Busy March

So March has definitely been busy; getting into the routine of classes, actually having readings, papers, and studying to do-- all while trying to make the most out of our time here.  Last Friday, a group of us went to the Millennium Hot Springs in Beitou, which was about an hour and a half- two hour trip from the I-House.  For those who are unfamiliar with hot springs in Taipei, its basically groundwater that is heated by an inactive volcano and is arranged to form springs of varying temperatures up to about 115 degrees Fahrenheit.  We enjoyed the experience of the hot springs, although the water got to be ridiculously hot.  Afterwards, we stopped by the Shilin night market for some traditional street food for dinner.  Not having anything better to do, we watched Johnny English Reborn.  When the movie ended at around 11:45, we decided to run over to McDonald's to cure our late night munchies :].

 A cute display at the Xinbeitou MRT station.

 Super cool decorated train!!!

Oyster omelet with sweet and sour sauce.

 Heading home after a long day.

 What super-cool foreigners do on a Friday night :D.

Last Saturday was St. Patrick's Day, and to celebrate our non-Irish roots, we decided to go to an Irish pub called Carnegie's.  We ate some good food and just enjoyed the fun, Western atmosphere there. Afterwards, we came back to I-House, put on some music, and played Uno for a few hours in the TV room. *Disclaimer: While yes, I have been to bars and clubs with the other exchange students, I have not nor will I ever drink alcohol. They've been totally respectful of my beliefs and it hasn't stopped us from having a good time :]*

 At Carnegie's.

This past Tuesday, my Chinese opera class went on a field trip to watch excerpts from two Chinese operas.  Before the show, however, we were treated to a really cool Cirque-du-Soleil-esque acrobatics show. *Please excuse the blurriness... pictures weren't technically allowed but the usher told us that so long as the flash didn't go off, she wouldn't say anything :]*

  Wednesday night called for a few chick flicks with some pretty cool guys. We watched Something Borrowed and Shakespeare in Love. So cute!

From Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon, the internet in our rooms weren't working so we had to go downstairs to the lobby in order to access I-House's Wifi. Needless to say, by Friday evening, most of us were downstairs and on Facebook. I had a Skype interview for a position back at ISU at 2 PM Chicago time, which translated into 3 AM Taipei time.  Sooo, my wonderful friends helped me to stay up:

• Went to McDonald's for some ice cream and McFlurries to keep my sugar up.
• Played Uno for a good 1 1/2 hours
• Put on Battle Los Angeles to watch in between rounds
• The only other American girl, Sarah, told riddles to keep our minds awake

Finally, 3 AM came around, they went to bed and I had the interview. Crossing my fingers!!

After sleeping yesterday, a few people went to the Snake Alley to try eating snakes while Sarah and I tried to go shopping at Wufenpu which is apparently THE place to go for women's clothes. However, it was drizzling as we were leaving and we instead decided to stay in and watch the rest of Battle Los Angeles with some fruit and ice cream in hand.  Later that night, we went to a Vietnamese restaurant and enjoyed some traditional Vietnamese food.

Ban xiao, basically a pancake with various meats and bean sprouts inside which you stuff with lettuce and mint. Tasted pretty good.
Today, I went to church, caught up with the other YSAs, and stayed for the Relief Society 170th Birthday celebration. Oh my goodness, the food was de-lish and the message of "Blooming where you're planted" really hit home.  We were all given calla lillies and they are beautiful!

 Call it ghetto or creative, at least my "vases" are color coordinated! :]


Now, its just one last full week of classes before hitting up the Philippines next Wednesday! Definitely can't wait for this trip!