So tonight I came home from work and I head some water running. At first, I thought it was the water heater. Nope. It was the toilet. The hinge on the "bobber" that turns off the water after a flush was broken. I saw that and grabbed some rubber bands to try and stop the thing. That done and the water turned off I went to the pharmacy my landlord runs.
He told me "Don't worry go across the street to the shop over there and they will defiantly have the part you need and they can fix it for you." I told the guy at that shop my address and the situation. He said, "We don't have that part." Back I go to the landlord. The landlord tells me, "Impossible, they have to have it." Back to the shop. Nope. They still don't have it since it is an imported part (seriously, and imported part and nothing you have works?)
The landlord still doesn't believe me so he calls the shop. They still don't have the part.
That means the landlord has to wait until tomorrow and call some other dude and 1. wait for the part 2. wait for the guy to install it. In the meantime, it is a good thing I live close to the subway since I can't use my toilet now.
Update: dude came by at 10:45pm and fixed the thing. Now I wont have to hold it in the morning.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Weekend
Yesterday I had to work (I have to work one Saturday each month), but hardly anyone else was there and most of the ones who did come left early. So I left at 3:30PM with the other 2 people who were still there. One of my coworkers invited me to go shrimp fishing (a very Taiwanese activity where you sit around a shallow pool and fish for shrimp for a few hours then bbq them), but I already had evening plans. I instead hung out with my friend Oscar who I had not seen in a long time and had some beers.
Then today the head of ND alumni in Asia was coming back late and I didn't have time to meet with him. Instead, my friend Tim invited me out to a DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) protest. I jumped at the chance. I got to see the Taiwan protest culture, go to a museum, and have some great boiled dumplings for dinner.
To all those graduating from ND this year: I wish I was there to see the action going down. Don't let some nut-jobs ruin the culmination of 4 years.
This is really strange to think about. My ex broke up with me on Wednesday. Now she is engaged to her ex (and current fiance) after less than 5 days. Wow. Anyone want to place bets on if she is married and or pregnant by the time she comes back?
Friday, May 15, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy
This last week has been really busy for me.
I have been doing a lot of stuff for the ND club here and I will do more in the near future. You see, I am now the Alumni School Coordinator of the club here. Basically, that means I have to organize ND recruiting visits, contact high schools, and contact admitted students. So I had dinner Friday night with some ND admins and the local club. Sunday I have lunch with the head of all ND Asia alumni clubs. Next Saturday I go to another dinner and then at the end of the month 12 more students are coming to Taiwan. The 12 will live pretty close to me so I'll have to have them over for a party.
This week I have been trying to see friends I haven't seen for a long time. Each evening this week was with some different friends and this weekend will be the same. Then after next Wednesday I will likely be booked solid until Sunday.
Oh yeah, there is that work thing I have to deal with too. This week was really really busy. My biggest customer decided that this week that they needed to change ALL of their specs and ride us hard for new prices. The problem is they still aren't sure on their requirements, samples, etc. so it has been blind leading the blind. They are pushing a pipe dream on us is what it really amounts to. On top of that our machine that we use for their orders broke down. We had to send the order out at 4:00PM on Friday. We finished the last part at 3:30PM. There was a long time I thought we could not make it since I was working in the factory for the week and some workers had to work over 24 hrs to get it done.
Since the machine is broken that means my schedule for the next few weeks also gets turned upside down. I planned to go to Hong Kong and Cambodia next week. Now I am here since we have a German engineer coming to work on the machine. That means I translate and take care of him Mon-Wed. Then the week after that I go to Hong Kong and Cambodia. There is then a strong potential I spend the weekend in Bangkok and meet Mon-Tues before coming back to Taiwan.
Of course, these plans are likely to change too.
I have been doing a lot of stuff for the ND club here and I will do more in the near future. You see, I am now the Alumni School Coordinator of the club here. Basically, that means I have to organize ND recruiting visits, contact high schools, and contact admitted students. So I had dinner Friday night with some ND admins and the local club. Sunday I have lunch with the head of all ND Asia alumni clubs. Next Saturday I go to another dinner and then at the end of the month 12 more students are coming to Taiwan. The 12 will live pretty close to me so I'll have to have them over for a party.
