Taichung, Taiwan

So just for fun I taught my students the old elbow licking game, which is that you try to lick someone's elbow without them knowing. I showed them a video that my college classmates had made. At first they all tried to get me, but they only got me a couple times. The game had kind of died down, until yesterday! My students went on a field trip to a cookie factory, I was not present. But my students told me that one of my students had licked the tour guide's elbow!!! At first I was a little surprise but deep in my heart I am proud of him for being so brave and licking it with out him knowing! Huge brownie points for him! This is the video my classmates made: http://youtu.be/YXntc9UIpbo

I don't purposefully put myself into painful situations, actually I avoid them. However, it is inevitable. I was riding my bike on Tuesday on the normal circuit that I ride and there in the middle of the road was a dog that looked like Chance from some animal moving I watched when I was a kid. I moved out of his way but he moved the same way. We collided. I heard a yelp. I fell on my bike, but I immediately got up because I was in the middle the road. I shouted stupid dog! But that dog already ran away and I assessed myself. The concrete took the skin off my knees and elbows and the biked bruised me numerous places. The only person who saw this was an old lady peering out her door, perhaps it was her dog I probably just killed. Anyways, I got back on my bike which thankfully was not damaged and made my way back home, where I was of course taken straight to a doctor. The Taiwanese are hilarious when it comes to their health. At home it would have been stuck it up and rub some dirt o...

My teammate has started a YouTube channel which I will frequently be on since I am her one and only teammate. http://youtu.be/apH4ZdXnLGs

Courageous means to face something dangerous or scary without fear! I am reminded that in the Bible Joshua faced terrifying battles and obstacles. I know I have not faced anything half as hard, but I take comfort in knowing that if God can tell Joshua to be Strong and Courageous in all that he faced, then I must be strong and courageous in all that I face. Being scared limits you. How is God suppose to use someone who is too scared to share the gospel or stand up for what she believes in? So I must be Courageous! I want God to use me for His glory, but He can't if I am scared or cowardly. So if its trying new food, refusing to teach something that I don't believe in or sharing God's love; I must proceed courageously! " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

My hair is different from the people of Taiwan, but it's not like you ever see it because I keep it up in a bun or a ponytail like all the time because it is so HOT! That is my excuse to my boyfriend and mom who always say I don't let my hair down. But there are have been several awkward moments involving my hair. For example my teammate and I like to get our hair washed, the first time I didn't not appreciate or liked it. The next time the ladies were eagerly wanting to cut my hair by making scissor fingers. Then one time with Google translate I was asked exactly "How to organize hair?" I had no idea thankfully my teammate understood and they were asking if I wanted my hair straight or curly. But getting my hair washed feels like such a luxury, it only cost like 3-6 American dollars for that I can get a head and shoulder massage, my hair washed and then blown dry straight or curly. Then I just feel like singing "I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty,  w...

好久不見 ( how jo bu jian) which in English means long time no see. Upon returning to Taiwan for another I found this phrase very useful to know because almost everyone I know has said it to me. So this year I am teaching a plethora grades, I am not even sure which ones yet. However, I know I am teaching fifth grade again and first grade. I think I will enjoy teaching first grade because the first class, although exhausted at the end went very very well. I taught the ABC: apple, bear and cat and a story AND a song which we sang and did the motions to countless times. Later the same day I was getting my lunch and my first graders saw me and started shouting "Teacher Joanna" "Hello" with huge smiles. It had really only been a few hours since they last saw me, but their reaction was as if they hadn't seen me for a very long time. More to come...

How to beat the heat in a Taiwan summer is eating a lot of shaved ice! It is so delicious and refreshing no matter how it is prepared. However, fresh mango is my favorite.

Tea in Taiwan is kind of a big deal! Tea time is anytime you visit someone! So if you enter someone's house or school for the first time they will most definitely serve you tea. Old men especially love their tea time! The picture below is my Taiwanese grandpa and I having tea on a very very hot day. So it doesn't matter what the temperature is it is never too hot for tea. The usually serve green tea, oolong tea or black tea WITH NO SUGAR! I was scolded when I dared to put sugar in my tea. It is actually very refreshing after a long day of teaching if it is not too hot. Also if you are full and do not want anymore tea: do not drink all the tea in your cup because they will think that you are still thirsty. My principal at one of my schools gave me two tea cups with my Chinese name on them for tea times. 

Summer in Taiwan is probably the hottest time of year and hottest place in the world it feels like, especially since there is no air conditioning in the schools and we can only turn our air conditioning on in our dorms for 4 hours a day!! It is pretty ridiculous! I also got my boss to agree with me when she came to visit, now I am the hero in the office because they will have air conditioning installed in the office for next year. However, I will not be here, but I am happy for them. So besides it being EXTREMELY HOT, I am teaching camps. I co-teach two lessons a day about the character qualities determination and confidence, unless it is an office day. I also help out cleaning the school since the students only come for a day. I also serve lunch to the kids, it is kinda weird doing the jobs my students do at my schools. Camps are pretty fun, but most of the time they are just hot. I only have 5 more days of classes before I head home which makes me anxious every time I think about it....

