Cynicism with a side of Sarcasm
Bunny. Now there's a word we never seem to teach to kids in Taiwan. Rabbit, they know, but bunny, not a clue. Anyway, that's not the point of this exercise.
One Friday night after a long week of work, I stepped outside the front doors of the school and saw a white rabbit hanging out at the shoe rack. I probably did something like rub my eyes in disbelief or checked to see if someone was hiding nearby carrying out some sort of practical joke, for not more than a few yards away is an area known for park dogs, against which a rabbit would not stand a chance. Though it hopped into one of the cubbyholes of the shoe shelf, it didn't seem to mind my approaching it. Obviously, it had been someone's pet. Apparently that someone decided they no longer wanted it and as people here tend to do with their dogs (even expensive purebreds), the owner dumped it off. After all, it's common knowledge that domesticated rabbits are known for their street smarts and survival skills when abandoned in a city full of street dogs. I'm sure it was no accident that the rabbit was left near a school where surely some child, parent, or in this case, teacher, would take pity and adopt the stray street bunny. The plan worked. After calling out my co-workers to insure that I indeed wasn't seeing things, one decided to take it home, clean it up, and eventually find a new owner for it. We found out later that a few of our students saw a man drop it off outside earlier that day, discarding his once pet.
Last night, another Friday night after another busy week at work, I once again spotted a rabbit in a place where it didn't belong - my building's elevator. This time, however, the rabbit appeared in the form of the Easter Bunny on a newly posted sign. My guess is that the sign is regarding festivities at my complex for the upcoming Moon Festival, but what really caught my eye was the Easter clipart in a lower corner. You can't get much more Easter inspired than a collage with a cross, lilies, colored eggs, and the Easter Bunny. Sure, I suppose that not knowing it's intended use, one might not think it an unusual selection. It probably just seemed like a nice or perhaps even festive general purpose picture. However, I would think it quite obvious to not fit with the Moon Fest theme, but maybe that's just me.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
9/28
To my cohorts in Taiwan, Happy Teacher's Day! Though the day has actually been labeled such to commemorate the birthday of Eastern scholar and teacher, Confucius, it's become used to recognize educators island-wide as well. While I didn't take in the morning festivities this year at the city's Confucius temple, it was still a day made a bit sweeter by the well wishes of students. For some reason, many seemed quite excited this year to bestow greetings, cards, and treats. It was such a nice day that it would have made for a great Friday to leave the work week on such a happy note, however, one more day to go. I rarely dread Fridays, but this week, I make an exception. What I hate more than going to the doctor's is going to the doctors in Taiwan, something I've gotta do tomorrow morning. Okay, time to redirect my focus to something more favorable - Sarah arrives in one week!
To my cohorts in Taiwan, Happy Teacher's Day! Though the day has actually been labeled such to commemorate the birthday of Eastern scholar and teacher, Confucius, it's become used to recognize educators island-wide as well. While I didn't take in the morning festivities this year at the city's Confucius temple, it was still a day made a bit sweeter by the well wishes of students. For some reason, many seemed quite excited this year to bestow greetings, cards, and treats. It was such a nice day that it would have made for a great Friday to leave the work week on such a happy note, however, one more day to go. I rarely dread Fridays, but this week, I make an exception. What I hate more than going to the doctor's is going to the doctors in Taiwan, something I've gotta do tomorrow morning. Okay, time to redirect my focus to something more favorable - Sarah arrives in one week!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Cool.
Yesterday I was bestowed with good news not once, but twice. One of my best friends from the U.S. bought her ticket and is coming for a visit and a NZ photo of mine has been included in a newly released Christchurch guide.
