Market Visit

I believe I chuckle inwardly every time I go to the market. I see strange things and it hits me anew that so many people from back home wouldn't be able to handle it. And I just can't explain it, although I want to.

Think of all parts of the animals laying out on both sides of you. Unrefrigerated, raw hunks of meat/fat/skin/etc just begging you to take them home and turn them into something edible.

On the last visit I saw Yvonne buy a pig's nose (ick). And there were intestines in the pile she was rooting through. They were disgustingly ugly and I started feeling squeamish.

Here's a lovely picture when I was in a random mood on one market trip. The local vendors were laughing as they watched us take the picture :D I was laughing and cringing at the same time.

Goon one, Yvonne. Cut off the head of the main focus!

Check it out! I'm holding a chicken. I just had a random urge to do it, so I made Yvonne ask the lady if I could hold her product. She probably thought I was crazy. But now I have a picture with a good story :)

I thought I woud get used to seeing YELLOW watermelon, but I just haven't. It's always been red in my world...

My tasty dinner of sushi. Yum!

Dentist Visit

Events happened on Tues Feb 24

My helpful friend Scott and I visited the dentist. As we left, I told him, “That was the shortest dentist visit I’ve ever had!”

“And how were the provided services?”

“Fine, although I’m not sure they did everything they were supposed to do, but they signed the mission paper forms so I’m not complaining.

A few moments later “Oh, hitting my head on the x-ray machine wasn’t great. That hurt.”

[both people smiling behind face masks as they start their scooter/motorbike engines]

- - - -
Ha ha! I bumped right into the x-ray machine and the dental assistant said “tall”. You’re right. I would have appreciated if you had noticed that sooner! Then she had to raise the mouth piece twice so I wasn’t bending my knees as I stood there biting a piece of plastic. She’s not used to working with Americans, I suppose.

The dentist was nice. He did give me a bit of info and advice that could give me a complex, if I let it. The teeth on one side are, how did he put it – recessed?, and I need to brush gently.

(Brian Regan, anyone? Eye doctor: did you know that your left eye is slightly higher than the right one? Patient: Well no, but thank you for telling me so I can be self-conscious for the rest of my life!)

As I rode my scooter home, I ran my tongue over my teeth. Yes, that side did seem to stick out less than the same batch of teeth on the other side. Oh great! I really hope this is something only a dentist would notice.

Cause for a smile: a small girl that tracked my movements and watched me. I sat in the chair – she was behind it or peeking around the small divider. I went upstairs for an x-ray – she was standing by the stairs. I returned to the chair – she was there. I went to another room for an x-ray – she was standing by the wall behind my chair. I finish and sit on the waiting room couch – she walks out, chooses a book and plops down on the couch next to me.

She never said a word, just looked and followed. She was cute. We are “silent buddies” you could say.

PERKS 1) Scott made the appointment one day before my visit
2) The visit cost all of $3.03 US
3) I got complementary mouth wash
4) I got to watch cartoons as they cleaned my teeth No more staring at the dentist’s eyes or the ceiling. This is the 21st century, people!
5) The dentist didn’t ask questions as he worked in my mouth. I hate answering! Doesn’t he realize it makes injury to his hands much more likely? Hello! Self-preservation should make you smarter.

Fish Eye Pictures

Ha ha. Don't get sick, now. I thought I might, but never actually did. And I would hate to cause such a reaction.
(note: there might be some sarcasm in that last sentence.)

"I look at Emily with trepid anticipation as I bring the fish eyeball near my mouth."

"Oh no, it's entering my mouth . . . what did I pick up with my chopsticks?!"

"This does not taste pleasant. Pretend it's chicken - that's always worked before."

"Laughter is always good medicine. Am I really truly chewing a fish eyeball right now? Why did I do this?"

"No. Thank you very much. Fish eyes are not a dish I will taste again. They are meant for seeing, not eating."

*Gratitude to Emily for her quick fingers on my digital camera. Without which, you would not be enjoying this Kodak-moment memory.

