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! 

No pictures.

This post is going to be short and sweet.
OK, maybe just short.

Today, it was 30 degrees Celsius in Tainan.
I almost melted - it is humid and icky feeling when it gets that hot.
And it's only March 21 today.
SAY WHAT?!
How in the world am I going to be able to handle April??

I went to the Night Market tonight to find some shorts.
I came back with 2 shirts instead. TEEHEE!
2 for 150NT aka 2 for $5 CAD~
I am going to go searching for shorts tomorrow.
I am not paying more than 150NT for them. aka 5 bucks.
I didn't know I would have to bring shorts back to Taiwan.... it's winter in Calgary from January til April...and sometimes, May.
I heard it's snowing again, I could use some snow right now.
My fan is on in my room and it is HOT. >0<

Supposedly, it's supposed to cool down tomorrow - aka 18 degrees. WOOHOO!

Want a rundown of my day today?
YEAH YOU DO! (I'll put up pictures tomorrow ^_^)

- went to practicum, sweated bullets walking up to the third floor
- went home and ate 便當 aka fast, convenient lunch
- sat in my cousin's car while he practised his driving - almost melted so I sat under a tree to wait. (does that make me sound G?)
- took a picture of pineapples growing in a field *COOL!!!!!
- practised my scooter driving *I'll have proof tomorrow!!
- went to the mall for the AC >0< and searched for some Air Jordan's - for my sister, not me. durrr!
- had vegetarian dinner because my aunt says I eat too much meat and that's why I have my disfigured mosquito bites (oh yes, I have another giant one T_T)
- walked to buy some envelopes down the street
- Night Market - I LOVE THE NIGHT MARKET!!!!!!!!!
- submitted my assignment - SUCH A GOOD FEELING.
- home and now it's time for bed.

I hope your Mondays are starting out well.... and LET ME KNOW that you've read my posts.
Ok? Thanks.

*****OH PS. I witnessed my first earthquake in Taiwan yesterday (aka Sunday, March 20) - but I'll have to write about it tomorrow. Don't worry, it was really small.

Pig's feet.

Does this look familiar to you?

Besides the Taiwanese sausage haaa!

It's SIDEKICKS!!!

My parents brought some from Canada and I must say.. I miss that food!

Even though I was too lazy to make it in Calgary... ahahaha

Today, my family (aka aunt, uncle +2 cousins) decided to drive to Pingtung for lunch.
You know, it only took us an hour and a half to drive to this other city.
Since it is more south than Tainan, it was also a LOT hotter.
Tainan is already so hot and humid but Pingtung was EVEN HOTTER.
(... cuz it's closer to the equator - ooh look at that! I know my geography!!! >0<)

So......... WHY THIS RANDOM TRIP?!

It was all for that city's pig's feet.
It is very well known.. and for good reason.
It was DELICIOUS - the skin was so Q! I don't know if there's an English word for Q.
Kind of like a good kind of chewy.

Here's some in a bucket ready to be cooked.

My aunt and uncle enjoying our bowl of pig's feet!

$400NT aka ~$13.33 CAD

Guess what this vegetable is?

PUMPKIN - were you right?

By the way, my friends.
I haven't been using sunblock or wearing long sleeves so...
my worst fear has come true.. I HAVE GOTTEN SO DARK.
as in tanned.
Just an fyi - and it's only going to get hotter in the next month.
It's already 25+ almost everyday...
It's very different than our Calgary 'hot' because the air is thick and humid.
But it's hot weather nonetheless!!!

How's the snow?
MUAHAHA!

I'm ending my post today with this picture.

Why?

You tell me.

Correct answer gets a prize!!

(just kidding)

Sunshine after the rain...

Greetings, my friends!

This morning, I was supposed to go to an English class to observe for my practicum.
Weird thing was - same thing as Tuesday aka another English class - my alarm didn't go off. AGAIN!
So I am going to have to start setting this giant Pikachu alarm clock I found in my cousin's room.
I am not sure how so if you have any tips or directions, please let me know.
I was terribly frightened by Pikachu when I was turning the knobs trying to make it work then Pikachu started yelling " PIKA PIKAAAAAA" - scared me half to death.
Here's the little monster - 

GET IT?! Cuz he's a pocket monster! AHAHAAHA >0<

So anyway - after I woke up somehow (thank you, Lord!) without my alarm, I got ready quickly to go to my music classes. I went to say good morning to my YEH YEH and to give him a Green Tea Milk Tea candy. He looked intrigued. SO CUTE. <3 

My 舅媽 aka mother's brother's aunt aka aunt gave me a ride on her scooter to school even though I declined (because I didn't want to get to school so early). 

