Jacket Required
I know autumn arrived about a month ago, but there's just something about Fall that doesn't seem official until it's October. Perhaps that's when the autumn chill really sets in and the days stop swaying back and forth to warmer temperatures but instead become progressively cooler. While the sky may still be sunny, the wind gusts cold and there's a crispness to the air.
Fall finally arrived on the island last week. What a refreshing change to drive in cooler morning and evening air. While I can still make use of shorts, t's, and flops during the day, a jacket is required during the hours of less to no sunlight. What pleases me the most is the break from the humidity. I'm actually enjoying the warm air in my apartment now rather than feeling suffocated by it. And it's nice to not have to run the air conditioning as often. I look forward to soon making use of warm clothes.
Something I do miss are the colors of fall. I miss seeing the leaves change and the colorful scenery a drive through the country or mountains provides. I'm hoping to see some changing maple leaves in November. There is an area in the north where this will supposedly occur next month so I'm looking forward to getting away for a weekend again soon. Perhaps I'll soon have photo proof that Fall exists in Taiwan.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Changing of Seasons
One of the things I loved about growing up in Pennsylvania was experiencing the 4 seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall - each is distinct and beautiful. While the changing of seasons is still noticeable in Taiwan, gone is the flare for the dramatic. Here's what I miss:
Spring
striking colors of tulips, fragrance of hyacinths in the air, sight and sweet smell of lilac bushes full of blossoms, driving in spring rain showers, the smell of the grass and forest after the rain, the way rain makes colors darker and richer, new life - baby rabbits frolicking in the backyard and baby birds chirping in the bushes
Summer
staying outside until 9:00pm and still having traces of daylight, stars (I miss them any time of the year), walking barefoot in the grass, smell of fresh cut lawns and food cooking on the grill, warm sun, driving through the country and seeing how things grow from week to week, fresh veggies from the garden, rolling green fields, mountains covered in green, scenic road trips, sweet corn, campfires, mountain pies and smores, picnics and gatherings with friends and family
Fall
arrival of colder air, windows and lawns decorated by the first frosts, mountains painted in colors of rich reds, yellows, and oranges, apple cider, Fall festivals, soccer matches, Thanksgiving
Winter
the earth blanketed in white, the comfort of fleece, wool, and cashmere, down comforters, warming by a fireplace after skiing, the way fields of snow glisten in the moonlight, white earth against black sky lit with stars, crisp air, meteor showers, Aurora Borealis
One of the things I loved about growing up in Pennsylvania was experiencing the 4 seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall - each is distinct and beautiful. While the changing of seasons is still noticeable in Taiwan, gone is the flare for the dramatic. Here's what I miss:
Spring
striking colors of tulips, fragrance of hyacinths in the air, sight and sweet smell of lilac bushes full of blossoms, driving in spring rain showers, the smell of the grass and forest after the rain, the way rain makes colors darker and richer, new life - baby rabbits frolicking in the backyard and baby birds chirping in the bushes
Summer
staying outside until 9:00pm and still having traces of daylight, stars (I miss them any time of the year), walking barefoot in the grass, smell of fresh cut lawns and food cooking on the grill, warm sun, driving through the country and seeing how things grow from week to week, fresh veggies from the garden, rolling green fields, mountains covered in green, scenic road trips, sweet corn, campfires, mountain pies and smores, picnics and gatherings with friends and family
Fall
arrival of colder air, windows and lawns decorated by the first frosts, mountains painted in colors of rich reds, yellows, and oranges, apple cider, Fall festivals, soccer matches, Thanksgiving
Winter
the earth blanketed in white, the comfort of fleece, wool, and cashmere, down comforters, warming by a fireplace after skiing, the way fields of snow glisten in the moonlight, white earth against black sky lit with stars, crisp air, meteor showers, Aurora Borealis
And now for your reading enjoyment . . . Rules of the Road
What is sure to be the first in a series of installments, here are some of my favorite questions from the English Version of the Taiwan Motorcyclists Driver's Manual - the booklet to be reviewed for the written component of the motorcycle driver's license test.
1. When riding, if you see an accident you should (a) leave right now (b) stay and help the injured and be a witness (c) lie if the police inquire. Correct answer: b
2. If you ride and fall down because of oil on the road, you should (a) take it as bad luck and leave right away (b) report to the nearest police station (c) put tree branches or visible markings on the area to warn other drivers. Correct answer: c
3. When riding in the country, you see a flock of geese crossing the road you should (a) honk loudly to make them hurry up (b) speed up and pass (c) slow down and wait for them to pass, then move. Correct answer: c
Though I think you're more likely to encounter a herd of cows or water buffalo than geese.
