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.

X'mas and New Year 2008

Another year has passed by. People came and went. Things changed. I am still the same old girl from Taiwan living in the States. The biggest thing that I was hoping this year did not happen. My immigration stuff still in labor and it seems a difficult one to me. So many things have happened to me this year especially the last season of the year.

Finally I am some sort of "owner". I have officially become a homeowner last November. A nest that is just belonging to me to induging myself. The two story town house has three rooms and one and a half bath. I am loving it despite not being able to sleep well in the morning.

J and I have been doing great. For the sake he has been so wonderful, I have no complain. We went to Mary's X'mas party. I got chances to see and talk with some friends that I have not seen for a while. This is the 3rd year I have been to Mary's for X'mas. It is always fun.

Cary Town's ball rising New Year's Eve event was relative new for people in Richmond. This kind of thing I think once in life should be enough. Next year I gotta be somewhere else. School starts in two weeks, I don't seem to have the motivation to go back...

Book and Movie: P.S. I LOVE YOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6PLtVJ_VJM

It has been a while that I have not seen a good movie when I came across to this book and movie preview (will come out in December), it wows me. There are a lot of writers in the world but there are not a lot of books that will move you in heart. Just watching the preview, I have sensed that I definately need tussie while watching this movie.

little girl and the wave

Last weeken after a breaskfast feast at Ukrop with A, we just made a prompt decision to go to Yorktown. We flew homes packing, making sandwichs, put on sunglasses and sandles, and hit the road. A insisted that she was going to drive considering my turtle speed driving and less sense of direction, she still got us lost for about 30 minutes. After all it has been good after seeing a nice blue sky and ocean scene.

We brought books and lawn chair reading under the tree shade above the yellow sand. Then A came to the point that she wanted to have sexy pictures taken. I was really not into it to be honesty. But somebody had to do it. So I took pics of her with a professional photographer's attitute and they came out surprisingly good. I was telling her how to put her legs, suck her stomach in, splash her long hair all those silly poses you can think of in the annual swimming suit calendar. Then it started to getting me excited so I join the smug shot as a bay watcher photo mob. Our professional attitute probably caught some tourists' interest (Yorktome is a popular civil war battle field, they have a historial park near by). A family, father mother about 6-70years old, daughter and son-in-law strolling toward us and ask if he (the father) could take a picture of A and me. (to add: we both wear two pieces bikini). I guess either we are hot sexy chics or endangerous species to them.

Then there came along this little asian girl with her father. Blue jeans, blue shirt with somewhat blue mood beyond blue ocean and sky, I like the feeling of this photo.

A farewell party

The first time here in Richmond I went to a party with people who all have something common of Taiwan or the same area. I always love group pictures. I think it is probably I am so far away from home. A group picture makes me feel like belonging to some sort of family setting.

Crazy as Muscular and Feminant - Rudolf Nureyev

"Because of Nureyev's gifts he was usually forgiven for many things, but stardom did little to improve his temperament. He was notoriously impulsive and did not have much patience with rules, limitations and hierarchical order. " www.nureyev.org

This was a description of Nureyev that I thought fits him so much. Sunday night after helping a friend painting, I could not wait to trun on TV to the PBS chennel for the doucumentation "Rudolf Nureyev-the Russian years". The program did a wonderful job of telling stories on Nureyev. Good and bad, love and hate, laughters and tears, sweetness and bitterness are all in one. One of his former colleage mentioned that for being a male ballerina, you have to be muscular and feminant, it is crazy. Another his dance partner said when she was leaving Russia for Cuba where her home was, Nureyev stay with her in the train compartment and cried a lot. When she finally got home, she suddenly realized that Nureyev was left behind then she cried. I imagined what she said on TV and thought that was a such beautiful but sad.

From the quote, I strongly feel the same way of some people that I met in my life. L is my one of my good friends who I have known for almost 2 decates. He has this such charm that people would forgive or deminish for his unperfect part. He also has some kind of temperament as in the quote (impulsive...). Life is not fair what else I can say. I used to be so angry that he could get away from some of homework and other little things that I have work so hard to earn.

Italian Potluck

This was the second round (desserts) of Italian potluck. Due to starvation, I fortot to take the picture of first round italian dishes. Learning different languages has been always my interest eventhough most of the time I stay pretty much touchy and feeling stage of learning another language except Japanese. Japanese is easier to learn especially for Taiwnese. If you look up Taiwan's history you will ealily find out why. Taiwan was once colonized by Japan and there has been a long history between China and Japan. They share part of language characters and some pronounciation are very close.

