Merry Christmas

This is my computer background.
Happy Holidays from Taiwan.

Its Christmas here. I look very festive because I am wearing the Wellies Mom got me and my Santa hat Aunt Lynn gave me. I will put up pictures later of Christmas. I got a new camera so I am slow getting everything hooked up. I will call home later on today. I can't wait to talk to everyone.

Now I must get back to work. Worksheets do not create themselves although I wish that they did, haha.

Merry Christmas,
Julia

Morning at School

There was a ceremony this morning with grade eight and grade seventh students and lots of prominent Taiwanese people. Prosfessional pictures have been taken and thank goodness we were not invited. Its cold and rainy, nasty. We did get to watch from our ivory tower (our office). There was drums, firecrackers, and dragon dancing. I took pictures of course. Enjoy.

Picture of the ceremony
The Dragons dancing More Dragons dancing
Close up of the Dragons

In one Day

Today has been the most weird day ever. The stress of the Christmas play and getting sick at Christmas time is getting to me. There was a fight in my sixth grade class between two boys. I had to also take a random ninth grade boy to the office for mouthing off at me. I got a phone call about my camera, its going to be in on Saturday (good news). We just got cookies and a poinsettia from a parent who got elected into office (good also). I still have eight grade boys to go and a runny nose (bad). I got my costume for Wizard of Oz. I am the Wicked Witch of the West and they present me with a costume fit for a ball. It will definitely be interesting. That's all for now.

Julia


Paul as OZ for the Christmas play.

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

Mom's gifts. Enough for all of Taiwan, lol.

This weekend was spent at work and in a seminar. Crazy, I know. This upcoming weekend will be spent ice skating, going to the school, and opening Christmas presents. I can't wait. Nothing but Christmas, Christmas, and more Christmas. The elementary Christmas show is this Friday. If we last til then I might be surprised. So much work goes into this show and you can see it. I will have a copy of it and send it home. I will be the one with the green face.

Mom's packages got here today. The picture above are all the boxes. I was picturing one box with boxes in them. So when I walked into the office after lunch I just stopped and let out a little scream of joy (it was quiet like since people were on the phone). Good times. I can't wait to talk to everyone Christmas Day.

Aloha

I have done it. I have booked a vacation by myself for myself. This must mean I am finally growing up. I did have a small breakdown when buying the ticket. No one was in the room to help me and I just started shaking. I am fine now. I have my ticket booked for the 14th of February to the 21st of February. If anyone wants to visit me in Hawaii during that week you are welcome to.

Now I must invent a lesson plan for grade eight girls, easier said than done.
Julia

Blessed and Bond

This weekend has been the best yet.I went to bed early, woke up early, and had an over all feeling of being blessed. I shopped, saw a ballet, cried at the ballet, ate french toast, fell of a sidewalk into the road in front of two hundred people. Blessed is the only word I can think of, lol.

Saturday night I went with KN to see Cloudgate, a Taiwanese ballet. It was quite interesting and beautiful. The bus ride home was not. It was so crowded that people almost missed their stops because they couldn't get to the front of the bus.


Kathleen in front of the National Theater at C.K.S. Memorial.
The outside of the national theater.
Kathleen and I in front of the theater.

Me on the Grand Staircase.
Its a little fuzzy, but that is what the theater looks like inside.

The dancers act out Chinese lettering.
All of the dancers on stage.

Sunday was a day of shopping and falling down. We started at the Jade Market, then took a brunch break, and finally went to Taipei 101 area to shop and see James Bond. James Bond was great and so was the shopping. Shopping is so different here, there is no mall, just bunches random stores with no walls. It can get confusing when you are looking for a certain thing.
KB shopping at the Jade Market

Mom and Dad. I sent Christmas presents today. They are supposed to be at your houses on December 23. Caroline, I sent your birthday card, I hope it will get to you before the new year, lol, they are slow with cards.

Here comes the bride

All of us before the reception with Kerry
Kerry in her first dress. By the way she is happy, she is just really shy.
The beginning of the reception where the fake Kerry and Harry come into the room.



