He also looked at the two wooden totem poles, pointing out the nose, when asked.
And he generally enjoyed running around and exploring a new place.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Aboriginal people's park
This weekend is a national holiday, Qingming jie 清明節, the time when one sweeps one's ancestors' tomb. Lots of folks take the opportunity to travel and sight-see, and that's what we did. Yigong and Yipo took us to the park across the street from the Aboriginal People's Museum in the morning. Binbin examined each of the relief sculptures representing the different tribes of Taiwan.
He also looked at the two wooden totem poles, pointing out the nose, when asked.
And he generally enjoyed running around and exploring a new place.
He also looked at the two wooden totem poles, pointing out the nose, when asked.
And he generally enjoyed running around and exploring a new place.
approaching goodness 至善園
The garden at the National Palace Museum is called Approaching Goodnes, and Yigong and Yipo brought us all there this morning for a stroll. Though Binbin had been there before, he had never quite been so fascinated by the colorful and enormous carp. Jack bought some fish food, which Binbin enjoyed throwing into the pond.
Binbin also rested in the second-storey pavilion, furnished with a screen, scholar's table and book. Did the emperor also drink Yakuit while relaxing in his study?
On our way out, Binbin visited his friend, the stone lion that guards the garden entrance.
Binbin also rested in the second-storey pavilion, furnished with a screen, scholar's table and book. Did the emperor also drink Yakuit while relaxing in his study?
On our way out, Binbin visited his friend, the stone lion that guards the garden entrance.
DVD Habit
Since coming to Taipei in early January, Binbin has gone through several favorite films. The first was "The Incredibles," which he recently watched with Aron, who had not ever seen it.
Other favorites included "Toy Story" and "Toy Story II." (Dubbed into Chinese, the sequel has a scene with Tour Guide Barbie, which couldn't be a more accurate rendition of Taiwanese customer service culture.) Then there was the week of Winnie-the-Pooh's Christmas special. Following that, we watched "Mulan" multiple times...along with the DVD bonus of Jackie Chan singing one of the theme songs "Make a Man Out of You" in Cantonese. The most tiresome obsession was (in De-nin's opinion) "Small Soldiers." That was not really a children's film, in her motherly view.
Our current favorite is fortunately one that everyone enjoys, "Totoro." Binbin was at first a bit frightened by the dust bugs, called meimei chong. But those he's okay with now. Here, he watches, waiting for his favorite scenes with the little, big, and super big Totoros, while munching on sempei rice crackers. (Last night he ate 7 or 8 of these before bed!)
Other favorites included "Toy Story" and "Toy Story II." (Dubbed into Chinese, the sequel has a scene with Tour Guide Barbie, which couldn't be a more accurate rendition of Taiwanese customer service culture.) Then there was the week of Winnie-the-Pooh's Christmas special. Following that, we watched "Mulan" multiple times...along with the DVD bonus of Jackie Chan singing one of the theme songs "Make a Man Out of You" in Cantonese. The most tiresome obsession was (in De-nin's opinion) "Small Soldiers." That was not really a children's film, in her motherly view.
Our current favorite is fortunately one that everyone enjoys, "Totoro." Binbin was at first a bit frightened by the dust bugs, called meimei chong. But those he's okay with now. Here, he watches, waiting for his favorite scenes with the little, big, and super big Totoros, while munching on sempei rice crackers. (Last night he ate 7 or 8 of these before bed!)
Monday, April 2, 2007
dog day sunday afternoon
Sunday was one of those days that makes you wonder how you could possibly even consider staying in Taipei through summer. It must have been about 90 degrees by 11 am. Binbin played at the Tianmu playground until dripping wet and red in the face. Yigong then took us to the Mitsukoshi department store basement to check out a new bakery, Johan's. Binbin couldn't be happier with the bread. By the time we reached home, he had eaten part of the crust off four of six pieces.
After lunch, he slept like a log, rolling from side to side, and until nearly 3:30.
After lunch, he slept like a log, rolling from side to side, and until nearly 3:30.
on stage 101
Saturday morning, wearing a smart new outfit, we head for Taipei 101.
From the vantage point of the 2nd floor skywalkway, we spy girlbands rehearsing for an afternoon competition.
We drop down to the courtyard for a closer look.
