Wow, Christmas is here already.
2 days left and I feel like i have very little done. Well at least it has started to snow and it now looks like Christmas. Ive been running around like crazy and havent been home in a week.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
helmet.flag
Zai Jen!
Ah Taiwan, do I ever miss it!
3 years and 22 million amazing people!
Thanks for it all, I dont think I could forget a minute of it.
Smooooooch!
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go!
12 days left, how is that possible?
I haven't quite figured out how I am going to do this. I have so much to take care of and so many people I need to see to feel like I get a proper goodbye. Today is my last day with my class. The little buggers are so cute I cant believe that I have to say goodbye to them. They aren't sure what to do with me right now...They still think I'm joking about leaving. When I told them tomorrow is my last day, forever, they just sat there, stunned. I didn't know what to do with them. How cute, they're 9 and 10 years old and they are asking when I am coming back...I said I'll be in school for 3 years. They actually did the math and replied "but I'll be in grade 6 then, and I won't even be here at this school anymore!" Little cuties.
So on top of that, although I must say I am more than happy to have the free time right now, I need to pack...For real. Get everything ready as if I am leaving tomorrow and then only have a few clothes to wear and wash and toss. I still need to get lots of banking and stuff done...Plus find people to take my room! Man could leaving a country, packing up your life, moving to another place where you know no one or anything and you have no place to live, get any more complicated? Yep it can, you can toss in a best friend/boyfriend that you are leaving behind.
Welcome to my messed up, emotional, unorganized and stressed out life thus far.
Hopefully I get it all sorted and put together before next Sat (ie- my huge going away party that is going to be amazing at the local bar with basically everyone I've ever known in Taiwan attending) I think that will be a bit of a messy night in which I will need to be all packed and ready to go. What a way to end it here. I cant wait until that night...However I feel like I could still put it off for awhile, I'm just not ready to say those words, "goodbye, its been fun!"
I haven't quite figured out how I am going to do this. I have so much to take care of and so many people I need to see to feel like I get a proper goodbye. Today is my last day with my class. The little buggers are so cute I cant believe that I have to say goodbye to them. They aren't sure what to do with me right now...They still think I'm joking about leaving. When I told them tomorrow is my last day, forever, they just sat there, stunned. I didn't know what to do with them. How cute, they're 9 and 10 years old and they are asking when I am coming back...I said I'll be in school for 3 years. They actually did the math and replied "but I'll be in grade 6 then, and I won't even be here at this school anymore!" Little cuties.
So on top of that, although I must say I am more than happy to have the free time right now, I need to pack...For real. Get everything ready as if I am leaving tomorrow and then only have a few clothes to wear and wash and toss. I still need to get lots of banking and stuff done...Plus find people to take my room! Man could leaving a country, packing up your life, moving to another place where you know no one or anything and you have no place to live, get any more complicated? Yep it can, you can toss in a best friend/boyfriend that you are leaving behind.
Welcome to my messed up, emotional, unorganized and stressed out life thus far.
Hopefully I get it all sorted and put together before next Sat (ie- my huge going away party that is going to be amazing at the local bar with basically everyone I've ever known in Taiwan attending) I think that will be a bit of a messy night in which I will need to be all packed and ready to go. What a way to end it here. I cant wait until that night...However I feel like I could still put it off for awhile, I'm just not ready to say those words, "goodbye, its been fun!"
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
CNN
Strong quake shakes northern Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A strong earthquake hit northern Taiwan on Monday night, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei, for several seconds. No injuries or serious damages were immediately reported.
The magnitude 5.7 quake's epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, about four-tenths of a mile from the northeast coastal city of Ilan, the Central Weather Service said. Ilan is about 30 miles southeast of Taipei.
The entire island felt the temblor, the weather bureau said. A magnitude 5 quake can cause considerable damage.
Earthquakes frequently rock Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck central Taiwan four years ago killed more than 2,300 people.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A strong earthquake hit northern Taiwan on Monday night, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei, for several seconds. No injuries or serious damages were immediately reported.
