#cake with the Taiwan flag

[wallpapers4screen]

[southeastasianists]

When Thailand's long-awaited equal marriage law came into effect on Thursday, police officer Pisit "Kew" Sirihirunchai hoped to be among the first in line to marry his long-term partner Chanatip "Jane" Sirihirunchai.

And he was - they were the sixth couple to register their union at one of Bangkok's grandest shopping malls, in an event city officials helped organise to celebrate this legal milestone.

Hundreds of couples across Thailand received marriage certificates on Thursday, breaking into smiles or tearing up over the moment they had dreamed of for so long.

It was a pageant of colours and costumes as district officials hosted parties with photo booths and free cup cakes - one Bangkok district was giving air tickets to the first couple who registered their marriage there.

"The rainbow flag is flying high over Thailand," Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra wrote on Facebook from Davos where she is attending the World Economic Forum.

Activists said they were hoping to cross the 1,448-mark for registrations by the end of Thursday - 1448 is the clause in the Thai Civil Code covering the definition of marriage.

"We have been ready for such a long time," Pisit said. "We have just been waiting for the law to catch up and support us."

The two men have been together for seven years. Eager to formalise their relationship, they had previously been to a Buddhist monk to give them an auspicious new last name they can share – Sirihirunchai. They had also asked local officials to issue a letter of intent, which they both signed, pledging to get married.

But they said having their partnership recognised under Thai law is what they had been waiting for: "This is perfect for us. The law that protects our rights."

Until now, official documents listed Pisit and Chanatip as brothers. That way they could be a family in the eyes of the law. A marriage certificate meansLGBTQ+ couples now have the same rights as any other couple to get engaged and married, to manage their assets, to inherit and to adopt children.

They can also make decisions about medical treatment if their partner becomes ill and incapacitated, or extend financial benefits – such as Pisit's government pension – to their spouse.

"We want to build a future together – build a house, start a small business together, maybe a café," he adds, making a list of all that the law has enabled. "We want to build our future together and to take care of each other."

The law, which passed in both houses of parliament in June last year before being endorsed by the Thai king in September, is a big step for LGBTQ+ rights.

Thailand remains an outlier in Asia in recognising marriage equality - only Nepal and Taiwan have legalised same-sex unions.

It's one reason why Aki Uryu, who is Japanese, moved to Bangkok to be with her partner. She said life is difficult for the LGBTQ+ community back home: "In Thailand, I can hold hands with my partner, walk together. No one says anything. It's just different. It feels right."

After the two women married on Thursday, Aki said: "It is like I have started my new life."

Watching them celebrate, along with so many other couples in a Bangkok mall, was Mr Zhang, a gay Chinese man who did not want to reveal his first name.

"We're excited, we're also very jealous," he said. "Thailand is so close to China, but in another sense it's so far away."

And yet, even in Thailand, with its famed tolerance towards LGBTQ+ people, activists say it took a sustained campaign to win legal recognition.

A long wait

"We've been waiting for this day for 18 years - the day everyone can recognise us openly, when we no longer need to be evasive or hide," 59-year-old Rungtiwa Thangkanopast, who will marry her partner of 18 years in May, told the BBC earlier this week.

She had been in a marriage, arranged by her family, to a gay man, who later died. She had a daughter, through IVF, but after her husband's death began spending time, and later helping run, one of the first lesbian pubs in Bangkok. Then she met Phanlavee, who's now 45 and goes by her first name only.

On Valentine's Day 2013 the two women went to the Bang Rak district office in central Bangkok to ask to be officially married - a popular place for marriage registration because the name in Thai means "Love Town".

This was the time when LGBTQ+ couples began challenging the official view of marriage as an exclusively heterosexual partnership by attempting to get marriage certificates at district offices.

There were around 400 heterosexual couples waiting with them on that day. Rungtiwa and Phanlavee were refused, and the Thai media mocked their effort, using derogatory slang for lesbians.

Still, activists managed to persuade the government to consider changing the marriage laws. A proposed civil partnership bill was put before parliament, offering some official recognition to same-sex couples, but not the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

A military coup in 2014 which deposed the elected government interrupted the movement. It would be another decade before full marriage equality was approved by parliament, in part because of the rise of young, progressive political parties that championed the cause.

Their message resonated with Thais – and attitudes too had changed. By this time, same-sex marriage was legalised in many Western countries and same-sex love had become normalised in Thai culture too.

Such was the shift in favour of the law that it was passed last year by a thumping majority of 400 votes to just 10 against. Even in the notoriously conservative senate only four opposed the law.

And couples like Rungtiwa and Phanleeva now have their chance to have their love for each other recognised, without the risk of public derision.

"With this law comes the legitimacy of our family," Rungtiwa says, "We're no longer viewed as weirdos just because our daughter isn't being raised by heterosexual parents."

The new law takes out gender-specific terms like man, woman, husband and wife from 70 sections of the Thai Civil Code covering marriage, and replaces them with neutral terms like individual and spouse.

However, there are still dozens of laws in the Thai legal code which have not yet been made gender-neutral, and there are still obstacles in the way of same-sex couples using surrogacy to have a family.

Parents are still defined under Thai law as a mother and a father. The law also does not yet allow people to use their preferred gender on official documents; they are still stuck with their birth gender. These are areas where activists say they will still need to keep pushing for change.

And it is especially significant for older couples, who have had to ride out the shifts in attitude.

"I really hope people will put away the old, stereotypical ideas that gay men cannot have true love," said Chakkrit "Ink" Vadhanavira.

He and his partner Prinn, both in their 40s, have been together for 24 years.

"The two of us have proved that we genuinely love each other through thick and thin for more than 20 years," Chakkrit said. "We have been ready to take care of each other since our first day together. We are no different from heterosexual couples."

While Chakkrit's parents quickly accepted their partnership, it took Prinn's parents seven years before they could do so.

The couple also wanted to share the production business they ran together, and other assets, as a couple, so they asked Prinn's parents to adopt Chakkrit officially, giving him the same family name. Prinn says the new law has brought welcome legal clarity to them.

"For example, right now when a same sex couple buy something together – a large item - they cannot share ownership of it," said Prinn. "And one of us passes away, what both of us have earned together cannot be passed on to the other. That's why marriage equality is very significant."

Today, said Prinn, both sets of parents treat them as they would just like any other married children.

And when they had relationship problems like any other couple, their parents helped them.

"My dad even started reading gay magazines to understand me better. It was quite cute to see that."

Additional reporting by Lulu Luo, Paweena Ninbut and Ryn Jirenuwat in Bangkok

[twig-tea]

2023 BL/GL/QL Round-Up Post

I thought for posterity I'd post a reflection on everything I watched that completed in 2023. For me, that means anything that started in 2022 but the last episode was in 2023 is on this list, but anything that will still be airing after 31 December 2023 11:59 my time (EST) is not on this list, even if the bulk of the show did air in 2023.

A few stats:

110 discrete pieces of content (series/films)

clocking in at est. 600 hours of NEW BL/GL content only

from 9 different countries (Cambodia [1], Philippines [3], Hong Kong [1], Japan [18], Korea [19], Myanmar [1], Taiwan [6], Thailand [56], Vietnam [7])

~50% of the content I watched on this list is from Thailand

~85% of my content was on YouTube [40%], GaGaOoLaLa [23%] and iQIYI [21%].

[Note that this year a lot of older GMMTV shows moved off of YouTube and onto Viki so if you're looking at these stats to decide what to pay for, this won't account for that.]

This doesn't include re-watches or catching up on old shows [e.g. I re-watched Love Sick, My Ride the Series, Semantic Error, ITSAY/IPYTM, Our Dating Sim at least 3 times lol, and anything with a s2 I re-watched s1 to prep, among others, watched Fujoshi Ukkari Gei no Kokuru (2019) for the first time] or non-QL [e.g. Heartstopper s2, Our Flag Means Death s2, Taskmaster s. 15 & 16, Uncanny Counter s2, One Piece s1, etc.] but does include films as well as shows, though I don't count special episodes separately (so Wedding Plan counts once, though I watched both the show and the special).

I hope you all appreciate that with this much content, and with my general brand of being unable to make decisions, I really struggled to narrow down a top 10 list. What follows is the best I could do lol

Top 20 Shows I'd Recommend From This Year:

Moonlight Chicken

Our Dating Sim

Bed Friend

The Eighth Sense

La Pluie

Sing My Crush

Tokyo in April Is...

Wedding Plan

Laws of Attraction

I Cannot Reach You

I Feel You Linger in the Air

What Did You Eat Yesterday S2

I Became the Lead in a BL Drama

If It's With You

Love in Translation

Our Dining Table

My Personal Weatherman

My Beautiful Man: Eternal

My School President

Be My Favorite

+10 I liked but I would only recommend with caveats:

Love Class 2

The New Employee [for the Rainbow Rice Cakes]

Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru

Never Let Me Go

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Unintentional Love Story

The Day I Loved You

End of the World with You

A Breeze of Love

Jack O'Frost

Bonus: Not a BL but worth calling out:

One Room Angel

Midnight Museum

Grand Guignol

The Warp Effect

Sadly, of the GLs that aired this year, I wouldn't recommend any of them. The best one was Show Me Love, which was not actually good but had very gorgeous women and a LOT of flirting.

The other huge thing that happened this year was that I stopped lurking! Thanks specifically to @lurkingshan and @bengiyo demanding everyone start talking about La Pluie, because they got me to post my first meta post. And because I started actually talking to people, I started making actual friends, and participated in organizing things like the Be My Favorite clown checkpoint for ep 11. I also disappeared a month because of life, and am still catching up on everything I intended to write this year. But it's been really rewarding finding this corner of tumblr with likeminded people who like good shows, like to think about these shows, and who are interested in talking about them in a way that's insightful and respectful.

It's been a long time since I felt comfortable enough participating actively in a fandom, and I just want to say to everyone I've interacted with this year: Thank you!

Full list under the cut for anyone curious! [Mostly in order it aired but may be slightly off].

Love Bill

Director Who Buys Me Dinner, The

Star Always Follow You, The

Cutie Pie 2 You

Between Us the Series (Hemp Rope)

Reason Why He Fell in Love with Me Special & S2 [international release]

New Employee, The

I Will Hit You/I Will Knock You

Individual Circumstances

609 Bedtime Story

GAPYuri / GAP the series

My School President

HitBiteLove the Series

Never Let Me Go

Moonlight Chicken

History 5: Love in the Future

Oh My God (ToDo) the Series

Warp Effect, The

End of the World, With You

My Blessing the Series

Our Winter (miniseries)

All the Liquors

Once in Memory: Let Me Be Yours

Shoulder to Cry On, A

Jack O'Frost

Our Dating Sim

Midnight Museum

Me, My Husband, and My Husband's Boyfriend

My Colleague at BL Shop might be My Meant-to-Be

Unintentional Love Story

Chains of Heart

Bed Friend the series

Bad Brother the Series

Stormy Honeymoon

Eighth Sense, the

Bad Brother the Series

Future Series

Tin Tam Jai the series

Crush on You

House of Stars the Series

Happy Merry Ending

Boss and a Babe, A

Pastsenger the Series

Love Mate

Love Syndrome the Series

Promise the Series, The

Day I Loved You, The

Our Dining Table (Bokura no Shokutaku)

Our Skyy 2

My Story the Series

Starstruck

Love Tractor

Naked Dining

Luminous Solution, The

Omai Series / Is My Roommate A Foreigner

Stupid Genius

Step By Step

La Pluie the series

Tie the Not

Sing My Crush / Follow the Wind

Tokyo in April Is .../ Shigatsu no Tokyo wa

Senior Love Me?

