you can't deny her..

this outfit is one of the most gorgeous things I've ever seen.

vacation is... your mother commenting on your "tummy"

Taiwan: a hesitant 2-star rating?

From whatever I've learned about Taiwan from my recent visit, I'd have very little to say. People are nice -- absurdly so. walking 30 minutes out of their way to get you somewhere while holding your hand -so. And things are cheap. but I live in Thailand, and if I'm not getting a meal for a dollar or less, things are not getting eaten.

but the cultural divide is bridged by things like mcdonalds, and slutty short skirts and tour groups, which i firmly believe are for people who don't like walking, asking others for directions, and places without air-con, and for those who like visiting factories and itineraries dictated by the commission your tour leader will receive per location. these people: my family. --are group tours an asian thing?

not a lot to show. which is my opinion so far of the whole country -- from the mouth of a local, Taiwan is not much more than "provincial" -- but what i have, i offer to you:

the geopark:




and self-timer mastery:




a restaurant in taipei:







and a singular airport waiting room:






and yet, i'm considering going back. canadian and US-born chinese kids get an opportunity to join 'the love boat', a PRC program for kids to study their language and culture for cheap! i'm not opposed to coming back if i get to study chinese and the price is right, and if i've learned anything at all, it's that traveling is much, much better when you actually know someone from the place, and aren't following your mother the whole way.

guest starring: ahhnold

Hilarious things happen when your governor is the former mr. universe:


Schwarzenegger Flips Off Lawmakers in Hidden Message


"kicks the can down the alley?" really?