tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33858534629577138602024-02-20T08:55:33.239+08:00wuhoo!amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.comBlogger971125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-48341677570483999562013-05-17T15:04:00.000+08:002013-05-17T15:10:18.520+08:00Eden's Awesome Hair<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf43jO_e_60J-cNrvYrg5RUd1HMfWRfwClTdsBgPY-CeLv6Ax3SJ2Q8cm3ITsTMCvJ3uJXIlRaAx5y6VM5tXBe8Kh7hQ47afVhC4jTZjfVbeNhjI0XoHIXUf5VrSxPR9j90dyf1MCYy4/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf43jO_e_60J-cNrvYrg5RUd1HMfWRfwClTdsBgPY-CeLv6Ax3SJ2Q8cm3ITsTMCvJ3uJXIlRaAx5y6VM5tXBe8Kh7hQ47afVhC4jTZjfVbeNhjI0XoHIXUf5VrSxPR9j90dyf1MCYy4/s400/IMG_1655.JPG" width="400" /></a>Eden was born with a full head of hair, and it has continue to just grow and grow. We are having a lot of fun having an infant that has hair that can already be put into pigtails!! :)<br />
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My mom, Eden's grandma, calls Eden's hair "firework hair" because of the way it stands up and then just goes which ever way it wants to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRTp4iPIlJVXRoiMLEy09GEunxBkGN6QUbZg-2UPrtdE5lJbvyrmy2zPWEBVRU6aWsclokhtfzmZCyo6Y8Y4H51msWSC14TVtyv6gLggDWmcZqI8vatPZzJek8QbCK7ir5xNTmc6pRjA/s1600/2013-05-10+16.35.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRTp4iPIlJVXRoiMLEy09GEunxBkGN6QUbZg-2UPrtdE5lJbvyrmy2zPWEBVRU6aWsclokhtfzmZCyo6Y8Y4H51msWSC14TVtyv6gLggDWmcZqI8vatPZzJek8QbCK7ir5xNTmc6pRjA/s320/2013-05-10+16.35.28.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqThB5H5VAHwLkFSBxu4ZCWmTM_UCAbfQPeka1LheLUXK_prlXmsNOEC5HvNfzJFMOpttOjPW1DogHfiqUrp7Ruz2VBFbP5ogb_KCwC_asvPh1Ya4AT49VWp-8ZKfG_0CitSma79kZCQ4/s1600/2013-04-29+11.10.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqThB5H5VAHwLkFSBxu4ZCWmTM_UCAbfQPeka1LheLUXK_prlXmsNOEC5HvNfzJFMOpttOjPW1DogHfiqUrp7Ruz2VBFbP5ogb_KCwC_asvPh1Ya4AT49VWp-8ZKfG_0CitSma79kZCQ4/s320/2013-04-29+11.10.23.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Actually, the Taiwanese call pigtails "fireworks." And, after seeing Eden's "pigtails" it totally makes sense!! She was only nine weeks old when I first attempted to put pigtails into her hair:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsQ5aEfqCC4er4ueigfLvQsjr7SNIAfrHo9Iotz1i6YT9AMOgCXmVwhBClOd7w7Xcg14MlwweidetWyZ-m3803mIlVrGEabxlShAJsshkdeNjgEMa8mZwPH7fpJgsb5QlCSJxU55FFbs/s1600/2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsQ5aEfqCC4er4ueigfLvQsjr7SNIAfrHo9Iotz1i6YT9AMOgCXmVwhBClOd7w7Xcg14MlwweidetWyZ-m3803mIlVrGEabxlShAJsshkdeNjgEMa8mZwPH7fpJgsb5QlCSJxU55FFbs/s400/2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOfhnlekfULMIpretOcYkSijfYYZE8sPQTYJLRrYGcqc1bigJQjzS3RgkZnNIAojVnfCHrl4rVyOty4RHBjRVs0ZWq-6cQY_DToV8wXXYq4PneCBKM7qEgg6ZFeCmcebKGd5QhQMVQGo/s1600/Eden's+hair+twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOfhnlekfULMIpretOcYkSijfYYZE8sPQTYJLRrYGcqc1bigJQjzS3RgkZnNIAojVnfCHrl4rVyOty4RHBjRVs0ZWq-6cQY_DToV8wXXYq4PneCBKM7qEgg6ZFeCmcebKGd5QhQMVQGo/s400/Eden's+hair+twins.jpg" width="250" /></a>It didn't take long before people started making comparisons of Eden to certain cartoon characters. Some said she looked like Agnes from <i>Despicable Me</i>, while others said she favored Boo from <i>Monster's Inc</i>. And, in her natural state, I thought her hair looked a lot like many of my male college students, who are attempting to be like Goku from <i>Dragon Ball</i>.<br />
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Regardless of who she might or might not resemble, we love her wild, crazy and very unpredictable hair, and we are having a blast trying to tame it every so often when the mood strikes us.amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-21468998806667662902013-05-10T19:38:00.004+08:002013-05-10T19:46:43.098+08:00My First Mother's Day ReflectionsThis time a year ago, Lawrance and I had just completed an application to adopt here in Taiwan. We were just taking the first steps of a long journey. Perhaps that made Mother's Day a little easier on me last year. I wasn't a mother yet, but I did know that someday, even if years away, I'd be a mom. <br />
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Oh, but our merciful Heavenly Father, had different plans for us! So true is the verse that says "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps" (Proverbs 16:9, ESV). In fact, going back and checking my charts, the day I ovulated was the same day we mailed in our application. I have no doubt that we were obeying the Lord by filling out that application and submitting it. And, I have hope that adoption is still a future option for us. But those are posts for another day. <br />
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It was right after Mother's Day last year that we found out we were expecting! I've been thinking all week about how much has changed in a year. To think that this time a year ago our sweet little Eden was "tiny ball consisting of several hundred cells that were multiplying madly" (<a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-3-weeks_1049.bc">babycenter</a>) and today she's a 13lb bundle of joy who loves sucking on her fingers and playing with her toes. It is simply mind blowing how much she has grown in the last year. <br />
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We are blessed beyond measure. <br />
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Each Mother's Day for the past five years was progressively more difficult. It was so hard to sit there in church while little kids passed out carnations to all the mothers. It was hard to feel the physical ache of my empty arms and the emotional ache of a deep longing left unfilled.<br />
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So, I am grateful to be able to celebrate Mother's Day this year. Not because I want to be recognized for the sacrifices I've made or because of the quality of mothering I'm doing, but simply because I am able to and because the Lord has blessed us with a little one, entrusted us with her to help her grow and develop, to train her in the way she should go. This Mother's Day and all that follow, I don't want it to be about me; it never is nor should it be about me. It will always be for me a day to rejoice in the blessing of being able to be a mom. <br />
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Sure there have been sacrifices and adjustments, but the joy of being Eden's mommy far surpasses any of the discomforts of pregnancy, the hard work of labor, and the exhaustion of taking care of a newborn. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdWOuJduWHaRPkjaHogXmAL1VbbAw5wSS8smE14JkiqfBJUmivFDPu3ylz1OGeO85aisV3YH0VzRHOrkR2W6FMDJuduZJOOJT6nKS6DQs8kdZ6z6EZFvF7N7a9k833XIPqejlIvh__s/s1600/first+three+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdWOuJduWHaRPkjaHogXmAL1VbbAw5wSS8smE14JkiqfBJUmivFDPu3ylz1OGeO85aisV3YH0VzRHOrkR2W6FMDJuduZJOOJT6nKS6DQs8kdZ6z6EZFvF7N7a9k833XIPqejlIvh__s/s640/first+three+months.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-11077909138205410642013-02-13T23:51:00.003+08:002013-05-10T19:47:43.687+08:00Eden Joi is Here!!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
