Sun Moon Lake

Last Friday was my company trip. Taiwan companies have a benefit in which the company pays for a trip for all employees to attend. Some are a grand lavish trip outside of Taiwan, others can be a simple hike or dinner. We were lucky this year and though we didn’t have a luxurious trip to Bally or Palau, we did get to go to Sun Moon Lake which to me is probably the most beautiful place in Taiwan. Mimi unfortunately didn’t get to go this trip because she got sick. Since we already paid for some of the trip Annie and I still went while Mimi stayed at her grandma’s in Hsinchu.

Sun Moon Lake was beautiful as usual and it was really nice to get away and relax a little bit. Also my co-workers are pretty cool over all and it is good to spend some fun times together instead of always stressing over customer issues or sales orders. We had some team building activities and the food overall was pretty good. Annie and I got a chance to see the Lalu Hotel which is one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Taiwan. Now I have seen many many hotels in this world and I have to say even I was very impressed by the Lalu Hotel. I would definitely recommend it for the people who can afford to pay $500 USD a night:-).

Mimi’s Idols

Last week was a big week for Mimi, she got a chance to see 2 of her idols, Eric the Tiger and YoYo Man. On Friday we took Mimi to see a play put on by the Eric the Tiger company. The play was cute and it was a first in which I took Mimi to one of these things. It was basically lots of people in big fluffy costumes including Eric the Tiger. I didn’t really get what was going on but the story involved lots of singing and dancing and eventually everyone becoming friends in the end. Unfortunately they did not allow pictures. Mimi has a great time and sat and watched it no problem. She wanted to shake Eric’s hand so she kept on asking him to come down from the stage. Unfortunately Eric did not come out after the play and take pictures…most likely because he would have been killed being stormed over by an army of kids.

The next day though we were lucky enough to be at a YoYo event at the Miramir Mall during our Special Day. Mimi got to play on the YoYo computer games and meet Big Brother Banana and YoYo Man(which is a guy in a big fluffy yellow costume). There was also lots of singing and dancing. This time though Mimi got a chance to shake hands with YoYo Man. After the show she went up to him and shook his hand then ran back to me laughing.

Overall it was fun for Mimi and ok for me. I have a feeling that there will be many more dancing and singing people in bright colored fluffy costumes in my future.

Uncle Bill

Had a chance to meet up with Bill when he was in Taiwan for business last Sunday. I have known Bill since 1999 when I first joined HP. We have been co-workers, housemates, ex-coworkers, ex-housemates, then co-workers again when he hooked me up with Pixelworks. He recently got married and is planning on starting a family next year. The last time he saw Mimi she was only crawling and can’t really speak much. She also won’t let strangers hold her back then. In fact these were the pictures he took that time.

This time I treat Bill to hotpot in Taipei and Mimi had a chance to talk with Uncle Bill and was willing to take a picture with Uncle Bill. I also let Mimi take some pictures of Bill and me.

The next time I will see Bill it will be in Las Vegas at Computex. He promised me a steak dinner so at least I will get that from Las Vegas.

Heartbreak Mornings

Mimi usually wakes up anywhere between 9am to 10:00 am depending on what times she goes to bed. On weekdays I try my best to get out the door to work before she wakes up. Most of the time I succeed, sometimes I do not. The reason I do this is because if I am still at home when Mimi wakes up…things get complicated.

I think with any parenting system there is 1 parent who is more the enforcer while the other is more the fun parent. Maybe there is a system in which it is more balanced however it turns out with Annie and I we fit into that role. Annie definitely is the enforcer and the sterner parent while I am the fun and sometimes take advantage of parent. Therefore Mimi likes spending time with me because well…I let her do just about anything she wants and never say no.

So in mornings if Mimi wakes up and sees me dressed in work clothes, she starts crying and tell me don’t go to work and stay and play with Mei-Mei. She will grab my shirt and tell me to change and want me to hold her and basically not let go. It usually takes me an extra 20 minutes to get out the door if she wakes up. I usually have to steel my heart up before finally walking out that door. This morning I was cleaning my camera when she woke up and happened to record it. Poor baby...

Mimi's Halloween Video

So life’s recently has gotten tough, rough, hard, busy…basically I haven’t had as much free time as I did before. Well, I didn’t have THAT much free time before however now I have no free time at all. That is why my postings has gotten sparse as of late and that the videos of Mimi’s Halloween party has been sitting on my desktop for about a week just waiting for me to edit and upload. Well I still don’t have free time however I am right now pretending to do work at my office while typing this posting and hoping my manager doesn’t stop by for a chat.

Seems like a lot of people had some pretty rough times of late. Several friends, family, and even I have been adjusting or going through some difficult situations at work and home. I think at times like this you must remember who your love ones are and know that it is okay to reach out for help or have others help you, after all if we don’t have each other what do we have.

Anyways enough of the boring, mushy, stuff. Here is what everyone has been waiting for…well everyone meaning basically my sister and parents…Mimi’s Halloween video.