Sunday, July 31, 2011

Taiwan Food

A few weeks ago, I thought it would be interesting to make a list of all the food I've eaten in Taiwan that American's would think is "gross". Most of it was good, some was ok, and some was "I've eaten this once in my life, and never again!" In no particular order, here it is:


Squid
ostrich
Shark
shark fin
octopus
Pig blood cake
Duck blood
Stinky tofu
Shells
Sushi
Snake
Sashimi
Pig intestine
Chicken feet
Chicken bottom
Duck head
Frog
Jellyfish
Sea cucumber
Clam lip
Pig tendon
Abalone
Black chicken
Fish eye
cactus

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Major Changes

I can't believe it's been almost two months since I last posted on this blog. I started out by trying to post once a week....hasn't gone as I planned :(. I've just been lazy and busy! So...this will be a compendium of all the news of the last two months.

Major Events:

  1. Passing thesis oral defense & finishing thesis
  2. Graduating & "official" graduation procedure
  3. Living with (future) in-laws
  4. Getting ready to go back to the US
  5. Fun times with Whitney. 
The thesis oral defense went well...I missed some stuff in the presentation, but I later added it to the presentation. Getting the final approval from my professor, however, was a lesson in patience. The school had some unique format requirements that Microsoft Word DEFINITELY didn't like! But...it's all good now. God is good.

Graduation was a very special day. Whitney, her mom, and her grandma all came to the graduation. There were several different events - the GMBA graduation in the morning, official graduation in the afternoon, and a really nice celebration dinner in the evening. It felt kind of weird to not have my family there, but I was still VERY happy to have my dear there to share the day with me :). The official graduation process made me VERY thankful for Whitney, as several of the instruction papers were only available in Chinese. Getting everything right took a few days, and I'm glad I gave myself some extra time. 

Living with Whitney's mom has been another lesson in patience. However, it has helped us understand each other a little more. As the grandparents (and aunts and uncles) live next door, I have gotten an education in traditional Chinese ways of living, and some of the ideas and ways of doing things that Whitney grew up with. Some of those things we'll adopt in our own life - other things we won't - but at least I'm more aware of her environment. I'm sure the same thing will happen in the next few months, as we go the US together...

It's amazing to think that I'll be going back to the US in less than a week! After being in Taiwan for almost two years, life in Long Pond, PA seems almost like a dream....a dream that will become reality very soon. Both my family members and I have changed...a LOT, and it will be strange to land in the middle of their already-busy lives. So many things are different. I really feel like I haven't stayed connected enough with my family, but talking on the phone every few weeks doesn't really do much! I haven't seen any pictures of my dad's house. I can't wait to introduce Whitney to my family, and show her where I live, and what I like to do.

However, the last month has seen us do a lot of fun stuff together. We went to Leofoo Village, an amusement park here in Taiwan. We've also gone to Yilan, to visit Frieda (a former student). We also went to Whitney's middle school reunion. Mostly, however, we've just relaxed. Life has seemed to move at a slower pace than it did during the school year. It's a very weird feeling for me, who is very task-oriented, and who often measures the success of a day by how much "stuff" I can get done.

I haven't started to look for jobs very much, as I can't start work for two more months anyway... Also, my dad wants me to come back to the States, and there are some people he wants me to talk to. All I can do is pray, and knock on doors. I'm just doing my best :)

God is definitely teaching me patience. As

I haven't started to look for jobs very much, as I can't start work for two more months anyway... Also, my dad wants me to come back to the States, and there are some people he wants me to talk to. All I can do is pray, and knock on doors. I'm just doing my best :)

God is definitely teaching me patience. As Whitney and I learn more about each other, we're learning about more things that we'll have to discuss and compromise on in the future, once we live in our own place, and have our own life. Even more opportunities for patience coming up!!!