Fish Eyes

Every Saturday, my friend Emily and I head into town to get some food and play. This weekend was no different. And there was some excitement at dinner. Ba dum, ba dum, I ate a fish eyeball!!

Gross, I know. I made Emily capture it with my camera. Here are the reasons for doing so that I came up with afterward: 1) peer pressure 2) curiosity 3) bragging rights

So now I’m here to brag! It was actually quite disgusting. Too slimy for me. Emily laughed as she watched me. She likes fish eyes. *shudder*

I got in trouble for playing with the food quite a few times. That is what started the “eat the fish eye” campaign, actually. I kept poking it with my chopsticks. (note: it’s more fun to play with than eat!) Emily was scolding me: “Food is not a toy. t-o-y.” Yeah! She can spell the word “toy” :P

Dinner was tasty overall. Rice, fish, veggies, and shrimp. (Of course it was the whole shrimp and I did see Emily suck out meat from the head *another shudder*)

Our entertaining dinner was enjoyed on Cijin Island (pronounced more like chee jing). We drove over in the tunnel on my scooter and rode back on the ferry. It was fun!

After dinner, I got a papaya milk (delicious!!) Then we walked around the island. I wanted to visit Cijin so I could see the lighthouse. Sadly, Emily was right and it was closed. Lame! I did get to see the light on. I tried to tell Emily before we went that the light had to be on, at least. You can’t turn it off!

And then we walked around the path in that area. There’s a fort up there but it was closed too. *grr* I did find an awesome place to climb and explore. At first, Emily wouldn’t let me go (she’s always calling me “danger girl” but danger is fun!) I finally convinced her and we wandered for a bit. I had only a small pen light on my keychain. Emily seemed really jittery and nervous. About halfway through our explorations, I remembered that the Chinese believe in ghosts.

So I took pity on her and cut my explorations short. And I was right! After, Emily said there might be a ghost there that grabs my clothes and says “Amberlee I like you. Stay here with me.” Sounds absurd to me. I tried not to laugh too much even though I was chuckling on the inside. She said she doesn’t believe it . . . yet why was she so nervous?!

Ah well, she did promise we could explore there in the daytime. I’m excited! I wish I would’ve had an awesome old fort like that to play in as a kid. Can you imagine? Oh the joys and adventures *sigh*

Oh yeah. This was a funny moment. We were standing on a little platform overlook and Emily told me to be careful in one spot. I said okay. And then I stepped there. And I was startled! (a plank was missing from the floor) I laughed so hard. I knew what to expect and yet it surprised me when my foot started falling through instead of stopping on firm ground. Emily was annoyed with me for doing what she told me not to do :) She probably hit me too.

Another funny moment: on our way down the hill from the lighthouse there wasn’t much lighting on the path and Emily was nervous. Suddenly something fell to the ground. I’m pretty sure she jumped…it was only my earring. I laughed and she hit me. Those earrings have NEVER fallen out before. I was surprised one did this time. But it’s okay since I didn’t lose it and I scared Emily. *mwa ha ha*

Who Would've Thought?

Who Would’ve Thought I’d..

1) Strip the meat off a fish skeleton with my mouth
2) Learn to do Taichi (it’s hard!)
3) Use a squatter toilet daily
4) Miss chopsticks when given a fork and knife (it’s the truth)
5) Drive a scooter . . . like a local
6) Be complimented on my skills with chopsticks
7) Ride a scooter for 3 hours to visit the mountains (Emily’s idea)
8) Feel like a zoo animal
9) Have to walk to different rooms while my students stay in the same
room all day
10) Be admired and envied for my fair skin
11) Drive a scooter for 30 minutes to attend church
12) Teach in a high school with 10,000 students
13) Work in an office with rats
14) Catch a squid and get inked by it
15) Teach on the seventh floor
16) Live alone in a foreign country
17) Visit China alone
18) Miss Mac’N’Cheese a TON
19) Actually crave McDonald’s
20) Miss the cold weather and snow
21) Live in a place where McDonald’s delivers


22) TEACH IN TAIWAN

Changes

Well, another change came my way today at church. I was released as YW President. And called to be a ward missionary! Wow. I am excited for this calling. It will be good practice.

