Well, it should be a typhoon weekend, but at least, we get a break from this typhoon. But, the rain does come. We go for ex-FPS party, turns out, only S&M comes. The lunch in Neo Jasu Yaki is tasty, DC and I have 8 plates of sliced beef - Certified Angus Beef. It's all you can eat in 90 minutes for 398 NTD (9 Euro) per person. Boiling beef sliced in JP sauce and diping in mix egg are tranditional way to eat it. On the side, there are fruit bar and all the cold / hot drink. The only thing missing here is the ice cream. Most of All-you-can-eat buffet places offer Häagen-Dazs or Mövenpick, here, you can have a scoop of homemade green tea ice cream. We nearly need to be roll out by the time we finished. It's so good, Ian, we'll take you here for sure...
Cyn is back and DC is excited to present her the dinner and dessert. I appreciate DC takes Cyn as my baby sis. Amanda had steak treatment and Cyn really likes to have her own one too. Of course, top treatment, Creme Brulee! We have a great night, untill Ian told me Spice Burger is in history. 25 degrees in DUB and 35 degrees in TPE, we have raining day and DUB has summer. It's so unfair. Why did I have winter weather in Summer when I visited last year? Ian, you better make sure Burdocks has that deep fried mashroom and fish & chips. I can't handle another news like spice burger. PLS!

It was heavy raining last night, so we take some photos with the new car and Chris' family photo. Joshua is a bit too excited for this trip, difficult to control. However, we manage to take some. We come to this fish port for fresh homemade fish balls. Also, time for good quality sashimi. What's the different? 450 NTD (10 Euro) for 12 pieces served in restaurant and 595 NTD (13.2 Euro) for 40 pieces plus 4 pieces of squid in the local fish port. Wow, it makes my day! I'd love to have some oysters but DC doesn't like it, unless I can deep fried them. Too much trouble...
The good thing about TW is we have so many petrol stations and convenient shops everywhere, even in country side. We got lost in North-West sea shore and the convenient shop provides cookies which is very important tool to control Joshua and toilet for guys, and more important funtion - local guide or direction. From the North to the South, from the East to the West, there are 3500+ "7-11", 2800+ "FamilyMart" and others, in total is 9100+ whole island wide. They are 24-7, whole year run, very reliable shop. There is a local supermarket run 24-7 in 3-min walk and this 7-11 just across the street and another FamilyMart in 3-min walk away. How nice to live in TPE!
PS: Mags, you need to keep an eye on the post. Your camera is coming home....

It's a birthday party for Mia's Dad. We celebrate it with this high standard BBQ restaurant. The meat is so fatty and good quality. After long hour BBQ, the smell won't stay on your clothes. After piles of meat dishes, time for some vegie and chicken cartilages. Yes, we do eat that and with sake. Today is a big day, Chris picks up his car this afternoon. The smell of new car is so good, I think they do some magic work on that smell. In Chinese saying, it's a remarkable thing to complete 5 issues before the 40th birthday: money, house, car, wife and children. Congratulations Chris, you make it!

Here, Mark and DC show you how to drink Tequila. DC is in love with this shot again. Brass Monkey has Salsa night every Tuesday, that's new to know. Some girls dance there and some of them are good. Also, I see some guys are teaching there, but I am too drunk to put my feet down. Well, Next time. Again, don't drink if you are under 21. And no drink and drive, get a taxi for God's sake. Farewell Mark, We will miss you. Look forward to see you in Asia soon. Stay in touch via Skype.

The Onigiri has salmon inside and covered by rice, light soy sauce on the surface and fries it a bit. Look at that golden surface, and the crispy sourounding, I am hungry again. Deep frieds chicken are good company to go with sake, pretty farmous in this taverns. The butter is diffierent than the one on Fish & chips. This Salmon maw takes a while to BBQ, but it tastes so smooth. In this taverns, food is simple and easy to prepare. We do enjoy our food, but I can see a lot of ppl who can't handle sake. My goodness, it's only 10PM, get real!

Mark finishs the TNN project and heads back to UK tomorrow. We have our own farewell party, start with JP homemade dinner. Ian, remember this? Wish you could be here with us. The sashimi is so fresh and squid tastes so sweet and that shrimp, OMG. The sliced beef is sealed outside and row inside, garnishes with light soy sauce and onion. The deep fried pork chop serves with JP curry, crispy and hot curry sauce challenges your tongue. The steamed mussell tastes so light and refresh. It's so good with sake.

Computex 2009 @ TWTC. It's so quiet, compared to 2002 ~ 2008. DC finds some of his bar friends in this show. Well, Telecome holds exhibition in SG, that takes some business off and less buyers come to TPE. It's not good for hoteliers, lots of empty room. However, we do manage stay up in Carnegies after this show. 2 exhibition halls do take off my energy.
PS: Carnegies did get on newspaper coz of lots of Russian customers and 1/3 guests smoking outdoor / 2/3 guests dancing indoor.

