America, Part One: People 美國,第一部分: 美國人

(I'm back!)

So here I am, back in Taiwan! The trip to California went really well. I was actually pretty busy- for a vacation, it wasn't all that restful- but I got to see almost everyone I wanted to, I ate way too much food, and I even gave a presentation about Taiwan and foreign service for a few of the brothers and sisters! I'm really happy I got to do so much- thank you all so much for your love and encouragement.

So like I said earlier, I want to use this post to introduce a little bit of America to my non-American readers. But... well, America is really big, and there's a lot to talk about. So I'm going to do this in two separate posts: first, the people.

Sometimes people here in Taiwan ask me if I miss California. I suppose that's a natural question- homesickness is so common, after all, that it has its own name- but I've always thought it's a little bit strange to miss a place. California is beautiful, of course, but so is Taiwan. I guess the question really should be, do I miss the people in California? Of course I do. I miss my friends, and my family, and my congregation, and they're mostly the reason I'm so happy I got a chance to go back. So let me introduce you all to some of them!

First off, my parents!

Hi guys!

That's my mom, Dawn, and my stepdad, Robert. (Not Bob. Robert, or Rob.) What can I say? My parents are awesome. They've been a huge help and support while I've been off on the other side of the world, and before that too, while I was pioneering and at Bethel. If it wasn't for their support, I wouldn't be here. I love you guys!

The first morning I was back in California, we went to an awesome little restaurant called the Tower Cafe. I'm not being paid by them or anything, but seriously, if you're in Sacramento you should go there. (That's where this picture is, in front of their fountain in their garden.) I remember I used to think the Tower wasn't all that expensive, and truthfully it isn't for what you get- you can get a really, really nice breakfast that you probably can't make at home for only like US$15. Still, especially because this was my first day back in America, I was suddenly reminded of how expensive everything is there! I mean, that's NT$450, which is half again my daily budget for food in Taiwan! Happily, (and again, thank you), my parents paid for most of my food while I was back home, so all I had to do was enjoy the french toast. (With cream cheese inside. Aww yeah.)

I saw most of the rest of my family, too, and although unfortunately it would take way too long to introduce every single person I saw while I was gone, I want to show you some of them at least.

Mirror selfie!

That's my Uncle Randy and Aunt Cheryl. Uncle Randy is my mother's eldest brother, and also the coordinator of their congregation, Del Paso Heights. They've lived two houses away from us on the same small street since I was like 13, so we're pretty close family. Their son, Shane, served in Ecuador with his wife (and later, kids) for... I forget how long, but quite a few years before moving back to California, so they're used to family serving abroad. And Aunt Cheryl gave me homemade truffles to take back to Taiwan! :-D

Uncle Randy & Aunt Cheryl's house, and people

As you might notice from the picture, their house is quite large and nice, but in America this is not all that uncommon- many people have houses like this, or bigger even! That was one of the things that stood out to me when I got back, how big everything is. American streets are huge for how many people use them- the small road leading to our house probably doesn't get as much traffic as the Lane 40 Taishun St that I live on in Taipei, but is easily five times as wide. Even poor people in America live in stand-alone houses complete with front and back yard, unless they choose to live in apartments, while in Taipei only the very rich have separate houses. (Also, in California at least, all the houses are made of wood and plaster- they'd fall over like a house of cards in the first Taiwan typhoon!) The cars are big, of course the food is big- I knew all of these things, since I'd lived there most of my life, but somehow they stuck out more this time.

I also, happily, got to see my adopted grandfather Joe Lopes!

Can you see the resemblance?

Despite not being related at all, he and his wife Irene have been excellent examples of pioneers for me since I first began pioneering, and despite the challenges of growing older- he's 92 years old!- and the tragedy of losing his wife this last year, Br. Lopes is going strong and really enjoys participating in our new cart witnessing arrangement.

And of course, I was happy to see other parts of my family too- like Dave!

He wanted to come back with me.

While I was back in California, I also had the chance to go out in service with the Chinese congregation a few times, which was nice. Of course, it's quite different from the ministry in Taiwan- we don't have quite the density of Chinese people that Taipei does, so we drive a car from door to door. As a result, one morning I spent three hours in the ministry and was only able to knock on one door... but at that door, we started a return visit, so it was time well spent! Anyway, it gave me a chance to catch up with the fine brothers and sisters I was working with that day.

Oak Park Mandarin, represent!

They're having a new Mandarin Chinese class starting... next week, actually, so hopefully soon they'll have a new batch of 20 or so publishers to help them in their ministry! The field is pretty productive, but the Chinese people are so spread out it is sometimes difficult to properly cover the territory.

The territory is a little different from Taipei...

Also, look who I saw!

Remember him?

It was great to see Harry again, and although we were both too busy to do much together, he did confirm he wants to come back to Taiwan within the next few months. Hopefully we'll see him soon!

The English congregation my parents attend, Del Paso Heights, is also doing very well. Although I haven't officially attended there for three years now, since before I went to Bethel, it's where I grew up and started pioneering, so it's still special to me.

They remodeled since I've been gone!

As I mentioned earlier, while I was back in town I was able to give a presentation about Taiwan and foreign service in that Kingdom Hall. Quite a few people came- over 100, despite the fact it was a Saturday and we normally don't have meetings at that time- and it went over pretty well, all things considered! I gave out my email address to a few of the friends, and we've been keeping in contact. Some of them want to join the Chinese in Sacramento now, others want to come straight to Taiwan or other places- a few of them are Filipino, so they plan to help out the English congregation here after hearing how many Tagalog speakers they encounter.

Quite a nice crowd!

And of course, I can't end this post without bragging a little about the amazing food. Seriously. I like Taiwan, and Taiwanese food is great, but it's just not the same. Sometimes, you just want a burger.

It even comes with Spenser's approval!

Evan's Burger, take notes. This is what you should be aiming for.

And, of course, among the many things I did I participated in traditional American games, like mini golf!

Like a boss, Mikey.

Why doesn't Taiwan have mini golf? I know it needs a lot of space to do it properly, but if they can have a three-storey bowling alley why not a five-story indoor mini golf place? That actually might not be a bad business idea, if I wanted to spend way too much time on it.

But alas, before too long it was time for me to go. I really enjoyed the trip and I loved seeing everyone again, and I'm really happy my slide presentation turned out so well, but it was time to return.

Off we go!

Side note: I took ANA, All Nippon Airlines, this time, and they were pretty good. They're definitely designed for Japanese people- the seats are pretty small, and almost all of the entertainment options are in Japanese- but the food was great and we had no problems at the airport or in flight.

Next update, I'll talk a little about the environment of California, and show off a little of its beauty. It definitely has beauty, it's just different than Taiwan's.

Teaser!

Until next time!