Oral Exam day

I had 3 oral exams today and it was an easy prep day since the students just had their oral exams but it was mentally exhausting to repeat the same questions and hear their answers. I also had to teach 2 classes besides my 3 classes of my oral exams. The worst is when you ask them a question and they have no idea how to answer it. You just wish they would figure out how to say the answer but they sit there and just look at you. Oh well...I know that it's hard to talk in a foreign language but today my brain definitely had a meltdown lol

-Chihchat

Stefano Langone eliminated from American Idol

I've been surprisingly obsessive watching American Idol, only because I've really grown to like Stefano Langone. I watched the auditions from time to time but it was the round of top 24 that I saw Stefano performed and I immediately liked him. Not just because his looks, yes he is extremely good looking, but also because he has a fantastic voice. From then on I faithfully watched every episode in hoping that Stefano wouldn't be eliminated and of course be the next American Idol.

The picture above is him performing "Lately", the first song I really got addicted listening to when he was in the top 13, after he was the wild card pick.

He's been in the bottom 3 many times; two of the times were shocking and I thought he was going home since it was a close call. The first time he was head to head with Casey Abrams and Casey did get voted off but the judges saved him. Then it was him against Pia Toscano, who many people thought was going to win the show since she has amazing vocals, but she also got eliminated. That elimination show was hard for me to watch since by that time I wish I was in America to vote every week. Also many people thought Stefano instead of Pia should have went home and there were so many people complaining how he is a bad singer and that he should go home.

Every week has been nerve-wracking since I didn't know if he would stay another week. Sadly tonight (technically yesterday in America) he finally got voted off. He was against Jacob Lusk and I thought Jacob would go home but it was Stefano. I was bummed of course but Stefano took it all so well. He really took it like a champ which is one of the things I most admire about him. He sang his song with smiles, gave everyone high fives, and danced around the stage. He has a good attitude, doesn't complain or blame anyone, and thought of this as another great opportunity, like the good ole saying "another door closes while another door opens."

I then checked out his goodbye video on Americanidol.com and in his interview he had a message to the fans and it made me feel so much better; I loved it. He told everyone to not be down about his elimination but to be happy since that's how he feels about the whole thing and that pretty soon we can enjoy his music. He did everything he wanted in the show, fulfilled all his goals, and now it's his time to do his own thing which is to make music/cds. As corny as this whole thing is, it really did make me happy to hear him say that. I know it's just a singing competition and I know Stefano will have a great chance to make it big in the music industry but I'm sad that I can't see him perform week by week or to see him get crowned as American Idol.

Oh well. Now I can look forward to listening to his own music, not be obsessed with American Idol by watching the show constantly, and not worry or lose sleep if he's going to make it to next week hahaha Wow..I had no idea I would get this addicted or how my obsession got to this point! :D

-Chihchat

Changing up the schedule

I usually meet my coworker to work on my Chinese on Fridays but because she has something to do tomorrow, we meet this afternoon. It's nice so tomorrow I have some free time. Then I have so many oral exams for my classes on Sat. which is awesome so I don't have to prep so much and not be tired teaching :)

My coworker and I finally got up the courage to speak to our kickboxing instructor to see if he can make another time for a kickboxing class or to do a private class. The only problem is that there isn't enough time at the gym and if we were to do a private class, we would have to find a place. Anyway he will tell his boss about trying to make another time for the class.

This morning I also went to the post office and I had no problems. Yay! :) Although tonight after the gym, my coworker and I went to get dinner at Shilin night market and the guy didn't understand what I was saying. I wanted oyster soup but they spoke Taiwanese so I think that's why he didn't understand.

The best thing ever is that I used to despise my Mon. night class because they were obnoxious and young but I'm finally getting used to them. They are actually improving and they are almost ending their level. It's crazy how far they have come and I actually don't dread teaching them now :)

-Chihchat

Growing up so quickly

One of my younger classes that I've had when I first came to Taiwan is now in K8, an upper level class since K classes go up to level K12. I can't believe already that they have reached K8 since I taught them at the end of K4. Each level lasts about 3 months so it makes sense that they are already up to K8 but it's pretty shocking. I feel like they have gotten older although only 10 months have passed. I'm just pretty sentimental since they are growing up quickly and already improving on their English :)

-Chihchat

Heat Rash

I went to the flora expo again but this time with my coworker. We went to all four sites and it was great weather as it was sunny and windy but the problem was I got major sunburn. I didn't realize it until I was itchy and scratching my skin. I saw that I started to get a rash and it hurt really badly! It's getting much warmer now since spring is approaching and I need to realize that it's easier for me to get a sunburn since I'm in Taipei. I'm glad though that I went to the flora expo twice and that I survived it. Pictures from the expo are above! The first picture is of me with one of the mascots (like the Shanghai Expo in China), my coworker and I with the popular head shot pictures, and some of the pretty gardens.

One interesting and weird thing that happened at the expo was when we asked a person, who is there to assist people, how to get the fourth site. The first thing he said was "Why are you going there?" We looked at him in puzzlement since obviously we wanted to go there to look at the exhibits. Then he said have you gone to the other two sites? He said they are much better and they are more things to see. I said yes and then he told us how to get to the site. It was pretty strange! It's like what I've experienced many times before and blogged about and that is Taiwan commentary. As I said before, Taiwanese people tend to be blunt and say what they think and sometimes you just wonder, why are you telling me your opinion and I don't care! lol

Another example of this "Taiwan commentary" is when I went to the expo yesterday morning by myself. I was at this flower maze and I asked this lady to take a picture of me. She then asked me if I wanted to take a picture with another background since the flowers weren't so bright. I go no, I want to take a picture of this since I like the colors. Her comment was very subtle but also really surprising. You don't expect it and then you wonder why they would say it lol I know they are being helpful but it's sometimes too much!

-Chihchat

Flora Expo...finally!

My aunt and uncle gave me two free day passes to go to the Flora Exposition that was opened in November. It ends next Mon. and I finally went this morning. I never had the time to go and I heard a lot of horror stories that the lines were too long and it was just crowded. There are four expo sites and I only went to two. I didn't go to any of the special exhibitions and I just walked around which took me about 1 1/2 hours. I'm going tomorrow to the other 2 spots with my coworker. Pictures are above. The flowers were pretty cool and at one site, they had areas which represented different countries. For the American site they showcased cowboy hats, Montana, and Idaho potato stuff animals. I thought it was pretty funny. The lines were outrageous though. People would wait for hours just to go into one of the special exhibitions. I'm glad I can finally say I went since I kept putting it off until now.

-Chihchat

Lazy/Rainy Day

This morning I got up early to do some errands and in my apartment I have no windows. My room has been pretty warm since I don't have any windows and if I wanted to see what the weather was like, I just need to go to the balcony which is through my other roommate's room but her doorknob has been broken and you need to climb through the window to unlock it lol Since I'm lazy and I had to get up early, I just decided to wing it and wear shorts and a shirt. I figured it would be nice and sunny since the past couple days it's been pretty hot. Was I WRONG!

I left the apartment and it was cloudy and a little drizzling but I was too lazy and tired to walk back to my apartment and change my clothes or get a umbrella. I also didn't bring a umbrella with me since I forgot but I wouldn't be out for too long. After awhile it started to downpour badly and I was soppy wet. It was pretty miserable and people were staring at me haha That's what I get for not looking at the weather but it's so inconstant in Taipei. At least I wasn't out for too long although my hair was dripping wet when I went home and I had to change clothes. I need to stop being so lazy!

-Chihchat