Be My Favorite

Show Me Love

Dinosaur Love

Low Frequency

Stay Still

Stay By My Side

Jun & Jun

Wedding Plan the Series

Laws of Attraction, the

Love Class s2

Minato's Laundromat S2

Hidden Agenda

Bon Appetit

Why RU the Series [Korean adaptation]

Be Mine Superstar

Star, The Season 2

Love In Translation

My Beautiful Man: Eternal

My Personal Weatherman

Bump Up Business

Naughty Babe Series

Only Friends

Grand Guignol

Dangerous Romance

If It's With You / Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite Mo

Y Journey: Stay Like a Local

I Feel You Linger in the Air

Venus in the Sky

Kiseki: Dear to Me

I Cannot Reach You

You Are Mine

Breeze of Love / Weather Forecast of Love

Mr. Cinderella 2

Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru

One Room Angel

Marry My Dead Body

Lucky My Love the Series

Pure Vanilla: Recipe for Romance

Absolute Zero

Memories, The

My Dear Gangster Oppa

Shadow

What Did You Eat Yesterday? S2

Middleman Love

Beyond the Star

Bake Me Please

You and My Stars

I Became the Lead in a BL Drama

[shizidan]

July 30th -- My Last Day in Taiwan

All good things must come to an end. A quote so overused it's corny. However, I enjoyed my corny last day in Taiwan. It truly was the bow on top to a month long adventure, not just of discovery of another culture, but discovery of myself.

I woke up in the morning around 10 AM, and I had time to buy one last present for a friend. Did I say I was done shopping? I lied. Whoops. Anyways, I dragged myself out of bed still sore from 2 days ago, and I got on the metro to Chia Te Bakery, where I bought some Taiwanese Macrons to take home to a friend with a sweet tooth. It was the first bright sunny day in a while, with the sun beating down on Taipei like it was when we first arrived. Not a rain cloud in sight.

I was back at the hotel by 11:00 for our 11:30 departure to our farewell lunch together. The food was good, and Yeh Laoshi got me a father's day cake for my birthday. I couldn't help but laugh. Farewell gifts were given to Yeh Laoshi and Peter from my classmates, and we bore through one last 一二三 to take a group photo with the flag one last time.

After that, I was left to my own volition, and I decided to end things my way. Taipei 101, which I missed on the first day of the trip, was calling. I took the metro over, and arrived at the massive building. It was so cool to see up close. I went inside to see how much it would cost to go to the observatory. After being told it was 540 元, I was prepared to leave. But, I gave in in the end. I don't know when I'll be in Taiwan again, and I'm glad I did. From the top of Taipei 101, I got to look out across the mountains, remember everything I did, and point out locations I recognized. It was truly a lovely experience to wrap up the adventure.

I could see the Tamsui River and the great Guanyin mountain, whose beautiful views captured my imagination and love for the summer here on the first day. I could see the Grand Hotel and the Palace Museum, the memories and the feelings I had that day coming back. I could see Mt. Qixing, whose climb to the top left me breathless both literally and figuratively. I could see The Grand Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, who now looked like a speck form the sky. I could see Maokong and the Gondolas. I could even see the Taiwanese Costco in Neihu District, and much more. In a way, I'm glad I missed this on the first day; because it became perfect on the last.

Considering I was sore, and needed of some much needed relaxation, I decided to pay a visit to my favorite place in Taiwan: Xinbeitou. One last dip in the hot spring for old times sake. Sadly, Long Nice Hot Spring was closed, so it was just me myself and I in my own hot spring. I'm going to miss this in the US. I was truly relaxed and loved feeling the water on my skin, stretching all my sore muscles and sweating out my stress. 150 元 for 40 minutes of mental and physical well being is well worth the price.

Coming out, I felt so clear of mind. With my wet towel resting on my shoulders, I walked along the lovely Beitou stream for the last time, as the sun was setting. I looked up to see the orange streaks dance off the Japanese styled buildings, the birds and bugs flying in the summer air. I grabbed some Japanese Curry to fill my now empty stomach, a recipe I will have to learn, and I found myself cornily saying "再見新北投" on my way to the MRT station. Why didn't I take a picture of the sunset?

Goodbye Xinbeitou, and goodbye Taiwan. Until we meet again.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.29

Holidays

Alchemy Day

Boganda Day (a.k.a. Barthélemy Boganda Day; Central African Republic)

Borrowed Days begin (Calendar legend held that March stole 3 days from April; England, Ireland, Scotland)

Britney Day (San Francisco)

Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion (a.k.a. Martyrs’ Day; Madagascar)

Day of the Young Combatant (Chile)

Declaw Awareness Day

Food Chain Day

Good Deeds Day

International Day of Solidarity with Haiti

International Day of the Landless

International Mermaid Day

Juenger Day (Germany)

Knights of Columbus Day

Love the Children Day (Texas)

Martyrs’ Day (Madagascar)

Memorial Day (Malagasy Republic)

National Governance Professionals Day

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

National Nevada Day

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day

PayDay It Forward Day

Phagwah (Suriname)

Piano Day [88th Day of the Year]

Smoke and Mirrors Day (a.k.a. Festival of Smoke and Mirrors)

Swedish Colonial Day (Delaware)

23rd Amendment Day (US)

Vesta Asteroid Day

World Marbles Day

Youth Day (Taiwan)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Coca-Cola Day

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

National Pita Day

Nature Celebrations

Alder Day (French Republic)

Burdock Day (Don’t Touch Me; Korean Birth Flowers)

Mule Day (Columbia, Tennessee)

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Barotseland (Declared; 2012) [unrecognized]

Helvetian Republic (Proclaimed; 1798)

Punjab Annexation (by the British; 1849)

New Year’s Days

Hindu New Year (Indonesia)

5th & Last Saturday in March

Brothers’ and Sisters’ Day [Last Saturday]

Earth Hour (turn off your lights for 1 hour @8:30 pm local time) [Last Saturday]

Global Sisterhood Day [Last Saturday]

Sandwich Saturday [Every Saturday]

Six For Saturday [Every Saturday]

Spaghetti Saturday [Every Saturday]

Start That Book [Last Saturday]

Support Women Artists Now Day [Last Saturday]

World Day for the End of Fishing [Last Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 29 (4th Week of March)

Nano Days (thru 4.6) [Last Saturday/Weekend thru 1st April Weekend]

Festivals On or Beginning March 29, 2025

Atlantic City Beer & Music Fest (Atlantic City, New Jersey)

Bradford County Strawberry Festival (Starke, Florida) [thru 3.30]

Carnival of Stavelot (Stavelot, Belgium) [thru 3.31]

Cherry Blossom Festival (Virginia Beach, Virginia) [thru 3.30]

The Chocolate Expo (Edison, New Jersey) [thru 3.30]

Elberta German Sausage Festival (Elberta, Alabama)

Maple Syrup Festival (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) [thru 3.30]

St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival (St. Augustine, Florida) [thru 3.30]

Taste of Rums (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum, Day 3 (Pagan)

Altoona Rooney (Muppetism)

Armogastes, Archinimus, and Saturnus (Christian; Martyrs)

Artemis Soteira (Goddess Artemis Festival; Ancient Greece)

Berthold (Christian; Saint)

Celsus (Positivist; Saint)

Cocktail Hour Every Hour Day (Pastafarian)

Cyril of Heliopolis (Christian; Martyr)

A Day of Redress (Shamanism)

The Delphinaia (Festival to Apollo; Ancient Greece)

Egg Lore Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Erik Satie Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Eustace of Luxeuil (Christian; Saint)

Expulsion of the Demons of Bad Luck (Pagan)

Festival of Ishtar (Babylonia)

Festival of Smoke and Mirrors

Gundleus, a Welsh King (Christian; Saint)

Gwladys (Christian; Saint)

Gwynllyw (Christian; Saint)

Hans Nielsen Hauge (Lutheran)

Imam Mahdi Day (Iran)

Jonas, Barachisus, and companions (Christian; Martyrs)

John Keble (commemoration, Anglicanism)

Ludolf (Christian; Saint)

Mark of Arethusa, in Syria (Christian; Saint)

Masquerade Ritual Day (Bobo People of Africa; Everyday Wicca)

Rupert of Salzburg (Christian; Saint)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 1 (Ding-You)

Day Pillar: Fire Rooster

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Destruction Day (破 Po) [Inauspicious]

Holidays: Youth Day (Taiwan)

Secular Saints Days

Michael Brecker (Music)

Roberto Chabet (Art)

Bud Cort (Entertainment)

Astrid Gilerto (Music)

Judith Guest (Literature)

Raymond Hood (Architecture)

Eric Idle (Entertainment)

Christopher Lambert (Entertainment)

Oscar Mayer (Science)

Adolfo Müller-Ury (Art)

Jo Nesbø (Literature)

Johann Moritz Rugendas (Art)

John Russell (Art)

Amy Sedaris (Entertainment)

Vangelis (Music)

Cy Young (Sports)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [22 of 57]

Premieres

All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (Animated Film; 1996)

Around the World in Ten Minutes (Univ Film Co Cartoon; 1915)

The Birthday Party (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1937)

Black Magic Woman, by Santana (Song; 1968)

Blow by Blow, by Jeff Beck (Album; 1975)

Breakfast in America, by Supertramp (Album; 1979)

Bunnies and Bonnets (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1933)

Career Opportunities (Film; 1991)

A Cat’s Tale (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade Cartoon; 1947)

Death on the Riviera, by John Bude (Novel; 1952)

Death to Smoochy (Film; 2002)

Desperately Seeking Susan (Film; 1985)

Eugene Onegin, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Opera; 1879)

The Fishing Fool (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

Fishing Tackler (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Fistic Mystic (WB LT Cartoon; 1969)

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Film; 2024)

Give and Tyke (Spike & Tyke MGM Cartoon; 1957)

Godzilla x. Kong: The New Empire (Film; 2024)

Goofy Groceries (WB MM Cartoon; 1941)

Hare-Way to the Stars (WB LT Cartoon; 1958)

He Wants What He Wants When He Wants It (The Newlyweds Cartoon; 1913)

Hot Dog (Fleischer Talkartoons Cartoon; 1930)

The King and I (Broadway Musical; 1951)

Little Beau Pepe (WB MM Cartoon; 1952)

Lust for Life, by Irving Stone (Biography; 1934)

Male Bags or Homely Are the Brave (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 358; 1965)

Mother Hub-Hubba-Hubbard (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1947)

My Old Kentucky Home (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1946)

Piano Concerto No. 2 in Bb, by Ludwig van Beethoven (Piano Concerto; 1795)

Please Don't Eat the Daisies, by Jean Kerr (Novel; 1957)

Porky’s Bear Facts (WB LT Cartoon; 1941)

Ready Player One (Film; 2018)

Rogues’ Gallery or Hole That Line-Up (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 357; 1965)

The Rookie (Film; 2003)

Room 237 (Documentary Film; 2013)

Sheep Skinned (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1929)

Some Like It Hot (Film; 1959)

Stage Stunts (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

Stealin’ Ain’t Honest (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (Film; 1939)

Umbrella, by Rihanna (Song; 2007)

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, by Billie Eilish (Album; 2019)

Today’s Name Days

Berthold, Helmut, Ludolf (Austria)

Bertold, Eustazije, Jona (Croatia)

Taťána (Czech Republic)

Jonas (Denmark)

Joakim, Joonas, Kimmo (Estonia)

Joni, Jonne, Jonni, Joona, Joonas, Jouni (Finland)

Gladys, Gwladys (France)

Berthold, Helmut, Ludolf (Germany)

Auguszta (Hungary)

Secondo (Italy)

Agija, Aldonis, Ilma, Ranta (Latvia)

Almantė, Bertoldas, Manvydas (Lithuania)

Jonas, Jonatan (Norway)

Cyryl, Czcirad, Eustachiusz, Eustachy, Ostap, Wiktoryn (Poland)

Denia, Marcu (Romania)

Miroslav (Slovakia)

Eustasio (Spain)

Jens, Jonas (Sweden)

Berthold, Fletcher, Pearl, Pearle, Pearlie, Pearline, Perla (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Bud Day

National Jo Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 88 of 2025; 277 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 6 of Week 13 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 12 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 1 (Ding-You)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 20 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Hazel (Mar 21-31) [Day 9 of 11]

Hebrew: 29 Adar 5785

Islamic: 29 Ramadan 1446

Julian: 16 March 2025

Moon: 0%: New Moon

Positivist: 4 Archimedes (4th Month) [Celsus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 16 of 16] (thru 3.29)

Season: Spring (Day 9 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 29 Green; Eighthday [29 of 30]

Week: 4th Week of March

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aries (Day 9 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 15 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Pisces (Day 9 of 26)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 18 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 18 of 38)

Calendar Changes

桃月 [Táoyuè] (Chinese Lunisolar Calendar) [Month 3 of 12] (Peach Month) [Earthly Branch: Dragon Month] (Sānyuè; Third Month)

[irismfrost]

August 13/14 - Last Day

Today, I unfortunately didn't really do much. I was going to go to one of the places some of the other travelers went but it was a 3 hour train trip to get there and I wasn't going to be ready for that. I also did not sleep well. The nasty train station bento box was not enough food for dinner - figures. So I woke up in the middle of the night with a hungry headache. So I tried to eat what little food I could find and drink some water and lay down until I felt good enough to sleep. And by the time morning came around, it was back so I made my way to hotel breakfast. Again, I'm so glad I bought that. Then I went back to sleep because I was still so tired after getting about 5 hours for the past 2 nights. Then I got lunch at this place that is supposed to be healthy and have good ingredients and the ions in the air are supposed to heal you. The vibe was in between a rock store and a whole foods but with more mid food. But I ate it all. And then went back to doing nothing.

