Obviously I have let my blog go!
I think it's because I have so much to write, I don't know where to begin.
I nearly hung out a "Farewell my fellow bloggers" sign, but no, that would be lame.
I promise to return later this weekend...when I have time.
Going to the gym now.
Can't be fat and 46...nope. Pretty darn fit for an old lady....
In case you don't know...some of the OLD Rachel gang (and newbies) are trying to gather at the Kew Live Chatroom on Saturday, August 30th at:
11 pm in London, 6 pm in New York, 3 pm in LA. 6 amish-Sunday a.m. for some of those left of California...ok for ME in Taipei......
Go to KEW!
See YEW (there).
xxxxxxxxx
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I Love My Friends...Even MORE Than BEER!
Ok so I Skypeed (is this a verb now?) my hubby, daughter and friends yesterday at our friend Sokoun and Chris' house.
Chris showed me a glass of that DELISH Karl Strauss Amber Lager...of course I was drooling.
He told me that Sokoun thought it was the favorite part of my trip!
Well, to be honest, it WAS a highlight...but NOT THE FAVORITE PART OF MY TRIP!!!
Aw...
SOKOUN AND CHRIS
OF COURSE the best part of the trip was seeing my beloved friends!
The reason why it took me so long to blog about my trip is that when I came back I slowly fell into a slump (which is normal actually - the post-vacation blues). I missed my friends and daughter terribly! I wish I could have stayed longer, but c'est la vie...that's the life of a working stiff comme MOI!
So....where did I end part one...oh yeah...the BEER ON TAP at Chris and Sokoun's - LOL.
I forgot to mention that they now have a new addition to the family...a 5 1/2 ounce Chihuahua named Lola...as in L-O-L-A Lola! la la la la Lola. I couldn't stop serenading her while I was there. No wonder she kept trying to bite me. She is ADORABLE but NOT the friendliest pup in the world! But once she got to know me, she stopped biting/attacking me and licked me instead. Sadly, I could NOT train her to lick my ear...but she IS a female - and not a lesbian either. Oh well.
It was wonderful hanging out with Sokoun and her awesome family. I mentioned that we went to her niece's graduation (where I got to work on my tan- bonus). After the graduation we went for a yummy all-you-can-eat (oh no) Japanese buffet. I never had so much sushi at one sitting in my life. It was delish. THEN to help digest our food we went SHOPPING and Sokoun picked out 2 lovely tops for me - and I get compliments whenever I wear them. One is a halter and I NEVER EVER would have dreamed of buying a halter top (I last wore one when they were in style in the mid 70s) but she eyed it and thought it would look good on me - and it really does! (ok I am not modest - y'all know that already!).
I can't divulge anything about another little shopping spree I had with Sokolun and Chris (after mucho sake and wine). Sorry. Use your imagination!
On Thursday I conned my friend Chelice into driving me to the train station to catch a train to LA. I have my ways...I invited her for a manicure and pedicure - and while she was having flowers painted on her fingers and toes I said, "um...can I ask a favor of you? Could you please take me to the train station? My train leaves in 20 minutes, by the way!"
I kid you not. Chelice is from Detroit and she's got the Motor City chops to prove it! We FLEW to the station - downtown - about a 10 mile drive...I bought my ticket, ran to the train and had a couple minutes to spare before the train departed.
This is what it's like to be a friend of Sue's! It's not pretty....I know I know. (Right Mary????).
I had a LOVELY trip up to LA. Oh it is just a gorgeous ride - along the coast. I chilled out and got PSYCHED about seeing my Ru friend Laura (we met at a Rufus Wainwright appearance in LA many moons ago), AND the one and only Martha Wainwright.
Laura picked me up and we drove to her apartment and she served a delish spaghetti dinner with this homemade mushroom tomato sauce. Laura is a vegetarian...I like hanging out with her because I always eat healthy food. We had a few glasses of wine and caught up...then headed for the Troubadour - which is just about a 10 minute drive from her house - it's near Beverly Hills. (Oh BOY!).
We got there just as doors were opening and OF COURSE headed straight for the center of the stage. We watched Martha and her band head up to the VIP lounge which was upstairs to the left of the stage...there are big windows and I was psyched to spot her dad - Loudon Wainwright. I was hoping he would perform with her (he did).
The opening singer was FANTASTIC - her name is Jesca Hoop. CHECK HER OUT. Laura was already a fan, but I had never heard of her. Supposedly she was a nanny for Tom Waits' kids - and he describes her music as: "taking a swim in a lake at night." Perfect. Just check her out, you won't be disappointed. It was just her on acoustic guitar (I could hear a strong Celtic influence), and she was accompanied for many songs by 2 other female singers. They looked and sounded like 3 angels (corny I know, but that's the best I can do!).
FINALLY Martha came out - and the place was PACKED. I think it was a sold-out show. I was SO happy for her. The last time I saw her - about 3 years ago now - she played in San Diego to a crowd of maybe 10 people? I was feeling for her, but that's San Diego for you! NOT A HIP PLACE AT ALL. But even when I saw her in LA a few months before the San Diego show, where she opened for Stephen Malkmus at the El Rey - people were NOT receptive, or attentive...that is until she played "Bloody MF A***hole." THAT perked up their ears!
