Taroko International Marathon November 2006

Finally it was time! Over the past two to three months, we were finding time between our busy schedules, to practice for this long waiting marathon. For many of us it was a first and we embraced every second of the journey. It was magical!

Friday evening me and Mary rushed home after class and packed the last few things. We were ready to go on a trip to Hualian! Our fist time and we were very very excited. We hopped on "ou

vlamma" and raced

through the busy county traffic, just to be on time

for our train at Taipei Mainstation. We arrived there with a big bang and grabbed a

bite and lovely Starbucks Quandi(to die for) at the 7eleven express. We hung around for a while seeing that we were a little early and finally went to go to our train. We were shocked to find out that our tickets were booked for 9:30 the morning and not for the evening. Very disappointed, we got

our tickets extended

to the next train. Luckily it we met up with Tinus and us 3 were on the

same train. But

that was not all. The train was delayed and we

had to wait another 20 minutes.

By now, as most of you who know me very well, I was getting a little irritated because I knew that I wasn't gonna get enough sleep before the race. I immediately stuck in my earplugs and tried to go to never never land. After 3 hours, we arrived at Hualian station. It was 1:21 in the morning and we were a bit tired. Immediately we took a taxi and around the first corner, we stopped at out destination. So much for honesty in Taiwan. 100nt later and one pillow less, we stroled into Amigo's hostel. What a nice and cozy place. We instantly drank a cup of hot coffe and went to bed....for two

more hours. We had to get up at 4:30 in the morning again. Luckily the adrenalin

was pumping and everyone was so ready to go, that we forgot about being tired at all. Tinus ordered (thanks to Mernette) energy bars fromSouth

Africa and we quickly ate them whilst running around 5o'clock in the morning, looking for a cab. Off we went to the Hotel where the sisters, Bianca and Lesinda, and some of our other friends were staying. The buses took off from there and we traveled for another 45 minutes. As we got off the buses, it was still dark and it was just amazing to see all these thousands of people streaming in to take part in this marathon. As the sun rose, we could see what was around us and we were is absolute awe! We were at the start of Taroko Gorge and we only saw greatness and beauty around us. Guys, we have a great Father who gives us the oppotunity to live in a place like this. Praise Him and keep him close to you.

Me, Bianca and Lesinda took part in the half marathon (21km). A first for us all. We didn't really know what to expext, but we were up for the challenge. We got off to a steady start and kept the pace for the first 7km. I was so trapped in the moment and totally forgot to get "tired". I kept on pacing myself and the went on on my own. It was so great to meet these great people on the way. All cheering on each other and talking to you as if you were the best of friends. That's the biggest reason people do marathons i think. The comoradery was just something else. I finished my race in 1 hour and 47 minutes. It was an absolute amazing feeling. My legs didn't feel that great though, but I accomplished what I came here for and I was so greatful. Bianca and Lesinda also finished a few minutes later and were also ecstatic. Well, maybe after a while...

Mary, Tinus, Irene and Gene did the 5km fun run. Mary totally outdone herself and rapped up a place in the top 30! Well done Potta! You're a super star. After we got everything we needed, the 5 of us got into a bus and went back to Hualian. We were still soaked in sweat and the rain was also not helping the task of getting dry, but there's nothing that a warm cup of Mcd's cappacino could't fix. From the Hotel we went our seperate ways again and me Tinus and Potta went back to our backpackers.

We spend the rest of the day eating, reading, chillin', checking mail, drinking, sleeping, and meeting new friends. Honi and her boyfriend Mike came that afternoon to join us guys in the hostel. We also met a Japanese guy , Goro Sato, who could't seem to throw a decent pose on any photo. He taught us some Japanese game called "breaking the bamboo" and we had loads of fun trying to play it. We were also joined by Peter and Jay from the UK, and Jay's girlfriend Bianca from South Africa. The evening was filled with excitement and we even got the old campfire tradition going by playing some guitar. A great deal of thanks went out to Honi's innovative whiskey buckets that kept us litterally on the edge of our seats for the entire night. We had loads of fun!

