4th month mark

Today was my day off but I had a lot of errands to do. Ok, more like shopping and spending more money. I wanted to get a haircut but I went to the hair salon too early and it was funny because when I went into one of the salons, I went to a couple, the workers were having a meeting so it was really embarrassing since I interrupted them but oh well. Since I was too early, I then went to the post office. This time, it was the main branch post office because I received a slip yesterday to pick up a package. I figured it was because I sent envelopes with the wrong addresses and they were returning them. Of course I got lost trying to find the post office but the interesting thing is that I have to pick up the package next door to the post office on the second floor. It was really creepy because there were no sign and it was dark and dungey. It was just an open space and it was really messy and I found the guy who I was supposed to talk to. Apparently I gave my friends the wrong address so I picked up my birthday gift from my friend but the good thing is that the guy has my number in case I will receive more "lost" packages.

When I was in the MRT, this African guy came in the subway and he looked at me and then said hello. I said hello and he asked me how I was. I asked him how did he know I could speak English since I was just standing there and he said because of my smile lol He was nice. His name is Benjamin and he was just doing errands and is from the Gambia. I was wearing the purse that I got from Michelle which is also from the Gambia so I thought that was cool lol

I then went to Taipei Main Station and shopped in the underground mall. I got harrassed again by a couple of guys but I now know just to ignore it and don't think that they actually want to talk to me or need help lol I was trying on these pair of jean shorts in a store and it was funny because there was no fitting room but she was covering this section with a clothing rack for me to change. I also realized how all the stores are the same and that I bought a shirt at one store that was cheaper at another store. Oh well..it wasn't a huge difference in price. Also, in one store they didn't have my shoe size but another branch store in a different section had it. It's crazy how they all have the same brand stores in one area but shopping is exhausting. In these little shops, they like to cram all the clothes that they can in small places. It's really tiring to look through them if you have the patience.

After my shopping spree of spending almost $30USD getting a shirt, a pair of jean shorts, black sandals, and leggings, I dropped my things off at my apartment and went to get my haircut. Ironically when I got there I saw my coworker/tutor who recommended the hair salon to me. She was with her sister (my coworker too) and I'm so glad she was there because she helped me talk to the hair stylist. I know how to say haircut in Chinese but I'm definitely not good with my hair terminology. I just trimmed my hair and bangs and refined my layers but I will admit, I definitely look more Taiwanese now lol The hair stylist was pretty blunt and told me I should have my bangs styled in a certain way lol It's interesting how different a Taiwanese hair stylist is to an American one. The Taiwanese hair stylist was more blunt, telling me things I should do to take care of my hair, and a funny side note, I was offered black tea or milk tea, not coke or water like in America.

Today is Cala's birthday and we ate at a Mexican restaurant. The people who work at the restaurant know how to speak English but I still tried to speak Chinese to them for some reason. I didn't really know what language I should use although both are ok. The portions were huge but it was good, not the best Mexican food ever but I've been craving chips and salsa and cheese. The picture above is some of the food and Cala's huge portion of fish tacos (second picture). Cala looks so small compared to her food lol I ordered a virgin strawberry daiquri and our waiter came to get my empty glass and I was afraid he was going to give me another one but luckily he didn't. It was just funny because I was waving at a waitress to explain to her about it but then I saw our other waiter come back and just stand there smiling.

It's my 4th month mark today. I'm getting used to the ways of life here and practicing my Chinese more. I'm definitely seeing myself become more assimilated with Taiwanese culture although I'm of course an American at heart. It's crazy to think I'm 1/3 way in!

-Chihchat