PAPARAZZI!!!

Kenting Weekend:

This week I found myself very immersed in the Chinese culture along with the Western culture that can be found in Taiwan. The “new teachers” arrived this week and I took two of the girls to the night market their first night here. While at the night market I practiced every little tiny bit of Chinese I know. It was truly amazing. Although I am terrible the fact that I could somewhat communicate with locals and I have only been here a month makes me feel so good! Also, it is kind of addicting. Once I started trying to speak I just wanted to learn how to say different words and phrases.

This week was also extremely successful with my kiddos. I had my first observation and Peter (my observer) had such magnificent things to say about my teaching style.  I felt super good afterwards!! This week I also had a  “I don’t want to be anywhere but here in this moment” moment. My class was learning about Dippy Duck (D) and there was a suggestion on the curriculum to do a Dippy Duck Dance. So that is what we did. Although unlike in the curriculum I turned on “Ain’t No Mountain High” and watched as 14 smiling faces where jumping around and having the time of their lives, and I was right there with them.  It was such a beautiful moment!!!

This weekend was Teacher Amanda’s birthday and we went to Kenting for the weekend. Kenting is like the prime beach location according to many locals.  Upon arriving I said Hello Myrtle Beach, Taiwan Style J It was crazy… I have NEVER seen so many people on the beach… and so many water toys out in the water. It was a sight, and apparently so were we. The older teachers warned us that EVERYONE would want to take their picture with us while in Kenting… we thought they were being over dramatic… THEY WEREN’T. For about 20 minutes we couldn’t move because everyone wanted to get their picture with us. We were like celebrities.  "Picture"everyone would say. We even had a full family want to take pictures with us. Trevor even said that he saw people taking pictures then when he looked at them they would quickly put their cameras away.  So now when I come back to the States I need to make sure I have paparazzi at all times now that I am such a star! J

This was a great weekend. Although it was super touristy, I am very excited to go to the more chill parts of Kenting. The time spent with the teachers was very special though. I feel like we got to know each other much better and started to bond some. Our hostel was incredible. It was called the Surf Shack and that is exactly what it was. I ALSO GOT TO SLEEP IN A SOMEWHAT SQUISHY BED!!!!!!!!!!! It was like heaven.  We ate incredible food, played “ never have I ever” and laughed until our stomach hurts.  We also slept on “adult bunkbeds” which for some reason we thought was so funny J

This morning we walked on the beach… found sea glass.. and took some amazingly cheesy pictures and had a good ole American breakfast.  It was a wonderful weekend, but I am excited with everything I have done in only a month to take this next week and weekend to explore my new home Taichung and maybe take a little weekend trip exploring.  On the train ride while looking out the windows I saw what I though Taiwan was going to really be like… and it made me so happy. The city is fabulous, being able to walk to anything I want is great, but the rice fields and mountains are picture worthy!!!

Tonight I went on a bike ride and to the grocery… my new favorite Sunday night ritual. I am ready with my oatmeal, coffee(instant, I really need to splurge and buy myself some coffee coffee), and a new book thanks to Amanda to start my week off right

Happy Monday All!

The Definition of Close Perfection

Perfection: A early morning hike, a waterfall, a beautiful car ride through the mountains, a broken down car, a monastery, and a magical Taiwanese family!

But let's start at last night.
Friday: The night started out at Kelli's going away party. A pretty low key night up in a big room. Then everyone decided to go to Elementary Bar (one of the only bars open in Taichung because there was a fire a while back in a bar that ended with some deaths so now they are closing EVERY bar in Taiwan.) where we were having a lovely, laid back evening until the police showed up... to (I guess) shut down this bar as well. There were like 7 government officals and 4 police men :) We ended up making friends wit the government offical but the police man just wasn't having it... he was trying to not smile the whole time but he definitly wanted to!! It ended up being totally fine.. but sometimes when I get awkward I cant stop laughing... and of course this was one of those times.

