Thursday, July 31, 2008
it's just a little crush.
One of my friends is always going on about this Taiwanese pop star, Jay Chou. She made me watch a movie that he starred in (and wrote, and directed, and produced...) called "The Secret." I will buy it and probably make all of you watch it when I get home, because now I'm a little bit in love with him. *sigh*
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
typhoon shmyphoon!
So I had the day off yesterday because of the typhoon. What a joke! It didn't even rain! It was a little windy, I guess, but nothing bad. I think the other side of the island was hit harder. I'm still waiting to see a real typhoon... they always seem to fizzle out by the time they hit our corner. My friend and I went to Taipei and wandered around and had dinner at a Persian restaurant and it was delicious.
Last night I couldn't fall asleep so I got up and was checking something on the internet. I kept feeling something on my foot, and I looked down and saw the massive shadow of a cockroach. I tried not to scream (it was 3 AM and I didn't want to wake anyone) but I was totally freaked. I turned on my light and of course, he disappeared. I looked and looked, and finally went to sleep with my light on (they hate lights) and an eye pillow over my eyes. Another great nights' sleep...
In a few hours I'm teaching a yoga class--my first one in Taiwan--at a studio across the street. I've told several other teachers about it but I have no idea who will show up, but I'm excited about the prospect of teaching something besides English these days.
On August 1st, a one-month holiday begins, which is like a "vacation for the ghosts," so I've been told. Every year for a month, the spirits get "let out" and can do whatever they want. People bring them food and clothing and other offerings at the temples. They can make mischief, I guess... consider yourself warned! :-)
Last night I couldn't fall asleep so I got up and was checking something on the internet. I kept feeling something on my foot, and I looked down and saw the massive shadow of a cockroach. I tried not to scream (it was 3 AM and I didn't want to wake anyone) but I was totally freaked. I turned on my light and of course, he disappeared. I looked and looked, and finally went to sleep with my light on (they hate lights) and an eye pillow over my eyes. Another great nights' sleep...
In a few hours I'm teaching a yoga class--my first one in Taiwan--at a studio across the street. I've told several other teachers about it but I have no idea who will show up, but I'm excited about the prospect of teaching something besides English these days.
On August 1st, a one-month holiday begins, which is like a "vacation for the ghosts," so I've been told. Every year for a month, the spirits get "let out" and can do whatever they want. People bring them food and clothing and other offerings at the temples. They can make mischief, I guess... consider yourself warned! :-)
Monday, July 28, 2008
like a snow day... only not!
The word is out--school is canceled tomorrow (meaning I don't have to work)--Typhoon Day! I'm excited... right now (1:30 AM) it's just raining and sounds really windy, but I think tomorrow the rain will get heavier and the wind stronger. Everything shuts down when there's a typhoon. I'm looking forward to sleeping in, practicing yoga, reading, doing some laundry...
On Saturday I went to a yoga workshop at the place I go in Taipei (Pure Yoga), given by Seane Corn, who is internationally known in the yoga world. She's a beautiful woman, a gifted teacher, and also an ambassador for YouthAIDS, along with Ashley Judd. Seane also has an organization called "Off The Mat, Into The World," that I've known about for some time. She works with children who have been rescued from human trafficking in India, Cambodia, and the U.S.A. This is something I've been passionate about for years. Someday I hope to do movement therapy, dance, and yoga with the rescued children. Anywhere I can.
The workshop was small and intimate--only 12 people. I would never have had that chance in America. The discussion was about the chakras (energy centers in the body). It was really interesting and several things she said resonated with my philosophy about the body-mind connection, awareness, and healing.
She talked about how, when we reflect on an experience, we frequently label it "good" or "bad." If we can, instead, be grateful, knowing that God is giving us exactly what we need at the moment--an opportunity to grow and change. Pain brings our attention to the places in our lives that need more awareness. When we are going through a difficult time--maybe an illness, a loss, stress, change--we often ignore the "darker" emotions like anger, fear, resentment, hatred, and grief. Or we try to numb them. While we aren't dealing with the issues, our bodies still have to. Tension accumulates in different parts of the body, and can cause a wide range of maladies. Of course, not every physical problem is a result of a "heart" issue, but certainly many are. Along with this she talked about forgiveness, and it's importance to your health. In her words, "forgive. it's the hardest yoga you will ever practice."
After the workshop I was able to talk to her for a little while. (Most of the other students had to ask questions through a translator. My desire to work with the human trafficking issues was reaffirmed and I'm inspired to look for opportunities as soon as I can (most likely back in the U.S., though).
