On the Road: Taiwan...NYC

Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall - 中正紀念堂

2006-10-23T20:56:00.000-04:00

Last Days in Taiwan - August 2006

Maddy Mo-Mo

2006-08-25T23:55:00.000-04:00

My favourite long haired Chihuahua - Maddy is a mix chihuahua & poodle

In London, Ontario

2006-08-25T01:04:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

My Birthday!

In the Big Apple: NYC

2006-08-06T22:20:00.000-04:00

Sunday, August 14

Beautiful & Historic Brooklyn Bridge

Sue & I

Brooklyn Bridge

A view of the Manhattan Bridge

In a New York Minute..NOT!!!

Waiting and waiting and more waiting..Waited in lines for everything in the Big Apple:

Shake Shack hamburgers in Madison Square Park [~1 hr.]

Prune Restaurant for brunch [~20 mins.]

@ TKTS box office for Broadway Avenue Q tickets [~30 mins.]

Shakespeare in the Park play: Mother of Courage and Her Children [~5 hrs.]

Guggenheim Museum - Pay what you want evening [~5 mins.]

Shakespeare in the Park: Mother Courage and her Children

The story: My day began by getting into the line-up for free Shakespeare in the Park tickets outside the Public. The show that I was lining up to see was called, "Mother Courage and her Children starring Meryl Streep & Kevin Kline. I waited 5 hours to get my 2 free tickets at 1 pm! Later that afternoon, the weather began to get strange. The weather forecast had called for rain, unbeknownst to me AND all of a sudden, it started to pour! Let's hope for the best & hope that the hard rain will stop!?! After a little while longer, the rain stopped only to continue again after a short while. As Sue and I got on the train to Central Park, it had strangely stopped 2 stops prior to where we wanted to get off! The train was being delayed due to train traffic in the tunnels! Man..it was getting awfully close to the 8 pm start time. We thought we'd get out of the station & flag a cab down..NO SUCH LUCK! So..in the end, we trekked by foot down 5th Ave. We walked in sections of the street and in Central Park where it seriously looked flooded with water up to our ankles. I even lost my slipper in the water & had to go fetch it! Ha! Even though we had umbrellas, we were pretty much soaked by now! We walked probably 8 blocks & in through Central Park before we found the theatre where there was a big line-up of people waiting to see if the show would go on! By this time, the rain was only a drizzle and it looked promising! We found out that the show would go on! Start time was around 8:30 pm..or actually, when they finally got the stage, sound, etc. set, it was close to 9 pm. Despite, the rain, the train delay & even semi-floods, we needed to proceed on since I had waited 5 hrs. for those tickets! Unfortunately, even if the show is cancelled, the tickets would not be honoured the following day! Not fair but that's life! In the end, I was sitting in shivering clothes and cold on a measely wipped down theatre chair, however the play was still awesome and Meryl Streep was stellar as usual in her role as Mother Courage!

Maddy with the Cool Shades! Ha! Ha!

Broadway: Avenue Q

Guggenheim Museum

Featuring architect Zaha Hadid

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Clinton Street Bakery

Rockefeller Center

Ball hockey

Williamsburg Bridge

Crosby Connection: Johnny, Joe,
Sue & I

Brunch at Prune

Central Park

Chinatown

On a Jet Plane!

2006-08-06T22:13:00.000-04:00

Aboard Eva Air heading to Vancouver en route back home to T.O.! The beautiful sunrise...

Fond Memories...

2006-07-24T09:40:00.000-04:00

English Summer Camp!

2006-07-24T08:41:00.000-04:00

Jhendong Summer Camp Fun!

Reading Tongue Twisters

Past/Present Tense

Girls Night Out

2006-07-22T04:11:00.000-04:00

Last night, Star, Hsiu-Hsiu & I made a great seafood pasta! Then, we enjoyed dragon fruit & mango, a sweet dessert, red wine & a shared a whole lot of conversation!

Seafood pasta: mushrooms, bell peppers, clams, oysters, & octopus!

Star & Mom

Chef Yee & Her
Assistants, Chef Wu & Chef Chang!

@ Hsiu-Hsiu's house

Clowning around with the camera! STAR!

Enjoying dragonfruit, wine
& conversation!

Hsiu-Hsiu & Star

Hsiu-Hsiu & I

Yummy sweet dessert

I Can Sing a Rainbow!

2006-07-21T01:34:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday this week, as I was at home, I was going about my business when I happened to look out of my window where I was pleasantly surprised by two glorious rainbows!

My Lovely Morning Hair do!

Photography 101

2006-07-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Today, I attended a photography workshop with my good friend & colleague, Hsiu-Hsiu. We went to an elementary school in Dounan and learned some basics about photography...

Here's Hsiu-Hsiu's Collection

Dragon
Fruit

My photos from around the schoolyard

Taking photos of some insects...

My Flower Collection - Longman Jie, Dounan

Flower, Kinmen Island

Flowers, near my home

Little Rascal, Wei-Wei

Pomelo Fruit Tree

The Greatest Gift

2006-06-15T05:57:00.001-04:00

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

God, my heavenly Father has given me an abundant life! What can I seriously complain about? Nothing..nada....I have a job that I'm passionate about, a family that I love, done a lot of traveling that I've dreamt about, & have finally realized my dream of teaching abroad being here in Taiwan!

Jesus, the lover of my soul, savior, and friend! Your example and life has been the standard in which I strive to live daily. Your sense of sacrifice & service to others has been an inspiration for me. I've been touched again & again by the beauty of your life. In our world, where people covet being served, I have no shame in serving those around me. Gravitating to others through service helps me feel connected to God and to help express His love to others.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose"

Philippians 2:1-2

As my time in Taiwan winds down, I'm reminded in a powerful way how much I've been affected by the gift of friendship in my life's journey so far. Friendships haven't always been without their pitfalls. In fact, some friendships have ended in due course. Even with the good and bad, why has the gift of friendship been especially heartwarming to me? My first feeling is that God has blessed me with & provided the very needs that satisfy my life. God knows my needs & surrounds me with people. My second feeling is that life would be so boring and bland without the adventure of friendship! As such, God satisfies our life here on earth with people we meet and share life with! My third feeling is that we can benefit from the experience & knowledge of others. I believe it's true that others can help to complete the individuals that we are. Friends affect us, inspire us and uplift us.

With the good times, I have people with whom I can rejoice & share my joys. WIth the down times, I can cry on a friend's shoulders and completely bare my soul to another. Sharing lifes' "everything" & having different friends to walk through life is an amazing gift that words cannot simply describe.

The friends that I treasure are the ones in my life who accept me for who I am..100%. They are those who respect me and accept me for being "ME". They enjoy that I have unique qualities and they encourage me to be the best that I can. They challenge me to reach for the stars. My close friends understand me. They listen to me. They let me know when I've done something wrong or bad. They love me.

Without friends, my world would be awfully bleak and there would be a wilderness of loneliness.

No matter near or far, distance does not take the place of genuine friendship as genuineness expresses a uniqueness that cuts through the barrier of time, distance & place. Friendship requires effort, time and sacrifice. It's a gift of substance and often, it's not easy! Friendship develops with time & if you hang-on long enough & persevere, you may be able to reap the benefits of true friendship. True friendship survives through betrayal, mistakes, failures, joys, sorrows, sadness and time!

