Grapefruit moon, one star shining, is all that I can see

Current music: The Getaway by Velveteen

'Tis the night before Moon Festival, my first official holiday in Taiwan. From what I understand, it signifies the night of the year when the moon is its roundest or something. Basically, we all get a day off to look at said moon and eat moon cakes. I actually received a box of moon cakes sent to me by the mother of one of my kids, Evan. The ones I got were kind of like a cold meat pie in pizza pocket form, but smaller. They're not good, but not bad, either. Apparently you can get really really bad ones. I was just happy to get a present. Parents that think bribing your kids' teacher works: it totally works.

We get tomorrow off, and coupled with yesterday's typhoon day, this week is a three day week. I was actually hoping that today would also be a typhoon day, just for my selfish reason of wanting a five day weekend, but once I saw the real damage that it did today, I'm glad we got off relatively easy.

Current music: Big Me by the Foo Fighters

Although it's hard to say that that was easy. I have never in my life seen a storm like that. It lasted for about 2 days solid. My balcony flooded, and the tiny woodshed that I had out there is now a pile of wood splinters that I now have to carry downstairs piece by piece. I pray that someday my balcony won't be gross looking.

I walked around today during my break and it was crazy to see the damage. Entire trees were uprooted, steel fences were flattened. Peet went for a walk with me, and he told me that this wasn't a small typhoon by any means, but there are far worse, the kind that kill people. I didn't hear of any deaths this time, probably because we had lots of warning. It still rains on and off, and last night, we had a mini thunderstorm. I had a serious case of cabin fever though, so I braved the storm to bike to the bar, and then was scootered to Thai food. It was the second Thai place I've been to since I've been here, and I was most impressed.

I went for a walk for about an hour this evening. I have gotten into the habit of walking up and down the canal each night. Today was different though. Instead of having random fireworks displays, the people set off constant firework displays. All the time. From everywhere. The sky was (and still is) lit up from every direction. I came home and watched them from my balcony for a long time. I met some children on my walk, and they taught me how to fire their weird Roman Candle things into the canal. Children love to talk to me, because they all learn English at their respective schools and love to demonstrate what they know. I often find I break into impromptu English lessons on the street. I should start charging.

Thing(s) I miss of the day: Cat Czyrnyj and Danielle Blab. Both have just promised to come visit me in the future. And they better. Or pain.

I get to sleep in tomorrow. Hopey is having a BBQ tomorrow, I am stoked for some beer and barbecue. He also challenged me to Mariokart on Wii. And its on.

Off to read, then sleep.