Happy Super Bowl "Monday"

A miracle has happened! The only person I have met in my dormitory happens to be a computer teacher. LiLi was able to connect my netbook to the dormitory's internet system. I am at last in touch with the world. I read newspapers for over 4 hours last night...what a treat! I'm still not sure why LiLi is living across the hall, as she teaches at a different university. She may just be renting the room during the break. She was astonished at what C & I had done for the room. She asked why I brought a microwave when the kitchen was on our floor and just down the hall. I said it was too dirty to cook in, and her look seemed to second that idea. I am trying to find the biggest bouquet of flowers ever to thank her.



Updates:
TGIF has never been truer. I was back in the office to CLEAN. 3 hours later, I think I had bleached, mopped and cleaned everything in sight. Still can't get to the outside of the windows, so the dirt remains on my quad outlook! I went back to the admin office to use the computer again. It seems they are repairing my office computer, so they gave me a laptop to use. I'm connected to the internet once again in my office. This truly is progress. I had another discussion with personnel...nothing has changed...payday will not occur until March 15. At least I may have a bank account by then! I still must prove that I have been a full professor for the last 8 years, but that letter should arrive from the Provost's office this week...just in time for CNY vacation. Stephanie said they heard from their application to the National Science Council, and they have agreed to pay for my Taiwan health insurance and make up the difference between my pay and my taxes...not sure how much that will be (probably US$ 75 a month), but every little bit helps at this point.

Saturday was another grey and rainy day in Taiwan...tis the season? I walked to the train station for a two stop trip to Yingge (pronounced Ing-guh) that cost US$ 1.25 round trip. It is an old pottery city in Taiwan. I turned the wrong way leaving the train station, and walked through some scary traffic and lots of stray dogs. I'm still not used to the fact that there are stray dogs everywhere, including on campus. I am truly intimidated! I hoofed it back and started again. I'm quite sure I took the long way again, as the walk back to the train station from the old pottery walkways was very straight forward. I spent 4 hours wandering the streets and shops before stopping for a beef noodle lunch and a custard-filled "cookie" for dessert. I was able to pick up office desk ceramics, two bowls that I will have planted with orchids (one for home, one for the office), a tray, and a couple of vases and a pink coffee cup with a lid. I also picked up the small wooden finials that are sprayed with bug poison to put around the entrances of my dormitory room. I think I spent around US$50 and had a grand time. I could, of course, have bought much MORE, but I'm still looking for that Austin container! It is just so much fun to see and touch everything. They sell alot of tea pots, cups, and tea, but that is for another Saturday. I stopped at a flower shop on the walk back from the train station to pick up flowers for my new vases...a very satisfying adventure.

Sunday I walked to Carrefours with a big list that would help me "finish" my room and my office, and stock up on coffee, tea, noodles, and snacks. I discovered the local market only 3 blocks from my dorm. I walked up and down, said lots of "ni hoas" and "zaos," but decided to shop there after the CNY holiday. I continued the walk...dodging people, scooters, and cars...to the Carrefour's shopping center. I bought my Starbucks coffee for my French press, then wanted breakfast at McDonald's. No eggs, no breakfast, so I had a chicken sandwich for breakfast...hot and off of their "$" menu.

I used my 10 cents to get my cart and entered Carrefour's for my two hour shopping adventure. It actually is not very crowded at 9:30 Sunday morning, and none of the other shops are open until 11. I found my extra closet hanger stand, a metal mobile shopping cart, more office supply needs, cleaning supplies, and food...US$120 worth! Believe it or not, I loaded my new cart and slung all my bags on my shoulders and was able to stumble out of the store. I was lucky enough to find a taxi driver who was parked in the lot and just going back on duty. US$3 later, I was back to my dorm entrance. The guard is getting used to seeing me fall out of a cab with packages too numerous to count! It was a good feeling to finally have my room in order.

Having put everything away, I decided it was time to do the laundry (third floor), and clean my room...another great adventure completed.

I am going to take my first hour's walk this morning as the sun is finally out. It will give me a chance to explore the campus before I come home to clean up and go to the my office. Trust me when I say everyone except the Admins are already gone for the CNY holiday. It will still give me a chance to get set up before I leave on Wednesday.

I promise to upload many pictures today...lots of befores and afters from my room and my office.
Remember, I am now internet connected!