I have been richly blessed & I have tasted a good life. I can attest to this because of the wonderful and truly amazing friendships that I've encountered in life. I have met some extraordinary people whom I've had the honor of calling "friends". I have tasted a good life because I've been blessed in life to have met many of you who I consider to be a part of my heart.

I'm thankful for you & thankful to Jesus, my Lord, who continues to teach me the meaning of the word, "friendship".

My life is richer because I've known & continue to know you. With a grateful heart, I say, "thank you!".

My Testimony

During my elementary school years, public schools were handing out copies of the New Testament bible. I remember distinctly the red covered ones which we got every year. Since I had multiple copies and perhaps quite a few with siblings also attending the same school that I made sure that when I cleaned my room, I ended up keeping at least one. After all, I felt that throwing it away wouldn’t be so good. For some reason, I felt guilt in throwing away a Bible! Over the years, I never flipped open that little red covered book. It wasn’t until grade 5 that I would come to realize the existence of a heavenly father we call God. Every year, we have a 2 week winter holiday to mark the ending of the first term. Every year, at the end of the first term, it was also customary to have a class party. Each student brought snacks and we played our favourite board games and did fun activities. That winter, I had been given some really cool hand held video games that I really wanted to bring to school! So, I brought two that afternoon to my class party. I had fun of course showing off these really cool games to all my friends! After school, a group of us decided to stay to play some soccer in the winter snow in the yard. I must have played for an hour or so before heading home for the holidays. Upon reaching home, I realized that I was missing something...MY VIDEO GAMES! Upon my discovery, I bolted back to school and made a desperate search around for my tote bag which contained those video games! First, the school yard was deserted and secondly, there was NO tote bag in sight! My life had ended! I was dead! What was I going to do??? How was I going to explain myself out of this one? I was in deep trouble! To make matters worse, I didn’t have any of my classmates telephone numbers so I couldn’t call anyone. The only thing left to do was to wait in agony for 2 weeks to quickly go by! For whatever reason, my only comfort and hope lay in the idea of praying to an almighty God pleading for help to ensure that my video games had been picked up by a classmate of mine! That night and every night following, I began to pray. I prayed to God, asking him each time to please allow my video games to be in the possession of one of my classmates! I prayed earnestly and without ceasing for 2 whole weeks! Up until that point in my life, I didn’t recall having ever prayed. When we returned to school from our winter break, I rushed to find my classmates and to inquire about my tote bag of video games. Thankfully and to my delight, my prayers had been answered! My classmate had noticed the tote bag on the ground and picked it up for me. Wow...my prayers had been answered! That was the day that I began to take notice of God. That was the day I knew that there must be a God that exists! God does answer prayer!

It wasn’t until roughly six years later in high school that I came to forge a personal relationship with God. When I was 16 years-old, a good friend of mine invited me to join a winter sports camp with her church’s youth group. During those few days in Muskoka, I would begin learning about a loving God whose Son, Jesus, died on the cross so that we may have a reconciled relationship with God. At first, I accepted Jesus Christ into my life for fear that I would burn in an eternal hell. That’s the truth, although I was touched by God’s forgiveness and love for us as sinners, I was more petrified at the thought of agony in an eternal fire! However, most importantly, I left that Muskoka Woods camp knowing that I had met with and experienced our heavenly Father. Shortly after that time, I began attending church. I joined the youth fellowship and had mentors that help to shape and support my spiritual growth. With these brothers and sisters who walked alongside me, I was able to grow in my knowledge of Christ, study the Bible, pray and strengthen my faith. One year after I accepted Christ into my life, I made a decision to get baptized on Easter. This would be the event where I would publicly profess my love for God. For now, it was not out of fear that made me want to accept Christ but it was simply an abounding “love” and knowing that God desired to know me personally and wanted a relationship with me that motivated me to want to become baptized into His family. And so my journey as a follower of Christ began in the year 1994...

Jian Fu Shan

2006-06-07T08:12:00.000-04:00

Today, our school went to Jian Fu Shan's Prince Hotel to enjoy a late lunch buffet. Here are some pics. of our time there...

What are you laughing at? Ha!

This spaghetti is pretty darn long!

Stuffing my mouth

Mommy & daughter

Star & Avon

Hsiu-Hsiu & Me

Howling laughter: Star can't stop laughing...

In and Around School

2006-06-01T09:59:00.000-04:00

Being swamped by my kindergarten kids!!! Yikes!!

Aww..group hug!

Star & I

Sammy, Elva & Star

The clear mountain view after rainfall

Westside Story/Taipei

2006-05-30T08:46:00.000-04:00

Over the past weekend, a small group of us went to watch The Westside Story at Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall. It was a pretty good musical! We also did some shopping over the weekend! I got some bags, a pair of shoes, and a camera! Ha!

Jas, Star, Em & I
Eating at the Curry house at Taipei Station

Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall and Taipei 101

Westside Story

Eating mango & redbean ice at Shilin
Nightmarket

Funny...little photos taken at the popular booth

Ershuei Field Trip

2006-05-25T01:05:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, I went on a field trip with my favourite grade 5 class! I went biking with Hsiu-Hsiu's class to Ershuei, Changhua

At Douliou Station with Class 5-4

On the train...

The view from the train

At Ershuei Train Station

At So Funny Bike "HA HA" Rentals

Getting ready to bike...

On the Ershuei bike path

Pit stop #1 ~ Group photo

Star, Me & Hsiu-Hsiu

My aching back!

Ms. Yee & Ms. Chang are DEAD tired!

Teachers being silly!

Making postcards

Ms. Yee & Ruby

The Boys

Bob, Star & Elva

Mimi: funny face

Hey, Ms. Yee, what are you doing picking the eggplant??? Ha!

Beautiful blooming rice fields

Pumping water!

Fun shots

Hiding in the tree!

Group photo..
YEAH!

Heading back...

Beautiful flower field

Elva trying on Star's hat

Back home: Ice cream @ McDonalds

Made in Hollywood!

2006-05-20T21:27:00.000-04:00

During the afternoon one Wednesday about two weeks ago a colleague and I made our way to our bank to take care of some business. Our school had learned that our bank would be merging with another company that we felt would not be stable.
As a result, the staff was told to open a new bank account at Bank B. Opening a bank account with Bank B was pretty straight forward since their bank officials came to our school and it was already done. I didn't want to deal with 2 bank accounts so I decided to close my existing one at Bank A.

Scene 1:
At Bank A

It was approximately 3:30 pm and we wondered into a not-so busy bank asking what procedures needed to be taken to close an account. The bank official responded by requesting that we fill out a form. After filling out the form, checking I.D., and using my name chop, we waited for the gentleman to do his work on the computer. I had requested that all my account funds be transferred to my new account at Bank B.

