Okinawa, part II

On the second day of the trip, we woke up at 7am, and ate a delicious breakfast at the hotel. The day before, as we ate fried goya (bittermelon) at lunch, Rika informed us that the hotel had goya juice. So in the morning, Erin and I downed a glass of it. It was very good. And very bitter.
(*Erin and me with our bittermelon juice and breakfast ^_^)Since we woke up so early, we were able to walk around the hotel grounds a bit, admiring the scenery. This is looking down at the pool, and moat(I think it's a moat anyways). Another view of the pool. This is taken from the library. Erin and I were actually able to rent DVDs from the library, and it's set up so if you get a book from the library, you can enjoy it on a sofa poolside.Enjoying the pool. ^_^ Well, enjoying the chair next to the pool.

Unfortunately, Erin had to leave on a early flight, so Laura and Takashi took her to the airport. Then, Rika, Takayuki and I drove to the Churaumi Aquarium and Ocean Expo Park, it was amazing!
Situated right on the edge of the water, there's a public beach where visitors to the aquarium can go and enjoy the ocean.
Inside, there were giant aquariums filled with whale sharks, turtles, manta rays, weird looking fish...dolphins. It was very cool.

Seriously, weird-looking fish. ^_^
After the ocean park, we drove to an island (Le Island?), that was connected to mainland Okinawa by the longest bridge in Okinawa. It was beautiful -- around the entire island were beautiful, white sandy beaches. The water was so crystal clear you could see the coral below. We drove around to Awase, Laura and Takayuki showing me where I was born, we drove around trying to find Camp Lester -- and we did! And I think we found the hospital I was born in!Oh! And the food!! I had Okinawan saimin, and it was delicious!! This was a "small" bowl, and I ate the whole thing. It was hilarious, because Rika had to remind me it was OK to slurp my noodles. Living in the states, I always had to be extra cautious not to slurp...but it was so nice to eat normally again! hehe. I loved it!

And Okinawan Andagi!! It was so yummy! Although, I still think Grandma's is still the best. ^_^
One thing I absolutely loved about Okinawa were the shisas everywhere. Even around the city, you could see the lion dogs protecting the houses on many rooftops.
Rika explained to me that the open-mouthed shisas were supposed to allow good fortune to come in, and the closed-mouthed shisas were made to keep bad things out. Which is why every house had a pair. ^_^I wish I had more time on the island. Honestly, before I visited, I always thought of Okinawa as just a place I was born. Not anything more than that. I never really thought I'd go and visit it (although I always thought it would be nice). But now, going there, seeing the places I've heard about, and seeing relatives I didn't know I had, made Okinawa more real to me. It made me want to learn more about my family tree, my culture, and the history.

I can't wait to go back.

Okinawa, part I

Back in May, Erin and I had an idea that we should go to Okinawa for my birthday. We thought it would have been a nice circle to be able to spend the day in the country, on the island where I was born. But life got busy, and things got in the way, plus the marathon was two weeks after my birthday. So we put it off.

But we were determined to make it to the island this semester. Before leaving for Okinawa, I checked to see how big the island was compared to Maui. It was roughly 300 square miles smaller. But a lot longer. Erin and I really had no idea what to expect. Besides, a year and a half basically backpacking around to different places, we were used to living in unique hostels where the showers were on the rooftop, or staying in rooms roughly the size of closets (seriously around 6 ft by 6 ft). We were not prepared to be pampered as much as we were.We landed in the Naha airport, right along side of the ocean. I restrained myself from throwing myself from the plane, trying to run to the ocean. While Taiwan is also an island, most of the water isn't this crystal-clear or blue. Plus, we live inland.

We were lucky that as soon as we landed, the rainy clouds that pounded the island the week before parted, and for the rest of the weekend, and for the rest of our stay, it was blue skies. We took it as an auspicious sign.

Dad's cousin, Morimasa "Paul" (as he later asked us to call him) Goya sent his employees to the airport to pick us up. Rika (our translator), Laura, Takashi (son of Morimasa's sister), and Takayuki (who drove us around everywhere) were incredibly nice and willing to answer any questions we had about anything. As they drove us around, they pointed to large buildings in the city telling us that they were part of the Kanehide Group -- it was all very impressive! They also had drawn up schedules for us, to maximize our stay in the island. Erin and I commented that we had never been treated so nicely!