Penghu is an island located on the west side of Taiwan. Penghu is beautiful and very hot! I spent about three days there exploring, swimming and snorkeling. I would strongly recommend visiting Penghu, Taiwan! I went to the rainbow bridge, the twin hearts and McDonald's because it taste better in Taiwan for some strange reason. However, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen so you do not get cooked by the sun. Also 7/11 and Family Mart have the best ice cream, I mean the most delicious perfect ice cream of all time.

Taiwan's summer is HOT!

Graduation speech for My AWESOME 6 th Graders First of all I just want to say I am so proud of you! Congratulations!!!! You did it! I am so happy for all of you and so proud of all your hard work! However, I am so sad because I will miss all you so much! I had fun teaching you, licking your elbows, eating lunch together, watching your faces as you tried my American candy and just laughing. I always left class happy! You all made my life bright and sunny! But now you are moving on to Junior High School! Think of your life as a book and you have just finished writing one huge chapter, but there so many more pages left to fill. Junior High School is the next chapter! When I was your age I was a terrible reader, a bad speller, very very very bad at math and honestly I just did not want to do my school work. But even though I was very bad at school my mother knew I was made to be so much more. See my mother had huge expectations for me. An expectation is the belief that somethin...

I got to experience a Taiwanese wedding. Oh wait no I didn't!!! Because in Taiwan only close family is allowed to go to the wedding. I was invited to the reception though. There are three receptions one for the Bride's family and friends, or more like the Father's friends. Another one is for the Groom's family and friends and then the last reception is for the Groom's and Bride's friends. I found this strange because in the States wedding reception is for the new united family and friends to celebrate this new marriage. Anyways the reception was held at a famous seafood restaurant which looked like it was made purposefully for wedding receptions. The meal was about 10 courses of seafood. However, the only seafood I can stand to eat is shrimp, so I was grinning and swallowing a lot of it trying not to let the taste get to me. However, the Jumbo Shrimp was amazing! Besides the food the only other thing that really happened is that the Bride and the Groom, with the...

Although I am not from Taiwan, I am no longer a stranger to my town. Reasons I am no longer a stranger to Dajia: 1. Everyone who works at Starbucks is on a first name bases with me and know what I order. 2. I can successfully get around town on my own without getting lost. 3. I can understand when people are talking bout me in Chinese because I know the words "she does not understand" "American" "teacher" 4. I am now up to date with school politics and drama between teachers and parents, which I was at first gladly blind to. 5. I also have made connections and got a job tutoring kids. 6. And I made friends, that are not associated with school :) However, this does not mean that I am free from challenges. Everyday has a new challenge, pray that God gives me the strength to rise and conquer each day! The devil is very alive here and is worshiped in almost home. Pray that the light of Jesus will shine through the darkness. "I have revealed and sa...

The phrase "a child can melt a heart of stone" is true, but a child can also twist and break the heart of a teacher. As a teacher or a person we always prejudge people before we get know them and place them in categories like trouble makers, over achievers, teachers' pets, passive students and go with flow kids. So at first I subconsciously placed all my students into some sort of category. However, this is not a good habit, because it limits the expectations you have for the students. If you expect them to be trouble and then all you will ever choose to see is the trouble they cause. So God has taken me and still is taking me on a roller coaster of emotions as he opens my eyes to who these students really are. For example I have one student in second grade who at first is nothing but trouble. She flipped me off and consistently called me pig. She is a student that keeps me wake at night praying . Well my prays have been answered. The teacher made her apologize to me and ...

Taiwan is not a great or popular country, because of the food, whether, scenery, or location. Taiwan is an amazing country because of the people that live here. I found that although sometimes I don't like the food or the whether or something rather, I have never not liked the people. Although they don't call honey or say yall, they have similar characteristics of folks from the South which makes me feel like this is home. The people here are always willing to help you out whenever they can. Also generosity and hospitality rain down on me. So many teachers and students have given me food and have taken me out to eat. Plus, I have been to countless times to houses and offices to have tea and conversant. I love these people because of the wonderful characteristics that they possess. However, almost every single Taiwanese person I have met outside of church is not saved. The devil is so real and worshiped here that it is scary, and sometimes I find myself praying simply for protec...

