Sunday, May 19, 2019

It's Mango Season

It's mango season!

I'm sorry, my USA friends, but the mangos the grocery stores pass off as fresh produce are sadly lacking.

Fresh mangos are amazingly delicious and delectable.

 I love putting them into cold, frothy smoothies.

But, my all-time favorite way of consuming this tropical fruit is in a mango bing.

Bing is the Chinese word for ice.



Fresh, cut up mango, topped with a mound of shaved, frozen milk. Finally, sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top.

One of the best things a person can consume while living/visiting Taiwan.

Of course, the Taiwanese prefer other flavors such as taro balls, mung beans, and grass jelly. Not me! A mango bing is the perfect "cool me down, it's way too hot" summer treat.

There is only one thing that makes a mango bing even better....


a mango bing with friends!

This past year, I was introduced to a different bing shop that put a unique twist to this Taiwanese treat.


Just behind the mango bing in my list of favorites is this tiramisu bing. Only a culinary genius could have thought of that!


This is shaved frozen chocolate milk. It tasted good but lacked variety in taste and texture.

So, if you are ever in my neck of the woods, stop by. I'll buy you a bing!


Sunday, May 12, 2019

Okinawa 2

Have you ever gone to a sequel of a movie expecting it to be just as good as the original and was left wishing you hadn't spent your money?

Well, in the case of Okinawa, it's the reverse.

My first experience was yucky. No other way to put it. 

Just yucky.

I wish I hadn't spent the time and money.

But, I decided to give it a second chance.

I am so glad I did.



It was the perfect ending to my 10 years as a track mom.

It was surprising to me when Carl and our older kids went to Okinawa the first time to learn that this Japanese island is much closer to Taiwan than it is to Tokyo. It's a short flight- just 90 minutes. 

Unfortunately, for us, the Mike Petty Track Meet fell smack dab in the middle of a huge Asian holiday, Tomb Sweeping Day. Airlines were swamped as many Asians traveled to home countries to help clean and restore family members' final resting spots. Our journey to this neighboring island took us the opposite, through Hong Kong, and basically a day's worth of travel. We left our campu at 8 in the morning and didn't arrive until after dark.

But, in the end, it was worth it.

Despite, one day of rain, the weather was perfect. The accommodations were unexpectantly more than we could have hoped for. Access to American style western food made meal times special, especially breakfast! But, more importantly, it was our traveling companions that really made the five-day experience extremely satisfying.

Twenty-two members of the high school track team, plus three track coaches, two female chaperones, and two-parent cheerleaders were the Morrison contingent.


When you have a great group of students, chaperoning is a breeze!

On my previous trip to Okinawa, rain wreaked havoc. Three of the five schools pulled out of the meet due to rain. So, basically, there was no track meet. It's just slightly disheartening to travel (and pay for that travel) for a sporting event, and then have it canceled. This year, it also rained on the day of the scheduled track meet. Fortunately, a rain date was already in place. And, that day was beautiful!

Blue skies. Fluffy white skies. No air pollution!

I wonder what words of wisdom or encouragement is being offered.

It's hard to fit three relay teams onto the winner's podium!



Resting and waiting- the shade was a blessing indeed!

Unlike my the previous trip, we were given passes off the military base. This allowed for some sightseeing. One small group was able to visit Hacksaw Ridge. I would have loved to go, but the previous day I pulled a muscle in my leg and was in no condition to hike the slippery, wet trail.

Fortunately, I was able to join the trip to the castle of the ruling monarchs of long ago.



Overlooking Okinawa.

Slow motion dance. I am sure the slowest dance in the world.

As a mom watching my son RAFT with the other senior track members made the trip even better!


They spent several of the evenings together, just spending time with one another before their individual paths lead them to all parts of the world. They even woke up early the last morning to have breakfast together. 



RAFTing is an acronym that helps prepare people for transition.

R- Reconciliation
A- Affirmation
F- Farewell
T- Think Destination

The week before the track trip, the senior class spent 4 days preparing for the changes that come with graduation and returning to their passport countries. Morrison sets apart time for their departing seniors to work through these issues and time for the class to just be together.

These seniors wanted to make sure they built a strong RAFT to carry them through all the trnsitions of the next two months. 



Okinawa 2 was a sequel well worth the extra lesson plans and money spent. There was no other place I would've rather been!




Sunday, May 5, 2019

Psalm 139:13-14

It's amazing how quickly time flies when you're having fun. According to that old adage, I must be having tons of fun!

I am.

 Sunday afternoons are my time to sit down and write. Many Sundays have gone by and I haven't typed a single letter. Life has just been too crazy!

So, my new goal is to catch up. 

Today, we are going all the way back to March.

March 21 to be exact.


World Down Syndrome Day!

And, we celebrate by rocking mismatched, crazy socks!


The extra sock represents the extra chromosome that is responsible for Downs Syndrome.


We do it to honor this guy! 
A celebrity on our campus!
A bundle of overflowing joy with a never-ending capacity to love!


The second graders showed their support, as well!


Even the teachers got in on the fun!


"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." 


 Unfortunately, many Downs Syndrome babies are never given the chance to share their love and joy in this turbulent world, especially here in Taiwan.

Please pray that God's love and wisdom would change hearts!