Myths

In honor of ghost month, which is going on right now, I figured I would share some of the myths we get to encounter everyday!

During ghost month, they believe that the ghosts, of something, will get you. Especially if you enter water. So i decided to try and understand why, and heres what I got: When you swim, a lot, something happens to your legs (in English = a cramp, sore muscle, etc.) and Taiwanese believe it is the ghosts pulling at your legs and trying to take you away. Yup.

When girls are on their periods, they are not allowed to drink anything cold.  It was about 101 out, and we were getting cold, frozen coffee drinks at a cafe. Roxy ordered a H O T black tea. Because she was on her period.

If you eat basil, you will get tan.

If you eat chocolate, you will also get tan.

and if you eat apples, your skin will turn red.

Amy, being Indian, has dark skin. Besides being reminded of it by the stares, she once got a gift from a student. It included the norm: candy, pencils and whitening lotion.

Roxy

So Roxy is our very good friend who is Taiwanese.  She is dating Mark (Canadian) and they have been together for about 3 years. Roxy is a nursing major here in Tainan, and obviously, is the resource to most of our (explained) Chinese life. She is spunky, entertaining, and most of all, Taiwanese.  So here is our Roxy Page.

^ Kids Exchange ^

Roxy in Canada.
In the car with Mark's father, looking at horses running in a field. 


Roxy: Oh! Look at the whores!!
Marks Dad: Hmm, do you have those in Taiwan?
Roxy: Oh yeah, lots!
Marks Dad: What do you do with them?
Roxy: Ride them!

At the beach, on a Sunday, talking about swimming.


Roxy: When I was young, I was at a water park and I was drunk.
Us: Oh my god. How old were you?
Roxy: Real young. Like 7 or 8 years old.
Us: Are you joking? Drunk? 7 or 8 years old? Water park? Jesus
Roxy: Yeah, it was pretty scary.

Mark looking at Roxy with a confused and smiling face.


Mark: Do you mean drowned? You almost drowned?
Roxy: Oh, yeah. What did I say?

Roxy: (saying to Mark) I want to get a white striper.
Mark: What? Why?! A white striper?
Roxy: Yeah!
Mark: Where do you want to get that?
Roxy: The dentist.
Mark: You mean whitening strips, love? You want your teeth white?
Roxy: Yeah, thats what I said!

Taiwan

So at the request of some parents (ahem Sally) we have started getting together some of the funny, stupid and just plain retarded things that we see here, on the wonderful island of Taiwan.  Since we are all teachers a lot of our stories have to do with students, which makes them even better. So... enjoy!

Teacher: What's "recycle?"
Student: It's bicycles brother.

Student: I know how your married teacher.
Teacher Steph: How?
Student: (pointing to Steph's boobs) Because you have really big NaNas.

On a Test. 
Student had to give a Would/If sentence:
Teacher Lucas would have a baby if he brought his girlfriend into the bedroom.

English Names (not joking) we have seen in Taiwan

• Oyster
• Fanny
• Monkey
• Ugly
• Kool
• King
• Ice
• Pedigree
• Poccrolli
• Moluko
• Yo-Yo
• Dinosaur
• Mr. Chen (a 7 year old)
• Turtle
• Fish
• Looger
• Poo-Poo
• Watermelon
• Genius
• Snow White
• What's going on?
• First
• Vladamir
• Popeye
• Mario & Luigi (twins)
• Circle
• Seven
• Cartoon
• Tank
• Pony
• Rain
• Snow
• Happy
• El Reno
• Power of Guitar King
• Dolphin
• Nike
• Spanky
• Wii (like the game)
• Lebron James
• Bumble Bee
• Cabana (sisters name was Coco)
• Fuck (sorry,  but its not a joke)
• Dog
• Meatball (for a girl)
• Ball
• New
• Adult DVD
• I don't know
• Superman (girl)
• Only
• I'm Sorry
• Zuzer
• Money
• Axel
• Master

       

At our favorite dinner place, where we go every Friday night. We call it English Menu, because, it has a english menu. Our Taiwanese friend/student Sean had a few too many Taiwan Beers.

Sean: My English is getting drunk.

At the train station where we park our scooters, the guy loves us and always tries to speak English.

Parking Guy: Nice to see you!

Me: You too!

P.G.: That will be eighty (as in 80NT)

I give him a 100NT bill

P.G.: (giving me my change) two-ty. Canada Amy say it twenty... I say you not know TaiwaneseEnglish.

Me: Oh! Yes, she doesn't know I guess! Thank you very much!

P.G: No Q!

he also says:

10- one-ty

20- two-ty

30- three-ty