Being a Father/Parent

I never knew being a father would be so tough and so rewarding at the same time. After being a father for two years and counting, I have to say that the hardest part is keeping my emotions in check. Sometimes I feel like my son listens to me and he's doing what I ask. And other times I feel he wants to make me mad to see how far he can push me before I do something like yelling at him. At times, I feel like the Green Monster is peeking just wanting to get out and start the rage!

One of the greatest feeling in the world is when you're bilingual and your kid understands both languages that you're talking to them in. I had a fun little interaction with my son some time ago when I asked him in Chinese 你好嗎 (How are you?) and in return, he answered in English "I'm Fine!". It was such a tender moment that I was stunned. I wasn't expecting him to say that, especially in English. That's when your heart melts and you get a big smile on your face. And say to yourself, I did something right!

There are other times, when the TV is off and you bring a book for him to read along with. Sometimes its more of him trying to see the pictures of the book himself and sometimes its me trying to wrestle the book away from him so he doesn't rip the pages. Its a learning experience, for the both of us.

Then there are times, when things don't go mommy and daddy's way and the kid isn't happy either. The tantrum begins and no one in the house is happy. That's the time that we need to suck it up and find out why he's unhappy. Maybe he's hungry, or maybe he needs a nap or maybe he wants to use the iPad. So many questions, but in the end it comes to one thing. Mommy and daddy needs to practice more.

And possibly instead of the kid getting a time out, the parents need a time out too. I don't like punishing ourselves for thinking that we're doing a bad job, but kids know way more than us. Go to the corner and think about what you did, mom and dad!

living in the concrete jungle that is Taipei.

I’ve been in Taiwan for several years now and here is what I learned...

Getting by in Taipei...

1) At all costs, if you don’t want to be bothered, just speak English. It doesn't even have to be comprehensable. They’ll walk away fast! Especially if they’re older or kids in their late teens early 20’s. They have learned English but some are too shy to speak, they’ll have the deer in the headlights stare. It’s pretty fun.

2) Even the locals do this, but I have a soundtrack when I step out in the streets of Taipei. I never go anywhere without my headphones/mp3/phone. Music makes everything much sweeter.

3) When you get a cell phone call…pick up and say “whasaaaaup”? Especially on the metro, you'll get looks...dirty stares :P I've seen an english speaker on the metro with no one around him. He was chatting on his phone and there was no one within 2 feet around him. He's got the English shield.

4) Go out to a Chinese restaurant and can't read the menu. Just ask the waiter for their recommendation...its always a good surprise to find out what you’re going to eat.

5) Bargaining or haggling with street vendors and sometimes electronics dealers is always the norm. My wife talked her way to a 30% discount on a pair of shoes.

6) The longer the line someplace is, the more “famous” the food. I can’t explain it, I just follow where my wife takes me! If the line is halfway around the block, then it must really be good food.

7) If its winter time in Taiwan…head for the hot springs!

8) They say an hour drive time is a long time in Taiwan.

9) Theres a 7-Eleven mostly on every street corner. Once in a while, you’ll find a Family mart or Hi life next to a 7-Eleven.

10) The dogs here know how to cross the street. I have seen a dog sit at the intersection waiting for the light to turn so that it can cross the street. My dog in the US can’t even do that.


11) You can use your smartphone anywhere. I was sitting in a taxi at a stop light and next to us, there were a pair of motor scooters with the riders checking their smartphone.  


12) On rainy days like the states, people forget how to drive. 

I'm the Cook!

The Tools

I found another love. My wife knows about it and she's not jealous. I realized that I could do this everyday  and even though it can be time consuming, doing this activity actually makes me relax and makes me creative.

Though I'm not an expert cook, I cook because its actually relaxing. I found that cooking is a form of stress relief for me. Its something that I can control and really fun because I can do whatever I want. There's no one to tell me what to do. Even if I mess up, my family won't complain.

the cookbook

Over the course of February and March, my cooking has gotten better. I learned how to use spices and and oils to make the food better. I have a cookbook or recipe book of foods I'd like to try out but a lot of foods that needs an oven is not in my recipe book. I do however have a wishlist when we have more money for a house. I want an oven in my house. Currently my house is too small for an oven. Unfortunately I live in Taiwan which doesn't have room for an oven. But eventually when we move back to the US, an oven comes standard in each home. So that's one of my dreams. Back when I lived in the US, I took our oven for granted, and if I knew I would live in Taiwan, I would have taken more of an advantage.


My favorite recipe is cubed chicken and rice or pasta. I usually use A1 sauce and some spices I found to put into my recipe. Olive oil is the best as its pretty healthy for people. With cubed steak, its pretty interesting to see how your progress is by how much feed back you get from your wife or brother, or sister or significant other. My wife said that the food is better. I'm happy, I'm evolving.