After 24 hours of "false labor" followed by 25 hours of unmedicated, natural labor, Eden Joi arrived by c-section on Feb 3 (41w3d). Due to cultural differences in medical practices, my recovery has been a very slow one. Both of us are doing well, but last week was one of the longest weeks of my life. </div>
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We've seen God's hand of mercy over and over again, both during labor, the surgery, and in the week we spent in the hospital. Too many to name them all right now, but we sing the Lord's praises for His kindness to us.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eden Joi, our little miracle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Feb. 3, 2013 born at 6:31am<br />4220 grams / 9lbs 5oz<br />50.5 cm / 19.9 in</span><br />
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<br />amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-47759887149447506422012-10-09T14:21:00.003+08:002013-05-10T19:47:22.487+08:00Out of Sight, Out of Mind?<span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you miss us? I haven't blogged regularly for probably two years now. There are two reasons. One, I felt like I had blogged just about everything I could have about life in Taiwan. I felt like there wasn't much more to say about life here that I hadn't already said. And, two, infertility was a personal struggle that I didn't feel comfortable blogging about in public. <br /><br />[Interesting how--at least to me--being single was an ok thing to struggle with on my public blog, but not infertility. Perhaps one reason is that when I first started blogging I was anonymous--I didn't know my readers and they didn't know me. But the longer I blogged, the more I met readers and more IRL people started reading it. So, it no longer felt like I was talking into an empty hole.]</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, in May of this year, after nearly four years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, Lawrance and I filed for adoption. And, we are expecting a little girl in January of 2013. However, this little girl will be from my womb!! We found out a week or two after we turned in our application that I was pregnant!! ;) God has been gracious with us. We are excited that he has </span>chosen<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to bless us in this way at this time.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARCheer4HX7Uo8BI7HudQ_xkH8GEGDRDLGUXI3nOsVRmh5eTr3jT3wtkXj5H4FWB0ouY_U3RGY6mehyIo_6tKdRVAalUJwo_DNMkniuHvUaie3YpYN8gyszQe6eLHfe9l7y44A0HmMc8/s1600/5+wks+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARCheer4HX7Uo8BI7HudQ_xkH8GEGDRDLGUXI3nOsVRmh5eTr3jT3wtkXj5H4FWB0ouY_U3RGY6mehyIo_6tKdRVAalUJwo_DNMkniuHvUaie3YpYN8gyszQe6eLHfe9l7y44A0HmMc8/s320/5+wks+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's how we announced to family and friends when we first found out.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant. I'm going to attempt to revive the blog, and quite honestly it's focus will change . . . and that's ok with me since it is supposed to be our family's blog.</span></span>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-84208912357193280942011-10-28T08:19:00.000+08:002011-10-28T08:19:00.433+08:00the everyday stuffCultural differences come in all shapes and sizes. And, one of my favorite cultural differences is keys (<a href="http://wuhooblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/culture-difference-312.html">I've blogged about them before</a>). They are so different here. My first apartment had a "treasure chest" key that I thought was awesome, now our new apartment has a "retractable key" that also has a "treasure chest" key feel to it and it's super long. The round gray disk attached to the key allows me to enter our apartment complex's main door, our building's door within the complex and access the elevator. Without that gray disk, the elevator will not budge.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282194472/" title="KH Keys by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="KH Keys" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6282194472_04ea1933f3.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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The two cards in this photo are also apart of my daily life now. The bottom one is an subway card--we add money to it, and then zap it when entering and leaving the subway stations, and the cost of the fare for the ride is taken off our card's value. The top one is a magnetic pre-paid card that I can use to buy train tickets with without having to use coins at a ticket vending machine (pictured below). If you use one of these pre-paid cards, just remember to always take it from the machine when you leave--sadly, I can give this piece of advice from personal experience to the contrary. :(<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/3709634715/" title="Buying a Train Ticket by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Buying a Train Ticket" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/3709634715_a962eb140e.jpg" width="281" /></a>
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<br />amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-4333686618485001052011-10-27T08:12:00.000+08:002011-10-27T08:12:00.581+08:00room with a view (part 2)After showing you what I can see from our home, I thought I'd show you what I can see from one of the rooms where I have class twice a week. We meet in the 9th floor of the "E building. Buildings here in Taiwan are often "lettered."<br />
