So, Adam's family from Idaho is in town. I met them last Sunday and I think it's safe to say we hit it off really well. His parents actually moved out to Idaho from Wilkes-Barre, PA and they go back to visit from time to time, so I might be able to see them this July, which would be cool. Adam has an older sister, who went to Italy as a Rotary exchange student, and a little brother, who's a freshman in highschool right now. They both came along, too, I guess it's spring break this week or something.
I think Anneke and I are just as excited as Adam is to see his family while we're over here in Taiwan. We three are really siblings in some sense and I felt like talking to Adam's brother was like talking to Jarik a little bit.
There's an interesting thing about exchange in Taiwan that I used to see as a negative, but now see as a positive. It's the fact that, as I've been here, it's been far easier to make fast and good friends with other "foriegn visitors" than it's been to have that type of friendship with my classmates. Like I just made a friend from Russia last Sunday. I was on the MRT, he walked on and stood across from me. That thing happened where glance at someone in such I way that you feel you should wave, and then he came over and we started talking. It was that easy. Same thing happened two weeks ago with a guy from Seattle in a restaurant. Wha-bam!
I don't think it has to do with cultural difference either, when it comes to my classmates. They goof around with eachother the same way I used to in highschool. I think it's the feeling that there should be a difference or a barrier that keeps them from playing along. Both sides don't want to do anything that wouldn't be right on the other side and thus, nothing occurs. However with the other "aliens", we're united by the commonality of our alien-ness, maybe even just the way we look on the outside. It's a reality of our world though and, although to a far less of a degree, I find myself identifying with the reasons for the Civil Rights Movement.
But the upside is truly having a lot of friends from all over the world. That couldn't be bad in the expanding global community and culture we live in.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
St. Patrick's Day?
Seeing as Taiwan does not appear to have a very large population of Irish immigrants, it's no wonder that there is little mention of that magical day of green, St. Patrick's Day. I'm fine with that though. The only real excitement I ever got out of it was the knowledge that my birthday would be the next day.
And gosh, it is! Geewillickers!
I already recieved a gift from my friend Leo and I heard about a surprise in the works from an anonymous source.
When I was eight, I couldn't see myself past thirteen. When I turned thirteen, I couldn't see past seventeen. When I was seventeen, I thought I knew where I was going. Eighteen, I made educated guesses and decided to leave it all up in the air. I rather like not knowing exactly what my future holds.
Actually, the book Leo gave me is about allowing the mysteries of life to remain mysteries. It's a religious book only in that the writer redefines religion and I find myself identifying with this man's views.
So it'll be good to have another year of me. I have some responsibilities coming up, as well as some things I want to do. Happy St. Patty's Day over there!
And gosh, it is! Geewillickers!
I already recieved a gift from my friend Leo and I heard about a surprise in the works from an anonymous source.
When I was eight, I couldn't see myself past thirteen. When I turned thirteen, I couldn't see past seventeen. When I was seventeen, I thought I knew where I was going. Eighteen, I made educated guesses and decided to leave it all up in the air. I rather like not knowing exactly what my future holds.
Actually, the book Leo gave me is about allowing the mysteries of life to remain mysteries. It's a religious book only in that the writer redefines religion and I find myself identifying with this man's views.
So it'll be good to have another year of me. I have some responsibilities coming up, as well as some things I want to do. Happy St. Patty's Day over there!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Bi-Monthly Report Numbah Fo'
OUTBOUND STUDENT BI-MONTHLY REPORT FORM
Please use blue or black ink and write/print NEATLY - several copies are made!
