following an unknown path

a man's god

A man's god is that which . . .
  has the greatest influence over him;
  he sets the highest value upon;
  he chiefly devotes himself and his energies.

(Henry Law, 1797-1884, public domain as seen on Grace Gems.)

a travelling we go

Tiffany, Rebecca and I are off to the northern part of Taiwan.  They have just 4.5 days left here with me.  As we will be busy seeing and doing lots of new things, the rest of the day-by-day updates will have to wait till I come back on Thursday.

Have a great weekend and week . . . and I'll "see you" later.

P.S. Again, thanks to those of you who helped with the contest voting.  Winner will be announced on Monday.  Even if I am third, I still will get my very own xshot so that I can bless you with even more pictures. :)

last chance

Friday is your last chance to vote for amanda--you have till noon EST. (So, it is also my last chance to bug you about it.)

If you voted previously, you can vote again--once a day is the limit.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to those of you who have voted for me.  If I win, I promise to share lots of pictures with you! :)

Since I am out of town Thursday and Friday of this week, I have no idea how I am doing in the contest, and I also can't vote for myself (Yep, this is an auto-post).  So, I appreciate all the help I can get!!! :)

dun xia

Tiffany and Rebecca have been having fun trying to "dun xia" (蹲下) (ie. squat down) like the Taiwanese do:

The only way Tiffany and Becka can do it and still keep their feet flat on the ground without tipping over backwards is if they are on an incline:

Tiffany and Becca's adventures--day 5

This day started off by just going to a local mega-mart for lunch and a little shopping.  We had "teh ban tsao"--food that is prepared right in front of us.  It was yummy if I do say so myself. 

The girls get a kick out of the prices here--because here the dollar sign is sometimes used for New Taiwan Dollars, so things seem really over priced (like these $990 t-shirts).  There are also many things for sale here that you would be hard pressed to find in the States. 

Mega-marts here are multi-level complexes.  So, the "escalator" is actually an inclined people-mover that has special tracking for locking in the wheels of the carts. 

After our shopping trip, Andy (one of my former students) took us to Lotus Lake for some sight seeing.

First up was the Tiger and Dragon pagodas, but sadly they were under construction.

So, we went to the Spring and Autumn pagodas next.

Before going in the dragon and inside the dragon.

After exiting the dragon. 

We then toured a Taoist Temple.  Seeing people actually bow and worship idols for the first time can be a life-altering event.  At the very least it gives new perspective to the book of Isaiah and the rest of the Old Testament as well.

 

We stopped briefly to enjoy a water lily pond.

Then we saw a huge idol which is actually a temple.  There are two more likeness of this same god of war inside the huge one.

As we walked around the lake to the different sites, we stopped and took some fun pictures. :)

Our last stop on Lotus Lake was a Confucian Temple.  A volunteer came and gave us a guided tour.  So, I learned a lot of new stuff--I'll pass on my new knowledge on another day.

For dinner, we had Japanese/Korean style BBQ.  Where we cooked our food on a BBQ grill right there in the middle of our table.  Pretty cool, huh?

It was an "eat till you are full" resturant, so here are Andy and me with the "menu" where you can keep ordering from for up to two hours.

More Day 5 pictures can be found on my flickr account.

Tiffany and Becca's adventures--day 4

Day 4 with Tiffany included a trip back across the island.  But, first we took a few pictures at the hotel.  Taiwan's aboriginal people live on the east coast.  We were staying in the PaiWan Tribe area.  There are 12 different aboriginal tribes in Taiwan in addition to the Taiwanese (Hokkien) people, Hakka people, and Mainlanders. 

We took the afternoon "off" and rested a bit.  Then for dinner, we had DimSum with Larina and her parents in downtown Kaohsiung. 

Of course we rode our mopeds there.  Although their backsides ached a little from the trip, they truly enjoyed the experience and the night scenes here.

Then, the best part of the day happened!!  We went to a Taiwanese night market!!  If you have not been to a night market while in Taiwan, you haven't really been to Taiwan. ;)

We were kinda full when we got there, but still we tried some new things . . . like "tea in a bag" and a chocolate covered frozen banana.

