following an unknown path

what kind of intelligence do you have?

I saw this on the Girotti Family's blog, and thought it would be fun to try.  Here's what this little blogthing said about me. :) 

If you play along too, please leave a link or comment about your dominant intelligence.

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Hmmm . . . so is this why I love being a language teacher?  Is this why I love linguistics?  Is this why I have dreams about a PhD in Applied Linguistics?  Is this why I love writing and teaching writing?  Hmmmm . . . maybe just maybe . . . .

me and books

I LOVE books. 

Last week one of my students came in carrying a box of textbooks her class had ordered for another course.  The simple fact that there were books inside the box that I had not seen or touched made my heart go pitter patter. :) 

Seriously.  I kid you not.  I am like a kid in a candystore when I enter a bookstore or library.

Anywho, without further adieu, here are my answers to the book meme I first saw on Hiraeth and Lux Venit that has been going around recently.

Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback? 
Doesn't matter as long as it is a book.  Actually, the only thing that matters is the cost--cheaper is better.  But, I have to admit, I prefer looking at hardback books on my shelves--they are just prettier.

Online purchase or brick and mortar? 
Online.  I love bookstores, but will end up purchasing online. 

Barnes & Noble or Borders? 
Neither.  We don't have them here.

Bookmark or dog-ear? 
I have this great little magnectic bookmark that clings to my pages and never falls out.  I would never, no never, dog-ear a book!!

Mark or not mark?
I do highlight and underline in books.  But I am careful with the ink quality of the pens used to do so because I don't want bleeding, smearing, or fading to occur as the book ages.  And, I would NEVER buy a book marked up by someone else.

Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?
None of the above.  Like the First Lady, I use Library of Congress numbers to order my books.  At one time, I even made little tags for the spines.  And would love to do so again for all the newer purchases I kept.

Keep, throw away, or sell? 
I either keep a book or give it away.  I don't particuarly enjoy reading novels or biographies again, so after reading them once, I pass them on for others to enjoy.  Most nonfiction I keep so I can reference it or read it again.

Keep dustjacket or toss it? 
Toss.  I love the pretty spines of hard back books.

Read with dustjacket or remove it?
With.  Gotta keep that spine clean.  And, the inside flaps can be used as bookmarks.

Short story or novel?
Novel.

Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)? 
Either.

Lord of the Rings or Narnia?
Hmm . . . I've only read The Hobbit.  But, I do own The Lord of the Rings series, just couldn't get past the first few chapters of the first book.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? 
Chapter breaks  . . . unless I fall asleep reading.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”? 
Either. :D

Buy or Borrow? 
Fiction and biographies--borrow.  NonFiction--Buy.

New or used? 
Does not matter as long as the book is not marked up or dog-eared.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation or browse? 
BROWSE!!!!!!!  And, sometimes by recommendation.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?
Cliffhanger is ok if part of a series, but not as the "final" ending.

Morning reading, afternoon reading or night time reading? 
YES!

Standalone or series?
Either ok.  Series reading is fun.  But, standalone is ok too. 

Favorite series? 
I can no more pick a favorite series than I can pick a favorite song.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? 
I would like to say Stepping Heavenward, but it seems like it is a popular book with the blogging community I hang out with.  I read it in 1999 and LOVED it.  It was the only English language novel in the Taiwanese Christan bookstore that I shopped at when I was an exchange student.

I also read an excellent, excellent biography on Abigial Adams my freshmen year of college.  It was one of the best books I've ever read.  But, I couldn't tell you the author unless I found the paper I wrote for class reviewing it.

Favorite books read last year? 
Again, I can no more pick a favorite book than I can pick a favorite song.  But, I did enjoy Jerry Bridges' The Discipline of Grace.

Favorite book of all time? 
Ditto on the there is no way I can pick a fave--NO WAY.  (I know many others have answered this "the Bible."  But, for me, I've never really thought of the Bible as "a book."  It is in a different class.  It is the word of God living and active--no book is like that.)

Three questions I am surprised not to see . . .

Fiction or NonFiction?
I enjoy nonfiction much more than fiction.  Historical fiction is ok, and occasionally I love me some creative take-me-away chick lit, but overall I prefer reading nonfiction.  I love biographies.

