2010
01.21

This has been sitting on my phone for the past few weeks, and I can’t believe I’d almost forgotten about it. Yes, this is an actual English slang textbook. While the section on the usage of the word “fuck” is probably the best, the rest is also hysterical.

2010
01.19

Checking in

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve updated this site, but writing has been at the bottom of my priority list for the past month or two. I got back from the States a week and a half ago, and have been relatively busy ever since. First and foremost, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do about my Visa situation. As many of you already know, I am no longer teaching, which means that I am on a regular 60 day visitor Visa for the time being. The good news is that it can be extended for up to 5 years, provided I make a short trip out of the country every 60 days. While I briefly considered changing it into a Student Visa by enrolling in Chinese courses at Chung Hua University, the 40,000 NT a semester price tag didn’t seem worth it. Perhaps I’ll reconsider that option closer to the Fall semester, but right now, I just want to focus on settling down a bit more permanently in Hsinchu. This brings me to my second issue….finding a new apartment.

As of this week, I am officially in the market for a new place to live. The fact that I’m now working from home means that my 5 pings of living space is becoming incredibly claustrophobic. I also have an ongoing desire to have my own kitchen. Of course, the icing on the proverbial cake is the fact that listening to the near-constant noise from the two kindergartens next door is beginning to test my sanity. In fact, as I write this, I am being bombarded by the symphonic sounds of screeching children. Le sigh.

Aside from that, life is good. I’ve been working out regularly since I returned to Taiwan and have caught up on some much neglected reading. I’m also looking forward to my two major trips this year: Chinese New Year in Thailand and a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich this fall.

Till next time!
-Rachael

2010
01.01

So, all of my friends have been discussing their New Year’s Resolutions for the past week, and I thought I’d better make an attempt to jump on the bandwagon. Thus, I’ve compiled a list of my own resolutions for your reading pleasure.

1. Start working out again. I used to be very athletic, but life intervened, and I haven’t found the time to work out/play sports in months. Maybe I’ll join a roller hockey team, or just continue to go hiking on the weekends. Even yoga would be better than nothing.

2. Find some sort of geographical home. Okay, so maybe this will take more than a year, but I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m sick of moving every 6-12 months. It’s time I actually settled down and *gasp* bought a couch and a TV. Maybe even a dog.

3. Continue working towards my goal of self-employment. Honestly, this one isn’t that difficult, since the alternative of a stable 9-5 position is tantamount to brain death for me.