March 2016

We bumped into my college schoolmate at Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station on the way home after visiting the lantern festival. The last time I saw her was at her wedding in Dec. 2005.

The school holds performances for Children's Day. One week before the audition, Felix's homeroom teacher asked me to see if I can arrange an easy piece for 4 of her students and teach. After 5 day practice (30 min every morning), they participated in audition on the 15th. I was one of the judges.

Ein Männlein steht im Walde

Well, 2 weeks left before they performed at the end of this month. They needed to improve rhythm and listening to move forward in time with the beat, in perfect unison as a group, so that all the different players start and stop playing at the right times. I hope they can then play precisely on the beat and count the number of beats when they're silent, and begin playing at the right time.
After late lunch at 金包里 Duck, we visited 八煙 Village and enjoyed hot springs in the stream with my husband's colleague's family last Sat. evening.  So comfortable soaking in the natural hot springs under the clear mountain skies after a 30 minute hike from 八煙 Village.

Ein Männlein steht im Walde March 29

Ein Männlein steht im Walde March 31

happy 228 holiday weekend 2016

It's a great long weekend! I spent this weekend with my parents, sis and her family in the sunny hometown. My husband's ill so he stayed at home. I went down with my sons by train and bus on Saturday. When we got off the bus, my dad's already at the bus stop waiting for us and then we had dinner at 石二鍋 and Sushi Express together. My mom, sis and her family arrived the next day. So nice to see them again.

Before coming back home, my mom, kids and I enjoyed lunch and foot spa for a fair and reasonable price at Zen Beauty opposite Taichung Park. I was completed refreshed.

winter break 2016

Students are on break Jan. 21 through Feb. 14. School starts on Monday, Feb. 15.
We bought a Maple Leaf 106, 1/2 size cello for $14500. Felix started cello lessons last month and took 5 day diabolo class at the beginning of Feb.

We spent 4 days with my parents, sister and her children in the south before the lunar New Year holiday. My sons and I had a slight fever and cough on the trip. We visited Liudui Hakka Cultural Park, Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, 政益 Factory and Golden Pineapple Castle.

My sis gave me lavender and tea tree essential oils last year. After coming back from the trip, we enjoyed essential oils when bathing every night for a week. So comfortable and relaxing!
We spent this lunar New Year holiday with both of our families and my college classmates in the middle of Taiwan.

Christmas month 2015

Happy December! I hope you're as excited as my sons were. They expected gifts from Santa. 4 year old Regis wanted another sketch book. 6 year old Felix got a watercolor set. I got a card, candy and a paper Christmas tree with a lollipop on the top from my students. Besides, it's my brother and husband's birthday month.
I've been looking for a 1/2 size cello and a teacher for Felix. He'll start learning this new instrument during the coming winter break. Of course I'll learn cello with him together! Why do I like the cello? I love the deep tones and the high tones. It's tactile, because you can just feel the wood vibrate, watch the strings respond. And, it isn't something lots of people play. The world can never have too many cellists.

My sons had a piano performance on the 19^th. Little Regis has played the piano for almost 1 year. It's his first time! He had stage fright at first. He didn't want to go up to the stage. After sitting at the piano, he scratched his upper back. Finally, he overcame fear and did a very good job. We're so proud of him. Really wonderful that their grandparents, uncle from my side and Regis' former babysitter's family went see their performance.

Felix playing Camp of the Gypsies by Franz Behr

Regis playing Tiddledywinks by David Carr Glover

We spent last weekend with my parents in Taichung and enjoyed pulling out white radishes in the field of my dad's former student.