If Green Vegetables Smelled as Good as Bacon

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. ~Doug Larson

I had my first experience Thursday night eating nothing but vegetables and some whole grain bread. It’s called healthy food – organic diet. The quote given above says exactly how I felt after eating it.

Echo, a senior member of the club – The China T/Ms Club, warmly and kindly invited Wenny who just came back Taiwan from her graduate study in the states, and me for dinner at Mirama (美麗華) in NeiHu. A small favor of mine lending some books to her got me a free meal? I happily accepted her invitation after all we could enjoy a pleasant chat while eating.

I was there on time, and parking was no sweat. How nice! There was a street performer playing the violin by the fountain in front of the plaza. Cool! Echo suggested that we try healthy food, pure organic diet. I’m a meat lover though I can’t live without vegetables, either. Yet thinking that I had had so many big fat meals over the past week, and Echo is an animal lover and a healthy food supporter, I was happy to have healthy food for a change. We headed for the eatery area.

The place was really nice. It looked like a nature-friendly green food shop from outside, no way to tell there was a restaurant area inside. How could people tell there was food service there? I guess by words of mouth.

So we walked into the shop - Chang Gang Biotechnology, Health Center, to the far inside restaurant area. It was quite unexpected to see such a spacious area hiding behind the shop. There were two counters dividing food into:

1. Vegetables and fruit with vegetable soup.
2. Wheat bread, beverages and raisins.

After trying two rounds, I found no more to choose. I realized why it was called healthy food. They were organic food, the choices are limited. We joked about the food that it was like eating grass. So, who could overeat grass?

Well, the most important thing was that we had a good chat. Wenny and I shared our experience of studying abroad. Our chat refreshed a lot of my pleasant and sweet memory of studying in Michigan. Echo was like an ATM – automatic telling machine, throwing questions one after another, and taking our words like a sponge. It didn’t surprise me at all that she would make the decision to study abroad while many others of our age are only thinking of retiring. Life to her is just a beginning.

Because of Echo’s determination of fulfilling her dream, I had a lovely evening and healthy food for the very first time. Thank you, Echo.

Trini

A Slow-ripening Fruit

"Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit." -- Aristotle (4th century B.C.)

My summer vacation is half gone. Good times always seem to slide away swiftly. Goldies happened to have more gatherings these two months. This time, we gathered to welcome two young friends, Gary and Jim, from southern Taiwan.

We met Gary and Jim in late June last year during our trip to ShangHai. Their professionalism and insights of life made a profound impression on us. This unexpected encounter made the first group trip of five goldies more enthralling and fun.

After one year passed, it would be a thrilling thing to meet these two young men again. Every lady was excited and put other things aside to join the gathering except Pamela. She was on her business trip again to ShangHai. What a pity!

This is the excitement part of traveling. We can never tell what exactly out there for us to see or experience when traveling. A good planning can ensure a safe, delightful and intellectual trip. Yet, it is much more than that. What fascinates me most is the unknown, the unexpected waiting for me to explore.

Linda released the news of their visit to Taipei to us and thoughtfully arranged various programs for the weekend; Karaoke on Saturday afternoon at Lydia’s place; dinner and recreation at a Sports Bar owned by Linda’s friend’s friend; visiting the Chinese Ancient Garden on Sunday morning, then the Art Museum in the afternoon. I’m on my summer vacation, whatever arrangement will be perfect for me, and it turned out that I was the only one who made it from the beginning to the end of the big and long gathering.

After a few communication back and forth, unexpectedly an extra Friday night fever at the “Brown Sugar” was decided. They had a live band starting at 9:30 P.M. till over midnight. Wow! First late night for goldies. Michelle made the reservation for a big cozy booth through her son’s help.

Fright night fever was the very first time for me hanging out until 1:30 A.M. way past midnight. It was great fun! Every goldie dressed up for the special event. The night began at 9:00 P.M. for goldies whereas Gary and Jim had to arrive a little bit late. When they showed up, the atmosphere heated up sky high.

We ate, chatted, danced and took photos. Eeryone did their best to enjoy themselves. The band was great, and the singer, Carton J. Smith, was simply amazing. Totally unleashed Sherry danced and interacted with Carton on the stage. Everyone was screaming and cheering them up. What a sideshow! Surprisingly, Gary invited a handsome friend of his, the very popular actor and speed memory trainer Jonathan to join us. Who can resist the charm of a popular handsome man? Everyone took turns to have a photo with him.

