Home Coming in Kyoto 3/5

Michi made Miso soup for breakfast. I had two bowls with rice, salad. What a relaxing morning to start the day. Michi and I talked for three hours straight in Japanese and English before Michi took me to Yukaki's house in her newly bought red car.

Home Coming in Kyoto 1/5

Day One Oct 24 Friday

I took it easy to get on 14:40 Bus 1968 from the Da Ping Ling Stataion. I didn’t leave home until 14:30, as soon as I arrived at Da Ping Ling Station, I didn’t wait for long before I saw Bus 1968 coming. I picked up at the front row, so that I had a pananoric view to enjoy the streets scenes all to way to the airport.   

Strangely I couldn’t find my flight on the outbound information board, I only saw a Peach flight to Kansai at Counter 12. I asked two ladies waiting in the line in Japanese about my flight, they told me to ask the tour guide. Fortunately the young lady tour guide checked my flight number on her phone, and told me Jetstar was at Counter 7.

I was early to arrive at the departure gate, because I didn’t spend much time shopping at the airport, except the souvenirs for my Japanese ladies friends in Kyoto. I didn’t realize that I stood at the wrong line of Taiwan Tiger till the last minute. The Jetstar line was just next to the Taiwan Tiger, I became the first person to wait in line, followed by two phillipinos. We talked for at least half an hour to exchange travelling information. They both live in Canada and enjoy traveling around the world when they are free. They are in Taiwan for the delicious Taiwanese food.    

Life Begins from Age 70

I delivered the speech "Life Begins from Age 70" at NTNU Mandarin Toastmasters Club Thursday evening, September 25th. The Chinese subtitles were completed with the help from Jane Liu, the Secretary of NTNU TMC this afternoon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAggpQckG_Q

The Eve of Moon Festival (20/30)

To my surprise, my brother in law took my birthday party refreshments back to LA yesterday afternoon.

I saw Brother Jimmy at 8 o'clock this evening at his place. And I saw three bottles of red wine on the table.

Twenty First Alignments (19/30)

 I met Brother Jimmy for lunch at Yes Life Department Store this morning.

Confucious Day (18/30)

 I left my traaic card with Edith.

Eddie & Ellen's Wedding Party (16/30)

I rushed to Eddie & Ellen's Wedding Party from Taipei Medical University this morning.

When I arrived at Marriot Renaissance, I saw Ruth first, and I rushed to change my clothes in the lady's room. 

Lost and Found

I didn't know that I lost my senior citzen card till I walked in the DaAn Sports Center. I took my husband library card instead. I couldn't find my card. I took Bus 906 and got off at the Central Village to enjoy a icecream cone at Ikea for NT$10.

At 8 o'clock, I received a call from WenShan Sports Center that I lost my card there. My husband was happy for my lost and found, so was I.  

Pizza Time (15/30)

I arrived at WuGu Center at 11 o'clock this morning upon Brother Jimmy's request to discuss about his computer learning schedule with the Director. To my surprise, the Director was holding a meeting with more than 20 residents to inform the alarm incident last night.

After the meeting, I stayed and had pizza with the Boss of the WuGu Center. We talked about the baseball team of GuanXi Elementary School.

I invited Brother Jimmy and his friends for some drinks at the small cafe' near Taipei Hospital. I took Bus 918 to Hindian with QiuYe, I changed to Bus 906 at ZhuangJing High School, to go to DaAn Sports Center. QiuYe went to Brother Jimmy's place to take a shower and rest.

Chicken Rice Bowl (14/30)

I visited the dental clinic at 9:15 to get another 3 new alignments, #19, #20, and #21. I am scheduled to visit the dental clinic in six weeks, on October 17th.  

I took Bus 918 in front of the dental clinic, and arrived at WuGu Center before 10:30. On my way to the hobby on the second floor, I met Brother Jimmy who was on his way to make a spare key for one of the new staff at WuGu Center.

At 11:35, four of us got on Bus 982, and got off at XingFu MRT Station. We tried a famous Chicken Rice Bowl shop on SiYuan Road for lunch. We ordered one big chicken rice bowls, two small chicken rice bowl, and one big stewed pork rice bowl, two saba soups, and two side dishes.

After lunch, we had icecream at Louisa Cafe' on the basement of Taipei Hospital. Brother Jimmy and I talked about the participants to my 70th birthday party.

I took Bus 918 back to XinDian, and got on Bus 906 to DaAn Sports Center, and exercised till 4 o'clock.

Haste makes waste. I lost a bag of NT$100 fried pork when I was in a rush to past the traffic light. If I took it easy, then my husband and I would enjoy the fried pork noodles for dinner this evening.   

WuGu Family Gathering at Brother Jimmy's Place (13/30)

At 10:30 this morning, I walked into Brother Jimmy's place full of cigarette smoke. More than a dozen visitors from WuGu Center came to Brother Jimmy's place for lunch.

I invited Brother Jimmy and 9 residents to play the Game Half Past Ten. We took turns playing the dealers. It was fun!  

At Brother Jimmy's Place (12/30)

As soon as I received Brother Jimmy's call after dinner at 8 o'clock this evening, I rushed to his place with a bag of Longan, and two repaired flip flops. When I arrived his place, Brother Jimmy was entertaining two residents from WuGu Center.

We four played a game called Half Past Ten, taking turns to serve as dealers. I won NT$40, and gave all to the only loser.

Brother Jimmy and I discussed about the details about the coming 70th birthday party for a while. I came back before ten o'clcok.

Fridays with Brother Jimmy (11/30)

I brought along the novel "Almond" I borrowed from Taipei City Library to meet up with Brother Jimmy at WuGu this morning.  I got on Bus 918 at MingQuan Industrial Park, got off at TouQian Junior High School. I used the toilet at Family Mart before I got on Bus 982 at TouQian Junior High School on SiYuan Road. I arrived at WuGu Center before 10:30.