The reception for the wedding was beautiful. The only people to see the actual ceremony are the parents and siblings. It is done earlier that day in one of the parents' house. The big celebration is afterwards. They had ten courses and all were interesting. It was Japanese style so there was plenty of raw seafood. I tasted it all and prefer cooked seafood. There were steamed crabs there and I got to teach my roommates how to pick a crab. It was quite interesting.

There is no dancing, just background music, food, and people talking in Chinese and Taiwanese. I had to get up and walk around because I spent almost two hours sitting. While I was walking I met a new friend. He doesn't speak English or Chinese, only gibberish since he is probably 3 years old. I was out in the lobby taking pictures and he just came up to me and started talking. I took him to meet the roommates and he climbed up in my chair and just started chatting away in baby language, lol. It was possibly the cutest thing I have seen since I got here besides getting all of my first and second graders to wiggle.

My new friend sitting at the table.
Kerry's second dress.
At the end of the night the bride and groom give away pictures and candy. This is Kerry's third dress.


I missed the bouquet toss because I was standing in line for the bathroom. There were only a handful of people up there I was told and Kerry didn't chunk it like I am sure brides at home would do. Also men and women go up to catch the flowers so there was a lot of diving I was told when I got back. I miss all of the good stuff, lol.

Me with my balloons and flower.

We went home afterwards and had the rest of my ice cream cake. I know what you are thinking, "how did you eat more when you had ten courses?" Ten courses here isn't ten courses at home. They are a lot smaller and more diverse so in all I think I had maybe five courses and I just sampled those.


Now Kerry is on her honeymoon in Japan and we are here in the office confused on how to work without her. She will be gone for two weeks. The Christmas show preparations are insane so I am sure I will be here on the weekends just to catch up. It will be over soon, thank the heavens, and we will finally get our breath back.

Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday banner.



My birthday was delicious, emotionally and physically. This is the first time I had a cake everyday starting on Friday and ending on Monday. The first one was vanilla at school. Another girl in the office had a birthday and we shared the Happy Birthday song and cake. The next night, the manager at a local bar surprised me with a chocolate cake. It was later sat on/fell on in the night by a guy friend, lol. It was almost gone anyway. On my actual birthday, I had cupcakes from the best cupcake place in the country for breakfast and chocolate cake at night from Romano's (this great Italian place). Monday, I headed to the ice cream store and picked up my cookies and cream birthday cake. The girls and I forgot about it as we watched Take the Lead so it melted somewhat (lets just say we had to do some laundry). I saved it (somewhat) and still have it sitting in the freezer waiting to be eaten.

The surprise cake and me holding up my Double Deuce sign.

Saturday we had to make up a school day so I begrudgingly went to school. Around 10am I received the most gorgeous roses from the children that I tutor and their family. I took a picture and they are now starting to bloom. I just love them.

Sunday was so funny. I woke up early, meaning 9 am, and walked into the bathroom. On what felt like my long walk I say KN and said hello. She wished me Happy Birthday and I did a little dance move consisting of my arms in the position of an Egyptian and kept walking. My head was down, which Dad later reported to me that that is how I walk when dead tired. I was able to pick it up enough on the way back so I could make eye contact with KN when I saw the banner and balloons. The first thought was how did she put that up so fast? The the second thought was I had walked right by it with my head down. KN was laughing at me since I said my thoughts out loud, as I usually do when I am tired.
The girls and I later met up for breakfast at my favorite place to be on a Sunday, NY Bagels. I tore into my french toast, sausage, homefries, eggs, and apple. They then told me to go to the bathroom for a bit. I didn't know what a bit meant so I went to the bathroom and then walked around outside. When I finally came back in, there were chocolate cupcakes sitting on the table with my name on it (the one thing I wanted was my name on some kind of cake like home) and tall candles sticking out of the cupcakes. I learned later that the girls had lit what they thought were regular candles, but were in fact sparklers and had almost burned down NY Bagels, lol. I blew one out before it started to spark and catch my hair on fire. They then presented me with an Italian singer CD (who I love) and a calendar with old maps in it (which I love even more). We ate the cupcakes, took pictures, and then walked home to open cards and the presents from my Dad, and watch Mad Hot Ballroom. I recommend this movie, it was great. After the movie we were going to go ice skating, but the rink closed early that day so we decided to lounge around. We got ready to go to the restaurant for dinner around 6:30. The blue dress (which is what it is referred to here) was finally put on with only some discomfort. It was not made for
Taiwan's hot weather. Louise helped roll of the sleeves and pin them for me since my arms could not breathe. Dinner was excellent. There was an opera singer walking around, the biggest piece of chicken parmesan that I had ever seen (KB ate almost all of it), and people singing Happy Birthday to me. It was awesome.
The girls and I at NY Bagels.
Me blowing out my candle in the blue dress at Romano's.