One book at a time or have several in process at the same time?
Several.  A few to choose from at bedtime, a few in a drawer behind the dinner table (I live alone you know), a few in the living room, and at least one in the purse.

Crack the spine or leave it unbroken?
When I was young (around 8-9), my dad taught me how to "break in" a book.  How to work your way from the outsides to the center creasing the spine ever-so-slightly so that the book could be opened and read without leaving it traumatized.

It's funny because I remember how serious he was in teaching me this very important step in owning a new book, and I remember just how proud I was that he was entrusting this bit of wisdom with me.  I still do it to this day with every new book I get.  It is the second thing I do.  The first?  Flip through the pages and inhale--the smell of a book is, oh, so important.

Yeah, that's right, we are bibliophiles--not just readers, book-lovers.

And since Kim claimed to be feeling a little like Kermit . . . this meme was brought to by the letter B for Bookworm Bookmarks.

architecture at the Lantern Festival

The two weeks that follow Chinese New Year are to celebrate the "Lantern Festival."

Along Love River in downtown Kaohsiung homemade lanterns are on display. 

Most of the lanterns, made by shool children, were either pigs (remember it's year of the pig) or about the 2009 World Games to be held here in Kaohsiung, but a few of the lanterns on display were famous buildings in Taiwan.

Here is a pig with the 85-story building in Kaohsiung (Yes, it does appear to be that the building and the pig are in a bathtub.  I have no idea why).

__
Here is a Taipei 101 lantern.  Taipei 101 is the world's tallest building.

See what architecture other photo hunters found.

my love affair with music

Beth and Ashely at Onward & Upward posted a fun little musical meme to add a little music to the party (my 1st party post).  What a great idea!  I love music and totally agree with them about a party is no party if there is no music. 

HOWEVER!  I could not choose my FAVORITE song for a bunch genres any more than you could tell me which child of yours is your favorite.  You just don't.  You just can't.

AND . . . all those 80's songs that were on the radio when I was growing up--I never heard.  All those 90's songs that were on the radio when I was in high school--again, never heard.  Let me tell you why . . .

Childhood
When I was a kid, I had all 6 Psalty the Singing Songbook tapes that were out at that time.  I listened to one side of one tape each night to fall asleep (which started a music listening habit that didn't stop till I got to college and had roommates).  Although I loved all 6 tapes, Kid's Praise 4 about being a servant and Kid's Praise 5 about a camping trip (casting our cares on the Lord) were played most often.  I LOVED Psalty.  These cassettes introduced me to worship and faith and showed me that praising God is a very real, everyday in everyway kind of thing.

I remember my parents listening to Keith Green and the Maranatha! Praise Team . . . these too had a powerful impact on my love of music and heart of worship.  Psalty, Keith Green, and the Maranatha! Songs hold an incredibly special, tender place in my heart.

Teen Years
When I was in sixth grade, I woke up on Valentine's Day with a terrible case of chicken pox.  It was a terrible catastrophe to me. 

As a result, my mom and dad both sympathized and spoiled me.  I clearly remember my dad buying me my very own bottle of Diet Pepsi--a glass bottle that was my very own to drink all by myself.  (By the way, I kept that bottle till 2003, which I decopoged with stickers and filled with pennies).  And, one day during my three weeks home from school, mom brought me a walking yellow helium doctor balloon and two cassette tapes--Michael  W. Smith's The Big Picture and Twila Paris' For Every Heart.

Little did I know this was part of her great plan to help me "grow up" (not the chicken pox--the tapes).  She had decided that I needed to "move past" Psalty.  When we moved at the end of that year, she helped me to finally release my Psalty tapes into the world to bless someone else. 

I spent my babysitting money and allowances on building a CD collection of contempary Christian pop music . . . in addition to Twila and Michael, I bought CDs from muscians like Steven Curtis Chapman, Point of Grace, Amy Grant, 4Him, and NewSong. I also had a several various praise and worship CDs. 

College Years
I had built quite a collection of CDs by the time I entered college.  And it had become an addiction of sorts . . . I needed to buy new music. 

My first sememster at college, I realized I was addicted to buying music.  Really--I was convicted.  So, in 1997, I didn't buy any new music at all.  I "fasted" from purchasing CDs (I'm not even sure my parents knew about this; at the time I only told my roommate LeAnn about it).

