Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Taishin Tower, Taipei

One of Taipei's finest examples of modern architecture


The Taishin Tower, also known as Taishin International Bank Tower 台新金控大樓 is a new modern landmark in Taipei, located in the Daan district (see a map here). It's not one of the tallest structures in the city (only 123m tall with 25 floors), but it's certainly among the most remarkable ones. It was completed in 2005 and designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. It's located close to one of the biggest roundabouts in Taipei: The Renai Circle. This probably one of the most beautiful examples of modern Taiwanese architecture and certainly one of my favorite buildings in Taipei. I was really lucky to be in Daan on a very bright day.

Let me share some photos of the Taishin Tower with you (March 2011):

The closer you are to the building, the bigger it appears.

This is the edgy western part of the building.

The central part with the entrance is like a wave and it's designed to fit into the Jenai Circle.

The glass facade is marvelous.

The Taishin tower in it's full glory, seen from the northern part of the Jenai circle.

Old and new in harmony.

Read more about the tower's design on Colorcinetics.com.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Far Eastern Plaza, Taipei

The first Taipei twin towers and the tallest hotel in the city


The Far Eastern Plaza 遠企中心, consisting of two identical towers, each 165m tall with 43 floors, is one of the most beautiful pieces of modern architecture in Taipei, located in Daan district. Although the towers were built in 1994 (source), they look as if they were built today. The simplistic design is striking. When you're right below them, you feel as if they're much taller than just 165 meters. I really wish they would've built in Xinyi, close to where Taipei 101 was built 10 years later. Today they're just too far from the central areas of Taipei (Longshan Temple - Zhongzheng - Zhongxiao Road - Xinyi) and hence there aren't so many people found in the area. The buildings are housing the famous Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel and a shopping mall in the lower part. The hotel is arguably one of the best in Taipei (read some opinions or check the hotel's homepage).

See my photos of the skyscrapers (from March 13th, 2011):

It was a great day to take photos, that's why I wanted to see these towers.

I like the mix of sharp and rectangular and oval.

The buildings are housing a luxury hotel.

This is Dunhua South Road, a huge avenue, that has a small park in the middle. Amazing.

Some details of the Far Eastern Plaza. It's definitely worth to visit, if you're an architecture buff.


To find the Far Eastern Plaza, take MRT to Liuzhangli and walk north 10 min (view larger map).

Random Mix

Spring has official begun. This week as students get crazy drunk and party like a rockstar, I’ll be working like a good lil girl. :) Korea is only 2 months away. I’m vigorously counting down the weeks! I can’t afford to spend money on beer and admission fees at the dance club, although, for my birthday we did go out downtown and danced the night away. That was a good night, and will be continued on a future post.

I got a brazilian wax for the first time EVER. Yeah, I worked up the courage to get my goodies stripped and…….it was quite an experience. Karina and I signed up to become new members which entitled us to their promotional price of just $19.99. Couldn't turn that down.



I was so scared. I didn’t want my skin ripped off or blood to surface. :S The staff was actually really great and professional. It’s a little awkward though because they stay in the room as you’re stripping down to the nakie nakie. Haha. Then she asked me to form my legs into a triangle as she applied the warm/hot wax. Talk about exposure. I’m not going to lie, it hurt. On a scale 1-10 the pain was probably a7/8. That area’s sensitive, ya know?? But hey, I had to make sure there weren’t going to be any surprises in my bikini this spring break. What more do you hate than having razor bumps?? Or stray hairs peeking through?

It’s been 2 weeks now and my bikini line is barely growing back. I love the results so much that I already booked my next appointment this week. :) If you haven’t tried it, I’ll just say it’s worth it.

Should I get highlights? I’m thinking about it….*random thought* I feel like I need to switch up my look. I've had the same hairstyle and color for like 2 years now. I want to cut it, but then again I want to grow it out long because I like wearing my hair in a high bun. I think every girl hates the in between stage when it comes to growing out the locks.

How do you feel about girls using curse words? *another random thought* I think the occasional "shit, damn it, " are okay to vent out the frustrations you may be feeling at the moment. It just sounds weird when you hear a young lady using the F bomb. It sticks out like a soar thumb. I use to be a potty mouth like 3 years ago. It would just came naturally for some reason. I think it was a subconscious habit that was influenced from an old friend. Every other sentence had some time of profanity. She's out of my life now though, and that's a good thing. You know what I hate? When friends ask for advice, don't take it, then get mad at the situation they're in. Then you're left with picking up the pieces while they do the damages all over again.. Geez.

Japan's situation right now is very heartbreaking and sad. I really feel bad for them and hope that everything gets better for them soon and fast. (although, I realize that's highly unlikely. :( )
I always get teary eyed when I hear about the people that were separated from their children. That is torturous. I could never bare that feeling. It's just hard being so far from my mom and that's knowing she's well and alive.

Oh, have you seen this youtube clip that's been floating around the net?--------


Since when did we have "American 'manners'?" Last time I checked we like to dominate others, take what's not ours, butt in other affairs, and then act like we're NOT ignorant....such as this clip presented. *sighs* I like the parodies that were made.......






Moving along, folks......