The streets and cities in Okinawa were so refreshingly clean! We didn't see a single stray dog while we were there (very different from Taiwan). We ate lunch at a very delicious buffet-style restaurant, with tempura and I had my first bite of Japanese sashimi. Everything was delicious. I had forgotten how much I love fresh seafood! Erin had her first taste of bittermelon. ^_^Next, we went to visit Hindenobu Goya and his wife at their house. They were so sweet and kind! I was very nervous about meeting relatives I had never met before, but they immediately made me feel like family.Living in Taiwan, although they normally do remove their shoes at the front of the door, they also have slippers for guests to use inside their houses (but living in the dorms in the school, we always wear shoes inside). I really enjoyed going barefoot inside the houses and buildings.

Grandma Masako's cousin is the picture on the far left. They had printed out a family tree, and showed me some of the connections. They told me they remembered Aunty Amy when they visited Hawaii, and that I looked like her.

Next, we went to Shuri Castle, overlooking the city.It was very nice to be traveling with Rika, Laura, Takashi and Takayuki who were very kind in explaining some of Okinawa's history as we tour the ancient castle. It was also nice to hear the strums of the sanshin too, almost a familiar feeling.

After Shuri Castle, we went to visit the Goya O-Haka (family tomb). We met with Tadayasu Goya. That meeting was far too short. I wish I had more time to talk to the elders and get to know them better. I would like to learn Japanese enough to be able to converse instead of having to rely on someone to translate for me.Afterward, we were shown our room at the Kanehide Corporation's Hotel & Spa. It was incredible. I have never stayed at a place so nice. When we checked in, they offered us drinks and towels. It was intimidating. Everything in our room was so well-made and efficient, to the Japanese-style pull-out screen doors to utilize space, to the bathtub next to the large window overlooking the golf-course. The Hotel & Spa overlooked the hotel's golf course -- it was made to resemble Shuri Castle, with its occupants being able to see the ocean from their rooms.

We ate dinner with Morimasa, his wife, his brother (Moritaka), and uncle, along with Rika, Laura, Takayuki and Takashi, at the hotel's restaurant. This restaurant was probably my first fine dining experience. Morimasa wanted to show Erin and me the best Japanese food the restaurant had to offer. We had a 7-course meal with each course being so beautiful I was afraid to eat it. The sashimi was so fresh and delicious, that for the week I was back in Taiwan, all I craved was some more raw fish. I still crave it. The restaurant has contracts with special farms that only provide meet for this restaurant. It was incredible.

Erin and I fell asleep exhausted, and completely satisfied with our stomachs full and our minds reeling from the day's events. Started the day in one country, and ended it in another, surrounded by friends and relatives we had never met before but who told us, "Ichariba Chode!" which I think means "now you're also family forever." It was a good day.

BBQ, Typhoons & Pomelo Heads

Moon Festival is tomorrow.

Traditions include...
...wearing pomelo rinds on your head.

As demonstrated by these two, cute, adorable boys. Owen and Brandon, who used to be in Morning Kindergarten (a year ago when I taught them), are now in Miss Wendy's Kbr class. I honestly don't think these two could get any cuter. And they're both huggers. I love them.
This is Corey, also in Miss Wendy's Kbr class (that used to be MKers). For some reason they all brought pomelo rinds to school, and every year at Moon Festival, they wear them on their heads. Like hats. Pomelos are the largest citrus fruits and are native to South East Asia, and are currently in season.Oh, dear, sweet Owen. I love him. A recovering kleptomanic (situation: leaving art class in MK, "Owen, what's in your pocket?" I ask. "Oh! What's this doing in my pocket...???" he says as he pulls out many crayons. Or paper. Or any craft we've been working on), he is, at heart, guileless.

Another tradition during Moon Festival is...
...Barbecuing!

Last Saturday, the employees of Berhan went to Sue's Orchard for a barbecue. Sue is Frances' aunt, and also works at the school.
From her orchard (right off the bike path, actually) we were able to see an incredible sunset setting over the bridge leading to the neighboring city.