After awhile, the time was around 3:45 pm and the man began to bring out a WAD LOAD of cash! In my mind, I was thinking, "what is this guy doing???". Truthfully, I was a little dismayed that he was busting out such a great deal of money that I somehow my lips were glued together to say anything! As he was counting the money, he must have wrapped them with a tiny paper strip indicating the amount and putting a name chop mark on it as well. At this point I was feeling like a serious robber in the middle of a hold-up! A picture began formulating in my head at this point: this is a stick-up, be quiet, give my all the money you have, and no one will get hurt!!!" I've been watching too many bank heists (e.g., "Inside Man")..ha ha...The cash was amounting to a few piles by now. Finally, he told my friend and I that it was too late to transfer the money to the new account and that we should take the CASH & go directly to Bank B and deposit the money ourselves since they close at 4:00 pm!! There was still sometime the man reassured us. WHAT!!???!! The guy just gave me my account savings in cash & expected me to take it out onto the streets & transport it to another bank to make a deposit myself????? Did I hear right? He didn't even offer to give me any bank cash envelopes??? I quickly stuffed the wad loads of cash into my knapsack and felt rather vulnerable to have so much money on my person. I made sure I put the cash inside my backpack and mad a beeline exit out of the bank with my colleague.

Scene 2:
I made a semi mad dash to our parked scooters and literally jumped on & jetted at 30-40 km/h to Bank B...which thankfully was only a short distance away. I don't recall ever riding a scooter so fast in my life!
RED ALERT: 2 Asian women fleeing the bank via scooters with stolen money!

Scene 3:
Bank B
We quickly entered the bank and headed to a special deposit window due to the amount of money I wanted to deposit. As soon as I brought out the piles of cash, it was like a symphony of heads and eyeballs turned to stare. Btw, these were bank officials. The sad thing is I didn't think they even knew they were staring. They just did it automatically. I was just thinking to myself in my stream of consiousness: "YEAH, STARE ALL YOU WANT, I JUST STOLE THAT MONEY FROM ANOTHER BANK AND I'M PUTTING IT IN YOUR BANK! YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?!" Ha! Ha!

After I completed my deposit form & an official counted the money with a counting machine, a piece of paper was transferred to 2 different people for signing & authorization before my bank account book was updated & returned to me.

Final Scene:
Sheer relief! As I left Bank B, I felt relieved to have that money safely stored away & not on my person. Seriously, the 40 mins. of time in those 2 banks were really a short film right out of Hollywood! It was really scary because someone could have just robbed me! People at Bank A were so unprofessional and had no reason to ask me to do such an unsafe thing! I guess because I closed my account with them which means I ended any kind of business with them that they could care less if I get robbed once I step foot out of the bank! They couldn't wait until the next business day to complete the transfer & they wanted to deal with less paperwork so they gave a poor woman a load of cash to carry...to go out into the open & deposit herself! Uncalled for..unprofessional...dangerous, and downright wrong! Perhaps I was so dumbfounded & in many ways awestruck by the moment that I seemed to have lost any sense of protesting skills!

Directed by:
Sophia Yee

Cast:
In order of appearance
Petrified girl: Sophia Yee
Scared girl: Star Chang
Bank A "Not-so-competent employee: Mr. Wang Wong
Bank B officials: Staring was natural & not acted!

On location from:
Taiwan

Dinner @ CaRouge

2006-05-11T09:36:00.000-04:00

CaRouge Restaurant, on National
Yunlin Science & Technology University Campus

Avon & Star playing around
HA! HA!

Hsiu-Hsiu & Me

Star & Me

Taking some photos from
outside the restaurant

Flirting with Death...

2006-05-05T23:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, I was on my way home from the video store. En route, I thought about getting something to eat. At this point, I was at the city turn-about...at the last minute, I wanted to veer to the left. In those mere seconds, everything just unravelled so quickly..I hit SMACK right into an oncoming truck! The size of this little truck wasn't so large but combine the 2 speeds...my scooter was hitting a good 30-40 km/h...he was probably going around the same. I immediately was thrown from my scooter and tumbled...maybe even rolled over several times to a complete stop on the road..my body lay motionless like I was on the brink of death. Upon instant impact, my body met with extreme pain. In hindsight, it was like a body check from the side! The shock to my body prohibited me from getting up although my head kept telling me that I wanted to. I lay there for at least a whole minute or so. This minute seemed to be one of the longer minutes of my life. In fact, it seemed like eternity. All of a sudden, I saw a police officer hover above me and asked if I had a head injury. The man in the truck also wanted to see if I was okay. After the long minute, I tried to collect myself and turned over and went onto my knees. Taking a few deep breaths I got to my feet and took my scooter to the side of the road. The police officer kept asking if I needed an ambulance. I said, "no". These people kept speaking to me in Taiwanese. After a few more minutes of collecting myself, I got back on my bike and proceeded home. The injuries I sustained were a few bad scratches and bruises on the arm and knee. The rather serious part of my pain is in the left part of my butt and lower back area. I'm resting today and can only lie on my stomach to rest and sleep. Any added pressure on my backside, and I feel a lot of pain...The only reason why I'm not dead or seriously injured is because of my helmet & God's mercy and grace. Thank you to God for watching over me that afternoon as He does each & everyday!
UPDATE: I went for an x-ray on my neck and pelvic area Monday morning & my x-rays came out clean with no fractures, slippage of discs or broken bones. The orthepedic specialist made a funny comment saying that I had a "beautiful pelvic bone" as he pointed it out on my x-ray result. Ha! I got some ointment for the pain in my neck & butt. Other than that, I'm already walking, albeit slowly, like nothing happened. Wow...all I can say is that I believe in an amazing God!

In Search of Fireflies....

2006-05-04T10:53:00.000-04:00

Huashan, Yunlin County

Mei-Hsin, Hsiu-Hsiu, Avon & Star

This evening, Star drove a bunch of crazy nut girls out for a gir's night out together! We went to Hushan which is about 20-25 mins. outside of Douliou City. We went on a little adventure in search of fireflies. To our delight, we saw a beautiful field of fireflies lighting it up! Mei-Hsin was our champion in that she had the most gentle hands in catching the small bright creatures in the calm of the night. Afterwards, we went for a dinner together, chatted up a storm, shared a bowl of laughter & ate some nice ice dessert!

No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." 1 Corinthians 13:3b (Msg)

2006-04-30T09:36:00.000-04:00

"Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning , his command is this: Live a life of love." 2 John 1:6 (NCV)

Excerpts & quotes © 2002 Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

• Life is all about love
• It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That is why we are given a lifetime to learn it.

Through fellowship we learn three important truths...
1) THE BEST USE OF LIFE IS LOVE
• Life without love is really worthless
-Love is the most important part of your life.
-Relationships are what life is all about
-Busyness is a great enemy of relationships
• Love will last forever
-love leaves a legacy
"It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." Mother Teresa
-We will be evaluated on our love.

2) THE BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE IS TIME
-When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back.
-Important relationships are proven with how much time we invest in them.
-The essence of love is how much we give of ourselves...focused attention..SACRIFICE

3) THE BEST TIME TO LOVE IS NOW
-Love is what matters most so it needs to take top priority.
-The best use of life is love.
-The best expression of love is time..the best time to love is now.