The Saturday afternoon’s karaoke program at Lydia place was warm and cheerful as always. We met with great pleasure a new stunning lady Debby, Lydia’s friend. Besides wine, refreshment, dance, and chat, Lydia bought a beautiful yummy cake to celebrate Michelle’s birthday. Another surprise was the pink sexy “VS” gift everyone received from Michelle who just came back from her trip to Las Vegas. Thank you, Lydia and Michelle!

After the Karaoke, we went to the Sports Bar on BaDe Rd. It was the first time for me and some goldies to patronize a Sports Bar. Must say it was a very refreshing experience being surrounded by the dim and erratic light, erotic settings and many pool tables. We tried different cocktails besides food. Some of us also played pool. I was nervous yet excited.

Before we left the place, it was announced that the next morning’s program was cancelled. Apparently after two nights’ wild programs, it would be a torture to drag everybody up early in the morning. Though I was very much interested in visiting the ancient garden again, I must say it might be better not to challenge my limited energy. So we met at the Art Museum in the afternoon.

Only Linda and I made it to the Museum with Gary and Jim. I had been planning to see the Exhibition “Manet to Picasso” and “Jean-Paul Gaultier/Regine Chopinot – Le Défilé-Gallery”, before my American trip, and this was a perfect time to make it. It was a sensational art and intellect afternoon browsing all the art works there.

After immersing ourselves in a sea of art, we hungered for food even though it was early for dinner. Gary and Jim’s original plan was to meet their friends in the evening, yet they decided it was more delightful to have two ladies’ company for dinner. At the last min I suggested that we ate at 水舞饌, a restaurant in NeiHu luxuriously decorated to passion and fashion. I thought it was the perfect atmosphere for a perfect closure of the exciting once-a-year gathering. I’d eaten there twice, loved their food. Without a reservation we were lucky to get a table. We were seated with the stipulation that we had to finish our dinner before their next guests took the table at 6:30 P.M. We had to take it. Having an hour and half to enjoy our dinner there was much better than finding a different place. The conversation was lively and the food was superb. Everything was wonderfully pleasant. We called it a day early. It was time for a rest after three crazy days. I could also spend some time with my children for the rest of the night.

After dropping Gary and Jim off to their next stop, I accelerated to head home. Suddenly my phone rang, it was Linda saying that Jim left his iPhone in my car. I turned back thinking of Murphy’s Law. Jim succeeded in proving it was too early to call it a day by leaving his phone in my car carelessly. I said the 2nd goodbye to them and wished them a safe trip back home.

I believe we will have Gary and Jim’s visit again and look forward very much to it.
Now let me conclude the crazy weekend by quoting a few ladies’ and Jim’s words:

Irene - Thank you, Michelle, Linda and Lydia, for all the arrangements. I had wonderful and crazy time in Brown Sugar, 8 balls and Lydia's place. Unexpectedly the first time the 2nd generation joined our night life activities and got along with us very well.

Kate - What a special experience I had! I came to know 5 "MEN" in a weekend. I found Gary knowledgeable, talented and humorous. I appreciated Jim for his willingness to spend time with golden ladies although he was tired. It's good that our second generation met and mingled together. I didn't have chance to talk to George. He was a little bit shy, but I can tell he is a nice kid. Hank was so friendly and enthusiastic. He gave me the first lesson in my life about how to play billiards. Because of Gary I had chance to do what I have never done in my life - hugging a popular actor! Thank you, girls, for your arrangements. How lucky I am to have you around me.

Sherry - Thanks for sharing! What two wild nights in a row golden ladies unleashed themselves at the end of the sizzling July in 2010!

Jim - Hi, Golden Ladies, Thank you all SO MUCH for the great “ADVENTURE” in Taipei for us form the little town down south. Ha.. Me and Gary had so much fun re-exploring this fun city. Actually, we did have much much more good time than in Shanghai ‘cause of the other golden ladies joining us. Travelling sometimes gives us chance to escape familiarity in our daily life, but interestingly, it also brings back the familiarity of your kindness, and laughter. Now, I really can’t escape you all now! Haha… Here are some photos that I shot with my iPhone, which are also printed in my memory now and ever. Cheers~

Trini
http://picasaweb.google.com/taipeitmtrini/TwoBrilliantYoungFriendsFromKaohsiung#

Kate’s Lovely Housewarming Party

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. - Dr. Seuss
For Kate’s housewarming party, I should say, “Tonight was good, tonight was fun. Tomorrow I shall miss it.” Kate’s fun and cool housewarming party not only drove summer night’s heat away, but also threw most of the goldies together.

The refurbishment of Kate’s home took several months, or I should say almost half a year from the day she started packing and moving things away for refurbishment. She missed a few of the ladies’ gatherings and activities because of the tedious work and pressure with the renovations.