Sunday was just a blessed day! As we woke up, the morning greated us with its warm Sunday personality. The 5 of us (me, Tinie, Potta, Honi and Mike) decided to go and rent a car for the day. We got one had a fantastic road trip to taroko gorge! We drove through the spectacular gorge and couldn't help to stop everywhere to take pictures. How can one island consist of so many diverse pieces of land? We were in amazement and loved every moment of the

tour. We stopped for a traditional chinese meal and then headed back to the hostel again. What a trip. All of us took the afternoon train back to Taipei and were ready for the week to come. What an amazing weekend! Joy joy joy!

Die diere het baljaar!

Happy bday Tinie!

Soos almal voorspel het, wat dit toe weer 'n groot hoogtepunt op almal se kalender gewees. Samantha het haar septer geswaai en die hele diereryk van al die uithoeke van die wereld het saamgedrom om te kom loer wat aangaan. Almal het hulle so goed van hulle taak gewyt en jy moes mooi kyk wie was wie. Party het nog probeer om hulle kool te hou, maar almal se ware kolle en strepe het na voorskyn gekom.

Deidre dorper het haar goed van haar taak gekwyt as gasdame en almal in Citizen cane gelukkig en op hulle plek gehou. Sy het haar pels verkleur na 'n aarbei pienk en heeltyd vir Cleopatra kameelperd aangese om haar lippe te gaan opsit. Sy het blykbaar van die verkeerde maroela boom se blare geeet en toe so bietjie koekoes gegaan. Sy het heel aand aan Vermouth vlakvark se six pack gevat (wat hy met plastiese snykunde verkry het let wel). Sy was later so oorweldig deur al die diere geure en testosteroon in die lug, dat sy sommer haar lang bene onder haarself uitskop. Sy mik toe nog vir 'n stoel om darem nie te onaardig te lyk nie, maar val die toe ook heeltemal mis. Sy se die oomblik het haar laat terugdink aan die val toe sy gebore was.

Paartjie van die jaar, Gertjie gemsbok en Fransie vlermuis, was bang dat hulle huwelik ook sou opeindig soos hul idole s'n, toe klou hulle maar heel aand aan mekaar soos gewoonlik. Hulle het mekaar so dopgehou en aangesien vlermuise net op gevoel gaan, was Fransie heeltyd onder die indruk dat die vibrende toestel wat kort kort onder haar vlerk byt, haar selfoon was. Heelwat later is daar toe besef dat dit nie haar foon was nie, maar dat een van die mal dodo's hom uit Gertjie se nuwe kalahari bakkie gegaps het. Afgesien van die insident, sou Barbie en Ken steeds trots gewees het op die twee. 'n Bossie vir jou Gertjie en 'n mango vir jou vlerrie!

Hulle katelknaap, Andries anakonda, was soos oudergewoonte agterna om ook darem gesig te wys by die hoofdam. Hy het heerlik met sy bos-pel, Mac bulletjie, gekonkel. Mac is nog steeds stoetbul by sy kudde en eet mielies. Hy was soos altyd baie gaaf en het 'n ronte dikmelk met skop vir almal gekoop. Andries het toe intussen verdwyn. Daar word bespiegel (en was wel gewaar) dat hy Cleopatra help herstel het na haar lang val grond toe. Sy het met haar val aan 'n bloubessie verstik en het aangehou dan Andries haar moes help om van die blou ontslae te raak.

