Hello, NTU!

My first week of school! Let's gooo!!! I've been getting more practice speaking Chinese in public and with friends. I really enjoyed this week. I've been starting to push myself to explore more and push my social boundaries -- whenever I catch myself thinking, "Agh... it will be embarrassing/hard to speak to this worker/ask this question" it actually just reinforces my desire to do it. It's like rejection therapy. Except with being embarrassed haha.

Day 1: Explorers!

Saturday, September 5th

• This morning, I woke up early with the hopes of accomplishing a lot but with no actual itinerary, haha. I planned to study 中文 at a cafe that served Egg Taro toast (芋泥後單), but then realized there was no space, so I picked up my toast and went home
• I also orderd a latte (拿鐵)
• After some studying, I met up with Brynn to grab some 豆花 - I learned the measure word for a bowl was 碗
• After this, I attended the NTU Christian Fellowship and realized how 不好 my 中文 is HAHA. Everyone here was Chinese and I was sooo lost, but they were all very kind to and patient with me. Thanks to Ivan for being my translator for the day!
• After that, I want to Raohe 饒河 Night Market to meet up with Jimmy, a former RCF 'member' ish who's from Taiwan
• We got a very authentic Taiwanese meal that I actually forgot the name of,,, but it was ok.
• I told Jimmy I don't like night markets and that was the hardest he laughed the entire night
• After that we got some 花生冰欺凌 and then ventured through Muji and Uniqlo
• Mango beer! When you guys visit (yes, you reading this), we can drink these together

Day 2: A Quiet Sunday

Sunday, September 6th

• I remember being really tired this day
• This Sunday we broke bread and drank wine in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice
• The sermon was on 1 Timothy 6 and spoke on godliness and contentment; it was a good reminder for me as someone who can easily idolize external appearances, my likability, and my comfort
• Walked to the MRT station with Rosey, one of the young people at church who's part of the Fulbright program!
• Did some browsing at the gift shops at NTU campus
• Spent 7 pm - 9:30 pm studying using scripture and Quizlet vocab; at this point, I was starting to get more familiar with the traditional characters
• One of these cats, Aria, escaped 2 times and the worker had to go out and grab her

Day 3: First Day of School!

Monday, September 7th

• So actually both classes pictured in today's blog (Automata and Basic Taiwanese) are classes I dropped HAHA
• 9 AM: But I started my day at a cafe zooming into my first class, Languages and Automata
• Headed to the library and did some Chinese practice with my HSK textbook...
• 1:30 PM: Got some boba and the cashier kept saying "一塊一塊" and I wasn't sure if it was 1 cent.. or 10 cents... turns out it was 1 NTD. But it didn't matter because she eventually gave up and gave me my change haha
• 5 PM: Had poke for dinner and drew the view outside!
• 8 PM: I missed playing piano... so I checked out the Student Activity Center and was able to reserve the piano for a bit! I thought my reserved time was only for 50 minutes but turns out it was 30 minutes
• I would end up returning to this room manyyy times following
• One day I'll attach a video of my small worship sessions
• 9:30 PM: Ended the day with an iconic Peanut Butter Ice Cream burrito 花生冰淇淋 heheh
• 10 PM: Facetimed the Bethel girls before they headed to Starved Rock with Pearl, Fortune, and some other Bethel members :_)

Day 4:

Tuesday, September 8th

• 8:30 AM: Started the morning with another piano sesh! This was my view on the bridge on the way
• 10 AM: Had class
• 12 PM: Met up with Illy and Jared, a Taiwanese-American couple from Cru. They're here as missionaries hoping to share God's word on Taiwanese campuses! So encouraged by their perseverance and ability to adapt to a completely different religious scene/environment in order to reach unbelievers. I admire their heart for young people.
• 4 PM: Visited my (formerly) favorite boba place with Terran briefly
• 8 PM: Feeling bloated after boba... I visited the Guting flower field! This is my favorite park in 台北.. so far

Day 5:

Wednesday, September 9th

• I forgot what I did in the morning
• 12 PM: Studying! Now using TOCFL vocab; Daily Quizlet studies have helped expose me to a lot of new characters and vocab -- now it's just about retaining it lol
• 2 PM: Had my Faith, Film and Morals class and I got 3rd place in Kahoot!! Yahoo!! This is probably one of my favorite classes
• 6 PM: First RUF meeting! Great meeting some international and local Taiwanese students; I pray they would continue to have their hearts opened to receiving the Lord's love!

Day 6:

Thursday, September 10th

• 8 AM: Visited the hospital to finally pick up my medical exams!
• 9 AM: On the way back... had to grab my favorite Taro sandwich! 芋泥厚蛋 - so yummerz
• 2 PM: Had my Literature class on Kazuo Ishiguro, Han Kang, and Toni Morrison. I've read books from all of these authors so it's pretty exciting! I hope my relatively conservative viewpoints can bring some valuable insight into discussions :)
• 7 PM: Tried a new dinner spot after roaming for forever.... 'twas okay

Day 7:

Friday, September 11th

• 9 AM: Went on a run in the rain and was lowkey a bad idea
• I couldn't see anything
• And I was scared of getting my phone wet
• 10:30 AM: Picked up a steam iron from Elley's place and we sat and talked for a bit! I'm so grateful for her generosity and encouragement as I shared some of my doubts and struggles adjusting to Taiwan
• 2 PM: Visited the New Hope Church's women's bible study on Gentle and Lowly! Isn't it a huge act of God that I happened to bring this book to Taiwan to a church that was doing a bible study on it? It was mainly in Chinese (which I'm grateful for) because it meant I got to learn some new words!
• 憐憫: mercy
• 罪: sin
• 公義: righteousness
• Ellie was one of the women at the bible study! We walked together a bit on the way home and it was cool hearing her story as a former non-believer turned missionary! She's Korean but has been traveling throughout Asia to spread the word of God!
• 6 PM: Visited NTNU for a prayer night event with Graham, Illy, Jared, and Ceci!