tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38709645209981459832024-02-08T00:13:06.032-06:00The Perfect Balance American Culture + Taiwanese CultureAmy11http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920674674980536314noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870964520998145983.post-2831286626561574602014-08-07T20:02:00.001-05:002014-08-08T10:53:52.938-05:00This Is ItSo, I can't believe this is it. I am spending today at the hot springs in Beitou and leaving tonight from my dorm to spend time with my grandparents for the weekend. My flight is Monday morning, and I will arrive in Omaha around 8 PM. I have said goodbye to most of the friends I have made and will finish my goodbyes this evening. I am sad we are all going our separate ways, but I am happy to have met each and every one of them. They have made this trip all the more fun and a growing experience. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to visit a few of them back in their home!<br />
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What a crazy ride it has been. I can't help but to look around me and see the beauty of this world. I've fallen in love in so many ways and grown in so many perspectives. I've stepped out of my comfort zone and tried new things. I've traveled and seen new places. I've broadened my mind. I've gained a deeper love for language and culture. I've spent time with my family. I've let myself go and be free.<br />
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From the beginning, this trip has always been for me to "discover" myself, but it was not until recently that I came to realize that everything I've ever needed was inside of me. That's been truly powerful, and there's nothing that could amount to the value of learning that.<br />
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A look into this last week:<br />
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I spent most of last weekend visiting tea shops and drinking tea (like a lot of tea). Some were good, and some were not so good. Either way, I still had a lot of fun. I'm like (half of) a tea expert now...or a little less!<br />
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We had our last 4 days of Chinese classes this week. We took our final on Wednesday and had a celebratory lunch on Thursday. My friends/classmates and I bought our teacher a cake as a surprise to thank her. Here's a picture of the cake and a selfie with my teacher! She was amazing and made class fun. My Chinese has most definitely improved. I hope to keep up with it when I return home.<br />
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My friend Lillian and I took pictures with some of the staff members who worked downstairs. They are there 24 hours and have always been super kind and helpful. They make living in the I-house an even more comfortable and amazing experience. The dorms are a thumbs up. We will miss them!<br />
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Finally, my friends Oriana, Lillian, and I did some last minute shopping. We went to bookstores and shops. Lillian is a bit obsessed with some sort of Korean band that I still know nothing about. Haha, so the picture of me having bubble tea with my new boyfriend is just me trying to be her, but I love her so much we got semi-expensive matching-ish bracelets. (Mine's the heart one.) Love you, Lillian!<br />
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And random, but I'm going to miss buying my favorite bread at the bakery for breakfast in the morning. It looks like I'm getting really sentimental. However, I know I'll be back in Taiwan again...so until then.<br />
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Thanks for sharing this adventure with me! I love you all!<br />
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“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” <br />
― Miriam Adeney ll</div>
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This world is lit up so brightly that I don't ever want to close my eyes. It's beautiful. It's magical. It's surreal. So until I leave, I will drown myself in this moment of now, in this feeling I want to hold on to forever.<br />
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Some of my adventures in the past 10 days:</div>
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I went with my friend Yara to Kaohsiung. We stayed with my aunt, uncle, and two cousins. On our weekend trip, we did lots of hiking. We even saw monkeys! Ahhhh, too cute!<br />
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We visited some grand temples and the lotus pond.<br />
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We spent one of the evenings at a beach resort in Kenting, the south of Taiwan.<br />
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For two out of the four Chinese classes this week, we went to make pottery and pineapple cakes. We also tried on some traditional Taiwanese clothing. Super fun!<br />
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Here's me on my last day of calligraphy class. I look like I'm doing a lot better than I actually am.<br />
