About Me

My photo
Yilan, Taiwan
I just returned back to the States after 11 years in Taiwan with my daughter. Taiwan is an excellent base for us explore Asia, while living in relative (gun free) safety, while benefiting from a cheap and efficient national health care system. The people are amazing too. I have Taiwanese friendships that are 20 years old and I'm always making new ones! My coworker here in CO is from Taiwan.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

What I Eat, What I Cook

Taiwanese  always ask me if I eat out or cook. I mostly cook, but lately w/ my busy schedule (Z's after school dance, swim, music + friends+ my Wed night Latin Dance) we sometimes are rushed for time. Monday we don't come home til 730pm, T and Thurs we don't go go home til 830, sometimes 9. So I eat out maybe 40% of the time.

Tostadas with pintos. (Corn tortillas from Trader Joes when I went to LA).

My kitchen is always stocked with the basics: fresh eggs, milk, bread, yogurt, cheese (mostly sharp Cheddar, grated Parmesan, and mozzarella sticks for Z). When I am flush I will have creme fraiche, brie or feta. I always have a bottle of red; organic Spanish wine is cheap and decent tasting. I also always have honey, brown sugar, molasses (the last dregs of a bottle and haven't been able to find any since), pure maple syrup, organic Stevia from the States (thanks Dad), pure peanut butter, sesame butters, olive oil, flax oil, coconut oil, milk butter, various vinegars (apple cider, balsamic and rice), mirin, seaweeds, and a few emergency jars of tomato puree. I also have Thai red and green curry, Indian masalas and coconut milk.

I love to bake but seeing as its just two of us I end up eating most of it, so I rarely do anymore.


Sticky cinnamon raisin buns, heavy on the cinnamon.

Taiwan  is a garden of Eden with amazing year round fruits. Fruits deserve its own blog. I am a big fan of fruit shakes. My freezer always has frozen blueberries (Z's favorite), mulberries from the neighborhood and there always seems to be bananas and pineapple, so between these and whatever is in season, fruit shakes are fun. I prefer the silky thick body of the avocado with mango and maybe some berries. Z loves papaya alone  (papaya milk is popular with kids here) or with banana and pineapple. We both adore red dragon fruit it has such a special flavor and the ruby red color is gorgeous.

Fruit shake with red dragon fruit.
 When I do cook, its something around beans or pasta. I'm a bean fanatic, I have green lentils, red lentils, chickpeas, white beans, pintos, black beans, refried pintos, and kidney beans. I have a variety of Italien pastas and mostly all of it is whole wheat. I do have Asian noodles, 10 grain noodles, buckwheat (great cold in summer), thin brown rice glass noodles, and sometimes I buy fresh handmade noodles in the morning traditional market, which comes in all sizes and sometimes colors.

I always have some flour tortillas in the freezer and a variety of grains, brown rice, millet, buckwheat (not technically a grain), couscous, barley, and purple rice (ugu fan, mixed grain, which wild rice and black rice). Recently I came across some polenta.

Polenta and Kidney beans with broccoli cheese sauce and roasted root vegs.

With these staples, I buy fresh, seasonal veggies, fish, shrimp, chicken, sometimes pork and Black Angus beef from Carreforre that is grass fed and hormone free.

When I eat out, its  at the local Vietnamese place (beef pho) or baguette something, lunch box with not so healthy white rice and fried veggies, I do like stinky tofu (also not so healthy deep fried), and I go to the buffets that serve the purple rice (ugu fan).  On Saturdays I meet my language exchange partner at McD's so our kids can play in the indoor playground. This means I munch on Z's french fries and I have a coffee.

 The longer I live here the more I am learning to cook with Chinese "medicine" (all food is medicine really), which means using goji berries like raisins. My Friday night language exchange and I always talk food, she is a great cook and I learn a lot about cooking Chinese food from her. She always brings me baked goodies from her ladies church group (often green tea cookies, lemon cheesecakes, fresh breads). Poor me had to be a taste tester two weeks in a row, of  different fresh breads, I am so spoiled sometimes.

Giant Woman's "Boulder" Bike For Sale

 I thought I should sell my bike. It just takes space in my apartment.

 The sad reality is I hardly have or had time to ride the wonderful trails that weave in and around Anping. I had my moments, but Z is getting too big to sit in the back and she really needs to gain her street biking confidence. Also, I could use the cash. January is my big Sumatra trip, and Feb is always a hard month (lower pay from previous 2 weeks off+ taxes back up to 20% again).


