Unoriginal Thinking

Yesterday, a friend of mine in Japan posted on Facebook that his fantastic Kanji flaschard teaching products are being digitally reproduced from his site, without permission, by someone.  Max and his partner have spent thousands of hours developing these products for sale.  (As an aside, if you are going to Tokyo, you MUST consider their Tokyo Tours downloads, they will make Tokyo so much more interesting!

Here is the original site: http://www.whiterabbitpress.com/

Having been a victim of  this kind of thing several times over the past few years with my site http://www.littlewonders.com.tw/, and having had product and product images, descriptions and so on taken by both indivduals selling online and registered companies, I want to remind people to keep their eyes open to such things if they start creating content or product of any kind.

Here is an image Richard made a few months ago.  On the left is my daughter, modelling the Swedish-made Imse Vimse swimwear I import.  On the right is Hannah again, totally photoshopped by a Chinese manufacturer of "Pingu" (not the licensed one) swimsuits.  If you see this picture used anywhere, please let me know, as we are still  looking for them, all over Asia...

School Christmas Party

It seems that Christmas Dress Up has become something quite popular in Taiwan schools.  Several of my friends have also posted fun pictures of their children dressed up for the Christmas Parade.  Of course, Kyle's school had this party again this year.  Kyle wanted to be Spiderman again, and I was really happy with that because we have a costume already.  His teachers would not let him be Spiderman, as he has dressed up like that several times in the past year.  So, Kyle and I got together to make:

Christmas Cookie Monster!

Here he is with Grandpa. 

The teacher congratulated Kyle on this great new idea and introduced him as "Cookie Monster for World Peace".  Just like last year, 60 children got on the stage one by one to introduce themselves.  This took over an hour and a half.  As Kyle was no. 11, it was a bit of an exercise in patience for Hannah and I to stay there and watch all the other kids.  But we did make it to the end, and were rewarded with...

The biggest sugar fest I have ever seen.  Honestly, I wish I had videod the explosion.  60 children descend upon tables loaded up with giant candy bags, cookies, sugar-covered crackers, cakes... I was the only parent who had brought in non-sweets.  And I only bought a little plate, not giant containers.

This was my offering.  Mini-sandwiches, cut from large ones at the bakery.  Total cost 90TWD.  I got exclaims of wonder at my imagination and skill.  Hmmm.

The feast went on for 20 minutes, with children stuffing and hoarding as much sugar as they could.  My sandwiches were eaten fairly quickly, too, though.  At 11:30 the teacher announces:  Everyone stop eating in five minutes... It's time for LUNCH!  I nearly fainted at the thought of those kids trying to eat rice, meat and vegetables on top of what they had just devoured.  I was so glad I had gone there to watch, as I also observed Kyle and made sure he didn't get too carried away.  Actually, he didn't and I was really impressed with how little junk he ate.

I think was surprises me is the fact people still think buying the giant buckets of jellies and candy is cheaper or easier than buying sandwiches or other things from the bakery.  In Taiwan, the bakery has a wonderful selection of things you can pick up really cheaply, and they even supply plates and things if you ask.  Some parents of kids in Kyle's class have told me, they don't take any notice of how much candy etc the kids eat, and were surprised on the zoo trip that I stopped Hannah eating all the candy that was handed out, because I wanted her to eat lunch.  Hannah complained, and they told me they just didn't like to hear their kids complain.  Bet their kids are glad they are not my kids!

The Weekend Before Christmas

It has been such a fantastic weekend for me! I have seen several people from “long ago” and enjoyed catching up with them very much.




Last week, I got a facebook message from an old AIESEC friend of mine. Her father was my boss during my traineeship in Taiwan, and her University was my sponsoring Local Committee. For non-AIESECers, this means, I came to Taiwan on an AIESEC scholarship in 1995, and I worked for a company here for 18 months as a trainee. Michelle’s father was the manager of KONE (Taiwan), and was assistant to his secretary. Chinese Cultural University was my sponsoring committee, and Michelle, Besta, and Jerry did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome.



