No need for a title.

It's a weird feeling watching the rain drops fall down outside your window with 25 degrees outside temperature. However, it's not a bad feeling, it's just different. In fact, my whole exchange experience is more like an experiment of a different life, including a lot of self reflection on my part. As I get to know Taipei better from week to week, I get to know myself better. As the acclimatisation rises, the love for my new life rises as well.

I'm under the impression that these days, the awesome doesn't stop. In fact, I am even getting used to a certain standard of awesomeness. What I would have referred to as a wonderfully insane evening just a year ago, I can now pretty much call a standard night out. It seems as if the whole level of greatness in my life has risen one step, and I don't intend to interfere in the process.

For example, last weekend, me and some other exchange students went to the South of Taiwan. Monday, October 10, saw the Republic of China turning 100 years old, so everyone had a day off, and we used ours to go surfing. I have already talked briefly about this sport and my deep appreciation for it, but I guess I wasn't too clear on the fact that I actually adore it so much! I've never taken up a sport that is so much fun, not to mention the excitement it gives me. The feeling when you are on a good wave (which traveled thousands of kilometers just for you to ride it) is incredible! It is definitely one of the greatest wastes of time I know so far. Although first, the waves at Jialeshui beach in the Kenting area of Taiwan were too big to be handled by an inexperienced surfer like me, later on we found a sandbank with gorgeous brakes! You couldn't have wished for more. The only thing you ought to do in such a situation is be thankful to whoever you think deserves it.

The same thoughts traversed my mind the evening before, when I was sitting on Kenting beach, watching the magnificent sunset you see a picture of in this entry. Waves were gently breaking around my feet, sand surrounded my body and Jason Mraz provided the right tunes for my ears. Right then and there, I couldn't believe what incomparable greatness I was receiving. Sometimes we humans tend to forget what a great gift life actually is, and moments like these give us subtle reminder.

In humble gratitude,
Martin
-Kenting, Taiwan