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!