Pingxi Heavenly Lantern Festival

heavenly lanterns
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

this was the first launch. a couple hundred or so were sent up even 20 minutes. not even a monopod.

let go.

let go.
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

beginning of the second launch. and no tripod.

frustration

drawn out
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

out of which i exaggerated exposure and movement. gomen.

festival vendors

child labor
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

he was selling either corn or squid. i can't recall.

this year

this year
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

we wrote our hopes for the new year on a lantern of our own.

Seung Hie's wish for the new year.

Ana Suh's wish
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

(translation here.)

heating element

heating element
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

this is how the lantern lifts.

An Adventure to be remembered

Jen and Micah told me that I should post, so I will post about my adventure on Saturday. After the beautiful Yang Ming Mountain trip in the morning, Dr. C. said that he would be taking the MRT to the end of the line, to Danshui. Many nurses had mentioned that we should go there and it sounded like fun, so I jumped at the chance to join this adventure. Turns out that no one else was interested, so we headed out on our own. The town of Danshui is located along the Danshui River and stretches along the river until the river reaches the ocean. My first thought when arriving was that it reminded me of Seattle. We stopped at Starbucks for a quick drink before wandering along the wharf. The weather was cool and a little bit rainy. There were many shops to look in, and we were entertained by various people playing their instruments for a bit of cash. We managed to figure out that there was a ferry boat that went across the river and also up to the mouth of the river. We were hoping to cross the river, but instead ended up taking the ferry up to the mouth of the river, where it met the ocean. The ferry is much smaller than Seattle ferries, so it could go a lot faster. It was a fun ride. Then we decided to jump on a bus and stopped at the San Domingo fort (about halfway to the MRT station). We explored the fort which was most recently used as the British consulate. Lots of history, lots of interesting information. Besides the fort we saw a neat church and wandered up to see it. Turns out that it was on a university campus, so we wandered across the campus. Up to this point, I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure. I did not realize that I was about to get a lot more adventure than I had planned for. Instead of backtracking through the campus and back to the bus route, we made the choice to keep walking from where we were. Dr. C. made the logical assumption, that if we just headed downhill, we would make it back to the waterfront. So we turned left... down the hill... Not too long after that, we were suddenly going uphill again. At this point it was starting to get dark, so I lost any sense of direction that I had before. And it was still rainy. We wandered and made turns for quite a bit. Then, we found a large hill to trek down (hopefully leading us to water). Unfortunately, the path was through a construction area, so it was a bit dirty. About halfway down this long hill, we realized that we were getting further from civilization and decided that we really should head back up the hill. SO we did. Finally I noticed a sign pointing toward Danshui, so we headed that direction. And since we had been wandering for about an hour by now, we stopped at a real estate agency to ask for directions. We pulled out our map (for the first time, though this map had been with us the entire time). They were very kind to us and very helpful, though there English was not great, so their directions were lost on us. A lovely employee brought us out to the bus stop and told us that it would take us to MRT. Right before the bus came, she ran out again and said that we should be on the other side instead. Good thing she caught us in time! So we waited for the next bus (in the rain) and took it to the end of the line, hoping for the MRT station. Unfortunately, we ended up at the bus station instead. Our bus driver realized what had happened and helped us find a bus that would take us the other direction to the MRT. After a quick 5-10 minute ride we FINALLY ended back at the MRT station. We were probably closer than we thought, but just couldn't get it figured out. SO that's the end of my story. Though the adventure was more than I expected, and my jeans got a little muddy, and my feet got tired, I really had a fun time! A memory that I will never forget.

Well, it's been awhile....

I wandered into my bedroom tonight to change into my pajamas and sat down at the computer to check myspace and my e-mail and decided....it's been too long since i posted a real blog.

Things here in Taiwan are going well. Today we ventured into the Yangming National Park to do some hiking around Yang Ming Mountain. It was breathtaking up there. The park is located in northern Taipei and was about a 35 minute van trip from our dormitory. We were accompanied by several nurses from the 10th floor ( Med-Surg) and their families which is always a good time. Tamara and I ventured off with Tammie and Micah as well as two beuatiful young nurses, Marissa and Wynona. They were so cute. Wynona even got to show me here tattoo which was an experience we could bond over. The national park is quite expansive so we all went in different directions. Some of us scaled all the way to the top of one of the higher peaks up lots of almost vertical stairs, some of us climbed halfway and then veered off to get a look at some waterfalls. All in all it was a great trip. We got to spend time in a beautiful park which is known for it's flower festival. Sadly most of the flowers weren't blooming because the last few weeks have been the coldest in 10 years.