Brother Jimmy was waiting for me at the lobby on the first floor. We discussed about the menu for my 70th birthday party with WuGu Director. I invited the Director to bring her grandson to my birthday party. When I saw GuanYi, one of the WuGu residents, I invited him to join us for lunch. We four took Bus 982 to XingFu Bus Station.

On our way to Chia-Yi Turkey Rice store, we found a new curry house, and decided to give it a try. We four ordered fried pork chop, chicken, fish, and oyster separately, and shared our food together. The curry sauce was tasty, and the drink and soup were free.

After lunch, we got on Bus 918 together, three went to Taipei Hospital for coffee, and I stayed on the bus till I got off in XinDian, and got on Bus 909 to DaAn Sports Center.

After exercise, I took Bus 650, and got off at HuJiang Senior High School to fetched the borrowed books from Taipei City Library. I got on Bus 642 to DaPingLin and bought a couple of dishes from a cafeteria on my way home. I took a nap immediately after I arrived home.  

     

Young Carers in Japan

I saw a DVD about the young carers in Japan with the Japanese subtitles yesterday evening. It opens my eyes to know that young kids need to take care of their ill parents or ailing relatives at home. 

I learned a lot of words in Japanese in the health care sector. 

家事、介護を担（にな）う

不安が募（つの）る

頼（たの）もしい

痛みを訴（うった）える

たらいまわし

先を見据（みす）え

お節介（おせっかい）な

くすぐったい

緊張が解（ほぐ）れる

救（すく）う

に捕（と）らわれる

精神疾患 （せいしんしっかん）

Sweet Home Lunch (10/30)

Brother Jimmy made noodles served with fried bean sause for lunch today. Sister Ruth came with her elder daughter to deliver the wedding invitation. Brother Jimmy invited two WuGu residents to join the lunch gathering.

My husband helped me bring the wedding present to Brother Jimmy's place, he didn't stay for lunch.

When Sister Ruth arrived, we were informed that seats at the wedding party were limited. Brother Jimmy couldn't invite anybody but himself. I didn't know that the cost the wedding party became so that expensive that each table would cost NT$35,000 for 10 people.

After lunch, Sister Ruth left with her daughter to deliver more wedding invitation to her friends in BanQiao, Brother Jimmy, his two friends and I stayed to chat over tea for another hour. QiuYe mentioned that she was born on September the 9th, so we decided to celebrate her birthday together next month.

Mother in Law's Gnocchi (9/30)

Korean Teacher invited me to her home for lunch yesterday. We talked about paying Brother Jimmy a visit. Brother was happy to see us at WuGu this morning.

As soon as we arrived at Wugu, we unwrapped the Thai latex rubber foam mattress I bought in China. It was a perfect fit.

We went to the newly opened Mother in Law's Gnocchi near Taipei Hospital. After lunch, we had coffee at Louisa Cafe on the Basement one of Taipei Hospital   

Tai House (8/30)

I arrived at WuGu before 11 o'clock. Brother Jimmy was not there, I was told that he went to the post office to help residents withdraw the monthy allowance to pay the residential fees.

While waiting for Brother Jimmy, I watched the youtube film about how to clean the teeth. I found it very helpful to know how to clean the teeth properly to keep the oral hygiene.

At 11:45, Brother Jimmy, QiuYe and I got on Bus 835, we got off at CaiYuan Plaza. We had Tai Food for lunch at the Tai House. Brother Jimmy's health condition is getting better and better. He can walk without cane easily. 

After lunch, I took Bus 99 to XinPu, got on Bus 918 right away, got on at ZhuangJin High Schook, and took Bus 906 to DaAn Sports Center to exercise for one hour.

DaAn Sports Center opens the door to men above age of 18 for free, from August 8th till 10th, to celebrate the Father's Day.

I put on the 17th teeth alignment after I took the shower, and went to bed at 10:45.

Family Dinner (7/30)

Brother Jimmy invited me for dinner at home. We had ZhaJiang noodles with QiuYe. During dinner, WuGu Director called to inform me of Brother's Jimmy staying at home in XinDian till next Monday.

I finished reading Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata after dinner. The book can be divided into two parts, the first half about the routines at the convenience store, the second half about the relationship of the convenience store woman. 

Colorful Tattoo (6/30)

Time flies! It's August the first!

Brother Jimmy invited two WuGu residents to XinDian to help clean the house today. I gave QiuYe a big bag of coffee packages.

After exercising at DaAn Sports Center for one hour, I dropped by the Tattoo shop in the neighborhood to drink a cup of white wine while discussing the possibilities of adding extra colors to the tattoo of musical notes on my right arm.

Jade Bracelet

It's been a while since we last got together for lunch at my Korean teacher's Place.

Toastmasters D67 D4 Officers Training

I am glad that I helped NTNU Mandarin TMC to gain DCP one point by joining Toastmasters D67 D4 Officers Training as the membership vice president at NTNU Saturday afternoon, July 26th.

I saw a few old friends at the training venue. To my surprise, most officers were young and interested in AI. There are more than 3 clubs in name of AI. Time has changed, from social media era to AI era.

Master Zhou Yakiniku (5/30)

At 9:15 I lay on the dental chair, waiting for the dentist for 15 minutes till 9:30. It took him less than 5 minutes to examine my teeth to his satisfaction, and gave me another three sets of alignments, from set 16 till set 18. I am scheduled to pay him a visit on September the 5th with another ten thousand NT dollars.

To be honest, I have been tired of cleaning the teeth and the alignments after each meal. But when I read the new scientific bombshell: what’s happening in the mouth could shape the fate of your brain, I am happy that I had my teeth aligned. 

Researchers have now linked gum disease, specifically the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s. This microscopic menace doesn’t just cause bad breath or bleeding gums. Scientists have found it in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, and in lab animals, it actually invades brain tissue, igniting the buildup of toxic amyloid beta, the same protein that destroys memory and cognition. One of the most important (and overlooked) ways to protect your brain for years to come. Sometimes the first line of defense against memory loss starts with your toothbrush.

