Hello Family and Friends! I hope the year of 2013 is off to a great start for everyone. I cannot believe we are over half way through January now...this month has flown by! Today, January 19th marks five months in Taiwan, my half way point in my exchange year! WOW! I wanted to take this blog and share with you an update on me and my life in Taiwan.
These past five months, I have lived in four different host family homes. Without getting into details, I have had some unfortunate challenges with my first three families. There was a time that was very difficult for me mentally, physically, and emotionally. I gave it my all every day, which wasn't easy. I tried to find laughter, and smile each day. I felt in the end, there would be something positive in this whole experience. My team of Rotarian's and my family back in the states were my rocks. I appreciate you all so much! I have moved on and found happier, more exciting places in Taiwan! Throughout this time, I learned a heap about myself, Rotary, and two cultures. I have chosen to look at this as just "bumps" in my personal road to success on my exchange here in Taiwan. Yes, at times these "bumps" felt like I was trying to climb Mt. Everest. I made it over the bumps and to the top of Mt. Everest, eyes open wide and learning about the culture in Taiwan and more about myself than I ever thought possible. In hindsight, I believe these obstacles were not obstacles at all. Rather the map to my success. I walk proud knowing what I have accomplished in the past 5 months!
Taipei is a small, yet highly populated city. I have taken advantage of it's size! I have explored so many areas, found favorite places. I know this place like the back of my hand! I have found Taiwanese foods that I thorougly enjoy - like really fresh fruit and vegetables, sweet potatoes, bao zi, red bean soup, taro, egg pancakes, Taiwanese ice cream, tea, beef noodle soup, and others. Eating is good! Exploring restaurants is a daily activity for my friends and I. The transportation system here is awesome and it's how I get around the city daily. By 6:30 a.m. every morning, I am walking, taking a bus, then the MRT (Taipei's subway), taking another bus, walking some more. When the weather is nice, I like to throw a bike into the mix! It is a really easy system and it has been a great part of my life here in Taipei. Overall, I enjoy my commutes. I learn more and more about the people of Taiwan daily - their traditions, beliefs, characteristics and qualities. The coolest thing is I get to marvel at two cultures (US & Taiwan) every day- all the great things and the not so good things of both cultures. It is unique and thrilling!
Mandarin Chinese. An incredible language...and an incredibly difficult language to learn! Since October, I have been attending Chinese class at a language university here in Taiwan three mornings a week. This class has been wonderful and my Chinese has improved greatly. I am writing, reading, and speaking the language every day! I LOVE it! As of now, my ability to speak and understand is somewhere between 500-550 words and I can read and write 350 characters. I look back now on my first month here in Taiwan, all the headaches, frustrations, and the irritability I had with this truly foreign language being around me all day and not understanding it. It was very difficult. However today, and for the past couple of months I am actually craving the language. I try and speak with my classmates, teachers, people on the MRT, dogs...no I am just kidding. Ha! The hardest part of the language for me is the grammar. My class will always remember me yelling out "And this is why Google Translate never works." Formulating sentences takes a lot and doesn't compare to English at all. I am so tired after class. Learning this language takes my full focus! Every morning when I go to class and work towards improving my Chinese I feel good. It is a really great feeling to walk into Chinese class in the morning, instantly open my book, challenge myself throughout the class, walk out of the class and just wait for the moment when I can use my new knowledge! I have a final this week and then I will be moving on to the next level! Yay!
Along with my university classes, I am still attending my vocational high school. School is very interesting and a bit hard to always rap my head around. However, I have been doing it every week day since September 5 and it has become a large part of my life. I have created relationships with fellow classmates. I speak to them during P.E. class, and English class. Otherwise, they are spending their time studying. School starts around 7:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00p.m. everyday. Also I'm still spending two days a week at the farm for my horticulture department. I have been learning how to make flower arrangements which has been fun! My teachers also enjoy taking me on walks around the farm when it is nice, and showing me the flowers and letting me smell my favorite fruit trees and herb plants.
As of yesterday, I am officially on my first school break in Taiwan! Feels great. I will have a month break for the Chinese New Year. I am so excited for this time and have been really looking forward to it! I am hoping to travel down South in Taiwan, see some sun, and visit another area of Taiwan. This break is my time to really explore Taiwan, get out of the city. I will engulf myself in what is has to offer. :)
From the last two weeks in November, throughout the entire month of December, and most of January, it has been raining. Raining hard, non-stop, everyday! I think we have had maybe six full days of sunshine in the last month. To be being honest, I really don't enjoy Taiwan rain. It is not like a rainy day in Colorado, where everything smells good, everything becomes really green, and maybe it will be topped off by a great rainbow. Actually quite the opposite. When it rains in Taipei, all the dirt in the city is seen. It brings out all the terrible smells in the city. The rain experience in Taipei is just not super fun. But, it is a part of my daily life, from morning until night and just like everything, I embrace it, full on. I have my great colorful rain boots, my bright umbrella, and my two rain jackets. These items, combined with my smile, seem to make others smile and brighten spirits during these gloomy days!
