Mandarin Books for Kids - I Finally Chose Good!

I've been slower than a tortoise when it comes to finding fun, inspiring books for my children that are written Mandarin.

Last week, I finally got up the courage to ask the young man at Hess Bookstore, "What do you read?  What do you recommend as reading for my children, who love reading, if it is not in Mandarin?"

I invested some money in a few titles from different series.  This included the Kano 3-comic set, books introducing local and international geography and history in interesting ways, and poems and stories by one of Taiwan's favorite children's poets.

My kids devoured every single one of the books you see in these photos, and are waiting for me to earn enough money to complete the sets. I photographed them so you can simply show this post to people in your local bookstore or library.  I will try to get a list of titles and authors together, but I am so excited by my own discoveries, I want to post this up right away, even with a sideways photograph.

Vocal Lesson Recommendation: Sean Wong (Taipei)

It seems I am raising a future blogger.  My son wrote this concise recommendation for his vocal coach: http://cubscouterblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/seans-singing-class/

As a mom of a boy who loves to perform, I am feeling extremely grateful for the opportunities that have come by our family this year.  One big spin-off from my son's role in Zeelandia is the connections we made here in Taipei.  Kyle's lessons with Sean Wong is one very good example. Sean is great with kids. He treats them as young professionals. He sets high standards and lets them take part in the decision-making process.

You can contact Sean directly for more information. He teaches children and adults.  info@seancswong.com

Sean's music website for reference: http://www.seancswong.com/

My article featured in Taiwan Ho! Summer Activities for Families in Taipei

Dedicated readers of my blog will have most of this information already. It's still a good read, and you can discover some other interesting tidbits on the website, too:

http://www.taiwanho.com/summer-fun-families-taipei/

Stage Time and Juice: Summer Magic - Kids' Open mic/Family Performance Space

Take a break from the summer heat and join us at the coolest kid-event in town! Once again it's open-mic time for those brave kids or parents who would like to read or tell a story or poem, perform a song or dance to their classmates, playmates and peers alike.

If you are not ready to take the stage, then be a part of the audience and watch the magic unfold.

We request that smaller children be accompanied by their parents while watching.

Stage Time and Juice 是一個新的紅房(Red room)社群與 Taipei City Playgroup 所舉辦的活動，活動主要用意為鼓勵孩子們步入創意探索的道路。 活動主要以英文進行，受邀參加的孩子們，可以有機會聆聽許多故事，分享彼此天賦才能及創意想法。倒點果汁，隨意找個座位坐下，和我們果汁家庭成員們一同學 習，一同分享這個多元化的平台。 在櫃台會有報名表，讓勇敢的小朋友們可以登記上台朗讀、分享藝術、玩音樂或者講故事。

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What to bring:

A juice or savory snack of your choice. Be creative and try to bring something that adds to the theme!

Your own drinking vessel: The Red Room is a green environment. If not, you are encouraged to buy one of our awesome, groovy bamboo mugs and have our fabulous artists paint it for you. It will remain forever, yours and yours alone (true love).

If necessary, bring a fluffy pillow to increase the level of comfort, since floor seating is all that's provided.

給 所有支持贊助的父母們： 請隨意帶果汁或喜歡的點心，當您抵達社群時即可將其放置於吧台，供大家自由分享取用。 紅房(Red room)社群關心綠色環保議題，所以來時候可以考慮在現場購買一個我們引以為傲的竹杯子，讓我們卓越的藝術家幫您在上面繪畫，之後它將是永久的屬於您個 人的，並存放於社群，又或者您也可以攜帶自己的環保杯。 當然最重要，您也可以帶靠枕來讓享受聆聽過程更舒適。我們的地板非常的乾淨可以席地而坐。

Address: 2F., No. 117, Sec. 1, Da'an Rd., Taipei City 106 (above the Aveda Third Place salon, entrance from alleyway on side)
點在：台北市大安區大安路一段 117 號 2 樓。Aveda 沙龍樓上。
Tel: 電話 02-27714795
Map(地圖): https://www.google.com.tw/maps/place/106台北市大安區大安路一段117號/@25.0394719,121.5462694,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x3442abd05b336311:0x373072a32cf80710?hl=zh-TW


Contribution Fee:

200NTD (1 parent with accompanying child), 50NTD per additional family member regardless of age.