We also fished. Wendy, in the white shirt, caught three fish. And one was bright pink (I called it the lucky, wish fish. The type of fish that'll grant you three wishes...). Everyone caught at least one fish. Except me. I felt so embarrassed!!! Living in Alaska for ten years did nothing for me!!?? And bamboo fishing in Hawaii?? I couldn't catch a single fish! Well, I did eventually, but only after they bribed the fish to latch onto my hook. And, as you can tell, it's not a big pond, yet there was over 200 fish inside. And not one wanted to be caught by me. humph. ^_^

Frances (above), slaved over the barbecue for the entire time we were there. We ate pork, chicken, fish, vegetables, and moon cakes. It was delicious.
The secretaries' children also attended, and this is Lisa, with one of the twins that she teaches in her Kindergarten Enrichment class. Carrie is their mom, and they are the cutest things ever.

(pictured above: One of the twins (I can't tell them apart) and Peggy's daughter. So cute.)
They also provided toys for us too. Small scooters. And tricycles. Or maybe they were only for the kids. But we played with them anyways. They were pretty small. Even for me. If you notice, Sarah's foot is the entire length of the body of the scooter.
Fenny and her sister, Kelly! Abercrombie and Fitch. lol. They decided to dress "like Americans" for the barbecue. I love how the coordinated their clothes! ^_^

A few more pictures of the sunset.


The Moon Festival is a harvest festival, celebrated when the moon is fuller and brighter than it is at any other time of the year. It is also time to celebrate the goddess Chang'e, who lives on the moon.

Hopefully, the weather will hold up. The last few days have been beautiful, perfect Fall weather. Well, if Fall weather was normally in the high 80s (better than in the 90s with this humidity). Last year, Moon Festival got rained out. This year, for a few days, we were worried that another typhoon would hit this weekend. But it looks like both typhoons that are heading our way, are actually going to miss us, hitting the Philippines and Japan instead.

I feel terrible for the Philippines. With the two earthquakes already, the earlier typhoon and now this category 4 typhoon heading their way...I don't know. Bad Typhoon Season this year.

Acupuncture, Graduation & Diversity Week

This might be long. Well, mostly because of pictures from various times around Taiwan ^_^ All these photos are from last semester. I wanted to post them, but for some reason or another, time got away from me.

Acupuncture
Erin, her mom and I went to an Acupuncturist a few months ago. Erin's mom had a bad leg. Erin wanted to relieve some tension in her upper back, and I wanted to see if acupuncture could help my eczema. This is a picture of Erin's back.
Next, the heat is applied! Nice and tingle-y.
Then the hot suction cups, to draw out the bad impurities. Or something.The aftermath. You can always tell who has been to a traditional Chinese Doctor by the scrap marks or the suction cup marks on their neck or their back.For me, he put some pins in my hands...And my legs. After he removed the pins, my left hand had trouble moving. But after an hour or so, all the feeling came back. ^_^Not too bad. We were supposed to keep going back, at least twice a week (I think), but we kinda forgot about it. It takes a while to do, and so, when you're busy, things get in the way. But here, it's very cheap. A return visit costs less than $2 USD.


Diversity WeekHere in Taiwan, there's a bit of a race problem. Like many Asian countries, the darker you are, the less attractive you are, and the ruder you're treated (sometimes). To avoid becoming darker (in other words "tan"), a ton of skin whitening creams are available, people wear hats, arm guards, a massive amount of sunscreen, and carry around umbrellas to block out the sun. I had a friend tell me that if I got too dark, I'd look like a homeless person.

This line of thought is due to the historical idea that if you're poor, you'll have to spend all day out working in the fields, and thus, your skin will become darker. So if you have a life of privilege, you'll be naturally fair and white. Rarely do people want to look like they aren't privileged.

In Afternoon Kindergarten last semester, we had to set the record straight after a few students told us that, "all black people are bad," and "all black people are poor." We made rainbows and talked about the different colors, how not everyone likes the same color, so it doesn't mean that certain colors are "good" and other colors are "bad." Then we tried to apply it to people and races. I hoped it worked.