After that, I didn't really enjoy comtempary Christian music anymore.  I listened to a lot of Dennis Jerrinagin, Don Moen, and the Passion worship leaders and bands.  I longed for meaning and substance.

Now
Since I can now buy music with a single click anytime night or day,  I still have to be careful because I have a serious weakness for buying music.  I have thousands of songs stored on my external harddrive and enjoy enjoying them.  (I do not, however, want to think about the fact that that means thousands of dollars spent.)

I also enjoy a variety of sounds and styles now too. In my post-college years, for the first time in my life, I started listening to "non-Christian music."  I enjoy a little jazz or country now and then.  I look for and enjoy many indie artists; I like listening to sounds that aren't quite so "polished."  I also enjoy songs with meaningful lyrics--I like it when the singer is also the song writer.  I also prefer bands over solo artists.  Oh, and I also listen to music in Chinese.

My itunes and mini ipod most frequently play in "random shuffle" mode, but some of my current most played songs include songs by (in no particular order). . .

• Barlow Girl (love the song Enough),
• Building 429,
• The Swift,
• Tree 63,
• Bebo Norman,
• Third Day,
• Switchfoot, 
• Ginny Owens,
• Todd Agnew (totally loved his Christmas album),
• Soverign Grace Ministries,
• David Crowder Band,
• Caedmon's Call,
• Sixpence None the Richer,
• Sarah Groves,
• Julian Drive,
• Telecast,
• Bethany Dillion,
• Kathyrn Scott (blog),
• Matt West,
• Charlie Hall,
• Brian Doerksen (great stuff!!!),
• Jim Brickman,
• Mercy Me, and
• several Taiwanese singers/groups.

I could type another 20 or even another 40 groups/singers 'cuz, well, I LOVE music. :)  Nope . . . there is no way I could ever pick a favorite song or group.

How about you?  Know a group I should try out? 
Is music an important part of your life?  Why or why not?

a one-line autobiography

I have a guest blogger today who has been studying the book of Romans recently.  I'll let him take care of the introductions:

Let me introduce myself.  I am Amanda’s Dad.  That’s important to me: simple, short and concise.  I am proud of my three kids, and every time I get the opportunity I routinely assert, "My oldest daughter is a college professor in Taiwan, my baby girl is a victim’s assistance counselor with the Arlington Police Department, and my 13 year old son is a miracle birth."

I love the subtle simplicity of Paul’s masterful introduction of himself in Romans 1:1.  He identified himself as an instrument invited to be immersed in a mission with a message.  Or as the English Standard Version states it, "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God."  Actually, our English translations of Paul’s first sentence covers seven verses, but what we call verse one, I call "a one-line autobiography" or a "masterful introduction."

Think about it for a moment, how we usually introduce ourselves. We use our vocation or personal significance, what we do or who we are, as the central statement of "this is who I am."  I am a plumber, pastor, mommy, single, divorcee, etc.  Prior to most speeches by a guest speaker, some chosen individual recites a litany of the speaker’s accomplishments to set forth the identity of the speaker and the authority their message carries.

The beauty of Saul/Paul’s introduction to Romans is found in a closer look at the words he used.  Notice the name that Paul chose to go by. He was born "Saul, of Tarsus," but he chose to use his Gentile name, "Paul."  Paul was formerly a Hebrew religious zealot; his new identity is that of one who seeks to identify with the audience he wants to reach, Gentiles.  He chooses one simple word, a name of identity to say, "I, too, am like you."

Now notice the second phrase he uses, "a servant of Christ Jesus."  Actually the original word he used was doulos (slave).  Writing to an audience in an Empire that was highly populated with slaves; he classified himself as an instrument of the Redeemer.  Slaves came in all sizes, shapes and varying degrees of expertise.  Many slaves in the Roman Empire were of notable education and culture.  It was with great pride that some could say, "I am a slave of the Emperor."  With humble gratitude, Paul could say that his will was consumed in bound servitude to Messiah Savior, the Redeemer.

Kletos apostolos, that is the next identifier, “called to be an apostle.”  The Greek New Testament uses two different words for "called."  Kletos is about invitation rather than election.  "Would you like to come over for dinner,” now that is an invitation. ‘Called to be an apostle," that is an invitation to be a messenger.

