August 26, 2013 |  by Juliana Chang

http://taipei543.com/2013/08/26/10-reasons/

10 Reasons Why Taipei is the Best City

August 26, 2013 |  by Juliana Chang

With global icons like Dintaifung and Taipei 101, it’s pretty evident Taipei is quite an excellent city. But have you ever wondered just how amazing Taipei is? Here are 10 reasons why Taipei is the best city to be in.

1. The Safety

Safety tends to be one of those things you don’t really think about until it’s gone. Where else in Asia can you walk around alone at night and not have to worry about getting mugged? Here, parents feel safe letting their kids ride home alone on the bus or MRT. Going to 7-11 at four in the morning doesn’t translate to a robbery. Which is pretty good, since you’ll be needing that money for…

2. The Shopping

With hubs like Ximending, Shilin Night Market, and Dongqu, Taipei is packed to the brim with boutiques and shops. With the sheer volume of stores, it’s hard for anybody to not find something they like. The best part? Everything is affordable! You’ll never have to empty your wallet for that tank top you’ve been coveting.

3. The Food

Taiwan has always been known for its xiao chi, with dishes like stinky tofu and mala hotpot spreading across the globe. What better place to find Taiwanese food than the cultural hub, and capital, of Taiwan? Like the shopping, food here is always cheap, yet delicious. While it might not be financially possible to eat out every night in other places, it sure is in Taipei.

4. The 7-11′s

When living in Taipei, everything you need is either right downstairs or a short five minute walk away. Why? 7-11. Taipei is known for having one of the world’s highest 7-11 density in any given area. Besides the typical slushie and hot dog fare you’d find at an American convenience store, Taiwan 7-11′s also sell things ranging from hot pot ingredients to telephone cards! They even offer services like photo development and bill payments. In fact, 7-11 in Taiwan even has its own Wikipedia page! Need more convincing? Here are seven reasons why we love 7-11.

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August 26, 2013 |  by Juliana Chang

http://taipei543.com/2013/08/26/10-reasons/

Morning Sound in Richmond.

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Outside of my bedroom window stands a tall red tree, red because it's leaves have turned as fall has arrived. Straight and tall, black trunk and branches are covered in red with specs of reddish orange. A long winding road of black tar, black because it's drizzling and the drops have turned the tar from grey to ebony. Mail boxes line the edges of the street and the air is fresh and calming. I hear nothing and allow my mind to drift, I LOVE DAYDREAMING.

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Emphatically YES!!!!!!

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     Make it happen! If anyone tells you that something can not be done, it's only because  A: they themselves don't know how to do it or B: they were too afraid to try it or themselves gave up. NEVER let anyone discourage you from achieving what you set out to and getting what ever it is that you want. Unless you try it for yourself you'll never know if you can do it. ANYTHING CAN BE DONE. 

Keep your ears open. Information is out there and it wants to be found. I've found the best way to get information about getting what you want is by listening to those around you who are doing what they want. Find out what it is you want and keep and eye out for those who have it. Surround yourself with those individuals and listen. The information I got on how to travel didn't come from reading any books, it came from people around me who were traveling. Bianca Tontodonati (volunteer in Kenya) and Leah Mcgaw (teaching ESL abroad). I then took that information and did further research to find out just how to make it happen.

Tenacity, it's absolutely true what you've heard your mother say "NOTHING is given to you" hard work, tenacity and a willingness to go hell or high water is your key to getting what you want and letting nothing or no one stop you. My HS counselor told me I wouldn't get into a university without passing Algebra 2, REALLY cause I did. I was told it would be too expensive to do an internship in NY for a summer, Made it happen. Then there was getting overseas to teach ESL, with prior driving infractions I was told there was NO WAY to do it with my record, GUESS WHAT???? GOT THERE.  God willing and the bridge don't fail if you want it you can have it. 

Difficulties abound, keeping your eyes on your goal is important. Don't give up at the first sign is diff it's an important part of getting there, and when you do your confidence will have grown because you'll know for the next time that you can champ though the challenge as you've done so before. Soon you'll begin to see Challenges as opportunities to prove yourself to yourself. Your challenges will become your motivations.  

Welcome the unfamiliar. The best times of my life have been when I've gone down unbeaten, uncertain, and unfamiliar paths. It's definitely scary to walk the road less traveled, but often that's where you'll find the most beautiful wild flowers you couldn't have imagined. ( if someone told me before I decided to teach ESL that I'd be living in and loving Taiwan with a Taiwanese neighbor as my best friend and that I'd be learning valuable life lessons from her and listening NOT just hearing her, I would say they were absolutely wrong and I would have been wrong. ) that path of unknown led me to one of the best experiences of my life. Living inTaiwan and all over Asia. Experiences of my life. And if you, when you, try anything out side of your box, you too will have life changing experiences Which will challenge you and offer perfect opportunities for growth and deep beauty.

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