AIESEC TAIWAN // The Fourth Week

Hello, Hello! 

Week 4 surprisingly went by super quick, a few highlights include: 

                                             

1. Going to Ping Tung and then up a mountain on a rainy day. My initial reaction was why would anyone even want to go up a mountain on a rainy day? After the experience I would say, it may even be better than a sunny day! Because there isn't as many people out there, it's cooler (the temp), and it's a nice view to see (the sky constantly changes from cloudy, to foggy and then it would rain and repeat). + IT LOOKED LIKE I VISITED THE FOG OF LOST SOULS ( if you got that reference, GO YOU :) )

·    2. Visiting Costco LOL. I was surprised to hear that Kaohsiung had one, so I had to visit. It's basically the same as the one at home, many food samples and lots of bulk items. The only thing that was different may be the options offered at the food cafeteria. (They had churros, mushroom soup and mango shaved ice!!!) Don't worry hot dog fans, they still have that combo in Taiwan too! 

3. Visiting Dream Mall. Was it a dream? no not really.. it just made me really miss and appreciate Square One though.

4. Visiting Kaohsiung's new Public Library. That was a DREAM. It had a sterilizing book machine,  AC,  super nice decor and a patio. I could study all day there. 

5. Visiting the doctors was the most memorable part of my week. Simply because I was so shocked to see how much my previous host family cared for me. Honestly, I really didn't think that I had life threatening bites but they sure thought it was. It may have swelled and looked pretty darn gross but maybe I just didn't know better. In the end, after pills and ointment it got better. 

5. Visiting Chi Mei Museum. I learned lots through the english audio tour my host family kindly got me, definitely one of the fanciest museums I have ever visited. 

Wonders of the Week:

*This week my host family solidified the idea that Taiwan builds vertically and not horizontally. Her house was 5 floors! Climbing to my room everyday was a workout ( I never had since summer started LOL). 

*I think I know why Taiwan people have such nice skin now, my hypothesis is because of the fruits. They're so sweet and full of natural sugar! This week I was so well fed with fruits (had it for breakfast and after dinner) that I think my skin got more supple? or maybe fatter LMAO. My host family is amazing, she prepares at least 3 different fruits in the morning (all cut and ready to be eaten). 

If you're still with me on this journey, there's about 16 more days to go and I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am LOL 

Thanks for reading,

Becca 

AIESEC TAIWAN // The Third Week

HOLA! 

Another week, another vlog. Here is my 3rd week in a glance :)

Truthfully, I know that this isn't one of my best edits so if you watched it and was disappointed.. I am sorry :)) But, I tried.  This week was surprisingly not what I expected (in a good way). Going into the week, I remember being really nervous to move to my next host family's home because their english was so-so. I have been use to speaking decent english with the previous 2 teachers/ host families, that it made me think that I will spend a whole week not speaking. Turns out, I got a lot of opportunity to. I was lucky to meet other relatives that could speak decent enough english + the kids were willing to at least learn / go out of their comfort zone to try to speak (by the end of the week, they got the basic english phrases that I always ask such as are you tried? do you like -blah-? are you full? are you hungry? :) ) & if they really didn't understand then Google Translate was right at their finger tips.  

(THE FAM)

Highlights of the Week:

1. Going to Din Tai Fung to try out those steamed buns and dumplings. It was pretty good, just not worth dying for :B The spicy one..possibly. 

2. Visiting a salon to get my hair washed and braided. It's super cheap to get it washed + you get a head massage + a shoulder massage. IT was awesome. The best part of visiting that salon, was bumping into a student there haha.

3. Going bowling, reminded me of how weak I am and how bad I am at bowling LOL

4. Going shopping with the daughter of the host family and cousin ( Han Shin Mall and Xin Jue Jiang). Shopping with just the girls is more fun than with the whole family because then I don't feel bad for taking a little longer than usual. Merp. 

5. Visiting Fo Guang Shan temple. My host family wondered why I would even want to visit the temple because it seems pretty boring to go there. But, I really wanted to see how big it was and since I was already in Taiwan then why not.  

6. Attempting Taiwan's MRT system. Indeed, it was pretty easy to use and navigate. You don't have to worry too much about getting lost because the announcer speaks Mandarin, English and Japanese. As long as you know where you are going, you would just have to listen for it or look for it on the map. I find their ticket buying system to be very environmentally friendly, besides using a pre-loaded card you could also just buy a token. With this token, you just have to wave it over the scanner thing which will open the gates to lead you to the subway. Once you get to your destination you insert your token to open the gates again so that you can exit the subway system. No paper or ticket was printed. I am also amazed that people can get signal down there for their cellphones.

