Steve's Pride and Joy

Another day....Supper at Mr. English

2011-12-30T02:14:00.000-08:00

Yep another day of Kaohsiung adventure! Melissa picked us up and we went for lunch at Don Burrito on Heti Road. A regular Friday lunch meeting so we cannot break the 'girls lunch' even though I do.......... soft tacos, quesadillas, nachos and a GOOD TIME.

Melissa dropped us off at the MRT (no fee ATM) so we could get $$$$ and pay our rent at the Post Office, yes, here you can do banking through the Post Office too. Later, I went for a short bike ride, bought my iced green tea, stopped for a coffee and snack at the corner bakery Chung Hua Bakery...WHY buy tea and then coffee?? to see my tea stand friends and then a bit too chilly on the bike so coffee to 'you know' "go with the snack from the bakery".

Probably Chicken Caesar salad for supper but I MIGHT go for the burger!

New Year's eve tomorrow COULD be a quiet one....a morning wedding of a friend, I have youth 8-10pm and there was some talk of watching the EDA world fireworks from Melissa's balcony....but then I hear a lot of talk that was just a discussion of ideas......

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T06:28:00.000-08:00

The last few Christmas' have been very different. Being in Taiwan there is LOTS of Christmas promotion, decoration and music but it doesn't stop December 25th with a screeching halt like it does in Canada. Oh, it does start to disappear but music still plays however sometimes you can also hear a Christmas song in March! Many of the sparkly tinsel decorations are used year round so there is just less of it. For most Taiwanese it is an 'american' holiday so work and play go on as usual

This year we helped Melissa care for an orphan baby for the weekend, went to church, had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant and Christmas dinner at our Pastor's house, met some other church members and learned a new game. We even had leftover turkey and pumpkin dessert for lunch today!!!

Now we will see what unfolds for the week....there are a few things to do at Melissa's apartment and then her(MY) IFH work list will start to be released. It will be very different operating the guest house without actually living in the midst of it. Much more personal privacy for her and her dogs and it gives her a fresh perspective for the house too.

No real profound thoughts today....................

43 YEARS Wrapping Christmas presents

2011-12-23T01:04:00.000-08:00

Just finished wrapping some Christmas presents for Melissa ..... 43 years with short fingers. It was 43 years and one week ago that my right hand changed forever. And of course even at 18 I WAS GOING TO WRAP MY GIFTS MYSELF.

Wow what a lot has happened in those years!!! Brenda Babich, then Walrath and Colleen wrote me inviting me to Aldersgate College the day of my accident. What else is a guy gonna do....so off to Moose Jaw I went for 3 1/2 months that have had a lifelong impact. Little did I know it would result in a wife, 2 children, a daughter in law and 2 grandchildren. God has kept a guiding hand in my life for many years. MOST times it takes the wisdom of hindsight for me to realize it.

Wow a MONTH since my last post and we are now 2 WEEKS into our Taiwan winter

2011-12-22T04:22:00.000-08:00

It has been a whirlwind month. I finished a renovation job that will pay for much of our time here. Packed and weighed suitcases, lugged suitcases, rerouted flights, arrived in Taiwan at the time expected, settled in to a new apartment, helped Melissa settle into hers, forked out a fair bit of $$$$$, and HAVING A MARVELOUS TIME.

Now to participate in our Saskatoon and Kaohsiung worlds.

Finding Forester or MYSELF

2011-11-19T19:55:00.001-08:00

It's an interesting character study but what struck me beside people's biases is that at the end (it's been out for a while so no need for a spoiler alert) Forester [as only Sean Connery can accomplish] rides his bicycle off to Scotland for his final days...............hmm if I knew I had weeks/months left where would I want to spend my final days? I don't know......Do you? Now don't get me wrong...that isn't a negative or loss but a HMMM.

On a more shallow note, my below freezing winter is due to end in 16 DAYS................for that matter below 10 and maybe even 15C. Kaohsiung, Taiwan here we come!!!!

Coffee only $73 a bag!!!

2011-10-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

That's better than the time we went for water filters and spent $200. I am going to have to start leaving Colleen in the car!!!!! We did get 2 travel mugs, two books and a jar of antipasto but I went in for Vanilla Hazelnut coffee!

EIGHT WEEKS TOMORROW and we are on the plane for Taiwan!! We are travelling via Calgary, San Francisco and Tokyo. We leave here at 6:30 AM and arrive in Taipei at 10:20 PM. 26 hours is about the shortest we've had AND 90 minutes is our longest layover. But we do have to overnight in Taipei before taking the 2 hour High Speed train ride to Kaohsiung. (the bus and it's 3AM arrival is NOT a tolerable option). Even with the hotel and THSR we are MUCH LESS than if we left here any closer to Christmas. I expect we will meet Melissa on her Wednesday lunch break.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.....our LOCAL extended family numbers about 40 now (and that's really only half......(one branch) so we are using our church kitchen and cafe area. We get to use the gym so the harried factor is lowered a bit. I whine that it is not the same but it is still WONDERFUL and a blessing to have so many happily together.

To my American family and friends don't worry yours is coming.........for once the USA follows the Canadian lead!!

Oh yeah, we are all doing well. Melissa's melanoma surgery in June was successful and all tests continue to come back CLEAR. We've been able to spend some marvelous time with Alex and Gaby. Although not much with Jay & Julie. Our summer has been good, a bit relaxed and a bit hectic at times but NO major injuries or incidents! And now to ease ourselves into our new Visalus Sciences business endeavour and prepare for 4 1/2 months in Taiwan.

love to all

WOW 6 days short of 2 months

2011-10-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

I apologize to the non Facebookers. As much as I say FB is not for everyone I behave as if it is........hmmmm I suppose many of us have said  Do as I say not as I do.

We have our annual Taiwan trip tickets booked and will actually get them fully paid for BEFORE we leave. Dec. 5th through April 19th. It's 2 weeks erlier than we intended but adding 2 weeks saved almost $1,000 EACH.   Now to see if we spend that money here or there or actually save it.

Alex turned 6 this week!!!!!! Hopefully we will get together soon.

Yikes!! Thanksgiving is October 9th! We now have the 3rd generation beyond the baby stage, for the most part, so nobody's home has the capacity.   Hopefully we can arrange to use the church . It definitely changes some of the essence of the gathering but sanity does have value.......

I have a couple Electrical contracting jobs on the go and should get them wrapped up by the end of October so I can rest and relax for Taiwan living.

Well all for now.

This is what grandkids and summer is about!

2011-08-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

We had a Thursday afternoon trip to Kinsmen Play Village. LOTS of kids and parents/grandparents and the sharing was great to see.

And then off to the carousel and train.

And we even got our the water guns when we got home after Burger King supper!

Friday was a little bit quieter. Melissa brought the Metrushka home from her 94-95 year in Russia.

Updates

2011-07-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

I just reviewd the last several posts...well actually back to some of the initial posts 4 YEARS ago.
Melissa's cancer reports are ALL CLEAR. The melanoma on her shoulder was removed successfully And the followup tests have been all clear. Another followup test in 3 and 6 months.

Oh and Melissa has a few days off next week so THREE DAYS IN BALI..........SHE NEEDS THE RELAXATION. The accommodations seem inexpensive and fantastic.

Alex and Gaby are coming for overnight tomorrow!!!!!! We might not be quite as adventurous this week as last Saturday..........Colleen took Gaby for the departure bathroom trip and the poor little girl's lips quivered because she didn't want to 'just do nothing' at home................ I'm sure it isn't THAT boring at home OR fun at Grandma and Grandpa's !! Alex has a BD party so she'll get her 'alone' time this week.

WE ARE BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kids, Grandkids, a house, beautiful skies, Central Air for summer, and Central heat for winter, good health (most of the time), great family, fantastic friends, a safe country, freedom to relax and freedom to travel(as long as we earn enough extra money and don't waste too much.

Another month and Another Birthday

2011-07-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

I have had lots of thoughts and "I should blog this" and some thoughts just not clear enough to share. However as much time as I spend at my computer my Blogthoughts are generally in my quieter times or in transit from home to youth activities or to that tiny bit or WORK I do

I got to CELEBRATE my 61st Birthday with my grandchildren!

I had to go through that tunnel 3 TIMES in order to get all three of us in the photo you don't see.

YES DOWN THE TWISTY SLIDE, NOT JUST POSED

And then we played in the backyard pool. The action in the middle is Colleen not knowing I was already recording. THIS is one way I stay YOUNG..............

3 weeks of rambling thoughts

2011-06-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

I am now able to say I am RETIRED. I've spent 3 years getting my head past a layoff with severance. Not dealing with it but describing it as retired. Dealing with it has NOT been a problem. Actually I should be semi or quarter retired to support our lifestyle! Each year has been an adventure in scheduling, working, enjoying, pondering, playing, learning and seeing what God has for us.......

Retired means that while in Taiwan visitng Melissa I can think of a 3 day visit to my brother and as we discuss it let it grow into a week's drive across Kansas and back! I had a great week with my brother. I got renewed with second hand smoking, and both of us with cousins,

Rocky and Leona Faye Mason (Hugoton)

We stayed with Linda Wright in Liberal

aunts, uncles cousin's kids and grandkids. We even got in some Tornado shelter time.

We got to go out to Arkalon Park with my Mom's brother Fred.

Arkalon was developed by OUR DAD to develop wildlife habitat and also use excess treated sewage from the City of Liberal KS. A true sign of the skill and isnpiration that does NOT require University degrees and training

We had one hotel night to reward David's grandson.....after all a 9 year old deserves some FUN.

But I managed to hurt my foot playing in the 3 foot deep water...................I would be on crutches but the Walmart we went to didn't sell them (go figure) Aleve did the trick though! Enough that we could visit

my Dad's cousin, Lillie Kissinger, in Mulvane and our cousin Calvin in Wichita.

I OFTEN ASK OTHERS WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU.........

WELL FOR ME IT WAS REACQUAINTING WITH MY BROTHER'S VOICE

We probably haven't had more than 6 or 7 days together since 1968! Not that we caught up on a lot of stuff but I think we caught up a bit on who we are..............

Wanting to be 3 places at once

2011-06-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

Well maybe even 4...................

Melissa's surgery went well and her recovery is doing well and within 24 hours she should have the results of her 3 scans in 5 days after the removal of the melanoma on her shoulder. What a week, and month! It was only 5 weeks ago that she had the biopsy, Taiwan DOES NOT mess around with long wait times! The medical care is superb (IMHO) and the personal care provided by Colleen and Melissa's friends has been FANTASTIC.

As my trip to visit my brother in Kansas City gets close I am missing my family. The reality of NOT living around my aunts, uncles and cousins is working on my mind the last while. Curiously it has been stimulated by the months living even farther away in Taiwan........ and more time to ponder thoughts and feelings rather than working on a daily JOB or projects. We are going to have a great time as brothers and visiting family in Liberal, Tyrone, Mulvane and Wichita.

I'd LOVE to spend some time with Jay. I need to learn how to visit with my son. How did we manage to get so far apart in our ability to talk? Maybe I will never know. I know I WANT to know but don't NEED to know.

Maybe some of this is having Colleen away. Maybe it's a stage of life thing. Maybe?

Oh right place number 4.... I think it is right here in Saskatoon. Yeah I think......

Where do I start......................

2011-05-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

General Conference was good. Colleen is in Taiwan with Melissa who was admitted to hospital for surgery to remove a skin cancer on her left shoulder. I helped with Power Hour at church and started with 1 Grade 7 worker, ended up with 17 toddlers.......also ended up with 3 more adults and one Grade 3 helper. We thrived, well maybe it was survived................

I know most of you are back with Melissa................I was just chatting on Facebook with one of my Taiwanese youth friends and she phoned Melissa to check on her. HOW COOL!! I still don't have a name for the type of cancer other than it is considered 'skin cancer' and has a 5 year recurrence of 10% so if you have to have IT this isn't a bad choice.

With Melissa, General Conference, Colleen travelling to be with Melissa, life in general, time with Alex and Gaby, essentially NO time with Jay and /or Julie my brain processes have been FULL. Oh and in the midst of this I am making a 7 day trip to Kansas to visit my brother and some of our relatives and keep an eye on friends house while they are away. busy enough?

