following an unknown path

Tiffany and Becka's adventures--day 6 (part 2)

After several outdoor stops and riding around on mopeds in the HOT sun, we needed to cool off.  So, what better way than to enjoy some fruit and ice?  Me and my students introduced Tiffany and Rebecca to what would be their first of many "chaw bing" delights. :)

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After an early evening swim, we celebrated two birthdays on the beach--Afra's and Anna's.  It was my first time to ever have cake on the beach!! :)

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Then we had dinner off the street--Kenting Street turns into a night market at night with lots of souvenir shopping and great foods to try.  The girls were able to have some of their faves--Taiwanese fried chicken and freshly squeezed-to-order fruit drinks.  I, on the other hand, got to enjoy squid and try duck's tongue for the first time (let's just say it is harder to chew than pig's ears).

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Before Tiffany, Becka, and I crashed and fell asleep (while the others went back out to the night market street till 3 in the morning) . . . we went back to the beach to play with sparklers.  Fun!!

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Finally, one of the cool things is that all along Kenting Street, right behind all the street vendors and above all the souvenir shops are small "hotels."  And, the fun thing about these hotels is that they have rooms with beds for EIGHT people!  That's right--eight girls, one room.  Fun, right? :)

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And, that's it for day 6.  Once again, if you want to you can look at all the day 6 pictures on flickr (there are over 200 from that day alone).

Tiffany and Becca's adventures--day 6 (part 1)

On Day 6 we went to Kenting.  Kenting is on the southern tip of Taiwan and a vacation spot for many.   The three of us (and Gilby too) joined five of my students who had just graduated for a few days of summer fun.

We rented mopeds and then took off. . . . Rebecca was our "on moped photographer."

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Our first two stops were the South and East Gates and city wall in HengChuan.

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There was a row of yellow lantana and black butterflies everywhere. It was so pretty.

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After that we stopped to see the famous "out of earth fire."  Natural gases escape from the ground and can be lit.  Kind of neat to see, but hard to photograph and REALLY hot!!

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We then went to the east coast side of the southern tip--jia-le-sway.  We were here to cool off just a bit and to dip our toes in the Pacific Ocean.  But, in reality, Tiffany and Becka got a taste for the Taiwanese people's love of photo-taking. :)

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We made two more quick scenic stops before rounding the most southern tip of the island and heading back to our hotel completing our circle around the bottom of the island.

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Day 6 was a long day . . . so, I'll talk about the rest of the day later.  Of course, you can look at all the day 6 pictures on flickr (there are over 200 from that day alone).

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! 

Graduation Taiwanese Style

Saturday night, I went to the graduation ceremony at my school. This was not a new experience for me, but because two bloggers recently commented about the whole Taiwanese graduation experience on their blogs, I paid more attention to the culture differences myself.

Charlotte did a great job describing exactly what a typical high school graduation is like here in Taiwan.  There are a few differences between high school and college graduations, but on the whole they are quite similar.

Taiwanese graduations tend to be quite informal, and there is no focus on the individual achievement of the students.  Ours even included a rock concert at the end (although about 75% of the graduates had left by that point).  At least at our school (but it seems like at others too) students take pictures the entire ceremony (such as the one above) and wander around at will.  No other teachers were present except the "mentor teachers" (or class adviser).  (I showed up because the students had asked me to--not because I was required to be there.)

At one point, after some dancing and bar tending on stage, the top student of each department was called on stage to receive in honor of all students in their department a diploma.  All the graduates stood and were pronounced graduated.  The dean of each department then went through the crowds and moved the graduates tassels from the left to the right.  This however was the first time I had seen this happen.  Then some awards were given to top students in each class.

Diplomas will be passed out to those who can receive them later--ie have actually passed all their classes and only took senior courses this semester.  If they have to attend summer school (or even one more year) or are are still taking a junior class (which isn't completed until the first week of July) they can attend the graduation ceremony but will not get their diploma.  The receiving of your diploma is a very informal thing done with no pomp and circumstance at all. (One or my former students told me that at his current school, they actually "graduated" before taking finals.)

Char makes two points I whole-heartedly agree with, first, she points out that unlike our western focus on the individual, here in Taiwan the "students were graduating as a class, as a grade, as a school."

It is another example of the "Big Me" (society) vs. the "Little Me" (the individual).  In Taiwanese culture the Big Me always outshines the Little Me.  In some ways I like that they were together as a class--that they were able to graduate with friends.  I remember in high school, college, and grad school graduating next to perfect strangers since my friends were not next to me alphabetically.

