We stopped by Sogo’s, a Taiwanese department store, children department to let Emma and Lorelai play with the bouncing horses (Mom knows all the “free” places, LOLz).  The elevators were manned (or should I say, womanned) with girls in uniforms bowing and asking which floors you would like to go as you enter in high [...]

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Our night adventures into the local night street markets were as fun as we had expected.  Lots of good food that I was fond of when I was a kid, and some of them I haven’t heard of.  Mom and Dad took us to their favor stinky tofu place, and both Jeannie & I agreed [...]

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After a long day, hot pot was consumed by all.  They sell thinly sliced frozen meat specifically just for hot pots at Costco here in Taiwan.  And being the meat lover that he is, my dad bought packs of beef, pork, and lamb, Costco size!  We attempted to finish them all but obviously failed.  Lorelai [...]

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Lorelai & Emma (my brother Ryan’s daughter who’s 4 month older than Lorelai) have been looking at and talking to each other on Skype for a while every week.  It was nice for them to finally meet in person.  They had tons of fun together and are now BFFs (although Lorelai does take advantage of [...]

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This was a big trip for me since I haven’t been back to Taiwan since I left 17 years ago (Dec. 1991)!  I have now spent more than half of my life in countries other than Taiwan, but still, it feels like it’s the original home. I am going to do the trip recaps in [...]

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Happy holidays everyone! Traveling with Lorelai was/is extremely tiring, especially with the 13 hour flight.  It took Lorelai 4 to 5 days to adjust for the jet-lag, and even with adjustments she’s still extra cranky.   We are very tired, but Taiwan is fun with lots of good food! Picture updates later when we get [...]

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Well like I mentioned earlier, we drove ourselves over to the local TECO office last weekend to get all this passport/resident status/Taiwan law/What the hell is going on thing all sorted out.  So here’s how it works.  What I quoted was true, if you are a guy born in Taiwan, they (Taiwan government) can ask [...]

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Just found this little gem regarding the chances of me going back to Taiwan… Taiwan law provides for compulsory military service. Men between the ages of 18 and 36 who were born in Taiwan or who have ever held a Taiwan passport should be aware that they may be subject to compulsory military service in [...]

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