The Land of Bubble Tea
"Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will."-Jawaharal Nehru
I think I am finally mastering the use of chopsticks. It's not as easy on one would think. I still haven't gotten use to the amount of food people eat in Taiwan. It is so much.
The other day I went to a restaurant with my host mom it had mainly western food and you ate 8 dishes.
-1 meal (meat)
-1 salad
-1 appetizer (salmon)
-1 soup (pumpkin)
-1 bread
-1 drink
-1 dessert (Tiramisu)
There's one more but I can't recall it. Anyways it so much ^_^ so good. I find with Taiwanese food I either like it or I don't. I am kind of in the middle. A lot of the exchange students here love everything.
I also find that drinking with meals is rare (unless it in your own home). A lot of Taiwanese people eat out I find. So when you go out you don't get a drink with your meal and if you do it at the very end.
(Restaurant we went to)
The other day I went to a restaurant with my host mom it had mainly western food and you ate 8 dishes.
-1 meal (meat)
-1 salad
-1 appetizer (salmon)
-1 soup (pumpkin)
-1 bread
-1 drink
-1 dessert (Tiramisu)
There's one more but I can't recall it. Anyways it so much ^_^ so good. I find with Taiwanese food I either like it or I don't. I am kind of in the middle. A lot of the exchange students here love everything.
I also find that drinking with meals is rare (unless it in your own home). A lot of Taiwanese people eat out I find. So when you go out you don't get a drink with your meal and if you do it at the very end.
(Restaurant we went to)
(Best drink EVER)
In the post I am not going to post any picture of people (if you want to see people, other then myself, check facebook). I do not have there permission. Anyways here is my room shot:
So yesterday (the 2nd of September) I went to my school orientation for exchange students. It was very fun and very tiring. I did not understand any of the Chinese but I tried to listen very hard.
I found out that my school starts at 8:30AM and ends at 4:16PM . But I add a club (which I will) it will probably be 5 or 6PM.
My uniform is optional. I think this is only for exchange students.
I have 7 classes to take. 3 of them are chinese learning classes. My schedule for the week goes like this: Monday to Thursday from 8:30AM to 11:20AM is Chinese learning class for exchange students. Then the last 4 classes I take each day is my choice. On Monday (my first day) I will fill out my schedule with my teacher.
Taiwan's high schools are much like Canadian's Elementary school system. I say this because students stay in one class and teacher comes to them each hour.
My school is so huge 0_0 it currently under construction until October.
I found out that my school starts at 8:30AM and ends at 4:16PM . But I add a club (which I will) it will probably be 5 or 6PM.
My uniform is optional. I think this is only for exchange students.
I have 7 classes to take. 3 of them are chinese learning classes. My schedule for the week goes like this: Monday to Thursday from 8:30AM to 11:20AM is Chinese learning class for exchange students. Then the last 4 classes I take each day is my choice. On Monday (my first day) I will fill out my schedule with my teacher.
Taiwan's high schools are much like Canadian's Elementary school system. I say this because students stay in one class and teacher comes to them each hour.
My school is so huge 0_0 it currently under construction until October.
To get to school I must take 1 bus, 2 trains and a bit of walking. Then I must sign myself in at the gates ^_^
At the orientation I learn the lay down of how Chinese class was going to learn and I got to meet students who go there and other exchange students. There is 7 other exchange students beside me. All from Rotary. 1 girl from Korea (who is in my club), 2 from America , 2 from Germany, 1 from Brazil and the other two I forget where they are from.
I enjoy talking to the Taiwanese girls but my Chinese is so limited :( and there English is excellent. Then we had lunch. I had a sandwich, fruit tart, cake and dumpling.
Taiwanese bread lets talk about that. I have a love and hate with this item. Some break (ex; bread for the Sandwich) is excellent and others is not so good.
At the orientation I learn the lay down of how Chinese class was going to learn and I got to meet students who go there and other exchange students. There is 7 other exchange students beside me. All from Rotary. 1 girl from Korea (who is in my club), 2 from America , 2 from Germany, 1 from Brazil and the other two I forget where they are from.
I enjoy talking to the Taiwanese girls but my Chinese is so limited :( and there English is excellent. Then we had lunch. I had a sandwich, fruit tart, cake and dumpling.
Taiwanese bread lets talk about that. I have a love and hate with this item. Some break (ex; bread for the Sandwich) is excellent and others is not so good.
After Orientation I and my host mom went to Taipei 101. Which is the tallest building in Taiwan. You can get to the 89th floor, by elevator, in 34 seconds.
We went up and I was able to take pictures of the city. Now get this that image (above) of the city is only one side. So image that many buildings time by 6 and you get Taipei City.
In Taipei 101's top floor there is souvenir photo shops and gifts shops . I didn't buy anything except souvenir photos but I had a grand time.
We went up and I was able to take pictures of the city. Now get this that image (above) of the city is only one side. So image that many buildings time by 6 and you get Taipei City.
In Taipei 101's top floor there is souvenir photo shops and gifts shops . I didn't buy anything except souvenir photos but I had a grand time.
After that we took a subway to a sea side coast district in New Taipei City called Danshui. It has real Taiwanese food. It was so beautiful with moutains and a sea ^_^ We ate supper there and then shop around. My host mom bought me a key chain with there last name on it.
I see a lot of One Piece, Prince of Tennish and Vampire Knight in Taiwan. In Danshui there is stores solely to playing games (and I don't mean video games, I mean carnival games). So we play a game where we try and throw a ball in many cups (it a lot harder then it sounds). We won and I got a yoyo . Also random fact but my train and bus pass is called a yo yo card.
After that we took a train to a place call Shilin Night Market. Which is the largest Night Market in Taiwan.
I see a lot of One Piece, Prince of Tennish and Vampire Knight in Taiwan. In Danshui there is stores solely to playing games (and I don't mean video games, I mean carnival games). So we play a game where we try and throw a ball in many cups (it a lot harder then it sounds). We won and I got a yoyo . Also random fact but my train and bus pass is called a yo yo card.
After that we took a train to a place call Shilin Night Market. Which is the largest Night Market in Taiwan.
It is so crowed. Reminded me a bit of being in New York. We look around. I seriously want to check out the clothes in a night market but my host mom kind of rushes through them lol.
We then got some bubble milk tea (image is the first one) and OMG is it good. So much better then the Bubble milk tea at home.
I also realize two things recently:
1. English seems foreign to me. When I hear some one speak it I don't recognize it at first.
2. I forgetting how to spell English words. Ex; in this post I couldn't remember how to spell bubble and solely.
I also went to my first book store tonight (got a fashion magazine) and received a phone. My host mom does so much for me and won't let me pay for anything. I feel so thankful but such a burden. I really don't like when people spend money on me.
Well Until Next Time,
We then got some bubble milk tea (image is the first one) and OMG is it good. So much better then the Bubble milk tea at home.
I also realize two things recently:
1. English seems foreign to me. When I hear some one speak it I don't recognize it at first.
2. I forgetting how to spell English words. Ex; in this post I couldn't remember how to spell bubble and solely.
I also went to my first book store tonight (got a fashion magazine) and received a phone. My host mom does so much for me and won't let me pay for anything. I feel so thankful but such a burden. I really don't like when people spend money on me.
Well Until Next Time,
~Maura~
Posted at 11:01 PM | 0 comments
.I hope you enjoy reading my oversea journey. Hopefully I can inspire others, like others have inspired me.
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