February 2017 Newsletter Vol. 2 Issue 6
Chairlady's Note
大家好嗎! Hello Everyone!
Some days, I have to pinch myself to realize that I am really here in Asia and not just sitting in a Kentucky backyard reverie as I watch my boys on the swing set. I am one of those people who holds a “green card,” but they don’t call it that in Taiwan-it’s called an ARC (Alien Residence Card). Recent political news has caused me to reflect on living as a foreigner.
We came to Asia at my husband’s company’s request. When he received this invitation, we were excited because moving abroad meant that we would have the opportunity to enhance our lives. Of course, it meant that my husband would have the chance to take on a challenging role in his company. But there were other reasons that made the move attractive. We could experience the beauty and wonder of other countries. We would make friends and connections across cultures. We could save money for the children’s college tuition and for retirement.
In essence, we became foreigners in order to better our lives. Yes, our lives were great back home. We weren’t oppressed or impoverished. We had, a circle of friends, a church community, kids' soccer club, a home, a minivan, two canoes, and a full-sized oven (teehee-just had to add that one in). From another’s point of view, we were already living “The Dream.” However, our passions have always been about travel and experiencing other cultures. First in Japan and now here in Taiwan, we have gone on many adventures and we have made many friends. I did not expect, though, that we would come to appreciate how others see the world differently from us. We have learned new ways of thinking, living, and eating that have challenged our American customs. Some of those lessons have caused us to evaluate ourselves and evolve. Without access to this foreign life, I would never have driven a scooter! (I mean-that is really the cherry on top! When I get back to America, I want to buy one right away!)
All fun aside, our expat assignment has been a true blessing. I give thanks not only to my husband’s company, but to our host countries for allowing us to experience them.
Have you reflected on your foreign experiences lately, too?
With much love,
Rebecca MacNeal
IWAT NEEDS YOU TO SHARE YOURSELF!
1. Spring Fling Helpers
2. Flea Market Helpers
3. March Luncheon Helpers
4. COFFEE MORNING and BOOK CLUB Hostesses Needed!!!
Please email iwatpresident@gmail.com to get involved!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
CLICK LINKS (if available) ON THIS NEWSLETTER TO JOIN IN or JUST EMAIL iwatpresident@gmail.com
February
February 8 11:30 Monthly Luncheon-Potluck! (Hostess Sue R.)
February 15 1pm-3pm Book Club (Brain on Fire-Hostess-Morelia)
February 22 10am-12pm Coffee Morning (Linda)
March
March 1 10am-12pm/7pm-9pm Book Club (Sweetness at the Bottom)
March 8 11am-2pm International Women's Day Luncheon
March 11 Morrison Flea Market
March 15 10am-12pm Coffee Morning
March 22 10am-12pm Bus Tour to Enjoy Spring in Central Taiwan
ACTIVITY DETAILS
Spring Fling Celebration
Saturday, May 6th 6pm-9pm
Details Coming Soon!!
Can be purchased at any IWAT event or by contacting iwatpresident@gmail.com
International Women's Day Luncheon
Wednesday March 8th, 11am-2pm
Where: Hotel One IN Restaurant
28F Restaurant, No. 532 Ying-Tsai Rd, Taichung
台中亞敏大飯店，28F英才路532號
Please join us for our International Women’s Day Luncheon and celebrate yourself and all women around the world! Meet new friends and reconnect with old ones! Learn about how you can get involved!
Meal options:
Option A: Main dish (choose from a selection of 4 dishes, one of which is always vegetarian) + soup/salad/desert buffets--650 NT-Member Discount Price (850 NT regular)
Option B: Buffet only--550 NT Member Discount Price (750 NT regular)
Options C: No meal, just coffee/tea/cookies--250 NT Member Discount Price (350 NT regular)
Morrison Flea Market
March 11th ~8am-3pm
Join us for our flea market fundraiser! Donation Instructions: ① Any clean, gently used items, ② Pre-sort clothes by men, women, boy, girl, S, M, L etc. ③ Suggested price/value Needs: Racks, Bins, Boxes
•Volunteer needs: ①Sorters and organizers (Friday, March 10th, can purchase items during sort) ②Flea Market Mamas to sell items
Fundraising and Charity in January
By the numbers:
Lion Dance--- NT$3800
Coffee Bear--- NT$800
Yoga Donation--- NT$2350
Recent News:
Our last two fundraising events for the season are upon us!
1. Morrison Flea Market
2. Spring Fling
We need you! Volunteer opportunities include helping by working shifts at the flea market, storing AND storing donation items.
Let's imagine how we can create an even bigger impact in Taichung!
Chinese New Year Luncheon
Book Club
February Book Club Selection
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
By Susannah Calahan
In a swift and breathtaking narrative, Cahalan tells the astonishing true story of her descent into madness, her family’s inspiring faith in her, and the lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn’t happen.
March Book Club Selection:
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
by Allen Bradley
It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath. For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”
Christmas Celebration
