Some have asked me why I haven't written anything new for this blog. The reason is simple: I totally got lazy after regaining my independence and freedom back from the tendon injury. But don't worry, I still have managed to keep a diary going during the time that I wasn't posting any messages on here. Trust me, people, I won't just leave my life 'blank!' =)
Since I came back to Taiwan, things have been great. The biggest thing was that I got to spend more time with my family, especially my dear parents and (younger) brother. It is so so so nice to spend time with them and share with them what's been going on with me.
Yes, there were many adjustments I had to make and I am still making necessary progress to eventually life a Taiwanese life, but this temporary move back to my hometown, my country is a soul-searching, recharging self discovery.
I'd be lying if I say I don't miss my life in the U.S. - all the freedom and friends, etc. - but since I am here and life is too short, I am constantly telling myself to make good use of every second of my time here to see new places, learn new things, and live a new life.
More posts are soon to come! Stay tuned. =)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Cincinnati, Ohio
The drive from Batesville to Cincinnati was only about 45 mins. After I arrived and checked in with Holiday Inn, Leslie, Lien, Adam, and Jessica were still in Columbus - shopping (without me). They had just landed, but they were too tired to drive to Columbus right away. When does shopping become a type of resting?!
Kaoruko and her roommate came to Holiday Inn to pick me up. They took me to Newport on the Levee. We had smoothies. The parking was a bit expensive ($5); however, we were all glad that we could see each other and catch up. We took some pictures and then they took me back to the hotel.
Jeff came over...
Finally, the gang arrived and we went to White Castle. We were so excited about it; however, we realized that the food simply was not as good as the hype. We also went to Newport on the Levee. It was a short meet-and-greet, because we went to Maggie and Craig's afterward. Nice house they have!
On the Wedding day, we woke up late, but we did managed to have nice brunch at Brio before heading over to the wedding location - in Covington, KY, I believe. The wedding was beautiful in that the wedding party looked so chic, the setting looks so romantic, and the atmosphere felt so loving. I took many pictures as usual. The only thing undesirable was that it was rather hot and humid. Many people were so wet...
Maggie and Craig's reception was also a big success. Every one of us had fun dancing, meeting the people we have met - Heather and Kathy, and two new people we met - Rob and Brian. I danced away and I was quite a star...because I was dancing and dancing and dancing...with my cam walker boot on.
We left for Columbus in the early A.M. Even though we did stop at Momo's for some Boba drinks, we got to the airport early enough that we had plenty of time to go through security checkpoint after we took forever to find the express dropbox for our rental car keys. =)
Kaoruko and her roommate came to Holiday Inn to pick me up. They took me to Newport on the Levee. We had smoothies. The parking was a bit expensive ($5); however, we were all glad that we could see each other and catch up. We took some pictures and then they took me back to the hotel.
Jeff came over...
Finally, the gang arrived and we went to White Castle. We were so excited about it; however, we realized that the food simply was not as good as the hype. We also went to Newport on the Levee. It was a short meet-and-greet, because we went to Maggie and Craig's afterward. Nice house they have!
On the Wedding day, we woke up late, but we did managed to have nice brunch at Brio before heading over to the wedding location - in Covington, KY, I believe. The wedding was beautiful in that the wedding party looked so chic, the setting looks so romantic, and the atmosphere felt so loving. I took many pictures as usual. The only thing undesirable was that it was rather hot and humid. Many people were so wet...
Maggie and Craig's reception was also a big success. Every one of us had fun dancing, meeting the people we have met - Heather and Kathy, and two new people we met - Rob and Brian. I danced away and I was quite a star...because I was dancing and dancing and dancing...with my cam walker boot on.
We left for Columbus in the early A.M. Even though we did stop at Momo's for some Boba drinks, we got to the airport early enough that we had plenty of time to go through security checkpoint after we took forever to find the express dropbox for our rental car keys. =)
Batesville, Indiana
I stayed at Shu Ching's for two nights. Although she had the AC on both nights, I could still feel the high humidity, which I haven' felt in a long time. Early Thursday morning I left Akron and continued my journey to Columbus, Ohio and then to Batesville, Indiana.
It took me two hours to get from Akron to Columbus. When I arrived in Columbus, it was a bit too early to visit any of those shops in German Village. So I went to Cup O Joe to have some hot tea and bagel. Soon, it was 9 A.M. and I cam-walkered myself to the information enter of the German Village. I sat down and watched a 10-min orientation video, which gave me a good understand of how this German Village came about.
After the Village, I kept driving until I got to Choru's place. It was VERY nice to see her again. Last time I saw her, it was back in 2000. She is now married - and a bit overweight. =) Her husband, Jeff, is a very nice guy. Currently, they have a business on eBay - selling vintage comic books. They live with their in-laws and they have a beautiful house.
