This is how you buy eggs here. They either come already in a bag or else you pick them our yourself and bag them. Yes, some can break on you if you're not careful. Also they are kept at room temp and you refridgerate them at home.

Out & About

Dave went on campus this afternoon to play baseball. Lilia and I had to get out of the house so I decided to walk around locally. I went to my local hualian (small grocery store) and decided to explore some more. As I was walked down the street I saw a woman with what looked like a bag of sweet potatoe chips. I asked her what they were, but I knew I wouldn't understand her. Then she opened her bag and let me try one. I did and they were exactly what I thought they would be!!! I asked her where she got them and she pointed down this small street. So off we went to find sweet potatoe chips. As we walked there were people selling their vegetables on the sidewalks. There were also some chickens in small cages and blood mixed with water in the street. I just told my self just keep going, just keep going. Then on my left was a small alley with stores on either side. I thought this must be where she meant because there aren't any other options. So I ventured in and sure enough the 3rd or so store had them in a huge bag. I asked her for 2 bags worth and it was only $1.75!!! It was so awesome. I love finding stuff like that!

1st Day of class

Dave had his 1st day of class today. He is in a more intermediate level because he already knows some of the language. Class goes from 8:45-11:45 on campus. There are about 23 people in his class. He said his teacher is very good. He is 61 years old and has traveled the world. His English is very good as well. Dave said almost the entire class was in the heart language of the country. He said it was a bit overwhelming, but he will learn a lot. He could understand a good bit of it.
He won't have much time to study like the rest of the students so there is a good chance he will fall behind. He enjoyed it very much, but he's glad it's Friday!

We were at a really touristy area downtown and there was a crowd gathered. We walked up to see what it was. Well this old man was on roller skates and weaving between bottles, displaying his fans as he went. He quickly spotted Lilia with her blond hair and skated towards her. I took a picture, then he posed so I could get the three of them together. Lilia loved it!

There is a place out front of our complex where lots of little kids play. A lot of kids have this toy. The kids rest their feet and the parent pushes. Well Lilia loves anything she can push so she always goes over to other kids toys and tries to play with them. When I need to take her away she kicks and screams. I guess we need to get her one!

One awesome thing about this country is that most people have an "ai." It's pronounced "ie." It simply means auntie, which here is a helper. Your helper can do anything from clean your place, babysit or prepare dinner for you. My ai came yesterday afternoon and she cleaned the whole apartment. She did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, dusted, cleaned the porches and the floors. I love it, it's so wonderful. Then again, who wouldn't! The crazy part is that she goes for about $1.75 an hour. She will come every Tuesday afternoon. She is young and has a son of her own. I'm looking forward to interacting with her and her interacting with Lilia. I been told by other poeple here that it's really invaulable to your child's learning. Since I don't really know the language, I am going to try to learn one or two phrases that I can say/ask each week. Next week I'll ask her how old her son is and what his name is. I'll let you know how it goes!

I went to the grocery store all by myself on Saturday morning. It was great to be able to get out. This grocery store is more like the local food store we know. (ACME, Giant...) I found most of the things I needed and was excited to see that they carried so much stuff.
I had to buy some meat though, I was going to attempt to cook dinner. I couldn't tell if what was packaged was pork or chicken. I tapped a woman on the shoulder and waved her over. In the LITTLE bit of language I know I asked her what the meat was called. She pointed to the characters, which didn't help me. I asked her if it was pork or chicken. She replied, "pork" of course in the language, not English.
I was so excited, I was able to ask and understand someone in a language not my own. I was able to buy already prepared vegetables where they add the spices and sauce for you. It was great. It tasted pretty good too!