9.21.24 woke up sleepy ofcc then finished shoving things in my bag and went down to coffee shop for reflections then I got a garlic toast with cheese and a Kyoto matcha smoothie that was so good and Jennifer and I were silly and my nails were compliemented by Meichun and we did reflections for a hot minute and change came by briefly and gave us some gifts and was so sweet and then we said bye bye and then reflect reflect reflect then I went to properly check us out and I got our stuffs and gave the skirt to Kalin (yay!!) bc Jennifer doesn't wear skirts then chilled then we went into taxi to the hsr station (didn't properly say bye to kiki noooo or meichun but ill see her again!) then was like half asleep and they were talking about slot machines and movie called poor somethjng and some movie monkey man??? then we got there I had some of Carolyn's fruit and talked about hanfu creator and then we went to our own platform and gave lots of hugs and Sydney had to track me down to give me a BOMB ASS mango drink w coconut pieces it was so good. Talked about something with Austin on way back and he got Pfeifers shoe bag and we got there and ended up going to Mingde station and uncle ryan drove him to his hotel and then we went back! I got some pomelo from second great auntie and had some li zi and gave me some snack box and then I laid around watching YouTube and then yummy dinner w good good steak pieces and spicy thingy and now I'm chilling! I wrote the cards finished writing this last left to do would be the blog post!!
9.20.24 went and made the poster and did the werk and presented!!! Went well yay! We are yummies beforehand but yucky mulberry juice :'( yeah! Did a bunch of tingy for a while gave the people their cards got snackiws as awards and also there were other individual awards like best blog and team player then we went off and did our own thing I did my laundry and went to 7 for dindin and it was surreal being there lmao it was like video game music bjt dead quiet and I had mapo tofu and then I made a soju+ melona concoction that wasn't bad but quite sweet. Went to net w Natalie and we had fun theree and I tried on goofy pj's and clothing and she got some stuff and also asked if they wanted the skirt they said naur and chilled and wrote the huge letters then realized everyone was already somewhere so we hurried up to leave and we were like bruh!! And almost needed to call a third taxi but good thing I hopped in when I did then we went to gecko Bar and got some tea cocktails and vodka shot for Phoenix upcoming bday! Then we went to heylo and man we were there forever. There was creepy guy cute girl named Grace and some other guys lalala we danced jennifffer went so hard and lalala falalalala then the bar closed so we went to karaoke bc of a rec some ppl pfeifer met gave and they were there and then we had eh like kinda mediocre karaoke but it was fun for some ppl and less fun for others. I was in the middle like ok! Then around 4:30 ish we were like yeah... goodnight then we all left got back said goodbye to 友銜 and then went upstairs took of makeup and sleeeep! Slept around 5:30 lol!!!
9.19.24 woke up then we went not very far with a tour guide with a bob cut! he told us more about 乖乖 chips (it's interesting bc it's so specifically Taiwanese! a phenomena on wiki) and austin got the bag of chips bc he was good boy then he taped it to his computer at some point which was awesome. we went to do a matcha tea ceremony w matcha that is rumored to be not that good but we had snackies which was fun. then while we were waiting for paper bending we did some dress up with yukatas and hair pins and i felt so pretty and it was so much fun a dress up really is such a infinite joy hack!! i felt so good then we folded thingys lmao and i made flowers and it was fun! then we went to eat the BEST SALMON DONBURI (??) EVER!!!! we were late but man did I inhale that it was soooo good and only $12 usd INSANE it was CRAZY SOOO GOOD!!! I had such a good time eating that and I still miss it... three something and it was mother and child ugh sooo good!! then we were late and went back and werked and twerked to infinity! i got ice cream and sweet dried plum then worked then uber eated food, got frustrated (bc bro... wtf) then worked and worked then called for bit then worked then was basically done so left then laid then called and talked about things like anxieties surrounding talking about cultures and fear of being cultural insensitive barring people from productive, educational, and thoughtful conversations. then went to sleep. miimimi!! also rice, noodle, potato, bread ftw!! also, what is I started an ai diaper startup in silicon valley
9.18.24 woke up not too sleepy then got more sleepies then went to class maybe late got spicy rice onigiri then we did this metaverse thing? Thought of bad memory for stressed was told to go to other group then we had fun and I drew doodles and also camels then hello kitty stimmy and then we got snackiws and I got so much instant ramen and snakickeis and tea and then work after break and work work work I was told I look Japanese American by NCKU prof which is new then work work then we got fish noodles with yummy pork rice and milkfish soup which was yummy!! Then I got sleepy and sit and not do work... Then call about work... So shleepy
9.17.24 werked up and went to cafe later than them then we brainstormed things we already brainstormed (oh god) then we got yummy vermicelli Vietnamese food then tweaked then went to meeting that went chill then we were like phew ok tweaked some more about tumbling then we came up with solution then we made systems map then went back then I went to Japanese restaurant via moped with change and we talked about her friends crazy wish and also breakups and her bf and whatnot and it was such a satisfying conversation. Then we got shaved ice and talked about this and that then we walked back and then i got back and rotted then slept. Had a moon cake and yah! Yeah
9.16.24 woke up called lalala went on insta woke up woke up then went to ncku to do werk then werked/researched also ate sun cake and also potato that looked like capy and uhh an onigiri after and also came back to drop off computer n stuff then went back then we went to some other district and we visited an embroidery store that was very intricate and i gave it a shot myself then I tried passionfruit ai yu drink then yah we went to incense store that was very cool, i didnt know anything about handmade incense and tbh i still don't know much lelzz!! then i got lotus incense and we went to the next place but not before finding a restroom and we had to ask some randos in a truck for some tissue bc we were poor in tissue... then we gave them some sun cakes yay then we went to bakery whree we were supposed to go intisde but then it is day before mid autumn festival so they too busy then i got some black bean bing then got a free one lol then we went off i went to curry place w others missed the chinese medicine place then we went to snail lane and found a bunch of honor system places and i got a taiwanese postcard then we went inside a blind box shop and i got a buddha silly and he has mulah! then we went to hayashi store and we went thru the whole place and i got a pin that says mi mi mao mao then we went to department store and i tried on silver onitsuka and jennifer got the red onitsuka so yummy then we went to get foodies i shared w jennifer it was so scrum and then we got cold stone and i messed up getting mochi and condensed milk first time but then added it yay then uber back almost went to silly destination then we got back and then decided not to meet as group rn yuhh! yeah! now i am stink
9.15.24 woke up for cat lovers feedback meeting and it was chill and wait I'm lead programmer rn?? Lolll then went back to sleep woke up. 11 ish then went to CAPYBARA CAFE! but there were 10 ppl ahead of us so we got mulah from family mart then got pho place I got vermicelli and I devoured but then we missed our call so we waited again and talked about love god and such then it was KAPIBARA TIME! the tarts had fresh fruit that were yummy and the capybara space was small but there was no time limit we took photos it was hot and also one had belly up and they were so chill. Then I got back and dropped a domb and then got sleepy got a peach beru and bubble bath w horimiya yesss then watched the rest of the horror game gameplay then was like ah yes took a nap woke up past sunset so I was like where am I then got up and went to see BRENDA!!! love love (Brenda is the Best) and I was a little late but I had such a good time we stayed there till they closed and we talked about fish and Chinese and her work and our schools and Brenda was so awesome and remembered a lot of things. When they closed we left and she moped-ed me back and that was
