Random

So I'm not even sure what to write today. It's kind of late and I guess I shall just describe what I did this week. I know this is quite unoriginal, and as an English teacher I am trying to inspire creativity in my students, so this really is uncharacteristic, but then again, it has been a long week and my energy level has dipped below readable levels again.

So this week I have been out quite a few times. There is a pasta restaurant nearby and I went there twice this week and each time I got the only vegetarian option they have, but it was still good. It came with a soup that looked almost like Borscht, and some sweet-ish garlic bread. Did I mention that bread here is not the same as in the States or Europe? It's more like Wonderbread style wherever you go, and almost like a pastry; it's hard to find the rough and hearty whole-wheat here.

Besides pasta, the night market here (one of many) also has a thing called "Shaved Ice" and it literally is ice that is shaved in a machine into little ice chips. The ice is made either from water or from milk, and is sweet. They put your choice of fruit, red or green beans (green beans here beans that are green, and are a bit like black-eyed peas); they then pour syrup over the whole thing and voila, you have your rather large plate of shaved ice. The last time I ate a whole plate of it I decided I had had enough to last me for a year, so now I try to share a plate whenever I go.

This time though I tried the icecream on the menu and it came in a rather festively decorated bowl with a small parasol perched on top and peaches and banana and strawberries and kiwis gracing the sides of the glass bowl. I admit I was surprised, even though I've lived here a while, but my first bite of the green icecream was quite something. It was green tea icecream, and instead of the sweet flavour I always associate with icecream, it was like eating iced tea with a very strong flavor. It really took getting used to.

Well I must get some sleep now, but it really is fun to walk around between 7-10 at night and look at all the little shops and see the night life. It definitely feels alive and you never feel alone, especially in the night market, as there are always at least 10 people within arms' reach and plenty pushing past and strolling ahead. Well below are some random pictures from my life here :) Enjoy.

Yep, we really were going this fast on the train

Random meal in China

Random decorated tree in a train station

P.S. the picture of the salt shaker and pepper shaker is from the pasta place. I had so much fun playing with them!

"Um, dear? ... I left the parmesan at home..."

"Oh! You should have told me!"

"It's ok, I forgive you.... at least we have salt and pepper..."

Back in Blogland



Shanghai - on the Bund at night



Hi, I've decided to re-join the land of blogging, for today at least. Got a bit discouraged towards the end of the term last semester. So no promises, but I shall try to keep writing to open a small window into my world here in Taiwan.

Second semester started with a rush - for me that means rushing into the classroom along with the students, more out of breath than they. I used the longest possible time I could for vacation, so I flew in late Tuesday night. My first class was 9:15 Wednesday morning :) I always have been a last-minute person.

Shanghai skyline in the day

Now second semester is in full swing and my class load has decreased by an ESL class and increased by another English 1 class, so my student count has risen, along with the number of papers I have to grade. Hence my motto: "Only assign what is absolutely necessary, and no more." Of course that can be debated, what really is necessary. Rule of thumb: less is better (for teacher).



Some projects the students have done this semester are: giving persuasive speeches, on topics such as why we should use public transportation instead of cars; How-to speeches, where we learned self-defense and many lovely recipes which we got to sample; giving directions and following someone else's directions around the school; and now we're working on writing a descriptive essay.



guilty culprits: reason for my night session staring down the loo



My experience of the day was being followed as I walked home from school today. It was quite interesting, although very disconcerting when I realised I was definitely being followed, even as I purposely weaved my way back and forth between aisles in the covered market. Thankfully my friend called me on my cellphone just then and I needed to go back to school for a paper, so I hurried my way back, watching as the man in the red jacket followed quickly behind me. I got a short video clip of him, just in case, with my handy iPod touch, a present from a really good friend back home. It was a great gift - thanks so much! I have recorded so many memories, and now evidence, during my time here in Taiwan!





Hotpot! buy your vegetables, and cook them yourself :)



Now it's off to bed to try and get some rest. I just got back from a holiday in China where I visited friends 

and had a 2-day vacation on my own in Shanghai. It was tonnes of fun, except the food poisoning that kept me in bed all of Saturday. Thankfully I was able to fly back the next day with no problems.



I hope you are all doing well. Take care and keep in touch. There is nothing I like better than reading and writing e-mails, so write away, and let me know how you are doing!