following an unknown path

you are invited . . .

Last year, on December 31st, I put together a year in the life of amanda post.

I am planning on doing it again.  Do you wanna join me? 

Here's how: Sometime during the week after Christmas, make a "year in the life of" post for 2006 by choosing ONE photo for each of the 12 months and offering a short description of each month/picture.  Then swing by here on the 31st of December and put the link to your post on a Mr. Linky and check out other's month-by-month photo posts as well.

It's that easy!!!

(If you don't blog but still wanna participate (tell me again why do you not have a blog??)--you can use flickr (or your preferred free online photo posting site) and post a set of 12 photos or make a nifty mosaic to share with bloggyville.  Hint, hint members of my family and IRL friends. you know who you are.)

who me?

"who me?  no, way.  i didn't tear up the tissue!! ok, you can stop looking at me like that now!"

_____

  To see other photo hunters photos of "red" go here.

i paid attention!!

You paid attention during 97% of high school!

 

85-100%  You must be an autodidact, because American high school students don't get scores that high!  Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

I'm not sure which one I missed.  But I am guessing it's the triangle one--I just guessed, if I'd had gotten out a calculator and a pencil, I might have done a little better than a guess. 

I loved high school. . . .I miss being a student.  Even with homework and tests, it is WAY less stressful than being the teacher, and A LOT more fun.  But . . . then again, not sure I wanna go back and stay in that period of my life forever--the "drama," peer-pressure, and longing to be a grown-up just isn't worth it. 

So, I guess I'll just have to settle for either getting a PhD, being a life-long learner, or go take some Taiwanese classes.

10 Choices

Suzy's meme I found on Andie's blog.

1. Tea or coffee? uh . . . BOTH!!
   
2. Read a book or watch TV?  uh . . . BOTH!!
3. Morning or evening?  depends--morning for bike rides, quite times, and cleaning.  evening for playing with dog, taking a walk, or just doing nothing.
   
4. Laptop or desktop? laptop
   
5. Country or town? country (with easy town access)
   
6. Wild rollercoaster or gentle merry-go-round? wild roller coaster
   
7. Crochet or knit? neither
   
8. Listen quietly or sing along? sing along
   
9. Action movie or romantic comedy? romantic comedy
   
10. Phone or email? email

tag!  you're it if you wanna be.

four little words

eija tagged me eons ago (actually only 12 days ago--but that is like eons in blogville).   

She was given four words to write about what they mean to her, and in return gave me and three others four words to write about what they mean to us.  So, the words she randomly picked for us are: Show, Money, Then, Chocolate.

The first thing that popped into my "I'm so glad it's the weekend" brain was "Show me the money, then I will share my chocolate with you." or what about "Show me the chocolate, then I will decide if it is worth spending my money on."

But, I don't think that is exactly how the game is played.  ;)

Show.  給你看看. As a self-proclaimed recovering people-pleasing perfectionist, I struggle with the dichotomy of who I really am and who I show myself to be.  The new discovery of the truth that grace applies to believers too has allowed me to confess sin and embrace Christ all over again.  What a great place to be!  Grace--lets me show more of the real me to others.  And you know what?  I like that; I like that a lot.

Money. 錢. Something I don't manage well, but long to.  Something I don't really care about like to think about.  Bills paid.  Needs met.  Even some wants granted. I'm good to go.  I recently bought Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn.  It is in my must read next stack.  I long to be a good steward of all that God gives me.

Then. 然後. I love to plan.  I am constantly thinking "After I . . . ., then I will . . . ."  The problem with this is that I put something that needs to/should be done soon in the "then I will" spot and something I don't want to do in the "after I . . . " spot.  THEN, because I don't want to do it, I add another "oh I will do that after I . . . " in front of the first "after I . . . ."  And, thus, I forever seem to not be doing the things I want and doing the things I don't.  Perhaps I need some re-flywashing.

Chocolate. 巧克力.  Yes please. Preferably dark if you have it.  Got any with nuts? 

Tag--you're it!
I tag Kristy, rejoyce, Claire, Michelle, and Charlotte (but I don't know if Charlotte does tags).  (Mom if you wanna do it, you could answer in the comments--I didn't tag you only cuz you don't blog.)

Here are your four words: directions, lovely, improve, once. 
I took these words from the packaging of the bottle of "Shiny Syrup" I bought tonight for Gilby's tear-stain issue.  Be thankful I didn't pick "Indirations" [sic] or "kelogram" [sic]. ;)

my recent visitors--yes, that means YOU!

