Hong Kong Finally!

While planning my first Asia adventure many, many, many years ago, I contemplated South Korea. It sounded exotic... exciting. 

 But after further conversations and consideration, I settled on Hong Kong. Not that I had a solid base of information. In fact, in retrospect, I realize all my Hong Kong knowledge was gleaned from that girl detective Nancy Drew and her mysterious adventures. Dragons, fireworks, and junk (boat) cities lured me in.

God, however, had different plans.

He sent me to Taiwan instead. Taiwan? 

Where is Taiwan?

What's in Taiwan?

Why Taiwan?

But God, as always, knew what He was doing. So here I am. God is so right. 

So correct.  So right on. All the time.

Last spring, I went to South Korea to attend a literacy conference. Lot's of learning, a little sight seeing, and a sprinkling of souvenir shopping. 

Just last night, I arrived home from a weekend Writing Workshop conference in.... you guessed it - Hong Kong! Lot's of learning, but zero sight seeing (unless you count what was seen from the inside of a bus), and zilch on the souvenir shopping (although Katie did buy a Hong Kong Starbucks coffee mug).

Our hotel was right in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this international city. Great if you are a city person. I am not. 

The conference was held at the Hong Kong International School. Nestled among the hills, this was more the place for me. From the outdoor seating area of the cafeteria, blue water accented by white hulled boats gently bobbing, accompanied my lunches. Quite relaxing! 

View from the school!

The weather was similar to that of Taiwan.

HKIS is a large school with over 2, 000 students.

Large, large, large apartment buildings. Guess I am not in Ohio anymore!

Not a great picture, but I was trying to capture all the elements
 that make up Hong Kong.

   

I saved the best for last! My coworkers, my friends, my sisters in Christ! I appreciate all you do (for me and
Morrison Academy).

While both conferences were greatly enlightning, and both destinations were fun to visit, God was right. Taiwan was and is the place for me!

Tindog Tacloban

Stand up Tacloban! 

The devastation, mind boggling, even two months after the storm.

Steel rebar bent. Metal sheeting rolled up. Cars deposited inside houses. Twenty feet high storm surge. Those who survived did so by holding onto the electric power lines. Everyone lost someone. Everyone.

A team of teachers, parents, past graduates, students, and friends of Morrison Academy joined together to bring some relief.

medical clinics

construction

feeding program

.

Here are some more pictures and a video of Nick's recent experience.

Thanks for praying!

Check out this great video........

http://youtu.be/uMzd35LLLyA

Happy Chinese New Year!

Well, technically, I am late again! Chinese New Year was last week, Friday to be exact, but my thoughts and wishes are the same today as they were last week.

For the Taiwanese people, CNY is the biggest holiday of the year. School children are off school for three or four weeks. Most companies and businesses completely close down for a week. Like all respectble holidays, it revolves around food and family.

We were invited to Micheal and Anna's home on New Year's Day for a celebration dinner. Its always a treat when Anna is cooking!

The closest dish has vegetables and sea cucumber.
The next one back is fried radish cake.
Shrimp is next, served with the outside (legs, head, etc.)
still attached!

According to Anna, a lot of Americans like this beef dish.
I personally enjoyed the tofu dish more!

This Taiwanese sausage is a traditional New Year food. 

Fruit and good old American chocolate chip cookies (made by Abbi) were served for dessert. 

Are you hungry yet?