"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

3 Months to Go...

2006-04-28T03:59:00.000-04:00

Wow...my time here has gone as quick as a snap of a finger. Surely as the days pass, the weeks have quickly turned into months...My 9th month in Taiwan is creeping up next week & I can't believe how fast life here has passed me by...I have spent many occasions in reflective thought & just how much I've been blessed. God is funny that in my unique life, He has always taught me the same life lessons. One of them being to always depend on His great provision. Before arriving here in late August 2005, I felt that I was making a big leap in my life. I've never left the country for longer than a month and I've never left the comforts of home. I was scared! Could I do it? Could I make it? God has humbled me during this time away in that though I've been half way around the world in geography, God has been at the centre of my world! This is His constant reminder to me. That with faith in Him, I can accomplish anything. As long as I trust God & depend on Him, He will provide the way as He has provided every step for me here. Since my arrival in Taiwan, my blessings have been endless...In retrospect, I see how God has given me such an abundance...

• I been blessed to travel: Japan, Singapore, & all over Taiwan
• Friends at work & outside
• Existing family & friends
• Great teaching opportunity & experience
• Great colleagues & students
• A nice home to live
• Convenience of school location and small city
• I'm becoming more fluent in speaking Mandarin
• I'm saving money!

Being in Taiwan has taught me a lot about myself, independence, and learning the different aspects of Taiwanese culture. It has been an opportunity of a lifetime & I give thanks that God let my dream come true! Although teaching & education is very different here in Taiwan compared to back home in Canada. I have come to adapt and accept the environment that I've grown accustomed to. Still, with teaching, students are always the most important and I can't say enough positive things about my students! I have really enjoyed teaching them and getting to know them.

With 3 months to go before I head home, I'm just taking as much opportunity to visit parts of Taiwan that I still wish to see. I want to enjoy the rest of my time with my students & colleagues at school. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world..it's all been so unreal & so amazing! I'm thankful...

Hanging Out

2006-04-24T10:41:00.007-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STAR!

Enjoying each other's company

Yummy pasta!

Star & Hsiu-Hsiu

Cheers!

Enjoying some music together!

Star
playing the piano

Sports Day

2006-04-17T05:07:00.000-04:00

Luping, Avon, Me & Star

Class 2-5 & Ms. Yee

To the finish line!

Ready for the baton!

Kindergarten Dance Performance

Look at those teachers!

Teachers VS. Students Relay

Sophia running to pass Star the baton!

Cute Gal!

2006-04-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

Playing with Smiley, "Mei Chi" my friend's
daughter...
she always
smiles!

FIELD TRIP with the Grade 5's!

2006-04-14T07:57:00.000-04:00

國立海洋生物博物館- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

Checheng Township, Pingtung County
Yunlin to Pingtung, ~approx. 3 hrs.

En route - south highway 3

Pit stop #1 Washroom stop...

YUCK! That's me touching
a red starfish!

Tiger Fish

Inside the aquarium

Stone Fish..hard to tell
that it's really a fish!

Gina, Kelly & Peggy w/
the big crab!

Marine Life: Fish, Sting
Ray, Eels...

Having some fun in the water...

Drying off!

Jamie & Ms. Yee

Ha! Ha! w/ 5-4 girls

Clowning around!

Water flight!

HA HA HA!!

吳秀秀老師 5 年4 班 Class 5-4!

Class 5-2

Gigantic Crustacean!

National Health Exercise

2006-04-06T08:36:00.000-04:00

The National Taiwan Elementary Health
Exercise Workout
Competition - Grades 3-6

Gr. 5's - best performers
Gr. 6's
Gr. 3's

Chiayi City

2006-04-05T07:50:00.000-04:00

Today is Ching Ming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) and I had the day off. Tomb Sweeping Day is a day where people go to visit their ancestors at their resting place, bring food, fruit and incense, pray, visit, as well as sweep the tomb. I didn't have to do that so....I went to visit my friends Joyce and Denise (2 other foreign teachers in Taiwan) in Chiayi City. We enjoyed lunch together, hanging out, doing a lot of catching up....and getting our hair cut! It was a great day to see each other!

Mohawk-do! Getting my hair washed....

With Joyce @ the Chiayi Tower looking down!

Denise on the glass floor!

Glass Floor...YIKES!

@ Black & White Restaurant

Wax Apple

2006-04-03T08:32:00.000-04:00

wax apple & starfruit on hand

Details...

Wax Apple - 蓮霧
A tasty local fruit that I've
grown to love!

Pesto Pasta

2006-03-05T05:15:00.000-05:00

March 30, 2006 Pasta Again!
Ever so often...I miss the kitchen so my friends and I had to have
another night of pasta at Star's house.
Menu: Pesto Pasta with king oyster & button mushrooms, red & yellow
bell peppers, chicken, zucchini, pine nuts & plump tomatoes,
pumpkin soup, bread!

chicken pesto pasta with red peppers, button mushrooms, sweet red peppers
& pine nuts

Finding the occasion to lap up my passion for cooking & to enjoy dinner with friends.

The Heart of Worship

2006-02-21T07:02:00.000-05:00

Feb. 21/06 Thoughts from Ch. 13 - Worship that Pleases God

God wants all of me...nothing 1/2 hearted...all or nothing...

In reading this chapter from Rick Warren's, "The Puropse Driven Life", I was reminded about an amazing truth!

"Real worship happens when your spirit responds to God."

There is a common misunderstanding that true worship only occurs when we praise God through music. This is misleading.
The following story is taken from Warren's book. Popular worship leader from England, Matt Redman, shared how his pastor taught his church the real meaning of worship. To show that worship was more than music, he banned all singing in their services for a period of time while they learned to worship in other ways (ie., serving others, thanksgiving, offerings of money, etc...). By the end of that time, Matt had written the classic song "Heart of Worship"

I'll bring You more than a song,
because the song itself is not what you've required.
You search much deeper within
than the way things appear.
You're looking into my heart." (Matt Redman, 'Heart of Worship",
Kingsway's Thankyou Music, 1997).

"The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you." (p. 102)

• God is pleased when our worship is accurate
*Worship God in truth as revealed though the Bible

• God is pleased when our worship is authentic
*Worship is your spirit responding to God's spirit.
*Be genuine & heartfelt
* It's about our attitude

• God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful
*Engage your mind - "love the Lord with all your mind"

• God is pleased when our worship is practical
*Live for God as living sacrifices

Don't be misled or discouraged when you see others worshipping God in different ways. God uniquely made you & how you respond in worshipping God is acceptable to Him.

Nostalgic Moment

2006-02-17T04:32:00.000-05:00

Hualien Christian Centre

It was here in August 1996 that I would begin to forge a lasting friendship with my great friend, Emily. It was also during this missions trip to Asia that inspired me to want to teach abroad. En route back to Hualien, Emily happened to see it! We went in to take a look. Much remains the same, even after 10 years. The facility still acts as a seniors home & has a kindergarten addition. The chapel is still intact and in use. Funny coming across this place...

