Blue skies. Bright sunshine. 95 degrees. Yep, it's Halloween in Taiwan.
Looking forward to seeing all my daycare students in their costumes. Should be a fun day/weekend. I'm going as a Superfan. Since I'm basically a Superfan anyways it was quite easy. But it also required a two week facial hair growth commitment from me. Dedication. And by the end of class, I'll have all the daycare students saying "Da Bears! Da Bulls!" I'll be on cloud nine.
So from all of us here at are you jelen, we'd like to wish you a Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2008
October 27, 2008
Taipei Times
Lots to talk about so let's get going.
- My third roommate, Liene, has returned from Latvia as her school started up a month ago. And not only am I glad to have her back, but she brought Latvian vodka and chocolate with her. Ta chao hao!
- My fourth roommate, Untica (sp?), is gone. She was really cute but sick a lot and well frankly, a bitch. So we gave her away. She was really sweet the last couple of weeks which made the decision tough but it had to be done. I hope she finds a good home. (Btw, she's a cat not a person.)
- We haven't had a typhoon in a month! (knock on wood). After getting slammed by Jangmi, the seas have calmed down and let us live in peace. And not only that, but the weather is damn near perfect. It's around 90 during the day (still a little warm but it used to be 110 so that's a big difference) but it cools off nicely at night. And there's finally something I haven't felt outside of typhoon days: wind! It's nice to be walking and get a little breeze now and then. All the locals keep talking about the "cold" that is coming. Um, since it won't be cold enough to snow I think I'll be alright.
- I had my first Taipei poker night a month ago. Had like 12 people over for beer, pizza, and cards. Good times had by all and I ended the night even. Gonna need another game soon.
- School is going really well. The only class I don't really like has become a lot more manageable since the size has gone from 20 to 14. That's the only class I've lost more than 1 or 2 students from but I'm fine with it.
- Daycare classes are awesome. These kids are adorable and a ton of fun.
My job is to practice speaking with them and do one handout each class. So most of the time we just play games and have a lot of fun. And when we do the handout, I sit down and have them line up for me to mark it or answer questions. Dora, one of my favorites, has taken it upon herself to be my assistant. She'll finish her handout, have me mark it, and then she'll stay next to me and make sure the kids stay in line and don't cut. It's great, though I'm worried she's gonna start asking to be paid. I better buy some goldfish or something.
More good news is that I have only been stabbed by pencils twice. Once in the thumb and once in the shoulder. The shoulder one almost prompted a "FUUUDGE!" but I restrained myself. From now on Robert, if you want to jump on my shoulders please, please, please put your pencil down first! Thanks much.
- Halloween is around the corner and my school is all decorated. I can't wait to see my Daycare kids all dressed up. It should be a lot of fun. As for yours truly, I'm in the midst of growing a beard and will be going as a Super Fan. Da BEARS!!!!
- LE is going really well. I feel like I'm learning a lot and I have a lot of fun with Jasmine. Chinese is very intimidating at first, but the grammar is a hell of a lot easier than English. For instance, take the verb "to want." In English you have I want, he wants, I wanted, I am wanting, etc. All kinds of tenses and changes. In Chinese, the word is "yao" and it never changes. Me, him, now, past, future. Always "yao". So much easier right?
- My friend Xenia from work is going home to the greatest city in the world. I'm not sure what I'd do without her so it's a good thing she's only going home to visit and will be back in Taipei in a month. But I'm really jealous cause I'd love to go back and see all of you guys for a little while. I'm already sending her on a mission to Goose Island to have a 312 for me. Chao hao hu!
Alright, that's all I've got for now. Good talk. See you out there.
- My third roommate, Liene, has returned from Latvia as her school started up a month ago. And not only am I glad to have her back, but she brought Latvian vodka and chocolate with her. Ta chao hao!
- My fourth roommate, Untica (sp?), is gone. She was really cute but sick a lot and well frankly, a bitch. So we gave her away. She was really sweet the last couple of weeks which made the decision tough but it had to be done. I hope she finds a good home. (Btw, she's a cat not a person.)