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Last day of my Globalization course with my friend Sarah. Plus, the view outside of my Chinese classroom. Wow.</div>
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Over the weekend, I went to Hualien which is on the east coast of Taiwan. It was gorgeous. We went cycling and "beachin". We also went to Taroko Gorge National Park with the most beautiful mountains and trails. It was breathtaking.</div>
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We encountered a typhoon this week. Nothing too crazy. Just lots of rain and wind, but classes did get cancelled. My group of friends also celebrated a 20th birthday with our friend Lisanne. Tomorrow, I am headed off with my friend Yara to Kaohsiung for the weekend to see my uncle (mom's older brother), aunt, and cousins. We have our train tickets booked. I can't wait to see them!<br />
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Oh right, and I got my first sunburn. What is this?!? OUCH.<br />
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Anyway, love you guys! See everyone soon!<br />
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<br />Amy11http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920674674980536314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870964520998145983.post-20495255646870341492014-07-13T18:16:00.001-05:002014-07-16T19:17:09.601-05:00Deep Thoughts and the Past Weekend<div class="p1">
I decided to spend this summer in Taiwan after finding out that the Italy study program I wanted would take several complicated hurdles...but honestly, things couldn't have worked out any better. </div>
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I can say with absolute certainty that this trip is everything I needed and wanted it to be. I'm getting the chance to really be independent and get to know myself better. I feel like I'm still me but just a better version of me. I'm more relaxed, spontaneous, and adventurous. I've gained this new passion to travel and learn, and it just makes me so excited; I don't even know how to contain it! </div>
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Something that I knew before but have truly gotten to understand is that risking your happiness for security is the greatest risk of all. If you don't love what you're doing or who you're with, it'll never be worth it, no matter the amount of wealth, pride, or convenience.</div>
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I don't know, but I suppose I just want to be sure that even if I'm scared to go a completely different route in my life, I will have the strength to do so. I will have the strength to choose happiness above all else. Success and wealth are often defined for us, but I think when we love what we do, success and wealth will simply follow and on our own terms as well. </div>
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So yeah, I don't know where I'll end up after college. Maybe I'll start teaching right away, maybe I won't. Maybe I'll even travel and teach. Maybe I'll fall in love. Maybe? Haha. Whatever it is, if it's as beautiful as my journey so far, I'm not scared at all. I'm all smiles.</div>
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Deep thoughts over. Oh wait, and love your family! I love mine to pieces. They truly make a home a home.</div>
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Now, pictures of the last few days!</div>
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Trip to the Taipei Zoo</div>
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Hiking Up Elephant Mountain<br />
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Cycling in Bali<br />
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Boating in Tamsui<br />
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<i>*Note: I "stole" some pictures from my friends because I haven't taken as many pictures as they have. Also, you can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them (except a few of them do not work...I'm not sure why)!</i></div>
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The amount of food I have eaten is craaaazy. Night markets are super fun! Everyone here loves to go there to hang out, shop, and eat.<br />
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I've also visited lots of new places and tried new things.<br />
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Taipei 101 is the highest building in Taiwan. Below is a picture of me with some friends and a view of the city at the top.<br />