I met her after that El Rey show (for the second time) and she was really down...I could see it. Then when I saw her in San Diego she said, "Oh I remember YOU!" In San Diego told her all about Rachel Fuller's webcast show In the Attic and many moons later I was able to connect her to Rachel and she DID make an appearance on her show - and she met Pete Townshend there and they all became friends...and he recorded on her latest cd. (Sorry but the backstory is needed for the next installment!)
Anyway- things change - and thank goodness she has hung in there...she's "matured" (I hate that term, but you know what I mean) and seems MUCH more confident now.
She's married to her bass player/producer Brad, and seems quite content.
The highlight really was when Loudon came out - he was BEAMING - you could see how proud he was of his daughter. His opinion means alot to her (as a father's opinion would to any daughter). They sang: "You Never Phone," and it was BRILLIANT. There are 2 snippets on YouTube. I will look for the link and post it here later.
Martha's latest cd- BUY IT!!! :)
END OF PART 2!!!
Chris showed me a glass of that DELISH Karl Strauss Amber Lager...of course I was drooling.
He told me that Sokoun thought it was the favorite part of my trip!
Well, to be honest, it WAS a highlight...but NOT THE FAVORITE PART OF MY TRIP!!!
Aw...
SOKOUN AND CHRIS
OF COURSE the best part of the trip was seeing my beloved friends!
The reason why it took me so long to blog about my trip is that when I came back I slowly fell into a slump (which is normal actually - the post-vacation blues). I missed my friends and daughter terribly! I wish I could have stayed longer, but c'est la vie...that's the life of a working stiff comme MOI!
So....where did I end part one...oh yeah...the BEER ON TAP at Chris and Sokoun's - LOL.
I forgot to mention that they now have a new addition to the family...a 5 1/2 ounce Chihuahua named Lola...as in L-O-L-A Lola! la la la la Lola. I couldn't stop serenading her while I was there. No wonder she kept trying to bite me. She is ADORABLE but NOT the friendliest pup in the world! But once she got to know me, she stopped biting/attacking me and licked me instead. Sadly, I could NOT train her to lick my ear...but she IS a female - and not a lesbian either. Oh well.
It was wonderful hanging out with Sokoun and her awesome family. I mentioned that we went to her niece's graduation (where I got to work on my tan- bonus). After the graduation we went for a yummy all-you-can-eat (oh no) Japanese buffet. I never had so much sushi at one sitting in my life. It was delish. THEN to help digest our food we went SHOPPING and Sokoun picked out 2 lovely tops for me - and I get compliments whenever I wear them. One is a halter and I NEVER EVER would have dreamed of buying a halter top (I last wore one when they were in style in the mid 70s) but she eyed it and thought it would look good on me - and it really does! (ok I am not modest - y'all know that already!).
I can't divulge anything about another little shopping spree I had with Sokolun and Chris (after mucho sake and wine). Sorry. Use your imagination!
On Thursday I conned my friend Chelice into driving me to the train station to catch a train to LA. I have my ways...I invited her for a manicure and pedicure - and while she was having flowers painted on her fingers and toes I said, "um...can I ask a favor of you? Could you please take me to the train station? My train leaves in 20 minutes, by the way!"
I kid you not. Chelice is from Detroit and she's got the Motor City chops to prove it! We FLEW to the station - downtown - about a 10 mile drive...I bought my ticket, ran to the train and had a couple minutes to spare before the train departed.
This is what it's like to be a friend of Sue's! It's not pretty....I know I know. (Right Mary????).
I had a LOVELY trip up to LA. Oh it is just a gorgeous ride - along the coast. I chilled out and got PSYCHED about seeing my Ru friend Laura (we met at a Rufus Wainwright appearance in LA many moons ago), AND the one and only Martha Wainwright.
Laura picked me up and we drove to her apartment and she served a delish spaghetti dinner with this homemade mushroom tomato sauce. Laura is a vegetarian...I like hanging out with her because I always eat healthy food. We had a few glasses of wine and caught up...then headed for the Troubadour - which is just about a 10 minute drive from her house - it's near Beverly Hills. (Oh BOY!).
We got there just as doors were opening and OF COURSE headed straight for the center of the stage. We watched Martha and her band head up to the VIP lounge which was upstairs to the left of the stage...there are big windows and I was psyched to spot her dad - Loudon Wainwright. I was hoping he would perform with her (he did).
The opening singer was FANTASTIC - her name is Jesca Hoop. CHECK HER OUT. Laura was already a fan, but I had never heard of her. Supposedly she was a nanny for Tom Waits' kids - and he describes her music as: "taking a swim in a lake at night." Perfect. Just check her out, you won't be disappointed. It was just her on acoustic guitar (I could hear a strong Celtic influence), and she was accompanied for many songs by 2 other female singers. They looked and sounded like 3 angels (corny I know, but that's the best I can do!).
FINALLY Martha came out - and the place was PACKED. I think it was a sold-out show. I was SO happy for her. The last time I saw her - about 3 years ago now - she played in San Diego to a crowd of maybe 10 people? I was feeling for her, but that's San Diego for you! NOT A HIP PLACE AT ALL. But even when I saw her in LA a few months before the San Diego show, where she opened for Stephen Malkmus at the El Rey - people were NOT receptive, or attentive...that is until she played "Bloody MF A***hole." THAT perked up their ears!
I met her after that El Rey show (for the second time) and she was really down...I could see it. Then when I saw her in San Diego she said, "Oh I remember YOU!" In San Diego told her all about Rachel Fuller's webcast show In the Attic and many moons later I was able to connect her to Rachel and she DID make an appearance on her show - and she met Pete Townshend there and they all became friends...and he recorded on her latest cd. (Sorry but the backstory is needed for the next installment!)
