Day 90 -- August 22

Today was Johnny and James’ last day in country, their flight takes them home starting at 11:40pm. So we all met up for breakfast/lunch at noon. They decided that going to Magic Bagel was a good idea. So we all hopped a bus around 11:30 and went to the Shida area. It took a while for everyone to get there but we all managed to get our food. Then we just stayed and chatted for a little bit. It was nice to have everyone together one last time. The boys got into a heated discussion about the American legal system which was fantastic. It wound down after Nathan had to leave to get his Visa renewed. I then headed over to the OIA office one more time and was able to get my dorms refund check, it was for 828 NT which is roughly about 25 dollars. Nice little boost for my last couple days.

    After that I went and did some wandering with Jillian and Nick. It was raining pretty hard, which is to be expected on the other side of a typhoon. We needed to get some last minute things, specifically I needed new headphones and a second luggage tag. After these items were purchased, we headed over to GongGuan. I was in need of a book, specifically The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I keep getting recommendations to read it and I knew I had seen it at the bookstore we were off to so we went. After all was said and done I gave Nick and Jillian goodbye hugs. I will probably see Nick back in the States but Jillian is staying for a whole year. By this point it had started raining pretty good I hitched the bus back to the dorms. I spent a little time packing what I could. Right now I have a bunch of clothes drying so I am waiting on that. Otherwise I am all packed and ready to leave for the hotel tomorrow.

    I spent the rest of the afternoon reading The Fault in Our Stars, which is only 300 page book at a fairly easy reading level. I finished it in about an hour and half. Excellent book I really recommend it for anyone looking for a fast but moving read. After that I really started backing and began to get the trow away pile together. My shelves are now clear and I just need to fold up clothes and head out. Excited to be leaving the dorms but not as excited to move all of it by myself. But such is life here. I will make it work.

    I got a hold of Johnny and James, we all decided to go see our GongGuan Ayi one last time. I got me some potstickers we toasted to the restaurant that we had given much of our dinner money to. We chatted for a bit and then it was time for them to go. I gave them both big hugs and wished them a safe flight. I’m gonna miss them, but good news I will see them again when we are all back on our home turf. And so begins the last 48 hours of my stay in Taiwan. Tomorrow is going to be fun hopefully moving my way to the hotel will be done with minimal effort. Wish me luck!