Then I thought that I should at least try to explore. I've barely bought any trinkets here. So I went to try the ferris wheel that I've been staring at outside my hotel window for the last few days. It is located inside a mall, which I thought was strange but after further thought, it made sense. You could see the whole city which was nice and I spotted my hotel (I think). I got dinner at the mall and it was a sit down place. You order from the tablet and so I Google Translated each page and a lot of the time, the translations are a bit off, so I don't put a lot of stock in them; I mostly use it to get a general idea of what it is and make sure there is no meat. And looking back, boiled whitebait and cod roe may not have been the right choice for me, but that's the pasta I ended up deciding on. I felt like I was eating my guppies. This place had pasta with the toppings and you pour your choice of their "famous" broth over the top (comes in a little tea kettle). They also have a tofu bar with what I assume is their "famous" homemade tofu. It was also pretty good and I think the other vegetarian girl on our trip @thenotsosecretdiaryofbiyu would have loved it. I also got these rice cakes for dessert and it was okay. It was literally sweat rice and beans with a mochi-like topping with flavor. I had a feeling it wouldn't be my cup of tea when I ordered it, but I thought it would be good for me to try something that is supposed to be a traditional dessert. I am trying to like the foods here (and Taiwan), and I think that I may have gone too far outside my comfort zone this time, but I am so ready to just make my own food.

The weather here is nicer than what it will be in Florida when I get back. Taiwan was hotter and reminded me more of a hotter and more humid south Florida. Japan reminds me of north Florida/ Georgia. And they have similar latitudes so that makes sense.

The Osaka airport once again is a mess. I am having an issue checking into my flight with a different airline after I get to the states, but I got all 3 of my boarding passes when I checked my luggage. Everything about the airport makes me paranoid but I have made it past the multiple layers of security. After checking my bag, I went through security. They only check your boarding pass at this point, not your passport. My bag got flagged, but I was okay. Then I went through an additional layer of security. This was to check your passport and your picture scan and it was all through a machine. Then you are safe. There were less food places throughout - they were really only at the entrance of the gate. It's interesting to people watch at the airport. I saw this one guy with a haircut that looked like someone found a patch of grass and just plopped it on the top of a shaved head. A lot of the dudes here have what I think is a perm that's brushed out and looks scraggly but textured and I think it's just the "look". It's not a good one.

The South Korean Airport (ICN) had a layer of security even for transfers. I've never had an international layover before, so maybe this is normal. You went through the security checkpoint where they scanned your bags and they also scanned your passport here. They also have no vegetarian food at this airport. I found an egg sandwich - the bread was sweet and I didn't like it. I searched this entire airport for a meal and probably walked a mile with my duffel bag. I passed a Starbucks at one point and may have to go back before my flight and see if they have any food for me. Everything has pork in it. And I can't get vegetarian meals on my flight because I was supposed to do that 24 hours in advance but it wasn't a part of the online check in; I was supposed to call but can't make international calls without charges so I was doomed from the start. So, I'm hoping my protein bar and whatever food I can find in this airport before boarding starts will hold me over until Seattle. Unless they happen to have a vegetarian option on the flight anyways, which happened on the flight to Taiwan, so there's hope. I think the flight attendants will help me though, I'm not too worried.

As I was finishing my scrapbook and packing up my things, I am happy that I'm here but also happy to leave. I've had quite the time on this side of the world and so many unique experiences that will stay with me forever. I'm just so grateful for this opportunity. Our professor (Yeh laoshi) and Chief created a great program for the first time and went through a political nightmare to make this happen and Peter was the best tour guide I could've asked for. My experience wouldn't be possible without them, and my classmates of course. My participation on trip to Taiwan, and by extension Japan, was really due to a stroke of luck, some spontaneity, and having the necessary resources to go through with it. I definitely regret some of my purchases and wish I had spent my money elsewhere LOL, but at the end of the day it's the memories that matter more. Iris signing off ✌🏻

[damonikelly]

July 5th- Chiang Kai-Shek Residence, Grand Hotel, and Raohe Night Market

Yesterday, my classmates and I had a late start to the day. The first thing we did was eat lunch at a restaurant called Skylark. I ordered the meal with the chicken, beef, and a cheese pork cutlet. I also ordered the caramel chiffon cake. I thought the meal and the dessert was very good(8/10) and I would definitely go back! After the meal, we rode the bus to the residence of Taiwan’s former president Chiang Kai-Shek. We took an audio tour of his home, then went outside to enjoy the nearby park. After vising the residence, we rode the bus to the Grand Hotel. I was really excited to get a close-up view of the building because I had seen it in passing many times before and I was very curious as to what it was and what it looked like inside. It was mesmerizingly beautiful, and I wonder why more places aren’t built in the same style! After visiting the hotel, we made our way to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial. When we arrived, there was a really large commotion and people were walking around with balloons of Squid Games characters. As we walked inside we saw that Netflix was having a large event to celebrate Squid Games’ third season that is coming soon. This was evident by the two very large statues of a Korean Boy and Girl, one who is already well known and loved by fans of the acclaimed show, and the other whom I am sure the audience will get to know and love just the same. People were standing in a long snaking line in front of the statues and Justin told me that they were going to be playing games. Our group continued walking past the crowd towards the memorial. Even from the distance, I could tell that this was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen in my entire life, with its high bright white walls and shiny blue rooftop. As we walked up the stairs of the memorial, there was a giant statue sitting inside, sculpted in Chiang Kai-Shek’s likeness. Both it’s size and importance were just like that of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. When we looked up, there was the sun of the Taiwanese flag on the ceiling. After seeing the statue, we toured the museum for a bit. The most exciting part of the memorial was definitely seeing the changing of the guards! Others thought so too as there was a very large crowd who had come to see and record them. After the memorial, we rode the bus to our last activity of the day, the Raohe Night Market. Justin and I had gone before, and we loved it the first time. We were determined to get some more of the extra-long french fries that we have eaten there when we first visited. They were a 10/10 of course! The french fry stand was near the end of the market, so we walked to the end and turned back to view the other side of the market. We picked up some egg with oysters. We weren’t sure if they were going to be good as the girl running the stand didn’t look as confident about her stand as others seemed to be about theirs, but we were wrong! They were amazing. Another 10/10 and I will definitely get them again if we ever go back to Raohe. We picked up some garlic chicken feet, which were honestly way overpriced. They were solid but not mind blowing. I rate those at a 6 or 7/10. We also got a fried chicken cutlet. It was very juicy, and the flavor of the chicken is so good, there is no need for sauce! 10/10! We grabbed some scallion pancake with egg too, another 10/10. We then grabbed some juicy mangos. We were excited about them because they were a really good price, and mangos are in season now. The mangos were as good as we could hope they would be! 10/10. Lastly we grabbed some Korean brown sugar hotteok. They were not as good as the ones from my favorite food truck back home, but solid nonetheless. 6.5/10. That concluded the long day we had yesterday!

Academic Reflection

Our reading yesterday was a really long one. It was an incredibly in-depth description on how Chiang Kai-Shek came to be the so highly controversial character he is today, revered by some, and loathed by others. Peter gave us a real-life example of the divided Taiwanese opinion on the figure by telling us about when Chiang Kai-Shek died. It was such a big deal that he remembers it vividly, even though he was only four years old. He recalls seeing the news and everyone was bawling and crying in the streets. When he asked his Japanese speaking Taiwanese grandmother why she didn’t appear to be as affected, she apparently asked why she should be so sad, afterall, she wasn’t a mainlander! In fact she should be happy!

Surprisingly enough, however, what stood out the most to me in the reading about Chiang Kai-Shek wasn’t Chiang Kai-Shek at all! It was his wife Madam Chiang Kai-Shek. During the audio tour at the couple’s residence yesterday, it was interesting learning about the artistic pursuits of her free time. She often painted and drew, and had a keen eye for art. At the memorial, I enjoyed learning about how integral she was during Chiang Kai-Shek’s rule. She was raised in the U.S. from the age of nine and attended a Woman’s college there at the age of thirteen. She was able to be Chiang Kai-Shek’s English translator when he met with world leaders, and she also took great care to see that her husband was very comfortable at home when he was close to the end of his life. Despite how controversial the former president is, I admire how supportive his wife was in all his endeavors, and I think she is a great role model to myself and young women everywhere. She inspires us to be educated and independent thinkers, make time for our own interests and hobbies, and to have unwavering support for our loved ones and receive it in return

[brookston]

Holidays 6.6

Holidays

Atheist Pride Day [also 3.20]

BAUN Day (UK)

Biomedical Science Day (UK)

Blind Day (Israel)

Bonza Bottler Day

CDF Founder’s Day

Children’s Union Foundation Day (North Korea)

Creative Educators International Day

Dark of the Moon Day (According to C.W. McCall’s song “Convoy”)

D-Day

Detergent Day

Drive-In Movie Day

Empathy Day (UK)

Engineering Day (Argentina)

Engineer’s Day (Taiwan)

Flavor Massacre Day

Helicopter Day

Hyun Choong II Memorial Day (South Korea)

International Graphene Day

International Homebirth Day

International Slayer Day

Journalist Day (Ukraine)

Korean Children’s Union Foundation Day (North Korea)

Memorial Day (South Korea)

National Caves & Karst Day

National Day of Sweden (a.k.a. Nationaldagen)

National Eyewear Day

National Higher Education Day

National Hunger Awareness Day

National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day

National Naloxone Awareness Day

National Neuro-Disabilities Day (UK)

National Roommate Appreciation Day

National Stick Your Hand in a Blender Day

NBA Day

Philatelic Writers Day

Procession of the Golden Chariot (Mons, Belgium)

Public Museum Day

Red Herring Day (Sweden)

Revive Awareness Day (Florida)

Robert Englund Day

Russian Language Day (UN)

Sacral Agenesis / Caudal Regression Syndrome Awareness Day

Satisfaction Day

Secure Your Load Day

Shriners International Awareness Day

Sibelius Festival (Finland)

Teachers’ Day (Bolivia)

Tetris Day

TR-606 Day

Visually Impaired People Day (Germany)

Woodmen of the World Founder's Day

World Day for Hidrandentis Suppurativa

World Green Roof Day

World IPv6 Day

World Pest Day

World Teacher Day (Bolivia)

World Tempe Day

World Tetris Day

World Transplant Day

YMCA Day

YogaSix Day

Yo-Yo Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Herring Day (Sweden)

National Applesauce Cake Day

National Churro Day

National Long Island Iced Tea Day

Roll Cake Day (Japan)

