Taiwan and Hong Kong: Touch your Heart

As many of you already know I have just returned from touring Taiwan and Hong Kong with the BYUH concert choir. It was a really fun trip, just like the last one I did back in 2007. We toured for about 2 weeks, one in Taiwan and one in Hong Kong. Even though going to Taiwan was fun, I was much more excited to see Hong Kong. Going back to Hong Kong was a really strange experience. It was like going back home, a second home that is. I was able to see many of my old friends and acquaintances not to mention make a few new ones. Well, before this soliloquy gets too long and your patience too thin, I proudly present a couple of photos of the trip.

  We rode about 8 different planes in 2 weeks, spending about 30 or so hours on a plane or in an airport waiting. 

An exchange we conducted with the Feng Chia University in Taiwan.

Some students even showed us around the Night Markets in Taipei.

We visited some Taiwanese elementary schools and performed for them. Great kids!

The school exchanges continue, however this time it's... kindergarden time! Those kids were so excited to see us, they even tackled and dog piled a friend of mine.

On top of plane travel, we also had bus travel. We would play group games to pass the time.

A picture of one of my favorite numbers called Tahiti.

In Taipei, we had FHE with the YSA. Note the twister mat.

Me signing autographs... I'm famous!

To the east, people love to learn English.

Hong Kong Disneyland! The happiest place in China.

The long awaited encounter with the infamous "Buhn Gaau" Jeung.

A group of friends and I one night went in search of good local Hong Kong food. We found steaming black pepper steak and various curries. Reminds me of the mission!

My fan club.

Another picture of one of my favorite numbers, Ashmolean. The crowds always ate this one up.

We visited a special needs school in Hong Kong. This kid wanted to both try on my shades and use my camera. Cool guy.

My ol' ward mission leader back in Tai Po... Brother Chan.

Many reunions with old mission pals and long time friends.

Mr. Kwan and his famous suit shoppe. This consumed all of my free time in Hong Kong since so many wanted to go their to buy suits.

Remember that this is only a small taste of what happened on our adventure. Words and even pictures pale in comparison to the actual events and daily happenstance. I hope I can go with them again in 2 years.

Where's the Band?!

Back in March, BYUH proudly presented Meredith Wilson's classic The Music Man. I was casted as both a traveling salesman and a pool table mover. Here are a couple good shots of the cast and some various scenes. 

You ought to give Iowa a try!

The entire cast, boys band included.

Here's the band

Bort!!

Pick-a-little talk-a-little

Watch your phraseology

Gary Indiana

Charles Cowell, anvil salesman extraordinaire!

Crouching Lion

On Sunday, I was just about to return home from church when I encountered my old roommate, Shawn Reed.  He told me that he was planning to do a really tough hike he heard about called "Crouching Lion" on Monday and he was hoping to find some experienced hikers to go with him. Here are some of the pictures of the adventure that ensued. Mothers be warned.

A photo of Shawn Reed, my former roommate

A tranquil forest... that is actually a precarious cliff

A guy named Michael accompanied us on the trek. He started feeling ill so he went down. poor lad.

We went up and down mountain hills like this. I can get really close to the edge without falling!

A nice overlook 

Whoops! I nearly lost my footing. 

There were several short cliffs we needed to climb in order to continue.

Pretty... steep ey?

Scenic pause after brief shower sent us sliding down in the mud

The Avatar Jungle

Rise to the Divinity within You

On Wednesdays, we have choir devotionals to help us focus on the spiritual task at hand. Brother Belnap, our choir director said that our purpose as a choir is to help invite the spirit so that others can feel it and be edified by it. 

My friend Ammon (who served in Hong Kong with me) was responsible for this week's devotional. He shared a story about how our last tour to China helped people come unto Christ.

Here are the values and focuses for our choir this semester. My favorite one is the one on the left reading "Rise to the Divinity withing you". This quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley, always helps me to remember who I am and the potential I have for good. It makes me want to do better everyday and gives me hope for the future.

Chinese New Year's at the Cafe!

It just so happened that on Thursday this week, the school's cafe had a special dinner in honor of the Chinese New Year. The food was really really good.

GUNG HEI FAAT CHOI!

BYUH Mentored Research

Coming back to school, I really wanted to get a job, especially a job that was related to my major (biochemistry). I had seen BYUH's research program online before, but it looked like only juniors or seniors got it. Well, I applied anyway for it and talked to a couple of professors and various staff members about it. Dr. Scott, a professor of biochemistry, decided to put me on his bio-fuel cell project as an assistant to Leticia Chetty, a senior who will graduate this spring. I was very pleased to get this assignment because I haven't had much experience in a real laboratory setting. It had to have been divine intervention for sure.

Leticia working on the bio-fuel cell

She lately has had me perform titration on several samples from the bio-fuel cell

Thank goodness for pipettes

Hong Kong Club

Ever since I went to Hong Kong, I made up my mind that I would join its club at BYUH. Here is a couple of pictures about just that.

Picture of me with an old mission pal (Joseph) joining the Hong Kong Club at the Aloha Center.

Dinner with Hong Kong Friends at the Ballroom yesterday

Authentic Hong Kongese food.

It was really really tasty!