Thanks to sitemeter, I can see where in the whole wide world my last 100 visitors have come from.

I just wanted to let you know you are welcome here.  Several people--some who I know well and others who I don't know so well--"admitted" to reading my blog when I was home in the States this summer.   

I just wanted to let you know that you don't have to feel guilty reading my blog--you aren't a peeking tom; you are a welcomed guest.  :) (My best guess is that some people who don't blog feel a kind of guilt reading other people's blogs.)

I see my blog as a way to share what is happening in my life with my family and friends back in the States, but I also see my blog as a way for me to share Taiwan and my heart for the Taiwanese people with others, as a way to share a few of my hobbies (photography and writing) with others, and as a way to connect with other Christian ladies since where I live these kinds of relationships are rare.  It is also a way for me to record in words and pictures my journey and adventures along this unknown path. 

So, if you read my blog often--thanks!  If you stop by occasionally--thanks!!  If this happens to be your first visit--well, thanks and hope you come back for more! 

No matter how often you stop by, please don't be afraid to comment; however, if you wanna keep lurking (reading but not commenting) that is perfectly ok too.  Just one thing I ask, please don't feel that stopping by is a guilty pleasure.  Remember, you are more than welcome here!! :)

Edited to add: I had already edited this post--but apparently it didn't get saved.  I had added the map that is now above, and also added something along the lines of even though I don't always get a chance to reply or respond to comments, I do read them all and appreciate them greatly.

logic

I already knew I loved logic and enjoyed good logic puzzles.  And, any one of my family members will tell you I don't pass up the opportunity to debate the logicality of something.  But I didn't know it was to this extent . . .

You Are Incredibly Logical

Move over Spock - you're the new master of logic. You think rationally, clearly, and quickly. A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer!

How Logical Are You?

[HT: Rebecca Writes (who also happens to be incredibly logical)]

comfy

As you probably know, the definition of "comfy" is different for different cultures.  The people in my neighborhood here in southern Taiwan find these chairs outside very comfy.  It is very rare to find them vacant like in the above picture.

Each time Gilby and I walk by here there are usually several old men having a conversation and enjoying the cooler outside air. 

google me

Recent things people have googled and ended up finding me:

taiwan peanut girl (huh?!?)

taiwan tofu jelly (well, I have had tofu pudding, but not jelly)

world's tallest 12-year-old girl (what?!?)

pics of grandma's riding mopeds (they do! I just don't have a pic of it)

girl cycler (I only dream about being a "real" one)

amanda scary pictures (I sure hope they didn't find any here!!)

where can i buy wu-long tea in texas (not sure, but try a local Asian supermart--Austin, Houston, DFW all have 'em)

erhu fingering D diao (there is a clear lack of erhu resources in English online--I constantly am getting hits from people searching for info on playing the erhu)

learning to say no

modern toilet (for those of you who keep googling for the one in Tainan click here, it is the last store listed) (warning: bad language on page, mainly because they don't realize it's a "bad word")

mcdonalds resturant taipei (I am sure there are lots of them, but I don't know well enough to blog about them because I don't live in Taipei)

bread of life in taipei (never been to the Taipei one, but have visited the Bread of Life in Kaohsiung)

what holds your esophogus in place? (I have no idea!)

worship songs in hokkien (I do know some in Hokkien (aka Taiwanese), but they are not on my blog; to pray for the Hokkien people go here)

vietnamese passion fruit icee recipe (hmm, please share if you find one--sounds delicious)

At first, I'd never really thought about doing a list like this myself--mainly cuz I didn't want to lead searchers astray again by coming here and finding my silly list.  But some of them just made me laugh out loud, so I had to share them!! :)  So, please forgive me if you were led astray by my googled list.

Oh, and, just FYI, if you google "amanda" on google.com.tw and ask for Chinese only results, I am currently the second one listed.  Who woulda thunk it??

Have a great weekend!!  I'm off to clean and welcome guests.

does this mean I am not normal at all?

Saw this normalcy quiz on the Deo Volente blog.

My normalcy quotient was: 30 out of 100.

I got all thirty points from my answer to one question: "where I hang my hat."  I answered "In a charming apartment in the city."  But really, even that answer is not quite right, I actually hang my hat in a (ok we can say "charming") apartment located beside some pineapple and rice fields. ;)

So, does this mean I am not normal at all?