Monday was spent making my first graders laugh with the guy sitting on my birthday cake story, watchingTake the Lead and eating more cake. It was definitely one of the best birthdays I had. I do not know why everyone keeps telling my 22 is a bad birthday.

Here is the link to my birthday photos: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=joyryder02&aid=576460762352651602&pid=&wtok=eX43MWLWgGNVSJ3c5n2Dyw--&ts=1164611725&.src=ph

A Second Thanksgiving

The spread of food.

Friday night was spent at KB's friend Mia's house eating Thanksgiving dinner. It was great. There was stuffing, turkey, sweet potatoes, salad, bread, corn, pumpkin pie, Subway cookies, and lasagna. (I helped make the salad, it was the one thing I didn't eat, lol). I met a lot of new people and it was a really comfortable evening. There was no football, but there was a picture of a cartoon guy holding a football on the TV. I got some really good pictures of everyone.

This is Mia our hostess.

Standing in line for food.

Chie using chopsticks.



Zack chopsticking his turkey

Rob making homemade whip cream. He finally gave up after 40 minutes.

Everyone singing Happy Birthday to me.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was great.

The school had a Thanksgiving dinner catered for us at lunchtime. It was pretty good. I was just so happy to have turkey on Thanksgiving that I didn't really taste anything. The food was definitely "Taiwansese good". This means that the food is good for what can be gotten in Taiwan, but your momma's cooking is always better. We had mash potatos, bread, cheese, turkey, ham, stuffing (I think that is what it was), chocolate cheesecake, and pecan pie. There was also some good cookies. We ate with the other English Taiwanese teachers. It was great to just relax at lunchtime. In true Julia style I think I beheaded a snowman by accident (don't know why there was a snowman on the table). Insane.
The apartment in front of the sign.
The spread.
Us with Dr Lee (in the brown) and Dorcas (next to Dr Lee).

Last night was spent finishing season 5 of 24. Jack is finally on his way to China and I am relieved that his day is over. Also to everyone reading: if you are not watching Ugly Betty on ABC you are missing out. I download episodes because they are so good.

Ok, well I have to go watch 1st graders take a test. Happy Thanksgiving.

Julia

PS
This is my name in Chinese.

Gearing up

This past week and weekend were spent at work as usual. I have been getting ready for my demo which is this Tuesday. There will be people in the classroom watching my teaching. The worst thing is that there will be a video camera. I am more nervous about this then when I actually moved to Taiwan.

I spent time at school again this weekend getting ready. The girls and I went out Saturday night for the first time in over a month. We never go out together so its nice when we do. We met up with some friends from Michigan at a local bar and just chilled.
The four of us out on the town.


Our teaching aide, Kerry is getting married in December and we have been invited. It is a Chinese wedding so I will take lots of pictures. I am very excited for her.

The envelope.

It's blurry, but you can still see the picture on the wedding invitation.



Isn't the wedding invitation gorgeous?




I have already had one class today. It was a first grade class and one of the girls cried the whole class. These are times where I wish I could understand Chinese. In the same class one of my boys asked why my nose was so red. I had no idea it was red so I just said that I went out in the sun this weekend (I didn't think it was red). The kids are so helpful, lol.