Nature Celebrations

Gardening Exercise Day

Korean Iris Day (Happiness of Believers; Korean Birth Flowers)

National Cow Day (Norway)

National Gardening Exercise Day

Poppy Plant Day (French Republic)

World Caribou Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Abeldane Empire; (a.k.a. Imperial Day; Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Ardesoda (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Berin (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Fort Worth, Texas (Founded; 1849)

Great Welland (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Ligurian Republic (Founded by Napoleon; 1797)

Missouri (Readmitted to the Union; 1865)

Sweden (Election of King Gustav Vasa & end of the Kalmar Union, 1523)

Pacem (f.k.a. Abies; Declared; 2015) [unrecognized]

Providence, Rhode Island (Founded; 1636)

Queensland Day (Australia)

Santos (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

United Snakes of America (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Zamboanga de Norte Day (Philippines)

1st Friday in June

Action Mesothelioma Day (UK) [1st Friday]

Burple Day

Clean Air Day (Canada) [1st Friday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

European Dental Technicians Day [1st Friday]

Fast Food Friday [1st Friday of Each Month]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Freaky Friday [1st Friday of Each Month]

Fredagsmys (Cozy Friday; Sweden) [Every Friday]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Hospitals Against Violence Day [1st Friday]

Hug an Atheist Day [1st Friday]

International Socks4Docs Day [1st Friday]

International SupportHER Day [1st Friday]

Labor Day (Bahamas) [1st Friday]

National Day Against Gun Violence (Canada) [1st Friday]

National Donut Day (a.k.a. National Doughnut Day) [1st Friday]

National Fish & Chip Day (UK) [1st Friday]

National Gun Violence Awareness Day [1st Friday]

National Lemonade Days begin [1st Friday]

National Wear a Jockstrap to Work Day [1st Friday]

Salvation Army Day [1st Friday]

Senior Race Day (Isle of Man) [1st Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning June 6 (1st Full Week of June)

None Known

Festivals On or Beginning June 6, 2025

AsburyFest (Asbury Park, New Jersey) [thru 6.8]

Big Blue River Days (Marysville, Kansas) [thru 6.7]

Cajun Heritage Festival (Larose, Louisiana) [thru 6.8]

Copenhagen Carnival (Copenhagen, Denmark) [thru 6.8]

Epsom Derby Festival (Surrey, England) [thru 6.7] (Begins 1st Saturday)_

Georgia Blueberry Festival (Alma, Georgia) [thru 6.7]

Georgia Peach Festival (Byron & Fort Valley, Georgia) [thru 6.7 & 14]

Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival (Little Chute, Wisconsin) [thru 6.8]

Grove City Strawberry Days (Grove City, Pennsylvania) [thru 6.8]

Guadalajara International Film Festival (Guadalajara, Mexico) [thru 6.14]

Hartford Taste (Hartford, Connecticut) [thru 6.7]

Harvard Milk Days (Harvard, Illinois) [thru 6.7]

Hayden West's Delta Smoke BBQ Contest (Wynne, Arkansas) [thru 6.7]

Huntington Trails Beer and Wine Festival (Huntington, Indiana)

International Horseradish Festival (Collinsville, Illinois) [thru 6.7]

Karneval der Kulturen (Berlin, Germany) [thru 6.9]

McLouth BBQ Blowout (McLouth, Kansas) [thru 6.7]

Moers Festival (Moers, Germany) [thru 6.9]

National Gun Violence Awareness Days [Wear Orange] (thru 6.8)

Norfolk Harborfest (Norfolk, Virginia) [thru 6.8]

Rhubarb Fest (Aledo, Illinois) [thru 6.7]

RibFest Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) [thru 6.8]

Rock am Ring (Nürburg, Germany) [thru 6.8]

Rosedale Strawberry Festival (Rosedale, Indiana) [thru 6.8]

South Dakota BBQ Championships (Huron, South Dakota) [thru 6.7]

Strawberry Festival (Forestville, New York) [thru 6.8]

Taste of Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina) [thru 6.8]

Taste of Syracuse (Syracuse, New York) [thru 6.7]

Wave-Gotik-Treffen (Leipzig, Germany)

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival (Wimborne Minster, United Kingdom) [thru 6.8]

Feast Days

Adopt a New Phobia Day (Pastafarian)

Ancestral Spirits Festival (Nigeria; Everyday Wicca)

Ceratius (a.k.a. Cerase; Christian; Saint)

Claud of Besançon (Christian; Saint)

Claudius (Christian; Saint)

The Bendideia of Bendis (Festival to Moon Goddess of Thrace)

Day of the South Wind (Pagan)

Diancecht (Celtic Book of Days)

Donald B. Tucker (Muppetism)

Eustorgius II of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Festival of Chiu Hsien (Taoist Spirit of Alcohol)

Gudwall (Christian; Saint)

Ini Kopuria (Church of England, Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Melanesia)

Interpretive Dance Day (Pastafarian)

St. Isidore of Seville (Positivist; Saint)

Jarlath (Christian; Saint)

Judgment Day (Petal Hats; Shamanism)

King of the Witches Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Marcellin Champagnat (Christian; Saint)

Norbert of Gennep (a.k.a. of Xanten’; Christian; Saint) [Bohemia]

Pancho Contreas (Muppetism)

Philip the Deacon (Christian; Saint)

Primus and Felician (Christian; Saints)

Santa Anna Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Islamic Lunar Holidays

Eid al-Adha [Muslim Feast of Sacrifice] (a.k.a. ... 

Aïd el Adha (Morocco)

Aïd el Addha (Djibouti)

Aïd el Kébir (Tunisia)

Arefa (Ethiopia)

Bakarid (Nepal)

Bakri Id (India)

Corban Bairam (Sudan)

Djouldé Laihadji (Camaroon)

Eid al Adha (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, UAE, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen)

Eid-Al-Adha (South Sudan)

Eid-e-Qorban (Iran)

Eid ul Adha (Myanmar)

Eidul Azha (Pakistan)

Eid ul-Ad'haa (Maldives)

Eid-ul-Azha (Bangladesh)

Feast of Sacrifice (Indonesia)

Gurban Bayram (Azerbaijan)

Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Brunei)

Hari Raya Haji (Singapore)

Hari Raya Qurban (Malaysia)

Id Al Adaha (Ethiopia)

Ide el Kabir (Comoros)

Id-ul Ajad (Nepal)

Id-Ul-Alha (Sri Lanka)

Id-ul-Zuha (India)

Kurban Bayram (North Cyprus)

Kurban Bayramy (Turkey, Turkmenistan)

Tabaski (Cameroon, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 4 (Xin-Si), Day 13 (Ji-Mao)

Day Pillar: Earth Rabbit

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Open Day (開 Kai) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

V.C. Andrews (Literature)

Bjorn Borg (Sports)

Paul Giamatti (Entertainment)

William Randolph Inge (Literature)

Aram Khachaturian (Music)

Edwin G. Krebs (Science)

Maxime Kumin (Literature)

Josie Lawrence (Entertainment)

Jimmy Lunceford (Music)

Thomas Mann (Literature)

Alexander Pushkin (Literature)

Colin Quinn (Entertainment)

Tom Ryan (Art)

David Scott (Science)

Richard Smalley (Science)

John Tumbull (Art)

Steve Vai (Music)

Diego Velázquez (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 157 [37 of 72]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [25 of 37]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [32 of 57]

Premieres

The Beauty Parlor (Aesop's Film Fable Cartoon; 1923)

The Big Retreat (Aesop's Film Fable Cartoon; 1926)

Bobby Bumps (Paramount Magazine Cartoon; 1920)

Bourne Identity (Film; 2002)

The Burglar Alarm (Aesop's Film Fable Cartoon; 1923)

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, by Chelsea Handler (Humor Book; 2010)

Con Air (Film; 1997)

The Covered Pushcart (Aesop's Film Fable Cartoon; 1923)

The Deadwood Thunderball (Roland & Rattfink Cartoon; 1969)

The Delivery Boy (Mickey Mouse Disney Cartoon; 1931)

Dinky Doodle's Bedtime Story (Walter Lantz Bray Cartoon; 1926)

Doc Yak and the Limited Train (Old Doc Yak Cartoon; 1914)

Drive-In- Movie (Outdoor Movie Theater; 1933)

Edge of Tomorrow (Film; 2014)

The Egg and Ay-Yi-Yi (Tijuana Toads Cartoon; 1971)

Eliza on the Ice (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1944)

The Eyes of Heisenberg, by Frank Herbert (Novel; 1966)

The Fault in Our Stars (Film; 2014)

The Good Bye Kiss (Mack Sennett Cartoon; 1928)

The Good Times, by Russell Baker (Novel; 1989)

Grape Nutty (Columbia Favorites Cartoon; 1957)

Herbie Rides Again (Film; 1974)

Hobby Horse-Laffs (WB LT Cartoon; 1942)

Hold the Lion, Please (WB MM Cartoon; 1942)

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1965)

Invisible Touch, by Genesis (Album; 1986)

I Will Always Love You, by Dolly Parton (Song; 1974)

Kung Fu Panda (Animated Film; 2008)

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.), by Katy Perry (Song; 2011)

The Longest Day, by Cornelius Ryan (History Book; 1959)

Love Me Do, recorded by The Beatles (Song; 1962)

Men at Work, by George F. Will (Sports Book; 1990)

Nellie the Indian Chief's Daughter (New Universal Cartoon; 1938)

November Rain, by Guns N’ Roses (Music Video; 1992)

Only the Lonely, by Roy Orbison (Song; 1960)

On the Trail (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1927)

A Pesky Pup (Powers Cartoon; 1917)

Ping Pong Summer (Film; 2014)

Porky's Baseball Broadcast (WB LT Cartoon; 1940)

Professor Wiseguy's Trip to the Moon (Powers Cartoon; 1916)

Pygmy, by Chuck Palahniuk (Novel; 2009)

The River in Reverse, by Elvis Costello (Album; 2006)

Robin Hoodwinked (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1958)

Roller Coaster (Coney Island Amusement Park Ride; 1884)

The Runt (Aesop's Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

Securities and Exchange Commission (U.S. Securities Regulator; 1934)

Sex and the City (TV Series; 1998)

Sh-h-h-h-h-h (Tex Avery Cartune Cartoon; 1955)

Smokey Smokes (Goldwyn-Bray Comic Cartoon; 1920)

Snap Happy Traps (Phantasies Cartoon; 1946)

Storms of Life, by Randy Travis (Album; 1986)

Symphony in Slang (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1951)

Tax: Quest for Burger (WB Animated Film; 2023)

Teach Your Children, by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Song; 1970)

There Auto Be a Law (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Tighter and Tighter, by Alive 'N Kickin' (Song; 1970)

20/20 (TV News Series; 1978)

2 Fast 2 Furious (Film; 2003) [F&F #2]

TV of Tomorrow (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1953)

Twenty Legs Under the Sea (Fleischer Talkartoon Cartoon; 1931)

Up the Academy (Film; 1980)

Urban Cowboy (Film; 1980)

War and Pieces (WB LT Cartoon; 1964)

YMCA (Social Youth rganization; 1844)

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (Film; 2008)

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, by David Bowie (Album; 1972)

Today’s Name Days

Bertrand, Kevin, Norbert (Austria)

Berta, Klaudije, Neda, Norbert (Croatia)

Norbert (Czech Republic)

Nobertus (Denmark)

Pärle, Piibe (Estonia)

Kustaa, Kustavi, Kyösti (Finland)

Norbert (France)

Alice, Bertrand, Kevin, Norbert (Germany)

Ilarion (Greece)

Cintia, Norbert (Hungary)

Norberto, Paola, Paula (Italy)

Adalberts, Ardis, Arnis, Ingrīda, Vairis (Latvia)

Mėta, Norbertas, Paulina, Tauras (Lithuania)

Gustav, Gyda (Norway)

Benignus, Dominika, Klaudiusz, Laurenty, Norbert, Norberta, Paulina, Symeon, Więcerad (Poland)

Ilarion (România)

Norbert (Slovakia)

Marcelino, Norberto (Spain)

Gösta, Gustav (Sweden)

Judith, Valerie (Ukraine)

Dante, Donte, Delaney, Norbert, Norberta, Norberto (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Cynthia Day

National Josie Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 157 of 2025; 208 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 5 of Week 23 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Ren-Wu), Day 11 ()

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 29 Bashans 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Ironwood (June 4-13) [Day 3 of 10]

Hebrew: 10 Sivan 5785

Islamic: 9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446

Julian: 24 May 2025

Meteorological Summer [Day 6]

Moon: 81%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 17 Saint Paul (6th Month) [St. Isidore of Seville]

Runic Half Month: Odal (Home, Possession) [Day 9 of 15] (thru 6.12)

Season: Spring (Day 78 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 6 Blue; Sixthday [7 of 30]

Week: 1st Full Week of June

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Gemini (Day 17 of 31)

Sidereal Zodiac: Taurus (Day 23 of 32)

Schmidt Zodiac: Cetus (Day 26 of 26)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Aries (Day 24 of 39)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Aries (Day 24 of 37)

[takeoffphilippines]

STARLUX and PEANUTS™: Taking Flight in Dreamy Collaboration, Set to Soar in June 2024

Taipei, March 27, 2024 — STARLUX Airlines, a Taiwan-based luxury airline, is thrilled to announce an enchanting collaboration with PEANUTSTM featuring the beloved comic character, Snoopy. This exciting partnership aims to infuse joy and delight into the inflight experience for passengers. Starting from June 2024 passengers embarking on STARLUX flights will be greeted with specially designed boarding passes and name tags featuring Snoopy and other beloved Peanuts characters. 

