WEEKEND!

photo: The view of Taipei 101 building on my way home this evening

Yay the week is finally over. I'm looking forward to a weekend of nothing much in order to recover in time for class again on Tuesday.

One thing really has made it so much easier to get through the week - 

CAUGHT UP

The past few days have been absolutely exhausting. Tonight when I left the library to go home, they had even closed the front doors.... No, I'm being dramatic, it was actually only 8pm but it felt very late!

Changing class was an epic.  After dropping my original class, I had to go shopping for a new one. I've found a class that will do, after attending all the classes in my level in one day (tedious). In the end, I picked the one with the most convenient time, no more early starts for me.

Getting back into the books is also a challenge. My brain refuses to work and the traditional characters (that I seriously cannot read) are impossible to memorise.

I'm sure in a few weeks I'll be fine but right now it's not looking so good - dictation tomorrow!

Luckily we have the long weekend for Mid Autumn festival to look forward to. Are you ready for mooncakes?

WAKE UP CALL

Today I joined the gym down the street and it seems as though it couldn't have come at a better time. The awful health analysis thing was terrifying. I think I liked it better when I didn't know what my body fat percentage was...

The gym itself is pretty hilarious. It is the "World Gym" chain (hugely popular here), and I think the logo pretty much sums it up. There are 2 floors dedicated entirely to weight training which is completely over the top.

However, that is not all all why I chose it. It also has an enormous number of cardio machines, spin classes, yoga, dance and the Les Mills class series so I will not be starved for variety.

I'm looking forward to getting into it.

THE HOLIDAY ENDS HERE...

photo: NTNU Mandarin Training Center

We had orientation today so I'm all set to begin class tomorrow. I didn't get the time I wanted, I have 8am classes! I'll see how it goes but we are able to change around this week.

Textbooks have been purchased, I'm in a relatively beginner class because I cannot read the traditional characters they use here in Taiwan (much different to the simplified version used in China.) It's going to be tough going learning how to write all over again... Not something I am looking forward to.

We have 2 hours of language class everyday, and need to make up another 5 hours of supplementary classes each week be it language labs, independent study or culture classes, even sleeping in the library counts I am told! We will be getting silly time cards to log all of our hours on to make sure we comply, stupid new government requirements... I have to be good, if you have too many absences or bad grades they take away your scholarship and deport you!

Off to enjoy my last day of freedom.

CRUISING

I have to admit, I am not very impressed with Taipei's public transport. Taking the metro involves numerous line changes and there can be a 20 minute wait for the bus. I'm over it and it's only been 2 weeks! Being in China spoilt me..

Luckily, I don't need to worry about it anymore because I have independent means of getting around... and I bought it from Carrefour.

FINE DINING

In order to economize, I've been eating mainly at little holes in the wall since I arrived. However, last night I had to opportunity to visit Modern Toilet, a Taipei restaurant with a glaringly obvious theme.

ALL MOVED IN

photo: My building (looks nasty but I assure you the inside is fine)

After an evening of karaoke the night before, I wasn't exactly in top form for move in but it's all over now and just wonderful to be able to unpack properly for the first time since I left home.