Oh and I finally got our 2010 income tax filed. It only took 10 days to have the refunds in our bank account and 10 hours for it to be dispursed!

Some of you will have seen our pictures a couple weeks ago with Alex and Gaby. I got to spend 4 hours with them again today. I LOVE IT and them. Here's today.........

FUN AT MARKET MALL

Gaby wasn't so excited about being in the free side of the car without a seatbelt.....

But Alex doesn't look THRILLED either, ok it's just the timing of the photo.....

I WILL POST

2011-05-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

it will take a few more days...need to finish income tax, some billing and STOP procarasitnating in this and 17 other things.

My plane for General Conference in Mississauga leaves 6 am Friday so I will be on it and I am going to be on a plane June 9th to visit my brother in KC for a week. OH and come back to Saskatoon in between.

Back on Canadian Soil

2011-04-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

2 weeks actually and not as busy as my blogging would suggest. I am working at reducing my computer time..................some success, some is just a change in the activity.
I miss my Taiwanese life but I am glad to be in Saskatoon. Our lives are full in both locations. Family, friends that ARE family, great places to worship God, great places to eat, great places to serve God and celebrate Jesus' love, great places to relax, great places to have fun.

Now to get about the business of generating a bit of extra income so we can more easily afford our new lifestyle desires.......that discipline is not so easy to find and actually DO. Immuntec is our direction but we are so slow that we are practically restarting after only 3 months away.

Oh a few people have asked if Melissa has adopted a baby. NO. She has friends that operate http://hishandstaiwan.org/ee/index.php/hishands/ which was was born from a vision to counsel, care for, and house unwed mothers in crisis pregnancies. It was a privilege to spend time with some of the babies that are in the process of being adopted.

Please be praying for insight and wisdom for us as we work at reconnecting with Jay and Julie. The difference in our and his beliefs are creating a major communication challenge (slight underexaggeration). More could be said but would serve no benefit but further expose the frustration.and better guarded details.

Well lasagna is almost cool enough to eat.............Ciao for now.

Another day another memory

2011-03-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

Tuesday's Melissa has a couple extra hours off in the afternoon so we often do a 'field' trip. This week we went over near the Jade Market to the 'Indian' store and also to a new bakery/coffee shop just a block or so from it. WELL, the clothing wasn't of much interest so I wandered around, went through a couple shops in the Jade Market.   The market is actually only open Wednesday morning but it wasn't the primary target.

When I exhausted the easy options I just stood and looked around. I noticed a woman go get her husband from inside their shop. I don't know WHAT they sell. I do know he used to live in Kansas City, MO where my brother happens to live! OKAY David actually lives in Belton but most need KC for a reasonable reference point. He had a friend in the shop who lived in California for 27 years. I hit a gold mine!! So I had some tea and pineapple cake while waiting for Colleen and Melissa who happened to be at the shop next door to Ray's. OF COURSE WE EXCHANGED NAMES! I suspect I was actually in a political activist's headquarters.   Almost EVERYTHING in Taiwan can be small and unassuming. The American Flag and a Taiwanese flag, maybe it was a proposed one, flying from the 3rd floor was a bit of a giveaway. And the brochure on Citizenship Rights!   And the TAIWAN IS NOT CHINA discussion. I don't think I am now on a watch list....... hopefully a visit will happen next year.

Melissa headed back to work after dropping us at Houyi MRT so we could ride home or go shopping. Yep more shopping and a movie. The Adjustment Bureau http://www.theadjustmentbureau.com/ was pretty good. Colleen only needed Matt Damon. A decent story. Within the somewhat slow action it opens a few doors about a higher level of control and influence in our lives and even mentions free will. Maybe angels, maybe somebody else. It DOES give an opportunity to think about our faith and how to express it.   While I was waiting for Colleen after the movie one of the staff asked me how I liked the movie and as we talked he mentioned how he thought it was about faith...........Hmmm. I said I was a Christian and he said he was too, yet one of his reactions as I mentioned it is about God in our lives and Jesus in our hearts was not easy to interpret nor was it appropriate to explore. THAT is next year's territory. How do I know......he remembered me as the guy who lost his bag last year!!! yep same theatre, same guy helped me then but I did not remember.   Taiwan bridges!!!!

If that wasn't enough on our way home on the MRT a young man got up to offer me his seat. Which Colleen figured I NEEDED to take. I noticed the girl beside me was studying an English phrase book. WELL they have midterms very soon AND the boy used to live in Wisconsin. the girl got off a few stops after he did which happened to be ours! So another friendly farewell and encouragement for a midterm test.

Just another day out and about in Kaohsiung!!!!!

We had another shaker this afternoon!!!

2011-03-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V6e/   Melissa and I were dining with Ronald Mcdonald and Melissa felt a bump and saw one customer run out and HUG the front pillar. The 5.9 was a steady shaker for a few seconds but it felt like vertigo for a full minute. The pendant lights did a bit of a sway I think they settled before my brain did!

On our way to McD's we noticed a groups setting up a bunch of boxes on a side street. Fortunately they did not start until well after the quake settled. The popping firecrackers, booming whatever......and then BANGING fireworks started while we were at the per adoption event. THE DOGS DO NOT LIKE THE FIREWORKS.   There was a dark grey cloud from the firecrackers and the street was red from the paper casings. I mean DARK GRAY and for almost a block. It looked like somebody had set tires on fire but didn't last that long. The BOOMS are just like getting hit in the chest! talk about sound and air pollution. It literally scared the poop right out of a couple dogs at the adoption event! seriously! And surprisingly not much available to clean it up so out come small tissues and paper bags....................

And then there was a second round of firecrackers as big or bigger than the first but at least we could see it and prepare the dogs.   We got home and Sadie and Cabu, Melissa's dogs, were so frightened they broke one of the spotwelds pushing on their gate!

Melissa and Colleen hosted a baby shower for Anastasia, Matt and Josephine's baby. There were only 3 or 4 attendees as the bigger shower was already held by others the second week we were here. I vacated the house in favour of the females and walked to my Tea Shoppe, chatted a bit with the owner's friend who is taking 'Applied English' at E-Shou University, it's neat talking with him. then I walked to the RueFong Night market to eat a delicious vegetable and chicken BBQ then wandered until the coast was clear...................

23 days and we are headed to Taipei and Saskatoon but before then we are going to Hong Kong the 3-5th of April.   Ah relaxing busy fun!

Melissa's bike almost gave me a rectal exam!!!!

2011-03-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

I was merrily riding along looking around and fortunately I was getting ready to slow down when I head a SNAP and the seat dropped and when I raised up it fell to the street. WHEW!!! Good thing I have strong legs and lightning reflexes!!! The bolt holding the seat to the post broke. A few blocks later I found a store I thought MIGHT have a replacement bolt IT DIDN'T but my handy dandy electronic translator helped me get directions to a nearby bicycle shop. Which I could not find!!! I KNEW where one was but it was about a 15 minute ride.......fortunately Melissa's bike has a carrier over the back tire so I lowered the post and it was reminiscent of the banana seat bike! A SMARTER PERSON WOULD HAVE REMOVED THE POST!! The GIANT sales shop on Huasia Road tried but couldn't find the right bolt so I ended up a couple blocks away to the bike shop Melissa has used before. I'd never actually been to it before! Back in full performance!

About the time the bike seat broke Melissa texted me that she was about to board the HSR to go to Taipei for her Warden meetings so when the bike seat repair was floundering I called her for recommendations. Who would have thought that the bolt sizes would be so different.

Oh the translator......I bought an electronic translator yesterday for $2,990NT. cheaper ones had less English on the keyboard and also targeted to those learning English rather than my type......whatever MY type is! Comment away!

We were shaken 4.8

2011-03-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/seismic/Data/detailData/EE0316211248026/detail_frameset.htm and to give it perpsective http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm There is regular seismic activity in Saskatchewan too. But not according to this MRC map. http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/recent/maps-cartes/index-eng.php

Maybe it was because I went on a 12.7 mile bike ride today. I road along the BIKE TRAIL. Very enjoyable afternoon.

Earthquakes, tsunamis and explosions

2011-03-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

We were not shaken, stirred or glowed! AS DISASTROUS AND HORRIBLE THINGS ARE IN JAPAN I want to assure everybody things are pretty normal in Taiwan. Sure people are aware and concerned for Japan's losses and are following the developments. I urge each to listen to the detail of what is said not just the lead line or speculations. Politicians are responsible for leading and usually minimizing chaos; REMEMBER News channels are in the business of filling air time so the highlights and spectacular often crowd the detail and accuracy into the corner.

I am KEENLY interested in the Japanese radiation as our return flight routes through Tokyo where radiation levels are increasing. Oh I just read an article that said Japan moved 8 feet as a result of the quake. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/japan/2011/03/14/294582/Earthquake-moved.htm I wonder where the hole is? I know NOT FUNNY............

Colleen called and talked with her mom this morning, her Monday night so all seems good. we recently had babies added to the clan. Arlin had Brooklyn about a week ago, Amanda had Hudson a few days ago, only 1 ounce under 10 POUNDS!! I apologize to those I did not mention. Comment and let me know!

We were going to a nearby Cultural Park on Saturday but Melissa's Mechanic said NO/replace the radiator. That's what happened last year when we went to Taichung but it was a Sunday afternoon on the highway! So we went to a couple small parks in the city.

A closeup by Colleen

We did manage to get to the Cultural Village on Sunday. Melissa had a different baby that day.

No the 'g' did not drop it was designed that way!

Life continues, with a variety of joys, sorrows, pleasures and hardships.

Wenzoa Cultural presentation

2011-03-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

This morning I met with a friend to start what I see as a mentoring series, we will see how it develops. And this afternoon I met some other BCC friends (Bilingual Community Church) at a LANGUAGE SCHOOL to share first hand about our respective cultures of Canada, USA, Mexico and Haiti and in the process they received a fair bit of the value of spritual connections around the globe.

One of our friends is in the class and as a MATURE student she is a bit more bold than most..................it turned out that one of the male students attends a church near City Hall. Janine had taken the Haitians there last week, they are here working on MBA. Now if I could only find out actually where Ken & Denise are in Haiti. I looked and looked and stopped searching to find out. It wasn't easy and simple to find so I gave up and referenced Dessalines. I find it interesting and curious that Haitian students with English as a third language come to Taiwan to study in the same classes with students who also have English as a third language. It certainly demonstrates the need to listen flexibly to those for whom English is NOT their first language. And through all of this, English may not be the dominant language even though it may well be the most widely spoken.

Oh right, the students, University age, put on English language demonstrations that would work well in commercial or tourism scenarios and then we each did our talks with Powerpoint support. Mine was pretty basic with some Canadian snow and summer shots and a few Taiwan shots to show our LOVE for Taiwan. The woman from Mexico had been in Taipei a few weeks ago and had a MARVELOUS video of Mexico. Short but very well done. VIVA MEXICO, sorry Carla.......................... Now, as I write this I marvel at the Mexico, Haiti connections I have, God must be chuckling!!! This afternoon made my week and it's only Monday!! I took some photos but as I review them the are unbelievably sterile and uninteresting to anybody but me.

So instead here is the water show that was part of the nightly celebration at the Lantern Festival.

More Later, A bientot, Hasta la vista, tsai tchien

curiouser and curiouser

2011-03-02T05:10:00.000-08:00

I think I may be mourning leaving Taiwan already and it is more than a month before we leave! Or maybe I am not occupied enough. Or maybe......................................... today it's so easy to feel DOwn, or struggle with feeling hurt or something like that. And THEN today I found out the Earthquake dampening ball at a builidng on Boai is the back of a Pizza Oven! There's a sign that says HOT DO NOT TOUCH ME! Last year there wasn't a sign! Or heat!
OR MAYBE it was going to Taipei last weekend to see friends and Cirque de Soleil and the International Flora Expo and Cirque was OK but not MINDblowing then the Flora Expo was ok but THIS was one of the Canadian displays......now most are done by Taiwanese so don't jump on the Harper Bandwagon.