If I do hit the trails its on my rollerblades (she has a pair too.) So if you know anyone who wants a high quality woman's mt bike, all terrain fat wheels (great for Anping's rough roads), give me a holler. It would make a fab Christmas present.

The Giant price tag was 10,000NT, my friend came along and they gave me a slight discount. I would sell for 8000NT as its like new, original tires and includes kid seat and lock.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Dream Blessings of Bodhisattva Bishop

The night before last I had this incredible dream, short and simple.

 I was at a gathering (typical dream setting for me) and people were saying "the Bishop is here, the Bishop is here!" and I was like "who?" And my faceless friend  told me, "ya this Bishop was the dude behind Pope John Paul II." And on the wall I saw a black and white photograph of this guy as a younger man with John Paul II. Then suddenly here comes the Bishop, a much older version of the photograph, shorter with the shrunkenness of very old age and he was smiling sagely. He hugged me and when he did, his spirit, mixed with the Holy Spirit lifted me up, I literally was lifted off the ground, I felt such tremendous duminus strength coming from such a fragile old body. Immediately I started to cry as I felt such unspeakable peace. And then he blessed me further, he anointed my forehead and made the sign of the cross on my forehead and recited something short in Latin (I forget it now). I felt such supernatural Peace and Love. I am not even Catholic.

 I honestly believe this Bishop exists, or once lived and that God's Presence, prayer, Divine forgiveness are not constricted to space and time, death, and also not constricted by denomination.

I received that blessing and dream, the Grace in it to undeserving me. Such a gift! Especially lately been dealing with some people who are Grinches, anti-Christian, anti-God, the spirit of anti-Christ, so strong around Christmas time. Some of the common battles during this season are either full on hate of God and believers, depression from unmet family of origin issues, or the charming form of materialistic/excessive gift giving.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Japanese Hydrogenated Water Available

What do you think of when you hear "oxidation"? If you are thinking along the lines of decomposing rot, degeneration, decay, aging, and deterioration than youre right on. So whats the cure? Think back to Chemistry, the first element, the most abundant element in the universe, the one with only one proton and one electron--that's right Hydrogen.

So here it it: if you want to get your hands on IZUMIO hydrogenated mineral water, state of the art from Japan, patened contact me. The only way to purchase is to become a member or have a member sponsor you. "The hydrogen dissolution rate of IZUMIO is the highest level available in today's manufactoring and technologies." I happen to be a member. You pay by month or 6 months whatever you prefer and they will ship it to you (free shipping, 30 packets of the hydrogonated water.) Its great for people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, athletes, those who are fighting premature aging, the vain, or people like me who work with kids and dont get enough sleep.

Buying the water includes 100 caps of the Super Lutein suppliments. Lutein is super big  in Asia, they give this stuff to their kids and elderly parents. Its a super anti-oxident, great for the eyes, plus DHA for the brain, other phytonutrients like Crocetin (carotenoid), Zeaxanthin, Lycopene. They dont sell the water separately. A month supply is 3999 NT, which is $132 US.



If youre interested let me know. There are offices in the US, Singapore, Taiwan and of course Japan. If you need an explanation in Mandarin my friend Edward Lin could happily explain it to you.  He went to the factory in Japan and one of the Japanese founders of the company actually came to Tainan to pay him a  is visit. He is an enthusiastic believer in the products.



I promise you will notice a difference in the water immediately. My friend's daughter had some cold sores in her mouth and he gave her the water in the morning. When she came home from school they were all gone!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Northern Sumatra Itinerary

10,000 IDR = 33.3 TWD

50,000 IDR = 166.6 TWD

70,000 IDR = 233. TWD

13JAN 0715 DEP: TAIPEI (FRI) 1950 ARR: MEDAN / WED 25JAN 2035 DEP: MEDAN (THU) 0605 ARR: TAIPEI
 
Fri Jan 13th : Medan VOA is $US25 p/person, departure tax of Rp 150,000 each in local currency

Blue Angel Guesthouse Pondok Wisata Angel, Jl S.M.Raja No 70, Medan North Sumatra