Anyway- things change - and thank goodness she has hung in there...she's "matured" (I hate that term, but you know what I mean) and seems MUCH more confident now.
She's married to her bass player/producer Brad, and seems quite content.
The highlight really was when Loudon came out - he was BEAMING - you could see how proud he was of his daughter. His opinion means alot to her (as a father's opinion would to any daughter). They sang: "You Never Phone," and it was BRILLIANT. There are 2 snippets on YouTube. I will look for the link and post it here later.
Martha's latest cd- BUY IT!!! :)
END OF PART 2!!!
Monday, July 07, 2008
"Ooh life is juicy..." Part uno
"...juicy and you'll see..."
Ok that's all I remember from that song (from Funny GIrl)! LOL.
Growing up, I was um...subjected to WAY TOO MUCH Barbara Streisand. I'm sure it has had serious long term effects!
(Could be why I love gay men so much, I dunno).
Well I cannot believe I haven't blogged for a month. VERY BAD BLOGGER SUE!!
I had a FAB time in San Diego and LA!!!
Anjoli and I spent the first few days with my dear friend Chelice. She has a really cute house in Bonita with a beautiful view.
Here it is!
Her dog Leo LOVES me. I really think we were lovers in a past life. I am SERIOUS! :) He has a thing for me, and oddly enough, I have one for him. He licks my ears and I find myself in the throes of ecstasy! Yup.
I was on Taiwan time, so the second night there, I took Leo for a "moonlight stroll" at 3 am! Chelice gave me this goofy spelunker's light to wear. It IS convenient, so I wore it knowing not too many people would see me.
We walked for an hour and a half...and got caught up.
::sigh::
OK I'LL STOP!
I was lonely, ya know? ;)
OMG it is AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL to walk in Bonita in the middle of the night though. Oh, it's such a pretty area. I do miss it.
Chelice was so kind and lent me her Miata (which she bought from Sujoy before we moved to Taipei) and her truck for when I had Anju and Kristin.
She's doing really well and dating up a storm! Weeeee! You GO girl!
Anjoli went to her old school for a few days and gave a PowerPoint presentation on Taiwan for 3 classes (including her teacher from last year). The teachers all raved about it. Anju forgot her index cards though so she had to wing it. She wouldn't let me watch her though - she said it would have made her too nervous. So I have yet to see it.
It was fun visiting Anju's school and seeing old friends. Only problem was I was SO out of it due to jet lag! Just a total zombie for the first week actually! oi.
I went to TWO "graduations" - one for Anju's best friend, Kristen who will enter middle school next year and the other was for our friend Sokoun's niece - who will enter high school next year. They both made me cry. It makes me kind of melancholy to see kids with hope and promise...maybe it made me realize how I was feeling the same way at their age...but then took a few wrong turns and got sort of lost for awhile. But I am happy now so it's all GOOD!
The first weekend I spent with Chris (he's married to our friend Sokoun). Sokoun had to go up north for the weekend for a family celebration/memorial. Oh don't worry we behaved.
:)
Got to cruise around San Diego in Chris' new Porsche Carrera. OMG. I've never gone so fast in a car before. It's BEAUTIFUL. (Never been in a "real" Porsche before either - only a 914- my mom had one).
We had a nice weekend, even though I was quite boring and in bed by 9!
I watched GOLF for the first time in my life and I was shocked that I actually enjoyed it.
But Tiger - well, what's not to enjoy about him? And the other guy was cool - Median(?) with his peace belt buckle. Awright!
It was really exciting - it was the US Open, live from Torrey Pines, which is just a few miles south of where I was staying...so that made it extra special.
Also - Chris designed something called a "Launch Monitor" for Nike and Tiger uses it. It's a golf analyzer - it analyzes your swing and speed of the ball, etc. Chris actually met Tiger and showed him how to use it! Tiger said to him, "I ALWAYS know where I'm going to hit the ball." Ok, Tiger, we believe you!
Chris has satellite tv so during commercials he made me watch porn. KIDDING! We watched maybe 2 minutes total. It's so boring anyway. (Oh I hope my grandmother isn't reading this. Sorry Nana. But it WAS boring- honest!).
Chris and I hung out in Coronado for a bit - had a yummy salad after walking around the bay. On Sunday we walked along Pacific Beach and watched the coolest thing - it's called "kite surfing" (I think that's what it's called). Oh to be young again - I would LOVE to learn how to do it, but it's too scary to even think about trying! Afterwards he took me to a really cool bar that has AWESOME food.
I had the best salad ever there.
I ate lots of salads on my trip so I could drink beer without the guilt!
Chris and Sokoun have a never ending keg of Karl Strauss Amber beer on their porch with a tap like you see in a bar...so every night before bed I had one in a chilled glass. Yum. Oh how I love beer.
It helped me sleep. (Even though I was jet lagged, I was over tired).
I think Chris was happy to see Sokoun come home since I wasn't very much fun in my comatose state! Sorry Chris.
-End of Part One-
Ok that's all I remember from that song (from Funny GIrl)! LOL.
Growing up, I was um...subjected to WAY TOO MUCH Barbara Streisand. I'm sure it has had serious long term effects!
(Could be why I love gay men so much, I dunno).