And then since it was ENVIRONICS it was a soilless and sometimes sunless presentation of various plant growing methods with a couple Canadian house rooms decorated A la IKEA.

The grounds were artistic and well laid out.

But then we decided it was time to head back to Kaohsiung so it wasn't terribly late since Melissa had to teach the next day. I like the order of this shot of the seats even though this is from our way up as it was pretty full on the way home.....a few times we were going 296 km per hour!

Well I feel a bit better now that I've expressed my feelings to myself and you! thanks for reading.

OH AND ON THE WAY BACK TO CHRIS & NEVADA'S WE SAW THIS

the weekend in Taipei was a marvelous temperature!

Who woulda Thought

2011-02-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

Who would a thought that to go THAT direction I needed to take the bus going the other way............Well, maybe if I could read more Chinese..........The bus does a couple over here loops in each direction and then turns back towards the opposite direction and to top it off it is a one hour loop with 2 buses so at the stop I was at you get to see both buses within 5 minutes and then wait almost an hour! I think I missed them by 5 minutes the first time........BUT I WAS DETERMINED TO GO FROM THIS STOP. I got home 5 hours after I said bye to Colleen as she went for a hairwash!!!!! The marvel is that I knew quite well where I was in the city the whole time! I ALSO KNEW I WAS NOT WHERE I WANTED TO BE.

Golden Lion Lake is quite a nice area but they are working to remove major amounts of silt from the lake so the beauty takes a bit of visualizing. I think it is actually a water runoff catch basin for north eastern Kaohsiung City. VERY nice walkways and paths around and over the lake. the east side has 2 maybe 3 temples.

AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH when I had looked around enough I walked the 3, 4, 5, 6 blocks back to the main road to catch the bus home. It seemed like it was almost as long to wait for the bus as it was to walk home especially since there was a 5-7 minute walk from the bus stop to Melissa's place. WELL I was about 8 blocks farther east than I thought...................Google Maps says 38-41 minutes to walk............I must have sauntered because it took almost 50 minutes according to when I called Colleen and told her I was headed back and actually walked in the door. I don't think I waited for my iced tea that long!

AHH the stories of Steve & Kaohsiung!

ooops 10 days have passed

2011-02-25T06:17:00.000-08:00

We've done kind of ordinary stuff, well it seems ordianry for here.........Youth events, Church, A wedding, ride the MRT, Lantern Festival Watershow, ride the MRT, do laundry, ride the MRT, Lantern Festival Fireworks, Lantern Festival lanterns, ride the MRT, teach an English class at church, ride the bus for almost 2 hours, walk for 45 minutes, eat another of Colleen's wonderful meals.

Here are a couple wedding photos...

The Artistry continued into the wedding banquet. I am not posting the other food because I don't know what most of it is called.......

We've known Marco for several years and Tracy is super sweet. She's very fortunate to have such a fine husband and I'm sure he knows how beautiful, gentle and loving she is!

Wow, we've been here 6 weeks and head home in 6 1/2! Tomorrow we are going to Taipei to visit friends, see Cirque de Soleil, The Taipei Flora Expo and get back early enough Melissa can survive teaching Tuesday morning. Feb 28th which happens to be Monday this year is a Holiday. A bit of a strange one, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/228_Incident

Oh my bus escapade deserves a seperate post.......................

OK uploaded some photos and recalled a couple mini adventures

2011-02-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

A couple Sundays ago there was a Baby shower for Melissa's friends. They are from a different church that meets in the same building as we do but in the afternoon.

This is the outfit we bought. I was slow on the camera/had a bad setting....you can see the colours it was a top and pants. It will fit Anastasia when she is aobut a year old.

One day we went with Melissa to her school and explored as she went in to teach. This is Boai, the main road around the house and school. One of the main North/south routes in Kaohsiung.

A few blocks west of Melissa's school is "Handwich Cafe" The foccacia bread was very good. Taiwanese chicken is NOT Canadian chicken presentations but the BLT was very good.

Oh and you almost ALWAYS go to the bathroom before leaving somewhere! This one had an extra humour reward!

Then as we walked back towArds home we passed through The Heart of Love River which is on both sides of Boai right near Melissa's school. I think this bench sign is actually referring to the bike paths and possibly the local political reorganization.

Parks and green spaces are plentiful in Kaohsiung. Look at the flowers in the next shot.

that's MY finger! but it's the best curve shot....

I'M PRETTY SURE OUR MELISSA DIDN'T TAG THIS.................

February 14, 2011

2011-02-14T04:45:00.000-08:00

If I had done much less I would have stayed in bed all day today..................Oh I did make it up the stairs to 5th floor to do a minor repair and Colleen and I had a nice AT HOME dinner of IKEA meatballs, Idahoan potatoes and Taiwan Market Carrot. WE DID WISH EACH OTHER HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

It was rainy and cool today so our only outdoor venture was for the garbage and recycling.

Yesterday Melissa received her baby for the day (friends run a home for unwanted babies and facilitate adoptions)

and then after church we went to E-DA World Outlet Mall. Interesting how malls are different around the world and yet are all the same!

Well some have unique features.....................

And then of course STARBUCKS and some relaxing.

Wednesday

2011-02-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

The screen is repaired. No new damages today. My market guys greeted me with grins, smiles and a grand time. I got my watermelon and tomatoes and 3 dim sum pieces. The dim sum is at a different stall!

I managed to do a little painting of some metal bars that we'll use to change up some things in Melissa's garage for displaying brochures and maps. Oh and of course a bit of bike riding, exploring and a trip to Shao Bae for 3M stickers.

We wimped out and had Mc D's for lunch as Melissa met a friend for lunch to discuss wedding decoration plans. It will be a time squeeze in 10 days. Church til 12:30 wedding at 2 in the same space!

OH I see it warmed to -14C in Saskatoon!

Words and intentions..............

2011-02-10T04:23:00.000-08:00

I was reminded this evening of the importance of words and feelings. Within the last couple weeks a Taiwanese friend commented about the harshness of Taiwanese family communications and I responded that it is not ONLY a Taiwanese or Asian issue.

The circumstance is not important nor are the actual words. My realization and contemplation of my reactions to the words is however. There was no ill intention in the words but at the moment my mind and heart needed to hear softness and kindness rather than bluntness. OH there are times when I need to be spoken to directly as I often am a tiny bit dense. I chose to not verbally respond and continue on my way with the balance of my task but the thought process of a 60 year old guy, prone to thinking rather than reacting, prompted this sharing.

I'm not sure there is much more to say or share........... when you speak try to include love, when you hear interpret with love and understanding.

Tuesday was break day-it's Wednesday in Taiwan!

2011-02-08T18:54:00.000-08:00

Not long before Melissa came home for lunch I was emptying the coffee pot, flip flop, juggle CRASH...one less coffee mug and half a cup of coffee on the kitchen floor. Well it needed mopping anyway!

In the evening we were headed out and I needed to leave a note on the door so back by the phone for note paper and CRASH, hooked the cord with my foot and yanked the cord right out of the phone.......FIVE cords in Saskatoon and NO spares here........$20NT($0.65 CDN) later and all is fine....except for the frustration!

At least our Afternoon Market visit went well and I was able to give my watermelon guys their picture from last year! It is really gratifying when people recognize us from last year!

Now off to do a screen door repair...maybe that's the peak of today's list. the screen was dog usage damage NOT me......................

I must be part dog...........................

2011-02-07T03:30:00.000-08:00

oooooo I LIKED the shoulder and head massage that comes with a Taiwanese hair wash. HA HA HA

Vicarious Living

2011-02-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

We met Australian and British parents this weekend. Both Davids! It seems parents have pretty similar concerns and desires for their children around the globe but some talk funny!   I may be one of the unofficial Kaohsiung ambassadors which may be getting a bit annoying for the women in my life. well the two here......it seems the OTHER women in my life want me to say more via this blog!

We are reminded on a daily basis how BLESSED we are to have healthy independent children,
We are reminded on a daily basis how BLESSED we are to be in Kaohsiung with Melissa,
We are reminded on a daily basis how BLESSED we are to be healthy and happy,
We are reminded on a daily basis how BLESSED we are to have friends in Saskatoon and other parts of Canada and the U.S. that are interested in our lives.

Today a Pastor and his son from Nebraska checked in for a few days before returning home late this week. They have been here working with Free Methodist Missionary David Clemente at a winter church camp. Colleen toured parts of NE with the Aldersgate Trio in 1969, I went to Kindergarten in Sidney NE in ??? and I have an uncle and cousins that live in NE but not in the small towns Brian McGee pastors in........ I almost always have a connection within a few hours of Melissa's North American guests!!!!   I think it is somewhere between amusing and annoying for her........

Sorry no new pictures today I didn't want to take away from the break in Saskatoon weather!

We are meeting one of Melissa's friends at a salon for a HAIR WASH in 3 hours so we will grab some lunch. No stinky tofu or chicken butts today. or squid on a stick for that matter.

Photographic update

2011-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

These are from the last THREE weekends, quite a variety of life and experiences. We are tremendously blessed to even be here in the same city with Melissa. We received an Anniversary cake and gift.

A bus trip with Melissa and some of her school staff

And a 2 family car trip that turned into a van trip because Melissa's car needs major repair that will likely turn into replacement..... It's much better travelling in one vehicle!!!

Donggang gates gold plated

And the boat that gets launched and burned every 3 years. Okay and rebuilt.

Zoom in to see all of us.

And even more to see out various sea food that we bought at the market and then had it cooked at the end of the market. The Taiwan Strait is jsut on the other side of the wind barrier.

My oyster and clam shells........................and below the Donggang bridge

Is it Jet lag or something else

2011-01-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke at 5:30! I laid there…………..then I thought why am I awake? I laid there and prayed for about 85 people that came to mind, yeah at least 85. And I laid there……. around 6:50 I got up, I know because Colleen asked is that a 6 or an 8? So I spent a couple hours working on various quiet things. At 8:30 Colleen came down…..Melissa was off to work about 8.

We had a light breakfast as we had plans to go the soft opening of K Town diner. It was pretty good but they have a fair bit of learning to cook eggs enough, either runny, runny or hard cooked to beyond hard.

We then went to Dollars to buy some groceries... Familiar but yet much unfamiliar. What is pork floss anyway? And all those little round balls! And those long thick mushrooms that look like, well, uh, never mind but tough and rubbery no matter how they are cooked. All mushrooms in Taiwan seem to be rubbery, hmm, palates sure differ.

This evening Melissa’s private lesson had to cancel so we walk to the MRT and bought our ICard so we don’t have to have cash on hand and then rode to the next stop with the new Shin Kong Mitsukoshi store, it opened only a few days before we left last spring. Very nice and some floors VERY exclusive names, Harrod’s, and other’s I don’t recognize but sure looks like big $$$$$$. Colleen and Melissa did manage to find some grocery items they couldn’t do without. There really isn’t anything you can’t find here except maybe particular brands and there always seems to be that hint of sweet in things……..

January 17 musings

2011-01-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

Listening to the quiet rrrrRRRRRrrrr of a scooter approaching and passing and occasionally hearing one sound like it’s going to rattle apart before it passes. Hearing the clamouring or maybe it’s the clicking, clanking and clunking of cars, trucks, vans, scooters, wide and narrow steel overhead doors, bicycles, tools, pipes, hammers and shoes makes walking in Kaohsiung a strange symphony.

Tonight Colleen made pan fried chicken breasts, broccoli with cheese sauce and salad so I got to clean up as Melissa stopped in after a full day of work as she went to her Chiropractor. Balancing the efforts and work!! Of course I was MSN chatting with a friend in Taipei while the cooking took place. Tomorrow Colleen may be ready for the afternoon market; today her brain was not quite ready to deal with the smells and sights. AND as we were walking back from the shopping center the girl from the (my) tea shop saw me and we exchanged recognizing smiles so I HAD to go get my iced tea even though it is a bit cool for it. Mmmmm and brr mixed together. She even asked if we were back from Canada. Well I’m pretty sure that was what she said……….

We are settling in

2011-01-16T21:34:00.000-08:00

We had absolutely no catastrophes..........We arrived Friday night as scheduled.

