Surprise Getaway

This is that time of the year when Shaun seems to get a few perks from various companies, through his work... All in the name of Happy Chinese New Year, of course.. :)

 

The ride is always a treat....  easy access....  plus the Special Train that takes you from BeiTou to Shin-BeiTou, the actual HAVEN for various luxurious hotels and hot springs is just too CUTE....   the Trains are painted in fun and colorful styles depicting the various activities one can do in the area...  The station are also decorated with Fun Art Installations - also using the theme of relaxation and hot springs....  These fun displays, as well as the view from the leisure walk, are truly eye catching took us a bit of time to actually get to our Hotel....

Always one to share, this time around we get to trek to Beitou for an overnight stay at this luxurious Hot Springs Hotel: Grand View Resort.  What a place it is....  soooo LUXURIOUS and pretty and serene....  Maybe it is because it is a Monday - or the HIGH RATEs for accommodation (About $400US a nite!) - but the place seemed empty....  as if aside from the staff, we were the only other inhabitants at the time.  Makes it even more FUN and RELAXING to be there...   Not only do we get to outdoor Hot Springs - our Suite also have a couple of Private Hot Springs overlooking the mountain scenery and the perfect place to catch the beautiful sunset....

The FUN Ride to BeiTou

Good Thing I can take my work everywhere and anywhere for the most part.... A fine way to start the work week, if I may say so myself!!!

Gorgeous, Gorgeous Suite!

Now this is what I call a Surprise Getaway Break!!!

Complete with a Beautiful Sunset to Boot!

Home Cooked Meals

Thankful Day 10 is all about delicious home cooked meals.... Nowadays, with Chef David's busy work schedule - he does not get to treat us to some scrumptious meals often...

So when he does, like today, we are all THANKFUL!!'

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Was treated to a showing of the movie I have been wanting to see, "Gf*Bf" - Shaun was able to find it online and downloaded for me to see....  No English subtitles but heck, at this point this did not matter so much anymore... I sat through the whole thing....  loving every minute of the film.....   it was everything I expected and imagined it to be... and more.....  Great acting from everyone.....  Very nicely filmed and directed.....  and just love the SUBTLETIES in the dramatic parts....  this made for an even heartfelt storytelling....  TWO THUMBS UP for the film, indeed!!!!

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Then  to we drove over later in the afternoon, to visit the Lin An Tai Historical Homes and Museum....  This place is only half an hour away....  and such a beautiful and peaceful place to visit....   as if one is transported to a different time....   besides the Old Style Houses, Gardens, and Gazebos - lots of Antique furniture and knick display....  and of course, historical notes on ancient traditions....

...was even treated to this beautiful Sunset!!!

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Capped off the nite with some goodies form the night market for dinner....  then happened upon an Indian Dance Public Performance - so got to enjoy that, too.....   Overall, it was a nice day....  I should not have anything to complain about.....   well....

Looooong Days!!!

Everyday ON THE GO for me this week... Aside from the daily grind- house and work and baby sitting Juju, i was actually able to SQUEEZE a few more things..., Lunches at Gordon Birsch with Juliana... Plus Outback with Juju and family..,, Catch SAVAGES on the big screen... And even took in some oh the Fashion's Night Out Festivities ( see previous post)..... Whew!

Juju practicing her performance art by the Rainbow Bridge - Dajia Riverside...

 

Sept 6th: Lunch with Juliana at Gordon Birsch

Sept. 6th: Treating Juju and Todd for some McDonalds... 

 a Fave of Todd's and Juju's FAVE playground!

 

 

Sept 7th:  Steaks for lunch at the OUTBACK!!!

Then took in the MAYDAY Exhibition once more....

 

and capped off the night riding Miramar's Taipei Eye!

 

Sept 9th: Dinner @ Mitsukoshi with Juju, Todd, and Tori... 

even COLDSTONE Ice Cream

(Peanut Butter and Chocolate for me - YUMMY!!!) for dessert!!!

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Next week will be just as Busy as i will be off to Korea with The Wus for a Surprise 4 day trip!!!

Kaohsiung Bound

Got up at 6:30am... Finished a few things and packed.. By 9:30am, we were already at the THSR, Taiwan's Speed Train on our way down south... Heading down to Kaohsiung for a few days... Could not have been more perfect, as right now it is storming in Taipei.... Seeing the news on TV, it looks quite scary, too... Winds and heavy rain.., accidents on the road... And flooding...