9.14.24 today started off very sad I felt very sad and was sad. But then we went on charter bus to Taijiang wetland boat tour that was awesome bc it was raining! And a fish got tossed back into net :( and water water chill yeah! Took some recording to listen to :) then we went back and I got a cat pressed coin also held a fish plushie on the way to boat. Then fish museum thing and stupid fish stamp. Then went back then go to 安平 old street and got food! Beef soup and beef 高麗菜 (白菜 is nappa cabbage) and beef noodles and rice. Then we go to coffee shop and it was so pookie and we took so many photos and also some guy catcalled us on his moped but he just a high pitched noise like eeeeeee I found it more funny than degrading but damn. Then we ran back lalala and had a dragon beard and then a plum from meichun and then we went thru the 安平 greenhouse area a fort whatchamacallit and whatnot. Some water calligraphy and walked thru treehouse all fun and good. Then we came back! I might get piercing?? Who knows! Future me will! I didn't bc I was so sketched out! Got food (forgot what a xiaolongbao was for a sec bc of the soup) and didn't eat much before we went but they showed us super expensive stuff then the less expensive stuff was a bit wack so nvm ...?? Then went back to hotel got Dani some ibuprofen and then chilled then went out go bar it was noisy and ppl were talking it was cool I got a plum wine but I prefer chiller ones but it was fun! We saw huskies that looked like samoeds (??) then Natalie Samantha and I ubered back. Then we went biking! We rode for about half an hour before Samantha got light headed :( was scary for a bit but then all was well! Then ubered back, same guy who brought us to the bar lmao and he had so many screens up it was kinda funny and he told some ppl to turn on their lights. Then got back then I procrastinated sleeping then slept. Yes
9.13.24 Sleepy day woke up did my things ate food then go yah get to place then we prep some presentation yah then we present first, super boss! Then watch other ones then lunch break (holy shit it was so big) and I go to hotel and chill then come back then so sleepy then we did brainstorming and oh man was it a storm but in the end we were super freaking boss and then yah! Took some silly photos w stickers and we did so much boss work and then I go to bookstore w dying phone then go to second hand clothing store and they were so friendly and I left my phone and bag with them and there were so many times but we chatted and I got two things and it was really cool to support Taiwanese designers sort of and they talked about how Uniqlo really messed up designers and some word that sounded like fire want. Went to hotel oh man then got dinner w Samantha and change and that was fun!! It was braised (spelled brasied) and yum and we talk about design thinking vs technical skills then we go back and I rot rot rot and also do my blog and now I am pass out
9.12.24 woke up then packed up and went to get brekkies then sat in tatami then it was head out time! charter bus I SLEPT! then we went to nctri (i prob f that up) and there were so many buildings and i was trying to learn "craft" in Chinese then I got a bamboo cup yahayh then goop lunch at dope place w lots of yummies w local ingredients I really liked this one and also it was the husbands bday we sand for him and wjnghi unc brought us a million things and Natalie scary pet stories and then we go go I do bring a fish book then go to bamboo we spend three hours suffering over bamboo weave it was so hard but it was fun I made lots of sounds that was fun bro was so tired tho and bug spray in face and then lil tour of facility it was so late then we go to 2 hoir bus i wake uo gasp lights on nobody there but then phoenix tells me they all got food so i get donbori (???) w sushi it was ok then i was awakw for all time back them get back then rot tiny bit then work on presentation till 1 also in id studio i was like tf... 9.11.24 Woke up got ready go out got stuck in door got out yum yum. Go on charter MIMIMI SO GOOD MIKIMIMIMI yes... Go to tea bag place WEEEEE!! Good for car and for bath yipeee!! I also got a gaiwan yayyy then we had lunch and failed Phoenix and tbh I felt a bit annoying today wah wah and also I went outside to kick and headbutt balls and that was fun! Then we left back to bus then go to bamboo workshop where I got bit by Mr.quito and also was like ermmm when I was translating lol!!! Anywho the guy working there was so nice yay and then we took photo then pet dog then go lalalala then we go to Taichung and it pour rain and also I was passed out and listening to Chinese songs then we went to bamboo store instead of the factory and then Natalie and I tag teamed (I did the easy ones and she did the harder ones). Also there are two types of bamboo used here, one of them has sort of porous patterns and is larger and stronger whereas the other one is smaller and runs lengthwise and changes in cold weather. Then pour rain and go back into bus then went to a woodworking place that was beautiful and elegant and I fell in love with the hair stick so I stole (bought) it. it's made of Taiwan incense cedar so it's super local and also smells like incense if you sand it down :O there were some other designs that are used as decorative lacquer (?) for tables. Then hostel and homework project and the hostel was absolutely beautiful!!! And the cafe it was pouring it was so pretty! Then I laid around then got foods in the mall and it was sushi then popcorn chicken I only had one and then cream puff then ice cream (I took some Natalie mango one) and that was fun! Then Natalie and I kept exploring and we found a Vivienne Westwood and also other stores and also a book store where I saw ln of apothecary diaries and heavens official blessing (tc... Something something) but didn't buy bc too hard. Then the intercom was like please leave so we did but the guy in the elevator clicked close and it closed on me slightly??? My GUY!! wtf!!! But oh well we made it then I rotted then showered and talked to Samantha about language learning and acquisition then went to work on design stuffs and stretched and had candy and put hair pin in my hair and werk and twerk and have fun and be silly and little cats on toes and learn words with change and yah!! Sleepy...
9.11.24 Woke up got ready go out got stuck in door got out yum yum. Go on charter MIMIMI SO GOOD MIKIMIMIMI yes... Go to tea bag place WEEEEE!! Good for car and for bath yipeee!! I also got a gaiwan yayyy then we had lunch and failed Phoenix and tbh I felt a bit annoying today wah wah and also I went outside to kick and headbutt balls and that was fun! Then we left back to bus then go to bamboo workshop where I got bit by Mr.quito and also was like ermmm when I was translating lol!!! Anywho the guy working there was so nice yay and then we took photo then pet dog then go lalalala then we go to Taichung and it pour rain and also I was passed out and listening to Chinese songs then we went to bamboo store instead of the factory and then Natalie and I tag teamed (I did the easy ones and she did the harder ones). Also there are two types of bamboo used here, one of them has sort of porous patterns and is larger and stronger whereas the other one is smaller and runs lengthwise and changes in cold weather. Then pour rain and go back into bus then went to a woodworking place that was beautiful and elegant and I fell in love with the hair stick so I stole (bought) it. it's made of Taiwan incense cedar so it's super local and also smells like incense if you sand it down :O there were some other designs that are used as decorative lacquer (?) for tables. Then hostel and homework project and the hostel was absolutely beautiful!!! And the cafe it was pouring it was so pretty! Then I laid around then got foods in the mall and it was sushi then popcorn chicken I only had one and then cream puff then ice cream (I took some Natalie mango one) and that was fun! Then Natalie and I kept exploring and we found a Vivienne Westwood and also other stores and also a book store where I saw ln of apothecary diaries and heavens official blessing (tc... Something something) but didn't buy bc too hard. Then the intercom was like please leave so we did but the guy in the elevator clicked close and it closed on me slightly??? My GUY!! wtf!!! But oh well we made it then I rotted then showered and talked to Samantha about language learning and acquisition then went to work on design stuffs and stretched and had candy and put hair pin in my hair and werk and twerk and have fun and be silly and little cats on toes and learn words with change and yah!! Sleepy...
