Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - running your Turkey Trot or just engaging in a delicious Thanksgiving meal!

About a week before Thanksgiving, I was sitting outside my classroom building waiting for class to begin! I was early and having a bit of a rough morning in terms of my emotions. As I was sitting there, an American looking Sister walked by. We both smiled at each other and she kept walking and I kept sitting there. Simultaneously, we both turned around and looked as though we wanted to talk to each other. Sister Mary-Beth, a Sister of the Catholic Church is from California and has lived in Taiwan for over 22 years.  We talked for a little while and got to know each other a bit. She asked me what I was doing for Thanksgiving and I had nothing planned. I wasn't going to be able to cook for my host family as they were busy, so I said YES to Thanksgiving dinner with she and her friends!

So, on Thanksgiving night, in a rainstorm,  I headed to their home for dinner! From the moment I walked in the door, I felt so at home. Everyone was so kind and having the delicious smell of a cooking turkey, mashed potatoes, apple pie, and a few of my favorite Taiwanese cuisines cooking in the kitchen didn't make it too hard to stick around! Ha! While the finishing touches were being put on our Thanksgiving Feast, I was able to engage in a little arts and crafts - fall wreath and turkey decorations. Sister Mary-Beth and Sister Susan,  and I had to dig deep into our brains to share with the Taiwanese Sisters and others sharing our dinner, about why we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. It was fun!

Dinner was delicious! I haven't actually missed American food since being in Taiwan and I would have been OK without eating Thanksgiving dinner,  but it sure did taste good! It was a special treat for me! Thank you Pauleen for the great pies!

The night was really great! I was so thankful to be surrounded by kind, new friends, eating a delicious American/Taiwanese meal, sharing my life with others and having them share theirs with me too.  Overall, enjoying a once in a lifetime experience here in Taiwan! I will forever remember this great night.

Thank you Sister Mary-Beth, Sister Andrea, Sister Susan, Arlene, Rebecca, and Pauleen for making my Taiwanese Thanksgiving Thursday so special! You all put a smile on my face! I am very grateful to have met each of you and I look forward to spending more time with you all soon!

My thankful thought on Thanksgiving: I am thankful for my ability to smile because it led me to these new friends and a great night in Taiwan!:)

Taipei 101

I have been driving past this incredibly tall building for over three months now,  and I finally got up to the top this past Monday to view Taipei! On the 89th floor of the what is known as Taipei 101, there is an observatory where you can view the city of Taipei from all four sides. It is said to have one of the most incredible views of Taipei. I can assure you that it does! Even with rain and fog, the view was incredible. I was able to point out my school, my host family's homes, and monuments I have visited. It was really cool! With only a 36 seconds elevator ride to the top, possibly one of the world's fastest elevator rides, this is a must see when you come to Taiwan. Thank you for lunch and spending the afternoon with me Sam!

2012 Election Day and A Running Race!

2012 Election Day in the USA! I know you are all so glad it is over, and so am I! However, it was a special day here in Taiwan, one which I will remember for a long time to come. Having exchange students from all over the world be so excited about our election, and care so much about what was going on in our country was awesome! We followed the election all Wednesday morning during our Chinese class at the University... We all  became excited every time the numbers would rise! The students from the other countries all wanted Obama, and so did all the Americans.  It was was very cool to see him win! We shared in the excitement and chanted USA USA NUMBER 1 NUMBER 1 - a couple of times outside of the University! I am so proud to be an American and an ambassador through Rotary, especially on this day.  It was great to be able to share this historic moment with my RYE friends from all over the world!

A couple of weeks ago my classmates asked me if I wanted to run in a race! I said yes, and agreed to what they were telling me even though I didn't have much of an idea of what I was getting in to. Ha! So, the other night after school, I ran against girls from my school in the 800 meter race. The entire school was there, cheering us all on!  Each of us running in our beautiful turqouise blue and white uniforms! It was really fun, but also a bit nerveracking! The focus seemed to be on me!  The silly American, who was running in the race at their school. I got second place and advanced to the finals! Sadly, I wasn't able to compete in the final race because I had a Rotary meeting that same night.  I am so glad I particpated in the race though!

Just two exciting things that I thought I would share! :)

Country Fair!

NO...not the country fair you are thinking of in your hometown, USA! Rather, the Rotary Youth Exchange Country Fair, where all the exchange students come together from each country and create a booth all about your home country.  We then share with students from Taiwan who would like to become a RYE and travel abroad next year. Talk about six good hours of country pride!

 

 

I really enjoyed my day standing behind the United States booth! Answering questions from the hopeful Taiwan students and their families, sharing with them and other exchange students our foods.  Thrilling and maybe annoying others with a large amount of USA pride, while simoutaneously being thrilled and annoyed by the other countries as well.  All coming under one roof, becoming one family, made up of so many unique worlds. It was a great day to smile! The feeling I received everytime I handed out a USA/Colorado/Vail pin was one of pride. I felt proud and honored to be an American and to have grown up in such a wonderful state and community. It is true...until you live in another country and spend your time surrounded by such a different culture, it is then that you learn so much more about your own country. The good and bad!

Thank you to Rotary for allowing me to be a part of this day! A great day of coming together as ONE!