Wonders of the Week:

* I am constantly amazed at Taiwan people and their skin. Most of them have such flawless skin it's unbelievable. I always ask what their skincare routine is, and they all tell me that they just wash it with a facial cleanser and that's it. No moisturizer, no toner, nothing. I then proceed to just stand there thinking honestly what is your secret? because I really need to find this super awesome cleanser  that does magic to your face. 

* If you are thinking of going to anywhere hot and moist definitely pack bug spray! Where it is hot and moist, there must be a lot of bugs too. My bug bites counter is still going on strong at 15. 

* It is finally raining season, which is good for me because more rain = "cooler" weather and more water = less chance of having a drought during my stay in Taiwan. 

* In Taiwan, most places that you visit (like the grocery store, mall and even restaurants) with a car, you would have to pay for parking. Unless, you went to a place where there is parking on the side of the road of course. I was a little surprised when I finally figured that out because in Canada, most parking is free.

* Taiwan fashion is soooOooooOoo admirable. However, the sizes available is not.

Going into my fourth week, with only 3 more weeks left I think it will fly right by.
Until Next Time,
Becca

AIESEC TAIWAN // The Second Week

HOLA! 

Here is the Week 2 Vlog :)

This week I got a lot of things in multiple amounts.. a lot of things in which I mean multiple bug bites (9 to be exact) I'm basically a walking buffet for them..it's like THEY CAN SENSE THE NEW BLOOD, I ate multiple bowls of noodles and fried chicken seriously I ate a lot or maybe even too much in a week to the point that canker sores don't even matter, movie dates with Peng and friends Pitch Perfect 2 is a yes, Hot Pursuit was okay, chatting time with the principal over a nice cold beverage at Starbucks or a cup of tea at his house. The most exciting part of the whole week is definitely going to Taichung for the weekend and going to Lihpaoland. I was pretty excited to go and test out my camera in the waters. 

(We tried LOL)

One thing though that didn't come in multiple amounts is Peng WHERE THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE… as she is simply amazing! I’m thankful to have got to spent a whole week at her house and go through my week with her. I'm always excited to talk to her and she's always excited to possibly learn another English word. 

This week I learned:

*Everywhere in Taiwan (except a beach, your own bath tub, or your own pool) you will need a SWIMMING CAP if you want to swim. It's a pretty smart choice to enforce as I am assuming less cleaning for them and more clean for us?

*The Fried Chicken here beats the one at BR in a heartbeat but yes kudos to Bubble Republic for making it similar

*Showers are life in such a hot place LOL

*The moment you don't think you have enough tissue paper to last is such a scary moment LOL because some washrooms do not have toilet paper. On the bright side, you can have 3ply, 4ply, 2ply toilet paper if you want (just layer it up to your desire) 

*The moment you don't think you have your water bottle is also another terrifying moment. 

The Most Memorable Moment of the week:

The staff at the school is so caring, its so touching :’) They noticed my bug bite, and instantly shoved ointments and potions for it. 

 & in a close second: seeing that Chow Chow on the one day that I didn’t bring my recorder. I really wasn't expecting to see one in Taiwan BUT that was a nice surprise. 

AIESEC TAIWAN // The First Week

Hola! :) I know, it technically hasn't been a week since I have arrived.. but since I am going to my next host family tonight it sorta feels like an end of a week. .

Thus, I am excited to share with you what my past week was like: (a few highlights and the vlog)

1. I had to introduce myself to the whole school 

I felt nervous even if they were just children, I think its the fact that there were a lot of them and whatever I was going to say would contribute to their first impression of me. 

2. I went to the library every day during a break period

It's ALWAYS a fun time because they come running to me to just basically chat/ say hello or stare then chat  LOL

3. I taught four Grade 1 classes (which leaves 2 more for tomorrow)
They're all so cute and enthusiastic about learning + so kind as some like to share their snacks with me during break time. THEY'RE WINNING MY HEART SO EASILY. They make me so so excited for my future classes.

(My Very First Class)

4. I Visited Night Markets (a small one and a big one which was the Ruifeng Night Market)
They're so packed and indeed very lively. They kind of remind me of CNE with carnival games, food and random stuff to buy.

5. Going to McDonalds in Taiwan

THE FRIED CHICKEN, we need it in Canada. Possibly that delivery service too.

