However, we did have to do our taxes for our 2013 earnings in Taiwan. It was the easiest process imaginable! I attended a one hour tax workshop at my school where I completed tax forms for both James and I. Then, yesterday we went to the City Tax Office to turn in the forms 15 minutes before the office closed for lunch. The man helping us told us we needed a joint tax form, which we proceeded to complete in about 5 minutes. In the mean time, we are receiving a HUGE tax refund! I don't know how this country can survive on such a minute tax rate. I can honestly say that doing our taxes was probably the simplest thing we have done since being in Taiwan (and we did not cause too much commotion at the tax office).
James and I celebrated our 4-year anniversary by indulging in this absolutely delicious heart shaped fruit for dessert. It's called an atemoya. Wikipedia informed us that Mark Twain said it's the most delicious fruit known to man. James and I agree with his statement! We would eat one of these everyday while they are in season but they cost about $4 USD each.
It's soft, ripe and ready to eat.
The fruit is quite rich and sweet. It's similar to eating a custard. Half of the fruit is plenty for dessert!
My anniversary present for James - real coffee (he drinks instant coffee), a steeping pot, and a big bag of peanut brittle treats.
James' anniversary gift for me - a cute cuddly baby panda!
On a recent hike, we made friends with a couple of Taiwanese hikers who spoke a small amount of English. They showed us a unique sighting of the crystal orchid. The crystal orchids only grow for a couple of weeks each year at a specific altitude and climate. They are actually not a flower. They are a form of fungus which looks like an orchid. The crystal orchid is quite small and delicate.
The Crystal Orchid
I've become quite strong since moving to Taiwan.
James and I decided to run two full laps at one of our favorite running spots, the Baoshan Reservoir. The reservoir has a paved 10k gorgeous loop which goes around the reservoir. I believe we posted pictures in a previous blog from our first visit in early February. We arrived at the reservoir and James realized he forgot his socks! Unfortunately, there were no 7-11s nearby (which is uncommon in Taiwan because there is always a 7-11) and yes... 7-11 sells socks. James is such a hardcore runner that he ran the full 20k in his flip flops! He is like the people in the Tarahumara hidden running tribe in the novel "Born to Run" where they run long distances in sandals.
Oops! No socks!
Flip flop run
Selfie with the fireman
Later that same day James arrived at school. His manager asked if he ran at the Baoshan Reservoir that morning. Hsinchu is truly a small place! While we were running, a group of Taiwanese firemen had a "race" around the loop. One of the firemen talked to James for a bit and took a "selfie" picture of them. That fireman happens to be James' student's uncle. His student's mother saw the picture of James on facebook!
We really enjoyed our Easter weekend although we really missed family and friends at home. The weekend started with a Good Friday evening service at our church. It was truly a "Good Friday" for us. We received early notification for acceptance to National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu! Hopefully we will know more soon about scholarships and the other colleges. We are patiently waiting. Here's the Wikipedia link to that college which includes a few pictures of the lovely campus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Tsing_Hua_University
On Saturday afternoon, we were transplanted back to America. A family at our church hosted a potluck party at their home. Their home is outside of the city. It's surrounded by rice fields. Their home is large (unlike most Taiwanese homes) and designed for parties. Their home includes a ping-pong table, grills, a basketball court, a tennis court, a full drum set, and a small swimming pool! They plan to donate their home to a church for a retreat center whenever they move. We really enjoyed the afternoon of fellowship.
Ping-pong table and drum set in the living room
tennis / volleyball court
Basketball goal
An empty swimming pool is just as much fun as a full swimming pool for children!
James and I playing some 3-on-3 basketball.
Good fellowship and music. Our family away from home.
Our Sunday morning sunrise service was a hike at Lion's Head Mountain with the other couple in our small group! We enjoyed a church service in the early afternoon as well as an "Easter dinner" with two of James' TAs (Teachers Assistants) at a local vegetarian restaurant. James did not get an Easter basket this year. We did not see any Easter candy for sale. Poor James. I played Easter games in class but only a few students actually knew what Easter was.
James has a new love for flowers. Here's a couple of pictures of the unique flowers at Lion's Head Mountain.
We saw a snake on the hike!!!!!! April's fools. This is just an up close picture of a warning sign for snakes at the mountain.
Enjoying the new lush spring green growth in the Taiwanese jungle.
We enjoyed another hike from our book on the Southwest side of Taipei yesterday. We are still amazed how one can exit a MRT station in a huge city and start hiking on a large network of mountainous trails within minutes! Below are a few of the highlights from our hike. After almost 7 hours of hiking, we definitely earned our pumpkin soup dinner at our favorite vegetarian restaurant in Taipei!
360 year old fig tree
Are we in Hawaii?
The first temple we have seen decorated in earth tones. Normally temples are brightly colored with dragons.
"A Thread in the Sky" - These stairs were not for claustrophobic individuals!
I am relieved to see daylight again.
The weather was not very clear but we enjoyed some good city views from the mountain peaks.
We also have big news! Our dog friend at the coast, Wo Chi, is pregnant! James told me we can't have any of her puppies though...
Expect the next blog to be exciting! We are using an upcoming four day weekend to do a lot of big mountain hiking in Taroko Gorge. Hopefully, we will know more about colleges by then, too.
Happy Easter!