As a self-identified Taiwanese, from time to time, I get to explain Taiwanese history and so on to anyone who might have been told/taught differently. A few days ago, someone who clearly had never left America insisted on his false knowledge about Taiwan, and I got to apply a phrase I learned in the US, "I would punch you in the face for that". To help more people dodge that punch in the face because of incorrect/incomplete information, I decided to point out a few common myths and facts about Taiwan. (I believe most of Taiwanese are peaceful people. Otherwise, Taiwan couldn't have been ruled by so many foreign powers until now.)
由於自我定位為台灣人, 當我碰到對台灣史理解不同的人時, 免不了一番解釋。前幾天碰到了一個大概這輩子沒離開過美國卻硬是堅持自以為了解台灣的錯誤知識，我很難得首度使用一句在美國學到的用語＂我有衝動給你臉補一拳＂。為幫助人們閃躲因為錯誤知識引發之台灣人正拳，我決定在此釐清一些迷思。（相信大部分的台灣人民都以和為貴，要不然就不會乖乖被這麼多外來政權統治這麼久）
1. Myth: You're from Taiwan? You must speak Chinese!
Fact: Nonsensical for various reasons.
迷思1. 你來自台灣？那你一定會說中文！
事實：多面向分析後的無理之談
a. Chinese doesn't mean the pronunciation.
Even dating sites know that! Clearly, some people have never acquired dating sites. Good for them, I suppose! There are a ton of regional dialects(pronunciations) in Chinese language. The most popular one used as the official pronunciation/language in several countries in Asia is called Mandarin. Mandarin started as a dialect like many others. When Ming and Ching(or Qing) dynasties took control of China, the rulers started to promote (or force) the majority of people using their dialect, and it became the broadly spoken "official language" for many after all.
a. 中文不代表發音方式
連交友網路都知道的事實！看來有些人從來沒用過交友網路，大概值得慶幸吧！中國語言涵蓋許多方言，目前在亞洲最流行的官方口音是曼德林（普通話，北京話）。曼德林始於方言，當明清當道時為治國方便而加強推行。
b. There are a lot of people in Taiwan who speak languages/dialects other than Mandarin.
b. 台灣還有許多其他方言與語言使用者
b1. Aboriginal languages/dialects
There are more than 10 different tribes in Taiwan and some of their dialects are not even close to each other. Their languages or dialects are nothing like Mandarin/Chinese at all.
b1. 原住民語言/方言
台灣目前至少有十多族正名，使用語言／方言不一定類似。而這些語言與曼德林（中文語系）大不同。
b2. Japanese
After the invasion by Japan during Ching/Qing dynasty, Taiwan was given to Japan since the late 1800. In order to rule, Japanese became the official language until after the end of WWII. My grandma(mom's mom) spoke Japanese, Minnan(sometimes referred to Hokkien, Holo, a dialect widely spoken in Taiwan), and very little Mandarin. Well, my mom's families came from five generations of farmers. They didn't have to deal with the government too much, and they got to keep their first dialects/languages.(Only what they used at home and school)
b2. 日語
在日本侵清時，台灣在1800年晚期被割給日本。為了方便管理，日文變成官方語言一直到第二次世界大戰之後。我外祖母在世時只會說日語與閩南語（又稱福佬話或福建話，方言），而幾乎不會曼德林。五代以上農家不太需要跟治國者打交道，於是不用精通後來的官方語言。（僅擅長家裡與學校使用的語言與方言）
b3. Taiwanese shouldn't mean a certain pronunciation.
