OMG. I am incapable of staying up any longer. Jet lag is kicking me in the ass right now and I have to go out to dinner with family in 10 minutes when all I want to do is stay home and snooze. So what's up with me on day 2? No, I haven't gotten that straight perm, in case you're wondering. My hair is still tied up to prevent chaos in public. I woke up today with some great news from a friend who got a job at Translink! What a great start to my morning and quite energizing. The censored event ensued (not related to the good news haha) but I survived and rewarded myself with a cheap espresso which used fructose as sweetener (weird). Lunch at a family friend's vegetarian restaurant was great - smelly tofu pot! I proceeded home and Skyped with RMak for around 2 hours.
Job applications followed and my cousin, aunt, and uncle dropped by before heading to the Cirque du Soleil show (Varekai). I'll be going myself in February and I'm quite looking forward to my...4th Cirque show! My aunt wants me to send her my graduation photo so she can play matchmaker for me. Yeah. Never gonna happen.
Now I have to keep my eyes wide open and walk through the streets, keeping an eye out for dog shit on the sidewalk. Merde!
I apologize for my brief and irritable tone in this entry. I am attempting to kick jet lag in the ass back.
A demain tout le monde.
Jan 22, 2011
Jan 21, 2011
I'm in Asia - Day 1
I decided that I could really blog about my travels here in Asia. It's only been two years since I've been away but I don't know what it is about my first day here that feels like a culture shock in the country that I was born in. I'm going to be travelling around Asia until early April so I thought it'd be interesting to write down some of my observations now that I'm older (and wiser).
Current location: Taipei. My flight was long (12 hours) and turbulent but I got some sleep and watched The Social Network and The Switch. As an aside, I'm not sure The Social Network deserved all those Golden Globes but I'm no film critic. Anyhow, I arrived at 4:30 AM and was one of the first off the plane and through the customs (I walk much faster than regular people). The downside is that I waited forever and a half for my luggage since I checked in 2.5 hours before my flight. My parents were waiting for me as I walked out and I was ravenous. I had only had one meal on the flight (of congee) and it was lunch time PST. Got a couple of onigiri (yum) at 7-11 and an americano (bland) and set off back to my sister's place.
Maybe I've been studying urban planning too long or been living in North America too long but I felt like I was in a foreign country that I've never been to before. I think it was the fact that there were ongoing infrastructure expansions that did not exist when I was in Taiwan last. When I got to my sister's place, it wasn't really what I expected either. I've been spoiled by the North American vastness and square footage and also by my parents' significantly larger place in Taipei. I suppose for one person, her apartment is a good size, but I thought the bedrooms were so tiny.
I have not yet mentioned the humidity that is Taiwan. I felt my hair expanding as I walked off the airplane. This humidity keeps everything damp. It's time to get that straightening perm sometime this week because I doubt my efforts to straighten my hair will result in lasting results!
My Dad took me for a walk around the neighbourhood to get me acquainted and I quite liked it. I live across from an elementary school and there's an open-air market and several eat-in places and conveniences nearby. I can't wait for the rain to stop so I can go running along the river. I took a nap after some breakfast and unpacking and then headed out with my Mom to the Home Depot equivalent of B&Q looking for a new showerhead. Maybe it's because I'm jetlagged, but all the noises of cars was amplified. The air felt toxic and I was just a cesspool of negativity. I was nodding off a couple of hours later and was in desperate need of caffeine to keep me awake and fix this jetlag. Finally found a Starbucks and ordered a tall Americano. Then the guy asked me if I wanted it hot and I gave him a bit of unnecessary attitude: "Uhh, of course" I said in Mandarin. I guess people usually get more cold drinks in Taiwan so I was shocked that he would ask me such a silly question. I was then a bit more high-maintenance because apparently, people in Taiwan only add coffee cream to their drinks and not milk or soy...so I had to ask for their non-fat milk. The guy asked if he could add it for me but I wanted to add it myself! Ok, so I'm a bit of a coffee snob but I'll tone it down in the next few months!
When we got back to my sister's place, we had an ordeal with the key. The alarm kept going off and my mom rushed off to get the locksmith to come figure it out while I waited. While waiting, I observed the kids in the school across the street. The boys baseball team was still hard at work training and doing laps and cheers. It's weird seeing and hearing children after being in university all this time!
