Re-adjusting
My first week back on island from summer vacation could be characterized by a week of a solid Pop-Tart and popsicle diet followed by a week of cereal and slushies, though not combined. I'm pleased to say that I've finally incorporated the healthier and wiser choices of salad, fruits, omelets, and even soup. Due to my prevailing desire to have American foods, especially ones I can fix fast to limit my time spent in non-air conditioned rooms, I once again took to rummaging the cabinets in search of some treasures among the array of boxed and canned goods I've accumulated. What I found and settled upon was a can of Cream of Asparagus I bought a while back.
During all my years in the U.S., I never knew Campbell's made such a soup but leave it to Taiwan to import such an oddity. Anytime I have asparagus related grub, I'm usually reminded of the episode of Alf when Brian had to dress as a stalk of asparagus for a school play and his dad wrote a ditty for him to sing. It's one of the few episodes I remember. It's funny the things that stick with us from childhood, and sad the things that don't.
My discovery of the soup also brought to mind an episode with another American tv family. I couldn't help but recall the Simpson's episode with the hurricane that hit Springfield where everyone flocked to the store to stock up on necessities and all that was left when Marge got there were things like Creamed Eel. I suppose that while my meals for now might seem random or a bit odd, there will always be far worse, or at least more imaginative alternatives out there. As for now, I'm content to stick with the asparagus.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Kara needs . . .
I had forgotten how funny this can be until I was reminded by an old roomie's blog.
The basics: go to google, type "[your name] needs", and see what funny sentences are waiting to be made.
Here it goes:
1. Kara needs some eyebrow help.
2. Kara needs to be more humble.
3. Kara needs to remain as confused and as troubled as she is right now. (oh yeah!)
4. Kara needs a man.
5. Kara needs to have a civilian ID.
6. Kara needs to read on a daily basis. (Read. I knew I was forgetting to do something.)
7. Kara needs a little help getting her dress form out of the corner - and Santino won't help her - he's being really silly, honestly. (Dang you Santino, stop being so silly!)
8. Kara needs more cowbell! (I gotta have more cowbell.)
9. Kara needs prayer for a better job.
10. Kara needs to be picked up at the Ronald McDonald House.
11. Kara needs to be an esl teacher in Togo.
12. Kara needs to hear about Jesus.
13. Kara needs a man like a fish needs a bicylce.
13. Kara needs no one.
14. Kara needs a part time job and at least $400 a month from her parents. (Mom? Dad? Are you reading this?)
15. Kara needs to be trained by the Man of Steel.
16. Kara needs breathing space.
17. Kara needs business cards that say "Crash."
18. Kara needs a personal Tango guide.
19. Kara needs to be taken to a Pacific Island (Can I make a request? Tahiti or Bora Bora please.)
20. Kara needs someone to confide in
21. Kara needs coffee.
22. Kara needs to define who she is.
23. Kara needs to follow the yellow brick road.
I had forgotten how funny this can be until I was reminded by an old roomie's blog.
The basics: go to google, type "[your name] needs", and see what funny sentences are waiting to be made.
Here it goes:
1. Kara needs some eyebrow help.
2. Kara needs to be more humble.
3. Kara needs to remain as confused and as troubled as she is right now. (oh yeah!)
4. Kara needs a man.
5. Kara needs to have a civilian ID.
6. Kara needs to read on a daily basis. (Read. I knew I was forgetting to do something.)
7. Kara needs a little help getting her dress form out of the corner - and Santino won't help her - he's being really silly, honestly. (Dang you Santino, stop being so silly!)
8. Kara needs more cowbell! (I gotta have more cowbell.)
9. Kara needs prayer for a better job.
10. Kara needs to be picked up at the Ronald McDonald House.
11. Kara needs to be an esl teacher in Togo.
12. Kara needs to hear about Jesus.
13. Kara needs a man like a fish needs a bicylce.
13. Kara needs no one.
14. Kara needs a part time job and at least $400 a month from her parents. (Mom? Dad? Are you reading this?)
15. Kara needs to be trained by the Man of Steel.
16. Kara needs breathing space.
17. Kara needs business cards that say "Crash."
18. Kara needs a personal Tango guide.
19. Kara needs to be taken to a Pacific Island (Can I make a request? Tahiti or Bora Bora please.)
20. Kara needs someone to confide in
21. Kara needs coffee.
22. Kara needs to define who she is.
23. Kara needs to follow the yellow brick road.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
kids in the kart
To my friend E, you're a dangerous gal. I think you remember people's childhood stories better than they do.