Oh, and question number 10 . . . "Which way should the toilet paper go? (a) End coming down over the top of the roll or (b) End coming down from behind the roll"  Uh, I needed a (c) neither because toliet paper comes interfolded in a plastic bags like Kleenex tissues do.

quotation meme

I love quotations!  I've already admitted to collecting them when I shared some of my fave quotes on learning.  So, when I saw this "quotation meme" I thought it would be fun.

Here is the meme's instructions: Go here and look through random quotes until you find 5 that you think reflect who you are or what you believe.

So, here's what I randomly found:

1. "I have not lost my mind - it's backed up on disk somewhere." (Unknown)

2. "Son, always tell the truth. Then you'll never have to remember what you said the last time." (Sam Rayburn, 1882 - 1961)

3. I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." (Bill Cosby, 1937 - )

4. "A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view." (Wilma Askinas)

5. "In case of dissension, never dare to judge till you've heard the other side." (Euripides, 484 BC - 406 BC)

After I found these five, I kept looking, and I found these to add to my quotation collection too:

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." (Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884 - 1962)

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity." (Albert Einstein, 1879 - 1955)

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow." (Chinese Proverb)

At this point, I had to force myself away from the "New Random Quotations" button, and make myself click the little red "X" in the upper right hand corner.  It was a very tempting page . . . I so wanted to keep clicking and clicking.

And since it is a meme, I should tag people right?  Well, I tag you!  If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.  I would love to read more quotes, so please comment and leave your a link to the post with your quotes if you accepted the tag. :)

top ten and a red scarf

I've had VOM's Persecution Blog in my bloglines for a few weeks.  Sometimes, I honestly don't wanna read the posts there because they make me sick to my stomach.  They make me mad.  They make me sad.  But, they always without fail drive me to my knees before my Father's throne.

On Tuesday, one of the VOM bloggers posted a story from Extreme Devotion about a red scarf . . . only read it if you want to cry. 

On Wednesday, another of the VOM bloggers posted a top ten list:

As Christians in a culture where entertainment is given more media coverage than the treatment of our fellow believers, it is no wonder that most of us are probably more geared to recite the top ten college football teams or box office hits than the top ten persecutors. Below is a list of the ten worst offenders in the world, according to Open Doors International:

1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Maldives
6. Bhutan
7. Vietnam
8. Yemen
9. Laos
10. China

It really is very hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that tens of thousands of my brothers and sisters in Christ are incarcerated, tortured, and malnourished for their faith in Jesus.  It is hard for me to comprehend that there are other's who are beheaded in today's day and age because they claim Christ is Lord.  I just can't fathom it.

(Extreme Devotion is one of the books I got while I was in the States this summer, and I can't just read one story a day--I must read several.  Yet, apparently, if you are interested in reading these stories of believers throughout the ages who sacrificed everything for Christ, VOM will send them right to your email's inbox if you just enroll.)

a fun way to kill some time

They suggested doing other photos to see which names/faces appear more than once.  I had Candace Cameron Bure appear as a match for each photo I tried (maybe that is one reason I like her so much).  Shirly Temple appeared more than once as well.  Some of my students claim I look like Meg Ryan (don't ask me why they think that)--but that name/face never did appear using this software.

Hat tip to Claire.  So, who do you look like?

If I had $1,000 to spend today . . .

Sallie's asking us how we would spend a gift of $1,000, but the money comes with some stipulations:

You have to use it up that day and can’t save it.
You can’t use it to pay debts or bills.
You can’t use it for improvements on your home.
You can’t give it all to charity/church.

I think I would buy my mom tickets to Taiwan.  If I could get her some "off season" tickets, I would probably have enough left over to get another Maltese puppy for me and Gilby to love.

So . . . how about you?  What would you do? 

photo scavenger hunt: looking up

There are two things I enjoy about participating in the photo scavenger hunts: (1) being challenged to find a photo I've taken to fit the theme, and (2) seeing all the unique and creative ways others have interpreted the theme in their photos.  The diversity is just amazing to me!

The first photo I thought of for this theme is one I love from my sister's wedding. It is of her looking up into my grandfather's eyes as they dance at the reception (which was the first time he ever danced in his whole life).  I just love the expression of joy and admiration on her face.

However, this photo was taken by someone else, so it doesn't count. ;)  Instead, I offer you these two simple pictures of my puppy boy looking up at me--they are some of my fave pics of Gilby.  He is only four months old in these pictures.

Thanks for stopping by this weekend!

For more of my photos from Sarah's wedding and Gilby check out my Flickr account.

pocky flavors

Heather blogged her Pocky quiz results at both mom2mom and lively women with a different slant on each site.  And, living in Asia I couldn't resist taking the little blog quiz too. 