Indonesia Ph: (061) 732 0702 Fax: (061) 732 6050

Gumagaba Youth Hostel, Jln. S.Raja Simpang Amplas 21. Medan, Go to Bus Terminal Amplas, Medan and walk back toward the street junction. Look for no.21. It is a four story building. Contact: mgint0@uky.edu, +62 (0)8139-6115221

Saturday January 14th am: Bukit Lawang Checking out the orang-utan centre at Bukit Lawang ; it’s better than Clint Eastwood’s Any Which Way But Loose if you want encounters of the ape kind Bukit Lawang to Medan by bus - 3 -3.5 hrs. (20,000 RP p/person)

Sunday January 15th+ Monday Jan 16th : 2 nights ? Tangkahan You can also get to Tangkahan from Bukit Lawang either on the back of a motorbike, a very bumpy 3 hour trip or hire a 4WD to take you. Prices for a 4WD can be up to Rp 600,000-1,000,000 (3,300 NT/US$83) for a one way trip.

Tangkahan is located west of Medan and you can reach it by public bus (5 hours). Spend your day with the elephants, or trek the forests to explore other flora and fauna such as otters and leopards. When you are done, you can choose to return to you bungalow for a meal or choose to be one with nature itself by taking a refreshing shower under the waterfall or soak yourself in the hot spring inside a cave by the river.

Mega Inn, 8 rooms w. bath: Rp. 75-100.000. Discounts for longer stays. Ph: 081 370 211 009, 081 370 454 572. megadepari@yahoo.com www.experiencesumatra.com

Bamboo River, 6 rooms w. bath, Rp. 100.000. Ph. through CTO office: 081 361 423 245.

Jungle Lodge, 9 rooms w private bath: Rp. 85-200.000, Ph: 0813 7633 4787, ssitepu@aol.com www.junglelodge.net

No Name Accommodation, next to CTO office. 2 rooms: Rp. 70-85.000. No restaurant. Ph through CTO: 081 361 423 245

1 hour trek 160,000Rp per person, 2 hour trek 300,000Rp per person, 3 hour trek 420,000Rp (1,400NT) per person. Treks are twice a day (morning / afternoon), however; the elephants are unavailable for treks on Tuesday and Thursday

[From Medan there are only 2 buses a day leaving from Pinang Baris Bus Terminal, leaving at 10am and 1pm and taking around 4.5 - 5 hours (longer if raining). The cost is 15,000Rp (50NT) per person.]

Buses leaveTangkahan at 7.30am and 2.30pm to go back to Medan. [buses to Prapat from Tangkahan w/o backtracking to Medan ? buses to Berastagi w/o backtracking to Medan]

Tuesday January 17th - Wednesday the 18th : BERASTAGI

Berastagi (2/12 hours from Medan 8,000 RP)

Gunung Sinabung to the west and the smoking Gunung Sibayak to the north. These volcanoes are a day hike apiece, making them two of Sumatra’s most accessible volcanoes. Sneaking a peek inside the gaseous volcano craters that ring the hill town of Berastagi.

Wisma sibayak 30,000 RP a night

Losemen sibayak Guesthouse 35,000 a night

Take local bus to Semanget Gurung (2000RP), at the base of volcano, 2 hr hike to the top, hot springs, waterfall.

Thursday January the 19th– Friday January 20th LAKE TOBA

f/ Berastagi catch opelet to Kabanajahe (20 minutes 25000RP), then bus to Pematang Siantar (3 hrs, 12,000RP), then bus to Parapat (1.5 hrs, 10,000RP) [total 5 hrs, 24,000 RP each].

Parapat to Danau Toba (Tuk Tuk):

Horas Chill Out Café+ Homestay

Bagus Bay+ restaurant

[Bus to Medan to Prapat. You can get a bus to Medan - try to see if they can drop you off in the city and not take you all the way out to Pinang Baris the big bus terminal. Buses for Prapat leave from the Amplas bus terminal but if you ask at the accomodation place Blue Angel they should be able to tell you about tourist buses that head down to Prapat Lake Toba from Medan.]

Saturday January 21st Medan to Banda Aceh> Pulau Weh>Iboih

Return from Parapat to Medan

Catch flight to Banda Ache, make ferry to Pulau Weh

Exploring underwater peaks and valleys at the dive sites around Pulau Weh, a tropical island that hasn’t sold out

From Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh (updated Oct 2011)

From the airport of Banda Aceh, it's about a half hour drive to Ulee Lheu, close to the center of Banda Aceh, from where the ferries to Balohan (Pulau Weh's ferry harbour) are leaving.

