Jake's Turn

 Nick never did it.

But, Ben did, and then a year later was  Abbi's turn.

And now, two years later, finally came Jacob's turn.

What is  it?

The Junior Carnival!

Every year, in the month of November, the junior class takes on an enormous task that tests their leadership, cooperation, and building skills.

It begins the year before, when as sophomores, they 

clean up after the festivities.

A theme is discussed, tossed around, and eventually voted upon. This theme is a matter of extreme secrecy. Jacob's class voted to make their junior carnival theme State Fair.

The entrance to this year's Junior Carnival.

With just a class sponsor and some additional adult support, they plan, design, advertise, build, and carry out a carnival like event with games, activities, and food. Where else in Taiwan could you buy cotton candy, caramel apples, and a funnel cake?

Can you find Jake?

I can say with great confidence it is by far the highlight for most of the elementary students. The great thing is the evening is open to the community as well. Families and students from the surrounding community come to taste some American food and experience a window into American culture.

Juniors get all day Friday to set up and prepare which only adds to the elementary students' excitement.

Which is great, because the more attendees, the merrier and, more importantly, the greater the profit. With the earnings, the class will treat the senior class with a Junior Senior Banquet, buy a gift for the graduating seniors, finance their own senior trip, and give a gift to the school upon their own graduation. That's a lot of motivation to make their carnival the best that it can be!

Game booths provide fun for all ages.

Some of my students enjoy a rickshaw ride through the State Fair.

I had to find alternate routes to our various specials. If my students had seen this......

To hype up the event, as well as announce the theme, a video is usually written, directed and produced by a group of juniors. Jacob thought he would be a part of that, but when he was tapped to lead the group designing, building, and carrying out the popular haunted house, he changed his focus from tech to good old fashion hammer and nails.

An older house on the darker side of campus thought often to be haunted by many students provided the perfect avenue to "build" a haunted house. Once again, totally student lead, they dug in and spent hours planning and creating. Carl provided expertise in the tool area, as well as keeping an eye on safety.

Jake's team took their project to the next level by creating a younger kid "not too scary" version. They spent many weekends and after school hours perfecting their contribution.

On the evening of the carnival, I was up to my elbows in caramel apples so I didn't get to experience the finished project, but I heard that between 200 and 300 people screamed their way through the darkest house on the campus. As a mom, I was proud of Jacob taking on such a huge challenge.

A zip line and obstacle course tested their bravery and fitness.

Keeping to the theme, a pie contest was held.

In the past five junior carnivals, fireworks have been the finale to the evening. This year was no different.

A huge crane held up this fireworks sign. It stayed lit for several minutes.

This was probably the best fireworks display I have seen here in Taiwan. That's saying a lot since fireworks are extremely popular and not regulated to one holiday. 

I was so tired by 9pm after teaching all day and standing at a food booth all evening, I almost went home. If I had I would have missed one of the best parts of this year's Junior Carnival!

Awesome Fireworks Display


While I am sad that Nick never got to be part of this experience, I am glad that Ben, Abbi, and Jake did. Not all learning is confined to a classroom. 

Disclaimer: My phone battery died early in the evening, so I "borrowed" most of these pictures from FB friends.If a picture looks familiar to you- THANK YOU!

Halloween in Taiwan

Goblins, ghosts, witches, super heroes, and princesses.

Last week in America, the much anticipated holiday of Halloween was celebrated.

For adults, it's the chance to don a costume and have a little fun. For mommies and daddies, it's the opportunity to dress up their little angels and pirates.

For most kids, it's all about the candy.

While living in America, our family celebrated autumn and harvest, more than Halloween in itself. The reasons are multiple and varied, but that is not the reason for this narrative.

I will just add, for those who do not know the culture in which we now live, ghosts (ancestors) are perceived as powerful entities that are pivotal to one's security and success in life. An entire month is devoted to appeasing these ghosts so they will not "haunt" or make your life miserable. This appeasement includes burning money and other representations of  items needed or wanted in the after life, the setting out food on tables, and various other sacrifices. For most Taiwanese, the thought of ghosts are not entertaining or fun. 

I was first introduced to this during my original six months of living in Taiwan back in the 1990s..Let's just say it left quite an impression on this young adult.

Halloween, however,  is mostly a fun part of American culture.

It is not here in Taiwan.

In recent years, it has begun to make more of an appearance. I have seen some stores begin to carry a small selection of costumes, as well as spooky decorations.

I unexpectantly, saw this sign the week before Halloween outside a Thai restaurant.