Clarissa kat het weereens fabulous in een van haar sportpakkies gelyk en het heel aand ge"pur" as iemand haar sagte pelsie vryf. So raak dinge toe te erg met Malan meerkat. Die ding het mos die maroelas sommer heel by die huis gesluk. Glo die nuwe "in-ding" op die platteland. Hy en Cleopatra was fashionably late en moes net "please and expain" by Deidre. Gelukkig weet almal hoe lank 'n skaap se memory is, so na die eerste tequila het sy skoon vergeet van die twee se laatkommery. Die maroelas het toe vir Malan begin klits en hy vryf toe Clarissa se pelsie heeltemal te veel. Sy down toe die een spring-krokkie na die ander en vat die groot trek wildernis toe. Sy het van kleins af Lassie gekyk en wou die eerste kat wees wat ook 'n hero word. So is haar planne in die wiele gery, want halfpad deur die wildernis, kry sy 'n haarbol in haar keel en moes stop vir rekonstruksie. Toe sy haar oe oopmaak was die ander wildebeeste skoonveld. Sy het maar weer begin pur.

Die twee bytjies van lui-lekker-land was ook daar gewees en het vir Deidre bietjie heuning saamgebring. Dit was moeilik om hulle by die partytjie te kry, want hulle vlieg partykeer te hoog en verdwaal heel gereeld. Hulle albei het pragtig gelyk en het kom vertel van hulle nuwe kerels wat hulle tussen die blomme op Boracay ontmoet het.

Die jongste van die 3 varkies, Didi, het ook vinnig kom inloer. Sy is besig met 'n nuwe huisie aangesien die ander twee varkies te veel discovery channel begin kyk het en na ander lande getrek het.

Laura die hanslam het ook heerlik saam met die trop baljaar. Sy was net in ekstase oor haar eerste trip oor die Serengeti wat voorle. Ou Malan en sy het net stories uitgeruil aangesien hy nou weer meneer jet set 2006 was. Sy is goed voorbereid vir die trip en se sy gaan doen elke dag navorsing. Sy stap gereeld.

Malan en Deidre het die term "pond hopping" tot 'n hele ander vlak gevat. Blykbaar het een of ander dodo iets in die "jagter meesters" gegooi en so hoor die tweekies heel aand net geweerskote in hulle gedagtes. Die eerste simptome van die halusinasies was lekker dans. Deidre met die dorper drag en Malan met die meerkat mambo. Cleopatra beweer dit was Vermouth se maat, Karel kriek, wat die goed in hulle drankies gegooi het. Sy se hy was te kort by die damwal party en is daar weg op 'n fiets. Clarissa beweer Cleopatra se net so, want sy wou meer aan Vermouth se pens vat. Dankie vir al die diere wat daar was. Soos altyd het julle gesorg vir die beste aksie en opwinding!

Lief julle

Alla

Project Runway

Ek en Potta het oor die afgelope paar maande vasgenael voor my komper gesit om elke week die nuwe episode van Project Runway te kyk. Soos elke storie 'n einde het, het hierdie storie toe ook sy einde bereik en wat 'n hoogtepunt was dit nie!





Die 4 finaliste: Jeffrey, Uli, Laura en Michael


Die reeks het hierdie keer afgeskop met 15 ontwerpers van oral oor Amerika. Daar was natuurlik die malles, bitches, queens, stilles en rockers. Dit was nou vir jou rerig 'n diverse groep. Soos met enige reality show, was daar van die begin af gesorg vir groot drama en elke week se challenge was net beter en beter. Hulle het tot met een challenge Parys toe gevlieg met hulle "jet set outfits" en daar was hulle beoordeel. Dit was rerig goeie vermaak. Op die ou einde het dit daarop neergekom dat daar 4, in plaas van 3, hul collections by New York Fashion Week gaan vertoon. Die Bryant Park experience was fantasties en dit sal enige fashion victim se droom wees om daar te kon wees. Die top 4 het hulle verseker die beste van hul taak gekwyt en verdien om daar te wees. Elkeen het hulle eie styl gehad en dit het gesorg vir nog meer opwinding. Dit was lekker om te kyk hoe hulle te werk gegaan het om bo uit te kom. Dit was fun en ons mae was seer van al die lag. Hierdie reeks is definitief een van die bestes en hoop julle almal kry dit te siene. Vir meer info, gaan na project runway website by www.bravotv.com

Twee van die finalste, Jeffrey & Laura tel twis op met die laaste episode. Laura het Jeffrey se integriteit bevraagteken deurdat sy vermoed het dat hy nie al sy outfits alleen gemaak het nie. Groot marakkas.

