Taipei Skies week of Sept. 19

It has been over a year in which I looked up at the sky and really enjoyed it here in Taiwan (the sky that is). For some reason this past week has been glorious. I think it has something about my timing. I am seeing the sky in the early morining and early evening. The colors being reflected off the clouds are beautiful. Everyday the sunset has shown new colors and shapes. At the same time the sky has has a gorgeous shade of blue. A blue that just “pops” and hold the rest of the background. The clouds have been very big and fluffy with small traces of long streched out clouds. Plus there has been good movement. The lower clouds are moving at different speeds than the high altitude clouds. The contrast with the mountains, sky and buildings is just fantastic. It is an eye captureing momement. My camera could never paint this beauty I have witness this week. The stiffeling summer is over and the cooler weather has brought its beautity with it.  

My Favorite Katrina Column thus far by Rabbi Marc Gellan

Rabbi Marc Gellman tells it the way it is. It is a grim but inescapable fact that not everyone in New Orleans could be saved. Read here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9178815/site/newsweek/

 

 

Aid from Other Countries to The USA (for Katrina)

It is good to see Taiwan and Austraila jump in and assist the USA. Sad thing is Taiwan always jumps in to assist other countries, but no one wants to recognise them. Would that assistance come if China took over Taiwan?

 

Thanks Austraila & Taiwan!!!!!!!!! The rest of you (countries) are coming in to late to get my thanks.

All Americans Have Guns

I was never one to jump on the anti-gun rally. As a matter of fact I used to shot guns. I enjoyed it. I think under supervision and control the sport was fun. But shooting and carring of a gun is no longer for sport. It is for pure harm and dominance.

 

I have been in Taiwan now for five (5) years. I moved here as an expat. Now I live here with my family running our school and working on other oppertunities.

 

During my time here I hear many different misconceptions about America. American take there showers in the morning.  Women are easy.  The USA likes to be in wars.  And the most common misconception is “everyone in America has a gun.” After listening to the news & living in Asia I understand why they believe everyone has guns. You see it in movies, you hear it in news stories and now you hear about guns and how people are shooting at the police in New Orleans.  The nation had a major disaster. You would think that people would bond together, but instead chaos seems to be winning. (funny that the local reporter from CNN just said the same thing I did about bonding together)

 

To be honest I myself I’m a bit afraid to come back.  I’ve started to believe “everyone in America has a gun.”   I know it is not true, but something needs to be done.  If a more devestating disaster occurred I am afraid to think what would really happen in America.  I’m not sure if the government has thought much about how to help internally. They seemed to be more worried about external issues (okay maybe I’m off the subject).

 

It is time to rethink our gun policy. There is enough violence without allowing Americans to choose gun violence.

Hurricane Katrina and USA Friends - Aid

So the US has a major devestation. Where are our friends to offer aid?  Or is it that the USA is friendly with everyone for our own interest and sake?  I have only heard of Venazeula to offer some help. However, it is more because they actually have refinerines in the area that are not damaged.

 

Personally this is horrible. The USA is always asked and expected to help the rest of the world. Now where are our friends when we could use help? Is this a political issue or a social issue?

Typhoon Talim: 1:00am Sept. 1, 2005

We got Oreo’s, chicken nuggets and fried rice.  Stocked up on H2O (for three days anyway), hell if you have to I can brave the storm during a lull to hit the local 7/11.

 

The rain has been coming down hard for the past few hours. The wind gusts are pretty fanominal. You can tell it is a strong storm from the howling wind. Live right next to the mountain, but mud slids and rock slids don’t happen here, due to the heavy vegitation and some good irrigation.

 

Work has been called of for tomorrow so we get to spend an extra day of family bonding. Interested to see what new surpises Jasper has in store.

 

CNN says this storm is a category 4 storm and is equal to and possibly stronger than Hurricane Katrina. But nothing can beat the aftermath affects of Katrina.

 

Well we are in lock-down and Esther is calling me to bed.