Paul also says that he is "set apart" (separated) for the gospel of God.  Most of us are familiar with the word gospel (good news). But it is this word aphorizo (set apart) that is so captivating.  The verb aphorizo is a compound word composed of two words, "from" and "horizon."  Literally, the word means "off horizon."  Donald Grey Barnhouse tells the story of how this word came alive to him.  The short paraphrase is something like this: Sailing between England and the U.S., he had the opportunity to climb to the crow’s nest of the ship and observe the sunrise.  The horizon was awesome; the blending of hues and the majesty of creation reminded him of baking cookies with his mother when he was a child.  Mom would roll out the dough on a marble slab and he would "cut out" the cookies. Or should we say "off-horizon" the cookies.  The idea is that of being removed from one circumference of influence into another horizon. Or just to make it real simple, God had ripped Paul out of his former life and placed him in the circumference of Almighty God and His concerns.

Paul identified himself as an instrument invited to be immersed in a mission with a message. Such statements of profound simplicity are the product of lengthy thought and analysis. What we often quickly read over in order to get to "the good stuff" is actually quite good in and of itself.  Paul’s careful choice of words was actually the result of years of careful contemplation. Choice words of identity, crafted by an artisan word-smith.

I am still proud to be "Amanda’s dad," but I think I will work on another one liner. I need a new one liner that is carefully crafted as a humble recipient of grace and as beautiful as Paul’s. When I come up with it, I will let you know. Until then, it was nice to meet you; thank you for allowing me to introduce myself.

To read more of my dad's profound words of wisdom, check out his blog The Pratical Pulpit which is all about subtle simplicity.

finally joining the blog party

I am finally joining the party . . . better late than never, right?

At first, I wasn't going to join in the party because well . . . I'm not a mom.  But Susan and Janice did say that everyone was invited AND yall looked like yall (can you tell I'm from Texas?) were having just way too much fun to be left out any longer.

Of course, Gilby, my little, white, Maltese ball of cuddely cuteness, says hi!  He just loves company!!

So, let's see what can I offer you?  How about some seaweed chips, a century year old egg, or a bit of my favorite pumpkin hotpot? 

To drink, I can offer you some traditional Chinese tea or a great green tea pudding drink.  If you have a sweet tooth, I've got either green tea cheese cake or some taro ice cream for you.

So, in case you can't tell by my party foods, let me just inform you that I don't reside in America.  I live in Taiwan, a little tropical island off the coast of China and home to over 23 million people.  And, yes, since you asked, I do speak Chinese--started studying it nearly 10 years ago! If you wanna know why I live in Taiwan, you can read this.

Probably the fastest way to get to know me better is by looking at what I did in 2005 or 2006 (12 pictures for each year, one per month).  Or, if you wanna look out my windows, you can; I don't mind--really.

Oh, and before you head over to some other blogs to party on (over 640 something to choose from as of right now--WOW!!), let me invite you to particiapte in the Carnival of Beauty . . . find out how here.  We'd love to have you join us.

Thanks for stopping by!  Feel free to dip your toes into the ocean if you want to before you leave--especially if you are in a "wintery place." :) 

"Yall come back now."

photo hunt: salty

My students here in Taiwan LOVE chips!! 

However, I am not a real big chip eater (unless we are talking totillia chips loaded with salsa).  And, when the flavor happens to be Kyushu Seaweed, I don't even eat one!  Who wants fishy chips?

Other intersting flavors include "Thai Sweet and Spicy Prawn," "Japanese Teriyaki," "Seaweed" and "Chicken."

unknown paths

. . . in paths that they have not known
    I will guide them.

I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground.

These are the things I do,
    and I do not forsake them.

(Isaiah 42:16)

what is outside your window?

Take a look at what you can see outside of a language school over in Mexico.  The Cottrill Family, missionaries who live in Cuernavaca, Mexico, share with us what you can see thru their windows! 

And, another missionary-family-in-training also show us what they can see outside their window in Ontario, Canada. Brrrr!!

Anyone else out there wanna show the online world what the view is like outside the windows that make up "your world"? 

If you do please leave a comment here on my blog or over here at this missionary blog watch (if you are a missionary), so I we can go enjoy your view with you.

