Sunday in the Park with the Doggies...

Spent a relaxing and therapeutic afternoon today playing with not one, not two, but three dogs.... yes, three dogs... meet the newest addition to the Wu Clan's brood of doggies, Little Pearl....Such a cutie... only 2 months old and as playful as they come... spent the afternoon running around after us and the other grown up doggies, Laifu and Ah-Bao... Not quite sure as to what breed she is, but none of that matters... she is just cute as a button... would love to have taken him home already but really would feel so GUILTY having to leave her behind - as most of the time no one is home... not to mention the once a month travel abroad... boo hoo.... so for now, will just visit her as often as I could....Lala is still as mischievous as ever.... and Ah Bao has come a long way and have become as healthy as any dog could be... all thanks to Liya... such patience and care for the doggies....

iHEART Kaohsiung & Art

love love love Kaohsiung.... as much as I hate the loooong bus ride to get to this city south of Taipei - everything is forgotten as soon as am city just keeps getting prettier and prettier.... and the city never ceases to AMAZE me as to all the things they have to offer and to discover....

the weekend was spent hanging out with the Wus... eating the local delicacies.... playing with Laifu/Lala .... fending off all the goodies Wu Mama wants to feed me - and believe me, it is never ending.... all the weight I lost the last 10 days - I gained right back the 3 days I was there... waaaah!!!!! still it was not just the feast for the taste buds but feasts for the eyes, as well...

Laifu Takes Refuge From The Summer Heat!!!

There was so much more to discover.... like heading back to the Movie Park by the Love River and taking fun photos with Laifu.... and with the bois, Johnny (formerly Jason) & Todd, now being certified drivers - we were able to run around so much more.... first stop was Johnny driving us to his school where a newly erected Mall/Amusement Park opened... EDA Mall... what a trip!!! Rivals some of the biggest hotels in Las Vegas or Macau.... with it's numerous shopping boutiques; an amusement park; movie house; food court for days - and an adjacent 5 star hotel - no one ever has to leave..... it is enough for a short vacation getaway.... The mall itself is reminiscent of the Venetian Hotel with it's indoor Blue Skies facade... and in the center of it all is a giant fountain with replicas of giant sculptures of ancient Gods....

Later in the afternoon, we switched drivers as Johnny had to go to work, this time out Todd was driving us around the city.... first STOP: Pier 2, where there are so many different Art Exhibitions happening.... and most are FREE ADMISSIONS for everyone to ENJOY.... Kaohsiung is really pushing the ART scene and from the looks of it - succeeding quite nicely.... after a good couple of hours going through one exhibition after another - we headed on to DREAM MALL - yep, my FAVE mall... we stopped in to eat and see "Knight & Day" before retiring for the evening....

So overall, it was a GREAT couple of days..... filled with NON-STOP FUN... all these were done even with the threat of a TYPHOON looming....

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE (Under Construction)

here comes the Sushi man....

Earlier this month, we took a two day trek down south (Kaohsiung) to visit.... hung out with The Wus, run by Love River, play with the doggies... and of course, catch up with the boys - Todd & Jason.... always FUN to see and chat with them.... hear what they are up to.... see what's the latest they are doing.....Todd is currently finishing up college, then he will go on to take his Masters for another 3 more years.... Still with the same girlfriend and still keeping himself busy with both school & work....

Jason is now, also in college, and still working his way through it.... keeping life in a balance.... the thing that I love about this boy is that he is not one to shy away from work, any kind of work.... over the years I have known and visited him in his various jobs: Yamazaki as a Bread Maker, Ramen Resto, Tom's Ice Cream Parlor & have now recently started working for Sushi Express - much like the Sushi Boat restos of the Us - where one can satisfy their Sushi cravings by simply taking them from the conveyor that goes around and around.... and later on, all the empty dishes will be counted and you are billed...

This particular branch (they have many nationwide) is quite big.... even bigger than the ones I have been to in the US..... and yes it IS fun to sit and chat; watch all the tempting Sushi go around and around; and of course, eat as much as one can - and ate we did!!! It was amazing how in such a short time we have accumulated/piled up so many empty sushi plates to be counted... LOL!

As always, the trip is hurried, tiring but still a lot of FUN!!!

Laifu Day Photos Here
Sushi Outing Photos Here

more Days & Nites with Lala

Photos are also from earlier this month's trip to Kaohsiung, visiting The Wu Residence & of course, Lala the Dog... always such a pleasure and fun trip - Lala is looking old but can still keep up with us running... and still as sweet and playful as ever.... the pleasures of having a dog really....

now, Liya would rather we call him Laifu - as every single Lab in Taiwan must be named Lala - so she does not want him running over to just anyone who calls him... but heck, I have grown accustomed to Lala and actually feel it has such a nice ring to it... so he will always be Lala to me!!!

Complete Photos Here

AND HERE HE IS HAPPILY SWIMMING!!!

