First off - new pictures to view: Running around Taipei
My apartment is livable - and I've fully moved in. I did some extreme shopping for things this weekend (towels, cups, toilet paper (my favorite thing to buy - YUCK), some food.... but the place actually feels like home now. Of course, the Nintendo Wii is already connected and been used:) The water issue was fixed, but now the new problem occured when I did a load of laundry on Sunday. The washer moves a good 3-4 feet per load. I'm careful to not overload, but the thing shakes a TON! So they have someone coming tomorrow to take a look at it.
I'm also upgrading to digital cable (quicker to find my "favorite" channels... or the ones in English) and also upgrade with the HBO package in hope of getting more movie channels that are in English. Not sure when that will happen, but hopefully soon.
This past weekend was absolutely beautiful for weather. Jason and I took Saturday afternoon as a chance to go to the beach and catch some sun and sand. It is north of Taipei about a 45 minute drive - Baishawan area. It actually looks out onto the East China Sea where it connects to the Taiwan Strait... which is basically part of the Pacific Ocean. If you go straight north, you'll hit the east coast of China and Shanghi.
I also got to experience some of the Taipei nightlife (not the night markets...) with some friends from work. I had a call Friday night and went downstairs, then pretty much next door to a Japanese restaurant. Yes, I tried some new things (as I usually try to do) - a lot of it being seafood even! Beer and wine were flowing very well.... but then came the pressure to do a shot of sake. I really hate that stuff - this time reminded me of why I hate it so much. Tastes like gasoline plus the next day, my stomach always hurts. This time was no different unfortunately. We also went out for some late drinks Saturday night, ending up at a fun club - Room 18 - for the late late evening. The music was typical US club music... and extremely loud (the kind of loud that you can feel your internal organs shake before the vibrations hit your outside). The funny part was - it sounded really good! No distortion so the place was a lot of fun to dance at.
Saturday morning I did some shopping on my own at Costco and RT-mart. Got there and back all on my own! I know, quite the accomplishment! I'm getting around pretty easily. I now have my ARC (greencard) that is fancier than my Minnesota Driver's License. Also means I have my passport back so I'm safe to travel next week.
Some thoughts from around the world:
- More damage ahead for Democratic party if this thing goes on longer. Hopefully Obama shows a win in both Indiana and North Carolina and regains the momentum.
- The cyclone (not the good kind from ISU) that went through Burma is kind of scary. That's one country over from Thailand for the geographically impared. And yes - Burma and Myanmar are the same thing, depending on who you ask
- The Austrian freak that had his daughter captive and tortured for 24 years.... I'm still kind of speechless on that one. I've been reading more and more about it and this one really bothers me. I pray for the family and thank God I'm able to live a "normal" and healthy life without having to worry about things like that.
- Mario Kart Wii is out.... already working on finding a US copy here in Taiwan. Have to be careful since you can find the Japanese version mostly but we're ordering me a copy since I will NOT be able to wait till I get home.
- VooDoo Festival in New Orleans - NIN, REM, and STP... three of the greatest 3 letter acronym named bands of all time. Only need GNR, CCR, and US3.... ok, maybe not US3 (flip fantasia)
That's about all I can think of tonight/today. Here's a great video of an elephant doing some painting that might make you speechless. It's kind of long, I know - but actually worth watching in amazement. Make sure you watch for the final product!!
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