Typhoon Morakot

We missed the biggest typhoon to hit Taiwan in 50 years. 

Right before we left Australia, Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan (pictures & story here), toppling buildings & flooding whole villages/towns.  Some places in the south got nearly 3000ml of rain from the one typhoon!  (That's nearly 6 years worth of rain for Michael's hometown in Australia!)

A couple of days after arriving back, Michael had the opportunity to go down south with many of the students from the SBS to help with some relief work for a few days. They worked hard cleaning mud out of houses -- some with a meter of mud, some with "just" a foot.  By the end of the day, they could feel some muscles they hadn't felt for awhile, & they all had fun standing in line for their turn at the shower (2 showers per 100+ people :-P). 

The damage was extensive & the clean-up process will continue for a long time!  Pray for the people on the southern part of the island as they deal with all of this and pray for the whole island -- that people would open their hearts to God!

Returned from Down Under

We are back in Taiwan!

We had a great time with family, were able to catch up with friends, & had a nice restful break while in Australia for 6 weeks. :-D

Our kids are going to go through dessert withdrawals, Michael & I might go through tea withdrawals ;-), and though we will definitely miss everyone, it will be good to get back into the swing of things here too.  Thanks to family & friends for a great time Down Under!

Photo highlights here!

Speakin' Aussie

I've heard somewhere that Australia contributes 10,000 unique words to the English language (but I'm not sure the accuracy of that number). 

In our house we use several Aussie words in our everyday communication: Our kids have all worn nappies (diapers); we throw rubbish (garbage) into the rubbish bin (garbage can); we stop at the petrol station to fill the van up with petrol. When we buy groceries, we put the bags in the boot (trunk); Michael loves footy (football); for a special treat for dinner sometimes we'll have bangers & mash (sausages with mashed potatoes), or put something on the barbie (grill/BBQ); and Michael checks the kids' rooms for mozzies (mosquitoes) before going to bed at night.

Then there are a lot of Australian words we don't use: we don't eat sangers for lunch -- we eat sandwiches. Michael says 'man' or 'guys' instead of bloke. We are happy/excited about various things, not rapt. We wear sandals or flip-flops on our feet, not thongs :-P.

Sometimes we both use our own word: I don't let the kids eating too much candy, Michael doesn't let them eat too many lollies. I look, Michael has a squiz.

Even though we use several Aussie words in our household, it struck me during this trip just how different some of our vocabulary really is. See if you can track with the following:

• Where's his dummy? =
• Look under the bonnet =
• This arvo =
• Hundreds & Thousands =
• Want a bikkie? =
• Put it in the back of the ute =
• I'm flat out today =
  
• Stop whinging (win' jing) =
  

I'm pretty familiar with the above words, but there were a few times this trip I found myself needing some English to English translation! :-)

So, here's the English to English translation from above:

• dummy = pacifier
  
• bonnet = hood of the car
  
• arvo = afternoon
  
• Hundreds & Thousands = those tiny colored candy sprinkles
  
• bikkie = cookie / biscuit
  
• ute = small pickup truck
  
• flat out  = very busy  (I always forget this one -- I keep thinking it means "tired" -- but I guess when your super-busy, you're likely tired as well! :-P)
  
• whinging (win' jing) = whining, complaining
  

Well, this post is long enough and I'd better head to bed soon, or it will be time for Brekkie! :-)