Taiwan To Me: "Rude Awakening"...

and harsh reality, those are the words and phrases that come to mind when I think about the last couple of days being back in Taiwan. I had a blast in the states (more about that later) and arrived back here just 6 hours before I had to teach. I was able to sleep really well on the plane and was experimenting with some "No Jetlag" homeopathic pills I picked up at REI, so I felt o.k. when I got back to the apartment. After a three hour nap and the realization that my scooter wouldn't start, I drove my roommates bike to work, arriving just 20 minutes til class started. The first class was a party so it wasn't too strenuous, but by the time A7 came along at 4:20, I was not prepared for what happened. I was trying to teach them, and they were all just looking at me like they couldn't understand anything I was saying. I forgot how to talk to them. I forgot they don't understand English the way I speak it normally. After two short weeks, I had lost it. Well, I wasn't really in the mood to work too hard to get it back at that moment, so I just prayed that class would end quickly. It did, and I only had one class left, which was also a party, so I was o.k. As I was scootin' home, I was just thinking to myself, "Yea, this is Taiwan. This is where I live. I'm back and it's a harsh reality, a rude awakening!" It will take some getting used to again, but it will be o.k., I'm sure.

I know this is where I'm supposed to be, but as I keep saying it's still a challenge...every day, it's a challenge.

Today is Wednesday, I have four classes, and I don't even know if I've planned anything yet, so I've got to get going. I'll write more later this week and tell you all about my time off...and whatever else will inevitably happen the next few days before the weekend. Roll on the weekend!

Until next time,
LC from the TW

Here are some pictures of some of my good friends in San Francisco. I blogged about getting to meet Olivia before I left, so I wanted to show you what all the fuss was about. She's precious! Enjoy the photos.