In Kaohsiung, so far it is off and on rain but the winds are quite scary, too... So just been hanging around the neighborhood and of course, eating a lot... and I do mean a lot!!!!

Little Big Girl On The Go!!!

Lovely Nite in KHH - as if there was no Typhoon whatsoever!

 Wu Mama and Wu Papa never fails to deliver when it comes to welcoming me with an abundance of food.... LOL.... I always wonder why they think am too skinny???

We've Got TEETH!!!

Jewel is 7 months and she's got teeth!!! 3 to be exact... 2 above and one below..... and this is both making us smile - as it is soooo funny to see... and making us wince as they do hurt when she bites you - and she loves biting fingers.....Jewel actually gave us a bit of a scare the a few days ago... for almost 3 days she was just moody, crying all the time and cannot seem to catch a good sleep.... am usually good at getting her to nap after our playtime and feeding time but the last couple of times I babysat her - it was just frustratingly impossible to get her to nap.... and the crying made it worse as I, nor Wu Papa did not know what to do.... we kept saying it must be the teeth coming in and the heat bothering her... as she was also sweating quite a bit a lot... Even her Mommy & Daddy did not know what was wrong.... just thought she was being moody....

Enter Wu Mama, who advised the she should see a doctor - as babies really do not cry that much for now reason at all... Lo and Behold - she had an ear infection that was actually hurting her so... and was making it impossible for her to sleep - as when she sleeps on that side - she is awaken right away from the pain.... The doctor right away gave her meds - some drops and within an hour she was fine.... and then she was back to smiling, playing and yes - NAPPING/SLEEPING properly!!!!Yesterday, she even behaved sooooooo well when we went for a rainy day trek to Yilan County... she was HAPPY... slept on my lap the whole drive over.... and just played and smiled with everyone - even strangers!!!
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As an added BONUS - Shaun's friend that we visited in the Yilan County took us on a bit of a tour... we got to see both the Ka Va Lan Whisky and Mr Brown Coffee factories.... plus some lovely housing in the are....For one totally rainy, gloomy day - it sure turned out to be a lovely fun nite....

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

Happy 3rd Month BDay, Jewel!!!!

JIA YOU!!!!

Basically means "Go Go Go"... or "More Power", in Chinese.... and the way Jewel's arm is posed seems to be saying so... Love this photo - captured by Lyn and Shaun on their Cel Phone a month or so ago....

(NOTE: Due to my COLD, I have yet to visit Jewel since coming back to Taipei... do not want to give her my cold.... hence, having to use this photo....:))

Tickled Pink!

Today marks Jewel's 1 Month Birthday!!! and this afternoon it was a fun filled couple of hours celebrating the occasion with a tiny cake... a couple of wardrobe changes for Jewel... and lot's of photo taking....Jewel was being sooooo cooperative, too as she did not cry for the most part of it.... she let us change her, pose her, and took turns holding her for our own photo opt to mark the occasion... just look at the photo and you will see - th Adults had a lot more Fun than Jewel, herself... most especially, Wu Papa..... hahahahaha"Hmmmm... what are you guys up to?"

Fun Photos Here!!!

Jewel Comes Home

This little girl once again AMAZES me.... her resilience does not wane... and she continues to Surprise us all....
Remember in my fist BLOG about her - Jewel at the last minute, decided to help out Mommy escaped a C Section delivery - and decided to push her way out into the wold - the NATURAL WAY....

and then, due to minor complications, (catching a little cold) - she was to be left behind in the hospital for at least another week so they can better watch over her till she is 100% ready to go home with Lyn & Shaun... even the day before Lyn's release, we still were not sure if Jewel will be able to come home... But TRUE to he Nature, so far, the morning of Lyn's release - Jewel got really better and was released alongside Mommy.... hahahahaha, there was no way she was going to be left behind.....

So she is now at home - enjoying her own sweet home... and we in turn, can enjoy her for longer hours, instead of the 30 minute allotted time every 4 hrs by the hospital....

Just this lunch time - we were able to see her take her fist bath at home.... aaaaah the BIG Pleasures we get from the LITTLE angels....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

The "Jewel" In Our Eyes!!!

Aaaaah the MIRACLE of BIRTH!!!!

am TRULY HUMBLED and AWED by the whole process....

