Wasabi Icecream

I’ve had some wonderful birthdays, but Taiwan gives all past birthdays serious competition. To start the day, 15 of the most adorable asians on the planet sang happy birthday, totally impromptu, of their own accord. (They’re all 3, 4, and 5). I almost cried it was so adorable.

I caught my darling little sister between classes on Skype - even though it was finals week.

Mary Ann, you make me proud!!! I love you!

Then, we went to teach a lunch appointment with the missionaries. It was with one of our favorite English speakers – Lesley – one of the happiest Haitians you will ever meet. To top it off, the owners gave me a free lunch!

My boss, Yuling, gave me a whole gallon of ice cream and had the whole school (45 preschoolers) sing happy birthday. It was the most adorable rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ I’ve ever had. The little darlings gave me stickers, a lollipop, and a kid picture. For anyone who knows how rare stickers are for little guys, I felt spoiled and loved.

Then my co-teacher and a few friends surprised me right after tutoring.

Jeff did a haka birthday dance for me (which meant lots of crazy moves and lots of yelling, while rushing into my face – hahaha…not at ALL what I was expecting. I literally jumped when he got to the “It’s your BIRTHDAY!” part).

To top it all off, a friend took us to a hot-spring resort the next day. Check out the view!

And we grabbed wasabi ice cream on the way home.

Wasabi, as in the green stuff you put on sushi. The stuff that will turn your mouth inside out if you eat more than 1/8th of a teaspoon.

It was SURPRISINGLY really good. After one bowl though, my tastebuds felt slightly singed.

Review - I would definitely eat that again!

Feeling loved. Feeling loved. Taiwan - XOXOXOXOXOXXOX 

Mother's Day

Guys. I wrote mom a poem (only slightly cheesy;) and wanted to send it along to my amazing sisterly mothers (Renee, Becky, Heidi, Katie). You guys are making the world a better place everytime you shape your little ones. THANK YOU FOR BEING AMAZING and teaching your kiddos! I love you all (and your kiddos) so MUCH!

I can't imagine life without you, and the world will bask in your goodness for generations to come.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy mothers day, my dears X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0

Did I mention I love you?

Dear Mom,

Thanks for sacrificing your comfort for 9 months, your sleep for 18 years, and for teaching me to be a hardworking, honest, God fearing person. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I LOVE YOU MOM!!

Mirrors for Mom

Mirrors hang on walls and hearts

Catching smiles and memories.

Happy mirrors of memories hang like lights from a tree.

Memories of you making the world grow - 

Carving grins onto pumpkins, fetching eggs from trees,

Little mouths bulging with pie, thawing fingers on hot chocolate mugs.

Brown eyes – just like yours – watch a lifetime’s work staring back from the glass.

From the small and simple - early mornings, late nights, standing alone, family dances, 
Brown eyes – just like yours – watch a lifetime’s work staring back from the glass.

Degrees sitting on a mantle – prizes for snowy walks, midnight papers, long shifts at work, and trudging up hills. Almost dead but never giving up.

Brown eyes – just like yours – watch a lifetime’s work staring back from the glass.

Little giggles, crazy faces, Funny glasses, kissing mirrors, Carolina pride, G.R.I.T.S. silly dance moves, “and it came to pass” from little lips.

Brown eyes – just like yours – watch a lifetime’s work staring back from the glass. 

Thank you for shaping hearts and wills and grit and spunk. Thank you for blessing generations. Thank you for your example. Thank you for your love.

Grateful Brown eyes – just like yours – watch your work in the glass.

Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!

I LOVE YOU!

Happy Mother’s Day.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

SURFING!!! (in Hualien, people!)

Before I even knew what a bucket list was, I have wanted to surf. Well, dreams really do come true, and I wrote this post all about it :) There's a surf shop here in Hualien (http://tidal.com.tw), with a beach 40 minutes away!

We met a New Zealander, a guy from Taipei, and our native instructor (who was awesome, by the way). 

Side note - Guys from NZ are just adventurous and fun - he saved up, quit his job, and traveled Asia for the last 5 months. (Aaron, you are one cool dude). Everything sounds cooler with an accent, and it was great to hear him talk. He's seen "Heaps of temples" and lent me his surf board while the instructors were "Hawking the boards".

We took a few photos on the way. Check out this breath-taking roadside view!

When we got there, we had sunny weather (miracle, people! It's rainy season). 

The waves were small and cute, which was perfect for beginners.

Unbeknownst to us, the instructor's side kick brought a camera, and he got lots of footage of us!

He took tons of photos, capturing almost every wipe out, play by play.

When we got back to the surf shop, he put the photos on a loop, and his wipe out shots caught us play by play. You should see the faces you make when you know you're falling off a board! We were DYING LAUGHING.

To top it off, we found Mango Ice, right here in Hualien!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

OK. That's the end of my post. In case you ever want to go surfing, here's the DL of what we learned in our surf lesson - 

1) Lie on your board - 

Lie in the middle with your feet together. Your toes should touch the back of the board. Scoot close to the nose for small waves, scoot away from the nose (closer to the end) for big waves.

2) Paddle - 

Paddle with your chest up, with 50% power on each side. You'll get more power if you dip in slow and pull back strong. Paddle before the wave starts to crest. 

3) Stand up - 

As the wave starts pushing you, push up into a kneel. Then stand in the middle line of the board, with your feet firmly planted. Your left foot is in front, pointing straight, and in the middle line of the board. Your right foot is in the back, behind your right foot, and planted at a 45 degree angle. Bend your knees WAY down. If you start to fall, bend your knees.  (Have someone push you to make sure your balance is right).

I almost stood up twice! (Thrill and a miracle).

Hualien. I love this place.