Author: Catherine Lee

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Confirmation Service @ Advent Church

Catherine Lee

Yes, it was a big confirmation weekend at Advent Church, although we had been a bit worried that we might get typhooned-out!  Fortunately, in the event, Typhoon Goni passed by with heavy rains and some wind, but not too bad. Sadly the typhoon had already caused much death and destruction in the Philippines, but this time we were spared the worst. Bishop Lai and his wife Lily came for the morning worship, and we had 4 confirmations, of which 3 were our students, past and present, from St. John’s University Student Fellowship.  One was arranged kind of at the last minute as the … Continue reading Confirmation Service @ Advent Church

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Around half of Taiwan’s population lack a gene required for metabolising alcohol – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent

Catherine Lee

Very interesting article…. Around half of Taiwan’s population lack a gene required for metabolising alcohol – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent. Continue reading Around half of Taiwan’s population lack a gene required for metabolising alcohol – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent

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Nietzsche ~ and his words of wisdom?

Catherine Lee

Nearing the end of 4 weeks English Bible Summer Camp at Good Shepherd Church, Taipei.  We’ve been through the first 5 chapters of Matthew’s Gospel and, well, had a great time, in-between typhoons that is…. So I couldn’t help but smile when one of my 9-year-olds turned up earlier in the week in this T-shirt…. As is well known, Nietzsche was not exactly famous for his love of the Bible, not exactly the sort of person who would send his children to a Bible Summer Camp, and as for the English part of it all…. well, who knows? And guess what? The … Continue reading Nietzsche ~ and his words of wisdom?

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Very early morning in Taipei….

Catherine Lee

Very early morning means sunrise, 6:00am-ish and this week I’ve been out and about…. to see Taipei 101 before anyone else was out, the roads strangely deserted, and not a tourist in sight.  Plus of course, sunrise from the hills at the back of the Grand Hotel…. Ah yes, and mustn’t forget a sculpture I happened upon near Taipei 101. So this is art?! All I can tell you is that my toes don’t do that ha ha! Continue reading Very early morning in Taipei….

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Hadid wins bridge design contest – Taipei Times

Catherine Lee

We’re getting a new bridge ~ and this’ll be it! Sinotech Engineering Consultants and German firm Leonhardt, Andra und Partner have won an international design competition to build the Tamkang Bridge (淡江大橋) over the Tamsui River (淡水河) in New Taipei City with a design by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Directorate-General of Highways said yesterday….. Plan your trip to come and visit, and read the rest of the article here…. Hadid wins bridge design contest – Taipei Times. Continue reading Hadid wins bridge design contest – Taipei Times

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Top 10 taboos to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan | Culture | FOCUS TAIWAN – CNA ENGLISH NEWS

Catherine Lee

Taiwan’s Ghost Month starts today.  Everyone is busy making offerings to the ghosts and burning ghost money.  From now on, for a whole month, people are generally fearful, expecting the worst in every bad situation.  A lot of prayer is needed. This article is very clear, explaining the taboos… Top 10 taboos to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan | Culture | FOCUS TAIWAN – CNA ENGLISH NEWS. Continue reading Top 10 taboos to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan | Culture | FOCUS TAIWAN – CNA ENGLISH NEWS

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Typhoon Soudelor’s Tilting Postboxes!

Catherine Lee

Until last weekend, these 2 postboxes were just ordinary postboxes on an ordinary street in ‪Taipei‬ City.  But then a signboard crashed down on them during Typhoon ‪‎Soudelor‬ and changed them forever. They were bent over, but not broken.  Tilting together in the same direction, 好可愛, so sweet, so lovely! Now they have become icons, almost memorials to the typhoon, symbols of resilience and togetherness, and a place of pilgrimage for people from all walks of life, including artists, TV crews, pet dogs, and yes, even snakes… ha ha, it’s a great place to visit!  I went there on Wednesday, … Continue reading Typhoon Soudelor’s Tilting Postboxes!

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Typhoon Soudelor ~ the Aftermath

Catherine Lee

A week after Typhoon Soudelor hit, and it now has its own Wikipedia page here.  Current figures are that 8 people died and over 400 were injured in Taiwan as a result of the typhoon. The worst affected area was the hot spring area of Wu-Lai up in the mountains above Taipei where a major landslide has devastated the valley, washing away homes, hotels, roads, cars, trees and filling the beautiful hot springs with mud. Throughout the country, damage to homes and businesses is immense, but at least mostly repairable.  That’s what we’ve all been doing all week, fixing and … Continue reading Typhoon Soudelor ~ the Aftermath