Char also points out that by only allowing the top students to be recognized on stage, "it doesn't do a lot to encourage the majority of the average or even mediocre students. They should be given the chance to feel proud of their achievement, even if they weren't number one in their class."  I agree. 

I would add to this that the focus is not at all what any of these students have done.  When I told my students "congratulations" in English or Chinese they were kinda dumbfound and would tell me "congratulations to YOU."  The short speeches made during the ceremony mostly wish the students good health in the future--one VP even reminded the students to exercise so they could live longer.  Nothing is said about "you worked so hard and we are proud of you."

Instead it is more like a goodbye or going away party.  The ceremony starts off by talking about what a sad day it is and how hard it is to leave and say goodbye to friends.  It ends with groups of students hugging and crying tears that can't be stopped--and this in a culture where displays of affection and emotion are very rare.  It is further not about their accomplishments because some of them won't even be graduating for another month, summer, or even school year.

Some other things of difference to note:

• "The graduation song" in Taiwan is actually the one we sing on New Year's, "Auld Lang Syne."  And it is played at the end, as in "And now we will play our graduation song."
• The red roses and ribbons they are wearing say "graduating student."  They all wear these--just like at weddings here the father of the bride wears one that says "father of the bride."
• Something Sandy has pointed out is the lack of family and friends who attend graduation ceremonies in Taiwan.  She is right, and this just goes to further support the idea that this is not about celebrating a great achievement, but is rather a goodbye party for the graduates.
• There are no graduation invitations to send or mail out.
• There are no individual graduation parties or dinners--it is all about the class and classmates and saying goodbye.
• Graduates are given flowers.  That might be the only sign of individual "congrats" given.  I don't really think they are given any other kind of graduation gift from family or friends. 
• This year, the entire time of diploma and award giving music--which sounded like it was from a movie soundtrack--played, which created an air of anticipation and suspense.  Later songs about "new worlds" and "good friends" from Disney movies were played, which helped encourage the emotional break-down.
• This year they students didn't march in or out.  Many left after they "stood to graduate" and their cap's tassel was moved over.
• Since we were outside this year and it was at night, we also had fireworks to go off near the end.
• There is only one graduation ceremony a year even for college students.  Graduating students finish the spring semester an entire month early.  And then graduate 2 or 3 weeks before the school holds finals for all the other students.

i do weird things

Yeah, that's right . . . you stick the whole head in your mouth, bite down, and chew. :)

I love shrimp.  And constantly having fresh shrimp from living on an island has spoiled me to no end, but I learned last night a new way to eat shrimp.  It is possible, if the shrimp has been deep fried to consume the whole creature--eyeballs, legs, shell and all! 

And you know what?  It is quite delicious that way! :)

a short trip

Last week, two of my students, Gilby, and I went to PengHu County--south of where I live--for an evening of traditional Taiwanese fun.

We ate some traditional foods for dinner and then tried the famous 冷熱冰 (literally translated: "cold hot ice") for dessert.  "Cold hot ice"  is a bowl of hot treats--red beans, taro chunks, glutinous rice balls filled with peanut powder--covered in shaved ice topped with brown sugar water.

Here are pictures of what 冷熱冰 (cold hot ice) looks like, as well as pictures of me and Gilby with my students outside of the famous restaurant.

Another cool thing about this restaurant is that just outside of the restaurant is a vendor who sells mantou (steamed bread) from a converted bicycle.

Here is a pic of me on the bike, and a pic of Julie pointing to what is inside the steamer on the back of the bike. (Yes, we had the vendor's permission to play with her movable store.)  But, since the vendor was done for the day, she had already cleaned out the glass case in the front.  (I found one on flickr taken in the daylight when her case was full.)

Picture Credits: cold hot stuff 1 and cold hot stuff 2.

taiwan from my students' eyes

As I've mentined before, I am teaching an internet English course this semester.  This is actually one of the multiple reasons I needed a bloggy break! :)  I added 20 something student blogs to a "must-read and interact with" list on my blog-reader, and I am blogging for them as an example to follow.

Anywho, it has been fun teaching them how to blog and use flickr as well as some other online programs and sites.  Some of them have really taken off and are doing cool things with their blogs.  Others, well, they are just trying to get the hang of it. :)

I am enjoying this course because it is a way for them to use English for a "real reason."  I also enjoy seeing them interact with each other both in real life in the classroom and online. 

Now to finally get to the point of this post . . . . One of their recent assignments was to create a slideshow using slide.com to showcase a part of Taiwanese Culture.  Some of them have shared the HTML code for their slide shows with me, so I can share with you!! 

First, for no particular reason, is Stella's slide show.  Her slide show actually covers a few different aspects of Taiwan culture. 