Super Typhoon Talim hits Taiwan just days after Hurricane Katrina hits the USA

Super Typhoon Talim is just about ready to hit Taiwan. My family woke up to just a wonderful warm day today (8:00am). At around noon the government called a emergency and said business are to close at 4:00pm. I went to pick up Jasper at GymBaby (his learning center) at 2:00pm. It started raining hard around 1:00pm. Coming home with Jasper on my scooter was not a fun task. First off he hates to be under the plastic parka I wear to keep dry. However, as the rain and wind hit him he quickly found refuge under the parka. I normally drive the MinQuan Bridge at 80kph with Jasper. Today the wind was so strong nobody was going quicker than 25kph. I was going around 20kph and having trouble steering due to the wind. And this was just the very, very, very outskirts of the storm. Crazy enough at 3:00 the rain stopped. It is 5:00pm now and all is pretty calm.

http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc/warnings/wp1305.gif

Or see: http://www.supertyphoon.com/storms/2005/13w.html

Hurricane Katrina Asian View

I am watching some of the coverage of the storm on CNN in Taipei. So, we see the Asian version of CNN out of Hong Kong (and parts from the HQ in Atlanta). I must admit some of these TV journalist in America are just crazy. They actually have some goofy guys (WFOR -CBS4) running out into the street trying to show its strength. Trees falling, metal and glass in the street while some local street reporter, (Brian Adams -possibly his name) is hiding behind city trash-barrels to report. He even asks the camera man to watch out and yell to him if he sees anything that may hit him. (On top of that the reporter pulls a metal piece apart from the trashcan and tosses it down the street - maybe it may hit one of his fellow reporters). As he runs back to the hotel the guy’s feet are swept out from under him. "Things are being torn apart slowly and surely from this south wind," is being reported -- So why not send out some expendable extra staff we have. Now I hear "It is hell on earth," when the reporters TV van was totaled by falling debris. It is rather funny, but the humor is more an expression of exasperation. Jim Clancy, anchor and correspondent for CNN International, even commented on how silly some of these guys are in covering the storm.

Here in Taipei we get hit by a few typhoons a year. I guess since the death and serious injury of multiple reporters in the Asian region they have changed their coverage here. I just hope these US stations understand losing a reporter is not worth the video picture. Why not just point the camera out a building window. (Typhoon and Hurricanes are the same thing).

• Hurricane - in the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean east of the dateline and South Pacific Ocean east of 160degreesE.
• Typhoon - Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the date line

Here in Taiwan we hunker down in our house and wait for the storm to pass. After being in 10 or more typhoons you really get a feel of how this country has found good ways to stay safe. The sad thing is people still do die in rural areas and at times downtown.

Teaching and ATS Feelings

In some way I am a bit embarrassed to say that I am teaching English in Taipei. I was accomplished in doing business in Asia, but for some strange reason finding a new job here has proved difficult. I am talking to U.S. headhunters and checking CareerBuilder.com and Monster regularly.  Nonetheless, teaching has proven eventful. I teach adult conversation and grammar. I have learned much from my students. I work for a Japanese school chain called GEOS Language Academy. They have offices throughout the world. Pay is not bad if you have a full schedule.  However, I am not used to this life style. I am used to working hard for a company goal. I am used to solving problems and issues to a tight schedule. I like seeing a product I assisted with in the market. I like my mind and body to be active in all aspects of my job. An argument could be made that in teaching I am fulfilling some of these points. In some way 'yes,' but it has just left me a bit empty. It is definitely time to hit the pavement hard again to find a good company job for myself. 

My last job was at ATS in NeiHu (Taipei, Taiwan). I enjoyed the job, but the company did not have money. I did everything possible for them and still to this day I have not been paid. I had 3 months payment (and I accepted a discounted salary payment) coming since June. So for 5+ months I basically had no income. The CEO of ATS tells me the money will be coming every week. Today I heard the same answer again. I just hope it comes soon. My family can not afford to burn money with nothing coming in. My job with ATS has put me in the worst financial shape I have ever been in. The sad thing is I turned down two (possibly 3) job offers while I was working there. ---- ICK ----

My Heavens Where Have I Been

My gosh I have been missing for over a month. During this time I'm not sure I've accomplished much. I did however updated the Jasper Timeline and his pictures on this site. So, what the heck is going on.