4. When riding through an urban area of disorder traffic or a road construction section, you should (a) speed up to pass quickly (b) honk fiercely as you ride (c) give way for each other. Correct answer: c
However, experience in traffic will convince you that most believe the correct response to be a combination of a and b - speed up and honk fiercely.
5. If a motorcyclist wants to be honored, happy, and safe on traffic, he should (a) have a sense of morality and follow the laws (b) have good riding skills (c) not smoke and drink.
Correct answer: a
Ride on, oh honored one.
6. To keep good traffic and safety on riding, who should you do first? (a) The traffic management authorities (b) the motorcyclist (c) the pedestrians. Correct answer: b
Umm, no thanks.
7. When a motorcyclist feels upset, the biggest weakness is to have (a) no friendliness (b) no sympathy (c) short temper. Correct answer: c
8. The most important thing for motorcyclists on handling accidents is (a) to be calm and safe (b) to be adventurous (c) to be optimistic and let it be. Correct answer: a
9. The biggest enemy of a motorcyclist is (a) carelessness (b) road barrier (c) animals on the road. Correct answer: a
What is sure to be the first in a series of installments, here are some of my favorite questions from the English Version of the Taiwan Motorcyclists Driver's Manual - the booklet to be reviewed for the written component of the motorcycle driver's license test.
1. When riding, if you see an accident you should (a) leave right now (b) stay and help the injured and be a witness (c) lie if the police inquire. Correct answer: b
2. If you ride and fall down because of oil on the road, you should (a) take it as bad luck and leave right away (b) report to the nearest police station (c) put tree branches or visible markings on the area to warn other drivers. Correct answer: c
3. When riding in the country, you see a flock of geese crossing the road you should (a) honk loudly to make them hurry up (b) speed up and pass (c) slow down and wait for them to pass, then move. Correct answer: c
Though I think you're more likely to encounter a herd of cows or water buffalo than geese.
4. When riding through an urban area of disorder traffic or a road construction section, you should (a) speed up to pass quickly (b) honk fiercely as you ride (c) give way for each other. Correct answer: c
However, experience in traffic will convince you that most believe the correct response to be a combination of a and b - speed up and honk fiercely.
5. If a motorcyclist wants to be honored, happy, and safe on traffic, he should (a) have a sense of morality and follow the laws (b) have good riding skills (c) not smoke and drink.
Correct answer: a
Ride on, oh honored one.
6. To keep good traffic and safety on riding, who should you do first? (a) The traffic management authorities (b) the motorcyclist (c) the pedestrians. Correct answer: b
Umm, no thanks.
7. When a motorcyclist feels upset, the biggest weakness is to have (a) no friendliness (b) no sympathy (c) short temper. Correct answer: c
8. The most important thing for motorcyclists on handling accidents is (a) to be calm and safe (b) to be adventurous (c) to be optimistic and let it be. Correct answer: a
9. The biggest enemy of a motorcyclist is (a) carelessness (b) road barrier (c) animals on the road. Correct answer: a
Next week on Animal Planet: When Road Barriers Attack, I mean, When Street Dogs Attack
10. To insure the safety of oneself and other people, a motorcyclist should always make an effort on cultivating his morality and (a) control oneself and help others (b) refrain others from flaunting other's physical superiority (c) find ways to deal with people. Correct answer: a
Don't you just hate it when others go around flaunting their physical superiority while riding their scooter?
11. When you ride on a muddy road or a road which water has accumulated and there are pedestrians walking around, you should (a) reduce your speed and avoid splashing the dirty water on the pedestrians (b) speed up and rush into the road which water has accumulated (c) honk the horn to make the pedestrians go away. Correct answer: b
Obviously it would seem that the correct answer should be 'a', however, if you would not choose 'b' on the test, it would be wrong. In Taiwan, too often it's accepted that things must be true or correct if they're printed in texts. I've had encounters where people would rather have others believe something that is false than admit that the book it is from could have an error. For example, I had a class of 40 Jr. High students argue with me that there are 51 states in the U.S. because their text book stated so and having lived in the U.S. for 23 years did not make me a reliable source on knowing how many states there actually are.
Well, I hope you've enjoyed these driver's manual questions. Until next time ...