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The Taipei Gondola is an air lift up a beautiful mountain where there are temples and tea houses. The floor of the gondola was glass! I'm conquering my fear of heights a little at a time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPEETvXqxXqGoKZKNydNwWwUZv4xqP_F3rGjpKOK1Tw5jG-k_7hnUsKpNjJ_g_nQSpwDSebZPJVTl23zALoeXDVYQczDMFt4yYkiRT_Wpw6CeeKeQ5ZoA_8eynvaWQXlu34QhFuiQVe8d/s1600/IMG_1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPEETvXqxXqGoKZKNydNwWwUZv4xqP_F3rGjpKOK1Tw5jG-k_7hnUsKpNjJ_g_nQSpwDSebZPJVTl23zALoeXDVYQczDMFt4yYkiRT_Wpw6CeeKeQ5ZoA_8eynvaWQXlu34QhFuiQVe8d/s1600/IMG_1150.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYsyrnf42VXvLDM150_MRbjdLHy6mCLPjVC9IGoWONJOHYyNCMrLj-mpw3UP8sdNRCJrns9_idSWcCvVo1Unn3aahpSDMvmRKLYZOJD17l_-idFDcc-ajSvFiySoUlEUL2PW24FHfhvkr/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SEEcqcS6Y4ib323vVvKaE9rq3ZAYkv3znkNdZKUARk0d73-W9JiDv2vLJTjBG559KhGIW__MI6T0JOrtT7Blja0udPjWrKnJrm8j9xMfC2MOAJWqoAoHCLtd1IULJHZoe3h1Xhff2q3W/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SEEcqcS6Y4ib323vVvKaE9rq3ZAYkv3znkNdZKUARk0d73-W9JiDv2vLJTjBG559KhGIW__MI6T0JOrtT7Blja0udPjWrKnJrm8j9xMfC2MOAJWqoAoHCLtd1IULJHZoe3h1Xhff2q3W/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
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I also visited a glass museum where I saw the most beautifully crafted glass. There was also a stunning glass temple nearby.<br />
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Over the weekend, I spent some time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They mean the world to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSvTSCxuArU48_Y-mvpEFCqf9zucmpiAVUg2DjwynzRstICqcdQbwE2UVQ6yuSBVugk4U2RW-NM0NUmV8hCKqTPQvEGH9JCKCBaazbNv0HksLP-ZazKMMDsqM4QApApWnkZbE0LWKWzxR/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSvTSCxuArU48_Y-mvpEFCqf9zucmpiAVUg2DjwynzRstICqcdQbwE2UVQ6yuSBVugk4U2RW-NM0NUmV8hCKqTPQvEGH9JCKCBaazbNv0HksLP-ZazKMMDsqM4QApApWnkZbE0LWKWzxR/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBmcVWeelHJYRUVRhfW6U4nijb7fQwZ6orZmF_FnJKsaZ5hZZrlR1oHRoMZ7DWmhyphenhyphenwIESKH4RK6LnjBQjUM29YdYXghVU7mShmNIttd_hq5nfmmoRI1zZc5TxNUQj9Ks-60c4-KhMCuh4/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBmcVWeelHJYRUVRhfW6U4nijb7fQwZ6orZmF_FnJKsaZ5hZZrlR1oHRoMZ7DWmhyphenhyphenwIESKH4RK6LnjBQjUM29YdYXghVU7mShmNIttd_hq5nfmmoRI1zZc5TxNUQj9Ks-60c4-KhMCuh4/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ovFgNGl3gjp2wyaWHjhNjTVi_IRYm44rYiLSh6NZGwXP1CYxgrHOjqQ2Cw4wwG-09VGDx8RVCpIcLc3KsspNSqD2Vmob5CFC8A5aVEjfCiXoj8PFtFROt7rXW1Pssu4lPpw1318Fny88/s1600/10516896_775758689142890_1128213412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ovFgNGl3gjp2wyaWHjhNjTVi_IRYm44rYiLSh6NZGwXP1CYxgrHOjqQ2Cw4wwG-09VGDx8RVCpIcLc3KsspNSqD2Vmob5CFC8A5aVEjfCiXoj8PFtFROt7rXW1Pssu4lPpw1318Fny88/s1600/10516896_775758689142890_1128213412_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykiSB84Te3kuXTEUIZ34WvX4b3VQDPOfAF0Up6ZHzv36vjF5LmEMbDkd1T4J19EDqTaaDHcoX6tPYmfJkHNOVetlWoWgCJkVqpXisCAAv20d4i_3cCgbngMjpkyqSTE5NYn7xt-rVYTkD/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
...and tonight, I started the first of my two calligraphy classes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w9W3ACDIjvXt1qvDqauqYpIdULAQTMrR8jd9zLkPm7Z3xMcgQCSEB9xv6O-SnEUo6TqDfbI44HG4Gn24CelnzIevXJDrQLmcbKoxBP3UEkfQXr56U9TxAvExTiMYHXsSBXjPf1ZsizG7/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w9W3ACDIjvXt1qvDqauqYpIdULAQTMrR8jd9zLkPm7Z3xMcgQCSEB9xv6O-SnEUo6TqDfbI44HG4Gn24CelnzIevXJDrQLmcbKoxBP3UEkfQXr56U9TxAvExTiMYHXsSBXjPf1ZsizG7/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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No, I did not write that. Haha, but my instructor did, and that is my name in Chinese. I love it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys1nG5iMPvo9vYlVhxjsdZvOGWgQwHrjzyPbQrQLGfCfih8gN0VzPwZ_f_9VSdkm3oOpAAAMLXtXu57fWUexiN4hS8u9d84w40mXAGnmbpqX5AzYV2UsqLYuBDFK-Vx0Y3eLXcGFzGczN/s1600/1909906_10203655816747202_6843485127754245040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys1nG5iMPvo9vYlVhxjsdZvOGWgQwHrjzyPbQrQLGfCfih8gN0VzPwZ_f_9VSdkm3oOpAAAMLXtXu57fWUexiN4hS8u9d84w40mXAGnmbpqX5AzYV2UsqLYuBDFK-Vx0Y3eLXcGFzGczN/s1600/1909906_10203655816747202_6843485127754245040_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>I can't believe I am already 1/3 through my summer study program! The picture to the left is of my college campus. Doesn't it just make you want to go to classes? I don't know how I'm ever going to say goodbye to my new friends and this place I call my first home. Perhaps, it will simply be a "see you later". </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghek7Lb4wx9w75C3rp98Ya2YTAYjBZ5Lw_zarFsTDbtQ7DpscOESri6W8J-kSBhQCfyzVQZlJoycInjIg7Pe5jcKOUvwIk28niWj4Q1cdG84iX2173AlrIH65P1pLbBVdXU0mnu8qJc8xC/s1600/10486590_729052450473958_1729274388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghek7Lb4wx9w75C3rp98Ya2YTAYjBZ5Lw_zarFsTDbtQ7DpscOESri6W8J-kSBhQCfyzVQZlJoycInjIg7Pe5jcKOUvwIk28niWj4Q1cdG84iX2173AlrIH65P1pLbBVdXU0mnu8qJc8xC/s1600/10486590_729052450473958_1729274388_n.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My uncle and my baby cousin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I saw my uncle right after I grabbed my luggage and headed toward the exit. I was ecstatic to see him. He drove me back to his house, and there, I spent Friday and Saturday night. I was pretty tired Saturday, so I stayed in and played with my cousins. One is 6, and the other is 10 months old. They are both so incredibly adorable. </div>