Well I cannot believe I haven't blogged for a month. VERY BAD BLOGGER SUE!!
I had a FAB time in San Diego and LA!!!
Anjoli and I spent the first few days with my dear friend Chelice. She has a really cute house in Bonita with a beautiful view.
Here it is!
Her dog Leo LOVES me. I really think we were lovers in a past life. I am SERIOUS! :) He has a thing for me, and oddly enough, I have one for him. He licks my ears and I find myself in the throes of ecstasy! Yup.
I was on Taiwan time, so the second night there, I took Leo for a "moonlight stroll" at 3 am! Chelice gave me this goofy spelunker's light to wear. It IS convenient, so I wore it knowing not too many people would see me.
We walked for an hour and a half...and got caught up.
::sigh::
OK I'LL STOP!
I was lonely, ya know? ;)
OMG it is AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL to walk in Bonita in the middle of the night though. Oh, it's such a pretty area. I do miss it.
Chelice was so kind and lent me her Miata (which she bought from Sujoy before we moved to Taipei) and her truck for when I had Anju and Kristin.
She's doing really well and dating up a storm! Weeeee! You GO girl!
Anjoli went to her old school for a few days and gave a PowerPoint presentation on Taiwan for 3 classes (including her teacher from last year). The teachers all raved about it. Anju forgot her index cards though so she had to wing it. She wouldn't let me watch her though - she said it would have made her too nervous. So I have yet to see it.
It was fun visiting Anju's school and seeing old friends. Only problem was I was SO out of it due to jet lag! Just a total zombie for the first week actually! oi.
I went to TWO "graduations" - one for Anju's best friend, Kristen who will enter middle school next year and the other was for our friend Sokoun's niece - who will enter high school next year. They both made me cry. It makes me kind of melancholy to see kids with hope and promise...maybe it made me realize how I was feeling the same way at their age...but then took a few wrong turns and got sort of lost for awhile. But I am happy now so it's all GOOD!
The first weekend I spent with Chris (he's married to our friend Sokoun). Sokoun had to go up north for the weekend for a family celebration/memorial. Oh don't worry we behaved.
:)
Got to cruise around San Diego in Chris' new Porsche Carrera. OMG. I've never gone so fast in a car before. It's BEAUTIFUL. (Never been in a "real" Porsche before either - only a 914- my mom had one).
We had a nice weekend, even though I was quite boring and in bed by 9!
I watched GOLF for the first time in my life and I was shocked that I actually enjoyed it.
But Tiger - well, what's not to enjoy about him? And the other guy was cool - Median(?) with his peace belt buckle. Awright!
It was really exciting - it was the US Open, live from Torrey Pines, which is just a few miles south of where I was staying...so that made it extra special.
Also - Chris designed something called a "Launch Monitor" for Nike and Tiger uses it. It's a golf analyzer - it analyzes your swing and speed of the ball, etc. Chris actually met Tiger and showed him how to use it! Tiger said to him, "I ALWAYS know where I'm going to hit the ball." Ok, Tiger, we believe you!
Chris has satellite tv so during commercials he made me watch porn. KIDDING! We watched maybe 2 minutes total. It's so boring anyway. (Oh I hope my grandmother isn't reading this. Sorry Nana. But it WAS boring- honest!).
Chris and I hung out in Coronado for a bit - had a yummy salad after walking around the bay. On Sunday we walked along Pacific Beach and watched the coolest thing - it's called "kite surfing" (I think that's what it's called). Oh to be young again - I would LOVE to learn how to do it, but it's too scary to even think about trying! Afterwards he took me to a really cool bar that has AWESOME food.
I had the best salad ever there.
I ate lots of salads on my trip so I could drink beer without the guilt!
Chris and Sokoun have a never ending keg of Karl Strauss Amber beer on their porch with a tap like you see in a bar...so every night before bed I had one in a chilled glass. Yum. Oh how I love beer.
It helped me sleep. (Even though I was jet lagged, I was over tired).
I think Chris was happy to see Sokoun come home since I wasn't very much fun in my comatose state! Sorry Chris.
-End of Part One-
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Working Stiff
C'est moi!
I am officially now the assistant director of a preschool here in Taiwan. (I better not say anymore than that!).
I love my job, but my body has been protesting. Yesterday I had a total physical breakdown.
My neck REALLY hurts at times due to the surgery...still! I had my brain surgery nearly one year ago and I am STILL recovering! It's very annoying, but I really can't complain since the operation was SUCH a success.
Anyway, I have been waking up every night around 3 or 4 a.m. writhing in pain. I take this wonderful over-the-counter Japanese painkiller called EVE-A. My friend Alice supplies me with it...and ANOTHER Japanese friend that I met through The Who's website just sent me 4 boxes. It's the best thing since sliced bread! I don't like taking too many pills though, I worry about that. The bottles always say they can cause liver damage if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day (which I usually don't!). So with that kind of warning...well, I worry.
Work is going SO well, I really truly am blessed. The real challenge is managing the staff - we are QUITE the motley crew! Again, I can't say much...I don't want to incriminate myself or cause an uproar. Let's just say I am happy to be a peacekeeper sort. I can't believe how centered I am lately. I guess having been there and back set me up well for this job. Most people (including my husband) think I'm insane to work at this school. I am so up for the challenge and the kids give bring me so much happiness (which makes up for the bickering amongst the staff!).
