MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Well, I had one of the best Christmas as well. Met so many friends during the 全球慈青日, and I get to use English so frequently without anyone complaining about my accent, talked to a dear friend for a long long time, and got some very nice gifts from home, as well as a surprise gift of a second monitor for my use.
It’s a blessing to know so many people, to receive so much love from everyone. Thanks.
More stories to tell soon… =D
HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO!!!
A visit to the Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園) during the autumn is beautiful. It’s the closest experience with nature and its beauty. Water from deep mountains is so clean, so pure, you can really see that it’s blue…
In order to encourage more visitors, some paths are created for visitors to walk through. Due to this reason, you may experience some water dripping on top of your head, and in some areas, you may observe increased risk of getting hit by a rock.
There has been several cases of deaths due to falling rocks. So during typhoon or heavy rain, visitors are strongly discouraged from visiting this place. If it’s sunny after heavy rain the day before, please don’t even consider visiting this hazardous place. Nonetheless, nature is just fascinating and you can experience it all in Taroko Gorge and National Park.
Some aborigines here making business out of arts and harvests of the forest.
Somewhere at the swallow grotto (燕子口), we had to wear safety helmets for ‘some’ protection, cause even with safety helmets, it doesn’t deter larger rocks to crack your head like an egg. So some visitors chose not to wear them.
I think the most interesting part of Taroko gorge are the rock formations and the layered stones, some close approximate to the Grand Canyon in the US. View the photograph below with red-cyan anaglyph 3D glasses for best result.
This trip there may only be a one day trip, but the view up in the mountains was breath taking. I would want to spend more time there, and I’m definitely looking forward for a second visit.
It works… cause it requires much patience and creativity. It’s healing because we get closer to mother nature! Just love the experience! My art piece to share with everyone.
Perhaps I should be an idiot.
Or someone who couldn’t think or talk or listen.
To ignore others when they are hurtful.
To keep my mouth shut when they’re not willing to listen.
To stay away from all the rumours said about me.
To act stupid when they’re being sarcastic.
Afterall, an idiot finds much more joy and laughter in life.
Perhaps I should just decide not to care anymore.
儅我給意見的時候，你們認爲我在強迫意見。
儅我不在的時候，你們都自認爲這個、那個，胡説。
一直以來，我都在嘗試給意見，但是都被推開。
看來就算了。既然你們都不在乎別人說什麽，我就繼續靜靜聼就好了。
你們在乎的，也只有Gossip而已。
都是在說他人的是非。
Ever since my ranting about some expensive stuffs in Hualien, someone brought some nice gifts all the way from Malaysia. Thank you so much. Didn’t expect so much love from everyone.
Has been so busy these few weeks… and I really hoped that I could find time to share some experience here with everyone…
National Geographic Magazine is one of my must read reading material of all time. Not only I improved my use of vocabulary and diversify my writing techniques when I indulge myself in the articles, I get myself abreast of all the latest news and updates, especially on environmental discussions.
Recently, I found myself watching the National Geographic Live! Explorers Symposium featured in the Apple iTunes Podcasts. I couldn’t help but agree more with one of the discussions in the episodes – Seafood and Survival by Barton Seaver. He is not a scientist, but merely an observer. As a chef, he realized the importance of a meal to humans – it is where humans get together as a family. As he got older, he came to realize that the seafood he used for cooking has become exorbitantly expensive, and some of his favourite catches were no longer there for harvesting. It was then he said this, “As chefs, we are responsible for creating a demand of exotic food. We are the one who popularized shark fin soup and we are now in control of the natural selection of seafood species.” He believed that it is our duty as the harvester of our natural resources should use our natural resources wisely.
“Sustainability is not about the environment, it’s about sustaining people. We may have used an eco-friendly method to cultivate shrimps in farms, but having a shrimp buffet as a business is not a sustainable method. Sustainability failed on the human part.” He’s right! At the end of the day, we’ll be affected when the ecosystem collapsed. I can firmly say that ecosystem is there to support our living!
In short, we should really take a step forward and look at our dinner plates. You are indeed what you eat, but at the same time, the Earth’s wellbeing is what you eat too! So be responsible for what you consume.
Sorry to say this, but I hate competitions very much.
Ever since I was small, I was put into competitions with my cousin sister and brother.
Then I was put into competitions again, from singing to story telling to whatever Chinese Know-it-all competitions, in which the Chinese class made me absolutely miserable.