Last week was a bit of a rough one, so I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to meet Seane and for an extra-long weekend, thanks to the typhoon!
On Saturday I went to a yoga workshop at the place I go in Taipei (Pure Yoga), given by Seane Corn, who is internationally known in the yoga world. She's a beautiful woman, a gifted teacher, and also an ambassador for YouthAIDS, along with Ashley Judd. Seane also has an organization called "Off The Mat, Into The World," that I've known about for some time. She works with children who have been rescued from human trafficking in India, Cambodia, and the U.S.A. This is something I've been passionate about for years. Someday I hope to do movement therapy, dance, and yoga with the rescued children. Anywhere I can.
The workshop was small and intimate--only 12 people. I would never have had that chance in America. The discussion was about the chakras (energy centers in the body). It was really interesting and several things she said resonated with my philosophy about the body-mind connection, awareness, and healing.
She talked about how, when we reflect on an experience, we frequently label it "good" or "bad." If we can, instead, be grateful, knowing that God is giving us exactly what we need at the moment--an opportunity to grow and change. Pain brings our attention to the places in our lives that need more awareness. When we are going through a difficult time--maybe an illness, a loss, stress, change--we often ignore the "darker" emotions like anger, fear, resentment, hatred, and grief. Or we try to numb them. While we aren't dealing with the issues, our bodies still have to. Tension accumulates in different parts of the body, and can cause a wide range of maladies. Of course, not every physical problem is a result of a "heart" issue, but certainly many are. Along with this she talked about forgiveness, and it's importance to your health. In her words, "forgive. it's the hardest yoga you will ever practice."
After the workshop I was able to talk to her for a little while. (Most of the other students had to ask questions through a translator. My desire to work with the human trafficking issues was reaffirmed and I'm inspired to look for opportunities as soon as I can (most likely back in the U.S., though).
Last week was a bit of a rough one, so I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to meet Seane and for an extra-long weekend, thanks to the typhoon!
Seane Corn (great hair, hmm!?)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
what's red, white, and sticky like maple syrup?
A few days ago, one of my "floor-mates" (a Scottish girl) and I were sitting in the living room talking about Taiwanese relationships--observations pieced together from talking to our Taiwanese friends and from noticing boyfriends and girlfriends walking around.
Then another guy who lives on our floor walked in (who is from another English-speaking country in North America, but not the U.S.-- I'll leave it at that) and jumped into the conversation. He was strongly disagreeing with our perceptions, which is fine, but he started acting really argumentative about it.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, he blurts out, "Americans are always so quick to compare! They're always comparing themselves with everything and everyone!" I was speechless, actually, though there were many things I could have said in response. Was he not, then, comparing Americans with his "own culture?" And what about Scottish? (She had actually been saying more than I was during our conversation)
I know that America isn't the most popular kid on the block these days, but I was a little offended. It's never the best idea to make an ignorant, generalizing statement about someone's culture to their face. (However, when appropriate, I think it's okay to criticize your own country's shortcomings, as you know it inside and out, and are therefore qualified to point out the good and bad) I can't imagine what he would have said if I'd made a similar comment about his homeland, but I guarantee it wouldn't have been pretty.
In an honest attempt to find the grain of salt seasoning his accusation, I took an inventory of my starry-striped heart. Is there something about where I'm from that makes me ultra-sensitive to differences? Do I quickly point out contrasts that elevate my own ideals, values, traditions, and culture? Do I act smug or superior in light of the differences?
No, no, and no. I think that traveling inspires an awareness... a soul-searching that requires both outer and inner observance. If you don't notice the differences, how can you treasure the undercurrent of sameness in the human race? I can appreciate a warm hug and the language-less story told by children's laughter with more depth because of the "foreign" context. I see a little girl at the park with her father. When she falls and starts to cry, and he scoops her up in his arms, I may not understand the Mandarin he uses to soothe her, and I don't know what expectations he has for his daughter's life or what obligations she will have in her family as she grows up, but... I see the tenderness in his eyes and the protective hand wiping away her tears, and her relief as her father makes everything okay again. And I'm not looking at black hair or creamy olive skin. I'm seeing a father who loves his little girl the way my father loves me. That's connecting, not comparing.