MOE Sharing & Training in Sansia

2006-02-12T12:19:00.000-05:00

Feb. 6/06
Foreign English Teachers Project meet at the National
Academy for Educational Research in Sansia, Taipei County

Powerpoint presentation: Sharing about teaching & living
in Taiwan

A Room with a View

2006-01-26T05:23:00.000-05:00

Jan. 26/06 Approx. ~6:04 pm
Sunset - Looking out from my home window
In moments like this, one can only jump at the opportunity to capture such a mesmerizing sunset..so beautiful...
Sunsets are familiar to us all no matter what part of the world you live. Whether at different times of the day or differnt hues against the horizon, we share this common beauty...

Sunset in Yunlin County

2006-01-16T08:18:00.000-05:00

At a Solar Bus stop in Yunlin County en route to Taipei City - Fri. Jan. 13/06

Matchmaking 101

2006-01-11T20:17:00.000-05:00

It's customary and rather cultural in Taiwan for parents and even friends to act as "matchmakers" for all those available and single individuals. Is it a favor one does for a friend or family member? Is it "about face" or image as are many things here in Taiwan? My impression is that issues or things become more "about face" rather subliminally beneath the surface rather than on the surface then say, the feeling that I had when I was in Japan where I got the impression that image on the surface is everything.

Recently, I heard a story about a single teacher being summoned (telephoned) to the principal's office. Not knowing what the matter was all about and being quite anxious at the call. The teacher went to the principal's office not knowing what to expect. Upon arrival, she was introduced to a friend of the principal (a former principal herself) & a so-called "matchmaker". She proceeded to ask the teacher many personal questions/preferences...When I heard this story, I didn't know what would drop first, my jaw or my eyeballs! I almost dropped out of shock! Kind of funny though as my mind quickly thought about the animated movie, "Mulan" where she is set up with potential suitors by the town matchmaker. Perhaps the principal was afraid that if a teacher was single & unattached, this may diminish her chances of staying with the school. By the way, I'm just curious to know if the same type of arrangements are made for boys. Hmm, I need to ask about that one...

Sunrise in Taiwan

2006-01-10T06:08:00.000-05:00

Scattered Clouds against the backdrop of a clear blue sky

The beauty of the Sunrise ~ 7:00 am, looking out from my place

Catching the sunrise

Oh Sweet Madeline

2006-01-03T09:38:00.000-05:00

Old Navy Dog Contest

My sister Sue's dog..

New Year's Resolutions 2006

2006-01-02T04:16:00.000-05:00

1. Seek more fellowship & prayer time with God throughout the day.
2. Finish a great year of teaching in Taiwan.
3. Keep healthy and fit.
4. Finally finish taking courses towards credit!
5. Buy a home
6. Travel to Ethiopia - summer 2006?
7. Where will I be teaching in 2006-07?
8. Have more control of my temper & being more patient

Taiwan: Then & Now

2005-12-30T08:01:00.000-05:00

Misty Mountains, Alishan, Chiayi County.

TAIWAN: THEN

Unique Heritage
I've always considered my heritage rather unique having a Taiwanese mother and a father born in China. I was always proud that my home included a plethora of languages and dialects including English, Mandarin, Taiwanese, Cantonese, & believe it or not, my Dad's village language ("Toi San" in Cantonese).

In reflecting on my childhood days and youth, I was also blessed with the opportunity of visiting Taiwan on numerous occasions. I'm also more than willing to admit that those torturous years that my Dad "forced" my siblings and I to all attend Sat. morning Mandarin Heritage Language classes also paid off since I'm very fortunate that I can speak Mandarin rather fluently, albeit with a nice Canadian Mando accent.

The usual "AAHHHs" always lingered in my mind as I went back: dead summer heat which meant a whole lot-a sweating for this Yee sister! The long flight...routinely pushing the 20 hr. mark always seemed like an ordeal since planes & I just don't mix...can't quite rest & sleep on those things! The pollution is horrid here & there is justification for wearing a mask! The traffic is quite horrid as well I might add. Here, pedestrians don't count & it's about getting somewhere pronto...even if you have to run someone over...literally! So - pedestrians..BEWARE!

..there's always the flipside - the "YEEEAAAs"

I always remember delighting in the foods of Taiwan. Everything from the fruit such as star fruit, fire dragon fruit, bubble tea to stinky tofu...I love it! I grew up on it so I was well trained! The food stalls are engraved in my mind & forever symbolic of Taiwan food culture!

My Mother's side of the family...well, there's a lot of relatives here! My Mom married and immigrated to Canada with my Dad, my siblings & I were born in Canada! So..."CBC" we call it ("Chinese Born Canadian!"). We were always "a little special" because of this very fact. We grew up speaking Mandarin and then we started speakng more English once we started school.

TAIWAN: NOW

Pollution is still gross...
Traffic is still horrid...horrendous..

Relatives are the same (older though). They're still so warm, caring & generous!

..and the heat is still there! Icky, icky, icky...

What People Say About Me

After I say a few words of Mandarin (from my noticeably big Canadian Mando accent)....people respond...
"...you're not from here right?"
"...how come you speak like that?" - courtesy of a taxi driver in Sanchong, Taipei County
"...are you studying here?"
"...are you a student"?

finally, the classic..
"..are you married yet?" LOL

A Word about My Mandarin

"Mando-lish"
People use this term in a variety of ways & I prefer to use "Mando-lish" to refer to my current method of speaking! On many occassions, regardless if it's during teaching my students, talking to acquaintances or friends & relatives, I'll be delivering a garden variety of the two languages: Mandarin & English. Ha! Example #1: 您一起去 TOO! Hee! Hee! Example #2: 那是多少 again? LOL

"Knowing God" Devotional - Thoughts

2005-12-27T22:22:00.000-05:00

Adoption: The Highest Privilege
[excerpts taken from "Knowing God", by J.I. Packer, 1973]

ADOPTION is the highest blessing of the gospel because of the rich relationship with God that it involves. "Adoption" gives birth to the idea of "family" and is conceived of a love that views God as father. "Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship" (p.233). Through adoption, we become children of God's family. For out of bondage and destitution, we are loved and cared for by a loving Father. Through this familial tie, a new relationship of forgiveness and acceptance is established.

Adoption: The Basis for our Life
Christian Conduct

Together, with Christ Jesus, our Lord, we are members of the divine family...children of his heavenly father.
"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:35

"Just as the knowledge of his unique sonship controlled Jesus' living of his own life on earth, so he insists our lives too.
This teaching is no where more evident than in his Sermon on the Mount." (p.237). The sermon generally and broadly states that the spirit, direction & objectives, the guiding principles and ideals by which the Christians must steer his/her course.

Principles of Christian Conduct

1) Imitating the Father
(..."Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."/Be holy, for I am holy'.)
Matthew 5:44-48

2) Glorifying the Father
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16

3) Pleasing the Father
Matthew 6:1-18
Concentrate all of our efforts on pleasing God alone.

My Commentary:
So often we center our thoughts on who we can please in life: our employer, family, friends, etc...We want to please others and be likeable because we have prideful hearts and want to be liked by others. However, when does this concentration on a "self-centered" life zero in on a life that has God at the center?

