I really had intended on keeping this blog updated on a regular basis, but somehow after logging 55 hours in at school a week, sitting down in front of a computer to write for another hour or two seems like just a bit too much to ask. The truth is I haven't kept in very good contact with anyone from home, immediate family included, and it seems like the more the time passes, the harder it is to do. So many things add up that I meant to tell one, some or all of you, until I can't keep them straight and don't know where to start! So here's the new plan: after this entry (which will most likely be miles long) I am going to write far more regular, short dittles (as I have the tendency to call all things) about the small everyday happenings and details which might give a more accurate view into my life here. Oh, and resolution #2- more pictures!
So first, the past month's highlights:

Missy Elliot concert: Now remember how I had mentioned my secret wish to quit teaching in Taipei after having been chosen as the backup's backup dancer?? Get this... the concert was amazing and I was literally within touching distance of her throughout the show. She even got off the stage and walked around the rather tame audience (can you imagine this happening in the US?). In an effort to actually rile everyone up a bit, she decides that she wants to bring someone up on stage.... someone who can jump the highest... well I am already one of the tallest people in the place so without jumping I decide I will clearly be chosen. She walks straight in front of me, she points straight at me and says "You! Come here." "Me??" I point to myself in question and freeze for .33976 seconds unable to move. Then FLASH! 6 feet 5 inches of bleached blond Canadian boss obstruct my view as he climbs in front, over the railing and on to the stage with Missy. 45 seconds of horrifying skinny white boy dancing ensue that unfortunately will never be erased from my memory. Naturally, afterwards as he failed to offer me the autographed towel she had signed, he insisted it was he that she was pointing to all along. I shall never believe....

Teacher's Day : Although you wouldn't be able to tell from a few of my 10th grade Speech and Debate students, teachers in Chinese culture are highly respected due to the focus on the Confucian ideal and ordered society. In anycase, for the teachers it means lots and lots of presents on Teacher's day, aka Confucius' bday. Now, several weeks later, I am still swimming in Moon Cakes, an interesting type of pastry filled with anything from red beans to slightly sweet mystery fillings. The best part was definitely receiving a few incredibly sweet cards saying things like " I love you" and "I wish we have fun toghethr in class!"

Which reminds me!!!: I had 3 of my English and the Arts classes design and write postcards describing some aspect of life in Taiwan. The 7th and 8th graders expressed interest in sending them somewhere in N. America and would like to receive a postcard back. Most of the postcards are beautiful, sweet, and/or hilarious. A bunch of the tough 7th grade boys even asked if they could put a picture of themselves and their MSN messanger info on the cards in hopes of ascertaining an American girlfriend. Anyone who knows any 7th/8th graders who might be interested in receiving one/ wants to fib a bit and pretend to be a preteen again please let me know! It only needs to be a one time thing, since the class is one semester. Fellow teachers (the original Ms. Katie!), if you have any 6th grade classes at your school that might be willing to take 5 mins out to write one, I would really appreciate it!
Also, I know my parents have sent the website out to the family, but anyone who is interested in seeing more clearly my embarrassing attempts at teaching can view the school's English section, http://www.fhjh.tp.edu.tw/erc/index-e.htm and click on the English Teachers and English Interest Group pages.
Teaching has seriously taken over my entire life with me putting in over 50 hours a week at the school (only half of that paid!) and often including BOTH weekend days. Plus I just picked up a private tutoree 4 days a week: a cute frog-obsessed super smart 7 year old from the Taipei American School (THE most prestigious school in Taipei that requires at least one of the parents to hold an American Passport) so now my days will be even more crazy than before... if that's possible!

Moon Festival: Last week I got a bit of a vacation for the Moon Festival, I believe what is called at home the Harvest Moon?? Most people spend the evening and night outdoors having picnics while admiring the gigantic full moon. Louise, myself and my friend Chie all headed to a large park equipt with beers, blankets and some soft music to lie and search for stars (which seem to be few and far between compared to home) and the bunny rabbit everyone here talks about seeing in the moon ( I may have never been able to do those Magic Eye posters, but I found it!). Double Ten Day followed the Moon Festival and was another day we had off due to some important day in Taiwan's history that I really know nothing about. Interesting sidenote: in Taiwan the year is '95 instead of 2006 because of yet another important historical happening I am unaware of. When the kids write the date on their papers or I check the expiration date on yogurt it will often say something like 4/10/95 which has taken a bit of time to get used to. Anyways, the school had a big Double Ten Day Parade the previous week and for our day off Julia, Louise and I headed out of the city to the beach for some relaxation. Swimsuits in October?! yess please. After the beach we headed to the area of Danshui- a waterside town that reminded me of Ocean City with all the crowds of people, street venders, sweets and fireworks. We grabbed this bizarre ice creamish treat that is 12 inches tall in the cone! and I couldn't pass on some fish balls on sticks to try to fit in.

Ok.. wow, that's it... short blog entries from now on.
Hope all is well with everyone at home or wherever you are finding yourself now. Happy birthday to the maaanny many friends and family with October birthdays. I shall try to call some of you again soon!
Lots of Love!

PS- it takes forever to load the pictures from my home computer plus Julia has the best bunch of them at school so here is just one for now from the Double Ten Day Ceremony.