The next few days will be focused on getting rid of this jet lag and getting acquainted with this new neighbouhood. This initial shock will go away too after a few days. It's weird seeing high school kids now and how they dress, walk and talk. It's also hard to judge the ages of non-students on the streets. I just feel so out of place! I think I need to make some friends...maybe my sister can take me to work or something.
In the meantime, I'm going to stay awake for a few more hours and have some dinner! It's really been a wonky day. Honestly, I'm mostly irked about my hair!!!!
(Better) pictures...to follow.
Current location: Taipei. My flight was long (12 hours) and turbulent but I got some sleep and watched The Social Network and The Switch. As an aside, I'm not sure The Social Network deserved all those Golden Globes but I'm no film critic. Anyhow, I arrived at 4:30 AM and was one of the first off the plane and through the customs (I walk much faster than regular people). The downside is that I waited forever and a half for my luggage since I checked in 2.5 hours before my flight. My parents were waiting for me as I walked out and I was ravenous. I had only had one meal on the flight (of congee) and it was lunch time PST. Got a couple of onigiri (yum) at 7-11 and an americano (bland) and set off back to my sister's place.
Maybe I've been studying urban planning too long or been living in North America too long but I felt like I was in a foreign country that I've never been to before. I think it was the fact that there were ongoing infrastructure expansions that did not exist when I was in Taiwan last. When I got to my sister's place, it wasn't really what I expected either. I've been spoiled by the North American vastness and square footage and also by my parents' significantly larger place in Taipei. I suppose for one person, her apartment is a good size, but I thought the bedrooms were so tiny.
I have not yet mentioned the humidity that is Taiwan. I felt my hair expanding as I walked off the airplane. This humidity keeps everything damp. It's time to get that straightening perm sometime this week because I doubt my efforts to straighten my hair will result in lasting results!
My Dad took me for a walk around the neighbourhood to get me acquainted and I quite liked it. I live across from an elementary school and there's an open-air market and several eat-in places and conveniences nearby. I can't wait for the rain to stop so I can go running along the river. I took a nap after some breakfast and unpacking and then headed out with my Mom to the Home Depot equivalent of B&Q looking for a new showerhead. Maybe it's because I'm jetlagged, but all the noises of cars was amplified. The air felt toxic and I was just a cesspool of negativity. I was nodding off a couple of hours later and was in desperate need of caffeine to keep me awake and fix this jetlag. Finally found a Starbucks and ordered a tall Americano. Then the guy asked me if I wanted it hot and I gave him a bit of unnecessary attitude: "Uhh, of course" I said in Mandarin. I guess people usually get more cold drinks in Taiwan so I was shocked that he would ask me such a silly question. I was then a bit more high-maintenance because apparently, people in Taiwan only add coffee cream to their drinks and not milk or soy...so I had to ask for their non-fat milk. The guy asked if he could add it for me but I wanted to add it myself! Ok, so I'm a bit of a coffee snob but I'll tone it down in the next few months!
When we got back to my sister's place, we had an ordeal with the key. The alarm kept going off and my mom rushed off to get the locksmith to come figure it out while I waited. While waiting, I observed the kids in the school across the street. The boys baseball team was still hard at work training and doing laps and cheers. It's weird seeing and hearing children after being in university all this time!
The next few days will be focused on getting rid of this jet lag and getting acquainted with this new neighbouhood. This initial shock will go away too after a few days. It's weird seeing high school kids now and how they dress, walk and talk. It's also hard to judge the ages of non-students on the streets. I just feel so out of place! I think I need to make some friends...maybe my sister can take me to work or something.
In the meantime, I'm going to stay awake for a few more hours and have some dinner! It's really been a wonky day. Honestly, I'm mostly irked about my hair!!!!
(Better) pictures...to follow.
Dec 26, 2010
Merry Belated Christmas
I've moved back home and there is no snow but a lot of rain. :( It hasn't quite sunk in that I won't be going back to school next week! I do miss my independent lifestyle (a.k.a. do whatever I want) under the watchful eye of my mother. It's still rather nice to be in one place for a while without having the troubles of moving. My sojourn is over...and I wish to start another soon. Fingers crossed.