We go to wits end to seek the approval of others and often to such vigor that we lose sight of the very purpose for our actions and that's for God! Could it be that we often find it difficult because we serve and have faith in a God that is invisible? God honors my efforts - whether big or small. In each of the things that I do, I offer a grand worship to Him. It isn't always easy because our society dictates opposing ideas but it's good to often rejuvenate ourselves through quiet mediation and reflection. Through quietness, may our faiths be reenergized to claim the truth that is, in all we do, say, and think, it may be a pleasing & fragrant offering to our Lord. Amen.

Jhendong E.S. Photo Images...

2005-12-16T04:52:00.000-05:00

Jhendong School (K-6), Yunlin County, Taiwan
Student Population: approx. 1,200 students
Grades taught: 1 kindergarten, grades 2, 5, & 6

Front entrance to Jhendong Elementary

Reading a Robert Munsch ("Mortimer")
to my kindergarten class

Rehearsing for our English Drama
Competition - "Animal Olympics"

Members of my "fan club" - ha ha..
..Gr. 6 students

Ms. Yee's English Conversation
Class

English Drama Team

Daily morning routines
-mopping the floor
..sweeping the floor

Standing at attention...
National anthem

Recess Play..
..Badminton

Make-up mode prior to English
drama performance...

My English Conversation
Classroom

First Class Honors
Scoreboard

Corporate Prayer

2005-12-14T09:06:00.000-05:00

In the Bible, it is written, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:20

I encourage you to add any prayer items to this list so that we can encourage, support and uplift one another through corporate prayer.

1. Two friends and their struggling work situations.
2. My health as the weather in Taiwan has suddenly become quite cold.
3. Teaching more challenging students both behaviourally & academically.

Global Issues:
1. The historic Iraqi vote & that people would be safe to express their democratic voice.
2. Our brothers from the Christian Peacemakers Team who were kidnapped in Iraq. May they be freed and return home safely.
3. The World Trade Organization (WTO) began meeting in Hong Kong today. Pray especially for equitable trade with places such as Africa.
4. Pakistan rebuilding after the massive earthquake.
5. Avian flu spread most predominately in Southeast Asia.

January, 2, 2006
1. This Friday, I will be observed by educational officials in Taiwan. Please pray that my lessons may run smoothly & that my natural self may not be dictated by nervousness.
2. My brother is seeing whether or not he would like to pursue employment in the insurance/investment field.
3. One of my grade six classes is very challenging to teach. Pray that God would fill me with patience and the tools to teach them well.
4. Recent gun violence in Toronto.
5. Upcoming federal election in Canada.

Global Issues
1. AIDS in Africa
2. Migrant workers especially in southeast Asia. That they are not treated like a "new underclass".
3. Growing famine in East Africa

Jan. 26/06
1. I'm currently on a 3 week holiday. Pray for a good time to celebrate Chinese New Year.
2. Safe travels in my wanderings around Taiwan.
3. I'm taking an ESL online course. Pray for diligence, wisdom and dedication to my studies.
4. Week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 10, I will be attending a series of workshops & doing a presentation in Taipei County.
5. My sister is waiting to hear back from a language school in Taiwan. Pray for God's direction.
6. Continued prayers for my two friends and their work situations (e.g., overwhelming workload & improper work procedures). Things seem to be in a up & down phase right now where it's good at times & not good at other times.

Mar. 12/06
1. Christian Peacemakers Team kidnapped in Iraq
Canadians Harmeet Sooden and James Loney, and Briton Norman Kember.

Jul. 9/06
1. I will be returning home in early August. Pray for a smooth conclusion to my stay in Taiwan.
2. My brother and his options for a future career or studies.
3. My sister's safety as she's in Beijing preparing to travel to Australia.

Global Issues:
1. The ongoing civil distress in Iraq
2. That longstanding peace may be achieved in wartorn Palestine & Israel.
3. Missile crisis that has been caused by North Korea. Pray for diplomatic realtions to succeed.

Faith that can move Mountains

2005-12-14T08:17:00.000-05:00

The Withered Fig Tree
Mark 11:22

"Have faith in God, Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:22-25

My faith was renewed once again in my prayer life as I came across the above verse during my devotional time. Lately, I've been praying for 2 friends who have been encountering difficult trials and struggles in their respective jobs. I've been praying consistently over the last little while and have seen little change in their respective environments. As a result, I've been discouraged in prayer. As I've been renewed in my faith in prayer, I've been reminded to pray with the heartfelt conviction that I will receive what I've requested in prayer. With a deeper faith in prayer, I can also pray with the same conviction for others and believe that God can bring a change in their lives. May He be glorified...amen.

Photo Gallery

2005-11-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

Big Buddha
Baguashan, Changhua City, Taiwan

Kenting, Pingtung County,
southern Taiwan

Yehliu Scenic Area, Taipei County

Taiwan 101 - Brain Boosters

2005-11-23T06:20:00.000-05:00

Left Photo: Liao-Shu-ling, Taipei Times
Ruby red maturing coffee beans growing in the coffee fields, Gukeng Township
臺灣咖啡 - Gukeng Township, Yunlin County
Coffee plants are ideal to grow in the humidity and climate of Hebao Mountain in Gukeng Township. About 120 hectares of coffee plants are grown in this area. Coffee beans here are of the arabica variety and account for 1/3 of Taiwan's production of coffee. Other areas that grow coffee plants in Taiwan are: Alishan in Chiayi, Rueisuei in Hualien, Hueisun in Taidong, Sandimen in Pingtong, & Dongshan.
2005 Taiwan Coffee Festival
http://2005coffee.yunlin.gov.tw/eng/coffee/coffee_A.asp

ZHAORI HOTSPRINGS, Green Island, off the coast of Taitung, Taiwan.
One of only 3 salt-water hotsprings in the world. The other two are located in Japan & Italy.

CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 553. 33 m

TAIPEI 101 Building, 509 m

TROPIC OF CANCER MONUMENT
Situated in the Tropic of Cancer
Shui Shang Village. Chiayi

The Tropic divides Taiwan's north and south & crosses the coastal highway at the 69 km mark which is also the boundary between Hualien and Taitung Counties.

LIVE STRONG - My Spiritual Journal...

2005-11-14T04:37:00.001-05:00

During my stay here in Taiwan, I'll be writing a series of entries reflecting & contemplating on my spiritual journey with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Destination: Douliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan.
Occupation: Elementary School Teacher

Why Taiwan?
It's been a 5 year waiting period where I've prayed & dreamed. In fact, I've dreamed big! I know that we worship a God that honours our dreams provided that they align with His Will & His plan for our lives.

Back in 1996, when I got my first taste of missions in Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong & China), I realized that I would like to one day pursue a teaching assignment abroad. A teacher from Saskachewan, Lois Unrau, had inspired me to such aspirations & dreams. I met her in Shenyang, China where she was teaching university students with the China Educational Exchange. The reason why I was adamant about Taiwan is because my Mom is from there & I feel like it's my heritage and home. Besides, I love the brand of Mandarin used there more! Having family & friends there also helped to fuel my desire to teach there. In the period of 5 years, I searched for God's Will & whether it included expanding my teaching experience to include Taiwan. After teaching 5 years with the Toronto District School Board, I sensed an opportunity was at my doorstep. As a result, I aggressively searched for job positions teaching English. It was late December & I was already on the ball, determined & focused, spending an increasing amount of time in preparing necessary documents and filling out application forms. The process was long & arduous...

