Family visit to Taiwan!

Week 1:

Friday/Saturday: So my long awaited countdown finally came to an end and my mom and brother finally landed on Taiwanese soil!  When they first got here I was over the moon and they were both pretty tired, but we managed to have a little visit before they went to bed.  The next morning we headed out site seeing and visited the Taipei 101, walked around and had lunch.  That night, we introduced Dustin to some KTV (karaoke) and had quite the night!

Dustin, mom and I and the 101

On our apartment rooftop

First Taiwanese dinner

On the subway MRT

Singing beautifully

 

Sunday:  Sunday we took the MRT to a hot springs town called Beitou.  We walked around here and enjoyed the outdoors as the weather was absolutely fabulous.  We then headed to Danshui, another area where the river meets the Ocean.  We walked, played some games, and took a boat ride.

Danshui

Beitou hot springs

Shootin some hoops

Tuesday/Wednesday:  We got on the train and headed to our first destination, Hualien, about two hours away.  Once we got there, we rented scooters and scooted around a bit that afternoon.  Mom was pretty nervous and not very keen to be on one, but she did it!  I wasn't overly satisfied with the room Mark and I had so I asked to be switched into one that was like my mom and Dustin's.  They were full, so they decided they would put us in the VIP suite, no big deal.  It was nothing crazy, but a lot nicer than the other room.  It served as our card playing area and hangout at night.  On Wednesday, we got on our scooters and set out for Taroko Gorge.  Taroko Gorge is a famous national park area in Taiwan where you drive through mountain passes and and enjoy the extraordinary scenery.  Dustin may have had claw marks in his back from mom, but when it was over I think she was happy she went because it was so beautiful!  The boys were obsessed with scooting so they dropped us girls off at the hotel and continued on for a few hours down the coast highway and took some nice pictures.

VIP Room

 

Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday: On Friday we headed down south to Kenting.  Kenting is a beach resort area and tourist destination to many.  It was absolutely gorgeous weather when we were there, and Dustin managed to sustain quite the sunburn.  He molted for about a week afterwards.  The boys rented scooters here as well, and scooted all around.  We enjoyed some beach time, reading and relaxing during our stay here.  The boys tried some surfing, but the waves weren't very good.  We ate a ton, drank a ton and played a lot of cards.  It was a really great time! I really want to back!

Dustin aquiring the burn

Mama on the beach

View from our hotel

Scootin up Kenting National Park (where I attempted to scooter but it was heavy so I semi fell and now have a nasty burn on my leg.  My Taiwanese tattoo I guess.

Bustling night mark in Kenting

 

 

 

 Monday  night, we got home and were pretty tired, so we had a spaghetti and wine night.  Mark, the gourmet chef that he is whipped us up some delicious veggie/shrimp spaghetti.  Oh and mom and Dustin came to my school to meet some of the kids I teach.

                                     

 Not sure if it was Monday or Tuesday night, Mark, Dustin and I went off on a walk when mom went to bed.  We randomly walked through a chicken butchering area at 130am and got the oddest of stares.  I'm sure these people weren't used to seeing foreigners walk through this area... Ever.  We then found a bowling alley and played a few games.  Loved all the random nights with my brother!  He loved Taiwan and is now itching to see more of the world! Wooooop!

Oh did I mention I went out in sweatpants as I thought we were just going for a walk? Oops.

End of the trip:  We did some more shopping and a bit more site seeing on their last days here. 

 

When Thursday night came, mom and I got quite emotional knowing they were leaving the next morning.  On Friday morning we said our goodbyes.  I cried on and off most of the morning, feeling pretty empty and lonely.  I felt this way for most of the weekend.  I am doing fine now, but am a bit more homesick now.  I am eager to come home in a few months.  Having a taste of home sure makes you realize how much you miss it.  I will be home in just over 100 days.  I know it will fly by.  I will try to make the most of my time here this summer.  I just want to thank my mom and Dustin for coming all the way to this side of the world, I know the journey was not pleasant!! I hope you guys had a great time and we loved having you here.  I will never forget those two weeks EVER! Family, brace yourselves, as Dustin might be the next one heading abroad..................

PS:  If you want to see more pictures, you can view my facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150753772320975.401724.512005974&type=1&l=355e2b1c60

Spring Showers

Not much has been happening here this month.  Spring is here, bringing warmth and sunshine with quite a bit of rain as well.  It has reached 31 degrees on a few days already so we've definitely been spoiled with a few nice days, but we are usually working unfortunately.  Haven't been up to much.. we did attend a concert with a few friends last week which was a lot of fun!  It was nice to hear live music and to get our dance on.  We have been spending a lot of time working out trying to get our beach bods in good form for beach season.  I cannot wait to hit the beach every weekend come summer!  We did go to the beach on Sunday but unfortunately it was cloudy so I didn't get the tan I'd hoped for.  Oh well! 

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Dustin and my mom!! It is literally in 4 sleeps I cannot believe it.  They started planning this trip in October, so I've had quite a long countdown and now that it's actually here it's very surreal.  I can't wrap my mind around the fact that my mom and brother will be on Asian soil. When I came out here, I never thought for one second that either my mom or Dustin would come visit me.  I just didn't think they had it in 'em!  I am so very thrilled and proud that they are making the long journey over here to see me.  I know this is something we will all remember for the rest of our lives.  We have a few things planned for when they are here.  We will be heading down the east coast of Taiwan to a city called Hualien for two nights, and then we will make our way to the south of Taiwan to a beach resort area named Kenting.  I have never been to either, so I am excited to explore more of this country with them!  It is usually a lot more sunny and warm in the south of Taiwan, so I'm sure we will have a few beach days and some much deserved relaxation.  Dustin wants to try surfing, so him and Mark will be trying that out while mom and I are cocktailing on the beach I guess.  Tough life.

Here are some random shots that I have taken over the last month.  Some of my kids, some of friends, etc.  I cannot wait to show off these kids to mom and Dustin!  They are delights!

His name is Owen.  I can never stay mad at him.

This is Janet.  Taiwanese children come out of the womb making the peace sign for their first photo. 

Jeanie and Mia having their usual meltdowns after waking up from nap time.  Gets me everytime, I think it is so hilarious.

Melody, Janice, Anna and Kitty.  These are the girls I teach in the afternoons.  They have about 4 years of English, so we can carry on broken English conversations quite well.  They get to hear about how excited I am to see my mom every class until they get here haha.

Making paper mache planets for our Science class.  Something I did as a grade 2 student and really enjoyed so I thought I'd try it with them!

Fun sillyness with friends

At the Avicii concert

These boys are too much fun

That will be all for my post.  Until next time.... when my post will be showcasing Kim Dann and Dustin Lash themselves.  The newest foreigners to hit Taiwan.  Woooooop!