2009 Trip to England

Having a trip to England was just because I did not have to spend time and money on applying a visa. Although it was not the first on our list going for a vacation, we enjoyed it anyway. It is a vacation after all. This time we stayed in guest house instead of hotel. The only thing is that before you go make sure the quality of the guest. But how can you make sure the quality of a guesthouse? The easiest way is check the reviews on Internet. Usually it is pretty ture.

We stayed at 3 guesthouse over the 9 days vacation only one of the three satisfied us. My Oversea Experience is an australian-managed guesthous. It was the best among the three. It is about 10 minutes away from London by tube and it is at a very convenient location (a Tesco behind the house, tube is about 3 minutes walking distance, restaurants and coffee shops are around the coner).

We stayed pretty much in London. Since it was my second time visiting England, it's really Joe's trip to England. Me, I just wanted to get away from work, school and the US. We enjoyed London Eye very much because we went there around 8pm (they close at 9pm) no waiting line. You don't see that too often... We strongly recommend riding London Eye at night. It was fabulous. Weather was super nice while we were there.

I have never seem so many pubs in my life. Ediburgh has probably one pub every coner. I got to get into the Castle this time (6 years ago, I was a poor student and did not want to pay to go in). PS. I was standing outside of the Castle " listening to the Military Tatoo". It was nice to visit England again. However, beach resort would definatly on top of our list next time considering a "real" vacation. You know sea breeze, blue ocean, wave, coconut tree, and cheaper everything.

Taiwanese Family Gang

It has been 5 years. Living in the US for almost a decade, the number of times going back home makes popole think if I am a political refugee who is not allowed to go back home. I blam it all to the US immigration. This is what I pay for the American Dream. It was such a wonderful short 10 days trip going back to see what I have missed all this 5 years in Taiwan.

Food is still awesome. Of course the best restaurant goes to my brother, Ken's japanese lounge. Yes, I call it lounge. One after another surprising creative plates have really indulging my taste bud like in heaven. Even Big J was so crazy about Ken's dedicated to Japanese cuisine. His insist of using best quality ingredients all so fresh and nutritish. He gets up 6am every day to the market to handpick all his fish and vegetables. You sit in the sushi bar like a child waiting what he is going to surprise with next dish. I am so proud of him.

I have to say ten days was really really short. So many to eat and so many people to catch up with. Dad, his girlfriend, brothers,nephew, sister in law and friends, its all good. This time I was also Big J's personal tour guide and translator despite I have not been in Taiwan for so many years. I am glad that he enjoyed my lovely hometown very much. Not to mention the scooter ride between busy Taipei streets. Too bad that he did not have a change to try a scorpion in Taipei. I am still not sure where I can find it in night markets in Taiwan. Well at least stinky tofu really "amzed" his sense of taste and smell......

Finally, another place that I would like to mention is the small fish vallage, Yei-Lui. A geological park was developed not sure what years ago. All my memory of this place is when I was like 8-10 years old I recalled. It is so different now. We were so attractive to those seafood restaurant's fish tanks. In fact, you pick your own fish from the tank for the restaurant woner to cook. We definately picked the one looked delicious. After a nice sea shore walk, eating fresh seafood seemed such a 'luxury' thing to do. Riding home the bus with the smilly face and happy stomach it was a nice day of fishing village.

January 1st, 2009

Friends came from Texas and have been on the road for almost 2 weeks now. With their footprints left from Tennassee, Kenturky, Ohio, New York, New Jersy, Pennsilvania, until here at my little stop in Virginia, we have a lot to catch up for the last 3 years. It is hard to believe that 3 years has passed since I left Texas. I.K. still teaches in the University and J.N. is a wonderful mom and friend for everybody. Their two boys grew so tall now that I could not even recognized them.

Knowing that they would be arriving around 6pm, I pluged in the rice cooker, prepared some shrimp, vegetables, traditional taiwanese dishes and waited for them. Finally, they were here after a "long drive" (we all know how wonderful the traffic is in Washington DC) from Maryland. We could not wait and talk so much while setting up the table for dinner. They had so many interesting stories to share with me about their road trip. It seemed that I have been to bufflo city, New York with them seeing the bright night sky, 5 feet deepth snow, rapid white raft niagara fall, to West Point Academy attending the student meeting in the beautiful stained glassed trinity church hall and lots of nice senaries along their trip blueprint.

After dinner we talked more and I was preparing to go to work at 11pm which means that I got to take a little cat nap. Working the last night of year 2008 was not really cool espeical when you have guests at your house. On the other hand I thought they would probably sleep better without me in the house (laugh). J.N. got me this juicer for gift and this juicer exper could not wait to show me how to make the powerful, healthy and delicious green juice. She emphesized that banana peel is really good for your body and can not be wasted...... Yes juice that banana peel!! Apple, banana, broccoli, sweet pepper, strawberry, tomato, carrot and last but not least the "peel" all in one glass, drink it up! Well, it tasted really good and I feel heathier.

At work, it is the last day of 2008. The thought of did I miss something for 2008 and what I can improve for 2009 sticking in my mind. Not sure why I felt so uncertain at that moment. I should be just fine. It is just another regular day of my life and I shall make the best of everyday isn't it! When I got home in the morning, everybody was still sleeping. It is kind of nice that I felt I have family in my house. Happy moment is always too short. Less than 24 hours' staying, the Hung family was heading off for home to Texas. Before they get home, they have some more States to explore! Their next stop would be in South Carolina. Just like the movie "It is a wonderful life"-- there is no hopeless man who has friends.