Lots of Minnan/Hokkien/Holo speakers use the term Taiwanese to refer their dialect. Yes, as Mandarin, it's widely spoken in Taiwan, but it's still ignorance to ignore all other dialects in Taiwan like Hakka, Cantonese, etc.
b3. 任何方言或是發音方式不該被定義為台灣話或台語
許多使用閩南語（福佬話、福建話）的人們由於自己使用的方言是多數，於是自認為台灣話或台語就是閩南語（福佬話、福建話）。這其實是很不尊重其他方言與文化的表現！在台灣，客家話也是主流方言之一，而台灣也有使用廣東話...等其他方言的人群。
b4. New Taiwanese whose first language is not related to Chinese at all
There are more and more people trying to immigrate to Taiwan. Some of them are English teachers from all over the world. Some of them go to Taiwan for business or work. A lot of immigrants are from Philippine, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.
b4. 新台灣人的第一語言與中文語系完全無關
越來越多人移民台灣，有些是來自世界各地去台灣教英文之後決定移民定居的人們、有些人為了生意或工作定居台灣、許多移民來自菲律賓、泰國、...越南。
2. Myth: Taiwan is/was part of China
Fact: Not exactly!
迷思2. 台灣（曾）是中國的一部份
事實：不完全是！
A very huge portion of people who came to Taiwan because they had no where else to go. Taiwan was first recognized as part of China since Ming dynasty (the one before Qing) around 1661. The very last authorities of Ming dynasty, Cheng Families, kicked out the Dutch who had taken some controls of Taiwan for 38 years, and the Chengs claimed Taiwan as the territory of Ming. (BTW, Dutchmen kicked Spanish people out from Taiwan around 1642.) Anyways, Ching/Qing dynasty can't tolerate the existence of any left over Ming's. They sent a few armies over and took out Ming dynasty from Taiwan. But how much does Ching/Qing dynasty care about Taiwan? Apparently, not very much, because when Ching/Qing was invaded by Japan, Taiwan and its surrounding islands were given to Japan right away. KMT annihilated Ching/Qing dynasty when Taiwan was ruled by Japan. In the beginning of the territory of the Republic of China, Taiwan wasn't even in there.
台灣的多數人口原本的確來自中國移民，但飄洋過海的原因通常是因為在本地待不下去又無他處可去。台灣一直到明清時期才被劃為版圖之內（1661年左右），當年鄭成功抗清不了只好用餘力擊退佔據台灣的荷蘭人（荷蘭人於1642年趕走西班牙人，佔據台灣約38年），在台灣為明朝留下一絲機會，清廷為剷除餘族派兵來台除明成功，於是台灣成為清朝版圖。至於清廷實際上有多在意台灣，從馬關條約割台給日本就知道了。當國民黨推翻清政府時，台灣並不在版圖之內。
So, the million $ question a lot of us have here is, "As places given away to different countries by Ching/Qing dynasty, who the heck decided to give Taiwan back to the Republic of China(ROC, lead by the party, KMT) when Hong Kong was given back to the People's Republic of China(PRC, lead by the Communist Party)?"
那麼，這時得幫許多有相同疑問的人發問：＂一樣都被清廷割據，到底是哪些王八蛋決定香港要回歸中國共產黨而台灣要交給中國國民黨？＂
3. Myth: Taipei is the capitol of Taiwan
Fact: Yes and no depending on whom you are asking
迷思3. 台灣的首都是台北
事實：要看查詢資料是哪個單位提供的
On Wikipedia and most highly educated countries, it's clear that Taipei plays the role as the capitol of Taiwan. However, if you read the textbooks published by KMT(or its allies), the books may tell you that Nanjing is the capitol. How is that possible when we all know that Nanjing is in China? Well, let's just say that some of the hardcore ROC believers are still delusional about taking over China one day...
微基百科跟世界各地許多有常識的知識分子都會說台北很顯然是台灣的首都。但是，如果參考資料來自國民黨（或相關單位）出版之教科書，你可能會發現台灣（中華民國）的首都在南京。怎麼可能？南京不是在中國大陸嗎？嗯，我只能說有些中華民國狂熱者還在幻想有一天能三民主義統一中國...
