Preparing for Nepal trek

For those of you who are reading this and didn't know, I will be leaving Taiwan at the end of October and heading to Nepal. Ben--a friend of mine who lives here but is from Canada--and I are planning to trek to Everest base camp. The itinerarical :) plan as it is currently set sees us spending 18 days on the way up and around 7 or 8 down because we will catch a plane out of Lukla back to Kathmandu which will cut quite a bit off the return trip. We will top out a Kala Pattar (18350 according to an estimate), which is more than 4000 feet higher then I have ever climbed (which is Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado--not you Pike's Peak, sorry). Hopefully, if all goes as planned, neither of us will be at the end of the smoting sword with high altitude sickness. Regardless of what happens, it should be an exciting experience.

After we finish in Nepal, we'll be heading to Thailand and then Cambodia for a couple weeks. I hope to explore the ancient city of Angkor Wat. It is one of the oldest cities in Southeast Asia, and the architecture is Mind-blowing. If you don't know what it is, google it. And after I have finished exploring these places, I'll catch a flight back to the states to visit my family for a bit. Or at least that's the plan. Then, in January, it's back to Taiwan. I plan to engage my mind in all out battle against the Chinese language. I may teach a little, but my main objective is to study full time. We will see how long I can do that before I am broke! :)

Overall, Taiwan is a very hospitable place. I have definitely enjoyed my experience here so far. So, if anyone wants to visit Taiwan, give me an Email or Message.

A2 Summer Class

I have been crazy busy for the last three weeks. I have been teaching a summer class for adults Monday thru Friday from 9-12 in the morning. I haven't had much free time because of the class, but its been worth it. The class has be absolutely awesome. It finished yesterday, and it was a bittersweet ending. I was glad that I actually have free time now, but I am really going to miss everyone from the class. I has been one of the best experiences I have had since I started teaching here in Taiwan. All the students were wonderful, and we became good friends in the short period of time. Above is a picture of most of them. Two had to leave early for school, so they couldn't make the picture. The students were: Jean, Freda, Sandy, Ingrid, Wayne, Willy George, Simon, Robby, Lily, and Jibilee. :)

Also, my roommate Moryam is leaving soon to move to India. That's gonna be sad. He leaves this Tuesday night, so we only have four more days together as roommates. Moryam, if you read this, you've been a good chap.

I'll be moving in with several other guys from church. I hope that goes well. They are nice guys, so it should be good. It will be a little further from work, but it is by a big park, so that's nice.

Plans to travel to Nepal are still on the go. I'll be leaving late October, and I plan to return to Taiwan and start studying Chinese as a full-time student. I'll probably be at Zhong-shan University.

Bye:)

Still here, Still Alive

Well, its been over two months since I last blogged. Since the last time, several things have happened. First, I returned to the U.S. It was my mothers birthday, and we got to throw a surprise party for her. She didn't know I was coming. It was very cool. I stayed home for about 2 weeks. It was great to be back.

Since then, I have come back and have been working. My classes have been good overall. In late June, I had a few days of and was able to travel a bit in Taiwan. I went to Tarako and to Green Island, both of which were wonderful.

Tarako is a national park on the east coast of Taiwan, and it has a canyon with marble cliffs that is breathtaking to drive through. I also got to do a little hiking through it. I hiked into a cave/tunnel with waterfalls coming out of the ceiling. It was pretty neat. And the weather was about perfect.

Green island is an island 30 or 40 Km off the east coast of Taiwan. It is sort of a vacation spot, with one of the only 3 salt water hot springs in the world. I took the ferry there and then rented a scooter and explored the island. It takes about half an hour to drive around if your going fast and there is no traffic.

The island is beautiful, and offers(or so i have heard) excellent snorkeling. However, I didn't get the chance to snorkel because a typhoon was suppose to come and I had to leave early. However, I did get to explore and go to the hot springs, which were fun.

Both are places I would like to come back to again if I ever have time. :)

Gongfu!! and Games Cafe

Last night, Moryam and I and our friend Bruce (it was his birthday) went see the movie, "The Forbidden Kingdom". I don't know about you, but I'm stoked that Jacky Chan and Jet Li are finally in the same movie. Moryam and Bruce thought it was "Alright" but I had blast watching it. It's a story after my own heart: the young man suddenly pushed into a new world where he meets unlikely allies, must face great danger and defeat a terrible enemy, and try to save a maiden. Ahhh....escapist bliss!!! Those are the kinds of movies I would make if I were to make movies. Where the main character goes from nothing to something, where good always triumphs over evil.