Choru and I talked until late. It seemed that we had so much to go on forever...if our bodies let us, we would have went on and on... The next morning quickly came. After having breakfast, they took me to Oldenberg, a very old German settlement town. It was a nice, charming town; however, I kept thinking that I miss seeing people on streets. After we had lunch at China Wok - a buffet - we went back to their place to pack my stuff. I left for Cincinnati around 3 P.M., which gave me enough time to meet up with Kaoruko - another friend that I hadn't seen in 5 years or so.
It took me two hours to get from Akron to Columbus. When I arrived in Columbus, it was a bit too early to visit any of those shops in German Village. So I went to Cup O Joe to have some hot tea and bagel. Soon, it was 9 A.M. and I cam-walkered myself to the information enter of the German Village. I sat down and watched a 10-min orientation video, which gave me a good understand of how this German Village came about.
After the Village, I kept driving until I got to Choru's place. It was VERY nice to see her again. Last time I saw her, it was back in 2000. She is now married - and a bit overweight. =) Her husband, Jeff, is a very nice guy. Currently, they have a business on eBay - selling vintage comic books. They live with their in-laws and they have a beautiful house.
Choru and I talked until late. It seemed that we had so much to go on forever...if our bodies let us, we would have went on and on... The next morning quickly came. After having breakfast, they took me to Oldenberg, a very old German settlement town. It was a nice, charming town; however, I kept thinking that I miss seeing people on streets. After we had lunch at China Wok - a buffet - we went back to their place to pack my stuff. I left for Cincinnati around 3 P.M., which gave me enough time to meet up with Kaoruko - another friend that I hadn't seen in 5 years or so.
Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio turned out to be much bigger and much more interesting than I expected. First of all, it was only 40 mins away from Cleveland and it has some cute people out there. =)
A friend of mine from high school back in Taiwan, Shu Ching, is currently going to University of Akron. She wants to become a registered nurse. It had been 7 years since I saw her, but we have somehow managed to stay in touch. So it was rather nice to visit her and to go to a few places with her.
She lives alone in a tiny apartment; however, the space she has is large enough for a person. She walks to school, because she apartment is one or two blocks away. Yes, she did gain some weight, but her cute smile remains un-damaged. =)
I stayed with her for two nights. The first night we went to Swenson's - a local drive-in hamburger store - to try those famous burgers, fried mushrooms, onion rings, and fried Zucchini. It was Joey that suggested we should go there; thank God for him, or we would have never had such mouth-watering experience.
While in Akron area, I went to Stan Hywitt Hall and Gardens, Peninsula/Cuyahugo Valley National Park, Cleveland, the house that Joey used to live in, and Angel Falls Cafe. I had a great time hanging out with Shu Ching. She is going back to Taiwan for winter break...can't wait to see her again.
A friend of mine from high school back in Taiwan, Shu Ching, is currently going to University of Akron. She wants to become a registered nurse. It had been 7 years since I saw her, but we have somehow managed to stay in touch. So it was rather nice to visit her and to go to a few places with her.
She lives alone in a tiny apartment; however, the space she has is large enough for a person. She walks to school, because she apartment is one or two blocks away. Yes, she did gain some weight, but her cute smile remains un-damaged. =)
I stayed with her for two nights. The first night we went to Swenson's - a local drive-in hamburger store - to try those famous burgers, fried mushrooms, onion rings, and fried Zucchini. It was Joey that suggested we should go there; thank God for him, or we would have never had such mouth-watering experience.
While in Akron area, I went to Stan Hywitt Hall and Gardens, Peninsula/Cuyahugo Valley National Park, Cleveland, the house that Joey used to live in, and Angel Falls Cafe. I had a great time hanging out with Shu Ching. She is going back to Taiwan for winter break...can't wait to see her again.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Small small world...
Today is an interesting day. Yung-Yu, Emily and I took a friend of my friend, who just moved to Rawland Heights from Tallahassee, Florida, to car shopping at the car dealership of Emily's uncle and aunt in Monterrey Park. On the way there, we realized that this friend of a friend (her name is Elis) was an alumna of the school that my oldest cousin attended. And the funny part was...Elis and my cousin know each other. What a small world?! =)
Of course, I also met Emily's uncle and aunt finally. Very nice people. They treated us with some very delicious tea and rather warm greeting as well as great conversation. I like them.
After dropping Elis off, we got hungry. So before we headed back to L.A., we stopped by Sin Ba La to have some sausage and some Taiwanese snacks. It was a rather satisfying meal, as I haven't had such Taiwanese food in a long time. It was funny that none of us had enough cash so one of us (Emily) had to go to the supermarket next door to buy something in order to get cash back. For some reason, I always for get that this restaurant only takes cash~ugh!
