One of my biggest worries about going to Taiwan...football season. How in the world was I going to survive football season!?!? Meeting up with the Chicago crew for the big Oklahoma/Chattanooga matchup at Goose Island or watching the always playoff determining Bears/Lions game at the Dunsings were no longer viable options. This really worried me.
And just like that, I'm a lot less worried about it. All the anticipation and excitement of the opening weekend of college football quickly turned to disappointment after Michigan, Illinois, and Miami combined to go 0-3. Ugh. I know it was only one week, but I'm trying to justify not being able to watch these games.
And with the Bears getting ready to start a season in which 6 wins looks like a stretch, I'm looking at a very loooong football season.
No matter, I'll try to watch/listen to/read about every game or highlight I can.
August 31, 2008
August 30, 2008
August 28, 2008
Your Move, China
On my way to work today I noticed an unusual amount of policemen on the street. I stopped at Subber for lunch and upon ordering a policeman came in, yelled something, and ran out. Weird.
As I sat down to eat, one of the workers came up to me and said "This is happening now." She pointed to a piece of paper that said "military maneuver." Huh? I was then told I could not leave for 30 minutes. Huh??? Then the gates to the store were closed and the air raid sirens started going off. WTF!?!?
The calming music of Justin Timberlake in the store reassured me that it wasn't a real attack from our giant neighbor and must be some sort of drill. I ate very slowly and was allowed to leave when it was over 30 minutes later.
I couldn't wait to get to school and ask the Chinese teachers about what just happened. I soon found out that it was a drill and that it took place all over the city and northern part of the country. Policemen and soldiers clear the streets and the whole city essentially shuts down. Cars and buses have to pull over and pedestrians are brought to designated areas. Glad I made it inside before a bunch of cops were yelling at me to run somewhere in Chinese. That would have been crazy.
Here's a little story about it in the Taipei Times that I found when I got home.
Really weird experience. I can't imagine Chicago completely coming to a halt for 30 minutes. And its a nice reminder that I live in such a place were an air raid is actually a possibility.
Just another Wednesday in Taiwan...
As I sat down to eat, one of the workers came up to me and said "This is happening now." She pointed to a piece of paper that said "military maneuver." Huh? I was then told I could not leave for 30 minutes. Huh??? Then the gates to the store were closed and the air raid sirens started going off. WTF!?!?
The calming music of Justin Timberlake in the store reassured me that it wasn't a real attack from our giant neighbor and must be some sort of drill. I ate very slowly and was allowed to leave when it was over 30 minutes later.
I couldn't wait to get to school and ask the Chinese teachers about what just happened. I soon found out that it was a drill and that it took place all over the city and northern part of the country. Policemen and soldiers clear the streets and the whole city essentially shuts down. Cars and buses have to pull over and pedestrians are brought to designated areas. Glad I made it inside before a bunch of cops were yelling at me to run somewhere in Chinese. That would have been crazy.
Here's a little story about it in the Taipei Times that I found when I got home.
Really weird experience. I can't imagine Chicago completely coming to a halt for 30 minutes. And its a nice reminder that I live in such a place were an air raid is actually a possibility.
Just another Wednesday in Taiwan...
August 26, 2008
AYJ Upgrade
Don't be scared. Change is good. So grab an ice cold C.C. Lemon, put your feet up, and stay awhile.
Good Times - WaiAo Beach
After deciding that another beach trip was long overdue, Alex, Andy, Adam, & I headed to the east coast on Sunday. After having swum in the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea, our sights were set on a more familiar body of water: the Pacific Ocean.
A few weeks ago, we attended the Summer Aquarian Festival at WaiAo Beach. It was the all night beach party that ended in me sleeping on the beach. Good times indeed.
So we decided to head back to this beach because it seemed cool and Adam lost his phone at the festival and a surf shop in town had it. After a rather pleasant and relaxing 1.5 hour train ride (great mountain views), we arrived at WaiAo Beach. The guide books call it a surf beach that's not adapt for swimming. I've read that before and also have seen the "surf" in this country. Its laughable. Ok, I guess winter is when the swells are best so I'll hold judgement for now.
We swam for awhile, went and found Adam's phone, had a delicious hot dog and squid-on-a-stick, waited 30 minutes, and swam some more. We attempted to swim back to America but didn't get past Guam.
WaiAo Beach gets points for several reasons. Its a black sand beach. Not sure I've ever been on a black sand beach before. It looks really cool but its scorching hot so you need to move to the water quickly. And even though there was a buoyed off swim area, the lifeguards were relaxed enough (or negligent enough) to allow us to swim past the ropes and enjoy the small waves a bit more.
We capped the day off with an ice cold Corona at a surf shop before heading back to the big city. All in all, a nice little Sunday.
A few weeks ago, we attended the Summer Aquarian Festival at WaiAo Beach. It was the all night beach party that ended in me sleeping on the beach. Good times indeed.
So we decided to head back to this beach because it seemed cool and Adam lost his phone at the festival and a surf shop in town had it. After a rather pleasant and relaxing 1.5 hour train ride (great mountain views), we arrived at WaiAo Beach. The guide books call it a surf beach that's not adapt for swimming. I've read that before and also have seen the "surf" in this country. Its laughable. Ok, I guess winter is when the swells are best so I'll hold judgement for now.