Binbin's favorite were the drummers. And of the three bands, he was most impressed with this one, whose leader singer belted out a popular tune with repetitious "Linda, linda" in the refrain. The competition also happened to be named after "Linda, linda." Being foreigners, we'll probably never know who Linda is.
From the vantage point of the 2nd floor skywalkway, we spy girlbands rehearsing for an afternoon competition.
We drop down to the courtyard for a closer look.
Binbin's favorite were the drummers. And of the three bands, he was most impressed with this one, whose leader singer belted out a popular tune with repetitious "Linda, linda" in the refrain. The competition also happened to be named after "Linda, linda." Being foreigners, we'll probably never know who Linda is.
school & after school
Here is written statement from Zengzeng laoshi that Binbin has been making progress on the potty training front. We'll let those of you who are fluent in Chinese savor the details.
After school, it's time to play basketball at ai mai da bux. Friday afternoon, Binbin was the rapt audience to three co-eds (Chinese, read 辣妹, "hotties") who played alongside him.
After school, it's time to play basketball at ai mai da bux. Friday afternoon, Binbin was the rapt audience to three co-eds (Chinese, read 辣妹, "hotties") who played alongside him.
playgrounds of taipei 台北遊戲場
We discovered a new playground in Xin Beitou 新北投. From the MRT station, cross to the park. Walk along the left side until the museum. The cross the street and climb up the stone steps to reach the playground. This playground is located up above the street, so it has a nice view and seems more secluded. It has a more extensive play area, and it has a triple cement slide built into the hillside.
A little frightened at first, Binbin quickly got the hang of crossing this rope bridge at the Xin Beitou playground.
Over the past several months, we have slowly been trying out various playgrounds in Taipei. So, we thought we'd start an informal and unscientific account of them.
The playground on Zhongcheng lu in Tianmu is still one of our favorites. It is by far the most extensive playground with... a little kids' area (where Binbin tried out the teeter-totter with a little girl this past weekend)
a bigger kids' area
a sandbox (with net for climbing above...and, a nearby water faucet for playing and for cleaning)
a cement slide
and, a maze.
If we stay in the Dazhi area, there are two small public playgrounds to the east and west of our housing project. These are similarly equipped. More kids and families goes to the one on the east side (which is across the street from Binjiang elementary school).
Also in Dazhi, we like the Binjiang elementary school playground, open to the public after school hours and on weekends. This playground is the all-wood playground with maze, a sandbox area, and water faucet.
In the Mingshui 明水 area in Dazhi is another public playground, beside a temple. This one has a more neighborhood-ish feel. Lots of families come on the weekends.
Closer to Bei'an 北安路 in Dazhi, we go to the public playground, which has more exercise stations and a triple cement slide. This is where Binbin first learned to climb up cement slides.
A stone's throw away is the playground at the elementary school. This playground seems more modest, and Binbin ends up running around the nearby track and soccer field. He also runs across ramps that cross a decorative stone "water" way between the exercise/play area and the school building.
A little frightened at first, Binbin quickly got the hang of crossing this rope bridge at the Xin Beitou playground.
Over the past several months, we have slowly been trying out various playgrounds in Taipei. So, we thought we'd start an informal and unscientific account of them.
The playground on Zhongcheng lu in Tianmu is still one of our favorites. It is by far the most extensive playground with... a little kids' area (where Binbin tried out the teeter-totter with a little girl this past weekend)
a bigger kids' area
a sandbox (with net for climbing above...and, a nearby water faucet for playing and for cleaning)
a cement slide
and, a maze.
If we stay in the Dazhi area, there are two small public playgrounds to the east and west of our housing project. These are similarly equipped. More kids and families goes to the one on the east side (which is across the street from Binjiang elementary school).
Also in Dazhi, we like the Binjiang elementary school playground, open to the public after school hours and on weekends. This playground is the all-wood playground with maze, a sandbox area, and water faucet.
In the Mingshui 明水 area in Dazhi is another public playground, beside a temple. This one has a more neighborhood-ish feel. Lots of families come on the weekends.
Closer to Bei'an 北安路 in Dazhi, we go to the public playground, which has more exercise stations and a triple cement slide. This is where Binbin first learned to climb up cement slides.
A stone's throw away is the playground at the elementary school. This playground seems more modest, and Binbin ends up running around the nearby track and soccer field. He also runs across ramps that cross a decorative stone "water" way between the exercise/play area and the school building.
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