You learn where you come from only after you're no longer there. You understand your own culture better when you're away from it. And you see deeper into yourself when the mirror isn't so familiar. If I am quick to compare, maybe it's just my personality--not a result of where my passport was issued from. And because I've been to lots of places, there are lots of things in the mix when I'm observing people. I'm not necessarily thinking about my kinsmen on the Iowan prairies! Maybe I'm thinking of Ugandans or Costa Ricans or wealthy Chicago suburbians.
So, while I'm not sure what triggered my co-worker's rant, or his openly sour attitude towards Americans, I never really answered his accusation. (I was too taken aback) He'll never read this, which is fine... but I'd like to say that yes, I do compare. But not because I bleed red, white, and blue. Just because I think people are an amazing invention, complicated creatures sprinkled haphazardly around the earth in a stunning display of God's creativity. And I sometimes point out the differences, not with judgment, but with curiosity and celebration. If that makes me a loud, obnoxious American, then God Save the Queen!
Then another guy who lives on our floor walked in (who is from another English-speaking country in North America, but not the U.S.-- I'll leave it at that) and jumped into the conversation. He was strongly disagreeing with our perceptions, which is fine, but he started acting really argumentative about it.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, he blurts out, "Americans are always so quick to compare! They're always comparing themselves with everything and everyone!" I was speechless, actually, though there were many things I could have said in response. Was he not, then, comparing Americans with his "own culture?" And what about Scottish? (She had actually been saying more than I was during our conversation)
I know that America isn't the most popular kid on the block these days, but I was a little offended. It's never the best idea to make an ignorant, generalizing statement about someone's culture to their face. (However, when appropriate, I think it's okay to criticize your own country's shortcomings, as you know it inside and out, and are therefore qualified to point out the good and bad) I can't imagine what he would have said if I'd made a similar comment about his homeland, but I guarantee it wouldn't have been pretty.
In an honest attempt to find the grain of salt seasoning his accusation, I took an inventory of my starry-striped heart. Is there something about where I'm from that makes me ultra-sensitive to differences? Do I quickly point out contrasts that elevate my own ideals, values, traditions, and culture? Do I act smug or superior in light of the differences?
No, no, and no. I think that traveling inspires an awareness... a soul-searching that requires both outer and inner observance. If you don't notice the differences, how can you treasure the undercurrent of sameness in the human race? I can appreciate a warm hug and the language-less story told by children's laughter with more depth because of the "foreign" context. I see a little girl at the park with her father. When she falls and starts to cry, and he scoops her up in his arms, I may not understand the Mandarin he uses to soothe her, and I don't know what expectations he has for his daughter's life or what obligations she will have in her family as she grows up, but... I see the tenderness in his eyes and the protective hand wiping away her tears, and her relief as her father makes everything okay again. And I'm not looking at black hair or creamy olive skin. I'm seeing a father who loves his little girl the way my father loves me. That's connecting, not comparing.
You learn where you come from only after you're no longer there. You understand your own culture better when you're away from it. And you see deeper into yourself when the mirror isn't so familiar. If I am quick to compare, maybe it's just my personality--not a result of where my passport was issued from. And because I've been to lots of places, there are lots of things in the mix when I'm observing people. I'm not necessarily thinking about my kinsmen on the Iowan prairies! Maybe I'm thinking of Ugandans or Costa Ricans or wealthy Chicago suburbians.
So, while I'm not sure what triggered my co-worker's rant, or his openly sour attitude towards Americans, I never really answered his accusation. (I was too taken aback) He'll never read this, which is fine... but I'd like to say that yes, I do compare. But not because I bleed red, white, and blue. Just because I think people are an amazing invention, complicated creatures sprinkled haphazardly around the earth in a stunning display of God's creativity. And I sometimes point out the differences, not with judgment, but with curiosity and celebration. If that makes me a loud, obnoxious American, then God Save the Queen!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
sometimes it doesn't take much.
(to make my day!)
erica and jocelyn sent me a package with two bottles of "jergen's natural glow" and a bunch of stickers (for my students). why tanning lotion, you are wondering? well, i usually use it in america and like the "healthy tan" look. here in taiwan, WHITE is the new TAN! the drugstores are filled with whitening lotions, soaps, creams, pills, and powders. people use "sunbrellas" to protect themselves from the sun, and big hats, long sleeves, and gloves, even in the hottest heat. i'm sure the skin cancer rates are low, and old people don't have many wrinkles, but... whitening creams? come on!
okay, i have to go to bed... make sure you read the blog UNDER the one about josef's birthday--it's new!
