Friday at last
Another work week has drawn to a close and a weekend island hop awaits. Shao Lui Chui, here I come - where the water is salty, the air humid, and the pace of life just right for a relaxing weekend.
Off to the store to pick up some snacks, drinks, and a camping and beach essential, nail polish. Oh, you think I jest, but sadly, I do not. Spending a length of time outdoors means a whole host of gangly stuff is going to take up residence under your nails and try as you may to be hygienic, it's somewhat of a losing battle, so I'd rather just not see it. Out of sight, out of mind. Ignorance is bliss. (Okay, I'm not really that gross.)
Also on the packing list, some New Zealand Beauties, my new favorite apple. I've found munching fruit a helpful way to keep hydrated. Now time to catch a whopping 2 hours of sleep before an early morning drive and boat ride. It seems as though the fumes of the insecticide sprayed at my apt. complex yesterday have finally seeped inside so I think my planned escape could perhaps be saving me from finally being done in by toxic city life. On that happy note, have a great weekend!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Spring Green
asparagus, Granny Smith apple, shamrock, inch worm, fern
Have you toured a crayon box lately? Things sure have changed since I was a kid. As I worked on a project with students that involved a bit of coloring, I began taking notice to the names on the broken bits of color sticks that comprised our giant Crayola box.
Today's names come in an imaginative variety from macaroni-and-cheese, to wild blue yonder, fuzzy-wuzzy brown, outer space, Purple Heart, purple mountain's majesty, wild strawberry, and tumbleweed.
A quick visit to the Crayola website revealed many of these colors were not as new as I thought them to be, thanks to the handy chronology of colors. What began as 8 colors in 1903 has expanded to the present 120 hues. Even more interesting was seeing how changing times in the U.S. have influenced the names of colors.
A lift in spirits has recently accompanied my days of city dwelling as two of my favorite colors, blue and green, have become more prevalent during daily commutes and outings. The usual grey funk that rules the sky has given way to blue made all the more lovely with the addition of white clouds.
Not only is spring in the air but on the plants and trees that line the roads and fill the parks. I had almost forgotten about that tint of green that exists with the newness of life that blossoms this time of year. In a place with year round greenery and subtle season changes, the radiant color of spring green highlighted by warm morning light reminds me of what it means to have spring return.
asparagus, Granny Smith apple, shamrock, inch worm, fern
Have you toured a crayon box lately? Things sure have changed since I was a kid. As I worked on a project with students that involved a bit of coloring, I began taking notice to the names on the broken bits of color sticks that comprised our giant Crayola box.
Today's names come in an imaginative variety from macaroni-and-cheese, to wild blue yonder, fuzzy-wuzzy brown, outer space, Purple Heart, purple mountain's majesty, wild strawberry, and tumbleweed.
A quick visit to the Crayola website revealed many of these colors were not as new as I thought them to be, thanks to the handy chronology of colors. What began as 8 colors in 1903 has expanded to the present 120 hues. Even more interesting was seeing how changing times in the U.S. have influenced the names of colors.
A lift in spirits has recently accompanied my days of city dwelling as two of my favorite colors, blue and green, have become more prevalent during daily commutes and outings. The usual grey funk that rules the sky has given way to blue made all the more lovely with the addition of white clouds.
Not only is spring in the air but on the plants and trees that line the roads and fill the parks. I had almost forgotten about that tint of green that exists with the newness of life that blossoms this time of year. In a place with year round greenery and subtle season changes, the radiant color of spring green highlighted by warm morning light reminds me of what it means to have spring return.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's wife for me and the tale of 7 virtuous ladies
My wardrobe selections have been getting interesting reactions at work lately though i haven't been wearing anything out of the ordinary or even new. However, here are some of my favorites from the past few weeks:
the pirate's wife- Something about the skirt I wore had a whole class declaring I must have married a pirate since the previous day.
Cinderella- Wear a choice bracelet and suddenly you're Cinderella, though later in the class I was demoted to the step-mother.
Thailand vacationer or beach mystic - While part of the class thought I looked as though I'd just returned from a weekend in Thailand, a few others thought I could pass for a beach fortune teller. Ahh yes, I can see homework in your future. On this particular day as I entered school everyone sort of paused and stared until one secretary declared, "It's your birthday!" No, but thanks. Seriously, do I dress that poorly the other days of the year?
Greek statue - Okay, this one was not based on something I wore but rather a suggestion for the future. My highest level class has been studying ancient Greece and the Olympics lately and during class one boy had the brilliant idea that if I were to dress as a Greek statue and pose outside the school we'd suddenly gain new students by the droves. Why? Because they'd all stop and think, "what interesting and funny teachers they have there. I must go to that school." I can't help but think my appearance as a Greek statue would have the reverse effect on the school.
And now coming full circle to the topic of pirates (arrrh!), here's something interesting I recently came upon flipping through the pages of a Taiwan guide book:
Cimei Island, the southernmost of the Penghu archipelago, is named after seven legendary local beauties who threw themselves down a well rather than have their virtue despoiled by a gang of marauding pirates. The simple Tomb of the Seven Virtuous Beauties at the island's southern tip honors their sacrifice; the tomb is built over the well. - taken from National Geographic Traveler Taiwan
My wardrobe selections have been getting interesting reactions at work lately though i haven't been wearing anything out of the ordinary or even new. However, here are some of my favorites from the past few weeks:
the pirate's wife- Something about the skirt I wore had a whole class declaring I must have married a pirate since the previous day.
Cinderella- Wear a choice bracelet and suddenly you're Cinderella, though later in the class I was demoted to the step-mother.
Thailand vacationer or beach mystic - While part of the class thought I looked as though I'd just returned from a weekend in Thailand, a few others thought I could pass for a beach fortune teller. Ahh yes, I can see homework in your future. On this particular day as I entered school everyone sort of paused and stared until one secretary declared, "It's your birthday!" No, but thanks. Seriously, do I dress that poorly the other days of the year?
Greek statue - Okay, this one was not based on something I wore but rather a suggestion for the future. My highest level class has been studying ancient Greece and the Olympics lately and during class one boy had the brilliant idea that if I were to dress as a Greek statue and pose outside the school we'd suddenly gain new students by the droves. Why? Because they'd all stop and think, "what interesting and funny teachers they have there. I must go to that school." I can't help but think my appearance as a Greek statue would have the reverse effect on the school.
And now coming full circle to the topic of pirates (arrrh!), here's something interesting I recently came upon flipping through the pages of a Taiwan guide book:
Cimei Island, the southernmost of the Penghu archipelago, is named after seven legendary local beauties who threw themselves down a well rather than have their virtue despoiled by a gang of marauding pirates. The simple Tomb of the Seven Virtuous Beauties at the island's southern tip honors their sacrifice; the tomb is built over the well. - taken from National Geographic Traveler Taiwan
Sunday, April 02, 2006
the fine art of text messaging
One benefit to living in Taiwan is that cell phone service costs far less than it does in the U.S. As a result, friends and I take advantage of text messaging, however, user beware, you never know what you're going to find when you open a message. My personal favorite thus far this year reads as follows:
"Just found out that a new sign in my elevator says, 'please take your garbage down to the dumpster and do not just throw it out your window.' "
One benefit to living in Taiwan is that cell phone service costs far less than it does in the U.S. As a result, friends and I take advantage of text messaging, however, user beware, you never know what you're going to find when you open a message. My personal favorite thus far this year reads as follows:
"Just found out that a new sign in my elevator says, 'please take your garbage down to the dumpster and do not just throw it out your window.' "
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