But why Italian? I have never been really interested in learning Italian but shoes made in Italy and spaghetti. It seems always happen to me getting to know people first then know the language. Spanish was never on my list until I moved and stayed in Texas for 5 years. When M came to visit in May, we were listening to Italian CDs (that I checked out from the library) on our road trip. It was so hilarious that two of us repeating after the instructor. We were laughing, mumbling and making fun of each other's poor pronounciation. It made much more fun learning together this way.

A trip has been planning on for months in mind and hopefully it will happen. After surfing on dozens of language institutes, Napoli, Italy could be one of my final destinations. I have been always drawn to the "South" and water. It is always warmer, frinderlier and cheaper. And not to mention about the authentic Italian food is originally from Napoli. My next exploration is going to be Spain. So far I have only know a place that holds the Flamenco Festival. Life has more fun to reach out different things.

A baby shower in West End

Vitoria the 5 month old baby girl sitting on mommy's lap was laughing so much while I was talking with her mom facing her. I was probably very exaggerated (may look like a clown) with my facial expression when talking. D is going to Taiwan to adaop a baby boy in few months. In the class, when she shared with me her excitments over adoption, I was very happy for her and wish that I could go with her to be her tourguide.

In Texas, I knew a family also has adopted babies. It almost gave me a dejuvu. Time has flew so slilently that I have been in Virginia for two years now. Before I left Texas, I was so uncertain about my future. Living in the States has been always my dream growing up knowing that I have 4 aunts in the States. With the long 7 year living here as a non permenant resident, uncertainty is evil of my nightmare. So many girls married older american men, so many foreign students want to marry american citizens, and so many broken unhealthy relationships. I am sure that is not what I want. Well, since I have passed infant stage long long long times ago. Adoption is not an option at all. One time I even joked with my wealthy and fun major professor if he is willing to adop me (he adoped 2 Rissian girs).

Adoption, I vote it. There are many babies all over the world who eager to have family and love. While ther are many couples who unfortunately could not have their biological children, how a wonderful match for both side. To love and be loved.

Chickadee and Old Hen

Mr. L has been come and go in our floor few times. They call it frequent flyer. Before he got skin cancer (they said he used to have a tanning machine at home) and lost his wife two years ago, he worked for a telecommunicate company and was a pastor. As a 82 year old with cancer, he is better than other elders of the same age. First when he came to the floor, he could still walk with his cane and walker. He is getting weaker and weaker. This time he is juat pretty much stay in bed calling for assistances.

There are some clients that I like to stay and talk with in their rooms. Mr. L is one of them. He is polite and I think he is a really wise gentleman. That day I was helping him and passing medication in his room. "Hey! Chickadee" he called. I turned my head toward him with a big question mark on my face. "What is Chickadee?" I asked. Then he explained what chickadee means to me. Chickadee is a little bird usually indicating young and little girls. Then he asked me do you know what people call a old women. They say old hen. Well, I guess compare to his age I could be a chickadee. Everyday, I learn new words and things. This one is funny. If fact, when I checked on chickdee's really picture. They are so cute.

A bookstore that I have never been in Paris, yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOCl-NVUTpE&eurl=

Don't know what's going on with me recently. I just feel like to travel far far away for a while but I can't. Hopefully will be soon... Crazily, I surf onInternet for all the traveling infomation, France, Spain, Italy, and many others just to make myself feel that I am going to travel soon. Interestingly, I found this introduction of the bookstore in Paris. I should put it in my site seeing spot list, I told myself.

It is July 4 and I am working tonight. I still have a paper and a homework need to be done. I guess I am just very tired of shool. E's BBQ and firework party may disattract my mind a bit before I go to work.

Angry Dance - First Flamenco Class Ever

I finally had my flamenco dance class. It was really fun clagging on the floor. The instructor explained to us the origin of flamenco was during a dark period in Spain. So when dancers dance Flamenco the emotion should be firm and kind of "angry". I kind of enjoy dance with a proud attitude.

As the day coming closer to get my immigration paper work done, I got eager then ever before to go on a vacation out of the US. One of the country that I want to go is Spain. Spanish culture has such an influence here in the state. I mean just from knowing that half of Texas population speak spanish. I think it would be a brilliant idea to speak and learn Spanish well. But then, I am also thinking about Italy too. I hope this vacation coming soon. Spain, Italy, France, Norway, anywhere is all good as long as I am traveling somewhere.

What a Code Blue!

Monday, I came in to work at 7pm after 2 days off. Everything was going kind of slow and easy and I was expecting a new patient from PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). As everyday work routine, I started to passing medication and checking my patients around 8pm after I got my report from day shift nurse, L.