FAST PASSENGER FERRIES FROM BANDA ACEH TO PULAU WEH

daily "Pulo Rondo" ETD: 09:30 ETA: 10:30

Saturday to Thursday "Express Bahari" ETD: 16:00 ETA: 17:00

Friday "Express Bahari" ETD: 16:30 ETA: 17:30

Slow ferry ticket from Banda to Sabang is about Rp 17.000 and Sabang to Banda is Rp 18.000.

CAR/PASSENGER FERRY "BRR" FROM BANDA ACEH TO PULAU WEH

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday ETD: 14:00 ETA: 15:50

Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday

( 2 x a day) ETD: 11:00 & 16:00 ETA: 12:50 & 17:50



FAST PASSENGER FERRIES FROM PULAU WEH TO BANDA ACEH

daily "Express Bahari" ETD: 08:00 ETA: 9:00

daily "Pulo Rondo" ETD: 16:00 ETA: 17:00



CAR/PASSENGER FERRY "BRR" FROM PULAU WEH TO BANDA ACEH

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday ETD: 08:00 ETA: 9:50

Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday

( 2 x a day) ETD: 08:00 & 13:30 ETA: 9:50 & 15:20


When you arrive in Balohan, the harbour on Pulau Weh, there are many cars and minibusses waiting for passengers. With each ferry arrival a specific minibus (and/or taxi) is appointed to go to the Gapang & Iboih beaches. For taxis count on a minimum of Rp 150.000-200.000 or if shared with others 50.000 per person for a Kijang car to take you directly to LumbaLumba on Gapang Beach. In a minibus it's also Rp 50.000 per person, with negotiation sometimes Rp 40.000 per person. It is still another 35 minutes drive over (newly repaved) scenic roads around bays and over steep hills with prime forest and many monkeys.

New are the 2 becaks (motorbike taxi's) which can take you to Gapang Beach.

PULAU WEH > IBOIH (Teupin Layeu)

1. Yulia's Bungalow & Restaurant

Ph: +6285270706003, +6285260850400. 14 bungalows. With outside bathroom: Rp. 50-60.000. With fan, bathroom: Rp. 175-200.000. Depending on length of stay. No advance booking. Nice layout.

2. Iboih Inn & Restaurant

Ph: +62811841570, +628126991659 (Ms. Saliza). Fb: iboih.inn@gmail.com 16 bungalows. Budget room, fan: Rp. 100.000. With fan, bathroom: Rp. 250.000. With aircon, bathroom: Rp. 350.000, All rooms except budget: incl. breakfast. Pick up at Iboih pier if booked in advance. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Free Wi-Fi. Boat transportation and trips etc.

3. O'Ong Restaurant & Bungalows

Ph: +6281360700150. 10 rooms. No Private bathroom: Rp. 40-50.000. With bathroom: Rp. 130.000-150.000, depending on length of stay.

4. Olala Restaurant & Bungalow (Moved further in to new buildings)

Ph: +6285260607311. eka_olala@hotmail.co.uk 6 bungalows. With fan, outside bathroom: Rp. 80-90.000. Big discounts for long stay. Wi-Fi.

5. Mama Mia Restaurant & Bungalows

1 bungalow. Rp. 50.000 depending on length of stay.

6. Fatimah Bungalows. A couple of new bungalows available.

7. Iboih Hill Bungalow

Ph: +6285260904101. 6 bungalows. With fan and outside bathroom: Rp. 70.000. Ask in the "Rentals and Info" shop.

8. The seven bungalows: after the diving school are all individually owned by locals. Very basic and no private bathroom. If nobody approaches you, ask for Mr. Nasir.

9. Rubiah Tirta Divers: 1 bungalow with bathroom and spring bed. Rp. 100-150.000 depending on length of stay.

10. Home High (former Arina) Ph: 082160180620. Their 4 bungalows are falling apart. Only restaurant now.

11. Ayub's: 2 rooms and 1 bathroom in one bungalow. Rp. 150.000/room. Discounts for long stay. Ask for Mr. Ayub at the parking area or ask in Erick's next door.

12. Erick's Green House +++  Ph: +6282167899876. 5 rooms. Some with attached bathroom and all with kitchenette. Rp. 50-150.000. Discounts for long stay. Wi-Fi.