Sick Sunshine

Hello Everyone

I see sick people. Today in my first grade class there were five kids out sick. We were told that the seventh and eighth graders had a flu going around and that we should wear masks. Louise and KB are really sick. They are coughing through the night. I have not gotten it yet, but I am sure I will.

This weekend was uneventful. KN and I went to see Little Miss Sunshine. I laughed, cried, and got mad. It was amazing. The movie definitely needs a nod at award shows. Saturday and Sunday I spent as a couch potato. I think I was born for that. I did not go into work at all and felt better for it. My second grade class gets taped next week so I am sure that this upcoming weekend will be spent in the office. On Sunday, KN and I watch some of 24 and asked the question "Who is better Kiefer or Jack?" I said Kiefer since I think he has more time for fun while Jack is too busy saving the world all the time. We also went to NY Bagels for breakfast for dinner. The food was excellent and we spent the time talking about the benefits of stickers.

My life is quite eventful.

Louise always asks thoughtful questions. This weekend it was "If money was not an option what one country would you travel around?" I said the States since there are 50 of them and there is so much to do. The other girls said Greece and Italy. Paul agreed with the States.

That's it for now. I will keep you updated.

Julia

A picture of Paul, our new roommate.

Sunday in the County

Me at Sun-Yet Sen's Memorial Park.



This weekend was spent relaxing. The girls and I needed it. On Friday I got my hair done. It is now a shade of red. I like it. I was in the shop for 4 hours because a girl was so upset about her hair that my stylist had to go over and help. She ended up crying and leaving the shop. So stressful.


My new purse.


On Saturday both Kathleens and I were in the office working until 6 pm. KN and I then went to eat and shop. I got a gorgeous new purse and wrap for the grand total of 2,000 NT. It comes out to 63 USD. A steal.

The girls walking toward Sun's Tomb.

Me hanging with Sun-Yet Sen.





Sunday was spent in Taipei County with other teachers. We went to Sun-Yet Sen's tomb, to a craft museum where we made crafty things, and last to a pottery village where we got lost and could not find the bus.

A Picture of the tomb.
All of us in front of a sign. I don't know what that means.

I promise that I am Mother Nature

Halloween in Taiwan is an interesting sight to see. Gone are the cupcakes with spiders and reese's cups. They are replaced with Hello Kitty candy and stickers. Stickers are more popular and powerful. You can render a child quiet with the promise of a sticker. Children trade them and barter them. I have been introduced into a world wear children are bribed by stickers and not candy. On Friday, the first grade celebrated Halloween. All of the kids dressed up and went on a parade around the school. I was a mouse since it was the only costume I could find that would allow me to look decent for 1st grade and 8th grade. There were some parents there and almost all of the had a video recorder pointed straight at me. The worst thing about the whole thing is that it was so stressful. I remember Halloween not being rushed to much at school. Here, there is 2.5 minutes to hand out candy then 5.6 minutes for a parade. I don't remember it being that stressful when I was in school, but I was too busy with a cupcake in my hand to notice. I asked the kids if they enjoyed it and they said they did. That is all that matters.


Becky, Me, and Kathleen before class.

Kathleen the Butterfly

My 1 Ren class dressed up.

My 1 Ai class dressed up.

This weekend KB and I celebrated Halloween. She was a pirate and I was Mother Nature. I had to keep telling people that I was Mother Nature not Eve, a Tahti girl, a hula girl, and a nymph. It was probably the most comfortable costume I have worn in a long time. KB and I met some really nice girls from Michigan, Sarah and Rachel. We went to Mia apartment, KB's friend, to meet everyone. By the time everyone wanted to go out, both KB and I were exhasted and went home.
KB and I dressed up and about to go out.

Sarah and Rachel.

Mia, KB's friend who hosted the party.

Rachel, Sarah, KB, and me.

The weekend was spent going to school and watching movies. I still do not feel like I am rested, but I am sure I will adjust and get use to it.