While we love living in Taiwan, we do miss some aspects of American culture, as do most expats. Its just natural to miss what you grew up with. For me, fall in Ohio and Christmas time are the two times of the year I feel that tug the most: changing leaves, pumpkins, cider, football, bonfires, and of course, the various traditions of Christmas. 

All that to say, Americans living in in an non American culture will sometimes adapt traditions because it creates a connection- culturally, as well as emotionally. Kinda like curling up with a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold, dreary winter day.

It comforts. 

For example, pumpkins are not readily found, and if they are, the price tag is high. So carving pumpkins is not an easily accomplished task. Unless, of course you are a creative problem solver.

These carved pumpkins are the mastermind of high school students from the dorm Carl substitutes in once a week. Never crossed my mind to substitute the inexpensive yellow watermelon.

Or how about this one?

This was created by a first year Morrison community member. I think maybe adaptability is high on the list for expat wannabes!

Another tradition our K2 classes have carried out for several years is the Storybook Character Day. This gives the teachers a chance to provide a little bit of fun and creativity while teaching and assessing  language arts benchmarks. My students were giving oral book reports on their character's picture book. The report and parade was the culmination of a reading unit on fiction story elements.

To be an effective educator, a teacher always needs to be prepared to demonstrate expected outcomes!

Meet Viola Swamp, the alter ego of a very kind and loving teacher from the picture book Miss Nelson Is Back.

She only existed about an hour before the makeup and wig became intolerable!

She did stick around for the parent loved character parade.

 Our wonderful librarians always join in the fun!  

Our parade began in the upper hallway where the third, fourth, and fifth graders applauded for their younger counterparts.Then on through the library....

down to the atrium...

and into the front office!

While traditions can not always be recreated in a different culture, they can be adapted!

Not a Teacher

 My job.

My ministry.

My life.

I work where I live.

I live where I work.

My  every day job is my ministry.

Everything is conveniently wrapped up all together.

But, Carl's life isn't packaged up quite so neatly.

He works for the school part time. He orders the textbooks and online access for all three campuses. He is the facility coordinator for the Taichung campus, and he is a substitute dorm parent working one evening a week. By the end of this month, coaching basketball will be added to that list.

I must add that he is also the main shopper, chef, and cleaner of our household.

That's a lot on one plate.

I definitely could not do what I do if it wasn't for Carl.

But somehow, he finds the time and energy to add several ministry opportunities to his busy schedule.

In the past, Carl has worked with our friends in Shalu teaching both Bible studies and English classes. As God began closing the door on that particular ministry, He has opened several other doors in which Carl has stepped through.

And while Carl is not a trained teacher, God has used his willingness to step out in faith. 

For the last two years, Carl has taught both moderate and advanced level English classes at a local company. It is an IT company, so naturally Carl feels quite at home in this environment.

While these lessons are not meant to be evangelistic, it is amazing how many times he has been asked to share his testimony, or explain a concept from a Biblical viewpoint. Topics that seem unlikely as a jumping off point for a spiritual conversation, lead to  God's love, wisdom, peace, and joy being shared.

Most recently, our bilingual church began an English class as a way to reach out to the surrounding community. Carl felt led to volunteer as a teacher.

One class at a time,

lives are being impacted for the sake of Christ.

 Please pray for these classes and their students. 

A prior student from the IT company has began attending our church. She is curious and wants to know more.

Another student is a self-proclaimed atheist, yet asks the most interesting questions allowing God's word to be spread.

Every Friday and Saturday afternoon, Carl is sowing, planting, and watering.

God doesn't need the most talented and biblically trained to go out and be His hands and feet. He just needs the willing. He is still looking for those willing to say- "Yes. Lord".

Whose Idea Was This?

Have you ever had an idea and everything went just as you had planned?

And as a result, all those involved had a great time?

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I had an idea.

This little tale I am spinning needs a dose of reality.

Last week, while contemplating of beginning of fall break, I had an inspirational thought.

(Inspirational might be a little bit too strong of a word.)

Jake has been wanting to go up to Hehuanshan to take nighttime photos. At 11,207 feet, it is not the highest mountain in Taiwan, but it is the most accessible. Without stopping, we can be there in three hours. While not a long trip from our home in Taichung, the last part of the drive is arduous. Full of switchbacks, hairpin curves, and narrowness, its a road best driven in dry, clear daylight. 

So here is where my slightly wacky, yet adventurous idea came in. Why not leave early afternoon, drive up, and arrive around sunset? Jake could take his night sky pictures and Carl could enjoy looking through his telescope. When we got tired, our big eight person passenger van would   adequately accommodate as our "tent". Then at 5:56 the next morning, I would be at the right location for an amazing sunrise. 

My partners agreed to this plan. The following afternoon, we packed the van with extra clothes, blankets, pillows, and food. And flashlights, of course.

