349th Post - Videoless and happy -

Well, this evening as I was walking home I saw a giant snail. Perhaps it was one of those African snails that is asexual and slimes acid in it’s track - I am sure I read that somewhere. But I can’t be too sure - all I know is that it was picture perfect and on the go.

Life is Taiwan has been a real treat. After my nine years in Japan, where I honestly became so comfortable - I consider it my second home. Now, here in Taiwan trying to do it all over again at 33 years old, l have quickly come to understand it takes enormous amounts of energy to take a deep bite out of the culture and language of foreign country. The acid snail from Africa seemed to be doing just fine.

I have found work at a couple Universities, cram schools, and even kindergartens! The work here is fun and the folks in Taipei are hungry to learn and speak English. I hope my efforts to facilitate their English level’s are fruitful. It seems learning a second language as an adult is more about confidence, motivation, investment, and humiliation - unlike the grassroots language acquisition of a child. Speaking of which my daughter is now two and is busting out mad crazy Chinese - urgh, I gotta keep up. (but doing my darnedest to teach her English and even some Japanese)

To those of you who are waiting or who checked back for a video - trust me I will get back in the game. At the moment I have been working on other things - mainly cycling and weight lifting. Since I moved to Taiwan those are my main two releases. I should vlog more about my rides and workouts - I am sure there is an audience out there for those two topics. But for now I will only say - man, it is hot in Taiwan - and giant snails.