Beginning of the Holiday Season

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Tina

The Last of the Celebrations

Posted on November 30, 2008 by Tina

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

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Tina

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!

Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Tina

I finished the entire series of Friends last night. Jud got me the entire set as a graduation gift, and I started from the very beginning about a week before I left for Taiwan. Averaging about 2-3 episodes a day, I watched the series finale last night. It was a bit sad, due to the ending and the fact that this has been a part of me since August. It got to the point where I was talking about Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Joey, and Chandler as if they were real people. It’s probably a good thing that I’ve stopped, and now I can get out more.

I’m now being referred to as 阿姨 A-Yi (Aunt), instead of 姊姊 Jie-Jie (older sister) by women with toddlers and babies. It kinda hurts because it makes me feel really old. I call my mom’s friends A-Yi because they’re around her age. So, when mothers refer to me as A-Yi to their toddlers and younger, it’s like saying I’m around their age and should be having children of my own soon or something. Weird.

One of my second-graders has chicken pox. I haven’t heard about that disease since the 90′s. Anyways, today is Halloween, and since I have to work all day so I didn’t get to celebrate it much. However, I let my second-graders have English Activity Day and make masks out of paper plates.

From left to right: Ivy, Brenda (not looking at the camera), Ann, Riley