The magnitude 5.7 quake's epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, about four-tenths of a mile from the northeast coastal city of Ilan, the Central Weather Service said. Ilan is about 30 miles southeast of Taipei.
The entire island felt the temblor, the weather bureau said. A magnitude 5 quake can cause considerable damage.
Earthquakes frequently rock Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck central Taiwan four years ago killed more than 2,300 people.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Halloween
No we weren't drag queens. Just 2 girls with wigs (Julia and friend) a guy dressed as pippi long stockings (Chris, Jordan's roommate) and me the really drunk belly dancer who kept loosing her hair. We were dancing on stage infront of about 1000 people at this party in one of the biggest clubs in Taipei. Yes this picture is posted on the web for the promoters of the party. Check out www.liquid-lifestyle.com if you want to see more of the party.
aren't you all proud of me and my foolish ways? I know I am!
PS- this is why I spent all of Sunday on the couch unable to move!
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Happy Birthday Colleen!
Happy Birthday Coll. 25 years old! I can hardly believe it!
I spent the night dressed as a belly dancer with a huge blond wig. It was a great night at one of the biggest clubs in Taipei. Luxy. My friend and I went and found a seat at a table late in the night and it ended up being one of the richest men in Taiwan. He was so kind and he treated all my friends with drinks and food. We totally ended up taking over his table, but he was happy to have so many drunk foreigners hanging out playing chinese drinking games with them. It was a great way to end the night! (I'll teach you all the drinking games when I come home!)
Sunday morning through....oh my. I woke up by noon with a pounding head ache and a body that was unable to move or function. I spent the day on the couch watching TV and sleeping until late in the evening. When we went for a scooter ride to get pizza and scary movies. Halloween H2O and Urban legends final cut. I wouldn"t reccomend either of these movies, however there were parts that I was scared in. But we all know what a baby I am when it comes to watching scary movies.
Anyway again my conclusion is the same. Halloween just ain't halloween unless you're in North America. We know how to celerbrate the holiday. The rest of the world is just confussed by it, and they only think its about dressing up. But its soooo much more. Its about messing with your psyche and getting into the mood of the whole event. Its just not the same anywhere else!
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Toronto Bound
I'm coming home!
I'll be flying into Toronto on Dec 6th at 9pm. I cant wait to see that view over the skyline of Toronto again. I'm so excited to be coming home for Christmas. Ill be spending new years with the high school crew in Mr and Mrs Wakins new house, and the rest of the time chill'n with friends and family. I've got no other plans than relaxing and enjoying some seriously needed catch up time. I cant wait to see many of you.
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I use to know"
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Griffith University
I GOT IN!
I'll be home in December and then I'll be heading to Australia for my Masters in Teaching. Lookout Oz here I come! Can you tell I'm excited?
Check out the web page: http://www.gu.edu.au/
Sunday, September 26, 2004
John and Zuz and Baby Ben
Well Katie finally had her baby, 2 weeks over due and a C-section later, I now have a little baby cousin. Ben was born on Tuesday Sept 22,04 at 1PM, weighing 9 lbs and 13 oz.
Uncle John and Aunt Zuzanna are thrilled, of course, and Daddy Fancis Ive been told is doing fine with his new dutties of fatherhood.
Katie is doing great too, happy to not be pregrant anymore Im sure.
I just wish I could have been there. I cant wait to meet the little man.
EltonJ
Well Jordan and I went to the Elton John concert this week. It was a blast, mind you in was in an outdoor stadium and it was on and off pouring the whole night. Plus the stadium is right by the domestic airport so every few minutes a plane would fly over us. But one time the plane flew by at the most perfect time. Right when Elton belted out the words “Rocket Man” a plane thundered by. Everyone including Elton laughed while he tried to continue singing with a smile on his face. For an old guy he still has the magic on stage. His voice sounds just like his cd’s. He sang a lot of songs I didn’t know but at least he sang my favourite as an encore, your song.
