A lot has happened in the world since I last updated. Protests for freedom spread throughout Northern Africa, Congress renewed attacks on women's rights in the name of budget cuts, and we all experienced sudden or gradual changes in our lives. There are two major differences in my Taiwan 的生活 (shenghuo means life or lifestyle) that aren't pictured in the photos below.
Last week I began my final semester studying Chinese here and I have a new teacher. I am delighted to be studying with her because she is very dedicated to our progress, critiques our pronunciation, and assigns a lot of homework. My previous teacher was very relaxed, focusing more on conversation and building our confidence in using the language, but three months of intense study is really what I need before I head back to the States.
Secondly, two weeks ago I began working as a volunteer with the Garden of Hope Foundation (http://www.goh.org.tw/english/aboutusbackground.htm). This organization is phenomenal and has offices throughout Taiwan, as well as in Cambodia and New York. What we do here in Kaohsiung is multifaceted. Firstly, women who seek to escape dangerous domestic or workplace situations are given safe housing, counseling and a six month position working for the Foundation. The women, in Chinese we call them 'the mothers', run a store in the heart of Kaohsiung City. This store takes donated items and provides free clothing, amenities, and food to poor persons in our community, while also selling the highest quality donations at a very cheap price. I work in the store with the mothers, most of whom moved to Taiwan from Mainland China. I get to spend my afternoons speaking Chinese and making friends with very kind, giving people. It has been a huge blessing already.
Okay, enough talking, below are the photos. They are all collages I made as I have recently become more interested in photography.
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| During our Chinese New Year vacation, I went traveling with Winnie and her family. We went to Puli, Sun Moon Lake and Miaoli. Out of all the places we visited, this temple was the most beautiful place. The Mother Earth Temple is set in a mountain overlooking the small country town of Puli. |
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| The photo of this second temple was taken when I went to Taipei during our break between semesters. Named Dragon Mountain Temple, the oasis is set in the center of Taipei City and many people were there to pray. If you look closely you can see the same man in two of the three pictures. | | | |
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| Also during my trip to Taipei, I was able to enjoy time with my friends and really appreciate the beauty of Taiwan. But my real reason for traveling up north was to visit several alums of Michigan Law. They were very gracious and offered me invaluable insight into practicing law in Asia and how to make the best of my time in law school. Meeting with them got me even more excited about moving to Ann Arbor in August. | |
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| My excitement about going back west has somewhat transferred to my eating habits. Pictured above is cream of pumpkin soup, a tomato mozzarella sandwich, and curry chicken quesadillas. Carol and I have been eating more and more Western foods lately, but I'm also trying to enjoy my favorite Taiwanese dishes as much as I can these last few months. |
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| One of my favorite things to do in Taiwan is laugh at weird English t-shirts. They are unbelievably popular amongst Taiwanese of all ages. Sometimes the shirts miraculously hit the right note, as with the far right photo proclaiming 'GIRLS SAVE THE EARTH.' I agree with that significantly more than 'Circus is not Uncle McDonald!' |
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| Overall, during my time in Taiwan, I have genuinely changed to become more of the woman I want to be. I love myself, I am disciplined in my studies and devote my free time to positive endeavors. Thank you all for your prayers and support that have made a difference in making my life here peaceful. |
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| Happy Belated Valentine's Day! May love be a source of strength and exhilaration in all of our lives. |
