FAUNA

Fauna in Taiwan has been harder to observe. What I mostly get to see is what is living with in the city.  The packs of stray dogs in the city I live in, are a large majority of the wild life I see. There are of course the tame beasts, like the dog that is chain by the school most of the time. I named him Bruno. I love to see the butterflies here, when I'm outside with my kindergartners I can but be just as distracted as them  as  a 7 year old is, when they flutter by.  I have yet to see monkeys but I know that there is a large population of them on the island so it's only a matter of time. The other animal life I encounter on a daily bassets are the Kindergartners.  I find that there habits and social structure are similar to ours. Thought I love these kids I some times see myself as a animal trainer.  Having them curb there animal tendencies for at lest three hours a day.  "Sit nicely", it's almost a command that you use on a dog, and here I say it almost 15 times a day to the children. They do fallow the command,  it doesn't last long, but I do enjoy the few seconds that they do as I say.  Then there is the getting to speak English at all. Of course like any animal trainer I use rewards. We token here when they something that we want them to say. I doll them out like doggie treats, trying to make sure that everyone gets some, but then I can't give them anything if they don't speak.  But I know that's just a matter of time before the hunger of getting a token will work its magical properties and words will fly out of their mouths, into my ears, and a token will go into their open and ready pocket.  

FLORA

When I arrived in Taiwan I saw it was beautifuly lush green island. But as the weather has become increasingly better I get to see all beauty that was sleeping until now.
I encounter these fist two when wondering around flower market in Taichung. Orchids were every where. See in them reminded me of my grandmothers orchids that see sprouted in her kitchen window, and how she tenderly cared for it. Here they seem to grow every where with what looks like very little effort.

Hibiscuses are every where, I truly am on a tropical island.



I am excited what other gems I will find here. It spring time so I'll be keeping my eyes out for more of the wonderful and glorious Fauna that surrounds me. 

Becoming

What am I becoming here in Taiwan?  Not Taiwanese that for-sure.  Lets just say that neon colored tights and hot pants are not, or ever will be, my style. Its that little things that slowly seep in that have changed me. Who knew that washing my trash would be second nature. And if I did forget to wash out the peanut butter jar I would become guilt stricken and dive into the recycling to pluck it out from the other sparkling and well sorted recyclables.  I've become a scooter owner this last week. I have reveled in the freedom of staying out late, and making a 5 min bike ride a 3 min scooter ride, and that I now workout more because I no longer have to bike to where I want to hike or run, ridiculous, perhaps.  Like most scooter owners in Taiwan, I've now become a scooter accident victim. Though not a large accident, just enough to shake me up and bring to my remembrance that here yellow lights mean speed up for one way and go for the other.   But know that I have that experience under my helmet chin strap I feel I'm on my way of becoming slightly more acclimated to living in Taiwan.  But in  my own way I hope to perhaps stay off acclamation a bit longer.  I will be sad not to notice the little things any more, the stench garbage while I'm showering, the odd and sometimes astounding fashion choices made by the locals, the wonderful reception that I receive because I am white and don't speak the language.  I hope that I still can see things like a tourist and live like a native.  Be amazed that I live in a place that  is different yet still the same.  I know that becoming comfortable might seem like an inescapable  future, but it is my hope to stay uncomfortable for just a bit longer.( My sore ankle from the accident will help, at lest for the time being)