out of the mouths of...

This week I started teaching a 3 week workshop on preparing for English speaking tests, and one question was "Why are you studying English?" One of the students, a 16 year old nursing major, has excellent English, so I expected her to say something like she hoped to work in a hospital overseas someday, but I was rather shocked at her answer..... "I want to marry a foreigner and have a cute mixed baby". @@

good friend's wedding

We had the privilege to be a part of our good friend's engagement and wedding ceremonies. Weddings here are so special with banquets, congratulations toasts to each table, pictures as we leave with the couple, and three bridal dresses with grand entrances.

Happy Easter Week!

Two ladies from Arizona are visiting Taiwan for a few weeks to help us with Easter activities. They have colored eggs with all ages. Other activities include an Easter egg hunt, a egg relay race with chopsticks, and songs with motions. It's a lot of fun. This Sunday is Easter Sunday. :D

Chinese-English translation services in Pingtung

Hi, Check out my buddy Nick's new website about translation and editing services he can provide. Click here. or go to www.pingtung-english.com He is a Canadian who lives in Pingtung City, not far from Neipu.

Interesting little village south of WanLuan and Neipu

My husband and I went exploring recently and came across this Hakka village south of WanLuan. My husband asked the deer for directions, haha.

Prime rib at 7-11?

Wow! From the package, it looks like a thick piece of meat - but in reality, it's seaweed, rice and a thin piece of beef on top. It's not bad - just a little misleading.

All you can trust

I found this interesting sign recently in Kaohsiung. In what do you put your trust? Money? Friends? Family? Recently I've had some reminders that life is so short and that we should cherish each day. A friend's husband in his 30's passed away suddenly, and a former student is dealing with a spinal injury. Life has unexpected events that we cannot rely on anything except our faith. Sometimes we have nothing or no one to trust except Jesus. Recently I saw a note that said, "Jesus should not be number one in your life; He should be everything in your life." He is who I trust. People may fail us, but God is always faithful.

Recipe for One Hour Hot Rolls

hi - I made this bread yesterday for a friend, and my husband says there are good enough to eat without butter or anything else on them. Making the hot rolls was so easy that I thought I would share the recipe here:

Ingredients: 3 1/2 - 4 cups of flour, 3 Tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 packages/Tablespoons of yeast, 1/2 cup of water, 1 cup of milk, and 1/2 stick of butter Directions: Mix 1 1/2 cups of flour with sugar, salt and yeast in a bowl. In a pan on the stove, mix the water, milk, and butter. Heat on low until the butter melts. Then pour this over the flour mixture. Mix for 2 minutes with a hand mixer. Then add another 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups of flour, enough that you can knead well. Knead and place in a greased bowl. Let the dough rise for 15 minutes in a warm place. Make into rolls and place in a greased 13x9 pan. Let rise for 15 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F or 218 degrees C. The rolls should be golden brown. Cool on a rack and butter the tops as they cool, if you like. The recipe is for 12-15 rolls, depending on the size you make each one.

English language church services near Neipu

English churches in Pingtung and Kaohsiung: Sometimes foreigners will wonder where they can go to church in the Pingtung City area where they can understand the service. Pingtung City has at least two English services that I know of, and they are across the street from one another around the same time. A Catholic church and a Baptist church each hold English services around 4 pm. Contact Mr. Chris Wright for details about the Baptist service.

Then for those in the Neipu area, there is one in Djutien/ChuTien/JhuTien (many spellings) which is a 5 minute car ride away from Neipu. Go on highway 1 south of Meiho and turn right just past a gas station on your right, then turn right at 7-11, the church is on the right, just before the stoplight. It's 2 blocks from the train station. This service is at 1pm - 2pm on Sunday afternoons. Then we drink tea and visit afterward. My husband preaches every week at this service. The website is here. Here is the Chinese for the Djutien church address:

There is an International Fellowship near NPUST PingKeDa in Laopi, coordinated by Joanne, but led by students. My husband guest preaches there monthly. The service is 10 am to 11:30 and is all in English. Neipu Presbyterian Church has a 10:30 a.m. service in Mandarin. My husband guest-preaches there with an translator once a month. Kaohsiung has several bilingual and all - English options, as well, including New Life Church (Sunday 4pm, bilingual), Kaohsiung International Church (KIC, all-English, Sunday 4:30 pm) and Bilingual Community Church (BCC) has two morning services.

We encourage you to find a church family. 1 Corinthians 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

My husband sketching at DongGang Bay

My husband's sketch with two stamps from the area

My husband and I had a relaxing New Year's Day.

paddle boats and canoes at DaPeng Bay

Christmas at my university

The campus is pretty at night now due to the lights on the pedestrian crossing, and Christmas trees and poinsettias around campus. There will be a few parties in classes and departments this week. Generally, we see a lot less decorations and fanfare than in the States. I hope I can get into the Christmas spirit soon.

Aboriginal Dancers

I videotaped a performance of aboriginal dancers and singers at my school's anniversary celebration on Saturday. View it here. They are very talented.

My school's anniversary weekend (or Homecoming without a football game) :)

Lining up to be able to stand in front of the stage during the evening concert

Night market style food on campus: omelet, SanDiMen pork and onions, and baked potato. My friend also had stinky tofu.

Why we love Taiwan - so unique and special

Taiwan - 2012 from Terry Proveda on Vimeo.

Check out this wonderful video someone put together.

Meinong Lake Renovated Pagoda

This summer I visited Meinong and explored the renovated lake pagoda with my friend Tiffany.

Meinong is beautiful with its lake, mountains and GREEN.

We ate Hakka noodles out of bags.

The floor tile shows the Hakka traditional blue shirt and paper umbrellas.

What a peaceful place.