Along the pathway to the cherry blossom garden there were a multitude of venders. The primary treat being proffered? Stinky Tofu.....which smells.........really awful. Like......congealed blood or something horrible like that. If only I could share that scent with you. It was just such a conflict with all the fresh mountain air that it is almost as breathtaking as the scenery.

We are approaching our last days at the hospital and in Taiwan. It will be hard to leave this place. The people here are really amazing and Taipei is such a gorgeous world class city, with such a small town kinda feel sometimes.

As Tamara blogged we spent time at ORTV which was a blast. We even got to record for their radio broadcast. It was nice to spend time with people who are influencing some many lives, teaching English and spreading the gospel of Christ. We met a lot of great people who I'm sure we will try and keep in contact with.

I'll try and blog again before we leave but no promises. And I still haven't figured out the video blogging stuff. So if you really want my video blog, e-mail me. Loves.

Dr. C, get down with your bad self! :)

So, I imagine most of you might want an explanation for this picture, right? Well...the second group of us (Tiffany, Jenifer L, Ana, Daisy, & Tammie) went to ORTV yesterday and again today (2/20 & 2/21) and were invited to join in worship Taiwan Aboriginal-style. Here we have Dr. C really getting into it. Go, Dr. C!

paper and light

paper and light
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

lantern festival on February 17

electric bunny blur
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

kaffe

kaffe
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

it was Austrian. Barbara treated.

ORTV booth

and we went to a large book convention.

"the fishbowl"

Jen read this

script
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

Overseas Radio and Television

Jen recording
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

(what Haveman said.)

First post from Tamara: Read It!

Hello
I have been asked to post to this amazing blog site. But when one is forced, one often has a hard time thinking of something fantabulous to say. And it is late. But I will do my best to come up with something interesting. Today was our first day at ORTV, Overseas Radio and Television. They have music ministry, television, radio, and magazines. Three different levels of learning English: conversational, classroom, and professional. They also have drama-type programs and Bible studies. It's all very neat. Half of our group was there, and half had normal clinicals. We will switch places later this week. Sarah and I got to go with a team to a local high school to have an English lesson/practice time. We played word type games, and got to hand out prizes. We also learned a new song that we can share with you if you ask nicely. It was all very fun. Jen, Micah, and Barbara stayed at ORTV and worked in the recording studio. Jen filled in at the last minute to record her voice, and I hear she was absolutely amazing. She read through a test in English, which is actually quite tricky because you have to have a very consistent rhythm to your voice. No long pauses or anything. I think that is all that I have to say for now. Maybe you will hear more from me, maybe not. We shall see.

new photos on flickr.

353. waiting to be sorted, deleted, edited, tagged and commented on.

Video Blog: Taroko Gorge

So....We visited Taroko Gorge National Park and got to see a lot of really cool stuff. There were shrines galore and marble everywhere and Buddhist temples. It was gorgeous. And I have video to prove it.

But it won't load right now.....so look for it in the future!

year of the rat

painted with flowers. i dunno. there was a line for taking pictures in front these statues. we got in line, we took pictures. should prove to be a good year for rat enthusiasts.

to the 101

this is what some of us did on Sunday, February 10

the 101

atmosphere
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

"they won't see us waving..."

"they won't see us waving..."

yeah, we're at a fairly great height.
(500 meters, give or take a couple decameters.)

super damper

a tuned mass damper is this.

lit up

101 @ night
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

Taipei International Church

TIC
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

this is the church we'll be attending during our stay.
it meets at an American international school (high school?)

finally, in for some classic american shoes.

still feeling too cultured,

we proceeded to Cold Stone for desert.

"like no place else."

...except Grizzlebee's.
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

"real food"

america night

Taipei Royal Palace Museum

royal palace museum lion
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

as Tammie previously described, we toured this amazing museum.
but it was a little too much culture for one day. so we went to Chili's for dinner.

hong bao

red envelopes with money inside.

or: hong bao
new years is not a bad time to be here.

the president of CHGH graciously added one more to our collection this morning,
just before we toured the hyperbaric chamber.

