My cast of characters

No big adventures this weekend, there’s a typhoon happening right now that’s the equivalent of a category 5 hurricane.  It’s not bad in Tongxiao, just very windy.  Although in some places I heard they recorded 90 mph wind gusts. 

      This weekend was the Moon Festival holiday, so no school Thursday or Friday.  Thursday afternoon I headed to Palace of Peggy (Peggy’s apartment, how she ended up with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms for one person, I’ll never know) and a few other FET’s for a spaghetti dinner.  Everything was so good, and we played Pit for a few hours after that.  Pit is a card game that turns professional, 25-60 year old adults into screaming maniacs.  Good times.  Thursday, a couple of us went to the mall in Taichung, I bought a water boiler, so I can finally enjoy my tea, and a copy of the Les Mis DVD to save my sanity, lol.  Dinner was at Chili’s, kind of nice to enjoy American food once in a while.  Then Tara and Irene came over and played cards and hung out for a little while.  We kept an eye on the typhoon, and I let everyone know how good I am at geography and meteorological sciences, ha ha. 

    Initially, I figured once I got to Tongxiao, I would be on my own.  But that hasn’t been the case.  I have been so blessed with the support network I have here.  We laugh and vent, and talk each other out of going home.  If I hadn’t had the other FET’s, I would have left a long time ago. 

 

My cast of characters for this weekend:

Peggy- Primary renter of “the palace,” although on any given weekend, the other FET’s can be found at her place.  A very gracious hostess, who has opened up her place to anyone who needs to crash for the weekend.  “You want coffee?  Well, it’s in the kitchen, go get it.”

Thomas- Usually found with Peggy and I, has the patience of a saint to hang around with all these crazy women.  A true Southern gentleman.  Except in the mall yesterday.  I did indeed have a fingernail-sized bruise on my arm today.  Told you so.

Mandy- A fellow Wayne Countian, and the world’s best spaghetti cook.  Seriously, that meal was amazing. 

Tara- The quiet, reserved Canadian.  Until she plays Pit.  “You’re cheating!  I don’t know how.  But you’re cheating!”  Also speaks Chinese like no North American I’ve ever heard.  Everyone just kind of watched in wonderment at her explaining the game to Irene.  In Chinese.  

Irene- Not an FET, but a Taiwanese English teacher.  Incredibly kind to people she’s known for a few hours, and has a lot of energy.  “I don’t want to play, it’s too complicated.” (Goes on to win the first two hands played.)

Van- I don’t know Van that well, but she has great expertise in local cuisine.  Thanks for the fruit and cupcakes!

And I can’t forget the other FET’s who weren’t there this weekend, too many good people to list.  But I’m sure we’ll have some kind of bloggable adventure in the near future J

Tomorrow I’m getting up early because I’m finally moving!  I’ll post pictures of both apartments once I get there. :)