Five Months 在台灣 .

I'm halfway through.


It feels so strange when I think about how I've already been away from family and friends for 5 months. I'm really enjoying Taiwan, and it was starting to feel quite home-y before I started moving houses every week. I've lived in 3 different houses in 3 weeks, and it's difficult and crazy, but fun at the same time.


The house that I moved into about 2 hours ago really has me laughing. There must be atleast 5 children somewhere or other running about the 4 floors (that I know of) of the house. Adorable little kids who, when they speak Chinese, I can actually understand. I think I've been mingling with the wrong age group these past 5 months. I'll probably learn more from these toddlers in the next 5 days of me living in the house than I have the rest of the time in Taipei. Oh, by the way, this new house is located in Taoyuan, about an hour outside Taipei, so I'll be out of range for a while. I'll be moving back to Taipei around the 29th of January, to my first host family's house. As far as I know, I'll be staying there for the rest of the year.


I love host mothers. My first one would kiss my forehead when I was sick. She would also make sure I was never in the slightest bit hungry, which consisted of shoving food down my throat every 2 hours. My second host mother would take me out to the cutest little cafes and introduce me to the best department stores to shop at. And now I'm here, as my third host mother knocks on my door every 10 minutes to make sure I'm comfortable, to turn on the heated blanket, to give me a mug of hot water, to give me a sliced orange, and I'll sure she'll be back later.


As not to make my favourite mother jealous, I've dedicated this entire paragraph to her. Angie Fraser, Mom, I can't wait to get back home to our petty fights and fabulous crying sessions. I still want that mother-daughter roadtrip across the lame, small cities of Northern Ontario. I love you and Dad long time. You're going to be stuck with me soon.


Lately I've been addicted to Starbucks and fast-food sushi, which:

1. Makes me feel like a tool.

2. Is quickly draining my wallet.

I suppose I'm back to living on 5NT (20 cent) dumplings, white rice, and apple cider. I can easily live with that.


The winter break (3 weeks off school) started yesterday. On January 26th, I'll be travelling by bus to the East of Taiwan with plenty of other exchange students. I'm hoping it'll be a fabulous trip that inspires some interested photos. Speaking of photos, me and a few other exchange students are planning on doing a little photo shoot after Chinese New Year (February 4th). We plan to shop 'till we drop after possibly recieving Chinese New Year money and then hit the town.


It's been a lovely first half and I look forward to rocking the second one. Peace out.