Quick update - pre-Taiwan

Even though I wasn't planning to go back to Taiwan this year, I am currently in Taipei. As I mentioned in my last post I am volunteering with MLB International helping the Dodgers' trip to Taiwan. It has been 4 days and even though it was been physically tiring, it has also been a rewarding experience. However, I don't have enough time to do my experiences so far justice right now so it will be in parts. First, the Farewell party and the Fulbright mid-year conference.

The Taiwanese Study-Abroad Student Association had its annual farewell party (for graduating students) a few weeks ago. Considering that members of the volleyball team/group that I joined here are the future officers of TSASA, I have been been included in most of their events. Overall, it was an entertaining night, especially watching people after they are drunk (as harmless drunks). The advisor for the club, Sanada-sensei, who doesn't know Chinese but could act as a double for former Taiwan president Chen Shui-Bian, was quite amusing. Kind of like chatting with a very red, very happy former president.

After that, we had the Fulbright mid-year conference in Tokyo. Honestly, I wasn't too pleased at first because as someone who lived relatively close to Tokyo, I didn't receive any financial support from Fulbright Japan (compared to some VERY generous amounts other Fulbrighters received). I know I shouldn't complain too much because Fulbright has already been very generous with grant money so far, but considering I live far enough that it is inconvenient for me to go home at night and transportation costs are pretty high, I wasn't that happy. However, the actual conference was great because I was able to meet up with everyone.

As expected, I was really nervous when I was presenting about my project but at least I got it out of the way early (2 out of 12). While it was great hearing about the projects of others, it also made me a bit worried about the progress of mine. Thankfully, I was able to arrange an individual meeting with the Fulbright staff the next day and they were very helpful with suggestions and possible interviewees. I really have to step it out when I return to Japan but I am more confident about my research now compared to before.

Post-conference fun was amazing. Whether it was all-you-can-eat okonomiyaki, some karaoke fun, or simply chatting and catching up with everyone. Unfortunately, Reed was sick when we went for dinner and the restaurant had a policy of paying for left-over food, so Andrew and I had to suck it up and finish all of the extra food we had at our table. I felt sick afterward...we needed our all-star out there. Oh, I also got pretty annoyed at the red tape/bureaucracy of Japan. Jamie (Fulbright) needed to get her re-entry permit and was planning to do so in Tokyo (she lives in Osaka). After Rachael and I went with her to the immigration office and waited in line for over an hour, we were told that since she lived in Osaka, she was not able to get her permit there. No where on the website was this "small" fact mentioned and I, who did not live in Tokyo, got my re-entry permit there as well. It sucked.

The most "interesting" event was probably finally going to a maid cafe with many of the other Fulbrighters. It was the firs time for all of us but one and we weren't really sure what to expect but we eventually decided to go to one of the sketchier ones (or as Andrew says, sketchtastic). Trying to take advantage of a student discount, we decided to go to one that had girls in kimonos. Overall, it was an interesting experience, mostly from observing the other patrons. We went as a group of people but I was slightly surprised by how many people went by themselves. Some were really sketchy (like this middle-aged man) but some seemed to be like us and were simply trying to see what the experience was all about. There was even two girls who went in order to celebrate one of their birthdays (the birthday girl got a group pic and free dessert I believe). If others wanted to go again I wouldn't be against it but I would definitely not go alone.

I had to rush back to Tsukuba and pack for my flight to Taiwan but one of the senpai (older students) of my research lab asked if I could correct his English for a presentation he was giving in Vancouver. I was surprised at first because he hadn't told me earlier but I sort of had to help him out (etiquette and all). And honestly, it is the least I could for the lab so I wasn't too unhappy. I had to meet him the day I was leaving for Taiwan though, and much to my surprise a second senpai asked me to check his English that day too. I ended up asking them to send me their powerpoints and I checked them in Taiwan. Thankfully, I was able to finish checking before I started working for the Dodgers thing, which will be the topic of my next post. =P