100 days.

That's how long I've been in Taiwan.
Isn't that crazy?
Remember those days in elementary school where you would have "100th Day" where you've been in school for 100 days and everyone would bring 100 of something to share with the class?
I do - I brought rice because it was the easiest. SO SMART YEEUH.
---
It was unbearably muggy and hot today.
The weather was preparing for the GIGANTIC thunderstorm tonight.
It was craaazy hearing the loud thunder, seeing one flash of lightning (before I quickly shut the door) and hearing the rain ATTACKING the house.
It's been awhile.

I remembered that I like the rain. -just in time for Vancouver?
YAAAYUH.

---
I also had a chance to go to the Huang House - which is roughly translated for a building where all my Huang ancestors are worshiped - think MULAN. >0<
It was really cool to see in the book of the family tree - all the Huang men.
Obvs - girls aren't that important.

BUT! In the pages near the end, my sister and I's names were in it.
HOLLA BAAAACK!
Wrong 偲, but that's okay.

... Anyway - my adventure is coming to an end soon, I can hardly believe it.
I have missed all my friends very much. <3
Time to have family time overload in Taiwan before I head back.

HOPE EVERYONE IS DRIVING SAFELY WITH ALL THAT SNOW!
I miss the snow. kind of.

I am feeling lazy so this is going to be another short entry. >0<

On April 3, I went with my cousin and his friends to Chiayi and Changhua for some delicious seafood.

(I am being sarcastic obviously.... since I don't like seafood. haaa)

It was a nice, relaxing trip and we were able to see the ocean.

Anytime I see the ocean, it's always a good time.

Even on rainy days - that's why Vancouver is going to be a BLAST for me!!!!!!!!

Chiayi - oyster mountain!

Self timer! 

Map for the Blind.

Can you see what these two are doing?
HAHAHA!

SUPER CHEESY KARAOKE MV!!! 

Such a rebel - it says "do not climb"

爺爺 enjoying the deep-fried oyster bun we brought back.

The next weekend, my cousins on my dad's side and I went to Taichung and Lugang.

We went there for the food (obviously) and their all-you-can-eat Korean bbq had a very interesting grill!

I have decided that I really like Kimchi soup! and putting rice with it.. MMM DELICIOUS!

Our first stop was at a lottery place where my cousin and her friends bought scratch cards (is that what they're called?) - they provide spoons to scratch the cards with! 

牛舌餅 aka cow tongue cookie!

(it's not real cow tongue, just the shape!)

CHILD LABOUR! holla baaack

My most favourite Taiwanese sausage! It's sweet.. and different from German and Polish ones.

Small walkway.

EVEN SMALLER.

This was taken with my cousin's camera contraption - perfect if you're going out on a vacay by yourself... you'll see more pics soon.

Man hand-making bamboo steamers.

Sugar cane.

RICE PADDIES - legit!

Taichung - so busy busy busy!

My cousin modelling the camera contraption I mentioned!

PERFECT for self-protraits. I really want one!!!

Check out how Taiwan uses their space. 

Each store is probably barely the size of your room.

We are so lucky to have such open spaces in Canada!

FOR REAL.

I am going to be back in Canada in about 3 weeks.. Isn't that insane?!!!

I submitted my last assignment for my Bachelor of Education degree... WOOHOO!

I am going to be graduating this June.

CRAZY!

I'm very excited for what God has in store for me in the future.

But I would like it to be drama-free, if possible.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY PICK-CHAS!

3 months!

Can you believe that I've been away from home for 3 months?
I can hardly believe it.
I really believe that this was God's way of preparing me for Vancouver!
HOLLA!
I'm quite excited about Vancouver BTW - as if you didn't know that already - HA!

So it's been a week since I've posted - Taiwan had a "holiday" earlier this week.
It's called Tomb Sweeping Day(s).
These are days for the families to go and clean off the tombs of their ancestors and lay flowers, incense... etc.

So basically, I partied hardy from Saturday - Thursday. HAHAHA~!
Just kidding. I didn't party - I just had days off.

