Email

My Yahoo email is no longer working. If you have sent me something I cannot access it. You can now send all emails to jsterling0@hotmail.com

Arrival

KN's twin arrived on Sunday. I will put some pictures up to test everyone. Our floor has been leaking (meaning water is coming up through the floor). The school is there now fixing it. It has been doing that for weeks now, but it has started to leaking into Dr. Lee's apartment so its now an emergency situation. They turned the hot water off since they believe that its the hot water pipe that is leaking. That means no hot water for the third time since I moved here. All three times has been for 3 week blocks. Good thing I have a gym membership.

James still has not contacted me about next year. He was sick last week but he has known about next year for weeks now. I think it is time to jump start him. I will let you know.

Hawaii Pictures Ready

The pictures I took in Hawaii are finally in two albums (I took so many there had to be two albums). I tryed to get them in order, but there are few captions since I had no idea where I was most of the time.

Enjoy.
Hawaii
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=joyryder02&aid=576460762391797512&pid=&wtok=PyqN.24C8CJpnXNN3PHfhw--&ts=1177391416&.src=ph

Circle Drive
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=joyryder02&aid=576460762399211397&pid=&wtok=T0KN0OTPxcNtqXpX9mdhkg--&ts=1177391377&.src=ph

Undecided

Hello Everyone

I still have not decided what I am doing next year. I could stay in Taiwan and work at a school here or go to South Korea to teach. My horoscope for this month said not to rush any important decisions.

I spent last week stressed at work and this weekend relaxing. I even went to the gym and shopping. I just love the new shoes I bought.
my new wedges
I couldn't find the red heels online, but it looks like this minus the wedge.

KN and Louise have sent in their tape to the Amazing Race Asia casting people. Very exciting. It is like the Amazing Race at home only set in Asia and you have to be living in Asia to compete.
Hopefully one of the new teams of the Amazing Race Asia

Well that is it for today.

Hair cut

My new hair

I got my hair cut last week. I think it is a definite improvement. My only problem is that I can't style it like the picture. I have taken to putting it up again in pins. Other than that, I do like it.

Easter

KB and I out hunting for Easter eggs in my boots. Caroline if you like the pink ones I will send them to you.

Sunday was spent recovering from Penghu (on the go constantly) and celebrating Easter. KB and I spent a good portion of our afternoon at a dinner hosted by another girl Mia. It was very nice and we both enjoyed it. After dinner everyone headed to the park to find Easter eggs. There was supposed to be eighty eggs out there, but only twenty were found. I guess the Taiwanese people walking by them thought they looked nice and took them. Oh well.

I then went home and joined KN and Louise for dinner at this new Italian place around the corner from NY Bagels. It was delicious. After dinner I bought some peanut M&Ms (I don't like jellybeans) and just relaxed. Overall Easter was a pretty good time.

Feeling a little unsafe

I had my first feeling of being unsafe in this city. I was walking to school in the daylight by myself. I just missed the light and was waiting for the traffic when a guy rolled up on a pink and white moped (doesn't exactly scream "Danger, danger Will Robinson"). He asked me for the time which I actually knew for once. He then started to ask me all these questions about myself which caused me to put up a wall (another story). He left after I said I did not have a cell phone and I thought that was that. I then noticed that he moved to the street and was looking at me. I felt him following me around the circle which started to freaked me out. I couldn't call anyone since I said I didn't have a phone (stupid I know). I started to panic when I crossed the street to go to school and he stopped in the middle of the road and turned around. He sped up and parked on the other side of the street and waited for me. I was almost to school when he came from behind and grabbed my shoulder to talk to me. I kept moving and finally was about to get in the gate when he stopped me again. I just said no (I had no idea what he was saying) and just ran into the school and got in the first elevator available. I practically ran to the office and luckily KN was there. I ended up locking the door after a while since I couldn't stop shaking. I actually feel sick to my stomach and am thankful that I wasn't heading home. I hope he went away and is still not there when we leave.

I know that this may sound harmless like I freaked out over nothing. Just had to be there I guess.

Last night the girls and I went to this awesome restaurant. It was Greek and delicious. We had so much fun and it is wonderfully decorated. I loved the feta dip and the lamb gyro. Relaxing on a Monday night is the way to go. When we got back we were all ready for bed and I had a great sleep until I accidentally threw my alarm clock across the room in the middle of the night. Good times.

Skates and Cakes

This past weekend was cut short because we actually had to teach class on Saturday. The injustice of it all.