This week I have been trying to see friends I haven't seen for a long time. Each evening this week was with some different friends and this weekend will be the same. Then after next Wednesday I will likely be booked solid until Sunday.
Oh yeah, there is that work thing I have to deal with too. This week was really really busy. My biggest customer decided that this week that they needed to change ALL of their specs and ride us hard for new prices. The problem is they still aren't sure on their requirements, samples, etc. so it has been blind leading the blind. They are pushing a pipe dream on us is what it really amounts to. On top of that our machine that we use for their orders broke down. We had to send the order out at 4:00PM on Friday. We finished the last part at 3:30PM. There was a long time I thought we could not make it since I was working in the factory for the week and some workers had to work over 24 hrs to get it done.
Since the machine is broken that means my schedule for the next few weeks also gets turned upside down. I planned to go to Hong Kong and Cambodia next week. Now I am here since we have a German engineer coming to work on the machine. That means I translate and take care of him Mon-Wed. Then the week after that I go to Hong Kong and Cambodia. There is then a strong potential I spend the weekend in Bangkok and meet Mon-Tues before coming back to Taiwan.
Of course, these plans are likely to change too.
The Breakup
Introduction
If you read a few posts down there is some stuff about my girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend. This is my “public diary” and when I broke up with the last lady I wrote the story here. I would write a lot to this lady when we were together and I know that she reads this blog too. So it feels right that this is half a blog post to all of you and half of one to her. No matter, I will write all the same things (with only one exception) whether she is reading or not.
First, I told her in the past that her name and pictures will not appear on this blog. That remains true now.
Story
I got together with her since I figured to not at least give it a shot with someone you like and someone who likes you and I would make me regret not at least giving it a try. Now I also knew she had a trip planned to see an ex-boyfriend in the US about a month after we first got together. Looking back, that was very dumb for me to accept the trip, but I did. The week before she left I was torn up inside and felt bi-polar. My heart and head were both simultaneously saying run then saying stay. I emailed a lot of you since I needed someone to talk with and bounce things off of. Thank you for the replies.
After she was there for less than 24 hours I knew what her decision was—I just had to wait for it (and the waiting sucked the most since all you can do is react). At the same time, I told myself and others that if she did come back to me then I would break up with her. So I was prepared for her MSN message. She said I am a good guy and she is sorry, but that her heart is with the other guy. I cannot argue with that. If her heart is not with me we should not be together. Now a loss like that is never fun, but I was somewhat prepared and I have been in a thoughtful mood—nevertheless it still sucks. But at least now I will be normal and happy instead of having this weight on my shoulders like the last week.
Some Things
I don’t consider this time with her a loss or a waste. Not at all. I spent time with a person who I cared about. Honestly, I was very happy when I was with her. On top of that, I learned some things about myself and for future relationships. That is by no means a waste. Still the last week has not been fun with the nearly constant worrying. The thing is that I gave it a shot, and that was all I wanted--a shot. Sure it didn’t turn out, but at least now I know for sure and wont have to ask “What if we had tried to be together?”
I have to think what will replace that time I spent with her? Well: work, beer, the friends I didn’t see so I could see her, and my new volunteer position with the ND club.
If you asked me yesterday when I was waiting for her reply if I could still be friends the answer would have been no. However, that is not true. We can still be friends and hers is a friendship I would value. Do I still love her—no, the die has been cast. Yet, I still do care for her and want to see her do well—the same as my other friends—so coffee and a movie is no problem.
What I Learned
Ironically, I told her this about her friend before she left, “Never make someone a priority if they only make you an option.” The truth is that I was an option, even though I did not want to admit it and I still made her my priority. Hopefully, I have learned my lesson. I try to treat my friends and girlfriends very well and I expect that they will respect me, trust me, and reciprocate my behavior. Next time, I need to be more demanding about the return.