I took a small break from my daily activities on the computer. I started teaching and I was doing research and studying how to teach Chinese adults English. I took this job seriously (although I have found out many teachers here think I am crazy for diving so deep into it). I took the job as I would any. I dove head first into it. I provide my students with daily notes, articles of interest, and agendas which include: info on the day's class, homework, vocabulary, and suggestions (areas of concentration). My students all seem to like this very much. So I continue it and dismiss the criticism I get from the other teachers. I guess I may take it too seriously, but my schooling and past training tell me not to slack.

I have now caught up on my learning curve. However I did not jump right back into my computer. As you may know I DJ at Roxy99 in Taipei. I have many CDs and a hellva a lot of songs. Needless to say I need to organize them in my MusicMatch program. I like to see my files read: artist, song, album, song number. Plus I like to add the cover, release date and genre to each album. Sounds like much, but with the computer, it is not that hard, it just takes time. One week passed on my work and now that is done as well.

My job hunt (for a marketing and/or sales position) was on hold for two weeks as well. Due to reasons above and the hope of a particular prospect coming through.

I can't believe my email box had 2,039 emails in it from the past week. The scary thing is only 35 messages were truly real. The spam and advertising is just too much. For this reason alone I keep thinking I should start writing out letters and messages instead. For that you need a little money.

That leads me to my final comments. Money does make people happy. It will not buy you happiness and family, but it does take off many burdens and allows you to breath relief which is happiness in itself. Our school (3-12 year olds) business adventure is now doing okay. It took seven months but things are now stabilizing. The problem is my pay has changed (teaching does not pay as high as my previous job), and Esther is not working a paying job (working at Curious Monkey "her" school). So bills pill up and borrowing money has become a norm. This is not like Esther and I and we feel the pressure of it every day. But we are pulling through like champs.

Now time to get back to finding a good paying job here in Taiwan and keeping this site updated. A good paying job will also helps me keep the restaurant page updated. Otherwise I may be telling you more about street vendors, grocery stores and our home cooked meals.

Reading of My Site (Seday in Tawian)

I have now received multiple emails about my website and blog.  I am very pleased that people are viewing it.  The restaurant section seems to be receiving much notice. Had a few people write about grammical errors, slip ups and such. However, after checking I see the restaurant slogans have caused most of the mishaps. I corrected these errors where I found them.  Here are two items someone pointed out:

 

About Papa Giovanni: 

'"We are Italian and know how to make Italian food." Nothing can be further from the truth. '
Comment: This sounds like you are saying they make horrible Italian food, but I think your review says they are great?

Response: This is the restaurant’s slogan or at least what is in their ads. They are just saying that they make authentic Italian food.  They nor I am saying their food is horrible.  As a matter of fact I rate them as one of the best.

 

About Ding Tai Feng:

Comment: 'People will tell you these are the best and others will tell you these are the best ever! '
-This sentence has 2 of the same opinions, but is stated as if they are different opinions of the restaurant...

Response: You are correct. These are two opinions and stated as different opinions. Some people say they make the best dumplings in Taipei.  Some say they make the best ever!.  I just shortened it in the sentence you are reading above.

 

Someone also made a good comment on my hives writing. Just glad it is over and hope none of you get it. Now I need to deal with a stupid sty.  It is never ending here.

Computer Crash Knocked Me Out

Not the first time a hard drive has quit on me. Luckly, I do back up. So I only lost 2 weeks of email and about 1 hour worth of web updates. I do wish I could have uploaded the updates. I had entered about 7 new restaurants. Now I will have to go back and rewrite them. Problem is I don’t remember my user name and password for my FTP. So I am waiting for my provider to help me out. Pretty stupid backing everything up except your passwords.

