Rainy Season

A year has already past since I first came out here. I have already celebrated two Fourth of July's out here in Taiwan. It honestly doesn't feel like a year. We get new teachers every six months with the changing semesters. But with each passing semester, I find myself losing that awe that first enveloped even the simplest activities out here. I find myself already becoming complacent in discovering hidden treasures around town. I have settled into somewhat of a routine...and I'm not sure if I like it.

Maybe it's because I'm trying to integrate more into the community. Maybe I'm starting to pass the point of being just a "visitor" and a "resident." I have never been this involved in any community I've lived in before. Right now, I'm taking Chinese Language Classes at Tunghai University (in another city, so I have to commute 45 minutes each way by scooter), Tae Kwon Do classes and Tai Chi classes, in addition to teaching. I love keeping busy. But, also by keeping busy, I don't have as much time to just explore the city and the country, to just to be in a place.

One of my favorite things to do here was, because I didn't have my time filled up, to try to discover things by myself. New hiking trails, biking trails, etc. Or just to bike around the city, observing every day life. But I rarely do that anymore. I stick to the hiking trails I know and the bike paths I'm used to because my time has to be more structured.

I need to rediscover the awe.

I am very happy I stayed out here this long. It helped me rediscover my passions, helped me discover new passions, helped me reorganize my goals in life, and to just enjoy life in general. I am glad to make plans after I leave here. Knowing that I am, in fact, leaving after these last six months has made me appreciate what Taiwan has to offer again. I'm starting to feel the same way as I did when I first came out here, because I know that my time here is limited.

It's been a good year.