I found out that apparently . . .

I am Strawberry Pocky

Your attitude: fresh and sweet Comforting, yet quirky ... quietly hyper You always see both sides to everything

What Flavor Pocky Are You?

I know Pocky is now sold in the States, but it is everywhere here in Taiwan.  My brother loves them--it is something I started taking back home as a gift very early on in my adventures here. 

I don't think I have actually tried strawberry flavored ones (or green tea ones either) before.  I would be more inclined to try the green tea ones before trying the strawberry ones.  Heather, I'll be on the look out for green tea ones here and see if we can hook you up with some.

I might not have had green tea Pocky, but I have had green tea Kit Kats.  And, becuase you asked: yes--they were yummy.

photo scavenger hunt: food

One word describes all photos below: yummy!!

Actually, now that I think of it, there are two other words that describe them as well: "Taiwanese food." ;) 

Enjoy the feast!

Links to the individual photo pages on my flickr account:
1. Yu Mi Dan Bing, 2. Squid and Fish on a Stick 3. Curry Chicken with Rice, 4. 饅頭, 5. 小龍包, 6. Blessing Veggie, 7. The Lobster Dish, 8. Floating Mushroom Dish, 9. My Lunch, 10. "Dou Hua", 11. Gua Teigh, 12. Sam's Lunch, 13. Sunday dinner, 14. DSC02784, 15. Shrimp and Pineapple, 16. Steamed Bowl of 碗粿, 17. Spiced Tea Egg, 18. sam liked the chicken in this dish, 19. Little Fishies, 20. beef noodles, 21. Coconut Tapicoa Desert, 22. Sweet and Sour Chicken, 23. Radish, 24. mow-jee

There are even more of my photos of Taiwanese food here.

everyday miracles

"everyday miracles" is what looks like a new but promising blog.  The blog is a collection of stories of God's fingerprints in our daily lives. 

I found out about it because the author recently posted about me and linked to my why I live in Taiwan series.  My admittedly incomplete series--it is lacking the sixth and final (for now) installment--which eija so rightly pointed out a few days ago in a comment. 

So, be on the look out for the sixth and final (for now) installment of the "why I live in taiwan" series to just "'blob' into your bloglines" one day in the very new future.

If you haven't yet, you are welcome to do a little background reading to get yourself ready for the last post of the series if you would like:

Intro: Why I live in Taiwan

Why TAIWAN?
  Part 1: 1st trip to Taiwan, 1997
  Part 2: falling in love with Taiwanese culture, 1997-1998
  Part 3: returning to Asia, 1998
  Part 4: being an exchange student, 1999-2000
  Part 5: back in the States, 2000-2003
  Part 6: living in Taiwan, 2003-present
   (COMING SOON to a blog near you!)

photo scavengerhunt: on the road

Taken while on the road when Sarah, my sister, was giving me a ride home last week.

I just love all that you can see in the reflection on her sunglasses.

 

visiting family

Thanks for stoppping by my blog.  I'm glad you did.

Just wanted to let you know that for the next week, I will be visiting family in the States and not be able to post.  Please stop by again in about a week when posting should return to normal.

Have a great day!!

Photo above was taken by my younger brother Sam during his fishing trip with Dad to New Mexico.  More here (including one of a bear). :)

fried ants anyone?

When I was a kid, I remember my mom telling me  you could tell how long a missionary had been on the field by their reaction to insects in their food.

Less than a year: "Disgusting!"  And throw away the food.
About a year:  "Oh Gross!" Then pick the insect up out of the food and toss it.
About two years: "Hmm, more protein."  And eat the insect with their food.

Why my mom choose to tell me this, I have no idea.  I don't even know if she recalls telling me about it.  But, I never, ever forgot that conversation I had with my mom when I was eight or nine years old.

In Taiwan, a city in my county is famous for its fried ants and grasshoppers.  But, when I visited, I wasn't brave enough to try them out.  Maybe one day . . .

You know missionaries have great fun times swapping stories about what we do push past our tongues for the sake of being accepted by the host culture.  The worst story I heard was from a missionary to southeast Asia who told about how he actually ate a live, little critter.  Too scared to chew, he swallowed the bug whole.  After a few moments of nauseousness, the little critter actually crawled his way back into the missionaries mouth!  UGH!!!  Oh my that is just GROSS!!!

This post is inspired by the fact that apparently, Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer is raising missionaries! :)