YESSSS

GOT 'EM(Dior 60's)! Happy Early Birthday to Meeeeee








It looks like I wont be getting the MbMJ bag I had my eyes set on...there has been some DROMZ regarding the damn thang. So sad. Until next season MJ.... r.i.p purple leather and gold metal woven beautiful piece of artwork.

.....On another note, my aunt gave me the wrong computer cord for the camera I'm using so the HILARIOUS picture I have to show you will not be in this post :(

(Non-materialistic part of this post):
I am helping out at my aunts preschool/kindergarten and I swear every day that passes makes me happier and happier. The kids love me. They want me to sit next to them at every juncture: snacktime, lunchtime, english class, chinese class. I taught some of the girls the "slide baby" game. They love chanting "slide baby one, baby two, baby I love you!" even when we aren't playing. They are always trying to impress me with the English words they know. They'll point to the pictures that they draw and tell me, "Tree! Cat! Leaf!" with such pride. All the parents tell my aunt that their children come home from school and talk about "Oona jie jie" (Big sis Oona).

I love kids. I used to think I hated them, but I actually really love kids. (As long as I don't have to take them home with me at night)....Maybe THIS is my true calling. It is hella satisfying to feel like you make a childs day a bit brighter. (I know, HELLLLA cheeeezy but ITS TRUE!)

...Until next time, folks.

Love always.

okaaaaaaaay

Finally got my hands on a camera. So I will begin uploading AMAZING photos soon.
Its late here, but I just wanted to alert anyone reading to the fact that they wont have to read my banter anymore, there will be pretty pictures to look at.
Tonight I went and had sushi with my aunts and I saw a dude with a full on MULLET. Business in the front, Party in the back. No joke, it was full fledged. The party-section was down to his shoulders too. Amazement.


....Dior sunglasses tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Love always.

I Love Taiwan

Know why?


....Cuz I got my nails did for 500 NT$= around 17 U.S. Dollaz


Unfortunately the picture does not do my nails justice. They are helllllllllllllla sparkly with jewely jewls.

...and I got my hair washed aka a 20 minute head massage and Blow dry/straightening for 200 NT$= around 7.50 U.S. Dollaz

My aunt keeps talking shit to me about how much I love being prettified. It is starting to get irritating. I try to be as low maint as possible, and all she loves talking about is how I have hella clothes and shoes and how I need to lose weight (CHINESE PEOPLE, I SWEAR)... Good thing I was actively working on my positivity for a few months before I came here. I wont let the "Chinese way" get me down. At the end of the day, I have to remember it is all out of love.

A few things:
1. If you live in an apartment, you cannot flush ANY products besides waste down the toilets. This includes used toilet paper, tampons, etc. I feel like thats sorta unsanitary........

2. You can bring your own alcohol to 2nd rate restaurants (neighborhood spots, anything besides nice-ass places). Last night I went to dinner with my aunt and her high school friends, and a few of them brought bottles of whiskey and plum wine (which coincidently is DISGUSTING). It was fun to get drunk with some loud, happy, drunk Asians.

3. My cousin brought his girlfriend of 4 years over today and I swear I absolutley CANNOT picture them getting freaky or doing dirty things. This sounds suuuper perverted because its my cousin but we all know how I am. haha. She's just so dainty and cute and nice and innocent seeming...I better stop here because I was about to write something really outta pocket. :)

4. Tomorrow I think I'm going to buy these Dior sunglasses i've had my eye on for a long time. For some reason they are less-expensive here, so WHY NOT?! Early b*day present to myself!

5. I have found the spot where I am getting all my *favorites* their gifts. Be juiced cuz this store is amazing! I wont give away anymore details.

6. I have made a new friend. His name is Jett. Jett as in Jet Lee (haha, I swear thats what he said to me). He is my aunts friends son. He seems chill, speaks English really well, as well as some spanish (its his major....WHAT?!) and he likes to go out. Since my dork-o cousin doesnt do shit, it'll be nice to go out with someone else my age. I was planning on going out myself. (I'm trying to be adventurous).



I still havent gotten a hold of a camera, but i'll have one by Monday for sure.

Love always.

Today

So its 9am on Friday here in Taipei, and I am wide awake. My computer is still set to USA time, and seeing as its 5pm in California, I obviously wouldn't be tired. Yesterday I went to register at my school. Only saw a few hotties. I have been to almost every huge mall, and its only been 3 days. HAHA.


I got bitten by the hugest mosquito ever, and the bites are huge as well. I guess I have more of those to look forward to. The weather is hot and humid and the sky is grey from all the pollution (yuck). I found out they have to burn a large portion of the garbage on this island because it is tiny and there is no room for landfills.

*Fashion update: Everyone, and I literally mean EVERYONE has a name-brand purse. Be it fake or real (mostly real), it is crucial for all women and men alike to tote cute little Louis or Gucci bags. I feel sort of stupid for leaving my D&G and Gucci purses at home. (oh well, gotta bring some originality to the place). I think it is just because I am in the city, but I swear I have seen such gross displays of wealth, I sorta feel like I'm in LA. For instance: I saw a woman wearing black ankle length jeans with huge bleach spots all over, carrying an ugly ass baby pink Gucci purse, holding her celly-cell in a red quilted Chanel case, and grey Ferragamo pumps. Her outfit was a mess, but since she had all these random name brand items, she could carry herself with "pride".
Moccasin boots are pretty popular here, though I've only really seen ankle length ones. I wore my knee-highs and people were staring. I get stared at a lot. I've found the best way to deal is to give a huge smile. Smiles are universal, you know.