Michelle invited me to their LC’s 18th anniversary. Richard was kind enough to come along with me, which I thought was very brave. I did warn him they would probably do some kind of chant or dance, and the current members surely did, as soon as we arrived. But it was truly wonderful for me to attend this event. Firstly, I got to catch up with Michelle and Besta. Secondly, seeing those current AIESEC members, I could feel their motivation and inspiration. For example, one young guy works part-time for the Taipei City Govt, as he is getting practical experience whilst studying. And I also talked to two recent graduates, still so excited by life after university. I really miss the mentoring and sharing of ideas like we used to do in AIESEC. No wonder so many of us do return to act as alumni and advisors once we get to a certain age or level of experience.



Then, this morning, we attended the Taipei City Playgroup Christmas party. This is another chance to catch up with people I may hardly ever see during the year, even though I enjoy their company very much. We had about 50-60 families attend this year. Again, Richard was kind enough to come to the event, and to wait till well after the end whilst I helped Jennifer clean up. Actually, Richard knows a few of the dads in the group, and they did sneak off to the car for beers during the activity. All in the Christmas spirit!



Kyle was really looking forward to this event, and he enjoyed it a lot, getting into the singing, and waiting for Santa with great anticipation. Hannah waited for Santa. She wasn’t into the singing so much. Kyle got a Spiderman toy that spits out goo, it is a very cool and messy toy that didn’t fit with Richard’s idea of what a toy should do. The goo was confiscated… I passed it to my dear friend Angie, who is keeping it so we can goo up her house on Friday. Hannah got a Littlest Petshop parlor, so she can play with the little toy puppies inside. Kyle also liked this toy. He loves his models, and I would love to find him some small toy soldiers or similar to play with. Kyle’s friend Joseph was playing “weird superheroes” with the older boys and Kyle wasn’t into that, but he did find his other friend, Ian, who is more into cars and trucks like Kyle. Hannah was playing with the girls, and even gave Angie a big cuddle, which was great as I was also trying my best to help out and talk to people I haven’t seen in a long time.



Near the end of the day, a dad came over and asked me, “Do I know you from your youth?” I quickly realized he was a coworker from when I worked at a club called ALE, way back in 1995! It turns out Neil is married to a playgroup member, Berta. It was fantastic to see him again, and it brought back more great memories of my first two years in Taiwan, going to the beach on the East Coast, surfing, swimming, late-night barbecues, leading tours overseas… I cannot complain that life in Taiwan has been boring that is for sure!



After the party and cleanup, we headed up to Jerry and Brenda’s for pizza and drinks. I designated myself as driver for our family, letting Richard relax and have a few beers. I figured, after attending all these events with me over the weekend, he deserved it. Once again, we got to meet some more wonderful people and their children. Their friends had been at the Christmas party but I hadn’t really had time to talk to them. It was so nice to be with couples and let our kids play with others in their friends’ home. Jerry and Brenda are mom and dad to Ian and Kelly, who Kyle and Hannah like playing with. Jerry mentioned a stint he had on TV some years back, and I clearly remember seeing him on that TV show. It was funny because II “never” watched that gameshow and just happened to see it the night he was on. Just one more fun memory to add to the list from the weekend!



So, with all these year-end reunions, I really feel 2010 has great promise for me. Frankly, 2009 has been a little dull and a bit of hard work, but it’s winding up very nicely for a social Gemini like myself.

The fishbone

Yesterday was just another Friday - getting weekend orders out, trying to catch up on emails, then picking up Kyle and taking him to dance class.  While Kyle was doing his bridges and tumbles (Chinese traditional dance move introduction), I ran off to "do a Santa", picking up a few presents for the kids and dropping them into the back of the car before going back to wait for Kyle. 