Then in Secondary School, I was put into competitions again, this and that and everything else.
It was in UTAR in which I found no competition at all, I competed with myself.
Then I realized this, it wasn’t that I don’t like competitions, I just don’t like to compete with other people. It makes me miserable when I lose, and it makes the other party miserable when I win. Plus, I hated the idea of being put into comparison with others.
Now, I love the idea of competing with myself. Absolutely love the idea of self-competition.
Then here I am again, being put into a situation where I was being compared at what I’m not good at. I’m sorry to say that I’m not good at sports, so stop comparing! I tried my best every time and I compete with myself to do better each time.
So I guess I’ll have to say this, I’ll never join another competition that is all about winning. It’s not the winning that matters, it hurts me when people started comparing me with the others. I loath that idea. Hated it so much right now.
And don’t get me started on respect. How am I to respect another person if he doesn’t prove to be worthy of my respect? Respect is EARNED, not because you’re merely more senior than I am. Please, for heaven sake, stop all these childish games. Grow up!
With the chilling air brushing by every moment now, with some of the trees withering as day passes, I can firmly say that the cold autumn days are here
On the 5th of October 2011, we shall remember the departure of this man who made so much impact in our lives. To Steve Jobs, who devoted his life to making us crazy about Apple, thank you for bringing design and innovation to the next level.
We shall miss you dearly.
Here are some examples of interesting exams I had to take in this semester:
Classical Music Appreciation:Name the classical piano when it's being played during the exam.
Introduction to World Religion:
Write a book review out of the 5 books recommended, and I picked the book about Australian Aborigines.
Jing-Si Aphorisms:
Write a personal view of Jing-Si Aphorisms. Anything will do, from the origin to how it has changed people.
World Culture Studies:
No right or wrong. They’re just personal opinions. The lecturer told us some of the most interesting stories of all time, from Greek mythologies to ancient Egypt.
Chinese Language:
Present each chapter of the text book. During Mid-term and Finals, the whole class is required to present 2 books together. That’s all.
Genes and Diseases:
We’re allowed to prepare an answer beforehand and just copy it into our exam answer sheet during the exam…
And basically for now, I have to write an average of three self-reflect or sharing notes each week, never less than that. Plus, I get to read all the books and novels I can read. How cool is that?!
Anyway, some weather updates: It’s raining heavily out there due to typhoon, and classes for today has been cancelled. And I believe that the sales for instant noodles went up just because of this weather… haha
Till then, do take care everyone! More to come…
I spent my weekend in Taipei when my course mates were out on a camp. Don’t worry about them, I’m sure they’re doing just fine with the typhoon passing by Taiwan bringing torrents of rain and some occasional strong wind.
My train trip there was basically sponsored for, to attend the 2011 Taiwan Scholarship Orientation, and since it was the weekends, I asked for an extended stay in Taipei. So on Saturday, I met up with some friends, dropped by one of the most beautiful places in Taiwan. It was YehLiu Geopark (野柳地質公園), located on the North-East side of Taipei, about 45 minutes bus ride away from Taipei Main Station.
Before entering the geopark, we passed by a little town. It’s basically a harbour for deep sea fishermen to dock their boats and sell their harvests to the middle person.
An easy going town indeed!
This dish below was a surprise! It’s known as the ‘sea vegetable’ (海菜) and it’s crunchy…
It’s a geopark because of the stone formations. It’s interesting… but still far away from the Grand Canyon though.
As aforementioned, typhoon was passing by Taiwan, bringing lots of rain and wind. Still, that did not deter anyone of us from going forward. Many put on their rain coats and brave through the strong wind.
Then in the evening, I met up with my UTAR friend who’s doing her masters in Taiwan.
On Sunday morning, I had a short walk to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂).
At 10am, I witness some interesting ceremony where the guardians of the door change shifts. They had to perform some gun-throwing-flipping-stabbing, salutations etc. before the official change of shift actually took place.
By the time the ceremony has ended, some ladies, such as the one pictured below, had fallen in love with the men in uniform… haha
Basically, it was a nice stay, cooling weather but a bit too much of rain due to the typhoon. Still the night stay at Taipei Hostel was quite comfy and it’s very much affordable too! Comes highly recommended the next time you intend to stay in Taipei.
The most awkward thing I ever experienced in Taiwan is their English.