'n Paar van my en Potta se favourite uitrustings met die New York Fashion show by Hyde Park:

Michael se collections het afgeskop met vele wit items en naderhand het mens gewonder of die hele show gaan wit wees. Al sy outfits het perfek gepas en baie mooi vertoon, maar van hulle was bietjie hoochie. Sy spesialiteit is om kort of lang broeke te ontwerp. Altyd 'n wenner.






Hy is nog 'n baie jong ontwerper en het die popularity contest gewen. Hy is die gewildste onder die 4 van hulle en mens kon dit hoor toe hy uitstap om sy collection voor te stel. Baie cool ou.











Laura se collection was ongelooflik stylvol en mooi. Sy is 'n argitek en verwag haar 6de kind, maar sy neem die woord elegansie na 'n heel ander dimensie. Sy is 'n perfeksionis en baie van haar ontwerpe voel en lyk amper dieselfde. Elke ontwerp het gelyk asof dit duisende rande werd was en ons het haar punte gegee daarvoor.
Die outfit regs was definitief een van die top 3 van die aand. Die model was verseker ook uitstekend. Sy het heel reeks almal se koppe laat draai en sy kon werk met enige outfit.













Oor Jeffrey het almal altyd iets te se gehad. Van vroeg af was baie van die deelnemers nie so mal oor hierdie rocker nie. Ek en Potta was wel mal oor hom. Sy pa het hulle gelos toe hy 10 was. Hy was 'n dwelmverslaafde vir 5 jaar tot die punt waar hy besig was om selfmoord te pleeg en iemand wat hom gelukkig gered het. Hy is toe na 'n rehabilitasie sentrum toe en is nou al vir 5 jaar fully recovered. Hy het 'n nuwe edge en sy idees is interessant en "innovative". Die groen rok was ongelooflik verby! Dis verseker een van ons top 3! Die manier hoe alles saamgesit is met zippers en stuff is amazing!









Uli was ons favorite vir die aand gewees! Toe die eerste model met die eerste uitrusting uitstap, was alles verder ne WOW! Dit was sexy, beaula en elke vrou sou enigeen van die outfits wou koop. Sy het haar Uli trademark met haar prints behou met sommige van haar outfits, maar sy het ook heeltemal ander outfits gemaak en almal verbaas. Dit was 'n ongelooflike hoogtepunt van die aand en die skare het haar gelove! Sy is oorspronklik van Oos Duitsland en het getrek na Miami waar sy tans al vir 'n paar jaar bly. Ons is mal oor Uli omdat sy so down to earth en goeie oog vir fashion het. Al haar outfits kon deel maak van ons top 3. Dis super hot!








Maar soos met enigiets in die lewe, kon daar net een wenner gewees het. Baie geluk aan Jeffrey! Jy't heel reeks gerule an jy is fashion barbie 2006! En Heidi, jy was so elegant soos altyd. We love ya! Until next season. Ciao

Update on recent holiday in SA

As most of you know, I once again found myself walking through immigration on Taipei's airport , two weeks ago as to this day. My feet felt like rubber, looked even worse and my eyes didn't have any water substances left!
But, my heart was warm! It still is. Do you guys have any idea how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful country? I just realized again how powerful and amazing our Creator is! We have so much to be thankful for and we should rejoice everyday!

We have the most beautiful people on earth. Inside and outside. We have sunsets that take our breaths away each day! We have families and friends who will never stop loving us, no matter what. Yes, we also have violence and poverty, but we can see it as an opportunity to help and reach out. We have hope. We also have the "kommin" people who we love to joke about, but can't live without. What more do you want? Ok, a cut on the petrol price would be a nice start.