(Like) Royal (ty @the) Palace Museum

Today was another fun-filled day in Taipei. To start, we had another amazing tour with our generous hosts. This time we visited the Royal Palace Museum. This is where over 600,000 ancient artifacts were brought from mainland China at the beginning of the Communist-Nationalist Civil War. What can I say? It was breath-taking and served to deepen my respect for this brilliant, artistic culture! After the tour, I think most of us stopped at the gift shop to buy souvenirs. I, personally, left with a lighter wallet but managed to get some really awesome stuff for Lance and my boys.
Next, our hosts took us out to lunch again on them. If that wasn't generous enough, they felt so bad about the wait for food, that they went to Burger King to tide is over for the extra 20 minutes or so before our orders arrived. When we were all finished with that, they even offered to buy us pizza..we did manage to convince them we were full, though. I know I have probably mentioned this before, but I am so very humbled by how selfless and giving our hosts are. I have never experienced being treated as royalty until now.
Neither have I laughed as hard as I have with my classmates this last week. It seems like every time we get together we manage to find ourselves in some situation that is "pee-your-pants" hilarious; whether its Sarah's on again/off again relationship with meat, Micah's deadpan comments, Tiffany's endless battles with 'fro-dom or cut-throat card games, every day brings peals of laughter and a stronger bond between us...
Now it's off to bed (should have been there hours ago) so I can wake up for church tomorrow. We're going to T.I.C again and I am hoping to hear another great sermon from the pastor there.

Submitted by Tammie
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

i put a kamera to my eye.

Jen and wind blown hair

follow the stream up the hill from our dorm and there is a nice little hiking trail. i apologize for the shoddy photography (i just upload everything i take [practice] directly to flickr and plan to sort 'em out later). tho' i hope being surrounded by nine beautiful muses on Ihla Formosa will produce some greater work by month's end.

and there will be snacks...

there will
there will be snacks.

free time

free time has mostly been spent exploring the town, doing homework, or playing games (Egyptian Rat Screw, B.S., Pit, et cetera).

accommodations

Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

room with a view

Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

Cheng Hsin General Hospital

Cheng Hsin General Hospital
Originally uploaded by micah.kubo

it's been a good hospital to me. quite enjoyed the experience of the ED (emergency department) anyway. i'll miss it next week. this is it's busiest time of the year as many out-patient clinics are closed and it's unlucky to be in the hospital during this holiday season (the lunar new year).

Left Behind

Tuesday our wonderful hosts took us to the famous Shihlin Night Market. The food was amazing as I had some of the best chicken ever. Unfortunately, they do not appear to sell clothes for "full figured" women here so I resigned myself to watching Daisy buy some really nice stuff for herself. She kept asking our nurses, "Is this cute, does it look good on me?"
So, Tuesday night I learned Daisy is a shopaholic; albeit a cute one.
After a day of clinicals and 3 hours of shopping, it was time to take the MRT back to the dorms. I was nearly exhausted at this point and relished the thought of bed. When we got to the MRT station, I swiped my pass & walked thru the turnstyle. Noticing a bathroom, I reasoned it was a good idea to go and proceeded to tell Jen Hanson so that I would not be left behind. She noded, so I confidently went to the "squatty-potty". As I emerged, there's Jen going into a stall so I think, "ok, others must have had the same idea as me and they are all waiting for us." I go outside to join the group and, low and behold, I see them going up the escalator to the train platform. I attempt to shout out, but they do not hear me. I realize Jen is still in the bathroom so I decide to go back for her and tell her I think we just got ditched. Yup-sure did. No worries, we'll just go up and get on the next train because we know they are going 3 stops up to Mingde Station. Well... We get to the top of the stairs and realize we don't know which platform to wait at. "einy-meany-miney-moe" It's obvious we have to guess because we do not see any English speakers about and the signs are all in Chinese! Long story short: by the grace of God, we got on the right train and caught up with our relieved hosts who had sent 2 nurses back for us. "You so smart !" , one of the nurses exclaimed. It still sucks to be left behind when your Chinese vocabulary consists of two phrases: "hello-Ni Gao" & " thank you-xie xie"
The best part? I later asked Jen if she told anyone she was going to the bathroom and she said, "No, did you?" "Yeah", I replied, "I told you!"

Submitted by Tammie "saavy American navigator" English

Side note: Vegetarian? Really?

Sarah Richardson is apparently a vegetarian. Or so we found out while in Taiwan. Upon our arrival in Taiwan Sarah gladly enjoyed all of the same foods as the rest of us. She enjoyed pork and chicken and beef until New Year’s Eve came along. Last night at Dr. Li’s house Sarah professed vegetarianism. As the kind doctor laid out a variety of dishes and meats Sarah kindly declined and told the family she was a vegetarian.......for the last 5 years......not only for religious purposes but also for health reasons...........surprise, surprise. Apparently when faced with pig’s feet and chicken heads, she just couldn’t do it.

