We said goodbye to our live-in grandma, cook, babysitter, cleaning lady and companion yesterday. Today, Monday we are on our own, starting what are to hopefully become our routines around these parts for at least a little while.
Joe and Ellie were off to school this morning while Siri and I were off to figure out what we should be doing to stay productive and happy. The timing of Steve and Merrilee's visit was perfect! We are so thankful not only for that time for the girls (and us) to re-bond with them but also for us to get things figured out! For example, we learned lots about grocery shopping, we got LOTS of furniture, we baked lots of cookies, we started Ellie in school, Joey started school, we got a movie rental card, we got a new TV, we found the quickest way to the best bubble tea (AND I learned if you use your own bottle, you get 3NT off), and we even got cable (for 3 USD a month!). So needless to say, we seem to be getting acquainted.
Here is some of the cookie baking experiences:
And here is a list of a few taiwan frustrations of mine, just in case you were so curious:
1. COMMUNICATION! I can not stand being unable to communicate with the people around me! As a result, I'm quite motivated to learn Chinese NOW.
2. MILK: The milk situation here in taiwan is out of control! Apparently it's a newer thing for Chinese people to drink lots of milk, however thanks to Costco people drink it quite a bit nowadays. HOWEVER, one gallon of milk is not cheap, costing US$6.70 at Costco. And if you think that's a lot don't even bother going to a local grocery store where it is TWICE as much! Yep, you'd spend about US$12 for a gallon of milk! To make matters worse, Costco, where you can get it for "cheap" is 30 minutes away; Costco is obnoxiously crowded at all times; you can only buy 2 gallons of milk at a time if you only have a gold membership AND they RUN OUT because the demand is SOO high. So even if you did decide to take the 30 minute trip and withstand the crowds, you may not even get any milk at all!!
3. PARKING: I can not seem to understand what is legal with parking and well driving in general. There aren't parking lots so everyone just double parks right in front of the store, but sometimes it seems SO wrong I just can't seem to be confident in what is ok!
Ok. That is my rant, thank-you for listening.
So as to not end this post of a negative note, here are some more pictures!
This is Ellie in her other uniform that she wears on Wednesdays (the yellow shirt and blue shorts are worn on Mondays):
And these are just cute:
1 comment:
You are doing SO WELL coping with the many adjustments and challenges, Kim. I am impressed. Thinking of you and praying for you often. I am glad I could be there to personally experience some of your new way of life. You have many good things in place and I know God will use you as He has placed you there!
Post a Comment