I was very close to being offered a position in Chiayi County, where I would be working at Morrison Academy Christian Satellite School. In discussing salary, contractual conditions, teaching assignment, etc...I was so close to signing a contract..but God closed that door & the school administration decided to choose someone else. I was so upset about this! I didn't know why they chose the other candidate over me. Little did I know that greater plans lay ahead...

It was now approaching April...and still no responses & no news about any job offers...No news meant that I would not yet be applying for my "leave of absence" with the Toronto Board. I needed to secure a job in Taiwan before submitting my application for a leave. With the marking of the end of April 2005, the deadline had come & gone and before I knew it...June had rolled around! School was awfully close to coming to an end! By this time during the past 5 years, I had a travel destination already booked and ready to go! I hadn't heard from a couple of schools I had applied for in Taiwan and I didn't hear back from schools that I applied to in Hong Kong. What was going on? Though time passed, God constantly reminded me that I had to be patient and wait....and wait...and wait...I needed to wait for His leading! In early June, as I checked my e-mail mailbox, I was completely caught off guard as I noticed an e-mail from the Canadian Education Network! This blew me away because I knew that it was about a potential teaching oppoturnity. This was especially surprising to me since I had already put off any hopes of teaching abroad when September rolled around. CECN was the organization that I had applied for a teaching position in Taiwan. WOW! Simply unbelievable!

My Principal had encouraged me to inquire with the Board as to whether or not I could STILL pursue a leave of absence despite the passing of the deadline back in April. Since this particular year (2005) had a surplus of teachers, the Board was willing to overlook the past deadline & still consider me for a leave. It was now late June & I was given permission to leave the Board for one year. That's impressive! WOW! I was actually going to be going to a foreign country to teach! My dream was suddenly becoming more like a reality!

During these past 5 years, God had allowed me to work at at an inner city school to help transform me as a teacher who could honour Him in the workplace. With all the ups & downs, highs & lows, joys & disappointments, He has strengthened me as an individual and educator. As he continued to shape my heart, I also took the opportunity to build my teaching craft, taking courses & refining my knowledge & skills. Five years of teaching had passed with the snap of a finger...Now was the time for me to go and gain an international teaching experience! I was both exhilerated & anxious! I've never lived abroad for an extensive period of time except when I was backpacking but that would only be for a month or so at a time...

I'm in Douliu City now....and I'm blessed to be here indeed! I'm privileged to be a teacher and to have so many students under my care & responsibility. It's an honour to teach and in so doing, I feel humbled by this often complex but noble profession. One of my prayers is to ask God to continue to light the fire of passion that I have for teaching. Furthermore, that He would equip me to be the "best" teacher that I can be according to the talents & gifts that He's granted me! I look forward to seeing God work in my life, to train, discipline, and draw me closer in faith & more into the likeness of Jesus...
Jhendong Elementary School English Drama Team, 4th place honours, Yunlin County English Drama Competition, October 2005

Nov. 28/05 REFLECTIONS
"Knowing God" By J.I. Packer

Our Response to God's goodness...p.187

1. Appreciate the GOODNESS of God
How many times I take things for granted!

Calvary was the measure of God's goodness towards each of us...How do we measure our own goodness? How can we reflect God's goodness in our own lives?

*Lesson-in-working progress: Counting my blessings

Instead of sitting there bickering or complaining, count the numerous ways God has blessed us each & every single day!
You only need to focus on God's goodness & reflect on His character....and an outpouring of blessings will only be on the tip of your tongue!

2. Appreciate the PATIENCE of God
We need only to look at God as the "center" and "core" of our very lives! Jesus as Savior is our model and we are to imitate His character & life.
How often has God been patient in walking side by side down the whirlwinds and obstacles of my life? The honest answer is I'm touched & humbled that He still sticks around & bears with me! Even when I don't deserve His love & His loyalty far outweighs my often feeble mind. Each time I'm reminded of the patience that is embodied in God's character...always sticking by me, my heart is convicted & I, in turn need to reflect this similar patience to those whom I interact with. This is hard! How many times have I lost my patience with family members and friends? I've lost count...That is why I need to continue to offer up a prayer to God & ask Him to give me the strength to accomplish this. For with God, I know that ALL things are possible! Amen!

*Lesson-in-working progress: Be patient with others....especially when it's difficult because God is patient with us...end of story.

3. Appreciate the DISCIPLINE of God
We need to learn to have the discipline to have self-abasement & faith to seek His face! Continue in His kindness & keep God in sight so that we can be renewed with the spiritual milk we need to grow & be nurtured.

Mandarin Music

2005-11-07T00:09:00.000-05:00

林俊杰 Wayne Lin

Singaporean Singer/songwriter

张栋梁 Nicholas Teo

Native Malaysian singer

周杰倫 Jay Chou

吳克群 Kenji Wu)

THE KENJI SHOW - 大頑家吳克群
Shots of Ken Wu visiting a music store in Douliu City, Nov. 6/05
Favourite song: "不屑紀念"

Taiwan: HOME AWAY FROM HOME

2005-11-01T07:55:00.000-05:00

Things I Love:
-Food!
-The beauty of this country
-The brand of Mandarin spoken here!
-Riding a scooter
-I can just park my bike right outside the train station, lock it up & get on the train!
-I don't have to pay for parking in this city
-"Quiet embience" of Douliu City
-The MRT Transit system in Taipei City/County (Super clean & efficient!)
-"Yo-Yo" card...add money onto my MRT or bus card in Taipei
-Fall weather...mild for me! It may be interesting to see how I fair in the winter here without a heater & a thick blanket!
-Fact that 85˚C is on the rise & giving Starbucks a run for its money!

Pet Peeves...
-A lot of smokers
-People who smoke on the train even when it's NOT allowed
-Betel Nut consumers who spit on the ground causing it to stain it red for a longtime!
-Crazy nut drivers! FREE for ALL TOLERANCE of poor driving!
-No such thing as personal space (P.S.) [my sister says the same goes for Japan!] E.g., people don't leave any room for you when lining up...they usually just stand pretty much beside you or RIGHT behind you.

DAILY LIVING:
1. People wear their scooter helmets backwards (what's the point???)
2. Children who pick their nose and eat it....better yet when you catch them, they pretend like nothing happened!
3. Stray dogs
4. You're actually allowed to bring in outside food to some movie theatres
5. Students bow and respectfully greet me.
6. Even when it's not really necessary, people (especially in the retail industry) say, "bao chien" - which means, "sorry".
7. Soup is a supplement to daily meals. When you order food, they usually ask if you want soup to go with it.
8. Once people meet you & converse for a few minutes, many (I notice women especially) proceed to ask, "are you married yet?" Oh brother...
9. The musical tune of the garbage truck collection.

ON THE RADAR SCREEN:
1. Xiao Liuchiu Island
2. Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area (sea kayaking)
3. Sun Moon Lake
4. Wulai/Beitou Hotsprings
5. Kaoshuing City
6. Taitung County
7. Penghu Islands
8. Kinmen Island
9. Lanyu Island
10. Matsu Island
11. Hualien (whitewater rafting)

Miss Toronto: Home Sweet Home...