Sarah-babey is coming to Taiwan - woo-hoo! Yeah, I'm beaming slightly. A friend from home is coming for a visit and in just 2 weeks - eek! - so much to do, but how exciting! The timing is great. She arrives on Moon Festival Day which means a 3 day weekend for me. Sadly, the day probably won't wind down by eating bbq and wearing pomelo peels on our heads under the full moon, traditions for such a holiday, but it's bound to be an exciting weekend nonetheless. Better still is another built-in day off while she's here, Double 10, Taiwan's national holiday. (Glad we'll be out of Taipei for that one, kid.)
As for the photo, that process began over the summer when I was approached about permission to have a photo considered for an upcoming Christchurch city guide. I had almost forgotten about it until I received word this week that is was accepted for inclusion and appears in the new guide. It's by far not one of my favorite trip photos, however, I guess it happened to be of something they were looking for.
Yesterday I was bestowed with good news not once, but twice. One of my best friends from the U.S. bought her ticket and is coming for a visit and a NZ photo of mine has been included in a newly released Christchurch guide.
Sarah-babey is coming to Taiwan - woo-hoo! Yeah, I'm beaming slightly. A friend from home is coming for a visit and in just 2 weeks - eek! - so much to do, but how exciting! The timing is great. She arrives on Moon Festival Day which means a 3 day weekend for me. Sadly, the day probably won't wind down by eating bbq and wearing pomelo peels on our heads under the full moon, traditions for such a holiday, but it's bound to be an exciting weekend nonetheless. Better still is another built-in day off while she's here, Double 10, Taiwan's national holiday. (Glad we'll be out of Taipei for that one, kid.)
As for the photo, that process began over the summer when I was approached about permission to have a photo considered for an upcoming Christchurch city guide. I had almost forgotten about it until I received word this week that is was accepted for inclusion and appears in the new guide. It's by far not one of my favorite trip photos, however, I guess it happened to be of something they were looking for.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
and now... i've seen it all
I thought I had witnessed the most interesting dog-in-traffic senario the time I saw a man stuff his compact canine into his scooter seat, close the lid, and drive off. That one beat out the time it appearred that an English Sheepdog was driving a scooter as it stood on the floor with front paws on the handles while its peitite owner was behind it somewhere buried in a mass of flying fur. However, based on this afternoon's traffic encounter, I've surely seen it all.
In Taiwan, we have a plethera of what we refer to as "blue trucks." They're a small delivery/service/construction/makeshift-food-or-produce-stand type of pick-up truck, invariably painted blue. They have a rep for having careless, accident causing, often betel nut chewing, drivers. Yesterday, one such truck was ahead of me at a red light. Nothing unusal about that, expect perhaps that the truck was stopped at the light instead of trying to barrel through, but I digress. No, the unusual part was that a medium sized dog was sitting on the roof of the truck - not in the bed, but on the roof of the cab. The dog looked around lazily and yawned while the growing pack of scooter riders pointed and stared. As the light changed to green and the truck proceeded onward, what should the dog do but rise to its feet and stand, roof-surfing, as the truck made its way through traffic winding and weaving. True to blue truck driver fashion, the driver made wild illegal turns and sudden breaks. How that dog stayed aloft standing on the roof is beyond me. What a moment to not have a camera.
I thought I had witnessed the most interesting dog-in-traffic senario the time I saw a man stuff his compact canine into his scooter seat, close the lid, and drive off. That one beat out the time it appearred that an English Sheepdog was driving a scooter as it stood on the floor with front paws on the handles while its peitite owner was behind it somewhere buried in a mass of flying fur. However, based on this afternoon's traffic encounter, I've surely seen it all.
In Taiwan, we have a plethera of what we refer to as "blue trucks." They're a small delivery/service/construction/makeshift-food-or-produce-stand type of pick-up truck, invariably painted blue. They have a rep for having careless, accident causing, often betel nut chewing, drivers. Yesterday, one such truck was ahead of me at a red light. Nothing unusal about that, expect perhaps that the truck was stopped at the light instead of trying to barrel through, but I digress. No, the unusual part was that a medium sized dog was sitting on the roof of the truck - not in the bed, but on the roof of the cab. The dog looked around lazily and yawned while the growing pack of scooter riders pointed and stared. As the light changed to green and the truck proceeded onward, what should the dog do but rise to its feet and stand, roof-surfing, as the truck made its way through traffic winding and weaving. True to blue truck driver fashion, the driver made wild illegal turns and sudden breaks. How that dog stayed aloft standing on the roof is beyond me. What a moment to not have a camera.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Instant Success
Ever find yourself wishing you could have instant success?