9.10.24 woke up sleepy ate brekkies you and also sleepy then went to NCKU and lecture on circular design and also was sleepy. brainstorm brainstorm and also have snacks!!! Ice cream cube again and yummy cracker and also other things! Did work but tbh felt like I was in a brainstorm rutttt :') lalala work work work then go to hospital for the foods yum and sit in banyan garden for little bit then go back chill then wait meichun then we goo I take nap. Too good of nap. Then go to study area nearby to werk!! Shrimp with guns is so American!!! Then we go with literally everyone ever to get dindin! Yummm and there was also free ice cream! I got a milk candy too yum then go to Watson's get blue eyeshadow hopefully it works then go to study room again, be silly say nothing burgers then go back. Rot forever them do everything I need to do but wowie what the fart. Mimimi
9.9.24 woke up at 7:30 bc alarm then woke up at 8:30 bc Samantha turned to me and was like it's 8:30... Didn't get to try breakfast so I ate brown sugar cake and headed out and managed to still be the first there. Lots of lectures, I think the cross cultural design one was very engaging, I enjoyed thinking about how language shapes our perception. The project was revealed and we ate lunch! Then we went to indigo dye place. The taxi driver was complaining but oh well then we went thru book store to get to indigo dye place. It's impressive because indigo dye is made from just a plant! There are four types in the world but the lady said this one is the brightest. They soak the leaves to get the color out and to make it useable for fabric you need to put sake in it and I think sugar. I was so SLEEPY. Then we got the chance to make our own dyed fabric! She gave us many patterns and was like hello hello and I did mine and it came out simple but that's ok! Then we rushed to 老厝 1933 and the food was so good and it was raining and it was so cozy. This is also where I learned about nikoavocado troll... We also had beeru and that was awesome what! My favorite was the squid and there was salted pork and sausage and everything was so good we were there for 2 hours. Then we went to a ice cream ice place and Phoenix and I got condensed milk one!! Sooo good then we walked back to hotel and I dropped two bombs on Natalie lmaoooo but it was good! Then we went to 711 then coxmed (not really but one get one free) 9x9 (so awesome, I got a book some more stickers and stamp)!! Three Korean students came up to me taking in Chinese and preached the church of God and had me watch a slideshow in English about heavenly mother and then they asked if I had line and I said no and I said I'd just go online and search them up. They said my Chinese was good then said bye it was strange but maybe not as aggressive as ones at home?? Very strange. Then went back and then was so excited to chill but then a FUCKING BLOG POST I was so mad. Also took mtbi again and I for enfp (protagonist ), I think I don't embody mediator as much anymore but e and i was 51% and 49% so really flip floppy. Then I did it but started by submitting blank page. Finished at 12:50 and was very sad but then I went to sleep yayyyyy
9.8.24 woke up and got ready got up! Then had egg and little thingy they made and had some coffee! We went to ramune store thing I was confused about for a little and we did the marble games and then sat there and Irene told the lady wow she could keep balloon there bc 她很厲害 and she got rocks and also blew balloon and also kids who had their faces blank so silly and also magic thumb trick. Then we went down to actually do the drink stuff and I ended up only making two bc I got full... Then also Irene did pop and we got rice krispies and lana was called 妹妹 but I am true. I went to bathroom then we went back! Got stuff into bag then we went to a temple. Greeted w amitabha (I probably spelled wrong...) then we drank plum juice and also recited a prayer together then we had 平安麵 and I had a little rice and 酸菜 and spicy sauce and I ate it all and then we put water into it and I finished the rest. We went to a souvenir foods place and I tried food and ate spicy tofu and they got me stuff...so sweet. Then I said bye-bye to Irene and lana and I went to the hot springs w amandas family! It was so beautiful and there was one point when it was raining and we were in a comfy part of the hot springs and it was soo nice and cozy :) made me feel nostalgic for something I haven't experienced. Amanda says she doesn't like to drink water which was funny. While I know it wouldn't be easy I appreciate the life of less urban Taiwan. Super nice and I talked to Amanda about her work and food and trips and so much! Then we are tofu and brown sugar cake thing and then we got ready to go! The swimsuit dryer went crazy but all was good and Amanda's mom lent me some lotion. Then we drove to chiayi and Amanda and I took a PHAT NAP! of which we got a photo of lellll ! I keep sleepyhead up and choking on my spit :( Then we got to restaurant at some point with goose (whaaat) and we're like ok I'm going to take train back but then 台中 flooding but then it was all ok. I tried goose meat and blood and intestines and oil and the meat itself was like duck texture but less chewy and tasted like chicken. Amanda's mom said I look like 清朝 people! Then we went to the train station yahoo and it was raininnmn then Amanda and her mom sent me off so kind and Amanda helped me 買票. Then I said goodbye and I hope to see her soon! She said maybe she'll come to Seattle next year which would be MEGA BOSS!! I took the train w a barely alive phone and we stopped for like 5-10 min at two separate stops which made me crazy cray! Then I got there and then I did laundry and then I went to STATIONARY STORE and bought a shit ton of stickers and also kapybara San. Also onion cheips and beru. Went back to hotel and ended up talking Samantha for long time about webtoon and 911 story and stationary and tiny stars and picture books. Going to sleep now. Yahoo!
9.7.24 I went to sleep at 3am last night and woke up at 7:15 which is pretty crazy idk whats going on bc yes I was sleepy in the morning but not as sleepy as I should be tbh! then we checked out and headed out! falala falalaa was practicing being quiet bc tbh i think i was just being sleepy then we went on hsr and i slept the perfect nap no sound no light and i woke up just as it said next stop, tainan also fish burger was pretty good! didnt rlly like the tea tho! then we were stinky and took a taxi to hotel then went to ncku and it was so cool!!! so many cool new students to meet and we had a yum yum lunch! then intros (super cool!) then we went on a tour of the uni! it is indeed warmer in tainan but fortunately it was cloudy and i talked to a student about mascots and bikes and hair yah! she offered to take me to the hsr station on her moped but i was like ahh hun ma fan!! anyway then we went into our groups and change gave us a bunch of recs, i learned a bit about the niche art of shrimp breeding and yah! then we went back to the hotel but uh oh someone is 17 oops... then we went back back w victor and apparently hes from france! half french half taiwanese so cool! then we discovered the BIGGEST FUCKING BEDS OF ALL TIME in the hotel and i cleaned up then packed for miaoli then went out! breifly checked stationary store (i will be spending money there oh man...) then went to grab the fish loooking chips and onigiri and a drink i havent drunk yet ill have it rn from 7 11 discovered uber will take forever got stressed but oh well unstressed at some point. then the uber got there i slept deeply for like 10 min then it was POURING then i got to the station and i missed the 6:41 train bc of the traffic so i waited till 7pm and then i got on the 7:41 one and im still on the train now! I will let Amanda know when I get there, nervous abt my chinese not being good enough to communicate with her family oh man!! I should've got them a gift but I forgot my seattle postcards in the luggage back in tainan oh man :') oh well i may update this later tonight till then! yes yes this is the day after I went to their place and did some karaoke but not before they offered me a taiwanese drink that was 58% alcohol! haha! no!!! i sang chappell roan and little apple song that idk and also they had filters of their professor. They prepared gifts for me! So kind :) I got a chong you bing yum yum with cheese and yeah!! There was a kitty meowing thru the night
9.6.24 so much happened today! I woke up with my left eye swollen and was like what I can't see so well whart and got ready and went out for cooking class! They called asking where we were but we were only 3-5 min late hahaa but it was so cool! The water turned rlly hot in the sink but the ingredients were all laid out and we just put them in, did lil things, and cooked!! The wine bottle held water lmao and we made pineapple cake, Hakkanese noodles, and a Hakkanese tea I forgot the name of + guava sorbet! The lady Jin was so nice and friendly and gave us recs for Tainan and we learned about how her family farms and that lots of Hakkan people farm and how she would jump into water to catch shrimp or something! That was awesome then Phoenix and I went to a shaved ice place but saw a toilet restaurant so we went and got ice cream and some Italian pudding dessert that was nice and admired the gimmick and talked about religion. Then we went to shaved ice place but it was closed but I got a uv umbrella and socks and then decided to stay to wait and I got I've cards and a gift for Kalin then we had the shaved ice and it was so good and also the lady gave us extra bing when it melted and it was so good in the heat. Then we took one stop back and I lazied around them went to 新店 late.. and there was lots of ppl hanging around the station then I saw the friends and we went on these boats w peddles and went around and saw fish and mountain and told to move away from shallow areas and chilled and talked to Jing Hen about their time in Taiwan seems strict! Reminded how caring Katherine is, eases my insecurities talking to Kathy :) Got to hang out w 茄如 super amazing and we got sunburn aloe and yum yum yum food my fav was the three cup stinky tofu an also fed them my pineapple cakes :) we did some chill shopping and I heard a gruesome story involving a brown Nike shoe and walked into net then went back! I went from green to red to main to blue then chilled in the plaza and called and then got a teeny bit lost but not really them got my nails done!! The place was so cool and colorful and I watched 1976 Carrie (whoooaa@a) and also the beginning of some movie about cops and Kevin Hart and the nails turned out SOOOO awesome and she gave me a business card and gummies and a little vegan mushroom gummy (normal) and then I unered back, packed, and I'm gonna try outlining the whole blog post for tmmr rn. It's almost 3...
9.5.24 woke up!! Got stuff ready and go to breakfast place w Carolyn and we are late to scu... Naur... We werk on presentation then do some crafts! Yay! (Btw I go to bathroom one million times today, I'm so hydrated!) Made a playground on a post it note while waiting for paint to dry then yay made it ate lunch and drink four seasons boba (so! Yummy! Apparently also jollys fav) and we work on presentation I get nervous about presentation then I watch people do (so cool...) then we do (sorta unorganized but nobody knows) then we take break then watch rest then chill then awards! (Messed up first shot lmao so silly) And it so cool we got our own name stamps!!! Then we take a bit too much time to get to restaurant so we Uber there (squished lmao) then drop off stuff and also let jolly leave stuff then go to restaurant and I have acai bowl (lol) and truffle fries and salad (yum!) I talk to some lady next to sydney and get white wine and drink that and scroll and listen to some funky business and talk and also give jolly and Jack their cards! Jack gave me a cat card (I will open it now! It was so sweet! How awesome!) then we left! Jolly was going to join us but we took too long to get ready but I listened as she talked about neon Genesis and also dad and her friends and I chose what to wear and did my makeup! Carolyn was there too and if she likes the skirt she can keep it! And we got w the others then went down (warm...music...poor Taiwan students couldn't make it) then we took forever to get out then took forever to get to station then was like ???? Went to maji street (tourists like it?? Nobody was there) so I said screw it and went to draft land 中山 with Carolyn, Natalie, and Phoenix!! Natalie didn't get to say goodbye to Zhong :((((( which is very sad then we got the drinks and I got a jasmine and there was an oolong and guava and something else like a wine and it was so vibey and chill and we talked about a bunch of things and I was trying to practice eye contact then we had a good time and then we went back on mrt that hadn't stopped running yay then I got back yay then I rotted a bit then took a bubble bath!! It was orange but I got the green one! My arbitrary favorite one bc I had chopsticks that were held together by him as a child!! Yay!!! Then I added a shit load of bubbles and had fun making a crown and breastplate and shoulder pads of bubbles and also throwing and blowing bubbles and also pretending to be a bubble tender and also a sushi guy making omakase then I was like yeah I'm good and threw all the bubble out of the bath and had bubble shoes and now I'm writing this. Yay!