Most of my adventures so far involve biking in some way or another. For example there has only one time I thought I was going to pass out and that was after biking like 80km. But thankfully, we stopped and had ice cream which made me feel much better. Also, I am not sure I wrote about my experience getting chased but three very large dogs that almost chased me straight to my death in front of a bus. Thankfully, I made a quick sharp turn and my life was spared. I have almost met the most interesting people biking, okay well not while biking, but after biking. After every bike ride it is I guess tradition to sit for a couple hours drinking hot tea and eating peanuts. I am truly blown away by how much hot tea these people drink. They are like little girls hooked on tea parties, but in reality this so much better and healthier than American's habits. Well these are just some of my thoughts and adventures about Taiwan. I hope to break 100km on my next bike ride! I will keep yall updated...

I just have to write about my local Starbucks because it is an enchanting place. I have gotten buy one get one free like three times which is always super confusing because I swear I only ordered one drink but they always give me two. The workers have also tried to get me to download the app that will also let me buy one and get one free. The workers are seriously the nicest people! A couple of workers remember my name, but one time I just said my name was Jo because I know that's easier to write than Joanna. However, in Chinese Jo is the word for number nine so they all thought this was hilarious. Also in the States I am truely irritated by children in Starbucks but here I got to play with a little random boy next to me and he touched my heart. I felt like the Grinch of Starbucks. So children in Starbucks is totally okay with me.

There is upcoming English Seminar and one of my topics I decided will be about rodeos. I am so excited because rodeos are one of my favorite things to go an watch on a Friday night. I mean why go see a movie, when you could go to a rodeo? I am so excited to explain bull riding and roping to the Taiwanese people!

Biking is my new favorite exercise! Last weekend I went on a bike ride for about 40 km. It was really fun especially when I was biking next to a stream going down hill, it was like the water and I were racing down hill. However, going over a very long bridge my bike tire popped! So I had to walk my bike off the bridge. On my way to the other side I got wave to by other bikers and one old man offered me his bike I think. I was biking with my director so he had his son bring me another bike, while mine was taken to get fixed. So the biking party consisted of my director, two older men and I. One of the older men was 78 years old! He was actually in the lead most of the bike ride! He is my new idol, I hope I can be as athletic as him when I am 78.

Life in Da An has proven to be an adventure, because I have several bruises, a stomach ache from the food, I climbed a mountain, I've gotten lost and I got chased down by a dog. I am excited to see what the rest of year holds for me! Teaching is a joy and blessing I even like my least favorite class. The Taiwanese students have the same attitudes that Americans do. I have my teachers' pets, trouble makers, the smart kids, the jocks and that one kid that will keeping you praying everyday. I love my students and most of them are excited to have me as their teacher, which is a pretty awesome feeling. But of course I like to think that all my students I've ever had have thought that.  However, on the downside I have only felt this homesick once before in sophomore year of college, being out of my southern comfort zone was awful. I am having that same experience! No accents, football games, Florida sunshine, firehouse subs, Taco Bell, People from different races, Mountain Dew, e...

Food I have eaten some VERY interesting types of food. In Taiwan they have what is called a meatball, okay you are probably thinking YUM spaghetti and meatballs! Yeah No! These are the texture of cat food and it comes in pork and fish and I personally do not like them. Also they eat seaweed with a lot of things or just as a snack and it's not too shabby. Foods I do like is a breakfast food dan bing it is basically a tortilla with scrambled egg and whatever else you want and then either hot sauce or soy sauce. I pick the hot sauce. ;)

I have to post about toilets because I believe it is important since we all visit them once a day. First of all the pipes in Taiwan are smaller, resulting in toilet paper getting stuck and clogging the pipes. So toilet paper must be thrown in the trash can. Toilet paper is also does not come in pretty little rolls, but in packs like Kleenex boxes.  However, not all toilets are Western toilets but instead a hole in the ground: squat pots! I know this sounds interesting and funny but it is a challenge because I am relearning something that I learned when I was 2. Today, I used a toilet that had a heated toilet seat, which inspired this post. At that moment I thought it necessary to share about my adventures with the toilets.

Today, I was introduced to my students and they all told me their English names. I have some students with strange names such as: Mini, Mars, and Rain. But they are so adorable and they are SHY!!!!! They are very shy about speaking in English and hopefully I will be able to break them of that. My first challenge to conquer!

First day in Taiwan was very long starting at 2 in the morning and ending at 9 at night, needless to say I had a lot of caffeine. What struck me about Taiwan is that buildings are decorated with tiles and also every Taiwanese person will say hello in English and then laugh like it is a joke. Also I think the amount of squid people consume here is kind of gross, but maybe that's because I don't like seafood.  I will post more later.

Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. I pray and I hope you will also pray that I will let my light shine before the people of Taichung and that they will see Jesus in me. This picture below is the city of Taichung, where I will be going and teaching English. I hope that I will not become just another person in this busy city but salt and light to this city.