PACU faxed the report long before I came to work. The patient had bilateral total knee replacement done, a 83 years old female. They called to confirm I have received the faxed-report and told me they were going to send the patient to the floor. I hang up the phone and continued my work at my last medication round on a patient. I heard PACU came up and the family member were all in the room. I thought that I would go down there to check on my new patient as soon as I finished passing medicine in few minutes. Then I heard they broad casting something but did not pay attention to it. As I was talking and watching the patient swallowing pills, I heard C was running like tornado in the hall way opening the storage door getting sliding board. I ran out to the door and asked what was going on. She did not answer. A, came out from another room like I did. We ran after C to the new patient's room. There were already about 20 people in the room. I was shocked when I saw K doing cardiac compression on the bed, Dr. P was directing the whole process, S was giving ambu bag then compress the IV fluid.

WHAT THE HECK......

I jumped into the crowd trying to do things that in the every minute period was so crucial to the patient. The EKG monitor shown a single straight line, then epi and nor epi were given to the patient still no pulse. Cardiac compression was still performing by K. Then withing couple minutes, we saw the heart beats on monitor. No body said anything, but I believed we all relief when we saw that wavy line on the monitor.

HOW DID THESE ALL HAPPENED IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES....

L, the nurse technician went into the room to take vital signs when PACU nurses came to the floor with the patient. She couldn't get BP, pulses and the patient was unresponsive. She was shaking and running to the charge nurse. When the operator was announcing the "code blue room 207", I missed it while passing medicine in the other room. PACU nurses dashed back to the room when they heard the announce on their way to PACU. That was how it happened so quick. PACU nurse said the patient was still talking to them in the elevator. It seemed that they had some trouble in PACU with that patient. Her blood pressure was low down there...

After this code blue, I think there are a lot I can do better. I am just glad that she did not die on me......In the medical field, uncertainty is such a trick.

Woody and me.

Woody is not my dog. But I would like to have a dog like him. In legend, Woody flew from Minisota to Richmond, Virginia to become a lovly pet of a wealthy family. When I first saw him, he had all my attention. He is probably the cutiest puppy I have ever seen. He is my type of dog. Curly messy hair, long ears, eyes with hair covered, and figure of Teddy bear, all these have let him won my heart. A, my roommate described him like a little lamb.

Virginia Beach - Part II (Yoly from Colombia)

I met Y seven years ago in West Virginia. The very first year I came to the State for school. International student house was a house that fulled of laughters, joys, romances, and friendships with strangers from all over the world. It is really hard to believe that we are still friends after 7 years. In these years, we only corresponded through emails. She is in Colombia and I am in the US.

With a week's off from M's visit from Texas, Y came two weeks ago and stayed with me along my 4 other roommates. It seemed the house suddently became international student house again. In these 7 years, we all been through a lot in live. Y works a good job in Colombia and also a licensed Psychologist. And me with 3 master degrees ( not that I am really proud of but is did mean some kind of achievment to me though?) and in the process of becoming American, we have good life.

Working full-time, I made some plans to spend time with Y and my friends here. We cruised through Richmond to Willamsburg and Virginia Beach (yes, 2nd time in a month). Although, we did not have coconut trees or hot six-packed muscle men to entertain us but all has been good. Sea breeze, waves, blue sky, sand and a ocean front hotel room with just a minute's walking distance to the beach, what can we ask more for life.

Our footprints were also left at James River with two little good looking "men". I guess that was my substitution for six-packed muscle men. It was just so hilarious when I saw they looking at me taking off my cloth with bathing suit underneath. They are definately curious. I just thoutht that was funny.

That was my "vacation" with friends this summer (yeah with over 40 hours' work and two summer classes going on). Wish my real vacation coming soon. I am ready to explor...

Virginia Beach - Part I

This May is really a friend's month for me. M came all the way from Texas visiting me in the middle of May. With working night shift in the hospital, I think maybe it is kind of good that I can spare some day time with friend coming a long way to visit me. I love friends! Ever since I work like owl, my schedule and social life have been really living like vampire. While everybody sleep, I am up; while all my friends up doing things, I sleep. To end this curse, the only salvage for me is the day when I get my permenant resident document.

M is such a sweet friend to me. We use to hike together, go out together, and talk about a lot of things out of our mind very much. This time she came to visit me after 2 years leaving in different cities from each other. We were very excited to get the same old feeling back again. In order to be a "good" host, I was kind of planning where to take her to. So I came up with some places that would be potential "must-see" site near Richmond, Virginia. The only exception would be Kings Dominion. I think we have grown to old to take the risk of heart attack riding roller coaster. Sunshine, find white sand, waves, and "muscle men" sounded good to both of us. Definately, it would be a worth site to spend some time at. We stayed at the oceanfront hotel with all our pleasant heart.

