Eating and Being Eaten

Okay, this is going to be a really random and all over the place post because most of the things I've been doing lately aren't really related in any way.

First of all, more exotic food. There's one kind of meat that's apparently really popular here, and it's only found in Jaoxi. It's tender, it's juicy, it's very rare, it's eaten raw, and it is very hazardous to snack on because it's actually alive enough to fight back. Yeah, you guessed it - it's me. Apparently the mosquitos here like exotic food as much as I do. But they don't know what they're in for - I've become a pro at smashing them in midflight. Beware, hungry mosquitoes: I can destroy you, and it won't be hard.

Speaking of wayward animals, I've had some chaotic adventures in cat-catching lately. My host sister's cat, Lisa (he's a boy), is not supposed to go outside, but he is very good at escaping through windows and doors that haven't been bolted shut, booby-trapped, and lined with barbed wire. Since there aren't any windows or doors like that in the house, Lisa escapes on a daily basis. I haven't really explained this yet, but I basically have two host families (although they're both part of the same extended family) for the first few months of my exchange, and I bounce back and forth between their houses. I've been at Lisa's house for the past two days, and he has escaped once each day so far. The first day, I looked up from my game of Zombies vs. Plants just in time to see him expertly pushing a window screen aside and climbing out of an open window. I climbed out after him and grabbed him before he could jump over the fence. Today, I was watching TV when I happened to glance outside and see Lisa nonchalantly strolling across the porch. I don't know how he got out (I'm starting to think he can teleport or something), but I had to run and get him again. Thankfully, although Lisa is smart enough to escape the house, he does not quite understand the concept of leaving the scene of the crime.

I feel bad for having to keep Lisa inside, but really it's for his own good. Last time he escaped and no one noticed he got into a fight with another cat and was injured rather badly. From what I'm told, he can't seem to go outside without getting into a fight, so he has to stay in. Last night he seemed more depressed about this than usual, because he kept yowling outside my door. This cat is insanely loud when he wants to be. But I wasn't annoyed, actually; he reminded me of my kitty at home when she meows outside my door at night because she's lonely. It was cute.

Okay, let's backtrack a little bit. Two nights ago, I actually went to a Rotary meeting with my host dad and sister. It was held under a bridge at night. I'm not kidding; they literally had portable chairs and tables set up under the highway at night. Not weird at all, right? Anyway, I finally introduced myself to everyone in Chinese, and then we left. Everyone was really friendly, and the food was very good (especially the fruit!). I still haven't gotten this month's allowance, but I've decided I'll bug them about it when we're not under a bridge at night. O.O

Yesterday morning, I went to hear my host dad give a speech about this architectural tour of Yilan City. Or at least I think that's what it was about - as usual, it was in Chinese, so I could only guess. The event was held on the very beautiful grounds of the Yilan County government building - and I actually did take pictures, but I don't have them with me so I'll add them later. After my host dad spoke, we all went on an architectural tour of Yilan City, but not before someone from the news came up to me with a big black camera and a microphone and asked why I was at the event. Thankfully I had one of my two host moms there to translate for me, so I got to do a little on the spot interview - mostly in Chinese!

This evening was a very important Chinese Festival called the Moon Festival, and my family (ALL two hundred or so of them) had a big party for it. As usual, I tagged along. I kind of had it in the back of my mind that today is not a very festive day for Americans, but I didn't mention it because sulking wasn't going to do anyone any good. And I had a great time. I performed line dancing with a group of people who all knew the dance better than I did, mostly because I had just learned it that morning and just found out we were performing an hour before we got on stage. Someone took a video of it, which I am reluctant to upload because I look silly. :P But I kept smiling and had fun, even during the third dance which I had never actually been taught how to do. People must have liked watching the American make a fool of herself though, because I kept getting pulled up on the stage without warning. My host mom put me on the spot and turned me into a spontaneous backup dancer while one of the bands was performing. Someone broke out a karaoke machine which happened to have English songs - so guess who got to sing? I didn't exactly hit all of the right notes, but I had a fun time and that's what matters!

I start school in two more days (FINALLY). I can't wait to make some friends my own age!