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Tall building to the far right is Dorm #6, while the other building, considerable shorter, on the far left is another dorm. The "track and field" is between these two dorms. The "street" down the middle of the photo is one of the main walkways through the campus.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282198888/" title="STUT--View from my classroom by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="STUT--View from my classroom" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6282198888_cc328a0960.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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In this photo you can see the N building (short), the T building (tall), and the school's gym/auditorium. My office and some of the language labs I teach in are in the N building. I also have class twice a week over in the T building.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282197926/" title="STUT--View from my classroom by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="STUT--View from my classroom" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6282197926_25fb805bbb.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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And, here is part of the soccer field, one of the campus buildings, and the city beyond the campus.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6281681183/" title="STUT--View from my classroom by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="STUT--View from my classroom" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6281681183_efb978260b.jpg" width="500" /></a>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-45248884784824034252011-10-26T11:49:00.000+08:002011-10-26T11:49:08.530+08:00room with a viewIn 2007, I shared the views from my windows:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://wuhooblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/thru-my-windows-part-1.html">Thru My Windows (Part 1)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://wuhooblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/thru-my-windows-part-2.html">Thru My Windows (Part 2)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://wuhooblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/thru-my-windows-part-3.html">Thru My Windows (Part 3)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://wuhooblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/thru-my-windows-part-4.html">Thru My Windows (Part 4)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://wuhooblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/thru-my-windows-part-5.html">Thru My Windows (Part 5)</a></li>
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And, I thought I'd do it again from our new apartment--we now live on the 10th floor, so the view is pretty good from up here.<br />
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First of all we have an entry way (which I totally LOVE--a place to store things and to take off our shoes before entering our home).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6281692699/" title="Entry Way Area by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Entry Way Area" height="240" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6281692699_e0fd66552e.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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From this entry way we can this:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6281694043/" title="View from the Front Door by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Front Door" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6093/6281694043_15bfde208e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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and this:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282199788/" title="View from the Entry Way by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Entry Way" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6282199788_44c8744d09.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Our bedroom has the worst view of all. We can see this:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6281695307/" title="View from Our Bedroom by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from Our Bedroom" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6281695307_80f9ca78cd.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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and this from our bedroom windows:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282201114/" title="View from the Master Bedroom by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Master Bedroom" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6282201114_91283f6415.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Our master bathroom's shower actually has a better view that our bedroom:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6281686915/" title="View from the Shower by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Shower" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6281686915_3ede449b54.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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And, perhaps our study and guest room have the best views of all. We can see the park right in front of us:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6281688411/" title="View from the Guest Room by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Guest Room" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6226/6281688411_0e68e4e2d9.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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We can also see a department store within walking distance:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282207572/" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="View from the Guest Room by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Guest Room" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6282207572_2a67069f10.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And, we can also see down the street in the other direction too: </div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6282204970/" title="View from the Guest Room by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="View from the Guest Room" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6282204970_21df1df21e.jpg" width="500" /></a>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-3207511610007213122011-10-20T21:07:00.000+08:002011-10-20T21:07:00.722+08:00shineA friend of ours introduced us to <a href="http://www.owm.org/music-media/music">Micheal Thompson and Oneway</a>. We love the two beautiful worship CDs we got on itunes--<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/michael-thompson/id200750986?uo=6">Shine</a> and a <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/michael-thompson/id200750986?uo=6">Brand New Day</a>--that clearly worship the God of all nations. <br />
<br />
Here is the title song from Shine; it's based on Psalm 67. Enjoy!!<br />
<blockquote>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="340" src="http://blip.tv/play/hOcggcL7fwI.html" width="550"></iframe></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,<br />
that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.<br />
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,<br />
for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.<br />
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.<br />
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!</blockquote>
<blockquote>
-Psalm 67</blockquote>