Yet I vaguely remembering thinking I would never want such a calling - that was in the past of course. As they say: "never say never!"

I'm going to miss my girls though. I'm glad I'll still see them at church. And one of them said she would write me letters on my mission. Yeah!

I Hope...

I Hope...

THEY CALL ME ON A MISSION!

Yep, my next adventure will be as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So exciting! (And scary) I'll keep you updated.

Beijing Pictures

Here you are my friends. Pictures from my trip to Beijing! I was there from Sun Feb 1 to Fri Feb 6. Now I'm getting back into school. Meh. I would love to just travel! But I must earn money.

--GREAT WALL--
Climbing up the great wall. Wow, I'm on one of the 7 wonders of the world! Very cool and surreal


Me at one of the watchtowers. I did not expect the wall to be so steep! It was tiring.

I made it as high as I could! I went with 2 other people via a tour company. Only 1 of them came to this point with me. We were both tired and running out of time so we headed down soon after taking the pictures.

At the base of this section of the Great Wall. Beijing has 14 sections. We went to Badaling, but the less-crowded area. It's the most popular section for tourists. The other Badaling section has a cable car.

In front of the Ming Tombs. There wasn't a whole lot to see. This is the tomb of a very important emperor so they haven't opened it. They did have a display with relics from other tombs they've opened. There are 13 tombs for Ming emperors. There were 14 emperors in the Ming Dynasty but the last one wasn't good enough to get a tomb (poor guy).

--FORBIDDEN CITY--

I've made it! One of the huge historical sites in China. And I'm actually standing there. Wow. It was a HUGE place. I was there for a good 4 hours and didn't see all of it. My dad says it takes 3 days to really tour the whole complex.

An important hall in the city. Sorry I don't know the actual name. I couldn't label the pictures with names when I took them. (that would be an awesome feature on a camera!)

Another famous hall. They had some interesting names: hall of benevolence, hall of longevity, etc.

--TIANANMEN SQUARE--

The east gate. You go through here to get into the Forbidden City. The square is across the street behind the photographer.

Monument to the People's Heroes (tall thing in the front) and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall.

Tiananmen square is just a huge square. I was expecting something more exciting. This is a shot after I climbed up the east gate.

--SUMMER PALACE--

The landmark building of the summer palace appears to be on top of my head. It's the hall to worship Buddha...or somethin.

That same hall. My handy guide said they are 100 steps to reach the hall. But it's said that if you survive, you will have a long life. I survived so that's encouraging for the rest of my life.

Marble Boat. Ba ha ha. A not-so-smart prince (or emperor) had this built and then was upset when he learned it would never float. Well yeah...it's made of marble!

Posing in front of the 17-arch bridge.

--TEMPLE OF HEAVEN--

I believe this is the Hall of Good Harvests - where the emperors would come to worship and pray for good crops in the coming year.

A view of the complex. It stretches even further back. I couldn't find a high-enough spot to show you the whole thing. Maybe I'll tour it in a helicopter next time :)

My wonderful tour guides. I used these at nearly all the big sites. They are super smart and start automatically when I'm by the place on the map. I liked them because they told stories.

--DINNER - FAMOUS FOOD--

Peking Duck restaurant. A famous food in Beijing. You can't go to Beijing without eating Peking Duck! (I've had it before in Taiwan)

Me sitting alone in a nice restaurant waiting for my duck meat to arrive. I did some people watching while waiting.

Here's my dinner! Front right: duck meat that you put into crepes w/sauce and onions. Middle left: duck skin that you dip in sugar. Back center: duck head! I just had to try it. The brain was gross. Ick.

--TEMPLE OF CONFUCIUS--

The man himself - Confucius

Look what I found after my visit to the zoo. Wow, a Dairy Queen in China. Who would've guessed? Not me!

--LAMA TEMPLE--

A huge Buddha. I don't remember ever seeing one so tall.

A plaque saying the huge Buddha was made of ONE piece of sandalwood. Incredible!

--KUNG FU SHOW--

I'm excited to see a show about the origin of Kung Fu! It was good.