We weren't able to see my nephew's wife in Denver because their little girl was sick. The Best Western in San Francisco was fantastic and we had a nice breakfast included. A funny thing was that the shuttle driver to the hotel was playing some Chinese music that sounded JUST LIKE one of the artists a Taiwanese friend sent me over this past year. I hummed and smiled all the way! We were only in SF for 12 hours so all we did was take the edge off the tiredness.

Oh the Taiwanese memories. When we got to the hotel in Taipei I discovered not my heart, but my sleep shorts, were left in San Francisco. A comfortable bed and a great breakfast were included, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, sausages, sliced ham, cooked cabbage, seasoned baby parsnips, toast and jam, Americano coffee (STRONG), and LOTS of mystery food.

We were honoured guests at a wedding banquet Sunday afternoon and even received a 40th Anniversary cake and marriage mugs. The handles are in the form of the Chinese character for Double happiness. Then in the evening Melissa treated us to an Anniversary supper at one of our favourite restaurants, The Bayou. We did have a nice day and it was cool to hear "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" playing on the radio as we were driving home from dinner. That was the song that played when I walked down the aisle. Cool, eh! Pictures will follow in a few days.

We are both feeling the travel weariness and Colleen is fighting her cough valiantly. A few more days and all should be good.

This morning we walked the the 3 blocks to McDonald's for breakfast because we didn't have coffee or want the iced coffee at the breakfast shop a block away. It is an interesting comfort to hear the onslaught of car, scooter and truck traffic sounds and the familiar but completely NOT understood sounds. And to get at the corner near the Hanshin Mall and remember (across the street, not at the door) it doesn't open for another hour! So 7-11 here we come. Eggs and bread so Colleen can craft Melissa's lunch! Melissa will be spoiled......

Travelling

2011-01-13T10:35:00.000-08:00

It was with sadness we left Jay, Julie, Alex and Gaby in Saskatoon but we are EXCITED to see Melissa. Flights have been on time but we had to wrestle our bags to the hotel in San Francisco overnight. My grandniece in Denver was sick so we didn't get to meet her and her mom. The Best Western Grosvenor was nice and we had a great hot breakfast. too bad we were in the hotel less than 8 hours!

Colleen is fighting her sinus cold so we will have an early DR visit in Kaohsiung.....

So I have accessed wifi in Saskatoon, Denver, San Francisco and since we have almost 4 hours in Tokyo likely there too. We are meeting Chester/Chris at the Taipei airport to pass along BABA gifts.

We board in about 20 minutes. OH I see it has warmed a degree in Taipei.......it looks like it will be rainy and 17......................info only not GLOATING

All for now!!

whaaaaah I'm sick

2010-12-16T17:39:00.000-08:00

OK I know I am SICK, but this is a cold! at least it isn't a COLD...... I am so seldom sick or ill feeling that I don't know how to suck it up and keep going. All the years of good health benefits and now no REAL schedule enable my whimpering and lounging. I am getting better because the Jacuzzi just didn't have the restorative draw that the 2 hours did yesterday!!

Four weeks from RIGHT NOW we will be 12 hours from seeing Melissa in Taipei! We will have seen family in Denver and spent midnight to noon in San Francisco. I'll blog about THAT.

Waaah, my eyes burn....................

Grieving ................

2010-11-30T10:26:00.000-08:00

I just got word of a friend's passing after a long battle with cancer. It brings sadness and tears and broken voice and happiness that her suffering is passed. I think it brings back those little pieces of grief from all those I have lost over the years. AND an increased understanding of my own grieving process. God is stronger and our fullest hope is in Heaven and eternity with Him. All our lives have a limit so we do our best to deal with it when it happens.

It hurts to be involved in people's lives and then lose them!!! It is also a TREMENDOUS JOY. I will continue to welcome people into my life because the pain is far less than the joy and happiness it brings.

My life will continue pretty much the same until Friday arrives and we say another farewell. My heart aches for her young daughter as I have known her best through my youth group work. Joyelle prayed every day for the several months my sister suffered with cancer before she died and now she is grieving the loss of her mother! My voice quivers and my eyes weep because she is so much a part of my heart.

I will be OK. I have been OK through other loss and heartache so I will endure and persevere. And after all tears and broken voices are what make us who we are.

Wednesday night means not much

2010-11-24T21:06:00.000-08:00

I was challenged to 'woo' Colleen this week! Not by her but by a younger friend of mine. Why does it have to be so cold this week? It just gives me one more excuse!

I think we will have to get ourselves reorganized as we prepare for 3 months in Taiwan and when we return. We have had a pretty laid back, sit back summer and fall...............MOTIVATION

Oh here's a couple photos that may seem random but enjoy them.

I am managing to keep this cleared

If I remember right this is Marilyn, Barry and David with their mother Beulah
and Milford with his mother Hazel

This reminds me that this week Elizabeth showed me a 1922-23 Free Methodist Annual Report and a 1921 Treasurer's book for Saskatoon. Neat to see the local history and the contributions from long ago

Some things DON'T get photographed

2010-11-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

We had a 22 hour sleepover with Alex & Gaby! playing, eating, puzzles, games, eating, stories, attempting early bedtime, waffles breakfast, cheesy noodles lunch, veggie snacks, Puke, PUKE, PUKE, clean, clean, clean, games, I'm hungry, snacks, puzzles, games.

REMEMBER do not let a little girl with a sensitive gag reflex have stringy celery sticks! Cough, cough and at least we were at the counter! then wouldn't you know it big brother can't hold it back either. AND ABOUT NOW SOME OF YOU MIGHT NOT EITHER.........one end of the counter getting covered and as the flat Tupperware bowl gets half full......Gaby says wipe off my Grandpa's hand! WIPE GRANDPA'S HAND! How do you comfort one child while the other is spewing? and then the next takes a turn? And Grandma is trying to catch, clean and comfort!!!!! All I can do is try to keep it all on the counter until we get a bigger bowl! If your still reading it OK to laugh..............

A VERY MEMORABLE TIME not all pleasant but still very memorable!

Their Dad and Auntie used to play this same board (Yogi & Boo Boo)

OBSTACLE COURSE

Who says the train needs a track!

We are booked

2010-11-19T22:59:00.000-08:00

Flights to and from Taiwan, accommodations at IFH and I AM EXCITED. It's a curious and almost strange feeling. It will be 3 months of feeling at home and being away from home! AND we get a 12 hour layover in San Francisco......midnight to noon will cut down on the activity list though.

This early retirement life has been SURREAL at times and very real as we adjust to climate and financial changes. It was great to have July and August to be able to care for Alex & Gaby almost full time. We are working toward developing business with Immunotec, nutritional supplements, so we have fully mobile business activity.

Well bedtime so more another time.

Some photos from the last few months

2010-11-11T19:04:00.000-08:00

This last Saturday brought creative cookie making................

Cooperative yard work and a Fantastic Grandma moment

And some citified off roading!

OCTOBER brought a surprise from Baba Brenda.........sharing her treasure until Gemma and Guiness return

And snack times......we sure could see their personalities develop as we spent more days together

SEPTEMBER also had our first trip to the Haugen Clan Cabin at Nemeiben Lake, I call it Wendell's even though that would be wwwrrrrong. I contributed a bubble machine. It will be there in the Spring.

I enjoyed helping with the seasonal closing. Oh for a winch........and warmth.

AUGUST was Melissa's visit, Jerrod & Shefalee's Wedding

Daily time with Alex & Gaby...the one parade day was rainy but we had a great time anyway. Colleen DIDN'T get run over by the parade......

And Melissa's last day we got a quick photo! We are still cautiously working on rebuilding the connection.

November 11, 2010

2010-11-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day, Colleen's Birthday It is interesting how each passing year the balance of these three labels changes.

Even though this is Colleen's 60th this is probably the least celebrated year for quite some time. I can remember the 'younger' years when we would have so many people we might have TWO Angel food birthday cakes and about 20 cone cakes! Today Colleen has received several phone calls. THANKS TO EACH OF YOU.

My awareness of the meaning behind today; remembering our lost soldiers and honouring those still with us increases with each year. Maybe THAT has to with being over 50 or 55..........and the perspective that comes with it. Maybe it is also with recent and visible wars that remind us that it is our VERY young men and women that are standing up for us and our freedoms. And I think the media is doing a better job of reminding us as well (of course they are also selling air time). I think we are now past the less public and hushed Korean and Vietnam wars even though there is still controversy. Bravery and service in the face of destruction and evil or peace deserves our homage.

I know I'll miss some but THANK YOU...Dad, Gene, Bill, Fred, Eddie, Dean, Larry H, and Larry N, David M, David W, Darcy and Kristina .

Wow it's Labour Day weekend!!!

2010-09-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Facebook friends will know we have survived the August hosting and wedding and regular life....................AND we had Melissa visit for 10 days!!!! I know I make this sound like work but it wasn't and isn't.......sure we had tired days but FILLED with love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our days have been filled with activity, busy isn't quite the right word but spending the day with 5 and 2 year old treasures is,well, a focused effort. We love Alex & Gaby so much and treasure each moment. Gaby is a Grandpa's girl but last week when her brother pinched her finger (innocently) in the door latch she walked right past me to Colleen for comfort. There are lots of ordinary and SPECIAL moments in each day.

One reason Melissa came home was for Jerrod and Shefalee's wedding, Colleen's youngest sister's son. One of my Indian friends, oh this was a full blown Indian wedding with a Hindu marriage ceremony, said "Big Fat Geek Wedding " has nothing on Indians. "We make it so much effort they NEVER want to get married again!" There was something every day for a week.

All the activity has meant not much contemplation time..................we are usually up by 7 am and drop the kids off by 5 or so with many days involving close to 2 hours driving time.........we get to identify almost every Dodge, Chev, Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Chevy, Mitsubishi, Ford Mustang, Dodge Ram, GMC and the occasional Audi, BMW, Saturn, Acura on the trips. Oh and bobcats, graders, steamrollers, dump trucks, semitrailers!

We are working on our Taiwan winter plans, days in Saskatoon activity and plans, keeping in good contact with Colleen's mom here in Saskatoon as we continue through our RETIREMENT adjustments. I finished that the University just over 2 years ago and we are beginning to appreciate how early that was! We wouldn't trade a minute! Life is real. Life is good. Life is ___________!

Where did July go?

2010-08-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

Can't fully recall......... Tuesday and Wednesdays were blessed with Alex and Gaby and the reminder of 7 am mornings! Fridays we also went out and picked them up for a day of fun adventure learning and whatever came our way.

It has been wonderful for Colleen to be able to take her grandchildren to the weekly Family Tea. Alex is starting to get to know his cousins. Gaby too but in a different way.

We made our annual pilgrimage to Crosby ND to celebrate birthdays with Louise Aalund and see Bill, my sister's husband.   It's curious how I've never lived there but there is sense of going home.............a lot like the going home to Liberal KS or Tyrone OK. I at least lived near Liberal my first 2 years. Some days I feel like a nomad even though I have lived in Saskatoon almost 40 years.

Melissa will be home for a visit in 10 days and then return to her home in Kaohsiung Taiwan. She has a new job teaching at a kindergarten and LOVES it.

Oh I get my first Canada Pension Plan cheque this month. So after all these years paying in I NOW start drawing it out.   How far will $649 go?

Oh and we host Alex and Gaby each weekday this month except the day we go to Regina for one part of Jerrod and Shefalee's wedding.   Then we are back in Saskatoon for their 3 days of wedding events.

AND I MANAGE TO DO A BIT OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING TOO but I am not that heroic.

Wow...life has happened!!

2010-06-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Back in Canada
Back in Saskatoon
Back in regular life
Back in regular contact with Jay & Julie
Back into the exciting life of a grandparent
Back into the tired life of a grandparent
Back into the satisfied life of a grandparent

Today's lunch wisdom: we were sitting at the kitchen island eating and Colleen was standing. Alex: Grandma, you could use the brown chair to sit on. Grandma: But I'm too lazy to go get it. Alex: Grandpa!!

Got to love a grandson looking after his Grandma............................

hmm, what to say................

