Taiwan - Best Trip in the World Contest

In an effort to let more people around the world know that Taiwan is a terrific place to travel, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has decided to launch a "Best Trip in the World" contest. The Tourism Bureau is inviting people from around the world to form their own teams of at least 2 people to put together and submit a money-saving, yet fun and creative way to spend 4 days in Taiwan. Of the entrants, 50 teams with the best itineraries will be selected to actually come to Taiwan and complete their proposed 4 day itinerary (while blogging and video-logging daily) for the chance to ultimately win $1,000,000 NT (about $30,000 US) and a month of travel in Taiwan. The 50 teams will be announced on July 10, and the teams have until August 31 to complete their 4-day trip. The winner of the Best Trip contest will be announced on November 15.

So, why am I telling you this? Well, despite the fact that over 700 teams have already signed up (the deadline is June 30), I'm just crazy enough to throw my hat into the ring as well! That's right, I've decided to put together a team, called the Southern Belles, consisting of my mom and myself. Since her visit to Taiwan a few years ago, I've been hoping she'd have the chance to come again. We had been talking about her possibly visiting this summer, so when I saw the listing for the contest, I decided to seize the opportunity in hopes that we'd be selected and she'd have an even better excuse to join me here this summer! While selection to participate does depend largely on the creativity and feasibility of the itinerary we submit, part of the contest does consist of online voting, as the main goal of the competition is to spread the word and generate interest in Taiwan as a tourist destination. And so, I'm asking that you check out our contest page and vote for us!

We're thrilled about the possibility to compete and excitedly awaiting the July 10th announcement! We appreciate your support and votes and will keep you updated as things progress.

Taiwan Best Trip - Southern Belles team video!

Check out the video, and don't forget to VOTE FOR US! Thanks!!!

Something While You Wait

Oh wow, has it really been nearly a year since my last post! Where has the time gone?!?
Sadly, now is not the best time to play catch-up as a busy schedule has a way of getting even busier during the holiday season. However, in order to keep myself going, I do find it necessary to occasionally pause and enjoy a seasonal favorite. And so, in the spirit of the season of giving and sharing, I wish to share with you a few December delights from my childhood. Okay, granted they weren't created during my childhood, however, they were nonetheless a part of what made Christmastime special in our house.

Three Cheers for the Band

What better way to initiate my comeback than by making a band. Thanks for the idea knomat!

Here's how it works:

1. Band name: Use the name of the article from the first random wikipedia page you load when clicking here.
2. Album name: Use the last four words of the last quote on this random quote page.
3. Album cover: Search using the last word from your album name on this page. When the results appear, use the third image from the top of the list as your album cover. Don't forget to give attribution.
   
4. Assemble the cover in Photoshop (or whatever) as you wish and post it on your blog. Please track back to this post or knomat's post.

So, here are my results:

1. Band Name: Aethelswih
2. Album Name: “All of the Answers“ (don't you know it!)
   
3. Album Cover: decisions . . . decisions by piX1966's

And the Album Cover . . . (drum roll, please) . . .

You know you're tired when . . .

. . . you realize you were just asleep while standing in the aisle of an all night dollar store at 1:00 a.m.

The past few weeks may have been busy, but this week is a marathon. On the agenda:
prop making
costume making
puppet stage constructing
wrapping
shopping
gift making
hosting a Christmas dinner for 25
cleaning
snow globe and card making with students
writing cards
sending mail
celebrating birthdays (5 friends in the same week!)
first Christmas ministry performances (for several hundred kids on Friday)
egg nog making
holiday baking

oh, and going to work! i've yet to figure out where sleep factors in, but i think that's what Sunday will be for, if I make it.

sorry i've been too busy to do much posting. please don't give up on me just yet.
hope your holiday season is progressing nicely.

elf yourself!

Deviating from the December to-do's, I had fun wasting way too much time getting elfed yesterday. Thanks mom and dad for the excuse to procrastinate!

C is for . . .

change. inevitable, ever present, unavoidable change. sometimes there's cause for embrace. and other times, cause to draw the blinds, curl up beneath the covers of a comfy bed, and drown out the world with movies or music.
change is coming. i can feel it in the air.
i can see it - at work, at home, along the streets, within me.
for now, i'm setting my face to the wind and waiting to see what happens.