MAIL REPORT NO LATER THAN THE 15TH OF MARCH WHILE ABROAD:
STUDENT NAME_Nigel Hieronymus_ DATE _March 16th 2009_
PRESENT HOST FAMILY __Aunty Ellen__ TILL WHEN _Mid-April__
PRESENT ADDRESS ___I'm still not quite sure, I know it's apartment A6 and it's close to XinYi Rd., I'll have to ask___ PHONE __I have it written down on a piece of paper in my wallet, but that's not helpful now__
EMAIL ADDRESS nigel.hieronymus@gmail.com
NEXT HOST FAMILY __Aunty Tina_ TILL WHEN _My June 8th departure__
NEXT ADDRESS ___Unknown____ PHONE Also Unknown
DISCUSS STAGE 6 OF THE HOMESTAY STAGES: That stage has to do with realizing there's not a lot of time left of my adventure and I have to get it together and make the last weeks really meaningful. It also turns out that I have a lot of friends that I didn't know I had and that even though I thought I was failing at this, I really made a great impression on the people that matter (school, host club, families). So, I'm going to title Stage 6, "Turning Point: The Lights Come Back On".
PUBLIC SPEAKING (ROTARY CHURCH, SCHOOL, ETC): My "Nigel Minute" in Military Class, I haven't been to a Rotary Meeting yet this month, but I'll surely be speaking there.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDE VISITS TO PRIVATE HOMES): Went to ShiLin Night Market with friends and yesterday took part in a Wedding party for a teacher I didn't know. Played games at an internet cafe.
PLACES OF INTEREST VISITED: National Palace Museum, Taipei Children's Park
CONTACT WITH OTHER EXCHANGE STUDENTS (YFU, AFS, ROTARY...): Met some girls from the "other" district on Saturday. Sometimes I hang out with The other exchange students from my club Adam and Anneke. I haven't seen Renaat in awhile. I guess in the past two months I have seen a bunch of other exchange students from my district and the "other" one.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS (ATTACH COPY): None
WHAT TYPE OF ADDITIONAL OR UNEXPECTED EXPENSES ARE YOU FINDING? HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO STICK TO YOUR MONTHLY BUDGET? Additional expenses are things like going to the movies or putting money on my cell phone or finding food when I'm out and about. I kept a budget in my first family because I wanted too know what was happening to the $4000NT that made up my Rotary allowance. Then I realized I wasn't getting any lunch money and that problem resolved itself in my second family and has yet to occur in my third. The other big thing was transportation costs, but after I moved to my second family those went way down because I was a lot closer to everything. Now the only place I really go is school and I can walk to and from so my current transportation cost approaches zero. In conclusion, I don't keep a budget right now.
HOW IS SCHOOL GOING? School is much better than before, and that's a very recent change. Back in January, I had it in my mind that going to school was worthless because nothing ever happened and I just sat around all day with no one to talk to. February continued this way and it wasn't until last Tuesday that things were made clear to me through the support of my friend Anneke and an email discussion I had with my US counselor Walt Tilley. In the past few days, I've been shown just what the school thinks of me and even been given some reasons as to why my classmates are reluctant to ask me out on the town. Actually, yesterday's wedding saw me at a table of Song Shan faculty, including the principal, and they all seemed very impressed with me. They even told me stories of a group of previous exchange students that resigned to speak only with eachother and not get in any way involved with the goings-on of the school. That made me feel lucky, once again, that I am the only exchange student attending my highschool. So, it's looking up on that front.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE YOU PARTICIPATING IN? (IN OR OUT OF SCHOOL) Still taking Chinese Painting class every Tuesday, tried to get involved in a Japanese class (missed it last week), I'd really like to join the climbing club at school because I want to start practicing for my summer camp job.
HOW MUCH ENGLISH DO YOU SPEAK DAILY? DO YOU FEEL FLUENT IN YOUR HOST COUNTRY'S LANGUAGE? I don't know how to judge that, but I will say that it is quite a bit between using the computer, the Taiwanese people that insist on english (including members of my current family), and other exchange students. People compliment me on my Chinese, but sometimes I feel that this is just custom and I really need to work on it. Between English and Chinese, I get by.
DESCRIBE TYPE & FREQUENCY OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN:
YOU & YOUR (USA) FAMILY AT HOME? Talked to my little brother the other day on the phone. Facebook and emails with Mom and Dad. Many forms of computerized communication with friends, although they just received a bunch of letters from me too. All of these often.