2010-05-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

I was going to a foot massage and got sidetracked by a university display at Kaohsiung Arena........LOTS of universities from southern Taiwan with various health and lifestyle things. a couple kinds of drink, biodegradeable recylcleable material was made into a flowerbox but golf tees is one use, plastiwood(recycled wood and plastic), a couple soap things, a 3 wheeled scooter/bike thing, I got a hat and pen for trying it, some graphic art things and a NEAT water conservation soil mix for living wall applications that doesn't erode with water flow. sorry no photos on my camera but I will be in one from each booth....the eager foreigner! wa ai Taiwan!

We went to Cijin Island yesterday. AND got a bit too hot......................

You can see my interests are a bit different than Colleen and Melissa's

And maybe even the focus of the first fish and the grin of the following fish has a similarity to my lookin' and grinnin' way, here! And the first fish is FOCUSSED not unhappy..............................I JUST NOTICED COLLEEN AND MELISSA IN THE BACKGROUND and I am taking a picture that some would think childish........hmmmmmm

Oh it was also another windy day even though it was hot which got me to reflecting on sounds and smells again. I discovered that the heat and associated sweating results in those gas releases leaving sound tracks.......Usually the evidence is only audible! MY MID TRAVELS MANY A STRANGE PATH

Close to the last week, VERY CLOSE

2010-05-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

We fly our Monday May 17th so we are on our second last and last of many things. As I wrote on one FB comment it brings a sad tear to my eye but God replaces it with HAPPY MEMORIES.

We had a great youth evening and a good service today. Then Melissa took Colleen to our favourite Brunch restaurant CasaLingua PASTA DELI, I tagged along. Eggs Benny, mmmmmmm!

We've been inside relaxing while Melissa is at the dinner theater rehearsal, unfortunately they have had to move it down 2 weeks so we will miss it. inside cause it's a sunny humid 31 degrees. we are gonna freeze the first few days back!

OH I GOT TO MEET WITH GLENN TEAL WHEN HE WAS IN KAOHSIUNG THIS WEEK. great to catch up in person instead of email and FB. I think the last time I saw him was at Arlington Beach the summer he and Lee Barbour canoed part of the Missouri River system. He, Nancy, Angela and her husband Jared will be at Arlington this summer for the 50th Anniversary.

Well that's about it for now. Dinner in an hour, hmmmmmmm

BCC Women's Retreat 2010 Kenting

2010-05-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

There were sun, wind, water, beaches, baptisms, fun, food and relaxation!

Herbal elixer, YUMMY

2010-05-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Chinese Name: "Chang" Modified Loquat Ointment
English Name: GEAWEPIPAKA
Performance: Antitussive, expectorant.
Indications: Cough, sore throat hoarse.

Fritillaria 26.6000 mg
Loquat 120.1000 mg
Citrus 26.6000 mg
Radix 26.6000 mg
Poria 26.6000 mg
Trichosanthes Seed 26.6000 mg
Polygalaceae 26.6000 mg
Lotus 26.6000 mg
Coltsfoot Flower 26.6000 mg
Campanulaceae 26.6000 mg
Pinellia 26.6000 mg
Ginger 13.3000 mg
Menthol 0.0800 mg
Bitter almond oil 1.0000 mg
Orange peel oil 0.0300 mg
Strawberry flavor 0.3300 mg
Pineapple flavor 0.1600 mg
Maltose 200.0000 mg
Sucrose 330.0000 mg
Honey 66.0000 mg
Distilled water added to 1000.0000 mg

Another week, oops 10 days.........

2010-04-30T05:26:00.000-07:00

hmm managed to break my cellphone display which prompted Melissa to go ahead and get her Blackberry and now I'm using her old phone... I AM ADDICTED TO COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY. I don't use it all the time but GOTTA HAVE THE CAPABILITY!

I'm gonna check Computer Street tomorrow while Colleen and Melissa are at Women's retreat maybe I can get a good deal on a phone (BB), maybe not. I DO need to exchange a computer cable. Living in 2 different cellphone worlds, 3 if you count USA, has its implications and costs. ADDICTIONS ...................... Necessities ................. desires! Hmm, maybe my Electrical work simply funds my toys .................. and travels!

In three weeks we are home and looking at the Victoria Day long weekend, wait every weekend is a long weekend for us! So I guess we use some of the rest of the world's language even if we don't need it. Like the Tomb Sweeping holiday a few weeks ago that we obviously did not participate in. AND neither did a lot of other people judging by some of the crowds!

Well some plans are starting to take shape Gaby's 2nd BD yesterday, Crosby ND around July 18, Jerrod & Shefalee's wedding Aug 21, Alex's 5th BD Sept 27th, oops Melissa's in there, oh and mine too!

Well, that's enough excitement for now...................later

hmm, catching up

2010-04-20T23:48:00.000-07:00

Wow this year compared to last year. Lingering on Facebook and making comments leaves non FBers uninformed. It has also changed the depth of my postings.

I haven't had the same angst in my thoughts but the contemplation times have certainly presented themselves. I have seen God in every aspect and dimension of our time here this year. Our new normal begins to take shape. University work is now almost 2 years history, expectation of developing our relationship with Jay & Julie replaces last year's uncertainty. The anticipation of Alex and Gaby's smiles and times together create such a joyful feeling. My extended time working with the youth group here will create a sadness that will be offset by rejoining Lakeview's youth program. We start to think about the return time for next year, maybe mid December to mid April which starts us on an alternating Christmas/Easter pattern. Did you know Easter 2012 is April 8th? 2011 is April 24th, I think.

Sliding back into our Canadian normal is only a month away! Family, friends, lawns, food they way we have always had it, being able to read ALL the signs, well most of them. We are TOTALLY comfortable here but there is the language effort that we feel at times. The natural comfort of home language and environment will bring a different type of relaxation even IF I have to get back to my Contracting work.

Oh here are some photos from the last week or so.

On our way to Sun Moon Lake. The typhoon damage also means we had a paved detour into the river bed below. Quite amazing.

View from our place near CingJing Farm, a lot with a Bavarian style...... Boy talk about switchbacks and quick turnarounds "oops that was our turn!"

Yes, on a mountain just an 8 minute walk from our hotel.

Melissa LOVES Starbucks as long as they have soymilk.....................

We also stopped in a small city Jiji that has a train history. Note the windmill, it reminds me of Kenmare ND

Wow, changes here!

2010-04-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

The youth pastor and his family are returning to the United States in June so that will make next year different. 2 of Melissa's friends may take over leadership while having a baby in July and going to Seminary full time in September, Oh to be 30 again......... But here, I'm still having a great time helping with youth; there were 30 kids last night! I'll bring a couple new games back.

Melissa is the production manager for a dinner theatre so I am a volunteer set builder. It should be fun finding some new material sources YEAY. And building the sets and props too.

Wow it looks like 4 1/2 weeks to departure. Next weekend has Sun Moon Lake and CingJing Farm on the agenda. Ladies retreat April 30 and May 1. I may go snorkeling with friends while M&C retreat. Dinner Theater May 15th.

Ah,Life in the retired lane..........................

Happy Easter

2010-04-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well one week earlier than last year and half a world away. We had 3 baptisms at church this Easter Sunday.

Saturday we went to Dream Mall with our 3 Australian guests and after dinner at TGIFriday's we went up on the roof and rode the ferris wheel. Melissa hasn't been on the Ferris Wheel yet!!

and my characteristic self photo that makes it look like I am in PAIN.

Facebook is my excuse

2010-03-24T02:41:00.001-07:00

I was just thinking how this year in Kaohsiung compared to last year.

I have taught 4 days compared to 8 weeks. I haven't actually missed the schedule or the beetle nut stands!

We haven't had the some of the angst of 2009 but there are still concerns with the various dimensions of our Canadian lives.

We have stayed on island instead of 2 major trips which I think Colleen REALLY misses. We don't have FULL University salary this year like last so we aren't spending money quite as cavalierly. We certainly can more easily count our Taiwan expenses this year

Colleen had done a lot of reading, maybe similar to last year but I've been around to observe while I've played computer games or did small tasks here at Melissa's place.

I have become a bit restless with the amount of leisure time I have so hopefully I can translate that into time doing contracting work once we get back to Saskatoon. Maybe Jay and I will do some together, we'll see.

Curiously I think we have had as many friends or friends parent pass away this year as last........I guess it comes with the age................

OH NEXT YEAR WILL BE OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GETTING A TAIWANESE WEDDING BOOK so we will need to assemble a few historical photos to go with the GLAMOUR shots they do here. Sorry I am NOT funding your travel to our celebration tea!

Well that does it for today. Love to all. Enjoy your Spring weather in North America. Enjoy your time with loved ones wherever you are.

10 days since the last blog post

2010-03-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

we lived more life!

Jay's 33 on Tuesday! Wow!

We went to an outdoor Symphony presentation of the BBC Blue Planet. The Fine Arts Museum has a hillside that provides near perfect seating for such an event. And it only rained enough to cause them to pass out free raincoats (flimsy but effective), not to get soaked.......

A friend Ken Elder passed away...one more farewell gathering missed while in Taiwan.

We drove, well Melissa did, we rode, to Taichung to support a fundraiser and visit some friends that teach at Morrison Academy who Melissa went to Russia with in 1994. Yep THAT long ago!

About 2/3 of the way there Melissa's car overheated. We stopped at a rest stop. Store, gas station and restrooms. (90 urinals)! Once we added 2 liters of water and the engine cooled some off we went. WELL about 20 minutes later we pulled over and (short version) rode in the car on the back of a flat bed tow truck into the next city to get a new thermostat and radiator. Sunday morning no less! AND back on the road in 2 hours!

We had dinner at Ponderosa, there are 2 in Taichung, with the Robarts then went back to their apartment for a short visit before driving home. It sure was nice to NOT have the extra servicing stops! This time the rest stop only had about 60 urinals..........

It was like driving to Regina and back for the day. WE'D NEVER DO THAT! Well ALMOST, never!! Dogs and Monday morning hair appointments pressed the return decision.

This afternoon I was out walking and noticed one clinic 'UROLOGY AND DERMATOLOGY' A curious combination in my limited experience! My mind wondered........I'll let you do yours and keep mine to myself, thank you very much.........

Well that's about it!

Another Day more adventure

2010-03-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

We went to the harbour to watch the Lantern Festival fireworks again! We were on the opposite side ot the river from last week and much closer so the video is different than my Facebook video. WE could feel the impact of the exploding!!!! and the kaboom was much more immediate.

On the way home I remarked how the variety of noises and odours make it pretty easy to FART walking along the sidewalk. Colleen said " I know" hmmmmm. enjoy the laugh!

Tomorrow we are going to the Fine Arts Musem to see the Pixar exhibit........confirming the bus connections for going to an outdoor concert of Blue Planet on Tuesday evening.

Wiggly Jiggly Waking

2010-03-04T04:03:00.000-08:00

Hey the bed's shaking, REALLY SHAIKING Earthquake, get outta bed, near the wall, door frame. MELISSA are you up? Yeah, that's the biggest one I've had while here!!! Wow this is long............///////////:;;;""""""""""""!!!~~~~~~~~.

No real damage here, although the dog's water slopped out of the bowl! Heart rates are settling. Most on Facebook already know, but 6.4 about 40 km from here. The biggest in Kaohsiung County on 100 years! LUCKY US!!!!

More later Melissa back from teaching off to Carrefour.

Why am I writing at 4 AM?

2010-03-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

mind wandering, mind processing, feet twitching, hey where'd that mosquito come from! thinking of family, contrasting this year and last year. WHY UNTIL 4 AM

Two days ago Melissa and I attended the memorial service for one of the high school kids here who lost his battle with cancer. But he has his eternal home! Prayer for his healing appears to be unanswered to the human mind. Ian's mother died when he was 4, his father when he was 7 was , four years in an orphanage and 11 years with his new family. During the recessional the adoptive father brought Ian's house mother over to help escort his ashes out. BIG EMOTION, BIG RECOGNITION. God's ways are so far beyond ours that it leaves me in awe. maybe a little puzzled............

Life continues for us at an easy pace. Plenty warm, plenty of food, good friends here and THERE!

