Lauren's Adventures in Taiwan

Not only has it been a century and a half since I have written anything, but now it is just about time for me to head back to America! The latter being not being lots of fun...having to pack up all my belongings and say goodbye/see you next time to those that I have grown close to over the year.

Here's a really condensed version of my life in the past few months:

I went to Japan with my school! It was fantastic! Japan is a super cool country, a bit expensive, but cool nonetheless. I got to see a bunch of landmarks/famous places. But by far, my favorite day there was going to a Japanese school. Their schools are a bit similar to those in Taiwan, yet still different enough (not to mention filled with japanese girls screaming "cute foreigner!!!") that it was an exciting new adventure. We went to Tokyo, Yokohama, the countryside, and into the state of Nagano. I'm on a crunch for time right now (internet cafe!) so if you want to know more...email me!

After I got back from Japan, I went to my last 3 days of high school in Taiwan. Then, my family came!!! Thus, I started my summer vacation! Students in Taiwan just recently started their summer vacations...June 29th was their last day of school. With my family, I showed them around Taiwan. We spent a significant amount of time in Taichung (my home town!) meeting my host families, and trying to stay dry. It rained a LOT. Thankfully, when we headed to the south, and later the north, it didn't rain in either location! At the end of our 11 days in Taiwan, we headed to Hong Kong for 5 days. HK is an amazing country!!!!! Its absolutely TINY, though, so there are people, traffic jams, etc. 24/7. Take the business of NYC and multiply that by about 5 to get Hong Kong. :) I loved it though. What can I say, I'm a big city girl!

Now, I'm back in Taiwan. Packing all my belongings and saying goodbye. This country, filled with all these amazing people, has become really, really, really special to me. Although I may have to say goodbye, I can take these experiences and friendships with me wherever I go! I hope to see everyone soon...after I get back, that is. I'll be back in St. Louis on July 10th (4pm, to be exact!). It's a long stretch home, though!!

我不想回美國ㄚ!!

Lauren

So busy lately, I'm sorry that I haven't been keeping everyone as update as I should be...

One quick side note - does anyone want any particular small gifts from Taiwan? I'll be coming back in early July and I am doing LOTS of shopping now for myself and for others. That's what I get for procrastinating during the first 5 months by saying, "Oh....I've still got another 6 months. That's plenty of time to buy lots of souveniers." Let me know - shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment! :)

Just yesterday, 4/20/07, was my school's birthday. It was soooooooooooo much fun! The entire school had NO classes or tests for the entire day. We just played outside in the sun and celebrated the school's 72nd birthday. Everyone got the chance to participate - that's like 2,000 some odd people doing a bunch of different competitions. There were the opening ceremonies, cheerleading performances, relay races, and then bunches of individual competitions. I ran the relay race with my homeroom class - we got 1st place! The important part was that we all had so much fun. I took so many pictures. And people took so many pictures with me. Standing in one place would have made it much easier, because then my fellow classmates (many of whom I don't really know) wouldn't have had to track me down. I'd also be a rich person if I charged every person money to take a picture with me. But I could never bring myself to doing something like that because I really do like all the people at my school. All of them! They are so wonderful and have really accepted having a foreigner at their school with open minds...there's always a friend nearby. :) After a significant amount of exposure to the sun (its about time my skin begins to resemble tan Americans instead of the white that Asia prefers!) I went to lunch with 6 or 8 girls from my math class.  I really do love hanging out with the Taiwanese people. The teens/college students are amazing as well as the adults. I will give the Taiwanese people credit because they do a really good job of putting aside assumptions about one's background/culture and really try to get to know others. But it doesn't stop them from staring at foreigners like they are a part of a local circus attraction!

Other than that, I've honestly just been staying really busy at school. Within the past month, I have met an incredible amount of new friends. Mostly because when I don't have class, or have free time, I head to the sports courts and shoot hoops or play volleyball. I'm now playing volleyball everyday after school with some friends from my math class or from my homeroom class. Or just people that I happen to spot playing volleyball. Even by asking, my classmates automatically let me play volleyball with them because they are super thrilled that a foreigner would even consider hanging out with the Taiwanese. I'm not really the typical foreign exchange student, in that aspect. I came to see Taiwan and learn Chinese - who better to be my tour guide/teacher than the Taiwanese??!!

The weather is HOT. Well, not really. I just looked on this website (www.wunderground.com) and its actually only a high of 75F today. I've forgotten F/ft/miles/inches, because we use the metric system. Oh well! :) I'm pretty sure the weather is hot because of the humidity. It seriously must be like 5,000% humidity. And the sun is really big because I'm located signifcantly farther south than America...the tropic of cancer runs through Taiwan just an hours drive or so south of my hometown!