9.4.24 woke up SLEEPY! then went to charter bus SLEEPILY! then got to ceramic museum but not before I had wake up to be productive and language pilled :( went to yingge ceramic museum and saw plant ash glaze and other cool things such as plants rust then had a soybean curd thing that felt good for my gut :) then went to tai hwa pottery factory to paint cup and plate and that was super fun! I made cat and silly thing yay! Lunch was provided bc everything took so long and it was yummy Taiwanese sushi then we went down I looked at some stuff but was like eh! Then kept the bus waiting bc of a certain number. Then we go to dot design! I took a Phat nap on the ride back and dot design was super cool! I found it incredibly inspiring and I got two postcards and thought about what I could do with materials and I felt like my Chinese was kinda ass tbh... Oh well I shouldn't worry about that too much. Then we went back to scu and brainstorm one way then another and turtles! Also metacognition tests that were funky then work work work twerk twerk twerk got food (I will sneak some money back to Jack) and went to pharmacy to see kitty and saw some dog and cat at art store then was like I WANT TO LEAVE so left but not before Uber driver did NOT leave spot so Sydney had to get another one then got back. I am wait for roomie so we can go to 7 to get some unwinding gear. Got drink! Got lil plum things and hair spray and bath bomb YESSS
9.3.24 got up laid around then got brekkies and also nancy's sunscreen finally ran out! had pumpkin soup? and fish w tartar that was really good then signed some sillies then went out to take bus then got to scu then say hallo and then our introductions then their introductions to what we were going to do today and then cool lecture where I am reminded that design (esp beginning stages) are largely dictated by play! wholehearted play requires forgoing expectation, judgement, and "reality"! good reminder to play, we all need play, even (especially) as adults. then meichun went over the agenda for the next few days then we got food (I got noodles but with soup by accident because I didn't read it...) and also cold eggs and tofu and such :) tried a beard papa thing was yummy! but not as good as their fresh cream puffs! then we went to a specific street i forgot the name of (dadaochen general area at this point) and we left some ppl behind NOOOO but then we got back together then it was 2:30 and we needed to be somewhere at 3 so we just checked out a perfumery shop that was super cool! then walked over then dadaochen tour! there was the north gate we saw that was interesting bc a while back (140 years plus or minus?) city build, gov no money so people pay for it in taxes, lin family pays most so they get their own gate, but then gov like we want city and start taking the city walls down and one of the gates but then people were like wtf! so the city said ok we keep them but now only the north gate has the same original style. then we went to 7/11 yahoo and then we got water and then we walk walk then go to fabric market then love god (here are my notes: 6000 couples bc of God! / God of marriage has a sweet tooth / He goes on business trips?) then we go to tea place then sit then bye bye then go to book store I see cool books I take photos then I go back down (i forgot to mention this but I give carolyn the afterlives of sandwiches zine) then we walk one way then another to ningxia market then I ate noods in scallion pancake and also egg ba song taro plus taro bite plus stinyk tofu plus this guy with an anime girl on one of his glasses lens points at america flag on his bag and says 1. obama 2. biden 3. trump (does this one while pointing at eats and also doing a gun signal to yt ppls ears) 4. kamala (???????????????????) then he leaves. i eat and chill and we take photos and then go to 7 ( i shoulda gotten hairspray and cat food) then poya (did get cat food) then was being a girl and then weird guy aggressive toward woman super not cool >:(((((( then go mrt back lalala so SLEPY HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!! i have to write blog the world is so evil and twisted
9.2.24 WOKE! then dilly dallied and had breakfast and went out to take on the day!! we went mrt brr brrr then we went to TDRI and it was such a cool studio!! I got the insta of a lady there who works in bio-inspired innovation (or smth like that) and I'll make sure to message her asking about her work! apparently the whole thing is huge so we checked out the little stores and then we checked out tUURASHUU KITCHEN!! Supa cool!! They take trash and make it into protable chargers and sunglasses and ceramics and the like :D the bowl was made out of 25% phone screen waste!??! then I hungrily like a zombie-ly went to a pasta place w carolyn I thought was a korean place then we got these scrumptious sweets and THEY GAVE US FREE PINEAPPLE SODA in our water bottles it was so boss and also boss. then we taxied to national palace museum and i took a nappppie! i was like wowie ceramics how do you even make that what blue glaze!! and there were agate bowls and such that were crazy and also BOK CHOY (actually a cabbage) and MEAT (rock). then lalala sit down wow big circle maybe astronomy! and buddha hand wow and then gift shop and then take bus to scu and then wowie feasties and also meet students and awkward for 0.1 seconds then meichun drops the "what brings you joy" bomb then wow we're all suddenly besties! I had a good time and also downloaded a new game and actively listened so hard i exploded. ate yum yum yum (not enough) then go back in uber sydney paid yay then go back rot do laundry/shower and now sit. YAy~
9.1.24 woke up thenpacked some and watched things then got breakfast and ate uncle Ethan's portion... And then went down literally BRAIN ROTTED MYSELF TO HELL but then yan videos and chubbyemu got me to pack properly and I also cleaned up excess hair then I had lunch then went back down and chilled then got screen headache went upstairs to read and chill w the fam then got grandpa money and then went to hotel! Met people and then got tea eggs and then watched Chinese TV then had dindin! Had un pocito de beeru then went to hotel rq before walking around shilin night market! Grabbed tanghulu and looked at all the games and clothes and knick knacks then went back and chilled and opened computer and click clack and now chill and sleep
8.30.24 Woke up at 8 was on inta till 9 then got up and Nancy and I cleaned them got brekkies then cleaned and packed and whatnot! She took a nap and I did stuffies! I got some stuff of hers she didn't want to bring back. I helped her get her stuff down and I got some money into the suica card and then said bye bye Nancy then prepared for my epic day. I started off by getting lunch at the plaza (also forgot to say I used hairspray today and wow does that shit work wowie I looked like I was from there the way my hair stayed down) and I was confused for 5 min bc the clicky thing didn't do anything... But I got food then I took the trains to the cat shrine! It was so chill!!! And I hadn't walked in a residential area like that so it was very nice. I did get a lot of mosquito bites tho I think it's bc there's a lot of still water at shrines. From the cat shrine I decided to walk to shimokitazawa bc why not ✌️😗 so I did for a while offline then did it online! I saw a mom watch her son bike a bit and a butterfly sipping nectar off front door gardens and I saw this very silly couple then suddenly I was in shimokitazawa. I kept thinking about how cute it would be to be high school students and walking ur friends or romantic interest home in that sort of place. The thrift scene is nothing like home (in an unfortunately bad way, I prefer home) but whaoo! Renewed sense of pride and appreciation of home :) I did see this very cool green dress with grape necklace and robot necklace but the dress was too big for me so nevermind! But I got this shirt from another place lalala and the lady was nice she asked me questions about my travels a little! I was going to go to a sushi place for dinner but saw bad review on the salmon so I saw some sign that said katsu so I was like ooh! Then accidentally had dinner at an IZAKAYA! By myself ... Sort of awkward and I didnt like having cig smoke blown to me by the guy next to me... There was a dad and his kid there! Sometimes I was staring though...oops... I got egg rice and two yakitoris and I dumped too many green onions on the rice and it ruined it and the yakitoris were small. Oh well! Then I checked out shelter bc they only took cash and I didn't have enough so I stopped by basement bar briefly before telling myself I really didn't need to go! I wanted to go to the public bath much more. So I did that! And at some point I had to get off the train I was on yamanote to switch to a train on the opposite side going the same way??? Then I went to the public bath!!! It's true it is very foreigner friendly!! Crazy I feel like spas at home make me feel comfortable in my body and body positivity bc everyone looks different but here was the total opposite everyone was tiny I was like what the fUck!! But it was cool! I was confused for a little trying to do what everyone else was doing. I poured water on myself and showered then went hot water (so hot) then cold water (so cold) then hot then sauna (so sweaty!) then shower then sit on relaxing chair then leave (I took 40 min!) and I didnt properly dry my hair so I looked goofy coming out but I really enjoyed it :) I wish public baths were a thing at home it was so nice. Good thing it was the 30th too otherwise I couldn't have done it 🥹 then I got a pineapple beer and went back and rotted on insta and now I am lying on bed!
