Lessons Learned (already)

First off - things I've learned while in Taipei so far (for any of you thinking of moving here - take good notes):

1. When the bus comes, try not to be the last one in line to get on. If you are, you get to jump on the bus as it begins to pull away. It's actually kind of funny to watch until it happens to you!
2. Cab drivers don't speak English - or choose not to. And showing them on a map where you want to go only makes the situation worse. Helps to find a Chinese map (my goal for later tonight)
3. The ideal setup is watching NBA games (from last night... again - it's like looking in the past since I can look up the final score on the web... wonder if people down in the bar would bet me on the game!) with Chinese announcers - with my iPod on listening to music since listening to the game does me no good.
4. Skittles with Chinese writing don't taste like Skittles in US. The grape is an unusual purple... may have something to do with it.
   
5. My internet is quicker at the hotel than it is at work.... but both are too slow to really stream any video from the US (the American Idol dilemma continues!)
6. No Llama farms in Taipei City - in case you were looking for them
7. Hearing the Chairman of the Greater China Group for your company speak in person isn't nearly as cool when the entire presentation was spoken in Chinese. Luckily the slides were in English so I just memorized those. He seemed funny since people were laughing from time to time at what he was saying.
   

My work permit arrived today. I'm going to Hong Kong on Tuesday (about a 70 minute plane ride... so like Rochester to Chicago) to get my Resident Visa. Then the fun starts! I can get a Cell Phone plan (instead of the pay as you go option), I can get a scooter (still undecided), and I can show off my resident visa!! Everybody's doin' it!

I have a Chinese name.... it's basically the first letter of my last name (D) and my first name... but not really pronounced Dadam... Dee-Ai-Den... now comes the fun part! The "Dee" is a rising tone (like you're asking a question), the "Ai" is a falling tone (high to low), and the "Den" is flat toned. Try it outloud... not nearly as easy as you think. I've been saying it all afternoon and I still suck at it. But it's the Chinese version of "Adam", so people will know my English name when they read it. It'll be on my badge at work, and on my business cards! I'm doing my best to fit in over here!

It rained most of the morning - which also made the temperature come down a bit. I wasn't sweating all morning at work today!

And finally - here are some pictures that I have been getting a lot of feedback from folks as liking:

Getting To And From Work