I’m a playful person, flexible with my schedule. I thought Kate was too hard on herself and a few hours escape from the housework should do her good to release her tension. Well, Kate is Kate, and Kate is different. She lives a more disciplined life, for everything she does, she gives her full attention and energy. The whole refurbishment cost her several pounds and countless cheerful smiles. Every time we got to see her we found she was getting skinnier and skinnier. We strove to cheer her up, but that didn’t help her to get her weight, or her familiar cheerful smiles back. Now the remodeling is done, we are so happy to see her happy mood and humor back again.

I had clogging class in the afternoon. I asked Pamela to come to the clogging class to meet me so that we could go to Kate’s home together. I kept alert to my cell phone in case she called. She showed up right after the class was over, though I had secretly hoped she would arrive earlier to exercise with us a little bit. Pamela insisted we get some real food for the housewarming party despite the fact that she already had purchased a beautiful variety pack of cakes from a very famous brand store in Taizhong.

With good preparation work Googling the address in advance this time, I knew exactly the way to Kate’s home. Not a sec. was wasted in finding the directions. I was also well prepared for the challenge of finding a place to park. Luckily, I easily found a parking place in a small corner next to Kate’s home thanks to Pamela and her keened eyes. Couldn’t believe my luck as Kate thoughtfully pointed out that there was nowhere to park a car near her home.

When Kate opened the door, I saw a Chinese beauty dressed right for the occasion and with a big welcoming smile. When seeing her neat, warm and cozy home, I believed all her hard work and the time she had invested had paid off. As Pamela and I were the first to arrive and Kate was already prepared for the party she gave us a room by room tour. There were a lot of pictures of Kate and her family taken over the years. Kate looks beautiful in every picture, yet we were also surprised to notice how Kate’s beauty changed over time. What an amazing woman! Then we occupied her completely with a nice chat. We also had the privilege of tasting her daughter’s lovely refreshments.

After the clock struck six, we began to expect other guests to arrive. Well, they seemed to take their time, Victor Chu from Grand T/Ms Club was the first to showed up followed by Lydia who couldn’t find a parking spot without Kate’s help. Michelle was next to arrive, followed finally by Irene. Linda and Sherry had other engagements today and will join Kate for her second housewarming party. With three more T/Ms guests; Maggie, William and Dawn; and another one of Kate’s daughter’s friend, the party formally began to roll. Topics jumped from one to another while we dug into all the delicious dishes. In what seemed like no time at all it was ten o’clock and someone reminded us not to outstay our welcome as it was late and the host needed her rest.

As we reluctantly got up to leave, Dawn announced she prepared a take-home gift, a broad bean snack for everyone. That was another surprise!

Thank you again, Kate, for such a lovely, fun and enjoyable housewarming party. I am happy for you that you now have a newly refurbished, cozy home to enjoy your quiet and relaxing time!
http://picasaweb.google.com/taipeitmtrini/KateSHousewarmingParty#
Trini

Playing the Big Drum

Red drums are a symbol of power.
Drums performances are given when there are ceremonies or festivities. For the love of music, goldies sing, dance, attend concerts and even play musical instruments. Sherry involved herself most in the games. Lately she has been fascinated by drums, especially the big Chinese drums. The group she joined is called新店鳳鼓隊. They will be playing the big drums at Riverside Festival Sunday, July 18th.
http://www.culture.tpc.gov.tw/_file/2963/SG/37656/D.html. She has invited us to join her several times to have a hand-on experience and to feel the excitement of laying our hands on the big drums. She even mailed us the drum notes so that we could do our homework in advance.

I enjoy listening to the drum beats and feel the rhythms that I have spent some time in learning the jazz drums. Getting the coordination of both hands and the right foot is an exciting challenge, hence the achievement is overwhelming. When I drum, my mind is freed and all the cells in my body dance in harmony giving me a great sense of achievement and excitement.

I joined Sherry several times along with Kate, Lydia and Michelle. We had great fun. Yet going to XinDian early on Sunday morning every week is an impossible mission for me. I had to disappoint her as I can’t even be sure if I can make it twice a month. If I can’t play the big Chinese Drum, at least I can still get the satisfaction and comfort from the beat of playing the jazz drum. Either way, I’m happy and contented.

Trini

Summer Vacation at Last!

Vacations are seen as an antidote to work. They are medicine, a remedy for counteracting the effects of labor.... Vacations allow us to be away from the job, to change the patterns of our day, to alter our routine, to reconfigure our actions and habits, to rediscover ourselves. - AL GINI
When seeing all the teachers’ happy face before the school was about to close for summer vacation, I could tell how important it is for them to have the long expected vacation.

