2007 Jan 29
An American student arrives in Taipei, but not everything goes right
My first entry: I’m finally in Taipei!
Welcome to my new blog! I am writing this entry from my new apartment in Taipei. That’s right, my Taipei adventure began today. My plan just arrived this afternoon. I can’t believe I’m really in Asia! :-)
I graduated from university in December. Now I’m in Taipei for a year to learn Chinese and experience the culture. My best friend in university was from Taiwan in china. I wish he were here now to show me around!
My parents are a little worried about me. You see, I don’t actually know anyone in Taiwan. I’m not worried; after all, I’m always ready for an adventure. But when I arrived at my new apartment, I started thinking that maybe my parents were right…
Posted by Justin
New neighbors
Justin: (to himself) I wish I could read Chinese numbers. I wonder which button to push.
(A young man and woman walk up.)
Woman: Hi! Do you live here?
Justin: I do now! I just arrived in Taiwan this afternoon, I’m Justin Matthews.
Woman: Nice to meet you, Justin. I’m Lisa Wu, and this is my brother, Tom. He lives on the third floor.
Justin: Nice to meet you!
Tom: You, too. So what brings you to Taiwan?
Justin: I’m here to learn Chinese.
Tom: Good for you! Which apartment are you living in?
Justin: I’m on the fourth floor with a Canadian guy named Bob. I’m just moving in now.
Lisa: Oh, how do you know Bob?
Justin: I don’t. I found my apartment and my language school online.
Lisa: Wow, you’re brave!
Justin: Oh, I’m sure everything will work out fine!... Uh, could you tell me which button says fourth floor?
Tom: Sure, it’s this one.
Word Bank
Work out (v.) 解决，行得通
Jim’s plans to play baseball on Monday didn’t work out. It rained all day.
Free Talk
Would you like to go somewhere to learn the culture and language for a year? Where would you go? Why?