Scrooge

Not been a good week. Despite the Christmas season, and two rare two-day weekends, this past week has been rough. I came down with my first case of the cold, lots of coughing, sore back, constant runny nose, and a rarity for me-headaches. Have been taking it easy, trying to get some sleep, and relaxing most nights. The weather has been more foe than friend though, rain and wind most of the past week, downright miserable. Begining to get better. The cold has been mitigated by a serious case of empty-headedness. On Sunday I left my jacket at a bar, after only a drink, and went back Monday but to no avail. That was quite infuriating, either they're lying to me or someone stole it,regardless it's gone. Then somewhere else in the course of the week I lost my charger and USB upload cord to my IPOD. This is one that completely baffles me, as I take my IPOD everywhere except out at night, and am very careful as to what I do with it and the cord. Without the USB cord I can't charge it, thus no music till I recover or purchase another. Finally, the death knell, the other day I was on my way to work when I realised my bike was missing. I looked all up and down the street, but no sign. I found my little basket down the street sitting on a stoop, outside someone's door. Granted I didn't lock my bike, it's older, amongst tens of others within arm's reach, but for someone to steal it?!?!? Sufficed to say, I wasn't, and am still not happy. The subway and walking pale in comparison. I guess everyone has weeks like these, especially when in another country, and as an easy going person I am keeping my spirits up, especially tonight (New Years). For all of this to occur in one week though, least of which Christmas week, is slightly deflating. On a lighter note, I had a good dinner at a hotpot (think a big round table with near boiling flavored water in the middle, in which you drop all kinds of meats, vegetables, and Chinese creations into) with a friend from work and her family. Afterwards I suffered down some "super-magical" Taiwanese rice-liqour with her Dad and brother. I cannot, and I consider myself a fairly open eater after being so picky as a kid, stress suffer enough. It was strong and had a horrid aftertaste. I felt like Yuri and his comrades drinking bad ruskie liqour whilst ice fishing in Siberia. Despite that, I learned how to play Mahjong. That was quite the experience, as Mahjong is taken like the word of God over here. Everyone over forty plays all the time, and money is always involved. Not sure if anyone back in the States has played, but it's as intense as a board game can get. I was chastised numerous times for not being quick enough, though my friend played with her money so I was spared walking out penniless. Tonight being New Years, friends and I are going to the Sun-Yat Sen Memorial to drink and watch the "spectacular" fireworks show from the Taipei 101. It's billed as the highest fireworks show in the world, which I assume to be accurate, albeit meaningless. Oh, one more depressing note, it seems as though packages take a long time in transit, as one from the family back home sent beg. of Decemeber has yet to arrive. So for those of you with cards/postcards/and a package in the mail be patient, it'll arrive eventually I hope.

Christmas

So it's Christmas time in Taiwan. Not a real popular holiday, though the music and occasional decorations reminds one of the otherwise festive nature. Simply because Christmas is so popular the world over allows it to even blip on the radar here in Taipei,the only truly international city in Taiwan. We have a gift exchange at work, ahh, first I should give you a snapshot of the "office". The office, or simply "Kojen" as we like to call it, consists of roughly 20 Taiwanese girls ranging from 19 to 30 in age. There are two Taiwanese guys, our AD Mike (a rough, cold, indigintally repugnant man in his late thirties) and nine Westerners. Two Aussies, a Canadian, an Aussie/Taiwanese mix, and the other five Americans. About ten of the girls are talkative and responsive, the rest are too limited/shy with English, or for some unknown reason dislike us. Regardless, one of the girls sets up and organizes a gift exchange, a very easy, efficient process. She plans a month ahead, has all the rules, what-if's, and possible queries and answers in line. As one could guess most Westerners would end up with a Taiwanese girl, as I did. Long story short, bought a scarf and hat for her, since they can't handle the "cold." Exchange/party is Saturday. Sunday were making a proper brunch in honor of Christmas. Going to buy multiple ducks, potatoes, bread, fruit, cheese, a regular schmorgusborg. Getting colder now, especially when upon a bike at night. Temp's consistently reading mid-teens, low fifties for the centrigrate challenged. Chinese is going well now, making it a regular habit, able to actually comprehend what some people say sometimes, a major contemporary hurdle. Want to make a note that my alumuni, Appalachian State University, have won a 2nd straight NCAA I-AA, though now it is called D-I, National Championship. Last year was the first Championship for the school and the State of North Carolina in football, and of which I am proud to say I was privy. My friend, and college roomate Matthew is making an apperance in Taipei for a few days after he returns from his trip to India. Should make for good times. Also an Alaskan friend and fellow App alumnus, Jamie, has made plans to visit for two weeks in April, hoping to check out China or Japan during that time. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, in case you were wondering, we do have a day off for both Monday's, though they label it here as Chinese Consitution Day and Labor Day, so as not to arouse suspicion amongst hard-working parents.