I am supposed to plan an Open House to attract more students (we need them badly) but I am going to plan a FAIR so we can raise money AND attract students. I am hoping to get my hubby's company to help sponsor it (as well as local businesses). I will get restaurants and stores to donate prizes for a raffle, get a henna artist (the ladies dig Indian tatoos!), have my daughter and her friends run the games and do face painting, etc. It sounds like FUN, yeah???? I mentioned it to one of the teachers and she said, "ah, good luck!"
Not very supportive. Ah well. I told you I have my work cut out for me!!
Heading to San Diego next week! I will be staying for only 2 weeks, but Anjoli will stay with her best friend for about 6 weeks and fly back by herself! It's a non-stop flight from LA to Taipei, and she'll be taken care of by the airline staff. I had to BUY her an adult ticket - we weren't allowed to use frequent flier miles for an unaccompanied minor ticket.
Can't wait to see everyone!!! My "tenants" are planning a welcome home bbq for us! How WONDERFUL is that? I think the silliest/ strangest thing will be having to ring the doorbell to MY house! hee hee. My brain works in odd ways, I know I know.
I'm going to LA for a few days to hang with my dear Ru buddy Laura. We're going to see MARTHA WAINWRIGHT at the Troubadour!!! WOO HOO!!! I can't WAIT to see her. It's been about oh, 3 years nearly since I've seen her. And yes, everyone is tired of my story, but I will finally get to tell her that I am the fairy godmother who introduced her to Pete Townshend and Rachel Fuller. THAT will be a doozy to drop on her.
I will be sure to take tons of pics of my trip home!
Hope all is well.
I promise to visit everyone's blogs soon!!!
Lots of love,
Suexxxx
I am officially now the assistant director of a preschool here in Taiwan. (I better not say anymore than that!).
I love my job, but my body has been protesting. Yesterday I had a total physical breakdown.
My neck REALLY hurts at times due to the surgery...still! I had my brain surgery nearly one year ago and I am STILL recovering! It's very annoying, but I really can't complain since the operation was SUCH a success.
Anyway, I have been waking up every night around 3 or 4 a.m. writhing in pain. I take this wonderful over-the-counter Japanese painkiller called EVE-A. My friend Alice supplies me with it...and ANOTHER Japanese friend that I met through The Who's website just sent me 4 boxes. It's the best thing since sliced bread! I don't like taking too many pills though, I worry about that. The bottles always say they can cause liver damage if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day (which I usually don't!). So with that kind of warning...well, I worry.
Work is going SO well, I really truly am blessed. The real challenge is managing the staff - we are QUITE the motley crew! Again, I can't say much...I don't want to incriminate myself or cause an uproar. Let's just say I am happy to be a peacekeeper sort. I can't believe how centered I am lately. I guess having been there and back set me up well for this job. Most people (including my husband) think I'm insane to work at this school. I am so up for the challenge and the kids give bring me so much happiness (which makes up for the bickering amongst the staff!).
I am supposed to plan an Open House to attract more students (we need them badly) but I am going to plan a FAIR so we can raise money AND attract students. I am hoping to get my hubby's company to help sponsor it (as well as local businesses). I will get restaurants and stores to donate prizes for a raffle, get a henna artist (the ladies dig Indian tatoos!), have my daughter and her friends run the games and do face painting, etc. It sounds like FUN, yeah???? I mentioned it to one of the teachers and she said, "ah, good luck!"
Not very supportive. Ah well. I told you I have my work cut out for me!!
Heading to San Diego next week! I will be staying for only 2 weeks, but Anjoli will stay with her best friend for about 6 weeks and fly back by herself! It's a non-stop flight from LA to Taipei, and she'll be taken care of by the airline staff. I had to BUY her an adult ticket - we weren't allowed to use frequent flier miles for an unaccompanied minor ticket.
Can't wait to see everyone!!! My "tenants" are planning a welcome home bbq for us! How WONDERFUL is that? I think the silliest/ strangest thing will be having to ring the doorbell to MY house! hee hee. My brain works in odd ways, I know I know.
I'm going to LA for a few days to hang with my dear Ru buddy Laura. We're going to see MARTHA WAINWRIGHT at the Troubadour!!! WOO HOO!!! I can't WAIT to see her. It's been about oh, 3 years nearly since I've seen her. And yes, everyone is tired of my story, but I will finally get to tell her that I am the fairy godmother who introduced her to Pete Townshend and Rachel Fuller. THAT will be a doozy to drop on her.
I will be sure to take tons of pics of my trip home!
Hope all is well.
I promise to visit everyone's blogs soon!!!
Lots of love,
Suexxxx
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Anjoli's Piano Recital
Anju performed last Saturday at the Taipei American School Spring Music Recital. She played "The Dance of the Irish." I thought she sounded great! She didn't look too happy though...hmm.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wonderful Wu Lai
Last weekend we traveled about 30 miles south to a town in the mountains called Wulai.
Many years ago it was inhabited by an aboriginal tribe (the Tai Ya), but now it's a hot springs resort area. It's also famous for a beautiful waterfall:
It looks a bit thin - it hadn't rained (much) prior to our visit- but TODAY and yesterday too it poured - so it would be nice to go back SOON and see if it's a bit more full...
