Chinese New Year Eve

Being Asian is quite cool... we get to say Happy New Year twice a year.

Tonight is New Year Eve.

We did not start the day as early as usual.

I actually got to sleep in until 8!!!

But I didn't go for a run.

And we didn't get to Danhsui.

Instead, we went to see a movie -- Kingsman: The Secret Service. It had a rating of 8.3.  The movie had too much cussing, but I did enjoy the story plot.  Oh, we spent only 11US$ as Isaiah got one free ticket that he hadn't used. Our dear friend, Robert, gave us one ticket, plus two free popcorn and soft drinks coupons. So, we only had to buy ONE ticket!  It was so much fun. We were going to go tomorrow, but we thought the theater would be way too crowded as people would be out on the first day of the New Year. Whereas tonight, New Year Eve, everyone is to be home with their family.

After the movie, we walked to the DVD Rental Place and borrowed three more DVDs.

Yes, you guessed it -- we had pizza and movie again!

Another FUN day!

Seek Him First!

A "Free" Afternoon

The morning started early... as usual!

Isaiah tutored.

Abby studied.

By 12 noon, Abby got ready to hang out with her youth group friends at the New Kiddie Land in Shihlin.  I packed her a lunch and dropped her off at the free bus shuttle.

By 1p.m., Isaiah's students got ready to take off and he got ready to go down to meet up with a friend to hang out.

I dropped him off and went to check out some shoes and order pizza for our dinner.

Then off I 'ran' for a quick run.

At 5p.m. I took Isaiah to his second appointment and went to pick up the pizza.

Abby was back when I got back.

It was pizza and movie time!

Yes, I had about 2 hours of 'free' time... I like being with people... but I also love being by myself... just me and God. I never feel lonely when I'm alone.  I like that.  Tomorrow... we're off to Danhsui!  I think!


Oh, and I read a great quote by Harry Emerson F. --

The most extraordinary thing about the oyster is this:  irritations get into his shell. He does not like them. But when he cannot get rid of them, he uses the irritation to do the loveliest thing an oyster ever has a chance to do. If there are irritations in our lives today, there is only one prescription:  make a pearl.

Seek Him First!

First Day of Vacation

It was an early morning for me.

In order to have my morning time with God and then a quick run, I had to get up early!

It was worth it.

By 8:30 when I got back home, I got very busy, waking the kids up, taking a shower, setting up the table, getting a load in the washer...

At 9:15, Isaiah's two students came and we were in full swing.

For this week, we had said that we'd spend the morning with school work and be off to have fun in the afternoon.  So, by 1:35 we were out the door.  We walked down to the MRT and headed to the Book Fair. It was the last day.

And we were very surprised that it was not crowded.

After hanging out there for about 3 hours (and we did not buy too many things), we walked to Ice Monster, a place famous for its delicious shaved ice.

We ordered two humongous shaved ice -- bubble milk tea (picture below)

and taro red bean with sweet & condensed milk.

Oh... we also got four popsicles!

And yes, on the way home, we walked to the DVD shop and got three DVDs (rent two, get one free) and we can have it for 7 nights!

We watched Battle of the Year, another dance movie and then made egg salad.

What a great start to our vacation.

Now, I had planned another afternoon of fun for tomorrow... BUT the kids are putting together their own outings. Isaiah now says he might go play basketball. Abby might go to Kiddie Land with her friends from the church youth group.

I might have an afternoon all to myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seek Him First!

The Final Countdown!

Today, I can start the FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Yes... to when my sweet Alan will be back in Taipei.  Just seven more days... YIPPY!

I know he has been helping out while he has been in the States.  But it will be so nice to see him.

The day went by fast... we went to church and stayed for the love feast. This time, Jane, a sweet sister, made the sweet dessert and I made the super-sized salad.  Another sister made a pot of splendid soup and for the main course, lasagna was ordered.

On the way back home, we went and got a dance movie.

Starting tomorrow, we will have one week of 'vacation'... morning will be school work and then fun stuff in the afternoon.

We have a tentative schedule set.  But we are going to be flexible.

Tomorrow -- Book Fair and Ice Monster... and maybe another movie in the evening.




Seek Him First!