I took Bus 918 in front of the dental clinic in the rain, arrived at WuGu before 11 o'clcok. I gave some souvenirs from Mainland China tour trip to the WuGu Director. I also measured the size of Brother Jimmy's single bed, 3.25 X 6.2. It was the first time I knew the sized of various beds.

Brother Jimmy, QiuYe, and I took Bus 982 to Master Zhou Yakiniki for lunch, we three all ordered Yakiniku lunch box for ninety NT dollars each person, with all you can drink ice black tea and miso soup. After lunch, Brother Jimmy and QiuYe took Bus 982 back to WuGu, I took Bus 918 back to XinDian.

I rode the bike with my raincoat on to JinXin Library to return two books, and reserve 7 books on line. I helped a primary school girl sitting next to me with her writing homework by serendipity. I hit the sack as soon as I arrived home.

JinMen

Day 5--July 22, Tuesday

 

Mazu In Meizhou

Day 2--July 19th, Saturday

We departed from Wyndham Hotel in Putidan at 8 o'clock after breakfast. The chartered bus dropped us at the harbor before 9. We waited in line to get on the ferry to Meizhou Island.

XiaMen

Day 1--July 18th, Friday

I took Bus 909 to SongSan Aiport, Mandarin Airlines AE-1265 to JinMen before 12 noon. The tour bus took us to the ferry harbor where we had a lunch box before we took the Ferry to XiaMen at 1:30. It took about half an hour, and the ferry ride was very smooth.

We first visited XiaMen Horticulture Expo Garden located in Xinglin Bay in Jimei district, Xiamen, Fujian province. The Expo Garden consists of nine islands and various gardens with different styles. The park covers a total area of about 10 square kilometers, with land and water landscapes accounting for half of the total area.

After dinner, we took the charter bus from XiaMen to Putian. It took about two and half hours. We stayed at Wyndham Hotel Room 0510. The swimming pool and the fitness center are located on the basement.

DaAn Sports Center

I got up at 8 as usual. I thought of going to a social dance class this morning, but I need to join a lunch appointment next Wednesday, so I think I'd better wait till next month to join the social dance class.

After lunch, while waiting for Bus 909 at DaFeng Road, I saw only one swallow in the nest, all the rest were gone.

I arrived at DaAn Sport Center in the rain before 2, used the fitness center for one hour, took a shower afterwards.

I took Bus 906 back to XinDian, bought a box of beef stew for dinner at the market. After arriving home, I took a nap for one hour.

In the evening, I joined an online Toastmaster Magazine reading from 9:10 till 10:00, about the new recognition program, changes made to enhance the DCP (Distinguished Club Program) and DRP (Distinguished Recognition Program).

https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2025/july/what-recognition-updates-mean

SuKiYa (4/30)

I admit that I've been lazy in writing the journal lately.

I got up as usual at around eight this morning. Browsing a few short videos on FB, then got on Bus 918 to visit Brother Jimmy. I was lucky Bus 982 arrived timely, so that I didn't wait at the Taipei Hospital Station at all. 

I arrived at WuGu at around 10 o'clock when Brother Jimmy was at HighLife by himself. One of the residents at WuGu helped me inform Brother Jimmy of my arrival at WuGu.

Brother Jimmy came back to WuGu at 10:30. I helped him do the foot massage for 10 minutes. Brother Jimmy agreed to exercise with me for 15 minutes. He rode the bicycle, I tried the elliptical trainer.

I made a line friend with Resident JiaWen today, I also taught her the meaning of Ed Sheeran's Shape of You.

At 12 noon, Brother Jimmy, QiuYe and I took Bus 982 to XingFu station, and had lunch at SukiYa. Three of us ordered three kinds of set menus.

I took Bus 918 in front of SuKiYa, arrived home at 2:30, took a nap till 4 o'clock. My husband gave me a plate of apples and pineapples upon my request. 

The 15th set of Invisalign

 

TaoYuan Armed Forces Hospital II

 

TaoYuan Armed Forces Hospital I

 

Kura Sushi (3/30)

It was 3:30 when I thought about documenting the lovely one hour lunch time with Brother Jimmy at Okura Sushi today.

After the online English conversation class with 623 classmates from 10:30 till 11:00, sharing thoughts about the education, I rode the bicycle to CiJi Hospital with a box of peeled honeydew melon, and got on Bus 918 shortly. I arrived at XingFu Station before 12 noon. I walked to Okura Sushi to reserve a table for Brother Jimmy and me between 12:10 and 12:20.

Brother Jimmy invited his friend QiuYe to join our lunch gathering at Okura Sushi. We entered the conveyor belt sushi shop at 12:30, and we were given one hour to finish our meal. QiuYe had a great appetite. She devoured at least five plates of sushi in less than 10 minutes. Brother Jimmy seemed to have a good time with his partner eating sushi insatiably. They also finished togther the box of peeled honeydew melon. 

Upon the request of QiuYe, I ordered via shop's ipod an ice cream as a dessert for her. I am happy for Brother Jimmy that he has a friend to keep him company at WuGu. Three of us ate a total of  NT$670. QiuYe agreed to walk with Jimmy for a few blocks after lunch. We agreed to try the beef bowl for lunch at SuKuYa next Tuesday noon. 

In the afternoon, I watched 2024 DVD "It ends with us", talking about a woman who overcame a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chased a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan, suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.

An Old Couple

It's 8:30 in the evening, I began to write the blog.

I got up before 8 o'clock, got ready for the Japanese class from 8:15 till 9:00. We studied simple and basic Japanese conversation.

I steamed butternut pumpkin from 10:30, rested in bed from 11:30 till 12 noon, listening to the radio.

At noon, we had butternut pumpkin for lunch.

I arrived at Wheatland Care Center at 1:30, and played with elderlies for two hours till 3:30. Take a nap immediately after I arrived home, and rested till 5 o'clcok. I asked my huband to peel the honeydew medlon for me.

I watched two Japanese DVDs today, 2023 "朝が来ると、虚しくなる", and 2024 "異國日記". 

At dinner, my huband and I joked about us being an old couple 

looking at each other, and not get tired of seeing each other only

in the eyes.

