free~

I'd been busy with the yearly music competitions. At the end of the choir contest this afternoon, I  breathed a sigh of relief.

After months of rehearsals, hard work and determination, there were three 6th grade girls of our school took part in the solo traditional music competitions Nov.3 and the traditional band entered the contest Nov.12. One solo player got a good result, but the other results weren't satisfactory. I put some pressure on myself to be better. The tears welled up in my eyes when I got to know the result of band competition. It's expected, though. The kids were disappointed. However, they did their best. Most of them are the beginners and younger than other schools. I'm happy the kids and I overcame difficulties together these months. I've been in charge of the band for 5 years. These kids are united and the loveliest. I'm so proud of them!

bike riding

My sis-in-law gave us the sliding bike. I sometimes ride to school. Finally, we decided to buy a Merida 21-speed bike a few days ago so we can go bike riding together. It cost $10500. We rode along the Da-Han River to 鶯歌 this afternoon. The round trip was about 20km. We'll try to ride to 淡水 next time.

National Day 2008

Yesterday was the National Day and it's on Fri., so we have a long weekend! I went back to my parents' in Taichung Thu. evening, so did my sis. Both of our husbands didn't go with us, so it's our family time! Our dad drove the Mitsubishi Savrin and took us to 埔里 Winery, Sun Moon Tea Factory, and 草湳 Wetlands. I enjoyed being with my family. It seemed I went back to the old days and was still a kid. We're always my parents' daughters after becoming others' wives!

花岩山林

We wanted to go out for relaxing this afternoon. After we stayed by the stream for a while and drank some honey juice at Bee World in 三峽, my hubby wanted to go home because tomorrow's Monday, a workday! On the way home we saw some flags of 花岩山林 and decided to go check it out. We drove up to the curved path for a few minutes and finally found the nice place, just opened this July. Entrance ticket is $100, available for consumption. It's cool to enjoy afternoon tea outdoors because they use sprinklers everywhere!

Europe trip 2008

I planed the 3 week trip and prepared for graduate entrance exams at the same time. I was lucky to accomplish both!

total expenses $108000 (KLM flight $42710, visa $2857)
France Rail, Switzerland Rail, Italia Rail

Aug.6 Marseille Hotel Hôtel HM
It's midnight when we arrived at the train station from the Marseille airport. The airport bus was €8.5. We asked several strangers the direction to the hotel (10 min walking), but they didn't know the street and one said it's very dangerous to walk there. In the end, we asked a police for help and he took us to the police office in the station. The policemen checked on the map and the net and finally one decided to drive us to the hotel. How nice of him! It's my first time to take a police car. What a great experience!
Aug.7 Aix-en-Provence Hotel Hôtel HM

Aug.8 Marseille HOSTEL MARSEILLE-BONNEVEINE

Aug.9 Avignon→Arles Danieli Hotel Avignon

Aug.10 Apt→Avignon Danieli Hotel Avignon

Aug.11-12 Chamonix MyFrenchChalet

Too bad we couldn't get up to Aiguille du Midi because of bad weather.

Aug.13 Annecy Hotel des Alpes

Aug.14 Geneva City Hostel Geneva

Aug.15 Bern Hostel Bern

Aug.16 Milan Milano-Piero Rotta

We attended the Mass in Milan Cathedral. The sound of organ music and gorgeous cathedral made me peaceful.

Aug.17 Vicenza→Verona Ostello Olimpico di Vicenza

Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheatre, which is famous for the open-air opera performances given there. The operas usually begin at 21:00 and don't end till midnight during the summer, so staying at a hotel in Verona is more convenient. Just remember to reserve a room earlier. Too bad I couldn't get a cheap room there, so I missed going to the opera.

Aug.18-19 Venice Hostel Venice
I loved Venice sooo much! colorful, glittery, ancient, and elegant.

Aug.20 Ferrara Student's Hostel Estense

Aug.21 Pisa Hostel Florence-Villa Camerata

Aug.22 Firenze Naples-Mergellina

Aug.23 Pompei→Capri Naples-Mergellina

I saw a guy eating a bunch of green grapes. They looked so juicy and yum. And, I thought this fruit in Italy must be cheaper than in Taiwan. So we bought some. Oh, I loved these small jade jems!

Aug.24-25 Rome Roma-Foro Italico-AF Pessina YH

Aug.26 depart at Fiumicino Arpt at 10:20

Lilliput

I hadn't been to Lilliput for about 20 years. There are more facilities now, so I wanted to visit again. It's rainy the day before yesterday and today. Luckily, it's sunny yesterday! I finally went back to Lilliput again after 20 years! Entrance fee is $599 for adults. A little bit expensive, but it's worth. We really had a great time.