2005-11-01T07:50:00.001-05:00

I MISS HOME!

1. I miss my MAMADUKES cooking!
2. I'm not going to be home for winter for the first time in my life!
3. I miss sleeping in my own bed
4. I miss teaching at my school
5. I miss the diversity of foods back in T.O. although I cannot complain about the nice bytes here!
6. I miss driving
7. I miss family & friends!
8. I miss chilling & hanging out
9. I definitely miss my movies
10. I miss my daily doses of great coffee!

Snapshots...

2005-10-11T11:34:00.000-04:00

Sunset with the overshadowing mountains in the background, from Taipei bridge

JOY RIDING on Green Island...
Reflecting on the beauty of the moment....

Catching my breath & just chillin' by the seaside...
Enjoying a quick stroll in the pristine
waters of the Pacific Ocean...

"Reflection from a Scooter Helmet"

View from above: Hiking in Sansia, Taipei County

Ministry of Education - Foreign Teachers in Taiwan - Aug. '05

2005-10-07T01:02:00.000-04:00

On August 19, 2005, foreign teachers from Canada began to arrive at the National Academy for Educational Research in Sansia, Taipei County. During the next several days, teachers arrived from Canada, the United States, Ireland and Scotland.
Teacher training was for 7 days and included origami, Chinese calligraphy, tai chi, introduction to Mandarin, t-shirt dying, a visit to the old temple in Sansia, Yingue Ceramics Museum and a stroll to the Shilin Nightmarket in Taipei City.

Teacher's Day!

2005-10-06T19:33:00.000-04:00

Happy Teacher's Day to all teachers!
Teacher's Day card given to me from class 5-4!
It's always satisfying, humbling & an honour to feel appreciated & loved as a teacher!

Taste Buds Field Day: Savor the Food!

2005-10-06T19:04:00.000-04:00

Favourite Drinks: Passion Fruit Green Tea, Pearl Milk Tea
Favourite Foods: Beef noodle soup, Fried chicken steak, dumplings...

BEST TASTING Pork ribs in rice noodles - Fengyuan, Taichung County

水果冰 - FRUIT ICE: A mountain of shaved ice, topped with ice & smothered in dark sugar!
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牛肉麵 - BEEF NOODLES: big chunks of tender beef in a aromatic beef broth with green veggies & preserved cabbage...
涮涮鍋 - SWUN SWUN GUO
臭豆腐 STINKY TOFU: Get over the smell & it's really yummy...add some sweet & sour cabbage & cucumber...

酸辣湯 - HOT & SOUR Soup: A tad spicy at times; usually has shredded meat, mushrooms, sliced carrots & other goodies...

水餃 - DUMPLINGS boiled in water, normally wrapped with pork & green chives...

蔥油餅 - GREEN ONION PANCAKE

Teaching @ Jhendong E.S.

2005-10-06T11:17:00.000-04:00

Taking direction from the English Teacher, Ms. Hsu

Cathy (a.k.a. Elephant) lifts the weightlift
Barry, a.k.a. Bongo the Monkey, rehearses the rhythmic gymnastics scene

DRAMA TEAM - Oct. '05
Jhendong E.S. entered a drama team consisting of mostly grade 5 & 6 students. At the annual English Drama competition for Junior High & Elementary School students, Jhendong placed 4th out of 14 schools. The various teachers, along with myself were extremely proud of their dedicated efforts! Way to go!
arduously practicing our Drama play entitled, "Animal Olympics"...
Making the props...

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OY OY OY
Teacher: "Aussie Aussie Aussie" Students: "Oy Oy Oy" This method is a classroom management technique that I use to gather student attention. Once I say, "aussie aussie aussie" in a loud voice, the students respond by saying, oy oy oy" & in doing so they need to: STOP LOOK & LISTEN. CONVERSATION 101: My main objective at Jhendong is to help the students develop their English oral language. We do a lot of repetition, group work, role play, chants, choral reading & games. READING FOR THE LOVE OF IT: I'm reading a beloved Robert Munsch story ( Mortimer) to my kindergarten class. They hallowed & loved it! 1st Day Jitters: I did a simple introduction during my first day of teaching & showed them where Canada is.
JHENDONG Top 10
1. Students call me, "Teacher"..or more correctly, "Tea-CHUR"!
2. Students clean the school - classrooms, washrooms, etc...in the morning everyday!
3. School, study, cram school is the name of the game
4. Grades 2-4 have only 1/2 day school in the morning
5. Staff enrol in the school lunch program where daily food is served at the "Retired Teacher's lounge" (Ha Ha!)
6. Chain of command: Principal, Director of Academic Affairs, Dir. of General Affairs, Dir. of Personnel, Dir. of Guidance, & Dir. of Student Affairs.
7. Students also enrol in the lunch program where they're notoriously famous for literally scarfing down their food!
8. Students bring so much lunch leftovers back to the kitchen!
9. I have a daily 20-25 min. naptime!
10. There's weekly teacher workshops scheduled right in the school day!

Dec. 14/05
I Never Knew Dodgeball Could be so Painful!
This morning, class 5-1 finally got to see Ms. Yee in action! I went out with this class to play dodgeball, Taiwan style! In my teaching attire & loafers, I pinned several students! I, myself, got pegged as well! Ha! After all was said and done, my body began to ache like crazy! My throwing arm felt especially lame since the students kept saying to throw to me! Dodgeball is played differently here with different rules and students standing around the perimeter of a rectangle. The ball is also much harder here so if you get hit, it's going to hurt! What a fun....and painful I might add, experience! Nonetheless, the kids finally got their wish in getting the foreign teacher out onto the game court. Dodgeball is a beloved pastime sport here..if you haven't seen the game in action, it's quite exciting. I loved it...and they all loved it..that's all that matters!

Toys Toys Toys

2005-10-06T11:08:00.000-04:00

HIGHLY recommended! "Lao Fu Tze" comic books are classic! The other day, I got my good friend, Emily to pick up some of these comic books for me. When I was young, I used to go with my dad to the bookstore in Chinatown & indulge in book after book! I'm so happy to locate some as they bring back nostalgic childhood memories. You don't need to read Chinese characters to get a hoot from the comic strips. Pick up a copy & they're bound to give you a hoot!

GUNDAM, aka Woo-de-tay-jing-gung...is a childhood favourite of mine & when I saw this toy, I just felt that I needed to get it! Although I had to cough up 600 NT for it, I really love it!

KERORO is a new interest of mine and include a group of interesting different coloured frogs. I believe they hail from Japan. Each character frog has its own unique features. Whenever I look at the red one, I am reminded of my little sister...man, that red one looks bent! I mean, M-A-D!! Ha!

Scooter Baby!

2005-10-06T11:02:00.000-04:00

To the ordinary Taiwanese person, riding a scooter is no big deal BUT for me, it was like driving all by myself in a car for the first time! I love it! My good friend, Ava has lent me her scooter to ride. Hers is a Yamaha Vino. It rides really well!
I'm considering buying one & bringing it back to Canada with me!