Wow its been a while since I've written (although I think about doing it every day). Its not that I don't want to its just been hard to find the time.
I get up at 7:00 on most days and jog (I have to otherwise it looks like I've been in a boxing match the night before because my eyes are so puffy). Then I get ready, Skype with my family and some friends if I'm lucky and then am at work by 9:15. I have lunch at noon and then dinner at 8pm following kickboxing or Chinese lessons (depending on the day) and then its either back to the office or straight to a coma toast position in bed.
On weekends I've been heading straight to Hsinchu to keep my social life interesting. Gretchen and Mandy have been kind enough to adopt me as a third roomate (or second child - whatever way you want to look at it). Yes, I have claimed their couch on Friday and Saturday nights and let me tell you, riding home in the cold on my scooter on Sundays is never pleasant. We have way too much fun.
Quick idea of weekends in Hsinchu: Baking delcious chocolate chip cookies, concerts in Taipei, drinking at Red bar, Gothenburg and Tokyo all in one night, eating magic soup and big juicy burgers, lunch at TGI Fridays, tours up the mountain, visits to the temples, more drinking on Saturday night, relaxing on the cozy couch, movie dates, shopping at the massive department stores, massages....it goes on.
This past weekend was particularly special because it was CHRISTMAS TIME! I have to say, I was a bit worried because I really didn't get into the spirit until about the night of the 23rd.
First off there is no snow here and those of us who get it regularly really forget how much it contributes to the spirit of Christmas. Next, since it's Chinese New Year that is celebrated here (Taking place the first week of February), no one ever really has any big plans for Christmas weekend. So, I was going around all excited asking people what they were doing to celebrate and I was getting a bunch of blank faces. Apparently Christmas is viewed as a "Western holiday," "commercial," and "really only for couples to enjoy." Great. Ok so I tried getting in touch with my family to enjoy the christmas tree decorating and wine "sipping" over Skype, but that was also a fail.
I do have to recognize the effort on the part of my company. They did erect a big "tree" that we call the "cube camera tree." (shown below)
As you can see, it's shaped as a christmas tree and has about 34 security cameras strapped to it that break out into christmas songs every time they detect motion nearby. The girls put in some effort this year and put presents and decorations on it. It was sweet...until it started to get obnoxious.
So I took matters into my own hands. After work on December 23rd I fought my sleepyness, hopped on my scooter, and rode into Hsinchu to SHOP! Really it helped. There was a white santa standing on the corner and people rushing around with that same Christmas shopping buzz you feel at the malls in Toronto.
So I walked through the shops and bought a bunch on nice little stocking gifts for Mandy, Gretchen and Juan (Gretchen's boyfriend, also child #2). Then I bought some sushi, wine and cookie dough, none of which I would feel bad about inhalng that night. I bought a santa hat and bells to sew on, and hundreds of candycanes to hand out at work the next day. I also bought stationary to make cards for Amanda and Hannah and then I realized I should probably stop spending and I hopped on my scooter and headed for home.
The night turned out great as I watched old Christmas movies and wrapped. And I think my co-workers appreciated the coloured canes I handed out the next day, dressed in my jingling santa hat. I got a smile from some after I explained v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y that these are what we hang on our christmas trees. mmhmm
Anyways, getting to the good stuff...Mel and Dave (two guys living in Hsinchu) organized a big dinner at the Sheraton hotel. It was $30 for all you can eat with a $3 corkage fee and wow was it ever good.
Gretchen and I at the table.
Mandy, Terry, and I trying to eat but being forced to smile :)I had a few plates of this delicious juicy red roast with mushroom sauce, brussel sprouts, and tempura sweet potato fries, red wine (of course) and I finished off with a few bits of decadent dark chocolate mousse. Ahhh
That's a very large sushi bar in the background.
Our entire table: Gretchen, Juan, Hannah, Mandy, Terry and I.
They had an entire room dedicated to dessert.
A few bottles of wine later...darn that cheap corkage fee...It was time for some Happy Holiday snapshots in the foyer infront of the incredible tree.
The double couple. Terry and I take the foreground while the goons in the back try to keep it together.
Finally a nice one of us all together. After this shot we head up to the hotel lounge and had a drink before heading to the usual: Red bar, Gothenburg then Tokyo.
The next day was Christmas morning and after everyone opened presents all of the girls took of for lunch and a massage - our christmas present from Gretchen.
It was a bit painful. The whole lot of us were wailing the entire time and all of us left with bruises. They really dug on deep all along the bottoms of your feel, along the calves, and on the shoulders. I tried not to complain to much because it did feel unreal afterwards.
The odd time my masseuse really hit the spot. I plan on going back for these bi-weekly.
This is us heading back home after the massages. Thats Mandy on the left with her bright pink helmet, and Me on the back of Gretchen's motorcycle.
The girls always laugh at my riding style, but when you have long legs its hard to know where to put them.
After arriving home we all relaxed for a while and then Gretchen, Juan and I went to Gretchen's students' parents house for an incredible turkey dinner. The dad is American so the whole house was decked out in decorations and Christmas gifts. There must have been about 30 parents and children running around having fun. I spent alot of my night playing with the kids (surprise, surprise). I was bequethed a sword and I was summoned to fight to the death...so I did...and I ended up dying after one of the parents suggested I do so unless I wanted to keep playing forever. It was fun.
After a few more glasses of wine we all head out again for another great night with everyone.
...And that was my Christmas weekend.
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