Everything was going according to my plan.

We stopped for an early supper at the Purple House.

If I ever owned a restaurant, I would want it to be like this place. First of all, it is built onto the side of a mountain. I know it has at least three levels, because that's how far down we went before we finally found people!

 The name of the place says it all. Purple was everywhere!

This was our table. Inside was a mosaic with different colored pebbles, beads, and painted wood discs. It was very summery except for the small collection of brown leaves scattered throughout.

It was quite an eclectic collection of this and that, but oddly, it all worked together to create a relaxing peaceful dining atmosphere.

Naturally, the menu was all in Chinese, but between Carl, Jacob, and the owner who spoke a little English, we were able to order three dishes. 

After our last meal in civilization, we continued. As we neared the top, the clouds began to descend into the valleys. I was delighted when Jake sighted a rainbow nestled between two peaks.

The closer we got to the top, the colder it got. When we left our apartment, the temperature was somewhere in the nineties. Last time we were in this area in October, the temperatures had been in the fifties, so we packed sweatshirts and long pants. I actually was ready for a break from the extraordinarily hot temperatures we had been experiencing.

Soon after, we reached the peak, but visibility was nonexistent due to the clouds. 

We hiked up to one of our favorite places,  but even the closest peak was shrouded in grayness. The wind briefly opened a window for Jacob to see the highest peak and the old ski lodge and youth hostel where Carl and I had stayed several years ago. 

And much to my surprise, and dismay, it was much colder than I had anticipated.

This was the coldest temperature we had experienced in a long time. For my American friends that's about 47 degrees Fahrenheit. So within the space of an afternoon, we dropped almost 50 degrees! 

I wasn't really worried about  not being able to see the stars. It was normal for the mountain to be overtaken by the clouds, but I expected them to roll away and during the night lift, revealing the majestic night sky. That is what has happened on each of our previous trips. 

We checked out several of the parking options and settled in to wait out the clouds.  Did I mention it was cold? Did I mention how the wind whipped through the mountain? At times during the night, the van was rocking in the wind. 

 We had chairs. We had all the necessary items to brew nice, hot cups of tea, but none of us had any desire to leave the relative warmth of the van. At one point, we braved the cold, wind, and moisture for a quick walk to the bathrooms, but other than that, we NEVER left the van.

And even though we were on the top of a secluded mountain, we were rarely alone. All throughout the night cars and scooters kept pulling into the parking lot. Some stayed for a while. Others did not.

Our most interesting visitors were  group of college age guys. I had just awoken from a little catnap when they pulled into the parking lot on scooters. Even though they could clearly see our van, they assumed they were the only humans in the vicinity. After several minutes of shouting and laughing, they climbed the steps to the lookout platform.  The next thing we knew, two of them has disrobed all the way down to their birthday suits! Fortunately, I was in the back of the van and couldn't see. Did I mention how bitterly cold it was? What in the world were they thinking?

After more loud raucous laughing and picture taking, they descended back to the parking lot. As they were leaving one's headlights illuminated Carl in the front seat. It was at this point the group suddenly realized, our van had a front row seat to their shenanigans and it wasn't empty.

Another loud group arrived at 3am. This group, however, left their clothes on.

Our other visitors were the semi trucks. I was shocked at the sight of the first. I didn't even think it was possible for a truck that size to travel on this road. Often the road goes down to one lane. During the day, cars pass each other with only inches to spare. But with the darkness, tourists leave and the truckers take advantage of the direct route. All night and from both directions these eighteen wheelers came.

We began noticing that the trucks coming from the east side of the island always stopped at the same spot just past the entrance of the parking lot. We wondered if they were checking their brakes before beginning the downhill journey. Or if perhaps they just thought that was a good place to rest a moment. Some trucks sat there idling for ten or fifteen minutes, while others paused for a minute or two. After observing this several times, we realized they always left after a truck passed them from the west side of the island.  From that stopping point, they could see the headlights of other trucks ascending. That stretch in particular is very steep and windy, often collapsing into one lane.  The drivers were waiting for other trucks to reach the peak before beginning their descent.

 and civilization.

Being of small nature, I was able to stretch out and actually slept many hours. Each time I woke up I had two distinct thoughts. Has the fog lifted yet and whose idea was this anyways? Fortunately for me, I would quickly drift back to sleep. I am afraid Carl didn't fare quite as well. With each passing truck, and visitor, the lights and sound would awake him. The front driver seat also wasn't air tight. All night he could feel cold air blowing in from somewhere.