YOU & YOUR SPONSORING (USA) ROTARY CLUB? DISTRICT? This report and emails to Walt.
HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP PROGRESSING WITH:
YOUR HOST FAMILY? It's been a week already. The kids are spoiled, my parents treat me as a guest, the housekeeper is, once again, more mommish than my supposed mom. All of this is fine with me if I continue to be able to stick to my discussed plans as it's been this past week. I'm not worried, it's only a month and half.
YOUR HOST (FOREIGN) CLUB? I think they're pleased with me.
YOUR ROTARY COUNSELOR (HOW OFTEN DO YOU MEET/TALK?) I saw her the other day at a benefit activity. I should call her.
SPECIFIC SHORT COMMENTS FOR A NEWSLETTER TO BE SENT TO ALL: Just your presence can be enough to make an impression.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (USE OTHER PAPER AS NEEDED) - DESCRIBE PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOL, OPINION OF MULTI-HOST SET UP (IF YOU HAD MORE THAN ONE FAMILY). INCLUDE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, COMPLAINTS, PROBLEMS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC. I don't have any homework assignments and tests are optional, so I guess I get an A. I like the multi-host set-up, but it can be a little daunting if two people have the same host family and the first one doesn't have a good time there.
NOTE: Your reports are important and very helpful in improving our program for those who will follow you. Your time and input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! REPTFRM4.OUT\WP6
Please use blue or black ink and write/print NEATLY - several copies are made!
MAIL REPORT NO LATER THAN THE 15TH OF MARCH WHILE ABROAD:
STUDENT NAME_Nigel Hieronymus_ DATE _March 16th 2009_
PRESENT HOST FAMILY __Aunty Ellen__ TILL WHEN _Mid-April__
PRESENT ADDRESS ___I'm still not quite sure, I know it's apartment A6 and it's close to XinYi Rd., I'll have to ask___ PHONE __I have it written down on a piece of paper in my wallet, but that's not helpful now__
EMAIL ADDRESS nigel.hieronymus@gmail.com
NEXT HOST FAMILY __Aunty Tina_ TILL WHEN _My June 8th departure__
NEXT ADDRESS ___Unknown____ PHONE Also Unknown
DISCUSS STAGE 6 OF THE HOMESTAY STAGES: That stage has to do with realizing there's not a lot of time left of my adventure and I have to get it together and make the last weeks really meaningful. It also turns out that I have a lot of friends that I didn't know I had and that even though I thought I was failing at this, I really made a great impression on the people that matter (school, host club, families). So, I'm going to title Stage 6, "Turning Point: The Lights Come Back On".
PUBLIC SPEAKING (ROTARY CHURCH, SCHOOL, ETC): My "Nigel Minute" in Military Class, I haven't been to a Rotary Meeting yet this month, but I'll surely be speaking there.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDE VISITS TO PRIVATE HOMES): Went to ShiLin Night Market with friends and yesterday took part in a Wedding party for a teacher I didn't know. Played games at an internet cafe.
PLACES OF INTEREST VISITED: National Palace Museum, Taipei Children's Park
CONTACT WITH OTHER EXCHANGE STUDENTS (YFU, AFS, ROTARY...): Met some girls from the "other" district on Saturday. Sometimes I hang out with The other exchange students from my club Adam and Anneke. I haven't seen Renaat in awhile. I guess in the past two months I have seen a bunch of other exchange students from my district and the "other" one.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS (ATTACH COPY): None
WHAT TYPE OF ADDITIONAL OR UNEXPECTED EXPENSES ARE YOU FINDING? HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO STICK TO YOUR MONTHLY BUDGET? Additional expenses are things like going to the movies or putting money on my cell phone or finding food when I'm out and about. I kept a budget in my first family because I wanted too know what was happening to the $4000NT that made up my Rotary allowance. Then I realized I wasn't getting any lunch money and that problem resolved itself in my second family and has yet to occur in my third. The other big thing was transportation costs, but after I moved to my second family those went way down because I was a lot closer to everything. Now the only place I really go is school and I can walk to and from so my current transportation cost approaches zero. In conclusion, I don't keep a budget right now.