In the lobby. This little boy just sat there hitting his bowl with a wooden spoon (for a good 20 mins). I would've totally lost the rhythym!

--NIGHTLIFE--

Wanfujing Street. It had some good shopping. I found a bookstore and that made me happy. I spent one evening there reading :)

Thought you might enjoy this. A classic shot of piling stuff on. It would've been cooler if it was a scooter. . . I've discovered Taiwan is the country of scooters. And I love it!

Chinese treat, anyone? These are scorpions and sea horses on sticks. Yuck! I was very full so didn't consider trying them. (Honestly, I don't think I could stomach either one)

--BEIJING ZOO = panda bears. yeah!--

A panda rolling around. I think he's gnawing on a piece of ice. . .

Blowing a kiss to the pandas. I was so excited to see them!!!

Pandas climbing down to get some water.

The sign reads "Science Creates Miracle." This guy is just SO cute!

Pandas wrestling. Reminds me of family wrestling parties on my parents' bed. Good times.

--OLYMPIC PLAZA--

Water Cube on the left, Bird's Nest on the right.

Penguin. (from the zoo, not the olympic plaza. Blogger confused the order.)

Look! It's the Bird's Nest.

I made a funny face and the sun was in my eyes. This is the result. Ha ha

Don't Worry. . .

Don't Worry . . . Be Happy!! My dad said that all the time when I was younger. Well, he still says it. And it's true.

This is to let all my friends and worriers know that I'm home safe. Home in Taiwan, that is. But it surely feels like home. I was quite happy to return late last night.

Beijing was awesome. And another adventure to add to my repertoire. Plus 500 pictures to share. Yeah! I'll work on writing it down so you can live through me. I'm a pal, like that :)

Vacation . . . What Vacation?

Strange how my time off from school has become busier than my days with school! But it’s great. I’ve been exploring more of this “beautiful island”. Here we go on giving you a slice of my life pie.

MONDAY
I spent the morning catching up with my peeps back home. That was fabulous. Then I headed to the MRT to meet one of my students-Betty. We went shopping. Yeah! I purchased a few clothes and some earrings. I nearly bought a pair of skater shoes. My tennies are getting worn out. The brand was black sheep and that made me laugh. Then I had to explain it to my student. We laughed about it again at dinner when I ate some sheep meat :)

We headed to her grandfather’s house for dinner. The whole family was there (minus college kids). It was about 17 people. I decided they couldn’t have a bigger family because they wouldn’t fit! The food was tasty. And her family was very kind and anxious to treat me well. Only her parents and an aunt and uncle spoke English. The adults forced the cousins and her brother to practice their English with me. They were very timid.

We ended the night with a visit to Love River and the Kaohsiung Cultural Center. It was great! They finally had lights along the river. They show that in pictures but it is only that way during the New Year. I was happy to finally see it. And I had the Cultural Center on my “places to explore” list. Betty and I did the trampoline jumping. She was pretty scared and I was proud she did it. I still have bruises from the harness! But, I’m happy to report that I did 3 back flips. They were hard! I still have slightly sore muscles, too.

TUESDAY
I headed out with the YSA in my stake. We went to the middle of Taiwan to Lukang Historical District. A very old temple and old houses. It was neat. The driving was long and that wasn’t so fun. I slept a little and stared out the window. Again, everyone was treating me like a special visiting dignitary. It made me laugh. I tried cow’s tongue and dragon eye treats. (Named for resemblance, although at first I was nervous.) And I got popcorn. I don’t know why that treat makes me so happy, but it surely does.

And I ate some good food. The area is famous for seafood. It was tasty. I had noodles for lunch. In the afternoon, we stopped (somewhere) and looked at lots of flower shops in a neighborhood. One guy and I rented bikes and rode around. That was cool. Better than being on foot. After that, we headed back to Kaohsiung.