Much to Sarah’s distress the family kindly obliged and started piling her bowl full of noodles and soup and seaweed. They pulled vegetables out of pots filled with meats and Sarah swallowed them whole with a chaser of orange juice. She’s such a trooper. Sarah actually gave me a new motto while we are in Taiwan. "Woe key-i shi shi" is what I say now, it means "I'll try it" . I have been given the task of trying out new foods before Sarah and Tiffany will try something. Lucky for Sarah, Barbara didn’t rat her out to the family and laughed along with the rest of us upon their return to the dormitory.

Barbara has taken a running tour of Taipei. She goes running down the river path next to our dormitory everyday and has explored a lot of the neighborhood. She has found running partners in Jen Hanson, Sarah and even Dr. Christensen.

It has been really delightful having Dr. C’s wife, Debbie, and Leta Brown with us on this trip. They have joined forces with Kathy Lute, RN, to become “The Three Amazing Women”. They have traveled all over the place and bring us back treats from every place they go. They are bundles of energy and always have smiles on their faces which are contagious.

Kathy has been great to have in clinical because she sheds insight towards the medical surgical nursing differences in America. She also plays a great mom figure. While in Taiwan Kathy got the sad news that her father-in-law passed away, so your prayers are welcomed.

Lastly, the other day we got a little restless waiting for the shuttle to take us to the MRT. And if anyone was interested.....you can fit 5 nursing students in a Taiwanese phone booth.

Chinese New Year (Eve?)

Last night the team broke up into pairs and gathered together with host families from the hospital. We were escorted to homes for the biggest celebration of the year, Chinese New Year. Each pair of students went to either a nurse or doctors home and celebrated with their family.
It is Chinese tradition for families to gather with the husbands parents to celebrate the coming new year. My roommate Tiffany and I had the pleasure of attending new year celebrations at the home of the Assistant Head Nurse of the OR. Julia and her daughter Emily introduced us to their family and welcomed us into their family home to share in a delicious meal. We enjoyed many varieties of chicken, fish and noodle dishes. My personal favorite was the hot pot with white carrots and these cheesy tempura balls.....yum. Everything was interesting and delicious. Tiffany and I were both slightly hesitant about eating pigs feet but it wasn't bad.
Another tradition we have been immersed in is the giving of red envelopes. Red envelopes signify good luck for the coming year and prosperity. The envelopes contain money $$$$$$. Last night we received envelopes from our host family and then again today at the hospital all the doctors came around and gave red envelopes to all the employees. Our nurses were very happy about this. When given a red envelope the appropriate response is "Gong se fai tsai" which means "Happy new year and I wish you to make more money next year". New year is all about luck and prosperity.
The new year has left the hospital at only 26% of capacity because everyone wants to go home to be with family, but we are all staying busy. There is so much more to say and share but homework must be done as well. The team hopes this blog finds everyone well. Know we love and miss everyone of you.

Xiexie.

xin nein kuai le!

"so this is the new year..."
(happy new year.)

Getting a Late Start

Hey Everyone! So the Taiwan team seems to be getting a late start on blogging, but due to the fact I don't think any of our families requested blogging......anyways, here is our blog and an amazing blog it will be. Things here in Taiwan have been pretty much non-stop awesome. We arrived safely on the 1st of February to a cold and rainy Taipei. We are staying in a lovely new building right on Cheng Hsin Hospital campus in north Taipei. Our hosts have been extremely hospitable and we are enjoying every moment here. We have been treated to trips to the night markets where there are throngs of people and trinkets to buy. We have been tasting hundreds of new dishes and flavors throughout our days and have been taught how to navigate the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. We started at the hospital on Monday and have been split onto different floors. Micah seems to be having a blast in the Emergency Room while Ana and Tammie spend their days holding newborns. Tiffany and I are in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) and have been immersed in highly complicated patients. Daisy and Sarah are spending time in the Medical ICU (MICU), Barbara is toiling away in the pediatrics unit and Jen is spending time on the Oncology unit. Last but not least, Tamara is coming back with all kinds of great stories from the OR. Today is Chinese New Year's Eve so we are all preparing to go to host families homes for the evening to celebrate the new year with them. This is a time for families to get together in Taiwan. There will be fireworks and I hear there will be more food than anyone could possibly eat. The hospital today emptied out for the new year and it was almost eerie how empty this 400+ bed hospital felt. But we are all excited for our patients to spend the new year at home. In Taiwan it is bad luck for the rest of the year if you spend the new year in the hospital. There is so much more I could say but I'll let other team members share their experiences. I hope this blog finds everyone well and I hope you all appreciate hearing about our adventures.