Another student,  Nancy focused on "Stores in Taiwan."  All of her photos are of different kinds of stores in Taiwan.  So, take a look and see what it is like to do some shopping in Taiwan.

I'll post more of their slideshows in the near future!!  Keep an eye out for them and learn even more about the little tropical island we live on! :)

one of my students sings on tv

On March 19 of this year, one of my students (whose English name is Rachel) appeared on TV to sing a song as part of a contest show. 

You can watch her in the following youtube video and see a little of Taiwan TV culture at the same time. :)  She even gives an acapella encore.  And the audience even claimes to get "chicken skin" or as we say in English "goose bumps."

She has an awesome singing voice in my unbiased opinion.

What does dinner look like at your house?

Every year, I supervise a group of graduating students as they complete a senior thesis together.  This year, my group wants to know what dinner time looks like in America. 

All they know is what they have seen on movies.  They think our evening meal times are either extrememly serious and quite with candles lit and opera music playing softly in the background or are crazy, loud, and chaotic.  They think we only eat steak, hamburgers, and pizza.

So, these three young ladies have created an online survey to discover a better picture of what dinner time looks like in America. 

We need your help to take the survery and to encourage others to take the survey as well. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. 

To encourage you to help us advertise the survey, if you link to the survey from your blog and invite your readers to take it, you will be entered in a prize drawing if you leave a trackback or comment to this post.  The prize?  A handmade postcard sent from Taiwan.  Up to ten people will win the prize.

The survey and "spread the word" prize contest will both close on April 29th.   But don't wait!  Help us now!!

Your help is greatly appreciated!!

{ETA: The survey is only for Americans, but the prize drawing for helping us get the word out about the survey is open to all!}

my student's lunch

lunch, originally uploaded by charlotte727.

Oh, yeah, that's right . . . an edible teddy bear made of rice!

See what I mean?  How Creative!!

empty

Empty classrooms in Taiwan.

The photo above was taken at a junior high school during a break time.

The photo to the left was taken at the college where I teach at the end of the day.  You can see the setting sun coming in through the back door.

There is always something thrilling about being in a classroom--whether empty or full.  Sometimes I like being in an empty classroom--it gives me time to pray for my students and envision all the possibilites.  But, I prefer when the room is full of students rather than empty--it is much more "alive."

Theme: Empty | Become a Photo Hunter | View Blogroll

May I suggest you visit my bloggy friend ejia's hunt?  I love the way she always quotes Scripture in her photo hunts.

random elevator conversation

Like I so often do, I had an unique elevator conversation this week.  Thought I'd share this one with you.

Student: I like your shoes.
Me: Oh, thanks.
Student: I have big feet too.

my "front porch"

As you probably know, in Asia people take off their shoes when they enter a home.  Sometimes shoes are taken off for entering classrooms or resturants or other places too. 

When my students come to visit me, they take off their shoes and line them up on the stairs outside my front door.

I took these pictures as some students were leaving my home after a Christmas party a few weeks ago.  Some of the students (and thus their shoes) had already left (were gone) before I thought to capture it on film.  When they were all there, the stairs were full and about half were Converse.

Here are shots of my students putting on their shoes right in front of my front door. :)

This post is the start of another random series showing you some of the "corners of my home."  I will show you were I keep my shoes in my next "corners of my home" post.  (I also need to remember to take pictures of where I park for that other random series I have going.)

Happy Tuesday!

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!!

at the end of class

I teach one evening class--Listening Practice for two hours on Monday nights.

At the end of class tonight, I was calling roll.  Last-last week I gave a quiz and used the quiz to take roll.  Last week, I returned the quiz and used it, plus my powers of observation, to take roll.

So, tonight I called roll for the first time in two weeks . . .   

Me: "Ken, here.  LiLi, here.  Ben, here. Jerry?"

Students (in Chinese): "He dropped."

Me as I cross out his name: "Buh-Bye Jerry.  Peggy, here.  Anna, here.  Karen?"

Students (in Chinese): "She is taking the semester off."

Me as I cross out her name: "Buh-bye, Karen. Mick, not here.  DaDa, here. Barbie?"

Students (in Chinese): "She died."

Me: "She is dead?!?"

My students then pantomimed a car accident and showed me the nonverbal Taiwanese hand gesture for death.

Me (as my heart sank deep into my stomach): "Really?!?  No one told me."

Students:  "Yes; two weeks ago."

It felt weird finishing the roll call.  It seemed so trivial compared to the news that one of my students has passed away.  Three weeks ago she sat right over there in that seat--happy, healthy, and turning in homework.  Now, gone.  I will never see her again.

