Month: March 2017

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Spring has Sprung @ Sanzhi 三芝!

Catherine Lee

Yes, the cherry blossom is finally out, the azaleas too, and the swallows are back and starting nest-building.  The local council has planted 17,000 cherry blossom trees around and about, and after a slow start, yes they’re out.  Even more importantly, the sun is out too, and that improves things considerably! We’ve had a slow start to spring, apparently due to the fact that the cold weather took so long to arrive.  Still, it’s here now, and we’re enjoying every minute of the sunshine ~ so wishing you all a happy spring! Continue reading Spring has Sprung @ Sanzhi 三芝!

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Happy Children’s Day 兒童節 in Laomei Village 石門鄉老梅!

Catherine Lee

Laomei Elementary School 老梅國小 is in Shimen Township on Taiwan’s northern tip, and on a sunny day in spring and summer it’s beautiful.  The rest of the time, sadly it is not. The rain lashes down in buckets, the wind blows in great big gusts, and the children are well-used to spending endless days indoors.   But surprise, surprise, after a very wet weekend, suddenly yesterday was beautiful, the sun was out and it was warm! Laomei Beach is famous for its Algal Reef 老梅綠色石槽, formed from wave-cut volcanic lava and every year covered in bright green algae, especially in … Continue reading Happy Children’s Day 兒童節 in Laomei Village 石門鄉老梅!

Advent Church, TaiwanLeave a comment

Happy Birthday Tan Baba ~ 97 or 98 or even 99?

Catherine Lee

Yes, big celebrations last night for Tan Baba’s birthday and I was invited too, yippee!  All the Tan family were there, plus lots of friends from far and wide.  The Tan family are members of Advent Church, ah, we all love them so much ~ and unlike other elderly people who go to bed early, Tan Mama and Tan Baba live life more like teenagers, often going to bed after midnight, so an evening birthday party just suited them fine! And so we had a wonderful meal, cooked by all the different family members – and then the important question … Continue reading Happy Birthday Tan Baba ~ 97 or 98 or even 99?

Taiwan Episcopal ChurchLeave a comment

All About Mission @ 聖司提反堂 St. Stephen’s Church, Keelung!

Catherine Lee

St. Stephen’s Church in wet and rainy Keelung is always buzzing with life and activity ~ and Saturday was no different, YES!  It may have been yet another wet and horrible day outside, but oh, so warm and inviting inside!  Yep, Keelung is famous for its rain, so on Saturday, while the sun shone over Taipei and all places south, sadly there was no sun for us.  In fact it was foggy, drizzly and damp all day long – although this was the romantic scene at Keelung Harbour as I passed by….. So on a rainy day ~ what better … Continue reading All About Mission @ 聖司提反堂 St. Stephen’s Church, Keelung!

St. John's University, TaiwanLeave a comment

St. John’s University Ground-Breaking Ceremony for New Changing Rooms 倬雲游泳池附屬建築物新建工程動土典禮!

Catherine Lee

Yes, it’s all happening at St. John’s University! New changing rooms and fencing for the swimming pool are on the horizon ~ and yesterday the rain stopped just in time for the Ground-Breaking Ceremony ~ yippee! Our SJU Chair of Trustees, Mrs. Cecilia Koo 辜嚴倬雲, who funded the original construction of the SJU Zhuo-Yun Swimming Pool 倬雲游泳池 (倬雲 Zhuo-Yun being the 2 characters of Mrs. Koo’s given name) unfortunately could not be with us for the ceremony, but SJU President Ay and many of the faculty, administrative staff and students joined us for the occasion.   The old changing rooms have … Continue reading St. John’s University Ground-Breaking Ceremony for New Changing Rooms 倬雲游泳池附屬建築物新建工程動土典禮!

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My Kinda Art @ Taichung!

Catherine Lee

Every month off I go to Taichung to do the sermon in the St. James’ Church English Service, usually on the bus or train, and occasionally, just occasionally by High Speed Rail. Saturday was a rare HSR day…. St. James’ Church is right opposite the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and even though I pass along the art museum skywalk every time on my morning exercise, actually I hardly ever go in the museum itself. Sorry about that.  Yes, the museum is all free, but still, y’know, I hardly ever go in. Except this weekend, I happened to notice … Continue reading My Kinda Art @ Taichung!

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Alishan 阿里山 2017 ~ Sakura Cherry Blossom is out!

Catherine Lee

And looking spectacular!  If you have any free time in the next few weeks, you just must make time to go to Alishan and see the cherry blossom, it’s stunning! I went yesterday.  It’s only a week before the official Cherry Blossom Festival is due to start, but most of the flowers are fully out – and so was the sun, perfect! Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most famous scenic spots, and for visitors from overseas, it is one of the must-see places.  Best to do things leisurely and stay there overnight, but if that’s not possible, go on the … Continue reading Alishan 阿里山 2017 ~ Sakura Cherry Blossom is out!