Speaking of movies, I made a little video about the "Game shop," a cafe I sometimes go to.

April 20th reflections

Time has been flying by incredibly fast since I have been here in Taiwan. Which gives me a little stomach ache when I think about it, because soon, very soon, I will have to decide once again where I will go and what I will do. Whether or not I will remain here another year or find myself walking down a different will have to be decided.

Overall, I can definitely say that I enjoyed the time I have had here. I haven't accomplished all I wanted to, but then, when have I ever done that :). I've been learning more about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, and about this crazy, sometimes dangerous, sometimes wonderful world we occupy. I've definitely been blessed with this opportunity, and I know it when I am thinking sensibly.

But then, that's one of most important things about all we do-our perspective on how we look at it. Whether we consider it another problem or another opportunity.

I definitely miss my family, and my friends back home, and Sampson! and good American BBQ
and Mexican food. And I miss fresh air and starry skies and unbridled horizons and Nebraska sunsets.

But I do love riding on a scooter in shorts and a T-shirt.

And I will definitely miss some of my students, and I pray that somehow whatever I do and say will somehow lead them closer to the truth and God.

My current goal is to make a waterproof case for my camera so I can take it snorkeling. I want to film the Fishes!!

Current song I have been listening to the most: "Salvation is here" by Hillsong United Live.


So, to everyone who reads this, especially my friends and family--I love and miss you all so much!!

God bless,
Jonathan

I got a scooter license

Its been a long time since I've blogged. Too long. Life here in Taiwan has been mostly pleasant since then. I continue to work at Kojen teaching children English, and in the mornings most days I study Chinese at TLI (Taipei Language Institute). The weekend after next is Tomb sweeping weekend, so we will have a three-day holiday. I'm feeling totally jazzed about that, and will hopefully get to travel the island a bit.

Since being here in Taiwan, I have really come to appreciate a two day weekend, since I work on saturday. Amazing how much you appreciate something when it's finally gone.

Last weekend, Moryam and I drove down to a coast city and took a ferry to a small island about 40 minutes from Taiwan called "Xial LiouChou". Its a pretty little island that was once covered almost entirely with Coral. It makes for a nice day get away from the city.

Recently, I got my scooter license. I can now drive legally! Whoohoo!

Nothing really exciting has happened yet. Still haven't saved any maiden or slain any dragons. But I'm working on the second.

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year. At least, it's happy for me, because I'm of from work for a few more days!! Ah, vacation is great.

It has been about a month since I have last written here, but it seems like much longer. I have the great weight of procastination shame on me.

Up to Chinese new year, I have been working and studying chinese. On weekends I ususally attend my church and hang out with friends. I also try to do writing on the side, but too often it gets backtracted. Well, since new year has begun (Chinese that is) I have been having a fairly good vacation. On Thursday, I went to a Taiwanese Aboriginal park. It consists of a village composed of huts that resemble the houses of the aboriginals who lived in Taiwan before the Chinese came ( and who still live here, many on the eastern side of the island.) I had a great time there. We attended at aboriginal concert, and got to see them singing and dancing in their cultural dress. There are 12 different tribes here in Taiwan, and some of their clothes were very beautiful. Very vibrant and colorful and exotic.

On Friday, some Taiwanese friends and I climbed to the top of Monkey montain. Its was a nice fun climb. We saw several monkeys, and I got frisked by one who thought I had food. On the way down, that is where we ran into a little trouble. We started going down, but took a different path then we had on the way up. It ran on for a while, and then stopped at several string of razor-wire. Not to be detered, my friends said it hadn't been there before, and that we could simply climb over it (it was on the ground). Somewhere in my mind, at this very moment, sparks started to go off. They lit up my mind and cast light the the sign that spoke "danger". I couldn't help remembering that an army base lay close by.
We continued anyways, and came to a dead end. The path was completely covered with fallen trees. Someone had purposely blocked the path. Not to be detered, we continued by leaving the main path, I with my heart sinking every moment. The words "exiled" and "expelled" kept popping up.
We found a road, but it was blocked by another string of razor-wire that was lying on the ground. As we were climbing over this, a car came racing up the road, and stopped where we were. My taiwanese friends were informed that we were not suppose to be there, and that we were indeed on the army base. After a little negotiation by my friend (for the taiwanese officer wanted us to go back the way we came), a soldier got out and escorted us down the road to the gate and help us find out way out. I'm just glad we didn't get into any real trouble. So the moral of this story is if you think you maybe getting into some danger and a little voice inside of you says you should stop going the way you are, you should probably listen. That little voice is probably right.

