my new apartment and other interesting tidbits

i know that i haven't been writing nearly as much as i should to keep the masses intrigued. this will change now that i'm actually settled into my new house and my job. signs that my house is in taiwan? let me tell you:

1. Inside my new home, you will find a Hello Kitty pencil case, a pink and leopard-print duvet and a rice mat that I am sleeping on. Also, a very cool cellphone that is completely beyond my grasp to handle as 90% of the commands are in Chinese characters. There is also a pomello, which according to all sources is fruit's answer to ex-lax. i will let you know about that one later.

2. My bathroom seems normal to the Westerner's eye until you notice: no bathtub and no shower. Hmm? you say. Then you notice that there is actually a shower hose and tap - but no stall. That's right - my bathroom is my shower. it's pretty cool actually. i get to wear shoes in the shower and it keeps the bathroom from getting really crowded with crap. i'm actually kind of into it, to be honest. i think it also save me some cleaning time which is appreciated.

3. The 'table' is my suitcase with a blanket on it, the closet is a rack like you see at clearance sales in retail stores. and i love it all.

anyway...i start teaching on monday, i have developed a love of bubble tea (or as they sometimes call it here, pearl milk tea), my work is right beside a huge buddhist temple so every restaurant on that street is vegetarian and i am still loving it here. i finally learned how to say i'm sorry, i don't speak chinese. at least i think that's what i'm saying...soon i will be able to learn if the teenagers on the subway are actually laughing at me or if it just seems like they are.

zai jian!