School on Saturday?!

Unfortunately, yes. I am sitting here at 7:50 am on a Saturday morning. And I have 3 classes to teach. So fun! Ok, that was a sarcastic remark.

I have to work next Sat. too. The "good" news is that I have Tue. and Wed. off next week. I would rather have my Saturdays. But nothing I can do about it!

Tonight we have a ward Christmas/Thanksgiving party. Hopefully I'll get some of the turkey. I guess I'll have to be aggressive :) When eating here, "you snooze, you lose" is completely true.

I'm eating a muffin and sipping hot chocolate for breakfast. And last night I decided I needed a few Christmas decorations. I made a fun paper chain. Yeah for childhood memories!!


Most people use green and red paper. I used the paper I had. I like the bright colors. And there are my lovely pink curtains behind it (bleh).

Why not?

It doesn't feel like Christmas time here. At all. I keep re-discovering that it is December and I have the same feeling of surprise.

But I'm going to try and remember. And I figured I might as well change my blog background. I had one with snowflakes, but it just didn't work. That's a little too much when I'm still experiencing Fall weather. Heck, today was warmer - back to Spring.

I need to finish playing on my blog. It sure can suck me in!! But it was fun. And I love being updated on people's lives.

Trip Pictures

Well, I finally did it. I used my health card/insurance. I fell. And Emily caught it on camera!
[[Okay it isn't true at all. I just wanted to pretend. Hope no one was truly scared. All my readers still alive?! And I'm mixing things up on this post. Comments now come before the pics. Enjoy! More pics and details to come later.]]

Emily and I in front of a way cool water fountain. We had to walk on wooden planks right in the middle. You can sort of see people walking through behind us. I thought it was really neat.

I saw many cute children. This boy was so cute that I couldn't walk by without taking a picture. His mother was friendly and spoke some English.

His mama tried to get him to look at her and the camera. I guess I'm more exciting to look at :D

They built this castle-type place on purpose. Unlike England, where they are just there from years and years ago. It's a very pretty area.

Posing like the locals. Every time I gave Emily my camera for a picture, I ended up with 2+ pictures. She just clicks away. It's true of this instance. I have about 5 different poses in this spot :P

For my brother.

(I'm still trying to figure out the left hand. I think it's straight but then I look at the picture and it isn't.) People laughed to see me standing on some rocks doing a funny pose.

After our bike ride. I stuck my tongue out at Emily a few times, so she wanted to do it in this picture. [[ She was such a good sport! I rode hard, fast, and nearly non-stop. She kept up and passed me every now and again.
I was surprised to find so much energy in myself. I even went for a second ride before we left. Emily was tired and sore. She was dancing at night when we went window shopping because she was so sore. It made me laugh. I wasn't sore. That didn't make her laugh.]]

On the bus. We spent about 10 hours on here. Not so fabulous, but not terrible.

I'm by a turtle! I didn't post a pic, but there was a snake turtle (long neck) in some water. I was watching it and suddenly it snapped a fished into its mouth. Then it ate it! It was SO cool to watch. Emily didn't think so. Yeah, it was graphic. But it was fascinating too.

Here's a whole bunch of them. So cool! I wanted to touch them, but Emily said no. She's like a mom to me sometimes.

Trying to do a "sassy" pose in the trees. It didn't work all that well, but it's a decent pic.

I told her to put her head out more so she stuck it all the way through the hole! Not quite what I meant.

Look ma! I'm a baby butterfly.

Emily walking beside me. We were headed back to the bus (I think).

So cute! This little guy had an itch on his stomach. Or he was taking his spit bath.

Don't know the name of this animal . . . but it's cute! Like a mini deer/gazelle.

Emily in a 200-year old tree. I forced her to climb up!

On my way into the tree. I was feeling the sore muscles caused the day before on our bike ride.

My lunch group. I wish I had my camera out when I ate a bug they found. I told them I was going to do it and they didn't believe me. I laughed really hard at their faces. It was so small I didn't really taste it.

{Andy, Chuck, Jessie, Jennifer / Evelyn, Yvonne, Clio, Moon}

A toucan!!! They seriously looked fake. They look so similar to pictures and puppets I've seen. A small part of me still wonders if they were just really good machines :P

With Yvonne as we left the ecological park "Green World".

