ode to lovely

happy halloween!

absence not due to coolness

Oh my it's Friday. And October is over in 2 days. And my thesis is only at the page 2o mark. And my advisor is angering the hell out of me. And I only worked out twice this week. But it's ok, because it's FRIDAY.

And today I am so happy about the following:

• I have an awesome Halloween costume for tomorrow night
• I have amazing friends who make me laugh like no other
• I slept in TWICE this week.
• I can see my calf muslces are coming back.
• I received an AWESOME scrappy package!!
• new scooting music on my ipod
• Sarah's encouraging text messages
• the stallion comes back today
• that i've had another happy week in taipei
• that i spilled my 珍珠奶茶 and how the 珍珠 went flying all over the floor because it made me laugh at (and appreciate) my funny life.

not much to say

The weekends always seem to go by too fast. This weekend was especially quick. Saturday was by far my favorite day. I spent the entire afternoon in Snake Alley taking pictures with my Nikon, followed by a night of free drinks and latin music (which is the equation for perfection in my book). I spent Sunday hanging around the house, hanging out with friends, and just mentally preparing for the final week of October. I need to get a Halloween cosutme, new contacts, and some more pages done on my thesis. But besides that, this week is going to be pretty boring and lame. So not much to say today.

an inspired life

I've been feeling discouraged lately, mostly because of my thesis. It's quite a daunting task and with the weather being as rainy as it has been for the last 4 days, all I want to do is lie in bed watching bad tv. I honestly hate how much of my creativy this thesis is taking from me (and how mundane my life has become without the fun of spontaneity).

And so today I went on an internet search to feel inspired. And then it made me think of all the things that I want to do, especially the things I said I would do and have not yet done. On the top of my list, is learning how to make videos on iMovie, taking more pictures with my Nikon that is currently burried under dust (no joke), and to dance and be more carefree again. Not only do I want to dance, but I want to take videos of said dancing and then make videos on iMovie. Perfect plan...yeah i think so!

Other random thoughts for Friday:

• I missed the stallion at precisesly 12:38pm and 3:06pm today
• I love cooking at home, even if its the same 4-5 meals
• I'm finally reading Hunger Games, are you proud Lauren?
• I have a million nickames, my current favorite is Monkey
• I need a halloween costume, but don't want to pay $50 for one
• I also want a new phone, but don't want to pay $300
• I think an inspired life is a happy life

today's theme: Taiwan

I want:

• To study Chinese more, at least 1 hour per day.
• A Taiwanese boyfriend to make the studying more fun
• To post about my adventures in Taiwan more.
• To post what life is like for foreigners in Taiwan.
• To get to a point where I am happy with my Chinese speaking abilities.
• To start seeing more of Taiwan, especially the hidden places
• To learn more Chinese songs, for both Chinese  and KTV purposes.
• To love Taiwan again, to feel its magic, to enjoy its possibilities.

it's just you and me sunday

I should be at school doing work right now, but I'm not. Instead, I'm spending some quality alone time with myself. I don't really feel like seeing anyone and that's ok. But even though I'm all alone, it's so nice to know that there are people out there, all around the world, who truly care about me. And just to know that is such an amazing feeling. I am so thankful. Onto today's listy list:

listening: to the sounds of my neighborhood
eating: chicken and veggies wrap
drinking: grapefruit green tea
wearing: redbull tank top and boy-shorts
feeling: peaceful, content, yet somehow worried
weather: cloudy and perfect
wanting: to know if my crazy ideas could truly work out
needing: some answers to my health problems
thinking: about how my hair feels thinner
enjoying: the sight of the paper i picked up in Korea over a year ago, finally being put to good use

and then he called me crazy

Lessons learned from today:

• I will never go to a male gynecologist again.
• "Cultural differences" is never an excuse to be rude.
• If you offend me, I will yell at you.
• Forgiving is easy, forgetting is incredibly difficult.
• Girls have it harder than boys and it's not fair.
• My mom knows me better than I know myself
• Scrapbooking is therapeutic and worthwhile.
• Drinking grapefruit green tea will automatically make me happy.

