Having had a number of Muslim friends around, I have finally made my journey to the Mosque in Taipei which I had been longing to visit. The journey was motivated not only by my great curiosity to Islam but also my growing desire to learn more about it. Unfortunately, I had only been exposed to the manipulated images of Muslim people on the media until I was lucky to have met people who were raised as Muslims in real life and thus enabled me to read different profiles and perspectives. Although most of them do not spontaneously talk about their beliefs but then again, my little knowledge of Islamic beliefs and curiosity have always driven forward our conversation to this sensitive topic most people would prefer to avoid.

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Throughout my 10 days in Thailand, one of the most unforgettable things is that I had been mistaken as a Thai. Thai people spoke Thai to me and I replied in Thai in the first two or three sentences then in English. Do I really look Thai? Well, I think I look more Thai than Thai people themselves. The reason why I would say that is because I have become so much tanner and I would rather take their remark as a compliment than an insult because Thai people are so beautiful, as far as I am concerned. 

Thailand is the second foreign country I have visited and this was the first time my nationality was being questioned or doubted. Growing up in Taiwan and having surrounded by people from different nationalities and ethnicities, I had listened to their frustration and struggle which they have to go through, not by choice. I never had to deal with their dilemma and having come back to Taiwan, I still don't have to. I live under the privilege entitled to citizens only as well as the convenience of communicating in my own mother tongue; moreover, I did not have to adapt myself to a foreign food, culture and environment. However, having spent 10 days in Thailand which is the longest period I have spent by far in a foreign country, I have experienced, if slightly, the challenge all my foreign friends are going through every single day.

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I spent my CNY in the south and east of Taiwan. I was in Taitung (East) and couldnt help but noticed the long line queuing up outside of this Stinky Tofu place, my friend from Taitung also told me its a must eat! However, let me highlight a characteristic of this Taiwanese snacks, Stinky Tofu/chou4 dou4 fu3/臭豆腐: As you can tell from its name, it stinks! I grew up eating stinky tofu; I dont find it so stinky though. :P Yet the smell bothers many foreigners I know here in Taiwan as they drive or scoot by a night market. This video not only introduces Taiwanese delicacies but also recommends you to try it on for size if you ever visit the east coast of Taiwan, Taitung(台東). Zhu4 Da4jia1 Xin1 Nian2 Kuai4 Le4!!! ;)

Yay! School is finally over! This was my first week of the winter break. I got a new hair look and I have finally gotten a chance to regain the social life that has long lost.

I spent a day in Taipei yesterday. I went to an art show(Cai Guo – Qiang: Hanging Out in the Museum) with friends from school. It was great to finally be there to appreciate Cai's art works. In the evening, I attended Taipei Tweetup dinner party, which was fantastic! Got to get together with my other friends again and meet new people. It really was a blast! ;)

Taipei Fine Arts Museum:

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I've begun to vlog about my life here in Taiwan. I try to capture interesting things, such as culture, food and people. Hope it'd be resourceful for those are traveling to Taiwan to take a glimpse at the island first and people who want learn about Taiwanese culture as well. It would also be a listening practice for lntermediate Chinese learners. I hope you understand most of what I said without having to looking at the English subtitle. Jia1 You2 Ba5! :D

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