What's been happening and why haven't I been blogging?

Well, I'm going to take ownership for my lack of discipline when it comes to blogging.  But hey, it's my first time keeping a blog, so cut me some slack. 

A subsequent reason for why haven't I been blogging is also because my life in Kaohsiung has been extremely packed with fun-filled adventures and things to do that makes sitting in front of the computer blogging lame.  And if you know me, you would know that I would much rather be out and about, spending time with people, then sitting in front of an inanimate object (aka. my computer), writing posts. 

I know.  I know.  A blog is a good way to keep people updated on my life, so no worries, I will make a greater effort to blog. 

Now, really.....what's been happening in Taiwan?

A lot.  Teaching takes up a lot of my time, since that's what I came here to do.  But I'm going to talk about this later on because there's so much to talk about, and I honestly would not know where to start.  So, I'm just going to give you some quick highlights on on the month of October. 

1) Going to an amazing Double Ten Reception in Taipei

October 10th is Taiwan's National Day (aka. the equivalent of July 4th in America), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited all the Fulbrighters to Taipei to attend an evening reception.  It was NICE....!!!  I mean I was sweating like a pig in my new suit that I bought for the event (which I got a really good price for, by the way), but the food made it all worthwhile.  It was essentially an outdoor buffet, and all the top restaurants in Taiwan had stations there.  Also, the President of Taiwan and the first lady were there.  I SAW them.  You can see pictures of this amazing night in my photo albums.

2) HALLOWEEN OLYMPICS!!!

I don't think I ever had this much fun celebrating Halloween.  In early October, my co-teacher, Jenny, asked me if I had any ideas for what the students could do for Halloween, and that's how Halloween Olympics came about.  We initially had the students compete in three events - Mummy-wrapping (an idea from my roommate, Kate), Doughnut on a string (which I proposed, but didn't think that it would've been possible - boy was I wrong), and drawing the scariest pumpkin.  However, due to time constraints, we took out the last event.  Also, every class had two periods of Halloween: one period to learn Halloween vocabulary and one period to do Halloween Olympics.  

Jenny and I and the kids had tons of fun.  It was extremely exhausting for us, but seeing the kids laughter and excitement makes it all worthwhile.  We saw some mummies that were gangsta and some sweet gender role reversals (the girls kicked butt in doughnut on a string and were not afraid to get their faces covered in sugar at all). 

Mummy Wrapping
(Some groups, like this one, were strategic.)

Doughnut on a String

Zuo Ying, the school that I teach at, really went all out for Halloween.  Not only did they rearrange the class schedules so every class had two periods of English, but on Friday, October 31st, they even hired a magician, who is the brother of a teacher at the school.  He'a truly a cool dude.  I saw Quantum of Solace with him and he taught me a magic trick that I think I can pull off.  You can see pictures of Halloween in my photo album.

It's been two weeks since Halloween, but I'm glad that kids still remember their Halloween vocabulary and certainly did not forgot the phrase, trick-or-treat, because they also got candy too.  With Christmas around the corner, I don't know if I can think of activities that will top Halloween. 

3) My parents visited me in Taiwan!

(My mom and dad eating at one of my favorite hot pot places in Kaohsiung.)

Also during Halloween, my parents came to visit me.  It was great having dinner with them and showing them my lifestyle in Taiwan.  My dad keeps on saying that I look like a Taiwanese man now, but I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.  Since I still had to teach, my parents found alternative means of occupying their time, like going on tours to Kenting and Taipei.  I'm jealous that they got to go to Kenting.  It's a really beautiful beach area, and it's also where Cape No. 7 (an amazing Taiwanese movie) was shot.  But no worries, I will be going there in January for a mid-year conference.  My parents stayed in Taiwan for approximately a week and a half, and I think they had fun.  My school was so nice.  My principal treated my parents and I to a lovely dinner at a five star hotel and allowed me to take two days off so I can spend more time with my parents and go with them to the airport when they left.