You know, just as I thought I was starting to understand the US government system and how the political issues/parties work in hand I get hit again. Now this time I need to study up on work politics. *big sigh* Can we just all get along and get paid for our worth, not play into the game of nepotism? I thought games and unfairness was only part of my childhood. *eeeerr, wrong* I now must master this technique of brown nosing and fake laughing just to hold my place in the work environment. I thought fake friends in high school were considered back stabbers, but in reality they were just working on perfecting their resumes. Am I bitter, you may ask? Yeah, just a tad bit. How am I suppose to work with monkeys   turkeys and expect anything to be done around here?  *venting completed*
Check out my coworkers (the ones I like, of course) and their sharp ties.....Very colorful and eye catching-




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I went through this short period where I thought I wanted a tattoo. Thank goodness that passed over. I'm so indecisive I would want to change mine every other year to something different. Anthony wanted his to be done in Korea....but the taboo it is and pretty much illegal......we might have to pass on that for awhile. Unless anyone knows of a place?? *wink wink*

I was at the mall the other day and this girl had a unique tattoo....Hmmm. I wonder what the meaning behind those are?? At first I thought they were stockings, but I looked closer and realized they were real. I think I made it obvious that I was trying to sneak a picture being that I circled around her multiple times like a vulture waiting for his prey. I had to hide behind a clothes rack and pretend I was actually interested in the wool sweaters as I attempted to get this shot.

Cute pajama shirt from Victoria Secret, but contradicts itself. Maybe if it was on a pair of underwear or bra it would be more suitable :P.....






Anthony and I go to this sushi restaurant on a regular. One thing I love about the menu is that it's reusable. I thought that was a pretty good idea how they laminated the menu and attached the marker to it. Definitely saves on paper, especially when you waste it to make a mark for 1 roll. :( 




Like any other typical Korean restaurant their soju was highway robbery! Talk about a HUGE markup!




I was driving down the street and I noticed that Border's was going out of business. The banner advertised "20%-40% off everything in the store." I go in thinking that I was going to get a good deal on some books. I should've known better. Then only thing that was literally 40% off was the magazines. Booo. Everything else was only 10% off (except for the cds, but that was still only 20%). Man, talk about misleading. When I hear sale, I'm thinking more like half off or...heck, even almost free. Hahaha. Hey, it brought the customers in though.





I've been wanting the new Chanel Chance perfume for awhile and I finally got it as one of my bday gifts. :) Hip hip hooray! The original one (orange color) smells too ......mature for me. I settled for the lighter green version, but then I still got criticized by my boss for smelling like an old lady. The new pink version is just right. it suits my 20-something yr old age. ;)




I saw this Lucky Brand bracelet and considered getting it. I like the styling of the clamp, but I didn't like the $35 price that came along with it.





I love wine and I love German chocolate. World market has got to be one of my favorite stores to shop at. The majority of the time I tend to over spend, but lately I've been doing better with just walking out with a bag full of goodies under $20. I saw these cute mugs at the checkout line. Notice the hangul on there-



Has anyone tried this beer before? This is our item on the grocery list for next time...........
Originally we came to the Asian market for some soju to toast with on my bday, but as you can see apparently everyone else had an occasion to celebrate as well---- The whole row was empty!





One thing I will never spend my hard earned money on? Retail valued eyeglasses/sunglasses. How is it that people spend $300-$500 on some plastic that's most likely destined to break as you mistakenly smush it with your butt as you forgot they were lying under the blanket. (wow, big run-on sentence there)


I almost died of shock when I saw the price tag for these. It was $900!! Just for some rhinestones glued on the side?


Whoa, talk about a long post. I hope this made up for the lack of posts this week. :) I'll try to write more often, but we all know how busy and overwhelmed our little lives can get.

I was actually suppose to study for my math test today, but just that thought of it directed my motivation else where aka my blog. Studying is definitely something I did not pick up from my mom's side of the family. I like to think of myself as a successful last-minute-test-crammer. There is truth when I state, "Works well under pressure." ;)

Gate of Taipei Twin Towers

This is currently one of the biggest projects in Taipei


The Gate of Taipei will consist of two skyscrapers, the taller will be 320m, the shorter 240m. The structures were designed by the Japanese architect Fumiko Maki and will be located in Zhongzheng district, that spans over Taipei's old center, very close to the Taipei Main Station. Underneath the biggest tower, the future Taipei station of the Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System is currently being built. The whole area will be redesigned and is meant to be another modern center of Taipei together with Xinyi. Another thing, that I truly applaud, is the fact, that the old Taipei North Gate will be liberated from those ugly overpasses, that are nearly strangling it like a snake around the throat. The whole area will also be much greener and full of other smaller new buildings. When the project's planned to be completed is still unsure. Let's hope it won't last too long.

The area marked in green will be revitalized.

Here you can find the source of all the information and photos>>

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Celebration week

This week has been filled with lots of friends, food, and fun. One of our good friends, Geonwoo, had his birthday 2 days ago. We celebrated later in the evening (straight after work for us) and got to chowing down. Wonjong (one of his roommates) is a great cook! He made meuk guk, tuna kimbap, marinated chicken, and a-gu jim. Man, that a-gu jim was sooooo delicious! My mouth was burning yet in love. I offered to have him live with us rent free to cook at our house. :P It's entertaining when you get together a bunch of korean friends speaking korenglish. (English mixed with Korean) I love hanging out with them. They're all so funny and upbeat. They act so cute sometimes. I just want to puch their cheeks. I love you, Younmi! hehe.

Oh, note that in the 4th picture down the guys have a clothes hanger in their apartment. As soon as I walked in it smelled like a lovely field of Downy flowers. It's cute that the guys hang their clothes still........considering that their apartment comes with a washer AND dryer. ;)

Pictures from my bday will be on their way as well.......stay tuned. :)