The Love Letter

It rained in the morning, I felt extremely lucky that Brother Jimmy and I spent a few happy and sunny hours together yesterday.

I wrote on this blog at one o'clock this afternoon. I got up at 8 o'clock, went to the food vendor in the neighborhood, bought 4 big tomatos, 3 cucumbers, 1 cabbage, a huge butternut pumpkin, three ambrosia apples. I also bought a bag of thick rice vermicelli and a bag of frozen Taiwanese scallion pancakes from a shop on Chili Street. I called my husband to come down to help me carry two heavy shopping bags upstairs.

I took a rest for an hour listening to the radio in bed from 11 till 12. After lunch, I turned on the computer to check the emails and wrote the blog. Just when I was hesitated if I should go to the sports center, I checked Bus 909 schedule online. I found no reason not to go to the sports center to exercise. The bus was free, the sports center was free.

While waiting for Bus 909 on DaFeng Road, I found there were only three swallow chicks fighting for food from their parents. The fourth tiny one must have died. The first clutch of four chicks fledged successfully. The second clutch started with four eggs. I wonder if they are siblings? 

I googled on the internet and found out that swallows stay with the same mate every year. Swallows are known for forming strong bonds during the breeding season, often pairing up with one mate. Swallows typically return to the same breeding areas each year. The site fidelity plays a role in their mating decisions. Female swallows may be more inclined to switch partners after a challenging breeding season.

I took charge of online Toastmaster Magazine reading from 9:15 till 10:00 this evening. I chose the article "foster belonging and inclusion in your club" from the July issue 2025. Four group members participated in the reading. https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2025/july/foster-belonging-and-inclusion-in-your-club

I watched a 2021 French DVD "The Love Letter" in the evening. As the relationship between Jonas and Léa went sour, Jonas paid Léa a visit to tell her he's still in love with her. Despite the passion that remains between the two, Léa rejected Jonas. And Jonas headed to the café opposite to write her a long letter. The movie was about the events happened in just one day. I didn't watch till the end, because I found it boring! 

Tuesday Lunch Gathering (2/30)

At 8 o'clock in the evening, I began to write the journal. It's been a wonderful day.

I arrived at WuGu at 10:30 with a box of peeled honeydew melon. Bother Jimmy was dozing all by himself in the dark hall on the second floor. I watched Brother Jimmy savor the honeydew melon. Then we went downstairs to chat in the lobby till 12 noon (2/30), I also took some time massage Brother Jimmy's feet.

I convinced Brother Jimmy with success to have lunch with me. We got on Bus 982 at 12:05 and got off at XingFu Station. Bother Jimmy ordered a big mac set menu, I ordered a double layers chicken burger. Later on we shared a McFlurry together. We chatted till 2 o'clock. Brother Jimmy looked contented, took Bus 982 back to WuGu, I took the MRT yellow line to Dapingling. As soon as I got home, I took a nap till 5 o'clock.

My husband made a glass of dragonfruit milk juice upon my request. I enjoyed the new recipe very much. After I cleaned my teeth alighment, I took Bus Green 13 to the JinXin Library to collect three books I requested online, and borrowed 12 newly arrived DVDs. 

In the evening, I watched the 2023 Korean DVD "Strike Dolphin", talking about a 35-year-old woman with a troubled childhood, living with her mother and younger brother in a small seaside village where she works for the local newsletter. When her mother announces plans to sell their house and her brother insists on moving to Seoul, she struggles to accept the changes but discovers solace at a bowling alley.

Even I could only understand a few conversation lines in Korean, I found it entertaining to see the life in a small Korean seaside village, and how family members, strangers, and friends struggled to run their everyday lives.

Typhoon Danas Landed from BuDai Harbor in ChiaYi

I didn't write the journal until 8:15 this evening, after having dinner and taking the meditation.

Monday is full of activities. From 8:30 till 9:30, the online NHK easy Japanese news reading about the riverside Kabuki Procession in Osaka on the first of July to announce the coming Summer Kabuki performance from July the 5th till the 24th. 

Even I have a big Kaburi dictionary on the bookself, I have never seen a Kakuki show in Japan. If I had a chance, I won't mind seeing the Kabuki Procession with famous Kabuki actors on the Gondora drifting along the two and a half kilometers river to the Kabuki Hall.

I took Bus Brown 2 from XinDian to WanFang Hospital in the rain. The bus stopped in the middle of the heavy traffic intersection because there was a crash between a bus and a taxi. I got off the bus. On my way to WenShan Sports Center, I bought a bowl of steamed glutinous rice for lunch for NT50 dollars. I also bought a butter melon bread for dessert.

My friend and I met up at the Ikari Cafe' at the lobby of WenShan Sports Center at 12:45. He ordered a cup of latte upon my request, we shared the pancake with honey and chocolate ice cream. We practiced speaking Korean for two hours. Then he went upstairs to exercise, I took Bus Green 2 back to XinDian, took a nap till 4:30.     

In the afternoon, I watched a DVD, a 2023 Japanese movie “Moon”, by Rie Miyazawa. The once a famous writer couldn’t write anymore. She started to work at a facility for the severely disabled which is located in the deep forest. She witnessed the residents at the facility being treated carelessly or even violently by others workers. I dared not finish watching the DVD based on the social incidence in Japan.  

At night, I learned from the news that the eye of Typhoon Danas made landfall in ChiaYi County's Budai Township late at night. It was the first time PuZi experience such a huge typhoon in 120 years. 

Typhoon Danas 2025

It's almost 9 o'clok in the evening, I decided to write on this blog.

After breakfast, I walked to the food vendor in the neighbor to buy vegetables and fruits. I bought 4 zucchinis, 2 tomotos, 2 corns, 4 potatos, 2 dragonfruits, 3 honeydew melons, two bags of white mushroom. I asked my husband to come downstairs to help me carry all of them up to the 4th floor.

At noon, we had a big pot of corn, tomato, potato, cabbage, port rib soup, and a big pan of fried zucchini, white mushrooms, salmon, bread for lunch. My husband joked about my upsurging appetitie.