200NTD per adult

Saturday, July 19, 2014
2:30pm to 4:30pm

入場費用:

親子票一張200NTD，供一大人一小孩，如有額外人員（不論大人或小孩）費用每人一律加收50NTD。

200NTD/一大人

2014年07月19日
PM2:30 至PM4:30

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About Taipei City Playgroup:

Taipei City Playgroup has been connecting English-speaking families in Taipei since 2002. With no fees, no obligations and no restrictions, this informal, casual playgroup meets on Thursday mornings at various locations around Taipei City, and holds annual Christmas parties, Easter picnics and Halloween Trick-or-Treat parades, as well as publishes The Awesome Playgroup News, a child-produced newspaper that encourages English literacy. Members number over 400, and include parents with Taiwanese partners and families from all over the world, who may be new to Taiwan or new to parenting. Attending Taipei City Playgroup events are a wonderful way for families to connect and share information about parenting in Taiwan, and for children to find new playmates.

關於 Taipei City Playgroup: Taipei City Playgroup 這個社群從 2002 年成立至今，一直以來，提供了在台灣許多說英語家庭們之間，保持聯繫的組織平台。一般於星期四上午，社群會在台北市各個不同地點，舉辦非正式的休閒遊戲小 聚會，參加者無須付費，沒 有義務，也沒有任何限制。同時社群也會舉辦年度聖誕、復活節野餐和萬聖節”不給糖，就搗蛋”的活動。另外也發行精彩的 Playgroup 新聞，是完全由孩子們合力發行的報紙來激勵孩童接觸英語文學。目前社群已有超過 400 位成員，包含台灣及其外國配偶，或夫妻皆來自世界各地，也許剛新到台灣，也許剛當上新手爸媽的父母們。來參加 Taipei City Playgroup 活動是一個與其它家庭連結並分享父母心得最佳的機會，同時也讓孩子們找到新玩伴。

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Co-Founders | Ping Chu 朱平 • Ayesha Mehta • Red Room Coordinator | Manav Mehta • Translation | Edward Chiang • Online Presence | Roma Mehta • Assistant Coordinator | Disha Patel

RED ROOM www.redroom.com.tw

Supporters:
肯夢 AVEDA Lapostolle 非零Non Zero Ripplemaker Foundation

Submit Your Child's Work to the Awesome Playgroup News!

This upcoming issue will feature the theme "What I like to Make."

As always, we welcome any other stories, poems, cartoons, word games, or artwork. Submissions from all children around Taiwan are accepted. "What kids like to make" can be anything at all, from the very simple daily task to complex, longterm project. Getting published in this paper/e-paper is a great way to have your kids feel good about their activities, and their ability to contribute to a shared publication. Families can also join the editing meeting and work on putting on the paper together. This is a fun way to show children you value English as a communication tool, and you see their ability to work in a production team.

Our last edition can be seen here:http://www.youblisher.com/p/871969-Awesome-Playgroup-News-Spring-2014/

We also welcome sponsorship through advertising. Our community rate is this: NT100 gets you a full-color ad, 1/16 of an A3 page...multiple spaces or half-pages also available. Sponsors also get a complimentary copy (NT25 value, so as you can see, sponsorship could cost you less than a Starbucks latte!) and also make us feel loved and supported.

Sponsorships help defray printing costs and also contribute to making more fun and meaningful activities for Taipei Cityplaygroup.

Deadline is midnight, Sunday, July 13. EXTENDED a week!

Submissions and interested advertisers email to cyao_at_tig.com.tw.

Dahu Park Swimming Pool - Mixed Feelings, Mixed Review

A couple of months ago, there was much buzz in the expat community about the newly-renovated Dahu Park swimming pool. Situated a very short walk from Dahu MRT Station, with a 50-meter outdoor pool right next to the beautiful park grounds, it was going to be a haven for us with children who love the water.

We visited it a few times in June.  The first couple of times, I was pretty impressed.  The outdoor pool is nice and open. There is an indoor pool and spa area.  The toddler's pool is quite nicely done.  The shower and toilet facilities are also nice and new.  So, what happened to make me change my mind and, with sadness, report that it is not that awesome?

• Showers:

Twice, the women's shower room has been flooded.  That means, we were all walking through ankle-deep water, with empty soap packs floating on top.

• Toilets:

They smell. Bad.  So bad that my daughter refuses to go in to them.

• Spa:

Last week, one of our friend's daughter pointed out the layer of skin scum floating on top of the spa pool. It was clearly visible.

• Slippery Floors:

I guess it's the result of the sheer number of visitors to the pool, but at the same time, I don't understand why the pool has to have a constant layer of water over the walking areas around it.  It's a bit gross, and more importantly, dangerous because the tiles are so slippery.

• Kiddie Pool:

It is now full of plastic ducks.  If a child falls under the ducks, nobody will be see her.  The ducks are also getting moldy.  Last year I finally got the plastic balls out of our local pool.  Don't people understand the dangers of not being able to see the bottom of a kiddie pool?

