Let's Start a Blog!

Hey everyone~!

So I titled this blog "Don't Feed the Models" because I was lying awake thinking of America's Next Top Model. I admit it. Don't judge.

I’m starting a blog today because I can’t sleep. My mom is snoring next to me. We’re in Taipei right now, my mom and I, on a quest to reconnect with our roots, so-to-speak—more a quest to stuff our faces with amazing food… but the former sounds a little better.

So far, the trip has been interesting, but interesting in the way that stained glass, or interior design is interesting—you look at it and you look at it, but its not ground breaking… maybe I haven’t mastered my feng shui yet.

What’s amazing is that it doesn’t even feel like a foreign country here. The atmosphere reminds me of home. The weather; it has been a constant overcast. The consistent east-coast grey of New York, mixed with that not-too-cold not-too-hot temperature of the bay area of San Francisco.

The culture is somewhat different, I guess. But I’m not feeling the “intense culture shock” that every study abroad office of a university warns you of when you’re traveling to Asia. “The concepts of politeness are completely different” “Don’t be surprised if you’re completely overwhelmed when you get there.” What the fuck are they talking about? It’s like going to Chinatown. I hate to simplify a culture like that (especially my own), but seriously. Chinatown. With clean subways. And better food.

I know it’s boring to read about someone’s reactions to food, but honestly, kind of important here.

So we—my mother, my neighbor’s brother, and myself—went to this AMAZING restaurant on our first day. It’s called Din Tai Fung if anyone knows it. We feasted on dumplings: shrimp, pork, sticky-rice—stuffed dumplings, the works. And might I say, this was probably the best dumpling experience I’ve ever had. I was somewhat pissed off before—mainly at my inability to understand any of the Chinese language—but these dumplings made me step up, and I was in an incredible mood afterwards. If anyone is having a problem of any kind, the answer is dumplings. Felling hungry? Dumplings. Bored? Dumplings. Stubbed your toe on your dresser? Dumplings. Stressed out over a paper that’s due? Dumplings. Boyfriend broke up with you? Dumplings. I’m surprised they don’t teach you this in church.

I’ve started to mess around with facebook and other entertaining, but somewhat mind-numbing websites, so I will spurt out several seemingly random but entirely appropriate sentences.

I’m from Philly bitch, where you from???!?!?
I’m a fermata, hold me
I miss my Henry

Happy New Year!

Until my next post!

--Dave :)