The highlight of my last school week was getting to judge the reading and singing competitions at our school. In particular, seeing a delightfully plump 2nd grade boy in a t-shirt that said, “El Torito” sing “I Will Follow Him.”
Also, the expressionless (in facial features, as well as style) rendition of Barbie Girl sung by 2 twelve-year-old girls. And of course, hearing 8 year old Taiwanese kids sing about those ole’ country roads, the misty taste of moonshine, and how they should have been back yesterday.
So great.
Meanwhile, we had an incredible Sunday with our friends Jessica and John and Malcolm Jongedijk. Jessica’s sisters organized a trip up to the coal mine museum in Pinxi. We actually went here a few weeks ago, but this time we went in the evening, skipped the new train, the street food, the shopping, and rode an old coal mine train into the hills to see the spectacularly active fireflies. Then we made huge Chinese paper lanterns, decorated them with our wishes and thanks, stuck kerosene-soaked papers inside, lit ‘em on fire and launched them into the night sky. It was soooo beautiful. It will be one of our experiences here that I will remember forever. So thanks again Jessica and John!
Here are some accompanying pictures:
We had tea at a fantastic outdoor/indoor cafe before heading to the museum.
Lavender tea, herb tea, and mint table water.
Writing wishes, drawing pictures. And there's Jessica!
John and I held down the balloon as it filled up with hot air...
...and let them go! Everyone sent them off at the same moment. Glorious!
Good Job Team!
Today I had my 3rd wisdom tooth removed. My doc had warned me that because it’s a horizontal impaction in the lower jaw, the surgery would be more complicated (he had to cut the teeth into pieces and remove more bone). Before the procedure I asked him some specifics but he declined to give me any real answers, which I fully realized was for my emotional stability, but still I wanted to know. My doctor is really awesome, and I’m so glad that I have him on my team. His English is great, he’s very patient, and he’s really really nice. He talks to me throughout the surgery, and today he even indulged me with some extra anesthetic.
After some intense, rigorous, sustained sawing and gouging, he sewed me up, packed some gauze in there, and wiped all the iodine off my face. At which point I realized that while I could still kinda feel some vague pain in my jaw, I couldn’t feel him wiping my face. And then I realized I couldn’t feel my tongue, lips, my chin, my cheek, or part of my ear. Hahahaha!! Hilarious….ehhe. I thaid thankth very muth, twied to athk a few more quethtions, and then took off.
I’m actually surprised at how effective acetaminophen has been in helping with pain. It’s amazing stuff.
For dinner we went to our usual post-operative “foolish” noodle place. Nick waved his arms around, mimed pulling a tooth, made exaggerated chewing motions, widened his eyes and crossed his arms for No, and then pointed at me to explain the situation to the staff. No chewy things for her, she’s just been under the knife. To my surprise, they totally understood, and helped me pick out some soupy-things that I could manage. I love that place.
Coming up: Our friend Tom’s stag party (to which of course, only Nick will be attending).
More parent’s night preparation, and….I think that’s all.
Love to everyone, b
May 12, 2010 at 2:30 am |
Brianna, thank you for updates. I miss you and wish you well
Grace
May 25, 2010 at 2:27 pm |
Love you – love your updates – love that you are getting those teeth taken care of in a foreign country that has much better health care coverage than the U.S. and if the Rs could get away with – only the very rich would have it!