Let the count down begin...

Hi guys,

I am here enjoying every bit of Taiwan. Today as I started to think about what I should write, I realized I am officially in the "contagem regressiva " phase (aka. count down). Most the friends I have here will soon leave to go back to their home countries for the summer as well.

First things first, when I first arrived I was worried about A copa do Mundo. Last night proved that I had nothing to worry about. The friends I have made here are wonderful and we had a blast in this Western/Canadian Bar last night. We arrived just in time to watch the second half of the Portugal game- which proved to be less than exciting! Then with two hours to kill... WE DANCE DANCE DANCE, from Axe Bahia to Daniela Mercury. I love dancing more than anything. I feel so free, accomplished and filled with happiness. I should do it more often. It was so much fun sharing my culture with my friends. It is nice to see people from all over the world hanging out, having a good time! I am going to miss this. I am going to miss speaking Spanish, Portuguese and English all in the same night with group of friends. I am going to miss learning about others, and meeting random people. Last night, we met this very nice European (at least at heart she was!), we talked, she danced samba with us.
I wanted to tell you all about Bujin, she is Mongolian but a Latina at heart. She is the life of the party and has an amazing voice! Last night I wished for longer time in Taiwan, to get to know these individuals better.
Prized Moment
I got the bar owner- a Canadian to lower the price of our food and drink! :) Now, that's something I am very proud of, because he was not happy about it! Woooo finally my haggling skills are even working on printed menu prices! Maybe I should try it in the U.S..... HA HA HA.

Here are some pictures from last night! We also packed 6 people into a cab.

Dede, Bujin and Maria-Liz

Ruth no batuque!

These are my awesome girlfriends :)
Getting my face painted! ohh yea... Brasillllllllllllllllllllllllllll


Singing the best National Anthem in the World :)

I apologize the video is sideways. I really should learn my lesson and stop doing that! Bujin, THANK YOU! :)

Lesson Learned
If you are even in Taiwan and you want to do something you think is not okay- do not I repeat do not speak Chinese or Taiwanese. People here tend to allow foreigners to get away with more, I don't mean in a bad/good way. Things like seem so reasonable like, please do not turn off the cable (for the TV) at 11pm because it is the World Cup ( backtrack: M-Th the TV is disconnected at 11pm. I am serious) the respond Ok and turn it off anyway. I am not sure why, but okay does not mean okay. It means I listened but I may still do what I choose. Instead I have now learned to just not ask. I do. It works.
Trip to Yanmingshan Mountain

Remember a few weeks ago, when I mentioned I wanted to go to this park but it was raining? Well, it rained when I went last week too. However, this time I went with Minling and her sister- in a car! My second car ride in Taiwan. I am a lucky girl :) Miling has been wonderful with me. I hope to be able to take her out and about when she visits me in SC!
This park is more like a small city, many people live in there, including the president of Ming Chuan University. As you might have guessed mostly wealthy people live there.

On my way to the park I realized- this all looks so familiar. I felt like I had been there already. Within seconds of that thought I saw the hot springs I had been to a couple of weeks ago. This made me feel like I am really getting used to being here and learning my surroundings well. Minling was impressed I knew where I was! :) Thank you public transportation, for forcing me to be aware of my surroundings.

What a view!

Purple sweet potato, it was delicious!

After the park we went and grabbed some lunch. Miling shared with me that this was her mother's favorite restaurant. The parking situation is precarious, I can't believe we did not fall off the cliff- okay I am exaggerating, but I was scared! It was muddy, slick and raining, but Mingshi is a fierce driver! We survived and it all worked out! Here are some pictures from lunch!

This is a mountain vegetable that tastes bad but is good for you. So it is only natural that we eat it! I really applaud people here eat things because they are healthy not for taste. I wish I could do it too! I did eat this and it was okay. Never something I would crave. The white stuff is egg!
You asked for a whole chicken! It comes with the head as well :)

Chinese wild mushroom is scrumptious. I think I ate half of that plate by myself. I will miss that and the Water Spinach (which always makes me think of Rachel H.) Ps. The chicken leg is in the middle of the chicken plate. That was different.

Sorry for cutting this one short. I plan on adding more pictures later. The connection is terrible. But MCU graduation photos to come!
Ming Chuan University International College Graduation
June 13, 2010

Anything else you all would like to know?