(new) taiwan blogs

Sandy is a IRL friend who is also a college teacher, tentmaking here in Taiwan.  She and her husband have been in Taiwan about a two and a years, but she just started blogging!  Check out her new Neipu Notebook.

Actually, the Bells have been blogging for awhile, but their blog is a "new to me" blog.  Jackie and Fran are missionaries to Taiwan (have been here since 2000).  I've been enjoying their blog and view of Taiwan from the north side, maybe you will too.  Check out TheBellSite . . . from Texas to Taiwan (Hey!  that sounds familar)!

reading as a Christian discipline

Kim from Hiraeth asks some questions about reading as a Christian discipline.  Here are my answers to her questions:

Has reading Christian blogs increased your desire to tackle weighty Christian tomes? 
Increased desire?--yes.  Actually caused action?--no.

Have you learned of Christian authors and theologians that you might not have otherwise known or read?
Probably Spuregon is the biggie for me.  After reading a quote on someone's blog, I just had to get me a copy of Morning and Evening.

Have you purchased or borrowed books that were recommended by bloggers?
I bought a book by a blogger because of finding her blog--Carolyn McCulley's Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?. 

I also bought John MacArthur's Twelve Extraordinary Women, Randy Alcorn's Money, Possessions & Eternity, and Jerry Bridge's The Discipline of Grace because of blogs I read.  I also have "wish listed" many, many, many more, including, Across the China Sky just a little while ago.

Have you read fewer "real" books as your blog reading has increased?
No, not at all. 

Has the availability/searchability of great Christian works caused you to rely upon them merely as resources?
Not sure.  Usually seeing someone unless reference or quote someone makes me want to go read more, go read all.  Not just go search out something.

Do you think reading the great Christian authors and theologians is important and/or profitable?
Yes.

Do you read them?
I try.  I want to.  I would love to be better about making even more time for reading them.

If so, who do you recommend?
Right now I reading Bridges, Piper, and Spuregon. 

homemaking meme

Sallie wrote this meme, and I've seen it on a few blogs here and there recently.  So, I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Life as a single homemaker in Taiwan looks like this for me and my doggie:

Aprons – Y/N?  If Y, what does your favorite look like?
Yes, but not plural--just one.  It matches my table cloth--kacky with red lines.

Baking – Favorite thing to bake
Bake?  You mean in my teeny tiny convection oven?  Brownies.

Clothesline – Y/N?
Yes, my dryer is also teeny tiny--a gift to myself two Christmases ago. Most people here don't have one.  So, I am thankful for sheets and jeans that are dried in a dryer--but most everything else goes on the clothesline.

Donuts – Have you ever made them?
Nope.

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day
You are supposed to do this homemaking thing daily??  In that case, does making my bed count?

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?
No.

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?
Nope.  No one has one here in Taiwan.  But, I do have these nifty nets that sit in a "drain cup" in my kitchen sink to catch the odd and ends that fall into the sink.

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
Flylady.

Ironing – Love it or hate it?  Or hate it but love the results?
Ironing?  Hmmm . . . I think I have an iron, maybe, somewhere, but I couldn't promise you for sure. 

Junk drawer – Y/N?  Where is it?
I have a "catch all drawer"--in the top of my shoe closet by the front door.  Just money, keys, my business card file-book, and a few other odds and ends in there.

Kitchen – Color and decorating scheme
Black and red.  Black dishes, red glasses and other red stuff (spachulas, measuring cups).  My (green) cabinets are covered in black marble contact paper, and my (mustard yellow) fridge is painted black. 

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Having company over.  I think it is really hard to enjoy housekeeping when I am doing it only for myself.

Mop – Y/N?
Yes--I have no carpets.  Only white tile in every room.

Nylons – Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
Nylons??  Huh?  Do you mean pantyhose?  I haven't worn pantyhose since the 90's.  And, if you don't mean panyhose, I would guess the answer is with the machine--cuz I don't handwash anything.

Oven – Do you use the window or open the oven to check?
If my teeny tiny convection oven counts--then I can pretty much see all thru the window, but I still like to open the door. 

Pizza – What do you put on yours?
Does "put" include "kind you order from the local pizza place"?

