You've Come To The Rong Blog: Running All Over Taipei

So after the round for the top 20 spot on the competition, the producers of the show announced that our next round required us to dress up in a costume and to choose a song that could depict the costume's significance. So basically, everyone's like "F*ck, what do we choose?"

So I immediately started getting my creative juices flowing, and decided to dress up as a clown and sing a song called "Laughter" which is actually a sad song about a person who jokes around to mask how sad he really is over a break-up. ddrammaatic, yeah I know. I didn't want to just opt out the easy way and rent a clown outfit (partly cuz they are all ugly). I wanted to be a somewhat, fashionable clown, if that even exist. But before I get to my journey of searching the perfect non-scary clown outfit, let's take a look of some random pics....

This is one of THE most random pieces of art work i've EVER seen, and it's in a random little section of Taipei Main Station. It's a naked human body with a HUGE bird head with water pouring out. Everyone that walks by it looks at it with a cocked eyebrow and confused look and even slightly distance themselves from it because it's so EFFING CREEPY

On the MRT (metro) and taking a shot of the tracks. I don't know why, but I just liked the way it curved.

One of my morning creations. Open faced omelette (aka not skilled enough to close the omelette) with chicken breast and broccoli, doused in ketchup

This is Khee-Zhang, another contestant on the show. She is Korean and just started learning to speak Mandarin last year. She is extremely hard-working and is in top 18 with me at the moment. I sometimes feel like I have a barrier with singing Mandarin cuz it's not my first language, but she has it even harder. Khee sings with a lot of emotion, one of her main strong points and something I hope to learn from her.

A popular dessert in Taiwan. It looks nasty (and I admit I'm not too used to it yet) but it's taro (fucking DELICIOUS) sweet green beans, red bean, and other unidentified things over shaved ice.

So anyways, ON to the JOURNEY OF THE CLOWN!! My first stop is 2% (a Hong Kong based clothing store) to look for clothes....but this was the CLOSEST they had that would work. And it was like 3000NTD (100US) FUCK that, that's too expensive. SO obviously this journey is going to be a lot harder than expected...

Lunch time with Liz, another contestant on the show. She speaks Mandarin BETTER than me!

This is Nicole, a new good friend of mine. She's deliciously cute and has a great personality, just exactly the kind of person I get along perfectly with. Here we are afternoon teaing (and into evening obviously) at a popular cafe called The Spot

The cafe sitting area

The cafe store. Filled with lots of cute items

A special event the cafe was holding consisted of writing post cards with Taiwan scenery on the card faces to anyone in Taiwan, and they'll send it for you. Nicole and I wrote one to each other. ahaha we're such nerds. It hasn't come in the mail yet....

Cheeessyyy smile

The front of "The Spot" cafe

Since I'm unfamiliar with Taipei's areas for shopping for small dolls and art/crafts supplies, I asked Nicole for assistance. She recommended we take a look behind Taipei Main Station (Exit Y-11 Area) because there are a lot of stores that sell random art/toys/craft supplies. Here are some bears that I thought were perfect for my clown design....

(Nicole thinks they look more like cats)

My ideal dinner: Dumplings. I could eat these EVERYDAY. Fuckiingg amazing. My favorite dipping sauce is a combination of sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, mashed garlic, and red chili pepper paste. SOOo goodddd

So anyways, I only had one week left before the costume round, so where was I going to look for the materials I needed for my costume? GOooood question...

So, researching online for Taipei arts and crafts stores, I found a few places and decided to check it out...

Let's start in the North-western district known as Da Zhi. According to a website, there is supposedly an "arts and crafts" store in this area.

After going to the posted address which was 8 years out-of-date, I called and found their new location. YES! Found it! Bet they'll have the things I need! Let's go inside...

BIGGGGGG LET DOWN. It wasn't an Arts and Handicraft store at ALL. I was a souvenir shop filled with 6 old ladies who were DESPERATE for customers. Seemed like I was their first customer in 5 years, they were practically trying to sell everything to me with sad puppy eyes. To be polite, I asked for a business card, and she gave me 20...

That's how unbusy they were. I managed to escape with a few items I could use....but I admit, I bought a magnet just cuz I felt bad for them. Damn me and my soul

This is a random dark and grungy looking section under Taipei Main Station. I just took a picture cuz I thought it looked really sketch. My next stop was a section behind Taipei Main Station which sells all types of art supplies. Exit Y11 to Y18

Just behind the station is a store known as Little Bear Mama DIY (do it yourself). I hit jackpot! Got most of what I needed in this life-saving store. Little trinkets, beads, buttons, you name it. They have a lot of interesting things here and nice workers.

Near exit Y11 is the section of art supplies. Every store has different specialties (a lot of them are hair ties and accessories) Found more needed items here as well... Hm....what could my costume look like ...? are you ANXIOUS to know?? hhaha

Now, I needed my actual COSTUME. Where was I going to find something "clown-ish"??

Well, I knew i should start looking in the clothing mecca of Taipei:

Wufenpu Fashion Area near Houshanpi MRT station

Wufenpu is seriously every clothes whore's dream. ANYTHING you need, it will most likely be here. Only problem is...

It's a labyrinth

Not even kidding. There are soo many alleys and lanes. I got lost here at least 5 times. But after endless turns and comparing of clothing options, I found items I needed. My clown costume was almost complete!!!

Look at all those clothes...

So last stop was Ximen, the "young" part of town. There's a lot of good food here and young people everywhere. They also have a lot of costume stores. Got my clown nose, gloves, and hat and then headed home to work on my design...

So.. *drum roll please*...are you readddyyyyyy?

TA-DA!!

Cuteness ALL overrrr! haha The actual making of the costume took a lot less time than I thought. After about 2-3 hours of organizing, placing, sewing, and safety pinning, I created my costume.

The sleeves (made out of female leg socks)

The dolls and trinkets I bought at Dazhi and Taipei Main Station

My hat! There's a little bear there sipping wine as well. ahahha You can tell I had a lot of fun

Other side of the hat

So everything looked amazing together, which was a relief because I wasn't sure if things were gonna come out looking alright together. I'm so glad they did though!

Change of Subject: So went to go see my friend Ai yi Liang (Ive Liang) sing at her job in China Pa, a lounge bar in XinYi District. She is there every Wednesday night starting at 10:30 to 11:15. She is also in the competition I'm currently in (Super Idol) and is very well received for her confidence and unique vocals. You should definitely give her a listen!

The songstress ready for the stage

Got to see my favorite friends, Rose (you know her from Super Star Avenue 5) and Simoneee (star in the MAKING, you'll see her soon!)

I am really sad because Simone (on the right) is my best friend here in Taipei and she is leaving me for China this Friday. Her choice to move back is definitely one that is better for her, but it's hard for me to know that I will not be seeing her anymore after this week. So for the next few days, she is sticking with me no matter what!!! I will miss the shit out of her :( SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE!!!

Pictures with Wang Jing Han, another contestant on the show. I leave you with this final picture of my outfit the wardrobe director gave me for the latest round on the competition.

Yes, Ladies and Gentleman, you have the MAN SKIRT

When I first saw it, I was in shock....

"I'm seriously, going to wear....a skirt??"

But the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. Also, I don't think many guys can pull off a man skirt, so it's fine to give it a try. We'll see how it looks on TV in 3 weeks when the episode airs...