Best. Monday. Ever.

So this is just a little video of Carrie and I being complete children at Christmas. . .

Our care packages from home have been held in customs for 5 days now and were delivered to our work today. So like mature adults we ran home at lunch, each carrying our 30lbs boxes to rip into like savages. Our families had originally planned a skype conversation on Christmas where we could open our presents together.....a video blog will just have to do.

We love you all and thank you so much for the wonderful gifts. Carrie and I are truly grateful for such thoughtful family and friends and now see just how spoiled we really are!

xo

After working all day, attending a staff dinner and skyping our family Carrie and I ventured downtown around 12pm...so technically it was Boxing Day celebrations. We left some poor stragglers at home in bed as it had been a long day but everyone knows we don't want to miss out on a little party....it's Christmas time!
Our friend Tommy was playing some tunes at a local bar and we went along to support and enjoy the all you can drink beverage specials.

A Christmas concert like no other...

These kids are just the cutest!

Scooter

For some reason it took Carrie and I four months to finally get a scooter. We test drove the scooter and paid for it one night then had to return the following night to pick it up. I choose to drive the scooter home as doubling for the first time was not the smartest decsion we could make. This was terrifying to say the least. I had not yet driven a scooter successfuly but now had no choice but to drive on my own, at night in rush hour traffic for 20 minutes to bring our baby home. Mike was kind enough to give me a lift and guide me safely back. He was very patient with me and the whole process. When we arrived to get the scooter it was not ready. For some reason the engine was exposed and a sketchy looking bike was torn apart next to it. He apparently wasn't done working on the bike. Once he was finished he let Mike test drive it. Something seemed a little off....I don't know much about scooters but it sounded different. He then began to fix it again. The old man at the shop was next to test it. They said now I was ready to go. I geared up and got on. As I am ready to entire traffic the light turns green, Mike leads, I grab the throtle and....nothing. Eeeee! I try again....bahh what do I do? I relaize it has stalled and I re-start but the light is now red. I sit paitently waiting for Mike to return having to continue to rev the engine to keep it running. We take the bike back to the mechanics who speak zero english and use charades to desribe the problem. Once again the bike is ripped open and we are waiting. Finally it is finished and off we go again! This time it was a success! I made it all the way home without crashing into anything or anyone! The next day Mike took Carrie and I on a tour around our town so we could be become more familiar with how to get places via scooter. This was my first experience driving with a passenger.... after a scary first right turn it was smooth sailing. After lunch it was Carrie's turn drive. I rode with Mike and Carrie was on her own. We are now both practiced up and ready to rock!!

Nothing is stopping us now!

Famous in a small town

Our first school outing Denise and I went on a 10km bike ride and ended up playing drums with government officials. It was a joke that somewhere we were all over the news. It turns out, we were!One of my students gave me this book and was so excited to tell me I was on the front. This is the cover of a Hsinchu County guide of some sort. Of course it's in Chinese so we can't read it...but now I'm really regretting choosing the au natural look. Now, these are being dispersed in our apartment building. I've always wanted to be a cover girl! haha

Christmas in Taiwan

Denise and I were talking earlier about how sad and depressing Christmas would be this year. No family, turkey, presents, songs...no ugly Christmas sweaters! While Denise was getting down about this I simply turned to her and said "We're not skipping Christmas! We're downsizing!"
Christmas is what you make it and although we couldn't be with our friends and family, we are thinking of you and love you very much!
This year was a slight stray from the norm. New friends to spend it with and new ways to celebrate. Happy Holidays from Taiwan! xo

Twas the season of Christmas
And all through Jhubei
Not a snowflake did fall
No Christmas songs would play.

Our fingers were crossed
Our spirits were held high
In hopes that our packages
Soon would arrive.

Christmas morning came
But our packages did not
Ebenezer Scrooge owns Fedex
In customs our packages were caught.

But Christmas does not come
In packages, boxes, or bows
It is the feeling inside
This is what everyone knows.

Santa did not lose our address
Just a slight delay
The postal service is no match
For Santa's reindeer and sleigh.

Our Christmas dinner was non-traditional
No turkey, pie, or stuffing
But celebrations with new friends
Until the wee hours of morning.

Before shutting our eyes
We turned on our skype
Sent love to our family and said,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Monday Dec. 21, 2009

Wow .... 4 months gone.

Scooterville!

Last night we did it! We bought a scooter! It was exhilarating and terrifying. I was the lucky one to do the test drive to make sure it was up to par. You know, because I'm a scooter expert.
I followed Mike to make sure I didn't die and he said I did okay. Despite the rush hour crazy traffic, just about hitting a pedestrian, almost getting run over by a bus, it was a success! Sale made. We pick up the mean green machine tonight after work.

Pictures and videos I'm sure will follow. Wish us luck!

Episode 19

Introducing Mike and Tommy.

Welcome boys to the adventure!

When In Taiwan...

Sweet Moves

Just to brighten up your day. This always makes me smile!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HOzoPrwLqk&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh+div-1r-3-HM