KHH for CNY 2014: Part 2

The rest of the time in Kaohsiung for the Chibese New Year Holiday was quite relaxing...  Especially with the Boys working and away in Military duties...  Still, we sure made the most of our time..... 

Mornings were spent on loooong walks with Liya and the doggies...  

Afternoons having coffee...  And evenings just relaxing...   

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Visited some FAVE haunts, Dream Mall - of course!!!

Thursday the 30th was extra fun as Both Todd and Johnny starts their CNY holidays..  So we get 2 days with them... Running around..  Helping prepare for the Chinese New Year's Eve....  Then the celebration itself...

Welcoming Johnny Wu Home with our versions of the Military Salute...  LOL!!!

Paper Offerings!

WHAT A FEAST!!!  Am still full just by looking at the photos!!!

Our last day, the 31st, was spent going to a couple of Temples...  Hanging out at the park with the whole Wu Clan...  And in the evening, going to Love River to see some Lanterns already on display...  And a boat ride around the river....

Gangs All Here!!!

 

BOAT CRUISE around Love River

Break Time with Liya & Johnny (Jason)

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."
~Frederick Keonig
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Took a couple of hours break from "JEWEL WATCH" today - Liya, Jason (both up from Kaohsiung) & I decided to go to WarnerViewshow area, to have lunch at Burger King, check out what's playing at the Cineplex, and of course, try to check out the newly opened UNIQLO....

Well, we were too late for any of the movies we wanted to see... either already started or SOLD OUT.... and the next scheduled showings were just much too late - have to go back and see Jewel and bring food to her parents, too.... So we decided to just have our Burger King lunch... YUMMY!!! Of course, I had my Chicken Sandwich with Cheese.... and even got to try their Brownie Cubes Topped with Ice Cream....

Before heading back home, we walked by the NEWLY Opened UNIQLO Shop in Taipei.... This Japanese based clothing boutique' Grand Opening has been much anticipated by soooo many Taiwanese... so we knew it will be like a MADHOUSE.... well, that's an understatement.... it was soooooooo CROWDED!! Long lines from all point of entries - LOL!!! Spoke to some of the people there, and it seems some of them even spent a whole nite in line just to be sure get in as the shop first opens...OMG!!! Well, as much as it would have been FUN to get in and take photos for the BLOG, 3 hours of my time to waste in line was just not worth it.... indeed!!!

So instead, we took the bus back home - so I can get a bit of work done... and everyone else can prepare FOOD and more stuff for the nighttime Jewel visit.... which we did by 7PM... just in time to have dessert with Lyn & Shaun... then see Jewel by 8PM.... even Cousin Tori came to see Jewel tonite!!! Jewel is doing fine.... she was actually getting some Vitamin Rays - so she looks as if she is in a TANNING BOOTH!!! LOLs!!! We all left the hospital about 9:30Pm and walked the long way home... a good 30/40 mins walk....

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

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.

snail mail surprise

In these INTERNET SUPER HIGHWAY times we are living in - where most of us wants everything to come fast, faster, fastest.. - the are of sending mail via the Postal Office has become practically obselete...

so it is not a puzzle how receiving a letter, a post card or a greeting card could being so much surprises & joy to the recipient... such were my sentiments upon reciving a BDAY card from Liya, all the way from the UK... at first my thoughts were" "Oh No she didn't??? she did not waste money on sending me a BDAY card...hmmm..." But upon a closer look, a feeling of overwhelming happiness rushed over me... the idea that someone actually cared enough to pick a card, write thoughts & feelings on it, and send it on especially for me was just overwhelming. And upon opening it up and reading through it - it brought me so much more warm fuzzy feelings... utter happiness and I could not be more appreciative for Liya's efforts and sentiments... made this past BDAY, even more special...

Thanks ever so much, Liya!!!

A doodle of Liya's current residence. One of the special art of snail mail that has been lost.

..and she calls it YOGA!!!!