John
When Elton landed in Taipei at midnight he was swarmed by the Taiwanese media with cameras and microphones. He swore at them and called them "vile pigs". It was a nice entrance to say the least. At the concert he brought up the incident saying that his outburst at the airport was not directed at the Taiwanese people. He explained that they had been very wonderful and helpful but the Taiwanese media was the rudest group of people he had encountered in 60 countries and that they are a disgrace to Taiwan. He went on to say he meant every foul word he had shouted at them, and the Taiwanese people should not put up with this.
I must say with my experience with the media and all the footage you see on the news, they are crazy, drama hungry and rude. I’m glad Elton said something, maybe now they will chill out a bit!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Bomb threat?
Okay so here's a strange thing. This afternoon at 2pm a HUGE siren went off all over Taipei. Everyone has to stay inside and not go out on the street for 30 minutes. There are cops all over the roads pulling over cars and making them wait on the side of the road and getting people to go inside. I doesn't matter where but you must be indoors. The siren was deafening. This is taken very seriously. But its all just for practice! Just in case someone, I wont say who "cough, CHINA, cough" wants to bomb us one day we are prepared on what to do. Run indoors, and stop your car in the middle of the street.
This is only the second time in my almost 3 years here, this has ever happened. Its so strange to get a knock of reality in this black hole of time called Taiwan. I mean the thought that the Taiwanese people have been going through these bomb practices for their whole lives, always preparing for the possibility, its crazy.
Another weird and wonderful thing in Taiwan. Even a mundane day has a spark of excitement...And a really loud siren!
This is only the second time in my almost 3 years here, this has ever happened. Its so strange to get a knock of reality in this black hole of time called Taiwan. I mean the thought that the Taiwanese people have been going through these bomb practices for their whole lives, always preparing for the possibility, its crazy.
Another weird and wonderful thing in Taiwan. Even a mundane day has a spark of excitement...And a really loud siren!
Monday, September 20, 2004
Welcome!
Well to start off: Welcome! This will now be my email, blog, pictures, keeping you up-to-date, life info page.
Hopfully I'll be able to keep this going and I wont fall behind.
Let's see if I can catch you up to date as it is. I am still suffering in Taipei working hard all the time :) But I am also waiting for the results of my application for my masters. Hopefully if this goes through I will be home for Christmas and then off to the land of Oz by January. But we'll just have to wait and see.
Taipei has been hit my Typhoons lately. Nothing too big since our last one, but none the less lots of rain! Today its actually a nice hot sunny day. The first one in a long time.
This week Jordan and I went to go and see the Elton John concert. All the advertisments all over the city said Wednesday September 15. So we treked on up to the outdoor statium and waited....and waited...until i gave in and finally looked at the tickets. Yep I had the wrong day. I guess Elton had other plans and couldnt make it. So we have to hold in our excitement -wink, wink- for another week.
This weekend should be pretty calm with dinner and a house party in the plans. Tis all for now.....
Hopfully I'll be able to keep this going and I wont fall behind.
Let's see if I can catch you up to date as it is. I am still suffering in Taipei working hard all the time :) But I am also waiting for the results of my application for my masters. Hopefully if this goes through I will be home for Christmas and then off to the land of Oz by January. But we'll just have to wait and see.
Taipei has been hit my Typhoons lately. Nothing too big since our last one, but none the less lots of rain! Today its actually a nice hot sunny day. The first one in a long time.
This week Jordan and I went to go and see the Elton John concert. All the advertisments all over the city said Wednesday September 15. So we treked on up to the outdoor statium and waited....and waited...until i gave in and finally looked at the tickets. Yep I had the wrong day. I guess Elton had other plans and couldnt make it. So we have to hold in our excitement -wink, wink- for another week.
This weekend should be pretty calm with dinner and a house party in the plans. Tis all for now.....
Sunday, September 19, 2004
sunset downtown
downtown right at my work. Some sunsets in the city are beautiful because of all the smog!
Pictures
The pictures are old, but they are of important people to me here in Taiwan. I just wanted to put them here so you knew who I was talking about in my messages.
CKS
This is one of my fav places in Taipei. Its so beautiful at night. A huge park with ponds and goldfish to feed.
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