Author Archives: sevensevenfive

Several hours after I passed out in my dorm room after an afternoon trip to the Tsingtao Beer factory, I woke to a room littered with beer cans, whiskey bottles, bottle rockets and pizza boxes. It was my last night … Continue reading →

This week I faced an experience which I thought would be a nightmare and a dream which turned into a nightmare. I shall explain. A few of the TUSA students left early to go back to America this weekend. As … Continue reading →

How I measure a successful day here in Taiwan is very different than how I would measure one at home. At home, a small failure such as a long line at the post office or less than perfect service at … Continue reading →

A few days ago the Chinese lunar holiday called Ghost Month or gui yue began. I happen to be in a particularly religious section of Taiwan so this holiday is observed with some gusto. Ancestor worship, or at least reverence, … Continue reading →

Awhile back I wrote a post about the top ten things I miss about America. I thought all things being fair, I should write about the things I love about Taiwan. I haven’t been doing this country any justice with … Continue reading →

Apologies for a week without posting. I was extremely busy with school and then I came down with a baaaad case of Chiang Kai-Shek’s revenge, aka the stomach flu. I have been out of sorts as well, not really feeling … Continue reading →

I have to write a “journal” entry at the end of each week on the culture classes and lectures we have after Mandarin class. Last week we made dumplings and dough figurines, and these mindless tasks really made me consider … Continue reading →

Spent the day in Kenting yesterday. It’s a resort area two hours drive south from Pingtung City. All of us TUSA students ran into the ocean to swim on arrival and the water was as warm as a bath. Most … Continue reading →

Just about to open another Highball Whisky Cola from Japan (imagine: the convenience of whiskey and cola in a can!) Thought it was time to write about my weekend homestay with a Taiwanese family. I met the mother, Annie, and … Continue reading →

I have a lot to say about food here in the TDub. This is one of many entries to come. There are basically two levels of restaurant experiences to be had, much like in the US. The first kind, the … Continue reading →