Kathleen: We Made It and Had Fun!

So after a grueling seventeen hour flight we FINALLY made it to Taiwan! We were met by a huge banner that read "Welcome Exchange Students from Dallas,TX to Taoyuan" and a bunch of our host families! After tons of picture taking Page and I got in the car with Demi and headed to our host home- it is BEAUTIFUL! It is a five story home with an elevator, we are on the fifth floor and our room an air conditioning unit! It is wonderful! Demi and her family are so extremely sweet, her dad is funny, her little sisters are precious, and her mom is so nice. I am so glad we get to stay with them. I'm also super stoked about living with Page- we will have a great time for sure! After getting acquainted with the family Page and I took showers and then got in bed. We finally went to bed at one in morning and slept WONDERFULLY!

This morning we woke up at 5:45-rough, I know- and began to get ready for school. We went downstairs at 6:30 for breakfast with the family, it was nice, we had breakfast cakes. Then we headed to school, Demi's dad drove us. As we drove I was in absolute awe-there are cars,mopeds, and people EVERYWHERE. I seriously do not think I could drive here. It is so different from Grand Prairie but so wonderful in it's own way. Once we got to the school Page, Demi, and I went to Demi's classroom and watched everyone giggle at us, at first it was a little off putting but then you realize they are just a little shy but SUPER sweet. Soon Amalia joined us in the classroom. It is so strange, there is absolutely no supervision. The kids are on their own for so much of the day. At home the classroom belongs to the teacher and the students are merely visitors and it is the complete opposite here the classrooms belong to the students and the teachers move in and out, I like it alot. At 8:30 Page, Demi, Amalia,her host Mimi,and I went downstairs to the open auditorium for the welcome celebration. Their band played and it was beautiful after them it was our turn! We had such a fun time and I think we did pretty good too! They were all freaking out and if we didn't do well they for sure didn't know!

After the celebration Amalia and I went to our first class of the day- English but there was no english being learned today, we partied! They began with a presentation which included spongebob dancing and dances to Lady Gaga songs- needless to say it was wonderful! Then we played games and Amalia and I won prizes. Next, we went to Athletics and we learned Kung Fu- it was AWESOME! I hope I can remember some by the time I get home because it has , no doubt, been my favorite part of the trip this far. After the awesomeness that was Kung Fu we went to history aka party time. They had a danced preapred for us, a girl played, what appeared to be an ancient Taiwanese flute, it was so cool, we played games, learned a little bit about the history of Taiwan, and then they stuffed us like we were cows going to slaughter. Everytime I turn around someone is there offering me food. After History was lunch and we were once again reunited with the delgation- it is fun to get together and compare stories and gifts. There are plenty of gifts to compare because normally you get two things when you turn around food and gifts, not that I am complaining! After lunch Amalia and I went to Confucious and partied more and we also learned how to play Chinese games and say some things in Chinese, along with a lot of dancing and Lady Gaga! Then the whole delegation went to make tea which was fun, probably not my strong suit but still fun.

The people here are beyond nice. I keep saying I knew I was going to have fun but didn't know it would be this fun! I have met so many sweet and caring people. It is so comforting to know that teenage girls are teenage girls every where arounf the world, the two most frequently asked questions are, "Do you have a boyfriend?" and "Who do you think is cute?". Amalia and I got to have some fun girl talk with some girls! I am having so much fun! I hope to write more later!