the best is yet to come....: 19/11/06

A modern day fairy tale..

Once upon a time there were a group of friends who got together late one Friday night to practice some musical items.

After some singing, guitar slamming and general fun and shenanigans - the friends became peckish...and went a hop, a skip and jump next door to the golden arches to get some tukka.

However, they resided in a strange land. Even though the sign said open 24 hours, the doors were locked. The friends had to mime driving a car through drive-thru. Because the entrance was barred, they had to sit outside and await the arrival of their sustenance.

While waiting for their meal, one of the friends who shall be known as "the Milky Bar Kid", got a strange and wacky idea. Why not drive starkers on his trusty scooter just for shakes and giggles?

So, he jumped aboard his trusty stead, and drove down the road and back, narrowly avoiding the police, but surprising other motorists.

Despite her best efforts the avid blogger of the group was only able to record pics of before and after the event.

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After the event, the Milky Bar kid was seen grinning from ear to ear.

Morals of the story - You only live once! Eating food from the golden arches at 2am in the morning can impair your logic and reasoning. Kiwi friends will encourage and support all kinds of crazy behaviour.

PS. Stay tuned, discussions are underway for
A Modern Fairy Tale - Part 2

Thanksgiving

Last night Enily hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner. There was lots of yummy food - particularly her homemade apple and pumpkin pies.

It was good to be together with friends to eat, and laugh and chat.

It has been nice to meet so many other foreigners in Taiwan, and to enjoy and experience some of their holidays and traditions.

So today, I am thankful for the sun that is shining. I am thankful for a family who love me, and for friends who support me and make me laugh. I am thankful to have a job which I enjoy, and to have a scooter to hoon around on. I am grateful for the opportnuinty to travel and to live in other places.

Summer Fun

I had a great summer 2006. There was a large kiwi contingent here - Anna, Jona, Nick, Tui, Mylee, Bridget and Heidi came over and had a working holiday. It was a time of fun and games, bbq's and lots and lots of sun.

The infamous Mala Bay.

The gang at a buffet bbq place after Mala Bay. I love the tan I have! Heidi, Leah, Nick, Melissa, Mylee and Tui.

BBQ Taiwanese Style.

Me, Heidi and Mylee outside the Taipei Temple.

Dinner at Chilli's, Tai Chung with Bridget, Mylee and Heidi.

The gang at a Champagne Lounge in Tai Chung. We went and listened to a fabulous Taiwanese singer who sung in Chinese, Taiwanese, English and Japanese with a live band.

Heidi and I trying to be seductive.

Every Wednesday we have FHE. I was in charge of the activity this night - An intense game of cat and mouse! Heidi, My, Me, Melissa and Nick.

Feng Jia Night Market - Models Inc. showing of the newest collection of Taiwanese scooter helmets.

Summer is a crazy time for English teachers because kids are available to study ALL day. Mylee who works for "Sesame Street" English School had a show outside Sogo in Feng Yuan. I sung the Sesame Street theme song on stage......Only in Taiwan!

Sunny Day sweepin' the clouds away....

On my way to the where the air is sweet...

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

We scootered up to San Moon Lake

Hung in Taipei - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

A series of misfortunate events

Ahh, what a crazy week! I am feeling anxious, emotional and sad. There are lots of things going on at the moment. I am still finalizing selling my stuff, trying to clean, finishing last minute packing, trying to spend time with people, taking pictures, saying good bye, tying up loose ends, final shopping, dealing with emotions, soaking up Taiwan...the list is endless.

Sadly, my friend Fran's father passed away yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. She is an amazing woman, and has been a great friend in Taiwan. I could not have survived without her help and expertise!

This has added a twist of perspective in all these goings on, and it has been an added reminder of how grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ which helps me to know, and feel that we will see our family and friends again.

So, on Saturday, instead of coming together for a farewell party - we will be heading down to Kaoh Shiang to be with our mate. I will probably fly out from Taipei on Monday morning instead of Sunday morning. But as always, we will have to see!

"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The soul that rises with us, our life’s star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting.

And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.”

William Wordsworth
“Intimations of Immortality

Please don't go girl

They finally told Dragonfly Class students that I was leaving. So, today Rita wanted to be held and hugged all morning. She kept saying "Don't go New Zealand, stay Taiwan". I started crying in class.

In the afternoons and evenings I work at San Marino - a cram school in Feng Yuan. I am the only foreign teacher at this school. Here are some San Marino students.