Well, here's a new one for ya. As I made a quick stop at the supermarket this afternoon, I was nearly run into by a mom pushing a shopping cart containing 2 young kids. Although, getting hit by a cart at this particular supermarket would not be anything out of the ordinary for me. Anyway, in place of a glare or eye roll, I couldn't help but crack a smile and chuckle when I saw the younger of the two boys in the cart, a tike under 2 years old. This was because his legs were decorated with marker doodles. I wonder if this was self-inflicted or the handiwork of his older bro. In any case, it reminded me of the good old days when my brothers and I used to give marker tattoos to each other, but particularly to my baby bro, something I had long forgotten about until today. For some reason, Mom was never thrilled to find the surprises on Todd's body when it was time to bathe him. Think what you will of me now, but in my defense, it was washable marker and I was not the worse culprit.
To my friend E, you're a dangerous gal. I think you remember people's childhood stories better than they do.
Well, here's a new one for ya. As I made a quick stop at the supermarket this afternoon, I was nearly run into by a mom pushing a shopping cart containing 2 young kids. Although, getting hit by a cart at this particular supermarket would not be anything out of the ordinary for me. Anyway, in place of a glare or eye roll, I couldn't help but crack a smile and chuckle when I saw the younger of the two boys in the cart, a tike under 2 years old. This was because his legs were decorated with marker doodles. I wonder if this was self-inflicted or the handiwork of his older bro. In any case, it reminded me of the good old days when my brothers and I used to give marker tattoos to each other, but particularly to my baby bro, something I had long forgotten about until today. For some reason, Mom was never thrilled to find the surprises on Todd's body when it was time to bathe him. Think what you will of me now, but in my defense, it was washable marker and I was not the worse culprit.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
What else could I possibly drop in the toilet?
That's my question of the day. It seems as though my natural grace, a.k.a. clumsiness, is in full swing today. I don't even have lack of sleep to blame this time. It's just me. I'm just that clumsy that I dropped things in the toilet on 3 seperate occasions today.
Feel like some Japanesy?
Okay, this makes for my second question of the day. On my way home from work tonight I saw a sign for a Japanesy Supermarket. Umm, is that anything like a Japanese supermarket?
That's my question of the day. It seems as though my natural grace, a.k.a. clumsiness, is in full swing today. I don't even have lack of sleep to blame this time. It's just me. I'm just that clumsy that I dropped things in the toilet on 3 seperate occasions today.
Feel like some Japanesy?
Okay, this makes for my second question of the day. On my way home from work tonight I saw a sign for a Japanesy Supermarket. Umm, is that anything like a Japanese supermarket?
Back from Summer Bliss
Here I am, back from my month and a half disappearance from blogging. As I mentioned in a previous post, the summer, which is quickly fleeting, has been full yet fulfilling. Here's the break down of what's been happening:
Madness and mayhem began in June when it once again became time to teach children to jump through hoops on demand, or at least to teach one child to jump out of an oven while others chased him shouting- otherwise known as this year's kindergarten graduation production, The Gingerbread Man. Following the big event was a two day frenzy of converting the prop and costume making dungeon back into the livable space my apartment once was in time for my mom's visit.
Before the close of June, my mom arrived in Taiwan to begin her month long adventure. What a joy it was to have someone from my family finally come to visit and share in the experiences I talk and write about (okay, not the ones like the floor erupting or the gas explosion). It was great to have an excuse to visit my favorite restaurants and coffee/tea shops for a month, as well as a good reason to take weekend excursions to places like Kenting for a sand and surf break, Taipei to shop, sight-see, and ride in the world's fastest elevators to the observation level of the world's tallest building, Tai-chung to visit with friends, and Meinong, the hand-painted umbrella capital of Taiwan and place to make a special kind of tea.
