An unexpected holiday for us, so no complaints. We're gonna take it easy, cause it's cold out. Maybe have some delicious food....
Enjoy your life!
And on a funnier note, here's Danielle on Youtube....
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Tomb Sweeping Day
Happy Tomb Sweeping Day, everyone.
An unexpected holiday for us, so no complaints. We're gonna take it easy, cause it's cold out. Maybe have some delicious food....
Enjoy your life!
An unexpected holiday for us, so no complaints. We're gonna take it easy, cause it's cold out. Maybe have some delicious food....
Enjoy your life!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Life's Guide Updates
Just a quick heads-up that I've updated the Life's Guide site. It continues to grow little by little. Someday it may be a book. But for now, it's just for us.
I'm very open to comments, so I've added comments to the site. Please, feel free to comment. I'm looking for input and suggestions.
I'm very open to comments, so I've added comments to the site. Please, feel free to comment. I'm looking for input and suggestions.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Our Trip to Maoli
More pictures from another trip with Paul and family. This time we went to Maoli. Historical sights and lots of wood carving. We visited the wood carving museum, and did some shopping and sightseeing. Enjoy the photos...
The train bridge that fell after an earthquake. The station is deserted now and is a big tourist attraction. Giant-ass wood carving are all abound at the museum. This elephant is as big as a car, and it's carved from a single piece of wood. Very cool. This was an early industry for Taiwan, with master carvers producing works for export to North America, Europe and Japan.
We ate at an amazing noodle house. The best places are always very unassuming, and Paul knows where they are. Now we have to get better at finding the best places. We ate at the most tranquil vegetarian restaurant in the mountains. It was amazing. We talked philosophy and politics late into the evening. This place is the sort of place you dream about...and $4000 ($150 CDN) a night for one of the cabins.
Like I said, this place was a dream. The food was great and the atmosphere was even better. I loved all the ducks around, and the setting in the mountains was just amazing. Paul tells us that its very difficult to find land in the mountains that also has such a supply of water. They have their own septic lake for the restaurant and all the cabins.
NEways, we had a great time, and ate some fantastic food.
The train bridge that fell after an earthquake. The station is deserted now and is a big tourist attraction. Giant-ass wood carving are all abound at the museum. This elephant is as big as a car, and it's carved from a single piece of wood. Very cool. This was an early industry for Taiwan, with master carvers producing works for export to North America, Europe and Japan.
We ate at an amazing noodle house. The best places are always very unassuming, and Paul knows where they are. Now we have to get better at finding the best places. We ate at the most tranquil vegetarian restaurant in the mountains. It was amazing. We talked philosophy and politics late into the evening. This place is the sort of place you dream about...and $4000 ($150 CDN) a night for one of the cabins.
Like I said, this place was a dream. The food was great and the atmosphere was even better. I loved all the ducks around, and the setting in the mountains was just amazing. Paul tells us that its very difficult to find land in the mountains that also has such a supply of water. They have their own septic lake for the restaurant and all the cabins.
NEways, we had a great time, and ate some fantastic food.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Odds and Ends
Greetings!
1. Turns out, the fireworks are celebrating the reopening of business after the Chinese New Year. That's what you see on TV as the celebrations with the Dragons and whatnot. That explains some about the various times....
2. I'm working on a new blog. You can read it here. It's about alternative health (and what shouldn't be considered alternative). It's just begun, so give it time to mature. I'm going to try and inform everyone on what I've learned.
3. Moeller Technique. Really changing the way I'm thinking about drums. More on that later.
1. Turns out, the fireworks are celebrating the reopening of business after the Chinese New Year. That's what you see on TV as the celebrations with the Dragons and whatnot. That explains some about the various times....
2. I'm working on a new blog. You can read it here. It's about alternative health (and what shouldn't be considered alternative). It's just begun, so give it time to mature. I'm going to try and inform everyone on what I've learned.
3. Moeller Technique. Really changing the way I'm thinking about drums. More on that later.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Chinese New Year - The Down Side...
Okay, enough all ready!
Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days, and I'm wondering how long the whole 'firecracker' thing is going to go on....There's no sense to it. People randomly light firecrackers at random times, for no apparent reason.
So, you're lying in bed at 6:30 in the morning, and all of a sudden, there's a gun fight outside your window! Or at 11:17am, or at 3:37pm or at 7:44pm, or 2:26am....
And remember how I mentioned there was no insulation in Taiwan, well...insulation keeps more than just cold weather out...it also keeps sound out! Given the configuration of our apartment complex, there's a series of corridors between buildings, and it amplifies the sound. You never know when they'll go off (like right now!).
Enough already!!
Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days, and I'm wondering how long the whole 'firecracker' thing is going to go on....There's no sense to it. People randomly light firecrackers at random times, for no apparent reason.