Last Friday, I was a "judge" for the singing competition at my practicum school.
FUNNY THING WAS .... I was paid for it. and got a free lunch. How delightful!

  

My aunt and I with "snow flower" ice cream and tofu fa.
LOVE THAT STUFF.

Domino's Pizza! All Asian flavours -
Kimchi, Seafood... I can't remember them all.
GOOD!

Donut.

Meals at the Night Market. You can have steak!!! (I had chicken, durr)
-free soup and red tea too!

AnPing Fort - I won 5 scoops of ice cream for 10NT aka 30cents. HOLLA!!!

One of my aunts on my dad's side. Do I look like the Huang family?

A dessert. I don't even know what it was. It reminded me of sashimi - which I don't eat.
It was sweet.

My family's business! Deep fried goodness and Taiwan Japanese Ice Cream.
It's just a name.

Prawn fishing!!

You cook them right after and eat them.
Poor prawns... so delicious....

Night Market - it was ridiculously busy that night.
I was breathing a TON of recycled air as in I was shorter than most people so ew - tall people air!!!
>0<

This was a pretty lazy post because I just put up pictures! TEEHEE!
Hope you enjoyed... I am back to school tomorrow and my last assignment is due on April 12.
WOOHOO!

Taiwan has been very wonderful to me so far... and I still need ideas on what I should do before I leave.
FRIENDS!!! Please feel free to make suggestions, mmk!

OOH I have something to share!
Yesterday at lunch, some 'gangsters' came in the little place where my aunt, cousin and I were eating.
I didn't really think these 'gangsters' existed anymore except in Chinese movies.
So 2 guys swaggered in after hollering at some people outside and sat down to order.
One guy at the table beside them looked at one of the 'gangsters' and this caused one of them to yell out "WHAT YOU LOOKIN' AT?!!!"
The guy left but then the 'gangster' thought about it and decided to chase after the guy who looked at him funny. The owner's wife had to calm the boy down because clearly, there was nothing to fight about and this was not good for business.

I put 'gangster' in quotations because my aunt and cousin told me these guys were at the very bottom of the 'gangster' pyramid. If real gangsters came, please. No need for talk - it's straight CHOPPING!

So that was pretty interesting.
Anyway - I will put more pictures of my trip to Chiayi tomorrow.
I'm heading out to Taichung this weekend too - YEEEUH!

I miss you all. For real.

Bonjour mes amis!

I haven't been posting because I have been out exploring the beautiful island of Taiwan, obviously!
Just kidding - kinda.
But I have been going out more... I usually sit in front of my computer like a nerd all day.

I am going to out on a little "vacay" again this weekend so I will update when I get back!!
HOLLA!

Because I'm a girl . . .

First of all, like my Snoopy shirt? >0<

I look so awkward in this picture... I wanted to show you guys that I actually took the time to blow dry my hair! 

I have decided that I want to take better care of myself as in don't be lazy. 

• Doing my hair (do more than just brush it) 
• Taking better care of my skin (get the GOOD stuff!)
• Dressing to impress (...impress myself)
• Accessorizing (I love jewellery!)

Being a girl is so much fun - why have I wasted so many years being lazy?!

I realized that I only have a month left in Taiwan.

I need to get out there and see everything. 

I have this itch to go out and explore - I want to walk the city by myself and just see everything.

You know what I mean?

My cousin Kyle is going to be in the army soon (as all Taiwanese boys at the age of 20 have to do). My aunt and I went with him to get his checkup. 

It was at the Tainan Hospital aka the hospital where I was BORN!

Check it out... 

 

Interesting, hey? One entrance is just your everyday hospital entrance and BAM - the other entrance is a traditional Chinese building entrance. Cool, hey?

ANYWAY - back to the story, I grew restless sitting there for 40 minutes just waiting for my cousin so I decided to go to the little shopping/hang out area for young people buttttttt.... of course, I walked the wrong way and got lost.

I spent the next 10 minutes trying to find my way back to where I wanted to go and eventually, I found it. I thought my directions had improved but... maybe not. >0<

I then bought a green tea and went in the little shops on the strip... the stores have the cutest accessories EVER and they have so much music stuff!
I refrained myself from buying any because I really don't need it.

