Saturday, December 04, 2004
winter typhoon
For the first time in 40 years, a typhoon has passed through Taiwan during the "winter" season. Usually they come through during the last Summer months.
Because of the typhoon passing through the night, I had to cancel my morning classes which is always a toss up. The decision between more sleep, or making some more money.
plus "typhoon days" are always hectic because parents are forever calling about whether classes are cancelled or not. Or if they are, they will say something like:
"well in MY area there isn't much rain, so YOU should have class"
"What?! I have to take my kid out in the rain??! you guys should just cancel."
and of course, sometimes the rain and wind does die down at periods throughout the day. Almost inevitably during the class time, once we've already cancelled it an hour to two hours prior...( when the weather WAS really bad)
But the typhoon passed around 10:30 am. and then the afternoon the skies were a crystal clear blue. The Pingtung mountains were in clear view, and I could even make out foliage on the closer hills. Usually, the mountains ( which are only 20km away ) are obscured by cloud and pollution. When they DO come out, it almost feels like you are in a different city. Like Banff or Jasper-- almost.
One interesting thing happened this morning when I went out. My potted plants had blown over, and one of them had blown over, emptied out of the pot itself, and was lying on the sidewalk. The funny thing is that, the pot, now empty was blown away from by the typhoon winds leaving me with this green plant and wandering around looking for a pot to put it in.
anyways, it was long gone by then. I have enough trouble keeping them alive without them being ripped out pot and all.
good thing that I have a secretary to water them at least now.
Because of the typhoon passing through the night, I had to cancel my morning classes which is always a toss up. The decision between more sleep, or making some more money.
plus "typhoon days" are always hectic because parents are forever calling about whether classes are cancelled or not. Or if they are, they will say something like:
"well in MY area there isn't much rain, so YOU should have class"
"What?! I have to take my kid out in the rain??! you guys should just cancel."
and of course, sometimes the rain and wind does die down at periods throughout the day. Almost inevitably during the class time, once we've already cancelled it an hour to two hours prior...( when the weather WAS really bad)
But the typhoon passed around 10:30 am. and then the afternoon the skies were a crystal clear blue. The Pingtung mountains were in clear view, and I could even make out foliage on the closer hills. Usually, the mountains ( which are only 20km away ) are obscured by cloud and pollution. When they DO come out, it almost feels like you are in a different city. Like Banff or Jasper-- almost.
One interesting thing happened this morning when I went out. My potted plants had blown over, and one of them had blown over, emptied out of the pot itself, and was lying on the sidewalk. The funny thing is that, the pot, now empty was blown away from by the typhoon winds leaving me with this green plant and wandering around looking for a pot to put it in.
anyways, it was long gone by then. I have enough trouble keeping them alive without them being ripped out pot and all.
good thing that I have a secretary to water them at least now.
