Happy New Year!! 

Welcome to 2011!! 

Today is also the 100th birthday of the Republic of China so . . . 

Happy Birthday R.O.C.!

Merry Christmas!!

Dec. 22

Today was an eventful day. We began by eating at a really expensive and really delicious all you can eat buffet that just opened near Dandrich's parent's house. It was one of the nicest restaurants I've ever eaten in.

All-you-can-eat dessert buffet

In the evening we went back to the Flora Expo to see the Christmas exhibits. They were pretty even though some of the designers know very little about Christmas. It was kind of funny to watch the people there taking pictures. Cameras have become the new status symbol in Taiwan so everyone buys the biggest camera with the biggest lenses and the biggest flash. Even though these accessories may be unnecessary in a situation, these amateur cameramen use them all the time. Some even buy professional cameras.

Like this guy who needed two cameras, a tripod, and an Indiana Jones hat . . . 

. . . to take a picture of this. 

Later, we ate this snack that is shaved ice covered with different fruit toppings like strawberries, mango, and kiwi. This was also, of course, delicious. Tomorrow we will be leaving on a trip to the southern part of Taiwan for four days. Not sure if we'll have internet at the hotel or not so it may be a few days before I update.

Shaved ice with fresh fruit

Dec. 20: Taipei 101

The Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world until this year when some place in Dubai surpassed it. But, it's still super awesome because it's the tallest building I've ever been to.

Coincidently, each segment looks like its own Chinese take-out container. I think this is unintentional.

The building is much taller than any of the other buildings in town and towers over everything else. You can see the 101 soaring in the sky from most places in the city. It was built to look like a piece of bamboo which you can see in the different segments of the building.

Although this was the third time I've been up in the building, it was the first time I went to the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor in addition to the regular observation deck on the 89th floor. The weather was pretty good so we were able to see most of the landmarks around Taipei from the observation deck.

Looking up at the very top from the outdoor observation deck 

We went during lunch time so as to avoid the place being overrun by Chinese tourists. Luckily, they were all at lunch and the observation deck was relatively empty. Since the last time I was there, they have added an entire maze of little stores with gaudy, over-priced jewelry that you have to walk through to get to the elevators that go back down. Apparently, these cater specifically toward the Chinese tour groups who will spend a bunch of money buying this stuff. The staff at these little stores don't even look up or greet anybody else.

View of Taipei from the top.

Happy Turkey Day!

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.  ~Cicero


So, it's been awhile since I have updated. My apologies. I've been adjusting to a far less-demanding schedule. But I'm back now to my regularly scheduled postings. 


Thanksgiving combines several of my favorite things: good food and good company. So does Christmas but that is so commercialized today. It's always nice to go home over the Thanksgiving weekend and see people you haven't seen for several months. But more importantly, thanksgiving is about appreciation. 


It's easy to overlook Thanksgiving as just another stupid American holiday but this is probably the one holiday whose purpose I fully support. I truly people that people, especially Americans, don't take enough time out of their lives to appreciate everything they have. Don't get me wrong, times are hard for a lot of people right now, however, I think that is all the more reason to think about the good things you have in life. By reminding yourself of the good things, it makes the bad things seem more bearable. 


More than that though, giving thanks shows the people close to you that you acknowledge all that they have done for you. We do things for each other all the time, little and small, and we don't always remember to say thanks. 


I think it is especially important for Americans to give thanks because we are are lucky in so many ways. For all of America's faults, we still have a high standard of living, many of our schools are the best in the world, and compared to many areas we live in a mostly peaceful society devoid of violent conflict. 


Here are some of things I'm thankful for, in no particular order:
1. I am happy to be surrounded by my family and friends, and for everyone's good health.
2. I am thankful that I have gotten my law school applications out of the way already. 
3. I am excited to watch Ohio State beat Michigan for the what, seventh time now? 
4. I am thankful to have a roof over my head and for the employment that I still have.
5. Finally, I am thankful for the experience and opportunities I have had in the past year and those that will come in the next.


So this holiday, take a few minutes between bites of turkey, before you line up for Black Friday, and after you've finished watching the big game to really sit and think about everything you have to be thankful for.