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Head in the Clouds
Monday night I returned from a 3 day weekend escape. Since time off for holidays is rare and 3 day weekends rarer still, I usually spend far too much time thinking about how to best spend the time off. Despite temptations to go to Hong Kong or desires to go somewhere outdoors and scenic, I settled on visiting a friend in Taipei I haven't seen since April.
My friend Grace just moved to a new house ten days prior to my visit and was still getting settled when I arrived. Her new abode is high on a mountain on the outskirts of Taipei, nearly an hour commute from her school in the city. Though the mountain's fog prevailed my three day visit, it was clear to me why she'd sacrifice sleep to make the commute to and from her heavenly new home.
We're not in Kansas anymore
Despite exchanging one city for another this past weekend, I felt like I had accomplished my goal of escaping Taiwan or at least the city for the weekend. Surrounded by crisp, clean, mountain air, abundant greenery, fog and light showers, the sound of frogs and crickets at night, and a star lit sky, visiting Grace's house was a vacation in itself. Inspired partially by the climate and the European style architecture of the community, we headed to the Flower Market on Sunday afternoon. Grace's goal: to transfer her yard into an English garden.
Though filled with sufficient time to relax, the weekend passed quickly. By Monday morning, the sun finally broke through making for a spectacular view as we made our descent through clouds that appeared to hang effortlessly around us. I think I was still trying to get over the fact that something so beautiful was waiting just outside the city. While I hated to go, I look forward to returning for a visit once her house is set-up and her garden is in full bloom.
There are a few places in the North I'd like to explore and I had hoped the extended weekend would provide an opportunity for such an outing. That wasn't the case but no regrets. The weekend was full of many great experiences. Aside from hanging out on the mountain, here's my
Top 10 Things from the Weekend:
1) spending time with a friend
2) seeing a huge rainbow over Taipei
3) ferry ride and visit to fisherman's wharf
4) receiving an awesome birthday gift (belated in delivery)
5) eating out at a great restaurant - BEST pumpkin soup I've ever had!
6) shopping - Ikea, flower market, jade market (which happens to be the largest in Asia), Jason's - supermarket with tons of imported goods
7) Movenpick's pear sorbet - forget Swiss chocolate, go for Swiss sorbet
8) steamed squid on the pier - so fresh they're flavored by the salt of the ocean
9) colder weather - about a 20 degree difference between Grace's place and mine
10) funky new shoes at a low price
Hitches, Glitches, and Witches
The only real glitch to the weekend was getting back to my city by the end of Monday. Knowing that many people would be heading back to their perspective cities Monday night, I hoped to beat the rush by leaving late afternoon. Grace and I parted ways around 4:00 pm and I was off to the bus station. Much to my dismay, seats were already sold out for the rest of the day with the bus company I had used for my trip north. The particular street I was on leads the the main train station (within sight of bus station) and the street is lined with additional bus companies. It was likely that the seats for the train would be sold out and a ticket would be for standing room only. Standing for a 5+ hour train ride with my bags from shopping did not rank high on my list of things to do for the day so I decided to head in the direction of the train station and stop at each bus company along the way.
Despite trying for an hour, I was not having any luck finding a bus. While I never panicked, there did come a moment when I felt like I'd have more luck finding someone heading back to Kaohsiung that I could hitch a ride with, though I wasn't actually considering it as an option. And there came another point when my bags were feeling heavy (the afore mentioned birthday gift was quite awkward to lug around) and all I wanted to do was be home, just be back in Kaohsiung already. I wanted to click the heals of my newly acquired ruby slippers and repeat "there's no place like home, there's no place like home."
At last, success was found at the last bus station I came to before the train station. I had no trouble getting a seat for their next bus to my city. Just a 20 minute wait, and I was off on my long ride home.
Monday night I returned from a 3 day weekend escape. Since time off for holidays is rare and 3 day weekends rarer still, I usually spend far too much time thinking about how to best spend the time off. Despite temptations to go to Hong Kong or desires to go somewhere outdoors and scenic, I settled on visiting a friend in Taipei I haven't seen since April.
My friend Grace just moved to a new house ten days prior to my visit and was still getting settled when I arrived. Her new abode is high on a mountain on the outskirts of Taipei, nearly an hour commute from her school in the city. Though the mountain's fog prevailed my three day visit, it was clear to me why she'd sacrifice sleep to make the commute to and from her heavenly new home.
We're not in Kansas anymore
Despite exchanging one city for another this past weekend, I felt like I had accomplished my goal of escaping Taiwan or at least the city for the weekend. Surrounded by crisp, clean, mountain air, abundant greenery, fog and light showers, the sound of frogs and crickets at night, and a star lit sky, visiting Grace's house was a vacation in itself. Inspired partially by the climate and the European style architecture of the community, we headed to the Flower Market on Sunday afternoon. Grace's goal: to transfer her yard into an English garden.
