December in Taiwan and Minnesota

Hello all,

My, what a whirlwind December was... I had a wonderful gig before leaving town at this great venue here in the city, the Mercury lounge. It felt so good to perform, and I had the great fortune to share the stage with a very talented local blues musician. I was surprised by how many people came, and their attentiveness to my performance. It's been a while since I've played a gig where everyone is actually listening! Well, it's been a while since I've played any gig for that matter!

I am back in Taiwan now after a very fun, full and snowy winter trip back to minnesota. It was so wonderful to see family and friends and to celebrate the holidays all cozied up and with good cheer. It was so nice to see those of you I was able to spend time with. Delicious meals, laughter, bottles and bottles of champagne...  The snow falling and falling made for the perfect wintry delight. I was a little snow bunny, playing in the snow! I went ice-skating, sledding, I shoveled and shoveled and shoveled, just for fun... It was perfect. I was feeling so nostalgic about not having autumn or winter and I got a serious dose of a very serious winter. Did I mention the biting cold? It was cold like I've never felt before..

Mama, me and kelsey

The flight going back to the states was easy.. I had a lay over in Tokyo for 5 hours and was joined by a few other teachers from my school, so I was in good company. And then, we boarded the 15 hour flight to chicago around 7, took off at 8pm and I was tucked in and ready to go to sleep after a movie and glass of wine around 10! I slept great on the flight and when I landed in Chicago, it was Saturday night again! I missed my flight in Chicago, due to a very small in between time, and I had to go through customs, get my luggage and then recheck to get on my next flight, I didn't even have a chance! So I waited around in Chicago for a bit, and then flew to Minneapolis. Upon landing in the city, my mama picked me up, and then next thing I knew, I was getting onto a karaoke party bus for meg's bachlorette party. OH dear. That's enough said about that!

It only took me about a week to get on the right time schedule, there were many sleepless nights and many groggy days, but being surrounded by family and relaxing makes it a bit easier I guess.

And miss meghan feehan is now Mrs. Meghan Maes!! What a beautiful and fun wedding it was.. (exhausting as the personal attendant, musician AND grooms dinner decorator) but really fun nonetheless! I got to dance with my grandma, sing with my mama, and see an entire half of my extended family, what a treat! Meghan and Dan are now lounging on a white sandy beach in Jamaica, and they totally deserve it after all the hard work put into their wedding.

Over the holidays I had a longing sensation to be curled up in my own home, near my own Christmas tree with a journal in hand, contemplating the year to come.. That was definitely not the case on this trip, but there's a time for everything right? I'm feeling a bit insecure, not knowing what this next year will hold for me, for us. But trying to remain in the present, and be open to all possibilities. The sky truly IS the limit. In this case it's narrowing it down that seems impossible. After living in Taiwan, anything could happen. I am looking forward to working as a Waldorf Kindergarten teacher somewhere, and beginning my Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher training. Where I will teach? That is the question... Right now I am checking out Waldorf schools in Ireland, in Maine, Colorado, Minnesota, and Bali to name a few! I don't have any really strong leads yet.  Let me know if you have any ideas! I am also looking forward to continuing writing songs and becoming a stronger musician, perhaps recording a new album before leaving Taiwan. Thomas is very close to registering for a 200 hour yoga training here in Kaohsiung, and is diligently writing and studying away, as ever. I admire his love of learning, and wish some of it would rub off on me! Not that I don't love to learn, just that I don't have the patience for reading Steiner for hours on end! hoping to get there some day soon..

School has begun again, and I am feeling quite sure that this semester will fly right by, and then our year in Taiwan will be over before we know it! The children have grown in our time apart and I sense that this half will be mostly downhill. They are eager to listen, to sing, to play... We have several breaks to look forward to, including Chinese new year, and a trip to Thailand for spring break. AND a very exciting trip to Bali and India in the works for early summer, right when school gets out. I love to plan and dream away my days... Thinking of you all, and little tiny strings of love are spreading out across the world, from my heart to yours.

LOVE. tierney