Colorful parrots! Again, they look a little fake. But I was there - I'm 99.99% sure they were the real thing.

My Happiness = bubbles! Here's a picture by my professional photographer Emily (joking). You can see the bubbles all around my head and I'm looking at them. It's just so fascinating! I bought some on both days of the trip. People laughed, but I didn't mind since I was happy.

Turkey Day

Ha ha. No Grandma, I didn't have dum dum suckers for Turkey Day. I haven't opened them yet.

I had....

wait for it....

instant noodles!! I'm so Asian, huh? I sort of forgot about Turkey Day. It was simply another day here. A bit on the cool side and so I warmed myself up with some hot noodles. But since I only cooked at home with a microwave and I don't have one here, I needed an easy and quick meal. Instant noodles to the rescue! They were shrimp flavor and I didn't like them. Live and learn.

At school, I didn't have to teach lessons. I had to proctor tests instead. So boring! I'm pretty sure I'd rather teach although it is much more work. The students had their 2nd exams. Techinally, they have 2 midterm tests and then 1 final. So I watched to make sure no one cheated. Woo hoo!

There you go. My Turkey Day in Taiwan.

Adventure, with a Song

"Over the river and through the town
To Costco I go!"

"The girl knows the way to carry the scooter
Over the rough and bumpy roads. "

Yep, I went to Costco all by myself! Yeah, me. I changed the words halfway through my drive. I was proud of myself. Well, I still am, I guess.

So I went to get a portable hard drive. Mine disappeared *poof* during the “move.” Funny that I’ve never thought to call it that before.

I purchased one that holds 320 GB for just over $100 (US of course). I thought that was a great deal. My last one was only 100 GB and I think it was around $100.

Two happy things I need to mention:

1) Dream Mall had a large Christmas tree on some outside windows. Sadly, I was unprepared. No camera. Thus no picture.

2) A super-cool tricked-out motorcycle. I really think the guy needs a stepstool to mount it. It looked really tall. Again, a Kodak moment for an unprepared person. Sorry!

I think that’s all for this fine evening. Oh wait! I purchased a nice pack of 12 large muffins. Oh yum!! I’ve been craving Banana bread lately – and one of the flavors is banana! The other is chocolate (of course!) and then mango almond. I think the last one is the most interesting. I don’t think you can find that in the US of A. And I bought a big bag of Dum Dums for my kiddos. We talked about it in one class. And it's a class I really like so I told them I'd give them Dum Dum suckers sometime.

Okay, another thing. I saw nearly a dozen white people during my Costco visit. So nice!! Usually I only see 3 other white people = my coworkers. I’m done for real this time.

Utes Rule!

Yeah, baby! They did it. They beat BYU. Oh sweet victory.

And it's even funnier since my parents were getting play-by-play texts during our friend's wedding in Thailand. Gotta love technology!

I may be a BYU-I grad, but I'm still red 'til I'm dead (love you, Dad)!

My Travel Plans

No, no one will go with me when I visit Hong Kong.

Or Beijing for that matter.

Hong Kong I'll have to figure out on my own and I'll go to Beijing with a tour.

I hope it is all fabulous!! It won't happen until winter break (end of Jan to beginning of Feb) but we're planning now.

All Right!

I went to McDonald's for dinner last night. By myself. For the first time.

And it wasn't a problem! I bought a big mac, a coke, an oreo mcflurry, and fries. I nearly didn't taste the food since I was so anxious to get it into me. After eating half of the burger, I forced myself to slow down.

It was a fabulous reminder of home! But I did get part of a fry stuck in my throat. Just couldn't chew them fast enough.

And I wondered how many people dip their fries in their ice cream. I admit I do it every time. But I know some people think it is gross.

One last tidbit - I really wonder what people think as they see me drive by on my scooter with my blonde (I mean "gold") hair flying out behind me. I'm sure it's funny just because it is unusual!

{So my ice cream craving is pretty well subdued. Coldstone is at Dream Mall where I've been with my roommate a few times. And there is a MRT stop nearby so I could get there pretty easily.}

Cravings

So I randomly get interesting cravings for food. Here’s a list of some I can remember.

-Rice Krispie Treats
-Fruit Loops
-French Toast
-American ice cream (I MUST get to Coldstone soon and satisfy this one.)