Oh yeah, also heard about Lucille's .50 cents cash back story in Vegas. It was hilarious; however, to save her some face, I will simply stop right here (until she pisses me off in any way).
Of course, I also met Emily's uncle and aunt finally. Very nice people. They treated us with some very delicious tea and rather warm greeting as well as great conversation. I like them.
After dropping Elis off, we got hungry. So before we headed back to L.A., we stopped by Sin Ba La to have some sausage and some Taiwanese snacks. It was a rather satisfying meal, as I haven't had such Taiwanese food in a long time. It was funny that none of us had enough cash so one of us (Emily) had to go to the supermarket next door to buy something in order to get cash back. For some reason, I always for get that this restaurant only takes cash~ugh!
Oh yeah, also heard about Lucille's .50 cents cash back story in Vegas. It was hilarious; however, to save her some face, I will simply stop right here (until she pisses me off in any way).
Goodbye Crutches!
It took me two weeks to come to a full-body-weight bearing status. Although it now seems a while ago, it sure felt like forever! I was religiously increasing 10 more lbs of weight bearing each day during those two weeks, because part of me was rather anxious to be able to bear my full body weight.
Just right after I achieved full weight bearing status, I had to travel to Nebraska for my host sister Carolyn and Ryan's wedding. It was a complete bitch to travel with crutches, and having to rush to catch a connection flight didn't help either! Nevertheless, I got to see Mrs. Valentine, Mrs. Hansen (since graduation 7 years ago), and all the Johnsons. This trip was rather special!!
On a different note, my physical therapy is still going well. Right now I am only doing it twice a week. Today is Mil's last day at USC Physical Therapy and Associates. Even though I gave her a card and she gave me her email address, I think I am ganna miss her. After all, her cheering, fun personality has made my sessions with her that much more fun and that much easier.
Yesterday I went to see Dr. Charlton for a follow-up. He told me that I was right on schedule and cruising (to full recovery); in addition, he said that I could lose the crutches. Honestly, when I heard that, I was rather excited. The degree/level of excitement was like that of a kid entering a candy store! Yesterday was the first day that I walked without crutches - which felt so liberating. Mark said that he was used to hearing the little medal noises from my crutches and that he got used to seeing me with crutches (taking up more space while walking). Even today when Yung-Yu and Emily saw me, they looked rather surprised also. =)
Just right after I achieved full weight bearing status, I had to travel to Nebraska for my host sister Carolyn and Ryan's wedding. It was a complete bitch to travel with crutches, and having to rush to catch a connection flight didn't help either! Nevertheless, I got to see Mrs. Valentine, Mrs. Hansen (since graduation 7 years ago), and all the Johnsons. This trip was rather special!!
On a different note, my physical therapy is still going well. Right now I am only doing it twice a week. Today is Mil's last day at USC Physical Therapy and Associates. Even though I gave her a card and she gave me her email address, I think I am ganna miss her. After all, her cheering, fun personality has made my sessions with her that much more fun and that much easier.
Yesterday I went to see Dr. Charlton for a follow-up. He told me that I was right on schedule and cruising (to full recovery); in addition, he said that I could lose the crutches. Honestly, when I heard that, I was rather excited. The degree/level of excitement was like that of a kid entering a candy store! Yesterday was the first day that I walked without crutches - which felt so liberating. Mark said that he was used to hearing the little medal noises from my crutches and that he got used to seeing me with crutches (taking up more space while walking). Even today when Yung-Yu and Emily saw me, they looked rather surprised also. =)
Friday, August 24, 2007
Physical Therapy
It had finally been six weeks after my Achilles tendon surgery. Yesterday Dr. Charlton said that I can start to put weight on my left leg - 10 lbs a day. So in two weeks time my left leg will be able to bear my body weight! It is unclear whether I still need crutches and my cam walker once my left leg can bear my full body weight, though.
My physical therapy is going well. For the past two weeks, I only did once per week; this week I was there three times; next week Mil said I can simply go in for therapy two times a week (instead of three like Dr. Charlton had ordered).
With school starting next week, I can't help but feel a bit nervous. Since my injury, I have not done much of anything; now that with full-time school work ahead of me and three engagements (Joey's Labor Day weekend visit, Carolyn's wedding in Nebraska, and Maggie's wedding in Ohio), I feel that my leg must get better soon or the travel will be simply too much of a burden...
My physical therapy is going well. For the past two weeks, I only did once per week; this week I was there three times; next week Mil said I can simply go in for therapy two times a week (instead of three like Dr. Charlton had ordered).
With school starting next week, I can't help but feel a bit nervous. Since my injury, I have not done much of anything; now that with full-time school work ahead of me and three engagements (Joey's Labor Day weekend visit, Carolyn's wedding in Nebraska, and Maggie's wedding in Ohio), I feel that my leg must get better soon or the travel will be simply too much of a burden...
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