Taipei Grand Mosque

One of Taipei's architectural gems

Yesterday I was very lucky to visit the Taipei Grand Mosque 台北清真寺, the biggest mosque in Taiwan and one of Taipei's architectural gems. The fact, that it was built in 1960 and still looks so good is proof, that it was designed and built at the highest level possible. That's no wonder, since the architect behind this splendid structure is no other than Yang Cho Cheng 楊卓成, the man who designed one of Taiwan's most famous landmarks, such as the CKS Memorial Hall, National Theater and Concert Hall and the Grand Hotel. This mosque is truly worth a visit, it's just opposite the Daan Park. Use this map to find it and read more about it on the mosque's website. And very close by is a church, which proofs again, that Taiwan is one of countries with the highest religious tolerance in the world.

Compare: [Sultan Mosque, Singapore][TAIPEI's SIGHTS page][Photo by MKL, 2011]

Gloomy...

The weather here in Jeju is still cloudy and drizzley. *whaaaa* I can't wait to see the sun. My luggage wasn't prepared for this weather being that I only packed like 4 pair of pants in it. I've been rotating the same outfit it feels like for a week. Good thing I packed a pair of boots because the rain has just been sitting on the streets.

Today is our shopping day and my money has been patiently waiting to be burned for this occasion. We're going to the underground subway shopping center (those are the best places to find stuff) and I'm hoping to run into some cute shoes. I've already collected so many cute accessories and hairpins you'd think I was trying to open up my own store.

My stomach is slowly expanding from all the food I've been craming into my mouth. We eat like every 2 hours and they're not snack portions either. haha. The seafood here is soooo fresh and cheap! Mmmm mmmm mmmm. Everything just tastes that much better here..... :)

I'm Here!!!

So, I've been lagging on my posts partially due to laziness, business, but mostly because of Korea!! I'm finally here and enjoying every second of it! We've been staying here in Jeju and the weather isn't at it's best right now. Why must the rain decide to visit us now?? Regardless, I'm living and eating it up to the fullest. I've been snapping away at everything so I'll have plenty of pics to post, don't you worry.

I doubt that I'll be posting much just for the fact that I didn't bring my laptop and I don't feel like begging Anthony's mom everyday to use hers. I don't want to look rude like I came on vacation to just google all day, so I'll try to limit myself. Man, there's so much to show and tell, but that will have to wait until I come back...... :( (in june)

Hakka bridge, Miaoli City

A long and impressive suspension bridge

Hakka bridge 客屬大橋, a suspension bridge located south of Miaoli City is a remarkable piece of Taiwanese engineering and architecture. It's 1.2 km long and 16.5 m wide and was completed in 2006 (source). It connects Tonglou Township with Gongguan Township (see a map here). I took this photo from a Hakka park above the valley.

[My TAIWAN TRAVEL page][Photo by MKL, 2011]

Jinan Presbyterian Church, Taipei

Taipei's most beautiful church


The Jinan Presbyterian Church 濟南基督長老教會 is according to me Taipei's most beautiful church and one of the most remarkable ones in whole of Taiwan. It was constructed in 1916 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. The church can be found in Zhongzheng, close to the NTU Hospital MRT Station. More info here (in Chinese).

[My TAIPEI SIGHTS post][Photo by MKL, 2011]

Cheap Dye Job

As of 2 years ago, I've been dying my own hair. They say box color is never the way to go, but who are they? I get good results and the color stays for months! I was tired of paying +$65 for some highlights or even $40 for a solid color. It's always the worst when you have a certain color or style in mind and the hairdresser pretends to act like she knows what you want and it turns out the opposite! Crimany! Now how am I suppose to face my friends and coworkers with a messed up looking patchy colored hair do?? Then the stylist tries to fix it with toners and what not and it just makes it worse. Now they try to schedule me to come in a couple days later to redo it, but it's a big hassle to try to squeeze in the time between school, work, and just my regular daily life. So, it just all comes down to why I prefer to do my own hair. Not only is the box color $3, but if I need more color it will only cost me another $3 to get another box. I used to hate when salons would charge like an extra $20 for 3 oz more of dye because I "have a lot of hair." Are you kidding me?

This is very rare- my hair blowdryed out and worn down.