Then we went to Washington,DC. Of course, this is also a must-see site at least one time in everybody's life. Best way to get around a big metropolitan would be riding the subway. We parked the car at subway parking log then took the blue line to white house, memorial momument, china town, and capital.

Happy time is always short. M stayed for 4 nights then back to Texas. I have another colorful page in my life book with M.

My talisman

My little purple teddy bear key chain is my talisman. This morning when I came home and hang it on the wall, I took a second look and thought about this little thing has been with me for almost 4 years. It was a hot summer in europe as traveling in England with almost empty purse. Usually even summer time it is cool but the year I went they got heat wave. I thought I was lucky bucause I don't like cold weather.

The little bear only cost me 1 pound and it seems last forever and always brings back my memory of England. I was a student back then with not much money to shop around those boutique shops or fancy department stores. However, I did window shop at Harold department store in London. Purple teddy was found in the local farm market in Cambridge while I was visiting a friend going to school there. Before I went, my friend in London thought that I was probably going to stay in a castle dormantary with my friend. And of course, it was not a dormantary in castle.

While enjoying hearing queen's language all around me, it was worth engouth the trip itself. With not knowing a lot about Cambridge University, I was "Alice wondered the world". In the two weeks, I think I have left my footprints all over the campus. I found some interesting shops, events such as folk dance and local market. That was how I found my little teddy. The grandmom like lady was one among the market carts. I just thought those bears hanging there were so cute in different baby colors and bought two. So my teddy has been living with me ever since. He has been my taleman like the one from the movie Waterloo Bridge.

Tango, Salsa and Flamenco

Cheer leading was probably the very first dance form that I had. Whenever I think about going dancing some crazy nights, I always think about how I came to the point loving dancing so much. I guess if I tell any of my friends after college, nobody would believe that I was a little cheer leader in elementary school. And I tell you, it was very competitive. Without a doub, now I still dance like a cheer leader sometimes.

Without music, dancing is like a bird without singing. Any dance has certain music theme to go with: Fast, slow, high pitch, low pitch, different instruments, and more. I have always drawn to fast beat music. For me I think fast music usually connects to happier mood and spirit. Maybe that's why I like dancing and I was a cheer leader. I think music and dance has helped me live through the good time and bad time in life.

Recently, I started to like flamenco and tango. My aunt and I used to watch dancing with the stars when I visit her in New York. The movie "Moulin Rouge" sings el Tango de Roxanne while "Phantom of the Opera" ryhms it too. The song was a key that opened my heart toward tango and flamenco. In Taiwan, I knew the Flamenco long ago. There was a legend about a female dentist who gave up all her career and fortunes for Flamenco. She is now a very famous flamenco dancer in Taiwan and is very successful in performance. (http://www.flamenco.com.tw/)

The musical "Chicago" another my favorate (West End Story the next) broadway show, taught me how sexy(evil) a women could be when they dance. Once a friend said to me, when you dance flamenco you fake a lot which I don't agree with him. They say " you don't see good flamenco, you feel it." So even I never dance flamenco yet, I believe that it is a very "emotional" dance. There are a lot I would learn from dancing it. Hopefully, I will be able to go to Spain soon.....

Misha

This is my #1 boyfriend. I always think that there is also some kind of special connection between people and pets. There are three cats in the house and Misha is my all time favor cat whenever I come home I just call him. The marvelous thing that makes him so speical to me is that he is a musical cat. Sometimes, I think he dances with the piano and music. H is the landlady and teaches piano lessons at home. When she teaches, Misha always pond on the classroom door with his paw to get in to the class. He always wiggles his tail with the music. He is a lovely and funny cat!

Skiing

I almost fell from the chair when I read the previous post. There must be thousands of grammar mistakes I made... Coming back with sored legs and arms from upstate NY, I found that skiing was fun. Unfortunately, it was my first and last time skiing for the season. I had fun skiing with my cousin's family and friends. Usually, I am a pretty thankful person. I treasure friends, family, people and things that I found to be in a harmony status. Balance is the word, I guess would better discribe my philosophy toward life, so does skiing.

Since it was my first skiing experience techinally speaking, Dave, my cousin's husband would felt the most about how a rookie skiier may kill a person. Looking at him lying on snow after the first "blue track" run (yes, not even the black diamond yet) with me, I thought he was dead. As my cousin, after couple runs with her, I think I hurt her knee with crushing into her. I am a crim while skinning.

With almost killing two people, I skied a bit better by the end of the two day ski resort get away over the spring break. It was really a wonderful weekend get away spending time with them sicne we don't really see each other quite often. I have been thinking about relatiohship among people. Sometimes I think it is a very tough and easy lesson in life.