resolution #1

Hi folks - sorry I've been a little random with my blogging, I have good reason. See, resolution #1 is to stop being so passive. This was prompted by my sad lack of exploration of the wonderful city in which I now live. I live in the affluent northeast area of the city, with lots of great stores, cafes, and entertainment. My life has fallen into quite a rut, a rut which only takes me outside of my rich 'ghetto' for Church in the even richer foreigner suburb. This limited view of Taipei is probably the main reason I have yet to feel the slightest glimmer of culture shock or homesickness for Canada. And I've lived here almost 6 months, and still haven't seen the Taipei landmarks and highlights. I decided it was time to do something about it. See, I do have a really busy schedule, so I had to make a rule that every weekend I have to do one new thing. Sounds easy, but my weekends are stuffed with Saturday class and tutoring, then Church and Spinning class; so it takes a very concious effort to fight the urge of going back the apartment at 5 or 6 and calling it a night!

Anyway, what have I done, you might ask?

Well, Saturday I went to my tutees house as usual. I'm not sure if I mentioned him before, he (M.) is one of my grade 7 students. He and his family are very, very interested in miniatures. There house is stuffed full of really big, doll-house like buildings will all sorts of little furniture. You know how some people are obessed with a hobby and want to tell you all about it and you just have to smile and nod? Well, I'm very lucky I like miniatures! I have expressed much interest before, and on Saturday my tutee's mother insisted on taking me to the Miniature Musuem as a New Year's gift. Who was I to argue!? It was fascinating, we stayed about 2 hours, and M. walked me through the entire thing explaining it. Then they W., the Mom, bought me a souvienier at the gift shop, and insisted on paying for the postcards I wanted to buy. On top of that, they gave me a lovely tea set (normal size one, not miniature) as another New Year's gift. Being such a gift person, I was thrilled.

Which reminds me, thanks Mom, Dad, and Kathy. I got my huge, heavy box and opened it with much anticipation! Stickers! Wine Gums! Tim Hortons Advertisements! FLANNEL PJ PANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is good. Thanks so much. I promised myself I wouldn't open anything that is wrapped until my B-day. It all looks so pretty, I'll have almost two weeks of anticipation.

Oh, and the second new thing I did this week: Snake Alley. For those of you who watch the Lonely Planet Show: "Pilot Guides" and have seen the Taiwan episode, you know what I'm talking about. Well, you know the snake guy who put the snake around Megan McCormick's neck. I recognized him - he looked exactly the same. I stayed far, far away from that booth. Actually, C. and I were trying to stay far, far, away from all the snake booths, which was surprisingly difficult in such a narrow alley. It was... an experience.

So now it's Monday, still REALLY cold in our apartment, but now quite nice outside. Go figure. I'm still enjoying my job - I hardly noticed it was a Monday morning. The end of this semester is so close, I can taste it. Then a little change of pace till February.