Chinese New Year Fun

One of the perks of teaching in an Asian country is the abundance of holidays.

Morrison is an American school, but the majority of the students are of Asian descent. The result? Time off for the major American holidays AND time off for the major Taiwanese holidays. Before you get too envious, we start school in early August to make up for all the breaks. But once we get those first few weeks under our belt, the rewards are fabulous.

This past week was Chinese New Year. 

We spent part of our break in Kenting with our OMS family. We are so blessed to have these families and individuals in our lives. Time together worshiping, learning, sightseeing, and playing games was just the right recipe for relaxing.

 Even the lighthouse, at the most southern point of the island has the traditional Chinese couplets around its door. During Chinese New Year, most homes have a blessing framing their door. 

Temples are everywhere, even within the grounds of the lighthouse.

After leaving the lighthouse we drove around the tip to the pristine views of the west coast. We were just there recently during Christmas, but it was so windy, it was hard to enjoy the views.  

Missionary friends Don and Marla, along with part of the Senner family. Mark is Abbi's AP Statistics teacher, as well as Jake's geometry teacher.  

Last time we were here, we saw water buffalo feasting. This time it was goats munching away.

The next day was a little bit warmer so a group of us stormed the beach! Only the brave and insanely crazy actually got in the water.

 Our last day found us hiking out to a scenic cliff area. But, we weren't alone. For many Taiwanese, Chinese New Year is the only holiday they have. After their family obligations, they take advantage of the beauty their country offers.

The walk out was over a mile. so many tourists opted for the optional bus ride. A constant flow of busses, returned the masses to their vehicles.

I got a lot of use out of my camera's zoom lens. 

I just can't seem to get enough of the Pacific Ocean and the east coastline.

After the retreat, we traveled over the mountain to the east coast. Before leaving Taiwan, Abbi wanted one mare chance to enjoy the beach in Taitung. The trip which should have only been a couple hours long stretched twice as long as everybody else also wanted to enjoy the scenic drive.

While the water was warmer than that in Kenting, the weather was more cloudy and rainy. Nevertheless, both Jacob and Abbi enjoyed the waves.

Leaving Jacob to return later on the train, the rest of us headed back to Taichung. Hoping to avoid all the traffic, we left at 9pm.  We still experienced bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic, even at 1am.

While I had a great time, I think next year \ I'll enjoy the holiday at home!

She's Making Me Sad

Yes, she did it again.

Another reminder that this is her last year and will soon be moving on.

Not sure my heart will survive.

Senior night recognition.

A manger and two players are the only seniors this year. Abbi is the only returning senior.

Abbi's basketball poster!

Please pray for Abbi and her team this coming week. They will be flying to Malaysia for the tournament. They leave Tuesday morning and return the following Sunday. All the teams in this league are from Christian schools in Asia. Pray for safety in traveling, health, teamwork, and Christlike attitudes in all circumstances. 

Two sports down; one more to go!

Superbowl 50

This wasn't your typical Super Bowl.

When you live on the other side of the world, it just isn't the same.

For example, its not Super Bowl Sunday.

It's Super Bowl Monday.

And its not an evening event. Its an early morning spectacle.

So instead of chips and dips, eggs, bacon, and toast are served!

So this is Super Bowl 50 Taiwan style. Or even more specific, OMS style. We are currently with our mission family in the southern city of Kenting. Every year, the OMS missionaries scattered across the country gather to spend time bonding and growing as a team. Typical activities were suspended to allow the team, especially the male members, to enjoy the BIG game. Since kick off was at 7:30am, some of us enjoyed sleeping in and catching the second half of the game! 

CNY!

Family. Food. Fireworks.

The occasion, you ask?

Chinese New Year, of course.

Chinese New Year is Taiwan's biggest holiday. Preparations and the level of excitement are parallel of that of Christmas. Homes are cleaned from the top to the bottom. Children, no matter their age, travel back to the homes of their parents. Bushels of food are bought and consumed. Continuous bangs and booms fill the sky. Red envelopes fund the dreams and desires of the young.

The week prior to Chinese New Year was jammed pack with fun, exciting, cultural activities for my students.

They were given the opportunity to try their hand at Chinese calligraphy.

The last day before our CNY break, several moms worked together to plan an amazing New Year party for my students.

Students were encouraged to either dress in red, the color of happiness, or in traditional clothing.

The festivities began with a game designed to represent the sound of the fireworks set off during Chinese New Years.

Then there were four...

Then three...

Down to two... 

The winners! I think they would have spent the rest of the day jumping and leaping, so we declared a tie for first.

After all the screaming, running, hopping, stomping, and popping, we returned to the classroom to enjoy some traditional foods. Each food held a significance and blessing. I tried eating a lot of the one that was said to help children grow tall, but somehow I think it may come a little too late!

These wonderful moms also provided hong pao- red envelopes containing money.

Even though red envelopes are traditionally given to children, I even got one! Mine had two chocolate coins (yummy) and 10nt!

For the most part, my everyday life here in Taiwan is normal.

Normal in the sense of the American life.

My neighbors all speak English. My students only speak English with me. My house is set up like a typical American home. I eat mostly western food. 

In fact, if I stayed on campus all the time, it would be easy to forget that I don't live in America. That was one reason I liked living off campus. 

Having to walk home every evening through the village was a constant reminder of who I was and where I lived. Stack houses are not common in Ohio. Neither is neighbors burning money and setting up tables with sacrifices in front of their houses. I not once was ever able to a conversation with the next door lady that didn't involve charades or asking my daughter to interpret.

Last night, however, that world outside the sheltered Morrison campus invaded our calm serene Sunday evening laziness.

It began with a loud, but not visually satisfying round of fireworks. I didn't know at that time, but it was the beginning of a very loud, very long, very involved god parade.

It wasn't till this ostentatious procession neared our building blasting loud music did I realize the significance of the earlier noisy announcement.

While having witnessed god parades before, I must say this was the longest, brightest most involved display to ever cross my path.

Sprinting to my room, I grabbed my camera to try and capture the elaborate production. From our sixth floor, the details were hard to make out. The following pictures were captured by a friend who was at street level.

Several gods were being carried. 

There were two of these fully electrified trucks. They literally lit up the night.

What is not pictured here are the scantily dressed "pole dancers". Yes, I wrote pole dancers. That's about the only way I know how to describe these girls who ride a top trucks and jeeps, moving and swaying to the blaring music. Not sure I know the purpose of their presence.

To see my view of the parade watch this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHfa9VQyZss&feature=youtu.be 

and

I am so glad that I serve a God that doesn't need me to carry him. In fact, why serve and sacrifice to a god