Week Ten Top Five

1. Second-hand book stores here rock I went to a second-hand book store on Saturday for the first time. The store was huge and incredibly cheap! I purchased the Chinese version of two books I have already read in English. I am excited to improve my reading ability by working through these books.

2. My writing abilities have improved significantly After I finished my first draft of my midterm essay for my class on the history of Chinese characters, I asked my host sister to proofread it for me. In the past when she has helped me, it’s been a long process because my writing is often riddled with mistakes. However, in this essay, I had only a couple of grammar mistakes. I was very surprised that I was able to discuss a subject as technical as the differences between two historical forms of Chinese characters with few mistakes. This showed me I have been making progress!

3. The shuttle train is another great way to get around Kaohsiung I took the shuttle train home for the first time on Thursday. I was surprised at how quick and inexpensive it was. I will certainly be taking it again in the future!

4. My religious Chinese vocabulary is improving On Friday, I gave a presentation about baptism. I was happy to find I was able to give a mostly understandable presentation about this aspect of Catholicism. I am making progress towards my goal of having a functional knowledge of religious terms in Chinese!

5. Taiwanese parents traditionally celebrate when their child turns four months old This celebration is called 收涎 (shōuxián). Parents put a red string with cookies around the child’s neck. This cookies are known as slobber cookies. Family and friends use the cookies to gently wipe the baby’s lips as they wish the child well. This ceremony is sometimes referred to in English as the Anti-Drooling Ceremony. I learned this from the students at the elementary school we volunteer at once a month.