Love always.

I have arrived!!

I am in Taiwan.

The weather is alright: grey, humid, and warm.

As my uncle and I drove on the freeway, we saw a woman who had gotten into a scooter accident on the side of the road. Her body was split open from the crotch, and I saw her insides. I almost vomited and cried at the same time because she was still alive. But I could tell there was no way to save her. What a warm welcome. I'm trying to forget that image.

My cousin Daniel and I are watching Chinese comedy shows on TV. I usually end up laughing after my cousin because it takes a minute for the language to register, and for the humor to make sense to me. Nevertheless, I already feel as though my Chinese is improving.

It is HILARIOUS because my mother, aunt, and cousin have all made sure to remind me not to have anything to do with WEED here because it is SUUUUPER illegal.
My cousin has never come in contact with the chron (at 21 years old). He doesn't even know how much it costs. I am constantly reminded of all of the cultural differences between the States and Taiwan.

Maxine SW requested some Taiwan fashion updates so here goes:
*MY COUSIN HAS AN ORANGE MULLET!* I tolllllld youuuu thats all the rage here!!
As for clothing, I haven't gone into the city yet (where fashion is at its most competitive), so stay posted. I will take pictures.

It is so funny because on facebook, all the advertisements are in Chinese characters, and I cant read them. OH WELL!

OH and as an update, on China Airlines you check in up to 2 pieces of luggage that weigh 50 lbs each. So my freak-out about having too much stuff was a complete waste of time..
...You live and you learn, I guessssss

One funny thing about Asia is that there is a fake something for everything. My uncle has a FAKE IPHONE! Its crazy, it looks so real!! They even etched "Designed by Apple in California" on the back.

I'm a little sleepy so I will end for now, more interesting blogs to follow.

Love always.

Final Thoughts...

As I prepare to embark, I am stressed! I never thought a few months in another country would stress me out this much. I missed an opportunity to hug and kiss my MERMIE one last time last night (Thanks to Brett @ Medjool). That stressed me out.

I have a million loads of laundry to do, and most of all: I CAN ONLY BRING 50 LBS OF LUGGAGE! Now, I know that sounds like a lot, but its not. (The suitcases weigh like 15 lbs alone! I weighed them!) I had to cut down my shoe count from 30 to *significantly less* pairs, and I have unhappily removed a few precious purses from what I call my "Taiwan Selection". You see, I am trying to maintain my American sense of fashion, and not buckle to the "harajuku meets chinese villager" steez they got goin on there. You'd think after a few bad dye jobs, guys would understand that orange mullets are not cute (sorry orange-y mullet dudes). So I have been whittling my collection down to mostly essentials: White J.Crew collared button up, frayed cutoff denim shorts, grandpa-esque long cardigans, vintage tanks and tees, etc.
I will miss my rainbow color-coded closet, with my lovely purses hanging in waterfall order (from longest to shortest in length)...

I know it sounds redic, but this is hard. I express myself through my clothing, and I hope I will be happy with what i've got. If I'm not though, I might just have to spend some time at Taipei 101 or something. ;)

It's only 4 months. It's only 4 months. It's only 4 months. It's only 4 months. It's only 4 months. It's only 4 months.

Clothes can hang in my closet for 4 months, but what about my friends? I will miss you all so. Don't forget about me, be ready to rage when I get back, and HIT ME UP ON SKYPE!!!!! I ONLY HAVE 2 SKYPE FRIENDS! btw my mom calls it "skypie". haha.

Last entry in the USA I think. (unless I get ambitious in SFO)...Do they have WIFI on the plane in the air? hmmmm

Love always.

Skype?

I finally tried out my Skype account with a friend, and I want YOU to get Skype, and find me, and add me, and videochat with me while I'm away.

Skype name: Oona.W


Love always.

Its almost that time...

I am set to embark in 8 days. 8 DAYS?!?!?!!

oh god.

There are so many things I have to take care of before I go! So many people I feel like I must see! I am getting hella excited about this. There were a few things causing me to feel held back, but luckily, they have all walked off into the distance as forgotten memories, as many things do.
So. If you are reading this, hit me up these next few days, I will be attempting to jam-pack my schedule so that I can maximize social time. I can sleep when I'm dead right??!

OH! One thing that suuuucks is that my visa has been issued for 90 days. My stay in Taiwan is for upwards of 120 days. AAHHH! I WILL BE AN ILLEGAL!!!! Either that, or face the Taiwanese/American consulate for another afternoon of extensive paperwork to extend the damn visa.


Vday is coming up. This is my 1st single valentines day in 2 years, so I am eager to spend this hallmark holiday with friends. It'll probably go exactly the same as the last 2 (dinner, drinks, movie, holding hands, etc), oh, minus the LOVIN' afterwards (DAMN!)....
--Thank god for GV!--

Love always.