13. Fina Bungalow, Ph: +6285262111366. Just before the gate. 6 rooms. With fan, bathroom: Rp. 150 -200.000. Aircon, bathroom: Rp. 250-300.000. Price depending on season.

14. Cut Agam Guest House & Coffee Shop: First place when coming down to Iboih. Ph: +6281360811780. 4 rooms, fan, outside bathroom: Rp.150-200.000.

15. Pulau Rubiah, Ph: +6285260637810 (Pak Yahya). 5 rooms in 3 bungalows: Rp. 100.000 per room. 1 big 2-room bungalow with bathroom and kitchen: Rp. 250.000. Restaurant available. Can only be reached by boat. Ask at the parking lot. If Mr. Yahya picks up: Rp. 100.000 return fare.

16. Pele's Ujung Patek Bungalows: At the Petek point 500 meter south of Iboih, turn sharply to the right when in front of Cut Agam Guesthouse. Ph: +6285260958990 (Adun), +6285253702209 (Wani), doktorkalkyl@gmail.com 2 Bungalows. With fan and bathroom: Rp. 250.000. Remote and tranquil.



Wednesday January 25th fly back to Medan
Catch night flight to Singapore> Taipei

BANDA ACHE info:
Bus to Banda Aceh A bus trip from Medan to Aceh takes around 11 hours. Most buses travel overnight and cost 150,000Rp (500NT).

Flights to Banda AcehThe airport at Banda Aceh is called Sultan Iskandarmuda Airport. A taxi will cost 70,000Rp from the airport to the centre of Banda Aceh. Lion Air has direct flights from Banda Aceh to Medan and Jakarta. www.lionair.co.id Sriwijaya Air has direct flights from Banda Aceh to Medan and Jakarta. sriwijayaair-online.com

Budget Hotels

Uncle's Homestay Jalan Mujahidin No. 2B, Lambaro Skep,Banda Aceh

Ph: 0852 6028 4432 Rp70,000/with fan, Rp100,000/with AC, Rp200,000/large with AC.

Joel's Bungalows, Lampuuk Beach Banda Aceh HP: 081 2691 0117

Al Kiram Guesthouse, Green Paradise, Wisma Diana, Yellow House

Links

http://indonesia-guidebook.blogspot.com/2011/02/destination-sumatra-north-sumatra.html

http://www.ketambe.com/ketambe_how-to-reach.html

http://forum.indahnesia.com/topic/4404/0/tangkahan_-_jungle_paradise_in_north_sumatra.php

http://flights.indonesiamatters.com/

http://www.sumatra-indonesia.com/accommodation.htm#Medan

http://sumatra-adventure.com/destination-2/tangkahan/

http://www.carnifest.com/carnivals/Arak-Tabuik-Festival.asp

http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Indonesia/Sumatra/Bukit-Lawang/blog-285945.html

http://www.lumbalumba.com/travel.html

http://www.sumatraecotourism.com/pulauweh/index.html

Friday, December 9, 2011

A Mellow Weekend in Tainan

I had a nice weekend. Sat morning met some old friends at the Mr Potato breakfast shop by my house and met a businessman about a potential investment (no decisions or money exchanged, will explain in another blog.) Morning market shopping w/ Z, my language exchange canceled, skyped home-- a typical Saturday. That evening an acquaintance, my friend's friend and also the parent of one of my former students was having the grand opening of her high end furniture store.  She and her husband are this designer duo and quite successful.

Elven, fairy-like dinnerware.




Saturday night was so cultured, everyone was so sophisticated, well dressed high earners. Grace introduced me to the two Italian gentlemen who were promoting their furniture, leather sofas, filled with down feathers, comfortable and classy.  They were of course impeccably dressed with well tailored suits, tall, very tall, my age, maybe a couple years older The taller and slighter older one was from Pisa, the other and closest to me was from Florence. We talked travel, Berlusconi,  global economics, Taiwan, the food in Korea (they just came from Seoul). I enjoyed their conversation, all that was missing was some Chianti and candle light.







The entertainment was also classy, artsy. Jennifer Johan Wang and her husband Li Zhengfan 李正帆  with their band Indylegonza. He is a very successful, popular sing writer and obviously very in love with his wife, as he played keyboards (among many other instruments some of which I have never seen before) he only had eyes for her. She mostly grow up in SanFran and was very friendly and down to earth, very beautiful face that no mohawk could hide with an exquisite voice. She kindly invited me to her mountain home in Taipei.