I attended my cousin's wedding in Oudtshoorn and had so much fun, that I woke up the next day in a total different room as my own! And that's not all. I seemed to have fallen asleep (after I did some sleep walking of my own) under my "kleinniggie's" beautiful red dress she proudly wore to the wedding. (No more Jagermeister of hoe Zanie?)
I also had some lovely family time and we went to Rozelle and Jaco (the newly wed's) farm. After an amazing sunset from a "koppie" on the farm, we spend the night having a feast around the table. The next day we had a spectacular trip back to Oudtshoorn from their farm Vreesgewaagd. We drove over the "Swartberge" (Black mountains if you really wanna know) and saw some amazing sights! God is great you guys!

After a week, I sadly had to leave my family behind and took on one of the shaky SA express Aircrafts. As Africa would have it, my flight was delayed for and hour and a half. Luckily I had some "Saries" to keep me company on the airport (Thanks to Potters mom). Directly after landing in Johies again, Pidi and I took the road to Potch to see what was going on at the famous Aardklop National Arts Festival. It was nice to see al my best friends again and believe me, we had so much fun. Thanks to my best friend in the world, Toera Meeres, for letting us all crash at his place. It felt like a home away from home toera. You are the best.

Me and Tinus (my best friend from Taiwan) were supposed to fly back on the Tuesday after aardklop. But as the week progressed and as we enjoyed the company of everyone in South Africa more and more, we got good news from Taiwan. On an early morning, Mary phoned and told us that the Taiwan government decided to give us a few days off. 1 to be exact. But, that's not all. We have to work it in the next Saturday. Trust lovely Taiwan. So then we wangled our stuff and could stay for almost another week!
I was in absolute awe, because I met someone very special and now I could spend more time with him. I went with Henry to Gerdau and had so much fun, that I considered not returning to Taiwan. But, as reality stroke, I realized that nothing's that easy. I met so many great people in Gerdau and Lichtenburg, and I even went to say hi to Toera Ricardo's parents in Coligny. Was great to see them.

The last few days, I spend in Johannesburg again and me and Henry took the term "eating out" to another dimension. I really went full out this time and enjoyed SA's food as much as I could. (Dit het my wel 4kg gekos) There were some favorites I want all of you to go check out if you have the chance!

• Crawdaddy's seafood chowder!
• and Lukraakitaar's new CD's (Thanks G man! Ek het een gekry in Centurion)
• Anything at the Fishmonger in Potch!
• A daytrip through the exotic Melville.
• A quiet sunset on in open field (which you don't get much here in Taipei city)
• Pit stops and picnics at dams and rivers (a must for all! - champagne recommended!
• Ice you guys. Be creative!

I miss everyone already so much, but I have assurance in my heart that everything is as it should be. I have a wonderful future to look forward to thanks to people I love deeply! Me, Potter, Tinus, Henry, Andrea and Nicola are starting to plan out trips to Thailand in Feb! It's going to be a blast. Especially with people you love. I hope that you'll all be blessed with an opportunity like this one day.

I will keep you all updated on my plans as soon as I am certain of everything. Love you all so much and thanks for bringing so much joy to my life. CHJ - Miss you so much!

Bye

Alwyn

Ok, it started!

Hi to all you fabulous people out there!

Seeing that everyone is so technologically driven these days, I decided to give it a go myself and see what happens. So far, it looks like fun and a perfect way to keep everyone posted on what's hip and happening. So please post your comments and be interactive. It will make the process worthwile and we can all have lots of fun. If you know me by now, you should know that originality is definately and option. Come on! We are all unique and have so much to share with our friends. So, don't be shy. Give me some ideas and I promise I won't let you down.

So! It started. Have fun!

Alwyn - 23 Oct 2006