Last few weeks have been pretty busy (and ‘yes’ I do not have full time job yet). It is strange how you can be busy when your not even working. I have had interviews, but lost the jobs due to my experience. Maybe I need to dumb down my resume. I did get a part time job twice a week teaching adults English conversation. It is very fun, but not what I am looking to do for a living. Still looking for a job that can utilize me. I have rumors a job may be available for me soon. I keep my fingers crossed. In the meantime I will look for a summer teaching position here.

Been traveling on the weekend with Esther and Jasper. Been exploring nearby mountains and the natural beauty they offer. Went in the mountain in Wulai to visit a camping resort. Maybe resort is not the right word. But Jasper had fun playing with a frog and crab in the pool. From there we visited the city of Wulai. Did not see the famous Wulai Waterfall, due to the train being under repair and Jasper throwing up in the car. Guess he drank too much pearl-tea-milk and the mountain driving did him in. Two weekends ago I traveled with Jasper and his school (Esther had to work) to the “Golden Egg” chicken farm. I forgot the mountain name, but that is okay, because it seems that none of the Taiwanese knew the mountain name either. Jasper played with little chicks, saw way too many hens, and visited some sickly looking ostrichs. He had fun with the arts and crafts they offer. You get to paint eggs plus you get to play in clay-like-mud to make 100-year eggs. If you like egg art you should go or if you have little children. Otherwise the Golden-Egg will disappoint.

Looking for Job in Taipei (NeiHu)

Okay, so here I am in Taipei (NeiHu to be exact) surrounded by technology companies and I am having a difficult time finding a job.  Some people I speak to find it strange that I should find it hard to find a job. However, if you look at it logically you can see why I am having a hard time. The reason is my basic (some may say poor) Chinese speaking and reading. Although just about 100% of the companies here do business in English speaking countries they still want a Chinese speaker for in-house. This is where my problem starts. I have great experience in international Asian sales. I understand the driving force of a South Korean company from that of  a Taiwanese company to purchase a product. I know how to build relationships, work with distributors, and in general find creative ways to work out any differnences.

 

So, now I am looking for a new job in the technology field. I have software and hardware experience, I have managed engineers and staff, I have worked on million dollar sales, not to mention my work on technical manuals, website building, artwork, and DM’s. Plus the fine art of working with Westerners with APAC partners. This I am good at.

 

I worked for an American company before and was paid as an expat. Now that I am looking for a job here I know that my pay will be as locals. I agree to this.  Now I just need to hit the pavement more and find an employeer that can see the benefits I bring.

 

Any suggestions or help you can provide would be welcomed.

 

My Hives - the nightmare

I have not written a new entry for some time. This is due to two reasons: The first being my stupid immune system allowing me to get hives (Urticaria). The second concerning my job in Taiwan (that will be another entry – by the way I am looking for a new job, not bad to put in a plug for it here).

Well, on May 18^th I felt an itching on my forearm around 10am. I though it was a misquito bite, itched it and let it be. Then after lunch I noticed a few more on my right and left arm and upper arm. So I figured there was some spider or misquito on or under my desk that was out to get me for all the years of prosecution I have brought to their brethern. By the time dinner rolls around these are no longer small little bug like bites and now they are showing up on my head. Esther, says this is no bug bite, because bugs are not going to attack and bite your head. Sounds reasonable to me although I never thought about it. So off to the doctor we go at 8:30pm. The doctor says it is from something I ate or an alergic reaciton to something else. Gave me pills and a shot and said it will be gone in two days. [side note: Esther will tell you I was running away from the nurse that was holding the shot. It was a long needle and I just wanted to see it first and wanted to know where such a long needle will go into my body. I sat down and got the shot in the waiting room in my arm (in the USA can nurses give shots in the waiting room?).]