Saturday night Paul, KB, and I went to a birthday party at a Japanese BBQ restaurant. It was awesome. The food was amazing.
KN kind of scaring me in the background
Paul looking like the devil he is
The birthday girl Rachel




Later that night I met Louise and KN at the skating rink to try to skate. I did ok (meaning I didn't fall).
KN and Louise at the rink
KN and I with skates
The DJ and the ice
On the ice


Sunday was spent waking up late (9:30am) and going to N.Y. Bagels (may stay in Taipei another year for this place) with Louise and KN for breakfast. Always delicious. We then went to the Taipei 101 area where went looked for face paint. We were unsuccessful, but found a Cake Show to go to. It was crowded and I got poked in the butt by a business card (not my fault either). KN and I went to a movie (Copying Beethoven) after the show and the highlight of the movie was the music and popcorn. Not exactly an Oscar winner.
The crowds at the cake show
Me at the cake show wondering where to start
Louise and her dream wedding cake (for now)

After the movie we went home and KN, Louise, Paul, and I sat around the living room. We listened to music, cross-stitch (KN), worked on photo albums (Paul) and read books (Louise and I). It was quite wonderful.

Dentist

I went to the dentist finally. I haven't been to the dentist in over a year. I do have a cavity, but that is to be expected. I was guilted by the woman dentist for not flossing correctly (she is pregnant so it must be the mother thing). They clean teeth differently here. They have this water blaster cleaner that is quite fast. If your gums are sensitive it does hurt and there will be blood (lots in my case). They put this green cloth with a hole for your mouth over your face and go to work. I had to get x-rays because of the cavity. In all it cost 150NT which comes out to about 7USD. Pretty good. I have to go back on the 12th of April to get my cavity filled. Hopefully it won't be too painful.

In other news, KN ran into Becky (the substitute teacher for Lynn after she left) and she had her baby. Her baby's name is Austin and he is so cute. Here is a picture of the two of them:


Congrats to Becky and her husband.

Wonderful Wednesday Weather

The girls



Today's weather was perfect. What was even better was the two hour break we had for lunch. Here is a picture of Louise, KN, and KB hanging out in the sunshine. I was hanging out to, but taking the picture. You can see my purse.

An Inconvenient Truth

This is my new favorite song. I just love the lyrics. It is perfect for right now.

I Need to Wake Up
Melissa Etheridge

Have I been sleeping?
I’ve been so still
Afraid of crumbling
Have I been careless?
Dismissing all the distant rumblings
Take me where I am supposed to be
To comprehend the things that I can’t see

Cause I need to move
I need to wake up
I need to change
I need to shake up
I need to speak out
Something’s got to break up
I’ve been asleep
And I need to wake up
Now

And as a child
I danced like it was 1999
My dreams were wild
But the promise of this new world
Would be mine
Now I am throwing off the carelessness of youth
To listen to an inconvenient truth

Well I need to move
I need to wake up
I need to change
I need to shake up
I need to speak out
Something’s got to break up
I’ve been asleep
And I need to wake up
Now

I am not an island
I am not alone
I am my intentions
Trapped here in this flesh and bone

And I need to move
I need to wake up
I need to change
I need to shake up
I need to speak out
Something’s got to break up
I’ve been asleep
And I need to wake up
Now

I want to change
I need to shake up
I need to speak out
Something’s got to break up
I’ve been asleep
And I need to wake up
Now

The video. I personally like the lyrics better, but M.E. sings it so well.

St. Patty's Day Sickness

Some of my first graders dancing on Friday

Friday was a great day. My eight grade girls thought my outfit was stylish and asked me where they could get it. So I like to thank Old Navy and Chinatown's bead store.

This past weekend was a time for wearing green clothes and drinking green beer. Instead my face was green and my body hurt so much I couldn't stop shaking. I should have known this would happen since I haven't been sick in a long time.

I did make it out that Saturday for about two hours. I left the house with a small headache. I left the Shannon in search of pills, but came up empty. By 10pm I thought I was going to fall over. Thankfully I was sitting down. My headache got worse and I just put my head down on the table. I was starting to get teary eyed around 10:30pm when the pain spread throughout my body so just hid my head on the table. About fifteen minutes later I thought I was going to be sick so I said a quick goodbye and ran for the nearest taxi. I was sick for about two to three hours. I called Mom because I needed my Mommy (which all my first and second graders thought was weird since she could not be physically there). Sunday was spent eating a piece of toast and some soup. I went for a walk later in the afternoon just to get out of the house, but on my way back it started to rain on me (good times).
The crowd at The Shannon
Paul and E
Batch's back as she is talking it up
This week is my Drama test week. Nonstop choral readings. The tenth graders were good. The seventh grade boys, not so much. We will see what the eight grade boys and girls will do. I have sixth grade today so hopefully their readings will be good. (Fingers crossed)

First Week of School

The first week of school is finally over. And better yet, we did not go in this weekend. That means we had a wonderfully relaxed weekend and lots of work to do today. The lantern festival has started, but I have not gone yet because of the crowds. I will go later on in the week.

