went into total sensory overload. I think the purpose for going there in the first place was to buy some sheets (which proved to be too difficult) and then to buy some groceries. By the time we got to the groceries, I was so overwhelmed by the Chinese — and French — that I had no idea what to buy. I opted for some Post-it notes thinking I needed to organize myself and that was it.

Back in the dorm I made more calls with the other side of the world and tried to do some unpacking. 

Then there was the adventure to IKEA. We took a taxi there and back and I swear, I thought we went in a circle, but I honestly couldn't tell; I was lost. 

The idea behind going to IKEA was that it would be easier to buy sheets at where. Well, my friends, Swedish isn't any easier to read and is just as overwhelming when mixed with Chinese. 

Eventually we managed to get some help and, after Megan spoke some awesome Chinese, the girl managed to help us find a twin-size flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillow case. Apparently they don't sell them in a neat little package of twin-size bedding. You have to buy each separately here. Not sure why you would just want a flat sheet, but OK. I also bought this adorable little rug and my room already feels cozier. 

I can't wait until I can get some stuff on my walls. 

We had lunch at Latini's later and then I set out trying to make my bed a little more comfortable. The rice mat by itself wasn't going to do it so I stole an extra comforter and made a mattress out of my rice mat and the two comforters. I'm using the flat sheet as my only blanket because, honestly, who needs a blanket in Taiwan during the summer?

Then there was my meeting with Anita, the director of administration. I essentially found out that she technically doesn't have an opening for me and that I'll be substituting classes for awhile. I saw this as a good thing because my two-week lag in pay doesn't start until I have my own regular classes. Now I just have to cross my fingers that I will actually make enough money subbing to keep myself alive. That didn't really occur to me at first...

I'm sure that will work out just fine. 

Then I took a trip by myself back to Carrefour. 

So I'm not sure why the hell I though going to Carrefour by myself was at all a good idea. I can't speak or read Chinese, I didn't have anyone with me who could speak or read Chinese, and I didn't bring anything for translation. Really, how was this an intelligent decision?

Luckily, I managed to mostly find what I wanted and $24 USD later I had: bread, sliced cheese, butter, a cheese wheel, crackers, juice, apple yogurt and 20 hangers. I don't know about you, but I think that's a pretty good deal. Side note: Brie and Camembert cheeses are RIDICULOUSLY cheap here. Seriously, $3 USD for a small wheel. 

Then I had my first class to observe. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I got off of a plane at 4:30 a.m., went to a million stores, attempted to unpack, sort of ate once and then started work in the same day.

Luckily, it was a kindergarten classes so it only lasted an hour and a half. 

The class was funny. The kids were pretty hyper and really talkative, which is apparently unusual. But the basic idea with such young kids is you say things — highly enunciated — in English and then they say it in English and then they say it in Chinese. 

They played two or three games and because the lesson took so long — because the kids were talking so much — I ended up not having to do the 10 minutes of teaching at the end. 

Honestly, I'm glad. I was so exhausted and overloaded by then that I don't think I could have spoken proper and enunciated English to those poor kids.

That said, I'm kind of excited now. The kids seemed really enthusiastic and they still like to joke around and play while learning and I think that will make things really fun for me. 

Now I'm just hoping that I can remember everything I took in yesterday so I can make my way today.

I have two classes and then Megan said we're going to try to add in a couple of more things for me today so I can start learning my way around.

Here's to new — and terrifying — adventures!

I have arrived.

My plane landed an hour early. 

I am through immigration (which was tough) and I am sitting in the airport lobby waiting on my ride because as far as he was concerned I wasn't supposed to land until one minute ago which means I don't really expect to see him for another hour or so.

It sucks not knowing who l I'm looking for.

My sister was asking me what I am least looking forward to: It is really different being the minority and not knowing the language. Everything is said in Chinese first and then English (and the Chinese version takes FOREVERRRRRR). I don't like not knowing what the heck is going on around me.

That said... I'm not crying. I'm OK. 

I got through immigration. I changed all my cash over to TWD (NT) and I got myself to where I'm supposed to be. 

Now, I will wait. And I will eat my box of Fig Newtons...

Countdown: 16 hours 'til I leave

It is amazing to me that by this time tomorrow I will be more than halfway to Taiwan already. Hopefully I will be asleep.

My flight leaves at 2:10 a.m. PDT. I know that sucks, but I think leaving before dawn and only having to deal with 12.5 hours of flight is way better than leaving at some "normal" time only to have a million layovers and 32 hours of airports and planes. 

That was seriously my other options.

This way, I'll hopefully sleep for the majority of the 12.5 hours and be relatively awake when I arrive in Taipei at about 6 a.m. I think adrenaline will probably carry me through the rest. 

I don't have a lot of experience with jet lag, but it seems to me that if I can stay awake most of the day Friday and just crash from exhaustion that night, then I might be able to adjust fairly easily.

Of course, nothing ever works this way, but I can hope.

I am full of hope and nerves in case you hadn’t noticed. I had this terrible dream this morning that did not help at all. It was just really sad. Honestly, it had nothing to do with Taiwan so much as my anxiety.

Again, that’s something I can get over. It will just take time.

I am also full of excitement. Megan said she would be at the dorm waiting for me with a cup of tea in hand. It’s really great to know someone on the other side. That little greeting is going to be a HUGE help.

She said she’s putting together a little packet of sorts that will help me through.

Also, one of her friends started this Web site called Taiwan English. It’s a helpful Web site for people teaching ESL in a foreign country. It is, of course, specifically geared toward working in Taiwan, given their experience.

I was looking over it and it seems to be turning into quite the helpful Web site.

I have a few last minute things I have to do before I leave. I need to get to the bank and to repack my bags.

At least it will keep my mind busy.