As many moms tend to like to keep busy and feel useful wherever they are, it took awhile to get used to suddenly having a housekeeper and personal assistant around. I've been living sans roommate for almost a year now, so it was strange waking up to dishes that were already done. In all of her helping though, I especially loved that she was able to not only see but assist with a weekly children's Bible class that I lead.
My mom was able to visit my school and classes on a number of occasions. The kids, especially the younger ones, were usually excited to see her and not only because she often brought some candy to share. I let a few of my classes have an interview session and ask her questions. My highest level class with 10-12 year olds surprised me with their questions of "How did you meet your husband?" and "How did your husband ask you to marry him?" Not surprising though was the "How old are you?" question, but no cheating allowed. Several of my classes had been primed with my mom's real age, so they knew if she was trying to pull one over on them, much to her dismay. The best, however, had to be when one girl asked my mom what kind of make-up she uses because she wanted to tell her mom to use that kind so she can look young too.
I hope that with all the activity she was able to find her time in Taiwan relaxing and enjoyable, but if not, that's what our few days in Hong Kong were for - a sort of mini-vacation before a return home for my mom and a 2 week vacation at home for me. It amazes me how much we were able to cram into 3 days and yet still reflect upon the time in Hong Kong as relaxing. The highlights include visiting the not yet year old Hong Kong Disneyland, the Bird Garden, Flower Market, Jade Market, Hard Rock Cafe (for some Western food therapy, though the Chinese food we had was yummy), and a harbour cruise at night.
By the end of July, I was home at last. My mom, friends Becky and Rick, and I made the 3 hour ride home from the airport in style as my dad surprised us by picking us up in a stretch limo. Aside from the close proximity of family and friends, other wonderful things about being home included: fresh air, cooler temps, blue skies, green spaces, and stars. I also loved the fact that it doesn't get dark until around 9pm in the summer, I can drink the tap water, I can flush the toilet paper, I don't have to figure out how to translate things, and I can drive my car. Oh, and I love coming back and being able to shop at places such as Target and Walmart. It can be an almost overwhelming experience to suddenly be bombarded with so much choice and selection. I mean, whole aisles of nothing but cereal - who could want for more? Really though, it's not so much what's available as it is the fact that it is available, and at a fraction of the cost of imported goods in Asia.
For as much as stays the same from my year to year visits home, change is always inevitable. There are the tougher things to come back to, such as seeing loved ones in declining health and realizing those who have passed away within the course of the previous year really are no longer there. Thankfully, there are also joyous things to bring balance, such as marriages of friends and the birth of their children. Good or bad, it's sometimes challenging to come home to the reality of the life that goes on in my absence.
While at home this time, I greatly enjoyed hanging out with my bros, kayaking and road trips through the countryside with my dad, shopping and spending time with my mom, visits and phone calls with friends, backyard picnics, sleepovers, late night swims, cooking for my family as well as dinners out with them, visiting my home church, taking in a regional theater production, sweet corn from my uncle's farm, bowling, spending time with people, and just being at home.
My apartment never felt so empty as it did after spending a month and a half with people I'm closest to. Walking in the door after arriving back felt both awkward and sad, as reminders of my mom's visit still littered the apartment. Though I've made this trip several times, for some reason, I just wasn't anticipating the sudden shock of being alone again, something that I usually don't mind. My foreign apartment felt just that - foreign. As with each trip home, for the first few days I wake up in the morning expecting to open my eyes to my room in PA, to warm sunshine and a cool breeze, to birds chirping outside the window, but that's not the case. In its place is the drone of the air conditioner, a dog barking on a balcony, someone practicing a piano upstairs, and construction on the street below. It takes a bit before I stop wishing I'm still at home, before routine takes over, before life keeps on racing on.