HOW IS SCHOOL GOING? School is much better than before, and that's a very recent change. Back in January, I had it in my mind that going to school was worthless because nothing ever happened and I just sat around all day with no one to talk to. February continued this way and it wasn't until last Tuesday that things were made clear to me through the support of my friend Anneke and an email discussion I had with my US counselor Walt Tilley. In the past few days, I've been shown just what the school thinks of me and even been given some reasons as to why my classmates are reluctant to ask me out on the town. Actually, yesterday's wedding saw me at a table of Song Shan faculty, including the principal, and they all seemed very impressed with me. They even told me stories of a group of previous exchange students that resigned to speak only with eachother and not get in any way involved with the goings-on of the school. That made me feel lucky, once again, that I am the only exchange student attending my highschool. So, it's looking up on that front.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE YOU PARTICIPATING IN? (IN OR OUT OF SCHOOL) Still taking Chinese Painting class every Tuesday, tried to get involved in a Japanese class (missed it last week), I'd really like to join the climbing club at school because I want to start practicing for my summer camp job.
HOW MUCH ENGLISH DO YOU SPEAK DAILY? DO YOU FEEL FLUENT IN YOUR HOST COUNTRY'S LANGUAGE? I don't know how to judge that, but I will say that it is quite a bit between using the computer, the Taiwanese people that insist on english (including members of my current family), and other exchange students. People compliment me on my Chinese, but sometimes I feel that this is just custom and I really need to work on it. Between English and Chinese, I get by.
DESCRIBE TYPE & FREQUENCY OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN:
YOU & YOUR (USA) FAMILY AT HOME? Talked to my little brother the other day on the phone. Facebook and emails with Mom and Dad. Many forms of computerized communication with friends, although they just received a bunch of letters from me too. All of these often.
YOU & YOUR SPONSORING (USA) ROTARY CLUB? DISTRICT? This report and emails to Walt.
HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP PROGRESSING WITH:
YOUR HOST FAMILY? It's been a week already. The kids are spoiled, my parents treat me as a guest, the housekeeper is, once again, more mommish than my supposed mom. All of this is fine with me if I continue to be able to stick to my discussed plans as it's been this past week. I'm not worried, it's only a month and half.
YOUR HOST (FOREIGN) CLUB? I think they're pleased with me.
YOUR ROTARY COUNSELOR (HOW OFTEN DO YOU MEET/TALK?) I saw her the other day at a benefit activity. I should call her.
SPECIFIC SHORT COMMENTS FOR A NEWSLETTER TO BE SENT TO ALL: Just your presence can be enough to make an impression.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (USE OTHER PAPER AS NEEDED) - DESCRIBE PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOL, OPINION OF MULTI-HOST SET UP (IF YOU HAD MORE THAN ONE FAMILY). INCLUDE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, COMPLAINTS, PROBLEMS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC. I don't have any homework assignments and tests are optional, so I guess I get an A. I like the multi-host set-up, but it can be a little daunting if two people have the same host family and the first one doesn't have a good time there.
NOTE: Your reports are important and very helpful in improving our program for those who will follow you. Your time and input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! REPTFRM4.OUT\WP6
Still workin' on that 'Stache!
This weekend turned out to be rather a fine one. I made plans and they didn't fall through and I think it proves that things are starting to warm up again.
Saturday, Anneke had invited me to go with her classmates, Ayaka Okubo from Japan, and herself to the National Palace Museum. It was a lot of fun and her classmates are really nice. Anneke goes to an all girls school by the way, and so it was me and the ladies yesterday. Eventually, the Museum got to be a bit of a bore, so we headed out to ShiLin Night Market. As we bummed around there we ran into a couple of exchange student girls from the other district. They were nice enough and we shared some stories. Everybody's having different experiences, sure, but there are a lot of things that remain the same.