The next day I wake up to dots and splotches all over my body including my face. I was not digging it. I went to work anyway with my pills and itch. Figure the medicine should be dong its work.Now the work day ends on Friday and I tell Esther that enough is enough I need to see the doctor again. Plus I was having a difficult time swallowing as well (can it attack the insides?). I get to the doctors and the next thing I know I am on an emergency bed with an IV stuck in my arm and I’m receiving more shots. Now this really sucked because we just bought opening day Star Wars III movie tickets we can not return. So we miss the movie while I was on my 3^rd IV and countless shots. Must admit after the IV’s I felt much better. I could eat and the itching was not even noticable. The doctor lets me go in the morning with more pills. Saturday, Sunday and Monday things just got worse. The hives have now decided to cover my whole body including the bottom of my feet. I could not walk or grab things (hands had it too). And the itch was about unbarrible. I just tried to sleep for three days. By Tuesday, May 24^th just about all the splotches are gone and I am feeling 90% like myself again. Doctor give me more medicine and says “that should be that.” I just hope never to get urticaria or hives again.

So, how did I get it? A bit of a mystery, but I think it was from some expired Excedrin Migrane tablets I took on the morning of May 18^th since the first dots appeared 1 ½ hours after I took the medicine. I just never want it again. I think I may even toss out my two Hive albums to keep any kind of jinx out of my life.

Taiwan AC Sick Days

Oh boy, the time of year I dread in Taiwan. Winter and spring are over. Although there never seems to be an actual winter as I know winter to be. Personally there is no winter. It is just an extended fall that somehow seeps into spring. Today is surely summer. It is just getting to damn hot. My body likes the gradual build up to the heat, but this year it went from a nice day to a blistering day. Because of this blistering day and days to follow - air conditioners will be running at full blast. This full on assault of AC is what makes one sick I believe. Your system (body) just goes into shock. You get this lingering headache and sometime nausea from the bombardment of hot to cold/cold to hot. There is not softening between unless you run a fan a few days to get used to the heat. But a fan will do you no justice. The airflow hitting you will cause the same feeling a sickness the AC does. So, the AC is what it is.

My son, I and a few co-workers are all sick. Not sick enough to call off, but sick enough to cause your body to drag and ache. The colds are starting to. I am now sniffling and my son has been sniffling for two days. Most people want to wipe his nose as soon as little water is showing. He hates it. I normally wait until he has some build up this way it does not bother him so much. Plus he has that cute drippy-nose kid look.

The heat is on in Taiwan and those blasted AC headaches are on the rise.

Hilary Hahn Violin Recital with Natalie Zhu Taipei, Taiwan Show Review

A friend of a friend invited my wife and I to attend the Hilary Hahn concert at the National Concert Hall located at CKS Memorial Hall. Do to me being busy and not having a schedule of events my wife and I had no idea who we were going to see. Surprises are the best. Needless to say The Cure, Tom Waits, Ani DiFranco nor a reunion of Depeche Mode was not on the bill.

We arrived just within two minutes of the attendants locking the doors (fire hazard?) to the theater. So at this point I still have no idea who we are going to see. However, a piano was in the middle of the stage and I knew it was a violin concert, so I still had no idea who was playing. Two women walk out one westerner and one Chinese. Still no idea. Westerner has the violin and the Chinese lady sits at the piano.

Now my little review will be of two unknowns artists. The violinist had little or no passion to her playing. She was a child prodigy or a person used to playing with an orchestra. She seemed to be playing her part and not “playing” the music. She had no highs or low points to her songs. It was like listening to a dull movie soundtrack without the movie. As I looked around 4 people are snoozing (and we paid NT$1,000 for this?). This is not a good sign. However, the pianist kept me focused. She was good. Seemed she was playing with heart, but the songs fin the first act were not giving her justice.

Intermission – about time.. . . . oh boy another hour of this. I wish I came to see the pianist show at least I know there would be a solo. So, off to see why so many people are here and to see just who we are listening to. As it turns out we are here to see Hilary Hahn and Natalie Zhu. This does not help me, but Hilary is selling lots of merchandise, I wanted a Deutsche Grammophon T-shirt or cool shirt with Hilary on it. Her poster was pretty cool. She has this dark gothic look about her. She may be a vampire. Great photos. Wish she had a shirt. Anyway, I still have no idea who either person is. I guess I’m a bit of a bone head on my classical music.