I knew her ten hours at most, but still her death has impacted me.

I actually read on a fellow Christian co-workers blog about the death of a student and about her and her husband visiting a student. But, since I don't know my student's Chinese names, I didn't realize that this student she was talking about was also my student.  I am thankful that Teresa and Mark were able to visit Barbie (小君) and pray for her before she passed away.

BUT, this does not change the fact that not once in the five weeks that she came to my classes did I tell her about Jesus.  We just had classes as normal. 

We never know who will and who will not have a tomorrow. 

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!   Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah  Surely a man goes about as a shadow!  (Psalm 39)

[God] knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, but a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. (Psalm 103).

Tears trace paths down my cheeks. 

Did she know about Jesus?  Had she ever heard his name before?  Did she know that there was a God who loved her?  A God who is gracious, kind and just?   A Holy Creator God who is the Most High God?  Have I messed up royally?  Why am I here?  If I could die on my way home, I want to be doing what matters most.  I want to be home with my family with the people I love most--No, that's not right.  That's not what truly matters most.  I want to be here proclaiming Jesus to people who don't know about You.   

But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14)

Oh Father, make me bold.  Open doors for Your message, so that I may proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly, as I should.  Help me to be wise in the way I act toward others; help me to make the most of every opportunity.  May my conversation be always full of grace and effective; help me know how to answer everyone.  Lord, help me to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have.  Oh Father, my humble plea is this: please make me bold.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel . . . Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6: 19, 20)

another wedding

I've been to 6 weddings (so far) in 2006.  Wedding number 6 was last night.  One of my former students, the groom, tied the knot with one of his junior high classmates. 

In Taiwan it is common for the bride to change dresses throughout the wedding banquet.  Like many wedding banquets in Taiwan, this banquet was also outside under big tarps right in front of the groom's home.  There were probably about 300-400 people present for the huge 12 course meal.  And no Taiwanese wedding would be complete without Karoke and fireworks. 

how to make old man's tea

One of my writing students, Juliet, wrote about "old man's tea" for her process essay this last year.  I thought in continuing the theme of tea in Taiwan I would share with you her essay.  Keep in mind she English is her foreign language and this was an assignment for her class.  Otherwise: enjoy learning how to make old man's tea from a Taiwanese young person!

"Old man’s tea" is an old Chinese convention. It is a nice kind of rest and recreation for leisure. Many people in Taiwan like “old man’s” tea and my boyfriend likes, too. He is older that me, so he is an old man, so he enjoys “old man’s” tea. My boyfriend thinks drinking the tea can help our body’s metabolism, and make our spirits become well. Would you like your health to get better? Would you like to learn how to make “old man’s” tea? Making “old man’s” tea is not difficult when you follow these three steps.

The first step to making “old man’s” tea is to get the things you need. You should choose a kind of tea you like because the tea has many different types and tastes. If you like mild flavors you should choose green tea, black tea, or wu long tea for a sweet and sharp taste. If you want to drink a fragrant, sweet tea, try one of the flower teas. They are not dry and coarse. After you choose your tea, then you need to prepare other stuff. You need to have a fire stove for boiling water, some drinking water a tea pot, tongs, tall narrow “smell cups” and a cloth. You need to have them all ready.

After you have completely prepared every thing, with nothing missing, you can start to make tea. First, put tea leaves in the tea pot. Next, boil the water and pour the water in the tea pot. It should soak for about three minutes. Take the first brew and wash the tea cups with it. This makes them hot. Also, pour the first brew into the “tall smell cups” to smell the tea. But, the first brew had is messy, so the first brew is not usually drank. Then put the hot water in the pot again. Remember, do not soak for too long of a time because, the tea will have an astringent taste.

Finally, the last step of making “old man’s” tea is to drink and enjoy the tea. First, give every one a smell cup and a tea cup. Then pour the second brew of tea into the smell cup. Then pour the tea from the smell cup into the tea cup. You can smell the smell cup’s scent. After wards, you can drink the tea. The tea will be hot, so you should be careful not to burn your mouth. When the second brew is gone, you can use the same tea leaves again to brew more tea. But, after soaking about five or six times, the tea leaves will have not taste. There fore you should change to new leaves and repeat the 2 and 3 steps.    

No matter what, these three steps are very important: Prepare for, make and enjoy “old men’s” tea. Each one can not be forget on. Making “old man’s” tea is not difficult when you follow these steps. So you can try to learn to make “old man’s” tea and you will feel it is interesting. And, at the some time you will be experiencing a special part of Taiwanese culture.

last thursday

Picture above is taken from the balcony of my school right in front of my office.  This is my neighborhood.  I live within a 5-7 minute walk of the school.

