Jessica Teacher
Korean classes are beginning*
I’m happy to announce that I’ll be starting Korean evening classes at Ewha Women’s University in March. The classes are 2 hours long, 3 times a week, for 10 weeks at the cost of 640,000 won ($565 US), including the placement exam. I have been studying on my own and off and on with partners over the past 2 years but they always seem to flake out. I am excited for something more formal. Now I can be held accountable :p Yikes!!
Dad’s Care Package
THANK YOU, DAD AND GINNY, FOR MY CARE PACKAGE!!!
What’s inside you might ask…
- Colgate whitening toothpaste
- Orbitz chewing gum
- Velveeta shells & cheese
- Chai tea
- Glade candles
- Salt & pepper grinders
- Twisters licorice
- Newman’s salad dressing
- Cholula hot sauce
- ACT anti-cavity fluoride
Pee-pee or poo-poo?
Today as I was going to the bathroom my little one, Sophia, stopped me to ask where I was going. When I told her where she said, “Well, can I ask you a question? Are you going pee-pee or poo-poo?” It was so adorable. I told her that she didn’t need to know (it was only #1) and then she said, “OK, give me a hug then!” After the hug she said, “And a kiss,” and pointed to her cheek. Sooooooooooo cute!
Day 6: Taipei, Taiwan
After a rough night of sleep I headed out of the hostel toward Xingtian Temple. I picked up some street food for breakfast. It reminded me a bit of a Korean pancake but the inside was stuffed with green veggies, egg and bacon. It was really tasty. And how could I skip Starbuck’s? Too bad they don’t have chai tea here. I’ll have to stick with a green tea latte. Also, don’t try to take any food or drinks into the subway. You’ll get a fine up to $7,500NT or $300.
Xingtian Temple was quite crowded and they were passing out some sort of adhesive posters with Chinese lettering on them. Maybe one day I can get them into frames. For me, this temple wasn’t as impressive as the Longshan Temple. I can’t really place why though. On the way out I picked up a scone from a street vendor. It was nice and sweet.
Next, I made my way to the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. This was built to commemorate his life and the democratic revolution he lead for the People’s Republic of China. I was just in time to see the changing of the guards, as well.
Then, I found the Taipei Botanical Garden. Unfortunately, due to the season not much was in bloom. I saw a few flowers and some ducks, fish and squirrels. I was hoping for some orchids. I’ve seen them all around the city, but no such luck.
Backing up to the Botanical Garden is the National History Museum. Jinha and I also tried to visit here but it was closed on Monday. It costs $30NT for a ticket. There are three floors and many rooms to pass through. The types of artifacts include painted pottery, bronze ware, jade, pottery, Tang artifacts. coinage, ceramics, writing arts, religious artifacts and literati curios. There are over 56,000 pieces included. The picture I put up is of an earthenware tomb-guardian chimera with tricolor glaze from the Tang Dynasty.
Finally, I browsed around the Ximen area for food and shopping. It was really busy and a lot going on but not too much caught my eye. I ate some chicken curry rice and went back to the hostel. I also picked up some dumplings later in the in the evening and some fresh fruit juice.
Good night!
