mel in taiwan

Taipei Times Article

2009-06-16T10:35:00.001+08:00

Check out today's (6/16) "Community Compass" in Taipei Times:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2009/06/16/TT-980616-P04-IB.pdf

I think the article was well written, but maybe lays more blame on Kaohsiung City Government than they are actually responsible for. Unfortunately, a project at the bureau took the i-center building out of their hands and it was the management company that would not get the center re-opened. Different vision led to a lot of confusion and broken relationships. We had a good run of about 2 years initially about 4 years ago but was at a standstill for over a year.

I'm excited about the possibilities of developing International Friendship House and the benefit it can be to the foreign community of Kaohsiung City and area.

Thanks for all your support!

Check out http://internationalfriendshiphouse.blogspot.com for more information about upcoming activities.

Ladies Night at International Friendship House

2009-06-07T20:30:00.002+08:00

Coming Soon - a time for just the ladies to get together.
Saturday, July 4th, 4-7pm, there will be an opportunity to make some new friends, enjoy some refreshments, and add some new "treasures" to your closet and jewelry box. If you have clothes, jewelry, female items, or anything related to females, we'll take donations and have it available to trade for that evening. Yes, we'll even take your half full bottle of body wash that you don't use because it makes you itchy! This is a great chance to go through your belongings and find things you're not using and pass along to someone who might.

Remember, one person's junk is another person's treasure! Come ready to shop but leave your wallet at home!

All remaining items will be donated to charitable organizations.
Contact Melissa (0971119930 or internationalfriendshiphouse@gmail.com) for more details or to arrange for donations.

IFH Open House/Book Sale

2009-04-27T13:56:00.001+08:00

Come down to International Friendship House Saturday, May 9th from 2-5.

You can see what we're all about and support a great organization, His Hands Taiwan, at the book sale. If you have books to donate, contact me to make drop off arrangements. We'll have an open house so you can see the space and enjoy some refreshments. We will also help you stock up your personal library.

You can see pics and a map on our blog: http://internationalfriendshiphouse.blogspot.com.
We're located at #83, Lane 129 Wunzih Road, Zuoying District - directly behind Fitness Factory on Boai 3rd Rd.

If you need further directions or have questions, please contact Melissa @ 0971119930 or internationalfriendshiphouse@gmail.com

Thanks for your community support!

2008-11-12T23:00:00.000+08:00

BARK

and

International Friendship House

are holding a

BOOK SALE!

When: Sunday, November 16th

3pm-7pm

Where: Pet's World (180 Boai 3rd rd)

Hundreds of books for sale,

English and Chinese. All Proceeds will go to charity.

If you would like to donate books to this charity event, you can drop them off in advance at the following locations:

Pet's World – 180 Boai 3^rd Rd

International Friendship House - 83, Lane 129 Wunzih Road

Foster Hewitt's – 30 Wenjhong Rd

For more info on this event contact:

Melissa at internationalfriendshiphouse@gmail.com or

Natasha at Natasha@BARK-Taiwan.org

weekend in Taipei

2008-10-20T11:40:00.003+08:00

I went up to Taipei to look after Gemma and also for my good friend Beth's wedding. Lots of fun to be had. Got in on C&N friend's b'day celebrations also. They have a great group of friends up there.

some bowling fun!

2008-10-12T22:51:00.004+08:00

I forget how much fun bowling can be. We walked down to the alley a few blocks from my place.

My Taiwan Nephew's 3rd B'day

2008-10-12T22:35:00.003+08:00

My friend's Larry & Michelle have a son just a couple weeks younger than my nephew Alex. I interact a lot with Charlie which helps. We went to a nice park to celebrate his birthday.

Meinong

2008-10-12T22:13:00.004+08:00

I took my friend Leigh up to Meinong for a few hours. It's a Hakka region which is farming based. We went to the Cultural Museum so here's some cool pics!

day trip to Taipei

2008-10-12T21:44:00.004+08:00

So, I'm not so good at posting what I'm up to. I guess it doesn't feel so exciting anymore. I went up to Taipei last Sunday to visit Heather and family before they headed back to the Great White North. Unfortunately Vin had to work so I didn't see him. We met up with Nevada and Gemma for a play date at the City Hall Sand Box. Lots of fun!

So....it's my birthday!

2008-09-21T23:21:00.002+08:00

I'm not quite sure how to feel or celebrate this year. I'm not quite where I thought I'd be at age 35. Also not sure if it's a good or bad thing. So far, nothing planned for the actual day. I went for a nice dinner with a friend on Sunday. I'm planning on starting my birthday by going to the gym (to work off said nice dinner) then relax and read at Starbucks for a portion of the rest of the morning. That time will also include a call with my parents who will be joining me here in less than 50 days, wow!
I'll add more if plans change or I take any interesting pics!

my cute nephew and niece

2008-08-20T07:48:00.003+08:00

Today I was able to meet my new niece, Gabriella and see my nephew Alex. So cute and fun!
Here they are:

Book Sale at International Friendship House

2008-07-30T23:08:00.001+08:00

Our garage has been converted into a library. This Saturday, August 2nd from 2-5pm you can build up your own library as well as help out some great local charities (50NT/item). Come down and check out the great selection of English books - fiction, non-fiction, children's, reference, and other English materials.
We're located in Zuoying District - #83, Lane 129 Wunzih Road. If taking MRT, Ecological District, exit 1 (you can check out the map just before the exit - Lane 129 is close to the park) If you're driving, we're just north of the new Hansin Kaohsiung Arena then turn at the Noble Family Steakhouse.
For further directions or questions, contact Melissa at 0971119930 or internationalfriendshiphouse@gmail.com
Thanks! Hope to see you Saturday!

