Hello Sky

Walking Aid

My grandmother, age 94, trained in Taichi for years and still walks with a spring in her step. Despite her Alzheimer's, she, full of pride, likes to brag at her nursing home about her physical health. However, she sometimes loses balance. She cleverly grabs my hand (or anyone else's for that matter) and arm to make me her walking aid.

A Murmuration

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.


Nature inspires.

Turtle!

My coworker has a turtle at work. It constantly tries to escape from it's bowl. :3

Some sketches

Block Party

This is how it's done in Yuanshan! ^^v

Platters of food prepared

At the end of the "hall" there is a stage for their program,
where karaoke will be sung and comedic acts will be performed.

The restaurant owners all closed shop to help prepare food for the event.

What Goes Down at the Park

I visited Daan Park, the Central Park of Taipei, to do field research this week. Since school has just begun, it was fairly empty during the day, however many elderly people were spotted here and there. They mostly congregated under the shade to chat or to lay down and rest. 

I feel like the people in parks here are 70% elderly people. Perhaps it's because of the amount of free time they have... or their appreciation for nature... or their incredible ability to endure heat.

How To...

In Taiwan, there are often notices posted up in bathrooms asking for guests not to flush their toilet paper down the toilet for fear of clogging it. However, this public restroom, at 旗津區 (Qijin Island) in Kaohsiung instructs one on how to use the toilet instead. 

Guard Dogs

Guarding Buddha's Head fruit at a stand en route to Taidong

They know to sit in a spot where they can get a full view of their surroundings. The first dog seems more like a 老闆娘 (store owner's wife), who seemingly has more reign than the 老闆 (boss). The second directly gives caution with it's old man glare and threat to bite.

It wears a sign that says "我會咬人!" (I will bite people!)

Standing in the Middle of the Street

From PEGA to Zongyi Station, the clouds obstruct my view of the mountains behind

Coming out of Yuanshan Station

Almost there

Some common sights on my way home from work. While standing in the middle of the street.

外婆的腳

My grandmother is a short woman. I love to watch how her feet barely reach the ground to tap to the beat, while she sings every other word of the song.




Happy Friday!

@_@

On my way back home last night, about 75% of the people on the subway car were using an electronic device. And I realized sometimes we go whole days staring at screens... 

... I'm going to go read a book.

Pack Rats

Two of my favorite places to curiously pass by are in the Da'an district of Taipei. These two places exhibit a creative and unique way of using the space given to fill the space with stuff!

One, in the middle of the bustling Shida nightmarket, is owned by a key smith, who's shop is completely outdoors. You might dare call it a 攤子 (stall), but it is so established that this woman invites her friends to come over and watch tv with her at night, she can be seen cooking dinner on a portable burner, and she, of course, makes key copies on the spot.

The other is located near Yongkang street, an area known for its charming shops and delicious food. This place, I cannot fully introduce, because I simply have no idea what it's about. From what I can tell, it is an apartment that is completely full, leaving a small walkway for the owners to get around. I just know I love to try to peer in and see the mass amount of books and fans... wondering if it's a shop, a home or just a storage area.

In the midst of Shida Nightmarket, this key smith always has friends over to chat.

Near Yong Kang Street. This Obasan is almost always watching TV.

A Puffer Fish Mystery

Last weekend, I went surfing at Honeymoon Bay and saw hundreds of puffer fishes washed up on shore. The other ones were floating in the ocean bobbing up and down playfully as if someone dumped a bunch of bouncy balls into the ocean. 

A girl in our surfing group accidently stepped on one, resulting in one needle severely piercing her foot and the rest prickling her. She explained that the fish had been fully bloated at the point of puncture, but it immediately deflated after.

I wonder what brought them there. All were in different states of decay; some extremely fresh, some already half eaten by flies.

Everyday Movement Amplified

For a company called Fluke that makes vibration testers.

Happy Friday!

Just one cup?

Did you know that a newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his/her body?

Incredible...

Strange Friday

My coworker kept saying to me, "Today is so strange..."

It was one of those days where stress loomed and the weather was dismal. One where I could list all the crappy things that happened, but then it turned around (mostly due to attitude). It became one where I enjoyed camaraderie and the kindness of others, and appreciated the small details of the day, like listening to a good song at the right moment, zonking out for a short nap on the subway, watching my teammates idly slump back on the couch before going back to work, and getting offered some crisp cherry tomatoes for a post-dinner snack. 

Happy Friday! :)

The transformation continues tomorrow! GUNG HO!

Give or Take

If you have the means to and are capable, give blood.

Everyone takes a nap during lunch

Taiwanese try to utilize their full lunch-hour: Eat, then nap. This is no pansy nap. I'm talking about a full-fledged, grab-your-pillow, put-on-your-eyemask, everybody-quiet-down nap. 

I will admit I have taken one 15 minute nap so far, and it was much needed. (But yes, I'd like to point out that it was a pansy nap.) Ask me in a few months. Maybe I will get used to it and succumb to the Pavlov's dog theory that makes all Taiwanese get so sleepy once lunch-time hits. 

Starting Back Up

Yes, it has been nearly a year since I have updated, and it is high-time I do it! 

Here's the short version of what I've been up to since then:

I graduated in June.

Then, I went to Taiwan to study Chinese at National Taiwan Normal University for 5 months. 

I fell in love with Taiwan. 

I tried to obtain a working permit there and failed. 

So, back to the USA I flew. 

Worked at Priority Designs for 5 months gaining a wonderful experience, while arranging an internship at Pega D&E.  

Now, I am back in Taiwan, working my first week at Pega (also known as Pegatron). Who knows what will come next?

I hope to share some experiences and cultural stories with you this time around. So, please enjoy!