"Babies Taste Great"

If you don't know whose motto that is, just ask--sort of an inside joke among a few people. On a completely unrelated topic, Rotary is being problematic about traveling. I am offering them the (in my opinion) completely reasonable proposition:

I am encountering difficulty and was wondering if you could help me out. As you doubtless know, there is in Kenting from April 1st-5th a music festival. Students who went last year have informed me that it is a great, unique opportunity to experience the music culture of Taiwan. Of course, both as an exchange student & lover of music I would very much like to attend.

The difficulty arises because I do not completely understand the rules of travel outside the district. Could you please suggest to me the most acceptable method (最可以的辦法) for attending this event? It is not necessary to go for the whole thing, even 1 or 2 days would be fine to experience it.

My host mother was supposed to represent/advocate this desire at a host family + rotary meeting today; however, I don't think she did a very good job as their apparent answer is "不行" (buxing no, not permissible, not acceptable). So I have sent an email explaining in no uncertain--though I feel fairly reasonable--terms to the district.

I am trying to be a 'good exchange student' not running off and doing stuff by myself. If they say "you need to stay with this host family, being home at 9:30 at night, and only go for the weekend," that's fine by me. I can understand even requiring some adult chaperone to accompany us on the way there (what trouble one can get into riding the train or bus I can't imagine) & back, aside from staying with approved people. I want to go in a small group though. Travelling with two busloads of people does not count as traveling. Going to Gaoxiong with that many people on a Rotary schedule is not going to a 5 day music festival in Kenting.

In other news, I have officially withdrawn from the 'culture class' so I can not suffer the BS & the dancing anymore. This means more time at school & a yummy TWO blocks that day with my personal tutor (provided gratis by my school). Plus, I can finally go to Wednesday morning choir practise. The more Chinese / less English should be better overall. Naturally, the 'status quo' of people sleeping in and stuff would have been better to maintain, but that won't be possible.

In a brilliant contractual violation, PP Water even went so far as to say that if people came late to culture class any more, their allowance would be withheld or reduced or something. That was kind of too much for me. I mean, sure I signed a really stupid contract to come on this exchange where the host Rotary district can add clauses in the form of a rule-set I wasn't able to see when I signed my name to the contract. Not to mention that neither Rotary nor your host families have spelled-out responsibilities. Nor do you have recourse if, say, your host family just locks you out of your house (happened last year, happened this year). Sorry if I sound negative. But now it's time for my

Short Article Extolling Youth Exchange!!

That's not to say everything is bad. In fact, even though I am often frustrated I am still glad that I took this opportunity & would still recommend youth exchange, even Rotary youth exchange, to all of you. It's a fantastic way to experience another culture (even though parts of Taiwanese culture make me sad & glad that I didn't grow up going to Taiwanese school) and if you want to take a good stab at a foreign language.

Depending on your personality, I would or would not recommend Taiwan. It has the advantage of being the only country in the world on RYE where you can learn Mandarin Chinese, but depending on a few factors beyond your control you may not be able to enjoy the same lifestyle as people in other countries (such as many European ones). Still people for the most part are still having an ok time & no-one has gone home, save a German guy who got really, really sick.

Naturally, having such great friends back in Canada, some days it is difficult. "I could be jamming with Brad right now," I think, or hanging out with any number of people. On the whole, I think I have benefitted in personality, experiences, and language education. Not to mention my pushup count and bulk in my triceps (body's overall mass remains the same).

Just keep on rocking, y'all, and post a comment. Also, Soobus' blog closed its doors. Another one bites the dust. [3 hours, on and off] K out