Monday, January 29, 2007

Lost in Translation...

Winter vacation has started for students in Taiwan and today was the first day of winter session classes. I snagged the one class (reduced from 3 for the holidays) that will run for our level Monday to Friday for the next 3 weeks.

I was nervous because I pretty much have to plan all the curriculum myself. But the first day sailed by smooth as a spring breeze. I have 9 eight year olds who are bright and laugh easily. It's great and relaxed and superfun.

We started with a classic name game. Each person says their name and something they like that starts with the first letter of their name. Most of the kids needed help coming up with words. This is what we came up with:

My name is Teacher Pam.
I like Purple Penguins.

My name is Ethan.
I like Electric Eels.

My name is Melody.
I like McDonald's Monkeys.

My name is Jack.
I like Jelly Jellyfish.

My name is Spencer.
I like Silly Superman.

My name is Vivi.
I like Voom-voom Voles.

My name is Steven.
I like Silly Spencer.

My name is Winnie.
I like Wiggly Wombats.

When we got to the last kid, he piped up confidently with - I can assure you - no help from the teacher...

My name is BILL.
I like BLUE BALLS.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

New Year's 2007 - To Hell and Back

We spent our New Year's / 2 Year Anniversary this year in XinBeitou (in the North of Taipei County) at a hot spring resort called Lotus Spa. We jumped in and out of a hot tub fed with hot spring water all evening and morning at our leisure (in our very own hotel room!). What luxury! The spring water is said to have health benefits and beautifying effects.

Sulphur gases rising from the volcanic hot springs in XinBeitou (the lookout is called Hell Valley), Not quite as extensive and wondrous as the Hell Valley we visited in New Zealand (remember? - Dad, Mom, and Samantha?) but when is it not wicked to see curlicues of Hellish steam rising from a natural bath?



Happy New Year's 2007!!
This is us in a corridor of the classy hotel we stayed at on our way to our anniversary dinner. The necklace is a Christmas gift from Brian.


Will do. We sure didn't leaves behind all the sulphur smell in our hair and on our skin, but from now on, that rotten egg smell will be synonymous with decadent bathing and relaxation. Mmm!


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