Quiet – What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Drink a cup of coffee or tea and read a little.  But, living alone--all my moments are "quiet."  So, that cup of coffee or tea only comes when I make myself stop "doing."

Recipe card box – Y/N?  What does it look like?
No, but wish I did.   

Style of house – What style is your house?
Hmm.  I live your typical Taiwanese high-rise apartment: a little white concrete box.

Tablecloths and napkins – Y/N?
Yes, but I also like placemats.  I prefer paper napkins though.

Under the kitchen sink – Organized or toxic wasteland?
Organized.

Vacuum – How many times per week?
Well, Swiffer and mop weekly, but vacuuming not so often.  Remember--its all tile.

Wash – How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
You mean you are supposed to do it weekly?  I am not going to tell you how I know this, but I can go two weeks without washing anything.  So, let's just say I could do 2-3 loads each week.

X’s – Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
YES!!!!!!!  Without lists I am lost!   Sometimes, though, my lists are only on the computer.

Yard – Y/N?  Who does what?
Nope--apartment living.

Zzz’s – What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Again, you are supposed to do this daily?! Then I guess on the days I do it taking care of a hot spot counts right?

not really here

I am not "really here." 

For two and a half weeks, I am staying with a friend and her family in another city.  So, I am getting about 10 minutes of computer time each day.  So, last week I had all my posts set to auto-post. 

I read and appreciate all your comments, but I just don't have time to respond till about Feb 6th or so.

I have a few more auto-posts ready to go, and I hope to post some pictures I've taken when those run out, but make no promises.  So, if you see some spotty, inconsistent blogging here in the next week or two--that is why.  :)

a prayer request

Back in October, my bloggy friend Char, who is from Canada but lives and teaches here in Taiwan, broke her ankle.

photos borrowed from Char's blog

Tomorrow, she goes in for a second ankle surgery.  Would you please pray for her?  Surgery is always a "scary thing," but imagine doing it in a foreign country in your second langauge. . . . hmmm, not something I wanna do.

So, since we are 13 hours ahead of "Texas time"--if you are in America and pray for her on Wednesday during the day, you are praying for her while she sleeps, and if you pray for her Wednesday night, you are praying for her on Thursday morning.

Heavenly Father, would you please give Char a peace that goes beyond her understanding tonight and tomorrow?  Please give her the ability to know and understand all that is going on around her and to her--even though it might be in a language other than her native one.  Please heal her ankle and keep her safe.  Lord, please use this situation to bring glory to Yourself.  Give her oppotunities to share your Good News with others while she is recovering from surgery.  Amen.

Thanks for joining me!

A Comment on Comments

Sallie informs us all that this week is "National Delurking Week." 

Like Sallie, one of the hardest parts of blooging for me is keeping up with and responding to comments.  I appreciate and read them all even if I don't get a chance to respond to them--either via email or in bloggyville.  And, I also read several blogs but don't really comment (often).

Nevertheless, in honor of Delurking Week, I have two questions:

How do you handle comments on your own blog?  How do you like/prefer for bloggers to handle your comments on their blog?

At first, I tried to respond here on my blog--so that there was a conversation going on the post--I like that.  Then I realized that I rarely go back and read responses to comments on the blog where I posted the comment--especially if it is a day of surfing.   So, now I either go to that person's blog and leave a comment  or I email a response to their comment.  This method leave a little hole on my own blog though because it might seem as if I don't reply to people's comments (which sometimes I don't, especially if it is a busy week). 

I know of one blog I comment on that I as soon as I comment, it signs me up to be notified by email when a comment has been posted on that post.  I like that insofar as the blogger can comment on the blog and the commenter gets the emailed response--two birds one stone.  I don't like it as a commenter when it is a hot topic and I keep getting unwanted emails that I didn't know I was signing up for.

So, back to my questions. . . .

How do you handle comments on your own blog?  How do you like/prefer for bloggers to handle your comments on their blog?

Oh, yeah, and don't forget to do some delurking as you travel around bloggyville this week.

before email

If you click to the site--click with caution, not all cartoons are squeaky-clean.

It was a little over ten years ago, that I got my first email address.  It was [email protected]. 

Life has never been the same since. 

How is it possible that it can feel like both such a long time ago and just yesterday at the same time? 

help for a poky pc

Is your pc sometimes a slow poke?  Do you get frustrated when your computer seems to get stuck?