The other moms and I were watching the kids on the TV monitor and chatting about gifts we have had (or not) from our husbands when my phone rang.  It was my motherinlaw in distress.  In the background I could hear Hannah screaming.  MIL asked me to go home as Hannah had seemed to have a fish bone stuck and was now very upset.  We got Kyle out of the dance class and got him dressed ready for the sprint home.  Kyle asked all the other moms, is my sister dying?  The nice mom helping him get dressed reassured him, and we grabbed our umbrellas and headed out the door.

Luckily, it's only five minutes at a run back to the house.  Kyle was running and grumping, "How dare grandma do that to my cute sister.  If she dies I will be really mad at grandma.  I will tell her she can't do that again!  Oh my knees are breaking but my sister is dying.  Why did she feed her BONES!?!?!"  I tried to tell him that grandma surely didn't feed Hannah bones on purpose and I was sure Hannah was running round or something to have this happen.  Anyway, my dear boy ran all the way for the first time ever.  All to save his little sister.

We got to the door and Richard was there, taking Hannah downstairs.  Kyle was relieved to see Hannah actually breathing and just crying, no longer screaming.  I got in the van with Richard and Hannah and Kyle went upstairs.  We took Hannah to the doctor to get her throat checked.  They obviously weren't too concerned, as we had to wait in the line like everyone else.  I guess the fact Hannah got herself a magazine and lay on the floor with it did show she wasn't at death's door. Her throat was fine, no bleeding or scratches.  Hannah got a good scream or two in when the doctor put some medicine on the red spot just to make sure there would be no infection.  I called the dance school to let them know all was well, then we drove back around the corner home.

When I asked grandma whether Kyle had told her off, she laughed and replied, "No, he came in and saw no other kids here, and stated:  Great, I am alone, nobody will fight with me!"  So much for the brotherly concern.  As it turns out, Hannah had been running around during dinner.  I hope that is a lesson she will remember for at least a few days!

It's Not Really Winter

We are up at the cottage, enjoying the mid-20's temperature and clear sky.  December is really my favorite month in Northern Taiwan.  It's generally dry and the temperature is suitable for wearing pretty much anything you like.  I really wish I could bottle up the atmosphere of the cottage today.  I could save it up and use it when we are stuck in the city.

A few days ago, I took Hannah out to the fabric market, and we picked up a box full of wooden beads, some string, and some felt.  The kids have spent the past day making artistic paper clips and bracelets, and sorting the beads according to shape and color.  I really should do more of this kind of craft with the children.  We did also make up the edible playdough Kyle was given as a gift of thanks at the Hyatt's Christmas event.  That was a bit of  a disaster, with the kitchen being temporarily covered in colored dough.  The craft was much more successful.

Richard is down in the basement, finishing off the drawers and boxes for our kitchen unit.  It's really amazing to see how he works, as there are no plans, just ideas in his head, and then suddenly we have fantastic cupboards designed to fit everything almost perfectly.

As for me, I tried my hand at filo pastry at lunch.  I made chicken and filo pastry, with cottage cheese and other bits and pieces as a sauce.  Despite making up double the needed lot of garlic butter, and putting holes in several sheets of filo, I actually managed to make something quite tasty.

Despite the lack of general care, our lemon trees are still alive.  The basil and mint is still surviving, too.  I am still trying to work out exactly what is going to grow in our garden.  Sage and oregano both died.  I think it was just too wet and then too hot during the middle of the day.  It's really hard to stay motivated when so many things have wilted, and when there is a deck chair and full fridge to tempt me!

Yesterday, we put the Christmas tree up.  Hannah woke me up at 6am, announcing sadly, "Santa didn't come!"  I tried to explain the concept of Christmas Day but I don't think she really understands the idea of waiting.  We also went online and wrote letters to Santa.  Kyle is waiting for his reply email.  Maybe not quite the same as writing them on paper, but Hannah can almost type her own name now.

