I Was Going to the Hospital for a Check-up...

and ended up having surgery!!! :)

Ok, OK...I was actually going to have a bump on my back looked at. I finally have health insurance and like I have said in previous posts, this is the year for health, beauty and wellness for me so I have been to so many doctors in the past two weeks!

The Program Director gave me a VIP tour of the hospital in Dali when I arrived. He said he always does this for first-time foreign patients to ensure they know where they need to go and they need to do for next time. So he lead me to the doctor's office and waited outside while I talked to the doctor. So I talked to the doctor and he said it was a benign tumor, but it would be best to have it removed ASAP to prevent possible infection. I wanted it removed anyway because it was UuuhhhhhhGLY! Then he asked me if now was OK..."Now?!?!" I was thinking. So we talked it over and he explained that it would be a 20 or so minute procedure. I would receive local anasthetic and would be able to go to work this afternoon no problem...so I said OK! Although I have NEVER done that before and the last surgery I had was my wisdom teeth a few years ago and I was knocked out for that! Before that was when I fractured my elbow when I was 5 and was knocked out for both surgeries. Needless to say I was nervous but wanted it taken care of!!

So they performed the surgery and the only pain I felt was the injections for the anasthetic...other than that it just felt like they were poking at my back...Mentally, I imagined a TON of blood, sewing, surgery knives and etc, but since it was on my back, I was lucky enough to NOT see it! Unfortunately I was so nervous and shaking so bad and of course no HAPPY images would come to my head..only horror movie scenes...especially "Hostel" (which has traumatized me-so EFFIN scary!!!!!) and "Hannibal" *shiver* and that didn't help my nervousness! But the OR staff was very nice and hearing only Chinese was actually calming, because imagine being in an English-speaking OR and then they say things like "Uh oh! I just lost the suchers-Damn! Looks like we are going to have to use our bare hands!"or something scary doctor like (I dunno! I'm not a doctor and never had this happen before!)

So it is done but have to be careful of the stitches. I get them off next Friday! I would write more but am so tired! I need to relax a bit before I go to the school!

Yay! Next Doctor stop: the dentist to have my teeth cleaned ;) Phew!! Hopefully I wont need to worry about doctors for awhile...hopefully!!!

My New Look: A Continuation

My last entry’s theme was “New Look” and this is a continuation of the entry.

This weekend was the time for my “New Look”. Saturday afternoon, boyfriend took me to Iie Jong Street (which is place where all the high school students hang out apparently – very trendy and INEXPENSIVE shopping…not to mention YUMMY candied tomatoes) to a salon there where I decided that it was time for a haircut and color. This salon offers German brand “Schwarzkopf” professional products, so we figured that it would be OK for a westerner to go there. For NT$1500 I got my hair washed, cut, color, head massage, blow dry, style and a normal size bottle of shampoo along with a little sample bottle of mousse!!!

Boyfriend also got his hair washed, cut and colored as well! I have never done something like that with a boyfriend. Usually, going to the salon is “alone time” for me or time with my mom, but I like sharing this experience with Boyfriend. We weren’t the only couples there…apparently Taiwanese boyfriends and girlfriends follow each other and hang out with each other when they get their hair done.

The thing is though; the color I picked out from the sample hair color book was a deep chocolate brown with a hint of red. What I got was Strawberry blonde. I assume that the samples were the effects of the “Western” hair color on Asian hair. Luckily, I LOVE the color so all is OK with the world! My stylist was so sweet and did a great job on cutting and giving me an easy style! I’m DEFINITELY going back!

After our salon trip, Boyfriend and I went to those Japanese photo booths where you can take the pictures, then put funny cartoons and frames and stuff on the photos. We had so much fun and we even got a membership card with coupons and a TON of coupons left so we will definitely be back! Then we did some shopping and had some red bean ice cream at the Chicken Feet place where Boyfriend kept trying to convince me to try Chicken Feet which I CANNOT do…It’s like eating squid…once it goes in my mouth I have to FORCE myself to keep it down and TRUST ME-that is a lot of work!