• Outdoor Pool:

OK, this one is a bit of a whine and probably not too consequential. The newly-set-up sun shelter is ugly and not really well thought out.  The beautiful view has been spoiled by the construction.  The sun shelter seems to be going the wrong way. If it was set from the building out, you could also cover the walkway and not the entire pool all day when the shade was in use.

The sheer number of people using the pool may be part of the challenge for this pool.  I hope they find a way to solve some of these problems, especially as summer starts.  Extra cleaning times and a study of the drainage issue might be a place to start.

The cafe on the second floor is very nice, I have to say.  The service and food both exceeded my expectations.  We took a group of children to the restaurant, and most could find something on the menu that they liked.  They do not cater for allergies, and the dishes are mostly creamier-style "Italian" food. It is good and fresh.  You also have a great view of the MRT, park, and pool.

In summary, it's not a bad place to go with your kids.  Just check out the pool's cleanliness, and keep an eye on your children when they are out of the pool.

Dahu Park Pool:

• Take the MRT to MRT Dahu Park Station. The park is a short walk from Exit 2.
  Public buses: Take the following buses to Dahu Park bus stop – 247, 247 Express, 247 Shuttle, 284, 287, 287 Express, 287 Night, 617, 620, 630, 677, 681, 683, BR10, BR19, R2, and R31.

Opening Hours:
Pool: 5:30am-10pm
Gym: 7am-10pm

Sporting Goods Store - Decathlon 迪卡儂 (Taichung, Taipei, Tainan, Pingtung)

After reading FB friends' online raves about the new "Decathlon" Sports Store in Neihu (Taipei), I had to find an excuse to go and check it out.  The sudden chlorine-induced collapse of the family's entire swimwear collection seemed like the perfect reason to drive over to the store and take a look.  I was not disappointed. I think it is the first time we have ever walked into a store together and spent less than 30 minutes finding the "perfect" suits for all of us at prices we can swallow.  But, it is not all about swimming; there are products for many sports and outdoor activities, all in one well-organised store.

Decathlon was founded in France in 1976.  At the end of 2013, Decathlon had 674 stores in 19 countries.  They have actually been in Taichung since 2012, but it's the new store in Neihu that is making news in the parenting circles I hang out in.  Three more stores are planned to open in Taiwan this year, so keep your eyes and ears open in your city.

Back to the swimwear.  It is usually difficult for me to find a swimsuit I like in Taiwan.  This trip, I had difficulty choosing the ONE I would bring home.  My son, daughter, and I bought a suit each, and the total was just NTD1,100. There is a lot of sun protection gear for babies through to adults, too.  We also found a child's snorkel set (mask in 3 sizes), very cheap swimwear bags, flip-flops, a very nice kite... we are set for summer!

Take a look at the online selection of women's swimsuits. The site is in Chinese, but you can flick through the menu at the top to get an idea of the range of sporting goods they have.

From the homepage images, you can also get excited about the selection of goods.  To me, the quality is similar to a department store back home - fair price and fair quality; not the general night-market risky quality I am used to seeing for the price. 

According to the sales staff (and the online information), the selection in Neihu is relatively limited, so if you have something in particular you want, you can call first to check they have it.  They will bring it in for you then you can pick it up.  And if you don't see your size, ask the staff and they can find it for you. - When I heard this, I had visions of a day-trip to the Taichung store. It must be amazing!

Click on this link to see the addresses of the stores around Taiwan, with maps.
Three stores are open 9am-10pm daily. Pingtung's opens at 10am.

Neihu:
11494 台北市 內湖區新湖一路128巷36號 (大潤發內湖1店正後方)
電話： (02) 2795-6700
No. 36, Lane 128,  Shi-Hu 1st Road, Neihu 114 (behind RT-Mart 1) - street parking

Taichung:
台中南屯店: 台灣40854 台中市 南屯區大墩南路379號 (Costco旁)
電話： (04) 2471-9666
No. 379, Dadun South Rd, Nantun District Taichung City, 408 (next to Costco) - 200 parking spaces, 70 bicycle parking spaces

Tainan:
台南西門店: 台灣70450 台南市 北區臨安路二段310號2樓 (大潤發二樓)
電話： (06) 2211-980
2F, No. 310, Lin'an Rd Section 2, North District, Tainan City, 704 (RT Mart's 2F)

Pingtung:
屏東店
台灣90065 屏東市 勝利里自由路550號 (屏東市政府對面)
電話： (08) 884-9688
No. 550, Ziyou Rd, Pingtung City Pingtung County, 900 (opposite Pingtong City Hall)