It’s been hard to keep track of how long I’ve been in Taichung now. It feels like at least a week, but then I do the math and I’ve only been here 5 full days.
The past few days have also consisted of shopping for furniture, paint, kitchenware, pretty much anything involved. It’s been somewhat stressful considering that I’m very picky about what I like and don’t, and would rather have furniture that I like, than shop quickly to get what I think I need and then end up hating it. I will probably go to Taipei this weekend and go to IKEA, which should simplify my life a little (I hope). I also met someone today who loves interior designing. Couldn’t have met her at a more perfect time, considering that I have NO clue how to setup or decorate an apartment. She gave me her number and I’m going to have her come in and tell me what she thinks I should do. Yay! Good step in the right direction!
Trying to recap everything that has happened in detail is next to impossible (because I don’t really remember), so I’ll give you the highlights of some of the things that I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been here.
First of all, Chinese is way harder than I ever imagined. Granted, my time has been short, but I find that I’m having difficulty retaining anything. Take today for example: after Orientation for New Teachers (which started today) we were taken to the village. The Village is the surrounding area of the Morrison campus that consists of a lot of little tea shops, breakfast shops, hair salons, auto repair shops…you name it, the Village has it. Anyway, we went to get some tea. I asked a new colleague who speaks Chinese if she would teach me how to order my drink. I wanted a lemon green tea, half sugar. She taught me, I repeated it over and over. I told the server what I wanted and she said “ah ha!” and made it perfectly! I was very excited. Now…ask me to repeat what I said, and there’s just no way! I don’t remember!
Making the effort to speak Chinese goes a long way with the locals, so I am trying. I just have trouble remember what it was I said. Hopefully that will get better. They may laugh, but at least I tried!
The other good thing to know is that here in Taiwan pedestrians mean nothing. I know they didn’t really mean much in Chile either, but I could at least pretend to be cocky and cross, and cars would stop. If you do that here, you are road kill. Cars are not the only “predators” out there. There are scooters everywhere here, and they will flatten you if necessary!
As you may remember from my last post the Taiwanese can be pretty blunt. However, this depends. If they are trying to save face, or save you face they will sugarcoat the truth. Smart!
White here is associated with death, as black is associated with evil. So white flowers are common at a funeral, but should probably not be taken to someone's house as a gift!
That's about all I remember off the top of my head. Still haven't gotten a whiff of stiky tofu. When that happens, I'll be sure to report.
What else…I got a campus tour today, and as soon as my classroom is set up and gorgeous I will put up pictures. It’s a really great campus and the facilities are really well thought out to give the students the best education possible. Not only that, but there’s a swimming pool AND a weight room. Now I really have no excuse not to work out. Oh well!
For those of you whose emails I haven’t responded to yet, please don’t be offended and don’t take it personally. I am busier than I ever imagined I’d be, and don’t have Internet setup in my apartment yet. As I write this, I am sitting on my balcony in the hot humidity, being eaten alive by mosquitoes (I can feel them biting), mooching of the campus Wi-Fi…which sometimes works, and sometimes does not.. I will respond as soon as I can.
I miss Chile (understatement of the year). Having said that I'm certain that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. There's a lot of peace in that which comes only from a loving God that knows exactly in store for the years to come. I have to remind myself of often that "The only safe place to be is in the center of God's will." I know that's where I am and find comfort in that.
Here are some more pictures!
My first rice box!
Terry showing off his "not very PC" old school toothpaste.
Josh and Torianna...The sweetest baby ever
This looks like a Karoake Television center (those are really popular here)...it says it is one...but it's a brothel. There seem to be a few of those around.
Bonnie and I sweep up some glass in the hallway outside my apartment. It shattered my first night here. Nope, wasn't me!
Ellen works in the System Office and has been a crucial part of my transition to Taiwan. She graduated from Morrison and has just moved here from Seattle!
More updates to come! Keep reading :)