In the afternoon, I asked my husband to make dragonfruit milk juice for me after I got up from the siesta. It tasted really sweet and delicious.

At night, we had salmon fried rice for dinner, with eggs, white mushroom, onion. I had two bowls of delicious salmon fried rice. 

Because of Typhoon Danas, it will be raining the whole week next week, the temperature would drop to around 30 degrees celcius.

The First Weekend in July (1/30)

I decided to see Brother Jimmy in person either at WuGu or XinChuang Sports Center whenever I have time, with an aim we meet 30 times face-to-face the second half of year 2025 (1/30).

I like morning hours, reading on the front veranda, having breakfast slowly, taking medication, cleaning the teeth alighment. My teeth didn't feel as painful the third day with the new alignment. Life is about adjustment, take it easy, and let the nature take it course.

I got on Bus 918 at CiJi Station at 10:00, arrived at Taipei Hospital at 10:25. The next Bus 982 wouldn't arrive in 35 minutes, so I walked to the Taipei Hospital to use the toilet. Then I stayed around to listen to GuZheng performance for 10 minutes. While waiting for the traffic light, I saw a purple pouch on the street, I took it to the shop nearby. I was advised to take it to the police station, or leave where it was.

I arrived at WuGu at 11:11, I was told that Brother Jimmy was at the Hi-Life Convenient Store. I stayed at WuGu to mingle with the residents and watched TV till 11:30 the lunch time. I ate one spare lunch box. It gave me a chance to know more about the daily activities of WuGu Center. 

After lunch, I joined Brother Jimmy at Hi-Life at 12:10 in a sudden rain. I saw Lady C was sitting with Brother Jimmy. C is 38 years old with two married older sisters. Then we invited Boy B to join us. B was 32 years old, married. His 5 year old daughter is with a foster family. B's father passed away, and called Brother Jimmy "Daddy". Upon B's request, I paied for three kinds of frozen food he chose at the HiLife. Bother Jimmy also enjoyed the warmed up frozen food. I am happy that Brother Jimmy is surrounded by many caring and friendly resdients at WuGu. I got on Bus 982 at 13:05, transferred to Bus 918 at XinPu station, arrived in XinDian at 14:20, took a rest till 15:00.

In the afternoon, I saw a DVD about a romantic tale when Yuri, a high school student, has a disagreement with her mother and decides to flee, ultimately seeking refuge for the night in an abandoned World War II bomb shelter. Upon awakening, she discovers that her surroundings have transformed into a bygone era. The romance between the high school student and Kamikaze team member later motivates the student to go to college to become a teacher. 

Back on My Feet Again

I didn't turn on the desktop immediately after I got up in the morning. I waited till late in the afternoon after I came back from the solo hiking in the mountains to check the emails on the computer.

Life is pretty much back to the everyday routines. I am feeling much better than the previous two weeks. My appetite came back and my weight increased. I still can't stop coughing from time to time, to get the attention on the public bus, and in the city library. 

I got up at 8:15 this morning, enjoyed a peaceful reading moment on the front veranda, drinking a big glass of warm water, followed by a glass of soybean milk with cereals, then I took three kinds of medicine to cure the coughing before I put on my teeth alignment.

It's the second day since I put on the 14th teeth alighment yesterday evening. The second day is always hard, becasue the teeth are adjusting to the new positions. It usually takes about 10 days for them to get sturdy to bite and to chew.

I took 10:35 Free New Taipei City Bus to the top of DaTong Mountain trail. The new bus driver was a young man. The old one quitted at the end of June. It's a pity because I have known the old driver since the COVID time.

 I got off the bus at the terminal station at 11:20, walked all the way down for about five kilometers. Along the way, I saw many flowers blossoming, many species of butterflies chasing one another, and many birds singing merrily. It was a quiet and peaceful hiking with the air full of vitality and engergy.

I decided to take a recess for 25 minutes leaning on a big tall tree. I took a delicious apple and a peeler from may backpack. It was relaxing sitting on the grass sidewalk, savoring the peeled apple, looking up at the green tree leaves against the blue sky with a few white clouds flowing here and there.

The breeze was really nice in the mountains. When I arrived at the end of the trail, I saw the big digital temperature monitor of Taipower Building showing 35 degrees celcius, I felt the heat waves rushing at me all of a sudden. I went into a local ZongZi store to quench my hunger. I got on the free bus at 1:50, arrived home at 2:30, took a long nap for one hour.

I took Bus Green 13 to the JingXin City library to reserve six books on line and borrow 7 new arrival DVDs. It was my lucy day. If I had my husband's library card with me, I could have borrowed 14 DVDs home.

The first DVD I watched was “In Broad Daylight (Chinese: 白日之下)”, a 2023 Hong Kong crime drama film directed by Lawrence Kan, from a screenplay co-written with Tong Chui-ping, about the abuse of patients at a local nursing home. While watching the DVD, I can’t help think of Brother Jimmy at New Taipei City WuGu Rehabilitation Center. Brother Jimmy is lucky to live with friendy disabled people to keep his companies, the center was managed by a caring and knowledgeable Center Director.

The 14th Teeth Alignment

It's been almost two weeks since I last wrote this blog. I am so proud of myself that I started wearing the 14th teech alignment this evening. I must confess it was extremely hard to keep the teech alighment on, 24-7 a day, especially the past two weeks period when I had a serious cold.

I saw a Chinese Medicine doctor in my neighborhood twice two weeks ago, took the Chinese medicine for a week. Then my husband accompanied me to visit Ci-Ji Hospital Monday evening, to see the Western Family Medicine doctor. I had X-Ray taken, blood drawn, sputum collected for consecutive three days, and I took home 4 big bags of western medicine, including Amoxicillin 1,000mg bid. I was loaded with drugs of the east and west on my desk. And my weight dropped drastically to 51.5Kg, a super skinny Sherry for the first time in my life.

