I have been working on another professional certificate for quite some time, for a topic I want to learn, but not closely related to my job. Since moving to Taiwan, the progress has been slow. Life has been full, work has been demanding, and the certificate kept moving forward—just not very quickly. Recently, I decided…
I am back to being a student. Recently, I found myself reflecting on learning from two very different angles. First, my kids’ school has started talking about college preparation, especially for the U.S. What stood out to me was not just the familiar messaging from prestigious schools about looking for “normal” kids, but also how…
When I asked a local shopkeeper if they carried Valentine’s Day cards, I was surprised by their response: “No, we don’t carry any of them.” I visited several stores and encountered the same answer at each one. Mentioning this to a colleague, I received an unexpected question: “Do you still celebrate Valentine’s Day at this…
I still remember my first year in the U.S. One of my lab mates was incredibly hardworking, and one day he asked what I planned to do over Thanksgiving. “Probably work in the lab,” I replied. He looked genuinely surprised. That moment made me realize how significant Thanksgiving is in the US—a time when people…
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a childhood memory marked by a school holiday, holds deeper significance in Taiwan. It’s a crucial time for family gatherings and exchanging gifts with loved ones. My children, having recently moved to Taiwan, reflected on their experiences during a holiday drive. My daughter expressed missing her previous linguistic environment. She attended a…
Our trip to Tainan was occasioned by our children’s fencing competition. While we had not visited Tainan previously, the drive was quite scenic, reminiscent of Oregon with its verdant landscapes and less congested traffic en route to Southern Taiwan. We primarily spent our time at the National Taiwan University of Sports. I was particularly impressed…
It’s a hot September day, especially compared to the Pacific Northwest. I need an iced drink in the humid and hot weather (32°C/90°F) during the parent-teacher conference intermission. Typically, we don’t attend PTA meetings. However, since this is our children’s first year in Taiwan, we want to ensure their comfort and hear directly from their…
You might not realize this, but your iCloud account is tied to a specific location. For expats, this can be a real hassle. I still rely on US news sources like the Wall Street Journal and New York Times daily, and my professional network is primarily in the US. Plus, all my photos sync to…
I bought this house in early spring—a season in the Pacific Northwest that’s sunny but still carries a lingering chill. For those unfamiliar with the region, spring temperatures typically hover around 50–60°F, and it’s considered a real treat if we hit anything above 70°F. Today brought back memories as I fired up the grill for…
Soon after moving to New York City, I quickly realized that my taste buds lean toward Asian cuisine. While I don’t dislike American food—I’m happy to join colleagues for drinks at a pub, enjoying wings and tater tots, or order a Caesar salad in more formal settings—I naturally prefer dishes like Vietnamese pho, Korean bibimbap,…