Only in Taiwan

Hello, and Happy New year (Xin Nian Quile)

I had a fun new year. I went with some friends to the Star harbor in Kaohsiung city to watch the count down. It was full of people. We watch the fireworks and had a fun time. One of my friends, Dennis, is in the Taiwanese army. He kept yelling "China is Coming!!" whenever a rocket went off.

There were so many people. A friend told me there were 500,000 people at the star harbor. But perhaps she put too many zeros on the number of people. But it had to be at least 50,000, maybe more.

For New years day I drove to the city of Tainan and did a little walking around. I saw some temples and old things. The funnest part was the picture I took on the way home of the dog.

I love Taiwanese dogs!!

That's all for now. God bless everyone, and Happy New Year!!

Jonathan

hello!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hurrah for Christmas!! I Love it.

What a great time of the YEAR!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!! SOOOO GOOD!!!!!!
I hope everyone is having a merry holiday, giving themselves up to jollification and such.
Remember the reason for the season.

Well, here, the last month has had its ups and downs. But I've enjoyed it here. I am trying to motivate myself to do creative writing. And I will continue to try!!!!

Teaching has been going alright!! It keeps me busy, as does Chinese class. I finished the first semester, and am starting the second book. I am really enjoying it. Teaching English has really helped me understand how to learn a language. I finally am learning what the different tenses are, something I never really understood well!

The weather is very nice. Unfortunately, we won't be having snow for Christmas. It will probably be in the 60's or 70's.

I do miss snow on Christmas.

Got my Christmas presents mailed out today. That took forever!!

Recent thought: The myth of Santa Clause - It is apparent to me that there is some tie between Santa clause and the Pied Piper. Currently, I am trying do determine exactly what relationship exists between the two figures, whether they are one in the same person, or bitter nemesii.

Thats it for now!!
Good night!!
Jonathan

November 18th

Ni Hao!!!!

I find it shocking that almost a month has passed since I last blogged on here. I wasn't planning to write today, but as it turns out, it is definitely past time. In the last three to four weeks, I've had my birthday, gotten a cold, which I am still fighting, eaten lots of fried rice and done tons of other amazing stuff!! Isn't life Grand!!! My birthday was wonderful!! I got loads of cards from friends and family back home. It really made it a special birthday. Also, I was able to celebrate with some of my friends here. We went to KTV (karaoke tv) and sang some songs. It was fun.

This week, I was planning on going to Kenting, which is a national park about two hours south of here, where there are rumored to be beautiful beaches and great hiking trails. However, I caught a cold which erupted like a big typhoon last night, so that adventure got put on hold. I was still going to try today, but the ignition in my scooter didn't work. I got it changed out, but by the time they were finished, it was 3 o'clock. Too late to go anywhere far. However, if I get out of this coffee shop, I may try to head to chichen island, which is just off the coast of Kaohsiung. I can go either by tunnel or ferry. The main problem is finding the tunnel.

Last week, on Saturday specifically, was the first meeting for swing dancing. Julie, a girl from my church, and I taught a group of people swing dancing. It was a good experience. I think people had a good time. We had around 15-20 people show up, and were able to teach them some of the basics, despite any of the problems that arose (those being, that we planned the event at the cultural center at 7:30 without knowing that at that time, the celebration party for the World Games was taking place there and was EXTREMELY loud).
Still, we were able to do our best, and it went as well as could be expected. It was good for a first time. I think we will both teach again, we just have to set up a time.

Speaking of teaching, it's been going alright. I usually teach 16 hours a week, but that means, when you include grading and preparation time for planning class, that I probably end up working between 25-30 hours a week. Of all that, I only get paid for the sixteen hours I actually teach. Still, It's been OK. I do have free time, and I don't have to work on Wednesday. Also, my first semester of Chinese class ends in two weeks. I will remain at the same school for the second 3 month semester, but after that I may switch schools. But we will see.

