(Teenage Mutant Ninja) Turtle Island

We went to Turtle Island, off the Northeast coast of Taiwan. It has Taiwan's only active volcano and we climbed a hiking trail of 1,706 steps. I got a lil seasick on the boat ride over, but I think it was because my jewels be flooded.

Stereotypes in Taiwan

I've had some interesting exchanges as far as stereotypes, recently.

A 73-year old Taiwanese artist in Taipei told me that he favored McCain in the upcoming election because Obama was from "Africa" and McCain was "American," and that, "people from Africa always fighting."

Another Taiwanese guy in his 30's told me about his friend who lived in Chicago who told him that Chicago was full of "spearchuckers." I then had to explain to him what a "slur" is, the words "spear" and "to chuck," and what a "compound word" is.

As far as perceptions of Jewish people go, whenever people find out that I'm Jewish they immediately ask me if I'm good at math. Of course, I am horrendous at math. I also tell them how Americans think that Asians are the ones that are good at math.

Anyway, Ima do my best to keep breakin down these stereotypes whenever I can. And maybe Obama can help me do that come November.

My Neck, My Back...My Qi

I got a Taiwanese massage. It was the most excruciating continuous 90 minute period of my life, but I liked it. It gave me a whole new awareness of my body. I was literally laughing in pain at several times, like when the elderly Taiwanese man who gave me the massage was dislocating each individual joint in my toes (at least that's what it felt like). I also got a "scraping," where basically they take one of those things they use to clean breadcrumbs off the table at restaurants and run it over your back.
This type of massage is based on ancient Chinese medicine. It focuses on your Qi, the ancient Chinese concept of "energy flow" or "lifeforce." While I was getting my massage, I concentrated on my breathing and tried to relax as much as possible. When I go back again, Ima get an analysis of my Qi.
I predict that my Qi will be deemed "gangsta."
Here is a picture of my back after the massage. You should see the other guy...