There is a simple freeware solution!!

FreeRAM XP Pro is a great little program that sits in my tray making my computer run smooth and fast.  I love it!  Whenever my computer gets a little sluggish, I just doubleclick the icon and then click "go."  And, presto, my computer is better and faster.

But, it also is running behind the scenes to make sure my computer is running at optimal speeds all the time. 

There are more advanced features too if you like to tinker with "advanced settings."  But if "advanced settings" are not your cup of tea--no problem, its easy enough for people who like the PhD (push here dummy) versons of programs.

I've used FreeRAM XP Pro on both my laptop at home and desktop at school for over a year now, and I give it a two thumbs up!! 

Plus, it truly is freeware.  That means . . . it's FREE!!

It works for me!

let's be honest

I am the kinda gal that makes tons and tons of goals and lists.  I analyze.  I plot.  I plan.  I have great intentions for wonderful things. 

But . . . you see, I am a "SHE"--a Sidetracked Home Executive (and I don't even have others to manage, just me) [see flylady for more info on SHEs].

I struggle with perfectionism.  So, really this means I have really high expectations but they end there.  My list gets lost, forgotten or just plain ignored.  The first tiny inclination of possible failure (keep in mind we are not even talking actual failure here) sends me running for the whiteout, eraser, delete key.  I want to hide the fact that I am not perfect--even from myself.

I love the way Blair keeps track of all her goals with weekly and quarterly assessments.  How smart!  How brave!  I would never dare to that in public because I fear failure; and, I just am not that brave.

I look back at 2006, and am a little sad that I let the tyranny of the urgent take place over the things I truly value.  So, unlike last year, this year I made a list of 85 specific and measurable things I'd like to see happen in 2007.

I not ready to share my 85 things list, but here are some basic themes--by God's grace--I want to make a priority for 2007:

1. Scripture Memory
   I hope to memorize these verses in Chinese and begin working on memorizing an entire chapter, possibly a book in English.
   _
2. Systematically Reading thru Scripture
   I can't decide if I am going to read it chronologically thru the year or from cover to cover in 90 days.  (I am going to try for the last one, but if I get too far behind, go with the first one.  Is that good or bad that I've already created a safety-net for possible failure?)
   _
3. Sharing the Good News
   I want Jesus to be a natural part of my daily conversations.
   _
4. Reclaiming my Health
   By the end of 2007, I would love to have my PCOS under-control, which includes some lifestyle changes.
   _
5. Reclaiming my Home
   I have let clutter pile up and keep me from enjoying my study and kitchen.  I want these rooms back.  I will be using flylady's routines to help me babystep my way back into a home I can enjoy.
   _
6. Studying Language
   I really, really want to study Taiwanese conversation.  I also would like to take some formal Mandarin classes--I haven't done that in 7 years now.
   _
7. Relationships
   Living alone allows me to become quite self-centered.  I want to be better about calling my family and friends in America as well as making an effort to be a better friend to those around me here (I could start by being better about answering my phone).
    _
8. Doing New Things
   Whether that is finishing things I started years ago and haven't finished or trying something new that I have always wanted to but just didn't dare--I am going to make an effort to try them (again) this year.

This year I plan to do things 15 minutes at a time.  I want to quit letting perfectionism and the the lack there of paralyze me from doing the things I long to do.  I am going to live in grace.  I have lived too long not realizing grace was for believers too!!

I long to be a girl after God's own heart.  I long to know Him and make Him known.  I long to share with the Taiwanese people just how great a God He is.  I long to see the Taiwanese people worship Him in joy and expectation!  I want His reknown and glory to the be the foundation for all I do.

For more New Year Meditations stop by Laurel Wreath.

a pictorial year in the life of

Like last year, I am summing up my entire 2006 in only 12 photos (one for each month). 

For someone who took over 9000 photos in less than one year that is a lot of choices!!  So, picking just 12 is NOT easy to do (in fact it is REALLY HARD)!!  It gets even harder when several important things happen in one month. 

Anywho . . . less yappin' and on to the pictures.

(BTW, each month name below is a link to a calander view of pictures I took that month and uploaded to flickr. Just in case you wanna see more than 12.)