- We haven't had a typhoon in a month! (knock on wood). After getting slammed by Jangmi, the seas have calmed down and let us live in peace. And not only that, but the weather is damn near perfect. It's around 90 during the day (still a little warm but it used to be 110 so that's a big difference) but it cools off nicely at night. And there's finally something I haven't felt outside of typhoon days: wind! It's nice to be walking and get a little breeze now and then. All the locals keep talking about the "cold" that is coming. Um, since it won't be cold enough to snow I think I'll be alright.
- I had my first Taipei poker night a month ago. Had like 12 people over for beer, pizza, and cards. Good times had by all and I ended the night even. Gonna need another game soon.
- School is going really well. The only class I don't really like has become a lot more manageable since the size has gone from 20 to 14. That's the only class I've lost more than 1 or 2 students from but I'm fine with it.
- Daycare classes are awesome. These kids are adorable and a ton of fun.
My job is to practice speaking with them and do one handout each class. So most of the time we just play games and have a lot of fun. And when we do the handout, I sit down and have them line up for me to mark it or answer questions. Dora, one of my favorites, has taken it upon herself to be my assistant. She'll finish her handout, have me mark it, and then she'll stay next to me and make sure the kids stay in line and don't cut. It's great, though I'm worried she's gonna start asking to be paid. I better buy some goldfish or something.
More good news is that I have only been stabbed by pencils twice. Once in the thumb and once in the shoulder. The shoulder one almost prompted a "FUUUDGE!" but I restrained myself. From now on Robert, if you want to jump on my shoulders please, please, please put your pencil down first! Thanks much.
- Halloween is around the corner and my school is all decorated. I can't wait to see my Daycare kids all dressed up. It should be a lot of fun. As for yours truly, I'm in the midst of growing a beard and will be going as a Super Fan. Da BEARS!!!!
- LE is going really well. I feel like I'm learning a lot and I have a lot of fun with Jasmine. Chinese is very intimidating at first, but the grammar is a hell of a lot easier than English. For instance, take the verb "to want." In English you have I want, he wants, I wanted, I am wanting, etc. All kinds of tenses and changes. In Chinese, the word is "yao" and it never changes. Me, him, now, past, future. Always "yao". So much easier right?
- My friend Xenia from work is going home to the greatest city in the world. I'm not sure what I'd do without her so it's a good thing she's only going home to visit and will be back in Taipei in a month. But I'm really jealous cause I'd love to go back and see all of you guys for a little while. I'm already sending her on a mission to Goose Island to have a 312 for me. Chao hao hu!
Alright, that's all I've got for now. Good talk. See you out there.
October 18, 2008
You're So Beautiful...Like A Tree
Sorry for being MIA lately. Work and social life have been crazy busy and fun. I'll be sure to give a full report soon.
But no time for that now. I finally decided to make a move and am taking my LE girl, Jasmine, to dinner tonight. Then I'm taking her to a friend's birthday party. But this isn't just any birthday party. Girls must be wearing fake eyelashes or mustaches and guys have to sport the real thing.
So yes, I'm taking a part-time model out to dinner and a party while sporting a mustache the whole night. This is definitely the best and worst idea I've ever had. But can anyone truly resist a 'stache???
But no time for that now. I finally decided to make a move and am taking my LE girl, Jasmine, to dinner tonight. Then I'm taking her to a friend's birthday party. But this isn't just any birthday party. Girls must be wearing fake eyelashes or mustaches and guys have to sport the real thing.
So yes, I'm taking a part-time model out to dinner and a party while sporting a mustache the whole night. This is definitely the best and worst idea I've ever had. But can anyone truly resist a 'stache???
October 05, 2008
That Up There Is Russia
I have some exciting news. Once elected, VP Palin will announce my appointment as the new US Ambassador to Taiwan so I can "keep an eye on things" over here. That means you P.R.O.C. Shoo! Get back over there!
October 04, 2008
Yeeeaaah...Gonna Need You To Come In On Saturday
Ok I"ve been slacking on my blogging. Since it's Saturday night and I'm dead tired and don't want to spend any money, I figured I'd stay in and blog. Super cool!
Let's start two weekends ago...
