Lots of Days...

I have been extremely busy the last few weeks, but I am here to rememdy my missing days.

Day 15, February 8th

(pic taken from Erica)

Erica always makes Jiaozi (dumplings) at her home.  

I decided that I wanted her to teach me how to make them. 

We went to a few different places looking for jiaozipi (dumpling wrappers)

and couldn't find them anywhere. 

Some of the ladies at work went to 3 different markets looking for us,

but we couldn't find any.  I got online and found a recipe. It sounded so easy. 

Definitely not easy at all!  The dough kept shrinking. 

But we finally succeeded in making taco and pizza jiaozi!  Yummy!!!

Day 14, February 7th

Me and Erica in line somewhere.

I just really love this girl. She has been such a great friend to me.
We can relate to each other so well because we live in very similar cultures.
It is so interesting to hear how different Taiwan and China are though.

Day 13, February 6th


Day 12, February 5th

(picture stolen from Erica)

Since I have been in Taiwan for 14 months now, I sometimes don't realize how different things are from America or other places in the world.  My sweet friend, Erica, helped me see through her eyes when things were so different.  Above is a bike rack with two layers of bikes.  The top layer just rolls out and hinges down to get the bike on or off.  You don't have to lift the bike up over your head to store it. 

Day 16, February 9th

(Pic stolen from Erica)

BING!

Bing is one of the most amazing desserts I have ever eaten.

It is literally shaved ice, fresh fruit of your choice, and condensed milk.

It is so yummy.  We are eating banana and strawberry bing.

Day 17, February 10th

Day 18, February 11th

Stamp Thief

I had a very exciting day at work.  My coworker, Leah, and I heard yelling down the hall.  We ran to investigate.  One of our national coworkers had the man in light blue pinned by his wrists and was yelling at him.  Another national coworker came to translate for me and Leah, telling us that the man in light blue had snuck into our office and was stealing things.  The police showed up shortly after and interrogated the thief in our hallway.  At one point, one of the policemen even kicked the thief.  I told one of the national staff that I really wanted to take a picture, and she told me that I could get away with it because I am a foreigner.  We ended up not pressing charges because all he stole was a handful of stamps. 

Day 11, February 4th

Day 11, February 4th

The group at Bitou Cliffs

We took a road trip to the north of Taiwan. 

It was beautiful and the sun decided to join us!

I am pretty sure it is the first clear day in 2011.

We climbed about a million steps and only a few bloody toes! 

Today just added to my love of Taiwan.

Day 10, February 3rd

Day 10, February 3rd

Erica and I saw my first set of street dancers in Taiwan.

These guys were more like acrobats.

It was so much fun, even though they were pretty terrible dancers.

Day 7, January 31st

Day 7, January 31st

(I didn't leave my apartment on the 29th or 30th, so I have no photos to show.... sorry! And again, this is a two picture day.  I feel like I am making up for those few days that I have already missed.)

Dihua Chinese New Year Market

This market is only open for 2 weeks out of the year.

The vendors sell mostly traditional Taiwanese food.



 

This is some kind of mushroom soup.

It smelled absolutely terrible, but it must have been tasty

because the line was outrageously long.



GUESS

What is the red sesame glazed stuff is at the bottom of this picture?

Day 4, January 28th

Day 4, January 28th

I had to travel to Taichung, which is a city in central Taiwan, for work. 

While working, I saw this outside the window.

Big Buddha's Head  

It deserved more than one picture!

Can you see the tiny person at Big Buddha's feet?

That is my friend and coworker, Leah.

Day 3, January 27th

Day 3, January 27th

"Do not crouch on the toilet to prevent accident"

"Do not stand on the toilet."



No Explaination Needed.

Day 2, January 26

Day 2, January 26th

This is the Tourism Slogan for Taiwan.

"Taiwan - Touch Your Heart"

When my sweet friend, Kalie, came to visit almost a year ago, she loved these signs.  Everywhere she went, she would comment on the funny slogan.

Well, last night after I took the picture, I started thinking about how Taiwan really has touched my heart.  I know that I will forever be changed because of my time in Taiwan.  I have met some of the most giving, kind hearted, loving, unique, special people in the world.  The Lord has blessed me with so many sweet friendships that I know will last for a lifetime.  He has provided many opportunities for me to love on those people and for them to love on me in return. The Taiwanese have taught me a new way to love.  They give everything they have.  They don't just give what they have leftover.  They give their best and most precious items.  They give their time so freely.  I still struggle with making sure that I get the best of whatever it is or that I make sure to guard my time to myself.  But I am so convicted by that.  Did He send me to Taiwan so that I could sit at home and have time to myself?  No.  Are any of these items mine anyway? No.

I have been more challenged and fallen even more in love with my God and Savior through the love He has given me for the Taiwanese.  I have been and continue to be blessed through God using me here.

That girl that left Lubbock International Airport on December 2, 2009 will never ever be the same. 

Taiwan touched her heart.