One of my fave photos of us-Awww!! Sooo cute!!! :)

Another romantic one

I like this one too :)

All the others are one my Myspace page...and when I'm not lazy or not busy, I'll upload them to my Photobucket page :)

also tried Heineken Green Tea at Iie Jong…yep, you heard me right…Heineken Green Tea and it was pretty good!!

After Iie Jong, we went to Chunghua night market and did some more shoe shopping where I bought 2 pairs of boots for NT$900!!! In Holland, I bought one pair of boots similar to one of the pairs I bought for about €100. I probably paid about €10 for each pair here!!!

On Sunday, Boyfriend and I went to a tiny Turkish restaurant in the Canal District and had REAL Turkish Pizza, Cacik (similar to Greek Tzatziki), Cumin Bread, Hot Turkish Tea for me and Hot Apple Tea for Boyfriend. I have been craving Turkish pizza and this one was sooo different from the Turkish pizza I had in Amsterdam, but I gotta say, DAMN that was good!

I will close this entry with a quote from “Open Your Mind, Open Your Life”:

“ Hold fast to your dreams. Never allow the enemy of self-doubt to destroy them.”

New Year = New Look

As well as a new theme:

My theme for 2008 is health, beauty and wellness.

Before I go into my goings-on, I just want to say that I have been busy with classes and have done nothing interesting unless you consider going to doctors to get check-ups and things looked at and tested interesting...??

Anyway,
the reason my theme for 2008 is "Health, Beauty and Wellness" is because I was without health insurance for so long and I want to make sure that I am healthy and well. I haven't been feeling good about myself but now that I have been going to doctors, I am slowly feeling better about myself and am feeling more motivated to become more active and find inner peace through Yoga among other things.

I am also going to get my hair cut and colored this weekend, hopefully. My hair is looking pretty disheveled...really. I found a place on Iie Jong Jie (Sorry only know the pinyin) where I only pay NT$1500(€35) for a wash, cut, color and style!! They also use Schwarzkopf Professional products ( A German brand) meaning that the hair color is mainly for Western hair.
In Holland I would probably pay between€70-€150 for a wash, cut, color and style!!!!!

I also have a list of plans for myself to help me feel better about myself:
1. Go to the doctor and get checked up
2. Go to the dermatologist and get face checked out - since I have been here, I have REALLY bad pimple breakouts..even worse than before
3. Join Yoga World-I need relaxation and meditation
4. Hair cut and color
5. Clothes and Shoe shopping - i am in DIRE need of clothes and shoes...I look like a mine because I am ALWAYS wearing black because that is all I have...
6. Visit Hot Springs in the area - Look, I'm not one of those "EXTREME backpacker" "Let's go hiking and spelunking" type of people...My idea of a holiday is relaxation and/or shopping...What can I say?
7. Swimming with Boyfriend - it seems most Taiwanese don'tknow how to swim, but I told Boyfriend I'd teach him, plus it's good exercise.
8. Better Diet - Uhhh yeah...I don't think that is going to happen because there is just too much good food here especially good desserts, Asian and Western!! But..it is till on my list as a reminder!
9. Spa Visit - Once again, my idea of a good holiday ;)


Speaking of holidays, Boyfriend and I both agreed that we both need one. Boyfriend is a workaholic and I am becoming a semi-workaholic. This was made evident to me as one of my colleagues called me "addicted" when she asked if I had voluntarily taken any days off yet and I said no, of course. Pretty much all of my Western colleagues have taken days off to go traveling, but I am actually trying to save my days.

