Thought of You

My day in Hong Kong did not disappoint. Although I've been here before, what I liked the most was Victoria Peak, and Victoria Harbor by night. So that's what we did. The girls waited til today so I could join them. And I loved every second of it (ok, maybe not when we were sweating to death and a little confused on our location). The pictures on my little iPod touch were dismal, so you'll just have to wait.I can't tell how many times each of us said "I'm SO happy." Next stop: Macau, then we'll be in Thailand by this time tomorrow. Three countries in one day, that's kinda a big deal.

Fall

We leave Hualien tomorrow. Since when was it my last night here? I can't believe it. We've been busy, busy, busy getting everything in we could. Here's the deal:

Last dinner with the Sisters

Last class

Ashley's parents got here on Friday, with plenty of American candy

Good-bye songs

Getting in some last-minute playing time.

Getting our free juices from our juice people

Last fried rice (I'm quite upset)

Dragon boat races

A view of Hualien

Aboriginal dancing, maybe I was forced on stage to dance...

The evening ended with Yuling sharing her massage skills

I can't believe how quick these six months have gone. But I have loved nearly every minute of them. I am so glad I got the chance to come and do this. There are memories I have made here that I will think of often. I'm so lucky.

Next stop: A night in Taipei, and then off to Hong Kong!

All Around the World

Well, we made it back to Hualien...barely. Unfortunately we didn't really get to go all the way around the island, our final train was cancelled due to a typhoon. We had to go back up through Taipei (with a 15-ish minute warning I might add) and then back down to Hualien. But we made it safe and sound, with an excellent trip behind us. It was very much needed, and we thank Natalie and Lauren for letting us stay with them.

We named him "Grandpa Rainbow." He is the 90 year-old artist. Many years ago he started painting his little neighborhood as his contribution to developing the community.

I can't resist a jungle hike.

Especially when this is at the end of it.

Kaohsiung, we never really got the chance to like you...maybe next time the typhoon won't be there.

Next Stop: I've got my last 3 1/2 days in Hualien. I seriously can't believe it.

As Long As You Love Me

Today was the graduation program. Which, besides the fact that the older kids graduated, what it really means is that I'm done. And it couldn't have happened at a better time. I'm exhausted. Now I've got 14 days of playing around South East Asia, then I'm headed home! First stop: Natalie and Lauren's in Chunghua
.

Lego House

Just being boss on Mt. Everest.

Today is a big day for this guy up there. It's his big 50th birthday! My dad is seriously one of the coolest people I know. Just an hour ago I was talking to him about my upcoming trip to Thailand, and he pulls out all these places I should or shouldn't go. Turns out, he's been to Thailand. Who knew? Oh wait, one time he said that the best rice and mango he's ever had was in Thailand...maybe I did know.

Five years ago he had what we like to call "The Year of Ken." Which he has described as, "I can do whatever I want, when I want, and with whom I want." Well, this year is The Year of Ken: Pt. 2, and he's already off to a pretty good start...and there's so much more planned. I'll be the first to say that he deserves it.

I hope that he enjoys his day today, especially since my mom and Maddy just got home from Germany yesterday, and Kaitlyn gets home from Italy tonight. He's been all alone, poor guy. Just a mere 18 days and I will be home with all of them. Can't. Wait.

It also happens to be L-Patch-e's birthday...but she deserves a post of her own.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENNY!

Lesson from Asia: #6

Do not keep going to see Snow White-themed movies, even if the cinema is air conditioned. They are strange, and you spend the whole movie going, "what?" "wait, did that just happened?" "why do I feel high right now?"

Everything About You

     To say this week hasn't been rough would not be honest. It all started Sunday night when I got some sort of flu bug, so most of the night was spent emptying the contents of my stomach. Good start, huh? This meant that I slept seriously all day long Monday.
     Last week during a very large thunder storm, something happened to the wireless in our apartment, so now if we want to use the internet we have to come into the kitchen and plug into the modem. It's actually not too bad, except for that we can't Skype our boyfriend and watch Downton Abbey at the same time. (Take a lucky guess to which one I can be found doing...) And then when I do get on the internet, I somehow always end up watching One Direction interviews while completely forgetting what I actually needed to do. Like plan school.
     It has been hot. Like, really hot. The hot makes me want to do nothing. It's too hot to eat (plus there was also that flu thing). It's too hot to sleep. It's too hot to sit with my computer on my lap watching the latest British boy band. It's too hot to think. The only thing I can seem to manage is drinking a large amount of water.
     I suffer from a terrible thing called travel envy. Even though I am currently some place really cool, I still get jealous when I hear of other people's cool trips. Like my sisters for example. Kaitlyn has been in Europe for the last three weeks doing a study abroad, and has reached her last leg, which includes playing all over Italy for 9 days. My mother and Maddy just landed in Germany after a little stop in Amsterdam, and will have a little adventure there for 9 days. So as I sit here sweating almost to death looking at Kaitlyn's friend's pictures (Kaitlyn hasn't blogged about Italy yet) I am openly jealous. It looks amazing.

*Maybe I'm still bitter about last year's tragedy.
*Maybe there was some slight exaggeration due to the overwhelming humid hotness I currently reside in.
*Maybe I'm about ready to come home.

Up All Night

Yesterday Hualien had a nice little break from the pouring rain (don't worry, it's back now) but it was perfect timing for Natalie and Lauren to come visit us. Obviously, we had to go to Taroko again. This time we opted for a taxi tour, just in case the rain did start. Especially after hearing all about the bus that slipped off the road a few weeks ago. We found the sweetest little lady, and had a great day.

"If I could just die-eieieiii in your arms..."

She was the sweetest

We met some really neat people. Real neat.

It was a good weekend.

One month from today people. I'll be back on American soil in one month from today...WHAT!?