I'm turning Taiwanese, Yes, I'm turning Taiwanese, Yes, I really think so....

Hmmm...... well, today I set out to get my hair dyed.  It was an experience.   After 4 hours and 10 minutes, it was official.  My hair was jet black. 
I had selected what seemed to me to be a nice brownish reddish color, but somehow my hair ended up jet black.  It is really quite a shock actually.  I am not sure if this picture does true justice to the current color of my hair. 
I guess this is what happens when you have someone dye your hair who really doesn't speak English.  The hair stylists were a bit overwhelmed by my hair.    I think because it is so thick.  I say hair stylists because about 4 different men worked on my hair, sometimes 3 of them at a time.  The process was really long.  First, they washed my hair.  Then it was a tangled mess and they don't seem to have detangler.  So it took 3 guys to comb my hair out. Then they dyed it.  Then I sat under the heater for 30 minutes.  Then they washed my hair again and massaged my scalp.  Then they put something on my hair- who knows what?- and then they put me back under the heater for another 30 minutes.  Then they washed my hair again.  Then I got a back massage.  Then they cut and styled my hair.   I thought perhaps when they dried my hair it would dry more of a brownish color- but nope, jet black, my friends, jet black.  Myron laughed for a good 5 minutes when I got home.   They tell me it will magically turn brown again in the next 5 washes-  we shall see... 
Oh, the adventures big and small of living abroad. 

A Tribute to My Husband on His Birthday

I love you for a thousand reasons- big and small.  I love you because you are a really good man.  You are strong and adventurous, but also gentle and loving.  I love it when you really smile and your whole face lights up.  I love it when you watch the Jon Stewart Daily Show and you tilt your face to the side and raise your eyebrows at what he says.  I love it when something strikes you as really funny and you giggle.  I love you for the strengths that you have that help to make up for some of my weaknesses- your ability to be on time, your ability to navigate and read a map, your ability to learn and speak a language.  I love you for the little thoughtful, loving actions that you take on a daily basis- opening the taxi cab door for me, putting the water kettle on to heat the tea, carrying my computer in your bag, making french toast on the weekends.  I love you for your ability to really listen to what I am saying.  I love how much you have been working on trying to just listen without always having to solve my problems.  I love that you have seen me in some of my very worst moments, and yet, your love never seems to waver.  I love your patience- oh my goodness, your patience, sometimes I think you should be knighted for your patience.  I love you for your mellow and laid back attitude.  I love you for your sense of humor.  I love you for heading out on this adventure with me to Taiwan and for being such a solid support through such a big change.  I love that you are my best friend.  
Myron, I'm so very grateful that 32 years ago today you were born, and that nearly 3 years ago, we both went speed-dating, and that that first 5 minutes together turned into a lifetime together.  
Happy Birthday, love! 

Kenting

Last weekend, we headed down to Kenting for a quick get away, and quickly realized that we would need much more time to discover all that Kenting has to offer. 
We were looking for relaxation and found it as soon as we checked into our hotel.  Our room had a balcony that overlooked the ocean.  The sound of the waves crashing into the shore was so soothing, that we ended up sitting out on our balcony reading, for far longer than we had planned on. 
Here was our view:

We were also very impressed with the National Park Area in Kenting and enjoyed a hike that led us through banyan groves, forests, and into caves. 

The park was beautiful and the weather was perfect for a hike.  Unfortunately, since we only had about 24 hours down in Kenting, this was about all we had time for on this journey down there.  However, it did get us very excited to take my parents, sister and brother-in-law down to Kenting at Christmas time for further exploration.