Fancyman (Part 2)

Oh. Here it is again. Saturday. I didn't anticipate that week going so fast...even with the unfortunate incident of pink eye. We made grand plans of biking up to a beautiful lake this morning, taking a picnic, a good book, you know, relaxation material. We even went to the store last night and bought way more than we could carry home in my bicycle basket so we wouldn't need to go to the store today. But alas, when we woke up it was quite windy, and rain was on it's way. So I spent my morning reading that book in my bed, and then taking a two-hour nap that I didn't know was so desperately needed. In fact, I feel about ready for nap (part 2). But look who I get to spend time playing with each day:

Boyfriend

Between "Boyfriend," and The Hunger Games soundtrack, my other music is feeling left out. Sad day. But not really. My ears are in heaven.

Shadow Days

You may be wondering, "Is it possible to get Spring Fever even when you live in a place that has basically been spring for the last 4 months?" I am here to tell you, that it is indeed possible, and I have been suffering from such an illness this week. It also doesn't help that I have to suffer through everyone's pictures of Spring Break, the long awaited warmth in Utah, and the opening of City Creek (because when your mother practically raised you in Crossroads, that void was quite hard to fill for the last 10+ years). So to try to help with my down trodden thoughts, we went to Taipei on Saturday. Did it help? A little. Did we get some good pictures? Yes. Will I show them to you? Of course. 

Taipei is a beautiful city.

Flat Stanley came to visit. Now he's pro at posing for pictures. He learned from the best here in Taiwan.

The Streets

Last Saturday the woman we help teach with at the University took us up into Taroko National Park. It was beautiful. I couldn't get over it!

We drove through the winding roads, and even took some little hikes. 

Yes mom, that is the edge of the cliff that we were hiking along.

I can't wait to go back!

Lesson from Asia: #3

Do not simply try to kill the cockroach in the sink by spraying high-powered Raid at it. The intensity of the spray may cause the little creature to unexpectedly fly into the air, and then limp its way across the counter that it was just so conveniently blasted onto. But due to the limp from the previous shot, you will be able to spray to its death.

The One With the Dozen Lasagnas

 Sometimes the projects you do in class are just so cute you have to run and get your camera...

Crossing the Street?

• I hate when "going to bed early" suddenly (or not-so-suddenly) becomes "spend two hours writing ALL of your sister missionary friends." 
• I love when one of my best friends was supposed to leave the Missionary Training Center (that article is a little outdated, ok, 20+ years outdated, but it was the best explanation I could find) yesterday, but got kidney stones last week and has to stay an extra week, and is able to see one of me (what? am I Irish or something?) other best friends upon her entrance. 
• My best friend Heidi C. Christensen, now known to the world as Sister Christensen, left for her mission today. I am so proud of her, and can't wait for everything she is about to experience. 

All I Ask of You

Today we started off the week of learning about insect communities. I am teaching all about ants. Today we learned about their body parts, and how they are different from people's bodies. Then we made ants with play-dough. I also think I'm getting better at this whole teaching-children-thing. With the help of the Chinese teacher, we made up this song, on.the.spot., to help the kiddos remember the parts of an ant.

Sung to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, thorax, abdomen,
abdomen, abdomen.
Head, thorax, abdomen,
six legs,
antenna.

You better believe that I'm proud of this one. Hence the reason I am bragging about this via the world wide web.

Sounds Like Hallelujah

Ok. I think it is time to talk about this. I've fallen in love here in Taiwan. I've fallen in love with banana mango juice. Every night for dinner we go down the street to the night market. This night market is known for it's different fruit juices. Each one blended fresh right in front of you. A few weeks ago I tried the banana mango, and I think I've gotten one at the market every time since.

I'm obsessed. I seriously think about it all the time. Last night, when I walked up, the cute pregnant lady (my new best friend) just pointed to the big cup and than the smaller cup. It's like she knows me or something.

When we were in Kenting, I thought about it more than twice. I think that as we were watching the sunset I even said, "This would be a tiny bit more awesome if I had that banana mango juice to sip on."

What is going to happen when I leave? Do they have a rehabilitation center for that?

Also, I feel the need to explain that Wednesday was our 2 month mark of being here....not some anniversary of something else. Just to clear the air. Sorry I just made this post all awkward. To make it less awkward, I will now post of picture of the juice. And then I will probably throw on my rain jacket and go get my daily dose of heaven. I should also say that the picture was taken at the fried rice place, that we've hit up just as many times as the juice bar this week...meaning everyday. It's just so good.

Happy Birthday to Becca!

...and a Happy 2 Month Anniversary to us!

(do we fit in yet?)

Symposium

I don't normally do things like this, but seeing as I will do anything for Ashley... 

(and not to mention that I miss her a lot) 

...so, here it goes.

1. My three favorite things are chocolate milk, Harry Potter and Nutella. In that order.

2. I think to myself, "I love my life" at least 3x a day.

3. Uganda was the greatest thing to ever happen to me.

4. My favorite movie is Gidget.

5. I wish I was a Gilmore girl. The wit, the charm, the ability to speak fast, the list goes on.

6. I am currently livin' the dream, and I still can't get over it.

7. "Oh my heck, I love Seth Cohen." -said every single time he comes on screen. 

(Only watch The O.C. with me if you've already seen every episode)

8. I am a celebrity gossip junkie. It was a terrible day when Huffington Post took over Popeater.

9. Apparently I have a "type", as I've just recently discovered. 

10. I'm a little too obsessed with music.

11. I have a list of unacceptable proposals, which will be given to that special person when the time comes. 

Questions from Ashley:

1. What is your favorite thing to do on your day off? Currently I seem to spend that day off speaking to my family and anyone else who will answer their FaceTime. GIVE ME ENGLISH INTERACTION!

2. What is your main form of exercise? Exercise? What is this word?

3. What is your favorite clothing store? I can't even answer that. My current favorite item is from TJ Maxx.

4. If you could marry any celebrity who would it be? Adam Brody, I hear Seth Cohen was pretty much based off his life....and you all thought I was going to say Justin Bieber.

5. What is your dream job? Something that allows me to travel, and continue crossing things off that ever-growing bucket list.

6. How often do you do your chores? From the sight of my room, not often enough.

7. What is your worst habit? Probably said lack of chores.

8. What is your favorite holiday? Why? Cinco de Mayo, what other day can you wear a sombraro without being judged?

9. Eating out or at home? Depends if my mother is cooking, or me. If it's me, I'll see ya at Cafe Rio.

10. What is your dream vacation? Not just location... Too hard. Next Question.

11. What is your favorite sport to watch? To play? Soccer, the world's sport. The beautiful game. 

The Amazing Race

                                                                          Source: weheartit.com via Ellie on Pinterest

Happy 18th to Mr. Bieber. I may or may not have watched Never Say Never tonight to celebrate this blessed day...you'll never know.