And, we played some "night market games" too!

And, did some shopping and lots of just looking at new stuff.

But, perhaps their favorite part of the whole night was "fishing" for turtles with tissue paper hoops.  The paper gets wet and breaks so it is not an easy feat at all.  But, Tiffany got four and Rebecca got two.  I was impressed!!  So, now there are turtles living in my home too.

More Day 4 pictures are on my Flickr.

Our night market trip was thanks to Andy, who was our awesome tour guide! 

two things to remember

1. Carnival of Beauty is over at Susanna's place this week.  It is about the Beauty of Play!  Please feel free to join us this week for our FUN, FUN theme!!! :)

2. You can still vote for Amanda.  In fact, you can vote once a day till Friday noon EST.  Currently, first place is 54 votes ahead of me and getting further ahead each day. :(

on mopeds at night

One of the great new things people visiting Taiwan get to experience is riding a moped!!

Saturday night, Larina (a former student and good friend) and I drove Tiffany and Rebecca to Kaohsiung City by moped.  The girls took this opportunity to film just how crazy it can be!

Don't worry mom, Janice, and Grandmothers . . . I promise I am taking good care of them.  And that they remain very safe. :)

Tiffany and Becca's adventures--days 2 and 3

On the 2nd and 3rd days of Tiffany and Rebecca's trip to Taiwan, we went east to help with the end of a week long mission trip/English camp. 

But first we had to cross the mountains and drive along the beautiful coast.

I'll have to go into more detail about the camp later when I have more time.  But, God was at work in Taimali and it was a blessing to be able to be a small part of it.

One of our responsibilities was to cook and serve 300 hot dogs!  We cooked them in an out door kitchen.  I have three words to say about that: IT WAS HOT!!!

Friday evening we had a celebration event.  Taimali is an abrigional village of the PaiWan tribe.  So, during the worship time of the celebration, some of the ladies started doing a traditional group dance around the sitting area.  So, we joined in as well.  It was a great experience.

But, perhaps the best part of the whole weekend was that 16 people were baptized Friday night!!!  Praise the Lord!!  (I promise to write more about that experience later.)

the value of the Word of God

"To a man who knows the value of the Word of God, it is . . .
   nearer than his friends,
   dearer than his life,
   sweeter than his liberty,
   pleasanter than his daily comforts."

"How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103).

"They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb" (Psalm 19:10).

"This one book is worth more than all the other books in the world! He who reads this book with attention, humility, prayer, and self application, can never be ignorant of that which it chiefly concerns him to know. "Therein are contained the words of eternal life. It has God for its Author, salvation for its object, and truth, without mixture of error, for its matter."

(Gorham Abbott, 1833, "The Family at Home." Public Domain as seen on Grace Gems.)

photo hunt: tiny

Relatively speaking, these cars are tiny.

 

Theme: Tiny | See More Tiny Stuff

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Don't forget you can vote for amanda once a day. hint. hint. :)

i want to be a mommy

(I know nothing about Kellie Coffey except for this song.)

Many women in my family (including me) have PCOS, which is the leading cause of infertility in women.  1 in 10 women have it. 

The powerful emotion that this song evokes causes tears to stream down my face.  I long to have a family, to be a wife, to be a mom . . . this singer has tapped into my heart of hearts, but even she has more than I do.  She has a "husband to love." 

It would be so easy to be bitter and envious.

But you know . . . in reality--in the nitty-gritty-in-your-face-this-is-life reality--I would still choose to be single and childless if it means God is better glorified in my life.  Oh, make no mistake, being a wife and a mother is something I really, really want!!!  But glorifying God is something I want even more.  (Clarification: Not that he wouldn't be glorified if I became a wife and a mom, but only He who knows how he can best be glorified in my life.)

Tears continue to fall.

He is all-powerful--He can do what he wants when he wants. 

He is all-good--He is a gracious, loving Father who gives good gifts and keeps his promises.  He has met my greatest need of all and blessed me way beyond I deserve. 

