Retreat!

While Abby is at her Christian Retreat, I've decided to take two days as my personal retreat...

So... after dropping her off, I settled in on our living room sofa with an array of books around me... And that's basically what I did all day...

I did go for a run... when the rain stopped...

I made banana bread for my students as I will go and teach tomorrow.

I called my mom to wish her a happy birthday... and chatted with people via "line"... but I limited that to only a few minutes here and there...

And of course, I blogged...

Tomorrow is not a retreat day as I've scheduled a sleuth of things to do... teaching, tutoring, meeting up with people...

But Friday will be my second day of personal retreat... and Abby will be back on Saturday!

Having a personal retreat takes planning... but it is definitely worth it!

Seek Him First!

Biking Around Taipei

The Lord gave us a marvelously wonderful day.

Abby and I biked to have breakfast down in Taipei... We then went window shopping... We biked back home so that she can pack her stuff for her Christian retreat.

What was so amazing was... when we biked, it didn't rain. When we were indoors, it rained! It was a cold day... but we could not have biked if it was cold and raining!

At 7pm, we headed out to Costco as she needed those hand-warmer packets and a new pair of glasses and some contact lenses. The hand-warmers will be very useful as it's going to be very cold at the retreat site out near Danhsui.

Since we were out, we decided to have water dumplings for dinner...

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What A Contrast!

Usually on Monday, I'm in front of my computer, preparing the talk notes...

But this morning, Abby was home and we decided to go for a long hike. It was splendid... very chilly weather... but the rain was only a sprinkle!

We had hot soup for lunch and then I drove Abby to school. She had a seminar to attend as they wanted to get the students ready in putting together their portfolio.

Alan and Isaiah sent some pictures and they are experiencing nice and sunny weather... whereas we're having a major cold front... Even as I type, I have my London Fog coat on!

I tutored in the afternoon and Abby and I had dinner together.

This evening, we had plenty to do... steamed in a crock pot a loaf of banana bread -- my new concoction! Then I dyed Abby's hair... this very nice auburn red... we didn't leave it on too long... so it just has a hint of red... Next time, we're going to let the hair dye sit a little longer... for a more dramatic effect!

We did a facial mask on Sunday... We decided while the guys are not here, we're going to do weekly facial masks and even paint our fingernails when we are in Hualien!

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FINISHED LUKE!

Today was my final talk for the book of Luke series... Onward with Jesus!

It was an emotional talk for me because I so much wanted those at HOP to see the reality of the presence and power of Jesus in our daily life... in the choices we make each day! I trust that the Lord spoke His message to His people...

I will be sharing again... starting in May... from the book of Philippians... Joy in the midst of Suffering! The Lord has already given me some ideas as to what or which verses I should focus on...

Our next speaker will be looking at I John, The series will be called, YOU CAN KNOW! It's a great follow-up to the book of Luke! I'm amazed at how the Lord has led in this way!

Abby and I came home and watched one more movie... How absolutely relaxing...

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FINISHED!

Today's weather was so much better... and no traffic heading to the test site as it was not a work day!

Abby had English first... then after lunch was Science. When she finished that test, she was looking green and that was not from lunch... it was so difficult... CRAZY DISCOURAGING!

The day ended with Chinese essays...

We celebrated by going to McDonald's and renting four movies...

I'm letting her stay up until 2am if she wants to...

I unpacked everything, did a load of laundry... and finished up my talk for tomorrow.

I'm not staying up...

While she was taking the test, I went for a bike ride... One parent was so exhausted, she was snoring while she was napping on the desk... I decided to head out...

During another time, parents wanted to talk, so I stayed and talked and did not have time to read... I brought two books to finish...

It was a long day... but I'm so glad it's behind us.

Yes, in other news... Alan and Isaiah are now at my brother's place in Canberra... they will be able to eat better now... And hopefully, they will help out by doing some yard work or repair work for my brother's family! And the weather is superb, so I know they are going to play some basketball and tennis...

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Day One!

I have many praises to give ...

1. The weather report had said that it would rain... but when we left on our scooter, the weather was fine. When we came back, it started to sprinkle, but only very slightly!
2. We were able to find a place to park ourselves inside the Nanhu "Parents Resting Area" even though we didn't get there until 8:45!
3. In the afternoon, I went off for a bike ride... That helped to boost my energy as I was really feeling quite exhausted!
4. I also went back and bought another pair of running shoes -- Brooks Ariel 16 for 1999NT$. The salesclerk explained why they only had one pair in my size and at such a huge discount! The owner realized that people don't buy running shoes at the night market! So, he wants to get rid of the leftover stock. If Abby wasn't taking the tests at the SungShan Senior High School, I would have never gone there to find these great shoes!
5. At 5pm, Abby and I went to eat dinner at a delicious veggie place... she wanted something light as we have another full day tomorrow!
6. While she was taking the tests, I was very productive. I brought several books that I've been wanting to finish reading. I finished two... I will bring two more for tomorrow!
7.  We got safely home at 7pm and had time to get a few things done and Abby studied a bit more...

