Monthly Archives: November 2008

The Last of the Celebrations

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Yesterday, we went to my boss’ house for Thanksgiving dinner, and it was amazing. There was a real turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberries, and even macaroni and cheese! It was so good, and the house was filled with kids. I’m around kids all day, but these were babies and toddlers and they are so much cuter at that age when they hit you with things.

Then last night, we had my “official” birthday celebration at Plush, which is on the 12th floor of the Living Mall. We reserved a table, and a bunch of people showed up. There was plenty to drink, and the club gave me really cool electric dice shakers as birthday presents and a bottle of champagne. Dan even got me a birthday cake with a candle and everything.

I have to say, my first birthday celebration(s) in Taiwan were surrounded by friends and fun. They definitely know how to party it up here.

Thanksgiving/Birthday

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I went out last night because I didn’t want to be home when midnight struck on my birthday. I went to Babe 18, also to scope it out for a legit Saturday night place celebration. I stayed out way too late, so it’s definitely a good thing I didn’t have to be at work until 2:45pm.

Jen & I had a lovely thanksgiving dinner ordered from Far Estern hotel. Mashed potatoes and gravy, honey baked ham, and pumpkin pie never tasted so good. My aunt came over and had dinner with us, and then Jen&I were off to Brian’s place for an after-meal get-together.

Let me introduce the boys. Brian, a fellow teacher at my school introduced Jen & I to his friend Dan. Dan & Brian then slowly introduced us to their league basketball team, and now they’re all officially dubbed “The Boys”. We have dinner together, we go to their basketball game, we go out to night markets, clubbing, etc. I can safely say that they’re the closest friends that Jen&I got right now, and it’s not a bad bunch. Usually, when meeting new people, the problem lies in that if we meet people that are only Taiwanese, then they only speak Chinese and Jen feels left out. Or they’re a bunch of Americans, and we just don’t quite get along. But now, “The Boys” consist of Americans, Taiwanese-Americans, and Taiwanese who can all speak English, and everyone pretty much shares similar interests. We always have a good time hanging out with them.

So sitting at Brian’s place tonight, surrounded by them singing Happy Birthday to me made me feel like that i finally belonged somewhere now. I don’t think there was anywhere else I’d rather be here in Taiwan.

I’m thankful for many things, but the most important thing I’m thankful for this year is my relationships. If it weren’t for family, we wouldn’t have settled here in Taiwan so easily. If it weren’t for jud, i wouldn’t have somone to talk to about my troubles. If it weren’t for constant contact with friends, the transition would have been much harder and much lonlier. If it weren’t for meeting new friends, our life here now would not be as fulfilling.

Happy Thanskgiving!

Friends, Anyone?

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Jen&I have plans for ourselves with a big feast. There are also a few Thanksgiving gatherings of co-workers that I have been invited to, which should keep us busy.

I also have a birthday coming up, and as much as I would like to celebrate it in at true Taiwanese style, I really don’t know how. The one thing that I’ve been a bit wary about is trying to figure out who would I celebrate it with. We’ve been here three and a half months, and we’ve gone through the cycle of meeting new people and trying to find the perfect mezcla to fit in with. I had forgotten how hard it was to make new friends. I remember freshmen year in college, it took me past fall break to really start making friends with the people in my dorm. I guess it just takes me longer than most people, although I do consider myself to be a rather outgoing person. It’s much harder in the real world and in a completely foreign country, because there are no longer classes or clubs with multitudes of different people to pick from with a readily-made conversation about the shared similar interests.

On another note, Starbucks has their red cups out, and you know that means that Christmas is near. The malls have fantastic Christmas decorations already up, and it makes it feel a bit more like home. It will be strange celebrating the holidays away from close friends and family, but at least the acknowledgment of Christmas makes it feel a bit more familiar.

Boys Will Be Boys

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Riley is the naughtiest student in my second-grade class, but he is also easily my favorite. His English is pretty good, so he’s not afraid to talk, which always end up with him saying the funniest things.

Today during class, the classroom was burning up.

“Why is it so hot in here?” talking to myself as I go looking for the air conditioner remote.

When I come back, Riley pipes up, “Because Teacher Tina is so hot, so all the classroom is so hot.”

Riley’s eight years old. He has no idea what he just said. But I mentally gave him a huge hug.

Short Weekends

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Saturday: I worked for two hours instead of four because my tutoring got canceled. I went and got a hair cut and relaxed in a salon chair about about two hours. Then shopping at Xinmending, which is the teen capital of Taipei, and where there always will be lots of good shopping. We had dinner at a steak place where I got confused about how to order the temperature of the steak. Here, they ask what percentage do you want the steak cooked. So you would equate 50% with medium, right? Well, apparently it doesn’t work like that because my steak was definitely still mooing when it came out, and I couldn’t really stomach it.

Then out to J’s Place, a wine bar, that serves American-esque food and snacks i.e. lots of cheeses, tomato and mozzarella, cheese & salami plate, etc. We order a plate of nachos, which turns out to be Doritos with really good salso on them. It was genius. I usually don’t even eat Doritos, but these were amazing.

Sunday: I spent the day with my American grandparents at their amazing new apartment. They live in a high-rise, gated community in Dansui with a gym, movie theatre, basketball courts, ping-pong and pool tables, indoor pool. It was really nice, and their doors have these electronic locks on them. None of that old-school key in keyhole stuff.

We played some pingpong and went walking around the tourist area by Dansui. Afterwards, my aunt took me to the ShiLin night market where I bought a stash of winter clothes. I shouldn’t worry about getting cold here anymore, neither do I need to go shopping at malls anymore. Street vendors are where it’s at. I also brought home some stinky tofu for Jen to try. Last time we tried it, it was a horrible experience. We got it from a stand up the street, and it tasted and smelled terrible. I couldn’t let Jen have that impression of stinky tofu forever, so I had to redeem myself by getting her legit and tasty stinky tofu.

My weekends go by way too fast. Before I know it, it’s another work week again.