Please meet "Jewel"

- the much awaited first born to my friends/family, Lyn & Shaun....

Born: Oct 5th, 2010

Time: 6:10 AM

Weight: 3KGS and 30 Grams

Height: 52 CM

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okay, okay... this is actually the real reason why we all have been extra busy lately.... with not much time for anything else except going back and forth to the Hospital... first making sure everything is well with the Mom to be, Lyn... then welcoming Jewel into this world.... and now, just to see her from time to time during visiting hours - till she is safe and sound in her home... and we can see her as much as we want!!! Hehehehehehehe....As most of you know, Lyn & Shaun, I have known for over 10 years now.... shared lots of GREAT TIMES with them, and still doing so..... from college graduation, to tying the knot almost 2 years ago, & now, their first baby.....

So far, so good..... both Mom & Baby are doing fine.... though at one point it was going to have to be a C-Section delivery, but at the last minute, Jewel pulled through and helped Mommy open up a bit... so to speak.... been running back and forth to the hospital bringing the happy parents food - helps a lot that the hospital is only 15 minutes away by scooter.... and of course, we get to hold and enjoy Jewel a bit more!!!

Almost There!!!!

It is getting more EXCITING!!! I woke up from dreaming about Lyn's water breaking -and I was the only one around... so I was panicking as to what to do??? who to call??? Ect... so that was funny... Then we get a call from Lyn (& Shaun), saying she has already checked in as her water already broke.... LOL!!!(Photo taken a little after 4PM today)

So, she has checked in at around 9AM, and the Doctor is predicting that within the next 24 to 30 hours - she will deliver.... and she better, as Chinese Fortune tells her that Tuesday, the 5th is the Best time for her to have the baby, too.... So let's hope and pray that all the heavens are conspiring to make her wishes come true!!!

UPDATE: 9:30pm - SAME DAY: Just got home from the hospital.... Lyn is doing great... and everything is going fine... so far so good..... spent a couple of hours there tonite bringing her and Shaun dinner.... Visiting hours is only till 9PM - so we all left the parents to be for the nite...

Happy 1st of October Everyone!!!

Everything is going by too fast... it is both AMAZING & SCARY!!!

Since coming back from the Europe trip, things have been CRAZY HECTIC on my side of the world.... catching up with work - nothing new!; dealing with a couple of typhoon and the constant rain; dealing with more family troubles; and just about everything else on the home front.... and here we are, Oct 1st already!!! 85 days before XMAS!!! 3 more months before the end of the year!!! WHOAH, where have all the time gone....

October is proving to be even more hectic with the impending arrival of Lyn & Shaun's first baby.... Lyn is due on the 2nd so basically, that means anytime now we could all be rushing to the hospital for delivery... an exciting time for all... with the whole Wu clan due to come up from down south to help in during the first few days....Then come 11th of Oct., I should be flying off again to Manila - to take care of personal & familial matters.... REALLY MUST DO STUFF - before the end of the year....In between, I am looking forward to the Grand Opening of UNIQLO, Taipei on the 7th of this month.... hoping to see EAT*PRAY*LOVE..... and catching up with GLEE, the rest of Season 1.... and of course, HALLOWEEN!!!

Hope all's well in your neck of the woods....

Nature Break Monday

it was such perfect timing..... I had just come home from a run and an hours workout at the Gym late Monday afternoon - and the phone was ringing... it was Lyn & Shaun asking if I wanted to go to OOLAI with them - for a little Nature Break..... of course, I said YES!!! Took a quick shower and had them pick me up right away.....

The weather was agreeing as it was nice and clear but not sunny.... the area where Shaun took us to for a little trail walk was just peaceful and lovely..... and the waters cool and refreshing..... wish I had at least, brought a towel or I would have jumped in right away..... tooo bad... aaaaah, maybe next time.... Was TRULY an unexpected MONDAY TREAT!!!

More Photos Here

Fun Day with Wu Mama & Wu Papa

Not often that Wu Mama & Wu Papa comes up to Taipei together - so when they do, we all try to make the most of it and drag them here and there.... not an easy thing as, for the most part, they would rather just do the gardening for us (Wu Papa) & shop and cook (Wu Mama)... and in between drag us to the nearest temple and give respect and offering to the Gods...

