Goodmorning Jhushan and goodevening California! Right now I'm sitting on my clean couch in my clean apartment ^^ I can finally sit peacefully and do this thing. This morning is the first morning that it has rained and I love it. When I first got here the air was warm and thick. Taiwan smells just like I remembered. I can't really explain it - mmm you know, that "Taiwan smell"! Haha. Anyways, I'm rambling. Where to begin? Here it goes:
I was right. Once I landed and got off the plane, I had an anxiety attack. I was shakey and nervous right up until I got into the van that would take me to the school. So I guess it was a very short anxiety attack. I met a really nice man, from Ohio, who helped me translate when talking to the driver. Surprisingly, the drive was only two hours. Once we got closer the Jhushan, you begin to see mountains everywhere and all around you. The vegetation here is very different compared to the States. I guess you can say it's more tropical. I live in central Jhushan where I'm guessing is like the downtown. But it's nothing like Taipei or Taizhong, it's much smaller and the buildings shorter. Because I'm in the countryside, there are these cute, little, white butterflies everywhere. They should be the town's mascot or something. My apartment is a short, 15 minute walk from work and...it's
PINK! I'm on the fifth floor so I have a lovely view of roofs, roofs and more roofs. It's just one big room and a bathroom, kind of like a small studio. I spent the last two days going cleaning crazy. All that's left to clean are the walls and closet. The bathroom doesn't really look creepy anymore since I cleaned it. Other than that, it feels so good to have a clean apartment! I can touch things with out using only my thumb and pointer finger. You know what I mean...
My first home cooked meal! 
The front gate to my apartment complex. 
My bicycle with a cute basket! 
Some chewy, sweet potato that they glazed. They sell these really close to my apartment. 
The supermarket near work. 
A temple by my apartment.
The front of my school. As for work, I taught my first class on Thursday! The first thing I did was go around and had each student say their name. Now...at the school the kids have English names, but some of them are so bizarre! I asked the first girl, "What is your name?" And this is what I heard, "My name is
Booty." And I was like -_- Haha. I was warned beforehand that the students can be naughty and joke around a lot. Naturally, I assumed she was trying to be smart with me. I asked, "Okay but what is your real name?" Again she said, "My name is Booty!" I kept my cool and asked, "Okay then how do you spell it?" She didn't say anything so I thought I caught her. I then turned to the other students and asked, "What is her name?" They all replied, "Her name is Booty!" I swear, I thought they were all out to get me. But little did I know, that really is her name! It's spelled B-O-D-I-E. Are you kidding me? Haha. Oh goodness.
Saturday I had my first full day of teaching, five classes! My students range from ages 6 to 15. I love my junior high students, I like the little kiddies, but the middle aged students are the ones that make me want to pull my hair out. But I knew it wouldn't be all rainbows and sprinkles the first week. Time and practice will work that one out. In my last class that day, I had a junior high class of around 25 students. I easily convinced them that I was Jeremy Lin's sister. He's on the news like every hour here so I knew they would know him. When I first told them they literally looked like O_O with their jaws dropped. After a few moments of disbelief they were all like, "Reeealllyy?" Of course I told them the truth and they thought it was like the most hilarious thing. I love my junior high classes because they actually listen to me! And they can understand what I'm saying, which just makes everything easier.
My two-dollar lunch at my desk! There are four Chinese, English teachers at the school. They're all so sweet and kind. The one I talk to the most is named Winnie. She took me out the other night to buy a cell phone so that I call locally and people in Taiwan can call me! Then she treated me to some bomb food in the main downtown area. Mhmmmm so yummy!
Yesterday was my first time taking the bus by myself. I was headed for Taizhong, which is the biggest city in the middle of Taiwan. It took about an hour to get there. I had to meet Bryan, my recruiter, to get my medical check done at the hospital. Taizhong is much bigger and much more busy. Once I met up with Bryan and another foreign teacher we drove to the hospital. They checked my eye sight, took down my weight and height, and "x-rayed" me. When I got to the blood drawing portion of the check-up, they couldn't find the vein in my arm so they went for my hand! I have never had blood drawn from my hand so I freaked out a little. Okay...it wasn't too bad but I have a bruise all around it now. My hand looks like a rotten fruit. Before we headed back to the bus stop I bought some pretty flowers for a vase I bought the other day. On the bus ride back the driver kind of dropped me off in Jhushan but not in the same place I had left from. He was so sweet though. He drew me a little map showing me where to go. I walked two blocks and thankfully recognized the supermarket I usually shop at. Yay, I knew where I was! Haha. It felt so good to be able to travel around on my own. Anddd I was able to speak some Chinese to the locals ^^ I also finally got the courage to talk to the security guard of my apartment complex. He's this old man who is also super sweet. His name is Mr. Luo!
Whew, and that was a short update. I'll try to be more consistent on posting from now on. I miss everyone and I hope you're all doing well! I wish you could all be here with me.
☼ Amanda
