Back from a Momcation

Taiwan.

It was definitely one of the highlights of my 2016. Not that I like spending time away from family that much (it can be pretty hard to let go and many were shocked that I was actually going to spend so many nights away from Sophie) - but I've found that it's essential that I do it every now and then - for me. Sounds selfish perhaps, but it makes me a much better wife and mother I must say. I read, prayed, took pictures, ate, slept, toured, met fellow missionaries and had heart-to-heart talks with my best friends. It was so therapeutic! Meanwhile, Sophie and I kept in touch via Skype (I missed her dearly and I am sure she missed me too even though she didn't want to fess up that she did). She also spent loads of time with her daddy and even visited my colleagues at my workplace while I was gone!

They let her watch Peppa Pig and eat curly fries at the front desk! Even I don't get to do that.

Why Taiwan? Well, a close friend of mine, Ji was thinking of visiting Taiwan at the very end of November. Since that coincided nicely with my teacher's term break, and she asked if I would like to come along, to which I said YES! Another dear friend of ours, Jia who currently resides in Taipei jumped with joy and said that we could stay with her family (they were the best hosts ever) - and we were all set to go! While I balked at the price of air tickets initially, I was glad that I put my mustard seed faith in the Lord to provide for the trip because I can't imagine now what it would have been like if I had missed out on it.

Throughout the trip, I was reminded of the big picture of my being and doing, especially now that I am often too caught up with tasks of motherhood and teaching which take up the bulk of my busy sleep-deprived life. All I am and have come from God and the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. All I do should then be worship unto Him, serving a much bigger mission than my personal ambitions. In other words, I should not work hard as a mother because I covet my child's affections. Or so that she would look after me when I am old! Rather, I work hard so that I can present my child to her Maker as a disciple (and discipler) after His own heart. Likewise, I should not work hard as a teacher only because it puts a little more food on our table. Rather, I work hard so that I can ultimately participate in God's redemption of music appreciation in our community. Music was meant to heal... and cultivate empathy among its makers and listeners, as well as mindfulness for God. It is a context for missions. Furthermore, music maketh a nation... only because it first maketh a man. And every such man (and woman) was a child under the tutelage of a music teacher. If you put that way, music teachers have a great role to play in nation building!

But I digress. We'll save all that talk about music and teaching music for another day.

Back to my Taiwan trip...

Taipei is an interesting city to visit.

Parts of it are bustling with rat races so common to developed nations and the vehicles on the road threaten to bulldoze you if you are in their way (zebra crossings are none of their business), but most of the Taiwanese remain courteous and helpful - at least to the tourists. Having visited Singapore and Hong Kong earlier this year... and having gotten accustomed to the tangible impatience of the city folk, Taipei was refreshing. I'm not sure about living there permanently though. While any Taiwanese would hesitate to be known as "Chinese" due to the political differences between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC) - and Western and Japanese trends are in vogue - Taiwan is obviously yet a centre of Chinese culture. I am of course referring to the language, customs, beliefs, arts, architecture, worldview, cuisine, the people's appreciation of jade and crystals, Buddhist influences, etc. (I apologise in advance if this offends anyone.) A week of immersing in all-things-Chinese and exploring was good for the soul, but the banana a.k.a. Westernised Chinese in me was rather glad to return to my side of the world at the end of the week. It was a relief to stop being illiterate... to speak and think in English, among other things.

What I enjoyed most (besides spending time with my friends) was the Taiwanese countryside - verdant scenic views, fertile plains, riverbanks, laidback towns, peace and quiet. Ji's friends brought us to visit the county of Yilan well-known for its diverse aboriginal villages, hot springs, historical buildings and scallion pancakes. We also spent our last day at Danshui, a nostalgic (and romantic) seaside town where an international port thrived in the 1860s.

Would I go back to Taiwan again? Yes. This, being my third (and certainly not the last) time in Taiwan as tourist, was the best and the brightest. It goes to show that the more you get to know Taiwan, the more you'll fall in love with it. 

Definitely, Sophie goes with me the next time. Looking at all the beautiful scenery just made me miss her even more.