Prepare to embark on a whimsical journey adorned with a range of collaborative products and inflight amenities can be find on all STARLUX’s routes (exclude Taipei - Los Angeles route). Passengers in economy and premium economy class will enjoy a delightful range of inflight supplements including Snoopy-themed paper cups, napkins, crackers, earphone cases, playing cards, and even foil papers adorning their meals. Long-haul flights will also feature specially curated amenity kits for economy passengers. 

For passengers in First, Business class, the enchantment continues with an expanded selection of items featuring Snoopy, including coasters, burger wrapping paper, mini food flags, stirring sticks, and duty-free bags, ensuring a truly magical travel experience. 

With Peanuts boasting a wide range of fans, STARLUX Airlines has prepared adorable gifts for young travelers, including inflight toys and stickers featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and his friends. Snoopy will even be iron-stamped on the dessert cakes, adding a sweet touch to the journey. 

To commemorate this remarkable collaboration, a selection of collaborative products will be available for purchase both on the ground and inflight duty-free. From classic aviation merchandise to travel essentials, these offerings mark a significant milestone for both STARLUX and Peanuts fans alike. 

Exciting plans are underway to further enhance the STARLUX X PEANUTSTM collaboration. Stay tuned for updates on their official social media channels. For detailed flight information and to stay informed about this whimsical collaboration, visit the STARLUX Airlines official website at www.starlux-airlines.com . 

About Peanuts  

The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by Wild Brain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students.

—

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[quotesfrommyreading]

On one of my last nights in Taipei, I met with a woman in her early 30s named Billion Lee who helps run Cofacts, an organization that fact-checks disinformation and promotes digital literacy. Relying on a crowdsourced network of more than 2,000 volunteers, Cofacts has done nearly 90,000 fact-checks, mostly on the ubiquitous Taiwanese social-media platform Line. I asked her about Beijing-driven narratives that accompanied the invasion of Ukraine, and they sounded conspicuously similar to those emanating from Moscow. As bombs began falling on Ukraine, the people of Taiwan were bombarded by Chinese-fueled disinformation campaigns: The U.S. was developing biological weapons in Ukraine. Taiwan will be next if they keep buying weapons from America. These overlapped with narratives I’d heard about from other Taiwanese: Afghanistan showed that Americans don’t keep their promises. The Americans won’t send troops to defend white people in Ukraine, so they will never send them to defend you. Lee noted that her generation had developed antibodies to such campaigns, but China was focusing on younger demographics as well—teenagers and preteens—through Chinese apps like TikTok.

After a quick dinner of soba noodles, we walked a short distance to a small alley off a bustling main boulevard and met Johnson Liang, a young man with shoulder-length hair and round glasses that made him look like a Taiwanese John Lennon. Liang took out a large metal key to open the door to a shared workspace. We removed our shoes and walked into a back conference room. Lee passed out moon cakes and Liang connected his laptop to a projector that showed his screen on a bare wall.

The two of them explained that they were developing a tool that could enable fact-checkers to compare shared images and transcripts with similar content online, thus making it easier to do the painstaking work of sorting fact from falsehood. As they went about their work, I scrolled through the latest fact-checks. One involved a lengthy speech that was alleged to have been transcribed from a private recording of French President Emmanuel Macron speaking with diplomats in Paris and blaming the U.S. for all of the trouble in the world. “We must admit that China and Russia have achieved great success over the years under different leadership styles,” Macron supposedly said. (The speech was labeled a falsehood.) Another post, also flagged as false, talked about how the U.S. has been trying to turn “blue” (the KMT) and “green” (the DPP) against each other: “The ultimate goal is to ask Taiwan to die to the last man.”

I sat there reading message after message, all posted in closed chat rooms, meant to bend Taiwanese minds to Beijing’s worldview. The meanings of buzzwords like cognitive warfare and resilience came into sharper focus. Facing the seemingly bottomless resources of a massive totalitarian state, here were two young people working for free on a Wednesday night, quietly insisting on the notion that there is indeed such a thing as objective reality.

  —  Taiwan Wants China to Think Twice About an Invasion

[imperfekti]

Tenipuri Party: Tezuka Kunimitsu profile translation

TN:

In the absence of an official English version, this translation is intended to help those who can’t read the material in the original language. Please support Tenipuri by getting your own copy of this book - it is worth it! There are various ways of purchasing it even for those not living in or visiting Japan.

The pictures I have included in this post do not show full pages.

On the translation: this time I’m aiming for a more direct, “Japanese-sounding” translation to share the mood of the content more as it is. This will probably cause some sentences to appear weird in English.

On Tezuka’s style of speech: his word choices and sentence structures are mostly polite and serious.

I’m still working on Japanese, so there might be mistakes. Please let me know if you spot any translation errors so I can fix them here!

Tezuka Kunimitsu

U-17 German representative player Seishun Gakuen Middle-school player

Beyond the imagined future - the released challenger!!

Message

“For the support every day, I’m grateful. For the sake of becoming a professional, and for the sake of my tennis, I intend to earnestly keep confronting myself. I think you are the same. In the future as well, together. Let’s go without carelessness.”

Extra prize: A voucher for two at a high-class mountaintop hotel “An undeserved honor. I’m focusing on tennis right now, but… If I can make the time, I will gratefully use it. For two, huh…”

Profile

[DATA] Middle-school 3rd year / October 7th (Libra) / Blood type O / 179 cm / 58 → 61 kg / Left-handed

Special techniques: Drop shot, zero shiki drop shot, Muga no kyouchi, Hyakuren jitoku no kiwami, Saiki kanpatsu no kiwami, Tenimuhou no kiwami, Tezuka zone, Tezuka phantom, Zero shiki serve

Playstyle: All-rounder

Family: Grandfather, father, mother

Father’s occupation: company employee (business) (grandfather is a judo instructor for the police)

Hobbies: Mountain climbing, camping, fishing

Favourite saying: The enemy is within yourself

Favourite color: Green or blue

Favourite food: unacha (a dish with eel carefully broiled in soy-based sauce), Räucheraal (TN: smoked eel)

Favourite book: German-Japanese-German dictionary (to carry with him)

Favourite music: Classical (Beethoven)

Preferred type of person: Trying not to think about it at the moment.

Preferred date spot: Zugspitze

Most wanted item: A mountain model kit

Things he’s bad at/with: Being idle, colourful cakes

Elementary school: Seishun Dai Daiichi Elementary School

Committee: Student council president

Strong subjects: World history

Weak subjects: None

Often visited place in school: The library

Uses allowance on: Books

Skill outside tennis: Woodworking, preparing fish for cooking

Routine during tournament: Keeping a diary in German, watching foreign comedy-dramas.

Favourite anniversary: 23rd August

Preferred travel destination: Macchu Picchu ruins and Huayna Picchu

Present for a special person: Writing a letter of gratitude

Scenes

Injuries, seizing the nationals… Tezuka Kunimitsu overcame numerous challenges that waited for him and seized glory. But he is not a man who would be satisfied with that. From now on too, I want to pay attention to the steep path of him who moved over to Germany.

(Quotes on pictures:)

“I will not lose.”

“Saiki kanpatsu no kiwami!?”

“And then Seigaku’s era will begin once again!”

“Now, let’s go without carelessness.”

Indeed, it should perhaps be called a “Tezuka zone”.

“Hyakuren jitoku no kiwami!?”

This boy’s tennis is certainly Ten’imuhou no kiwami!?

“No matter who I will end up fighting… I will win!”

The German representatives’ strained atmosphere connects to rapid development (*1)

Tezuka-senshu (*2) becoming a German representative was a shock. Did you not have worries about this decision?

If I said no, it would be a lie. However, as to what is important for me as someone aiming to become a professional, I judged it to be fighting as a German representative and based my decision on that.

Specifically, the currently important thing for Tezuka-senshu is…?

Most of all, it is actual experience of fighting at a higher level. At the German training centre, I have the fortunate chance to rally with top pros like Volk-senshu. Even in practice, they are always making hypotheses as to which shot they should hit, what kind of a play they should make in any kind of match circumstances when they are standing on the court. Having put myself in such a strained atmosphere, I can truly feel my level of experience rising rapidly.

Any bewilderment at facing your former comrades…?

Whoever will become my opponent will not be a problem. But, at first, I thought I was feeling sorry. However, at the time of fighting Japan in the exhibition match, I came to realise my heart was throbbing about competing against them. But just fighting as sworn friends, it is not to elevate ourselves. Rather, by putting a net in-between and confronting each other, the light can come from a new angle and hasten growth - that is what I believe right now.

Then, what is Tezuka-senshu’s current objective or dream?

Upon seizing the world, to hold up the flag of Germany that showed in me, a foreigner. If the opponent for that match were to be Japan, there would not be higher joy.

In a well-ordered and non-negligent environment, pleasant days go on

Have you already grown accustomed to life in Germany?

Yes. Everything proceeds very systematically, so in that sense, it sometimes feels like it is actually even more pleasant than in Japan.

What things for example are like that?

Everyone is already gathered around 15 minutes before the set meeting time. The notion of ecology is growing, so most customers carry eco bags for their shopping, and the separation of waste is enforced thoroughly. Everything is done logically, and it’s an environment without negligence.

I see. It suits the serious Tezuka-senshu perfectly. Then, how do you spend your days off?

Touring antiquarian bookshops is currently my biggest enjoyment. From Goethe to Ende, I have been able to acquire several original texts that I couldn’t in Japan. Also, when time and money allow, I try to go to classical concerts.

What about the German language?

The German language too is a very systematic and logical language. There are very few exceptions, as long as one memorises the basic grammar and idioms, it is quite effective to use. Of course I still lack study, and there are many points where I lack experience, but words are not the only means of communication. Rather, sometimes it is facial expressions that speak more eloquently.

Facial expressions…?

Yes. Facial expressions.

Message for Tezuka Kunimitsu

As expected… should I say. Congratulations. (Inui)

YEEES! CONGRATULATIONS!! (Kawamura)

You should still be able to grow one rank higher. Put effort into your training. (Volk)

I will definitely not forget the thing that you taught me. Let’s meet on the court. (Fuji)

I’m glad you seem to be doing well in Germany too. Eat your meals properly! (Ooishi)

Tezuka-buchou-senpai, congratulations. We are protecting Seigaku. (Kaidou)

I’ll win one day, both in popularity and tennis! (Momoshiro)

You’re not planning on ending it at this? I’m waiting for the next opportunity to fight you. (Atobe)

Congratulatioons. But I’ll overcome you soon. (Echizen)

Are you doing well Tezuka? Send something tasty from Germany! (Kikumaru)

This guy is in 4th place!? Gimme a break! You can go higher than that! (Siegfried)

Party talk

Q: Who would you like to inform about this time’s rank and feelings? A: My family. My grandfather too is always supporting me.