January: Gilby and I visit Kady in TaiNan

Feburary: Ellen and I go to Taipei (world's tallest building is behind us)

March: I spend time with little friends

April: My sister, Sarah, is married

May: Sam Comes to Taiwan

June: Sam and I do some sightseeing

July: After LOTS more sightseeing, and a day of flying, Sam and I get back to Austin.

August: I visit family and friends in Texas, and I have straight hair for three days!!

September: A very good friend has her engagment ceremony.

October: My mission team had a retreat in Kenting

November: I spend time with my students friends

December: Lots of students come to my house (and we get a little silly)!

If you make your own 12-picture collection for 2006, please leave your link below!  I'd love to see your year-in-review in pictures!!

new, new, new

After I gave my Chinese/English Bible to a NEW beliver a few months ago, I needed to get me a NEW one.  So, I went to the store, and they didn't have the kind that I had before.  However, they had a NEW version out.  It is the NEW Chinese translation for today's generation and the English Standard Version, which is relatively NEW. 

I am a very happy camper!!

If you are looking for online tools or for a NEW year-long reading plan, check out this post from earlier this week.

"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” (Rev 21:5)

P.S. Remember what you are invited to participate in tomorrow!!

happy birthday little blog

Guess what?  I started this blog "following an unknown path" a year ago today. 

There are two times each year where I have a little "culture something"--not really culture shock and not really culture stress.  The weeks before and of Christmas as well as sometime near spring break--I just kinda wanna break.  For 20 something years, I've always had a vacation at that time.  However, now that I'm in Taiwan, a break doesn't come like it is "supposed to."

So, I kinda revolt. :)  I vegg out for awhile.  And, last year, my vegging included discovering flickr and finding an audience for the writing and semi-blogging or blogging-wannabe I had been doing. Mostly thanks to Marla Swoffer (who doesn't blog anymore) and Sallie with her Carnival of Beauty.

(And, just FYI, it is not really a good time to be vegging out--it's the end of the semester and finals are coming.)

Anywho, I thought I would do an end-of-the-year meme I've seen out in bloggyland for my first blog-a-versary.  Here is the first sentence of the first post of each month for the past year:

五 . . . 四 . . . 三 . . . 二 . . . 一 . . . 新年快樂!! (January)

I am back home!! (Feb)

Well, I am home again--the Taiwan home that is. :) (March)

5 minutes ago! we had an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 that lasted LONG time! (April)

Well . . . we made it!  (My baby sister got married.  Sarah is now a wife.) (May)

You know the feeling.  I know you do. (June)

This is a picture of me on a jungle path to a secret snorkeling location. (July)

It's been a while since our whirlwind trip to the north, but I still wanna share about it.  (August)

What are they?  Do you know what they mean?? (Sept)

This weekend (Friday to Monday night) I was blessed to have a guest in my home. (Oct)

I've been to 6 weddings (so far) in 2006.  (Nov)

Around 100 of my students will graduate in the spring (above is only one of the three Applied English graduating classes). (Dec)

So, what do we learn about me from these 12 sentences? 

I know some Chinese.  I travel a lot.  I take pictures. I live where there are earthquakes and jungles, but I claim to have more than one home.  I am a teacher and a sister.  I ask questions and make assumptions.  Sometimes people come stay with me.  And, well, I went to a lot of weddings this year.  Last, but not least, I am blessed.

For some randomly choosen sentences, it gives a pretty cursory but accurate overview, huh?

I wish I had more thoughtful, reflective things to share with you right now--about life, about blogging, about blogging life--but, alas, I do not.  So, I will ponder for awhile and let my thoughts seep.  Perhaps I will share them with you later--but I make no promises.

I do want to thank you (yes you) for being part of this journey.  I've made some pretty cool bloggy friends while following this path.  I am also thankful for being able to share what's happening in my world licketysplit with my family on the other side of the ocean--made possible because they take the time to visit me here (betcha didn't know that all my grandparents actually read my blog).  I don't know what'd I'd do if I had to wait months for letters to arrive by sea.  That is something I do not want to ponder at all!! :)

Anywho, if you decide to play along with the year-end meme, please either send a trackback or leave a comment, so I can see your 12 sentence-year.  And, don't forget what you are invited to next week. ;)