再見, Ciao, Wiedersehen, Jaa, Bye, datalata, bambambammm dandandannnn...

The Navy @ Zhu-ming Sculpture Park, Jingshan
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

I leave for basic training tomorrow (0820 sharp, Taipei Main Station), a process which has taken almost 10 months of endless waiting.

Those of you who have hung around that long (or even by just reading one post), reading religiously and offering your thoughts, I thank you deeply. I guarentee much more interesting posts as soon as I return, so please check back in late October!

Adieu to you, and you and you and you...
;-)

Marching orders received...(thanks Mayor Ma)

Marching orders...(thanks Mayor Ma)
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

I've never posted twice in one day, but today merits an exception:

I have (finally) been called into service...alternative service! My servitude to the goverment begins on 22nd of September with 35 days of boot camp at Taichung. Afterwards, I will be sent to Kaohsiung for specialized training, after which I will assume my post in assisting schools with their English language instruction.

More details soon. Right now, I'm comtemplating a new page in this life.
Processing...



moi=Ministry of the Interior

"Best of Before #2"

Mt. Hood (taken from plane)
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

I remember this moment very vividly, as it was the day I left the U.S. for Taiwan...and I haven't been back since.

As I flew past eastern Washington toward Seattle/Tacoma International, I saw Mt. Hood (Oregon) looming from afar. It was June, and knowing that Taiwan's sauna-esque weather was awaiting me with open arms, I tried to imagine the alpine air refreshing my lungs, as it would be an experience I would not have for at least a couple of years.

GBA.

"Best of Before" #1

IMG_2844
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

Yesterday, I started looking through my iPhoto collection and realized that I had many unprocessed shots waiting to be reviewed and tweaked with. Just for fun, I thought I'd share one of these daily until I enter the services of the government and take a hiatus from civilian life!

Shot #1 was taken from the peak of the Zugspitze, in German Bavaria about a year ago. It somehow reminds me of Mount Doom.