Sunday by contrast was lackadaisical. Church in the morning, lunch at a favorite place, a bodyrock workout (Bust it Out), a nap and then headed to the beach around 4. Arrived two minutes later. I brought marshmallows and some wine. The other expat dudes were there with their dogs. A fire was made for the kids to roast marshmallows and for a BBQ. Z was getting grouchy/testy around 7 or so and I had to diplomatically use my wiles to get her to come back home with me. It was mild, no wind, no cold, the fire was perfect. I was in leggings and a sweatshirt/vest, about as beachy unkempt as could be and the polar opposite of last night's high end bash. I appreciate both worlds, 'tho I could easily be a beach bum the rest of my days.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable, mellow weekend in Tainan.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Football manager inspires others with dedication

 This is the latest article on my brother Eddie and his passion for high school football in the face of his disabilities. The article failed to mention the moving across the country, the details of medical mishaps, the epileptic seizures. Those details are for my dad who finished a rough draft about my amazing brother.

Arapahoe Herald /Tuesday, December 6, 2011

SPORTS Football manager inspires others with dedication  by Maggie Hurlbut

Arapahoe Herald Every fall, students and parents crowd the stands for Friday night football. Seventy-eight players line the field along with coaches, managers and trainers. Along with these typical team members is
someone distinctly unique to Arapahoe. Manager Eddie Benavides has been with the team for eleven years. Benavides graduated from Arapahoe High School in 2001 and started managing a year later. “Honestly, I can’t imagine Arapahoefootball without Eddie,” junior Taven Sparks said. “There is something special about football and the camaraderie that you develop as a team. Our coaches often refer to us asa football family. Eddie is a very important member of that family. It just wouldn’t be the same without him.”

In addition to being an avid football fan and a crucial member of the Arapahoe football family, Benavides has prevailed over many physical challenges, disabilities and illnesses through his entire life.“I’ve had so many surgeries counting back from when I was a baby,” Benavidessaid. “We lost count at surgery number 25. That was when I was a baby.”

Benavides’s father has been with Eddie’s since the beginning and has had a frontrow view of all that he has been through “Eddie was born with multiple syndromes; a medical label for ailments,”Benavides’s father, Andy Benavides, said. “The first is Craniosynostosis. This ailment is associated with Eddie’s head. Simply stated,this is a deformity of Eddie’s skull. All of thesutures in Eddie’s head were closed at birth;that’s right, no ‘baby’ soft spots. The onl treatment for this syndrome is surgery.” “Eddie also has Arthrogryposis, a condition used to describe a number of rare conditions associated with joints and abnormally developed muscles. Eddie has locked elbows, clubfeet, and his wrists aredeformed. His wrists would not allow his
fingers to point outward, only downward.”

“We would eventually learn that addressing this syndrome would consist of multiple medical treatments and surgeries. According to his doctors in Phoenix, Eddie was the first human being to have these syndromes simultaneously. They said, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Benavides, after additional testing and evaluation, we are recommending that Eddie be institutionalized. Eddie’s brain activity is close to being nonexistent and there are strong indications that he will be in a state of vegetation for the entirety of his life.’”

Benavides has been living with his conditions since he was a baby. Even more impressive is that he continues to overcomemany challenges in his day-to-day life.“As far as physical challenges I’ve overcome, I’ve overcome life itself,” Benavides said. “From surgeries I’ve dealt with since I was a baby to my disabilities I have to deal with every day. Those two challenges have had a huge effect on my day-to-day life.Due to my disabilities, I have found ways to adjust to everyday life.”

Benavides’s attitude towards all of his conditions is remarkable. “These challenges have helped mebecome a stronger person because of my attitude,” Benavides said. “Most importantly, as a believer and Christian, God has helped me become a stronger person through my challenges with everyday life.” Benavides’s presence at games is somethingcoaches and players value deeply. “He knows the layout of where we want to position different drills and things like that,” head coach Mike Campbell said. “On game day, he’s just our biggest fan and supporter more than anything. He inspires us all.”

“Benavides means so much to the team,” Sparks said. “Although he isn’t out there coaching or playing, his presence at practice and games is invaluable. He is such an inspiration to the players and coaches on the team. If a practice or game isn’t going the way we would like, Eddie helps us put the game of football in perspective.” “Eddie is part of the Arapahoe football family. He is sad when we lose and thrilledwhen we win. Eddie is a true Warrior inspiring others through his positive attitude and passion for the game. More importantly, he has shown us how to overcome struggle and find joy in life.”

