"Tree at the Temple" (right)
This is an ink drawing from my sketch book of one of the
magnificent trees in the temple courtyard.

"Temple Courtyard" (below)
This is the back wall of the temple courtyard. I'm under the "kissing trees"
(the two trees whose upper branches intertwine) facing towards the steps
that take you further up the hill to the cemetery. As I finished up the pencil
part of this painting, the sun went down over the city and the moon rose
above the hill, coming up through the dense jungle, shining down on the
temple courtyard.  As soon as the sun is even thinking about going down
the bats come out.

There are so many bats in Hsinchu! They are everywhere: at the temple,
around the streams running through our end of the city, by the hundreds

around certain apartment buildings in the
heart of the city.  Where do they live during
the day?! This is the first time I have had 
the opportunity to be around bats and I
have to say that I am enchanted by them. 

I want to tell you about the amazing
Scooters of Hsinchu. It's not unusual
to see a mother, father, and three
children all on the same scooter. It's
nothing to see someone with two large
dogs standing in the walk-through of the
scooter. Or, a woman driving one handed
with a tiny white dog clasped in the other.
One rainy night I saw a man driving along
with an open umbrella. Girls frequently ride
"side saddle" behind their boyfriends if they
are wearing dresses. Sometimes parents
install a tiny chair in the walk -through 
where sits their little child. Of course, I am 
fascinated by this. And, I've never seen an
accident so maybe it's all safer than it looks
to me.  After all, I come from a country where
the government would like to make using
booster seats mandatory until you are
fifteen years old.

"A Statue at One of the Tombs" (right)

A small statue near a tomb at the far end of
the temple courtyard.

"Tree at the Temple" (left)

I find these trees at the temple too beautiful not
to draw again and again.

"Ivan and His Euphonium" (right)

This is Ivan on stage the night of his recital at the university.

"Dr. Cheng Preparing for the Recital"(left)

This is Dr. Cheng warming up on the piano. 
She accompanied Ivan for the recital.

"Two Karate Classmates" (right)
These are two boys from my karate class.

Ivan knew how keen I was to continue my training in
Shotokan Karate when we moved to Hsinchu.  With
help from the secretary at his school who spoke Chinese,
a dojo was located quite nearby.  Although I am brave
about doing many things, I was very shy about going to
the dojo for the first time.  Ivan came with me, just like a
parent accompanying a 5 year old to her first day of school!! 
Everyone was very kind and welcoming and I was soon
swept up in the enthusiasm of the club. The students were
helpful and kind.  And, although I didn't speak Chinese, 
the two coaches always found ways to explain everything
to me by demonstrating.  I was lucky beyond words to have
had the opportunity to be with this group of dedicated people. 
I'm hoping to return to Hsinchu at some point to train further
with the club.  
Update: Ivan and I are now back living in Taiwan. I'm happily
back training at this karate club with my genius coaches.

"Water Lilies in the Park" (left)
One day I got lost when I took an "alternate" route home
from the post office. I found myself in a park with these
water lilies blooming in the pond. In the shade of the willow
trees sat a German Shepherd dog with a tragic and
grief-filled face. I wondered what his story was.

Down the street, at the corner of an insanely busy 5 way stop, is a vacant lot. A very rare thing here in Hsinchu. Coming from the tiny town of Atikokan with a population barely pushing 2,000 and being surrounded by lakes and trees for hundreds of miles in every direction, this vacant lot had a magnetic attraction for me. The natural foliage of the region was having a celebration on this piece of land surrounded by multi-storied buildings, neverending streams of traffic, and being a bit of a garbage dump for an assortment of discarded plastic. I was always struck by the courage and optimism of the plants, insects, and birds that resided there. Doubtlessly, a developer has plans for this lot. I can only hope that the lush greenery will be incorporated into the design...perhaps that's only wishful thinking on my part.  I always find myself hoping for a win/win solution for humans and nature.

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