What right do I have to be bitter or envious?  None whatsoever.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

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Two Additional Thoughts
First, you know what else? Even though her song is powerful and brings tears to my eyes each time I watch it, I am not sure I would be willing to die in order to become a wife and a mom.  Namely, the pragmatics of it just don't make sense.  If I died to become a wife or a mom, well then I can't really be a wife or a mom now can I?  I'd be dead. 

Second, after I first heard this song . . . I later thought about the One who HAS died for me.  . . it is humbling.  I am grateful for His tender loving mercy and everlasting grace.  How undeserving I am!  . . . yes, the tears are falling again.

They are HERE!!!

My cousins.  My cousins are HERE . . . in TAIWAN . . . with me right now!!

Well, ok, they are sleeping in my guest room.  "Operation Stay Awake" worked well!!

Wel, ok, there was one small glitch, they both crashed on our last train of the day.  But that's ok it was only a 10 minute ride.

They got here at 6:30 this morning, and then we (plus Ellen) were off for a breakfast of fried dumplings and new zany drinks (i.e starfruit juice with sour plum, banana milk, and passion fruit green tea). 

Then, we did a VERY Taiwanese thing--we got our hair washed.  When you get your hair washed in Taiwan, they bring the water to your head in a little bottle and shampoo is in their hands.  Tiffany and Rebecca (my cousins) didn't see the shampoo in the hand and thought that their water bottles were filled with "magic shampoo" that didn't need water to work. :)

Oh, yeah, and I walked out that salon with straight hair.  I don't have a pic of it on my camera though--so you'll have to wait.  Let me just tell you straight hair is LOT more WORK than curly hair.

We then went for tour of Ellen's school and then had a great family-style Chinese lunch.  YUMMY!!

Then after a not-so-quick trip to the bank, we rode the high speed rail back to Kaohsiung.

Then in the evening we went to an Bible Study in English--tonight was all about learning who Jesus is based on reading Scriptures about what he did while on Earth.  Let me just tell you there is nothing sweeter than watching people fall in love Jesus, proclaiming he is good, realizing he has power over the spirits.  Sweet.  Just sweet I tell ya.

It's been a LONG day . . . and tomorrow begins early too.  We are going to the east coast to help out with the end of a week long summer camp.  So . . . off to bed I go.

Did I mention that I am just SO EXCITED that my cousins are here?!?!?!

the most awesome virtual recipe box ever

My officemate and good friend, Kady, jokingly calls me "google girl" because I love google and all their cool gidgets and gadgets that make life online easier.  I know google has it's drawbacks, and they probably know more about me that I know about me, but still you have to admit . . . This is just too cool!

What is this?  It is Google's virtual recipe box (still in beta).

When you choose something from the pull down menus (which are actually checklists), the listings below instantly change to meet your criteria.  How cool is that!?! 

The pull down menus available to you and the options inside them also change according to what you have checked in the other pull down menus. 

You can even choose "grid view" and see the photos associated with the recipes (of course sometimes that might mean a picture of grandma, but I am sure she is the cook). 

You can sort by a myriad of options so that the listing (or grid) falls into line in the way that best fits your needs.

Clicking on a recipe could take you to either a website hosting the info or a special "google base" page dedicated to that specific item.

Speaking of "Google Base," the virtual recipe box is actually just a small part of the larger "Google Base," which is way bigger (and just a tiny bit scary):

Google's goal is to organize the world's information, and that includes almost anything you might want to contribute, whether it's your store inventory, collection of original poetry, or research paper on cancer receptors. You can submit your information using either the standard web form or, if you have more than 10 items to submit, via our bulk upload options.

Wow.  Just wow.  Google (the noun) is giving all new meaning to google (the verb).

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Don't forget you can still vote for amanda. hint. hint. :)

i am craving . . .

TACOS!!!

Specifically . . .  beef tacos with gobs of melting cheese and lettuce and a few, finely chopped tomatoes.   Other fixings, nice but not necessary.

Soft?  Crunchy? Doesn't matter. 

Taco Bell?  ok. 
Taco Cabana? ok!
Little hole in the wall place my family goes to? OK!!

It doesn't matter . . . I just am really, really, really craving TACOS!!!!