I spent a HEAVENLY three hours total in the ladies section of the hot spring baths at the hotel. There was a very large hot spring bath and other smaller tubs - one tub was filled with cold lemon scented water (there were actual lemons in a muslin bag) so the idea is to go back and forth between the hot and cold springs. I also hung out in the steam room (where I was told to rub my skin with salt - which is a great exfoliater!) and I also experienced for the first time this incredibly intense power jet shower - the woman who worked there encouraged me to do all sorts of stretching. Everything is all open - you walk around naked! woo hoo! I brought a bathing suit and the attendant LAUGHED! No no no.
No bathing suits required. Alright! I assumed (incorrectly) that things would be more modest here - but...no! Fine with me!
(I didn't take any pictures of the baths though, sorry guys!) ;)
On Sunday we took a cable car up to the top of a mountain to Nei-Dong Forest. It's a bit touristy -it's a "Theme Park" actually. We avoided the amusement park - but had a blast doing an obstacle course that included walking across small suspension bridges and swinging across the creek like a (whimpy) Tarzan - you'll see the very safe swing.
Here are pictures of how we spent our Sunday. (Sorry for the overexposures - it is usually always overcast...I need to learn how to shoot it correctly - maybe change the film speed? Anyone have any ideas about how to compensate for the bright light?).
Many years ago it was inhabited by an aboriginal tribe (the Tai Ya), but now it's a hot springs resort area. It's also famous for a beautiful waterfall:
It looks a bit thin - it hadn't rained (much) prior to our visit- but TODAY and yesterday too it poured - so it would be nice to go back SOON and see if it's a bit more full...
I spent a HEAVENLY three hours total in the ladies section of the hot spring baths at the hotel. There was a very large hot spring bath and other smaller tubs - one tub was filled with cold lemon scented water (there were actual lemons in a muslin bag) so the idea is to go back and forth between the hot and cold springs. I also hung out in the steam room (where I was told to rub my skin with salt - which is a great exfoliater!) and I also experienced for the first time this incredibly intense power jet shower - the woman who worked there encouraged me to do all sorts of stretching. Everything is all open - you walk around naked! woo hoo! I brought a bathing suit and the attendant LAUGHED! No no no.
No bathing suits required. Alright! I assumed (incorrectly) that things would be more modest here - but...no! Fine with me!
(I didn't take any pictures of the baths though, sorry guys!) ;)
On Sunday we took a cable car up to the top of a mountain to Nei-Dong Forest. It's a bit touristy -it's a "Theme Park" actually. We avoided the amusement park - but had a blast doing an obstacle course that included walking across small suspension bridges and swinging across the creek like a (whimpy) Tarzan - you'll see the very safe swing.
Here are pictures of how we spent our Sunday. (Sorry for the overexposures - it is usually always overcast...I need to learn how to shoot it correctly - maybe change the film speed? Anyone have any ideas about how to compensate for the bright light?).
Monday, April 14, 2008
I Love you! (I know) I LOVE YOU!!! ( I KNOW!!!!)
Those are actual lyrics by some CRAZY new wave 80s band - the name of the band escapes me though. Maybe Paul remembers!
My student Samuel now has his own before class ritual. Yup, as soon as he sees me, he runs to get a piece of construction paper and makes me an "I Love You" poster! I included last week's poster in this shot - you couldn't see the star he drew (that I won't go on about) so I shamelessly re-traced it for your viewing pleasure! (Be sure to click on it for the full effect, heh heh).
I want to share more pictures from our second trip to Taichung a few weeks back. We went to a town called Linnei to watch what was "billed"as being a phenomenal butterfly migration. Supposedly you can see 12,000 butterflies per MINUTE! Last year the government shut down a major highway during the migration period to save the butterflies! Aw...
Well, we only saw 500 butterflies per minute.It was a bit of a letdown but, still kinda cool nevertheless. There were volunteers catching and numbering them to track their voyage from southern to northern Taiwan.
The lifespan of a butterfly is only one month, so there are actually three generations of butterflies who migrate at this time every year. After they mark them they let the kids set them free, as you can see!
After we went to see the flutterbys, we went to a BEAUTIFUL (subtropical I guess you could say) forest called Chi-Tou Forest which is located in central Taiwan. Pictures (especially mine!) just can't do justice but here is a glimpse of this very special place.
Our friends Thomas and Alice and their daughter Joanne.
I look kinda like a Dr. Seuss character here! ( with a fern tree growing out of my head!)
My student Samuel now has his own before class ritual. Yup, as soon as he sees me, he runs to get a piece of construction paper and makes me an "I Love You" poster! I included last week's poster in this shot - you couldn't see the star he drew (that I won't go on about) so I shamelessly re-traced it for your viewing pleasure! (Be sure to click on it for the full effect, heh heh).
I want to share more pictures from our second trip to Taichung a few weeks back. We went to a town called Linnei to watch what was "billed"as being a phenomenal butterfly migration. Supposedly you can see 12,000 butterflies per MINUTE! Last year the government shut down a major highway during the migration period to save the butterflies! Aw...
Well, we only saw 500 butterflies per minute.It was a bit of a letdown but, still kinda cool nevertheless. There were volunteers catching and numbering them to track their voyage from southern to northern Taiwan.
The lifespan of a butterfly is only one month, so there are actually three generations of butterflies who migrate at this time every year. After they mark them they let the kids set them free, as you can see!
After we went to see the flutterbys, we went to a BEAUTIFUL (subtropical I guess you could say) forest called Chi-Tou Forest which is located in central Taiwan. Pictures (especially mine!) just can't do justice but here is a glimpse of this very special place.
Our friends Thomas and Alice and their daughter Joanne.