Got home a little late last night, but it was okay cause mom and dad were out and I get the feeling that by taking the initiative to tell them where I am and what I'm doing they just might forgo fussing at me (which hasn't been a problem yet, but the thought crossed my mind).
Today, I woke up and chatted with Eric, Barb, and Vince on Facebook before heading across the street to Taipei 101 to meet my health teacher and go to this younger teacher's wedding/party. I think I was looking pretty 帥 today (my teacher got some pictures). There were thirteen courses at the meal and a little bit of toasting the health of everyone. It was altogether a pretty grand affair.
Afterwards, I was heading home and decided to go see a movie, called up Adam, but he was busy shopping for supplies to make Mexican food (not an easy task), so ended up buying a ticket for "Watchmen" 40 minutes before it started. Walked around, gave Renaat a call, but he was deep into the computer games over at ZhongXiaoDunHua and he's seen the movie already so I went alone. Worked out though. It was a single end seat so we wouldn't have been able to sit together.
I read the comic book of the same name and at first I was pleasantly surprised that things were almost exactly like the book, but as things went on, some of the "less important" details of the story were omitted and without those "less important" details, the conclusion had to be modified in a way that I felt didn't really reach the same point that the book had. Anyway.
Good weekend, lookin' for a good week. My birthday is Wednesday (your Tuesday). Hope you're all very well.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What's it called when your mood is greatly affected by the weather?
I think I have that. _________ ________ Syndrome.
Just 'cause today is really sunny and I feel really good and yesterday was rainy and I felt quite glum.
Cooked curry again today in "Home Ec.". It was really good, but it was right before lunch and so I didn't finish the box lunch that I bought.
I'm trying to grow a moustache "to boost morale". Eventually, I want to have it waxed up at the ends like Salvidor Dali.
A few weeks more until paradise.
I need something cuddly.
Just 'cause today is really sunny and I feel really good and yesterday was rainy and I felt quite glum.
Cooked curry again today in "Home Ec.". It was really good, but it was right before lunch and so I didn't finish the box lunch that I bought.
I'm trying to grow a moustache "to boost morale". Eventually, I want to have it waxed up at the ends like Salvidor Dali.
A few weeks more until paradise.
I need something cuddly.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
1:42 PM
Is it all right if I'm counting down days like people count down to Christmas?
Ten days to the Class trip, a month and a half after that to the Rotary trip, maybe twelve days after that until I leave for home.
"Now leaving Limbo," they'll say. "Get on with it!"
Maybe I was too old for this..
Ten days to the Class trip, a month and a half after that to the Rotary trip, maybe twelve days after that until I leave for home.
"Now leaving Limbo," they'll say. "Get on with it!"
Maybe I was too old for this..
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wet feet done gon' dry up!
Last Friday, I was effectively whisked away to my new host family, which was a break in plan (the tradition it would seem).
I'll break it down:
Location:
A rather large apartment on the sixth floor of a building across the street from Taipei 101 (I have yet to ask about the address). The rooms are very open, on the larger side, which creates this effect where it feels as though every sound made is amplified so that the whole apartment can here.
My room is, once again, a study with books and a computer. A fairly public domain if I don't shut and lock the door (reasons for that later).
The whole place reminds me of my first host family, but on a larger scale. It has all of the relevant rooms, just greatly expanded. Plus, there's a Phillipino housekeeper, to top off the similarities.
Family:
Mom, Dad, Younger Sister and Brother (the bro is the youngest). They have dogs, but I have yet to see them take any interest in them.
* * * *
The change was a little rough for me (especially when Adeng mentioned that my little niece would miss me and said that I should come back for a visit if I have the time). It's been really rainy lately, which my current mom told me the Chinese see as good luck.
Looking back on my moves (not to mention the big move of getting here in the first place), I feel that it wass really difficult for me to adequately prepare for the realities I was to face with each place I moved to.
