David does it, Liza (who's blog apparently contains adult material, as Panera Bread sees fit to restrict my access) does it, and Oprah does it. Por eso, I am doing it. The items in this list may not have been new in 2007, but they were new to me this year. Here it goes.
Favorite Album: The Crane Wife by The Decemberists. This was actually NPR Listener's pick for 2006, but I was introduced to it in 2007. It's a wonderful album based on a Japanese folk tale, and the story weaves through the entire work. Every time I hear the chant of "hear all the bombs fade away" at the end of this album, I get a little teary and hopeful for world peace. This album is also an icon of Taiwan for me. When I'm listening, I feel like I'm back in Taiwan on my scooter driving up to the Metropolitan Park to look out over the city.
Favorite Book: Tales of the City Series by Armistead Maupin. I downloaded it from Audible and listened to it while on airplanes, buses, and trains during all of my travels this year. Its definitely not from 2007, more like 30 years earlier. They are fast, easy reads, and highly entertaining. They make me want to move to San Francisco...in the 80's.
Favorite foreign friend: Ariel Yang. She's the best friend anyone could ask for in Taiwan. She'll take you to the doctor, translate any menu, help you with your Chinese, and be your tour guide for the best night markets in Taiwan. As long as you ask her with a knife...
Favorite Home: 2007 saw a few different home bases. Taichung was my favorite for the year. The traffic, the pollution, the betel nuts...I miss it all.
Favorite non-fiction book: A History of God by Karen Armstrong. It gives a historical account of the beginnings of the 3 major monotheistic religions. I was especially enlightened on the beginnings of Islam (peace and care for the poor).
Best entertainment: KTV. There's nothing like filling a plush room with your friends, getting liquored up, and singing songs from the last 2 decades while watching images of women, wild animals, and national treasures flash across the screen with the lyrics.
Best students: Jimmy and Jerry, the twins. Always fun, sometimes crying, never very vocal.
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Over the ridge, I could see the harbor. It would be a really great view without the haze. Old roads wind down the side of the ridge through the farms. I tried to stick to the main path since I was nearly torn apart by a pack of dogs last time I went exploring.
It's a slightly eerie view of the Harbor.
