can i unpack now?

happy chinese valentines day!

after almost two weeks of hunting, i settled on the first studio i looked at. i signed a lease today for a place just across the street from the ntu language center. tomorrow i get to check out of the hostel and move into my new place. i have to say that two weeks is about the limit of tolerance i have for living out of my suitcase. there is something to be said for having furniture and a door with a lock. a trip to ikea and a few other places should be enough to make the place feel like home.

tonight i had a delicious meal although i can't really name the dishes i had. one dish was some kind of chewy cake-like bean sauteed with vegetables. another dish was tofu, intestine, and liver in an oily sauce. the last dish was homemade noodles in sesame sauce. all of this was complimented with a delicious bottle of carlsberg beer. the shop was loud and vibrant with old military songs playing. the flirty girl selling beer was disappointed that i didn't speak mandarin. everyone there was really enjoying themselves.

last night i attended my first toastmasters meeting. isn't it strange that i would attend a public speaking club in english while in a foreign country? after going though, i'm tempted to join them. everyone i met was very friendly with a good sense of humor. i had a good time at the meeting. next time they're going to have a joke telling contest.

i'm exhausted, but it looks like next week i'll be able to concentrate on school. can't wait to get started.