By 5 am, the parking lot was beginning to fill again. Obviously every one was coming in anticipation of a sunrise. But the clouds never lifted, the wind kept blowing, and occasional bursts of rain had dampened everything. There wasn't going to be any stars, no moon, and certainly no sunrise.

We left the parking lot at 5:56, about the time the sun was expected to make its grand entrance. Navigating the now wet roads and limited visibility, Carl pointed us back to civilization, and hopefully warmer and drier weather. It wasn't far away. Fifteen minutes later we were able able to see the surrounding peaks. The cold bitterness dissolved into a mere coolness.

So after sitting in the car for twelve hours, all we got was a little entertainment, a little sleep, and a small taste of winter.

No stars.

No moon.

No sunrise.

Whose idea was this, anyways?

Happy Double Ten

I am very happy to announce-

I made it!

Throw my hands up and clap with glee!

To what, you may be asking, did I make it to?

Fall break, of course.

We started back in early August, and unlike schools in America, there is no labor day weekend. Needless to say,  the last nine weeks have been quite an intense beginning of the 2017-2018 school year!

But, that is not what this blog is actually about.

Today is Double Ten Day here in Taiwan- a day similar to our July Fourth in America.

But, once again, that is not the topic I desire to share in this blog..

I want to talk about the Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival as it is sometimes referred to. 

As its name implies, it has to do with the moon. This festival occurs during a full moon. But, that's not why its one of my favorite Taiwanese holidays. 

I like it because  families sit outside and ...

BARBECUE!

Don't picture American barbecue!

Erase those images of hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks from your mind.

Erase that image of the man of the house standing at a grill armed with a long spatula.

None of those fit Taiwanese style barbecuing.

If you can, imagine thin slices of pork, chicken, and beef.

Imagine clams and squash wrapped in foil.

Imagine fish balls, tofu, and timbula (fish paste) patties.

Imagine a grill only standing about a foot or two tall with multiple persons each armed with their own set of tongs.

If you can imagine all that, you are almost there.

This year we once again were invited to join the Morrison dorm students at their annual Moon Festival barbecue. Who wouldn't want to barbecue on the roof of a nine story building?

We climbed up to the roof just as the sun was preparing to set.

Although not a dorm student, Jacob pitched in stringing the necessary lighting.

Armed with grills, blue stools, and tongs, each group barbecued and spent time together. Unlike typical Moon Festival celebrations, marshmallows followed. Morrison is an American school after all.

Two of our grilling partners! 

While not as delicious as Ohio grown sweet corn, I did enjoy the corn-on-the-cob!

This was a delicious and fun way to end the weekend before heading back to school for a final week before fall break.

Wednesday was the actual holiday, so we decided to have our own private Moon Festival barbecue.

Carl did a great job buying a variety of different foods for our private feast. 

So armed with our little propane grill, personal tongs, and two kinds of barbecue sauce, we dug in.

Being on the sixth floor gives us a nice nighttime view of Taichung.

Their side of the grill was loaded down with the meat while my side had vegetables, tofu, and fish! We did discover that carrots and broccoli don't leave much to be desired when grilled.

For the Taiwanese, this is a multi-hour event. Everyone in the family joins in the fun. Grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins all cooking, eating, and spending time together. We condensed ours into a shorter time period.

And how, you may wonder, did this tradition become part of something called a moon festival?

A tv commercial.

Yes, it all began with a television commercial of a family celebrating the holiday by barbecuing.

Never underestimate the power of advertising!

Saturday at Its Best

I am so glad that God thought to create a day of rest!

The beginning of this school year has been tough. However, I must admit, it is my own fault.

Every six years, a task force is created of teachers and administrators to evaluate a subject area's benchmarks. These are updated and then resources are evaluated and chosen.

Last year's task force was English Language Arts, which encompasses a huge chunk of my day- reading, writing, grammar, phonics, and spelling.

All my lessons for reading and writing developed over the past five years were no longer usable. 

As a result, new lessons and assessments need to be developed, written, and implemented.

I had all summer.

I had the time, but did I look at it, I mean really look at the new benchmarks?

No.

I was just plain, old lazy.

And now, I am paying the price for that laziness.

That price has been quite taxing- eleven, twelve hour days, as well as time in my classroom Saturday for the past seven weeks.

That's why I am so glad for Sunday. 

I say all that to celebrate the fact that when I locked my classroom door Friday evening, I was ready for Monday. I know. That doesn't sound like an accomplishment worthy of a blog post, but in my heart it was very worthy of a celebration.

So, instead of working, I instead enjoyed the plethora of activities available Saturday on campus. Starting Friday night until late Saturday afternoon, I cheered through three volleyball games,

 

two soccer games,

and multiple swimming events at an international swim meet.