6. Saw a pretty view at Sizihwan beach

(Honestly so grateful and thankful to have her as my first host family)

7. I went to an AYCE Hot Pot restaurant in Taiwan

I wished we had that restaurant in Canada because I really liked it! They offer a lot of variety for you to cook, a lot of other options as well for dessert, drinks, side dishes . . yeah its just amazing.

The MOST MEMORABLE moment though: almost having to deal with Taiwan police / possibly getting arrested? 

HOW you may ask? I went to exchange USA money to Taiwan currency at the bank...turns out one of the bills was a counterfeit. . and apparently if I had 2 then they would've had to call the police. Merp.

This week I learned that:

1. Taiwan use to have their garbage system like ours, where the garbage is just placed outside on the curb every week. However, they changed it to where a garbage truck would come once a week but also play a tune to notify/remind people that it's near and you would just have to toss it in or the garbage man may take it. They changed it to this system because then no garbage would rot outside and smell (due to the hot weather).

2. Taiwan elementary schools offer lunch for the kids so that they don't have to worry about the safety of the kids if they were to go home for lunch. In addition, most parents are probably working during the day so it's easier to just provide nutritious lunches for them at school.

& that's a wrap 

Thanks for reading;
Until next time,

Becca

AIESEC TAIWAN // The First . . .

Hola!

As promised, this is the first vlog :) It records my whole first plane ride of my life, first day of school, and first scooter ride. Surprisingly I didn't cry once during the whole journey but honestly I was trying my hardest not to cry in public LOL.  Because really.. as long as you think you're brave and okay, you will be brave and okay... It's a mindset thing right? 

The thought of traveling alone may have been scary and yes sometimes I really wished that I had a friend or my mom or someone beside me, but in reality, I didn't and it was a very awesome feeling once I reached Taiwan soil by myself. Traveling alone wasn't so bad, as I got to meet some cool people, and got some pre-picked awesome seats (with lots of leg room or a window seat). 

+ I hear that some people actually dislike the flying part of the travel aspect, meanwhile I figured out that I like the flying part. I mean, all I did was eat and sleep on the plane LOL which isn't a bad life to live. 

+ I found out that I don't get nauseous on planes. -DOUBLE SCORE-

Yesterday was my first day, I was expecting to teach but turns out all I had to do was tour the place and go to an assembly to watch their Mother's Day event. It was a good day. Taiwan kids perform at the next level with costumes preparations and great choreography. The mothers got flowers and the teachers even danced too!  

It's only been a day but I already learned so much: Eg,

- in Taiwan, they get 10 min breaks after every class, as oppose to our whole break after 2/3 classes. 

- Taiwan is serious about being environmentally friendly WHICH I LOVE LOL. I see recycling bins being used! I also learned recently that they are trying to conserve water because since it is an island and due to the hot weather, fresh water is limited thus, water needs to be used wisely. According to my host family, in an extreme situation, water resources can be shut down for a day or two to save more. To me it really makes me feel like we take water for granted in North America.

- Taiwan kids are so polite as they tend to greet teachers. 

Some just stare at me and smile or say hello back hesitantly. & there's usually this cute 1 second reflection face after as they realize that they have to continue speaking english to me. 

- I saw my first in-ground'ish toilet LOL.

- Scooter bikes are so convenient.

- Green bean sprouts exist.

- The staff here is so caring, friendly and detailed oriented. Some may be afraid to speak English but they at least try.

Exhibit A: A few staff members helped me prepare materials for this arts activity that I had planned. They wanted to get the exact measurements right for the paper cutouts (6cm by 4cm) but honestly if it was up to me, I wouldn't have cared too much about the size. 

Exhibit B: The staff member helping me with the internet connection tried every possible way to make sure that it would work on my computer. The language barrier made it tougher to do but we got through it! 

- Taiwanese elementary school students gets half days every Wednesday ! ! ! 

- Taiwanese elementary school students and staff members also gets lunch prepared for them everyday. I find it so convenient and pretty nutritious since it's like a home cook meal. 

- 7/11's Caramel Macchiato tastes really good!
- There is such thing as a language called Taiwanese which is similar to Mandarin but still different. Taiwanese is also a dying language just like Cantonese (I feel). Thus, no matter how much Cantonese I know despite it being similar to Mandarin it is only helping me a teensy weensy. 

It has only been 2 days but oh what an experience so far. I am so excited to learn even more and see more for the next 5 weeks. 

When I spoke to my dad yesterday morning, that was when it truly hit me that I am half way across the world and that I really missed my parents and home. Hooowever, just not enough to go back yet.