I look kinda like a Dr. Seuss character here! ( with a fern tree growing out of my head!)
Monday, April 07, 2008
"Finish yer lotus juice!"
Now THAT'S not something you hear everyday!
We went to central Taiwan over the weekend and visited this AMAZING forest (I promise to post pics soon...my battery died so I had to use our friends' camera and Sujoy forgot to bring home the pics today). Anyway, while exiting the forest we picked up some honey sweetened lotus juice extract (you just mix it with water). It's GOOOOOD! I am sure it's good for you too! Well, I hope it is.
So sorry to have let my blog go but....I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!!!!
Seriously, I have been feeling SO blue/blah/blech for awhile now. Not sure why - it's a combination of many things. My face is healing, but it's not where I thought it would be.
I know it sounds shallow, but I miss my old face! Will she ever return? I dunno. I just want a normal smile and a non-droopy eye.
I don't know where Grateful Sue has gone. I hope she comes back soon. Whiny Sue who revels in pity parties IS NO FUN!
Other bummer inducing news is that Anjoli missed a TON of school due to TWO bad injuries, and now she keeps getting headaches due to allergies...so she missed school AGAIN today. We took her to an excellent doctor far from us and he told us about a clinic he has at National Taiwan University Hospital. She will get a blood test this Saturday there and they will be able to determine just what she is allergic to. We have to wait a month for the results though. We have Taiwanese NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE now though - so the FANTASTIC thing about that is that the test is FREE! Yipee! Oh but the treatment will suck though - she will probably have to get all kinds of allergy shots. Not fun, but it will be better than having massive headaches.
On a positive note, teaching is going really well. Only problem is we are down to only one "paying" student (I borrow kids from the day classes when I can!). One student had to drop out because he lives too far away. It's a long boring story.
Anyway, my one and ONLY REAL student is doing really well. He is one handful though, I gotta say. EXTREMELY HYPER. It's not his fault though - you see the Taiwanese don't really believe in very much free/recess time...so by the time he reaches MY class (one of three schools he attends on days when I teach him) he is just one mighty live wire. So, to channel his energy, I bought jump ropes and we take a break half way through and he jumps to jump rope rhymes and chants.
I found an excellent e book on-line - written by a British woman who teaches English in France. It's filled with hundreds of GAMES used to teach English. So I incorporate fun games into the class and he really enjoys them! He thinks we're PLAYING - and we are - but he is also learning English as well.
A few weeks back he drew this poster for me! (I bought him a funny book about dinosaurs and he was THRILLED - hence the poster). I sing a song every class about "getting to know someone" - it teaches kids how to start conversations. He knows I enjoy music so that's why he drew the musical notes.
Unfortunately, I had to correct his English though! (well I HAD to!). Then the following week he made me yet another poster but that time he wrote " I LOVE YOU!" with smiley stars that he said were pictures of me. Sujoy thought they were naked pictures of me and I had to point out that NO those aren't my boobs on the stars they're EYES! jeesh. Men.
One more CUTE thing - I am trying to teach him adjectives using flash cards - so I held up a picture of a mouse with glasses reading a book. I asked him to describe the mouse (maybe she's a teacher?) and he said: "Important!" then came up with this brilliant sentence:
"Miss Sue is IMPORTANT!"
Ah...from the mouths of babes...
We went to see the VERY FIRST CONCERT EVER in Taiwan by the fantastic London Symphony Orchestra a few weeks ago. Honestly, it was a bit LONG, but we really did enjoy it. The conductor was a young incredibly handsome Russian man...and the solo violinist was also Russian.
This was the program: Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77/Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, "Pathetique"/Turnage: Lullaby for Hans/Henze: Seconda Sonata per achi (1995).
Turnage and Henze are both modern composers. I enjoyed the modern selections very much.
Here are a few pics of us at the National Concert Hall in Taipei.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Lots of love and a big hug,
Suexoxoxoxo
P.S. I seriously was thinking of pulling the plug on my blog-o but...NAH!
We went to central Taiwan over the weekend and visited this AMAZING forest (I promise to post pics soon...my battery died so I had to use our friends' camera and Sujoy forgot to bring home the pics today). Anyway, while exiting the forest we picked up some honey sweetened lotus juice extract (you just mix it with water). It's GOOOOOD! I am sure it's good for you too! Well, I hope it is.
So sorry to have let my blog go but....I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!!!!
Seriously, I have been feeling SO blue/blah/blech for awhile now. Not sure why - it's a combination of many things. My face is healing, but it's not where I thought it would be.
I know it sounds shallow, but I miss my old face! Will she ever return? I dunno. I just want a normal smile and a non-droopy eye.
I don't know where Grateful Sue has gone. I hope she comes back soon. Whiny Sue who revels in pity parties IS NO FUN!
Other bummer inducing news is that Anjoli missed a TON of school due to TWO bad injuries, and now she keeps getting headaches due to allergies...so she missed school AGAIN today. We took her to an excellent doctor far from us and he told us about a clinic he has at National Taiwan University Hospital. She will get a blood test this Saturday there and they will be able to determine just what she is allergic to. We have to wait a month for the results though. We have Taiwanese NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE now though - so the FANTASTIC thing about that is that the test is FREE! Yipee! Oh but the treatment will suck though - she will probably have to get all kinds of allergy shots. Not fun, but it will be better than having massive headaches.