My arrival and first host family brought me into Taiwan and out of my expectations and fantasies. Family two was, on the whole, really tough. That time of the year, I mean. The family was great, but I had to work through a few ideas before I really felt at home there and by that time I found myself sitting in this new place with an almost completely different dynamic.
The plan is that I'll be here for a month and a half and then I'll be moved to my final family to finish out my year.
Looking forward to:
I'll break it down:
Location:
A rather large apartment on the sixth floor of a building across the street from Taipei 101 (I have yet to ask about the address). The rooms are very open, on the larger side, which creates this effect where it feels as though every sound made is amplified so that the whole apartment can here.
My room is, once again, a study with books and a computer. A fairly public domain if I don't shut and lock the door (reasons for that later).
The whole place reminds me of my first host family, but on a larger scale. It has all of the relevant rooms, just greatly expanded. Plus, there's a Phillipino housekeeper, to top off the similarities.
Family:
Mom, Dad, Younger Sister and Brother (the bro is the youngest). They have dogs, but I have yet to see them take any interest in them.
* * * *
The change was a little rough for me (especially when Adeng mentioned that my little niece would miss me and said that I should come back for a visit if I have the time). It's been really rainy lately, which my current mom told me the Chinese see as good luck.
Looking back on my moves (not to mention the big move of getting here in the first place), I feel that it wass really difficult for me to adequately prepare for the realities I was to face with each place I moved to.
My arrival and first host family brought me into Taiwan and out of my expectations and fantasies. Family two was, on the whole, really tough. That time of the year, I mean. The family was great, but I had to work through a few ideas before I really felt at home there and by that time I found myself sitting in this new place with an almost completely different dynamic.
The plan is that I'll be here for a month and a half and then I'll be moved to my final family to finish out my year.
Looking forward to:
- Class trip (Counter-clockwise round the island)
- Rotary trip (Clockwise round the island)
- June 8th flight home
- Maybe seeing Eric graduate
- Working at Camp Rodney (I got the job, now I gotta fill out the paperwork)
- First year at Tyler School of Art
I really hope my life doesn't go by without me.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Rainy and Cold
So, I'm preparing for my move on Sunday and I have two bags of luggage and two boxes of things that I plan to send home with all haste. I decided to send home most of the clothing I brought with me because between my uniform and the nice things I bought to wear here, I'm set. Books and DVDs that I've already looked at also make up a majority of what went in the boxes, as well as some souvenir items and gifts. It cut the amount of stuff I have in half and I still feel pretty overwhelmed by what fit into my luggage.
Yesterday, I took a Japanese class. Just jumped in there and tried to get something out of it even though the other students were already talking about how to tell time. I'll have to hustle to catch up, but it would give me something to do. Anyway, the class was interesting and the teacher was fun, although, in typical Taiwanese language class style, there was a lot more Chinese flying around then Japanese, but I suppose it's a first year course so that's okay. I took their quiz and managed to put an answer for three questions before the time was up. Got a zero on it, but it was cool to be a part of the action and that just told me that there's nowhere to go but up.
I've been reading Alice in Wonderland lately. I remember wanting to read it since I was in third grade, but never finding the chance to pick it up. It's funny, I've been finding that whatever book I'm reading at a certain time seems to alter my thoughts on things for a little while until I change books. Where One Hundred Years of Solitude had me describing my own actions in my head as though I was writing my own story, Alice in Wonderland has me wondering at what point I fell down the rabbithole and how I'm supposed to get back.
The nearest upcoming adventure on the horizon is the class trip counter-clockwise around the island. I suppose my birthday is also fast-approaching, and as always, I have few ideas as to what I should be gifted with (although, I'm leaning towards a set of the traditional chinese office supplies). March 18th will see me at an elementary school on a Rotary outing. I'm not quite sure of the itinerary just yet.
I can feel the year wrapping up for me here and I'm a little dissapointed because, as always, things are suddenly working out the moment it's time for me to go. I'll enjoy it while it lasts though.
