"never leave home without Betty & Pansy"!

Good morning! It's about 6:30PM over here is this part of the world. Eventually I will stop starting my blogs by telling you the day and time. Key word is eventually.

So today was my day off! My second day off actually... I had Saturday off and then Monday (today). Ryan and I bought a couple dvds from Blockbuster, downloaded some episodes from the new season of the L word, bought food for two days and have stayed inside for the whole day!! Mostly in our pajamas, snacking and watching those lovely lesbians that make my heart ache. And of course, it is yet another rainy day. I was told yesterday that April is the rainy season... I would have figured that this was the rainy season, since it has rained almost every day since we got here... but no apparently not.

I bleached my hair this evening. I think I will need someone to go to Shopper's Drug Mart for me, buy me some bleach and mail it to me. I perused the hair dye section of Watson's your personal store and did not find any bleach. Interesting. I LIKE being a blonde! Help me out here guys...

So (as mentioned in my email to Amanda) I have caught the bug of homesickness. It's true. Did that make your heart tingle? I miss you. But I'm guessing that this is part of the process. And as I am trying to approach all situations with the intention of softening and experiencing, that is what I'm trying to do now. It's all good. I watched Brokeback Mountain last night with Ryan and it made me ball my FACE OFF! For real you guys. I'm that big of a dork. I guess I just needed to cry... I just went for it. I think it weirded Ryan out a little. Why the hell would I be crying like that for some ficticious gay men that lost their love? Really now. My vote is that it's because I am silly. Silly nicole. That's what you can call me from now on.

New thought. I came to a realization the other morning, while I was talking to Alison on MSN. This life of teaching yoga, practicing yoga and living in an unknown city is the least stressful lifestyle I have ever experienced. Of course there are still bickerings between me and Ryan... but there are no deadlines, stressful phonecalls from (fill in the blank), drama between co-workers, goals, gossip, tears (unless watching Brokeback Mountain), employees quitting... How about that?

Did I mention that I got a hotplate? I'm not sure... so I will keep it short. Nikki gave us her hotplate because she hasn't been using it. Not only did she give us the FREE hotplate, but some pots and pans, tupperware and other kitchen paraphernalia. THANK YOU! Since then I have made huge helpings (with leftovers) of coconut curry, miso soup and tonight will be a nice vegetarian pasta. Mmmm... food that isn't fried tofu and noodles. *sigh*

So in the specific to the city "Taipei News", Ryan and I went to a new market (Ximen) and went to Longshan Temple. The temple was beautiful... apparently it is multi-denominational. Nonetheless, we had no idea what was going on and felt somewhat intrusive. People were buying incense and burning it, holding it up as offerings to the statues of the particular Gods of their choice. Others had brought food and flowers to give as offerings. The place was a hot spot for activity... we very respectfully did the little tour around, paused to observe for a short time, took a couple pictures discretely and then moved on. Maybe once we understand the culture a little better, we can go again and possibly participate.

Ximen market was fun! Though it was pouring rain (go figure!) and it made me feel a little wilted. This market is focused specifically on hip, young clothes. There were Japanese tourists everywhere. The clothes were adorable... I bought a hat and a tanktop. I would have spent more... but I'm trying to live a little more simply. Really now. :) One store was super hip and "punkrock". Their changerooms had a collage of photos of people's genitalia. It was funny and uncomfortable all at the same time. Ryan didn't notice (though I'm not sure how you could miss a giant penis on the wall), so we agreed that I would take him back. Next time I'll take pictures for you (yeah, YOU).

So I think that's it. I'm going to send an email tonight giving you all my mailing address. It's actually the mailing address for the studio, but that's the one we've been advised to use. So if you're feeling generous, you can send letters! Real live letters. I was talking to Tanna on MSN the other day and she said that getting letters was like getting presents. I said that only the most wicked friends send regular letters in the MAIL! She agreed. Hey, does anyone want to visit? You could stay at our wee little apartment with us! I would love guests! Do it!
Love you all. Miss you more than I can express. xo. -n.