“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” - Saint Augustine

Monday, January 16, 2012

My Best Taiwan Friend

So, I have a really good friend here. Of course, I still have those three close friends that are in my actually classroom, but she isn't. She doesn't have an English name, so when I was Skyping some one from home they thought they heard me say "Ga Ga" like Lady Ga Ga, so her nick-name is now Sexy Ga Ga. But that is only when I Skype my friend, Brandi, from home. But, she likes it. 


We are both involved in the schools shooting team. I completely stink at the hand gun, but I have a real nice shot with the rifle. She is very, very good at the hand gun and completely stinks at the rifle. Above, is a picture of a target she shot a perfect 10 on. Then, she cut out I love U and signed it. I plan on keeping it for forever.

My best Taiwan friend. <3
She just made me the card yesterday, so I thought I would share. She is a very nice, caring, outgoing person. And she doesn't speak English. "How do you know what a language is, if you never had to learn one to make friends?" It's true. 

Friday, January 6, 2012

Family

So, in my last post I said love, happiness, and respect are three things people need to feel or know in life. I want to go ahead and add family to the list as well. It's completely mind blowing how people can shape our lives; for the good and worse. How people you just met can give you an unconditional amount of love and support. How miles cannot separate or affect a family's love. In Taiwan, family is taken seriously. Family members look after one another, love and respect each other. I haven't met a family that has not been happy. Every one is happy-go-lucky. 


On my exchange my heart has been touched by many, but the two that mean the most to me have touched my heart in a fatherly way. Unfortunately, I do not have a father figure or have had a father figure in my life. I do, have a step dad...but, we do not see eye to eye, nor do I think we ever will. It's sad, but it's true. We have different views of respect and that just doesn't fly over well with him. But, in Taiwan, I have these two amazing men in my life right now. I cry right now just thinking about how I have to leave. My first dad and my second dad. They are two amazing guys, let me tell ya. My first dad (I don't like saying "host dad" or "host mom" because they aren't just "hosts" to me...they really are and have become my second and third family) and I are close. Everyday before I got on the bus for school he would be there and I would say good bye and wave and he would just smile, blush, shake his head with a smile, and wave good bye. I loved helping in the coffee shop and always had a great time with my first family. My dad and I would laugh and always have smiles. The moment I knew he had my back was when I had a little bike accident my first couple months here. I scraped up my legs pretty bad and my hands. But when I rode home the first person that jump up was my dad and he hopped me on his scooter and took me to the doctor. Then, he held my hand when I cried because whatever they put on my cuts burned so bad. But he was there. And I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. 


can honestly say I have not felt sad or out of place. When I get back, something I want to do differently is give everyday my all. Make everyday as happy as I can. That sounds cheesy but, really, it is possible. Sure, events happen and can shape our day for the worst, but we must roll with the punches. I have been one of the happiest people on the world since I have lived in Taiwan. 


Annnnyywayyys, back to the dad factor. So, my first dad and I just had a bond and when he took me to my second family's house he told them "Take care of my daughter". Words I will never forget. That was the first time I have had that happen to me...That I can recall. I am still touched every time I think about it.


My second dad is a lot more easy going, but he is quiet. When we are sitting at the table eating dinner we watch T.V. and if he passes a show I want to see I always say "Ohh, pppaapppaaa," and he loves it. I say that a lot. Not just for T.V. but for everything. We play golf together and let me tell ya, he can play some good golf. Me, on the other hand, can't. But, when he hits the ball it just flies and I look at him and say "Oh! Paapppa!!" and he just smiles and blushes. But, tonight, we went to a wedding and had dinner. During dinner it is polite to go from table to table and say cheers. He and I went around and every time he introduced me he would smile at me and look at everyone else and say "This is my one and only daughter" again, I was touched. My second dad and I have a lot more time to bond and I like that. 


I am so happy and grateful that I had the opportunity to come to Taiwan, not only to learn Chinese, but to have the chance to actually know and be able to really feel a fathers love for a child. To have the chance to see how a family operates when you change the culture up a bit and add different customs. To be able to be a part of two families and to always have two families I can come home to in the future. To be able to feel the support of my family in America 10,000 miles away. To be able to see that a family's love is a universal language.