Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We had fun celebrating with four other IMB families here in Taichung. We had a big feast!!!

Keith enjoyed his time talking sports with the guys.

Wade and Hunter enjoyed climbing trees after eating their Thanksgiving meal.

The Curlee girls enjoyed their time as well -- eating, talking, and relaxing.

Busy Weekend (Friday night)

We had a busy but fun weekend. It all started with the Junior Carnival that Morrison Academy put on. This is an annual event where the Juniors in high school put on a carnival filled with games and food. They raise money to help support their Jr-Sr. banquet and their Senior trip. Our kids enjoyed it!!! (See pictures below of Levi and Hunter enjoying putt-putt and boxing)

COSTCO Grand Opening!

Just to let you all know, the long-awaited COSTCO opened on Friday! There have been rumors of it coming to Taichung for several years now, and it has finally happened. About a month ago they had a special day at Morrison where you could go and apply for a membership card. I already had one from when we lived in Taipei.

I had previously decided I would not go on opening weekend. However, my curiosity got the best of me and I ventured out that way right before opening on the first day. My plan was to go inside only if it didn't look too crowded. If it was really bad, I would just go to the new Carrefour close by to buy my weekly groceries. (Carrefour is a European chain store sort of like Super Walmart)

As I drove down the road toward the general area where I knew COSTCO was located, I noticed an unusual amount of cars turning left with policemen directing traffic. I thought, "Surely that isn't it, I must not have gone far enough..." When I realized I had gone too far, I did a U-turn and headed back towards all the cars. Sure enough, the traffic was for the grand opening! It reminded me of the traffic going to an NC State ball game! Then I saw a line of people coming out of the store and wrapping around the block. Needless to say, I turned around again and headed for the Carrefour. I love people, but this was definitely overdoing it!

Later that day, I heard from other people who ventured out there that the people were neck to neck, and check out lines went all the way to the back of the store. One person said he was there for three hours and didn't even get to buy anything.

I did make it out there this Tuesday after my language classes. It was still more crowded than I would've liked, but I was able to get in and out in about one and a half hours, so I was pleased. One thing I noticed was many people with only one or two items in their huge buggies. On the other hand, mine was very full - that's what happens when you buy for 6 people. I got a little tired of people staring at the crazy foreigner and laughing at all my purchases. But it was worth it.

I think COSTCO will be a hit here! I, for one, and very thankful it is here and I can go there to purchase the western things we crave!!

Volleyball in Taipei

Last weekend, Milly finished up her volleyball season with a tournament in Taipei (where we used to live). Milly, Wade, and Hunter all got to go a little early and see their Bethany friends on Friday afternoon. The tournament was all day Saturday at Bethany (their old school). Milly's team finished third and Milly played great. Below is a team picture. Milly is going to take the next sport's season off (softball)but plans to play basketball in the spring.

NC State Apparel in Taiwan

Ever since we have moved to Taiwan (close to two years now) I (Keith) have been looking for NC State shirts, hats, shorts -- not to buy -- just to see if the Wolfpack stuff had made over to this side of the world. Through my search, I have seen plenty of Taiwanese wearing Carolina and Duke stuff. I even spotted an ECU jacket here in Taichung. Finally, last weekend in Taipei I spotted a person wearing an NC State cap. I went straight to him and in my best Chinese asked him if he knew about the school that his cap represented. In perfect English he replied back, "Yes, I go to school there." Small world isn't it? In fact, this is the third person that I have met here in Taiwan that either currently goes to NCSU or has graduated. Go Pack!!!