Chinese is like TaiChi

This week has been quite eventful. The country has been experiencing a typhoon, which means that I have been going on errands to decorate my apartment/grocery shop in the pouring rain. You think that would make people more conservative drivers but... NOPE!! I am so excited about my new scooter that I want to take it everywhere I go. My baby doll, Sasha Fierce, has over 95,000 miles on her but she has good acceleration. I am becoming accustomed to the rain so much so that I have started feeling like my poncho is my second skin.

I also started taking Mandarin lessons this week. I signed up for 10 hours of private lessons over 5 days. I am experiencing greater comfort with the tones but some sounds are still very difficult to pronounce. I have had some wonderful teachers who have been explaining the symbolism behind some of the characters. very intersting and informative! My teacher today told me that speaking Mandarin is like TaiChi- there is an energy between the tones that gives the sounds/rhythms balance.

Got my Taiwanese Resident card today so I am now an official Taiwanese resident. Otherwise, I have been feeling supremely welcomed by two lovely teachers here, named Ali and Heather, who have gone out of their way to see how I am adjusting and to invite me to hang outs/meals/parties... Heading to the local fish market tonight with Ali to get some dinner and drink with the locals. Clck on the link below to see some photos I have taken while in Taiwan. Not a huge photographer this trip. Sorry. Maybe it is because I live here.

kaohsiung