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-80979844394502624402011-10-14T08:39:00.000+08:002011-10-14T08:39:00.114+08:00reflections on coming and going<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6226024593/" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Meinong with the Wilkins' by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Meinong with the Wilkins'" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6226024593_b5336bbc64.jpg" width="300" /></a>Lawrance and I recently took a young couple to Meinong for a last outing before they left to go back to Canada. They were here for a year, and now they have returned to North America to pursue seminary and to follow the Lord where He will lead them next.<br />
<br />
Later today, I'm meeting with young lady from the UK whose been here for three years for our last heart-to-heart before she leaves Taiwan to prepare for what God has in store for her next.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, we've also recently had other new young couples and single ladies arrive in the last few months, each planning on coming and serving for about a year.<br />
<br />
Seeing these guys and gals come and go causes me to reflect, and it stirs up mixed emotions. So, here are some of the things I'm thinking and feeling these days.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/6142913164/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="img057 by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="img057" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6142913164_bd46e1e655_m.jpg" /></a>One, <b>I'm old.</b> Let's just be blunt about it. I used to be the 19 or 20 year old adventuring in Taiwan and trying to make sense of this foreign place, struggling with the language and trying exotic foods. The place is longer foreign, language no longer quite the struggle, and the foods no longer exotic. (This photo of me in the Hakka outfit was taken in 1997 at the exact same place as the above photo of Lawrance and our friend.)<br />
<br />
<b>I'm no longer the newcomer. </b> There will always be missionaries who've lived her longer than I have, so I still feel like I'm new here. But, I guess after nine years, I'm not really that new, huh? Which then makes me question why haven't I learned MORE Chinese? Why haven't I shared the gospel MORE? Why haven't I paid off MORE of my school loans? Why haven't I [fill in the blank] MORE?<br />
<br />
<b>I'm not sure I could leave Taiwan and not know if I'd ever be back.</b> Ok, so part of this tie to Taiwan is obviously the fact that I now have family here and this is my husband's homeland, but it is more than that. I've spent my entire adult life living and working in Taiwan. Quite frankly, I don't know how to be a "grown up" in America. I would be willing to live in America for a few years to either pursue further education or allow Lawrance to pursue further education (and give our possible future children the chance to be close to family), but I'm not sure I'd be able to pack my bags and say farewell <i>ilha formosa</i>. Of course, if my Lord asked me to, I would, but it would be emotional.<br />
<br />
I love Taiwan. I love living here, teaching here, serving here. But, I am reminded that, even here, I sojourn.<br />
<br />
This world is not my home. No matter where I reside physically, may the Father graciously allow and enable me to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light" because there was a time when I had "had not received mercy, but now I have received mercy" (1 Peter 2).amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-71006479184138215132011-10-13T08:40:00.000+08:002011-10-15T13:38:08.139+08:00catching up: september<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; line-height: 18px;">This week we're sharing some of our facebook statuses from the past few months to help "catch up" on what's been going on in our lives this past year. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; line-height: 18px;">This post covers September. In September, the Texas wildfires hit close to home, and I twisted my ankle during the first week of school. Plus, we celebrated Gilby's 5th year with me and Teacher's Day.</span></div>
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<br />amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-48031371952727896032011-10-12T08:32:00.000+08:002011-10-12T09:16:44.340+08:00catching up: july and august<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; line-height: 18px;">This week we're sharing some of our facebook statuses from the past few months to help "catch up" on what's been going on in our lives this past year. This post covers July and August. We enjoyed spending all of July in Texas with family, and August was full of changes--packing, moving, and Law starting seminary. </span></div>
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<br />amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-89080472751639095052011-10-11T20:24:00.000+08:002011-10-11T20:24:00.288+08:00catching up: may and june<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For the next few days, we're sharing some of our facebook statuses from the past few months to help "catch up" on what's been going in our lives. Next up is May and June, which included a lot of the normal "end of the year" goodbyes and ended with some life-changing news (no, no not expecting--Lawrance got accepted to seminary), and we headed to America.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-72274072232509903212011-10-10T18:29:00.000+08:002011-10-10T18:29:53.895+08:00台灣我愛你 taiwan, i love you<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-imfaZXcwes" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-25926226211659930222011-10-09T20:17:00.001+08:002011-10-09T20:17:31.707+08:00catching up: march and aprilSo, since it's been seven months since we last posted, I thought we could share some of our facebook statuses from the past few months to help "catch up" on what's going in the Wus' lives. We'll start with March and April.<br />
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If you happen to also be our friends on facebook, there won't be anything new here. :)<br />
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<br />amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-36997713690296371392011-10-08T23:17:00.000+08:002011-10-08T23:17:15.153+08:00it's been awhile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5924308892/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flower by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Flower" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5924308892_d6837b5fa6.jpg" /></a></div>
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About seven months ago, our blog was hacked. It was the middle of the semester, and I didn't have the time to figure it out and restore everything, so I just let it go. And, even though facebook allows me to keep up with friends and family, on occasion I still missed blogging .<br />
