Small things I do

These days I have been having so much fun with my friends, laughing at silly things, doing even sillier things, and just being free and happy. I love my friends, and my life here in Jyväskylä would be nothing without them. But then, sometimes, in the middle of planning new bands and "bands" with them, I suddenly remember the JiaoDa choir and how it felt like to be one sound with them, and I just want to get back. That is one of the reasons why I want to sing the taiwanese songs with our singing group: some part of these lives would be together, connected with music that can be felt in every language.

Now, when I see an asian face, I automatically focus on them, straining to hear if they speak chinese or not, unconciously following them. To me, sometimes they look more familiar than these white-faced strangers. I saw an asian father playing with his kid on the yard of my appartment building, and I just stopped and stood there watching them play like I'd seen a father with his kid for the first time. Somehow I feel connected to them, even though I have no idea who they are.

Today morning I went to buy something to drink and I found a bottle of Guava juice in the crocery store. It made me so happy that I was smiling there alone. I bought it even though it was ridiculously expencive, because that is one of the flavours of Taiwan to me. The taste makes me remember.

Some moments I perfectly love the peace and quiet in here, embracing the silent streets in the evening. I love the early autumn breeze on my face, although I know it's the sing of coming winter. The nature looks so beautiful, so untouched, so familiar and friendly. Some other moments I feel all this, but still strangely miss the noise, and the crowd and the flashing lights of the night market, and the lovely buzz on the campus in Jiaoda.. Before I went to Taiwan, I always thought the amount of people and the hectic rhythm of the city would be the worst for me.. And now I find myself looking at the pictures and wishing I could hop back in the middle of those people.

I met some taiwanese exchange students in Jyväskylä this week. I'm hoping I will make friends with them and maybe others that will come later, maybe that way I can feel my other home country through them, and also get to speak chinese, which I do not want to forget after spending so much time and effort on learning it.