Though filled with sufficient time to relax, the weekend passed quickly. By Monday morning, the sun finally broke through making for a spectacular view as we made our descent through clouds that appeared to hang effortlessly around us. I think I was still trying to get over the fact that something so beautiful was waiting just outside the city. While I hated to go, I look forward to returning for a visit once her house is set-up and her garden is in full bloom.
There are a few places in the North I'd like to explore and I had hoped the extended weekend would provide an opportunity for such an outing. That wasn't the case but no regrets. The weekend was full of many great experiences. Aside from hanging out on the mountain, here's my
Top 10 Things from the Weekend:
1) spending time with a friend
2) seeing a huge rainbow over Taipei
3) ferry ride and visit to fisherman's wharf
4) receiving an awesome birthday gift (belated in delivery)
5) eating out at a great restaurant - BEST pumpkin soup I've ever had!
6) shopping - Ikea, flower market, jade market (which happens to be the largest in Asia), Jason's - supermarket with tons of imported goods
7) Movenpick's pear sorbet - forget Swiss chocolate, go for Swiss sorbet
8) steamed squid on the pier - so fresh they're flavored by the salt of the ocean
9) colder weather - about a 20 degree difference between Grace's place and mine
10) funky new shoes at a low price
Hitches, Glitches, and Witches
The only real glitch to the weekend was getting back to my city by the end of Monday. Knowing that many people would be heading back to their perspective cities Monday night, I hoped to beat the rush by leaving late afternoon. Grace and I parted ways around 4:00 pm and I was off to the bus station. Much to my dismay, seats were already sold out for the rest of the day with the bus company I had used for my trip north. The particular street I was on leads the the main train station (within sight of bus station) and the street is lined with additional bus companies. It was likely that the seats for the train would be sold out and a ticket would be for standing room only. Standing for a 5+ hour train ride with my bags from shopping did not rank high on my list of things to do for the day so I decided to head in the direction of the train station and stop at each bus company along the way.
Despite trying for an hour, I was not having any luck finding a bus. While I never panicked, there did come a moment when I felt like I'd have more luck finding someone heading back to Kaohsiung that I could hitch a ride with, though I wasn't actually considering it as an option. And there came another point when my bags were feeling heavy (the afore mentioned birthday gift was quite awkward to lug around) and all I wanted to do was be home, just be back in Kaohsiung already. I wanted to click the heals of my newly acquired ruby slippers and repeat "there's no place like home, there's no place like home."
At last, success was found at the last bus station I came to before the train station. I had no trouble getting a seat for their next bus to my city. Just a 20 minute wait, and I was off on my long ride home. Saturday, October 08, 2005
Alien Abduction
That's alien as in foreigner, and foreigner as in me. This afternoon, I learned what may happen when I try to move home from Taiwan.
Me: (to a class of 4th - 6th graders that I teach daily) Next week I will tell you when you will give your next speech.
Rosa: How about we give the speech next year, like next October 6.
Me: Oh, okay, so you want to say your speech for your new teacher next year.
Huh? - At this, the students looked at one another and me befuddled as in, why would I ever want to leave Taiwan?
Class: (random shouting) No! You can't go! You have to teach us! We love you!
Me: Yeah, right! That's why you always complain, don't listen, and don't finish your work.
Wayne: But what will you do? If you leave, you will have no money?
Me: I will get a new job in the U.S. I can't stay here forever. One day I will leave, but not right now. I will still be your teacher this year at least.
Wayne: If you try to move home, we will kidnap you and take you to a garage and tie you to a chair and we will come everyday and you will have to teach us English.
Me: Okay then, I won't tell you when I'm leaving.
Sam: That's okay. You can leave tomorrow. You can leave today.
Me: Thanks Sam.
Ruby: No! Don't listen to Sam. In his heart, he is really crying.
Sam: No!
Kelly: Sam, your heart is metal.
So, if it's around the time for me to return from Taiwan and I suddenly go missing, kindly alert the authorities to start tracking the comings and goings of a boy named Wayne.
That's alien as in foreigner, and foreigner as in me. This afternoon, I learned what may happen when I try to move home from Taiwan.
Me: (to a class of 4th - 6th graders that I teach daily) Next week I will tell you when you will give your next speech.
Rosa: How about we give the speech next year, like next October 6.
