Computers and Broadway

Hey y'all! Campbell here.

Sorry it's been awhile. We really need to get better at this updating thing.

SO, my computer has officially died. I guess it was about time. I bought my computer about 5 1/2 years ago before I came to Taiwan. So it had a good run. I guess it was just unfortunate the way that it died.

Over the months my computer had been getting progressively slower and slower. Last week, I was working on it, and I just got so frustrated with it, I wanted to shut it down. But of course that process also was taking forever, and it was getting late, so I just decided to do a force shut down. BAD IDEA. The next day, I went to turn on my computer. No go. It wouldn't load.

I took it to work hoping that someone would be able to save it, or at least save my hard drive. But, no. It's dead.

The sad thing is that I had a lot of really important, priceless photos, videos and other things on there. I had my video I made the day I proposed to Linda, I had my letter from ORTV. I had a lot of irreplaceable stuff. SO I'm consider the idea of finding a data retreival company and seeing what they can do.

On a more fun note. In a few minutes, I'll be leaving for my first day of Broadway Camp! YAY! =) I'm really excited.

For those of you who don't know. Back in June, I auditioned for a Broadway Camp here in Taipei. It's a one week camp. A group from America called, "American Voices" does cultural programs around the world. And they've put together a Broadway Camp with some professionals from the states. And they're coming this week to do training. We'll be learning singing, dancing, and acting. And we'll be working on music from 2 shows, Guys and Dolls and Rent along with our own songs. And at the end of the week, next Saturday, we'll have a concert. I'm excited and nervous! =)

Hopefully, I can get a few pictures and post them on here.

Thanks for reading! =)

Recent Happenings

Now, we are in mid-July. Wow, does time speed ahead! The weather has been so gorgeously HOT! Just beautiful weather lately. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the blue blue skies. I love the white fluffy clouds too! What do you see in the clouds?

Also, these are two books I have been reading. I borrowed both books from the Mrs. Lovely Alagata herself. Thank you, Lovely! I have been delving in Beth Moore's Jesus, The One and Only. WOW! She takes us through the book of Luke to see Jesus as our One and Only. What truth is that! The other book is Quiet Times for Couples. Campbell and I have been going through this book a few days out of the week. These short devotionals have spurred on some good sharing times and prayers. We ask for more, Lord! And of course there is my planner for 2008. I can't believe how fast 2008 is going by! And I hope this picture is symbolic of my life and priorities too.

First, Jesus, the ONE and ONLY. Then my husband and spending time with my husband. Then comes all my plans and agendas. Actually, may all my plans and agendas be at Jesus' feet! :)

This is another recent happening. This is STAFF CHOIR on tour! We had a lot of fun singing and dancing away! This was us on the bus going to Taichung.

Our brother, Jeff, is on the island!! Campbell and I got to see Jeff in action. He's great! We are so proud of him. And it was fun meeting some students there too.


And "Hi, friends"! This is me. With braces. Ha! Where are my braces you ask? Look below!


Do you see them? If you look closely at the previous picture, you can see the upper braces too!

OK! So that's the recent happenings with me, Mrs. Chang. Come back for more future updates! And leave us a note!

Behind the Scenes

Tomorrow will be 13 months since we walked down the aisle as the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Campbell Chang. So I'd thought I'll write some thoughts down about these past 13 months and show you guys some behind the scenes of the day almost 13 months ago on June 2nd, 2007.

1. One of my favorite moments started early in the day. Since Campbell and I already lived so close to each other before we got married, we decided to have our two families get ready together for the big day. Here I'm getting my hair and makeup done while my oldest sister looks on. I loved having our two families there together from the very beginning. Both our families mean the world to us and it was our special day, fully supported by our families. It was a family affair.

2. Some very special memories during this time, the two fathers talking and sharing. There were lots of laughs and hugs and giggles, too. (not between the fathers though) We all shared a nice meal together, delivered by Campbell's Best Man, Billy Leonard. Our parents prayed and blessed our union. That was so precious to us. I love it when my future father-in-law embraced Campbell. The tears were there. I was so glad one of my oldest friends, Camilly, dropped by in the morning, too!

3. Some of our favorite "little people": April and Abby Chang with Annabelle Leonard --> our flower girls. Cam and I had three flower girls. During our rehearsal, Annabelle was clearly the leader. She basked in the attention and walked steadily while my two nieces wavered between soft cries and muted uncertainities. But on the day, for some reason, cute Annabelle pulled an "abandon ship" move and left my two nieces completely unsure what to do next. I just love the expressions on their faces. And it's precious how Abby's dress is too big on her. (Sidenote: I'll be sure to save this picture to show everyone on her wedding day. I'm sure she will be thrilled. :P)

Behind the Scenes: Isn't so funny how we like to see "behind the scenes" stuff? At least, I do. One day, we'll be able to see behind the scenes with Daddy. Wooohooo... that would be super fun.