8.29.24 Woke up a few times before alarm then woke up got ready and nice and new Muji shirt and went to roppongi to hang out and have breakkies with Eva (3va!?!) and that was AWESOME!! Her hair is so cool and we chatted about school and traveling and home 👍 then I went back with Nancy! Stayed for a while and also got anxious (my body was hungry but it decided to go into fight or flight instead of y'know...hunger) did makeup retouch then went out back to ramen place had tsukemen yum yum!! Then we went towards harajuku for shrine business but ended up just getting rained on and also the yukata place didn't have anybody in it even when we booked an appointment oops! anyways I check3d out this one shrine in harajuku then another one (the big one) and saw sake and wine crates and Nancy had cramps so I went to explore myself and I went thru a garden and it started pouring and the cicadas were so loud! I went to the shrine shrine and did the purifying ritual and wasn't sure but made sure not to step on the face of the shrine (like in Taiwan...?) and wrote a wish and threw some coins and got a poem and two amulets. I wonder when an amulet "loses its power" or ends (apparently this depends from person to person! Then I got funky souvenirs and also mosquito bites (oof!) and then we went to Shibuya I decided not to get the Muji shirt and I got wacked by an umbrella but I got two horimiya volumes! Nancy tried the Muji cafe it looked so good!!then we came back and I went to a ramen shop across the street that was cheap and I was like ido liko this and I tried really hard to clean the curry plate in the way I think is polite and I was like erm domo! Then went back and rotted and organized and did maths! I stretched and was silly and showed Nancy lots of funnies!! I failed to consume alcohol today (that's totally cool lmao) and yah!
8.28.24 Woke up and then we got brekkies at gas station~ and then went out to Shibuya!! We went to get matcha stuff then records then had poke then Uniqlo then Muji (and also briefly loft) and I got so much stuff and also gifts!!!! They didn't have ichiko aoba but the lady suggested I go to Shinjuku, where the shop said they had it but they actually didn't :( but yeah we went to Shinjuku turns out the cat is there then I was like I'm gonna hit don quijote and Nancy was like I'm tired and I was like real (but I went anyway) and I spent 2 hours in that biatch and my head hurt a little but in a way it's never hurt before I was so overstimulated. So much sound and light but I did have air pods in which was pretty awesome. I kept thinking "where will this item be in 5 years" and that was super awesome! I got a Totoro rug which is cool and also lots of other things :OOO and I saw cool hair people on the train back. On walk back there was a group of elderly people in vests with light baton things walking elementary schoolers back home and one lady told me good evening and to get home safe and I just nodded and said un! So goofy of me. Then Nancy and I went to get meat and it was yummy and I had Sapporo then I bought Muji socks from conbini and also desserts I...realize I compelleft I the fridge/freezer. Tried some of what I bought today and now I am go sleep. Go pee. Good day. The dondon sold BONSAIS!!
8.27.24 Woke up multiple times last night pp and also Japanese dream asking for no soda in Nancy's drink (I could only come up with Nancy-san wa soda go chotto which I think is wrong). Woke up woke up and had a wave of anxiety hit me after convenience store brekkies! It felt pretty bad but it was there and then we went to harajuku and got big eye pictures hhehehhe! It was so wowie and we looked at many stores and I looked at a plushie maomao and got a tamagotchi keychain and then got my hair done!! Finished vol 7 of apothecary diaries which was fun!!! Jinshi said the thing!!!! I like the hair!!!! It's so white!!! A bit too yellow but I can work with that >:) then I hung out with some otters and one was put on me then another one climbed over and napped on that first one and it was awesome! I think I was given more time than others hehehe. Then I went back lalala and chilled a bit then got ramen (should've got the other dish!) and my mandatory alcoholic drink (not really) and we went to akibababa and went from store to store to amiami and I got makmak a silly gfgif. Then got back I showered quick and now I am sleepy and in need of a stretch
8.26.24 Did makeup and got vitamin c drink I didn't drink till the end went to tsukiji fish market and didn't go the place we wanted but ate omakase (not really) sushi and it was so good the texture was so good I tried a plum wine (the sweeter, less alcohol kind) and also Nancy accidentally spilled miso soup and I was like processing slower than the employees and they were freaking out like they spilt it and it was chill and also I was so full. I had a wagyu skewer that was delish 🤭 and then Nancy got egg skewer and I got uhh brown sugar fava bean snack that was yummy 👍 then we came back and rested for an hour (I did math!) then went to Shibuya (I walk with leisure bc walking is no fun when I'm dead focused on the destination) and took some photos and it got windy and we went down and ate shake shack and Nancy got super mega full then we went to Akihabara (chill this time) and I tried to get a Jr anime girl video and then we got there and then we went to a maid cafe and they had us do heart fingers moe moe and also you had to meow to get their attention and I got a keychain and apparently they can sing and it was so high energy and i got a photo with them and then we went to amiami and experienced biggy tiddi and accidental staff room and I saw some fedora-wearers and didn't find maomao and got ultra mega tired and Nancy and I meowed all the way back. We uploaded photos and watched funny low meow video and funny vtuber moving around and I tried to find clothing places via someone I follow on insta and I think she's evil bc there were no places dropped. Took a shower watched another video about a child with some physical disorder (?? I've been watching a lot of these) then ya. Also got a hair appointment for tomorrow at shake chakc shakack
8.25.24 Woke up at 5am got excited about hair stayed up then went to TeamLabs! Rained then got so hot and fav was the fish to the knee exhibit. Went back to condo and rotted for two hours but not before we ate ramen at one of those you can eat by yourself places—it sooo hit the spot!! Then we went to Shibuya and shopped!!! Then we did this goofy aah trip to Akihabara, tcg bar had an event, ate tempura (I didn't like the sour soup soba and drank a lot of water—so much water disappeared earlier via sweat), went back to the bar and enjoyed the tcg drinks and played a game of spot it. Between tempura and tcg we did a few claw machines and I swear I had my little claw machine hand on that Miffy... Then we went back and it was awesome I rotted then did some research on typhoon 10 and cancelled Kyoto shinkaisen and airbnb (money...saved??? Perhaps it cancels out what I spent earlier today oh my...) And I thought about how with each purchase I make I should co consciously think about where it may be in 5 years. Helps with the impulse buying I believe! So much cool stuff but so little use and for little long (teehee). I procrastinated showering and just did and also my nose is stuffy. I'm gonna stretch a bit in bed and SLEEEEP SUIIIII I heard the Game thing went well yipee!! Leaning towards not perming hair rn, need to look into getting that done!
7.19.23 Woke up procrastinated then did laundry and packed and goofed and didnt go to Watson's and bakery-ed and checked out and ZOOMED TO THE DEPARTMENT STORE and made sure there were no regrets. Had a conversation with the lady who worked at that one store :) so sweet, she said her heart feels better knowing my eye is ok. She told me shes from Kanding and also has i think two sons. That she may still be working there next year depending on her dad's health and she said my smile is bright and I should continue on smiling. First time I met her she asked if I came back home from school (like I was Taiwanese) and I was omg compliment much! Anyway I took a selfie with her but I wish I could've stayed there longer talking to her. She gave me a hug! And wished me well :) how awesome!!!
Wow! Time! And its passage! How marvelous! How terrifying!!!
7.18.23Yesterday I realized that my attitude to speaking Chinese here has changed! At the beginning of the program I was really nervous about speaking Chinese for fear of looking like a foreigner
- Dramatic inch worm
- 愛愛and make love
- Brenda I'm never going to see you again - I will!
- Mahjong!!!
