Back from Breakfast

OK. So Sue and I had some lovely eggs on toast and then we decided to go out for a spot of shopping. We went to IDÉE to pick up a present for Pierre, then we drove around a bit and went up to the stationary store near our school.
This country has the best stationary stores in the world. Seriously.
I've never been one for browsing around in bookstores looking at papers and pens etc, but I can get lost for hours looking at the stuff they have here. Susan and I needed to buy a few bits and bobs for our students for Christmas, and we just went a little crazy (although still within budget).
I also needed to buy a pencil sharpener for my classroom since my old one broke. I bought this crazy pencil sharpener that looks like a dinosaur. You put the pencil in the mouth and turn the crank at the back. The dinosaurs jaws move up and down as you turn. It's really something. I think my kids will love it, LOL!
Now I am just farting around on the computer for a bit before I head out to dinner. I am meeting Rob and Adel, Sue, and Marc and Lisa for dinner at a new vegetarian restaurant in town )It opened right next door to where Player used to be... it used to be a buffet place where I took my sister Laurie and my father when they came to visit a few years ago).
I am not vegetarian, but Marc is, so it's nice to have somewhere we can all go together. I don't know anything about this restaurant, but the woman who works at the "85 degrees" coffee shop we go to everyday says it's delicious. *SHRUG* She's probably related to the owner, but what the hell, it's worth checking it out at least, LOL!
Vegetarian food in Taiwan is spectacular. For meat-eaters who like their meat, there are options that will make you doubt that your meal is vegetarian. It's unbelievable. The food is flavorful and the options are really diverse. Restaurants back home in Canada could learn a lot from it.
I am a little sad since Marc and Lisa have decided to return to South Africa in about a week or so. They are a couple of people that I really get a kick out of. I quite enjoy their company and it will be sad to see them gone.
One of the things that is a little bit of a drag living overseas, is the fluid nature of the relationships you form. People are constantly coming and going, so it is tough to make really long-lasting fiends. I've known Marc and Lisa for about 5 years now, so this is a big blow. For now, though, I am just going to have a nice meal and enjoy their company while I can.
Since I've got your attention, by the way, might I recommend the latest Avenue Podcast? It is a 30 minute mix of Christmas and Holiday music sure to make you smile. The link is over there in the top right hand corner of the page, but in case it isn't, here is the link to the Avenue Podcast. If you happen to be reading this post sometime later than December 2006, you can always access the older podcasts from the archives, for as long as the Avenue Podcast is still going. There are two Christmas podcasts available as of this writing: December 2005 and December 2006. Personally, I like the 2006 one better.
What is the Avenue Podcast, you wonder?
It is a podcast that I create and share once or twice a month... sometimes more; sometimes less.
This month I went a little crazy and uploaded loads of fun things for you to enjoy. I promise. I'll tell you all about it in my next post, but for right now, it's freezing and my fingers are cold. No more typing for me!!
(Don't let anyone tell you that it's hot all-year-round in tropical countries: it's not! I'm freezing my tits off and the house has no insulation or heating! ARGGH!)