America, with a little Taiwan thrown in!

Tonight was one of the first nights where I kinda, just a little bit, felt like I was back in the states (and yes I say the states now after living overseas for just a couple of months).  I have had the times where I am sitting in a bar watching football and thought it felt like home, then I look at my watch and see it is way too late for anyone to be out, or I am watching either the game that was on 2 days ago and I already know the score.  I also look down at my drink and realize I am drinking a Taiwan Beer or Bar Beer (the only two options) not an Amstel Light, Blue Moon, or even a Budweiser, and I am quickly reminded I am not in North Carolina anymore.  But tonight it was like I clicked my ruby red slippers 3 times repeating, "There is no place like home," and I was transported via tornado to Raleigh.

Movie Theater Meal...take special notice of
the doll that was a part of the package...I think it is supposed to be Bella. 

Being as big of a Twilight fan as I am, my first real true fictional love was Edward Cullen just ask anyone who knew me while I was reading the books they will tell you I was crazy for him, I had to see Breaking Dawn part 1.  After much talk, and even more of that convincing southern charm people here seem to not be able to turn down, I talked Erin into going to the movies with me (she had not even seen the 3rd movie so there really is something to be said for the sweet country accent).  We left work, got on the MRT and headed to the movie theater that happened to be on the 13th-17th floors of a mall.  It is one of two theaters which plays movies in English.  We waited in line, got the "oh crap here are some Americans" look from the man at the counter, pantomimed our way through buying 2 movie tickets, 2 popcorns, 2 hot dogs and 2 drinks for $800 NT (the equivalent of $26 US dollars).  Then we rode the escalators up 2 more stories and arrived at our movie theater.  While I know this does not sound very "American" the rest of the experience (besides the cute, everything here can be categorized as cute, cartoon band blobs that reminded everyone to turn off their phones) was exactly that.

We watched the movie, enjoying the the sights of both shirtless Jacob and Edward, swooned at the wedding and cringed through the birth of the baby (I hope I have not spoiled the movie for anyone. If so, really sorry, but you should see it, really great).  While sitting in the theater I forgot I was in another country.  Even when I felt like I was going to throw up because of the hot dogs and was looking for my popcorn bag to barf in since I was obviously not missing any of the action (It turns out I was fine, the blood and needles got to me.  Sorry again if I spoiled anything!) it felt like home.  The lights came on after the movie was over and I felt like I would be walking out into the cool North Carolina weather.  It was only when I realized everyone was staring at Erin and I as we were leaving that it hit me, I was in Taiwan.  But that feeling of home felt so nice if only for just a couple hours.

To make things even better tonight, I saw my first Christmas decorations.  Real, commercialized decorations outside the Hanshin mall on the walk home.  There was a Santa, gingerbread men, candy canes, lights and ornaments, with a big Merry Christmas sign above the winter wonderland.  These are the only Christmas decorations I have seen since I have been here.  Automatically I was singing Christmas Carols in my head, and maybe out loud a little bit.  "Oh the weather outside is fightful, but the fire is so delightful.  And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let is snow, let is snow."

This just goes to show, no matter where you are, you are never far away from home!