(Photo Credit: pictures of yummy tacos are thanks to fllickr photographers using the creative common licenses: 1, 2, 3, 4.)

with thanks (and blogs I enjoy)

Bethany was probably my first bloggy friend.  Somehow she found my blog when I first started blogging and left TONS of encouraging comments.  She was instrumental in me finding my voice as a blogger.  I owe her tons and tons.  She has an awesome blog full of great pictures of her beautiful children. 

She recently said some really sweet things about me and gave me this:

A while back someone commented on my blog that I should check out Jimmie's blog.  So, I clickty-clicked and found a new bloggy friend (Thanks to whoever of you suggested that).  Jimmie is fun and has a great blog!!  She writes about life in China and homeschooling too.  This past week she has been blogging all about her family's ultimate field trip to Xian, land of the famous Terracotta Warriors.

She also recently said some really sweet things about me and gave me this:

Then this morning, I woke up to find a very "new-to-me" blogger (read: I only found her last night) also had left me the Rocking Girl Blogger Award!!  Ashley is a college student with some really amazing dreams and a heart for missions (check out this AWESOME video she posted).  I look forward to reading more and more about her adventures--cuz let me tell she has the "adventure gene" for sure.

Ashley also said some sweet things about me when she gave me this:

And, not to be left out a few months ago Crickl's Nest and Blair also gave me a "pass-it on blogging award" that I never passed on.

First . . .THANK YOU each of you ladies for encouraging me by saying nice things about me and my blog.  It is always nice to be appreciated!!

Second, it is hard for me to "pass it on" because I want to pass it on to everybody AND because words are my love language, so I want the words to be just right so that they perfectly convey my love. It's my people-pleasing perfectionism at it's height. :)

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Nevertheless, here are five bloggers that have been encouraging to me in the past few months. . . . if you are listed here, please (a) choose which if either award you would like to receive (or hey you could even take both) and (b) feel free to ignore the need to pass it on if you already got it before or are like me and find it difficult. 

Leslie @ Lux Venit
Leslie is about the same age as me but living a totally different life, and yet I feel a "kindred spirit" with her and totally admire her.  Leslie's posts are always well written and filled with wisdom; sometimes they are encouraging, sometimes informative, and sometimes raw with blatant honesty.  I enjoy visiting her blog and appreciate our budding bloggy friendship.  I'm glad I stumbled upon her blog a few months ago.

Blair @ Blair's Scribblings
Blair is another one of my first bloggy friends.  She has been an awesome supporter of the Carnival of Beauty, for which I am very thankful.  Like Leslie, Blair is another honest blogger.  I love how she is open about her goals--both her successes and failures.  She models something I long for in my own life.  Blair is also a storyteller.  Her posts are rich and a delight to read.  Some of her writing has even made me cry--it's powerful stuff I tell ya.  Again, I am very thankful for Blair's bloggy friendship.

Char @ Always an Adventure
I keep forgetting that I don't really know Charlotte in real life; I feel like I do or at least should.  She lives on the other side of this beautiful little island and keeps a blog that chronicles her life here in Taiwan.  I feel like we have so very much in common.  I love reading her stuff because it is always a great reminder that I am not all that unique/different after all.  We've talked about meeting in real life this summer; I hope that really happens.

Ashley @ 26cats and Beth @ Onward-n-Upward
Until just recently these two ladies blogged together, so I am going to write about them together.  Ashley and Beth are about my age; both are married but do not yet have children.  This was actually my initial attraction to their blog.  Being able to gain a glimpse into their lives as (young) married women striving to glorify God in all that they do.  And, it grew into something just a bit more than my nosiness . . . I appreciate their new bloggy friendships, and am thankful for the opportunity to get them them even better.

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Here are some other blogs that I read and enjoy on a regular basis, but I either lurk on these blogs or know them IRL.  Some I've been following for awhile, others I've only recently discovered.