erica and jocelyn sent me a package with two bottles of "jergen's natural glow" and a bunch of stickers (for my students). why tanning lotion, you are wondering? well, i usually use it in america and like the "healthy tan" look. here in taiwan, WHITE is the new TAN! the drugstores are filled with whitening lotions, soaps, creams, pills, and powders. people use "sunbrellas" to protect themselves from the sun, and big hats, long sleeves, and gloves, even in the hottest heat. i'm sure the skin cancer rates are low, and old people don't have many wrinkles, but... whitening creams? come on!
okay, i have to go to bed... make sure you read the blog UNDER the one about josef's birthday--it's new!
lingonberry therapy
I am having some drama with my ARC process (Alien Resident Card). My school gave me the wrong paperwork, and as a result I've wasted several days and journeys to Taoyuan City, and am facing a $60-90 fine, which is technically not my fault.
Anyway, the red tape is beside the point. In Taoyuan, there is an Ikea, so when I had to go there today I treated myself to a stroll through Ikea and a yummy Swedish lunch. It felt so good to walk around somewhere so familiar and I felt extra-Swedish in the crowd of black-haired Taiwanese shopping and eating.
I bought myself some crispbread and lingonberry jam to comfort me after yet another unsuccessful ARC run. I ate it tonight, dipping the familiar triangles of crispbread in plain yogurt and tart lingonberry jam. Ahh, comfort food.
Ikea in Taiwan... what could be better?
Anyway, the red tape is beside the point. In Taoyuan, there is an Ikea, so when I had to go there today I treated myself to a stroll through Ikea and a yummy Swedish lunch. It felt so good to walk around somewhere so familiar and I felt extra-Swedish in the crowd of black-haired Taiwanese shopping and eating.
I bought myself some crispbread and lingonberry jam to comfort me after yet another unsuccessful ARC run. I ate it tonight, dipping the familiar triangles of crispbread in plain yogurt and tart lingonberry jam. Ahh, comfort food.
Ikea in Taiwan... what could be better?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
13 going on...?
July 17, 1995
I was going to be in the room when he was born. The night before, when it was time to leave for the hospital, I was invited to go with, and I slept on a cot next to my dad in my mom's room. The hospital's air conditioner was broken, so it was freezing cold, and all night long my dad and I fought over the thin blanket stretched between us.
The next day I waited and waited. Pacing the halls with my mom began to get very boring. I had memorized the pieces of "art" on the walls and had enough of hospital snack food. Outside it was hot and sunny--a perfect summer day. When I got a call from a friend inviting me to go to the swimming pool, I decided to go--surely my new little brother could wait a few more hours.
But he didn't! He was born while I was sliding down the water slide at the Boone pool, my shoulders turning pink in the sun.
Today he turns 13--the age I was when he was born. I hope it is a perfect summer day in Iowa, like it was the day he was born. A perfect day for skateboarding with friends, eating melty pizza at a park, washing it down with a sno-cone.
Josef, I love you and miss you every day. I am so happy you're my brother, even though I'm so much older than you and have been gone so much. You know I always come back. :o)
生日快乐!
I was going to be in the room when he was born. The night before, when it was time to leave for the hospital, I was invited to go with, and I slept on a cot next to my dad in my mom's room. The hospital's air conditioner was broken, so it was freezing cold, and all night long my dad and I fought over the thin blanket stretched between us.
The next day I waited and waited. Pacing the halls with my mom began to get very boring. I had memorized the pieces of "art" on the walls and had enough of hospital snack food. Outside it was hot and sunny--a perfect summer day. When I got a call from a friend inviting me to go to the swimming pool, I decided to go--surely my new little brother could wait a few more hours.
But he didn't! He was born while I was sliding down the water slide at the Boone pool, my shoulders turning pink in the sun.
Today he turns 13--the age I was when he was born. I hope it is a perfect summer day in Iowa, like it was the day he was born. A perfect day for skateboarding with friends, eating melty pizza at a park, washing it down with a sno-cone.
Josef, I love you and miss you every day. I am so happy you're my brother, even though I'm so much older than you and have been gone so much. You know I always come back. :o)
生日快乐!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
full moon, full weekend, full heart
I'm getting worse at this writing thing... for one thing, it seems like I'm either busy or sleeping. And secondly, my English is on a downward slope. It takes me a while to form an intelligent sentence, after spending most of my time helping kids repeat very simple words, or hanging out with my (incredible and amazing) Taiwanese friends--they just speak a little English, so I have to say everything in present tense in it's most simplified form. So please forgive me if my writing skills start to take on a strange flavor of illiteracy!