Nothing is more important than health, I knew it before, I now know it more in depth. This morning, I had an online Japanese class from 8:15 till 9:00, an online English class from 10:30 till 11:00. Then I went to Ci-Ji Hospital to deliver my three days sputum samples to the labortory. When I went downstairs, I decided to stick around to see an annual performance at the auditorium from 11:30 till 12 noon.

In the afternoon, I went to Wheatland Care Center to lead the group activities for two dozen senior citizens from 1:30 till 3:30, then I went to XinDian Sports Center to exercise for 40 minutes. 

For senior citizens, the muscle strengh is important to keep healthy. I must be more disciplined to visit the sports center regularly. God help those who help themselves.

In the evening, I read the book review on "Output Encyclopedia for Converting Learning into Results 学びを結果に変えるアウトプット大全" by Shion Kabasawa. I am going to borrow the book from the Taipei City Library to see the better picture.

The author begins the answer by stating that a child’s brain is different an adult’s brain, specially on how information is processed. The two keywords here are input and output.

Input is considered as all behavior that may increase your amount of knowledge about a specific subject. Classic examples are listening to a lecture and reading a book. Output is considered as all behavior that is a manifestation or expression of what you know, or what you feel. Examples are writing a book, talking, and taking photos.

The kids’ brain is finely tuned for learning from input, while adults’ brain no longer recognize input as being essentially important for learning. An adult needs to output in order to fix new concepts.

There are three rules of output:

1 – A frequently used memory is stored as long-term memory.
Recall a memory at least three times in two weeks and it will be recognized as an useful piece of information then stored as long-term memory.

2 – The learning curve is proportional to the speed you complete the cycle of input-output-feedback. 
When starting to learn about a subject, one should first input, then proceed to output what you just learnt, then get feedback. Without a proper feedback, one cannot properly enter the next learning cycle.

3 – The golden ratio for learning as an adult: time spent inputting/time spent outputting = 3/7.

Half Way Done

I woke up at 6:00, but didn't get up until 7:10, I still coughed a lot last night, but I am feeling much better.

The dental appointment was at 9:15.  

Exercise

I didn't get up until 7:45 this morning. I still had a sore throat and coughed a lot last night. As soon as I got up, I had a bag of antitussive syrup I brought back from Seoul Korea last December. My Korean gave me a box of 20 strawberry flavored syup bags as a gift. Just about I wonder when I'm going to use them, I had a cough at the right time. I shall take a bag twice a day until I get well, and give away the rest of them to my Korean language teacher.

From 8:15 till 9:00 this morning, a Japanese conversation class was held. Everyone took turns reading useful sentence patterns. The homework would be uploading the recording of self made sentences.

From 10:30 till 11:00, the topic of 623 online English conversation class for today is about the Exercise. There are many aspects of exercise, both physical and mental. Sound mind, sound body, and vice versa. Going to the fitness center regularly not only builds muscle strength, but also stimulates the cardiovascular blood circulation, provides energy to the brain. Exercise is something we can't do without to live a healthy life.

Health is a journey. This journey is fluid and everchanging. Health changes, morphs, and adjusts, but it does not end. It is to live our life to the greatest and fullest way possible. Keep in mind to always move toward to improve the quality of life.

From 1:30 till 3:30 in the afternoon, we had fun playing many games at the Wheatland Care Center, including hand marking the individual Vision Board, the guessing of Ah expressions, Karaoke, and aerobic dancing.

I took a long nap from 4:30 till 6:30, because I felt tired, maybe due to my cough. But my body temperature remained the same.

After dinner, I watched Standford Executive Briefings No. 7 Skills, Techniques and Strategies for Effective Negotiations. It is very challenging to be a mediator.

I printed out the authorization letter from relatives in China. Brother Jimmy and I will go to the XinDian Court to get the power of attorney.

Kelly's Partea Room

I got up at 6:30 this morning in a fantastic mood, I didn't wake up throughout the night. I moved away a shoe storage rack yesterday afternoon, to make more room for my bed at night in the living room. 

To my surprise I found many missing clothes, shoes, bottles, little items, such as earphones, in the hidden junks beneath the shoe rack. Things I could have worn out iron shoes, to search high and low with no success, appeared right in front of my eyes. I don't have to go to the flea market, my home is like one to enjoy the fun treasure hunting game.

I left home at 10:30 for a lunch appointment at an English tea house--Kelly's Partea Room near MRT Qilian Station. I arrived 30 minutes in advance, walked in the lush neighborhood. There were benches in a small hilly park right in front of the tea house. As the tea house didn't open till 12 noon, I enjoyed sitting on the bench reading books under big tall Madagascar Almond trees waiting for my friends.

The hostess is an authentic English tea specialist. She used to study with the tea house owner how to make English tea traditionally and professionally. We started lunch with vegetables and fruits salad and spicy Chinese dumplings, followed by various afternoon tea, Darjeeling spring tea, flower tea, and Masala milk tea. In the quite and beautiful tea house reserved for three of us only, we learned the art of English, how to hold the tea cup, how to eat the English scoons with jam and cream. We talked for four hours till 4:30 in the afternoon.

From 9:15 till 10 o'clock in the evening, we had an online Toastmaster magazine reading about how to pick up a speech topic. https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2023/apr/back-to-the-basics-speech-topics

I highly recommend the video made for the Toastmasters International by Ramona J. Smith 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking made, How to Pick a Captivating Speech Topic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw2TZv56qO4&t=10s

Podcast on YouTube

I got up at 6:30 this morning feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I only woke up once to use the toilet last night, thinking of making more room in the living room by moving some junks to the roof floor. Danshari is a Japanese way to optimize the things at home,  Dan (refuse), sha (dispose) and ri (separate) to minimise the belongings. 

People can danshari everything, but exercise and sleep. Adequate exercise and quality sleep are so important that we can't do without. Exercise improves brain function and plasticity. Sleep is an effective way to rest. During deep sleep stages, glucose metabolism increases supporting both short term and long term memory. Human growth hormones are secreted leading to growth and development of the whole body. Energy is restored and mood is boosted. Blood supply to nerves increases. Cell regeneration takes place, so does repair of heart, blood vessels, tissues, muscles and bones. Immune system gets strengthened. Blood sugar gets controlled.

