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.