Q: You are being served a lot of food. A: Ooishi. I’m grateful, but it’s already enough. I’m eating sufficiently… I tasted Japanese unacha for the first time in a while.

Q: You can also take part in an improvisation skit competition. A: … No, thank you. I was able to enjoy it quite a lot just by watching.

Q: You got excited with Bismarck-san, though... A: … I was merely unilaterally lectured about how to flirt with women.

Q: Who did you come to the venue with today? A: With the German representative senpai. In addition to training, we measured the time and ran to the venue.

Q: Oh? Is there something the matter with Echizen-kun? A: No. I just thought he seems to have gained experience and grown somewhat.

History

Age 0 October 7 Birth

Age 5 Makes a mistake in dance moves in a kindergarten’s play

Age 10 June Climbs Switzerland's Matterhorn with his father

Age 11 Summer Meets Yukimura and Sanada after the Jr. Tournament, has a match Goes fishing with grandfather, catches a sea bream

Age 12 March Graduates from Seishun Dai Daiichi Elementary School

April Enters Seishun Gakuen Middle School Is hit on the elbow with a racket by a senpai in the tennis club Is told to become "Seigaku's pillar of support" by Yamato

Age 13 November Displays a sketch of mountain grass in the culture festival

January Goes to the first shrine visit of New Year with the club’s 1st year members, makes a vow of conquering the nationals

April Becomes a 2nd year Becomes the vice captain of the tennis club

June Participates in a bread eating race in an athletic festivals, places second

September Gets lots of recommendation letters and becomes the student council president

Age 14 Declines the Jr. Senbatsu invitation Around autumn Has an uncomfortable feeling in his arm

October On the field trip (Taiwan), buys tea utensils for souvenirs

November At the Allied music festival (*3) , participates in the class chorus as a musical conductor

February For the first time in his life, forgets something

April Becomes a 3rd year Becomes the captain of the tennis club

May Wins Tokyo preliminaries championship Is mistaken for a teacher at Kawamura Sushi Has a match with Ryoma on courts underneath the railway

June Wins prefecturals championship Declines offer from the special overseas JFH program Goes to the drawings for the Kantou tournament

July Is invited to Hyoutei’s opera appreciation party as the student council president but declines Start of Kantou tournament In the first round against Hyoutei, loses to Atobe in S1 Goes to Kyuushuu for rehabilitation

July 27 Wins Kantou tournament championship

August 14 Drawing for the nationals, returns from Kyuushuu

August 17 Start of nationals Faces Higa in the 2nd round, wins against Kite in S1

August 19 Quarterfinals against Hyoutei, wins against Kabaji in S2 Semifinals against Shitenhouji, wins against the Chitose-Zaizen pair in D2 Yakiniku battle, is one of the last members remaining

August 23 Finals against Rikkai, loses to Sanada in S3   Wins nationals championship Goes to the victory celebration at Kawamura Sushi

Age 15 (*4) September Is invited to Rikkai’s ocean festival, makes guest participation in a play

October 12 Climbs Kitadake with father

November Participates in U-17 camp Wins against Kaidou in the “friendly fire” matches Learns about a fishing mobile game from Marui and Kirihara In the court shuffle between 3rd and 5th court, wins against Yamato Abandons the match against Fuji midway, departs for Germany Aiming to become professional, participates in the German representative team

December Participates in the U-17 Pre-World Cup drawings U-17 Pre-World Cup starts In Vs Japan, wins against Irie-Atobe pair in the second match U-17 World Cup starts Is drawn into a fight about food by Siegfried, eats Japanese food together Wins against South Africa and Canada

Plan

(Pictured: two documents of mountain climbing plans, including itinerary, packing list and map.)

“This is from when me and father climbed during consecutive holidays. When climbing mountains, let’s make plans properly and climb without carelessness.”

Fashion

It seems he didn’t bring much clothing with him from Japan. I will give you something next time. (Volk)

With Kunimitsu’s hair style, clothes from any country would suit him. (QP)

Wearing clothes you received just like that. That’s like you. (Fuji)

Whether the person in question is aware of it or not, wearing a waistcloth is quite stylish. (Kite)

“I am not a person who is particular about clothes, but only when it comes to shoes, I make it so that I can play tennis in them.”

Room

Bedroom of the room I’m staying in in Germany There’s only bare minimums like the bed and desk that were part of the furnishings. But I’m thankful that letters and daily necessities have been delivered from Japan. Overall, I like the things made from wood and seeing the townscape from the window.

TN:

*1 張り詰めた, haritsumeta. Strained, stretched, tense. Not strained in the sense of anxious or having problems. It seems more like everyone is ambitious and focused.

*2 選手, senshu: player, athlete. I chose to leave this as it is since the interviewer uses it all the time as an honorific, and couldn’t figure out a natural expression in English.

*3 連合音楽会, rengou ongaku kai. This seems to be some kind of an annual music event that at least schools participate into.

*4 It seems like a mistake that age 15 is placed at September, not October.

[kyndaris]

Edibles Galore

An early start to the day meant that our erstwhile Canadian friends missed out on a hearty banquet of food. Unable to delay much further, we boarded our coach as we headed to our second must-buy product on our trip. Yes, you read that right. We were bequeathed a coach! For a party of four. But I’ll get to the reason why later. 

Whereas my mother had been convinced to purchase some pearl dust earlier on in the week, she was less inclined to purchase Lingzhi. This was a fungus that was also known as red reishi. As we sat and listened to the sales pitch on why we should purchase it, I scanned through the pamphlet the workers had also provided. Apparently red reishi helps support healthy blood circulation  as well as metabolic activity of human cells. The humans of years past also sought it as a means for eternal life.

Despite their best efforts, my mother remained unmoved and we left with our purses sealed shut. The Canadian duo, on the other hand, had been convinced to purchase a little of this miraculous item. To be used on an experimental scale.

Back onto the coach we went until we arrived at Xincheng Taroko Station. Due to the dangerous mountain paths, our tour guide had purchased train tickets for the rest of our journey up the east coast of Taiwan.

After forty five minutes, watching both the mountains and sea race by, we reunited with our van driver. He had taken the long route. Whereas we had enjoyed a leisurely forty five minute train ride, he had endured a gruelling four hours on the road. The reason why we had not joined him was that in years past, tour groups had slipped off the road and fell to their peril. In order to ensure the safety of tourists, it was better to risk only the driver in such circumstances.

Luggage secured, we hopped back in to the van, none the worse for wear and endured an hour long drive to Taipei - the city where our tour had first started. To our delight, the National Palace Museum was open. Prior to this, Taiwan had closed many popular tourist sights due to the fact that several members of the Diamond Princess Cruise had visited them. Yes, that one.

From the third floor, we wandered through the exhibition floors. It started off with a few expertly cut jade pieces that helped demonstrate the illusion of movement before we moved on to several bronze antiques. What I found fascinating was how China also enjoyed the Bronze Age during a similar period as their European counterparts.  I also liked how rather than stone, the Chinese employed many jade weapons before using the stone for more religious and cultural purposes. Even now, jade remains an important cornerstone for the Chinese. I would know, I have a jade bracelet on my arm to assist with my health and protect me from evil. 

Once the upper halls of the Museum had been scoured clean, we headed out for lunch after my mother grew hungry looking at the Meat-shaped stone. Then it was back inside to take a gander at ancient scroll work and calligraphy before we had to leave.

From the museum, we checked in to our hotel: Green World. While not as impressive or as peculiar as the other hotels we had stayed in previously, it served adequately enough as a place to rest and recharge.

At four in the afternoon, we returned to the lobby. Our tour guide had one last area to show us before abandoning us in the middle of Taipei city. In direct contrast to the other night markets we had visited before, Shilin Night Market was a sea of people. Beyond just the stalls selling clothes, knickknacks and food there was also a plethora of carnival games. With our mother footing the bill, my Canadian friend and I took up a set of BB pistols and started shooting balloons down in earnest. After a rocky start, I showed off my excellent marksman skills and decimated the competition. Of course, had it not been for first-person shooters training me to be a remorseless killer, I would never have been so good. 

Several hours afterwards, our stomachs filled to the brim with all manner of street food and cake, we flagged down a taxi . A few minutes later we were back at our hotel, ready for the return journey on Saturday, the 22nd of February.

[joostinchen-blog]

7/3 - Tamsui

Something funny that happened while we were walking along the streets in Tamsui was when we heard loud classical music. It was not at all unlike the sounds of an ice cream truck back in the US but as we turned our heads we couldn’t find where it was coming from at all. We kept walking and suddenly we realized it had been in front of us all this time, a large yellow garbage truck was playing that tune we so strongly associated with ice cream!

I hadn’t yet walked around Tamsui but it was a lot of fun, especially the old street. There were a lot of cool shops selling food and goods. One shop we happened to come across was filled with ceramic, metal, and wooden artistic goods. Some particular items that stood out to us was: a jet black tea set with a golden gingko leaf and the bottom of each cup, several ornate tea knives (small blades for breaking apart compressed tea leaf “cakes” or “bricks”), and a 要扇(yao4shan4) which we bought two of!

Academic Reflection

Hearing Peter talk about the many changes that had taken place across only a few generations in Taiwan really set up the experience of learning about Fort Santo Domingo. The idea that a single family could have a generation of Taiwanese speakers, Japanese, Mandarin, and English speakers was mind-boggling. I struggle enough between the generations in my family of Chinese and English speakers. Taiwan is home to a vast number of backgrounds and as Peter explained, a lot of the population are Han Chinese but within the Han ethnic group are provincial cultures like my family’s, Fujianese, that make up about 70% of the population in Taiwan.

Reading about how this single fort in Taiwan had changed hands so many times was shocking but actually seeing the 8 flags outside of Fort Santo Domingo was a completely different experience that really set in just how unbelievable the history was. Spanish, Dutch, two Chinese dynasties, Japan, Australia, USA, and finally the Taiwanese flag. Now in 2025 over 300 years later the space has become very beautiful with its landscaping and nearby architecture such as the consular residence and Aletheia University.

Reading the story behind the fort I thought it was pretty funny how the Spanish had lost control of it. Initially it served their goal of harassing and interrupting Dutch trade in the area, so much so that there’s documentation of the Dutch complaining that it is absolutely necessary to get rid of the Spaniards in the area. Despite this, the spanish general saw this fort as a waste of resources and wanted to essentially defund Fort San Domingo. He believed the soldiers stationed there and the resources to maintain that station could be more useful elsewhere as it served “little use to your Majesty”. If the general believed that the fort was useless due to the lack of action, I have to disagree. I think that the Spanish presence was enough of a deterrent for the Dutch to avoid being in the area, additionally in the same article it later goes to explain that the large Spanish presence actually protected the spaniards in taiwan from the locals as the locals were not actually afraid of the spaniards like the spanish general had believed. Regardless, the Dutch eventually caught wind that the Spanish had mostly left the fort and took the opportunity to seize it.

