Playing around

I asked my mom to take photo of my huge mouth. Is it big enough?

My Papa is teaching me self-defense which he learned in the army. I'm stronger than him, though.


Playing around with Papa after the meal. He's a bit tipsy here after drinking a small glass of whisky.


I took this photo for my mom, dad, granny, uncle and aunt. I'm not tall enough so it's not really good. Look at my uncle's head.

A Birthday Party

Kylix, Gab, Mamerts and I went to Hanz's birthday (Osh's nephew). At first, Gab did not like to go because he was so "topak" like her mama and papa =) but after some pangungulit, he went with us. Kylix, on the other hand, was so excited that she prepared...took a bath, dressed up, and got her things all ready...by the time she woke up when the party won't start until 5:00 p.m. and she held on to her gift all day long as if somebody would take it that at the time of the party, the gift wrap was all messed up...looked like some days' old!

Fooling around while waiting for Osh who, as always, was so tagal. Jk.



Bored in traffic!

Kylix's tooth fell off while eating on the van so she asked for an ice cream as told by her mom even if the party was not yet starting.


The clowns' arrival started the party. Kylix and Gab was scared at first, they wanted to stay at a corner that Mamerts and I had to drag them. We actually threatened to go home if they don't move to no avail....they were very much willing to go home than to go near the clowns. They just loosened up when the games began.

Gab won in a "pass the ball" game and he personally chose this toy which, as of now, he and Kylix were playing.

Me and the celebrant, Hans!


They called this girl "Pinoy". Apparently, she won't answer them when they ask for her name but I really don't know why all of the names they could ever think of, they thought of "Pinoy" to name this girl...why not "Pinay"?? By the way, her name is Pauline.

Wedding Party

Sunday - Typhoon Fanapi didn't stop us from attending Ilonah's wedding banquet in Miaoli. The truth is, we didn't feel the storm since it was dry and a bit sunny.

I've been to several engagement and wedding banquets in Taiwan, but I was pretty excited on this date because the bride was Vincent's niece. At my age, most of my friends are married hence I don’t have much chance to go to weddings. So even though the venue was in Miaoli, there was no way that we would miss it.









A typical wedding banquet in Taiwan consists mainly of lots of food and alcohol, wedding photos, the bride changes gowns at least three times, picture taking, and that's it.


Odd as it seems, most Taiwanese weddings take place at banquet halls. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as Chinese people take food very seriously, much like a religion; therefore, restaurants are our places of worship.

A small glass of whiskey I was forced to drink up. Unfortunately, we were seated with a bunch of ladies who were pretty good at drinking. Well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Cheers!


Good gracious! This is what happens when you pretend you can handle alcohol, but in fact your face turns as red as cherry lips and you want to throw up everything you've just pigged out.


Posing with CJ after the event. Truth be told, every banquet I've been in Taiwan was awfully boring. I don't understand why people just come, feast on the food, and leave. Sometimes I wish I could be a wedding coordinator and make this most special day of somebody's life worth remembering. If you're reading this and you're planning to get married - I'm your man! I mean I can make your wedding day 'the most unforgettable time of your life.' Don't worry about my fee - I'm pretty flexible.

Most of these photos were taken by CJ - all credit to him. I'm bloody lazy at taking photos.

Moon Cake

Here's your moon cake, Tita Bebang. Actually, it's not good for you - it's fattening. You should start reducing your weight because you're wedding day is coming soon.

Several flavors of moon cake you can binge on - egg yolk, read bean paste, tea, pineapple....really yummy!

CJ Yu!

Where's your party? Celebrate here! I will buy you a new Omnitrix...bigger one with more aliens!

Moon Day

When the moon is full, mankind is one.

The Moon Festival otherwise known as Mid-Autumn Festival, is just around the corner (Sept 22). It's one of the most important holidays in Taiwan.

Besides admiring the full moon and eating moon cakes, barbeque has become a very popular family activity on the Moon Festival. With the time passed by, the religious significance of the Festival has become less and less in the modern urban life, but the full moon keeps radiating tender lights on every smiling face in the warmth of family and friends gatherings.

And last Friday, we celebrated the Moon Festival ahead of time at Phil's rest house in Miaoli.








Preparing at the bar...


Typical BBQ stuff - pork, chicken, mushroom, dried tofu, squid balls, clams, tienpula...




I burnt my hand while barbecuing. It hurts...

See that steel pipe behind me? That's where I burnt my right hand. By the way, Angel and I are wearing our new cute aprons.

Gab Kyl Horse

Cheung Kyl Horse

Cheung Pretending to Cry

Gab at Tagaytay

Kylix at the Museo Pambata Giant Piano

Typical Sunday morning

This is our typical Sunday morning. Have breakfast, play sports, read the newspaper at a university nearby. CJ learned playing baseball with his cousins during the summer vacation.

Ghost Month in Taiwan

Hello!

This entire month of July of the lunar calendar is a period when it is believed that the spirits of the dead walk the earth. According to Taoist beliefs, this festival of deliverance originated on the birthday of the Chinese Guardian of Hell who governs all matters in the underworld and decreed an amnesty out of mercy so all lost souls could be released back to the mortal world from hell on the 1st day of July to enjoy incense, candles and food offered to the spirits for a period of one month so they might be converted to "The Way."

During this month many special celebrations are held, with sacrifices and offerings laid out to feed and appease the wandering lost souls.

This is in Changhua Province, where CJ's grandmother lives. As you can see loads of food such as fruit, noodles, dumplings, cookies, wine, paper spirit money, incense sticks ,and others are being offered to the lost souls.

The offering time is over. It's time to cook and enjoy the offerings.

Typical temple in Taiwan . It has special a one-day Ghost Festival event for the worshipers.

Temple musicians playing some deafening religious music.

CJ and Vincent strolling around a night market next to the temple.

One of the special events is a competition for 'the heaviest pig.'



This is the winner - weighing 1,640 kilograms - 'unbelievable'

Second Prize


'cool' goat.

Moreover, since this period is not regarded as auspicious time of the year so no funeral, marriage and traveling is done during this time! Taiwanese people are very superstitious - several things you must NOT do like, going to the beach, buying a car or house, getting married, going abroad, do the laundry at night, moving any home furniture, etc....

Anyway, the Ghost Festival is almost over. We are looking forward to Moon Festival on September 22, and of course CJ's bday on Sept 20.