(Cynthia (hiding), Eve, Carol, Betty)
I was very proud of our bulletin board in Afternoon Kindergarten. The kids worked very hard on it all semester. ^_^ So cute. I'm very sad that I don't get to teach these kids any more. They're in Miss Lindsay's Basic Reading class now.(Eve, Betty, Carol, Cynthia)

Graduation: June 26, 2009

Ah, graduation. The theme for graduation was Pirates. This was Mr. Joseph's Basic Reading Class (soon to be my Summer 1st grade class) after they finished singing their song, "Shiver Me Timbers."
(Dawson, Rex, Jack, Keith, Tim || Hebe and Amy in the front)
The kids from Mr. Dane's class were totally embarrassed to be shirtless, having to perform the Limbo in front of everyone. lol. I love this picture. (John and Jerry)
Morning Kindergarten also got to participate, and were adorable as usual. We had to teach them a song/dance, but they did great! The boys were Captian Jacks and the girls were Princess Pats. We teachers had to make our own props, and it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Another picture of Mr. Dane's class. ^_^ Poor naked boys. lol.(Yvonne9, Jammy, me, Yvonne10, Ivy)
The Graduates! These were the kids that actually graduated during the semester. I taught them as 5th graders, and after their 6th grade year, they graduated from the program. Some students want to go on to the Writing Class we have for high school aged kids, but most of them just leave the program.

And this last picture is one of the Teaching Group from January 2009 to June 2009. They were all over achievers, and very motivated. I miss them. At the beginning of the semester, Molly made an anime character of each teacher. The bulletin board on the 4th floor was always fun to look at.
(Left to Right: Me, Dane, Derrick, Holly (with Pirates' hat), Molly, Joseph, Jaimie, Kristina, Arwyn and Erin) The only one not pictured was Jenny. I'm sure I have a picture of her anime character somewhere. Hopefully I'll find it.

Taiping Waterfall

This past Saturday, we looked for the Waterfall/Waterhole near Taiping. Two weeks ago, Erin and I tried to find it...but couldn't because of a mudslide from the typhoon. It was a long scooter ride. Erin, Wendy, Sunny, Lisa, Arywn and I met up with Fenny and some of her friends in Taichung. None of us had actually made it to the waterfall before...so this was all new for us.
With just the general direction in mind, we finally made it to the waterfall! I have discovered it's pretty hard to get lost in Taiwan. I think if you know your bigger roads and know what direction you're heading, you'll probably get there. Well, probably about 70% of the time. But those are good odds for me. ^_^

When we got there, the sky was filled with dragon flies everywhere. I tried to capture it on film, but it doesn't do it justice. We were the only people at the waterhole, but when we first got to the river, we saw a monk standing at the edge of waterfall in the middle of the river on a rock, meditating.

I never tire of seeing monks around town and in nature.

In the picture below, Sunny, Lisa, Erin and I thought it was a good idea if we slid down the rocks together. Instead, we landed on top of each other. My ankle got bruised by kicking Lisa in the thigh...

Although the waterhole didn't look that deep, it was. We jumped from that point, and still didn't feel the bottom. The first jump I landed on my bum...lol. It HURT! But the second time didn't hurt, but for some reason, it was scarier than the first time.
All in all, a very good Saturday.

Chess, Pirates, and Goodbyes

My last few weeks with my First Grade class.

(*Dawson & Tim in the back, Amy and Fiona next to me)We covered the concepts of treasure, pirates, puzzles and passwords. Last semester, with Mr. Joseph and for the graduation theme, my kids participated in a song/dance/skit, performing a song called, Shiver Me Timbers, and would often burst into song during my class. (*Dawson and his hook ^_^)

So I made up a map, had them go through a treasure hunt, figuring out clues and giving the passwords to other teachers...it took us a week to complete.
The kids had to figure out the password from the clues, then tell the teachers in the adjoining classrooms the password before they had permission to search for the next clue. The kids did great, and figured out all the clues without my help.
(*Keith (with the sword) and Tim (with the eye patch))
(*Jack, Dawson and Tim. Tim has the treasure chest on his head, and is carrying all the clues)

Just when I started getting used to teaching this class, I had to learn how to teach another class. lol. Funny how things work like that.
(*Fiona, Natasha (the sisters), Tim, Keith, Amy (sweetest child in the world), and of course, Dawson in the front ^_^ Always a ham)
(*Jack and Dawson are doing the "handsome" hand signal ^_^)
(*Their "scary" faces. Well, except for Dawson, still doing his handsome face)

(*The sisters. And Dawson ^_^)

(*Amy and me! We had a rule that if you didn't get your name on the board for a week, you would get a small prize, usually some type of snack)

(*Tim, Amy and me)

During this semester, during break time, I taught the kids a few games. It turns out they loved learning Chess. And they were very good at it! After my first few games with them, I had to stop being nice to them so they wouldn't beat me. ^_^ lol. I'm a little kid sometimes and hate losing, so I had to be mean to them sometimes. hehe
(Tim and Keith playing Chess)

Both Tim and Keith just learned the game this semester. Dawson was very good at it already. In addition to English cram schools, Advance Chess is also a popular cram school.