Chinese New Year celebrations are finished although there are still many firecrackers going off still in the streets. If it was any other city I would think people were getting shot.

Renai Circle has been decorated to welcome the New Year along with some of the roads. It would be magical, but lights flash on and off so it only makes it nice to look at when you don't have a headache.

Here are some pictures from the last week:
Renai Circle and it's lights
Lights along the road
The 2007 sign with the big diamond (I don't know why there is a huge diamond)

Back in Taipei

I made it back to Taipei with only minor problems and major discomforts. All my planes left early, but I really think longer flights should have better seats and more room. My body still aches.

I got home about 10:30pm on Thursday and had to get up at 7am for a meeting in another language. It is good to be back here though. I missed my house and housemates.

I will be putting up pictures today and tomorrow.

Waikiki Camera

I will be out in front of the Waikiki Beach Camera at 11am Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday. If you want to see me there is a website you can go to. Mom and Dad have the web address. If you can't get up with them then search Waikiki Beach Camera. That should help.

Ａｉｒｐｏｒｔｓ

Ｒｉｇｈｔ　now　Ｉ　am　ｉｎ　Osaka　Airport.　Ｔypinｇ　this　is　quite　ｈａｒｄ．Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ　ｋｅｅｐ　ｐｏｐｐｉｎｇ　ｕｐ．　The　Airport　ｉｓ　ｎｉｃｅ．There　is　ｅｖｅｎ　ａ　ｎａｐ　ｒｏｏｍ．Ｉ　ｓｈａｌｌ　ｈｉｔ　ｉｔ　ｕｐ．Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｒａｉｎｉｎｇ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｃａｔｓ　ａｎｄ　ｄｏｇｓ　ｈｅｒｅ．　I　ｃａｎ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｈｉｔｅｃａｐｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　I　am　ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ．All　ｔｈｅ　ｐｈｏｎｅｓ　ｈａｖｅ　weather　ｅｍｅｒｇｅｎｃｉｅｓ　ｂｕｔｔｏｎｓ．Ｉ　ｄｏ　ｈｏｐｅ　ｗｅ　ｄｏｎｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｕｓｅ　it．Ｉ　ｔｈｉｎｋ　ｉｔ　ｉｓ　time　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｎａｐ　ｒｏｏｍ．I　ｗｉｌｌ　ｗｒｉｔｅ　ｌａｔｅｒ．

Panic Attack

My panic attack
As Mom and Dad know I always have a panic attack before I go anywhere big. Ireland was horrible. Last night I had my first Hawaii panic attack since buying the plane ticket. The panic attack does not mean I am not excited (I am). It just means I am nervous and I want to hide under the bed.

I feel better today now that I am more organized. I have maps of the airport and directions to and from the car rental place. I even reserved a tour of Pearl Harbour and Honolulu for my second day. I think I am somewhat overprepared, but thats ok.

Good times (I hope)
Jules

H.O.T.T. Hot

For the past couple of days it has been hot. Not as bad as this summer, but pretty up there. It has been at least 80 everyday with the sun shining. Just thought I tell the people who are freezing right now that. :)



My new favorite artist This song is in English, but most of his songs are in Italian.

Cleaning Fog

KB and Louise left this morning around 4:30am to catch the bus to the airport. About 12:30pm I get a text. They are still in the airport. Fog has delayed their 8:05 am flight. They actually did not fly our until almost 4pm. I could not imagine how much panic they were feeling. I can only hope that this will not happen to me next week.

I cannot believe that in less than 7 days I will be in Hawaii hopefully on a beach. How crazy is that?! I am looking forward to the change of scenery and pace, not to mention being back in America. I excited that I will be able to understand a good amount of what people say.

I am in the mist of cleaning my room and packing. I have finally decided after 5 years of packing that I will actually pack eairler than a couple of hours before I have to leave. Less stress and more time to make sure I have everything I need. I might even get up earlier and go to NY Bagels for breakfast before my flight. I like that I only lose 15 minutes of the 14th. I leave Taipei at 8:45am and arrive in Hawaii at 9:00am. I wont mention that I will be in Osaka, Japan resting for 9 hours. I do love that time difference.

There is not much to report. I have been going to tutoring, gym, and work. There seems to be nothing on TV that even I want to watch which means I am either watching a DVD, listening to a cd or watching Taiwanse music videos. Good times.