We have planned a fun evening for tomorrow!

But for tonight, we're going to bed early!

Seek Him First!

At The Test Site

I taught in the morning and then rushed back to take Abby to the 'test site'.

Yes, students are to go and see where they will sit during their test. We had to go down towards the City Hall as Abby got assigned to take the test at Sung Shan Senior High School. It's an older school and looked a bit run down... I like older schools but this place just looked dirty. Anyhow, we saw two of her friends while we were there. That was nice. They will open up one classroom for the parents. That's totally crazy as there won't be enough seats. So, I will have to sit there for the whole day in order to 'save' the seat for her when she comes down for lunch! I wonder if I should bring my own folding chair... I mean... you can't believe what it's like here for these major exams! Every senior on this island will be taking this test which will 'decide' which university they will be qualified to attend!

We wanted to take our mind off the stress of the tests, so we went to the nearby night market and had dinner! We decided to walk around and we walked into one sporting goods store. They were having a big sale on running shoes... and yes, I actually forked out 70US$ and bought a pair! (I allow myself 4 pairs a year! And yes, each pair cannot be over 70US$ or 2100NT$. These were actually 1999NT$!) The pair I got is normally 160US$! Brooks Adrenaline GTS... I might go again tomorrow and buy the Brooks Ariel 12! Both of these shoes are great for my running style. And I went on line and checked -- the Ariel 12 is usually about 140US$ as they now have Ariel 16! They only have one pair in one size... and it 'just happens' that they are my size. I wanted to buy two pairs of the Brooks Adrenaline, but they didn't have a second pair!

We came back and I finished up the back balcony... finally...

Abby spent the rest of the evening, studying...

Here is the schedule for the next two days:

Friday -- Social Studies, Math and Chinese multiple choice
Saturday -- English, Science and Chinese writing

We will be there from 9-5!

Oh... in other news... Alan and Isaiah are enjoying their time in Australia...

Seek Him First!

Attacking the Back Balcony!

This morning I tackled the back balcony. I pulled out stuff and started sorting...

Again, I did that in between working on my talk -- going back and forth between organizing and writing.

I finished my talk notes, but the back balcony was not done. Abby was home and I said, "Maybe I'm tackling too big of a task in just one day!"

I went off to tutor, leaving quite a lot of stuff scattered all over the living room and the dining room!

Yes, when I got back, I started again -- full steam ahead.

Abby and I decided to take a drive out to Costco as I have to drive the car or the battery goes dead! We needed milk... and then we went for a walk at the park!

After I got home, yes... I continued...

When I finish this blog, I will... yes... continue...

Tomorrow... Abby and I go to the testing site to check out where her classroom will be and where they set up places for parents to 'wait' while their kids are taking the test!

Oh... yes, I stayed up until 2am last night and I got all the train tickets. I went for a run this afternoon and paid and picked up the tickets at the 7/11! YIPPY. Abby and I will be going to Hualien and Taidong for five days.

Seek Him First!

Last Study & House Cleaning

This morning I went for a quick 30 minute run before my morning Bible study. The weather was extremely nice!

Yes, it was our last study... we will start back again in March!

I was going to go for another run, but got busy with cleaning out things as I was going to pack up two boxes of donation for the Philippines.

After tutoring, I had a quick dinner and started. It took me almost 3 hours to finish. One of the problems was... I am too good at packing, so I needed a lot more stuff. One thing I have not gone through has been the kids' stuff animals. So, I took out one bag and Abby and I went through them! They are in the box! I also went through my pots and pans and containers. (Now as I sit and write, I realize that I could have given them a lot more stuff... I forgot two cabinets of things that I never use anymore!) The boxes are packed... The company will pick up tomorrow!

I am staying up to order train tickets for Chinese New Year...

I will let you know tomorrow if I get the tickets that I want...

Oh... Alan and Isaiah... I actually talked with Alan today! They are doing well... They even went to Costco today! Alan wanted to get a hot dog... and maybe some pizza... and other food supplies...

Seek Him First!