So, you're lying in bed at 6:30 in the morning, and all of a sudden, there's a gun fight outside your window! Or at 11:17am, or at 3:37pm or at 7:44pm, or 2:26am....
And remember how I mentioned there was no insulation in Taiwan, well...insulation keeps more than just cold weather out...it also keeps sound out! Given the configuration of our apartment complex, there's a series of corridors between buildings, and it amplifies the sound. You never know when they'll go off (like right now!).
Enough already!!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Food Poisoning!
Damn Subway Subs!!
I had Subway Monday night (my favorite, Italian BMT) for maybe the fourth time since coming to Taiwan. I usually eat in the markets or one of the local teahouses. Once or twice a week we'll eat Western.
Well, this one's for my family, so if you're otherwise, don't read on....(this means Danielle was smart enough to go veggie).
NEways, I've never been sick like this before in my life. Food poisoning really sucks! I mean, I puked all night (about 12 times) and just had the worst diarrhea ever!! Nasty stuff. Once when I was a kid, I was barfing non-stop when my dad took me to the hospital to see Dr. Leckie (thanks dad). I think this was worse. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. My chest is sore (two days later) from continuous vomiting. Danielle says it was like the puking scene from Team America....
At least I know my immune system is strong cause it got rid of everything. I drank a ton of Supa Supau (Taiwanese Gatorade) and the next day, I could eat again. It's taking my bowels a little longer to come back online, but wow, what a ride.
We eat at all sorts of places, market food, etc. in Taiwan, and it's a damn Western restaurant that makes me sick. Go figure. I can even drink the water....
BTW...I'm just looking for sympathy... *puppy eyes*
I had Subway Monday night (my favorite, Italian BMT) for maybe the fourth time since coming to Taiwan. I usually eat in the markets or one of the local teahouses. Once or twice a week we'll eat Western.
Well, this one's for my family, so if you're otherwise, don't read on....(this means Danielle was smart enough to go veggie).
NEways, I've never been sick like this before in my life. Food poisoning really sucks! I mean, I puked all night (about 12 times) and just had the worst diarrhea ever!! Nasty stuff. Once when I was a kid, I was barfing non-stop when my dad took me to the hospital to see Dr. Leckie (thanks dad). I think this was worse. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. My chest is sore (two days later) from continuous vomiting. Danielle says it was like the puking scene from Team America....
At least I know my immune system is strong cause it got rid of everything. I drank a ton of Supa Supau (Taiwanese Gatorade) and the next day, I could eat again. It's taking my bowels a little longer to come back online, but wow, what a ride.
We eat at all sorts of places, market food, etc. in Taiwan, and it's a damn Western restaurant that makes me sick. Go figure. I can even drink the water....
BTW...I'm just looking for sympathy... *puppy eyes*
Monday, February 19, 2007
Happy Chinese New Year!
Year of the Pig -- A very lucky year!
'Gong shee, Gong shee!' According to our friend/client, Paul, this is a New Year's wish that we must say whenever we encounter friends throughout the Chinese New Year holiday.
On the 17th of February, we were invited to Paul's house in Dajia, (大甲) in Taichung County (the country outskirts of Taichung) to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family and friends.This was our first time venturing outside of the city on our own. Thanks to Google Earth and Paul's directions, we arrived on our scooter with little trouble.
Paul's invitation was an opportunity that allowed us to gain a more profound understanding of the customs and meaning behind this celebration. I feel that in Canada, our interpretation of Chinese New Year was somewhat distorted as we were exposed to an adapted version of the Chinese New Year made to fit into a North American context.
In Canada, Chinese families seem to celebrate with other members of the Chinese community in their area to minimize feelings of isolation from family, friends and their homeland. This means parties in large halls, parades, huge fireworks displays, traditional performances and buffets.
The grandiosity of this event in North America gives the impression that Chinese New Year is really big. However, after our experience and discussions with Paul and his friends, we have come to realize that Chinese New Year is in fact a more intimate, humble celebration in its native land.
Before, I had believed that Chinese New Year evoked the same great feelings of anticipation and excitement that Christmas gives to people in my country. Now, rather than comparing the Chinese New Year to Christmas, I would say that it is more akin to Thanksgiving in the West...that is, an extended thanksgiving which lasts 15 days.
In Taiwan, anyhow, Chinese New Year appears to be a time when families get together and give thanks. This is a 'spring' festival, according to Paul, that traditionally fell after the harvest. There is no extensive gift giving, but children and employees alike can expect to receive red envelopes containing money from their relatives and employers, respectively.
One important custom is to give thanks to and to worship ancestors. Every home generally has a shrine, usually in a room called a temple, where food and burning incense are arranged on a table. Part of the Chinese New Year tradition is to bow before this shrine in worship and thanksgiving of ancestors.