Below is a picture of one of my graduating classes.  This is my very small public speaking class.  They have attended a 5 year college program, so they took classes at my school for the last three years of high school and the first two years of college.  So, these students are sophomores, but they are getting ready to graduate.

The picture below is taken of me with Eve, Edison, and Roberta (the short-term missionary who came on Thursday to stay with me for three days and two nights).  I have both Eve and Edison in two different classes as well as advise them on their graduation project.  They are great girls and are very helpful!!

 

Below is the actual building where I teach.  We have a campus nearby that is a work in progress.  They are working on the classroom buildings now.  So, this summer our classes and offices should all be moved to the campus.  But, for now, this is where I work.

47 what?

Have you ever wondered why I use amanda47 for this URL and for my email address? 

No?  You haven't?

Well, then, let me draw your attention to the fact that I use 47 in my email and this blog's URL. :)

Great, now that you have noticed . . . are you wondering yet?

No?  Not really?  Well, thanks for being honest, but I am going to tell you now and pretend you have been unable to sleep at nights because you have been so filled with wonder about it! :)

What did you say?  You wanna guess first?  Well ok.

Am I 47 years old?  No--only 28.
Do I have 47 dogs?  No--just one.
Do I speak 47 langages?  No--just two.
Is my address 47 Something Lane?  No it is not.
Is 47 my lucky number?  Nope; don't have a lucky number.
Have I written 47 books?  No. 
Number of published articles?  No.
How many times I have been to Hong Kong?  No.
How many miles between me and my parents?  Oh my, no way.  Try more like 8,000!
Is my favorite verse in the Bible something 4:7?  Nope, not yet anyways.

You want to give up?  Well, here's a hint.  Today is 04-07-06. 

Oh! What is that?  You wanna guess again?  Well, ok.

Ahh . . . that's right!! 

Today, April 7, is my birthday!!  You are so smart!

What's that?  Happy Birthday?  Ahh. .  . thank you!!  That is so nice of you!

The picture below is of me with my "Mr. DaBien" Cake.  I am guessing that you can guess what "Da Bien" means just by looking at the cake.  Right? 

Some of my students surprised me earlier this week, with this very cute cake.  If I haven't been here too long . . . my guess is that this kind of "cuteness" is probably very Taiwanese. :)  Take a look . . .see what I mean! :)

www.flickr.com

happy belated white day!

Yesterday--March 14th--was "White Day."

My understanding is that Japan has two valentine's days: Feb. 14 is for women to give to men, and March 14 is for men to give to women.

So, my some of my Taiwanese students--as a whole class--gave me a gift for "White Valentine's Day." This cute card (on the right) and some nice cappuccino flavored white chocolate! Yummy!!

So, if Taiwan celebrates America's Valentines day (Feb 14), Japan's Valentine's Day (March 14), and the Chinese Lover's Day (on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month) . . . . Taiwanese people then get to celebrate their "loved ones" three times!  That is a lot of chocolate and flowers. ;)

the blessings of using a timer

Heather from Mom 2 Mom Connection wrote for the Carnival of Beauty this week about seeing "the boundaries of time as a blessing in order to keep [her] balanced."

I too have learned to love a timer recently.  I use them both at home and at school. 

My students got used to me using them in the classroom, but they think it is funny that I also use them at home.  I have three in my house--one on my fridge, one by my computer, and one in a central location in my home--and thanks to flylady.net they are all set to 15 minutes.

But, using a timer has been such a blessing for me.  Here is why:

--a timer lets me feel successful.  It tells me "yea! you did it! you can stop now."  otherwise, as a perfectionist, I can't stop till it is perfect.

--it lets me focus completely on my task.  I don't have to keep looking at the clock to see how much time has passed. (In class this means, I can say 20 min to finish this and then spend all my energy helping students without worrying about really using 30 or 40 min on the task--allowing me to follow my lesson plans for successfully.)

--it lets me do things I never would do otherwise.  I often think things take longer than they really do.  But doing it for 15 min is do-able--I am always surprised just how much really can be done in 15 min.

--helps me manage my day.  There are times--like today--when I have "15 min days."  I have a list of things that need to be done and take 15 min to spend on each task; after 15 min, I switch and do something else. 

When I first found flylady, I ignored her advice about a timer.  Now, I wish I had not--it is the best thing I have  found for manging my time and being productive.  Like Heather, my timer and setting time boundaries have truly been a blessing. 

The one I use at school is really cool--it is like a stoplight (the pic for this blog).  It lets us visually see how much more time we have left.  I got it from a company called Learning Resources.