How Are You?

Knock on wood.

This isn't that great of a travel blog. I never go anywhere, I don't have a camera, I don't talk all that much about things that I do, I prefer what I see. My existence is kind of like that. I'm a sponge. I like to soak.

But the least I can do is let people know how my life has been. When people ask me, I usually say pretty alright, and that's true (though I sometimes wonder how well native Taiwanese understand what it means). Life is alright. I have some problems, but I think I'm happier here than I would be at home. If I were there, I would probably be wondering what kind of better things I could be doing than what I was doing, and that's really my only bad moments here. So it's all good.

First, where I work. There are people in Taiwan who will yell and scream and foam at the mouth to no end at how much they hate the idea of working for Hess. Personally, I am a big big fan of it. I get paid enough, they are very reliable with anything they promise, and the people I work with are all fantastic. I know for a fact that I could have it much worse other places, and plus I'm just not one for complaining. Perhaps I just got lucky with my specific branch of Hess. If so, I don't care, I'm not going to say another word for fear that it's all just a dream!

Another thing is I couldn't have had an easier landing with any other company. Even beyond the 10-day stay in a Taipei hotel during training and the free transport to Taichung, my boss in effect became my personal translator and chauffeur around Taichung to get me settled in my first days here. She helped me get my apartment, my phone, my internet, my bank account, she's helping me get a scooter, etc.

As for the job itself, its very fun and easy once you've done it a few times. All the classes are structured the same way, so I can nearly always be prepared for a class in 30 minutes, if not less. My students are all fantastic, and it's really fun getting to know them. I'm doing my best to be silly and energetic to keep them interested. Two reasons for this, really- 1. They've been in school all day, and it's gotta be easy to get bored eventually. 2. The more entertained they are, the more likely they will tell their parents to give the company more money. I'm a company man.

My apartment is nice enough. It came with an orange and blue couch. When I was looking at apartments, I was looking for signs that this was the one for me, and that was it. It also has what I call an ultra-efficiency bathroom. The toilet is next to the sink, built into the counter, and the shower head sprays into the sink. For the first time in my life, no tub. None of the places I saw had one. Sigh, sacrifices. Its on the 11th floor of a 28 floor building, which means I'm one of the few rooms without a good view. I basically overlook an old abandoned pool. Beyond that, though, I can see the mountains, so that's cool on a clear day.

Something I've done more than anything else is just go out and get lost. Its fun. It also means I get to explore the area around me. I like to call it the wedding district, because there are, no exaggeration, 5 blocks of stores just catering to people looking to get married. From planners, to photographers, to bakeries, to a store that I think solely sells balloon animals. When they're feeling extra aggressive and I have my windows open, I can hear the sounds of wedding marches playing from the street. I mentioned Taichung Park before, and that's also close, and it impressed me more than most things the first time I saw it, with so much different landscaping and architecture, etc. Its just really cool, especially against the backdrop of the city. It has a huge statue of a ram, too, which I amazingly only noticed on my 3rd time there. Next to it is a night market where I slowly am learning more and more about how to order food. I can get a corn dog painted over with ketchup for 50cent, or any number of sandwiches or fried things for not much more.

I'm meeting more and more people every day, and I'm learning that I do indeed like Taiwanese people. Its hard in these early days to build a cohesive social life, so I'm liking that I have people to talk to, and grateful for every friend that I make. I also have a full weekend for the first time in I don't know how long this weekend!

There isn't much that I don't like. It is very frustrating when the locals want to be lazy. Also, people who like to sleep in the sidewalk are annoying. You'll find either of those in any major city, though. It has been a hassle getting a scooter, and I'd like to get out more, but I can't until I do, or face walking miles in hotter than florida weather. That got old after a couple weeks. I wish I had done more traveling, but I know I will start soon. Maybe next weekend? Actually, almost assuredly next weekend. I'll get a camera soon too.

I think that's everything. If anyone wants to know something, ask and I'll write at length on it.