I browsed the entire "The Diary of a CEO" as fast as I could till 9:30. I agreed all 33 laws the author mentioned, and the last but the least 33th law, learning never ends. After reading the book, I wish I could apply some laws in life to become a better CEO of myself. 

I rode my bike to meet up with Brother Jimmy at the XinDian Sports Center at 10 o'clock. We exercised for one and a half hours. Brother Jimmy went back to Xindian to rest at home by bus. Brother Jimmy told me that he was happy with a walking cane in hand, people gave away seat on the bus immediately to an old man with gray hair and a walking cane.

On my way back home, I encountered the downpour all of a sudden. I took the opportunity to walk in Rock Pizza for lunch for the first time. After lunch, I went to JingXin Library to return books and DVDs. I read a few newly arrived fashion magazines before I rode my bike home in the rain.

In the afternoon, I watched a TED talk by Catherine Price about happiness. The secret to happiness is just to have more everyday momens of fun. Feeling fun makes us healthier. Having fun fills life with playfulness, connections, and flow of energy.

At 5 o'clock, I took off the teeth alignment to record the NHK news to share with Monday NHK Japanese news reading group. In the begining, I recorded the news with the alignment on, but it was hard to articulate. When I took off the teeth alignment, I felt more at ease reading the news.  The more I read the news, the better result I achieved in terms of pronunciation and intonation. Maybe I could have a new career as a YouTube podcaster? From a CED to a SEO? Just joking! 

In the late afternoon, I didn't take a nap as usual, as I didn't sleep tight last night, I decided not to take a late afternoon nap, in order to sleep through the entire night.

After dinner, I watched Japanese and Korean language podcasts for two hours. Learning, speaking, and thinking in foreign languages made my day of happiness. 

I felt a little sore throat in the evening, maybe I caught cold in the rain in the afternoon. But I didn't drink too much water, because I didn't want to wake up to go to the toilet. 

From Age 60

I got up at 7:30 this morning, woke up twice at night, and went to the toilet once. I got up late, because I slept on my comfortable queen size bed. I think sleeping in the living room is a better option for me, to sleep the entire night, and to get up early. 

It was sunny and bright outside. According to the weather broadcast, it rains throughout the whole week. It is not bad if it rains in the afternoons, to cool down the temperature in the evenings.

From 8:30 till 9:30, the online Japanese reading group takes turns reading the news about the importance of team forming with family and friends to avoid being ripped off the saving and property by scammers and fraudsters. It is easy for senior citizens to become victims of money cheating. The Japanese government has recently published a pamphlet to guide people above age 60 how to form a team before their cognitive abilities deteriorate. A team with family and friends is necessary and urgent to protect personal belongings and properties. 

https://rcfg.keio.ac.jp/pahahul/2025/03/Building_a_team_from_age_60.pdf

Three Korean language group members met for lunch at a restaurant near WanFeng Hospital at 11:30. I had fried pork chop and three side dishes for NT$105 dollars. I didn't order the most popular tomato fried rice with fried pork chop, because I didn't want to have too much rice. After lunch, we walked to WenShan Sports Center and I had a big glass of ice latte at Ikari Cafe'. We studied the Korean language for one and a half hours from 12:30 noon till 2 o'clock. Then I went up to the fitness center on the 2nd floor to exercise for one and a half hours.

Comparing with DaAn, I became more fond of WenShan Sports Center for several reasons. Firstly, the female rest area at WenShan is much bigger and brighter. There are tables, chairs, hair dryers. and free WiFi. I felt more at ease taking a break during exercise routines. Secondly, Ikari Cafe' is on the first floor where I can read and write, and mingle with friends. Thirdly, on my way back to XinDian by Bus Green 2, I stopped by the Kingstone Bookstore to read a few new books on the shelves with light background music in the air. There are many empty tables and chairs and not many people in late weekday afternoons. It's a perfect retreat for me.

After dinner, I read "The Diary of a CEO--the 33 laws of Business and Life" by Steven Bartlett on my huge CEO desk.

Law 1: Fill Your Five Buckets in the Right Order, Knowledge, Skills, Network, Resources, Reputation

Law 2: To Master It, You Must Create An Obligation to Teach It

Law 3: You Must Never Disagree

Glamair Korean Restaurant

I didn't get up till 7:45, obviously I slept better on my queen size bed in my bed room. I don't mind sleeping in the living room during the weekdays to feel the freedom. On weekends, no BBC broadcasing is available on the radio. I can use my bedroom without being disturbed by the news.

Talking about the news, I just couldn't help googling the controversial news about US military parade President Trump has long wanted on his 79th birthday. He saw his command of the military as a sign of his strength. He no doubt is the most powerful person in the world. But he can't solve the ongoing and upcoming wars at places on earth. Who knows what the future holds for him and the mankind?

At 12 noon, I had lunch with Jane, a NTNU Mandarin speaking Toastmaster member, at Korean Restaurant Glamair near MRT DaPinLing station. Jane told me her wedding news, and we shared ideas about her coming wedding events both in Vietnam in March and in Taiwan in April. 

At Glamair, the side dishes are free and all you can eat. The minimum charge is NT$350 per person. We spent a total of NT$900 for spicy doboki, japchae noodles, and steamed egg with mentaiko cheese. After lunch, we walked across the street to Starbucks. 

I ordered white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew plus flavoured pearls, Jane ordered raspberry-flavoured boba pearls. The Starbucks summer boba refresher drinks 2025 were good. My sweet and nutty cold brew was good till the last drop. To my surprise, the cafe' was packed with people, singles, friends, families.

We took Bus 909 to DaAn Sports Center to exercise for one hour. It was the first time Jane used the fitness center. Today I only collected 8 tomatos on the treadmill because Jane felt too warm in the fitness center. We went to HoPing Senior High School bus station together.  She took Bus 275 home. And I took Bus 909 back to XinDian. I took a nap immediately after I arrived home.