On a positive note, teaching is going really well. Only problem is we are down to only one "paying" student (I borrow kids from the day classes when I can!). One student had to drop out because he lives too far away. It's a long boring story.
Anyway, my one and ONLY REAL student is doing really well. He is one handful though, I gotta say. EXTREMELY HYPER. It's not his fault though - you see the Taiwanese don't really believe in very much free/recess time...so by the time he reaches MY class (one of three schools he attends on days when I teach him) he is just one mighty live wire. So, to channel his energy, I bought jump ropes and we take a break half way through and he jumps to jump rope rhymes and chants.
I found an excellent e book on-line - written by a British woman who teaches English in France. It's filled with hundreds of GAMES used to teach English. So I incorporate fun games into the class and he really enjoys them! He thinks we're PLAYING - and we are - but he is also learning English as well.
A few weeks back he drew this poster for me! (I bought him a funny book about dinosaurs and he was THRILLED - hence the poster). I sing a song every class about "getting to know someone" - it teaches kids how to start conversations. He knows I enjoy music so that's why he drew the musical notes.
Unfortunately, I had to correct his English though! (well I HAD to!). Then the following week he made me yet another poster but that time he wrote " I LOVE YOU!" with smiley stars that he said were pictures of me. Sujoy thought they were naked pictures of me and I had to point out that NO those aren't my boobs on the stars they're EYES! jeesh. Men.
One more CUTE thing - I am trying to teach him adjectives using flash cards - so I held up a picture of a mouse with glasses reading a book. I asked him to describe the mouse (maybe she's a teacher?) and he said: "Important!" then came up with this brilliant sentence:
"Miss Sue is IMPORTANT!"
Ah...from the mouths of babes...
We went to see the VERY FIRST CONCERT EVER in Taiwan by the fantastic London Symphony Orchestra a few weeks ago. Honestly, it was a bit LONG, but we really did enjoy it. The conductor was a young incredibly handsome Russian man...and the solo violinist was also Russian.
This was the program: Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77/Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, "Pathetique"/Turnage: Lullaby for Hans/Henze: Seconda Sonata per achi (1995).
Turnage and Henze are both modern composers. I enjoyed the modern selections very much.
Here are a few pics of us at the National Concert Hall in Taipei.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Lots of love and a big hug,
Suexoxoxoxo
P.S. I seriously was thinking of pulling the plug on my blog-o but...NAH!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Raising Sand
Do yourself a favor.
Run, don't walk to um...your computer and buy the cd Raising Sand by Allison Krauss and Robert Plant.
Since I suck at reviewing cds, let me quote the review on Real One's Rhapsody:
"The unexpected and unpredictable collaboration between this Led Zeppelin frontman and a modern bluegrass diva may raise a few eyebrows. But once you put aside your reservations and listen to this truly amazing album, the marriage of Plant and Krauss' voices make more sense than chocolate and peanut butter. As they cover songs by Gene Clark, Sam Phillips, Townes Van Zandt, Mel Tillis, Tom Waits and the Everly Brothers, don't be surprised to find yourself moved or your breath taken away. If Raising Sand doesn't sweep the Grammys, let there be riots in Hollywood."
Unfortunately, the album wasn't released in time to be eligible for this year's Grammys, however a single was released in time and it actually DID win a Grammy. ("Gone, Gone, Gone for best Bluegrass performance). I don't put much stock in the Grammys, but I'm not surprised that it won. It will be interesting to see whether it DOES sweep the Grammys in 2009. I hope it does.
I CANNOT stop listening to a Plant/Page tune called "Please Read the Letter." (Mary! :) I know you love that one too). I love singing along with them.
I haven't been this excited about a cd in a long time.
Check it out!!!
xxxxxxxx
Sunday, February 17, 2008
More pics from Taichung
When we got to the Aboriginal theme park, we had to wait a bit while Joanne's aunt (Joanne is our friend Thomas and Alice's 17 month old daughter) rented a stroller for her.
While we were waiting, this adorable little boy in festive dress came right over to Joanne and wanted to hug her! I was not surprised at all - kids are so perceptive and she is TRULY one of the coolest, most loving kids I've ever met. Honestly, she was a little taken aback by the sudden outpouring of affection from little lover boy, and was looking to us for reassurance, as you can see.
(Please click on them!)
Gimme some sugar baby!
Oh c'mon...please?
Help me Sue! Tell her how cute I am!
Ooh pink fur...I LIKE it. So soft..
AHA! THAT worked. Now she can't take her eyes off me...
Ooh you are so SQUEEZABLE!
MUAH!!! Sucess!!!!!!! :)
A pretty little hut
Cold Men Without Shirts!
Bunnies Abound!
Anjoli with the scary hair
While we were waiting, this adorable little boy in festive dress came right over to Joanne and wanted to hug her! I was not surprised at all - kids are so perceptive and she is TRULY one of the coolest, most loving kids I've ever met. Honestly, she was a little taken aback by the sudden outpouring of affection from little lover boy, and was looking to us for reassurance, as you can see.
(Please click on them!)
Gimme some sugar baby!
Oh c'mon...please?
Help me Sue! Tell her how cute I am!
Ooh pink fur...I LIKE it. So soft..
AHA! THAT worked. Now she can't take her eyes off me...
Ooh you are so SQUEEZABLE!
MUAH!!! Sucess!!!!!!! :)
A pretty little hut
Cold Men Without Shirts!
Bunnies Abound!
Anjoli with the scary hair
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