This long weekend, we have visitors. It's Dad's first time to our apartment and Daniel gives the tour. Actually, Daniel likes TPE coz we are here and we take him so many places. But, still, he has no idea how big is TPE. I am surprised he can read more now. Parents enjoy the weekend in the park, but I think Dad will enjoy more in this neighbourhood coz he spent 4 yrs here. It brings out old memory.

Normally we don't go for political activity, but this time, maybe we should stand out, just for a while. We are touched when we stand in front of NTU hospital. So many ppl. They just sit on the street and listen. There are 5 subjets, I should follow that unemployed team. The official 6.5% from government doesn't included me, I believe we are way more than that number. Cross fingers and touch wood, hopefully I can find something I like. Unlike in Europe, we are on our own. I read the news the other day, they are going to ask us to suport an education plan for unemployed ppl. A question: How can we affort to go to class when we don't have a job to support for living? We all know how important to update and follow the track, but sometimes, things don't go as we want. Sitting on that street won't bring us anywhere better, but at least, give a hint. Hope so.

House warming party! It's been a month since we move in, but this move took a lot of energy. Laterly, it's getting difficult to get us all together. Amanda hardly has weekend off. Alex doesn't really have day off at all. Michael just gets back from JP and he brings us the cake (hand carry back, priceless). Cyn cooks chicken wings and she is vegan, it's so delicious. I hope she'll turn around someday. Somehow, Alvin is working on this project which I am going to have interview next week. Daniel and Eva have parents talk with Chris and Mia. Joshua can't stop kissing Daniel's little girl. She is really pretty, Eva should be proud. In the end, we finish all the drink and leave chocolate in fridge. Guys go for KTV and we pass out. At least, DC doesn't go for 2nd round, I am happy with his choice.

It's hot hot hot TPE weather, more and more ppl use AC now. We are on the high floor, so the breeze is just enough. We spent more time at home, from time to time, we do go out in some stages. I do go for interviews and surprisely, I have to turn down some offers. Interesting, isn't it? I want to go back to hotel, how can it be so difficult?
I called my Mom yesterday coz of TW mother's day. She said Daniel learn a new trick. Daniel is afraid of dark since he was little. He needs someone to go to loo with him and he's on training to go alone. He was waiting for my Mom on the corner to loo and said to her: "Nanna, come quickly! I'd like to share a secret with you." Yes, you are right, a secret. Of course, he still has to go by himself, but it's so funny to see him trying to get company.
Ian, we found this small bar in the back of the appartment. It's really a nice place to stop on the way back from grocery shopping.

There is a flower market in downtown TPE every weekend. Finally, I get Alex to go with me. He's brilliant with gardening and Feng Shui. I can't believe he's so busy now, Tai Chui at 6AM, Tea house work from 2-11PM and then English class and computer class from time to time. Wow, I am so lazy.... Well, I am happy with my flower arrangement and more herbs to come if I can pass Alex's test. Wish me good luck! And yes, House warming party is coming this weekend. Amanda had came and check, I got her appproval. Michael is flying to Tokyo this Sunday. I guess he's going to be VIP in WestNorth, he still thinks of moving to Osaka for a couple years. Well, talk about this, Cyn is going to Sweden in June. Looking at her is like me back to 6 yrs ago. No promise, no commitment, just an idea racing in my head. Cyn is afraid but who knows what will happen. I know DC and I have big influence on Cyn, therefore, I can't encourage or influence her. The only thing I can do for her is put down the facts with SWOT and a place for her to rest no matter what's her decision.

Check out the new member in our kitchen - 35000rpm blender. We'll have daily fresh smoothie and perhaps, chocolate milk shake if I am a good girl. I love this shopping process, I stop for a taste and then things keep going on. And then, I sign the delivery form. Voila, see this baby deliver to our door in the next morning. My parents will love this too, it can make soymilk (hot). I can't wait to see my mom try this blender out, I am sure she'll try everything on this.

Baby Joshua is getting bigger, but he's not heavy at all. One thing for sure is his full-battery really make us run out of energy. We rarely come out but a cup of coffee in Breeze really make Sunday better. I am still on job-hunting and house's getting ready for party, well, soon.

Boys have a long day. The sun is behind heavy cloud with the chilli bleeze. They start early and spend the whole day in Taoyuang. DC and I are recovering from the long walk. It's a good day to take a rest. When boys come back, we go to the local nightmarket which is famous for students. Perhaps we have crowded issue, or maybe we have those two tiny boys with us, we finish our explore tour soon. Of course, it's iPod time!!!
PS: Funny, until bed time, Daniel says he gonna wake up early coz he has to go to school in the morning.
PS: Things will be back on track this week and the Mediatech is going to start on Wednesday. Good luck, boys! Kick ass!