新年快樂!

Happy Chinese New Year!

This by far is the biggest, most celebrated holiday in Taiwan.

Housewives  spend days cleaning their homes- out with last year's dirt, preparing for the new year.

Families gather to eat copious amounts of food.

Red envelopes stuffed full of money are given to children.

Christmas is to America as Chinese New Year is to Taiwan.

As you can imagine, the week before such a holiday can cause quite a havoc on learning.

But if the goal is to learn about a culture, let the fun begin....

Our Chinese department did an amazing job exposing our students to the many different facets of Chinese New Year. From the food, to Chinese calligraphy, to the crafts and songs of this traditional Chinese holiday.

Even to the handing out of han bao- the red envelopes filled with treasure!

On the last day of school before the celebrations began, several moms came to my classroom to help the students make a Chinese New Year craft. 

So as the final bell rang last Thursday, many students were excited to be traveling to family celebrations, while others looked forward to traveling throughout Asia. 

As for myself, I am happy to have another week to rest and relax!

Head2Toe

Head 2 Toe  

All 4 Jesus

That was the theme of our elementary Spiritual Life Week.

A week where we gather every day to praise Jesus, worship him, and learn more about God's great love for us. The theme this year emphasized how we are to grow in our relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

Did I mention we also had lots of fun?

Chapel does not have to be boring.

It shouldn't be boring.

And this week, it wasn't.

Our guest speaker was Hazel Johansen.

Hazel has lived and worked in Taiwan for years and years. She works for a Christian company who produces radio and television shows to teach English. They also produce a monthly magazine that is sold and used island wide as an English instructional tool. 

Hazel is an accomplished magician, puppeteer, and writer. She also plays a mean ukulele!

Her message this week was clear and fast paced. Exactly what our Chinese-New-Year-is almost-here- and-we-can't-wait-kinda-like-Christmas-in-America students.  Whew! That was a mouthful!

 Not only do we have to deal with that time before Christmas when our students are restless and distracted and less than ready to learn, we also do it again in January for Chinese New Year, which is actually the biggest holiday in Taiwan. Instead of children getting presents, they get money. There is also, like Christmas, lots of food and family.

Luckily, Hazel kept the students engaged using skits.

And puppets.

  

and games.

And magic.

Besides starting our school day with chapel, Hazel also visited the individual classes. My class was particularly enthralled by her magic tricks, especially when they were part of the magic.

On the last day, several of my students were asked to help out with the chant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwAHtoI2Zfw&feature=youtu.be

What a fun week it was!

I am very blessed to be part of this talented team and even more blessed by the week we just shared.

Thank you, Hazel!

The Golden Arches

McDonalds.

I'm lovin' it.

Well. Not really.

I am not a big fan of the Golden Arches. While living in America, we rarely stepped into one, except maybe while traveling. I'm a sucker for an Egg McMuffin. Without the meat, of course.

Last Friday, McDonalds helped me not only reward some of my students, but also revealed some interesting differences between my home culture and the culture I now reside.

Who thought eating a McDonalds Happy Meal could be a learning experience?

The occasion for such an educational encounter was a celebration for my students who returned their homework EVERY SINGLE DAY of the first semester. I think that's worth a treat, don't you?

So my first lesson in cultural differences came the week before our actual meal. I learned two things about Taiwanese McDonalds:

1. They deliver!

and 

2. Their Happy Meal menu is healthier than its American counterpart.

I might add, mandated by the government to make sure the choices are healthier than those typically found in America. For example, the main component choices were chicken sandwich, fish sandwich, or chicken bites (real chicken chunks).

That's right. A hamburger isn't even an option! 

The side dishes consisted of a corn cup, small salad, or fruit bag.

Pop was not an option for the beverage. Just orange juice or milk.

Not wanting to be left out. I ordered a Happy Meal, too!

The above picture illustrates a couple other differences.

Yes, that is corn in my salad. It's normal in the Taiwanese culture to put corn in a lettuce based salad. And in case you missed it, the corn is topped with raisins, not only in my salad, but my students' corn cups.

Not a combination I would've thought of, but strangely, it works. 

Much to my taste bud's dismay and my waistline's delight,  not a single french fry was in sight.

As we unwrapped our meals , I noticed another cultural difference. Carefully unwrapping my fish sandwich, I smoothed out the paper and placed both the sandwich and salad on top. I created a "safe" place for my meal.

My students on the other hand carefully rewrapped the paper around their sandwiches, creating a "safe" place to hold it. While I have seen adults repeatedly eat in this manner, this was the first time for me to observe my students doing so. 