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So, I decided to relocate our blog once again--away from a platform that requires constant attention to keep hackers at bay and free. Hopefully, this will be it's final final home. I'm not sure how frequently we'll blog, but I do imagine it will be somewhere between less than once a day and more than once every six months. :D<br />
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I had all the posts and comments up to 2009 backed up, but I had to copy and paste all the posts from 2010 from my google reader's stored memory of the old blog, which means we lost all comments for 2010.<br />
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And, while all the posts have migrated over to this new blog's URL, I've not messed with pages or the sidebars yet. That will come in due time.<br />
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amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-30996310411678375412011-03-09T14:54:00.000+08:002011-10-08T16:10:24.014+08:00praying for Taiwan<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://blip.tv/play/hOcggrrQdAI.html" width="480"></iframe><embed src="http://a.blip.tv/api.swf#hOcggrrQdAI" style="display: none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>
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To find more videos like this and further info to help guide you in praying for the nations look here: <a href="http://prayercast.com/">http://prayercast.com/</a>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-70119296603571458872011-02-14T05:56:00.000+08:002011-10-08T16:06:49.877+08:00salivababyI’m sorry but a bakery by this name is just not appetizing to this chica.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5444083757/" title="Salivababy by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Salivababy" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5444083757_6c9e63cd5d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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How about you? Would you want to buy your baked goods from Salaivababy?amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-28345746005745976892011-01-29T22:45:00.000+08:002011-10-08T17:39:49.527+08:00proper care and feeding of a Taiwanese husband<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">People ask me all the time what kind
of food I cook for Lawrance. They want to know if we eat Taiwanese food
or American food. My answer is not simple: To Taiwanese, we eat what
looks like western food, but to Americans we eat what looks like
Asian cuisine. It is our own unique fusion of east meets west.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’m slowly learning the art of
stir-fry. I’m learning tricks to the trade and figuring out how to make
things we both love. And, I’m always on the lookout for
new recipes to try to see how we’d like them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Last week, I made this:<br />
</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5407508920/" title="YaoGua JiDing with Peppers StirFry by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="YaoGua JiDing with Peppers StirFry" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5407508920_e970d3a6f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And it was a homerun! Simple and
delicious! Yay for another dish to be part of our regular rotation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I call it YaoGua JiDing with Peppers
(aka Cashew Chicken with Peppers). It’s not quite really “cashew
chicken,” but it does have cashews and chicken in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Ingredients</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5 tsp cornstarch</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3 Tbs soy sauce</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4 tsp apple cider vinegar</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2 tsp rice wine vinegar</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1.5 tsp sugar</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 tsp hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 pound chicken breast tenders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 yellow bell pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 red bell pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2-4 cloves garlic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 tsp fresh ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 stalk of green onions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1/2 cup unsalted cashews<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2 Tbs coconut oil (I use coconut, you can use oil of your
choice)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Directions</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Combine 2 tsp cornstarch, 2 Tbs soy
sauce, and next 4 ingredients (through hot pepper sauce) in a small bowl; stir
with a whisk or chopsticks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Slice the two bell peppers, mince the
garlic and ginger, and cut the green onions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Combine 3 tsp cornstarch, 1 Tbs soy sauce, and chicken in a medium bowl; toss
well to coat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Heat wok over medium heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Add cashews to pan to lightly toast,
stir frequently. Remove from pan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Add oil to pan. Add chicken; stir-fry
but don’t cook all the way (about 85% done). Remove almost cooked chicken from
pan; place in a bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Add bell pepper to pan and stir-fry
about 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Add the almost cooked chicken and the
sauce (made in #1); cook until sauce is slightly thick (about 1 minute).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sprinkle with the toasted cashews and
green onions. Turn mixture over a few times then serve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">One of the keys to stir-frying is to
prep EVERYTHING before you get started. Once you start, there is no
turning back because it all happens so quickly once you get started. That is
why I now include the prep in my recipes (#2 & 3) above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This took me a little less than 30
minutes from start to finish my first time making it. It made about four
servings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-62638051093982805702011-01-29T15:35:00.000+08:002011-10-08T16:07:48.360+08:00happy, shinny people<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Nobody is as happy as he seems on
Facebook. And no one is as “spiritual” as he seems in what we deem as
“spiritual” enough for Christian worship. <b>Maybe what we need in our
churches is more tears, more failure, more confession of sin, more prayers of