And to end on a crafty note:

thursday the 14th

Today I:

• worked out from 8-9am with sarah
• had a long overdue vchat date with lauren
• taught english and remembered how much I don't like teaching
• had lunch with gene at a cheap italian restaurant
• had the best 5 minute long distance phone call
• thought about how I turn 29 in exactly 3 months
• drove all around town looking for an ethernet wire cutter thing
• had a delicious homemade wrap for dinner
• did not work on my thesis, for the second day in a row
• made a simple scrap page that I absolutely love

le asian haircut

I got my haircut yesterday. The guy cuts Manny's hair, and does a great job, so I figured he would do the same for me. Um, WRONG. What is so hard to understand about "I want to keep it LONG, so please don't cut too much!"? And, I specifically said I wanted LONG layers, but no, he cut so many short ones I almost killed him when I noticed what he was doing. Plus, he asked if I wanted it blow-dryed...I of course said yes. He then proceeded to flat iron my hair so flat and lifeless that I walked out of there looking asian. (It kinda reminded me of Mean Girls when Gretchen joins the Korean posse and they also make her hair stick straight in those last scenes, ha!) When I asked him why he cut so many short layers, he called it some fancy hair term that meant he was thinning it out to take out the volume. Um, hello...I like big hair with volume. Maybe I belong in Texas, but I love my thick hair with body and waves. I think he was just jealous cause the top of his head look like a koosh ball. (Was that too mean?)

I know that when I style it will look much better, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I hate when hairdressers don't listen. At least I got a fabulous head/shoulder massage and a 15 minute relaxing shampoo. And it will grow back. And I wear it in a pony tail most days anyway. But STILL. Damn all hairdressers who don't listen.

and it was all goooood

Today, as I was scooting across the bridge on the way home from Costco, I felt as happy as ever. For a few minutes, I even loved Taipei, especially looking out on a killer city view from the bridge. I felt happy, and content, and just lucky to be here. I've been working out and I can already feel the positive effects it has on my mood and my happiness. Plus, I'm on a roll with my thesis and I'm more and more confident that I can get it done within a month. So, at least for the time being, life is good and I'm happy.

10.10.10

Last night, we celebrated Toby's and Camly's birthday. So much fun. Plus, I finally wore my graffiti dress. And my dorky glasses...always a great combo.

Today, was Taiwan's independence day. I didn't really celebrate, but I did hear they had fireworks over the Danshui River. I was too tired from last night to do anything fun today.  I spent most of the day at home, cleaning, cooking, and scrapbooking (what averaage 28 year olds do on Sundays, right?....ok, maybe not). I did manage to get out for some Indian food a few hours ago. At least I wasn't a total lazy homebody today.

my new favorite layout

It's simple, and colorful, and describes me at this very moment at the age of 28.75. It's my new favorite layout and I'm so happy I stayed home on this Friday night to scrapbook instead of going out. Tomorrow is a the big party night anyway. So tonight, it's just me, paper, glue, words, and Season 1 of Big Bang Theory. Love those nerdy dudes. Oh and theres one more new layout in my "Made in Taiwan" album for all my crafty friends who are interested. Goodnight.

oh goodie

Today's good:

• Megan's birthday...happy birthday my darling!
• The possibility of getting 1/3 of my tuition back
• My eye ulcer is doing much better
• Eating leftovers for lunch and a cinnamon bun for dessert
• Downloading Big Bang Theory, season 1
• Sleeping in for the first time all week
• Scrapbook ideas prancing in my head
• Bollywood dancing class tonight
• Fridays are always good

two moments

I had one of those "moments" today. Actually, two moments.

