Taking on Taiwan: The Ups and the Downs

During the first six months of my time in Taiwan, the world was shiny and new.  I remember–quite vividly–walking into any store (even a 7/11) and being over the top excited about everything that I saw.  The snack packs of seaweed, sushi, soy milk, Coca-Cola, tissue, toiletries, disposable underwear, literally everything I saw, because everything was new.  And for a long time, that’s what life was like in Taiwan: a mix of terrifyingly brand new and exciting.  There is, however, that time when your everyday life becomes the norm.

Taking on Taiwan: The Start

It’s a new year, and it’s officially (when you read this, not as I type this) 58 days until I step onto the plane bound for North America.  Believe me, I find it hard to believe that my time in Taiwan is coming to an end.  It seems that it was only yesterday that I stepped onto the plane to move here, to start working as an English teacher.  Honestly, I had no idea of the places and people I would encounter along the way.  That is precisely why in honor of my time in Taiwan and all the memories I have collected along the way, this blog post serves as the first in a series I am releasing, titled “Taking on Taiwan”.  And there’s no better place to start than right at the beginning, in October of 2015.

In the Spirit of Giving

Christmas time is one of my favorite times of year, right after Thanksgiving which is equally as thrilling for me.  Both holidays embody what I love most: family and friends.  It’s all about giving and spending time with those you love, no matter how far and wide your circle of comrades spreads.  And while the idea of spending Christmas in Chicago next year is exciting, I couldn’t help but get a little nostalgic thinking that this was my third and final Christmas spent on the island of Taiwan.