Last weekend (the 12-14th), I went to Tainan, a city on the southwest coast of Taiwan. It's the oldest city in Taiwan--where people first settled, and boasts many historic buildings, temples, and relics from hundreds of years ago. In the 1600s, the Dutch controlled the island, until it was taken over by the Japanese, and then China, and so on. Anyway--enough about history!
On Saturday after my morning class (a one-on-one lesson with a 12-year-old girl who wants to "improve her verbal communication" but doesn't want to speak at all), I got my things together and took a cab to Taoyuan, to the High Speed Rail station. It's like a star-ship station of the future! Crazy. If you're really bored, you can watch a video of it here: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gb7UytuRXk4&feature=related
The trip only took an hour and a half! Taking the "regular" train is more like 4 hours. Jin, her boyfriend Tercar, and their two friends Stephen and Sorry (yes... her name is Sorry) picked me up from the HSR station in Tainan.
As Jin goes home once a month to visit her family, I assumed that me joining her this month would be just that--tagging along and hanging out with the family. I soon realized that the whole weekend had been planned around me--showing me the best sights in Tainan, feeding me the best food in Tainan, and showing me the best "Southern" hospitality. Her parents were precious--though they didn't speak English, they were amazing hosts. The first night, Jin's mother made homemade spring rolls, and we stuffed ourselves with them before a long night of karaoke (in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English). Jin's dad is a rock star! I love that laughter and dance are universal and transcend language.
On Sunday night, our last hurrah was to go to the famous Tainan night market. There were some blind masseuses and I decided to get a 10-minute back massage (for about $3!) The idea was that these masseuses are very intuitive because they can't see. Sounded good! I wanted to have a good massage after my previous encounter with Taiwanese "therapy."
I sat down on the chair and leaned forward, resting my face on a pillow. My friends stayed with me in case I needed a translator to say "too hard!" The pressure was good and she was really working out some big knots in my back. However, every time she went over a certain point near my shoulder, I instantly felt queasy, and at another point closer to my mid-back, my throat hurt. I just assumed that the toxins were starting to move through my bloodstream... plus, it had been a few long, hot days walking around in the sun. When the masseuse finished, I stood up, thanked her, and immediately fainted.
When I woke up, I was surrounded by my friends and about 4,109 other people staring at me. Jin was shaking and crying and saying my name over and over. People were shoving things at me like chocolates, other sugary snacks, a cloth to wipe the cold sweat away, and a huge glass of tepid water. I tried to reassure everyone that I was fine and asked how long I'd been out. They said "less than ten minutes." Wow. I realized that my feet felt strange. I looked down and saw scrapes all over the top of my feet from when I fell forward.
After I had finished my warm water, I was whisked home--no more night market for me! By the time we arrived back at Jin's house, her entire neighborhood knew what happened. Jin's mom gave me more water and her family sat with me. They sent me to take a shower when I felt steady enough. When I was clean and calm, they called me in to Jin's brother's room for a "family meeting." Jin, Tercar, Jin's brother Jared, and her parents sat me down and presented me with a "notice" they had printed out from their computer. On one half were the words "faint," "need sugar," "need water," etc, and next to them, the Chinese translations. Next, they told me they had a short movie for me to watch, that Jin's brother made for me. We gathered around the large computer monitor and someone shut the lights off. The familiar "20th Century Entertainment" logo flashed across the screen in gold and black, spotlights swaying. And then... "Elly in Tainan: By Jared" in bold red letters. The film was set to music (a lot of Bon Jovi as Jared had asked me about my favorite music earlier that weekend!) and first, a picture of my family came up. I'd brought some pictures of my family and friends, as Jin mentioned her parents wanted to see some, and Jared had "borrowed" them secretly for this project! I had to fight back tears... I was totally exhausted from the weekend and the fainting, and overwhelmed by how kind everyone had been... and now this--seeing my beautiful family and friends splashed across the screen, fading in and out with Jon Bon Jovi singing his heart out in the background. After the shots of my family, the rest of the movie was pictures and video from the weekend. It was really incredible. Maybe one of the best presents I've ever received--and from a family I'd known for a few days.
Taiwan's tourism slogan is "Taiwan: Touch Your Heart." Now I understand why. *sigh*... yet another place has managed to wiggle its way into my heart and wrap warm arms around my spirit... how can I fall in love with so many cultures? I'm hopeless...
