Hello friends and family!

I figured I would start a blog to keep those of you interested updated about my life abroad! For those of you who don't know, I'm currently serving as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Taichung, Taiwan. I'll be here for 11 months and am super pumped about this opportunity to explore, learn, and teach in a completely new environment. Right now, I have one month of training and then will officially start teaching in September.

So, I officially arrived in Taiwan August 1st, after having a really great time with my family in California and my friends back home in Lexington. Even as August 1st drew nearer, it was hard for me to really digest the fact that I would be spending almost an entire year abroad. And I've gotta say, even though I'm here now, it still feels a little surreal, sort of like I am taking a little vacation and am gonna head back to the US anytime soon.

But despite only being here for 4 days, I feel like we have done SO much already. And by "we," I mean the 8 other ETAs that will also be teaching in Taichung! They're sort of from all over the US and are really cool people! In the past few days, we have done logistical things like applying for our alien resident card, opening a bank account, and setting up our cell phone service. Luckily, the other ETAs and I have help from the equally wonderful Iris, the Taichung ETA coordinator, and Mari, a former ETA. They've helped make the transition to Taiwan go really smoothly!

Besides logistical stuff, we've also done a bit of exploring. On the second day, we went to the Eye Clinic, a really beautiful and majestic chocolate and ice cream shop. It seriously looked like a place in Hogwarts, with its tall ceilings and bookcases that extended from the floor to the ceiling. We waited for about 15-20 minutes for ice cream since the line was pretty intense. I ended up getting a scoop of mango and a scoop of tea flavored ice cream, in a waffle bowl topped with four different types of cookies. Needless to say, I think I went a little overboard, but it was definitely worth it and oh so needed to beat the Taiwanese heat.

Later that night, we also went to the night market, which I was really excited for. The night market is exactly what it sounds like -- a market at night. The streets were crammed with people, food stands, and vendors selling all types of stuff. Besides having to weave through people, we also had to watch out for scooters that zoom by. Scooters, by the way, are a pretty popular form of transportation here. Because I filled up on ice cream, I wasn't too hungry so I didn't get anything, but next time I definitely want to try papaya milk and stinky tofu! If you can't tell already, I live for food!

One of our first selfies!

Yesterday evening, we all decided to go hiking at Dakeng Scenic Area, located in a more rural area of Taichung. This was a nice change of pace, since we are currently staying in a more urban area of Taichung. Let me tell you, I have never sweat more in my entire life than while hiking up one of those mountains. The entire trail we took was a long series of what seemed like never ending stairs in order to reach a temple at the top. The stepmasters, combined with the hot humid air, really got me huffing and puffing. Pretty soon, I was drenched in sweat trailing behind all the other ETAs and being passed by elderly men in their 50s. But despite feeling like I would pass out, it was so worth it. It was such a beautiful area and the view from the top was incredible! Oh, not to mention all the adorable dogs we passed while hiking. One street vendor we passed on the way to the trail let us hold her puppies and they were the very cutest!!!!

Most of the ETAs and I, along with a nice family. 

The view from the top, as the sun was starting to set.

How can your heart not melt when you look at that face?! #proudmama

Anyways, I think that is probably enough writing and enough reading (if you've made it this far) for me to do today. I hope I didn't bore you to tears!

Good night!
Chia