VLOG 3

I think the topic of my video project shifted from what I was originally setting out to do, I was trying to discover who was behind the graffiti around 师大, but to try to get a better understanding of graffiti in 台北, I had to go where all the graffiti artists went to pain, Ximending, that is where two of my three vlogs took place, I did not intend to spend that much of the vlog there, I was just hoping to show some of the impressive murals there, but the third time I went to check in on the progress of a painting, I found one of the masters painting and that became the focus of my third vlog. It was a great experience to be able to try to talk to him, and the weight of his words did not sink in, until several days later when I received help with translating the interview. I was impressed by his on the spot answer to my question, why does he do graffiti, “Because I love it. If you like doing it, you will do it without anyone forcing you and want to make it become better” 因为我喜欢。如果你喜欢，没有人逼你，你也会想要让在，和件事情变更好。热情（很重要，zhong4yao4）。 This is clearly someone who loves what they do. I find this mentality inspiring. At times I found this program very challenging, and had some bad days, but I always wanted to learn more Chinese, I just enjoy learning the language, that’s what kept me showing up to class every day. So I think I have learned from this project, from the graffiti master specifically, is to keep on trying, and do what you love. I want to improve my Chinese and will continue to work on it, however slow I am. I do see myself in this project because I think I am trying to do something I enjoy, no one told me to learn Chinese. In this project, I do not see myself as a Canadian, I just have a sense of being a foreigner. I stick out in the crowded night markets because I’m tall with long hair, however I never felt alienated in my explorations around Taipei looking for graffiti, or just general travels. The people I encountered where always friendly, and genuinely excited to converse with me. The graffiti master was great, laughing and having a good time during the interview which I had just walked up to and asked if I could interview him. I do see myself as a student, but I think I am always a student, constantly learning as each day passes. I believe in the notion of life-long learning, and the opportunity this project gave me certainly enforces it. It forced me to explore one of my interest that I may have previously been too afraid to explore. To become more accustomed asking and learning from total strangers, and you may not completely understand each other was a challenging but rewarding experience. I found I learned the most in these sorts of encounters and was my favorite part of the program. I think a traveler is a student, trying to learn about the culture, customs and traditions, of a place they are in, while a tourist is someone who just goes to see the most famous spots. I would say I was a traveler, seeking to develop a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture and subcultures.