I realized I really enjoy my time alone just exploring the city so that is what I'm going to do.
I will document what I find interesting and I think you guys should do it too.
Even though you may have lived in Calgary all your life, look a little more in detail - you might discover something that amazes you!!
Then, share it with me. ^_^

Stuck.

Click here to view this video

That would be my cousin Kyle (or KyKy as I call him) stuck in between 2 motorcycles because it was the only parking spot we could find.
I'm muffled because I am wearing a 口罩 - face mask - I think it's called.
It's to prevent all the bugs from flying into your MOUTH!
He asked me to move the other scooters so he could get out... I had to stop the video because those scooters are HEAVY!!!

It took us another 7 minutes to maneuver our way out of that spot.
MY BACK!!!!
just kidding... kind of.

We went to visit a friend from our Small Group tonight who works in one of the clothing shops in that area... our friend Bo Ken didn't know exactly where it was and he said he didn't catch the English name so we wandered down so many "alleys" (or so I thought they were) filled with clothing shops!
I need to go back again to take pictures. If there's a puny little space, there's a shop.

AMAZING!!
It is Day 80 today in Taiwan and I am STILL finding out new things I never knew about before.
I need to spend this next month really exploring the nooks and crannies of Tainan.
Use my time wisely.

What do you think I should do?
Suggestions?
No cockroach touching. GROSS.

I miss you.

你好朋友們 (Hello friends!)

I didn't get to put up pictures of my purchases because I had a terrible headache.

GAH! Headaches have followed me to Taiwan... not a good feeling.

Can headaches be genetic? My mother has migraines often and I've had them since I was a young warthog. (Since I was a young warthogggggggg. Very nice. Thank you!)
-- Who can name that tune? >0<

To prevent these headaches, I need to reconsider my lifestyle for sure.

• I need to drink more water... I barely drink any because I am a camel. (aka I have a hump that I carry water in on my back. .... just kidding) 
• I need to find a form of exercise that I can do all the time. (I don't like to move)
• I need to ..... That's all I have so far.

If you have tips ... please let me know !!! 

I would like my headaches to visit less often.. aka NEVER.

Yesterday morning, I was feeling homesick for you, my lovely friends so I took out my bag of cards and going away letters and I read every single one again. Then watched Brian's DVD to finish it off.

TEARY EYED PLEASE.

Thank you wonderful friends for your friendship... for real. I am so lucky!

Well... that is if everyone still remembers who I am. OH NOOOO! >0<

I also saw Marilyn and Timo on Skype thanks to Timo's iPhone!!

So exciting... I miss you two!

This is my new camera holder. CUTE, RIGHT?!

and my new "necklace" - my aunt is very creative!!

It was originally a cell phone dangly but we bought the chain and turned it into a necklace!

People have their names carved into a stamp and when at the bank, you can use your stamp instead of a signature. COOL, right?

I used to play with that red ink stuff... and get it all over papers.. books... but not walls. Don't worry.

Check out what I found in Poya - cute department store.

Louis Vuitton scarf for 49NT aka $1.63 CAD?

This was at the market at 8pm at night.. 

The tape is obviously to prevent theft of the watermelons, mmk!

Very creative light covers made from bowls.

See the light efficient bulbs?

It is raining today ... a grey and chilly day but you know what?

I like it.

I am ready for Vancouver, my friends.

Remember to come visit me, please! ^_^

I went shopping for accessories and other little things today.
I will post pictures tomorrow because they are super cute.

I had today and will have tomorrow off of practicum because it's exam time for the students.
The schedule is different from ours. They don't get Winter break because they get 3 weeks off for Chinese New Year's instead.

I will update in more detail tomorrow.
Stay tuned ^_^

Hope you are having a most wonderful Thursday today!!

I managed to catch this picture when I got off the train.
(major creep-tastic skills, I know)

I don't know what this shirt was... maybe this boy *is* an inventor.
Or perhaps, this was a shirt from his high school..
Or maybe even it's just a random shirt from the night market.
I don't even know if this boy even bothered to look at the back of shirt.