Yesterday, I took a Japanese class. Just jumped in there and tried to get something out of it even though the other students were already talking about how to tell time. I'll have to hustle to catch up, but it would give me something to do. Anyway, the class was interesting and the teacher was fun, although, in typical Taiwanese language class style, there was a lot more Chinese flying around then Japanese, but I suppose it's a first year course so that's okay. I took their quiz and managed to put an answer for three questions before the time was up. Got a zero on it, but it was cool to be a part of the action and that just told me that there's nowhere to go but up.
I've been reading Alice in Wonderland lately. I remember wanting to read it since I was in third grade, but never finding the chance to pick it up. It's funny, I've been finding that whatever book I'm reading at a certain time seems to alter my thoughts on things for a little while until I change books. Where One Hundred Years of Solitude had me describing my own actions in my head as though I was writing my own story, Alice in Wonderland has me wondering at what point I fell down the rabbithole and how I'm supposed to get back.
The nearest upcoming adventure on the horizon is the class trip counter-clockwise around the island. I suppose my birthday is also fast-approaching, and as always, I have few ideas as to what I should be gifted with (although, I'm leaning towards a set of the traditional chinese office supplies). March 18th will see me at an elementary school on a Rotary outing. I'm not quite sure of the itinerary just yet.
I can feel the year wrapping up for me here and I'm a little dissapointed because, as always, things are suddenly working out the moment it's time for me to go. I'll enjoy it while it lasts though.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
March Fourth
It's one of those genuinely beautiful day's in Taipei today. The kind where one steps out the door with annoyance at trollish people that soon dissipates in the pure light of the sun and the crisp air that seems almost unreasonably clean for the center of a bustling city.
I finished One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez today, between lunch and naptime. Reading that book was truly the passing of a hundred years.
I'm told that my move to my third and final family will take place this Sunday and I am both relieved and burdened by the plans. On one hand, the move marks the final stretch of the exchange experience and also another instance of long-awaited change. However the other hand holds the fear of, perhaps, less attractive circumstances.
Although my only complaint in my current home is the endless string of matronly mumblings issued from the mouth of the trollish housekeeper, it's true that I have been granted a great deal of privelidge by my current host parents, freedom that my first mom was wary to lend me in my Taiwanese "infancy". The trend that both me and my fellow exchange people have found is that parents who have raised their children beyond our own age (20->) have been less inclined to restrict exploration and encourage fruitless study.
So, my hope is that the following family will understand.
Enjoy the day, wherever, and whatever the weather may be.
I finished One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez today, between lunch and naptime. Reading that book was truly the passing of a hundred years.
I'm told that my move to my third and final family will take place this Sunday and I am both relieved and burdened by the plans. On one hand, the move marks the final stretch of the exchange experience and also another instance of long-awaited change. However the other hand holds the fear of, perhaps, less attractive circumstances.
Although my only complaint in my current home is the endless string of matronly mumblings issued from the mouth of the trollish housekeeper, it's true that I have been granted a great deal of privelidge by my current host parents, freedom that my first mom was wary to lend me in my Taiwanese "infancy". The trend that both me and my fellow exchange people have found is that parents who have raised their children beyond our own age (20->) have been less inclined to restrict exploration and encourage fruitless study.
So, my hope is that the following family will understand.
Enjoy the day, wherever, and whatever the weather may be.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Nice Just Being "Around"
Well, I have yet to move to my third host family, which just means I have a little more time to figure out what I'm going to do with all this stuff I've accumulated. It's been relatively quiet around here of late and I'm quite allright with that.
School goes on. Sometimes I'm on time, sometimes I'm late, but it seems that the day is pretty much the same length either way. I've been reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and it's been rather thought-provoking stuff.
I've started using my camera again, trying to capture some more of my moments here before I go. I regret the absence of pictures during Chinese new year, but I remember most of those times fairly clearly. Today, I took about 16 pictures of street art and put the album on Facebook.
It's been nice just to hang around lately, even if there really isn't anything going on.
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