Park Hotel Taichung

... Being in the lessons helps me to relate to what my students need to keep their attention. <br><br>This past week in Chinese we were learning numbers. We have begun working with some of the characters but they are so hard! For homework this week we have to practice writing the characters for the numbers! <br><br>I had a pretty low key weekend. We went out on Friday night to one of the dance clubs. It was a really fun night! There is a big ...

... for a while. We then called it a night and rented some movies and watched a movie. It was a good SMU Alumni weekend Taiwanese style! <br><br>Oh and one last note we got a new T.V. this weekend! We have been watching T.V. with no color for the past month. We had complained a couple times and we finally got a new one....a nice flat screen! Thank you Cornel!! :)<br><br>Well that is all for now, sorry this one was so long! <br><br>Until later....love ya and miss ya! <br><br><br><br><br>

... starting to really know my way around town and be able to recognize some street names! I am finding some of my favorite places to go. One of my favorites is the stationary stores. I love sending greeting cards. Some of them are just so ridiculous and the Chinese to English translations make me laugh. Feel free to email me your address and I will try to get some mail to you while I am here! I enjoy writing letters home! I also love going to the 10NT store ...

... some parents complain that their students aren't getting enough homework...even during the summer program. These kids don't get much of a break! My observation went well and I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would! <br><br>I figured I would include a couple more random tidbits about how life in Taiwan is a little bit different than in the states. <br><br>1. On most stop lights they have a countdown to when the light will turn green. Most people don't wait ...

It has been a busy week. I now have 2 weeks of teaching under my belt and as of tomorrow I have already been here for a whole month!! Wow where has the time gone! It doesn't seem like I have been here that long at all. <br><br>I started my week off a little rough. I had a student who when he becomes frustrated or doesn't want to do something will act out either by screaming/crying for "moving" furniture. So on Monday and Tuesday he had outbursts where he needed to be removed ...

... being made on my credit card from a city in Taiwan regarding a plane ticket to Thailand. So, I had to call the credit card company and get things organized and situated. It was all cleared up, but apparently the bank failed to notify the credit card company that I was going to be out of the country for a while. However, the tickets are purchased, and the excitement is building!

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation (scented with perfume) to attend a bridal shower for my Chinese teacher, April (who has since been re-assigned now that I am teaching second grade). I was very honored that she would think enough of me to attend her bridal shower, however, I asked her a question that I am sure you are all thinking right now... "Umm... isn't a bridal shower only for females?" April explained that it was nothing like an American bridal shower ...

... the mountain, we took a drive through a small town that was obsessed with mushrooms! The streetlights were in the shape of mushrooms, people were selling mushrooms on the street, and everywhere you look, you could see a mushroom farm. Although we did not stop to observe one of these farms, the view from our car led me to believe that they are somewhat similar to tobacco barns. The barns contain huge black sheets made of mesh fabric ...

... that he called our administrator and told her about the problem. She stated that there was no governmental closings that had been issued and that school was on as scheduled. She suggested we find a cab and get a ride to school that way. However, there were no cabs in the streets. We received another call about ten minutes later from the administrator saying that the government had just ...

... university. We gathered up all of the youngsters, lathered them up with sunscreen, and walked about five blocks down the street to the Taichung Univeristy. Field Day consisted of many glorious competitive events that included the three-legged race, the tug-of-war, and a few games of Frisbee. Those who know me quite well realize that I do have a rather competitive streak when it comes to, well, life in general. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that I started ...