Ah, I guess I needed to get my words about Ian down. sleeping........................

Yep it's Winter

2010-02-21T02:23:00.001-08:00

shorts mid morning to late afternoon and then back to jeans and a sweatshirt!

I know cry you a river..........................

We had a good Lunar New Year trip last week to the east coast area around Taitung and Yuli. It took 14 hours to get there and about 3 to get home. Why? well just try moving a few million people along a 4 lane highway! Chinese New Year vacation is 3 days for most and of course we drove on one of them! The SAME direction everybody wanted to go! One stretch took 3 hours to go 14 km! once we got past the intersection in a small town with the cross traffic to the hot springs the pace picked right up again. GLADLY, WHEW!!

While in Taitung and Yuli it rained enough to out a real damper on things especially when our friends have 3 small children (under 4)! This was one of the clear hours we had!

It must have been a quiet week

2010-02-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday evening in Ktown and the breathing's easy. Or was that feelings? Oh well I never said I was a singer.

We've had some more nice easy days which might be why the last 2 nights I haven't been able to go to sleep until 3 am.

We made another trip to the neighbourhood market this afternoon. It's like Saskatoon Farmer's Market TIMES 5 adding fresh fish, chicken, stinky tofu, soup vendors and an occasional smell that resembles an open sewer. Oh and clothes and games too.

Saturday afternoon we are going to the Amway cruise ship that is visiting Kaohsiung.

Keep having fun everybody.

Oh this week we learned of the passing of a long time friend Jack Walrath and the arrival of a new baby Graisyn Ross.

Learning from Kids

2010-01-31T04:53:00.000-08:00

This week was pretty easy, fun, warm but not too warm, I got to do a couple small creative projects and help with the Junior High and Senior High Saturday night.

The youth are quite similar in Kaohsiung as Lakeview although there is a distinct behavioural difference between the kids that are from North American homes, many attend Morrison Academy Kaohsiung, those with mixed heritage and those from Chinese homes. Some of that is language based and some is culture. I LOVE IT. Oh I hope the Sunday morning change for Zou goes well. PLEASE ENCOURAGE MY KIDS......and their LEADERS

We can have fun with games as a distraction but then the reality of these devastating events in young lives SCREAMS BACK TO LIFE. One of the youth has been fighting cancer for a couple years and recently discovered the cancer was misdiagnosed and so he,and his family, has endured treatment for a cancer that is considered untreatable. There is always room for God's miracles but medically he has about 1 year remaining. To see the response and extended prayer initiated by the youth was heartwarming and amazing. It also brought memories surrounding my sister's and others death process. Very sobering and almost brings tears. God meets each of us as we need to be met. Where and how we need Him. Last week I prayed with one youth whose mother and brother are dealing with cancer. This weeks news compounds for him.

Please partner with me to pray for Kevin's strength and encouragement. And for Ian and his family as they deal with this new reality.

IKEA for Arilee

2010-01-25T06:34:00.001-08:00

A Taiwanese shot MUST have a scooter in it!

AND JUST A LITTLE CLOSER FOR MELISSA'S RECOMMENDED SHOT

and here's MY preferred shot

Kaohsiung daily life

2010-01-20T00:32:00.001-08:00

Hmm, if I was in Saskatoon I wouldn't likely take note but here it seems so much more appropriate.

Up late get out of bed late.............breakfast of eggs, ham, chinese sausage, no not made out of chinese, toast and coffee. Not so unusal but when cooked over a 2 burner gas stove IT IS. It's so different than electric that I dare not ask a question or something is burned!

Then a few tasks before Melissa heads off to teach, 2-6 today, her other 6:30-8 lesson cancelled. Hang a cupboard in her bathroom that we bought at B&Q a few days ago. It didn't take long to assemble but a few days to coordinate hanging it! I WAS NOT GOING TO MOVE HER TOILETRIES....... Reorganizing the second floor common area, changing four lamps to some new lamp shades that ,of course, mount differently and the adapter is just a BIT to small, get out the knife, trim the opening bigger, ALWAYS KEEPING FINGERS, ARMS AND BELLY out of the knife's path. I didn't think it needed that much trimming, so we are meeting Melissa at SHAOU BAE to see about other adapters, a coat tree, and a toilet seat cover (I am NOT telling that story, tee hee) SHAO BAE is a 24 hour cross between Canadian Tire, Walmart and Dollarama!

We contiune to do our part to maintain IKEA profitability. A kitchen cart, 3 new stools for our last year table which will become the IFH kitchen table. IKEA sure engineers their stuff so all you have to do is follow the pictures. And BELIEVE ME it is a lot simpler to follow their flow than to take stuff apart to get the shelves in place!!! They even show a picture of the 2 lengths of screws with a BIG X across the wrong length! I don't want the pointy screw sticking up through my chair!!! or the table top either!

I have a couple IKEA pictures for Arilee that will follow another day.

Well 5 o'clock better grab a nap before meeting Melissa in an hour to get parts for the evening activty!

Alexander is our TV star!!

2010-01-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

Jay and Julie took Alex and Gaby to Spectrum at the University and besides having a fantastic time Alex was interviewed by Global TV. It's about 3 seconds of what I'm sure was a 10 minute discussion with Alex... Oh he's the second boy since many of you won't recognize him. He was 4 in September. No camera jitters or brain freeze for that boy!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalsaskatoon.com%2Fvideo%2Findex.html%3FreleasePID%3DOFkJoqhvto_db_u9YnIakndP1rBwVHQM&h=4f6ab6514a8c9ed96543097807201a00

I'm glad I found this because it also lets me get a different view on Sasakatoon news while we are away. The SP is a bit slanted for my taste.........

On a different note, even though Melissa's visa has been approved but she's still waiting to have the REAL DEAL in her hands! red tape takes time..........

The pressure releases, VISA APPROVED

2010-01-12T01:08:00.000-08:00

It will take a few more days to have documents in hand but Melissa got word midafternoon that her visa renewal has been approved!

The questions and delay have created major stress and strain for her. Now a few days for sighing relief and contemplating plans.

Please continue to pray for smooth processing. AND PRAY FOR OTHERS WE KNOW AT HOME WITH MAJOR ISSUES THAT DRAW ON THEIR ENERGY. Those close know details others can pray in support and caring.

We made our first Costco trip today fortunately we had the cash in hand. Costco here only accepts Costco branded credit cards and foreigners CANNOT get a credit card. Hmm I wonder what would have happened if I had a Costco branded American Express............it reminds me of the days when Canadian Tire made more profit from their credit card than the retail sales.

Hello from home even though we are far from home.

2010-01-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

Think of that place you have been or return to that puts a pleased, satisfied smile in your heart……we are there!

We are still waiting for news about Melissa’s visa renewal and we are NOT pushing red tape, as if a person actually could. Our plans will develop beyond day by day when Melissa gets word.

The smells, odours, fragrances, noises, sounds, sights, traffic and people are strangely familiar and comforting. Not even 3 days yet and we’ve made breakfast, gone out to a few previous places and a few new places. Supper last night was $195! We each had similar meals probably 2 cups of rice with a curry vegetable and meat including a soft drink. It would have been about $6.50 CDN and that was for ALL THREE meals.

This afternoon we went for a hair wash………about a 20 minute shoulder massage and another 20 minutes head wash and massage. Ahhh the life, it was about $7 cdn each! That’s no hair cutting though, just relaxation and pleasure!

Oh right, THE TRIP. Our flight from Saskatoon to Vancouver was delayed long enough that almost all connecting flights would be missed so we were rebooked and arrived in Vancouver 2 hours after our flight left for Taipei!

Westjet was very good though and provided a meal voucher in Saskatoon (not much available after 7 pm except Tim’s). We ended up buying a can of English Toffee Cappuccino to use the voucher value. Melissa’s favourite. We had a nice room in Vancouver at a Sandman about 5 minutes from the airport and $40 meal vouchers.

We went for breakfast at the attached Moxie’s but alas they don’t serve breakfast until noon during the week. Yeah noon’s a bit late BUT HEY, WE GOT IN AT 2AM which was Saskatoon 4 am. We are settled into our new time zone. We had decided to check out of the hotel late but not so late we had extra charges which left us with 4 hours before we could check in for our China Air flight. Then there were STILL 3 hours before departure! That’s when we really appreciated the delayed flight and the night in a bed.

We left YVR on time but I think we had tired seat butts before we got off the runway. The night’s rest was good but just didn’t offset narrow, firm airplane seats. The flight was uneventful, a regular flight. God provided protection, food, lodging and safety for those 2 days of travel. What more could we ask? Oh right, being greeted by Melissa……we were eventually………….it was funny she was delayed but then we got free parking instead of her waiting a long time.

We waited maybe 10 minutes. The familiarity with our surroundings and the comfort in our knowledge of how to get to her place from either Kaohsiung or Taipei are fantastic.

Oops too it’s late for the Jr. and Sr. High program tonight, maybe next week. Tomorrow is church. Melissa sings at both services so we are there for 8:45. We will reacquaint with many friends and have lunch with Larry & Michelle and their 3 children.

It has been great to spend some unscheduled time with Melissa yet a bit frustrating to need to wait on her ARC approval before any of us make substantial plans. We all ask for your prayers over these next few days as the anxiousness and uncertainty continue.

Oh and lest any of you think we aren’t missing you……we are and especially Jay, Julie, Alex and Gaby. There are SO MANY things a Grandpa wants to buy and send back!!!!!!! I’m surrounded by all kinds of candy and noisemakers which will stay in the stores……………. Toys, games, puzzles, paints and coloured pencils abound!

January 2010 Contrasts

2010-01-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

Well I am about 40 degrees colder than last January.

We were around about 249,993 fewer people this year that last!

We are expecting a visit from our kids and grand kids tomorrow afternoon. last year we could not see our way to form even an expectation.

In THREE days we return to Kaohsiung where we were last year.

I am connected with MANY cousins and a year ago we hardly KNEW what Facebook was......

This past year I have had at least 2 friends lose BOTH mother and father!

I am going to miss Jay, Julie, Alex and Gabriella the next 4 months................but will rejoice in time with Melissa!

This is a year of renewal: relationships, discipline, adventure, uncertainty, love, family, plans, expectancy not expectations.

Oops did it again-no Colleen images

2009-12-26T13:22:00.001-08:00

Grandma doing her favourite thing!

Colleen and me Christmas dinner

Christmas 2009 a 4 Scene play

2009-12-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

We have Christmas because God loved us so much He presented Himself as a baby who then as an adult died on a cross for those things we are not able to atone for. This is also a time for great celebrations, joy and family time. I am reminded of people that are in stages of life or that have lost loved ones that make this a painful time. Grief and loss are such personal experiences. My thoughts and prayers are for support, encouragement and good recollections to gradually fill the absence.

Scene 1
Now on the lighter side the extended Meeds family connection in Saskatoon gathered on the 23rd and of course there was food and singing.

Scene 2

Then on the 24th we celebrated Jay, Julie, Alexander and Gabriella. Chinese food, well Vietnamese actually, and some gifts for the kids.

Note the wheels big enough to be outdoors at their acreage. And the doll and carriage that are already making their way around their living room.

Yes we are also assembling the Lego tow truck

Scene 3

Then Colleen's Mom joined us for Christmas morning brunch and an evening turkey feast.

Scene 4

My Facebook friends will know that about 2 hours later I then spent some time ejecting my turkey dinner. IT WAS EXCELLENT ON THE WAY IN but as I kneeled there it was not enjoyable at all! Thankfully it only affected me and was short lived and doesn't seem to be the flu. Lay low today and I'll be ready for an Alex & Gaby sleepover tomorrow afternoon!

Where do I begin.......

2009-12-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

Only 5 days to Christmas
Wow 16 days to Kaohsiung
Relishing 1 month rebuilding relationship with Jay and Julie
Enjoyed several visits with Alexander and Gabriella
Celebrated supper with J, J, A & G
Savoured 1 sleepover with Alex and Gaby
Waiting and praying for Melissa's resident visa approval
Dreaming wildly and then using the realism brush
Thankful for a person to live in our house while we are away
Delighted in countless, I love you Grandma, I love you Grandpa
Thinking of friends who have lost loved ones this year
Praying for friends whose loss is refreshed this time of year.
Warmed by friendships new, old and refreshed
Excited by opportunities with Jay
Dreaming wildly and then using the realism brush

This is COOL- no text needed

2009-11-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

November 24, 2009

Building relationships

2009-11-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

I have been giving relationships a LOT of thought this past week. Relationships with other volunteers, other Christians, other family members near and far, past and present and immediate and extended.