- Told them my sydney talk isnt like american slang or anything
7.17.23 woke up eye POOF and got food and finish pack and bought contacts wahoo! Did some transiting (saw 芳如! 好 yipee) and slept hella on the hsr and talked briefly about relationships with Jaemie and went to hotel and did nothing then decided to do something. Went to get 妹妹 a name seal and bought a net skirt then got a lil thing from the department store (but not before the lady working there asked me about my eye and urged me to go to the local optometrist to check it out - flashback to medical anthropology last quarter, bc of my American blood i am so hesitant to go check it out!) and got food then went back. Intercepted jasmine and her aunt and freakin chiiilllled and youtubed and noticed my eye. Jasmine came back we went to q square and i got a lil sum sum for my parents and went back. Dk where jaemie went. Then i sat here and brain rotted! Hi! I feel that a lot of the growing from this trip will happen most once it's over and I have good time to process, reflect, specify, and implement. Feeling pretty upside down. I am excited for some semblance of order and consistency to re-enter my life though, all the novelty and whimsical chaos really clogs up the mind sometimes. I'm not good enough yet to continue good habits in these times - working towards building a strong core so that when I'm thrown about I come out transformed instead of tattered. Excited to meditate more.
7.16.23 zoom typa day. Woke up boom breakfast boom tai nan boom drive boom beef soup boom scooter ride boom motion sickness boom TAINAN ART MUSEUM. Learned of 洪通 (Hung Tung) and 山水 and migrant worker homes and mountain spirits. Got moon blocks and a journal. Hungy ate thingy idk name felt like a child went to temple (salt/sweet) went to shaved ice + tofu. Gave friends cards and took photos and said good bye! Learned that Kaosiung is big on iron and that Steven drove a drone into a building once during research and that the HSR goes ~180mph and that Taiwan roads/driving suck and more abt Taiwan military service on car ride back. Hope I didnt think only of myself today, trying hard but my immaturity shines sometimes. Went back and RUBBED MY EYE INTO OBLIVION after eating yummy mapo tofu + pina colada esque drink. Eye blew up and i was sniffling and coughing it was a whole ordeal. Did my journal and was like peace! Wtf!
7.15.23 Taiwan Indigenous Culture Park!!! So awesome and sweet and very tourist-y. Reminded of how history has not been gentle. Lots of reclamation going on, lots more to do. Glass beads and views and dancing and mochi donut and slippers and suspension bridge and archery and tour guide's past and performance. Quick zoom then NKNU student time! Went to xiao (huh) night market and had xiao long bao and sweet potato balls. Talked about YouTube and allergies and plans and travels. Got tiger balm. Too much noodle. Watched Totoro with will (yipee!!)
7.14.23 Shoushan National Nature Park Visitor Center eepy moment + monkey business + taking video + long bus eep + caving! Caved and successfully excited out spooky quirky alternative cave route and dirtied my shirt (noooo). Saw mongies (wow) and cats and dogs (wowie) ordered Korean fried chicken but Roy order poopy. Yum. Did NOTHING! Except read manhwa and watching evangelion and bath (also call jr! Awesome!)
7.13.23 This morning we went to a neighboring school and had a lecture on plant species! Went under a cool tunnel and ate lunch while staring at the water. Then the most treacherous hike commenced - it was fine at the beginning but it quickly became a lot to handle (heat + rock climbing + L sun protector arm) and i got bitten 3 times on my elbow. Had a nice shaved ice as a reward and returned to the hotel. Washed myself and rotted and quickly went out for dinner with 芳如. Then we checked out a temple! And saw temple cat and talked to kind temple lady. Had some lemon-y boba jelly dessert and then attempted the claw machines then went back. Funny airdrop moments. Funny selfies.
7.12.23 Went to NKNU! Met friends and learned their Chinese names to the best of my ability. Learned about shoushan & monkeys & tourists & indigenous land identity. Had dadan burger and soup and had too much soup. Had cream puff and big winter melon bottle boba and felt gross but didn't leave and went to park and rained and went down slide and frolicked and went to department store and took photos and Muji silly moment (saw Kitto and Luke fits, asked to ask an employee something in English quickly, photosynthesis capitalism) then sunset then dinner then eepy then rot then face mask then talk then eep
7.11.23 We traveled to Kaosiung today! Vibed and packed and ate and took the train (drifted in and out of consciousness while thinking about silly lil things) and then took mrt then VIBED with Roy for forever. Ate too many snacks and talked about Steven universe and art and whatnot. Received awesome leftovers from the twins and then went to the Riuhe night market. Was told I give off single uncle (w crazy cat lady wife) vibes lmao. Less food there but I finally had tanghulu and bought an AWESOME gray comfy set (so happy) and had chicken feet and one bite of popcorn chicken. Got back late and showered and lalala. Unrelated note: Thinking about living each day not necessarily "as if it's my last" but instead living in a way that if I died that day, I'd have died happy. Trying to constantly remind myself of all that has been done and all the reasons why the future is not so serious! Why mourn all the things not done when you can be celebrating all the things that have been. Still a heavy concept to roll around in my brain. I'm too young. But he was too young too.
7.10.23 Woke up and had yummy foods then an insane situation when we were just trying to go to Watson almost shat my pants (lmao) and had a rough time for no good reason. Got famous food from Changhua yummy and simple. Took train to 台中 and got famous dessert. Remembered my love's mother's maiden name. Got a mango shaved ice that took forever to arrive and simply vibed! Learned a few Chinese words and that was awesome. John felt responsible for ensuring we have a good time, but we were like what no!!! You're chilling!! Ate that yum yum yum and then we walked to drink some traditional herbal tea (not before losing my wallet at the sweets place then returning) and saw the most amount of figures I've ever seen. Then we went on boats and boated around! Quite fun and we took a good amount of photos, saw a turtle go into the water and a bunch of fat koi lmao. Kept squishing my fingers between the boat and the oar oops. Had yummy dinner (yummy and bland though) and talked about hobbies and music. Then headed back :') we freaked out about the train for a lil but then we were chilling. Talked about being immortal (I would never) and ubered back then CHILLLLED. Texted fang ru and funny Nancy scream
7.9.23 Dayu Farm! So awesome community so awesome yeah. Made a coaster and wanted a weaved something and got a weaved something. Talked to tour guide! Had so so so much good food and then earthquake museum. Preventative > reactional. Got ice cream then hot pot (awkward...) then talked abt random messages w Nancy and silly friend videos and breathed a bad breath and suffered (...) and I was cut off (no more laughing)
7.8.23 oyster farm and and mongrove mud stomps and little crabs and silly lunch and yellow watermelon. Then middle school and three lectures and environmentalist and community revitalization and neck mosquito bite... and borrow paper and tried to take video of myself but too difficult. Sleep two out of three bus rides. Then downtown w fang ru and friends and tried taiwanese meatball and rode on the back of 芳如's scooter! Then walk back w twins and Jaemie and 芳如 and learned a lot more about the 台電 fiasco.
7.7.23 NCUE BABYYYY!! Met new friends and had a bathroom fiasco and lots and lots of lectures. Learned about wind turbine in Changhua and green v green while having best boba. Had a welcome dinner that was SO YUMMY THE SASHIMI WAS SO DO SO SO GOOD. Then ventured a bit looking for the gym and was disappointed
7.6.23 going to Changhua babyyyy chilled and enjoyed the view and looked at things in 台中 and went to Mt Bagua Buddhist temple while feeling pretty shitty bc confrontation with death and accused of bringing ppl down suspicious alleyways when it was all for character building and really enjoyed the view :) had a good time and chilled so hard it was crazy
7.5.23 Presentation after presentations and staying up a Long Time Lol. Yummy yummy buffet too!! SASHIMI and ORANGE CT and TEMPURA!!!!! Then hang w the fam and took a FAT nap then went to ruff and there were weird moments but yaa
7.4.23 Feeling a lot less bitter today. Woke up went to class lecture yuh then bland asf curry then project time but not before light oolong honeycomb toffee boba (so good)! I was way behind my group LOL!!!! But whatever I didn't have to go with mei bc Erica's computer had an SD card thing and I've got my important documents there wahooo! Checked out Brenda's dorm briefly before going to hotel and having a cheese snack and waiting for beef noodles (my parents make better ones) and getting deep water and then going to xi men for don don donki and spending like an hour in there (so much stimulus) and buying a lot (but not as expensive as I thought) and taking some polaroids and going back (going to xi men I got rlly panicky, don't think this'll go away any time soon). Also during lecture I texted Bix's brother, I wish them the best. Also went to a temple to wish him the best, that felt very good. Went back (like 9:30 now), had a big ass card signing party, got a signature JH hug, and had fun. Dived off bed, did a handstand, B in Brenda stands for based. Midnight ppl leave then work work work. It is now 4 lmao. PEACE
7.3.23 Eepy. (now pretend it's late at night) I wish people cared enough to ask me how I'm doing with a genuine interest. Trying to get better at reaching out when I need help, and I feel that I've been trying to start conversations with people (because this HURTS??) and I get shut down. They don't owe me anything but it's really frustrating when people are too nervous to learn more? I hate not being able to turn to anyone. No family no close friends no jr. This sucks so bad. On another note, today I wanted to cry in class but managed to stay focused, tried to get my computer fixed, saw some cool junji ito things, and talked to mei a bunch! I really like her! I don't mean to poop on the people in this program but damn I wish there was someone looking out for me. This really hurts. I'm not very good at this. I wish I didn't have to tell people why I'm upset could you INFER from the OBVIOUS
7.2.23 My mind is incredibly scattered today, all I want is to do mindless tasks to distract me. I did have good food with Jasmine today for lunch - Uncle Ethan was right about that place being yummy. Holding a lot of tension in my upper body, shoulders specifically. Writing this blog is a million times easier than doing actual coursework - my theory is that it requires less actual thinking, I just write my thoughts as they come in, leaving no room for other thoughts. Keep trying to rationalize and understand how I feel, probably should meditate on this later so I can really designate some time to feel my feelings. I'm really feeling the disbelief and it's an unwelcome but inevitable reminder of the nonsensical nature of life - feeling more afraid. Blood (mosquitos), sweat (duh), and tears (this). Later in the night I went to G Star and karaoked and heard of Brickyard in Kaohsiung (spelling wrong?) and easied my paranoia but still.
