Wednesday: We arrived here around 11:30pm, we were greeted at the airport by an amazing group of over 25 people! Our cooperating teachers, our site coordinators, host families, and so many more. I felt like I was living in one of those super exciting welcome home videos you watch online. We were taken to our apartments, and left to go to bed!! A 21 hour travel day, you could say we were very tired. Once I had a minute to myself, the thought of being here for two months was starting to a little overwhelming, but so exciting at the same time. Either way, I just needed some sleep!
Thursday: A day dedicated for touring our respective schools around the city that we will be teaching at starting on Monday. I woke up about three of four times during the night, but was still feeling alright in the morning. It was not until later this afternoon when the jet lag started taking a big toll on me. My body was getting worn out and tried. Everything was so amazing though, and I was still loving every minute of it. We had a lot of new foods while visiting the schools; well, new to me at least. I knew coming into this that the food would be my biggest struggle, but so far so good. We had so much fun getting to know everyone working at all of the schools, every single one of them are so incredibly nice. By the time Thursday night rolled around and we were back at the apartment, my stomach was feeling a little off, but that was expected from the new foods. Unfortunately, I ended up getting sick this night. It was not the ideal situation, but I was not shocked, I knew I just had to keep a positive attitude, take care of myself, and move forward.
Friday: We had the rest of the the weekend to do our own thing and prepare for the upcoming week. I was still not feeling well at all so we went out to walk around and I got some crackers, juice, and fruit from the store to try and settle my stomach before trying anything else. I spent the remainder of this day in my room trying to recover. At this point, my stomach is still on edge, I have a pretty nasty cough, and fever that has been coming and going all since Thursday night... Not the greatest day yet, but it can only get better from here, right?
Saturday: I did not sleep more than two hours Friday night, this was it, 2:30am I decided it was time to experience going to the doctor in Taiwan! I could not handle it anymore, and I am so glad that I did. I don't know if I have mentioned this yet, but we have amazing support here from everyone, but especially our coordinators. Peter and Joyce are two of many amzing people, they picked me up and took me to the doctor and made everything feel like it was going to be okay. Of course I could not understand the medical protocol in a different country, let alone the language, they helped me through the entire process so I did not have to lift a finger. So greatful!! Yayyy, so I got medicine, I do not know what I had but I was 'infected'. I was a little bit nervous being treated for something when I did not even know what it was myself... but within the first few hours I was feeling so much better! (side note: Seeing the doctor and getting many medications/prescriptions for treatment, all without insurance here was 15 US dollars... insanely cool!!) I was optimistic today in my health, wanting so bad to just feel better, I ventured out with Ashley, Ky, and Zoe to the beach. I needed to get out of my room and get some air! It was a great time, I made sure to drink lots of water, and it was probably a too big of a set, but it was well worth it and I am still alive! Figuring out the public transportation is going to be an interesting system for me... I have plenty of time though!
Sunday: We start school tomorrow!! I have no idea what to expect or think of the day that lies ahead, but I do know that I am very excited for the unknown. First things first, I am still not feeling 100% and I need to get some rest. So today, besides from walking around to get food, we lounged around the apartments, did some laundry, applied for some jobs, and did a lot of homework. Who wants to do any of that while your adventuring abroad, I know, but my body will thank me, especially as this busy week approaches us!
My biggest struggle so far, aside from being sick almost the whole time, is becoming accustom to the food. It has been a challenge, it is not my favorite or first pick, but I am getting stronger each day.
I promise to write more often, especially now that I am feeling better. Here is where I am headed off to tomorrow, my school NeiWei ("NayWay"), meeting my 1st, 2nd, and 6th graders!!
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