Gracious, how are we already here? I could’ve sworn that it was just yesterday I had Hulked Out and was about to commit murder due to poor school communication and rabid American entitlement. Now, I am pleased with the school and considering coming back in two years. (Or one year if I don’t end up having Baby 4 before/around next summer.) The kids are no longer starving at school and seem to love their teachers and are learning a lot of songs and improving their Mandarin. I am very pleased.

With that said, the kids are very homesick. They keep asking to go home to their White Car House (to differentiate from the apartment in Taipei). And true to form, Cookie Monster is excited about seeing his favorite Fun Learning Mandarin preschool teacher (but specifically told me he didn’t want to go to his other class which is silly because he does like her very much and comes home singing new songs and playing new games).

I suppose I want to go home, too. But it’s hard to miss the “Real World” when I am still in holiday mode. Every day is a food orgy! Whoooo! I have to begrudgingly admit that if I extended this trip or lived in Taiwan full time, the shine would eventually rub off and this new life would then become Real Life.

Hmmm. Still think it would be awesome. Of course, this is really my stomach talking. (Now, I am already busy planning the next trip. I have two years to convince other mommies to come with!)

Anyhow, on to the updates!

1) Yesterday, on the way to school, Gamera started jumping as far as possible and kicking the sky. When asked what she was doing, she said, “I kick the sun!”

The poor sun.

2) There is a dance performance this afternoon to show us what the older kids have been working on this past session. We’ve already seen previews from the kids at home, but still haven’t managed to tape it. (To our immense chagrin.) I would tape it today, but I know my kid. Cookie Monster will just stand there and zone out or else he’ll run to me. Either way, he’s that kid who ruins an otherwise fun show for parents. Ah well. Every class needs one of those kids to make other parents feel superior. Glad to oblige, I guess.

3) Fleur and I have made a new friend! Or rather, this lovely woman befriended us! HK Mama Bear approached us last week or so and struck up a conversation and we’ve slowly started to chat more. Yesterday, we hung out all day stuffing food in our faces and shopping and it was awesome. My only regret is that we did not “meet” sooner. She is fantastic!

Plus, talk about small world. HK Mama Bear is originally from SF (she currently lives in HK and is in Taipei for the summer for the same reason we are) and her sister-in-law literally lives across the street from my mother. Like, my mom’s front door opens to her SIL’s front door. On top of that, HK Mama Bear’s SIL’s sister-in-law is a real estate attorney that my mother used a few years ago.

Since my mother lives in a rather small gated community in a town of 43,000 people, that is REALLY CRAZY.

I mean, seriously. MIND. BLOWN.

4) Just got added to the secret Facebook page of my kids’ preschool. So, on the one hand, thrilled to see all their pics for the last month. And also kinda glad I just found out because otherwise, my phone would be full of pics I saved from FB.

But dude, wth?!? It’s the last day of school. Thanks for the timely add.

Also, because I’ve been liking so many pictures of my kids (since 7/14), and FB’s new app update allows me to quick-scroll and hence, quick-like all the pics with my kids in them, Facebook thinks I’m a bot and suspended my ability to like. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIKE MY OWN KIDS’ PICS!

5) Gamera has taken to refusing breakfast this past week. Why? Because when she gets to school, she mows through snacks and toast with jam and lunch and all sorts of yumminess. I guess oatmeal with milk can’t compare. She was real smug about it, too.

6) Also, I am ashamed to say, I had a massive Google Fail this trip. And when I say massive, I mean OMG HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE GOOGLE YOU HAVE FAILED ME IN ALL THE WAYS!!

Before the trip, I was so excited to visit a Taiwan Costco. I had packed my Costco card for this express purpose. But when I got to Taipei and Googled for the nearest Costco, the only one I found was near TPE airport which was a $50 cab ride and an hour away. I love Costco (as my loyal readers know) but even I have my limits. Fleur and I were so bummed.

Well, thanks to our new friend, HK Mama Bear, we just found out yesterday that there is not only a Costco in Taipei, THERE ARE THREE.

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And not only that (which would have been awesome enough), THERE IS A TWO STORY ONE.

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Fleur and I are SO SAD that we are only finding out about this just now.

FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL!!!

So today, we are going with HK Mama Bear to the two story Costco because I care for you, Dear Reader. Research must be done in order to properly evaluate Costco in its current native iteration. Don’t say I never did anything for you.

I am so excited.

Also, I’m sure that is a sad editorial on my life but you know what? I DON’T CARE. STOP JUDGING ME. I LOVE YOU COSTCO FOREVER.

Ok. That is all for today because we are leaving tomorrow and quite frankly, I should pack. But instead of packing, I will be going to Costco because REASONS and also GREAT PLANNING. Also, I have to squeeze in at least several shaved ices.

Our flight is at 11:30pm on Saturday and we will arrive at SFO three hours before we leave here. TIME TRAVEL IS REAL. I AM COMING FROM THE FUTURE.

Ok. Seriously? This post has quite the injudicious usage of ALLCAPS but I find myself hilarious. (Clearly, I have been on too many CAPSLOCK fan sites.)

But I do have to find activities to run my kids ragged before they are stuck on a plane for eleven hours. I will also need to somehow find room for packing an entire toy, DVD, and book store.

Wish me luck! (And see you soon in Cali!)