Well, last July 11th, Liya, Lyn and myself were actually able to convince them for a day out - a trek outside the city.... of course, at first we had to have a purpose - so we went to the Flower Market first under the pretensions that we are shopping for more plants for Lyn & Shaun's roof top garden - which totally makes Wu Papa ecstatic... and once they were out, we knew half of the battle is done and we will be able to drag them elsewhere... not without a fight, mind you.... hahahahaha....

anyway, after the flower market - the 5 of us decided to take the BUS out of the city.... it was easier this way as no hassles driving in the freeway and possibly the rain... plus having to look for parking - since it is the weekend and lots of people are out and about.... First stop was, Jin Gua Shi (Golden Melon Stone), basically a one time place of residence for the Wus.... David & his older brother spent the early part of their childhood here... when The Wus still had a thriving SEWING FACTORY... even Liya, I believe was born here... though only spent 5 days after birth as they were already on the move....

It was soooo WONDERFUL seeing them both so excited, reminiscing about the times they spent in the area.... even more so upon seeing their old factory/home - which is now an ANTIQUE SHOP.... time was spent talking with the locals... some neighbours that they even remembered... Lots of photos were taken to Wu Papa's delight... he wanted to make sure to really mark this day - and be able to share with everyone, through photos this special place of theirs....

Then it was off to Jiu Fen - a very old-style neighborhood that was also an area for movie making.... nowadays it is more like a TOURIST AREA lined with stalls after stalls selling this n that plus a lot of Taiwan's native delicacies to try.... This was not my first time here - probably my 4th or 5th already - so I would not
say I was excited.... still I was so much more excited just having Wu Mama & Wu Papa make comments about this and that, just about everything.... always a delight to hear what comes out of their mouths.... they are so funny and when not forcing me to eat more, they are cracking me up - without even trying....

DAY TRIP PHOTOS HERE

the little things....

haiiiis.... with the rain in Taipei going on almost a week now - it's enough to make one go insane.... I mean I am told it will be SUNNY & beautiful by Wednesday and today, Tuesday, should already start to IMPROVE.... but so far, even with the birds out chirping away, the rain still falls.... so I figured, I BLOG about it and hope that someone up there will take note and actually give us a break from all this rain... LOL!

Now as you know, I really do not m,ind the rain much.... I actually love the sounds of the falling rain on my window pane.... love taking walks in the rain now and again..... and I even relish the run by the river after it rains (sans the puddles to avoid - and there are lots that is it more like an obstacle course than a leisurely run - hahahahahahah)... Still, I look forward to the BREAKS FROM THIS HARD RAIN..... then am able to run my errands... go for walks in the market or the book store.... go for a real run by the river.... and get energized to get dressed and see friends and the world - not be bogged down with the feeling of gloominess from the dark clouds and the thoughts of getting wet, no matter how one tries to avoid the rain....

Still, am not all about griping today.... there are still many things to be THANKFUL for - little things that matters a lot, a whole lot... like the following: the rainy season marks the season of certain fave fruits in Taiwan such as Grapes, Lychees, Mangoes...; rainy days are GREAT DAYS to spend visiting the Library and discovering new magazines - such as DPI (Art & Illustration magazine) - a new fave..: catching up with the Premiums am collecting...; and many other surprises, little ones that brings so much joys, like waking up to find an email telling me that YAHOO! editorial chose to include 2 photos of mine in their FLICKR "DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2010" album... it is always good to know that others are checking out my blogs and photos ...

Fruits from Nantou, couteasy of Lyn & Shaun

DPI Magazine

New Addition to my Premium Toy C0llections

and Surprising Notifications

a Bun in the Oven... weeeeiiiiiii.............

Lyn stopped by earlier this afternoon and surprised me with her baby's SONOGRAM photos.... just TOO CUTE and TOO COOL!!! I mean I have many nieces and nephews already but never did I ever, get to see one of these in person.... NO I HAVE - and IT GAVE ME SUCH A WONDERFUL BLAST OF EXCITEMENT!!! So wonderful to see the baby - all 5cm of it... to see the profile and all... just AMAZING!!! No word yet if it's a boy or a girl - I think that happens next month... not that it should matter as it is BLESSING enough to have one on the way.... and Lyn & Shaun pretty much would be just as happy with either one....

A BIIIG CONGRATULATIONS to Shaun & Lyn for the baby... so far so good... the Doctor gave her TWO THUMBS UP !!!