Still, today I hold my head high. I acted with class and aplomb, I was open, I think I did the right things in the face of an unenviable situation, and took the loss in stride.
My View
At the same time, it does suck. I really did want things to work out and instead I lost out to the “other” guy. Now those of you who I have contacted know I do not have a high opinion of him at all—I was and am very harsh in my words toward him (I did not tell her my full opinion of him). I am fine to tell people in the private forum of email or if they call (if you really do want to know then email me). But this is a public forum and my views on him will not aired here since some lines of decorum are better not crossed.
It may suck, but it does not damage my confidence. True, it is hard to lose to someone I hold in low esteem. But I still know I am a good choice. Yes, that is bragging, but it is true. I have a high opinion of myself and I expect people I am with to carry themselves well and treat me very well (I will always try to do the same for them). I am a catch. Or as my friend said, “She lost the best.”
So…
I know I just insinuated not so nice things about the other guy. Yet, I do hope they do well together and are able to make things work in the coming months. As I told my ex before she left, if she chooses with her heart and chooses the best situation for her I would fully support it. If she believes it is the best for her, then of course I am ok with it. I also asked her to tell this guy that she is a great girl who deserves to be treated well and treated with respect—since she will treat him well.
Final Thoughts
This was something I thought of a lot this week since I have tried to incorporate into my life (it is good regardless of if you are religious or not):
"Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference." --- St. Francis of Assisi
I also learned that I need to trust my head. It told me exactly what was going on 100% of the time. Use my heart to guide me but trust my head to make deicsions. In addition, I definately need to be more demanding (within reason) to my next lady.
I especially want to thank my friends who listened and dispensed their advice—I am very lucky to have you guys around and I appreciate your feedback immensely.
Of course, this is not the ideal end I had in mind when we started dating. But I truly believe this is for the best for all the parties involved. I can also say that I will not meddle in their relationship. I didn't like people meddling with this relationship so I will not meddle with other's relationships.
To sum things up, this romance was like a shooting star. It was fast, fun, beautiful, and bright. But in the end it wasn’t meant to keep going on, and that is fine since it was a fun ride.
The song that reminds me of this last month with her is “Love and Memories” by O.A.R. It is about a fast romance that burned out—but the point of the song is that is was a good experience.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=likFPgF72A4
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/oarofarevolution/loveandmemories.html
If you read a few posts down there is some stuff about my girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend. This is my “public diary” and when I broke up with the last lady I wrote the story here. I would write a lot to this lady when we were together and I know that she reads this blog too. So it feels right that this is half a blog post to all of you and half of one to her. No matter, I will write all the same things (with only one exception) whether she is reading or not.
First, I told her in the past that her name and pictures will not appear on this blog. That remains true now.
Story
I got together with her since I figured to not at least give it a shot with someone you like and someone who likes you and I would make me regret not at least giving it a try. Now I also knew she had a trip planned to see an ex-boyfriend in the US about a month after we first got together. Looking back, that was very dumb for me to accept the trip, but I did. The week before she left I was torn up inside and felt bi-polar. My heart and head were both simultaneously saying run then saying stay. I emailed a lot of you since I needed someone to talk with and bounce things off of. Thank you for the replies.
After she was there for less than 24 hours I knew what her decision was—I just had to wait for it (and the waiting sucked the most since all you can do is react). At the same time, I told myself and others that if she did come back to me then I would break up with her. So I was prepared for her MSN message. She said I am a good guy and she is sorry, but that her heart is with the other guy. I cannot argue with that. If her heart is not with me we should not be together. Now a loss like that is never fun, but I was somewhat prepared and I have been in a thoughtful mood—nevertheless it still sucks. But at least now I will be normal and happy instead of having this weight on my shoulders like the last week.
Some Things
I don’t consider this time with her a loss or a waste. Not at all. I spent time with a person who I cared about. Honestly, I was very happy when I was with her. On top of that, I learned some things about myself and for future relationships. That is by no means a waste. Still the last week has not been fun with the nearly constant worrying. The thing is that I gave it a shot, and that was all I wanted--a shot. Sure it didn’t turn out, but at least now I know for sure and wont have to ask “What if we had tried to be together?”