Exchange students! I have a world of friends and it is so cool. Referring to all my friends by their country name is something most don't have the opportunity to do. I learn new phrases and words from all of their languages daily, along with Chinese. So many laughs! I also have a few Taiwanese friends here too. I have created relationships with a great Rotarian's and have created even more friendships with others outside of Rotary. I have written about people like Sister Mary Beth and the others Sisters. Meeting people and getting to know people is a really, really great thing and I love it!
A few years ago, my dad and I were watching the ESPY's together - at the point where they show the Top Ten moments of the ESPY's. I remember watching the video that contained the cool sport clips, the funny speeches, etc. Then a clip came on and my dad looked over at me and said "Anz this is a good one!". It was Jimmy Valvano's ten minute speech that my dad and I watched together that night. This speech has forever implanted some important words into my life. I have referred back to this speech many times, especially these past five months here in Taiwan! First, he said that you should spend each day in some laughter, and thought. Everyday, I cherish the moments that I am laughing and smiling no matter where I am or who I am with. It really feels good! I also spend a large collection of my time in thought. Thinking helps, most of the time! I find when you think about something, you are learning. He also said that you should have your emotions brought to tears, whether it be happiness or sadness. Crying is a great form of therapy and I have had many days here full of sad, powerful tears. But also with nice, happy tears! As Jimmy said, "Now, that's a full day!" The second point he had is that you should have a dream and be able to work to keep it alive with enthusiasm, despite problems. I have a dream about where I want to be at the end of my exchange year. Throughout these past months I have had some pretty major bumps to get over and mountains to climb. I believe my enthusiasm and determination to succeed here in Taiwan, has pushed me forward into great places! I am keeping my dream alive! The last thing Jimmy V said was that you should always know where you started, where you are, and where you are going to be. Five months ago I started this incredible adventure of lifetime back in beautiful Vail, Colorado with my amazing family. I left behind everything I ever knew and traveled across the really big ocean to Taiwan. I am here, living in an entirely new culture, speaking a new language, I have met many new friends, and I am a changed girl. Time goes by so fast, before I know it, I will be back in Colorado with a new set of challenges. I hear that something called "reverse culture shock" might be among these challenges!
Rotary D5470 have been incredible over the course of my exchange! Their support, kindness, and overall enthusiasm for exchange is moving. I continue to gain more and more respect for the volunteer Rotarian's back in Colorado who have put so much time and effort into this incredible program. I am proud to be apart of this program and represent a great District, 5470 Rotary back in Colorado. Thank you so very much for the experience you have helped give me and for your goodness!
I would like to take this time to say thank you to my parents Jana and Steve and my brother Zach! I am so blessed to have the most selfless and supportive three best friends. I miss them everyday but you know what they say - distance does make the heart grow fonder. I am so proud of my family! Love you!
Thank you for reading my blogs and supporting my journey! More soon!
Anna :)
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season with family and friends!
Christmas was especially different for me this year. As some of you may or may not know, the country of Taiwan does not celebrate Christmas. The holiday was actually forbidden years ago, under the last presidency. Many Taiwanese don't really understand the entire idea of Christmas, but really are in envy of the all the presents! This was a difficult thing to grasp! I tried to share with them a little bit of the history and also share with them some of the Christmas spirit. I gave candy canes, chocolate kisses, peppermint candys, and I even made my family's recipe of Coconut Joys for them! It was an interesting atmosphere. I tried to make the best of this new holiday experience.
Over Christmas weekend, I had to spend my Saturday at "Saturday" school. Saturday school is something that the schools do when they want a holiday. In this case, it was for the extra day we got off on New Years Eve. I spent the rest of the weekend with exchange students on our ROTEX getaway, which was nice. On Christmas Eve, I enjoyed a night at my friends house with seven of my closest RYE friends! Since we were all from different countries, we each shared in some of our own holiday traditions, added some Taiwanese things in, and then created some of our own too. For all of us, we were surely missing some of the traditons and things that surround this time of the year. So, we tried to stay busy and keep each other laughing, which made for a nice night.
