A trip to the Philippines, a Chinese opera, and the beginning of the end

These past few weeks have been quite exhausting.  We had a four day weekend this past week to celebrate NCCU's birthday, which we international students took as an opportunity to leave and travel haha.  So, I took a small group of friends- Sarah, Jennifer and Makra- to the Philippines where we spent 3 days with family.  After they selflessly picked us up from the airport at 4 AM, we went back to my aunt's house where we were supposed to take a short nap and wake up early to start the day.  After waking up at 11, they dropped me off at my maternal uncle's house where I spent the next few hours with my cousins and great-aunt.  That night, I was picked up and we had dinner at Mesa, a delicious Filipino restaurant.  

*Disclaimer: I got very lazy when it came to taking pictures so the majority of the following pictures are either Sarah's or my Ate Sheryl's.*

 You can just see the excitement all over my face :]

 

 Eating halo-halo with Mommy Trining

Mmmmm.. my favorite. Jollibee's Spaghetti Joy :]

The next day, we went to an indoor market where they were selling cheap clothes, souvenirs, shoes, etc.  We all ended up buying something, mostly T-shirts, Philippines souvenirs and a head massager for Sarah haha.  Then we came back to their house and got ready to go to a hot spring for the night.  We arrived, swam, played with Prime, sing some karaoke and then went night swimming.  We raced, played Marco Polo (it was more like one person saying Marco and no one answering haha) and took turns standing in the middle of the circle while getting water splashed on you from all sides. So much fun.

 We then headed back to the house where we all took a nap and then started saying our goodbyes.  We took pictures and I said goodbye to my cousins who weren't able to come with us to the airport.  To pass some time, we went to SM Mall of Asia and shopped around before dinner.  After yummy Pizza Hut, we were driven to the airport where I said goodbye to the rest of my relatives.  I'm so grateful and blessed to have such hospitable and generous family who never hesitate to take in me and my friends even after so much time.  

 With the boys :]

 With the girls + sleeping Prime.

 My beautiful Lola.

 Awesome travel buddies: Makra, Sarah, and Jennifer

 Pretty much shows that we really are cousins.

About 9 hours after getting back from the Philippines, I had to leave for the theater for my Chinese opera debut.  I'm enrolled in a course entitled, Journey into the World of Chinese Opera, to fulfill my Fine Arts credit back home.  For this class, we learned about the history and symbolism behind Chinese Opera and our grades pretty much consist of a few reflections about operas that we saw as a class, a final that I'll perform on Tuesday with Kevin, and a participation in a formal Chinese Opera performance in commemoration of the University's birthday.  My part was a royal maid, and although I had no speaking parts, the choreography was quite difficult (especially compared to the boys, who were soldiers and pretty much just walked on then walked off stage). What made the process even more challenging was that our instructors primarily spoke Chinese, so I had to watch what the other girls were doing to understand my part.  All in all though, the show was fun, the costumes and makeup were beautiful, and it's one less class that I have to worry about!
 *Thanks to Jim, Kevin, and the choreographer for taking pictures of me getting ready and during the show!*

 Getting my makeup done.

 Gettin' my hurr did :]

With Salinna, such a huge help since I didn't understand what the instructors were saying.

 I'm the 2nd royal maid on the left side.

 With some messengers, a soldier, and an adoring fan haha.

 With my buddy, Yu-Hsuan, who came out to support us! :]

 The boys during their opera

 Fun off-stage!

Wednesday was the official Goodbye party for the international students and it was definitely bittersweet.  In my honest opinion, the program was pretty cheesy but was saved by some awesome performances from the Russian dance group, Tae Kwon Do club, and Fencing club.  I also sat next to some entertaining people :]

 Americans got swag.

 With Melody and Madi

 She's easily become one of my best friends throughout this experience :]

  Such a fun group :]

 Silly Madi...

 Exchange student representatives. (Below) Emmaida and Kevin after giving their heartfelt farewell speeches

 With Emmaida.

 With Sarah (the only other American girl at I-House)

 NCCU Cheerleaders

 Russian Dance Club at NCCU

 Whatever this was, it was intense.

 Tae Kwon Do

 Friends forever! :]

So in exactly 1 month from now, I'll be heading home to the good 'ole U.S. of A. And while I'm excited to see my family and friends back home, it also makes me sad to think that my adventures in Taiwan for the semester are coming to an end. Coming together with people of so many different cultures from various countries, yet still managing to find more common ground than differences has been a mind-opening experience.  Somehow, the world feels a lot smaller knowing that people from all over the world can come together for a fun night of UNO, travel in and out of Taiwan, listen to 90's hits and create our own inside jokes.  So for now, I'm going to make the most out of this last month and keep in mind how blessed I've been to have had this opportunity that most people never even dream of experiencing.