A Return from Sabbatical

Dear punctilious readers: I have returned from my sabbatical. This month long siesta was not intended, but unfortunately, was it neither avoidable. My computer broke down for several weeks, and until recently, it was not repaired. But, as you may have guessed, the old girl's back in working order and ready to transmit my unearthly deeds during the past month.

Perhaps the most important of the major developments is that I now have a girlfriend. Her name is Huiheng, and she is one of the sweetest and most beautiful girls in all of Taiwan. To find fault in this girl only means there is fault in your judgement. I find it altogether fitting and proper to relate to you a date the two of us shared in the early phases of our courtship.

It was like any other Wednesday night- I had finished work at 6:30 in the evening and was meeting her outside the Taipei Main Station (where they just built a new Coldstone, by the way, and yes they still sing, and if at the end of the song you yell "AGAIN!" I discovered they will sing it a second time, only less merrily) where we were to partake in some dumplings. However, at 8:00, I received a text from her inviting me to a fashion show. I asked her how to get there and she gave me directions to the Sheraton Hotel Luxury Suite. Fortunately, the hotel was only one MRT stop away.

As soon as I walked through the door to that hotel, my phone went of in another impressive display of lights and colors. This time she texted me with the following message- "I should warn you, it's a French Lingerie fashion show." Oh boy! I went up the elevator, with the thrill of a school boy, hurried to the front door where a woman came up to me and said, "Come in and watch the show. The men really love it." Not bad for no ticket.

I then texted Huiheng to inform her that I arrived, but it took her some time to come out to me. Now I was a bit puzzled. I knew I was in the right place, since there were people walking around in their underwear, but no sign of Huiheng. Then, with a jolt to my heart, I thought- what if she is one of the models!! OH NO!!! But my fears were quickly put to rest when she came around the corner, fully dressed, and brought me to her seats.

The show was very good, and very scanda- lous. At times, I had to turn to Huiheng and ask, "So, am I allowed to look?"

Last night I dreamed I was in a Van Gogh painting. Starry starry night...

Halloween was celebrated in full force by Taiwanese and Foreigners alike. On the foreigners front, the place to be was our apartment. With a "costumes only" rule, we were graced by Captain Jack Sparrow, Typhoon Wipha, Ralph Wiggum, various anime characters, a judo kicking ladybug, a fifties flapper, Superman, Jersey Greasers, and much much more. I sported my classic Colonel Harlan Sanders costume to my guests' delight.

On the homeownership news front, I may not own a home, but my apartment just got a bit cozier. I was recently given a piano by my landlady's friend. Such charming and effective friends I have here. And to compli- ment the nice friends, I am also fortunate to have such wonderful places to visit. A few weekends back, I went to a revolving restaurant with Huiheng and had a splendid 360 degree view of Taipei and the Yangminshan Mountains. The restaurant was all you can eat cake, so we spent three hours up there and spun around the restaurant twice. Perhaps someone went to get cake once and perhaps he forgot the restaurant was still spinning, and perhaps he sat down at another person's table when he returned, but it can't be for certain really.

In news from Byfield, my headmaster and director of admission at Governor Dummer came to visit me last week. In a trip to Taiwan and Korea, they made sure to reserve a night to have dinner with a faithful alum of the school. I took the two of them to a restaurant in the heart of the city which I am told is the best Hot Pot place in town. If you ever eat here, I am sure you can't argue with that. A hot pot is basically a buffet at which you choose meats and vegetables and then you cook them at your table in your own "hot pot." The result is very delicious. I was also updated on my old academy about everything going on as I informed my friends about my life on the other side of the world.

I hope these stories keep you interested in my blog, and I promise not to take such extended holidays in the future. To my faithful, and probably somewhat perturbed readers (due to the long absence), I say until next time from your head spinning, lingerie drooling, man of romance in the land of dreams, Michael.