• Anna's Photo of the Day (breathtaking photos)
• Bringing Good Home (a relatively new bloggy friend)
• Entertaining Angels (an IRL friend, also lives in Taiwan)
• Eyes of Wonder (a simply beautiful blog with serene photos)
• Holy Experience (another simply beautiful blog)
• joy in the journey (missionary, wife, and mom in Indonesia)
• Just My Journal (a long time bloggy friend--another one of those feels like I know her IRL situations)
• Lifesong (a relatively new read for me)
• Like Merchant Ships (blogs about her frugal life)
• Mountain Musings (a fun family blog from the mountains)
• Oh, the places you'll go! (brand spanking new bloggy friend)
• Sandy's Neipu Notebook (an IRL friend, also lives in Taiwan)
• Solo Femininity (a must read for single ladies)
• SQJ Taipei (fellow Taiwan blogger and missionary)
• The M Blog (blogs about missions from Ecuador)
• Through a Glass (a relatively new bloggy friend and faithful CoB supporter)
• Unfurling Flower (blogs about singleness and biblical femininity)

Thanks again--to ALL of you mentioned here!  I really do value all of you in a way that only another blogger can appreciate! :)

wanna help me win?

Remember the XShot contest I wrote about this weekend? 

Well, the winners will be decided by vote . . so if you wanna help me, go here and vote for Amanda. :)

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After posting this this morning . . . this afternoon, another security guy (not the same one from the story before) came running down the ramp to the parking garage with a letter from my grandmother in hand.  He delivered it to me in person right after I dismounted from my moped.  Talk about some major service!!  Gotta smile! :)

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Three posts in one day?  I think that is a first for me!!  Can you tell it is summer vacation?

The Carnival of Beauty

This week our theme is the Beauty of Grace!! 

This week's CoB will be hosted by Sara @ Stones of Remembrance on Friday.

Please consider joining us. More info here.

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Also, don't forget to check out our recent Carnival's:

• The Beauty of Humility @ Blair's Scribblings
• The Beauty of  . . . @ Leslie's Lux Venit
• The Beauty of Summer @ Beth's Onward-n-Upward

it's all about the 'tude

My parents taught me very early about the importance of attitude.  Learning how to adjust it was a very important part of my up-bringing.

However, I first heard about the "10/90 rule" in regards to attitude and life during my teen years from Charles Swindoll.  I had the following quote posted in my closet during high school so I could be reminded of its truth daily:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company . . . a church . . . a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past . . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you . . . we are in charge of our Attitudes.” (Charles Swindoll)

This is always true, but it is especially true when dealing with living in another country.  I must carefully guard my attitude and reaction to the things around me.  Sometimes it is a self-talk discussion where I must tell myself to choose to think and, thus, feel a certain way.

Let me give you an example. 

I live among thousands of Taiwanese people in a huge apartment complex.  I don't get a lot of mail, so I check my mail box regularly but not often.  The apartment complex has security guards who are supposed to watch the comings and goings of the people and open the safety bar to allow residents to park in the basement. 

These security guys also tell me when I have mail. (This is not part of their job description.)

At first, it was only when I got a package that they would gesture making the shape of a box and shout "package" in Chinese at me when I rode in on my scooter.  Then they started telling me about every.piece.of.mail--every postcard, every bill, every advertisement.  Friday night, one of them even ran down from his basement bar-opening post, shouting my name in Chinese as I disappeared up the stairs in order that he might get to my mailbox and open it so that he could be ready to help me retrieve my electricity bill.

So, I have a choice. 

I can (A) feel annoyed that I and my mailbox are being watched so closely and/or feel annoyed that these men don't think I am adult enough to check my own mail or (B) be grateful that the security guys care about me and want to make sure I get my mail in a timely manner.

It might not seem like it, but I tell you sometimes B is a really hard choice to choose.

And this is just one example.  Here are some more:

People stare at me.  Do I (A) decide this is rude and start to harbor negative feelings towards all strangers or (B) remember that I might be the first or one of the few white people they've ever seen in person and be grateful for their interest in me?

Children and teens shout strange things to me in English.  Do I (A) ignore them and grumble inside about how bad their English is or (B) with a smile and a glance in their direction, shout a pleasant reply back because really they might be trying to be friendly?

Complete strangers ask me stupid questions. Do I (A) put them off and get offended by their nosiness or (B) try to be as friendly as I can as I once again answer the same stupid question for the umpteenth time this month, being thankful for their interest in me?  (Actually, even the fact that I am choosing to call it a "stupid question" lets you in on the fact that I am choosing to think these questions are stupid when I could choose to think of them as friendly "get to know questions" instead.)