Not that one way is right and the other wrong, just different. 

That's one of the great things about living away from one's home country. You learn that your way isn't the only way to get things done. And that maybe, just maybe, once in awhile, you might discover a new way that you like even better (ie- not wearing shoes inside the house).

Sharing a meal with my students was quite positive in other ways. It allowed me share with them one-on-one about their lives. 

I am so blessed to have these TCKs (third culture kids) in my life. I love the diversity and mixing of cultures.

Four countries are represented in these pictures: America, Philippines, Spain, and Portugal. But yet, none of them have ever actually lived in their passport country. One has spent most of her life growing up in an African country. 

I can only imagine how different their outlook on life will be different from the one I grew up with in Ohio.

My world was small, landlocked.

Theirs is much, much larger, with exposure to lands, peoples, and cultures differing from their own, easily visited via airplane or internet.

I am so glad that God brought me to their side of the world, so I, too, could experience places, foods, and people outside my own culture. 

Who would have ever thought a simple Happy Meal could inspire such great thoughts?

I guess for the first time...

I'm lovin' it! 

Be Flexible

The last day of 2016.

How did that happen?

Rising early, well early for the next to last day of vacation, Carl and I prepared for another Michael and Anna adventure. 

We like our outings with Michael and his family for several reasons. One being we experience Taiwan and its culture in a way we never could on our own. Plus, its always fun, except when he makes you sing Country Roads karaoke in front of hundreds of people!

The plan- a picnic, a hike, and just plain old fashion fellowship.

But, the rule of the day?

Flexibility!

It began early on. Even before reaching our destination, the plans were altered by a morning market. As we passed by the various shops and street vendors a sign caught the attention of Joanna, one of our passengers.

Hoping for a great deal, we stopped for a little shopping. You never know what one may find on these little side adventures!

Fresh seafood! Carl's favorite- NOT!

That cast iron tea pot caught Carl's attention, but not his wallet. It was priced a little bit higher that he was willing to pay. 

Our next stop allowed the children of our group to catch several crawdads. Notice no adults were willing to brave the "frigid" Taiwan mountain stream water. Last time we were here, there was hardly any foot space to be found. 

Our picnic was potluck style with a definite asian influence. Our contributions, pepperoni bread and apples with caramel, were accepted, but not highly coveted.  

Our sitting was also very Taiwanese. While I enjoy the short table and stools, I can't imagine many Americans setting up their picnic in this fashion. In my opinion, it was perfect! Hot tea was also served at the conclusion. Once again, no complaints from this gal! The weather, the conversation, the fellowship just perfect for the last day of 2016.

And while I could not understand the words, a church group from Taipei, serenaded us with old Chinese hymns. Once again, the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day.

After the food was consumed and our area returned to its former pristine condition, a hike was prescribed.

I have always loved hiking. But, I love it even more here in Taiwan. I simply can not get enough of views like this!

 Or this.

 A very Christmasy scene greeted us at the end of our hike.

Let me get a little closer, so you can see all the little details!

So many poinsettias! Quite breathtaking!

Since my children don't seem to share my love of hiking, Jacob decided to enjoy his last hours of 2016 relaxing at home. He was also dog sitting for a friend. After our all day adventure, we were ready to spend time with him.

Arriving home, we traded the van for the scooter and headed out to our favorite Indian restaurant for our last meal of the year. Unfortunately, flexibility once again was required. A large group had just been seated in the small room, and the owner could not guarantee when a table would be available.

So off to a Vietnamese place for beef pho! 

Abbi introduced us to this rice noodle soup last year.  The broth is simply delectable.

Delicious and filling, it hit the spot, especially since we weren't going to eat again until next year!

As the clock ticked down to 2017, we anxiously awaited the ensuing celebrations, or more specifically, the fireworks. Wanting a great viewing location, the plan was to go to the roof of our building.

At about 11:40 pm, Jacob decided to check one more time on Roxie, his friend's dog. Minutes later, he reappeared with the disturbing news: Roxie had escaped into the night! Grabbing shoes and flashlights, we headed out into the darkness. 

Hmmm.....

Be flexible.

Be flexible.

From the middle school sidewalk, I heard the familiar countdown....

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

From all sides of the campus, booms, pops, and screeches filled the air. I couldn't seem them, but it sure did sound spectacular. 

Oh, well. There's always next year!

And Roxie?

Jacob found her.

And returned her to where she belonged.

Welcome 2017!

  

By the way:

During our drive, I saw Sasquatch. He was running up the side of a mountain. Well, at least that what it looked like at first. I quickly took a picture. Most likely, its a just a statue of a local god.