desperation that are too deep for words.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterpearson/506348009/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Daisy by peter pearson, on Flickr"><img alt="Daisy" height="160" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/506348009_9ecff8b6ef_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe then the lonely and the guilty
and the desperate among us will see that the gospel has come not for the happy,
but for the brokenhearted; not for the well, but for the sick; not for the
found, but for the lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So don’t worry about those shiny,
happy people on Facebook. They need comfort, and deliverance, as much as you
do. And, more importantly, let’s stop being those shiny, happy people when we
gather in worship. Let’s not be embarrassed to shout for joy, and let’s not be
embarrassed to weep in sorrow. Let’s train ourselves not for spin control, but
for prayer, for repentance, for joy. –</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #7c8cc5; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/01/27/why-facebook-and-your-church-might-be-making-you-sad/" target="_blank">Russell Moore</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I SO agree with these last few
paragraphs of a recent blog post on </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.russellmoore.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7c8cc5; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Moore to the Point</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> about how facebook is making us
sad.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I remember when I first was coming out
of a long, deep depression a few years ago. I was at a Christian
gathering full of missionaries, as I introduced myself I had no qualms
expressing my recent struggles and God’s great kindness towards to these near
strangers because I knew they were sisters in the Lord. My blunt honesty
was met with blank stares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It bothered me then and still does now
that we are not “allowed” to show weaknesses, not permitted to be frail.
But, the reality is I am OH so thankful that my God is a God of mercy who
forgives my wretched sin. The reality is that it is ok to boast in OUR
weaknesses (2 Cor</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://esv.to/2Co11.30" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7c8cc5; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">11:30</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> and </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://esv.to/2Co12.5" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7c8cc5; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">12:5</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Father, keep my heart soft. Help
me to be transparent with others and honest about my struggles and weaknesses
to You, to myself, and to my fellow brothers and sister in Christ. And,
when we gather to worship You, let us be a people able to express our emotions,
both our joys and of sorrows.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-54663919321917417292011-01-14T03:12:00.000+08:002011-10-08T16:07:33.618+08:00infant potty training<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My mother-in-law told me this past
weekend that all three of her kids shared one cloth diaper and that’s the
only diaper she ever needed. She went on to tell me that she started
potty training all of her kids on day three. Meaning that when they were
three days old she started potty training them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">At first I was shocked. Sounds
impossible. But, then I started asking questions and talking to Lawrance
more about it. Then of course I had to google it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Here is </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.parentingscience.com/infant-toilet-training.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7c8cc5; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">what I found</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Throughout much of the non-Western
world, infant toilet training is the norm. In India, China, Southeast Asia,
Eastern Europe, the arctic, and parts of Africa and Latin America, parents
leave baby bottoms uncovered (Boucke 2003; Sonna 2006; deVries and deVries
1977).</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Diapers are considered
unnecessary-—even disgusting. When babies have to pee or poop, parents hold
them over a preferred target (e.g., a toilet, an outdoor latrine, or simply
open ground) until business is done.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">How do parents know when their babies
need to go? By paying close attention. In these “bare-bottom” cultures, babies
spend much of their days being carried around. Mom learns to read her baby’s
cues. And-—eventually—-baby learns to hesitate until Mom gives her the
“okay”-—usually signaled by a special vocalization, like “sheee-sheee” or “shuuuus”
(Boucke 2003; deVries and deVries 1977).</span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76876847@N00/484526748/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Baby with split pants by molliatmari, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby with split pants" height="240" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/484526748_c713b14bcd_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sometimes called “elimination
communication,” this method is now being adopted by some parents in the United
States and other Western countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is also </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.chinesechildren.org/Newsletter%5CProfessional%20Corner/PC_03_2004.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7c8cc5; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">a pdf</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> that talks more about “Potty
Training” in China, where she gives the four basic steps to get started with
training an infant to go where you want them to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The authors also state that parents in
China can potty train their child so young because “there is an elimination
awareness ’window of learning’ open from birth to about 6 months of age.
If parents tap into this sensitive period, they generally have good
results with toilet training.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So, perhaps it’s not as shocking as I
thought it was. But one thing for sure is that it takes LOTS of time on
the part of the caregiver (ie. mommy or, in many cases in Taiwan, grandma).
It depends on the caregiver always being near the child and being very
vigilant about “reading” and “learning” the child’s signals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And, it might be labor intensive, time
consuming, and at times messy for mom, but it sure has other benefits too.