If you have Facebook, check out my photo album from my Tainan weekend!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33028&l=02c44&id=516480291
Last weekend (the 12-14th), I went to Tainan, a city on the southwest coast of Taiwan. It's the oldest city in Taiwan--where people first settled, and boasts many historic buildings, temples, and relics from hundreds of years ago. In the 1600s, the Dutch controlled the island, until it was taken over by the Japanese, and then China, and so on. Anyway--enough about history!
On Saturday after my morning class (a one-on-one lesson with a 12-year-old girl who wants to "improve her verbal communication" but doesn't want to speak at all), I got my things together and took a cab to Taoyuan, to the High Speed Rail station. It's like a star-ship station of the future! Crazy. If you're really bored, you can watch a video of it here: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gb7UytuRXk4&feature=related
The trip only took an hour and a half! Taking the "regular" train is more like 4 hours. Jin, her boyfriend Tercar, and their two friends Stephen and Sorry (yes... her name is Sorry) picked me up from the HSR station in Tainan.
As Jin goes home once a month to visit her family, I assumed that me joining her this month would be just that--tagging along and hanging out with the family. I soon realized that the whole weekend had been planned around me--showing me the best sights in Tainan, feeding me the best food in Tainan, and showing me the best "Southern" hospitality. Her parents were precious--though they didn't speak English, they were amazing hosts. The first night, Jin's mother made homemade spring rolls, and we stuffed ourselves with them before a long night of karaoke (in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English). Jin's dad is a rock star! I love that laughter and dance are universal and transcend language.
On Sunday night, our last hurrah was to go to the famous Tainan night market. There were some blind masseuses and I decided to get a 10-minute back massage (for about $3!) The idea was that these masseuses are very intuitive because they can't see. Sounded good! I wanted to have a good massage after my previous encounter with Taiwanese "therapy."
I sat down on the chair and leaned forward, resting my face on a pillow. My friends stayed with me in case I needed a translator to say "too hard!" The pressure was good and she was really working out some big knots in my back. However, every time she went over a certain point near my shoulder, I instantly felt queasy, and at another point closer to my mid-back, my throat hurt. I just assumed that the toxins were starting to move through my bloodstream... plus, it had been a few long, hot days walking around in the sun. When the masseuse finished, I stood up, thanked her, and immediately fainted.
When I woke up, I was surrounded by my friends and about 4,109 other people staring at me. Jin was shaking and crying and saying my name over and over. People were shoving things at me like chocolates, other sugary snacks, a cloth to wipe the cold sweat away, and a huge glass of tepid water. I tried to reassure everyone that I was fine and asked how long I'd been out. They said "less than ten minutes." Wow. I realized that my feet felt strange. I looked down and saw scrapes all over the top of my feet from when I fell forward.
After I had finished my warm water, I was whisked home--no more night market for me! By the time we arrived back at Jin's house, her entire neighborhood knew what happened. Jin's mom gave me more water and her family sat with me. They sent me to take a shower when I felt steady enough. When I was clean and calm, they called me in to Jin's brother's room for a "family meeting." Jin, Tercar, Jin's brother Jared, and her parents sat me down and presented me with a "notice" they had printed out from their computer. On one half were the words "faint," "need sugar," "need water," etc, and next to them, the Chinese translations. Next, they told me they had a short movie for me to watch, that Jin's brother made for me. We gathered around the large computer monitor and someone shut the lights off. The familiar "20th Century Entertainment" logo flashed across the screen in gold and black, spotlights swaying. And then... "Elly in Tainan: By Jared" in bold red letters. The film was set to music (a lot of Bon Jovi as Jared had asked me about my favorite music earlier that weekend!) and first, a picture of my family came up. I'd brought some pictures of my family and friends, as Jin mentioned her parents wanted to see some, and Jared had "borrowed" them secretly for this project! I had to fight back tears... I was totally exhausted from the weekend and the fainting, and overwhelmed by how kind everyone had been... and now this--seeing my beautiful family and friends splashed across the screen, fading in and out with Jon Bon Jovi singing his heart out in the background. After the shots of my family, the rest of the movie was pictures and video from the weekend. It was really incredible. Maybe one of the best presents I've ever received--and from a family I'd known for a few days.
Taiwan's tourism slogan is "Taiwan: Touch Your Heart." Now I understand why. *sigh*... yet another place has managed to wiggle its way into my heart and wrap warm arms around my spirit... how can I fall in love with so many cultures? I'm hopeless...