Before you can go in the school, you have to walk by the "security office" aka a box outside the school doors. I have been to the school for the past few weeks.. months now and they STILL look at me in a questionable way when I tell them why I'm there. GAH. Not a good feeling.

Then the military officer that every high school has decided to come out of his office to ask me my reasons for taking pictures of the school. 

Well, sir. I kind of have to for my practicum.

THEN he tells me that the teacher-in-charge for the Student Affairs has never seen me before.

The school has over 2200 students and a LOT of teachers. 

I wonder why he hadn't seen me before. Honestly. 

Oh that wasn't the end of it.

As I was walking towards the music classroom, a man (probably a sketch-looking staff member) rode up with his scooter to ask which teacher I was looking for. 

Well, sir. It seems that I am walking towards the only building in sight so a Fine Arts teacher perhaps? SERIOUSLY. 

This was when I had a chance to go down to Kenting with my cousin Linda!!!

ISN'T THE WATER BEAUTIFUL?!

and the sun?!

But anyway... Do I look questionable?

Honestly, my friends. 

It was a pretty ridiculous morning.

So that was the rain part of my title. A HA HA HA 

Sunshine time!

I spent my entire day at the school today because the teacher said it was nice having an assistant teacher around.

She introduced me to the class as the "assistant teacher". 

It felt great!!

I could actually contribute and help the students when they needed.

As each class went by, the sun started to peek out more from behind the clouds..... 

I could actually do SOMETHING. 

Instead of sitting there and "observing". 

The students didn't question my ability to be a teacher and called out "老師!" aka Teacher! when they needed help. 

And I could help them.

What a glorious feeling. <3 

I realize my post makes me sound like a total nerd.
(LIKE THE PICTURE?!! Ahahaaaa I found it off the internet.)
I am really excited about becoming a teacher.
I also love music.

I can hear my sister saying "ghhhhheeeeyyyy" HAHA HATER!

Ooh. Here's my cousin's performance from last night!!
He is gangst yoz. Can you tell which one he is?
aka I zoomed up on him a couple times >0<
Thanks for the camera again, mei. You're the best bro EVER.

GANGSSSSTER COUSIN

holla back!

This is post #10.

Wow, I never realized how much of a slacker I am till I looked at this blog.

10 blogs in 69 days?!

I have barely written anything.
Ok. I have to start writing err day otherwise my memories are going to gone when I come back to CANADA!
Alright - so, I miss driving.

OH GUESS WHAT!?
After my cousin's driving lesson - which is in this empty lot where there are lines everywhere and beeps if you go over them by accident and really old, beat-up cars that you practise with -  he took me to a street that was quite empty.

PS. This was in Tainan county - my sister's home. HAHAHA

County means the less developed area of Tainan .. there's more fields aka rice paddies and whatnot.

My cousin is learning to drive the "S" curve while I'm taking a picture.

Check out the sun roof thing at the top that prevents the car from getting too hot. There's also a little fan behind the backseat in case it gets too hot. These cars are SO OLD. hahaaa

 Then I got on the scooter and he gave me some pointers like ... give it a little gas then when you feel that your balance is steady, put both feet on the scooter and ride away! Oh and when you brake, brake with the left first then the right - otherwise, your scooter will flip forwards.
So I went off.. gassed a little and caught my balance - I WAS OFF!!!!!
I don't have a picture or video... because my cousin and I were too surprised and terrified that I was successful. HAHAHA!
I might try again tomorrow... I will make a video then *hopefully!
But that feeling was amazing! The wind felt so nice ... because it was a super hot day too!

OK. Now it's picture time!

Remember when I wrote about that fermented fruit drink I had to have to help my mosquito bites go down? Well, here it is! See the top? It has so much fermentation that the top has risen up. grrross.

This sign is a LIE - Pedestrians have Right of Way. 

Riiiiiiight. 

We ate at Kentucky Fried Chicken~ They have egg tarts. These are more delicious than the ones in Chinatown. YUMMMMM. 

One of the English classes I sit in ... 

That day when I left the school, I found a coconut split in 2. 

Reasons? You tell me. >0<

This is Eric - he is blind and has spinal muscular atrophy. 

He was a student at my practicum school - he has a Bachelor in Linguistics & Literature with a English major and Japanese minor. 

He can operate a computer without looking at it because it reads everything out to him - it's crazy how fast he works on that thing! 

He makes verbal books for blind people as his job now. 

This is where I'm going tonight - my cousins' university. 

I will be watching him BREAK IT DOWN!!!

aka hip hop, pop and lock and breaking!

I'll put pictures up and a snippet of my cousin dancing tomorrow!

HOLLA!