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I was dropped off at my dorm on Sunday afternoon, and I would finally be by myself for the first time since arriving. My uncle showed me how to get to my campus and even the stores around, and then he left, so I could settle in. Surprisingly, I felt fine...maybe a bit lonely, since I did not know anyone at all yet, but I was fine.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_MO6tmFaAtGlmoy_4-y7fgkFxoYSEBQY3j4Ol4wzH3c6X1LGe780P_stQAMf6RhJ6XUuLtwGTv80FMm4T-qkluUYQ2jwT5-uRkzbqzAgoGUubWVAxF4BCOcD6_DiqzY825TBjw96RYE_/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_MO6tmFaAtGlmoy_4-y7fgkFxoYSEBQY3j4Ol4wzH3c6X1LGe780P_stQAMf6RhJ6XUuLtwGTv80FMm4T-qkluUYQ2jwT5-uRkzbqzAgoGUubWVAxF4BCOcD6_DiqzY825TBjw96RYE_/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" height="127" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the night market with friends</td></tr>
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The first thing Monday morning was orientation and in the afternoon we had our Chinese placement test. I finally met some classmates, and we went out for dinner that Monday night. There are around 65 people in the summer program, and they are from all over the world. I have friends now from countries like the Netherlands, South Korea, Finland, and the UK. It has been so much fun getting to know them! I have "Sustainability in Taiwan and East Asia" from 9 AM to 12 PM, and my Chinese class from 1 PM to 4 PM. So, for these last few days, I have just been going to classes and hanging out with friends (and eating yummy food, of course)! It's been perfect, and well, I'm in love with Taiwan.</div>
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Off to ride the Taipei Gondola (which is just an air lift) around some temples! Oh boy, heights!</div>
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Hope all is well! :)</div>
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Amy11http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920674674980536314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870964520998145983.post-82250659655576819672014-06-23T18:12:00.001-05:002014-06-23T18:12:58.098-05:00Bring on the Heat!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYhB_TFQUrNd_3fPTC4YDW2NxpWFTyso4rQYqdWktoMYbDjkfNGUpOO7VO9ur-TNXiXMCsKOjVKrFdfwqTCVsJiNKy4vnG14OrT6d4q4T66KIkOIF1CXCcpxVI1BxcTiV2-wDKLVM-cWV/s1600/IMG_1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYhB_TFQUrNd_3fPTC4YDW2NxpWFTyso4rQYqdWktoMYbDjkfNGUpOO7VO9ur-TNXiXMCsKOjVKrFdfwqTCVsJiNKy4vnG14OrT6d4q4T66KIkOIF1CXCcpxVI1BxcTiV2-wDKLVM-cWV/s1600/IMG_1116.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some summer fun!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I finished working at summer school this last Friday. Super exciting! I couldn't have asked for a better summer job. I've spent the last four weeks with these students, so I'll definitely miss them, even the ones who purposely tried to get on my nerves. More exciting news, I'll be working there again next year and hopefully get to plan and teach some math lessons/activities myself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfJghj8LzXuDphmO0REWBOy89affxDQzIfeaO-Uk-_yOT0MIJgPw055kYmB0sULrloa7dx15E1iwvhsOfo_za1j1H-rp64IS4BqiVb23KTEAHwBtA5bDk2FeJrEajaLmEvSMg_6cYMsgt/s1600/IMG_1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfJghj8LzXuDphmO0REWBOy89affxDQzIfeaO-Uk-_yOT0MIJgPw055kYmB0sULrloa7dx15E1iwvhsOfo_za1j1H-rp64IS4BqiVb23KTEAHwBtA5bDk2FeJrEajaLmEvSMg_6cYMsgt/s1600/IMG_1130.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a fairly light packer. For 7<br />
weeks, I think this is pretty good.<br />
Let's be honest too; how much<br />
could I realistically carry? Haha.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's finally down to the last few days! I leave for Taiwan on Thursday, and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. (That 13-hour time difference though...no one is ever prepared for that.) This past weekend has been about packing and catching up with some friends. I've got a suitcase filled with tank tops, shorts, summer dresses, sandals, and sunscreen. Did I mention the weather in Taiwan is HOT and HUMID?!? It's subtropical weather. Imagine Nebraska summer heat but way worse. I know, crazy. So, I suppose bring on the heat, or perhaps, better yet, let it rain! I've got an umbrella, a light jacket, and a pair of tennis shoes in my duffle bag, and my backpack is just filled with fun school stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've also been squeezing in some Chinese lessons online and with my parents. I am nowhere near fluent but at least I'm headed in the right direction. Recently, I've had a lot of people ask me what languages I speak, and I've never realized how (crazy/cool/different/etc.) my response was until some of them pointed it out. I speak </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">English</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, some </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taiwanese</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, some </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chinese</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and a little </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spanish</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. The first three languages are kind of fun for me because in any given conversation with my parents or my two brothers, I will speak either just one of them, a mix of two of them, or all of them combined. Sometimes, I start a conversation in one language and end in another, but often times, I just say the word in whichever language comes to my mind first. As a result, I speak with sentences that use all three languages. Ummmm...confusing! I think I can't even tell the difference after awhile, since my brain tries to sort the three pretty rapidly. </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My goal though is to eventually speak all four of these languages fluently!