In the evening, I tried steaming cabbage and sliced pork belly for dinner for the first time. I think steamed dishes are healthy. 

Ten Tomatos A Day

I got up at 6:45 this morning, a little late than yesterday, because I didn't fall asleep immediately after I took the shower. I laid in bed thinking how much coffee I'd drunken at the afternoon party yesterday. Then I fell asleep without waking up till this morning.

I took Bus 909 to DaAn Sports Center to exercise after breakfast. On weekends, I prefer the sports center in the morning, because the only free time slot for seniors is in the morning, the bus is not packed, and the traffic is not bad. 

While waiting at DaFeng Bus Station, I saw a small swallow hatching the eggs . I wonder if it is the same swallow which gave birth to 4 chicks last month. I am expecting to see another few chicks in two weeks. Swallows often produce two clutches per year, with a clutch size of 3-5 eggs.

Statistics show that the hatching success of baron swallows is 90% and the fledging survival rate is 70~90%. Average mortality is 70~80% in the first year and 40~70% for the adult. Although the record age is more than 11 years, most survive less than four years.

Arriving at DaAn Sports Center at 8:20, I walked into the fitness center full of people, young and old, men and women. As most equipments were occupied, I picked up two dumb bells of 2 Kgs to do the weight training. In no time, I found my favorite equipment was empty, I grabbed it and exercised for a couple of minutes.

When I spotted an empty treadmill, I jumped on it. I practiced Pomodoro method on treadmill for the first time. I set the slope at 6 and speed at 4.3, I did slow jogging for 25 calories and fast walking for 5 calories, I increase the speed to 4.5 after 3 tomatos, and 5.0 after 6 tomotos. I finished 9 tomatos for 3.2 Kilometers for 40 minutes. My goal is 10 tomatos a day, losing 300 calories on each run.

From 11:00 till 12:00, I watched Stanford Executive Briefings No. 2 “How Great Companies Achieve extraordinary Results with Ordinary People" by Charles O'Reilly III. While listening to the one-hour lecture, I thought of the management of the residents in Wugu. Is there a chance to motivate Brother Jimmy and mental ill residents to build a team, to make WuGu a better place to live, to learn, and to share.  

After lunch, I took a nap for 30 minutes, rode my bike to the Eslite Bookstore on the 4th floor of Yes Life Shopping Mall. It was my lucky day, the founder's corner was not occupied. And I stayed there for two and a half hours reading, writing, and thinking. While I was reading, I received a line message from a female resident at WuGu informing me that Brother Jimmy went back to XinDian. I lined Brother Jimmy instantly if he would have dinner with me. It is beneficial to make friends with a few residents at WuGu, I could be updated about Brother Jimmy around the clock.

At four o'clock, I went to Carrefour to spend my credit card points. Carrefour was packed with shoppers on weekend. There were stalls for customers to sampl the products, from beer to kimchi, just to name a couple. At first, I only tasted the alcoholic drinks because I wore my teeth alighments. Walking down the aisle, I couldn't help trying everything available. I was almost half full when I left the Carrefour.

In the evening, I watched the Snowpiercer (설국열차), a 2013 post-apocalyptic action thriller film based on the French climate fiction graphic novel Le Transperceneige. The film was directed by Bong Joon Ho, marks Bong's English-language debut, almost 85% of the film's dialogue is in English. The SnowPiercer train carries the last remnants of humanity after a failed attempt at climate engineering to stop global warming has created a new Snowball Earth. The lower-class tail-section passengers rebel against the elite of the front of the train.

The DVD stopped in the middle of the movie, so did I stop watching it, because it's too violent. Hopefully I won't have a nightmare!

Golden Ladies Reunion

I got up at 6:30 this morning. Sunny and bright outside. I had a sound 8 hours sleep in the living room last night, from 10:30 in the evening till 6:30 in the morning without waking up inbetween. After taking a hot shower late yesterday evening, I couldn't wait to hit the sack. I fell asleep instantly, in less than 3 minutes. I couldn't have expected more than a good night sleep to end the fruitful day and to start the following day full of excitements.  

I live in a three bed rooms apartment, the living room is bigger than the main bedroom. I love my living room, its about the same size of my penthouse in downtown Taipei. With a handy backup room, I am like a crafty rabbit with three burrows.

I took Bus 918 and Bus 99 to XinChuang Sports Center to meet up with Brother Jimmy and fellow residents from WuGu. We used the fitness center from 10:00 till 10:45, and the swimming pool from 10:45 till 11:30. After lunch, Brother Jimmy went to New Taipei Hospital for rehabilitation, and I came home and took a nap until 2 o'clock.

I arrived at the Golden Ladies Reunion held at Lydia's mansion before 3 o'clock. Lydia reserved the downstair basement lounge and prepared a full table of fruits (lychees and grapes), desserts (cookies and macaroons), Japanese rice wine, freshly brewed coffee and steamed milk. Seven of us enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon chitchat full of laughter for two hours. I talked mainly about my teeth alignment, and I am so looking forward to my perfect teeth alignment at the end of year 2025. And I can smile heartily as I wish.

Five stayed behind for dinner at a Hakka restaurant in the neighborhood for another two hours about health, food, and exercise. I took the bus back to XinDian, on my way home, I stopped by the JingXin Library to pick up books and DVDs I requested a few days ago.

In the evening, I watched Stanford Executive Briefings No.1 “The Power of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini”, explaining the principals, 

1. Reciprocity:People are more likely to give back when they’ve received something first.

2. Scarcity:People fear loss and desire what’s limited.

3. Authority:People respect experts and those in authority.

4. Commitment and consistency:People like to stay consistent with their commitments, even small ones.

5. Consensus: the power of the crowd

6. Liking:People prefer to say yes to those they like.

All principals are important to all cultures, but the ranking of the importance of principals varies from culture to culture, from contry to country.

There are 8 DVDs of Stanford Executive Briefings, each one lasts for one hour. It looks like I shall be busy watching the DVDs till the end of June. The informative Stanford Executive Briefings were old, but the information is still as valuable.