After more than four and half months’ non-stop teaching, teachers need the time
to get recharged, refreshed and revived for the next term to come. I couldn’t realize before I became a teacher, how stressful and tiresome it could be. While a lot of people envy teachers for their winter and summer holidays, I must say it’s very helpful and constructive for teachers. The break is definitely necessary for them to continue to stay in the job, to keep their passion and not to lose their patience with students.

Teaching gives teachers a sense of achievement while often times troubled students rack their brains for solutions. Another reason that I can’t wait for summer vacation to come is because I can finally travel to the places that I had planned to visit before my legs fail me. The only problem is finding companies. People other than teachers don’t feel like travelling in summer as the cost is high and the weather is hot.

Sad to say that all the goldies have their own travel plans this year. None of them can join me. My children can’t travel with me in summer, either. I was forced to drop my plan travelling to Europe as traveling alone is truly depressing. Still, I will spend two weeks in the States. My sister doesn’t come back to Taiwan this year, so I thought visiting her is not bad as I haven’t been to Seattle for almost four years. A week at my sister’s home in Seattle for a good getting-together, plus a week visiting a friend of mine there to see some small towns that I have never seen sounds quite fulfilling actually.

I guess I will still make my vacation an enjoyable one. I have more time to attending dance classes, practicing the drum and the piano, watching movies, listening to music, doing things with goldies when chances come, attending more T/Ms meetings and finally enjoying the quality time with my sister and friend in the States.

But for next summer, I promised myself no matter what I will make my plan travelling to East and South Europe come true.

Trini

The installation Ceremony and the 25th Anniversary Celebration

The China T/Ms is twenty-five years old. Time flies like an arrow and it’s been 15 years since I joined the club! The club has always been one of the best in town and for many years membership soared with over 60 members.
In the past few years the China T/Ms has lost many members including 15 young
members; some pursued their study abroad, some got married, and had children. At the same time new T/Ms clubs have been established one after another. Since the day it was chartered, the club has maintained its trademarks of warmth, friendliness, passion, enthusiasm, and energy, making it the vital and successful organization it is today. After 25 years the China T/Ms is still among the finest in town.

Speaking of the history of T/Ms International in Taiwan, the 1st T/Ms club, Taipei T/Ms Club, was founded in 1958 by Dr. Bernie Bough. We are the 8th T/Ms club established in 1985 after Taipei, Tainan, Taichung, Touyan, Grand 1975, PECL1982, and CECI 1982

The club President Jamie approached me more than a month ago explaining his idea of celebrating the club’s installation and 25th anniversary ceremony together. It was a big day of the club. He invited me to be the master of the ceremony. Hosting the most important annual event of the club is a great honor of mine. I appreciate our President Jamie for giving me this opportunity. Being a T/M for about fifteen years, conducting a regular club meeting is just like fulfilling a member’s duty by taking turns. The audience is small, the program is formatted and the speakers are familiar. The club’s 25th anniversary is extra especial. We’d invite as many guest T/Ms from other clubs as possible, especially those very popular ones.

I anticipated the challenge. Firstly the program must be attractive which means versatile. My past experience told me that an Installation Ceremony often ends up tedious and boring. Thus, when Jamie asked for my advice, I was more than pleased to offer some ideas. We reached a consensus to make the program both educational and fun. Since the club didn’t ask any member to give a speech to meet the educational purpose, I invited Moses Mo, Pamela’s better half, to do a humorous speech demo. I heard her club members say it was hilarious and enjoyable. Then we must have an evaluation demo to be done by a very experienced and popular T/Ms. Harry Fong, DTM; Lydia’s better half; Council Governor from 1999-2000 was the perfect choice. To our relief, he confirmed without hesitation. The rest sessions except one were assigned to club members to host. I planned to invite goldies to give a show dancing, or leading a dance or an exercise involving all the audience in. To my disappointment, they were either on their trips abroad, had other programs or business to attend to. Only Pamela was able to accept the invitation. Pamela is from Galaxy TMC, I know a lot of its members. When I saw them in the D67 Installation Party, I successfully talked their President elect Viola and EVP elect Jack Chen into gathering at least ten members from their club for support. Wow! How exciting! I thought it was great as Pamela could help me run the session with all the beautiful and handsome Galaxiers. As the ceremony master, I better concentrate on hosting the ceremony and not involve myself in performing. Yet, Pamela couldn’t spare more time to prepare for conducting the session by herself. So, it was decided we together do it and lead the audience to dance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwLPd94TACc
The program was settled.