7.1.23 Talked to Roy about types (strong sense of justice & nice v. kind - him mentioning this made me think about my resolve and sense of justice, haven't thought all that much of it, I think it's weak), I answered with ambition & communication & how awesome it is that JR is so excellent at reading me. Also, Sonali asked if I write poetry because I seem like I would write it and I'm honored! Wonder if I use funny sentences and words el oh el. Learned about tea & fabric trade & got winter melon tea & city god celebration & silly Japan idol love god thing. Went on boat & napped & bridal carried & married to Jaemie & seasick. Lady was good at her job ig. Got to tam sui and vibed around, sausage keychains and whatnot. Frolicked in the rain w Sonali (did a lil boogieing) and enjoyed myself. Stood forever on the train back and collapsed on the bed and showered and (inspired by Will) made the concious decision to choose to be by myself. Enjoyed my company eating kitsune udon and going to each floor of department store and buying that blue and orange clothing and getting some Daiso hairclips and got a bunch of manga in trad Chinese to practice (fav love is war & nana ones). Got back and had some passionfruit and had a good time before heading out to Omni. 10PM I learned about what happened to Bix and was in a state of shock. Didn't go out. Couldn't do much and instead just consumed online media until I was so tired I was about to pass out. An unrooting & deeply troubling & decentering event. I can't imagine the catastrophc loss his family experienced. May he rest in peace.
6.30.23 Checked out an urban argicultural social housing place! Very nice, and it was really inspiring! Mdae dumpings and also matched w Nancy! Wore traditional rain hats and had ice cream sandwich and passionfruit juice. Had a rainy tour of NTU Farm and had funn! Played a farming game that I found rlly nice bc it's simple but its message is clear. Went to McDonalds for dinner (no foot massage bc I wanted to try air pistol shooting and it took too long) and managed to accidentally order a salad lmao (going to McDonalds for a salad??? What????). Went air pistol shooting and found out that I'm a pretty decent shot! Super cool - looked into doing this back at home but we only have *eagle sound* *gun shoungs* AMERICA SHOOTING RANGE GRAAA! I just want quiet shooting is that so much to ask for.
6.29.23 Visited Yangmingshan national park today and learned about ponlai rice and visited beautiful farms! Saw many a cute kitty (esp orange cat sleepin in the greenery) and ate yummy foods! The flower garden was super pretty! Late at night we visited the Chiang Kai Shek memorial and I had a great time, it felt very serene. We talked about clubs and books and whatnot, I smiled a lot.
6.28.23 Lecture on gender inclusive clean energy very cool! Battled half a chicken and lost. Also died laughing at my own tweet. Went to treasure hill artist village and got my blood sucked and took photos and bought a print and chewed some gum and had omelette rice and watched across the spiderverse! The stakes are so high! I didn't know it was a two part thing! How cool!!! Sleep is for the weak (I am very, very weak) Also when I got the print I spoke some funny broken Chinese and bro was like lol you corrected yourself awesome. Also learned that family prob got to Taiwan in Ming dynasty.
6.27.23 Lecture today on urban agriculture and tea and boba and bordering/de-bordering and mobility. Then went for lunch (wish I got the curry) and went back to hotel (blad cramp) then URBAN BEE KEEPING!! Long lecture and learned about royal jelly and pesticide concentration. Held bee thing and had honey. Discovered they have trad Chinese manga for cheaper than at home. Called JR for a long time.
6.26.23 Thinking about how I am very, very uncomfortable around anger. Not related to any events from today. Went indoor rock climbing for the first time + ate yummy yummy vegetarian food!! (Like it was soooo yummy) Also, great grandma w the sumikko guraishi and second aunt wanting me to find a girl for Ethan :'D Overall, good chill birthday. Also, mango cake was soooo good
6.25.23 Woke up at 7. Suspension bridge. Nap. Coal mine museum. Locomotive vehicle. Bus. Recyclable sky lanterns. Train. Cat village. Saw many many cats (do not the car). Gross at this point. Train to 九份. Each train moment was ~1 hr. 九份ed it up. Lots of lanterns didn't check out what was being sold. Super gross but fun photos. Bus back. Shower and nom a bit. Karaoke. Tired & Sleep.
6.24.23 In the HOT. SUN. In a biopark (landfill turned park) and loud cicadas and hot hot. Went to old street and got souvenirs for friends and got starfruit juice. Gondola and rain and tofu pudding and soggy shoes and pants and waiting half ma hour for public bus (motion sickness on bus) then mrt transfers + failed Roy... :'( and collapsed. But not before kitsune udon
6.23.23 Woke up and did laundry and had 7/11 brekkies and took a nap and had 7/11 foodies again and went to department store to look at sanrio and Muji and bought a lotus shirt I really like (might go back, real cool store) and brain rot and 7/11 again after no sushi conveyer belt and xi men ding again and bought a headband and ate Indian food. Yeah.
6.22.23 Today I woke up, lazied around, then went to the National Taiwan Museum! We went to the Main Branch and I saw blood flag & pangolin & animation & it was cool! Got a cup. Then we got lunch (got curry + tried clean eating method) and I went back to charge my phone. Then went to railroad branch of museum and chilled in dorm. Went to maymay family home and glug w her grandpa! Had dinner and laughed a bunch, went to dorm and laughed a bunch, went out (+ a lil blerg incident), turned away bc shorts and no sleeves, went to other place and enjoyed. Passionfruit, grapefruit, apple. Latest I've slept here so far.
6.21.23 Difo gifted me a rice dumpling today! So delicious! And we had a lecture on ecotourism - I learned a lot about how ecotourism incentivizes protection of biodiverse ecosystems & that in Japan they implemented these roads that create sound to ensure that animals are afraid of the road and stay away & how roads affect inside/edge species pop & that snakes are shy & Taiwan suburb hill. Learned that there's a monkey problem towards South Taiwan because monkeys associated humans with food and figured that if they attack humans, they can get their food. Also that dogs are an invasive species because they hurt the cute pangolin. Had lunch with Taiwanese friends (Henry, Mei, Igor & Difo) family style! Ate yummies and also had a silly paying fiasco. Had a lil language exchange with Difo and I complained about not having a handheld fan again (I'm getting that tomorrow). Then we went to 大安 and I sweated all my ancestry out of my every pore. The biomanipulation of the park was fascinating - reimagining human activity on the environment as healing. Their efforts towards creating a rich environment is inspiring. Lots of the park used to be drains? Eco park! It was soo hot though and I was super flushed and I was dangerously low on water (and everyone felt the same way). The park has this bicycle thing where visitors can pedal for water to come down?? Cool stuff! Anyways then we went back, got winter melon boba tea (yum), picked up my seal (yay), and rested a bit. Then I watched the final episode of the most recent Demon Slayer season then went out to eat in the department store! I had a bibimbap w cucumba/lotus root/tofu. Listened to Kitto's Zimbabwe water buffalo horse knee ordeal story (crazy stuff). Got some more dried plums and smelled milk and tried mango/grapefruit tea and saw figures in the FamilyMart and chilllled in the hotel. Yuhhhh
6.20.23 First classes today! Lalala. Lots happened today! Met some NTU friends, ate a banana milk ice cream, perished in the heat, got left behind during the NTU tour (w/ Nancy), got an NTU sticker, drowned in my own sweat, etc. Turns out NTU has a BDSM club (the building area had a bunch of those ward-off-evil papers... how strange!) and also learned that Taiwan soils are acidic, meaning it's harder to collect ancient DNA samples. Got a pineapple smoothie. Difo was the one that realized i disappeared! I tried those Japanese star candies (Nezuko's favorite...just like how coffee jellies are Saiki's fav...) and yeah. Sugar. Also Difo told me that dried plums aren't something young ppl enjoy much these days? An old person snack?? And Jasmine & I walked to the Ning Xia Night Market (so busy on a Tuesday night)! Got fried rice and coconut water and chestnuts! Feet tired so just chilled in dorm. Think I'll go back to family home on my birthday? And I'd like to get my hair done here. And I'd like a lab assistant position.
