Thinking of Home
So I've been in Taipei for officially two weeks now. I'm supposed to be studying for two Chinese quizzes that I have tomorrow but I’m putting it off for now. I started classes on Monday and it’s pretty intense. I’m taking 3 Chinese classes, 3 hours each, 5 days a week. I’m sure my Chinese will improve a lot by the end of the semester. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to really focus on learning a language and have the opportunity to apply what you learn in everyday life. In addition to my Chinese classes, I’m also taking Chinese Calligraphy and Tennis. I’m also definitely going to try to join the dragonboat team here on campus. Thanks to Mike Lee for suggesting it; it’s a great idea! It’ll be nice to experience how the sport differs in Asia compared to the states. I’m also planning on joining a community service club on campus as well.
It’s been raining a lot over the past few days! Sometimes it’s pouring, sometimes it’s light rain, nevertheless, it’s really hard to plan trips. This past weekend, a few of us were planning on going to Dan Shui which is a pier or wharf on the coast of the island. It’s known to have beautiful landscape but more importantly, they’re known for selling really tall ice cream! I’ve heard they have this type of soft serve ice cream that reaches about 10 inches high. I’m so excited to try it. As you can probably tell, I LOVE ICE CREAM! I’ve been eating so much since I’ve gotten here. I wouldn’t be surprised if I put on a couple extra pounds. There are a lot of bakeries in Taiwan and they sell the most delicious bread I’ve ever tasted in my life. It’s just plain bread, like what they sell in supermarkets in the states, but it’s a little sweeter and really soft because they’re all freshly baked. I eat about half a loaf everyday. I just can’t get enough of it; I’m addicted! Every time my friends see me around school, they say, “Oh great, there goes Natalie and her bread.” So if you ever come to Taiwan, TRY THE BREAD!!!
Since it’s been raining a lot, we’re mostly staying in or just visiting places near the school. I think a lot of us are missing home which is why we’ve been eating a lot of American food recently. I’ve had Pizza Hut, McDonalds and KFC all in one week. Eating at these places just reminds me of home and how my friends and I used to make late night runs to fast food restaurants at Davis. I miss my family and friends a lot but I think I’ve just been too busy to think about getting homesick. Speaking of being homesick, I remember those days back at home, when I would only get bitten by mosquitoes probably 5 times a year. Mosquitoes pretty much leave me alone back at home but apparently, the mosquitoes in Taiwan happen to love me. I’ve been here only 2 weeks and I’ve been bitten over 15 times. I wake up with about 3 fresh ones everyday! And these aren’t just normal bites they’re huge and I get them all over my body. My friend Jon says the bug bites on my arms look like “extra limbs”. It’s that gross. Don’t be surprised if you see me scratching in all my pictures and episodes, I’m so itchy!!! If anyone has suggestions on how to keep bugs from biting me, I’d really love to hear it.
Ok, I really have to start studying for my quizzes. I was just chatting on AIM with Stacey, another cast member who is studying abroad in Argentina right now. She compared Buenos Aires to New York City but with a European influence. It’s such a coincidence because I was just telling my friend how I thought Taipei was like NYC with an Asian influence. It’s funny how even though Stacey and I are in different countries, we can still find a way to link our experiences back home. I hope all of you back in the states are doing well. Take care everyone!
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