Just to start, think of all the money saved on diapers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is also a special way to hold a
baby or young one over a toilet–made easier if you are using a squatty
potty. Many in Taiwan also let their children go outside over a drain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And, in case your wondering, the
vocalizations used here in Taiwan for “elimination communication” are a gentle,
breathy whistle or a “shuuu, shuuu” sound for peeing and grunting sounds like
“unh, unh” for pooing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Here’s a CNN video of American parents
using this concept:<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2244bb; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2244bb; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dzZkAfOZOCY?version=3&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dzZkAfOZOCY?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I give props to my mother-in-law for
her labor-intensive, money-saving way to raise my husband. I’m impressed!
It becomes even more impressive when I realized she had three under three
and used this method with all three of them! She’s amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-18584889903696215882011-01-11T16:22:00.000+08:002011-10-08T15:25:20.675+08:00three calendars<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/p/pa/pawel_231/1072482_79445869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" height="161" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/p/pa/pawel_231/1072482_79445869.jpg" width="242" /></a>My life revolves around three calendars. Teachers have their own calendar. Taiwanese have their own calendar. And, then there is the American calendar too. This means twice as many holidays, and three new years.<br />
<br />
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s (Jan. 1) are the “American holidays.” Then from New Year’s (Jan. 1) to the end of Lantern Festival (Feb. 17, this year) are the “Taiwanese holidays.” This equals somewhere between 3-4 months of “the holidays.”<br />
<br />
Quite frankly, that’s a lot of holidays!<br />
<br />
Moreover, as a teacher at a university we have two sets of 18 weeks with breaks in between. Which means our new year is in September, and the first semester goes to the middle of all these holidays.<br />
Jan first comes right in the midst of the end of the semester. So, while many may feel like they get a fresh start on Jan 1st, I feel like I’m in limbo till some unknown point in the future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="hoverZoomLink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/2162747060/" style="clear: right; color: #2244bb; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Grading Essays" class="hoverZoomLink" height="163" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2162747060_7cd059a7a3.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="245" /></a></div>
So, while my soul is longing for some time to sit down and reflect, to escape and refresh my spirit, the reality is I have finals to grade and essays to assess, then a winter camp to teach, and then a week of national holidays to celebrate with family and friends. Then, finally, I might get a chance to rest.<br />
<br />
There are so many longings within my heart, but I keep telling them “shh, just a moment more and then I can acknowledge you.”<br />
<br />
So, while I wait for that moment that Lord willing I’ll get a chance to retreat, I sing this song longing to be refreshed, placing confidence in the fact that the Spirit is not bound by any man-made calendar.<br />
<br />
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amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-17062521154827192792010-12-31T16:30:00.000+08:002011-10-08T15:31:41.515+08:00the wu’s year in photos<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
I woke up this morning to the shocking reality that *gasp* it is the last day of the year! I don’t know why this year passed so quickly. Why do they keep slipping by faster and faster??<br />
<br />
At the end of last year, I dreamed of being able to hold our little one in our arms by the end of 2010. Well, it’s come and gone and we are no more parents today than we were 365 days ago. So, all I can do is cling to the fact that God is kind.<br />
<br />
Without further ado, let’s look back at each month of 2010 solely represented with just one photo.<br />
This will be my sixth year to do this:<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://wuhooblog.com/2005/12/amandas-2005-a-month-by-month-photoblog/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">2005</a>–was my third year in Taiwan, and I started blogging<br /><a href="http://wuhooblog.com/2006/12/a-pictorial-year-in-the-life-of/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">2006</a>–my sister got married and my brother came to Taiwan<br /><a href="http://wuhooblog.com/2007/12/a-pictorial-year-in-the-life-of-amanda-2/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">2007</a>–I moved to a new city, and my cousins came to visit<br /><a href="http://wuhooblog.com/2008/12/a-pictorial-year-in-the-life-of-amanda/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">2008</a>–I met the love of my life; we dated, got engaged, and then married . . . it was perhaps the most perfect year of my entire life. :)<br /><a href="http://wuhooblog.com/2009/12/the-wus-year-in-photos/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">2009</a>–our Taiwanese wedding, our first anniversary, and our first full calendar year married</blockquote>
<strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/01/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">January</a></strong><strong>: Amanda went back to Texas to meet our newest nephew</strong><br /><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4333625496/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Clay J!! by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Clay J!!" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4333625496_2be47e1cf7_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/02/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">February</a>: Chinese New Year</strong><br /><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4379031742/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Out to Lunch by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Out to Lunch" height="428" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4379031742_ee6f7554cf_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/03/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">March</a>: Daily life as normal (note the use of gloves to eat messy food) :D<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4495727906/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Eating with Gloves On by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Eating with Gloves On" height="428" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4495727906_a664dd0c67_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></strong><br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/04/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">April</a>: A Happy Wedding!! We get to officially welcome Cindy to the Wu family</strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4492318237/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="New Wu Couples! by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="New Wu Couples!" height="428" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4492318237_69207dd241_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/05/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">May</a>: We go to two MORE weddings!</strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4729405902/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Lawrance'a college fellowship member's wedding (旻君婚禮) by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Lawrance'a college fellowship member's wedding (旻君婚禮)" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1235/4729405902_b51b9a32ff_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/06/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">June</a>: Amanda’s mom comes to Taiwan!! Wuhoo!!</strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4746481230/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="me and mom at chikan lou by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="me and mom at chikan lou" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4746481230_c32d7589a1_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/07/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">July</a>: We introduce Mom to as much of Taiwan as we possibly can</strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4775777651/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Yehliu 野柳 by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Yehliu 野柳" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4775777651_aa511fa5de_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/08/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">August</a>: Gilby gets bit by a mean, nasty dog, :(</strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/4918500531/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="feeling better after seeing the vet by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="feeling better after seeing the vet" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4918500531_09b2958bcb_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/09/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">September</a>: Lawrance turns 30 and has his 1st Birthday Party EVER! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5001363028/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Law's 30th Birthday Party!!! by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Law's 30th Birthday Party!!!" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5001363028_b5d12134c5_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/10/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">October</a>: We get to meet Melody, our newest niece!</strong><strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5067559491/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Meeting Melody by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Meeting Melody" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5067559491_83efb2eb6f_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="480" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/11/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">November</a>: Lawrance preaches for the first time</strong><strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5178201687/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Preaching and Translating by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Preaching and Translating" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1216/5178201687_4f0344971c_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong></strong><strong><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/amanda47/archives/date-taken/2010/12/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">December</a>: We celebrate our third Christmas together in Taiwan. </strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5272634027/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="The Wu's Christmas 2010 by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="The Wu's Christmas 2010" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5272634027_0603660c76_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="533" /></a></div>
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Oh, how only one photo a month doesn’t capture everything that happens!! I think we went to a total of 7 or 8 weddings last year and I got to go to Japan for a few days for a conference, we spoke in public multiple times, Lawrance started serving weekly with a missionary in another town, we changed churches in order to increase our ministry, and so on goes the list. We are blessed!!<br />
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Happy New Year from our Wu Home to yours!!</div>
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-80635957064469528342010-11-25T16:32:00.000+08:002011-10-08T15:57:00.382+08:00i’m forever grateful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
This song has been playing in my head, in my heart, and on my ipod for the last two weeks:<br />
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<iframe height="385" src="http://reader.googleusercontent.com/reader/embediframe?src=http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/SiTABkTlj8I?fs%3D1%26hl%3Den_US%26rel%3D0%26color1%3D0x006699%26color2%3D0x54abd6&width=480&height=385" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="480"></iframe><span class="link popout" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.google.com/reader/ui/2324375172-module-new-window-icon.gif); background-position: 2px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #2244bb; cursor: pointer; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="Click to open in a new window">Popout</span><br />
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<blockquote>
You did not wait for me to draw near to You<br />
But You clothed Yourself with frail humanity<br />
You did not wait for me to cry out to You<br />
But You let me hear Your Voice calling me<br />
And I’m Forever Grateful to You<br />
I’m Forever Grateful for The Cross<br />
I’m Forever Grateful to You<br />
That You came to seek and save the lost</blockquote>
<em>(Written by Mark Altrogge, Hosanna Music, 1985)</em><br />
<h2>
<strong>Happy Thanksgiving!!</strong></h2>
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-20168788287580730252010-11-16T16:35:00.000+08:002011-10-08T16:11:12.185+08:00working together<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<a class="hoverZoomLink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5178201687/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank"><img alt="Preaching and Translating" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1216/5178201687_4f0344971c_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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One of the things that we both are very thankful for are opportunities to work together. We’ve had quite a few chances recently to speak to different groups on the topic of “Culture Matters.”<br />
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And, we also have been working together to lead worship occasionally at New Life Bilingual Church. Lawrance leads, while I get to translate and sing with him.<br />
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We both really enjoy these opportunities to work together. We both feel so blessed to have such an amazing teammate and partner to serve with. The Lord totally knew what He was doing when He made us husband and wife.<br />
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Nonetheless, nothing has made me more proud than getting to work along side him last Sunday as he preached for the first time. He preached in Chinese, and I got to stand beside him and translate his sermon into English.<br />
What a joy to stand next to him as he shared the Word of God!!<br />
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<a class="hoverZoomLink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5178203271/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank"><img alt="Preaching and Translating" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1431/5178203271_4246fc7dfe_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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I look forward to hearing God speak through him in future sermons that are yet to come. Praise the Lord!!amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385853462957713860.post-47562791784459325372010-11-15T16:17:00.000+08:002011-10-08T16:18:05.143+08:00run, gilby, run<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
I’m thankful for our roof. It gives Gilby a place to run, run, run!! He loves running, even if there is no grass, 11 floors above ground.<br />
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<a class="hoverZoomLink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda47/5160182391/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank" title="Gilby runs on the roof by amanda p. wu, on Flickr"><img alt="Gilby runs on the roof" height="449" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/5160182391_5639a3d810_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="640" /></a><br />
amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439868305108613791noreply@blogger.com0