Feb 8, 2015 - Day 183

Another fairly quiet day. Luke came over with MK about 2 PM and we had a late lunch at Bagel Bagel Café. After lunch we all came back to the apartment. MK fell asleep about 4:30, just before Luke had to leave for work. We have found that our queen sized bed works very well as both a safe "play" area for MK, as well as a comfy spot for her naps. One of us just stays on the bed, propped up, reading beside her. Lisa also left a large red plastic tub here that works great for giving Mk her bath (See photo). Luke was able to get away from work...

Feb 7, 2015 - Day 182

We both had appointments to get our hair cut at noon today. Zuo-an salon is just across the river from us on Minghua (where we made an appointment for Theresa when she was here). Lisa had recommended it and we were happy with the results (although we still miss Heather, our London hairdresser). After lunch, we went for a walk, worked on the computer and got some food ready for dinner before Luke dropped off MK on his way to work. Luke finished early tonight so he and Claire arrived here together about 11:30, Luke in the car and Claire on...

Feb 6, 2015 - Day 181

Yesterday's cold north wind had died down a bit, but the air quality was still very poor, so we weren't motivated to spend a lot of time outside. I spent a good part of the day on the computer, sending emails and working on the South alumni newsletter, while Doug read. Since Claire had the day off, we weren't needed for babysitting and thought we would go out for dinner and to a movie. Unfortunately, the only movie ("Unbroken") that we wanted to see at the Sanduo theatres didn't start until 10:45 PM - way too late for us. Besides, by the...

Feb 5, 2015 - Day 180 - Kaohsiung Cultural Center

After a quick trip to the grocery store this morning, we took the subway to the Kaohsiung Cultural Centre station, a place we hadn't visited before. The centre takes up an entire city block and includes a beautiful modern building housing several galleries and a huge performance hall. The parkland outside the centre is filled with flowering trees, open, grassed areas and other large artworks - quite impressive. There is a large, covered area outside the performance hall with some mirrored walls. This area was filled with young people...

Feb 3, 2015 - Day 178 - Taiwanese Funeral

Luke dropped MK off about 9:30 this morning so Claire and Luke could attend the funeral ceremony for Claire's dad. This was day 7 since he passed - the final official day of Buddhist prayers and rituals. Luke came back about 12:30 and drove us, with MK, to the funeral home - a huge temple complex with several funerals going on at the same time. We arrived just as the procession of family members was arriving at the crematorium area. We were able to pay our respects, then had something to eat with all the family members and friends present...

Feb 2, 2015 - Day 177 - Superbowl

This morning was Super Bowl Day at FH2. In order to play the game live, FH2 opened at 7AM (Sunday evening back in the US). They had over 50 registrations to watch the game and enjoy Phil's special "Breakfast Lasagna". Doug had planned to go over about 8, but Luke called in a panic a little after 6, asking to borrow our laptop since he had forgotten to remind Ess to leave hers. Since he was already awake, Doug figured he might as well go over early with Luke. as it turned out the game was on cable for the first time this year, so our...

Feb 1, 2015 - Sunday: Back to Taipei, on to Cambodia

Today we began our day at 7 a.m. with meditation. Twenty minutes later, we began folding our clothes and scrambling to pack. A request for breakfast gets us a few extra minutes to pack followed by a quick breakfast of a small amount of fresh fruit, sprouts, and a scrambled egg with white bread. Then it was back to the room to continue to packing. In my case, packing into my little suitcase is really a challenge. In fact, Ellery suggested we carry it out to the car and worry about it later: a grand idea, I think. After all, the drive to the...

Jan 31, 2015 - Day 175 - Mosquitos

If I had written this blog a few weeks ago, it would have been a totally frustrated "rant". Fortunately, we seem to be winning the battle against mosquitoes… for the most part... Sometime in the middle of last night, however, I awoke to hear a mosquito "whining" around my face. I smacked the side of my head to scare her away, waking up Doug, whom they seem to leave alone when I'm around, preferring the easy target of a hairless arm or leg to his hairy ones. I fully expected to hear it again but didn't so went back to sleep. When we woke up...

Jan 31, 2015 - Saturday, at the southernmost tip of Taiwan

This day began with a breakfast at our BnB: a poof pastry, scrambled egg, onion greens and white bread. I know; I know. Not the healthiest. It's either that or go hungry. We were told point blank by the BnB, "No choices!" Ha! All right then! I eat it, and I drink what they consider coffee. Since I've already had my delicious cup of Ellery coffee, it's fine! I won't, however, show you the puff pastry/egg sandwich. Sorry, you just have to imagine it. :-D Our first adventure: find a Starbucks to get my blogging done since last night's efforts...

Jan 30, 2015 - From Chihshang to Kenting, Taiwan

Everyday my day begins with Ellery's serving of love in the form of the first cup of coffee made. How about that! Am I lucky or what? Once we've each had our cup, it's off for our first adventure. Today's starts at our Resort's breakfast buffet. This is a rather upscale Resort. There's a huge, tall hotel section, not where we are staying. They assigned us to a row of small "houses" that have been updated with air conditioning, which we do not need this time of year but we are betting are quite wonderful during the spring, summer, and fall. ...

Jan 30, 2015 - Day 174

Started work on the Spring 2015 issue of Lions' Pride yesterday and worked on it again this morning. Also did some research on the Danshui/Bali area northwest of Taipei, which we plan to visit next week (Wed. to Fri.) after the funeral. Luke brought MK over here before his 2 PM meeting, then took her to Grandma Hou's house at 5:30. Pleasant evening so we took a walk along the river before going to FH2 for dinner.

Jan 29, 2015 - Thursday: Time keeps slipping away

Most hotels have an upside. Right? They must. Right? Right? Think hard! What's missing from this picture? Think carefully before reading the answer on the next line. If I could shroud it with a black curtain I would! Okay. Got an answer? Now look. Where's the shower curtain? I know you can't think of any at the moment, so I'll offer today's upside to our hotel: it had eight floors followed by a rooftop that was furnished with picnic tables and a railing to panoramically view the countryside from high up! Ellery, bless his heart,...