</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Side note: I find languages quite fascinating. So, in case you were curious, Taiwanese is a popular spoken dialect in Taiwan. It was what every student learned in school before the country adopted the Chinese language. (This was a significant and necessary change, since it is impossible to write in Taiwanese.) I usually compare Chinese and Taiwanese to English and Old English, although I've found that with the latter two languages, if you can understand one, then you can try to understand the other. When it comes to Chinese and Taiwanese, you're still out of luck. The two are quite distinctive.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next post will be when I'm in Taiwan! Thank you for all of your love and support!</span><br />
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Amy11http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920674674980536314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870964520998145983.post-65020630946566946942014-06-06T08:00:00.000-05:002014-06-23T16:13:23.668-05:00Plane Tickets, Toothpastes, and a Tiger<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWcC9rdpz16WmE59NG8DNnYiKNF9ChOiJd5GyM0rece_g53eNnRYfXTJvtrbC0NyjQ9OY6actWuL7yA7qEiUB2gqo0YZNRYfM3iWBwxiRszObKzW6r3lBHfp6N_t0VPY818mPIfdR0UUe/s1600/IMG_06241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWcC9rdpz16WmE59NG8DNnYiKNF9ChOiJd5GyM0rece_g53eNnRYfXTJvtrbC0NyjQ9OY6actWuL7yA7qEiUB2gqo0YZNRYfM3iWBwxiRszObKzW6r3lBHfp6N_t0VPY818mPIfdR0UUe/s1600/IMG_06241.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, Jack!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After today, I'll be halfway done with working at summer school and have two more weeks left. I love my summer job as a para! The 5th and 6th graders are a unique bunch of kiddos. They keep me on my toes. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked my age and whether I am married or not. That just makes me laugh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I share details of my trip, I want to give a shout out to my little brother Jack on here</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Today's his birthday, and he's 19! I am a very proud big sister, although </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he would argue that I am quite small and not that </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">much older. He is a double major in accounting and business and completed his 1st year of college a few weeks ago. He's super nice, goofy, and smart, and I'm excited to celebrate him today. Best (little) brother ever!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRxrvJ6J8GFgjfZIRS0hf10gVftr7eldp5-RMVMHpKMSaIp0Ge2m01jbD1vFcp8xGPh2aYF1LTEnbZ9BPlLyb310g_wLNCpONL3Fso-0MgeSr6DIW-w7R0r-IUcCS8X6RWsNfbDD525mi/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRxrvJ6J8GFgjfZIRS0hf10gVftr7eldp5-RMVMHpKMSaIp0Ge2m01jbD1vFcp8xGPh2aYF1LTEnbZ9BPlLyb310g_wLNCpONL3Fso-0MgeSr6DIW-w7R0r-IUcCS8X6RWsNfbDD525mi/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Journal, books, travel guide, tickets</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, soon after my acceptance to NCCU in Taipei, I purchased my plane tickets. The tickets almost costed more than my entire study abroad program! Yikes! I have all of my flight info in my hands now though. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am flying out from Omaha. Then, it's to Dallas and the long overseas flight to Tokyo. From there, I will land in Taipei. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Without layover, my 3 flights are a combined total of 19 hours. Whew</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I'm going to need more books, but seriously, what am I supposed to do with all that free time? My uncle will be meeting me at the airport, and I am already excited thinking about the end of the flight and seeing my family! I'll be staying at my uncle and aunt's house for a few nights before they drop me off at my dorm and again before I leave to come back to the U.S. I am looking forward to spending time with them, and I can't wait to hold my baby cousins.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't even know what to do with all of this! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have also purchased my study abroad insurance, so I feel pretty prepared if I get sick or injured while I am over there. Hopefully, it won't be necessary though. R</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">ecently, I visited my dentist too. Upon hearing about my trip, my </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hygienist gave me a bag full of toothpastes and floss picks. Wowza! Surely, I'm going to have clean teeth. All of this stuff on my desk is a reminder that I have yet to start packing. I bet that will be another adventure in itself coming up here in a few days! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Guess who else is going on this trip with me?!?!?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Doane Tiger (aka my travel buddy)<br />