That should do it...I'm off to do some homework and then go to my host grandma's house for dinner. That means lots of little kids climbing on the foreigner. Fun, fun, fun!

王洛伶 (Lauren)

So...I've been here for 7 (almost 8!) months. And, now that I'm use to the cultural, I'm noticing a lot of tiny details that I missed as I was becoming initially adjusted to Taiwan. Here's what I've been seeing:

1. 7-11 sells EVERYTHING. That is obvious. But, they do not sell Pepsi (or any pepsi products for that matter). I remember seeing Pepsi in Europe, but it was still sparse. I probably just noticed this because I never drink soda and now steer towards the fruit juice/tea section.

2. Feng Shui (how you arrange your house/office/etc.) is SUPER important. For instant, at school, in the main building, there are mirrors at every level of the stairs. I learned today that when ghosts climb the stairs, they see their reflections and panic. Stairs NEVER face the front door...then all the good karama leaves and bad karma can come in easily. There's lotssssssssss of this kind of stuff - let me know if you want to know more!

3. School is getting busier, my classmates are taking more tests than ever, yet we all still manage to have fun. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.

4. Taiwan has NO winter, NO spring. Just autumn and summer. As I write, I am trying not to die of heat in an un-airconditioned room. I kid you not. Humidity here is like Missouri/Illinois in the summertime multiplied by 5! Today, the temperature will range from 22-24C (which means about 71-75F). Yet, it still manages to feel like 98F in the shade. Oh the joys of humidity on a tropical island!

5. People you meet in unexpected places or as the result of unexpected activities often tend to be really cool. Or at least one can learn something from them.

Life is great...I'd love to hear how everyone is doing! I have a week off next week due to midterms (that I won't take...except for Chinese!) and Tomb Sweeping Day. Tomb Sweeping Day is pretty straight-forward...I'm going to go with my host family to sweep off the tomb of their deceased family members. Whoooohoo! :)

Lauren

Hi Everyone!

Life has been busy, but fabulous. Chinese New Year was one party after another. Before the celebrations officially started, I went with my 2nd host family to Kaoshiung and Kenting (both in the south of Taiwan). We had 3 days to see a few sights and mostly enjoy soaking up the sun. Actually, I was the one to soak up the sun...the Taiwanese are scared of the sun and prefer to have white skin because it is much more fashionable.

When we got home from the south, Chinese New Year began. On Chinese New Year eve, I went to my host dad's parents' home...we ate dinner and got red envelopes. I would have to say that Chinese New Year is the MOST important time of the year for being with family. And then when you are with your family, you just eat lots of food. It all begins to taste the same after awhile. Red envelopes are AMAZING...I hope that maybe then will become more widespread in America someday! Red, symbolizes luck and other good things. So, the elders give out red envelopes to the teens/young kids as a symbol of giving them good wishes for luck, prosperity, and happiness in the year to come. With all of my host families, Rotary, and other acquaintances, I got about $14,000NTD in red envelopes. I'll let you do the math to figure out that it is quite a significant amount of USD, as well.

Every night during Chinese New Year, there were fireworks going off in the streets until maybe 2 or 3 am...they would then start back up around 6 am. It really was like a week of non-stop parties. On the 3rd day of the lunar new year, all married daughters return to their mother's home...so that's what we did! All of it was really fun, but I would have to say that having the chance to observe this new year in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The first day of Chinese New Year, EVERYTHING on the entire island was shut down (except for 7-11). It made buying lunch really tough because nobody was selling food! After that, stores and restaurants gradually started to open again.

Last friday, I moved to my 3rd (and final!) host family. It was quite an exciting move. Their home is outside of Taichung city a bit, but not in the countryside...definitely still in the city! I take the bus to and from school now (about a 30-40min commute one-way). Unlike my other two host families, this family lives in a house. I guess it would actually be considered more of a 5-story walk-up. I'm very happy in their home amongst my 2 siblings...a brother that is almost 18 years old (and busy studying to get into National Taiwan University) and my sister who is 16.

Now I'm back at school...life at school is great. I feel refreshed and relaxed. Tomorrow (2/28) is a holiday in rememberance of a rebellion that started in Taiwan between the Taiwanese and Chinese immigrants where many people died/were injured. Don't worry, though, its not all fun-and-games. I'm making up for my holiday tomorrow by going to school on Saturday.

Sending my best wishes! I'll be home in early July! And then I will need someone to speak Chinese to!

Lauren

Hey everyone!