I am still very much looking forward to exploring the island. The cold and scooter problem kept me down this weekend, but I will not be defeated so easily.

Here are my interesting observations I have had recently: People here ALSO think I am weird! - Why has that been so all my life, that people who get to know me make this observation?? What do I posses that so sets me apart from others?? Is it my amazing good looks, my stunning personality, or my blazing speed in hand to hand combat. Who knows? But I'm beginning to evaluate it.

Second: I cannot escape the six sense kid!! Just the other day, a Chinese lady from my church wanted to know if I was brothers to the boy who played in the sixth sense!!!!! I really wonder how many times I have been compared to him. Dozens. But I know he doesn't have the same blazing speed in combat that I do!!

Well, that's it for now!!!!
Anyone want to come visit me?? You can!! You can stay at our place!!!! We won't even charge you!!!!:)

My Number!!!

I just thought I would let everyone know, I got a scooter!! Also, I now have a phone that works. The number is 0955824127.

Dogs in Taiwan

The dogs here in Kaohsiung are completely different then American dogs. Its impossible for me to bike across the city without seeing at least a couple of stray dogs. But unlike American stray dogs, the Taiwanese dogs are laid back. I think the only time I have had a stray dog bark at me was when he smelled my lemonade tea and wanted some. But he ran away with his friend eventually.
Dogs just chill here. You will see dogs running down the street, or sometimes just laying in the street. But they are smart. They know the city, and they know people. Some will wait to cross the street on the crosswalks with people so they won't get hit by cars. Sometimes, if you are biking, you will see dogs just lying in the sun on the side of the road, asleep, with people driving around them.
Part of the reason why I think Taiwanese stray dogs are so personable is because the Taiwanese take there dogs out all the time. You will see the dogs on scooters, sitting in between peoples legs with their tails dragging on the ground, racing along at 30 miles an hour. The other day I saw a huge dog. He could barely fit between the persons legs, and he was almost falling of the scooter. But I could tell by looking at him that he was having a blast.
I think because the Taiwanese dogs go everywhere on scooters, they are less territorial. It's almost as if a second society exists here. The dog society.

Isaiah 44

The Folly of Idolatry
9
¶ They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
10
Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
11
Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed; and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
12
¶ The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
13
The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
14
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
15
Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
16
He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
17
and the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
18
¶ They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
19
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Another night

It's another day, and another kaleidoscope of feelings, thoughts and musings.
This afternoon, right before I went to prepare for even class, I was pretty down, thinking about how I didn't really like teaching here, how everywhere is pretty much the same, and that life was, more or less, equal to the stench of "stinky tofu," which I can tell you first hand, "by any other name" would smell the same. But by the time I finished class, I my emotions had pulled a u-turn. I felt much better. It is amazing the difference a good two hour class can make. And It should be a warning of the danger of living based on something as fragile as emotions

I've felt stressed a lot here, with work especially. Wondering if I made the right decision working at the school I'm at. But really, I need to take it one day at a time. As some poet once said "Travel is the fool's paradise." And what he meant, as I can fathom it, is this: that no matter where you go, people are people, things are things, places are place, and you are still you. If you're happy with who you are at home, you probably will be wherever you are. But if you are not....then changing the view probably won't help as much as you might think it will.
And honestly, I don't have very much to be stressed out about. I have friends working in other countries who work much harder than I do and am under so much more pressure. I think it's good to sometimes remind ourselves of what's really important in life, and what really lasts. So that's what I'm doing now, and you're reading it!! That this world is mere shadows, a veil that will one day be removed. That in the End, it only matters if we're covered with Grace and Blood.
That we need to take our daily bread, not our yearly meal. To remind ourselves everyday our purposes.

Well, it's late, so I'm gonna take off. I hope that as you read this, you find yourself well, and at peace.
God bless,
Jonathan

my address

Just a quick one.

Here is my address. Everyone send me lots of wonderful things!!!!

