Special Meeting

Last Sunday, President Wu, one of the counselors to the Stake President, invited Whitney and me to attend a special meeting with Sister Elaine S. Dalton (General Young Women President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and Sister Rosemary M. Wixom (General Primary President).  Whitney wasn't able to attend because of prior travel plans to Japan, but I was able to attend with a few of my roommates, Kristi, Erin and Laura.  And I am so glad I did.  What a special opportunity it was to hear two general authorities speak.  How lucky I am that they came to my Stake Center in Taichung.  The meeting was so spiritually uplifting. 

Sister Dalton was the first one to speak.  She asked the people who have completed their personal progress to stand up.  There were about two hundred people in attendance, and only four people arose.  Just as I was sitting back down, Sister Dalton pointed to me! and asked me to come up to the stand, with a Taiwanese sister.  She asked me to share how the personal progress program has affected my life.  Standing in front of so many people, I was not nervous.  The words just flowed from my mouth.  I don't remember exactly what I said.  When I was in high school, I was not an active member of the Church.  As a Laurel, I had a Young Women leader that reached out to me, and helped me understand the Savior's love for me.  I talked about how personal progress can help bring us closer to Heavenly Father through living the gospel principles.  Because of that, it brought me joy and added blessings to my life. 

After the meeting was over, Sister Dalton told me that my testimony was perfect.  That made me feel so good.  She even told me that while I was bearing my testimony, her husband leaned over to her and told her that I could give the talk for her.  Haha!  She told me that she felt there was something about that girl in the polka dot dress.

After my testimony, the Taiwanese sister bore her's.  Sister Dalton had her arm around me and was holding me close.  The leaders of the Church have so much love for us, and I could feel it.  I recieved so many hugs tonight from Sister Dalton and Sister Wixom.  I loved it.  I will never forget this experience.  The Spirit is so strong here in Taiwan and it was definitely felt at the special meeting.   

Kristi, Laura, Erin and I spent a few minutes after the meeting speaking with Brother and Sister Wixom and Brother and Sister Dalton.  It was such a pleasure.  Some things that Sister Dalton said stick out in my mind.  She told us that the Lord inspired us to come here at this time.  I have definitely felt the truth of that.  I don't always know why I am in Taiwan (of all places), but I know that this is where I need to be at this time in my life.  The Spirit has born witness to that in my heart.  She also said that this is preparing us for future experiences and we should pay attention to the things that we learn here.  Even if I can never communicate with the Taiwanese or get my students to sit nicely through an entire class period, I know that this Taiwan experience is worth it.  I have been in Taiwan for two months now, and I can tell I have grown spiritually.  I love the gospel more and more each day.  That means more to me than getting my students to behave. 

Erin, Kristi, me and Laura in front of the Tai Ping Chapel (Stake Center).

Taiwan Storms

You may not think that this is cool, but I sure did.  I love thunder and lightning, and usually when there is lightning, it just looks like a flash.  We never see the bolt, but a couple of nights ago I did.  AND I caught it on video.  This was very exciting for me!

 

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Chinese Class

On Monday I had my first Chinese class.  It is taught by Frances, Gerald's wife and school director.  I liked it.  The class was kind of fun, but I like foreign language classes in general.  Maybe now I will actually learn something besides ni hao and xie xie.  Frances is teaching us bopomofo, a phonetic alphabet used exclusively in Taiwan.  She says that it is a better transition into characters than pinyin. 

The class is three times a week, so I had my second class on Wednesday.  And I passed my first quiz with flying colors.  Eight of the teachers are taking the class.  I like that we were given workbooks to practice our bopomofo characters.  I feel like I am a child again.  Frances mentioned that we should feel that way.  We are constantly repeating sounds after her, and I get them wrong a lot.  I don't have an ear for it yet.  I will think I sound just like her and she says, "Wrong!" The class is really fun and relaxed. 

It is starting to get a little harder.  On Friday, we were given seven more bopomofo characters to learn.  They are starting to get a little jumbled in my mind. 