I’ve learned from a particular podcast, 99% invisible, that most function infrastructure and design goes entirely unnoticed. I’d like to add on that a large part of bureaucracy and departments’ work also goes unnoticed given the current times in the US where we’re seeing people get fired from higher ups attempting to save some money, only to rehire the very same people when things start falling apart and they realize that these people had been silently and thanklessly working to keep things running smoothly. Time and time again history seems to repeat itself, and since we have not yet learned from the blunders of Governor-General Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera we seem unfortunately doomed to repeat it.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 1.27

Holidays

Apollo I Tragedy Day

Big Snow Day

Birth of Uncanny Conjectures Day

Cavadee (Mauritius)

Ceasefire Day (Vietnam War; 1973)

Day of Fatherland Defenders (Turkmenistan)

Day of the Lifting of the Siege of Leningrad (Russia)

Discovery Day (Antarctica)

e-Day

Electric Lamp Day

Everyones Unbirthday

Eugene Viollet-le-Duc Day

Family Literacy Day (Canada)

Fats Domino Day

Festival of Root Vibrations

International Day od Restorative Conservation

International Outer Space Day

Ka Moloka'i Makahiki (Molokai, Hawaii)

Kids & Vaccines Day (Canada)

Let There Be Light Day

Liberation of the Remaining Inmates of Auschwitz  (a.k.a. ... 

Auschwitz Day of Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance (Denmark)

Commemoration Day for the Victims of National Socialism (Tag des Gedenkens an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus; Germany)

Day for Holocaust Remembrance and for the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity (Spain)

Day of Remembrance for Victims of Nazism

Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and for the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity (Croatia)

Day of the Tragedy and Heroism of the Jews (Azerbaijan)

Dzien Pamieci Ofiar Nazizmu (The Memorial Day for the Victims of Nazism; Poland)

Holocaust Memorial Day (Luxembourg, Norway, UK, Ukraine)

Holocaust Remembrance Day (Estonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden)

Holocaust Remembrance Day and the "Day of the Salvation of the Bulgarian Jews and of the Victims of the Holocaust and of the Crimes against Humanity" (Bulgaria)

Il Giorno della Memoria (Memorial Day; Italy)

International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (Europe)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (UN)

Memorial Day (Italy)

Memorial Day against Violence and Racism in Memory on the Victims of National Socialism (Austria)

Memorial Day for the Victims of National Socialism (Germany)

National Day of Commemorating he Holocaust (Romania)

National Holocaust Memorial Day (Greece, UK)

大屠殺陣亡將士紀念日 (Dà túshā zhènwáng jiàngshì jìniàn rì; Taiwan)

Lightbulb Day

Listen to Classical Music During Lunch Day

Mad Tea Party Day

Memorial Day of Purges (Finland)

Mézéréon Day (French Republic)

Mozart Day

National Activity Professionals Day

National Bible Day (Philippines)

National Boat Day (Australia)

National Costello Syndrome Awareness Day

National Heroes Day (Cayman Islands)

National Kazoo Day

National National Geographic Day

National Toilet Day (a.k.a. Thomas Crapper Day)

127 Day (South Korea)

Parent Mental Health Day (UK)

Perfect Fool Day

Public Employment Service Worker’s Day (Poland)

Punch the Clock Day

Rabbit Hole Day

SmallPitch Pitch Day

Spirituality Day (Monaco)

Thomas Crapper Day

Vietnam Peace Day (Vietnam)

Water Conservation Day

World Breast Pumping Day

World Day of Regional Anesthesia & Pain medicine

World Day Without Internet (Russia)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Brussels Lace Day

International Port Wine Day

National Chocolate Cake Day

Nature Celebrations

Rowan Day (Not Lazy; Korean Birth Flowers)

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Aysellant (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Flag Day (Indonesia)

Greece (Declared; 1822)

Kingdom of Liahonia (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

Chinese New Year’s Eve Holiday

Get Holiday (Vietnam)

Seol-nal Holiday (South Korea)

4th & Last Monday in January

Aukland Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Better Business Communication Day [4th Monday]

Blue Monday [Monday of Last Full Week]

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day [Last Monday]

Community Manager Appreciation Day [4th Monday]

Cyber Monday (Russia) [Last Monday]

Meatless Monday [Last Monday of Each Month]

Meditation Monday [Every Monday]

Mellow Monday [4th Monday of Each Month]

Monday Musings [Every Monday]

Moody Monday [Last Monday of Each Month]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Mushroom Monday [4th Monday of Each Month]

Nelson Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Northland Anniversary Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Weekly Holidays beginning January 27 (Last Week of January)

Farmhouse Breakfast Week (UK) [thru 1.31] (Last Week)

International Green Week

International Printing Week

Mozart Week

National Clean Out Your Inbox Week (thru 1.31)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week (thru 2.1)

National Glaucoma Week

International Handwriting Analysis Week Week

National Medical Group Practice Week (thru 1.31) [M-F from 4th Monday]

Tax Identity Theft Week (thru 1.31) [M-F from 4th Monday]

Triangle Restaurant Week (Raleigh, North Carolina) [thru 2.2]

Festivals Beginning January 27, 2025

St. Moritz Gourmet Festival (St. Moritz, Switzerland) [thru 2.1]

Feast Days

Angela Merici (Christian; Virgin)

Arlene the Aardvark (Muppetism)

Свети Сава (St. Sava’s Day a.k.a. Spirituality Day; Serbia)

Chrysostom (Christian; Saint)

Day of Fatherland Defenders (Turkmenistan)

Day of Ishtar (Assyrian/Babylonian Goddess of Love; Everyday Wicca)

Day of the Dioscuri (Pagan)

Dévote’s Day (a.k.a. Devota; Christian; Saint) [Monaco]

Difficult People to Talk To Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Enrique de Ossó y Cercelló (Christian; Saint)

Feast Day of Thoth, the Magician’s Magician (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Feast of Castor and Pollux (Ancient Rome)

Feast of the Translation of the Relics of Saint John Chrysostom (Christian)

Haroun-al-Raschid (Positivist; Saint)

Iroquois Mid-Winter Ceremony (Native American)

John Chrysostom (translation of relics) (Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox)

Julian of Le Mans (Christian; Saint)

Llama Day (Pastafarian)

Lewis Carrol (Humanism; Writerism)

Lydia, Dorcas and Phoebe, Helpers of the Apostles (Lutheran)

Marius (Christian; Saint)

Michael Jackson Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Michiel van Musscher (Artology)

Mordecai Richler (Writerism)

Nino, Enlightener of Georgia (Christian; Saint)

Paul Joseph Nardini (Christian; Blessed)

Samaleswari Temple Inauguration (Odisha, India)

Sarkis the Warrior (Armenian Church)

Sava (Serbia)

Vitalian, pope (Christian; Saint)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 12 (Ding-Chou), Day 28 (Bing-Shen)

Day Pillar: Fire Monkey

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Danger Day (危 Wei) [Auspicious]

Holidays: Chinese New Year’s Eve Holiday

Islamic Lunar Holidays

The Prophet’s Ascension (a.k.a. ... 

Al Isra et Al Mirage (Djibouti)

Isra and Miraj (Kuwait)

Isra Mikraj (Brunei)

Isra’ Mi’raj Nabi Muhammed SAW (Indonesia)

Lailat al Miraj

Leilat al-Meiraj (Comoros)

Maha Shivaratri (South Africa, UK, US)

Miradji (Matotte)

The Prophet’s Ascension (West Bank and Gaza)

Secular Saints Days

Hendrick Avercamp (Art)

Mikhail Baryshnikov (Dance)

Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland (Music)

Lewis Carroll (Literature)

John Collier (Art)

Alan Cumming (Entertainment)

Bridget Fonda (Entertainment)

Jacques Hnizdovsky (Art)

Elmore James (Music)

Jerome Kern (Music)

Arkhip Kuindzhi (Art)

Peter Laird (Art)

Seison Maeda (Art)

Dmitri Mendeleev (Science)

Frank Miller (Art)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Music)

Ignacio Noé (Art)

Patton Oswalt (Entertainment)

Samuel Palmer (Art)

Donna Reed (Entertainment)

Mordecai Richler (Literature)

Cal Schenkel (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [5 of 53]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Africa Squeaks (WB LT Cartoon; 1940)

Animated Crosswords (Banner Cartoon; 1925)

Before Sunrise (Film; 1995)

Betty Boop’s Crazy Inventions (Fleischer Betty Boop Cartoon; 1933)

Billboard Frolics (WB MM Cartoon; 1936)

Billy Sunday’s Tabernacle (Hearst-Pathe News Cartoon; 1917)

Boris Godunov, by Modest Mussorgsky (Opera; 1874)

The Break of Day (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1929)

Camping Out (Mickey Mouse Disney Cartoon; 1934)

The Castle, Franz Kafka (Novel; 1926)

The City and the Stars, by Arthur C. Clarke (Novel; 1956)

Customers Wanted (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1939)

Draftee Daffy (WB LT Cartoon; 1945)

The Drowned World, by J.G. Ballard (Novel; 1962)

Elementary, My Dear [#2] (Multiplication Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1973)

The Fighting 69th (Film; 1940)

The Flying Sorceress (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1956)

Fresh Laid Plans (Fun & Facts About America MGM Cartoon; 1951)

The Grey (Film; 2012)

Heartbreak Hotel, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1956)

How Green Is My Spinach (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1950)

Instant Karma, written and recorded by John Lennon (Song; 1970)

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (WB Animated Film; 2015)

Krazy’s Bear Tale (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1939)

Last Tango in Paris (Film; 1973)

Laverne & Shirley (TV Series; 1976)

The Man, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2020)

Man on a Ledge (Film; 2012)

Mighty Hunters (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

Misguided Missile (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1958)

Mississippi Burning (Film; 1989)

Moondance, by Van Morrison (Album; 1970)

Mouse Trappers (Andy Panda Cartoon; 1941)

My Friend the Monkey (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1939)

Nanny McPhee (Film; 2006)

National Geographic Society (Adventure Club; 1888)

Nightwing and Robin (WB Animated Film; 2015)

One For the Money (Film; 2012)

One Gun Gary in Nick of Time (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1939)

Operation Paciific (Film; 1951)

Pettin’ in the Park (WB MM Cartoon; 1934)

Piano Sonata in B Minor, by Franz Liszt (Piano Sonata; 1857)

A Picture (Coca-Cola Ad UPA Cartoon; 1958)

The Police Dog on the Wire (Paramount-Bray Cartoon; 1916)

Resident Alien (TV Series; 2021)

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (Film; 2017)

Rheumatics (Heasrt-Vitagraph News Pictorial Cartoon; 1918)

The Seeds of Time, by John Wyndham (Short Stories; 1956)

Shelby GT350 (Automobile; 1965)

Shōgun, by James Clavell (Novel; 1975)

Shrinking (TV Series; 2023)

Silkwood (Film; 1984)

Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay, by Otis Redding (Song; 1968)

Soft Ball Game (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1936)

Spare the Child (Family Circus Fleischer Jolly Frolics Cartoon; 1955)

The Subterraneans, by Jack Kerouac (Novel; 1958)

Tom-ic Energy (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1965)

Toy Time (Aesop’s Sound Fable Cartoon; 1931)

Tumble Down Town (Aesop’s Sound Fable Cartoon; 1933)

The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James (Novel; 1898)

University of Georgia (School; 1801)

Wide Open Spaces, by The Dixie Chicks (Album; 1998)

Today’s Name Days

Angela, Julian (Austria)

Anđela, Anđelka, Julijan (Croatia)

Ingrid (Czech Republic)

Chrysostomus (Denmark)

Vilja, Vilje (Estonia)

Viljo (Finland)

Angèle (France)

Alrun, Angela, Gerd (Germany)

Chrysostomos (Greece)

Angelika (Hungary)

Angela, Elvira (Italy)

Ildze, Ilze, Izolde (Latvia)

Ilona, Jogundas, Jogundė, Natalis, Vytenis (Lithuania)

Gaute, Gry, Gurli (Norway)

Angelika, Ilona, Jan Chryzostom, Julian, Przybysław (Poland)

Ioan (Romania)

Nina (Russia)

Bohuš (Slovakia)

Ángela (Spain)

Göta, Göte (Sweden)

Buck, Buckley, Floyd, Keith, Lloyd, Logan (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Lloyd Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 27 of 2025; 338 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 1 of Week 5 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Luis (Rowan) [Day 7 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Ding-Chou), Day 28 (Bing-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Jia-Wu]

Coptic: 19 Tubah 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Cypress (Jan 25-Feb 3) [Day 3 of 15]

Hebrew: 27 Teveth 5785

Islamic: 27 Rajab 1446

J Cal: 27 White; Sixthday [27 of 30]

Julian: 14 January 2025

Moon: 4%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 27 Moses (1st Month) [Haroun-al-Raschid]

Runic Half Month: Elhaz (Elk) [Day 6 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 38 of 90)

Week: 4th & Last Week of January

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 8 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 13 of 29)

Schmidt Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 2 of 27)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 8 of 28)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Capricornus (Day 9 of 28)

[kenblogspot]

What's Happening Today On Ken's Blogspot

The best #free web services in #news, #books, #info, #reference, and online tools.

