Picture Post Explanations

OK...you can tell I'm not very good at uploading pictures! I think you get the move-in and Aussie Day pictures.

The walk to my office is really very interesting. You first see the bus stop with all the bicycles locked to the wall. Far Eastern (who owns YZU) has a big R&D plus location across the street. The large gold character wall is associated with that location. I can see the Guard Gate to the entrance as I walk straight ahead. Please notice all the bikes parked behind the guard gate. The YZU entry is very nice; it also has a carillon tower (although I haven't figured out exactly when it rings!). I walk down a brick walk through the center of the entrance (notice the trees, flowering cherry, lights). My office building is on the sixth floor of the Admin building, the round tower overlooking the quad. Directly behind the center of the quad is the library shown with a slight tilt (which I have yet to visit). That building also holds a student canteen, a Family Mart, and my "Thursday only bank." Across from my building you will see the red sculpture and a small wooden framed "tea house." All in all, it is a very nice walk.

Jong Li, my new across-the-hall friend, and I walked the campus and did our track time this morning. She is from mainland China, and has been quite lonely since getting here. She really speaks English very well, although I am sure she has many headaches from listening and concentrating. We are exchanging places to shop and eat, and I think we will do some Taiwan traveling after the CNY holiday is over. I would love for her to become an exchange teacher at TAMUCC, and I am going to help her try to do so.

Today is an auspicious birthday for Kevin. They are having a lasagna dinner, and chocolate fondue for dessert. His office had a surprise party for him last Friday. I truly never thought we would be together in Taiwan low those many years ago.

Time for me to get ready for the office...I need to start practicing my Mandarin...reading and writing, if not speaking. I'm still hoping to get into my classrooms before I leave tomorrow.

Cheers!