Although plans are up in the air, Boyfriend and I have lightly talked about taking a holiday together. I also nonchalantly (Ha! Right! ;) ) mentioned about going to Guguan Hot Springs and Dahu. Ok, it was more like shoving the magazine articles in his face and probing questions out of him about these areas and if he has ever been...;)

On another note, Boyfriend took me to see Traditional Tombs just a little bit outside of Taichung City, right when everything starts to become rural. He even took me to his grandparent's tomb and gave me a little history lesson on Traditional Chinese Family Tombs. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures because it would be rude to take pictures of people's tombs and probably bad karma for the family living and probably the photographer.
These tombs are amazing! They look like little tiny Mausoleums and most are arranged according to Feng Shui. Buddhist tombs have a stone statue of the God of Fortune and parallel to him a stone statue of a fortune dragon(if I remember correctly). They also have a small stone furnace to burn paper money for good fortune. This is done on Tomb Sweeping Day which is one day in May where all the family goes to the tomb, cleans it, puts fresh flowers, lights incense, burns paper money and etc. Apparently, if the deceased are taken care of, then the living descendants will be successful and fortunate.
This means people will pay MILLIONS of NT$ for tombs.

I also got the see the mountains surrounding Taichung on the way to the tombs, and I must say it was a gorgeous view!! And of course, I FORGOT my camera so I hope Boyfriend takes me again soon as I want to take beautiful photos :)

Well, I need to go and get ready for class. See? I am addicted! Class doesn't start until 16:50, and it is now 13:05...but I like to take my time planning the lessons, and it keeps me from panicking and stressing!

Oh! One more thing! As you can tell, I have a new background and a new look for this blog. Unfortunately, all my cool photos from Germany and Holland got deleted in the process of the change, so it looks pretty sparce. So I am sorry! I will try to take better care as time goes on. I hope you like the new look because I do! I wanted something Chinese/Asian inspired. :)
I also updated my look for my Myspace page so for those of you on Myspace check it out:
http://www.myspace.com/brebre711

2008 Is Upon Us

Last weekend was a great weekend to celebrate Christmas. Boyfriend and I went to Finga's Base Camp and had a yummy Christmas dinner with my colleagues from other branches. I don't think Boyfriend has had a Turkey dinner for Christmas before and he seemed to enjoy it so that made me happy. Then we went back home, I had him open his Christmas presents while I attempted to make Glühwein using an electric hot-pot which tuened out OK. I then watched "It's a Wonderful Life" while Boyfriend fell asleep cuddling next to me :) He didn't seem to be a fan of the movie and I'm sure that would make my step-dad proud as my step-dad always teased my mom and I for watching (and sobbing) at the movie ;) The next day, we went to Iie Jong Street and even though I was feeling really sick, I wanted to get out so Boyfriend and I went there and had some candied tomatoes and toasted marshmallows with chocolate sauce and sprinkles and stuff :) So yummy! Then we went back to my place and watched some more Christmas movies, and ate some snackies :)

Unfortunately for Christmas day, I went to the doctor and found out I had Trichitis, NOT bronchitis, only because I have had a serious cough for 4 weeks and a hoarse voice. Nothing serious, but still want to get better!

Actually, that's about it, since I've been busy, but as 2008 is upon us here are my resolutions.

1. Be a better person.
2. Work and study hard, but do NOT burn yourself out.
3. Keep worthwhile job while improving self at worthwhile job.
4. Help others in need!
5. Listen to others and CARE!
6. Strive for independence.
7. Make this a positive experience!
8. Settle Down.
9. Stop talking about self so damn much!
10. Study English grammar more!
11. Remember that laughter truly is the best medicine!
12. Learn authentic Chinese/Taiwanese cooking!!!!!
13. Be more active!!!!!!!!
14. Don't fall into a trap!

I wish you all a WONDERFUL and prosperous 2008!

Happy New Year!! :)

Introducing...My Students!!

OK, so my mom, who is probably the only one who reads this blog now, has been asking me to show pics of my students and I haven't had time, plus am worried about legal issues with parents and the school, but the school said it was OK so here's some pics of the Christmas party we had on Saturday ;)

It was so much fun!