Benavides’s amazing journey and perseverance inspires players and coaches alike.“I think that he’s just a good reminder; he puts everything in perspective,” Campbell said. “Times get tough in football. You can get hurt, you can be tired and fatigued and want to quit, and when you see Eddie and everything that he’s been through, you wouldn’t dare quit.”Benavides’s commitment and love for Arapahoe football goes past his dedication and presence on the field. “His involvement with the football program cannot be put to words,” Andy Benavides said. “Simply stated, Eddie loves Arapahoe. His room is yellow and black; his clothes must include yellow and black. If it were possible, his briefs would be yellow and black. He fell and broke his wrist about a month ago. Immediately, Eddie requested a yellow and black cast.”

Benavides’s passion for the program sets the standards for the players’ performance. “Eddie is very competitive and he desires that our football players would be just as competitive,” Andy Benavides said. Benavides uses his journey to inspire the players to give their all and to keep going no matter what happens. At the game against Chatfield on Oct. 29, Benavides gavethe pregame speech.“He showed us pictures of the painful surgery he had to go through,” Sparks said. “His willingness to fight for his life every dayand persevere through such a difficult situation made each and every player realize that we must live each day to the fullest. Eddie reminds all of us to be thankful for our ability to go out and play the game of football.

In his speech, he talked about letting a bad play go. Eddie said you can’t let what happened in the past slow you down. He said you must move on and keep fighting.” After seeing what Benavides has beenthrough and how no matter what he continues to persevere and have a positive attitudemakes the players and coaches grateful forthings normally taken for granted.“He’s a person that is grateful for everyday he gets,” Campbell said. “So if you have some downs, which are going to happen during the course of any season, he just puts a smile on your face right away. And it’s pretty tough to feel sorry for yourself whenyou know what he deals with and what an average day looks like [for him].”

Benavides’s dedication and commitment to the team is inspiring to everyone who meets him and without him the Arapahoe football family would not be complete. “I do it for the love of the sport and the dedication to the school,” Benavides said. “Being able to be part of the school’s football program at the school you graduated from is a blast. Next year being season 12 and being told I have a lifetime contract working at Arapahoe. What else can you ask for?”

“Who knows what’s coming next year?

Arapahoe HS and the whole Arapahoe football program are like another family to me personally. I am nowhere close to calling it quits. I’m planning on continuing working at Arapahoe for a long time,” Benavides said.
Lanius @ wplSports.com
 
 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Winter Comes To Tainan

The cold weather officially came some time last week. After weeks of perfect weather, seriously perfect, mild, not hot or cold, slightly cool in the evening-- I was still wearing short sleeves and shorts on my scooter. Then like someone turned on a switch, the cold came on. I had to close most of my windows, layer up, get out the thick blankets, wash some sweaters. I was kind of disappointed with the cold, typically I am excited about wearing sweaters, scarves, tights, feeling cozy. I wonder if this is some sign of getting older.

Take into consideration that cold is relative here. After several years of humid, sub tropic summers, 20 C  (68 F) is cold. (Today's weather is here.)

That first night of cold weather, I decided to cook something for dinner that would produce heat. Traditional Chinese cooking is basically medicinal. The cook takes factors like the weather, season, constitution of the those eating all into consideration. Like a scientist a Chinese cook knows which foods produce heat or cool the body. I gave Z a choice Ginseng chicken or Four spirits soup 四物湯.

She picked the Ginseng Chicken soup. In Taiwan chicken sold with its bones is more expensive than boneless breasts  because the bones improve the flavor. (Chomping on cartilage brings memories of a kid for some reason). I stewed the chicken with some broth and of course the Ginseng. The Ginseng is sold in muslin with other Chinese medicinal foods--goji berries, Jujube dates, angelica.To bring out the heating properties I add ginger, of course garlic, rice wine and dark sesame (extremely heating). Instead of steamed brown rice I opted for steamed millet. I also threw in some Job's Tears   (Coix Seeds) into the stew.

Ginseng Chicken served over a bed of steamed millet
 Healthy food can be yummy and adventurous. Cooking here is certainly getting me more in touch with the culture, local foods, the weather and my own body's needs at that particular moment.