To My Mother

Hey mom! Look! It's Hannah Montana! I haven't seen Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez around yet. Actually, I have forgotten what they look like, so maybe I have seen them and just not known it...

Clarity and Contemplation

I have spent a lot of time this past month or so paying better attention to my inner dialog. I'll tell you what, it's been pretty chaotic inside here. I've had a lot to deal with spiritually and emotionally lately and I have therefore been putting a lot of contemplation, prayer, and study into the decisions and trials I am facing currently. And you know what? I have had a break through of sorts. What I mean by this isn't that I have learned anything completely new, it's just that being able to sort through everything inside of me created a chance for a lot of important pieces to come together and create something new right in the center of me. And now I feel all bright and airy inside. Like I'm filled with sunshine. And I like that. I am reveling in the peace and clarity that is there. No problems have been magically solved, but I have gained a whole new perspective on them and it makes them seem so much less...daunting. They are still mountains, but instead of a walk along a rocky crag where I feel sure that I will fall to my death at any moment, it will be more like a difficult hike up a breathtakingly beautiful path. And I may even be looking forward to them.

Kenting and Country Music

This past weekend was moon festival, which I would love to tell you all about. Only not really because I don't know much about it and I spent it celebrating the beach and learning that Taiwan is way cooler than I originally thought. I ate popcorn chicken. Yes people, popcorn chicken. It was like I was halfway home. Even though I don't think I have actually ever eaten popcorn chicken in the U.S. I also received blessings from the sun in the way of a lesson called "Be smart and wear sunscreen or be cooked like a pig at a Hawaiian luau." I am not the smartest all of the time. But I am not the only one who got taught a lesson.

I also got to hang out with some of the most awesome girls out there. I didn't think I could love them more than I already did. I was wrong. Because I do. End. Of. Story.

Oh, and did I mention that I got to speed around on the back of a scooter? I did. And it was FREAKING FANTASTIC.

Other things included in my weekend: new music I love, the most awesome night market I have met yet, a delicious Subway sandwich, lots of laughter, cotton candy, sandals, a three hour train ride without a seat, late night orange juice from 7eleven, a corndog with french fries in the batter, a crazy, but awesome, Canadian hostel owner, and a very awkward/hilarious happening that involved a German, an open bathroom door and a near heart attack.

Here are some pictorial representations of my amazing weekend:

Baisha beach

We had a hard time jumping all at the same time.

LOVE Heather's expression. What is she doing? I have no idea, but I'm glad I captured it :)

Kendra and Kylie

Sara and Jessica...admiring the scenery?

Cute Nica in her cute hat that I want. Only I don't think I could work it like she does.

Heather and Sara are thugs. And they're gonna come after me for posting this photo.

Sara chowing down on her amazing, delicious, magnificent french fry hotdog, and probably wishing I took less pleasure in capturing moments like this.

Terri, the most awesome person ever. She is probably in the top 5 nicest people I know.

Rock. Sharp rock.

Heather is an amazing dancer and I am jealous of her skills.

I would like to point out that there are three whole photos of me in this post, all none too flattering. Be proud of me. Three. Whole. Photos. Really, you need to be proud.