Family Time

We had a holiday today!

SO, in the morning, I went to meet up with others to pray at a couple's house. Then I met up with my ex-colleagues for lunch.

I rushed back home as the kids, Alan and I were to head out for a fun family day.  I didn't want us to be stuck on the road somewhere, so I planned a little outing to Beitan.

We went to this place when I was a child.  That was a long time ago. We rented one of these swan self peddling boats for an hour and went all around.

Then we walked across the suspension bridge and bought all kinds of snacks.

I took a hike up a trail while the kids and Alan waited at the bottom.

At the peak, the sunset was quite spectacular!  We had dinner at a dumpling place and headed back on the MRT.

We didn't get back home until after 8pm tonight!

It was an extremely FUN-FILLED day.

I can hardly wait until our next 'mini-family vacation', which won't be until April!

Seek Him First!

2/28 Peace Day Sunday

Today was a very nice and sunny and warm day. It felt as if everyone was outdoors as it's been raining and cold for a whole week.

Isaiah went to watch more high school basketball game.

Abby slept the whole morning away.

Alan went to play tennis and came home to rest.

I went for a hike. I can now make it up and back down in 40 minutes.  And with the warm sunny weather, I was really sweating when I made it down.

Then we went to a church picnic -- pizzas, pastas and Greek beer!

The HOP service was great, as usual.

It's a holiday tomorrow. How fabulous!

Seek Him First!

A Run in the Drizzle

I've been hiking more than running. So, I didn't know how my legs would feel running. I was quite surprised -- they seemed to go faster! And I was running in a slight drizzle -- my favorite kind of weather!

Today was a day of busy preparation for our family core.  Actually, I started cooking yesterday. So, today was just more last minute things, like getting the games and activities set up, arranging the furniture, and cooking the last meat dish.

We had a great turnout and the games were splendid. The theme was Choices -- Each Daily "Insignificant" Choice Made Wisely Can Make A Big Long Term Difference! We looked at verses from Proverbs and 'insignificant' people from the Bible, both good and bad individuals.

The food was enough as some people brought pizzas and snacks and drinks!

The cleaning up took a bit of time... as I decided to mop the floor at 10PM!

Seek Him First!

Date with My Honey

Alan and I haven't had a date in more than a month. So it was super nice to go out together.

We had lunch at a new restaurant. (And again, I was hoping Annie and KR had been here longer as they didn't get to try this particular food court!)
Then I took Alan on the Rock Face Climb. Well... sort of... We only went a little more than half way. He climbed one small section of the Rock Face and said, "Enough. My knee is hurting." ha, ha, ha...

While making his way down, I was having a hard time trying NOT to laugh as I could just imagine my sister, screaming, "Are you trying to kill your husband?" Yes, Alan was having a very difficult time walking down the rock face. I thought for sure he was going to do a face plant!

We made it down and he was pouring down in sweat!  REALLY!!!!!!!! Huh, I don't think he is going to go with me again! Too bad... That hike has become one of my favorites.

We were going to go to have our family pictures done, but the kids and Alan went to watch the high school basketball game. It's really big here. There are more people at the HBL than at the professional basketball games here! Alan has never gone, so this will be a very interesting experience for him.

I opted to stay home to cook as we're having "Family Core" at our house tomorrow.

Seek Him First!

A Mixture of the Pleasant with the Unpleasant

I had a very productive day!

I met with a group of sisters to pray at a couple's house as they have moved back to Taipei and will be renting this place.

Then it was off to run errands -- to the bank, the post office and...

The Unpleasant -- PAP SMEAR!

In Taiwan, all women 40 and older can get a free pap smear screening and a mammogram. My last tests were done two years ago. Everything was great. So... it's time again.  I went to a local clinic that had female doctors.  Their afternoon clinic hours start at 2pm. I was there at 2:07 in order to avoid the line.  So, it's done. I will get the results in 10 days.

Then I was again at the bank as Costco will no longer accept American Express. So, I had to get another credit card! That was quite easy. I forgot to bring my Costco membership card, but the lady was super nice. She got all the paperwork done and said I can call her when I get home to give her the necessary information.

So, I walked home and saw two interesting stores -- a supply store and a second hand store.  I will definitely be going to these stores quite often.

I was quickly wolfing down my dinner when I got a phone call. My tutoring had to be canceled as the boy was feeling ill.  I had just read that the Influenza A was hitting this island with another cold front coming this weekend! YIKES.

Since I didn't have to tutor, I decided to get two more errands done -- to buy print cartridges and to donate things I've gathered. I also dreamed of having time for a run...

Seek Him First!

I'm Booked!

It's February and today I booked my flight for October!

October 13 to the 28th. Yes, I can hear my sister, screaming -- TOOOOO SHOOORRRTTT!  But hey, it's longer than her stay in Taiwan! She was only here for 10 days!

The price was only 665US$ and I got two free lounge passes, which I'll use on my way back since I have a 5 hour stopover in Seoul, Korea. I'll use it once in June and again in October!

I also went and climb the Rock Face Mountain in the rain. Well... it wasn't a downpour, just a drizzle. I love going as I think of the fun I had with Annie and KR.

Tonight I also went to tutor and it was so cold on my scooter. If Annie thought it was cold when she was here... now it's cold and wet!

Seek Him First!

Test Finished & Isaiah Returned

Today's biggest job was to finish and email off the set of test.  Once that was done, I breathed a sigh of relief. 

Then, it was off to drop things off at Audrey's new place. Very nice... and new!

I was feeling tired, but decided to go out for a run. That helped to keep me awake.

Abby and I had dinner together and then I heard from Isaiah. He was on the bus and getting close to Taipei.

Isaiah spent five days down in Kaohsiung. They got into the top 8 but still did not get to the top 5. Bummer! He didn't even get to play!  He was 'point 3'. But either they lost the first two points or else they won the first two points. So, they never got to 'point 3'. He still enjoyed being down there, away from the watchful eyes of his parents, who tell him to study from 8-10 each evening and force him to put away the cell phone by 11pm. 

It's nice to have everyone home!

Seek Him First!