I have to think what will replace that time I spent with her? Well: work, beer, the friends I didn’t see so I could see her, and my new volunteer position with the ND club.
If you asked me yesterday when I was waiting for her reply if I could still be friends the answer would have been no. However, that is not true. We can still be friends and hers is a friendship I would value. Do I still love her—no, the die has been cast. Yet, I still do care for her and want to see her do well—the same as my other friends—so coffee and a movie is no problem.
What I Learned
Ironically, I told her this about her friend before she left, “Never make someone a priority if they only make you an option.” The truth is that I was an option, even though I did not want to admit it and I still made her my priority. Hopefully, I have learned my lesson. I try to treat my friends and girlfriends very well and I expect that they will respect me, trust me, and reciprocate my behavior. Next time, I need to be more demanding about the return.
Still, today I hold my head high. I acted with class and aplomb, I was open, I think I did the right things in the face of an unenviable situation, and took the loss in stride.
My View
At the same time, it does suck. I really did want things to work out and instead I lost out to the “other” guy. Now those of you who I have contacted know I do not have a high opinion of him at all—I was and am very harsh in my words toward him (I did not tell her my full opinion of him). I am fine to tell people in the private forum of email or if they call (if you really do want to know then email me). But this is a public forum and my views on him will not aired here since some lines of decorum are better not crossed.
It may suck, but it does not damage my confidence. True, it is hard to lose to someone I hold in low esteem. But I still know I am a good choice. Yes, that is bragging, but it is true. I have a high opinion of myself and I expect people I am with to carry themselves well and treat me very well (I will always try to do the same for them). I am a catch. Or as my friend said, “She lost the best.”
So…
I know I just insinuated not so nice things about the other guy. Yet, I do hope they do well together and are able to make things work in the coming months. As I told my ex before she left, if she chooses with her heart and chooses the best situation for her I would fully support it. If she believes it is the best for her, then of course I am ok with it. I also asked her to tell this guy that she is a great girl who deserves to be treated well and treated with respect—since she will treat him well.
Final Thoughts
This was something I thought of a lot this week since I have tried to incorporate into my life (it is good regardless of if you are religious or not):
"Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference." --- St. Francis of Assisi
I also learned that I need to trust my head. It told me exactly what was going on 100% of the time. Use my heart to guide me but trust my head to make deicsions. In addition, I definately need to be more demanding (within reason) to my next lady.
I especially want to thank my friends who listened and dispensed their advice—I am very lucky to have you guys around and I appreciate your feedback immensely.
Of course, this is not the ideal end I had in mind when we started dating. But I truly believe this is for the best for all the parties involved. I can also say that I will not meddle in their relationship. I didn't like people meddling with this relationship so I will not meddle with other's relationships.
To sum things up, this romance was like a shooting star. It was fast, fun, beautiful, and bright. But in the end it wasn’t meant to keep going on, and that is fine since it was a fun ride.
The song that reminds me of this last month with her is “Love and Memories” by O.A.R. It is about a fast romance that burned out—but the point of the song is that is was a good experience.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=likFPgF72A4
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/oarofarevolution/loveandmemories.html
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Today Sucks Already
It's not even 3 and today has already been a bitch and a half.
Work:
Machine broke, so that means jump through hoops for my vendors. Now we may not make a huge shipment to our largest customer. That also means I have to entirely re-arrange my travel schedule to Hong Kong and Cambodia that was supposed to happen next week. We also have a huge order that has to be split into all kinds of parts and shipped to two partners who each need a ton of different documents and are having me chance the shipping documents all the time. My largest customer wants new samples ASAP and they just told me today they want to completely change their specs for shipping and packaging.