Here I am, back from my month and a half disappearance from blogging. As I mentioned in a previous post, the summer, which is quickly fleeting, has been full yet fulfilling. Here's the break down of what's been happening:
Madness and mayhem began in June when it once again became time to teach children to jump through hoops on demand, or at least to teach one child to jump out of an oven while others chased him shouting- otherwise known as this year's kindergarten graduation production, The Gingerbread Man. Following the big event was a two day frenzy of converting the prop and costume making dungeon back into the livable space my apartment once was in time for my mom's visit.
Before the close of June, my mom arrived in Taiwan to begin her month long adventure. What a joy it was to have someone from my family finally come to visit and share in the experiences I talk and write about (okay, not the ones like the floor erupting or the gas explosion). It was great to have an excuse to visit my favorite restaurants and coffee/tea shops for a month, as well as a good reason to take weekend excursions to places like Kenting for a sand and surf break, Taipei to shop, sight-see, and ride in the world's fastest elevators to the observation level of the world's tallest building, Tai-chung to visit with friends, and Meinong, the hand-painted umbrella capital of Taiwan and place to make a special kind of tea.
As many moms tend to like to keep busy and feel useful wherever they are, it took awhile to get used to suddenly having a housekeeper and personal assistant around. I've been living sans roommate for almost a year now, so it was strange waking up to dishes that were already done. In all of her helping though, I especially loved that she was able to not only see but assist with a weekly children's Bible class that I lead.
My mom was able to visit my school and classes on a number of occasions. The kids, especially the younger ones, were usually excited to see her and not only because she often brought some candy to share. I let a few of my classes have an interview session and ask her questions. My highest level class with 10-12 year olds surprised me with their questions of "How did you meet your husband?" and "How did your husband ask you to marry him?" Not surprising though was the "How old are you?" question, but no cheating allowed. Several of my classes had been primed with my mom's real age, so they knew if she was trying to pull one over on them, much to her dismay. The best, however, had to be when one girl asked my mom what kind of make-up she uses because she wanted to tell her mom to use that kind so she can look young too.
I hope that with all the activity she was able to find her time in Taiwan relaxing and enjoyable, but if not, that's what our few days in Hong Kong were for - a sort of mini-vacation before a return home for my mom and a 2 week vacation at home for me. It amazes me how much we were able to cram into 3 days and yet still reflect upon the time in Hong Kong as relaxing. The highlights include visiting the not yet year old Hong Kong Disneyland, the Bird Garden, Flower Market, Jade Market, Hard Rock Cafe (for some Western food therapy, though the Chinese food we had was yummy), and a harbour cruise at night.
By the end of July, I was home at last. My mom, friends Becky and Rick, and I made the 3 hour ride home from the airport in style as my dad surprised us by picking us up in a stretch limo. Aside from the close proximity of family and friends, other wonderful things about being home included: fresh air, cooler temps, blue skies, green spaces, and stars. I also loved the fact that it doesn't get dark until around 9pm in the summer, I can drink the tap water, I can flush the toilet paper, I don't have to figure out how to translate things, and I can drive my car. Oh, and I love coming back and being able to shop at places such as Target and Walmart. It can be an almost overwhelming experience to suddenly be bombarded with so much choice and selection. I mean, whole aisles of nothing but cereal - who could want for more? Really though, it's not so much what's available as it is the fact that it is available, and at a fraction of the cost of imported goods in Asia.
For as much as stays the same from my year to year visits home, change is always inevitable. There are the tougher things to come back to, such as seeing loved ones in declining health and realizing those who have passed away within the course of the previous year really are no longer there. Thankfully, there are also joyous things to bring balance, such as marriages of friends and the birth of their children. Good or bad, it's sometimes challenging to come home to the reality of the life that goes on in my absence.
While at home this time, I greatly enjoyed hanging out with my bros, kayaking and road trips through the countryside with my dad, shopping and spending time with my mom, visits and phone calls with friends, backyard picnics, sleepovers, late night swims, cooking for my family as well as dinners out with them, visiting my home church, taking in a regional theater production, sweet corn from my uncle's farm, bowling, spending time with people, and just being at home.
