India

Well, I'm currently trying to book a flight to Calcutta, my old friend Willard is getting married there and I'm pretty excited about the opportunity to go and see it. Finding a decent travel agent who speaks english is somewhat less exciting. The one I'm trying to work with was kind of rude and not helpful the last time I worked with them - this time they're just slow to respond to my questions. I'm going to have to get lots of shots, too, which I'm really looking forward to. Actually being there should be pretty interesting, if I ever make it.

Other than that, not too much is new. As the weather turns cold and rainy, my omnipresent cold is returning. I am still lifting weights three times a week, which makes me feel a bit better. My airconditioner is now off, so the power bill should be a lot smaller. Chinese class has finally reached the chapter I was at when I took a break in June (I really needed the review) and continues to be challenging. My major weakness is listening and understanding what people say. My hearing isn't that great to begin with - even in english I say "what?" way too much. I want an ear horn so I can say "speak up sonny!" with more conviction. Throw in a few Chinese words I don't know and whole sentences become incomprehensible to me. I'm trying to watch more Chinese movies and practice, but they speak so damn fast. And even if I catch the sound and the tone, Chinese has plenty of homonyms. People (chinese teachers and such) will tell you that Chinese grammar is easy, and I guess it's easier than french or english, but it's different from what I'm used to so I still make plenty of errors. On Monday we have a listening test - the last one we had I got a 39 on, and I was about average for the class, with many students doing less well. Frustrating.

back again

I know that there has been a long delay - I moved and it took a while to get myself set up. My new place is outside of keelung up in the mountains and cleaner air. I'm also closer to jiu fen, the mountain town with beautiful views and teahouses. It's been an expensive move, but I know have a computer that can actually access all websites (!) and my own air conditioner(!!). The place is cleaner, newer, a little bit smaller, and slightly cheaper. We are within walking distance of a mega mart, kind of like a taiwanese walmart without all of the negative connotations (that I know of). I'm pretty happy to be here. I'm also fully back into chinese class, which is good. Work continues along, though I should be getting a raise fairly soon. Today I picked up the results of my yearly medical - I'm sure that everyone will be happy to hear that I'm free of HIV, syphyllis, and tuberculosis. Yay me!