The first came this morning as I was scooting to the gym at 8am during rush hour traffic. I was weaving in and out of buses, cars, taxis, and hundreds of scooters when it just hit me: I wish my parents could see me right now. They would not only feel terrified for me (cause driving here is quite dangerous), but I think they would just say to themselves: "there goes our crazy natalie." I started laughing out loud just thinking of my parents reaction to my scoot scootin'.

The second moment happened about 3 minutes ago. I was sitting in the computer lab again (my home away from home) and I needed a break so I started reading my advanced Chinese book. I opened the book to page 1 and read an entire paragraph without any pauses and then it hit me: holy shit I can read Chinese. Mind you, yes I kinda knew this already. BUT, I haven't picked up a Chinese book in about 5 months or more. I was just amazed that I remembered how to read. Yes, I have to read on a daily basis, but it's mostly words like "chicken or pork" and "tea or coffee" and "rice or noodles."  It was nice knowing that I could still pick up a book and read things such as "united nations" and "buddhism" and other difficult characters.

And then it hit me...I'm really going to miss Chinese. I truly LOVE this language. And one of the biggest reasons that I don't want to go back to the States after graduation is that I don't want to lose everything I've already learned. But then again, I'm not sure I can live a solitary life in Asia much longer either. Ahhh, decisions decisions. Regardless of what I decide, I love the fact that I can put a third language on my resume. I'm proud that I speak Chinese. I'm proud of all that I've sacrified to know this language. I'm proud to be a big eyed foreigner who shocks people every time I open my mouth. I love that shit. And I hope that no matter where life takes me that Chinese will still be a part of my life, because if you love something, you should never let it go. Right?

the three of us

This was last night, just the three of us, celebrating Toby's 28th birthday at a Taiwanese restaurant. Toby wanted to keep his party small and I loved the feeling of celebrating with my boys. The three of us have been close since almost the first time we met. We are always calling each other, always checking in, always helping each other out, and I love that. True friendship at its finest. After dinner we headed to a lounge bar for mojitos and brownies. It was a perfect birthday celebration and I think Toby was happy, which is all that matters. 

the last of the taco salad

My friend Molly introduced me to this taco salad years ago. It's a very simple concept that is incredibly fast, easy, and delicious beyond words. It's ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and the two secret ingredients: Catalina dressing and Fritos. The one pictured is missing lettuce, but you get the idea. I hadn't had it in years, but when I was home this last time, I made sure to bring back a bag of Fritos and Catalina to Taiwan. I made it for Toby last night as his birthday dinner and this is all that is left.  I've made it a few times since arriving here, so now I'm all out of both of the secret ingredients (and unfortunately they cannot be found in Taiwan). So, I'm sitting on my patio right now enjoying the last of the taco salad and the newest episode of HIMYM. Go Tuesday!

sundaymonday

Sunday: I went to my first Taiwanese wedding yesterday. I have to say that they are not nearly as fun as American weddings. It's mostly all about food and costume changes...the bride will come out in 2-3 outfits, all resembling outdated prom fashions. And we played Bingo. Who plays Bingo at weddings?...Apparently the Taiwanese do.  I did, however, enjoy practicing my Chinese, eating delicious food, and received a lot of attention for being the ONLY foreigner at a 200 person wedding.

Monday:  I woke up at 8am and went straight to the gym. I'm now sitting in the 24 lab, researching my thesis, and hoping that if I work hard every single day in October that I can have a solid draft by Halloween. I have lunch plans with Clare, and dinner plans with Toby. I also hope to find time to be creative today. I'm itching to cut some paper and write some good thoughts down.

hello october, hello productivity

October already? How did this happen? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was celebrating New Years and now we are 3 months shy of that again. I have so much planned for October, most importantly Project Get-My-Shit-Together. I have been slacking on my thesis and this needs to change. I've been going out too much, drinking too much, sleeping too much, watching HIMYM too much, scooting too much, hanging out with friends too much, and just being lazy too much. And since I have to look like a geek for the month of October, I might as well play the part by locking myself in the library every day. But this starts Monday...so tonight...I'm going out dammit. One last hoorah. Woop woop.