Liouhe Night Market Trek

It is not often that we can drag Wu Mama out of her home... away from her sewing, temple activities and NUMBERS - so on this nite when she actually said yes to going out, we all could not contain our happiness and got ready we did.... Fast before she changed her mind, which she is known to do....

The place of choice is the Liuhe Night Market... one of the most touristy night markets in Kaohsiung... it was a fun nite filled with laughter, bonding, and even more lotsa' eating.... even Lala got to come and enjoy the nite.... Overall, it was a GREAT NITE OUT with the Wus... too bad Wu Papa could not join us -- i think he was tending to his garden and birds (one of his new passions).....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Computer Blues...

Almost a week of no REAL computer connection - WAAAAAAH!!!! yes that's right 5 days to be exact that we had no proper NET CONNECTION - an hour here and there, at IKEA or someone else's WIFI does not count at all...

always one of the worst things for me to go through is to not be able to connect... not only because of work matters but for all the personal reasons (always BUGS me when I cannot keep in touch with my Mom), as well.... and yep, admittedly, that includes FACEBOOK and BLOGGING.. (^_*) In other words, if I have to say what am addicted to - I WOULD, WITHOUT HESITATION SAY, MY COMPUTER!!

Anyway, the last few days had been good for the most part - not including my COMPUTER BLUES - got to go to Kaohsiung and visit with the Wu Family; play with LALA, who is getting on in years; visit the TOWNSHIP of LUGANG and EXPERIENCED a 5.plus Earthquake, and its after shocks while touring the town; got a really IRRITATING, more like INFURIATING letter to deal with; and processed lots of dollies to go out... in other words, LIFE, as I KNOW IT! and with that, i was reminded of this passage:

"Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Lala: Lost & Found

Here's another story to be filed in the : "Believe it Or Not" section.

You all pretty much are acquainted with LALA the Dog already.... I have rambled about him quite a few times on this blog... not the brightest of dogs but certainly one of the sweetest....

Anyway, so the story is that recently he's gone missing for a few days... I mean, really missing... he has this habit of walking away from the house and not finding his way back home... he's done it a few times and he would be found a few hours later at a neighbor's house, the closest 7-11 (catching some needed air conditioning am sure!); or at a park where he usually plays... This last time though, he was nowhere to be found... and days went on... it was looking hopeless and the search was pretty much abandoned...
SIDE STORY:
I was talking to Liya on the phone (still living it up as a THEATRE DIRECTOR in ENGLAND) - and knowing how much she loves Lala, I thought for sure she would have been informed already.... WRONG!!! I was the bearer of BAD NEWS - felt bad but at the same time good that she was told... and here's why:

The following day, Todd, the oldest nephew was walking home from work... he heard a familiar bark at the neighborhood pet store, turned around and looked and was delighted to see Lala!!! It seems that someone has found him and brought him in at the Pet Store to keep for a while - even bought some food for him to eat while he was there.... Todd had to make Lala do the BIANG BIANG trick, to PROVE that he truly was their dog and was able to bring him home... much to everyone's delight...

So I was none too happy (and quickly) told Liya - to which she told me - after getting off the phone with me that nite - she prayed to the GOD's and PROMISED to come home if Lala would be found.... and Guess What? She is coming home tonite to fulfill her promise...Liya with Lala last Chinese New Year

Photos from the latest visit with Lala - PLS CLICK HERE.

Day Hike @ Shoushan (Monkey Mountain)

Shoushan is located on the western edge of the City of Kaohsiung, this area attracts a wide variety of birds, squirrels and of course, monkeys. One can walk side by side with these friendly creatures... all tame and cohabits with the humans quite naturally... and that is just what we did over the weekend.... it was extra fun for me as I just love these monkeys - remembering how we used to have a couple as pets growing up.... These monkeys seemed friendly enough as they walk about, sit around, play with each other - as people walk on by... they were not even bothered by the presence of Lala, and they will even sit with you if you are brave enough to sit close by....

A morning hike here is truly refreshing as at the top, one can see the whole harbour and city of Kaohsiung. Photos Here.

Mid Autumn 2008 Happenings

A weekend trip down south for the Mid Autumn Festival holidays... it was Perfect timing as there was heavy storm in Taipei... so we were able to get away from that... alas, the ride back in the midst of the TYPHOON was not pleasant... it was downright scary...

Still it was a great weekend as we got to get away... have fun with Wu Mama & Wu Papa, the kiddies (who are definitely not kiddies anymore!)... and most of all LALA the DOG!!!

More Photos Here!

Biang Biang Part II

Lyn takes her turn with Lala playing the Biang Biang Trick...

Back In LaLa Land...

yep...reunited with LALA once more... Possibly the HI LITE of the weekend trip down to Kaohsiung (South of Taiwan) to spend the Mid Autumn Holidays was being able to see Lala again and see what he is up to.... and he surely does have a new trick -- BIANG BIANG (BANG BANG)... you say Biang Biang and he plays dead... as demonstrated by David:

Alas, in my case, more like - you say Biang Biang and he drops from boredom...LOLs!!!