And the list goes on . . . and on . . . and on.

And again, it might not seem like it, but I tell you sometimes it is really hard to choose B.

But, let me tell you this too . . . when I do choose B, life is OH SO MUCH better.  Sweeter.  Enjoyable.  The world is friendlier and living here is great. 

And, in reality, because I am supposed to be salt and light, choosing B makes sharing Christ's love so much easier.  Not just because "they" see a changed person, but also because my 'tude is right and I can actually feel loving towards "them."

When I start to choose As more often then Bs it time for me to spend some extra time alone with the One who excels at 'tude-adjusting.

evening reflections

"'Let not soft slumber close your eyes
Before you've recollected thrice
The train of actions through the day:
Where have my feet chose out their way?
What have I learned, wherever I've been,
From all I've heard, from all I've seen?
What know I more, that's worth the knowing?
What have I done, that's worth the doing?
What have I sought, that I should shun?
What duties have I left undone?
Or into what new follies run?
These self-inquiries are the road
That leads to virtue, peace, and God!'

"Just as it is wise to keep clear accounts of our receipts and expenses, our debts and engagements, so it is wise constantly to examine and compare our heart and conduct with the Word of God; to see what duties have devolved upon us, and whether we have discharged them, or failed in them, and what means can be adopted to promote circumspection, diligence, and fidelity in future.

"These reviews, if faithfully entered into, will often be humbling and painful, but they will be no less profitable. The more we know of ourselves—the less we shall be inclined to rely on our own merits or to trust our own strength.

"And the more earnestly we shall desire an interest in the perfect righteousness and all-sufficient atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the influences of his Holy Spirit to purify our souls and to quicken and sustain us in the paths of holiness."

. . .

"At night:

• Review the actions of the day.
• Give to God the glory of what has been good;
• Take shame to yourself for what has been evil.
• Review the dispensations of God's providences, and
• Consider their special meaning and application.
• Acknowledge the mercies of God received through the day.
• Submit to the afflictions laid upon you.
• Desire a fresh application to your conscience of the blood of sprinkling; and
• Commit yourselves afresh to the mercy and protection of God, through Jesus Christ; that you may be preserved through the slumbers of the night, and be permitted to wake in peace, whether it be in earth or heaven.

By these points let every action be examined:    

• By whose rule have I acted?    
• In whose strength have I acted?    
• In whose name have I acted?
• For whose glory have I acted?
• What faith, humility, self-denial, love to God and Christ, have there been in my actions?

(Gorham Abbott, 1833, "The Family at Home." Public Domain as seen on Grace Gems. Bolding mine.)

this is so cool!!

Q: What would make these photos that my friend I took when we were out sightseeing WAY better?

Original Photos in this mosaic can be found here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A: An XShot.

If we had had an XShot, we could have not only gotten more of us in the photos (you can hardly see Mio at all in pictures 5 and 6), the cool landscapes would have been much more visible too (in picture number 3 you can't even see the twin hearts behind us)!

Ok, so what exactly is an XShot and why do I think it is so cool?  An XShot is a small extendable contraption that allows individuals to take self-portraits at lengths much further than arm's length.  It compacts to nine inches, yet expands up to thirty-seven inches. 

Like a tripod it safely holds onto your camera; unlike a tripod there is no running to get back into place before the timer goes off (and no worries that a perfect stranger is going to walk off with your camera and tripod in tow).

As a single gal living overseas, having one of these would be so much fun and enable me to capture many more great pictures of life here in Taiwan!

At first I wasn't going to enter the contest, I was just going to go order one of these really cool photo-taking tools (because I can use the coupon code SparkRocks to save $5.50 off of this nifty thing till tomorrow)--but the company doesn't ship internationally, yet the contest holder does. 

So . . . here I am attempting to win an XShot from BenSpark instead.  (You can enter the contest too if you want--entries are being taken till Sunday at noon.)

See the photos on this page or check out this video to see exactly how the really cool XShot works:

(Disclaimer: This post is as close to an ad as you'll ever find on my blog.)