Firsts and Lasts

In the past two years I have had a lot of “firsts”. Now that I am leaving Taiwan and going home for good, I am experiencing so many “lasts”. I was thinking about some of the first and last things I am now doing.

The first time I flew long distance alone.

The first time I drove a scooter.

The first time I rode a high speed train/ or any train for that matter.

The first time I went grocery shopping at Carrefore.

The first time I celebrated Christmas without my family.

The first time I managed to order food in Chinese.

The first time I taught English to students whose native language is NOT English.

The first time I rowed with a dragonboat team.

The first time I went to Kenting.

The first time I traveled to India and China.

The first time I went to Taipei to see Alicia.

The first time I introduced holidays to people (Thanksgiving, Halloween)

The first time I took a ferry.

The first time I ate Stinky Tofu!

Now it is the last time I will

Shop at the open traditional market.

Bake in my tiny oven

Eat at Willy’s or Bus-7

Skype for hours with my parents

Chat with my roommate and friends.

Drink blueberry or raspberry juice.

Listen to Living Water Church worship and pray in Chinese.

Drink Bubble Milk Tea

Eat Mango Ice!

Eat dumplings!

Drive my scooter to the beach.

Be stared at wherever I go.

Be adored by all my students.

Take a nap during down time at work.

See my beloved friends and students.

Joke with my coworkers.

Sweat just sitting at my desk.

Live in fear of it raining on my way to work

Kill spiders and bugs large enough to eat a small dog! (just kidding)

Bake cookies for my small group

Eat sushi for one US dollar.

Teach students how to have basic conversation