Second half of the show…. I sit down fidgeting and playing with my wife’s hand. When suddenly out of nowhere Natalie just busts out a song that has passion and she is just jammin’. Hilary comes in and pushes it a bit much, but her style has changed a bit. This is sounding good. There is movement, there is feeling, the music can make you think of different events in your life. Two great songs. Loved it. Then back to boring no river taking me anywhere music. Hilary has the stage, but just did not seem to have here heart into it. She at times looked even bored when she did not have a part to play and Natalie was strutting her stuff.

They did two encores. And both were played with very well. After the show she did a signing and Hilary does have fans. A good 150—200 were lined up. Glad to see the enthusiasm of her fans. However I think the night went to Natalie Zhu.

Hilary Hahn & Natalie Zhu websites. Plus Hilary's photographer Kasskara (could not find the site, but just fantastic artist shots or fotos as some may say. Could not find it in Dutch sites either).

Taiwan Blogs and Current Things

To tell you the truth: as I dig deeper into this blog world the smaller I feel. There is just so much out there and most of you are just superb writers. After updating my blog and site with other Taipei blog sites I began to wonder if I really have anything of interest to say. I seem to live this pretty simple life and I am no experience journal writer. I just started to do this to keep myself busy on down times. Must admit setting up Blogger to accept email posting is a bit of a blessing.

Check out the Taiwan blogs I listed. These are just great sites. They will give you great insight to life in Taiwan. Some of them have been around for a few years, so there is plenty to read. I now know I need to check out The Living Room from 3q2u.

Feel bad for Anarchy in Taiwan getting banned from Roxy Clubs. Maybe amends can be healed and they can play at Roxy Stage..? it has been some time. Anyway, from my readings it does not seem that Roxy99 would be your hang out.

Jasper’s one year old B-day party is this Friday at this school and Saturday at our house. We will have a few friends over and cake. Jasper will be happy to show off in his usual way, but now with the added bonus of standing on his own to boast.

I now need to find time to start working on my wife’s school website. Boy, not sure when time for that will be. The school is a “bushyban” (not correct spelling, but that is what it sounds like in Chinese). An after school learning center for English and other studies called Curious Monkey in NeiHu.

Adventures on Rt. 5 and traveling to YiLan

Yesterday evening 7:00pm I got in the Mazda minivan with Mrs. Wang (the driver), her mother and aunt along with my wife, Esther, and my son, Jasper. The trip was to drop off Mrs. Wang's mother and aunt off at a temple in YiLan and for my wife to speak to the temple gods.

The neat thing was I got to ride on the unfinished Route 5 in Taiwan between Sijhih and PingLin (some 43km from YiLan yet). This road requires particular access to drive on it since it is yet complete. Now this was exciting for two reasons. (1) It was just a great feeling to be on a road by yourself in Taiwan. There were no lights and only a mountains and the terrain to see. This feeling of driving on an empty road was pure delight. (2) Now as this road (Rt.5) is opened to others you will experience a drive thru a mountain. I don’t know which mountain it is, but it takes 1 ½ to 2 minutes to drive thru the tunnel at 70km/h. This tunnel twists and turns and seems never to end. It was truly amazing. I just do not want to be in it if there is an earthquake or an accident. You literally will be trapped. Don’t know if I could handle it.

So we get off this barren Route 5 and still need to drive to YiLan. I have taken the long way to YiLan which is like driving on any freeway. It follows the ocean from the north down. However, from Route 5 you take the mountain road Route (or Road) Number 9. This is a pure two lane mountain road with huge drop-offs and twists and turns you can only experience on a rollercoaster.

I’ve driven on these roads before and all the swaying can make the passengers sick or at least light headed. Now on this day Mrs. Wang was (as I am told) driving carefully. Well, the speedometer never went below 45km/h and hovered normally around 70km/h. I must say this was a totally new way to experience mountain driving. In a car there is some places you can stabalize yourself, but in a minivan you pretty much are on your own with three of you in the bench seat. Of course if you have been in Taiwan or live in mountain road you know all the passing that takes place and the driving towards in coming traffic – this was expected. But at the speed we were at we were being tossed around like pinball’s in the back seat. My one year old son was sleeping and clung to my wife like a monkey. It was very amusing. Here is this little child sleeping and the adults slipping to the right and left while he just somehow literally clung to my wife’s clothing with white knuckles. I didn’t think the trip there or home bothered him while he slept. But at 3:00am he woke up screaming for one hour. Guess the tossing around may have bothered him.

