Taiwan Efficiency

I think I've mentioned before how efficient government agencies are here in Taiwan. Today, I again experienced it!

Alan and I went down to the Ministry of Interior to get our kids' passports renewed. We called to make sure what we needed to bring and checked on line to download the form. Got the kids new passport pictures. Made copies of what was needed. And this morning, on a typhoon morning, we got there. The documents were not wet, but we sure were.  We were directed to one line, which had one person ahead of us. This gentleman checked our document and told us a few places that needed to be completed. When we finished, he took another look and directed us to the next counter. That counter had one person before us. She keyed in the necessary information, took the document, and told us to proceed to window 1 to pay for the new passports. She also informed us that we can come back next Thursday to pick up the passports. That's within a week and that's not expediting the procedures. We were finished in less than 30 minutes!

We then went to a great dumpling place and for less than 10US$ had a delicious lunch! Twenty dumplings, two bowls of soup, two large drinks and two appetizers!

Seek Him First!

Before the Holiday and Typhoon

Mid Autumn Festival is on Thursday! And with it, we will be getting a four day break! Unfortunately, the news is also reporting of a pending typhoon that is headed this way. The weather before a typhoon is always so hot, and today was no exception.

I biked to my Physical Therapy Session and signed up for six more -- all to be done by the time I head back to the States.

In the afternoon, I ran errands -- again in the heat!

When the rain finally came, it was already too late to go for a long bike ride as I had to pick up Abby! I did get to fit in a short ride.  She was hoping to go and play basketball at the park, but that didn't happen!

Part of the Mid Autumn Festival celebration is going out to barbecue! We had planned to do the same. But now, plans are on hold. It is very difficult to predict how much rain and wind this typhoon will bring on the island. Isaiah is hoping for rain and wind... then the coach will cancel practice! And he gets to be home!

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Busy Monday

I was hoping to take some time to rest but the day was too packed!

Since Alan just got back, I had to get the suitcase and carry-on and duffle bag all back into the living room closet. Then I wanted to try out the sewing machine he brought back. It was his mom's! I made a hand cushion for my computer!  The house needed cleaning -- putting away clean clothes, changing the kids' sheets, organizing the kids' papers... and the to-do list was a long one. I also wanted to sit down to continue the preparation on my messages.

By 3:30, the rain was just subsiding, so I had to go out for a run, or I knew I wouldn't have the time or worse yet, the rain would stop!

After a nice 10 kilometers in a slight drizzle, I came back more energized.

It was time to go buy milk.  I made dinner already in the morning in between the cleaning and organizing!

A few minutes after I got back, Alan came home. He ate dinner and went straight to bed.

I had only about two hours before going to pick up Abby and Isaiah as they had things to do after school!

What a busy day!

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A Double Whammy Day

Yes, I went to two different services today.

Dark clouds were forming and it was forecast that rain might come in the afternoon for our prayer walk... but not a drop. The clouds kept the afternoon a little cooler. But the group that walked the farthest still had quite a workout!

Our AV person didn't get my ppt file.

The Love Feast was late.

Still, I give thanks... God sustained me!

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Alan Is Back -- FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

He didn't miss his flight. And after a 12 hour flight, he is safely back in Neihu, Taipei, Taiwan!

Everything else also arrived, including the 30 donuts he brought back, my mother in law's sewing machine and a beautiful quilt from Abby's Great Aunt Puna!

We put everything away and couldn't stop talking. We asked him silly questions, like what movies did he watch on the plane?

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A Fun Day in the Rain

I decided to do all errands today on my bike.

I headed out prepared -- my rain cap, sandals, extra plastic bags.

First, my morning PT session. Even though I got there a bit late, I got in right away! Some people have emailed me, asking, 'how's my shoulder?' I see some improvements but I will have to sign up for another month of PT sessions!

Second, I went to buy Abby her lunch and biked around in search of batteries for the AC unit in Danhsui and pen refills. I'm happy to report both items were found!

Next, I rode to Isaiah and Abby's high school as I had to attend a meeting, representing PTA.  Two parents kept bringing up one more point of discussion. I thought the meeting was never going to end! AND I couldn't sit there and read my book as there were only about 20 people in a rather small room!

Finally, I headed home, going the long route. And it started to rain! I mean a real down pour. I was waiting for that. I should have gone on the even longer route, through the park!!!!! Oh, that would have been even more enjoyable.

I got home, soaked! But how fun!!!

For the next two hours, I watched TV!!!!!!! I have NEVER DONE THAT! To sit at home and watch TV on my own. Alan loves doing that, but not me. But today, while it was still raining outside, I watched THREE episodes of the show, Elementary! What a fun way to spend the afternoon not really doing anything! That's what I'd call "vegging out".

The day went by so perfectly! What a brilliant way to 'end' the summer as Alan comes back tomorrow!

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10K Two Days in A Row

This summer has been way too hot to run. So, I've been biking. I bike for an hour about four times a week.

Now, the weather is getting a little cooler... just a little. So, yesterday, I went and did a run. It was slow getting my legs started. But, I did the 10 in an hour, which I was quite pleased with. Today, although my legs were feeling sore, I went out and did another 10, and yes, within an hour.

Tomorrow... I'm going back to biking! Maybe I'll do a bit of jump rope, too... But my legs are telling me, NO 10! They are not willing to cooperate!

Seek Him First!