Traditionally, ancestors are supposed to be located on the left side of a temple, but in Paul's temple they were located on the right, due to his ancestors' special status as generous people (this, historically, was decided by the emperor). Paul's shrine is also somewhat unique from the majority of the population because it holds a small box containing statues representing his great-grandmother and great-grandfather. His family must therefore worship two family names.
After worship, the meal is usually served. We enjoyed many 'delicious Taiwanese foods' (they like to use the word, 'delicious' here), including pig's knuckles, lemony chicken, angel hair pasta with Taiwanese pesto, seafood, and tofu with vegetables. The meal was prepared by Paul's wife and their Vietnamese housekeeper (Their housekeeper may later prepare for us a traditional Vietnamese meal, which Paul and his family have been reluctant to try on their own so far).
After the meal, we visited Maoli temple where there were large, paper mache pigs and other traditional symbols. The engravings and sculptures in this temple were amazingly detailed and historic. In history, Maoli is said to have been quite wealthy, according to the writings near the entrance of this traditional temple.
The behaviour of the people worshiping seemed casual in comparison to the solemnity practiced in many Western Christian churches. However, it should be noted that some of the traditions of worship have been forgotten here, as many contemporary worshipers unknowingly enter in the doors intended for the gods, according to Paul. In addition, 'Hell money' (traditionally burned to appease the spirits of ancestors) is now dumped into a trunk and burnt in an incinerator to reduce air pollution (traditional burning produced a lot of BAD smoke).
Later, we returned to Paul's house and continued to feast upon traditional snacks (nuts, shredded cheese and Taiwanese candies). At this time, we enjoyed the company of Paul's friends and family.
During our scooter ride home, the streets were lined with impromptu fireworks. The fireworks regulations are quite lose here, so people will set them off anywhere at any given time, especially during traditional celebrations. There were 163 fireworks related injuries this year.
I should add that Paul's house is located on the same property as his factory which produces 'puffed dye', and other water-based dyes, that they sell to companies like Nike and that are used on items such as runners. Paul gave us two traditional hanging mementos. One reads something like, 'luck and smooth sailing' and the other reads, 'prosperity and riches', in Chinese. It is a very personal gift from him, as the writing is printed using the puffed ink from his factory.
Paul is becoming a good friend of ours. A few months ago we all went hiking together
in the famous 'Shito Mountain'. It was a refreshing change from the densely polluted air of Taichung. We were sure to breathe deeply during our hike.
Before the hike, we met Paul's best friend, Alex, who was one of Paul's evening visitors during the Chinese New Year celebration. Alex treated us to some amazing soup at a small, but famous, Taiwanese restaurant in the foothills of Shito Mountain. He also took the picture of James and I. In the next picture (I took it) you can see Paul and his wife, Alex, Paul's son Michael, and some goon we don't know who just sat down at our table and started eating.
One thing that James and I have noticed during our time here so far is that everything is different, but at the same time, the same. Hiking up Shito Mountain was very similar to hiking in the North Bay area. With the exception of poinsettias, banana trees (with leaves the size of our bed), huge spider webs that could trap a bat, and other minor foliage differences, we felt right at home. It was very nice to get a glimpse of another part of Taiwan.
And what did we do for Christmas, you ask? Well, we attended a Christmas party thrown by one of our Columbia colleagues for homesick foreigners. There, we participated in a secret Santa gift exchange and enjoyed a turkey dinner with pumpkin pie and, of course, Christmas pudding for dessert.
On December 25th, our families were missed, but it didn't quite feel like Christmas. I have to say, I think that both James and I felt that the Chinese New Year took on a greater significance and that we felt more festive during Paul's Chinese New Year celebration than we did at Christmas. It goes to show you, a holiday is not a holiday without family and friends.
Best wishes for the New Year and 'gong shee' to everyone back at home!
On the 17th of February, we were invited to Paul's house in Dajia, (大甲) in Taichung County (the country outskirts of Taichung) to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family and friends.This was our first time venturing outside of the city on our own. Thanks to Google Earth and Paul's directions, we arrived on our scooter with little trouble.
Paul's invitation was an opportunity that allowed us to gain a more profound understanding of the customs and meaning behind this celebration. I feel that in Canada, our interpretation of Chinese New Year was somewhat distorted as we were exposed to an adapted version of the Chinese New Year made to fit into a North American context.
In Canada, Chinese families seem to celebrate with other members of the Chinese community in their area to minimize feelings of isolation from family, friends and their homeland. This means parties in large halls, parades, huge fireworks displays, traditional performances and buffets.
