things i don't like to hear

"Oh, you're time will come."

"Once you are completely satisified in being single, then God will give you a husband."

it's official

That's right.  It is now official.  I am now (and have been for over a month) in the state of "extended singleness."

That is, at least according to Caroyln McCulley in her book Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?. There is more than one way to join this exclusive group of men and women, but I get to be a card-carrying memeber of the "extended singleness" club because I have a younger sibling who is married.

I was a little worried, selfishly, that I would hear many, many dreaded comments at the wedding.  "So, when are you getting married?"  "You're next!"  "Don't worry; your time will come."  But to my relief, it only happened once--after the bride and groom were on their merry way. 

I am so glad that I was able to celebrate and rejoice in my sister's wedding without anyone reminding me that I was not married.  It helped me so much to enjoy Sarah's wedding.

After Sarah and Chad were pelted with bubbles as they ran to their car, and we had waved goodbye, one of my dear aunts said to me "you're next." 

I told her "well, maybe not."

To which she replied, "We'll just change the colors." 

I then said, "It might not just be that I'm not next.  It might be that I never get married." A look of shock filled her face, and I continued, "and, you know what?  That is perfectly ok." 

And she responded with a hug and the words, "you are right." 

And so, that is how I was initiated into my official state of "extended singleness."  To tell the truth, it wasn't too bad.

P.S. she was saying "you're right" to the fact that it is ok . . . not to the fact that she thinks I will never marry. :)

before, during and after

Kady, my coworker and friend, showcases Sam's jump into the air.  :) 

(In the background is a view of the ocean and mountains of our little island.)

the toliet bowl--a place to eat

Sam and I visited a very interesting resturant his second week here in Taiwan.  It is called "Modern Toilet."  It even made international news awhile back when it first opened.

Do you see in the photo above that my dinner was actually served in a toliet bowl?  Cool right?  You can see below that we got to eat our dessert--ice cream--out of Asian-style squatty potties!!

In addition to having our food served in toliets and bathtubs, all the decorations were toliet themed.  Even our seats were toliets and the tables were sinks covered in glass.  If you ask me, the idea is quite original--even if a little disgusting.  But, as far as the perfect place to take a 12 year old boy to eat Chinese food--I can think of no other place!!

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home sweet home

You know the feeling.  I know you do. 

You go away on a trip out of town.  You stay in a hotel room or in someone's guest room.  It's nice at first--a fancy recliner to sit in, new things on the walls to look at and enjoy, different trees lining the roads, a new set of stores to explore.  But, then . . . after awhile, you long for the familar again. 

There is a kind of relaxing that your body does as you turn back into your old neighborhood.  You open the front door to your own home and the scent of home washes over you.  It feels so good to sit on your old couch, to sleep in your own bed.  Ahh, home, sweet, home.

The first time this happened to me in Taiwan, it shocked me.  I left my apartment for a few days out of town.  When I walked into a home that looked like nothing I would or even could have in the States, I felt at home.  That is because it was my home.  It was a wonderful feeling.  I remember making a mental note of that moment.  It happened three years ago.  I've never questioned it since.

But, I digress. 

I have missed blogging.  My mom asked me the other day "are you really that busy?"  In some ways yes and in some ways no.  I know that in life there is not really such thing as "no time for . . . "  We choose to spend our time the way we spend it.  If I don't have time for blogging, it is because I am choosing to spend time on something else. 

Since my sister's wedding--which was over a month ago--I have only posted 9 times.  A little break was nice, but I miss taking the time to read other's blogs and blog myself.  But, like I said, I have choosen to spend my time in other ways--namely with my kid brother. 

So, what does this have to do with home sweet home, you ask?  Well, opening up the website of my blogging service is like opening the front door and breathing in the scent of home.  Sending words deep into the blogosphere is like sitting on my own worn couch. 

I regret that my little break from blogging conincided with the same time I was to be  blogging weekly with a Beth Moore Bible Study Group.  The study we were doing, Living Beyond Yourself, is/was incredible--life changing really.  After looking at who is the Holy Spirit, she took us through the fruit (yes, singular) of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I apologize to the group for not upholding my commitment to the weekly posting.  Perhaps this summer I can do a series on the fruit of the Spirit.  I am a sinner saved by grace.

I can't promise daily posts just yet, but I do know that I am going to begin posting more regularly again because well . . . it is like coming home.

when was the last time . . .

When was the last time your tea had stars in it?

life with a 12 year old

well . . . let's just say its different than living alone. Very different.  ;)

The things that I used to spend time on--blogging, surfing the internet, reading, listening to music--they have fallen to the wasteside.  Not because the 12 year old is demanding or time consuming, but because I am choosing to spend time with him.  It is great to have someone to talk to and share my day with.  It is nice having someone to watch TV with and then talk about what we saw.  It is fun having someone to eat with, and lay on the floor laughing with.  It is nice having him here.

Sam is actually an extremely patient and understanding young man.  We have yet to do any real sightseeing.  But, he has remained cheerful and not complained at all. 

I have been so very, very impressed with how he is doing here.  He is really taking to the combination of freedom and responsibility.  Having his own set of keys to my apartment delighted him to no end.  It is now his duty to lock up when we leave and let us back in when we return.  He decided he needed a trash can for his room (my guest room), so he went to the store and got on by himself.  To my surprise, this made him extremely happy . . . or should I say proud. 

I have also been very impressed with his bravery in the language.  Although it does bother him when people try to engage him in full conversation in a language he does not know, he does not let not knowing Chinese stop him from going and doing.  His first week here, when we were visiting the local McDonalds, he asked me "how do you say 'ice cream' in Chinese?"  I told him; then he got up and went to the counter to get two of them. 

And . . . he has even been brave with the food too.  He has tried so many new foods.  He even tried and liked tofu and dried peas!!  There are even some of the foods that he has tried that he now requests when I ask him, "so what would you like to have for dinner tonight?"  And, last Saturday we went to a banquet with some of my former students.  He tried so many new things that one meal alone!  I was so super impressed!!  He is one amazing guy. 

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Life with a 12 year old is well . . . well, its full of fun and laughter . . . it's different than life alon, but it's good, real good.  Having my brother here is such a blessing to me. 

However, what this means to you, my dear blog reader, is less systematic blogging for the next two months.  There will be some posts about what's going on over here on our little island and what we are up to, but that is about it.  Just wanted to let you know what is going on.  Thanks for stopping by!!