"The ground in Taiwan is sticky"

I've done it!! I finally found my "car" in Taiwan!!

I've always wanted a Jeep and by "always" I mean over the past 5 or so years. (I needed this disclaimer because I can already hear my mom saying that this isn't true, that the car I've always wanted is a red mustang convertible...I had pretty lofty dreams as a kid.). Now I just need to learn Chinese enough to buy it (just kidding, but how cool would that be!)

Yes, I did say that I found my Jeep in Taiwan which means that I am still in Taiwan.  We are still playing the waiting game with our Visas and approval from the government over there.  As much as I would like to settle in to the place where I will be for the remainder of the year, I am glad to be Taiwan longer. 

If you missed Father's Day back in June, have no fear!  You can redeem yourself because Father's Day in China and Taiwan is August 8th.  Here's why: 
    -  the number 8 in Chinese is ba
    -  August 8th (8-8) is ba ba
    -  ba ba is the word for daddy
So Happy Father's Day on August 8th!!

In the two weeks since I wrote last: 

1. Some of the other teachers and I played volleyball with some Taiwanese people at the high school near school.  
2. I went on a Costco trip(Yes, Costco has made it to Taiwan!).
3. I had dumplings at a restaurant where Tom Cruise has been.
4. Watched a puppet show being put on in the street.
5. I have written tons of postcards!  Not all of them are sent yet, so don't despair!  Also, if you would like a postcard from my travels this year, email me your address.  I won't promise anything more than you'll get one before I come back home if you send me your address.
6. I went on a weekend trip to the beach in Kenting.  It was a great mix of crazy, relaxing, and fun.  We got invited to use the facilities at a resort, one that we were not staying at so they could take a picture of us to look like a "foreigners paradise."  We also got tattoos...and they match. There was a Taiwanese guy on the beach in a Cowboy Hat!! It was also fun to see everyone genuinely enjoying themselves. The Taiwanese people were so happy and content to just play in the waves. It was so fun to watch. Pictures are at the bottom.

Over the past two weeks, I've said goodbye to some pretty great people that I was only just getting to know.  They taught me a lot in the short month that I was able to spend with them. They not only showed me around Taichung, took me from place to place, taught me useful words or phrases in Chinese but also made it possible for me to eat some days! Haha They shared their travel and teaching experiences, as well as their friendship with all of us daily.  For that I am so thankful.  One even said that the reason it was so hard to leave was because "the ground in Taiwan is sticky."  I've only been here a month (technically 5 weeks now), but I can already feel the ground getting stickier each day.

All of the adventures that I am going on and will go on, as great as they are, make me very grateful of home.  As I go on and plan for trips, I remember all of the amazing places and people that await when I come home. There are so many amazing places right in my backyard that I have taken for granted for so long. I've not only began a MUST SEE/DO list for Asia and the rest of the world, but also for the USA.  Some of those include, but are not limited to:

• Drive from across Route 66 start (Chicago) to end (Santa Monica)
• Revisit the Grand Canyon
• Finish the items in Josh Abbott's song "My Texas" that I have not done
• Take the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle
• See the Northern Lights in Alaska
• Two-step (anywhere really.  I'm not picky)
• Polkafest.  Nothing makes you appreciate your heritage and your home like being away.  

Here are all the pictures!  I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading! 

Love, Jodi

Beautiful DOUBLE rainbow and view from my apartment

COSTCO!!

Best dumplings...well Asian dumplings.  I can't count my grandma's out.

Tom Cruise thought they were pretty good too!

Puppet show randomly set up in the street

Erin, Brittany, and Steph on the way to Kenting

Random building in the middle of the road

Quite possibly the best burger I've had in a while.  Maybe it has something to do with the presentation...

Lead singer of a band we sang along with Friday night

Our matching tattoos.  Yes, they are koalas.  Yes, they are real, but will only last a week.

I should have become his friend!