My apartment never felt so empty as it did after spending a month and a half with people I'm closest to. Walking in the door after arriving back felt both awkward and sad, as reminders of my mom's visit still littered the apartment. Though I've made this trip several times, for some reason, I just wasn't anticipating the sudden shock of being alone again, something that I usually don't mind. My foreign apartment felt just that - foreign. As with each trip home, for the first few days I wake up in the morning expecting to open my eyes to my room in PA, to warm sunshine and a cool breeze, to birds chirping outside the window, but that's not the case. In its place is the drone of the air conditioner, a dog barking on a balcony, someone practicing a piano upstairs, and construction on the street below. It takes a bit before I stop wishing I'm still at home, before routine takes over, before life keeps on racing on.
Friday, August 18, 2006
It's the Grand Cha-hee-hee's birthday!
Wow, I can hardly believe my baby bro is 20 years old today!
I can still remember the day you were born - the day it was confirmed that I indeed had another brother and not a sister as I specifically requested. Oh, those crazy storks. Well, I learned to love you anyway. Happy Birthday Bro!
Wow, I can hardly believe my baby bro is 20 years old today!
I can still remember the day you were born - the day it was confirmed that I indeed had another brother and not a sister as I specifically requested. Oh, those crazy storks. Well, I learned to love you anyway. Happy Birthday Bro!
Monday, August 14, 2006
What's hiding in your cabinets?
Times of packing for travel or moving often bring about the discovery of things long forgotten in the back of closets, cabinets, or under the bed. While this certainly rang true while preparing for my recent trip home, my surprise discovery today was made while rummaging for a snack in the kitchen. I found a bag of Christmas tree shaped Doritos hiding in a cabinet. It's Christmas in July, okay, August. Wow, I wonder what other surprises await.
Times of packing for travel or moving often bring about the discovery of things long forgotten in the back of closets, cabinets, or under the bed. While this certainly rang true while preparing for my recent trip home, my surprise discovery today was made while rummaging for a snack in the kitchen. I found a bag of Christmas tree shaped Doritos hiding in a cabinet. It's Christmas in July, okay, August. Wow, I wonder what other surprises await.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Departing
"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again."
That song seems to be on replay in my mind this evening as I gather, sort, and pack. I've just enjoyed two wonderful weeks at home on vacation and sadly I depart for the airport in about 2 hours to return to Taiwan. Each time I come home I find it a bit harder to go back and during my last few days I usually find myself wondering, "Why would I ever want to leave this place?" If it were not for returning to friendships in Taiwan, it would be even more difficult to convince myself to go back.
Though changes do occur in my absence, the ease with which I've been able to slip back into my life at home makes it all the more difficult to believe that a whole year passes between my visits. Falling back into place at home makes it difficult to imagine I have a whole other life on the other side of the world. However, I'm about to rejoin the reality of that other world quite soon. Fortunately my work schedule has been a bit lighter than usual this summer, so I appreciate that I'll have a bit more free time to unpack and process the past two weeks and two months. It's been a full yet fullfilling summer and there are still a few more weeks to go before another summer draws to a close. I hope to soon bring you up to speed on the events of my summer but for now, I've got to finish packing!
"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again."
That song seems to be on replay in my mind this evening as I gather, sort, and pack. I've just enjoyed two wonderful weeks at home on vacation and sadly I depart for the airport in about 2 hours to return to Taiwan. Each time I come home I find it a bit harder to go back and during my last few days I usually find myself wondering, "Why would I ever want to leave this place?" If it were not for returning to friendships in Taiwan, it would be even more difficult to convince myself to go back.
Though changes do occur in my absence, the ease with which I've been able to slip back into my life at home makes it all the more difficult to believe that a whole year passes between my visits. Falling back into place at home makes it difficult to imagine I have a whole other life on the other side of the world. However, I'm about to rejoin the reality of that other world quite soon. Fortunately my work schedule has been a bit lighter than usual this summer, so I appreciate that I'll have a bit more free time to unpack and process the past two weeks and two months. It's been a full yet fullfilling summer and there are still a few more weeks to go before another summer draws to a close. I hope to soon bring you up to speed on the events of my summer but for now, I've got to finish packing!
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