My first Chinese painting

For the last two months I have been taking a Chinese art class with a Chinese art teacher at a vocational school. This is my first painting. If you look closely, the lines are not that good, but overall it was a fun learning time. In class, I have already started the next painting, and I already see myself improving.

Picture-a-thon: Muslim Cultural Center

During the mid-Autumn festival I also went to visit a Muslim Cultural Center near our house. It was very informative, and very huge.

Picture-a-thon: "It's Better"

Picture-a-thon: Movie Studios

There is a movie studio (kind of like Universal Studios, kind of) near our house, and over mid-Autumn festival I went to check it out with some friends.

Here is the entrance to the studio. It says: "Under whatever harsh conditions Chinese people could create the wonder that convinces the whole world."


Inside are a couple of side attractions, like a mock wedding. The bride throws a ball down from the balcony to a guy in the audience, and then the guy has to put on the groom costume and pretend to get married.

Picture-a-thon: Massage in the Park

Once in awhile, in areas of high concentrations of people, you will see groups of people in white lab coats. If this was in the States, you might think...

scientists investigating a hazmat incident

doctors attending a nearby conference

actors shooting a pharmaceutical ad

But here, everybody knows who these people are. They're Chinese massage therapists that set up chairs and give 15 minute massages to anybody who wants one. Cheap too... probably something like USD $2. Not a bad way to top off your afternoon walk in the park.

Picture-a-thon: Mickee Mouse

We went out walking/shopping in the city center yesterday, the weekend of the National Holiday. Tons of people. This weekend is probably the 2nd biggest shopping weekend of the year.

And so, of course, to please the crowds, Mickee Mouse came and paid a visit! We see Mickee Mouse quite a bit actually - on bedsheets, backpacks, clothes, advertisements... and once in awhile, we get to see Mickee in person!

I'm not cartoon artist, but I can that there's something about Mickee that is not authentic. Something about the proportions of his facial features. He looks more like a cross between Mighty Mouse and the Mickey Mouse from the 1930's. There's something about that's off.

I think the kids can tell. We saw two kids run to their parent's arms, screaming in utter fear, as Mickee approached. I think I heard one of the kids sobbing in Chinese, "Mom, he's not real! He's clearly a mediocre Chinese knock-off of a well-known international brand!" Scarred for life.

We snapped a picture and ran away too.

Picture-a-thon: Taipei

In July, we were able to visit our family in Taipei. It was a great time with family, was able to go to a couple museums and hike in the mountains, and had some great food.