5/28/2010

14. By the looks of this picture you would think my basic reading students had already eaten the mounds of sweets they had brought to class for their party (but that was yet to occur). Maybe they are just excited to eat my crappy version of mud cups. So, I might be getting some complaints from parents tomorrow about all the sugar their children ate while under my supervision. But hey, if we're going to party, we're going to party!

5/27/2010

13. Thank you video chat for letting me stay in touch with my best friends. My very pregnant Lindsey Brooke Boskovich spent her late evening (my early afternoon) chatting with me. I miss her and wish I could be with her in person all the time! I can't wait to hug her and meet her baby boy.

5/26/2010

Maybe I shouldn't have had such a kick out of watching Sharon assiduously attempt to blow up a balloon. She tried and gave up after about 45 minutes.

5/25/2010

Today our director Frances bought each teacher a McDonald's meal for participating in her Chinese class. Win-win for us: free food for the brain and stomach; we are very appreciative of her efforts. But if I don't already have incredulous thoughts about McDs and it's affect on society, the Taiwanese McDs meals can be delivered to your home (or cram school) via scooter. Americans, please don't get any ideas!

05/24/2010

Not the most beautiful display of one of my favorite treats, but these german pancakes I baked today still hit the spot.

5/23/2010

On a rainy Sunday morning, as of late, nothing seems more apropos than baking homemade goodies. I made chocolate cupcakes and dusted them with powder sugar and I also made honey popcorn balls for some friends at church.

5/22/2010

I went solo today and traveled up to a town called Sanyi. Without much information about the city, besides knowing it had some interesting things to see, I was quickly reminded of how genuine the people of Taiwan are. They listened to my broken Chinese, let me hitchhike a few times, offered me their food, and made sure I was taken care of. In this picture I am at the Sanyi Old street in front of their infamous wood sculptures. 

5/21/2010

After a full day of teaching all the way into the evening and finishing up with two hours of Taekwondo, staying home on a Friday night and watching a movie always sounds nice. Tonight this lovely crew watched lp Man. It's a Chinese film based on the grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun. lp was the first to teach the art openly and during the credits we found out Bruce Lee is one of his students. 

5/20/2010

I finally tried aerobics in Taiwan. I got one free trial class but I ended up staying for three...the gym management had a small talking with me after, whoops! Anyway, this 46 year old instructor didn't hesitate to tell me she has a son my age; basically she just wanted me to tell her that she had a rockin bod. Oh, and I know I sweat and it's official the Taiwanese don't. unfair. 

5/19/2010

1 pair out of my 2 new glasses. This frame style is often found on the Taiwanese. (Have I mentioned they have an obsession with eye glass wear here?)  I have an ever so slight prescription and the total package (frames, lenses, eye test) only cost about $18. 

5/18/2010

Eeek, my first week in and I already have a dull picture to share? In this picture I am taking my first eye exam (downtown Feng Yuan) in hopes I need a prescription for the cheap frames I bought. 

5/17/2010

Susan and I took our Tae Kwon Do test nearly three weeks ago, but Monday was our first day tying those vibrant yellow belts around our waists. Goodbye to all white uniforms!
This photo is with coach Chen. He calls this kick we are doing 'push kick-a'.

5/16/2010

Taiwan baseball game in Taichung (Taichung Lions vs. the Tainan Bulls) with my friends Susan, Erin, Brandon and Andy. The crowd was crazy except for in our section, but, like always, we managed to make it a good time.

5/15/2010

This picture might not be the most ideal to jump start my 25th year project, but the story is too precious to not just share it.
For my 24th birthday in Taiwan, my fellow co-teachers and I went to a water park. I shamelessly flirted with this surfer lifeguard the entire day. At the end of the day I asked him to give me a birthday kiss on the cheek. His reaction? Well, I've never seen anyone look so scared. He said he couldn't and so I quickly asked if he could at least give me a gentleman's kiss on the hand. In so doing, I received my 24th birthday kiss.
-culture side note: Okay, maybe I just want to cover myself for being turned down but it is very uncommon to see any PDA in Taiwan. In generalization, they are an awkward culture when it comes to dating and showing affection. So, a stranger asking for a kiss has really got to throw these Taiwanese for a loop.

It's not my original idea...

Snapping a photo every single day for 365 days was definitely not my original idea. But how many times do we actually do things that have never been done before? not many.

So, here is to the next 365 days entering my 25th year of life.