16 February 2010
And they're off.....
....with a 2 hour delay (skiff of snow last night). Which means no bored girls at my house today and we didn't have seminary. It is the best of both worlds.
14 February 2010
Fish Tales
On Chinese New Year's Eve we ate dinner at a member's house and it was an extravagant meal. I tried a few things and was sticking to them, but ventured out to a dish that looked like celery and shredded chicken. It came highly recommended. I took a bite and quickly realized it was celery and fish. It wasn't too bad, so I just added some spicy soy sauce to it and kept eating. I noticed one of the pieces of shredded chicken had a black dot. I thought, what is that? I then noticed there were two black dots, and that all of the pieces of chicken had them. Yeah, not chicken. Each was a skinny little fish. I was glad I only figured that out near the end of my serving.
After the dinner, there were New Year's treats served. I went straight for the brightest, shiniest packaged candy. I was almost positive it contained a sweet hard candy. I opened it to find a small grainy cube that looked like bouillon. I popped it in my mouth and found that it was in fact a spiced fish cube. I didn't try another.
Tonight for dinner there was an assortment of delicious dishes including one plate containing three fish, cooked whole with bones, eyes and all. I explained to Justin that I can usually tell whether I'll like something by the look of it. He asked what on the table I'd like. I said, "Everything but the fish." He asked "Why? Because it has eyeballs?" and continued "You can't judge a fish by its eyeballs." For the record, I did try the fish, and it was good. Okay, so I was wrong. Maybe I shouldn't judge a fish by its eyeballs.
12 February 2010
My Birthday
Hi family. I had a great birthday. I got to go to the temple, had a great dinner, and great treats. My favorite part was being with everyone and having a good time, despite the fact I didn't understand hardly anything anyone said the whole night. When there's humor and happiness, you can just feel it and it makes it fun no matter what. My cake was awesome and tasted so good. We had a pastry shop make it for me. It was chocolate with a layer of pudding and a layer of blueberry stuff. But honestly, the ice cream was the most incredible part. I've never seen ice cream like that and the pictures don't do it justice. And my Chinese vest is super cool. These people are so nice, and there's no way to repay them or even thank them for all they've done for us. They love Justin so much, and Jaime and I simply because we're his family. Everyone says that Jaime looks like a cute Western doll that moves. It's hilarious. She smiles at everyone, but loves Sister Ye the best, which is so cute.
Yummy goodness. The frosting was so much better than what's on American store-bought cake. Not the fake stuff and also not the too-heavy creamy stuff.
This stroller thing is AWESOME! Sister Ye is letting us use the stroller she used with all of her kids and the thing is still going strong. Jaime loves to look around, whether in our arms or in this stroller, and this is definitely easier on our backs and keeps us cooler in this warm weather.
This is one reason why China and Taiwan are awesome. There are tons of Chinese women around who love to take care of Jaime.
Michelle,
The Chinese and Taiwanese don't have any fun birthday traditions that I know about. I did get to try a new food that is feared by many: stinky tofu! I actually really liked it. I don't really understand why anyone wouldn't. But, Sister Ye says I'm not a regular Western girl. In terms of food in general, there's been a lot and it's all been very good. Justin warned me that I might want to loose 10 lbs before we come to Taiwan because I'd gain 15 lbs while I was here, and I think I'm pretty much on that track...besides all of the amazing American food that the Ye family gets from Costco, Taiwan food is much better than Chinese food.
11 February 2010
Happy Happy Birthday Jodi!
Just wanted to wish you happy birthday! Wish we could celebrate with you! Are you doing anything fun? Eating anything new? I just realized you are like an entire day ahead of me and may very well be done celebrating....is this true? And I thought I was on top of things. I don't know what ever made me think that, I've never been before. I hope you get or got to enjoy a wonderful cake, as delicious as the one I had. We went to a birthday party at one of our friends house who was at my birthday, and they said, "we should have hired that lady to make another one of those amazing rainbow cakes." I informed them that you would be flattered they loved the cake, but that you were in China. Do the Chinese have any fun birthday traditions? I love you and hope your birthday is or was truly amazing!
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