50th anniversary

Yes, Frankie's school is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and there was an open house this weekend. The school was started by a French nun, a missionary who came to Taiwan 50 years ago.

Frankie was a volunteer and helped with raising money by selling pop corn. The task did not last long as there was just too much fun to be tied down to a job.......great day, great weather, and great fun.

Tsu Chi Foundation 慈濟基金會

Hualien is the birthplace of one of the most significant foundations in the world. Tsu Chi Foundation : http://www.tzuchi.org/ was started single handely by a buddhist nun here in Hualien nearly 50 years ago. It has grown into a huge organization with offices, staff, and volunteers all over the world. It has established its four missions: charity, medicine, education, and culture. Tsu Chi volunteers are always one of the firsts to reach global disaster areas offering assistance, food, water, and aids. The first time I came across them was the very next day after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, in Victoria where volunteers in blue uniforms were on the street corners collecting donations.

The auditorium and education center is absolutely magnificient. It was designed by the master herself who is a nun and has no architectural background. It is simply amazing. This is one of the "must sees" in Hualien.

My cousin's wedding

Actually, it is Rebecca's cousin's wedding.

It is a two day event with the first wedding banquet in Chiayi, the groom's home; and then the second wedding banquet at the bride's home in Pingtung.

We left Hualien Friday noon and arrived at our hotel in Chiayi in the evening, a seven hour road trip.

Hotel is very nice and the price is right. Frankie is happy as long as she has her own bed...

Because the couple is already living together and away in Kaoshiung, it is symbolic to follow the Chinese custom of bringing the bride home, therefore, the groom's party drove two hours to Pingtung to pick up the bridal party and brought them to the groom's family home in Chiayi. Frankie was the "door girl" who opened the door for the bride and received a nice "red envelope". Easy money she said.....

Then it was the wedding banquet........

Followed the next day with another banquet at the bride's hometown hosted by her family......