Rosetta Stone

I really want the Rosetta Stone software for Chinese.  It retails for $464.  That's a lot of money.  So, a couple of days ago, I was searching online for somewhere to get it cheaper.  I found a guy selling it for $50 on craigslist.  Once again, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.  I emailed him and he told me that he was selling copies of the software.  In the moment I didn't really care, I wanted the program.  BUT THAT'S ILLEGAL.  A breach of the copyright law.  Sigh.  No Rosetta Stone for me.  I am choosing to do the right thing.  And I am going to be happy about it. 

Packing

I don't know what I was expecting, but I had no idea how long it was going to take me to pack.  I spent 6 hours working on it today; and I still have a lot left to do.  Granted, in addition to getting ready for Taiwan, I have to pack up everything I own, so that Rachel and Perry can move in.  I have a lot stuff.  Heck, I have a lot clothes.  It is such a burden.  Haha!  Just kidding.  But it is difficult for me to make a decision about what to bring and what to leave.

B-day

We celebrated my birthday today; although it is not actually my birthday.  Mom, dad and I went to see "The Karate Kid"  and ate at a most delicious Thai restaurant.  I am embracing Asian-ness.  I am happy as a hippo, and delightfully full. 

I finally got my Visa in the mail a couple of days ago.  Isn't it beautiful!  I am all set to leave the country. 

FYI:  Each country has a set amount of time a tourist can stay.  For Taiwan, it is 14 days.  If one plans to stay beyond the set time period, which I do, I need a Visa in addition to my passport.  My Visa is good for 60 days, so after I arrive in Taiwan I must apply for another Visa, which allows me to stay much longer.

ILP Training

Last Thursday, I drove to Provo, UT for training.  I didn't want to leave the night before, because I wanted to spend as much time with my family as possible.  I woke promptly at 3:00am to depart.  It was really fun to meet who I am going to be living and teaching with.  It was also great to meet Britta.  Now I have a face to put with the name.  There were eight girls and one guy going to my school, Berhan Language Institute (pronounced Bear-Hawn).  There is one teacher already over in Taiwan, staying from last semester.  We don't know whether that person is a guy or girl.  I forgot to ask.  We learned all about the teaching methodology and how to do it.  If you are curious, go here. 

We also learned about culture quirks.  Here are a few:

• (This one is for you, Han.)  "White skin is beautiful!  The Taiwanese people don't understand sunbathing and would never dream of tanning beds.  Dark skin is associated with people that have to work out in the fields all day--the lower class."  Here's to being "pasty white."
• "Betel nuts are everywhere in Taiwan; people chew them much like Americans chew tobacco.  However, the juice that they spit while chewing betel nut is blood red.  You'll see red stains everywhere.  Don't worry, it's not a crime scene.  Also, betel nuts sales usually take place in neon-lit glass enclosures by scantily clad women."  Oh my!
• "Taiwanese men often grow out the nail of their pinkie finger as a sign of honor to their family.  However, you'll often see them using it as a handy nose picker.  It is also a good sign if you can get the hair coming out of a facial mole to grow very long."

Halfway through the first day, I felt like I had a fever.  I was so tired!  Thursday evening, I got to see some old friends.  We met at Zupas, and had a fine time of playing catch-up.  The Kennington's (Shayla, my childhood best friend, and her husband Brian) were so kind to let me stay in their home.  I felt really bad going to bed at nine, but I was having a really hard time coping with my fatigue.  Friday brought another half day of training. 

I am now certified to teach English in Taiwan!

Baby Grant in the Mirror

Vacation to Halls and Stotts!

Since I am leaving for Taiwan soon, I wanted to see my sisters and their families first.  It's too bad I won't be able to see Blake before I leave.  I will really miss everyone.  I started by flying into Portland for a few days.  Then I drove with Amber and Trey down to Rexburg.  Rachel had a very clever title of her blog about hte event: "How to fit 7 people in a 1 bedroom apartment!" (click it and you can read her post.)  After spending three days in Rexburg I drove to Provo for ILP training.  A day and a half later, I drove back to Rexburg for two more days with my family.  Here are some pictures of our time together. 

Look at the shape of this zucchini!

It is official...

I finally have my flight for Taiwan.  My boss in Taiwan was supposed to get it for me, and they said I would have it over a week ago.  So I was getting a little impatient.  But I have it now!  I will be leaving June 26th in the morning.  I am so excited! 

With all that squared away, I could send my Visitor Visa Application to be processed.  I did that today.  It makes me a tad bit nervous.  I am not sure how long it will take for them to get it back to me.  I am sure everything will work out okay.