Whatever it is - I like it.
I like bold statements.

I really do think that people can be what they put their mind to.
As long as you are willing to work hard and try, try again if you're not successful the first time around!
I like being the person that encourages friends (or my cute kidlets aka students) to set their goals high, really reach for the stars.

When I was little, I really disliked piano. (hard to believe?)
I would pretend I was sick and lay on the stairs at home so my mom would call the teacher to cancel that night's lesson.
But thanks to my mother's constant encouragement, I not only still play piano - I'm making it into a career.
It's amazing how life works out sometimes, isn't it?

Everyday, I still find something that amazes me in this crazy world of us.
I still find little creations to thank the LORD for creating because I am still fascinated with how our world works.

Examples: (you may smile, but no laughing!! >0<)

• how phones work...cell phones... how text messages are sent and received!
• how animals manage to survive when us crazy humans have taken over their homes.
• how dogs are so loyal no matter what. iloveoreo. 
• the way people feel when they love someone or something. 
• the feeling of anticipation - how our little neurons and heart strings are working to give us              that feeling!
• how I'm communicating to you guys right now. from across the world. 

Crazy, right?

*Is there anything that still continues to amaze you in life?
-Please share ^_^ 

Balance? Check.

Tryna catch me riding dirty...
CLICK BELOW!



黑魔鬼 ... BLACK DEVIL!


Did you enjoy the videos?
Can you get an idea of how the weather is in Taiwan?
HOT, YEAAAAH.
Aren't those fish WEIRD?!
They swim with their fins?? on their tummies.
VERY strange indeed.

So about the earthquake that happened on Sunday.
I was sitting in my room when my uncle shouts "EARTHQUAKE."
No exclamation point or anything; it was more of a statement.
I hear this and I'm like "Say whaaaaaat?!"
I look up to see my table lamp shaking back and forth a little bit and I am scared!
WHAT DO I DO NOW?!
I stare at my desk - do I go underneath?

The shaking only lasted for 2-5 seconds, if that.

I ran upstairs to my cousin's room to see what they were doing during the earthquake.
Kyle is on the computer playing some nerdy game and Gin (yes, her name is alcohol) is sleeping.
I ask them about the earthquake and they brush me off with "It always happens, it's no big deal!"

I then ran to the 3rd floor to see my aunt.
What is she doing?
Ironing.

Later on, we find out the earthquake was in Taichung and by the time it reached Tainan, it was a 2 on the Richter scale. My aunt then gave me directions on what to do during an earthquake. It's scary to think about because this house is built in the most peculiar way. My room is the only one on this 'floor' which is just a room above the kitchen. It's hard to explain.
Perhaps pictures or a video can help me. EH NEXT TIME.

PICTURE TIME!!!

SHAVED ICE! My teeth on the right side are most defs sensitive.

BUT it's SO GOOD. so... NO PAIN NO GAIN!

Do you see who I found?

My cousin and I were riding down a road and stopped by to find a field full of.... PINEAPPLES!!

Close up. Isn't it cool how they grow?!

I was walking home today and saw these hanging off the trees.

ARE THEY GREEN BEANS?

This is the same kind of tree but with leaves.

Those 'green beans' are actually seeds.

After lunch, my aunt took me on a nice ride and we passed the Tainan government building.

Tainan City Hall looks like a lego building, affirmative?

They sell squirrels at the pet store.

...and gophers. (I think)

Check out the hamster on the right - he's sleeping. TEEHEE!

EW. UH. Boa constrictor?

Whatevs. I took this picture then hid behind some boxes cuz it's face saw me.

T_T I never realized how huge and scary they are... gross.

It's a 'flying knife' fish. 

It's not upside down like I thought it was.

Mickey Mouse fish. Check out their tails.

On the way home, we bought a bag of 15-20 starfruits on the side of the road for 100NT aka $3.33.

SKETCH?

Yeaaaah. Supposedly, they picked it off THEIR trees.

But seemed in a rush to sell them.

What do YOU think?

hahaha I'm just playin.

Thanks for reading and I hope your Tuesday starts out wonderfully!