School's out for the summer

Now with exams done and over with I can breathe. *exhaling* Man, cramming has never felt like a sport until the last month of the semester. I'm a little disappointed that I'm 5 classes behind *cough cough*, but that's what summer classes are for, right? Due to some guilt ridden feelings I decided to sign up for some extra classes in June. Yeah, that will spare me some more time for me during my fall semester. *siiiiigh*

Anthony made me some chicago style dogs while I was studying. They were so delish. Did I mention that I was eating this around the midnight mark? Very bad, Michelle.

I like to peek in other's homes

We are always in the mood for sushi! (as if no one knows that by now) I always make sure to pick up extra work shifts so I can fulfil my craving addiction. After dinner, we walked around the mall and then headed to Karina's house. It was a night to remember being that I was getting my first real piece of art. Karina's brother is an artist (by profession) and was generous enough to gift me a painting of my liking. Well, this gift didn't necessarily come free you see. Victor (Karina's brother) is a real business man at heart and believes in favors for favors. So, I used his own tactic and offered him my full rosetta stone set (of Italian and Greek) in exchange of his artwork. I saw it was a pretty sweet deal. :)

I have a confession. One of my many guilty pleasures is touring around other people's homes. You let me in to use the bathroom, I'll wind up wanting to check out your bedroom, garage, backyard, kitchen .........Growing up I always liked going over to my friends' house because it was a new surrounding and it was always interesting to see other's taste in decor and style. I was always envious of my friends' bedrooms because they always seemed to have the cutest bed sets, nicely painted walls, and matching posters to go with the room theme.


Check out Karina's family home------

This is Victor's work space.......

 

Their tequila bar.......

 

The living room (I love the painting Victor did on the wall. I really wanted that one, but it wasn't up for grabs *sad face* )

The kitchen .......(you'll notice their home has like 5 tvs!)

 

Karina's simple yet beautiful bedroom.....I'm loving her chandeliers.

Victor's room

I love their watch box. I need something like this......

In their bathroom

Their tiki looking jacuzzi tub

The parentals love den.....hahaha. I love the figurines karina's mom had displayed behind her bed.

Thee Artist- Victor

I'm jealous that he owns a real LV bag at his tender 22 years of age! I don't even own one! I guess you know you're making it big when you have money to buy a $2,000+ bag, huh?

He had his contract ready for me to sign and everything.....so professional. He even had wine to celebrate the adoption of his beloved art work.

Mmmmm, my favorite. How did he know??

My new gorgeous addition to the family-----I call it "Happiness."

Can I just say..............

So, I'm paying for my stuff at the store and I tell the cashier I need to make a return. Here's the actual conversation-

cashier- *ringing my 3 items up* (mascara, bananas, and the new olay face scrubber machine thingy)

me- Hi, good evening. I would like to exchange this (box of hair dye.) *trying to quickly alert her of my exchange as she's racing to hurry and get my things into the bag to therefor have us quickly exist the line*

cashier- Um, ok. *looking confused*

me- So, if I could just use this return as a credit towards my total since I don't have the receipt with me.

cashier- Yeah.......I can return it for you.

me- Yeah, that's what I would like to do. *waiting for her to finish my transaction*

cashier- Ok, but I was suppose to ring this up in the beginning of the transaction not the end.

me- Ooookkaayy, so what are you saying? You just said you could return it for me?

cashier- Yeah, I can return for you......

me- *getting confused and frustrated now*

Anthony- I think she means she can return it by giving you a store credit for future use.

me- Oh, no....I meant I would like to return it and use the credit towards my total, please. *isn't that what I said in the first place??*

cashier- *lets out a big ol siiiiggghhhh* Well, I was suppose to ring it up in the beginning. *as if repeating herself would persuade me into taking a store credit*

me- *now getting irritated by her laziness * Okaaaaay, so then void out the 3 items you rang up and re-ring up my return in the beginning. Isn't that what you're saying??

cashier- *now pissed off at me because I'm having her do 'more' work and starts pounding her key board as if this will help the situation.* hey, whatever relieves her stress I guess. :P She's now siighing with a slight grunt mixed in with it*

cashier-* still pounding keys and grunting* Hold on while I get someone to void these out for me.

me- *thinking in my head- Really?? They don't have the empowerment to void out/off transactions?? Pretty sad if you ask me*

cashier- *shouting across to the other cashier*- 'Debbie!! When you get a chance I need your code to void these out. Sorry to be a pain!!

