The last day of the new year

The Latern Festival signifies the last day of the new year.  Although not a big fan of this type of event, I tagged along anyway and rubbed shoulders with millions of people.  It was somewhat summer like today-very humid and I could tell that my body did not like the heat.  The dreadful summer will soon be here and I am not prepared for it yet.

If I can wish upon the laterns, I wish for no more earthquakes and disasters, for people to be more forgiving with one another, and for love to heal the wounds of all kinds. 


God bless Taiwan and all.

Beware of what you wish for

I've gotten my wish.  This time, a pair of new-year earrings, from my cousin Bonny.  What is more precious is that she made them, among many other items such as necklaces and rings.  They are lovely.  My cousin is truly talented.  Love ya, Bonny. 

I was just thinking about having red earrings before our family reunion.  Red is the color for the new year and also a symbol that I am truly a very mature woman now.  When you fall in love with the bloody red color, you are officially old.   

Here is the cutie. The photo was taken when the car was moving, hence blurry.  I guess red is a good color on me.
 

Holiday

Holidays can be joyful yet stressful at the same time.  The Taiwanese culture is a group culture, and my family is not an exception.  This includes doing things together, multiple conversations going on simultaneously, everybody wants to be a part of everybody's life by giving advice all the time, and making sure that the advice is taken and followed.  Whew!  As much as I am an outgoing person, I am pretty aloof from all conversations.  I just watch and take off when it is too much to handle.  I tried many times to be more like my other siblings but could only do so much to accomodate.  Having said so, I am trying my best to be involved in family outings and gatherings.  In fact, I cherish these opportunities because as time goes by, the chances of doing so will diminish. 

Sometimes I feel like I am living two lives.  When I am away from home, especially when I am abroad, I am a totally different person who is more cheerful compared to when I am at home.  Therefore, my desire of wanting to be connected to my root often is compromised by my other desire of wanting to be free and happy.  There is never going to be a happy medium.   

Enough of the rambling.  Here are some photos of my family's recent outings in Taiwan.

The BBQ from the Chou tribe of Alishan.

The Taiwanese yellow cows.  We don't see them anymore.  This wagon was just for the tourists.

I loved these Bolivian musicians.  Bought two CDs and had their autographs.  Maybe they did not understand my Spanish...they had my name wrong.  Too bad bloggers took away the video inserting function.  Here is a short clip of the performers. 

http://loriteng.vox.com/library/post/bolivian-performers.html

Then we went to the mountain for a change of scenery.  I do not know if these were plum blossoms but they surely looked amazing.

That was my dad strolling in the gardern.  We could see the mountain afar.  Quite mysterious and typically Asian. 

Here is another shot of the mountain in the cloud.  My parents loved this.

The tea garden.

It was almost dark when we finished dinner at this unique restaurant that featured a buddhist design.  We had a nice day with light rain accompanying us while driving down to the city.  I sang "Tomorrow" from Annie to my niece Corine in the car.  She sang along and I wish she could learn to sing this song because she had such a beautiful voice.  It is one of my all-time favouriate songs among my new Bolivian music collection. 

When the year of the tiger comes 新年新希望

Visited the old time

Reflected on the past

Thought about what could come my way for the new year? 

Hoped for the door to lead to light and laughters, and I could be the source of illumination for some.

MW in Tainan, an old city of Taiwan.  台南古城

Ooooh Abu Dhabi

Here is the famous Abu Dhabi and our dream-like tour to the mosque.  The weather was gorgeous and the tour to the mosque was just amazing!  We visited a near-by mall and ate at a Canadian restaurant that we had never heard of (didn't even know it was a Canadian chain store).  A Syrian museum staff member invited me in for a cup of tea and I spilled it.  I also broke a martini glass for an expensive drink in Dubai recently.  MW has serious eye-hand coordination problems, just so that I would let you know.