The Best Wishes Session to be conducted by Bing Bing Lin: He’s a T/Ms Guru, a magician, the sponsor of the club. He alone sponsored 15 T/Ms clubs, I think he’s eligible to be listed in the T/Ms International record.

The Variety Session to be conducted by Victor Tsui, CC. He’s a newly happily wed member. He’s a person in depth never loosing temper or control. He’s still in his honeymoon though he has married for over a year, always putting EVE, his wife, before the club activity. We must thank his wife for giving him to us for the ceremony.

Humorous Speech Demo to be given by Moses Mo, ACB, CL. He’s a spiritual leader of Galaxy T/Ms club, A hero behind the scene. He is one of the parachute team from Legacy T/Ms club. He looks very clam, or a little bit serious, the truth is? The audience will find it out after hearing his speech.

Discharging Ceremony to be conducted by Larry Lee, ACS, AL. He was the club president from 1993 – 1994, area C2 governor then the immed. Past Division C governor. He speaks in a very composed manner. He teaches in the college.

Installing Ceremony to be conducted by no one else but Mike Yang, DTM, District 67 Governor elect. He was the club president from 2000 to 2001, then area C2 Governor,
Div. C Governor, District LGM, District LGE and soon in a few days he will lead all T/Ms in Taiwan to soar into a new height.

Evaluation Demo to be given by Harry Fong, DTM. He’s a very popular and distinguished T/M. His membership is as old as the China T/Ms club which means he is one of the charter members when the club was split away from Taipei T/Ms club. He was the club’s president in year 1990 and Counsel Governor from1999-2000, the year I took the club’s presidency office.

Cake Cutting Session to be conducted by Choi Chang, ACS, CL. He’s a treasure of the club. He’s observant, logical, and wise. In addition, he has a very good analytical quality to make complicate things easy. That’s why our officers or members count on him very much for advice.

The Sing and Act Session to be conducted by Carl Wang. He’s the immed. Past Pres. He’s a very smart and responsible young man good at cooking and numbers, and specializes in stock market and investment.

The night before the Ceremony, I invited Viola and her club members to Pamela’s home to practice the dance for more than an hour until we were familiar with the dancing steps. Though only Viola and Pamela made it, it was OK as the purpose of the session is to exercise and have fun.

In the evening of Celebration, things went very smoothly even better than I expected. We had more than 50 participants. Twelve past Presidents of the club showed up. Every session was proceeded smoothly and achieved its best effect. The Exercise Session led by Galaxiers was exceptionally satisfactory. Every Galaxier demonstrated youth, vitality and dynamic strength. Can’t thank them enough.

The only room for improvement was time control. Time control has been the biggest challenge for all T/Ms activities. Every speaker and session master wanted to make their points or message across. It really gave our timer a big headache.

At last, I like to give my best wishes to the China T/Ms Club again. May the China T/Ms Club keep booming and prospering, and best wish to the Club for continuous prosperity and success.

Trini
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/taipeitmtrini/InstallationAndThe25thAnniversaryOfTheChinaTMsClub#

Refreshing the happy moment at Lydia's Home

Mother's Recipe Mothers of my mother’s generation are very capable and cook excellent dishes. It’s like a nature gift to them. Every mom has some special recipes to bind their family together that even they have eaten in numerous restaurants, yet still their mother’s dishes always occupy an untouchable corner of their mind.

Linda’s mom is an excellent cook. We had heard Linda say it many times and we had had the pleasure of tasting her excellent dishes two years ago.

On Dragon Boat Festival, we went to Lydia’s home to reward ourselves for our accomplished job at D67 Installation Ceremony. Linda brought different flavors of Zhongzi and a big pot of chicken soup made by her mother. It was couriered to Linda the day before the festival and Linda generously shared it with us all. With so much food on the table, the soup received the best compliments and was the only dish completely eaten up. Everyone kept saying how lucky Linda was that she could enjoy her mother’s cooking from time to time even she lives way down in ZhangHua.

This reminds me of my mother’s cooking. To me, Her best dishes were meat balls, Sausages and ZhongZi. We got to eat her meat balls once a week, but sausages and ZhongZi only once a year. I don’t know if it was because of the rareness of the serving of them that we four children loved them so much.

It has been more than twenty five years since my mom stopped cooking because of her falling health. Every year I missed her sausages and ZhongZi very much. There are no any other sausages and ZhongZi can compare with hers. I have not learned the tricks to cooking the same delicious meals. I guess I will leave no any special dishes for my children to remember by.

I should tell my mom how I loved her meat balls, sausages and ZhongZi, and that she’s a much better mom than I am while she can still understand me. Yes, tell her, today!
Trini