Went to the rodeo

It was Alex Strong’s birthday. And I was delighted to join in the celebration! Beautiful animals, great performances. (Alex wasn’t really drinking that beer. She was holding it for her dad.)

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The toilet seat we almost brought home

If you asked me what is the least likely “thing” you would ever buy, a heated toilet seat would be near the top of the list.

In the Grand Hotel in Taipei our room had a heated toilet seat with bidet. And when you get up in the morning and it is a little coolish — I can’t tell you the aaaaah factor involved in sitting down on a heated toilet seat. By the end of our stay Mom wanted to bring it home with us. She liked the bidet part too. It just seamed so civilized…

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In the Taipei airport

There were heat sensor monitors. As we walked by a kiosk a lady stopped us to check Noah’s temperature — they thought he was running a fever. Boy were we thankful the thermometer in the ear test was normal.

I had never seen that. Although it makes sense. On an island near bird flu outbreaks… my throat feels scratchy

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The Ceremony

I want to write this down before I forget any of it. I didn’t take pictures of enough. We were instructed to enter the Plum Room and sit down on the couch at the end of the room. There were 3 round tables with place settings and the center of the room had a table with a huge bouquet, candles, and a lit sign with kanji I didn’t understand — lots of red color. There was a chair in the center with a small foot stool in front of it. And there were four chairs facing each other in front of the central chair.

As Wendy’s family filtered into the room we were delighted to meet them all. From the ages of 2 to 86 — it was quite a crowd. Maybe 30 – 40 people.

We were ushered into the 8 chairs — four facing four — in front of the central chair with the foot stool.

Wendy was stunningly beautiful as she came into the room escorted by her eldest aunt. They brought us sweet tea. When Wendy and her aunt collected the tea cups we deposited red envelopes (symbolic and prearranged) on the tea tray. Then Wendy left the room. The red envelopes contain cash, but it isn’t really a dowry. Symbolically we are trying to ensure the Tao family that Fritz will be able to financially care for her. Historically chickens and other items are exchanged. We laughed a lot about bringing chickens into the Grand Hotel, but Wendy’s Dad did bring chickens to the occasion of his engagement. So times they are a changing.

Wendy re-entered the room and sat on the central chair with her feet on the foot stool. Her feet had golden slippers and the feet could not touch the ground during the rest on the formalities. Fritz presented her with a gold ring. It was Wendy’s Mom’s ring — so there was a really wonderful resonance. Then Karen (mother of groom-to-be) put a gold necklace around Wendy’s neck to symbolize welcoming her into the Kahrl family. And then the formalities were done and there were many, many, many photo ops. Wendy’s Mom and Dad’s families don’t get together very often, it is more usual for the man’s family or the woman’s not both. It was a rare joyful occasion!

Then a 12 course meal began. (Twelve is a lucky number — Wendy had 12 pieces of clothing, and Fritz was supposed to as well.) Every course delicious. We are waiting for a translation of the menu to find out what we ate. But at the end we didn’t think we would need to eat for a week or more. And Wendy was challenged with introducing everyone there in English and toasting with each family.

The Tao family and Wendy and Fritz really were extremely gracious and it was an experience that I will cherish all of my days. I am also appreciative of how kind everyone was about translating to English everything we were witnessing. It is embarrassing to be so language challenged. I am humbled and grateful.

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Adventure in Taiwan, part 2

We stayed at the most incredible hotel — the Grand Hotel. Built before World War II, it was a government building for housing visiting dignitaries. It is truly grand in every way. The entrance from the street is a huge decorated gateway. The lobby was supported by huge, bright red columns with gold detail, and the stairways were marble. The detailing under the eaves is brightly painted and exquisite. The interior has framed antique calligraphy and scroll paintings. The grounds are meticulously spotless and beautifully designed with dark smooth stones and lovely draecenas. The lobby is full of pots with profusions of blooming orchids. And the staff was perfectly attentive and knowledgeable. We were incredibly spoiled and felt like royalty every moment.

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Adventure in Taiwan, part 1

It started when I missed 2 freeway exits on the way to the San Antonio airport… but we got there in plenty of time (whew). I am blaming sleep deprivation. Then Mom and I flew to San Francisco to meet up with the Karhls from Washington D.C. and the Brodys from Oakland. The plane was delayed 3.75 hours — 4 hours and they would have owed us a meal voucher. Noah (2) was a brave, little soldier. He asked to read a book. And then the other kids crowded ’round as moths to a flame. Some bringing their own books. It was amazing. The power of a book.

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Dew Claws Latest Stresser

It started with being unable to trim the nail (pretty normal yanking the foot away when the trimmer came close). Then there was the whirling dirvish that ended in yelps of pain. And the bone treat chewing that also ended with a yelp of pain. Something so small shouldn’t cause so much grief.

The first trip to the vet was fruitless. Dr. Baumel was out and we had to see a backup vet. We will only see the regular vets from now on, no more subs. And I really only want Dr. Baumel to see Petey. Dr. Baumel is St. Francis in the flesh.

A second visit — this time with Dr. Baumel — saw us going home with pain killers and antibiotics. Last Saturday, Petey was limping on that foot and I was convinced we would be in surgery to remove the offending appendage. But each day since has been a bit better. Whew. I hate the idea of putting Petey through surgery again — ever.

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