Christmas Day! Well to start off, it was a super sunny and hot day, and I wore flip flops! Not the white Christmas I have had for all my life. I had school on Christmas. Yes...school. Luckily, I had language class in the morning, so I was able to spend it with my RYE friends. I was given the afternoon off from my high school and went to lunch with some friends. In the afternoon, I spent the afternoon at home, opened a few cards and boxes I received and really just took time to reflect on how I was feeling. Being away from my family on Christmas day and not being surrounded by the things that have been a part of my life, for my whole life, was new. But, I couldn't do anything about it. I embraced this time without it. I was able to SKYPE my family back in the states that evening which was a nice way to end this day! I really believe that Taiwan not having Christmas was a blessing for me. I was strong, happy, and again took the time to do my best to enjoy it!
New Year Eve! I spent the evening at one of the biggest fireworks displays in the world at Taipei 101! The crowds were big, the little outdoor food market, the music, the weather, and the people surrounding me were all wonderful. I spent the night meeting exchange students from all over Taiwan. We laughted smiled and enjoyed the atmosphere. I grabbed a great location to watch the fireworks. I totally felt like an Asian - I had two cameras and I was snapping away. Due to the crowds, I didn't arrive home until 4:00 a.m.. It was a really long and tiring night, but it was super cool to be at the fireworks display and ring in the New Year!
A unique holiday season in Taiwan to say the least! Happy 2013!
Christmas was especially different for me this year. As some of you may or may not know, the country of Taiwan does not celebrate Christmas. The holiday was actually forbidden years ago, under the last presidency. Many Taiwanese don't really understand the entire idea of Christmas, but really are in envy of the all the presents! This was a difficult thing to grasp! I tried to share with them a little bit of the history and also share with them some of the Christmas spirit. I gave candy canes, chocolate kisses, peppermint candys, and I even made my family's recipe of Coconut Joys for them! It was an interesting atmosphere. I tried to make the best of this new holiday experience.
Over Christmas weekend, I had to spend my Saturday at "Saturday" school. Saturday school is something that the schools do when they want a holiday. In this case, it was for the extra day we got off on New Years Eve. I spent the rest of the weekend with exchange students on our ROTEX getaway, which was nice. On Christmas Eve, I enjoyed a night at my friends house with seven of my closest RYE friends! Since we were all from different countries, we each shared in some of our own holiday traditions, added some Taiwanese things in, and then created some of our own too. For all of us, we were surely missing some of the traditons and things that surround this time of the year. So, we tried to stay busy and keep each other laughing, which made for a nice night.
Christmas Day! Well to start off, it was a super sunny and hot day, and I wore flip flops! Not the white Christmas I have had for all my life. I had school on Christmas. Yes...school. Luckily, I had language class in the morning, so I was able to spend it with my RYE friends. I was given the afternoon off from my high school and went to lunch with some friends. In the afternoon, I spent the afternoon at home, opened a few cards and boxes I received and really just took time to reflect on how I was feeling. Being away from my family on Christmas day and not being surrounded by the things that have been a part of my life, for my whole life, was new. But, I couldn't do anything about it. I embraced this time without it. I was able to SKYPE my family back in the states that evening which was a nice way to end this day! I really believe that Taiwan not having Christmas was a blessing for me. I was strong, happy, and again took the time to do my best to enjoy it!
New Year Eve! I spent the evening at one of the biggest fireworks displays in the world at Taipei 101! The crowds were big, the little outdoor food market, the music, the weather, and the people surrounding me were all wonderful. I spent the night meeting exchange students from all over Taiwan. We laughted smiled and enjoyed the atmosphere. I grabbed a great location to watch the fireworks. I totally felt like an Asian - I had two cameras and I was snapping away. Due to the crowds, I didn't arrive home until 4:00 a.m.. It was a really long and tiring night, but it was super cool to be at the fireworks display and ring in the New Year!
A unique holiday season in Taiwan to say the least! Happy 2013!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
ROTEX Weekend in Pinglin!
December 22nd and 23rd, surely a memorable weekend spent with my fellow exchange student friends in Pinglin!
We had all attended school already that day, as a pre-make up day for the upcoming New Years Day. We loaded up on the bus around 6:00p.m.and headed about an hour away from Taipei to a little mountain village called Pinglin. We arrived to our location at around 7:30 p.m. and immediately began a quick set up in our rooms. We had three huge, separate rooms that we could put our sleeping bags down on. Yes...sleeping bags...that was a two weeks struggle to find someone who had one in Taiwan! After set up, we headed to a big pavilion and we ate dinner. Food and exchange students...two things that mix way too well with each other. Homemade dumplings, salads, and as usual, the Taiwanese like to throw in an old Western standby, we had some pizza too. Ha! Once dinner was finished, there was a group meeting and then it was off to our rooms for a quick change into the fluorescent clothing we were asked to bring for our dance party! The colors were bright and the dance party was fun! We all danced together. We also danced by nation and song and laughed a lot.