The last few years I have finally realized the relationship I have had with my son was substantially flawed. So much so that it has taken virtually 2 years of almost no contact between us for him to feel we can begin to rebuild. What did I do wrong? Did he do anything wrong? Did anybody DO anything WRONG. What I am evaluating as a conclusion is that in most relationships NOBODY intends to do wrong but still does. Since wrong is often in the perception of the offended then in reality it is very easy for each person to wrong the other person and not even know it. And to complicate it the offense is so obvious to the offended that it is almost impossible to think the offender wasn't deliberate. And thus it grows and compounds.

Okay, that is a bit deep, convoluted and perhaps even confusing.

Bottom line....be loving, be careful, be cautious, be caring, make sure you are understood as caring, be understanding, be slow to be offended.

Middle line.....if you are offended, discuss it with the offender, work with the offender, try to understand your reaction.

Top line.....Life is long for most of us, relationships make it worthwhile and enjoyable.

HALLELUJAH

2009-11-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

The last time I started my post this way it was the day after my sister died. Well today is much happier. Jay came by for a couple hours with Alex & Gaby.
My HEART IS FULL. Thanks, Jay! Today is the first of many more joyous and happy times.

Colleen was behind the camera!

Ponderings and Expressions

2009-11-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we learned of a friend's mother passing away. Colleen noted that this is the second person who has died whose spouse we saw at a funeral 2 weeks ago. [now don't get paranoid] Ron Bader died from injuries in a fall and Delia Rodine-Alexander has passed after a number of years of declining health. Both are now rejoicing in Heaven while those of us here deal with missing them yet comforted by the eternal hope.

Where is your spiritual home? I am not only thinking of Heaven but also where you feel your spiritual roots are set. Mine is the Lakeview congregation. I guess since almost ALL adult life has been here it is no surprise.

This week I was thinking about the various ups, downs, highs, lows, mountains and valleys we have seen at Lakeview over the years. I wondered which of these helped people build a spiritual root and which stunted, ripped out or killed those roots. I believe it is very easy to forget we, the church, have a spiritual responsibility to each other. It is very easy to be self focused. After all, God created us with a self preservation dimension. Now to try to display some of His selfless love..................

November Ponderings

2009-11-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

Today I asked myself if I live on the edge just beside depression. I know from some friends and family how much of a challenge and struggle it is and I don't have THAT degree of challenge. I wonder how many people are living close to the edge fearing depression but actually are in a real tough season in life. And sure some are in a very long season................

One year ago we were days away from our Taiwan winter adventure and we have 8 more weeks of Saskatchewan winter before our planned departure. Some Birks work and some Electrical Contacting work will finish our cold days for this year.

Oh, how do I complain about my Mother-in-law's driving without getting in trouble or giving too much detail? Too late probably in trouble. Well not with some people but I am trying to reason if she is a risk to herself and others or just to our sanity!

She did manage to get drive from her apartment in Saskatoon to a friends funeral in PA! The challenge was getting back through Saskatoon to her apartment. I CANNOT figure how she gets to where she does in Saskatoon and am not patient enough to ask enough of the right questions to figure it out. She managed to get on BOTH sides of the river at least TWICE on the way home and ended up at our house! ARGH.

Well at least it takes our minds off the lack of communication with Jay & Julie. I ache for the relationship to return. or even begin to be something............I wish I could get a hint of what to do...........

What a week!!!

2009-10-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

Please be praying for God's grace and wisdom for Lakeview Church. We are in a very challenging time. God is supreme. God is soveriegn! All we need to do is to follow.

God is good, life is good COMMENTARY

2009-10-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Today warmed to 16 degrees it was glorious and as much as I talked about it with Zou kids last night I realize I did not have a conscious thought toward how I could see God through the activity of the day.... How is it that some days it is easy to perceive God and others it is easy to avoid those thoughts? I guess I was relaxing more than being deliberate in my day....Except during the Riders game dueling with Lesley!

Today I reaffirmed I am a peace lover! I was part of a Facebook encounter and I wanted to run SCARED!!!!!!!!!!! The written word, emotion, humour, spirit, loyalty can work together in a beautiful way but can also be so easily misinterpreted. I am a pretty passionate person and often wear the safe mask when in public view, don't I. Oh wait, my blog is one place I don't always wear the 'safe mask'. I do try to be aware, smart, considered while being open. I try to show vulnerability without being vulnerable to abuse or attack.

My thoughts are kind of empty or racing or flowing or not connected or wandering so this is it for today.

Oh wait, a cousin's daughter and family are going to serve in Mexico for 6 months leaving winter behind with a trailer and 3 kids sounds FUN! see I am strange. A friend's father passed away, not unexpected but still sooner than expected. Her mother passed away in the last 6 months too. Melissa has a new job that will help with cash and permanent residency processes. Still no word from Jay and Julie, SIGH, silent tear, hmmmmmm. Church was good connection time, 2 missions service teams talked about Mulenga and their experience there this summer. They spoke of a family feeling that we can identify with from our time in Kaohsiung. Now to see who God has for our house this year while we are in Taiwan.

No witty retort

2009-10-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

it's been 3 weeks since i expounded anywhere but Facebook. I need to spend more pondering time.

I've been trying to rationalize Facebook and blogging. I can pretty easily dismiss twitter and regularly use email for specific person to person communication. I even use the phone occassionally.

A good friend is now out of the hospital after repair of a broken femur. Now the hard part begins for him, PATIENCE. And it will take a while for their famuily routine to return to normal.

Life here is pretty normal...Colleen works 10-4 3 day a week, I'm doing a variety of electrical work: replacing ballasts and fluorscent tubes, wiring some basements and a garage. I think I dislocated my shoulder holding ballasts in place on tuesday! Well OK not dislocated but it sure hurts, whiney, whiney........ My chiropractor treatment tomorrow should help. Then I can do some wiring and see if it is fixed or hurt............

I grieved for a while today!

2009-09-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

Buying a birthday card and children's gift wrap didn't bring the excitement and joy it should.

I'm not sure what I grieved more: expecting to miss another of our grandson's birthdays, missing another day of relationship with our son, missing another day of relationship with Jay's wife Julie, missing another day of relationship with our granddaughter or just being grumpy.

And then the work I was going to do didn't happen so grumble, gripe, feel sad, try to NOT feel mad! Oh well, I am not on the way to the hospital nor do I have anyone in the hospital that I know of. Unfortunately one of my dear friends/relatives' father is in the last stages of cancer that was only recently discovered. Hmmm, we identify a young child without parents as an orphan; when you are in your 30's or 60's it can seem just as real!

Well I don't feel as low as I did the last half of the morning so I can now put the thoughts into words and contemplate for a few days.

I miss my mommy!

2009-09-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

this doesn't have the same effect when I have to repost it due to IE issues!

Yep even at 59 I miss my mommy some days. Mom died in 1988 and strangely since Colleen's mom has moved here to Saskatoon I more frequently think of and miss my mother. They are not at all similar but this isn't about similarity. I even find myself wanting to drop in and visit mom after dropping Colleen at work but often she is not up and around by then.......and later she is involved in the many activities organized by the Resident's Association at her apartment. Poor me, right!

It has been a beautiful day here.....mid 20's so I was able to do the small amount of weeding in the front bed area. Now I am giving the birch tree its Fall watering.

Tomorrow is another chapter change. The PA church is having a farewell lunch and presentation for Mom after church. She has been a member there for probably 70 years! well OK maybe not quite that long but close. This is the first time she will be returning to Prince Albert and not be staying at her own home. It sold in 2 days with 2 weeks possession! Whew, 3 months ago she had just barely seen some of the apartments here!

Have a great day and weekend and week.

Brief thoughts.......

2009-09-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

God sustains me but I still have to put in the effort each day! I have had 32 years of responding to an employer's schedule and now am learning how to develop the responsibility and discipline for my own scheduling. I look forward to following your adventure!

Time FLIES, well at least keeps moving along

2009-09-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

It seems like lurking on Facebook keeps me from reading blogs and then sharing more of the depth of my life. Hmmm.

There is certainly more opportunity to share in the surface dimensions of people's lives via FB but there is a personal depth that I prefer to share through Blogging. I think it might be because I want to unload and unwind to a smaller audience. Oh and also so it doesn't FORCE someone to join something to be able to access the info.

Having said all that the last few weeks seem to have been fairly full. Colleen's Mom's house was listed Sept 1 and sold Sept 3rd! Fantastic and yet PANIC with a Sept 15th possession date! It feels like I did that 90 mile trip every 3 days since them! Today finished the last things, I thought I had the last trip 3 times!!!) This is the end of an era! Mom has a great 2 bedroom apartment that overlooks the river and the city.

Other aspects of life continue much as they have. No contact with Jay & Julie due to Jay's "Please do not come here uninvited" [sigh] Melissa continues to do well but permanent resident status continues to elude her. It is exciting and a bit frustrating for her to wait to see what God unfolds.

Christmas is in 3 months and 10 days!! We will be heading back to Taiwan before New Years. Melissa might be here for Christmas.

Lloyd Colborne thoughts

2009-08-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Some of these thoughts are pondering that have been percolating for a while but brought to the surface with the Memorial Service for Lloyd Colborne. Each of his children and grandchildren had written a note to Pastor Dean so he could incorporate it into the eulogy. Unfortunately I cannot recall them. When asked why he thought God called him so directly Lloyd had said "so my family could know Him" I trust that strikes a chord with many of us!! Lloyd has 1 wife, 2 sons, 2 daughter in laws, 4 grandchildren and one grandchild, oh and a couple grandchildren in law (if there is such a label) I don't know if all have accepted Christ but I know many have! THAT'S QUITE A MARK FOR US TO HOLD BEFORE US

I know there are times I have failed my wife and children. I also know there are times I have succeeded. So how do I go from here? What do I do for Melissa? What do I do for Jay? What do I do for Julie? What do I do for Alex? What do I do for Gaby? What do I do for Colleen? What do I do for YOU? HELP ME, TELL ME. Some days I think I know, some days I find out I didn't! Some days I find out I was wrong! Some days I can't undo the wrong...........

I keep looking for answers or ways to fix my mistakes.............................some days I can't no matter how hard I try.

Keep you eyes on your fries!

2009-08-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today's sermon focused on Psalm 37 concluding with thoughts on living life with expectancy. We all have expectations but that is different than living with an expectancy of what God will do in and through our lives.

Each of us have expectations of ourselves and those in our lives and fortunately for most of us these do not adversely affect relationships. I know I have expectations for my children even now that they are adults in their 30's. I also now suspect those expectations have not always been the supportive undergirding I have hoped for. Am I being hard on myself, no, just pondering.

Another week of life

2009-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Some working, some playing, some helping others that bordered on play and work.

As with most weeks a mixture !

Lloyd Colborne passing at the age of 88. I have not known him well but the last several years I have known him as a prayer warrior praying consistently for leaders and regular folk daily, weekly or whatever they needed. Some in simple support and others in times of crisis or significant events.

A facebook chat with one of my aunts who is dealing with separation from her son too. We have covenanted to pray for each other's sons understanding. I think she has had more catastrophic events on her trail but that does not make the separation pain any less for either of us. I do know that we each have said we would do anything to renew the connection if we only knew what to do to bring change.

Farmer's Market was a GONG SHOW for us. I'm sure it was a very successful day for most with twice as many people as we have seen! Parking was impossible within 3 blocks or 45 minutes but I enjoyed watching people as I drove around........ Of course that meant Colleen's expectations were DASHED AND SMASHED especially after I called her cellphone 4 times and it was on silent mode, argh. Hear me fume and try to be lovingly calm? I failed! She still loves me but like was not at the top of her list.