The grandiosity of this event in North America gives the impression that Chinese New Year is really big. However, after our experience and discussions with Paul and his friends, we have come to realize that Chinese New Year is in fact a more intimate, humble celebration in its native land.
Before, I had believed that Chinese New Year evoked the same great feelings of anticipation and excitement that Christmas gives to people in my country. Now, rather than comparing the Chinese New Year to Christmas, I would say that it is more akin to Thanksgiving in the West...that is, an extended thanksgiving which lasts 15 days.
In Taiwan, anyhow, Chinese New Year appears to be a time when families get together and give thanks. This is a 'spring' festival, according to Paul, that traditionally fell after the harvest. There is no extensive gift giving, but children and employees alike can expect to receive red envelopes containing money from their relatives and employers, respectively.
One important custom is to give thanks to and to worship ancestors. Every home generally has a shrine, usually in a room called a temple, where food and burning incense are arranged on a table. Part of the Chinese New Year tradition is to bow before this shrine in worship and thanksgiving of ancestors.
Traditionally, ancestors are supposed to be located on the left side of a temple, but in Paul's temple they were located on the right, due to his ancestors' special status as generous people (this, historically, was decided by the emperor). Paul's shrine is also somewhat unique from the majority of the population because it holds a small box containing statues representing his great-grandmother and great-grandfather. His family must therefore worship two family names.
After worship, the meal is usually served. We enjoyed many 'delicious Taiwanese foods' (they like to use the word, 'delicious' here), including pig's knuckles, lemony chicken, angel hair pasta with Taiwanese pesto, seafood, and tofu with vegetables. The meal was prepared by Paul's wife and their Vietnamese housekeeper (Their housekeeper may later prepare for us a traditional Vietnamese meal, which Paul and his family have been reluctant to try on their own so far).
After the meal, we visited Maoli temple where there were large, paper mache pigs and other traditional symbols. The engravings and sculptures in this temple were amazingly detailed and historic. In history, Maoli is said to have been quite wealthy, according to the writings near the entrance of this traditional temple.
The behaviour of the people worshiping seemed casual in comparison to the solemnity practiced in many Western Christian churches. However, it should be noted that some of the traditions of worship have been forgotten here, as many contemporary worshipers unknowingly enter in the doors intended for the gods, according to Paul. In addition, 'Hell money' (traditionally burned to appease the spirits of ancestors) is now dumped into a trunk and burnt in an incinerator to reduce air pollution (traditional burning produced a lot of BAD smoke).
Later, we returned to Paul's house and continued to feast upon traditional snacks (nuts, shredded cheese and Taiwanese candies). At this time, we enjoyed the company of Paul's friends and family.
During our scooter ride home, the streets were lined with impromptu fireworks. The fireworks regulations are quite lose here, so people will set them off anywhere at any given time, especially during traditional celebrations. There were 163 fireworks related injuries this year.
I should add that Paul's house is located on the same property as his factory which produces 'puffed dye', and other water-based dyes, that they sell to companies like Nike and that are used on items such as runners. Paul gave us two traditional hanging mementos. One reads something like, 'luck and smooth sailing' and the other reads, 'prosperity and riches', in Chinese. It is a very personal gift from him, as the writing is printed using the puffed ink from his factory.
Paul is becoming a good friend of ours. A few months ago we all went hiking together
in the famous 'Shito Mountain'. It was a refreshing change from the densely polluted air of Taichung. We were sure to breathe deeply during our hike.
Before the hike, we met Paul's best friend, Alex, who was one of Paul's evening visitors during the Chinese New Year celebration. Alex treated us to some amazing soup at a small, but famous, Taiwanese restaurant in the foothills of Shito Mountain. He also took the picture of James and I. In the next picture (I took it) you can see Paul and his wife, Alex, Paul's son Michael, and some goon we don't know who just sat down at our table and started eating.
One thing that James and I have noticed during our time here so far is that everything is different, but at the same time, the same. Hiking up Shito Mountain was very similar to hiking in the North Bay area. With the exception of poinsettias, banana trees (with leaves the size of our bed), huge spider webs that could trap a bat, and other minor foliage differences, we felt right at home. It was very nice to get a glimpse of another part of Taiwan.
And what did we do for Christmas, you ask? Well, we attended a Christmas party thrown by one of our Columbia colleagues for homesick foreigners. There, we participated in a secret Santa gift exchange and enjoyed a turkey dinner with pumpkin pie and, of course, Christmas pudding for dessert.
On December 25th, our families were missed, but it didn't quite feel like Christmas. I have to say, I think that both James and I felt that the Chinese New Year took on a greater significance and that we felt more festive during Paul's Chinese New Year celebration than we did at Christmas. It goes to show you, a holiday is not a holiday without family and friends.
Best wishes for the New Year and 'gong shee' to everyone back at home!
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