Highlights from today's website.

https://kensbookinfo.blogspot.com/p/whats-happening-today.htmlVisit the microblog: https://kenblogspot.tumblr.com/kensbookinfo - Or the weblog: https://kensbookinfo.blogspot.com

TODAY IS

June 14, 2023 | National Flag Day | Army Birthday | International Bath Day | National Strawberry Shortcake Day | National Cucumber Day | National Bourbon Day | National Pop Goes The Weasel Day | National New Mexico Day | World Blood Donor Day

NEWS

Jon Rahm says members of PGA Tour feel 'betrayal' after partnership with LIV Golf

USA #NEWS

GOP prepared to block vote to replace Feinstein on Senate Judiciary

WORLD #NEWS

U.S. lawmakers want South Africa punished over support for Russia

EARTH #NEWS

Snakes as therapy animals: Reptiles help heal in Brazil

WEATHER

Ken's blogspot shows the current weather and forecast in your area with a 5 day outlook.

STOCK #MARKET #TICKER

6/14/2023 - Follow the markets in real time

BUSINESS

Taiwan Semiconductor ups its Arizona investment to $40 billion ahead of Biden's visit

FINANCE

Everything You Need to Know About Filing Taxes Early

OPINION

As Trump is indicted again, Republican primary foes must answer: Will you pardon him?

POLITICS

Youngkin says parents 'know firsthand' what Trump's going through

PRESIDENT

Readout of Vice President Harris’s Call with President Giammattei of Guatemala

GOVERNORS

Illinois Governor Signs Bill Allowing Marijuana Businesses To Claim State Tax Deductions As Partial IRS 280E Fix

SENATE

Bipartisan bill would fund suicide prevention for first responders

HOUSE

H.R. 3443 (IH) - Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2023

TECH

US judge temporarily blocks Microsoft acquisition of Activision

SCIENCE

Study explains unusual deformation in Earth's largest continental rift

FACTCHECK

Trump’s Distortions of Federal Indictment

ODDITIES

The Sad 2021 Death Of Todd Kochutin From Deadliest Catch

SPORTS

Mbappe hits out at France over Messi treatment

ENTERTAINMENT

What’s going on between Anita Baker and Babyface, and why she’s removed him from her tour

EDUCATION

Ida B. Wells Society internships mired by funding issues, says Nikole Hannah-Jones

HEALTH

Could Weight Loss Drug Treat Addiction as Well as Obesity?

LIFESTYLE

Here’s How Team R29 Styles Our Favorite FP Movement Sports Bras

ANIMAL LOVERS

An island in South Carolina provides much needed sanctuary for shorebirds

WEATHER

Dallas temperatures to reach century mark as scorching heat challenges records

TRAVEL

Long drive due to the I-95 collapse and detours? These products can help on your trip

AUTO

Toyota shareholders reject proposal demanding it do better on fighting climate change

FOOD

For the Best Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting, Add More Cream

TRENDING

Cormac McCarthy

BOOK #NEWS

Read Your Way Through the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

BOOK OF THE DAY

100 Places to See After You Die: A Travel Guide to the Afterlife – Ken Jennings

STORY OF THE DAY

A Good Man

POEM OF THE DAY

On First Seeing a U.S. Forest Service Aerial Photo of Where I Live

ARTICLE OF THE DAY

The Great Toronto Fire<-- Feed

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Friedrich Nietzsche

WORD OF THE DAY

pinnace see full list

IDIOM

God's green earth

PODCAST OF THE DAY

Not Guilty, Not Buying It

WEBSITE OF THE DAY

PandaPay® See the full list at

ADVICE/#QUESTION OF THE DAY

One letter writer thinks it is rude to reply to a text message without including a greeting.

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Strawberry Shortcake-Cake

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Methodius I: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, June 14, 2023

SPIRITUAL READINGS

For 6/14/2023 From #Bible, #Torah, #Buddha

HISTORICAL EVENTS - 6/14/2023TWA Flight 847 Hijacked (1985) See the full list at

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS - 6/14/2023 See the full list at

FAMOUS DEATHS - 6/14/2023

CROSSWORD #PUZZLE AND #SUDOKU OF THE DAY

Crossword - That's Unreal! by Barb Olson Sudoku - Daily, Monster, Squiggly, for Kids

ORIGINAL WORKS The Drake Equation, Courtesy And Contempt, Smith,, The End Of Innocence, The Obscure Life of Jonah Falconeri by Ken Everett

ORIGINAL WORKS - The Drake Equation This is where my original stories live.

ORIGINAL WORKS - Courtesy And Contempt This is where my original stories live.

ORIGINAL WORKS - The End Of Innocence … This is where my original stories live.

ORIGINAL WORKS - The Obscure Life of Jonah Falconeri This is where my original stories live.

ORIGINAL WORKS - Babbage This is where my original stories live.

The Works Of William #Shakespeare The full text of Shakespeare's works side-by-side with a translation into modern English.

Milestone Documents The primary source documents on this page highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history or government.

The #BIBLE The world’s most important piece of work ever written. In literature it serves a great purpose on the development of Western #literature. From a religious standpoint it is the inspired word of #God. How can we better understand it's purpose?

CONVERSATIONS IN #LITERATURE Literary journals, periodicals, magazines, and newspaper sections devoted to literature, short stories, poetry, and essays, along with literary criticism, book reviews, biographical profiles of authors, interviews and letters.

BESTSELLING #BOOKS IN HISTORY

A designation that serves as an index of popular literary taste and judgment.

MULTI #SEARCH ENGINE The most popular search engines together in one search box.

1-CLICK #WEBSITE ACCESS AND #EMAIL The most popular websites and email all on one page

ONLINE #TOOLS

Online reference and tools - calculators, converters, math, electricity, web design

BOOK SERVICE PROGRAM

Sell, #Buy or #Rent #Books & #EBooks at the best prices with Free Shipping on Everything

RECENTLY SEARCHED #BOOK PRICES Search History for books recently bought, sold. or rented

WORLD #BOOK #SEARCH

Search for books by their ISBN in one comprehensive, objective, and easy to use link to libraries, booksellers, and other book sources, with the largest coverage around the world.

LARGEST #LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES Links to the largest US Libraries that offer free and open access to knowledge and opportunity by providing access to books and information.

LARGEST #LIBRARIES IN THE WORLD Links to the largest World Libraries that offer free and open access to knowledge and opportunity by providing access to books and information.

BOOK RESOURCES

An engaging collection of resources that bring books to life.

COMIC STRIPS

Read and catch up on all your favorite #cartoons from a large selection of popular classic comic strips.

BOOKS TURNED INTO #MOVIES

Books are detailed and push your imagination to the setting or events. Movies are much more easily consumable and are more visual. They both give us the same story, but are viewed completely different. Over 4,000 titles.

EBOOK #LIBRARY

Choose eBooks from among the world’s great literature with focus on older works. Everything is free, and completely without cost. Download them or read them online here.

TWITTER

See timelines of the top 100 most famous and influential people followed on twitter.

FACEBOOK

See timelines of the top 100 most famous and influential people liked on facebook.

INSTAGRAM

See timelines of the top 100 most famous and influential people liked on facebook.

VIRTUAL #SPIRITUAL #CANDLE

A symbol of #prayer and hope.

[wintbuffalo]

Vienna presbyterian church

#Vienna presbyterian church full

#Vienna presbyterian church registration

#Vienna presbyterian church windows

Because Hsiao-Wei’s family is from Taiwan and flew over for the celebration, her brother served as an unofficial translator during the speeches - which made for lots of laughs.Īfter the food, toasts, socializing and cake cutting, Hsiao-Wei disappeared to change into a Taiwanese-inspired exit outfit that was absolutely beautiful and fun! We spent more time wandering around the reception as the bride and groom enjoyed time with all their friends and family together in one place, then enjoyed a fun bubble sendoff to end the afternoon. Our MissionBecoming Like Christ: We experience personal transformation through Jesus Christ.Together: We live out our. Everyone moved out to the tent in the backyard for beautiful music from a string trio, a delicious lunch, and beautiful toasts. The historic house had a personalized and fun cocktail hour set up, featuring Taiwanese/American flags, a donut display, colorful cupcakes, and photos of the bride and groom and their family all around the room. At the end, the bride and groom got to pause at the back of the chapel to ring the church bell in celebration which was super fun!Īfter some brief family portraits, we moved just down the road to Hunter House for the reception, which was pulled together by the amazing Moriah at Detail Savvy Events. The ceremony was fairly short but still focused on their Christian faith and beauty of marriage with readings and some words from the preacher before the vows and exchanging of rings. Please join us Sundays at 9am, 11:15am and 6pm. Head over to Vienna Presbyterian Church for their Treats & Tunes event, where kids can safely collect candy and other goodies from the decorated cars.

#Vienna presbyterian church windows

It was filled with light thanks to the big windows and light interior, and a cozy size that made everyone feel like part of the ceremony even from the back of the chapel. Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC) is a Christ-centered church in the Tysons Corner area of Washington DC. The historic chapel at Vienna Presbyterian Church is a simple but beautiful space. While I’m more traditional in usually preferring the excitement of waiting to see the bride and groom’s reaction to seeing each other at the wedding ceremony, this was the perfect example of when a first look is just the thing the couple needs to stand ready and proud at the altar, and it was beautiful to see just how much Wei and Paul love each other and were ready to go into the chapel after their first look. It was a sweet moment shared between just the two of them, obviously calming nerves and reminding the two of them of the reason for all the hustle of the day. Located in Vienna, Va., the church serves. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations. Established in 1871, Vienna Presbyterian Church is a group of Christ-centered community members serving people. Presbyterian Churches Churches & Places of Worship. Located in Vienna, Va., the church serves through. The day started at the chapel, where the bride and groom each finished getting ready before a quick first look. Find out what works well at Vienna Presbyterian Church from the people who know best. From Business: Established in 1871, Vienna Presbyterian Church is a group of Christ-centered community members serving people. Salaries, reviews, and more - all posted by employees working at Vienna Presbyterian.

#Vienna presbyterian church full

She holds a bachelor's in Political Science from Indiana University Bloomington, with abundances in Jewish Studies and Russian and Eastern European Studies, as well as a master's degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia also her thesis examined the prospects for Saudi regime stability.Not many couples choose to host a morning wedding and lunch reception but my June was full of them! Hsiao-Wei and Paul decided to keep their day centered on the ceremony, with a wedding at the historic chapel at Vienna Presbyterian Church and a simple but beautiful tented lunch reception at Hunter House at Fairfax County’s Nottoway Park - two of the most simple but elegant, classic wedding venues in Northern Virginia. See what employees say its like to work at Vienna Presbyterian Church. In 1999, she graduated from Granville High School.

#Vienna presbyterian church registration

Please see Enrollment for registration information. Louis, Missouri, was born on June 15, 1981. From Business: Established in 1871, Vienna Presbyterian Church is a group of Christ-centered community members serving people. Welcome to Vienna Presbyterian Church Preschool Join our wonderful preschool community for the 2022-2023 school year We have a few more openings for students in our 3s programs. 2Josh White, Vienna Presbyterian Church Seeks Forgiveness, Redemption in. Harf, 41, a native of Granville, Ohio, and the daughter of Jane Ax Harf and James E. Facing the Church's Complicity in Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Ruth Everhart. Liberal political commentator for the Fox News Channel and former Deputy Spokesperson for the United States Department of State