Tomorrow is Church BBQ day and in a few weeks we will get the fall season kicked off. WOW FALL STARTUP!?

Now to finish a couple electrical jobs I'm doing and get to some houses in PA that need smoke detectors........

Does Facebook membership displace blogging?

2009-08-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

it sure has for me.......or maybe I am in a place where I am not as filled with words of angst. Maybe Facebook allows the brief spurts of thought and wit a release so the blog urgency takes longer to build. Kind of like being on a liquid diet!!!! HA HA

Melissa has only had moderate impact from the typhoon that has devastated many areas of Taiwan. Although she has had a few days without water due to system shutdowns. I suspect the amount of debris and silt overload filtration systems but we will never get a clear explanation............you can't say systems are inadequate, can you!

I survived the 2 day yard sale at Colleen's Moms' house in PA, Wendell and Odette did a gargantuan job preparing for it. Josh and Cordell and Yvonne have helped tremendously too. We sold EVERYTHING that was ready for the decision. EVEN THE OLD DEEP FREEZE! Only the floor area of the 2 upstairs bedrooms is left. Now for a few kitchen cupboards and the bedrooms........................you can only process so much at a time and keep processing!

Oh, please keep praying for insight and open hearts and minds regarding Jay & Julie. We don't know what to do and Jay has expressly asked me to 'respect his privacy and not come there uninvited' hmmmm, argh, SIGH, whimper..............

Finally third warm day in a row!

2009-07-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

I am NOT COMPLAINING. we don't get overheated.........but it does make it a bit tricky to plan outdoor play!

Colleen is working 3 days a week back at Birks so that means we have to get up early once in a while. We had a nice time in Crosby ND last weekend to celebrate my and Louise Aalund's birthdays. And had a MARVELOUS dinner with Susan, Suhky and Nicole in Regina on the way back. We sure enjoy travelling in the PT and it's decent on gas too.

My electrical work is flowing fairly smoothly but I now realize I need to formalize more things like liability and worker's comp insurance! I think I'm going to have to up my rates just to keep even!

Oh and not a lot of angst filled pondering even though we have not seen or heard from Jay & Julie except an occasional FB comment they leave for a mutual friend. Please pray for wisdom and peace.

Yes, still around just not getting to the BLOG

2009-07-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

I knew it had been a while but 3 weeks! Life seems ordinary, but let's see.....getting myself going doing some electrical contracting while trying to not get too busy either. Getting Colleen's mom along the path of setting up her apartment at Riverside Terrace will be an ADVENTURE with many dimensions, hopefully I can keep my mouth quiet and face properly tuned!

Still now word on Melissa's permanent residency, just one more place to demonstrate patience. the next 2 weeks she will be very busy with the World Games. I'm sure there will be some good stories from it.

My current electrical job is a basement suite with some existing walls. Working with my hands and arms inside them makes it look like I was attacked by a cat!

Today we were greeted with 8 degrees and promise of rain.........................my feet are cold! I refuse socks!

Another Tuesday, another emotion

2009-06-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well my blogging hasn't been very frequent lately.....................Colleen and I went to The Soloist with Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx ( not WITH, you know what I mean). Very Good! The character portrayals were good. But MAN, or as my cousins might say DANG IT, I didn't need the thought processing that the relationships, homelessness and mental health are generating! Whew! It consumes most of my emotional margin!!! I thought I had more margin............. Oh well it tires me enough I will sleep soundly tonight!

I went past the point of The Soloist being based on a book and saw the misguided cleaning up of an area populated by Homeless people, homeless being portrayed as having major mental health issues and the care/attention needed in relationships. Of course I can reign myself in enough to see the dynamics of the primary relationship as the purpose and nature of it evolves, enjoy the music and acting. I particularly liked the scene where Jamie is listening to the Orchestra practise and it switched to a swirling and pulsing of light colours to match the music! Kind of like that thing that happens when I am in the bright sun and kick back, close my eyes relax and let my brain register what happens. COOL

Well this has let my emotional margin refresh a bit.............................only a bit though. I'll need a couple days to get back to my tough exterior. Ok, not so tough but at least stronger.

Pondering ...........................

2009-06-16T13:48:00.001-07:00

Tell me....why is it so easy to share joyful news but I protect the dissapointing stuff?

Melissa made the Taipei Times!

2009-06-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2009/06/16/TT-980616-P04-IB.pdf

And here's her diplomatic comment at http://accesskaohsiung.blogspot.com/2009/06/taipei-times-article.html:

Taipei Times article
Check out today's (6/16) "Community Compass" in Taipei Times:http://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2009/06/16/TT-980616-P04-IB.pdfI think the article was well written, but maybe lays more blame on Kaohsiung City Government than they are actually responsible for. Unfortunately, a project at the bureau took the i-center building out of their hands and it was the management company that would not get the center re-opened. Different vision led to a lot of confusion and broken relationships. We had a good run of about 2 years initially about 4 years ago but was at a standstill for over a year.I'm excited about the possibilities of developing International Friendship House and the benefit it can be to the foreign community of Kaohsiung City and area.Thanks for all your support!Check out http://internationalfriendshiphouse.blogspot.com for more information about upcoming activities.
Posted by Access Kaohsiung Community Services/ International Friendship House

Tuesday June 9, 2009

2009-06-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well I think it's been a pretty ordinary week.

I got to help Ryan and Allison with floor tiles again, attend a 90th BD tea, do Zou, church floors and hopefully learn a few things. Colleen and I even got some wall tiles glued on! It only took about 7 years! Now to cut 2 to size and grout them all in a few days.

We are still baffled by what to do regarding contacting Jay and Julie so I guess our DO is waiting for God to direct us, them or others.

Now if we could get more that 1 day out of 10 above 15 degrees.........................................

It's TUESDAY

2009-06-02T11:29:00.001-07:00

looks special but it isn't. Well every day should be seen as special. It is so easy to get into the ordinary of each day so I am trying to see the special of each day. Varied success................

We are still managing our attitude with temperatures that struggle to stay above 15 for more than 2 days in a row. Some plants are in the ground and don't seem to have suffered from last nights temperatures near freezing.

We get to chat with Melissa almost every day and usually twice. She got a new 'do'. She is going to get a better background one soon for her World Games volunteer shot and wanted to post a picture............well, this isn't her new do but us in Pinang, Malaysia last Christmas!

This is at the base of the train up the mountain, as usual, we got there late enough in the day the remaining trips were booked so we didn't ride it!

It will be a few more days before we get flowers like this in Saskatoon.

Ah, Canadian Pizza

2009-05-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hmmm Kernel corn is a staple on pizza in Taiwan. I DON'T miss it. Online ordering from Pizza 73 rocks. I don't think we will reorder the chicken melt but the Grand Slam was great!

A relaxing day of breakfast, puttering at yardwork, pruning, relocating bricks and ordering pizza. I expect Zou is doing well without me on my week off.

This has been a funeral week. Wednesday was Ken Crocker, an extended family member, Thursday was Ralph Hill, a friend, and tomorrow is David Ochitwa, a slightly more extended family member.

Life is an interesting deal isn't it?

My First Zamboni driving

2009-05-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

Well it wasn't REALLY a Zamboni even though many call it one. I spent about 2 hours riding on a floor scrubber at church today. Not the joy riding type some of you have tried, this one has a real seat on it! It's neat how it vacuums the water before it spreads all over the floor. Yep I am easily enthralled some days.

I think I need to blog more....my own health

2009-05-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

We've been 'home' for a month and a half now and today is about the 5th day above 15 degrees!! We've had a colder Spring than Winter!

I've found it a particular challenge to have a good attitude. Oh, I can wear the right mask most of the time but am really conflicted with temperature effects on my muscles and the realization that I will need to work part time to afford our lifestyle of travelling. If only I had made a different pension plan choice in 2000 c'est la vie. But then we probably wouldn't have had the 2 major stock market sags since then. You know me 'the loser' HA HA , yeah right.....not really!

There are SO MANY changes.....and realizations.

I have now been away from the University for 1 year! The past year
My motivation for children and youth continues but I think the ministry activity is changing. I am being drawn toward more conversation with adults. Pray for clarity.

How to get myself motivated to do electrical contracting? It's hard to go out and even do yard work when it's mid afternoon before we get double digit temperatures! Pray for my diligence.

The last year has held TEFL correspondence classes WHEW, 5,000 km driving to Kansas and Vancouver Island YEAH, 5 months experimenting in Kaohsiung YIPPEE, NOT going to work everyday HMM, starting to learn what to do DUH, learning about each other in this new schedule HMM. Pray for our insight and wisdom.

This retirement thing is every bit as hard as many say it will be. Just ask Colleen! Pray for patience and caring.

Hmmm, what to say and share

2009-05-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not as eloquent as Carla Burlando nor as creative as Heather Lu. Sometimes as inspired as Sherry Brophy but seldom as inspirational as Glenn Teal. Surely not as busy as Chris and Nevada McKenzie or Melissa! And I think I feel as tired as new mothers like Karen Robertson, Andrea Pankhurst, Andrea Hudson, Amanda Sowden and the ones I forgot........

We had another 21 degree day, I think only the 4th one since we got back a month ago. It's too bad Linda and Carrie looked for a wedding dress on that windy and COLD Saturday! I finished cultivating most of the front flower bed and dug a 14 inch deep trench to put coroplast between it and the grass to stop the quack grass invasion. It worked on the first 8 feet the last few years so this is the year to do the remainder. I think the first pieces were 24 inches deep, I'm not that energetic or committed now! 12 inches SHOULD stop the roots! Lest you think Colleen just lounged, she stained more of the fence and then cleaned her arms and feet!

We had our first barbecue this evening. I didn't even singe myself! Baked potato, salad and steak. yum yum!

Saturday I saw a young friend at the Farmer's Market, our conversation lifted my heart yet at the same time created a profound sadness at the lack of relationship with Jay and Julie. My mind is a curious thing! Please keep praying and those of you that Jay accepts as Facebook friends thank you for reaching out to him. He changed his settings so I can no longer see his page and photos, only his profile photo which currently is a REAL CUTE closeup of Alex.

The return to Saskatoon has renewed thoughts and considerations about part time work and ministry involvement. As we move though the next year our income structure and level will change dramatically so I guess I better get a couple appointments made tomorrow so those things can be settled before we return to Kaohsiung in December. WE ARE SNOWBIRDS! We sure can live less expensively in Kaohsiung than Florida or Arizona! Mind you we have to fly as long as it would take to drive to either of them!

I thank all our friends and family for your support as we have embarked on this life change. The excitement, love and support you have shared with us has been a tremendous affirmation.

Another week another journey

2009-04-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

Well we've been back just over 2 weeks and life seems pretty ordinary again. I'm still waiting for more that one day in a row above 10 degrees! We've finally loosened some of that 20 degree temperature drop muscle lock!

The week didn't bring many surprises...no news from Jay & Julie, regular life stuff, Farmers Market, good message at church about social involvement, Colleen's Mom visiting for a day or so, Dave & Gerrie's 40th Anniversary (YEP 40!), Annual Dr exam (passed again), Tea. Life is good, well ok there are a few exceptions.........

Remember pray for your children.

Pray for you parents.

Pray for your relationships.

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING

2009-04-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

Today we got discouraging information from Jay. It stirs such a wide range of emotions and thoughts that I don't know what to write and NOT write. Please pray for our hearts to remain soft and for an abiding peace.

I don't know what to ask for on Jay, Julie, Alex and Gaby's behalf. I guess that love will be expressed to them and opportunity for reconciliation will emerge.

Gabriella will be 1 on April 29th. Praise God for her health as she was a few weeks premature. I have seen her twice and Colleen has once. I know that many grandparents have little contact but their children usually live more than 45 minutes away. [big sigh]

Life is good even though it has pains!

I gave the lawns their spring brush cut today. Strange doing that in temperatures cooler than my winter days were. I know, suck it up. The rest of you are overjoyed it is this warm. This afternoon it was only 5 degrees colder here than Kaohsiung and now that it is their day and our night there is a 24 degree differential. Sure better than the 50 degrees in January! That's the big Celsius degrees not those itty bitty American ones!