I'm an auntie again

2008-06-02T12:43:00.002+08:00

Gabriella Marie Wriston was born premature but healthy. She weighed 5 pounds and spent 3 weeks in NICU. Julie's mom said she's blond and looks just like Jay (my bro). I hope to see a picture at some point.

It's a strange feeling knowing that I have a niece but not sure when I'll be able to meet her/or if. I won't go into details but my brother isn't interested in being part of our family right now.

Anyway, I guess I just have to wait and see what happens. God is in control.

IFH - assistant manager wanted

2008-02-26T12:31:00.001+08:00

International Friendship House is a great option for short-term accomodation in Kaohsiung. Check us out at http://internationalfriendshiphouse.blogspot.com We are located in northern Kaohsiung, close to Lighthouse Bar & Grill.

I am interested in finding someone available to help with International Friendship House when I need holidays or extra help (very casual hours). It would include managing bookings, meeting guests, and registration. If you like dogs, it could include taking my dogs to the park but it doesn't have to include this aspect.

If you're interested or would like more details, contact Melissa at internationalfriendshiphouse@gmail.com or 0971119930.

Lantern Festival 2008

2008-02-22T00:14:00.004+08:00

KMRT mascots (subway)

our World Games mascots in a dragonboat

Alvin & the Chipmunks

some of my favorite lanterns made by elementary, junior, and high school students...

Chinese New Year activities

2008-02-22T00:06:00.002+08:00

This Chinese New Year vacation I spent my time at the cultural center helping out a friend. It was very chilly but interesting most of the time. One picture is Josephine next to our stand, the other is me getting my nails done. One day we were next to the fancy nail lady so we decided to try it out.

my "babies"

2008-01-14T09:43:00.000+08:00

I have 2 very cute dogs. Here's a pic of them enjoying my bed. I now have new bedding so they're not allowed up there anymore which they usually obey except for last night when Sadie came up for a snuggle.

Cabu (left) and Sadie (right)

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T11:38:00.000+08:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season!
I shared Christmas with my parents on Skype this morning (Christmas morning for me) between their dinner and heading to the Christmas Eve service at LFMC. It was fun to use the webcam so they could watch me open my gifts from them.
A new restaurant opened around the corner from my house which is an American style breakfast restaurant. They had eggs benedict and I almost cried. We had just talked about how I haven't found it anywhere and it's our traditional Christmas brunch. It was really good and got to listen to Rick Dee's Christmas Special to boot.
It's been a good Christmas Day so far - I'm off to a Christmas lunch at Human Resource Bureau then will have a party at my place tonight. It's been a very busy season for me this year and I've enjoyed the festivities!

Facebook

2007-11-28T09:44:00.000+08:00

Gotta love it or hate it but it's taking over. My regular photo site has shut down so I've been posting them on my facebook account. I'll try to find a more accessible site for pics but for now you'll have to join facebook if you haven't already. I haven't figured out how to post pics very successfully on blogspot. I'll try to update more often but I'm not anticipating a whole lot going on in this next month.

International Bartenders Association

2007-11-28T09:29:00.000+08:00

I helped with the congress and World Cocktail and Flairtending Competition which was lots of fun and what a great opportunity to meet people from countries you would never think of meeting someone from. I hung out with guys from Serbia, Croatia, and Macedonia for most of the time.

Thanksgiving Dinner

2007-11-28T09:27:00.001+08:00

The Free Methodists around Taiwan (some of them) get together every year for Thanksgiving. Here's our group pic from this year.

need to catch up a bit

2007-11-28T09:09:00.000+08:00

Well, a few things have happened in the last few weeks but I just haven't gotten this thing updated. Here are a few pics to show what I've been doing.

My friends Matthew & Josephine got married on Nov. 9th...

Tiger has a new home!

2007-11-05T09:37:00.000+08:00

Finally!!! A friend of mine told me that a friend of hers was interested in Tiger. I took her out on Saturday to meet the new family. It was a match even as they were driving up. They are a great family with 2 young boys and 2 other dogs. Tiger went to their house and according to updates, she's playing well with the other dogs and the boys. She follows them around and listens well. I'm so happy but I was still a bit sad at first - it really makes a difference at home to only have 2 dogs and going to the park. It's a good change to get used to.

Happy Moon Festival!

2007-09-25T22:28:00.000+08:00

Well, we had a long weekend for Moon Festival/Mid-Autumn Festival. It was relaxing and restful. Today we went out into the country to do some sight-seeing. This is a pic of Moonscape World. It's a natural formation, from what I understand, that is very similar to the surface of the moon. It was interesting but as per Taiwan style, wasn't done as well and kept as clean as could be but cool to see anyway.

Birthday Party

2007-09-25T22:23:00.001+08:00

So, I have a Taiwanese birthday twin (but he's 3 years older). We had a "party" at his house which was fun. They live on the top floor of a 21 floor bldg with a great view of the city and the harbor, great rooftop balcony.