So my update weekly strategy fel by the wayside when I was bombard over the last week and a half with wicked amounts of class and social activities. I'm not kidding when I say that I've gone out more times in the last two weeks than my entire summer combined - two bbqs, brownie baking, dinner dates, lunch dates, homework is due today dates, and etc. All this together makes me pretty tired by the time I get home, and if you want to factor in the time taken to procrastinate homework, updating time is getting low. I'll try to bring everyone up to speed real quick (meeting friends for dinner soon!).
So since last week, I was having an epic crisis that kept me away from the computer (and the floor) for about twelve hours. When I was warned about big bugs, I was NOT warned about giant magically disappearing roaches that somehow find a way into my bathroom and then scurry back out again in less than three seconds. Cue complete panic mode... I still haven't found the creepy thing!!
Finally got my cellphone, which was more expensive than I was hoping, but it's awesome enough to be ok. I started out looking at used phones, but some of the the very basic pinyin-capable (beat up phones) were still like $90. I'm not even kidding you. In the country where everything was made, the cheapest you can get a decent used phone is like $90. In the end, I paid an extra $25 and got a brand new one that didn't look like it was going to fall apart at the slightest usage. Super cute too - I still can't understand why an adorable new phone is only like $20 more than a crappy used one, but oh well.
Chinese placement testing was Tuesday morning... Nora (the OIEP person) thought I'd be in advanced, but I was pretty sure I'd fall into Intermediate. My fantastic ability to follow obscure political references in Chinese still hasn't transferred itself over so well into basic conversational ability, and my speaking still really sucks. Plus I've forgotten how to write most of my characters... Fu would not be happy. It was less of a test and more of a five minute conversation with the teacher who also agreed that my grammar is great and my vocabulary sucks. They have me in class three hours a day, five days a week from 9-12, even though I told them I'm not able to take 15 hours. I figure I'll just not show up and leave early so my hours aren't overloaded. Speaking of hours, I forgot to go get my class paper signed... hopefully it's not too late to do that. Tragedy will strike if I can't take that international business class, since it's totally my favorite course ever (sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet).
Papers are due every week in my graduate class, which really stinks. The subject matter at least is interesting, and the grad group is really cool though, they've totally taken me in. It's super fun getting to hang with the older kids (but not the really old classmates - some are like my dad's age!). It was pretty cool in class though when I was able to say I've read most of the books/articles he was showing us and was able to comment on everything he was talking about. Of course, he's ask me in Chinese and I'd reply smartly in English, but I have no doubt that my Chinese could not hold up to graduate level intelligence. Classes are held differently here though, not so much talking out in class or even raising your hands. Instead, everyone waits to be called on. This only kills me a little inside, so I've taken to writing out all my snarky comments on my notebook in no particular order. My favorite one so far? "We all must broaden our minds to the possibilities... oh my god Palin is a NUTCASE".
Other than that, there was a typhoon that kept me up all night Saturday, and I was so tired I didn't even notice the 6.something earthquake that happened Sunday morning. School was canceled Monday from the typhoon, which was pretty cool, especially since we got Wednesday off for the Moon Festival. Tuesday night I went to my friend Tiffany's house for a moon festival bbq, which was really awesome. We ate, lit fireworks, played mahjong, and chatted in a variety of languages. Spent Wednesday going out to lunch with a friend, and then cleaned my entire place top to bottom with a wet rag to avoid starting the paper that was due Thursday. Thursday was spent with the grad kids all day, from group studying in the morning, to class, to going out for Mexican food in the evening. MEXICAN FOOD!! Never thought I'd miss it so much... it was a bit expensive by Taiwan standards but not too bad for American costs.
Then finally today there was a welcome party for the international students, which was pretty much just a "come sit around for two hours and eat free food" get together. Came home, instead of doing my reading I took a three hour nap, and then went out again to eat with some of the other international students and buddies. Delicious pasta, yuuuum! Tomorrow I have to get up bright and early... we're going to Taipei!! The international group as a whole is just going for one day, but some of my friends and I decided to split off and spend the whole weekend there. Youth hostel away!! It should be great, plus I get to avoid going up Taipei 101 for another week haha~
That's all for now!!
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