following an unknown path

buying books overseas

Living overseas has seriously helped me to curb my book-buying addiction.

My mom says she can always tell when it is time for me to come home because packages start arriving.  I start shopping my wish list and sending books to my parents' home to wait for me the month or two before I leave.

Amazon.com's international shipping on books is SO high--sometimes more expensive than the book itself.  So, last year when I read on a blog about a company that ships books overseas for under three USD ($2.97) a book, I was giddy.

I've ordered from BetterWorldBooks.com twice.  The first time it took about two months or longer to get my books (I was beginning to think they had been sent to Thailand), but the second time it took less than a month.  The first time they come in an M-bag (I had ordered several) and the second time, they just came in a simple box.  Both times they had been shipped from Switzerland?  Sweden?  I don't remember, but some "S" country. :)

I've been pleased.  It's nice to once again be able to order (cheap, used) books and actually have them shipped to me.  I've not found every title I've searched for, but I have found many.

If you live overseas and need a book craving filled, you might wanna check out BetterWorldBooks.com.

Oh, yeah, and the profits go to fund literacy, and shipping is free to US addresses, so even if you aren't overseas, you still might wanna check 'em out. :)

(I thought I'd read about it on a "girl blog" in the fall.  But when I searched my g-reader, I only found a mention of it on the Bell Site in the summer.  Anywho, thanks anonymous girl blog; sorry I can't give you a hat tip.  And thanks to Jackie Bell for recommending good stuff to others too.)

merry Christmas!

what's up

Blogging is one area of my life that I rarely if ever feel "behind" in, but right now I am feeling a little behind. Here is a hodge-podge post of what's up.

Thanks to both Blair and Crickl's Nest for giving me the Thinking Award.  Thanks you guys--what a fun surprise to come back to.  After being awarded the "Thinking Award" you are supposed to pass it to five more people, we'll see if I get around to it . . .

The Carnival of Beauty is at Susanna's Through a Glass this week.  The topic is the The Beauty of Feminity.  As Lindsey said last week, "It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just write from the heart. It doesn't have to be long or flowing with fancy words."  For more details on how to join us, read this.

Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday!  This is my last year in my 20's. *sigh*

And, thanks to all of you who have taken my student's survey so far and who have promoted it on your own blog!!  We have 36 replies so far.  My students are so excited.  They are hoping for over 50 submissions though, so if you haven't take it yet, it only takes around 10 minutes.  I looked through the answers and am glad to see that I am not mistaken about American culture. :)  They will be very surprised by some of the answers.  Thanks again for helping us.

I've got pictures to post, things to write about and blogs to go read, but for now, I am off to teach classes ALL DAY LONG today.  Too bad I can't just blog all day instead. :)

not a real post :)

For me today is the start of a four day weekend. 

Today (April 5th) is a national holiday here in Taiwan--Tomb Sweeping day.  Saturday is my birthday (April 7th).  And, Sunday is, as you well know, Easter.  So, I am going to be scarce around here till Monday.

Please stop by Lindsey's blog to see this week's Carvial of Beauty, "The Beauty of the Ressurection."

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend as we celebrate our Savior and the free gift of salvation!!

Blessings to you and yours!!

requesting reccomendations

I made the photo collage below back in 2003 on some photo software my dad had. 

I want to make a new version with pics from the last four years added to the set. I also would like to have a program to do more (in general) with my pictures--for instance, I am also interested in doing some digital scrapbooking. 

I like picnik.com (free to use, is online, and interacts with flickr) and have used picasa (free to download, interacts with blogger but not flickr).  But, I want more than just making a picture lighter, darker, controlling red eye, cropping it, and so on. 

I'd like some reccomendations on what software I should check out for manipulating photos.

What software do you use?  And, what do you think about it?

Please help.  Thanks in advance.

By the way, I can't look at the collage above with out my heart swelling with thankfulness for all God has done in my life to change and shape who I am.  How I long to glorify Him in all I do!!!!  He is such a wonderful, marvelous God!! 

How very undeserving I am!  I am eternally grateful.

the package

Here is a little game that will make you think.

I love stuff like this!

this morning

Ok, I have now eaten so much ginger candy my mouth is raw!  Guess I should lay off it for a while.

Now that I have the Carnival up, and I played online a little, I am going to shut down the computer and go do a little "spring cleaning."  I got a new kitchen cabinet for Christmas (houses in Taiwan come with just the walls) and have yet to put anything in it (Christmas is just 2-3 weeks before the end of the semester for us and now I am on a month long winter break). 

Not only does "spring cleaning" make me very American, doing it before Chinese New Year makes it very Taiwanese too! :)

Here are the results of my "playing online" this morning:

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

the beginning of 2006, taipei 101

Originally uploaded by Coolmitch.

World's tallest building is all aglow for ringing in the new year.

its now 2006!!

 五 . . . 四 . . . 三 . . . 二 . . . 一 . . . 新年快樂!!

5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . happy new year!!