*hey I'm not dumb. I caught her subliminal message.*

me- *ooohhh, ok. So she wants to be a little smart wench face* Oh! I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be a pain. I didn't think it was going to be any trouble for you since I'm the only one in line. I totally understand you're in a hurry and have other work to do.....*like being the cashier you are!!!!!!*

cashier- ...............................waits like 30 seconds to reply* ......It's ok.

me- Good. *fake smile*

cashier- *gets the code and redoes my transaction, but now she's practically throwing my merchandise and pounding them into the bag.

me- Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. I didn't know this one return would be so much work for you. *playing a fake empathy role*

cashier-..................*waits 30 seconds again until she replies with*----- Oh, it's fine *in her fake lie*

cashier- You're total is $33.48.

me- *swipes my card*

cashier- hands the receipt to me

me- I receive the receipt and make an attempt to grab my bags. (especially making sure she didn;t squish my bananas.)

cashier- *now contemplating on whether she should end the awkwardness with a fake "goodnight" or "have a good night."

Anthony- Thank you, miss. *grabbing the bags*

cashier- Oh, you're welcome. It was no trouble at all. Have a goodnight. *why is she lying??*

me- *humph, I squeeze out a fake- "you too."*



If this conversation doesn't make sense, I'm sorry. I'm writing out of anger and deep frustration right now. My wrath may need to be cooled down a bit in order to recollect my thoughts. It's just one of those scenarios where you had to be there to get the full picture.

Pretty much lazy lady doesn't want to do my return, assumes I know their transaction policies, and acts like its MY fault I'm unconvincing her because she doesn't have access to the stupid code that screams- we don't trust our associates so they need to be babied with every move they do on the register.

Oh jolly. One of the many "pleasures" of shopping at Wal-Mart. I just don't know which is more enjoyable: The shopping experience, the food, and the "wonderful" customer service they offer or having a cat sink their teeth into me as they are slowly dragging their body down my thigh with their sharp long claws.  .....Hmmm.......I'll have to think about that one............

Starbucks Cup Everywhere

I go into work.....and all I see is the Starbucks logo everywhere! Apparently Starbucks got in a new shipment of their plastic cold cups and all my coworkers happened to get the memo. I see at least 6 of these scattered throughout my work place. Is it that amazing these cups? I can't bring myself to purchase a $12 plastic cup when they sell the same thing elsewhere for like 5 bucks. Well, turns out that if you purchase one of these, Starbucks charges you like 75 cents for a refill as oppose to the $3 regular drink price. Ok, I can see how this would come in handy in the long run. It's beneficial for all the Starbucks addicts out there (and for my coworkers that feen for it every waking moment...haha)

Oh! And as I'm going into work I decide to put my lunch in the fridge. As I open it up, guess what I see??-----

 Look who decided to claim their food? Is she worried that somebody might snack on it ......or worse.......and just take it?? hahaha....hmmnmm...I wonder why??

My lunch today was delicious! :) Turkey sandwhich on wheat bread with avocado, sprouts, and cucumbers. It hit the spot.

"Decoden" phones

For a year now I've been wanting to get my phone decoden out. Before my Galaxy S phone I owned a Blackberry. I knew once I would come back from my summer trip to France I would be upgrading my phone. I waited a couple months after I got the Epic to get familiar with it and work out the kinks. Now that I've had it for awhile and it doesn't have the "new" feel, I'm ready to get it blinged out.

When I went to California a couple years ago, I knew that getting phone cases dazzled with rhinestones were the new "it" thing. I didn't really care to get it done then because I wasn't really into social networking, apps, games, etc..... so therefore my phone just satyed plain and rinky dinky.

Now that my cellphone is practically attached to my hip I need it to look good. :P I mean, it looks nice and sleek now.........but I want it to look like THIS GOOD------------------------>

source

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What do you think? Know of any recommended sites that could do this good of a job? I need a new do for my baby. ^_^

Oh! And what do you think of the Rania- Dr Feel good video?? Maybe a little risque for the common kpop video look? Hmmmm........I don't know. I don't think I'm feeling it.

Hello Kitty Cafe

This is definitely on my priority list when I go to Seoul. Tell me this doesn't look cute? The coffee seems like it would taste that much better with that type of cute ambiance around.

http://www.hellokittycafe.co.kr

source

UPDATE:


Also check out Sheryll's blog post here on her visit and experience at the Hello Kitty Cafe. Her pics made me want to die on cuteness overload!




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You know what else would be cute? If they sold HK themed food in the cafe as well, such as these-----

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And all the servers would wear this outfit...... ^_^