My winter/chinese new year vacation is in full swing - so far I've had about 2 weeks of it. Still another 3 weeks to go! I spent the first week in Taipei. I stayed with a Rotarian and basically walked my legs off every day. The other two Americans from my school came to Taipei, too...they like to sleep in late, so I left early most mornings and came back around midnight every night! There is so much to do and see in Taipei. And with the amazing MRT (subway!) and my MRT easycard, it is all easily accessible. Its too difficult to think about what I did day-by-day, so here's a general overview...Snake/Turtle street, foot massage (more painful than relaxing!), Longshan temple (a temple that survived 2 earthquakes), Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (he founded the Republic of China), Danshui, Banciao (2 cities out of the city!), lots of exploring places that aren't normally explored, night markets, hanging out with other foreigners, TONS of shopping, fancy dinners at the Grand Hyatt hotel, dancing to live music until 2 am, meeting famous people (I was mistaken as the South African president's daughter)...the list goes on and on and on! So if you want to know specifics, e-mail me or leave a message! But, I was always safe - and always having lots of fun!

When I got back to Taichung, I had to go to a Rotary Youth Leadership conference. It was basically 3 days of sitting and listening to people talk in a mixture of Chinese and Taiwanese. Taiwanese is a very special language, but for the Chinese-speaking foreigners...its not always fun to listen to because it doesn't resemble Chinese at all. What I did understand was usually interesting or thought-provoking. I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet lots of people my age...that was, in my opinion, the best part of the 3 days.

I got back from that on Monday, and today is Thursday. Tomorrow is groundhog's day! Its "winter" here now...temperatures are getting "cold" maybe around 7 or 8C. But it is very windy, so it can be cold. And all the buildings have NO insulation or central heating and are made purely of concrete. So yes, there is potential for winter-like weather. But no snow...it rarely snows in Taiwan's highest mountains!

Tuesday, I went to the National Science Museum. I got to see an exhibit featuring 50 or so of the Terra Cotta soldiers that were discovered in Xi'an, China. I always thought that they were historically important, but after seeing them up close, I've come to the conclusion that they also artistically important! Yesterday (Wed.), I did a bunch of house-stuff and went for tea time with my host mom in the mountains. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city. And today, I went to the Botanical Gardens and caught up with some classmates for lunch and tea. I'm going to miss not having tea shops everywhere in America. Yes, America is the land of starbucks, but that just isn't the same. :)

Next Monday-Friday, I'll be with the other foreigners AND Taiwanese kids that will go to other countries in the summer. We are taking a 5 day trip to Taipei and to Hualien. It should be fun! I love Taipei!!!!!!!!! Its just like in America - I love the thrill of big cities. So, maybe, I'm a big city person. Oh...Hualien isn't really a big city, but we will get the chance to visit Taroko Gorge (a marble gorge) and see the beaches! Hualien is on the east coast and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Taiwan. When I get home, it is practically Chinese New Year. For the new year, we will visit family...and get red envelopes filled with money! And then back to school on the 27th and moving host families sometime in early March. Time is going by toooooooo quickly!

Best wishes to all!

Lauren

Happy (belated) New Year, everyone!

So far, my New Year is off to a great start. New Year's is a very important day for the Taiwanese. At midnight on New Year's Eve, I watched the fireworks on TV...from Taipei 101. They were AMAZING. Probably the best fireworks that I have ever seen in my life. There were also lots of fireworks going off in the streets outside (I live on the 12th floor) until close to 2am. New Years Day was the one holiday we got! YAY! I slept and hung out with friends! I also had the opportunity to watch the ball in NYC drop...at noon my time. Quite eventful!

This week of school has been busy, but good. I'm always ready for my weekends even if it does mean additional stuff to do...because at least it is outside of school! I am sooooo ready for our winter/chinese new year vacation to start. I will have one month off of school. My plans are still up in the air, but 9 days will be set aside for the celbration of the year of the pig! It should be fun!

As for this weekend, I'm going to go and catch a movie with friends tonight (Friday) as well as eating at TGI Friday's (its about time I ate real American food...I've been here almost 5 months!). Tomorrow, Saturday, I'll spend with my host family. The 1st Saturday of every month, most businessmen/women go to work for a part of the day. So I'll also be spending time with my friends! And on Sunday I'm going to Taipei for something Rotary-related!

Sending my best wishes to each and every one of you for the New Year!

Lauren

So, before I get too far, NO WORRIES - everyone in Taiwan is 100% safe and sound. The only damage is to some buildings a few hours south of me and communication lines bound for China, Japan, and Hong Kong. 2 eathquakes happened last night (both between 6.7 and 7.1 on the Richter scale) and one this morning...I honestly had no clue what was happening. I was outside with some friends and I suddenly couldn't walk very easily. And I looked up at the buildings to see them swaying. My apartment with my host family is on the 12th floor...I'm happy I wasn't there! One was around 8:20 pm and my friends predicted that there would be another around 8:30pm - they were right! There was also a bit of an aftershock in the middle of the night and early this morning.

That's my story - off to do some homework and meet up with a few Rotarians!