The first pic is a HORRIBLE pic of me, and shows how short I am!

This is only a quarter of my students, but I have memorized about 98% of all 100 or of my student's names!!!






















And a video of the kids doing something I enjoy doing: Chowing down!!! :)




So even though I may be strict with the kids or may yell at them for talking too much or speaking Chinese in class, I am grateful to have such nice, sweet, HILARIOUS and SUPER SMART kids...They make me proud to be a teacher! Thank you kids!

Busy Bre Has No News or Cool Piccies...

Sorry guys, have been busy with training, teaching, grading homework and getting Christmas cards and stuff sorted among many other things. Luckily I'm not TOO busy, but I'm busy enough and last night I was so drained from training and teaching that I couldn't even finish my Chinese HW, fell asleep at 10:30 pm (which is the first time I've gone to bed that early in MONTHS) and this morning my colleagues and I seemed to struggle a little in Chinese class.

But, on the upside, my schedule will be back to normal and that business lasted only a couple days. Surprisingly, I am not stressed either :) Just a little more tired than usual!

I hope that my next blog will showcase my experience of "Christmas in Taiwan" I will try to take pics of what the Holiday season looks like in Taiwan for those of you (like me) who have NEVER been in a tropical climate in winter...

Zai Jian...time to take my before lesson plan nap ;)

Noticing Differences and Changes Compared to the Past

My First Christmas Tree

Boyfriend took me to get a Christmas tree (fake) for my apartment as I never fail to put up my (family's) Christmas tree every beginning of December. December in Taichung is a little odd for me. I have NEVER been in a place in December where the temperature was 20 degrees celsius!!!!

Anyway, I love my dear tree. It is very simple: cheap red and green bulbs, sparkly snowflake ornaments and cheap but cute and twinkling lights. Boyfriend is also going to bring some cut-out pieces of sparkly reflective material in shapes of Christmas trees and etc. so that I can sprinkle them onto my tree for added sparkliness. :)

As Boyfriend and I were trimming the tree, I reflected back on Germany 2 years ago. I won't go into details as I don't like getting too personal on these blogs (that is what my actual journal is for :) ) but I was down and out and in a bad place...VERY bad...downward spiral...anyway, I reflected back on that and compared it to now:

• I have my OWN tree and have decorated it MYSELF (with the help of boyfriend)
• I am working and have a job and...it is worthwhile!!!
• I'm not fighting with parents and our relationship is as good as ever!
  
• I have money to send my mom and step-dad a small Christmas package...small but from the heart.
• I am working hard at studying Chinese and love it!
• I have a nice boyfriend who has so far been just great!
• Although, this is not as much as I want, I AM getting out and seeing things and experiencing things...remember what I said...baby steps...
• I have money and I have neough to save!!! Even though, I intend on investing in things like a printer/scanner/copier in one, Adobe Photoshop Elements, cheap CD-player, laminator, etc. etc. and other things to help me settle here and be MORE COMFORTABLE...

In short: I have done something with my life and continue to work hard to keep that dream alive...as silly as that sounds...

I also bought a warm blanket because the nights do get chilly here and if you don't have a heater then a blanket is a good investment for these months. So when I bought the blanket, it came with a comforter cover and so I had a choice and they were ALL ugly so I chose the UGLIEST one, NOT only because it is Christmassy but because it WAS the ugliest!

I swear, this blanket reminds me of the tablecloth my Grandma B. used to have for Christmas...Those are Poinsettias, by the way.

Well, that's it for now. My feet are quite chilly even though they are in socks and fuzzy Ikea Slippers so that is my cue to go cuddle in my comfy comforter in its FUGLY comforter cover and fall asleep to the hypnotizing Christmas tree lights-which is what I used to do as a kid. The lights on the ceiling above the tree always reminded me of fireworks and would just sit there relaxed while soft Christmas music was taking me away to Sugar Plums, Nutcrackers and Dancing Snowflakes...