I find any opportunity I can to practice.  Yesterday, Erin and I went to get a bing-sha.  I tried to ask for mine in Chinese, "Wo yao chi papaya milk."  (I want eat papaya milk.)  Jenna, the lady who sells bing-shas taught me the words for drink, papaya and milk.  So now I can say, "Wo yao he fan mu gua niu nai."  I probably won't remember that tomorrow.  Haha!

Wang Leehom

Whitney posted this video on her blog a week or so ago, and I fell in love. Wang Leehom is a very famous singer in Taiwan, although he grew up in America.  He is back in Taiwan being super fly.

Ghost Festival 鬼月

Today is Ghost Day in Taiwan.  It is believed that deceased ancestors come to visit the living.  Along the streets, many people set out tables with food.  They also were burning fake paper money as offerings to their deceased loved ones.  The air smelled of fire and smoke and traditional Chinese music was heard throughout the town.  I was on my way to class and decided I would take some pictures when I got done.  By the time class was over, every had put everything away.  I wish I could have gotten some pictures.  Here is one I found online at: http://jenniferlynnreil.blogspot.com/2009/02/taiwanese-holidays.html.

Lugang 鹿港

On Saturday, Erin, Kristi, Katy and I decided to go to the historical town of Lugang (literally Deer Harbor).

The smooth taxi ride there was a comfortable change from our usual bus.  We were dropped off next to the Tianhou (Empress of Heaven) Temple.  The image of Mazu, enshrined there, is thought to have been brought to Lugang in 1684 after Qing dynasty forces took the island from Ming dynasty loyalists.  Mazu is the goddess of the sea, said to protect fisherman and sailors.

(There is a Family Mart right next to the temple.  Weird.)

Me, Kristi, Erin

Me and Kristi

We next visited Old Street Market.  There were lots of little shops selling food, toys, fans, handicrafts, etc.

Kristi, Me, Erin, Katy

After a little wandering, we found Nine Turns Lane (Jinsheng Lane).  It is a brick paved lane that is often called Breast-Rubbing Lane because of its narrowness.  It was built to prevent the entry of bandits and protect against strong winds.

It's not that narrow.

Getting Narrower.

Cool Doorway

A little thirsty

Erin, Kristi and Me

This was the narrowest spot.

Kristi, Me, Katy and Erin

Next we went to the Lugang Folk Arts Museum, a European-style villa.  It was built in 1919 by a Japanese architect and used to belong to a wealthy local landholder named Chen-Fu Koo.  The grounds were beautiful with walking paths, gazebos, flowers and ponds.  Inside were displays of old furniture, jewelry, photos, handicrafts, books, clothing, and Chinese curios. 

View of front yard from 2nd level balcony

Playing with old toys.

In front of the Lugang Folk Museum

Me, Erin, Katy, Kristi

We continued on our way to Longshan (Dragon Mountain) Temple, devoted to Guanyin, the goddess of mercy.  It was first built in the 17th century.  It is regarded as one of Taiwan's most architectually significant and best preserved Qing dynasty temples.  It is considered to be one of the more tranquil Taoist temples, which earned it the nickname "Taiwan's Forbidden City."  We went to a few other temple, but I don't know what they were called.  Lugang has over 200 temples. 

Longshan Temple

Unknown Temple

Amazing stone cravings

The entire day, I navigated us without the use of a personal map.  It wasn't too hard, because everything was close to the main road Jhongshan.  However, we became severely lost when looking for the Wenkai Academy.  We must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on the edge of town by rural rice fields and wild grass.  We were getting tired and decided to try and make home.  There was a problem.  We took the taxi to Lugang, so we had no idea where the bus station was.  We cut back into town, and looked for anything familiar.  (We had been walking for a very very long time.)  With prayers in our heart, a Canadian man pulled over and attempted to give us directions in English.  We continued onward, but didn't really have a clearer idea of where to go.  I thank our Heavenly Father that a Taiwanese man with broken English offered to walk with us to the station.  I feel so grateful for him.  The first bus station he led us to, wasn't going to Chang-hua (that's where we were going to catch a train to Fengyuan).  So, the nice man led us to another bus station, and insured that we were where we needed to be to make it home safely. 