Jonathan Joel Schanbacher
457 Dafung 2nd Road
Sanmin District
Kaohsiung, Taiwan ROC

Something strange to see

So it's Sunday morning here in Taiwan. Moryam and I are hanging out at home now, probably will head to church around 5:30. English church is in the evening. Well, this week has had its ups and downs. For both of us, Thursday classes are the toughest. So its good whenever Friday morning hits. And yesterday we both had Saturday off, which was a nice change. So we were hanging out at donutes last evening, and we saw something strange. The wall of the building is made entirely of Plexiglas, and we heard explosions, and could see about a block a way, in the middle of the city, fireworks going off. We watched for a while, unable to see what exactly was going on because the view was obscured by the buildings. we figured the fireworks would stop after a little bit. They didn't. So we decided to check it out. We rode over there and ran into some ceremony/celebration. The people were lighting of tons of fireworks on the street. There were several men on stilts, and several men were carrying a shrine box on several sticks that look remarkably like the ark of the covenant. They were in the middle of the street, and they walked back and forth, almost dance like. Eventually, the fireworks finished, and they turned to go down a side street. But there was an archway above it, and someone lit hanging flame fir works that showered down sparks from the arch way. Them men with the shrine would walk up to the flames, stop, and walk back. They reaped these steps until the flames died, then they walked through.

Once through, figures with wild wooden faces and paper hair started dancing on the side street. Most of them had knives or swords or axes, but on had what looked like a ritual dagger. They danced around, getting uncomfortably close to the crowd with the knives. I saw several people jump back. Horns and drums were plain the whole time, and it was quite eerie. After they finished, the men with the shrine came forward and the ceremony was done.

From what I can make of it, my guess is that it was some sort of purification ceremony. I know that fire and water are two elements, at least for the Japanese, that are used for purification. I think there are a lot of similarities between the Chinese and Japanese religions. I'll see if I can find out what exactly happened.

Also, another plus, I got my Arc this week, which means I can attempt to get a drivers licence and buy a scooter. Finally!!!

Moon Festival and other things

Wednsday, September 26th.
Yesterday we celebrated the Moon Festival. It's a national holiday, and lots of people light of Fireworks. I lit off a couple. :) Moryam and I took a trip with friends from our church to the Ocean side cafe where we had sat enjoyed the afternoon with food and drink. I had a quesadilla, which, remarkably, tasted like a real one. Later we headed down to a rocky area that overlooks the sea. We were able to climb a bluff that overlooked the sea. Ii was pretty sweet. There was also a nice shaded area to sit....unfortunately it was really muddy. Later we went down to another beach and walked around for a little while. Its as a rocky beach, with hardly any sand. Definitely wouldn't want to go swimming there. Its pretty close to Kaohsiung, so the water that close is probably polluted anyways. But it was nice to get out of the city for a little while.
Today I have a make up class, but its Orals. Which are EASY!!! And this Saturday, we don't have class at all. The students need to make up a day at Chinese school for missing one for the moon festival. So they have to go to school on Saturday.

Citris tea

I'm in Donutes again, this time with a citrus tea. I don't want to be kept up by caffeen. Its pretty good.

Well, I've been in Taiwan for nearly 4 weeks now. That seems crazy. What have I done in that time? Well, I've spend nearly a week in Taipei, taken a bus to Kaohsiung, started working at Kojen language school teaching english, started taking Chinese classes, ridden my bike a ton, joined a Taiwanese Church, eaten food--though nearly not enough, and generally tried to figure out what life is about. I am definately in better shape here then when I left the states. It's not much to walk a mile or two to get to a store. But I have a bicycle, so i don't walk really far now. I have been practicing taking the taiwanese scooter driver's licence test online. Of the five times I've taken the written part, I've passed once. But, I'm not in any hurry. I can't take the test until I get my Alien Registration Card, which still won't be for around two weeks. We will have next tuesday off. Its a national holiday here in Taiwan. The Moon Festival I think. Hopefully Moryam and I will be able to go somewhere and do something fun. I'll let you know what happens

Moryam and I were thinking the other day about what a strange and distubing tale the Pied Piper is. We decided it would make a great novel. maybe we'll write it.

Reflective thought:
Sometimes I forget the little joys in life. I was thinking today about all the great times I revenged myself on my brother for the things he did. He would come into my room and throw stuff at me. I would chase him out, and he would run and try to hide in his room. but I could often throw something across the stairway and hit him before he got behind the stairs. David, I hope you read this. HE HE
Small joys like that--seeing justice despenced on persecutors--is a wonderful thing.


Resolution: To seize each day, and make the most of every opportunity I have. To not let lack of discipline or laziness steal from me the true treasures that can only be bought with blood and sweat.


Thats all for now. Later
Love to all,
Jonathan