Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 - 8:39 a.m.

Ok, time to empty out the old journal. Here goes:

(wrote this on the plane, um, one of them anyway)

Things I would do differently if I returned to Taiwan (or done the first time had I known)

* Rented an apt with kitchen access and cooked more fresh, familiar foods

* (if in Tainan)lived closer to Anping. It felt like a more funky, fun neighborhood, and was real close to a beach

* If NOT in Tainan, lived in Taipei, smack dab in the middle of everything!

* Bought a 125 scooter,can ride farther and faster and on the highway with these

* forced myself to study Chinese formally

* Visited home after a few months, NOT 10 months later, and after breaking a contract!

* lived with a roommate. With the right roommate I think the culture shock could have been buffered a bit.

*Brought more of certain items with me: bras, tampons, English lang books, make up, cute men (oops)

* left behind my old laptop that wasnt fast enough for Taiwan ADSL (their DSL)

* Would NOT have broken contract. As miserable as I was, I think a vacation would have done the trick. The weirdness in teh office the last few months was NOT worth the knowledge that I would leave Taiwan early. Nope!

* more forced gym activity. I kept trying to exercise my way (outside), but its just NOT that kind of environment.

But even with this knowledge, I have NO regrets about my time in Taiwan. I did the best I could and my world has opened up since I experienced this. Will my lungs, thighs and eyes ever forgive me.....thats a whole other issue! lol.

I organized a hike today in the Marin Headlands, but it sounds like rain, shite. Gotta go look. More later, there is a line for the computer now. Dammit!