The Kim Family in Taipei

Emma turned 11.......wow, truly a pre-teen. We had a party at the house. Emma invited 5 friends to come over and we painted nails and canvases, watched movies, ate pizza and cake. I think she had fun. Emma has a real nice bunch of friends!

In October, Paul and I, along with the kids (and a friend for Emma), boarded a train and a bus for a town called Wulai close to the east coast of Taiwan. We went with about 15 other families. We were told that once you hike up the side of the mountain, you will find a gondola that will take you to an abandoned amusement park. It was very picturesque town, and very crowded. We happened to go on a national holiday called 10/10 (October 10th, Taiwan's version of Independence Day?), I think everyone else in Taipei thought it would be a good idea to visit too. We walked through the congested town, down "main street", where there are shops and food vendors everywhere. Once we crossed a bridge lined with Taiwan flags we were basically at the start of 45 minute hike up the mountain road (smart people took a taxi). Actually it was a nice hike, quiet and green with mountain views and a bonus waterfall near the end. The gondola ride was nice...a bit short and hot, but some neat views, the kids got a kick out of it. Once off the gondola, the hike up the mountain wasn't finished. Now we had to climb stairs, stairs, and more stairs. The words hike and stairs go hand in hand in Taiwan, you hardly have one without the other. And could you believe, there were women doing the entire walk in their high heels!! We just kept on blindly walking along until eventually we came to an area of ropes courses. No, we didn't have to sign a waiver or say we would accompany the children. And yes, you could fall and break your leg or neck, no safety nets....so we went anyway. The kids all had a blast! There were zip lines, tight rope walking, wavy, wobbly bridges, slippery rock paths......literally all in the middle of an overgrown jungle, very surreal. On the way back through the town, we ate an Indian wrap from a street vendor. It was the yummiest thing I have eaten in Taiwan, and everyone else thought so too!! Now the trick will be to try to make them at home.

Also in October, Paul was in the US for work. With a month advance notice, the girls and I shopped our favorite websites and sent a bunch of stuff to my mom's house for Paul to pick up.....mostly clothes.
It was like Christmas when Paul came home. I also had my mom send me her old magazines that she had read, magazines cost $10.00 here, and there is little variety in English.

Halloween was the first big holiday we celebrated in Taiwan (I guess we were here for Easter last spring.....but we just had moved, I was still in "the fog"). Halloween is such an American holiday, you can't really replicate it here. We did go costume shopping. Mostly at this local store called Best Buy (no, not the electronics shop). Best Buy is kind of like Rag Stock, most of the items are overstock, some from the US, but definitely years old. They did have a decent Halloween costume section....I would have to say Minnie Mouse was probably the most numerous....my kids weren't buying that. We went trick or treating at an apartment complex the Saturday before, but I think it just made us miss American Halloween all the more. On Halloween, we drove up the mountain to a small ex-pat neighborhood where "real" trick or treating occurs. It was cold, windy and rainy. 19 houses.... Emma complained that she didn't get US candy....too much Taiwan candy. In fact, I tasted some of her Chinese candy, and I have to say........what were they thinking! I have had cough drops better tasting than some of her treats. I could tell, Emma and Lily really missed their friends and their old neighborhood. I would cry just thinking about it for a week or two after. I think the next couple of months might be hard. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.....they are so ingrained in the American culture. Holidays are always about being with family, and I won't be. Also, these holidays are usually in the forefront of your brain from October on. Either the radio is playing holiday music, or the TV is advertising the newest toy, the newspaper has ads for great shopping deals, friends are constantly asking..."have you finished your shopping yet?" I would be looking up recipes for the perfect side dish to bring to my mom's for Thanksgiving, spending my days at Target and the mall, there is no "black Friday" here. None of that will be happening....it is strange. Instead, we will be having Thanksgiving dinner at the American Club (please don't be a Chinese version of dinner), and I am challenging myself on where to buy xmas gifts for the girls. I highly doubt I will be sending out xmas cards....perhaps an E card? We are spending Christmas week in Boracay, an island in the Philipines.....that, I am looking forward to!

I went to a charity function, the Melbourne Cup (Australian version of the Kentucky Derby), at the American Club recently. All the ladies are encouraged to dress up and wear your fanciest hat! There was a prize for best hat. Well, we had a hat making party and I came up with this idea of putting a garden on my head. I was told, "the bigger and crazier, the better!" I had huge pink flowers, moss, a topiary, a bird cage and of course, the requisite bird and flying butterfly. All topped off with a big white bow. The worst part was, I had to wear it. The best part was, I won! I had to parade up on stage (yes, I did have to chug down many glasses of wine) to accept.

Movies. I just saw Breaking Dawn part 2, actually before those in the US! But, unfortunately, many movies do not make it over here. It is frustrating to catch the advertising on TV (sling box from the US) but not be able to watch them. There is assigned seating in the theaters here. You can buy tickets in advance and pick out your seats! The theaters are clean and a good selection of snacks.

Radio. There is one radio station in Taipei that is English speaking (although many Chinese language commercials can be heard), so if I don't like what I am listening to, too bad. The only place I listen is in the car. Usually, I am not in the car for very long, so....I rarely hear whats playing. I miss listening to the radio in the morning, it had been my morning ritual. I would hear about what is happening in my local community and usually get a good giggle in too.

Weather. One word....gorgeous! The whole month of October and most of November has been sunny and in the lower 80's, now getting into the mid to lower 70's. The humidity has dropped and it just couldn't be any nicer. I better appreciate it now....rainy season and cooler weather may be here by December.

I frosted the cake, put it in the fridge, and when we pulled it out to sing happy birthday, it looked like this. It collapsed! It tasted awesome!

Emma, on her birthday, having fun with false eyelashes.

Great friends!

A bit of our handiwork. If you cannot tell by their stubbiness, the black nails with the smiley face are mine (Jennifer), Emma has the pink and yellow design.