The wait staff was dressed in minimalist chic neutrals but each had some kind of feather attached to the short left sleeve of their upper garments. The walls were stark and white and various objets d’art were arranged in subtly lit corners and niches. The food was served on large plates but the servings were tiny, colorful and exquisitely placed and framed in their large white canvas. The lunch attendees were dressed and coiffed for the occasion. The food itself however, although the name hints of French delicacies, was rather well dressed Taiwanese standards! Cassy had an interesting luncheon appointment at “C’est Bon” downtown on Saturday. Each of seven courses had a lengthy spoken explanation accompany it to the table and this was delivered in almost reverential tones: the only trouble being that although the food was beautifully prepared and fresh and of very high quality, there were many seafood elements and a range of aromatic and flavoured teas which Cass is usually not very keen on. The lunch was to farewell Cassy’s good friend at school, Kathy, the school’s middle school librarian. It had been organized by one of the Taiwanese women to the most minute detail, the company was excellent and Cass was able to describe in great detail everything that took place, so I took some vicarious pleasure from the outing.
I’m extremely glad that Cass got out and about this weekend, because I’ve been pretty much a prisoner of the lounge after a couple of days away at the third grade camp in the latter part of the week. We had vague thoughts of going to the pictures today but the times didn’t suit us and we also entertained the thought of a beach trip but the surf was very uninviting, having turned to its summertime standard of blazing heat and tiny waves. So, in the end, the Australian footballers of every code got a fair viewing in the last couple of days!
Camp is a funny experience for me. I’m still pretty much of the opinion that it is not quite developmentally appropriate for these little kiddies, especially the sheltered little mites that we have over here. That said, the new venue for the camps is very impressive and I was also lucky not to have to share accommodations with anyone, another thing I hate. The forest setting by a rather vigorously running river is quite idyllic and peaceful and the camp staff takes charge of many of the activities. This is a far cry from the days when, year after year, we lugged food and games up to Yangminshan then organized that food as well as all the games and activities for the entire grade! This little jaunt is a cakewalk in comparison, but the fact that you end up getting very little sleep leaves me quite flat for a couple of days after: hence, this weekend’s sluggishness.
Anyway, the weekend’s rather languid pace is probably a good thing: the coming week promises to be one held at breakneck speed, starting Monday when I have a meeting with both the middle and upper school principals, have to get my tests marked, work my normal day in terms of classes and grab Cass in the mid morning before her classes start so we can dash home and take Virg’n Mary to the vets to get their teeth cleaned! Mary has been a little off her food and Cass discovered the tell tale signs of tartar buildup and sore red gums. They’ll get a general for that so we’ll pick the groggy little things up that evening. Then Tuesday, then…and…etc. etc.!
I’m extremely glad that Cass got out and about this weekend, because I’ve been pretty much a prisoner of the lounge after a couple of days away at the third grade camp in the latter part of the week. We had vague thoughts of going to the pictures today but the times didn’t suit us and we also entertained the thought of a beach trip but the surf was very uninviting, having turned to its summertime standard of blazing heat and tiny waves. So, in the end, the Australian footballers of every code got a fair viewing in the last couple of days!
Camp is a funny experience for me. I’m still pretty much of the opinion that it is not quite developmentally appropriate for these little kiddies, especially the sheltered little mites that we have over here. That said, the new venue for the camps is very impressive and I was also lucky not to have to share accommodations with anyone, another thing I hate. The forest setting by a rather vigorously running river is quite idyllic and peaceful and the camp staff takes charge of many of the activities. This is a far cry from the days when, year after year, we lugged food and games up to Yangminshan then organized that food as well as all the games and activities for the entire grade! This little jaunt is a cakewalk in comparison, but the fact that you end up getting very little sleep leaves me quite flat for a couple of days after: hence, this weekend’s sluggishness.
Anyway, the weekend’s rather languid pace is probably a good thing: the coming week promises to be one held at breakneck speed, starting Monday when I have a meeting with both the middle and upper school principals, have to get my tests marked, work my normal day in terms of classes and grab Cass in the mid morning before her classes start so we can dash home and take Virg’n Mary to the vets to get their teeth cleaned! Mary has been a little off her food and Cass discovered the tell tale signs of tartar buildup and sore red gums. They’ll get a general for that so we’ll pick the groggy little things up that evening. Then Tuesday, then…and…etc. etc.!
Post script: Now Tuesday afternoon and photos of camp and Cassy's lunch provide a vast contrast! Virg 'n Mary arrived home very groggy, but at this stage, they seem to have forgotten who the other cat is, and are hissing and spitting at each other every time they cross paths...let's hope they get over that!