My Familiar Lifestyle

My Familiar Lifestyle 

Every individual who lives in a different culture must get lost in translation at some point. It could be difficult for people to find their way. I was living in Taiwan, which is a small but bustling place. I love the lifestyle in Taiwan because it made my life colorful and interesting. I have made a lot of memories in the past of my life in Taiwan. However, since I need to study, I had to move from Taiwan to the United States. Although I can have more diverse experiences and special memories living in a different culture, I always miss the lifestyle in Taiwan, such as night life, the relationship with neighbor, and hang out with friends for interesting activities.

One part of the Taiwanese lifestyle that I miss is the night life. People do a lot of different activities at night in Taiwan, such as working, studying and hanging out. Since the public security is good in Taiwan, there are a lot of stores open at night. I could always find somewhere to go. For example, when I was a high school student, I usually went to art class after school until 10 or 11 p.m. Art class was not part of regular school day, it was an extra class for students to refine their drawing skills. After art class, I waited for my father to pick me up at the 7-11 because it is a safe place to wait at night. Moreover, there were a lot of restaurants still open at night. If people don’t know how to cook, they won’t starve at night. For example, I love the night market in Taiwan because there is delicious food, and it is always open at night. I used to hang out with my friends in the night market at night, and I enjoyed the time stay there. After I moved to Chicago, I always go back home before the sunset because walking on street at night is dangerous. Therefore, I never hangout with friends at night; I haven’t had a nightlife since I moved to Chicago.

Another part of the Taiwanese lifestyle that the sense of community. The sense of community is more present in my home town. My home town Kaohsiung is a lively community. Neighbors tend to live close, so their relationship is good. For example, my neighbors take me like their own granddaughter. My neighbors are an elderly couple, and they are very kind to me just like my real grandparents. Since my mom had just start-up a breakfast store when I was a baby, she didn’t have time to take care of me. The elderly couple would help my mom look after me. I am grateful the elder couple really helped my mom a lot. After many years, the elder couple had their own granddaughter. Their granddaughter is very cute, and she grew up with my younger sister they just like real sisters. Moreover, a lot of neighbors from our community like to spend time in my mom’s breakfast store. They like to sit and chat in there with each other when they are available. My mom’s breakfast store became an important place where people met each other and hang out.

Finally, the part that I miss the most of the Taiwanese lifestyle is spending time with friends in the interesting activities makes me feel relaxed. There are some interesting activities only popular in Asian countries. Since the culture is different between western countries and Asian countries, people have different hobbies and activities they love to do. For example, I used to go to karaoke with friends. Although my friends and I are not singers or dancers, we just sing to relieve pressure. I have seen serval karaoke in Chinatown; however, the cost is very expensive. In addition, camping became a popular activity recently in Taiwan. People love camping in United Sates as well. However, camping is more luxurious in Taiwan. The staffs of the campground pitch the tent and prepare food in advance, so people don’t need to do any work. The tent is beautiful with air conditioner. There is even an open-air cinema next to the tent. Therefore, I believe it would be so relaxing to stay there. Since Chicago is a big city, there is no camping here. Although there is camping nearby Chicago, I have not gone yet. 

The different lifestyle of Chicago had extended my acculturation period, and it makes me feel like I am living in a strange and interesting world. When I just came to Chicago, I lost some habits that I was used to in my Taiwanese life before. However, I have learned how to adjust my own lifestyle to adapt a new culture. I also developed a new habit of keeping in touch with friends and family on the Face time. Nevertheless, I still feel lost sometimes. However, some people say you have to break some eggs to make an omelet. I have gotten a lot of new experience in Chicago instead those I have lost in Taiwan. Therefore, it is not too bad living in a different culture.