Saturday: We woke up and headed to the waterfall. The weather was incredible and the waterfall was RUSHING. I ended up hanging out at the top where the view is breath taking and there were a couple Taiwanese families having a picnic.
After the waterfall we headed to Puli to meet with Kelli's Taiwanese family. Driving there with the windows down, good music, an AMAZING view of the mountains, and fun friends. On the way the car overheated. The fun part was that it overheated by a monastery where monks brough us water and Alumi (taiwanese dad) came and fixed the car. While waiting I took in the sights of the beautiful country side so needless to say the little detour was a successful one.
We then got to Alumi's house where I met his daughter and wife. We had a large barbeque and hung out all afternoon just talking and getting to know each other. We then went to a temple where there were so many tourist and monks.. the temple was beautiful and it overlooked the mountains that were covered by the clouds at the top. It was truly breathtaking. We then went back to the house... proceeded to eat more (I don't know how that was possible) and headed home... on the way home there was this one moment when I felt like if I could have been anywhere in the world for just a second it would have been in that moment. It was a very good moment :)
It was a great day and tomorrow we are off to another small down that apparently has some amazing arts and crafts! I am excited!!

As weird as I think blogging it... I do think it is going to be my favorite thing when I want to look back on these random days and on all the adventures that are to come.. there are so many things I want to do.. it is time to slow down and take everything one day at a time!!! :)

A Little Piece of Luv

I found a piece of paradise in Taiwan this weekend. It was in Docan at the Refuge. This weekend they hosted Luv Stock, a small music festival full of good music, amazing people, and an outstanding location. The Refuge is at a broken down amusement park, which in some ways is totally eerie, but in most ways is a magical place. It seems everywhere you go there is a hidden surprise live caves, monkey mountain, and a dragon up in the mountains that I have not yet been able to discover. The  way the place was set up the main stage was at an old pool where we danced in the pool (with no water of course) and people could watch from the big water slides... it sounds confusing but it was so cool!! (pictures will be on facebook soon!)

The food was amazing too.. I got to eat Mexican which started off the weekend right. Also, Friday night I went to the big night market with Kelli, Lauren, and some new Taiwanese friends... it was a great night away and full of language lessons, squid tenicals, and ice cream :) We got Mexican that night too!!! :)

Yesterday (Sunday) before going back to Luv Stock , I went exploring on my bicycle. I met the nicest women who worked at a soup and noodle shop and invited me in for lunch. It was delicious. She was super sweet and talking to her made lunch a really great experience! I also found a coffee shop that is quiet, quaint, and really just like a little piece of heaven... a nice escape from the craziness of school with AMAZING coffee.. I was SO happy to find it, considering my favorite place to do work is Heine Brothers!!! It is like my own secret work Heine Brothers  in Taiwan!!!

Today has been super successful as well!!! The students are really starting to come around to me. I have received many hugs :) nice notes from parents, and communication from some of the most sky students in class. We are starting the curriculum tomorrow, which I am very excited about!!! I am looking forward to the rest of the year and to watch my Greenhouse loves Minds Bloom!!!

Well I am off to teach the Days of the Week song!

Week and a Half in Taiwan

So I am going to start at today and work my way  back... it is my first day at school and holy cow I am EXHAUSTED!!! My class seems fabulous except I have a student that balls every time he looks at me. I wish there was something I could do to fix it, but it seems like I just make it worse. Thank goodness for my Chinese teacher who is a miracle worker. They say once the kids get used to a foreign teacher it gets better, I sure hope they are right!!
Last night Lady Gaga was in Taichung.. .I guess it was a welcome party for the new teachers :) We walked past where she was playing and it was pure caos.. but super cool. The teachers and I attempted to watch from the roof but a building was in our way.. but we did see some huge GAGA fans that became estatic when I yelled Gaga :)

This weekend was also Canada Day and 4th of July Celebrations. Canada day was super fun, the teachers and I just chilled in the grass ate some amazing food, and enjoyed a nice day out. We worked at America Day and made friends with people from all over.

I have also ridden my first scooter, experienced the craziness that is the night market, moved into my RIDICULOUSLY sweet house (6 bedrooms , 3 baths, 4 girls, and I have a balcony), set up my classroom including a leaf canopy and all, learned some more Chinese , eatten McDonalds :( and so much more.. but my brain is completely shot today from all the playing outside, singing , and dancing.

I think I am really  going to love it here. The people are amazing, the place is beautiful, and the mountains are a perfect touch to get away from it all.. which we will be doing  this weekend!