Happy (almost) 13 months, love!

Update

Hey y'all. Campbell here.

It's been awhile. Don't have time to add any pictures, but I'll give a quick update on what's going on in the Chang household.

Last Saturday, I had the privelege of leading an English Camp in Ilan. It was quite the learning experience organizing everyone and getting the whole thing together. Praise God it went really well. What really touched me was how several students at the end of the day came up and said, "Lao shi, wo men zhen de hao xi huan ni men." (Teacher, we really like you.) And these were college students. So praise God. =) Really. I ended the day, tuckered, but so grateful for my team and for how God led.

Also, this summer at ORTV we've got 20+ interns working with us. They're a great bunch. And we've got 3 of them staying with us. Three boys. So Linda gets to experience what it's like living in what the Chinese call, a boys' dormitory. =) HAHA... It's been a great experience. Linda and I feel like we're getting training on how to be parents. =)

Anyway... we'll try to get some pictures up for y'all to see.

Thanks for checking in!

Thanksgiving, Christmas AND New Years

This week on LTE we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas AND New Years! I love my job.

The boys and I played a nice game of football.

(And by nice, I mean we didn't play at all. And by football, I mean we smeared mud on each other in the makeup room.)

Here's Ashley with two pies waiting with our turkey to go on set.

Here Simon tells Renee that the food smells great. Unfortunately, Renee doesn't think the same of Simon.

The Thanksgiving Cast

And in true TV LAND fashion, after we celebrate Thanksgiving we move right on to celebrating Christmas. With a change in wardobe and scenery, here we all are caroling. (really off-key)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This week was also the last week of skit recording for 2008. So we took some picture swith some of the production assistants and techies for our show.

One Year! Already?! How Time Flies!

Hey y'all. So last Monday, June 2, Linda and I celebrated our One-Year Wedding Anniversary. Can you believe it? We've been married for a year already. Time really flies. We are so very thankful for all that we have experienced over this past year. And we are just amazed by how much the Lord has blessed us in this last year. And thank you friends and family for all of the love and prayers you have poured out over us. Here are some photos of us over the past week. I bought Linda a camera as an anniversary gift, so these photos were taken with that.

Linda and my character, Renee and Simon also celebrated their wedding anniversary this week. So we had fun celebrating our anniversary with our friends on set.

During the skit, Andrea's character, Olga, teaches everyone how to polka.

Last weekend, Linda and I had a chance to go up to a hot spring resort hotel in Beitou. It was really nice. Linda and I really enjoyed relaxing there. Muchos gracias to our friend Christina and her mom. =)

On our way back we took a picture at a nice fountain in the area.

(You can tell we're both a bit sleepy from all the relaxation.) =)

So that's it! That's been our week of celebration. We've yet to cut our wedding cake yet. We're still trying to find time to do that. =) But when we do, we'll be sure to post some pictures.

Love ya!

Brace Yourself!

My relationship with dental braces first started back in 1993. The relationship lasted for 5 years. Oh, the every month of my dad driving me to San Gabriel to Dr. Whatishisnamenow-Iforget so he can tighten my braces even more. And the every day struggle of not having the wires tear at my mouth. And the times my parents made me congee because it's hard to bite down on anything and chew actual sustantial foods. The worst is when I played clarinet.

Those were the days.

But wasn't all that moaning and groaning worth it when after Dr. Reallywhatishisnamenow took off each bracket and brace, when I tasted the slimminess of my straight and beautiful pearly whites? I am ever thankful for my parents. This was a good investment.

... Now, back are the days. Friends, I have braces again.

Ever since I was little, I have one tooth in the back where it just took forever to grow. And it was crooked. Now, finally, it decided it's going to face the world and push and push... and it's pushing into another tooth. Dr. Sunday (bless his heart) recommended that I get braces again to upright this bad tooth. So now, I have 6 brackets. 3 on the top, and 3 on the bottom. The plan is by 9 months, I'll have my freedom again. But until then, I am a waxed covered (wax protects my mouth from those pesky wires), reliving my teenage days, braces lady.

Holler back and let me know your (love) affair with braces or your teeth!

Maybe I'll include a picture of me with braces next time. Stay tuned.

-L