Oct 19, 2010
Moments
There are moments you wish would just pass by.
Moments you wish would slow down and stop.
Moments you wish you could relive.
I'm at a bittersweet moment. Should I stay or should I go? I want time to slow down, but I want to finish what I started.
Come December...life will be different. Not sure I'm ready for that Moment.
I've been through that Moment, and I'll have to go through it again.
This time, it feels a lot more intimidating.
I'll know when the time comes.
Sep 20, 2010
Sep 13, 2010
On hold
I'm usually not this happy to study.
Enjoy this awesome cover in the meantime. I've listened to it at least a dozen times!
Sep 7, 2010
à l’aise
It's been quite a stressful summer. Thus, I'm glad to be finishing off summer in Vancouver. Everytime I'm back, I see the City in a different light. My experiences away from home always bring me back to the same conclusion - there's no place like Vancouver. I'm always appreciative of this City - be it rain or shine, the City is always green, and I will never tire of looking north at the Coast Mountains. On the plane from Toronto to Vancouver, I sat next to a guy from Brampton who goes to Uvic for mechanical engineering. He kept asking, "Why on earth would you leave Vancouver to go to Ontario?" I laughed it off and thought to myself, if I haven't left, I wouldn't appreciate Vancouver as much as I do now.
Although I have a ton of work and studying to do in my last few days in Vancouver, just being out and about brings an indescribable inner peace. Though my personal goals may not bring me back to Vancouver permanently, I am appreciative and fortunate to call this City home.
Pictures to come.
Aug 1, 2010
Fury
Erosion at work - US side
At the botanical gardens - perhaps one of my favourite parts of the trip
"Mistfying" - Canadian side
Tourist Rosa
I had a lovely time at Niagara Falls with my cousin and K. It's been at least 14 years since I last visited the Falls and I have very little recollection of what I did and saw there.
As a result of my trip, I was further tanned (too dark at this point), had sore feet, and ate too much (after Korean BBQ back in Toronto). Nature is really so overwhelming. It's such a shame that Niagara Falls has evolved past the nature component into a cliche tourist destination. It saddens me to see silly museums, casinos, and flashy signs right next to such a marvel of nature. I don't expect myself to return to Niagara Falls anytime soon. I do want to see Niagara-on-the-Lake and some of the more independent wineries in the region though.
The subtext of this post...I wish my roommate to be subject to the fury of the falls, among other things...
Jul 18, 2010
I need change
I haven't been feeling 100% lately. As much as I'm trying to enjoy summer in Toronto, I miss Vancouver and the lifestyle I once had. I just need to find a place where I can have that balance. There doesn't seem to be anything for me here anymore. I'm sick of the routine. I miss the milder temperatures. I miss home.
Jul 4, 2010
simple life
There is so much beauty in simplicity. Too often our lives are entangled in planning details and thinking about the future. Too often our lives are governed by logic and self-interest. I had the opportunity to reflect about the wonders of nature. The harmony of all this diversity is beyond incredible. The shape of a lion's snout, a simple yellow flower regarded as a "weed", the playful and nurturing character of a gorilla, a grassy field with a lone yet grand maple. I'm taken back to my days spent in Owen Sound. It was really a simple life. I was very much like the lone maple amidst a field of strangers. I was alone, inexperienced, and naive. I've been through a lot to get to where I am today, and I think that affords me the desire for simpler days.
After being in the City for a while now, I've been stuck with the mindset that the City, with all its conveniences and diverting aspects, is my preferred location. Now I think I've been prejudiced by the work I do. It's important to live and work by one's principles but I'm afraid I've been blinded by the flashing lights, glitz and glamour. Needless to say, working hard to attain one's goals is regarded as necessary by societal standards, and I believe in hard work and commitment. Although I feel quite certain of the path I wish to take, I can't help but wonder what could be. I'm at these crossroads again.
Strange how much a simple yellow flower or a lone maple tree can make me wonder. It was truly enriching to feel connected to nature again. A spark of hope has restored my confidence and feelings in myself.