If you have Facebook, check out my photo album from my Tainan weekend!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33028&l=02c44&id=516480291
Saturday, July 12, 2008
a quick note!
I promise I will get back to last weekend... AFTER this weekend's trip! I'm leaving in a few minutes for Tainan, in the South, to visit my friend Jin's family. Apparently they're all quite excited and have been practicing saying "Good morning" and "Good evening!" (How cute is that!) Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and used to be the capital. I'm going by HSR (High Speed Rail), which I've heard is an experience in itself. Like flying an airplane... on the ground!
This weekend I will miss my Grandma Lovin's 80th birthday party... Happy Birthday Grandma! Your present will be in the mail soon... I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!
This weekend I will miss my Grandma Lovin's 80th birthday party... Happy Birthday Grandma! Your present will be in the mail soon... I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!
Monday, July 7, 2008
(part 2)
SATAY
on sunday afternoon, i got to eat Indonesian food at my friend Vivi's restaurant. i had rice and Indonesian salad with plenty of yummy peanut sauce. i drank a can of coconut water and also tried another drink that is supposed to cool off your insides when it's hot: condensed milk mixed with soda... i didn't love it! there were a few other people there, and it was fun to hear another language and see part of a subculture here in Taiwan.
sweet, satay, and sour (part 1)
SOUR
my weekend was Delightful, but at the present, i'm in a bit of a grumpy mood. so i'll get my complaining out of the way first. two things today that were very frustrating to me were:
1. this morning i took a cab to Long Tan to eat at my friend's Indonesian restaurant, and i would have taken a bus but was running a little late. i got a taxi from a little group of taxi-drivers who park by "my" bus stop, so i see them every day and they always greet me and one even gave me a bag of dried fruit once. the foreign teachers i live with give those guys lots of business so it seems we have a mutual good relationship, and the prices always seem fair. but today, i was taken on... shall we say, the "scenic route" to get to Long Tan. as soon as he made the first turn i knew something was up, and protested but he assured me that this way was better. it was most definitely not! better for him, maybe, because he could overcharge me! when we finally reached my destination, i paid what he asked for--i don't know enough Chinese to fight with a cab driver who i have to see every day. but it left me feeling helpless and taken advantage of. i know this isn't unique to Taiwan either--it's happened to me in Mexico, Costa Rica, and yeah, probably Chicago. but still...
2. tonight i went for a massage at a place that i walk by frequently. i'm always tempted--it's only about $30 for an hour, and no appointment is needed. i wasn't feeling energetic enough to go to Taipei for ballet class, so i figured i'd do some serious relaxing instead. i flip-flop-slipped through torrential downpour to get to the massage place this evening, thoroughly looking forward to my first Taiwanese massage. i was ushered into a small room by a small woman who didn't speak any English. i didn't think it'd be a problem--all i'd have to do is lay down and enjoy, right? bodyworkers should be intuitive beyond the language barrier. was i in for it! she mauled me. she was pushing so hard! usually when i get a massage, i ask the masseuse to press harder--i like it when they get into those deep muscles, but this was ridiculous. i stopped her a few times to explain that i wanted her to ease up, and she understood, but apparently kept forgetting. here's what my back looks like tonight:
that's not all of it, but you get the idea. my whole back is covered in splotchy, broken-vessel-bruises. i feel like i've been in a car accident, with that whip-lashed achiness. i'm guzzling loads of water. i would imagine that such pressure set free furious tribes of toxins to rush into my bloodstream. OUCH. it's so frustrating that i couldn't ask what kind of massage it was, or if she had any sort of training, or tell her i didn't get what i paid for, etc etc. but here i am, a foreigner who can't speak the language here, and so...
from time to time, i will get ripped off by cab drivers and beat up by tiny masseuses...
and there's really not that much i can do about it.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
pop-u-lar! you're gonna be pop-u-lar...!
...And if you know what musical that's from, you get an A+ from this teacher!
Anyway, my social calendar is starting to fill up from absolutely nothing to having to choose between many good things! As much as I love being alone and doing things alone, my inner extrovert has been pouting in a corner, waiting to go out and play.