We swam for awhile, went and found Adam's phone, had a delicious hot dog and squid-on-a-stick, waited 30 minutes, and swam some more. We attempted to swim back to America but didn't get past Guam.
WaiAo Beach gets points for several reasons. Its a black sand beach. Not sure I've ever been on a black sand beach before. It looks really cool but its scorching hot so you need to move to the water quickly. And even though there was a buoyed off swim area, the lifeguards were relaxed enough (or negligent enough) to allow us to swim past the ropes and enjoy the small waves a bit more.
We capped the day off with an ice cold Corona at a surf shop before heading back to the big city. All in all, a nice little Sunday.
August 17, 2008
NBA Madness in Taipei
If it wasn't so expensive, I'd definitely be there. Team B will clearly win. I mean, they have Pippen, B.J. and Doug Creighton.
Check it out.
Check it out.
August 16, 2008
Ghost Festival? Where are the Ghostbusters?
So its the seventh lunar month which means one thing here: ghosts. Aaahhh!!!! Yep, its Ghost Month. And today was Ghost Festival.
Before you get all excited about a daylong marathon of the Patrick Swayze classic, hear me out. Basically, the Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future comes to visit the living and if you don't feed him and the other ghosts, you're in trouble. People leave out food and after a certain amount of time if the ghosts haven't eaten the dumplings and C.C. Lemon (who could refuse that!?!?) then you can eat them.
Also, spirit money is burned. Spirit money is money the ghosts can use in the afterlife to get sweet stuff. Sounds pretty awesome if you ask me.
Please take note that if I ever die, I'd like a few billion in spirt money burned for me as I want to be a high roller in the big house. Xie xie.
Before you get all excited about a daylong marathon of the Patrick Swayze classic, hear me out. Basically, the Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future comes to visit the living and if you don't feed him and the other ghosts, you're in trouble. People leave out food and after a certain amount of time if the ghosts haven't eaten the dumplings and C.C. Lemon (who could refuse that!?!?) then you can eat them.
Also, spirit money is burned. Spirit money is money the ghosts can use in the afterlife to get sweet stuff. Sounds pretty awesome if you ask me.
Please take note that if I ever die, I'd like a few billion in spirt money burned for me as I want to be a high roller in the big house. Xie xie.
August 15, 2008
Comments
I'd love to hear from some folks back home a bit more so you can now leave comments at AYJ. The setting should be changed to allow anyone to leave a message so blog away.
August 14, 2008
3 Months!?!?
Holy crap. As of today, I have been in Taiwan for a quarter of a year. I cannot believe it. Time flies.
August 07, 2008
Chinese Valentine's Day (8/7) & Father's Day (8/8)
I'd like to wish all the beautiful women in my life back home, here, and everywhere in between a wonderful and happy Chinese Valentine's Day.
And since I'm too busy to post tomorrow, I'd like to wish my Dad a Happy Father's Day.
Can't wait to see what holidays await me in September. Christmas?
And since I'm too busy to post tomorrow, I'd like to wish my Dad a Happy Father's Day.
Can't wait to see what holidays await me in September. Christmas?
August 04, 2008
Taipei Zoo Field Trip
Alright, I just added pictures from my first field trip to the zoo. We saw a bunch of animals, enjoyed the 100 degree sunshine, and no one was left behind. I'd say it was a successful trip.
Taipei Zoo Field Trip Pictures
Taipei Zoo Field Trip Pictures
August 02, 2008
Receipt Lottery
Something I've been meaning to blog about...The Receipt Lottery.
Basically, every time you make a purchase you are playing the Receipt Lottery. Every purchase at 7-11. Every trip to Wellcome (supermarket). Even purchases from the squid-on-a-stick guy count (well, that's if he gave out receipts).
Each receipt has an eight digit number on it and depending on how many numbers you match you win more money. And you can win some solid money. The grand prize is 2 million NT (about $65,000 US). Now I'm not getting any false hopes of winning that much, but winning some extra cash to put towards dumplings and Taiwan Beer is nothing to sneeze at.
Here's a good summary of how it works.
Unfortunately, I didn't win on the 7/25 drawing but I also had about 15 receipts saved since I didn't know this existed until late June. I probably get 2-3 receipts a day so I should have plenty of opportunities to make the big time at the 9/25 drawing. Happy gambling!
Basically, every time you make a purchase you are playing the Receipt Lottery. Every purchase at 7-11. Every trip to Wellcome (supermarket). Even purchases from the squid-on-a-stick guy count (well, that's if he gave out receipts).
Each receipt has an eight digit number on it and depending on how many numbers you match you win more money. And you can win some solid money. The grand prize is 2 million NT (about $65,000 US). Now I'm not getting any false hopes of winning that much, but winning some extra cash to put towards dumplings and Taiwan Beer is nothing to sneeze at.
Here's a good summary of how it works.
Unfortunately, I didn't win on the 7/25 drawing but I also had about 15 receipts saved since I didn't know this existed until late June. I probably get 2-3 receipts a day so I should have plenty of opportunities to make the big time at the 9/25 drawing. Happy gambling!
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