Roughing It

This weekend, Richard decided we would pack up and head down to Miao Li County to stay with his friend who owns a car repair shop in Taipei.  His friend had told us that their house had "Everything you need".  I really should have followed my instinct and packed the kitchen sink, but ever-optimistic as I am, I took 2 sleeping bags, 2 towels, and a change of clothes for myself and the two kids.  And I threw in four toothbrushes and some antiseptic cream just to be on the safe side.  Packed and ready, we headed on the road trip.

We left at 11:30, right before lunch.  Luckily, I had packed bananas for the kids, as the trip was not just over an hour, but almost two and a half.  We arrived just before 2pm.  When we got to the door, Lao Jiao welcomed us with some oranges from his orchard.  Richard found some herbs outside and made up a tea for the kids.  Then we went on a hike up the hills behind the house.  It was just lovely, with views of beautiful trees, orchards, and a clear river flowing along below the road.  Richard and Lao Jiao picked some wild vegetables.  Kyle and Hannah played with the flowers growing along the side of the road, and Hannah and I kicked stones down the hill.  Then, the kids and I walked with Lao Jiao's girlfriend to worship the Local Earth God at the little temple.  About six o'clock, we had a dinner.  Richard handled the lack of meat very well, I thought.  We had a great variety of locally harvested and wild vegetables.  The children really enjoyed it, especially Kyle the vegetarian-in-training.

After dinner, it was decided that we would head on the "Short trip" to the hotsprings.  The kids were excited to be going.  Unfortunately, the trip to the springs was an hour, and both kids passed out in the van before we go there.  There were no rooms available at the "purest" hot spring resort, and we couldn't find anything to satisfy the budget or quality standard.  The private rooms were 300TWD per room, which is more than we pay in Taipei.  So, we headed back to the house to sleep, arriving after 10pm.

The children didn't really wake up even as we moved them into the room to sleep.  It was really freezing in the room, and I realised I hadn't packed pillows or enough blankets. So, Kyle was dressed in all his clothes and then had my sleeping bag, and Hannah and I shared the bedding.  It had been a long time since I had last felt that chill right through to my bones. Hannah curled into the fetal position, stating, "I can't cuddle you, mummy. I am TOO COLD!"  So I gave her another of the sleeping bags.  About 4am, Richard came in with another blanket for us, but it really was a little late for me.

It was all OK, though, upon waking up to the glorious sun shining on the mountains and trees.  And a cup of Lao Jiao's freshly brewed coffee, taken outside in the sunshine, sure helped, too.  We had a breakfast of rice porridge and vegetables, then headed off to see a friend who was harvesting rice.

When we arrived at the plot of land, most of the rice had been harvested, but the children got to see the machine in action.  They also got to play in the remaining stalks in the rice paddies, building castles and throwing them at some older kids.  The hostess had prepared a few plates of food for us, and we chatted with the other people who had come along.  One of the women there is a member of the Taiwan bird society, and gave Kyle and Hannah a book each: 100 common birds of Taiwan.  It's bilingual, and priced at only a little over 100TWD - something I have been looking for for several years.  They run free classes over the holidays, and I hope I can take the kids to an outing or two during winter break.

Hannah and Kyle also got to pick sunflowers and other plants around the rice paddies.  Then, we headed to Yinge, where the Ceramics museum and the old street for buying ceramics is.  It's hard to believe I have been in Taiwan for 15 years, and that was my first trip to Yinge.  After walking round for some time, Richard bought some bowls for our cottage.  Kyle was a bit upset, having been "tricked".  "You said you were taking us to PLAY!  We are only buying things.  This is not fun. This is not playing!"  I spent some time explaining that they really are lucky enough to do all these things and not go to any school on the weekend, but I don't think Kyle is fully convinced that we were showing them a good time!

About 6:30 on Sunday, we came back to the cottage.  As the kids had not brushed their teeth or had showers for two days, they were delighted to shower at our home.  When the soap was washed off, Kyle let out a big sigh of contentment.  And, it's the first time I think Hannah has volunteered to brush her own teeth!

And there it was, our weekend adventure over.  Gotta love it!