I know there are many more I could add, but the “recall” ability of my brain is currently struggling.

I’m usually surprised by the cravings. They will be caused by a scent of food as I walk past the cooking classrooms or a glimpse of a wrapper that reminds me of a different food. It’s a fascinating thing!

I Told Myself

I told myself I would post on my blog twice a week to let people know what I’m up to. And it’s been nearly a week since I said that. Oh dear!

Last Wednesday was the school’s birthday and it was very fun. I ran the relay race with the teachers and my team won. Boo-yeah! It was a great day – no classes. And I bought a pile of food to support my students. I was happy because I got caramel popcorn and French fries. Yum, yum!

I also got lots of pictures. No time now to upload those, but I’ll do it soon.

As I mentioned before, Fall has finally arrived. And at the perfect time – I sent my warm clothes back home with my dad. Ha ha! Now I think I may have used one or two of them. Oh well. I kept a few jackets and I’ve never had many long-sleeve shirts. Time to go buy a few. (Oh bummer)

I’ve been really grateful for my friends these days. I’m also missing them a lot. I’ve made a few here, but the friendships are still in the beginning stages. And there’s always the underlying problem of language. We can communicate a lot (especially when I use my body language-it makes people laugh), but it isn’t the same. And I’ve realized how wonderful it is to have lifelong friends. The ones that have been through it all with me (even if I’ve only known them for 4 years). So thanks to all of you that are my friends.

I suppose that is all for now. Things are fine in Taiwan. The students are totally cold. One of mine was wearing 4 layers today. CRAZY. I had a short-sleeve sweater shirt on with a tank top underneath. I was a tad cold in the morning. The afternoon was perfect when the sun came out. It felt like Spring and put a smile on my face.

This week was midterms. I enjoyed grading tests because it meant I didn’t have to plan lessons! Strange, I know. Next week it’s back to normal. But I’m feeling pressure to really help my kids improve. We are over halfway through the semester. We have about 8 weeks left. So crazy!

Oh, I’m planning to head to Beijing during our Winter Break in January. But I have to get a visa and that means I have to take a short trip to Hong Kong. Not exactly what I want to do, but I must. Plus I do want to visit Hong Kong. I hope a few more people speak English there!!!

Fall has FINALLY Arrived!

Note to my mum:

Just skimmed through this e-mail again and saw your bit about sending fall to me. It worked! Thank you, thank you! It rained all day Sat. (well didn't start until 1 pm) and all day Sunday. But it didn't rain today. It was just nice and cool. FINALLY! It's about stinking time. Yesterday it hit me that it is November. Sure doesn't seem like it. But now it sorta does. Although it's still late-August, early-September weather we have now. I actually put pants on by choice Sunday night. And I haven't used my ceiling fan since Sat. Sweet! Oh and I grabbed my light sweater when I came home for lunch. I just couldn't wear it this morning. Had to show everyone that this was nothing and I was happy for it :D Not the best, best idea since I'm still fighting a sore throat.
------

Gratitude for helmet visors and raincoats. That is what I thought of on my ride to church in the wind and rain. Most interesting scooter ride I've had thus far! I really am so glad for the things that protected me from getting wet. There was a moment when a car drove through a puddle and splashed it on me. I was REALLY happy I had a raincoat on then!

So yeah. It's been rainy and "cold". Really, it's just cool weather. And I love it! I was starting to think it would never cool down. Time to get some dinner.

Weekend in Taipei

This past weekend was wonderful. I took a high speed train up to Taipei (that was full of adventures) and spent 2 days and nights with my Dad. THANK YOU FOR COMING, POPS!

I got a blitz tour of the city. It was just to whet my appetite. I definitely plan to go back. We saw
*Taipei 101 (world’s tallest building)
*Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
*Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
*LDS temple
All on the first day.

One awesome thing I must mention is that I saw the changing of the guards at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. First time in my life. And it was really neat. We were extremely close to them. I can’t imagine doing guard duty in this country for 1 straight hour. Ick! The poor guys. And yet they work very hard to get there.

That night we went to dinner with my Dad’s friend/agent’s assistant. And then the agent, his wife, and another employee joined us. We had Italian food and it was tasty. I ordered four cheese pasta – I don’t get enough cheese in this country :)

The assistant Cynthia is very cool. She is only a year older than me! And she sent an e-mail saying she’d be happy to be my personal city tour guide if I go again. Sa-weet!