This weekend my plans are as follows:
Friday night after teaching I will go to a mountain-top cafe in LongTan with my two new friends, Vivi (an Indonesian woman in her 30s who speaks English) and Jin (a Taiwanese girl, my age, who speaks a little English but is good with her pocket translator). They both work at a small clothes shop that I walk by on my way to work in LongTan. I stopped in once and ended up talking to them for a long time, and the rest is history! Today I showed them some pictures of my family, and they concluded that my parents look like movie stars. To be specific, Dad, you look like Nicholas Cage! After sipping "kaife" from high above LongTan, I will spend the night at Jin's apartment, so that...
Saturday morning (early) we will leave for the beach in Fulong, which is northeast of Taipei. Ohhh, am I excited to see the ocean! Jin's boyfriend and several of their friends are coming, too, for a day of sand volleyball and doing what everyone does at the beach. I am looking forward to hanging out with a group of people my age, despite the communication barriers. Beginning some relationships with Taiwanese people is something that's high on my priority list. I need to start learning some Chinese too--there's nothing like immersion!
Sunday, Vivi will take me to her family's Indonesian restaurant for lunch. She moved here when she was 18 and is married with three children. It should be wonderful--a culture within a culture! Sunday night I will go back to Taipei for a ballet class...
I continue to see God's faithfulness to me in this endeavor. At times I can't believe I went through with this and am still not quite sure how I ended up at this point. It's interesting to think about--the events that have led to me being here, playing sand volleyball on a beach in Taiwan with Jin and her friends during this 4th of July weekend (maybe we can get some sparklers, haha?). It's like one of those "choose your own ending" books that were all the rage when I was in elementary school... only in life, you never get to go back to Chapter 1 and re-do the whole adventure. You can only look over your shoulder and see the little twists and turns and curlicues in your path that, with some distance, look less like confused meanderings and more like intentional, confident progress.
My life is beginning to blossom again, here. Thriving in the humidity, spreading out and taking root in the fertile space left after a destructive stormy season. Now there is room for this. I find myself smiling for no reason, laughing often, feeling joy just being near my bright, beautiful students. Falling asleep satisfied and waking up eager. There is clarity to appreciate the past for giving me this present.
Anyway, my social calendar is starting to fill up from absolutely nothing to having to choose between many good things! As much as I love being alone and doing things alone, my inner extrovert has been pouting in a corner, waiting to go out and play.
This weekend my plans are as follows:
Friday night after teaching I will go to a mountain-top cafe in LongTan with my two new friends, Vivi (an Indonesian woman in her 30s who speaks English) and Jin (a Taiwanese girl, my age, who speaks a little English but is good with her pocket translator). They both work at a small clothes shop that I walk by on my way to work in LongTan. I stopped in once and ended up talking to them for a long time, and the rest is history! Today I showed them some pictures of my family, and they concluded that my parents look like movie stars. To be specific, Dad, you look like Nicholas Cage! After sipping "kaife" from high above LongTan, I will spend the night at Jin's apartment, so that...
Saturday morning (early) we will leave for the beach in Fulong, which is northeast of Taipei. Ohhh, am I excited to see the ocean! Jin's boyfriend and several of their friends are coming, too, for a day of sand volleyball and doing what everyone does at the beach. I am looking forward to hanging out with a group of people my age, despite the communication barriers. Beginning some relationships with Taiwanese people is something that's high on my priority list. I need to start learning some Chinese too--there's nothing like immersion!
Sunday, Vivi will take me to her family's Indonesian restaurant for lunch. She moved here when she was 18 and is married with three children. It should be wonderful--a culture within a culture! Sunday night I will go back to Taipei for a ballet class...
I continue to see God's faithfulness to me in this endeavor. At times I can't believe I went through with this and am still not quite sure how I ended up at this point. It's interesting to think about--the events that have led to me being here, playing sand volleyball on a beach in Taiwan with Jin and her friends during this 4th of July weekend (maybe we can get some sparklers, haha?). It's like one of those "choose your own ending" books that were all the rage when I was in elementary school... only in life, you never get to go back to Chapter 1 and re-do the whole adventure. You can only look over your shoulder and see the little twists and turns and curlicues in your path that, with some distance, look less like confused meanderings and more like intentional, confident progress.
My life is beginning to blossom again, here. Thriving in the humidity, spreading out and taking root in the fertile space left after a destructive stormy season. Now there is room for this. I find myself smiling for no reason, laughing often, feeling joy just being near my bright, beautiful students. Falling asleep satisfied and waking up eager. There is clarity to appreciate the past for giving me this present.
"Behind everything beautiful, there's been some kind of pain." -- Bob Dylan
"What we have enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -- Helen Keller
"What we have enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -- Helen Keller
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