Warmly,

Lauren

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

I hope that this post finds everyone in the midst of a happy holiday season! For me, Christmas in Taiwan was totally diferent but also lots of fun. December 25th has never been a public holiday in Taiwan mainly because there are no Christians on the island. So, instead, I took a holiday! Actually both Monday and Tuesday as holidays! :)

My weekend was spent in Nantou County with a large amount of foreigners (that is another story!!! but just know that it was fun!). We finally returned to Taichung on Sunday evening. I went with 2 of the other Americans and one of our Chinese teachers to a hotel...we split the rate! It was super nice. And they had comfy beds (not the cardboard ones!) and carpeting on the floors!!!! We spent Christmas night hanging out, talking, and watching movies (The Polar Express and Miss Congeniality). On Christmas Day at around 6:30, my family called me! YAY! It was the perfect way to wake up! Then I opened presents for a couple of hours with the other Americans...my gifts are the best of 2 cultures! I got a scarf, chopsticks, books, jewelry...the list goes on and on! At first I thought being so far from my family meant that Christmas could be boring/bad, but I had a special Christmas celebration and didn't once feel homesick! After opening all the presents, we went down and feasted on the complimentary western-style breakfast. It was good. And the scrambled eggs were amazing (its like a delicacy in taiwan!!!).

Eventually, we had to check out of the hotel. I came home (actually we all went to the art museum via taxi) and then relaxed and enjoyed my presents even more! Thanks so much to all those that sent cards/gifts. I hope you know how much I appreciated it! :-) Later on in the afternoon, I went out with my pals that own a coffee shop down the street. Monday is their holiday so it worked out perfectly - they took me to their hometown of Changhua (about 10 or 20 min from Taichung) and we had a bit of holiday fun! Meaning, we had dinner and walked around. We stopped at Buddha Mountain...a mountain with a buddha on top. And we got to see Taiwanes war airplanes. Oooh, but the best was overlooking the city/Taichung county at sunset!

The rest of my Christmas was spent singing Christmas songs and doing su doku/reading! LOTS of fun, really!!! I miss everyone LOTS and I hope you had a wonderful holiday, too!!! :)

Lauren

For all those of you who spent Friday digging your cars out of the snow, I am sooooo genuinely sorry! I miss the snow LOTS! :) But it is finally getting cooler here - and the Taiwanese think that it is actually pretty darn cold right now...around 65 degrees F with a breeze. I am thoroughly enjoying the pleasant weather! But I did put on a sweatshirt on Saturday while hiking in the mountains! There is a first time for everything!

So that is what I did on Saturday...I went hiking in a nearby mountain park with my new host family. It was a lot of fun, considering the weather was perfect! And we hiked for 5 hours...a long time...but I had so much fun. It was also a really great opportunity to be with my host family and get to know them! We returned to our home (all really tired!) and then we relaxed for a bit. I decided to go back to the mountains with my family and spend the night in our 2nd home in Dakeng. It was so peaceful and cool! And I slept really well despite the beds being really hard! I also woke up around 2:30 am to call a few friends and my mom/bro. Lots of fun!

Yesterday, Sunday, was spent relaxing. We woke up (still in Dakeng) and then we drove around for a bit on these narrow, country/mountain roads. Then we had breakfast and returned to Taichung. I went out with my host bro and one of his classmates for lunch. We had Subway!!! But, I think that Subway is better in America. Especially the Italian B.M.T...but it was worth trying! For the rest of the afternoon, I watched a movie, studied, and went to bed really early! The movie I watched was good...something with Pierce Brosnan about art - "The Crown Project" I think. But I used to hate it when I was little. And now I love it. Funny how time/circumstances can have an effect on one's perspective.

Stay dry and warm everyone!

Lauren

So...my life has been really busy, and I can't really remember the last time when I wrote an update. But it has been busy!!!!!!!! A few weekends ago, I had a little tour with the other foreigners. We saw several factories as well as some other sights that are unique to Taichung. I especially enjoyed this dam...a part of it was completely torn down by the earthquake they had several years ago...and it was really interesting to see how it was rebuilt. The best part of the trip was being with other foreigners and being able to talk about our experiences together!

I guess the most exciting news is that I'm now in my 2nd host family's home. They are really sweet. And I live right down the street from the FREE art museum. And there's a park right outside my front door...well as much of a park as the Taiwanese have...but it really is a nice part of town. Lots of coffee shops, speciality restaurants, and cafes! Definitely my kind of place! And slightly closer to school...I get to sleep in an extra 10 minutes! Trust me, when school is so darn long, I'm grateful for every extra nanosecond!

As for school, all of that is still going really well. My Chinese is getting much better...my current (new) host family only speaks FAST chinese to me. But its really good, and I'm enjoying it throughly!

Sorry for such a short update! Its time for dinner! More to come soon...just know that I am safe and sound and happy (as always!!!!!!)

--Lauren