From Early Morning to Late At Night

Today was an extremely fun-filled day.

In the morning, we all took off early to join the Nanhu School Anniversary. Alan and I helped out with the PTA fundraiser and then went to buy things from the different classrooms... I ate so much. The PTA also had a luncheon. More eating.

This evening was the Couples Group Date. The movie was great and then we went and ate more! It was such a fantastic evening!

I will update this on Monday with pictures.

I'm heading to bed now as we will be out early tomorrow morning. Isaiah's team did not do well and probably won't be getting the third slot to move up to the next level of play. It's quite disappointing. Alan and Abby will go and watch the games while I will be speaking at the Chinese church.

Seek Him First!

A Surprised Ending

This morning we headed off early to catch the bullet train to Kaohsuing.

It was a long trek to Chung Shan University! And we had to get to the College of Literature and Linguistics, which was quite a way from where the bus dropped us off at the front of the university. We were afraid that we'd miss the registration time.  God made a way!

At 1:20, the competition started. Fifteen finalists were selected and Abby was one of them. Alan and I sat down with our pen and paper and took notes. First of all, the speeches were all quite serious. And immediately after the five minute prepared speech, the judges asked each participant one question. The Q & A time was excellent. It really tested the speaker's real English ability. None of the first 7 speakers did well in the Q & A. Abby was number 11. Before she went up, we took a 40 minute break and then Number 8-15 finished their speeches.

Abby was quite sad when it was done. She didn't feel she did a good job. During the Q & A time, she didn't understand two key words in the question. Alan and I comforted her. She felt it was a waste of time as she had missed a whole day of school anniversary competitions just to be at the speech competition. And she wasn't going to win one of the three prizes.

Well, at 5p.m. all contestants were back in the main auditorium. There was an air of anticipation. The high school group was asked to go down to the front for a group picture.

Then the names were called for the different winners. Finally, the top two winners were announced. Abigail Alagata -- Second Place Winner!

 

What a surprised ending! The announcement brought such a smile to her face! We all went down for a group picture with the judges at the end of the closing ceremony!

 

 

Seek Him First!

 



 



Japanese Buffet Luncheon

A dear couple had four coupons for the Irodori Japanese Buffet Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here in Taipei. Now, both Alan and I are not into Japanese food, so I did not think to bring any kind of containers. Was I wrong?!!?!?!

This was an amazing treat! They had pan fried sirloin! They had freshly made Japanese pastries with custard filling. They had hand made California rolls. They had five kinds of soups. Salads... crabs... fillets of fish... fried veggies dipped in batter (eggplants and sweet potatoes)... I can go on and on... I wish I was a cow with two stomaches... And free coffee and tea... I ate so much... and both Alan and I were so surprised at the selections. This might be another place that I should take Annie and KR when they are here.  I think it was 40US$ per person, but definitely worth it.



They also brought two hot pots of soup, which I could not finish. That's why I wish we had a container! I would have brought that home!

Seek Him First!

 

All Booked!

I finished the arrangements for the Group Date for this Saturday evening.

5:30 movie -- at the Miramar Entertainment Center -- 007, Spectre

8:15 dinner -- at a Korean BBQ place that's a 5 minute walk from the movie theater. They had room to accommodate 14 of us.  And there is live entertainment which ends at 9p.m. We went there last time and these two Filipino guys played and sang some of the best American "oldies".

As for the cost, it's just a little over 1000NT$ per couple, but Alan and I will cover that. I found coupons for the Korean BBQ. I bought three 50% coupons or else the meal alone would have been more than 500NT$ per person! God provided.

That was the major thing I had to get done today.

I also finished my talk notes for Sunday morning service.

Tonight I drove to the international airport to pick up a dear friend and her infant son. They are moving back to Taiwan. 

Then went for a late night run!

Seek Him First!
Psalm 119:135
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.

A More Rest-filled Day

I took it easy today...

I went to the library.

I went to make copies of a lesson I'm doing with someone I'm tutoring.

I went to look for a suitable restaurant for the Group Date Night that I'm arranging. That was an eye opener. I can't believe how expensive some of these fancy restaurants can be. I must not eat out enough. What I found out is that for a nice meal it will be about 600NT$ per person! What? 20US$ per person? That's insane. I had set the budget to be 1000NT$ per couple -- movie and dinner! So, I will continue my search.

I went for a run! It was nice and cool with a slight drizzle.

I met up with the friends who rented out the apartment and gave them the keys.

I cooked a delicious soup -- turkey meat, celery, tomatoes, string beans, corn and pumpkin. Instead of using water, I added milk! Wow, what a great soup for a winter day.

Tonight, Abby practiced her speech while Isaiah packed for his trip.

I also did a load of laundry and cut Isaiah's hair.

Seek Him First!

No Time for A Run!

Today was a fantastic day... even though I didn't have time for a run.

In the morning, Alan and I moved our sofa bed back into our living room. I then went back to the apartment and spent the rest of the day cleaning it up. Since I've worked at hotels before in the housekeeping department, this was right up my alley.  After finishing up at the apartment, I went home to put away all the things that were now scattered around in our living room. The sweet couple had blessed us with lots of wonderful items to be used to bless others.

I had my Bible study group tonight, so I started baking a giant cookie with chunks of chocolates. I also made smoked salmon spread with thin garlic crackers.

The weather was so nice and cool that I decided to walk down the hill to where we were having our study. Two sisters couldn't make it. But it was still great to gather and learn from the book of Revelation.

So, after last week's of running six times, I guess that won't be happening this week.

Seek Him First!
Psalm 119:130

The First Day of November

If today was an indication of what this month is going to be like, then I'm going to have a very busy month.

I did not have time to do a load of laundry yesterday, so early this morning, I put a load of clothes in to wash. When it finished, I hung them up to dry. By tomorrow, the kids will have their uniforms ready for them.

After calling my mom, I took off for my tutoring job, which I'm considering quitting since I have to ride a total of 80 minutes for a 60 minute class. 

After the lesson, I ventured to Costco to buy milk. There I also saw pumpkin pie. And I'm glad I bought milk as we were all out.

I headed straight to church for prayer time and our service started at 4pm.  We stayed for our usual dinner at church and then helped with clean up.

On the way back home, I stopped off to buy breakfast breads at another convenience store for my kids. Since it's their 'birthday month' I try to do something fun for them each day.

I got home and there were dishes in the sink, things not put away, emails to answer... and I wanted to redo my nail polish. Yes, that's something new that I've started. I'm growing out my hair and putting nail polish on. Of course, I am not sure how long I'll keep doing this. But so far it's been fun.

It's now 10pm and I plan to go to bed after I finish this blog.

Seek Him First!