David (dad’s agent) is a very nice gentleman. I met him when I first got here. I like him even more now that I’ve interacted with him. He and his wife Debbie were very generous with their time. They took us around on our 2nd day.

First we say the Lin ancestral home (David’s family). It was great to have someone explain what everything is for. And it was his family that lived there years and years ago! He even remembered using similar furniture when he was a boy.

And we saw the National Palace Museum the 2nd day. That was neat too. I barely saw anything. Dad did buy me a book and I read the 1st chapters on the train ride home. He has already visited (a whole 3 hours) and wasn’t interested in it. I’m sure I could spend a day there. I definitely have to go back!

And Dad was my mail delivery man. He brought an early Christmas present, some of Mom’s delicious homemade cookies (chocolate chip), math books (to work out my brain muscle), and some maps of the US. It was FABULOUS! Never had such a good mailman. The cookies are delicious; not dried out like the ones my mom mailed me before.

I can’t think of anything else to say. I’m sure I could say tons more; I just can’t think of anything that shouts “you have to share me!” so I’ll finish up now. Pictures can say everything else. . .

How Could I Forget?

POSTSCRIPT

I’m surprised I forgot this fabulous moment. We had lunch at The Grand Hotel on our day with David and Debbie. It was good food and a very nice (large, fancy) place. They had us look at the dessert menu, but I didn’t see anything appetizing. The night before we had chocolate pie and it was tasty.

Dad told them I wanted an American dessert. So . . . our last stop was Dan Ryan’s – an American restaurant in the city. I laughed at the warning on the menu: We serve American portions.

But I should have heeded it. I ordered the brownie with ice cream. And Dad ordered the molten chocolate cake. He doesn’t like chocolate much and expected me to eat half of it.

Oh me, oh my! It nearly was a death by chocolate experience. I did NOT feel good after I was done. But those first few bites tasted incredible. It was a TRUE American brownie. And it was BIG. Oh yum. Making myself hungry thinking of it.

After we finished our delicious American desserts, I realized we didn’t take pictures of them. Darn! I dug into that brownie with gusto. :D Who can blame me? One of my favorite treats and I haven’t had one for 4 months.

That’s all for the moment.

Taipei Weekend Pics 1

Feast your little eyes . . .

2 Tough guys

Hey look, I'm next to a human statue!

Here we are! At the Taiwan National Military Cemetery

Debbie and David - our tour guides

Trying to cool off his friend. Can you imagine doing that for an hour?

Taipei Weekend Pics 3

Me and the world's tallest building = Taipei 101 (currently holds the record)

For my brother. I don't think the pose is quite right . . .

Dad and I at Taipei 101

With Dr. Sun Yat Sen

Here come the replacement guards!

Taipei Weekend Pics 2

Changing positions

The leader stepping forward. They are good high-steppers

Me and an arch.

Better view of the arch.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. (Location of the arch)

Dinner Party

At the Lin ancestral home.

Social visit paid by the Greens . . .

To the Lins

The Grand Hotel. 600 rooms. Great restaurant with a view of Taipei 101. Built for the American visitors years ago.

To Be a Celebrity...

I don’t think I want to be a celebrity. I had a taste of it when I walked outside to “watch” my class. They were preparing for the school anniversary in 2 weeks. And a bunch of my students ran up and asked to take pictures with me.

Not a problem, right? Until they snap away, and don’t stop! My smiling muscles were sore. And it wasn’t that fun, really. I’m pretty sure my smile looked strained in some of the pictures. It’s hard to keep a real smile pasted on your face!

And here are a few pictures of the ones I snapped of my students. I didn’t take my camera out at first and I’m bummed. :(

Student Pictures

Girls waiting for their turn to race.

Each class has a flag like this one.

Some of my students waiting to race. Don't know the class on the right side of the picture. But they asked where I'm from and said I'm beautiful. :)

It's like they're displaying me for sale or something. So I did a goofy pose too.

Some of my students. 1st years.

One of my conversation classes. 40 or so students

My smallest class! Only 20 kids - so nice. Conversation class.

Class 1-1. (year 1 class 1 in English Honor Program) I teach approximately half of these kids.

We mesh 2 classes and divide the kiddos into 3 classes according to level.