Well, now you can! Just head on down to your local Taiwanese baking supply store and get yourself a box today.
What must be baking powder, or baking soda, is a box labeled Instant Success. Though I've seen it here for several years, I still crack a smile when I pass it in the aisle.
Why didn't some marketing genius in the US think of this, or perhaps one had? Just think of the possibilities - All you need to make the perfect cake is a pinch of Instant Success. Sounds like something right out of the 1940's or 50's.
Ever find yourself wishing you could have instant success?
Well, now you can! Just head on down to your local Taiwanese baking supply store and get yourself a box today.
What must be baking powder, or baking soda, is a box labeled Instant Success. Though I've seen it here for several years, I still crack a smile when I pass it in the aisle.
Why didn't some marketing genius in the US think of this, or perhaps one had? Just think of the possibilities - All you need to make the perfect cake is a pinch of Instant Success. Sounds like something right out of the 1940's or 50's.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Blest Be the Tie
I was reminded of a favorite hymn as I played a cd this evening that was given me over the summer. The cd consists of guitar music performed by a member of my home church - mostly the musician's favorite hymns and some patriotic stuff, but I've been enjoying it greatly nonetheless. When it reached track 10: Blest Be the Tie, I was flooded with memories of singing that tune in church, especially during times when the church or its members were facing hardships. It's amazing now to reflect upon those times and see how things have changed or unfolded since then. What a joy it is to see how God worked through some of those challenges.
The song also brings a touch of comfort. Hearing someone I know, someone I even had weeknight "jam" sessions with on my bass, made home feel not so far away and somehow makes Heaven feel not so far away either. It's cool to think of the ties that bind us to others - others across town, across the country, across the world. This summer Becky, Rick and I had the opportunity to share a bit of our life, work, and ministry in Taiwan with our home church. It was great to form stronger ties with those already connect to us as prayer partners and wonderful to make new ties.
Finally, despite my current longings to be home experiencing a beautiful Fall, the song serves as a reminder that my delight should be found in the Lord, that my heart should be set on Heaven.
1.Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
2. Before our Father's throne,
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts, and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
-John Fawcett, 1782
I was reminded of a favorite hymn as I played a cd this evening that was given me over the summer. The cd consists of guitar music performed by a member of my home church - mostly the musician's favorite hymns and some patriotic stuff, but I've been enjoying it greatly nonetheless. When it reached track 10: Blest Be the Tie, I was flooded with memories of singing that tune in church, especially during times when the church or its members were facing hardships. It's amazing now to reflect upon those times and see how things have changed or unfolded since then. What a joy it is to see how God worked through some of those challenges.
The song also brings a touch of comfort. Hearing someone I know, someone I even had weeknight "jam" sessions with on my bass, made home feel not so far away and somehow makes Heaven feel not so far away either. It's cool to think of the ties that bind us to others - others across town, across the country, across the world. This summer Becky, Rick and I had the opportunity to share a bit of our life, work, and ministry in Taiwan with our home church. It was great to form stronger ties with those already connect to us as prayer partners and wonderful to make new ties.
Finally, despite my current longings to be home experiencing a beautiful Fall, the song serves as a reminder that my delight should be found in the Lord, that my heart should be set on Heaven.
1.Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
2. Before our Father's throne,
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts, and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
-John Fawcett, 1782
What a great reminder that no matter what far reaches of the earth I find myself, I am tied to those who lift me up in prayer and to those I pray for, bound to others by burdens shared, and joined with hearts in friendship and love.
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