Dinner was a long time in coming and I was getting impatient. It was worth the wait! The guy (no idea on his English name, sorry) took me to a steak house. Oh yum. Salad, corn soup, rolls, chicken, veggies, and noodles. Delicious! I couldn’t finish all of the main meal. I tried really hard. Then they brought out ice cream! I discovered a small portion of my stomach reserved for desserts :) [And I’ve decided I might like vanilla ice cream when I get home. I always thought it was boring before. The “plain” ice cream here is milk flavor and it is even less interesting than vanilla. Didn’t know that was possible!]

WEDNESDAY
I must say this was the best day, probably. I went with Emily to Monkey Mountain. And I finally saw monkeys. Hurray!!! [Gracie, I thought of you. Enjoy the pictures, k?]

We went hiking. Emily surprised me. When I asked her why she was so gung-ho, her reply was that she can do it with me. Other people won’t go with her. So I’m the reason she is crazy. :) *sigh* We had fun. It was pretty intense in some parts – rocky and steep. We diverged from the area with lots of people. (And there were lots since everyone is on vacation now.) We ended up making a big loop. Emily wanted to keep going, but I was tired. And we were unprepared in the water dept. I really hate that since hiking Timp and running out of water = terrible thing/good lesson.

On the way down we found monkeys who were very willing models. They even do it for free! They aren’t bothered by people. They just go about their business. I finally saw monkeys grooming each other. It was fascinating! I remember learning that and pretending to do it when I was little. Now I’ve finally seen it. (They really do eat what they find.) Emily wasn’t too excited about the monkeys. She took food there on a hike years ago. Bad move. The monkeys kept grabbing her bag. But she was a good photographer, like usual.

We worked up a good appetite and went to a sushi place for lunch. Emily was nervous I wouldn’t like it. All wasted worry. It was delicious. Yum! We stuffed ourselves (ugh) and couldn’t finish the last 3 sushi rolls. Then we were both ready for a rest. But we didn’t call it quits. We went shopping!

And I did took a nice haul home. Emily and I eventually decided I had to stop. :( There were some cute things after that time. Emily was good and wouldn’t let me buy them. Except for one pair of earrings ;) It was good since I was out of money. I got some cute shirts. And warm underclothing for my Beijing trip. [Ah! I don’t want to be cold, but it is what it is.]

Dinner was eaten at an elusive beef noodle soup store. It took Emily a long time to find it, but I didn’t mind. And then she asked me what size I wanted. Small was my response. Then I looked over and saw a huge bowl on the table. Definitely small, I said as I thought “wow, that’s a big large.” I was wrong. That was the small! Oh my. I couldn’t finish it. I just don’t like that full feeling where your stomach is bulging. So unpleasant! I like being just under full.

I ended the night at Emily’s house. Her mom tried to give me more food. Ah! I politely refused since I was still busting my buttons from dinner. And I got to see Emily’s room. She is funny, and a total pack rat. Wow. It reminded me of my mom’s forced yearly closet clean-outs. Good times! Then we decided to go hiking again the next day. But it would be a long drive – 2 ½ hours. My bum will be sore from the scooter, but it’s ok. Emily is very excited.

Monkey Mountain Pictures

We're at Monkey Mountain and we're excited!

Here we are! Emily keeps taking pictures so I just keep posing :)

Can we go this way? Please? (Emily was nervous about the height and danger. Pah)

A- "Wait for me!"

E- "Hurry up." She just climbed on up. So much for her fear!

E- "Ok, get out of the tree now."

A- "How? I'm sorta stuck."

Steep rocky path > bring it on!

He's totally unfazed that he's walking toward a couple of humans. Wow.

We are so cool. She's tired and I'm gritting my teeth.

This is only partly staged. I was sort of falling out of the tree :)

I found a monkey. Hurray!

These silly guys kept climbing on the sign and then sliding off.

They're people watchers, just like me!

I finally got close! (They were occupied in their grooming.)

"Hey friends, could you help me clean my fur? Please."

Far Left--"Oh yes, I found one. Oh yum!"

Baby--"Hey, I want one of those. Keep looking, gotta keep looking."

"Oh. Look at this delicious sushi!"

At the Kaohsiung Cultural Center. Goofiness comes naturally.

My small bowl of beef noodle soup.