Last weekend I went to a Taiwanese baseball game– the Brothers versus the Rhinos. Even though their team names sound kind of corny, Taiwan is actually very good at baseball. Between the two teams, there were players from the Blue Jays, the Dodgers, the Red Sox, and the Mariners. And to think my ticket was only … Continue reading
During our 10-days of training, which included lots of acting like 8-year olds for the sake of replicating a classroom setting, we also got to do a little bit of sight-seeing. We stopped by the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, where we got to see the changing of the guard. The whole ceremony lasted about 15 … Continue reading
Sorry for the fortnight of radio silence. (I actually had an appropriate scenario to use the word “fortnight” … that was at least 15 years in the making.) Training was long and intense– nine hours of lectures and little-kid songs every day for 10 days straight was exhausting and all I really felt like doing was … Continue reading
“Guess who’s back, back again?” -Slim Shady I know everyone has been anxiously awaiting the day Mandarin Allison would return, and much like the Canadian teen drama Degrassi, my blog has been picked up again for another season. Three years ago, I went to Taiwan with no expectations– you don’t know what you don’t know, so … Continue reading
The ratio of 7-Elevens to Americans is 100:1. Karaoke and board games are more popular than going to the bar. SCOOTERS EVERYWHERE. The only places you’ve ever been cold are on top of Alishan and under the air conditioning unit. You can’t understand why the Taiwanese dress as if they live in Antarctica. Blueberries, … Continue reading
Vehicles encountered during my time in Taiwan, the compilation— Hello Kitty car: Despicable Me 2 themed scooter: A cat van? Ice cream truck: Pink and purple pastel-colored cars: Cow themed scooter: Rainbow goose kiddie ride? Ancient Chinese opera mode of transport: Volkswagen hippie van? Finding Nemo van: Pink and white floral boat: Continue reading
I meant to write this post a long time ago, but I was emotionally and physically drained on the flight home, and then I was immediately thrust into RA responsibilities and the new semester once I got back, so I haven’t gotten around to it. But alas, here is the long awaited last day or … Continue reading
My last weekend in Taiwan: Sunday Context: We had an assignment in my English class to write a non-fiction narrative. I figured since I haven’t finished the Taiwan blog, might as well “kill two birds with one stone” and write about the trip! So there will be some contextual info in this piece, as well … Continue reading
My last weekend in Taiwan: Saturday Being our spontaneous selves, Tammy and I took a day trip to Sun Moon Lake on Saturday, and Phil and Sean joined in. There was some movie-style drama when we ran to make the train and the door whizzed shut (almost cutting me in half) while Sean was inside, … Continue reading
My last weekend in Taiwan: Friday Though Taiwan is an island (that is— the entire heat-ridden country is surrounded by water), you can’t swim at most of the beaches there. “Why?” you may ask. “That’s torturous,” you may think. Sure, many beaches are dangerous because of their strong tide and crashing waves, but then, Taiwanese … Continue reading
Mandarin Allison 