My weekend plans were great as I had three things going on. Friday night was a house warming party for my friends Alex, Andy, & Adam who recently moved to a new place. Saturday night was a birthday party at a club for Kelly (one of the Chinese Teachers I work with). And Sunday night was a dinner date with a lovely Taiwanese lady.
But then the plans went crazy when all three events were changed to Saturday night. Sigh.
After some thought, I had to break the sacred "bros before hos" code and skip the housewarming party. In my defense, I didn't know the party was changed to Saturday until I showed up to their apartment on Friday night. So now we're even fellas.
First, the date was with a college girl named Ruby. We went to a place she picked called Taiwan Storyland that I thought was going to be a touristy restaurant. Nope, it was more like a museum and kinda sucked actually but it was nice to walk around with her and just talk. We then grabbed some food & drinks and wandered around a mall talking some more. I practiced the little Chinese I know on her and she was thoroughly impressed. Really, she was. I'm a good student.
I didn't want to bring her to the club to meet all my friends since it was a first date but didn't want to just ditch her either since things were going well. Luckily, this dilemma solved itself as she had to work the next morning. Perfect.
I then made my way to Club 9% to meet up with the CT's and FT's (Chinese & Foreign Teachers btw) for Kelly's bday.
Our group consisted of about 15 ladies and 5 guys. Not only did this group consist of all the lovely and good looking CT's I work with, but Kelly had a bunch of her non-work friends there and most of them were good looking as well. Chao hao wan!
We had a reserved booth and partied it up with free champagne and snack food. I spent the early part of the evening talking with Drew a lot. I don't remember how we got there, but somehow we got to talking about how she likes to slap people. Quality. I was dancing up a storm with all the ladies and generally just having a great time.
Here are some pictures from the evening:
Three of my favorite CT's: Drew, Shawn, & Debbie
Drew, John, & the b-day girl, Kelly, is at the bottom
Since the culture doesn't drink like the US does and the girls are so tiny, they can't handle a whole lot. Right Drew & Shawn???
I was going to write more, but I'd rather watch Imaginationland now. Thanks again for the great gifts Mom! Wo ai wode mama!!!
Let's start two weekends ago...
My weekend plans were great as I had three things going on. Friday night was a house warming party for my friends Alex, Andy, & Adam who recently moved to a new place. Saturday night was a birthday party at a club for Kelly (one of the Chinese Teachers I work with). And Sunday night was a dinner date with a lovely Taiwanese lady.
But then the plans went crazy when all three events were changed to Saturday night. Sigh.
After some thought, I had to break the sacred "bros before hos" code and skip the housewarming party. In my defense, I didn't know the party was changed to Saturday until I showed up to their apartment on Friday night. So now we're even fellas.
First, the date was with a college girl named Ruby. We went to a place she picked called Taiwan Storyland that I thought was going to be a touristy restaurant. Nope, it was more like a museum and kinda sucked actually but it was nice to walk around with her and just talk. We then grabbed some food & drinks and wandered around a mall talking some more. I practiced the little Chinese I know on her and she was thoroughly impressed. Really, she was. I'm a good student.
I didn't want to bring her to the club to meet all my friends since it was a first date but didn't want to just ditch her either since things were going well. Luckily, this dilemma solved itself as she had to work the next morning. Perfect.
I then made my way to Club 9% to meet up with the CT's and FT's (Chinese & Foreign Teachers btw) for Kelly's bday.
Our group consisted of about 15 ladies and 5 guys. Not only did this group consist of all the lovely and good looking CT's I work with, but Kelly had a bunch of her non-work friends there and most of them were good looking as well. Chao hao wan!
We had a reserved booth and partied it up with free champagne and snack food. I spent the early part of the evening talking with Drew a lot. I don't remember how we got there, but somehow we got to talking about how she likes to slap people. Quality. I was dancing up a storm with all the ladies and generally just having a great time.
Here are some pictures from the evening:
Three of my favorite CT's: Drew, Shawn, & Debbie
Drew, John, & the b-day girl, Kelly, is at the bottom
Since the culture doesn't drink like the US does and the girls are so tiny, they can't handle a whole lot. Right Drew & Shawn???
I was going to write more, but I'd rather watch Imaginationland now. Thanks again for the great gifts Mom! Wo ai wode mama!!!
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