Derailed like a motha f'er
Wow. WOW. It's been over two weeks since I posted. I've been completely derailed from the Productivity Train for the past two weeks. But no worries, it's time to get back on track. First step to doing that is by writing again. Writing has been a good anchor for me.
BUT - I'm not feeling too guilty about being derailed because I had a very special visitor in Taipei for almost the entire two weeks. None other than my Blood Brother Humphrey "Tall Tertle" Fang. Rofl.
Humphrey In Taiwan
Yep, this mofo is visiting me all the way from NYC. It was an amazing trip, and I'm incepting the idea of moving to Taiwan in his large and intelligent doctor brain. One of the first things I got Humphrey to do was... help set up my home studio! This picture is going to be legendary in 5 years. MARK MY WORDS.
Where Legends Are Born
Bromancing at Placebo
We've known each other since we were 7 years old. Took violin lessons from Mrs. Sias (God Bless her - hope she's doing well). I don't even remember how we grew to be so close before attending UMich, but I do have plenty childhood memories of biking to each others' houses, attending Oasis together, saving Spooktacular, and then ultimately rooming together in college. It's been a long friendship, and I'm looking forward to all of the awesome times to come!
Good Eats
One of the most important parts of visiting Taiwan is eating good food! Taiwanese food is delicious. For some reason, growing up as a Taiwanese American in the States caused Taiwanese food to have a mystical appeal. You have to travel far and wide to find Taiwanese food, especially GOOD Taiwanese food, and it's always a rare occasion. Add the fact that it originates from a tiny island on the other side of the globe where my parents grew up, Taiwanese food seemed like a foreign yet nostalgic gateway to a life that could have been. Here are a bunch of pictures of me and Humphrey eating our way through Taipei.
Taiwanese Breakfast Burgers
Local soup dumpling + easy eats spot - 明月湯包
One of my favorite local spots close to where my grandparents live by NTMU
The ramen you get from 7-11's is the REAL DEAL
Eating at a super popular beef noodle soup spot with Ann - 林東芳牛肉麵
Hot Potz - Savage Shabu
But at the end of the day, you gotta have some good ol' American breakfast food - The Diner
Hiking Elephant Mountain
We did a mini day hike at Elephant Mountain, a short trail right in the heart of Taipei about a 20 minute walk from where I live. Featuring primarily steep steps all the way to the summit, you are rewarded with nice views of Taipei 101 from a couple different scenic view points.
Selfie at the base before we started climbing
Halfway point selfie
The Man surveying his Domain
Sup Brah?
WE IN TAIPEI!
Hump's Bday + Goin' Out
Oh yeah, Humphrey also spent his birthday in Taipei! March 9th. It was also our good buddy Chris' birthday on the SAME EXACT DAY! This obviously calls for celebrating with a bang!
Pregame as always - Gauntlet Part 1
Kor as always - Gauntlet Part 2 - Where's Bernie!?
The Final Selfie
The last selfie with me, Hump, and Chris right before Humphrey got on his cab to go to the airport. Until next time, my dear friend. Gonna miss you.
The Final Selfie
Some final thoughts
No doubt this was an epic trip. I'm still trying to mentally recover from Fun-Mode and re-enter Work-Mode. One of the things that I came to appreciate the most on this trip was Friendship. Not that I didn't appreciate it before, but I simply loved the fact that my good friends in Taipei could become such good friends so quickly with friends from my past life. Bonds between people are unique and special; and the older I get, the more I am struck by how important relationships with other people are to me. I've always considered myself to be an introvert growing up, but I feel like as I come out of my shell a bit and view myself through a third party lens, I learned that something that gives me the most joy is bringing great people together. Now the brotherhood has an even stronger link between NYC and Taipei, and the next time we all see each other, it's going to be that much more amazing.
Cheers to Taipei, Humphrey's visit, Chris and Humphrey's birthdays!
Now, it's time to get back to work!
Soundtrack Taipei 2018
Music is one of the things that has always brought Humphrey and I together. As with all of the trips we take together, there is always a soundtrack to our time together, and listening to these songs always bring back very vivid memories of our friendship and experiences. Here are the tracks that I will forever associate with Humphrey's Taipei 2018 visit.
My Life - Zhu
Psycho - Post Malone
God's Plan - Drake
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