All in all, the day was really fun!

[Info taken from The National Geographic Traveler: Taiwan]

I love Storms!

Click to view.

Fengyuan Community Pool

On Saturday, Devin, Lien, Allison, Laura and I went to a nearby indoor pool.  It was so nice to relax and swim.  There was a section of the pool that had all different jets to massage different parts of the body.  it was very relaxing.  My other favorite part was the water slide.  So fun!

Check out that water slide!  Yes, please!

The area of jets

That dude looks relaxed.

Me and the crazy Asian is Lien

Laura, Me, Lien

(Everyone had to wear a swim cap.)

The whole crew

Allison, Devin, Me, Laura, Lien

Taichung Night Market

On Friday after classes, Erin, Lien, Allison adn I met Kevyn Ma in Taichung.  It was very spontaneous.  We went to the Night Market and I had my first taco in Taiwan.  It was good.  Oh, and also I forgot to mention: We took the train to Taichung, adn so we had to walk a long ways to where we were meeting Kevyn.  That kind man surprised us with Pearl Winter Melon Milk Tea.  Such a delicious treat after a long journey.

Me and Erin

My Taco in progress

Mmm!

Kevyn and Allison

Elder and Sister Greene

Last Sunday evening (8.8.10), Elder and Sister Greene invited us over for dinner.  It was so nice of them and I had a really fun time.  Elder and Sister Greene are senior missionaries from Rexburg, ID.  They are like our branch parents.  I really like them.  Here is a link to their blog: http://jimandjoanngreene.blogspot.com/.  I love how they tell of their work here.

Back row (Left to Right): Elder Greene, Sister Greene, Katy Dalley, Laura Tait, Erin Farrar, Allison Babb, Jana Hogan, Kevin Hogan
Front row: Alexandra Liu, Me, Whitney Sheahan, Kristi Stephenson, and Libby Spicker

Fourth Time to Taipei

On Saturday, Kristi and I went to Taipei.  We took the bus because it was cheaper.  Once we got in , we hailed a taxi.  I showed the guy the temple address in Chinese.  He didn't know how to get there.  We drove along and the driver talked to himself and laughed almost the whole ride.  I wish I could understand Chinese.  I am sure he was saying something funny.  He ended up pulling over and asking some guy for directions. 

We finally made it and the tiny Taipei Temple was a great experience.  I felt so rejuvenated spiritually.  I love the temple. 

Afterwards, we found a place to eat on the way to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park.  Chiang was a Nationalist leader and long-time president of Taiwan (d. 1975).  In 1980 the park openned in his memory.  The main entrance to the park is marked by a 98-foot, 5-arched Ming dynasty styled "Dajhong Jhihjheng Gate" (the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness.)

There is a huge plaza that leads to the memorial.  Just beyond the gate are two identical buildings.  On the right is the National Theatre and on the left is the National Concert Hall, built in grand Chinese Palace style.  Tons of performances are in these buildings.

The Memorial Hall is white marble with a blue tiled roof, topped with a golden dome.  We climbed several stairs to get to the third story, which had a bronze statue of Chiang.  On the first floor there were art galleries and exhibits of Chiang's life and reign, including a replica of Chiang's office with the original furnishings.  It was all very interesting.

There were also lots of gardens in the park. 

Next we headed to  the 2-28 Peace Park.  I'm not sure why it's called that.  We didn't explore much there because of time constraints, but we did go to the Taiwan Museum.  That looked Greek in style.  It houses exhibits on natural history and a collection of aboriginal artifacts.  It was all very neat.

I decided we could probably walk back to the bus station.  Except, once we got there, we realized that I directed us to the wrong one.  I asked a station worker if she spoke any English.  She said a little, and then proceeded to talk to us in Chinese, only Chinese. 

Kristi and I didn't understand and didn't know how to get to the correct bus station, so we hailed a taxi, and rode in it for like literally a 1/4 of a mile.  Well, at least we got to the right station.  I am now home safely.