Field trip to the Outback Steakhouse!

After class last Wednesday, Mr. Lien and his crack team of lawyers went with yours truely on a field trip to the Outback Steakhouse. I'd previously mentioned Outback as a good place to go during another class, and so when Mr. Lien suggested we go out to dinner the choice of where to go was obvious. They loved the "Bloomin' Onion", and greatly enjoyed a nice Australian Steak dinner. Actually, there isn't much choice because the only steak allowed across the border into Taiwan is from New Zealand or Australia, pretty much all other steak is banned. Mr. Lien and Robert (in white and blue on the left, respectively) asked me to go out to a bar with them sometime in the future. I think they just want an excuse to their wives to go out for a night on the town. "Honey, we have to go. We need to show the foreigner the Taipei nightlife." I actually like this bunch a lot, they're all very smart (obviously) and it's amazing how fast they learn, especially Jasmine (sitting next to me), who just seems to absorb English in class almost instantly. One of my favorite classes by far.

Rob 

Bowling Night!

Last Saturday Connie, her friend Monica, and myself went to California Fitness Center to sign up in an effort to defeat the coming winter blahs. Afterwards to celebrate we went out to dinner and then following a visit to a coffee shop we headed to a local Bowling Alley which was nearby and which I'd seen from the bus many times. I've wanted to go bowling since I came here, but the opportunity never presented itself until last weekend. 

"If you touch my Rob....I will kill you." Connie shows off her firey latina look. 

Monica (left) is Connie's old friend, and current boss. The other lovely lady is her friend Narisa who dropped by to join us for a night of fun. 

Longtime friends and classmates, Monica and Connie form a lovely pair. 

Monica and Connie looking cute. 

Narisa gets ready to demonstrate her hidden talents! 

Connie prepares to dazzle us with her skill. Actually, Connie had amazing lucky this night and rolled many spares and even a strike! Not bad for someone who hadn't bowled in a loooong time. She's a natural! 

"How many of these pictures is Rob going to take?" Monica's getting tired of holding the ball. 

Monica goes for the gold! 

Watch me roll a strike! 

Rob takes careful aim. 

Rob in action! Going for that Strike! 

Strike!

Hey! That wasn't a strike! 

Birthday Girl! Happy Birthday Honey!

Today, November 27th, was Connie's birthday, so we went out to a very elegant French restaurant and had a wonderful time wandering around one of the nicer areas of town. This picture is actually from last night when we were out to see 40 Year Old Virgin at a Theatre Near Taipei 101.

My cutie shows off her beauty.

You can see the locals are getting into the Christmas spirit, even though Christmas is only a commercial holiday here.

The Cameraman gets in front of the Camera

Canada! Represent! 

A Quest Begins!

So, Friday morning came, and armed with my new camera and one of the first nice days I had free time I set out to the local forested mountain near my home to get pictures of the giant spiders and other critters that live there. On the way I stopped to take a picture of a few residences such as this appartment block. I'm not sure if I should call them row-apartments or what, since they're essentially one giant building, but at the same time a series of individual 4 storey apartment buildings. Anyways, the rounded fronts on these triggered my asthetic sense, so I snapped this shot. 

Entrance.

The front gate of one of the apartments which was part of the block from the previous picture. I wanted to get a shot of the engraved front doors, a style which is quite common here in Taipei, but not everyone can afford. 

Punchbuggy!

A surprisingly new looking VW Bug! Not sure what those things on the hood are, though.