While I was here, I did not even dare to say that my English is good, when my classmates claimed that theirs is American accent or New Zealand English. My roommate even tried to compete with me on the pronunciation! Thank goodness for Dictionary.com for the pronunciation.
And you know what? The American English lecturer in our university can’t seemed to get what they’re talking about. He too found it hard to understand the messages these students were trying to convey!
Someone even insisted that my English sounded weird and awkward when I have in fact, worked with an American for nearly six months, and he did not find my English awkward or incomprehensible at all! (Or maybe he did, behind my back… haha).
Anyways, I hope that I can keep myself from going gaga when I attend more conferences in near future. Remember that medical conference I attended a few weeks back? Yeah, that conference was the most difficult to understand among all the other conferences I have ever attended. The conference seemed to go faster when the scientists started to use Mandarin instead of English. hmm…
Autumn is beautiful here, with some days cloudy and gloomy, while some other days sunny and bright.
Till then, more to come.
Very simple mantra: I’m sorry, Please forgive me, I love you, Thank you.
As simple as this, everyone can use this mantra to clean themselves. The author of this book “Zero Limits”, together with his teacher Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, Dr. Joe Vitale encourages everyone to clean themselves. Very much like self-cleansing.
 | One extremely crucial point in this book: Be responsible on everything that occurs in life. You are responsible. Why? Because every time something bad happens, you’re there! You’re there at that very moment! So you need to clean yourself, to keep you calm so that you can connect to Divinity, and from there you get the inspiration you need. |
It’s a good book to read. I recommend everyone to read it. If you want something with more depth, try the 《慈悲三昧水懺》instead. This book is equally good.
So clean yourself. Everything is beyond your control. Only when you let go, clean yourself, and most importantly, love yourself, you’ll feel better. Only a joyous mood would enable you to think clearer. Let your subconscious do its work!
Life here seemed mundane for a while, then the next second, it becomes overwhelmingly busy.
Course structure is basically simple. You need to attend the core subjects, and you have extra 6 credit hours for electives. On average, each elective is 2 points. Minimum of 16 points and maximum of 25 points per semester.
Thank goodness I’m exempted from taking subjects like Basic Biology, Basic Chemistry, Calculus and English. But the most headache part is that others are required to convert from Mandarin to English, while I have to convert from English to Mandarin.
And because of all these exemptions, I have to take more elective courses!
So here’s a list classes I am required to attend:
| Core: 1. Chinese Language 2. Humanities & Care to the society 3. Life Education 4. Sports and Health Electives: 1. Web database management system 2. Genes and Diseases 3. International Relations 4. World Cultures 5. JingSi Aphorisms 6. Classical Piano Appreciation 7. Introduction to world religions |
Went out to buy a new bicycle today… Very friendly shop owner.
Now, I can cycle around Hualien already! =D
By the way, the shopkeeper told us several fun rides we can join… in which we can cycle our way around Hualien County with a group of over hundreds of cyclists! It must be fun!
My first experience of a different mooncake festival celebration outside Malaysia. Very special, I must say.
I hope you enjoyed yours very much as well. Happy Mooncake Festival!
Remember those shoes worn by Marty McFly in Back to the Future?
Believe it or not, Nike really made that pair of kicks!
They’re auctioning them. Benefits from the sales are directed towards Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.
They even made a special ad for the sneakers!
So if you’re interested, better get them fast! They’re very much limited edition, and that pair of kicks may costs up to USD 6k! For more info, visit http://nikemag.ebay.com
Today marks a quarter century of Tzu Chi Medical Mission. For the past 25 years, the doctors have served so many people in need of medical care, and the patients were, and still are, very much like family to them.
During the presentation of some medical cases, it showed how much the doctors cared towards their patients. All of a sudden, you see hope in the future. A future where doctors treat their patients as if they are flesh and blood. A doctor who tried their best to save lives and not take fortune and fame into consideration.
Doctors and staffs from all 6 hospitals scattered all over Taiwan came gathered during this magnificent ceremony to present everyone this beautiful hand-sign language.
And after that, a magnificent dinner surprise which took everyone’s breath away…
The best buffet dinner ever! Even the decorations and the colours made everyone smile!
And ice-creams too! I know the food looked VERY nice, but please don’t lick your computer screen okay? =D
Anyways, the day ended very well and tomorrow’s dinner, they’re having special mooncake festival dinner! How am I ever going to slim down with meals like this everyday?!