When the dance party finally came to an end, we began our next activity. In groups, we engaged in a famous Taiwanese tradition of lantern flying. Everyone wrote our wishes, thoughts, and beliefs, all over the lanterns. Then around 12:00 a.m., we lit them and they flew into the sky which was very cool! It was an extremely long day for all of us since we had school all day to begin with. So, we headed to our rooms. Despite our long days, nobody slept. We were up all night talking and playing cards! Just as you might expect it would go, when you have fifty students together for sleepover!
In the morning, there were a lot of yawns. However, the extremely cold air and rainy day that we were given seemed to wake us all up. We ate our breakfast and then had our gift exchange! We had a Secret Santa and all exchanged little gifts. Many studentsv gave gifts from their home countries. It was really unique for us all. Then, we began the morning games! We competed in a few fun games with each other and shared many memories. A great morning of team building morning for sure.
Barbecue time was next! It felt so nice to sit by the warm fire and somewhat warm up, and to eat all the delicious food. We sat around the little grills and barbecued like the Taiwanese do. All different meats, tofu, some veggies, and Taiwanese soup too. It was really cool!
It all came to an end way too soon! We watched a fun video presentation of our time together and remembered all the great times we had with each other during this once in a lifetime weekend. All the exchange students then engaged in a little activity and each of us received a little gift. It was SO special!
Overall, this weekend spent with my exchange student friends was so much fun! It was nice to support one another and share with each other this very unique holiday weekend. I know we will all remember this weekend for a long time to come and will cherish the amazing moments we had together. From the moment we met each other at the station that Saturday, until the we shared our last hug. I know I did! I am so lucky to know and have my fellow exchange students with me during this year! Thank you ROTEX for planning this special the weekend!
We had all attended school already that day, as a pre-make up day for the upcoming New Years Day. We loaded up on the bus around 6:00p.m.and headed about an hour away from Taipei to a little mountain village called Pinglin. We arrived to our location at around 7:30 p.m. and immediately began a quick set up in our rooms. We had three huge, separate rooms that we could put our sleeping bags down on. Yes...sleeping bags...that was a two weeks struggle to find someone who had one in Taiwan! After set up, we headed to a big pavilion and we ate dinner. Food and exchange students...two things that mix way too well with each other. Homemade dumplings, salads, and as usual, the Taiwanese like to throw in an old Western standby, we had some pizza too. Ha! Once dinner was finished, there was a group meeting and then it was off to our rooms for a quick change into the fluorescent clothing we were asked to bring for our dance party! The colors were bright and the dance party was fun! We all danced together. We also danced by nation and song and laughed a lot.
When the dance party finally came to an end, we began our next activity. In groups, we engaged in a famous Taiwanese tradition of lantern flying. Everyone wrote our wishes, thoughts, and beliefs, all over the lanterns. Then around 12:00 a.m., we lit them and they flew into the sky which was very cool! It was an extremely long day for all of us since we had school all day to begin with. So, we headed to our rooms. Despite our long days, nobody slept. We were up all night talking and playing cards! Just as you might expect it would go, when you have fifty students together for sleepover!
In the morning, there were a lot of yawns. However, the extremely cold air and rainy day that we were given seemed to wake us all up. We ate our breakfast and then had our gift exchange! We had a Secret Santa and all exchanged little gifts. Many studentsv gave gifts from their home countries. It was really unique for us all. Then, we began the morning games! We competed in a few fun games with each other and shared many memories. A great morning of team building morning for sure.
Barbecue time was next! It felt so nice to sit by the warm fire and somewhat warm up, and to eat all the delicious food. We sat around the little grills and barbecued like the Taiwanese do. All different meats, tofu, some veggies, and Taiwanese soup too. It was really cool!
It all came to an end way too soon! We watched a fun video presentation of our time together and remembered all the great times we had with each other during this once in a lifetime weekend. All the exchange students then engaged in a little activity and each of us received a little gift. It was SO special!
Overall, this weekend spent with my exchange student friends was so much fun! It was nice to support one another and share with each other this very unique holiday weekend. I know we will all remember this weekend for a long time to come and will cherish the amazing moments we had together. From the moment we met each other at the station that Saturday, until the we shared our last hug. I know I did! I am so lucky to know and have my fellow exchange students with me during this year! Thank you ROTEX for planning this special the weekend!
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