Early evening yesterday, feeling refreshed from our 2 hour SWIM/WATER SPA, David and I walked over with Liya by the river so we can witness her different YOGA stances, photographed them, and hopefully learn something... well, we did not learn anything really and to date, am still awaiting from LIYA the names of her different stances... don't think she would appreciate the names I would give these poses (spread eagle stance, rear entry stance, etc... So Liya, Better get back with me with those names ASAP!!))
On the walk back -- we happen upon this tractor that's always fascinated me,,, and it so happened that it was abandoned right in the middle of the park... No one around... so what am I to do?? I jumped at my chance right away, of course, and tried it on for size...and a light in me flashed!!!

YOWZA!!! I found another job possibility, if ever I want a real career change.... just IMAGINE, no need to dress up... am out and about, soaking up the sun and smelling the fresh air... and I get to HANDLE BIIIIG MACHINES... MANLY?? Yes!!! and just the way I like it!!!
Rest of the Photos Here: Jan 18th, 2008

On A Clear Day You Can See Forever!!!

Indeed!!! Woke up today with the sun shining brightly, albeit still pretty cold, as it has been since coming home from the Holidays. Still we are HAPPY as it is not gloomy, cloudy, or worse, rainy... today's weather was really pretty much like San Francisco weather -- the kind I miss most in the winter time...

So David and I did our quick early morning errands and we decided to indulge Liya for a hike up the mountains right behind Taipei 101, Shi Sou San (4 Animals Mountain)... it was a nice hike with many many routes to take: steps for the elderly and not so keen on hiking on a regular basis... and the dirt route -- muddy and tough, as there are parts where you have to climb up steeply, pulling yourself on ropes... making one feel like they are really mountain climbing professionals... that's the route we took, of course, proving to ourselves we can still be pretty adventurous... LOLs....

It was a good hour hike each way.... and you do see people of all ages through the hike... plus the mountain is actually filled with different temples along the way... so one can find refuge, water, toilets, and even food, along the way.... and at the very top, one is rewarded with not just really fresh air but a spectacular view of the city, along with the Taipei 101... After the hike, we rewarded ourselves with a bit of Xiao Chi (Little eats) -- dumplings, dumplings, & more dumplings -- as we happen upon this 20 year old, family run, dumpling place... nice treat after a nice little hike...

And equally nice, was ending the day with lounging about the Eslite Bookstore right on the Taipei 101 Building... magazines from all over the world... books on just about anything.... and floors and floors of different kinds of specailty shops ranging from clothing to computer software and add ons, gift items and novelty items, funiture and my most fave of all, toys!!! So another hour was spent just unwinding here and enjoying all that Eslite has to offer...
More Photos Here

Wedding Gown Blues

The morning was spent shopping for "this and that" - things needed for the wedding... a quickie lunch @ MOS Burger, and then off to pick out gowns for Lyn...I must say, as exciting as it is to go through countless of gowns - both wedding and evening gowns - to pick the right ones (we needed 2 White Wedding Gowns and 5 Evening Gowns), it is just as tiring and frustrating...
The Wu Siblings shop for NEIKU (undies)!!

A tired Bride to be, a frustrated Groom to be, and Director brother.

Of course, it was a lot of fun for David, Liya and I - as we just need to pull gowns after gowns for Lyn to try on... but for Lyn and Shaun - it must have been really trying as they just do not have that much time to spare... Good thing we were actually all in agreement for the most part... so 4 hours later and numerous gown changes we chose what Lyn will be wearing for the pre wedding photoshoot (very romantic clooks), and for the actual wedding (sexy and glitz galore!)...

Liya & I even found time to goof around in between gowns.

As a THANK YOU and a SURPRISE for us helping through the day -- Shaun took us all to see the MAYDAY's concert -- one of Taiwan's Premier College Bands... a nice way to end a very tiring day...

-SHOPPING PHOTO ALBUM