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Amy11http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920674674980536314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870964520998145983.post-34317249072342380642014-05-24T19:06:00.001-05:002014-12-07T16:42:43.863-06:00Welcome!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is officially my very first blog and post...ever! Just take a moment to let that sink in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, welcome to my blog! I am truly excited to share my adventures with you. Both the American culture and the Taiwanese culture have influenced me (note the title of the blog), and I hold values from both very close to my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't necessarily share my immigration story with everyone, simply because it's not quite the smooth transition followed by a simple "hello". That would probably be too much information for someone I just met or am getting to know. I'm rather open about sharing it though. To get to know me better, here's a tad bit:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I moved to the U.S. when I was seven. My dad accepted a job offer in helping train employees to cut and export meat to Japan. In 2001, just a few months after the devastating attack of 9/11, we packed our belongings into our suitcases and left everything we ever knew. I, for one, packed several stuffed animals and dolls, a blanket, and some clothes. As a little girl, I supposed that was what I considered valuable and my "home". If I could have a do-over though, I would stuff my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in my suitcase instead! I tend to not break rules, so my thinking is that this one should slide. Anyway, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't think at that moment any of us realized that we wouldn't return until 10 years later. (Yes, documents, work visas, and residencies for immigrants are even longer and messier than you can imagine.) My dad's decision </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to move our family halfway across the world was not easy. Learning English, understanding new customs, and being away from family posed the greatest challenges for us and sometimes, still today. However, I couldn't imagine life any other way because then I wouldn't be who I am today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the summer of 2011, my family and I went back to Taiwan for the first time. What an incredible defining moment that was for me. Now, 3 years later...I'm headed to the National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei, Taiwan for their international summer school program. I am so grateful for this opportunity Doane has given me; their scholarship will cover the entire cost of the program. I will be taking a Mandarin Chinese course along with two other business/culture courses. I also can't wait to spend some time with my family in Taiwan (all those people I mentioned earlier that I would have packed into my suitcase). </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Truly, I'm beyond excited!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Here's a breakdown of my 14 weeks of summer break:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4 weeks of working as a para at summer school</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7 weeks of studying abroad in Taiwan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 week of training for Doane orientation leaders</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <i> That leaves me...2 extra weeks to find some other little adventures. :) </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In many ways, this will be the first time I'm really ever away from home (my parents and my brothers), but at the same time, it's crazy that when I sit here and think about it, I'm going back home too. So here's to summer 2014, to new adventures and learning more about myself and the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">*More posts and details to come as the trip gets closer. I will post updates and pictures during the trip as well. Stay tuned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is the link to save and keep to access my blog: </span><a href="http://theperfectbalance11.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://theperfectbalance11.blogspot.com/ </a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NCCU Campus</td></tr>
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Amy11http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920674674980536314noreply@blogger.com0