(*Keith and Dawson playing. Tim watching the game)

I miss these kids already.

Hualien, Toroko Gorge

Early, on Saturday morning, I left for Hualien. I took the train and got there six hours later. Because Nathaniel and Michelle were still in Green Island, I had the entire day to myself. I met up with Blanchard, the couch-surfing host we were staying with, went on a whale/dolphin watching tour, sat around and watched a free concert in the park, watched a movie, got a shoulder and neck massage by a blind masseuse...all alone. It was interesting because I like being alone, but not when I'm traveling. I want that experience to share with other people.

Sunday, we tried to find the local ward, and found the chapel, but it turns out they changed the meeting times to earlier. We went to watch a free aboriginal show later that night.




On Monday, we rented bikes and biked down Toroko Gorge...it was beautiful. Breath-taking cliffs, waterfalls, deep chasms... I was reminded how much I love the cool wind, running water, and green mountains. The water off the mountains was supposidly so pure that you could drink it, and we saw people pull over from their cars, go to the side of the road where water was dripping, and fill up their water bottles and drive off. So we did too.

From Toroko, we biked down to Hualien. I think it was around 25-30 miles in total. Definitely worth the trip, if only for that. We got daught in the rain while biking. It has been a long while since I've been caught in the rain. Everyone here is so paranoid about acid rain, they all wear ponchos...I forgot how wonderful the rain feels on bare skin. ^_^

We basically just relaxed the last day I was there. It was good. I wish I had more time just to get a feel for the area, but it was good as it was. ^_^ It was a very nice, relaxing weekend trip. I'm glad to be home though, and in my element teaching.

In November, there's a marathon, half-marathon, and 5K in Toroko Gorge. I'm wondering if I should do the half...
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Etc:Blah, blah, blah

By age 24, I thought I'd have more of my life together. I would be self-assured, confident.

Instead, I find myself often plagued with the same insecurities that followed me throughout my entire life.

Am I really this shallow? I will never look perfect, I will never feel graceful. I'll never be the brilliant mind, the type I admire so much. People don't expect me to have all that though. I'm not as great as I try to make myself out to be. I'm not fooling anyone. I need to set up a realistic self-image of myself.

But on the other hand, I never know if that image is correct either. I keep fluctuating between self-adoration and delusions of grandeur, and self-loathing with a hyper-awareness of my flaws and mistakes.

With me, there's rarely a happy medium.

As my mid-twenties are hitting me smack in the face, I'm getting worried; Career? Money? Marriage?

Questions and deadlines I have always been aware of, just not concerned with are now hitting me with a renewed sense of panic. Will I be able to fit everything in within the deadline I set for myself? Why on earth did I set a deadline anyway? Just so I can panic now??

And yet, I'm still relatively at peace and happy. I still say and do the wrong things, but I have to keep reminding myself that eternity isn't forever. It's made up day to day. Hour to hour. Minute to minute. So I screw up. I can still reach salvation in the next minute. It's not all lost. I can still save myself.

Happiness, for sure, is an attitude. I can choose to be happy. I can choose to let things defeat me, or I can defeat them.

However. Joy is much harder to choose. Happiness is only on the surface. Joy is something else. Peace. Hope. Trust. Along with Happiness. For me, hope is the one that flits in and out. Sometimes it fills me to the brim. Other times, I feel as if the void will swallow me whole.

When I have that Hope, peace comes naturally. I have the trust that everything will be ok.

Sometimes I get so frustrated because language is so limiting. But language defines our reality. It sets the perimeters, gives absolute structure to the world so we can make sense of it. We must confine it, tame it, control it, and gain absolute control to be able to aptly express ourselves.

The accuracy of your ideas depend on your ability in the language. Even Art, which can speak to our deepest emotions even more than words ever could, is limited by space and time. Paintings, sculptures. Music, which can wash over you in pure emotion, is limited by time. Even the most moving of melodies wouldn't speak to us the same way if it were sped up, or if we played it all simultaneously.

But all these language inspire the creative mind. Isn't that interesting? The creative mind. The mere fact that humans can create. We are all mini-gods in our own micro-universe. We have the power of creation, even in something as "left-brained" as language. Creation. Now that's empowerment.