body shame...

"You are what you eat" if this were so I'd be a dragron fruity loop and some chilli?!  While I'm sure there's great merit in this saying I do believe we can be so harsh on ourselves and our weight.  I have a few friends who have amazing bodies but don't feel good about their appearance.  They work hard.  They exercise and are aware of what they put in.  Sometimes we need to cut ourselves some slack and realise that our bodies are beautiful regardless of what neglect they may be in.  I mean this I really do.  It can be a cycle of negative thinking.  We ought to praise ourselves for simply being and making the slightest of efforts.  

Forgive yourself if you said you were going to go to the gym and didn't.  Move on.  It doesn't have to stay that way no matter how long that way has been.  You are beautiful regardless of your size.  We all have a natural disposition aka genes that play a big factor.

I have been living in Taiwan for a year seeing the Taiwanese eat countless meals of what is considered fattening food without a dent in their weight.  For some fatty food does not mean a high BMI.  Everyone is different and before you start seeing your body as what you ate (that bag of chips) cut yourself some slack.

You don't deserve to be defined by a french frie.  You are you and that is a beautiful thing.

Ok, rant over!

Love,

Phoenix and Sarah

moving to Taiwan...

So it's officially a year since I've moved here.  Here are some of my highlights and lowlights.

Highlights? 
There really are so many...
A highlight was having my mom come to visit.  After waiting for her about 2 hours after her arrival time I found her.  Sharing my life in Taiwan with her was the most special experience here.  She was really keen to explore.  Me?  just chill.  Regardless we went to Keelung and Ho Ping island.  It was nice to swim at Baisha bay.

Another highlight was having my dear, Kara, come and visit.  Although now I know so much more and am a lot more accustomed to living here and would have more to show her.  It was special travelling on trains, drinking tea (and coffee of coarse!).  

Some low lights?
Having two sets of food poisoning and coming off second in my scooter fall.  But all in all I am so thankful for the people who were around to help and assist.  

Lets focus on the good you know?

Blessings,
Sarah

take it on my chin...

This post is inspired by my beautiful mother.  Mothers always know just what to say, give perspective and always know what is good for you.  Thank you, Mom, for being you.

So, just a few days ago I fell off my scooter.  I was in a rush to get to training (I didn't even make the chance to go to the restroom) between classes, was lost and the road was wet.  I won't go into details as I haven't warned sensitive readers.  But basically I was rushed to emergency and got three stitches on my chin.  In the whole thing I rested mentally (well tried).  I took the afternoon/evening off.  I ended up doing house work- I guess the adrenaline was rushing.  But the next morning I woke up and was ready to see my students again, actually excited!  This is what rest does, it refuels.  

I guess that is something that we all need, rest.  We have the opportunity to do so everyday.  We can take in a breather or mental break along the way too.  'Breathe' has been my word this year and I think that this is something I want to implement into my life more.  Not to fill my life with a million expectations and to do lists but to appreciate what is being done and what is to come.  When negative things come my way I hope to take it on my chin (figuratively speaking).

May I learn to breathe.  May you learn to breathe.

Blessings,
Sarah

hand in our lives...

Today, I took a bus trip to Taipei which really isn't far.  It took us an hour drive there.  So nice not to be driving.  This particular bus had movies to watch.  The bus station was improved so perhaps they decided to upgrade the whole bang shoot.  Regardless I watched (am still watching) an endearing movie.  It's called "The Intern".  Google it.  However in brief a man who should be retired interns for a youngish lady who has made an online success.  The scene is this.  While she is in a constant state of catch up he cleans a dirty desk of hers.  Well I balled my eyes out and while this may seem a bit of an emotional disproportion I understood why.  I was like that lady.  I am like that lady.  We all are or have been like her.  We all have so much we want to do, give, transfer, have meaning, extend ourselves, be respectable and so on.  There are things that nag us that we just don't get to.  It's like our hands are too short.  But then there's God who is always there to clean our mess.  He's that gentleman that sees the smallest needs and aches and pains.  There is is and was in that scene.  It was the father heart of God.  Helping us out.  Seeing our frustrations.

May we know his hand in our lives.

Love,
Sarah

c o n f i d e n c e

I must say one thing I appreciate about the Taiwanese is their confidence and I mean inner confidence.  I would say that they are a pretty humble bunch but they are confident about certain things. Yes, humble does equate to confidence. 

I have this little girl in my class who will come up to get stickers when I have clearly stated Henry, Leon and Kiki and her name does not start with H, L nor K.  She will come sit on lap or assume the role of little teacher when it's evident that she is not that day.  Taiwanese woman are much the same you can mention their hair and they will blush and say 'thank you!'  I really like this.  I like that they can accept compliments and gestures. 

Just last night I had to have a locksmith come and open my apartment for me.  He had a wobble and obviously something wrong with his leg.  He gestured and mumbled something asking me to carry his wooden chair.  I happily took it along with his sling bag with loads of keys in.  He happily agreed.  I really liked that he was accepting of this and willing to let me literally lighten his load.  

This is something that has made a mark on my mind.  The taiwanese are sensitive to the limitations of one's humanness.  There is a grace and a kindness, a willingness to give it and receive it.  It is sometimes a bit frustrating when you are looking forward to being pampered and your beautician is feeling 'uncomfortable' and cancels ten minutes before.  But it allows me to be sensitive to others and myself. 

May we be gracious and confident.  May we be humble and giving.  May we live in peace and contentment with our failings and I mean that in an empowering way.

Blessings,

Sarah

Interdependence...

I intended to write yesterday (as I always do)...  Hope you weren't holding your breath.  But, I got locked out of my apartment.  I won't go into the details and this is not an excuse as to why I haven't written although it also is.  But I noticed a few things in the whole process of being locked out, lacking sleep and wanting control about myself.  I like to be in control and independent.  But lets get real we know that these things do NOT happen when you're living in a foreign speaking country.  This means calling your friends at midnight and letting others help you.  

I decided at one point of trying to figure it all out today that I must just let it go and ask for help.  So I did and I am writing this INSIDE my apartment.  New found love for my apartment.  

I also realized that being dependent on others is important.  We are not intended to be an island. Being interdependent on others is a beautiful beautiful thing.  

May we live and love and be loved.  This includes allowing others to really love you!

Love,

Sarah