Dear World, Meet Eddie

Maybe it is the lack of white males here in Taiwan, but we were definitely super lovin' on this model for Burberry in the Taipei 101 mall this past week. As you can see, pictures were taken, and I'll admit that they may be currently used as phone backgrounds, or as something that is viewed often.

Later that day while walking back to our hostel I saw a poster for The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary concert DVD coming out soon. So of course, as is bound to happen with a group of 20-something year-old ladies, we started talking about Les Miserables. We talked about Nick Jonas, and Alfie Boe, how we were ok with Hugh Jackman in the movie, and how Taylor Swift would rise to the occasion if she is cast. And then we were at the hostel and ready for a nap.

A few mornings later I was laying in bed, and I began to wonder if they had actually cast T-Swift or not. Thank goodness for IMDB, I looked that one up real quick. As of now, she has not been cast yet, but the actor for Marius has. And who does it happen to be? None other than our favorite Burberry model! I couldn't even believe it, I hopped out of bed and ran across the hostel to the other room to tell all...and they couldn't believe it either. Their reactions were better than I could have hoped for. There was much rejoicing.

I am writing this post (I was voted best blogger) to announce to the world that we were some of the first to discover Eddie Redmayne. Ok, first meaning after the Burberry people (obviously) and the casting director, and the casting director of My Week with Marylin, and probably most people in Britain. But none-the-less, we have found our dear Eddie. We even decided that this event was blessed enough that we have to gather once again to see the film upon its release. And we sure loved this little surprise here in Asia.

-M Team, OUT!

Bad Kids

Oh what a magical week. I forgot that I live here in Taiwan. It felt like vacation. On Wednesday morning we took a train up to Taipei to meet up with, well, actually meet some girls I had been introduced to via Facebook and other friends we all know. We were very lucky because the tickets some random man sold us got in 5 minutes before the others. Everything went so perfectly and smoothly. I know I've traveled a lot, but anything that could cause possible drama (such as getting lost and never finding the other girls, because they are phone-less) gives me so much stress. But everything was awesome. Our little trip consisted of walking, eating, laughing, and shopping, over and over again. After everything I consumed this week I was shocked to find myself hungry this morning. Last night as Ashley and I were biking home from the train station I told her that I would probably never eat again. I  loved Taipei, but I was more than pleased to return to our little Hualien. I overheard Ashley telling her mom today that there are 23 million people in Taiwan, and like 21 million of them were in Taipei this weekend. She speaks the truth!

I think I like Chinese New Year more than normal New Years. Yep. I do.

Sometimes Chinese New Year makes you think you're in a war zone.

Ain't That Peculiar

This may not be the best picture, but I can't stop looking at it. It makes my heart happy.

It finally happened. It happened as I sat at a large table filled with food I wasn't all that into, being embarrassed completely by the Elders, and being forced into eating that food I did not want to eat...

I love it here. My catchphrase of the past few months returned tonight, "I am so happy!"

It may have taken two weeks, one day, my luggage getting here 4 days later than myself, a bout of sickness with some Chinese drugs, giant bugs in our cupboards, crying in the middle of teaching a class, eating squid and giant shrimp, and riding my stupid bike in the rain for like two hours, but it happened.

And all I have to say is: it sure took long enough!

Happy Chinese New Year's Eve!!

(maybe the fireworks will stop soon so I can sleep...but I doubt it.)

This picture is for my mother. She might not believe me otherwise.