Relationship:
My girlfriend is on a long trip now. I had been worried about it for a long time and I thought I was done with my worries and I accepted it. Then today I was talking to a Taiwanese friend of mine who I trust a lot. My friend basically told me I am a damn idiot for accepting it--the trip cannot turn out well. I don't necessarily agree with that. For one, I know her and my friend does not. But at the same time, there is a lot of truth to my friend's words. I have been asking myself if I was just too blind the last 4 weeks--if I really should trust her, how this trip is in any way fair to me, and how there can be a good result. I do not know how to answer those questions. Honestly, I don't know what to think at this point.
Combined that is enough crap for a week. Today it happened all before lunch. Lots on my mind.
Work:
Machine broke, so that means jump through hoops for my vendors. Now we may not make a huge shipment to our largest customer. That also means I have to entirely re-arrange my travel schedule to Hong Kong and Cambodia that was supposed to happen next week. We also have a huge order that has to be split into all kinds of parts and shipped to two partners who each need a ton of different documents and are having me chance the shipping documents all the time. My largest customer wants new samples ASAP and they just told me today they want to completely change their specs for shipping and packaging.
Relationship:
My girlfriend is on a long trip now. I had been worried about it for a long time and I thought I was done with my worries and I accepted it. Then today I was talking to a Taiwanese friend of mine who I trust a lot. My friend basically told me I am a damn idiot for accepting it--the trip cannot turn out well. I don't necessarily agree with that. For one, I know her and my friend does not. But at the same time, there is a lot of truth to my friend's words. I have been asking myself if I was just too blind the last 4 weeks--if I really should trust her, how this trip is in any way fair to me, and how there can be a good result. I do not know how to answer those questions. Honestly, I don't know what to think at this point.
Combined that is enough crap for a week. Today it happened all before lunch. Lots on my mind.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Parasite Pills
So when I got back from my last trip to Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand I started taking some anti-parasite pills (just in case) to flush any of those little bastards out. I didn't really notice it but when I started taking them my appetite decreased.
Then a few days ago my mom sent me a package with two more bottles that I am supposed to take together (2 pills of each bottle twice a day). That was Monday. Since then my appetite has nose-dived. I am pretty sure it is the pills. So I am going to stop taking them. I seriously eat a little tiny thing and I am immediately full.
Then a few days ago my mom sent me a package with two more bottles that I am supposed to take together (2 pills of each bottle twice a day). That was Monday. Since then my appetite has nose-dived. I am pretty sure it is the pills. So I am going to stop taking them. I seriously eat a little tiny thing and I am immediately full.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Good Weekend
This last weekend was pretty sweet. On Thursday I was able to meet my girlfriend for dinner and a walk around the Shilin night market (士林夜市). As part of a little deal I'd made with her I had to eat some stinky tofu 臭豆腐--if doesn't sound good just think that it smells even worse. The first stall we went to was overpowering how bad it smelled. So we went to a place that had fried stinky tofu. It wasn't bad.
I had Friday off for a Taiwanese holiday. So I went with the lady up to Danshui/Tamshui/淡水. It was pretty nice to get out and walk by the ocean with about half the other people who live in Taipei...it is a big local tourist destination. Well wouldn't you know it but the lady didn't think I had enough stink toufu the day before...so we had some more--bbq'd stinky tofu.
Saturday I was supposed to meet at 2pm to go to a Chinese style post-burial wake for a coworkers father-in-law. But when I called at 1:45 they were already gone. So instead I went to the driving range. I hadn't picked up a club for about 9 months. Funny thing is I hit better than I ever have. After that I went to a big park in the center of the city and laid out in the sun and listened to a Taiwanese concert.
Sunday I got up early and met my friend Tim and his friend Eddy for a hike. We started about 9:30am and finished about 4:30pm. There was only one steep climb. So the scenery was great, company was good, and the hike wasn't too hard. Lunch was some boxed stuff we bought at 7-11. After a good hike it tasted good at the top of a "mountain" called Miantian shan 面天山. Th two downsides to the hike was the last half was all downhill. And that killed my hamstrings and quads (a few hours of all downhill will do that). The other part was the clouds came and went so that meant the temperature changed a bit whenever we had cloud cover (it was 83+ without the clouds)
All in all a good weekend.
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