Taiwan’s Penghu Islands are full of delightful little villas perfect for a romantic weekend getaway.  I saw this villa while on vacation with my co-workers last July and I’m dying to share it with John. We’re hoping to make this one of our ’special’ places this coming year.

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
– Unknown.

Everyone has dreams.  These are a few of mine.

1. Go on a helicopter ride.
2. Run a marathon.
3. Swim with giant manta rays.
4. Take dance lessons.
5. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
6. Visit the seven man-made wonders of the world.
7. Visit the seven natural wonders of the world.
8. Ride a Russian Mig Fighter Jet.
9. Carnival, Brazil.
10. Ride the Trans-Siberian.
11. Learn how to drive a motorcycle.
12. Two months in India.
13. Return to Ubud, Bali and spend a month in one of the artisan villages.
14. Take a silver smithing course in Mexico.
15. Go bungee jumping.
16. Go sky-diving.
17. Ride a camel in the Sahara Desert and stay with the Bedouin.
18. Cruise Alaska.
19. Visit the Galapagos Islands.
20. Mount Everest Base Camp.
21. Go to England and have a wild time with Claire.
22. Tie the knot.
23. Bhutan.
24. Ecotrekking and Ziplining in Laos.
25. Camel trekking.

Well, since this is the fourth time I’ve had to start this post, I’m going to make it short and sweet.  Needless to say, I feel for all the bloggers out there who write from a dial-up connection. That’s why you haven’t heard much from me on this trip. The travel chronicles, and yes, yes, yes, the wedding photos and details will be posted during the first week of the new year. I promise!

Speaking of which, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

This post is for my new husband. We parted ways last week in order to spend time with our families over the Christmas holidays and will be reuniting in Chicago on the 30th of December to make the trip back to Taiwan.

This song was one of the first he heard me sing. I was performing on a special Christmas television show in Changchun, China. John and I had been together for just over a month, but I already knew he was the one. It seems rather appropriate now…

Greeting cards have all been sent

The Christmas rush is through

But I still have one wish to make

A special one for you

Merry Christmas, darling

We’re apart, that’s true

But I can dream

And in my dreams

I’m Christmasing with you

Holidays are joyful

There’s always something new

But every day’s a holiday

When I’m near to you

The lights on my tree

I wish you could see

I wish it every day

The logs on the fire

Fill me with desire

To see you and to say

That I wish you Merry Christmas

Happy New Year too

I’ve just one wish

On this Christmas Eve

I wish I were with you

The lights on my tree

I wish you could see

I wish it every day

The logs on the fire

Fill me with desire

To see you and to say

That I wish you Merry Christmas

Happy New Year too

I’ve just one wish

On this Christmas Eve

I wish I were with you

I wish I were with you

Merry Christmas, darling.

One of my good friends, Queenie Chen. She really is a superstar, isn’t she?