Me: Oh, okay, so you want to say your speech for your new teacher next year.
Huh? - At this, the students looked at one another and me befuddled as in, why would I ever want to leave Taiwan?
Class: (random shouting) No! You can't go! You have to teach us! We love you!
Me: Yeah, right! That's why you always complain, don't listen, and don't finish your work.
Wayne: But what will you do? If you leave, you will have no money?
Me: I will get a new job in the U.S. I can't stay here forever. One day I will leave, but not right now. I will still be your teacher this year at least.
Wayne: If you try to move home, we will kidnap you and take you to a garage and tie you to a chair and we will come everyday and you will have to teach us English.
Me: Okay then, I won't tell you when I'm leaving.
Sam: That's okay. You can leave tomorrow. You can leave today.
Me: Thanks Sam.
Ruby: No! Don't listen to Sam. In his heart, he is really crying.
Sam: No!
Kelly: Sam, your heart is metal.
So, if it's around the time for me to return from Taiwan and I suddenly go missing, kindly alert the authorities to start tracking the comings and goings of a boy named Wayne.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Migraine with a side of poached egg
Those who know me well know that I'm no stranger to migraines. We have a long history together. I can remember getting them as far back as 3rd grade. This afternoon I developed one while at work and it wasn't long before I knew I couldn't finish out my classes for the evening. Fortunately back-up was available in the form of a sub and shortly after my class let out at 6:30, I was on my way home to rest and recover.
Take two of these and call me in the morning.
As with most aliments, I've found that when people here have headaches, it's not uncommon for them to go to the doctors. Two reasons I suspect for this are 1) aisles of pain relievers don't seem to exist at the drugstores so finding the right pain reliever can be difficult or impossible 2) a trip to the dr. (which includes prescriptions) can be cheaper than picking something up from the drugstore to medicate yourself. Fortunately I have pain reliever at home and taking something and sleeping off the migraine seems to be the best remedy I've found.
Around the time I start to feel some relief, the nausea fades, my appetite picks up slightly, and all I want to eat is a poached egg and toast. For me, a poached egg is to a migraine what chicken soup is to a cold. It's not a cure, but somehow it just helps you feel better. It's a comfort food. I think it all began back in jr. high when, on occasion, I used to come home early from school due to a migraine. After I'd rested for a bit, my mom usually insisted that I have something to eat - probably because I'd missed lunch at school and because she didn't want me using medicine on an empty stomach. While I didn't feel much like eating (I usually felt like vomiting) she'd insist on at least making toast, and then along with it, she make me a poached egg. Somehow it just made me feel better, despite the fact that eggs often trigger headaches, and now I always associate the two. Tonight I had to make my own egg, for the first time I think, but it's the memories that count and it still helped me feel a bit better.
So how about you? What's your comfort food when sick or blue?
Those who know me well know that I'm no stranger to migraines. We have a long history together. I can remember getting them as far back as 3rd grade. This afternoon I developed one while at work and it wasn't long before I knew I couldn't finish out my classes for the evening. Fortunately back-up was available in the form of a sub and shortly after my class let out at 6:30, I was on my way home to rest and recover.
Take two of these and call me in the morning.
As with most aliments, I've found that when people here have headaches, it's not uncommon for them to go to the doctors. Two reasons I suspect for this are 1) aisles of pain relievers don't seem to exist at the drugstores so finding the right pain reliever can be difficult or impossible 2) a trip to the dr. (which includes prescriptions) can be cheaper than picking something up from the drugstore to medicate yourself. Fortunately I have pain reliever at home and taking something and sleeping off the migraine seems to be the best remedy I've found.
Around the time I start to feel some relief, the nausea fades, my appetite picks up slightly, and all I want to eat is a poached egg and toast. For me, a poached egg is to a migraine what chicken soup is to a cold. It's not a cure, but somehow it just helps you feel better. It's a comfort food. I think it all began back in jr. high when, on occasion, I used to come home early from school due to a migraine. After I'd rested for a bit, my mom usually insisted that I have something to eat - probably because I'd missed lunch at school and because she didn't want me using medicine on an empty stomach. While I didn't feel much like eating (I usually felt like vomiting) she'd insist on at least making toast, and then along with it, she make me a poached egg. Somehow it just made me feel better, despite the fact that eggs often trigger headaches, and now I always associate the two. Tonight I had to make my own egg, for the first time I think, but it's the memories that count and it still helped me feel a bit better.
So how about you? What's your comfort food when sick or blue?
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