6.19.23 Had a delicious curry today! Also went to Xi Men Ding District for some foods and there were so many! Realizing more and more that I greatly enjoy this whole traveling thing and I'm going to miss it once it's over. Also, feeling like an 18 year old child - I am so not ready for the adult world quite yet. Need to mature!! Need to learn how to handle difficult situations! To be considerate and trusted and responsible and decisive!! Trying to notice moments of cultural clashes within me, where the individualist springs forth and confronts the collectivist. Trying to make peace with its chaos and agknowledging that this is all necessary. Excited to see how I will grow in the next month. Also quite scared.
Now for a list of what I ate today at the Walking District:
- Matcha shaved ice
- Stinky tofu
- Large fried chicken
- Jaemie's Do Hua & Mango shaved ice
- Iced lemon tea
6.17.23 I lied. Neocities is still not updating columns for me... (10 minutes later I got it to work). Also, today I visited an Aboriginal sculpture park, a garden park thing idk the name of, and Whitestone Gallery! I also learned that diabetes in Chinese directly translates as "sweet pee sickness". I'm learning a lot about my Taiwan family members on this trip as well!
6.16.23 (10:45PM) Just started the site! Finally got columns to work (didn't properly insert stylesheet. All entries prior to this moment were documented in my notes app.
6.15.23 Two things I've noticed:
1. I've been told multiple times that I should 慢慢來. I wonder if it's evidence of a slower culture, maybe a case of linguistics influencing culture (and vice versa). My great aunt told me that I shop quickly, too quickly. Maybe I am too fast. But I also don't feel that I'm all that bad at going slowly. Trying to move more slowly throughout my day. It's not that serious.
2. Japanese is all around here! I'm not sure if I just didn't notice it before but there is Japanese everywhere! It may because of my family's line of work that they need to know Japanese, but there is so much! My great uncle asked me if I knew "lonely" in Japanese, my uncle takes Japanese lessons, my great grandma told me sumi nasa as I was going to bed (I think she meant oyasumi, sumi nasa means excuse me). I'm painfully inept in international relations, politics, history, and the like, so I'm unfamiliar with Taiwan-Japanese relations. I told JR about this and he googled it - Taiwan was one of Japan's first colonies (late 19th century), and it stayed that way until the mid-twentieth century. Hmm!
dream log
9.16.24 dream where went back home and pf asked dan if she liked it there and then told me something about me getting married???
9.15.24 had a dream where it was prom and then yy was there then I got bored of prom and I saw change and I was like hi I'm going biking w friends then we were at some restaurant and surprisedncku students but I was messaged separately by yy to meet at sun Moon lake but I couldn't figure out how to get there so I got lost then came back then had egg tart and something else and took some for yy. Also added on sc and text. There was also a point I swear where he had everything baked them tossed a fucking fish somewhere it was crazy
9.14.24 Dream about needing to go home on flight and almost being late and also needing stamps and I had my own stamp book. Also dream where 3d nails came off and I was like literally how
9.11.24 dream I don't remember but Teddy was there! I miss him...
9.9.24 had many dreams but the only one i remmeber is a dream where I was texting dom but then it was josh on doms phone and then josh called me on his phone uisng a newborn baby filter on and he had bad news to tell me. (i woke up. did not hear bad news)
9.6.24 Had a dream where I was on the top of this big cylindrical thing swimming w a bunch of people then we were expected all to just get dunked and it was gross and the instructor was telling Natalie she didn't swim good enough?? Then she told it was break time so I went around this building and there was a part w no railing and Kayla was like no worries I can help I have trauma from falling off tall heights then I was like woo then we went onto a bus but not before my hair was absolutely messed with and I sat next to zhen jia on the bus 👍
9.5.24 Dream that I was talking to girlie and she was breaking up with her bf oh my
9.4.24 Had dream where there was this big vantage point and it was right outside the dorm I live in then I went to dorm and was going to use one story but someone from my study abroad was using it so I went to the one above and was hosting a watch party of the ocean and lots of people showed up but I wasn't sure if you were coming and my friend shweyha kept just messaging me but was never on the way then e man looked into the window when going somewh so I boogied then I needed to take a shit so two ppl from my study abroad went to find baffroom. Also Britt wanted me to go on discord???
9.3.24 Had a ton of dreams but the most recent one and the only one I remember was me Samantha and Sydney going somewhere to eat and then she started eating the food I just bought and I was like hey! I just bought that!
9.1.24 Where this guy was trying to get me and a bunch of others kids to escape some kind of crazy place and there were gyarus that were cool but also evil little wizard guys and then we drove away but then our truck could transform into a car so we did that to get the pursuers confused but I was just running behind the car and then at some point this became some big thing where we were doing something so some girl could host some school event???? And then I teleported back to evil place then became invisible and then everything resolved itself so I ate food and some white family was telling me how they didn't like the hotel food and I was like oh well you'll really enjoy the food in Japan no worries
8.30.24 had a dream last night where I went to the onsen I want to go to and they were like yuh! Tattoos are ok!
8.29.24 Can't remember my but got apology text from long hair dude about being weird lmao
8.28.24 Had a dream where my mom took like 10 minutes to park a car because she kept going too fast and going over the curb and also I was in the us but I was supposed to go back to Japan the next day but I didn't have a ticket. Also funky dunky e man was trying to ... rizz me up? And I was like 😒
8.26.24 Dream where I had to get auntie r to stop swimming bc she just ate, said bye to high school friends like cm and mn?!??? And also was driving and also something sad happened to me so everyone was taking care of me and also the gameheads game was like really funky and also a platformer
7.14.23 Had a dream where someone was being very nice :o and also weirdly flirty w a fake kiss and I was like ?? Ummm and then I remember dancing and also trying to make a bus and buying something?.yaaa also showering? and keeping roy behind
7.13.23 Had dreams that it was last 7:30 and it was 8 but then I woke up to my 7;30 alarm and chilled. keep forgetting to update this log!
7.11.23 dream about a vibrating cat
7.2.23 Dreamless night. Thank god.
6.30.23 Two dreams between 8 to 8:30: 1. I got criticized for my written work due on March 20 and it was the 24th but I didn't have anything so the dude was rly mean and I was like boom ur head just exploded 2. Some girl asked me some theoretical about dating animal characters
6.26.23 Twins had some sorta theatre thing they did now Huge luxury makeup. Angry family, classes but dude tried to make me grow a glass at his mom bc he wanted to play with puffy and I was the class goody two shoes idk. Had to find classroom, treated like an anomaly, told Kitto I was being tested that way, corrected name spelled wrong. Big balcony for drying clothes
6.22.23 Dreamt that I was pregnant (again) and it was so stressful. Some lady (idk she had to do some kind of physical check for me) massaged my belly and was like you're pregnant aren't you and I was like wtf? Was super stressed so I went to a convenience store and bought two tests. I really needed to pee in my dream but I didn't want to test in the store. Also dreamt that people got part time jobs in Taiwan during their time here.
6.21.23 I was in Vancouver, CA but it was also Japan at the same time?? I was there bc my parents were going on a trip? Then I had a flight to catch at 6PM and my sister had one at 2AM. Then I missed my boarding time and freaked out (I told my sister that this happened in my dreams once before!) then I drove recklessly to the airport. Then my mom let me know I'm chilling.
6.18.23 Had multiple dreams last night. Most notable one was that I was stressing out because I was trying to have fun but kept being reminded that I had some English presentation + math final I had to study for the following day? But I also remembered that I had already recieved my final grades, so I kepy bouncing back in forth between "I got to do this RIGHT NOW!" and "Oh wait... this already happened...didn't it? They can't change grades after final grades are posted?" It wasn't all that stressful but el oh el