So, once Rt. 5 opens check it out and the cool mountain tunnels. If you are new to Taiwan hire a taxi to drive the mountain roads at breakneck speeds to experience true daredevil driving (raining and nighttimes make for a better experiences).

By the way we received good news from the spirit channeler at the temple. Guess I should write about that as many westerners don’t get to experience spirits taking over people. . . . . another time.

Top Ohio Schools

I am originally from Ohio and still have a residence there. So when I saw the Newsweek article: "The Complete List of the 1,000 Top US Schools" I wanted to see where the Ohio schools ranked nationally (well 1,036 with the ties). Here is what I found:

Ohio Rank | School | Location | Newsweek Rank | [2003 Ranking]
1) Wyoming - Wyoming - #55 [#13 in 2003]
2) Indian Hill - Cincinnati - #65 [#32 in 2003]
3) Chagrin Falls - Chagrin Falls - #95 [#71 in 2003]
4) Solon - Solon - #145 [#135 in 2003]
5) Orange - Pepper Pike - #170 [#257 in 2003]
6) Shaker Heights - Shaker Heights - #186 [#255 in 2003]
7) Beachwood - Beachwood - #227 [#144 in 2003]
8) Madeira - Cincinnati - #273
9) Ottawa Hills - Ottawa Hills - #294 [#478 in 2003]
10) Oakwood - Dayton - #400
11) Bay - Bay Village - #440 [#579 in 2003]
12) Sycamore - Cincinnati - #529 [#357 in 2003]
13) Perry - Perry - #598 [#262 in 2003]
14) Upper Arlington - Upper Arlington - #682 [#740 in 2003]
15) Hudson - Hudson - #700 [#700 in 2003]
16) Columbus Alternative - Columbus - #704
17) Bexley - Bexley - #731
18) Aurora - Aurora - #743 [#369 in 2003]
19) Jackson - Massillon - #846
20) Centerville - Centerville - #853 [#682 in 2003]
21) Westlake - Westlake - #857
22) Firestone - Akron - #872 [#439 in 2003]
23) Anderson - Cincinnati - #987
24) Centennial - Columbus - #1024

These ratings are for public schools only, so my alma mater did not make it on this list (Walsh Jesuit). But I think Ohio did very well. I am happy that public school are only listed. I think if private schools were included the list would not be indicative of the countries school systems.

Big jump for Toledo's Ottawa Hills and for Orange in Pepper Pike. Just good to see that Ohio schools are on the list. Guess now it is time for more improvement. Like to see 30 or more schools on this list in 2005.

I'm not sure which state had the most school listings. Maybe in the magazine they have more info. I got this info from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7761678/site/newsweek/

Steroids discussion with your Children

I just read the following statement: “Talking about supplements and steroids needs to start in the third grade,” Dr. Eric Small (chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on sports medicine) said. “If you wait till ninth grade, it’s too late.”

I will admit I must be living in a different world. I have been in Taipei for 4 years and maybe out of step of what is happening in the world of the USA youth. I consider myself in step to the social issues that surround us, probably like many of you. But maybe we don’t understand everything that is happening. Let alone know how to talk to a 3rd grader about steroid use.

Just fascinating that 5% of high school girls and 7% of middle-school girls have used steroids. I find it fascinating, because if you asked me where to get steroids I would have no clue. And I find it strange that the girls normally get it from family and friends (plus internet and gym). What family and friend would give drugs to middle-school or high school kids? Maybe it is not the girls or boys that need to learn about steroids, but the adults supplying it to them.

Just horrible the things parents need to worry about today. What happened to worrying about a broken window or falling off the jungle gym?