hooky

the alarm buzzes @ 8:00. i get out of my warm, comfy bed, clap my hands and tell myself this is going to be a great day...

today didn't go exactly like that. i clambered out of bed and looked out the window to blue skies and the sun shining. sigh. yet another gorgeous, autumn day spent indoors. i showered, picked out clothes and read my newpapers (online). glancing at my mobile i noticed i would be late. the sun gleamed a little brighter, catching my eye. my gaze went from my phone to the window and back again. before i knew what had happened, i dialed the office and said i was ill and wouldn't be in today.

free now to explore this glorious day i did the most reasonable thing anyone would've done...i went back to bed for another 2 hours and awoke again just in time for lunch. got some subway and scootered to da'an park which is dangerously close to work, but i managed not to run into anyone i knew.

now what? funds were low but spirits were high so i went back home and thumbed through the lonely planet for something that i hadn't already seen, but came up empty-handed. dismayed but not defeated, i set out for the guting riverside park, a mere 10-minute walk from my house. now, i've been here a few times so it was nothing to do but all i needed was some open spaces and sunshine as my entertainment. the stray dogs and occassional curious taiwanese senior my only companions. i had a glorious afternoon. before returning home, i walked around, down and through the various alleyways i had never had time to walk by before. it's amazing how much beauty is right here in my own backyard.

i've been feeling this weight on me these last few weeks. i'm slowly turning into one of those expats who develops an us and them mentality. i told myself i would leave taiwan if and when that ever happened. i don't really know why, but it's been building ever since i got back from the philippines and i want, nay, need it to stop. i've such a short time left in this country and i don't want to hate my last few months in it. everyone i know who has left have all said the same thing; home sucks, enjoy it while you can, wish i was there...and i know i will be saying these same things when i finally return to canada. it was time to reconnect with this place, its' people, its' panache and that what was today was all about. i think if you feel the same wherever you are, i encourage you to do the same. do yourself a favour and take a time out. :)