4. Myth: Taiwan will be taken over by China because of the current economic drives
Fact: The entire world could be taken over by China following this logic
迷思4. 由於經濟考量，台灣一定會被中國併吞
事實：參考同樣經濟考量因素，全世界都可能會被中國併吞
As what Trump proudly mentioned, "...I just sold an apartment for 15 million dollars (to some Chinese)...", I think it's more fun and useful to buy the US than Taiwan.
引述川普之前驕傲地說詞：「...我剛以一千五百萬美元賣了一棟公寓(給某中國人)...」要買的話，買美國比台灣更有用也更有趣。
These are the principles to keep in mind before opening the mouth to anyone who openly expresses himself/herself as Taiwanese. Hope all the readers stay un-punched! Or, if you like a good fight, you know what to say!
當有人表示自己是台灣人的時候，請在開口前回顧以上原則，希望讀者們的臉都能安然無恙。當然，若目的是為了挑起戰端，那如何點火也是一目瞭然。
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Monday, August 3, 2015
我是你屁股永遠的痛 Be the pain in your ass forever 3 -最新"乾爽"指考模擬試題-
受到新舊版歷史課本啟發，讓我忍不住查閱更多歷史資料，在此出題苦中作樂：
一、閱讀測驗：（請先閱讀一段文字，並依據文字提供線索選擇最有可能的答案）
1. 2012年（民國101年）初，舉行第十三任總統、副總統大選，國民黨馬英九、吳敦義（1948年～）擊退民進黨、親民黨的候選人，順利當選，選舉過程較之前的總統大選理性，台灣民主政治更臻成熟。
請問這本教科書的編輯最有可能來自哪一個黨派？
A. 國民黨
B. 民進黨
C. 親民黨
D. 中國共產黨
本文所指＂選舉過程較之前的總統大選理性＂與＂台灣民主政治更臻成熟＂的表現可能包含？
A. 人民直選，而不像前八屆投票者僅限兩千多位國民大會代表
B. 政黨輪替，除了第十至第十一屆總統，所有總統當選人都來自國民黨
C. 多黨政治，從第四屆至第八屆總統選舉，總統候選人皆只有一位，皆來自國民黨
D. 無稽之談，這種偏頗教科書文字一看就知道是執政者自慰文
E. 以上皆是
靈感來源-音地臉書-
https://www.facebook.com/IndieDaaDee/photos/a.705959122818997.1073741827.705014679580108/880456252035949/?type=1&theater
2. ...1989年（民國78年）中共以武力鎮壓「天安門事件」，更強化國際輿論對我國的同情。在陳水扁（1950~）總統執政期間（2000~2008），採取「割喉外交」策略，導致國際關係一度緊張。2008年馬英九（1950~）總統上任以來，實施「活路外交」政策，積極增加參與國際組織的機會，拓展我國獲得免簽證待遇的國家數，以提升國際地位與能見度。
請選出文中所指最有可能的＂同情＂行為：
A. 聯合國歡迎中華民國以台灣之名入聯
B. 美國終於通過中華民國F16採購案
請選出陳水扁「割喉外交」之舉：
A. 2002年以「台澎金馬個別關稅領域」，成為WTO（世貿組織）第144個會員
B. 於2003、2004，與2007年三度申請加入世界衛生組織
C. 尚無美國綠卡
請問前總統蔣經國先生＂退出聯合國＂之舉最可能屬於：
A. 割喉外交
B. 活路外交
靈感來源-自由時報-
http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1398945
二、加分題：
1. 蔣經國的夫人原籍哪一國？
提示：Фаина Ипатьевна Вахрева
靈感來源
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Fang-liang
2. 依照最近教育部長吳思華以「課本已印」回應反課綱學生訴求的邏輯，推測長期使用該教材之好學生＂鈔乾爽＂夾大腸麵線時發現有塊屎的反應會如何？
靈感來源
http://udn.com/news/story/8413/1092647
3. 從中華民國歷任總統中選出最有可能有3P經驗的會是哪一位？
提示為A：1911年，...成為A之側室，A在日本時，與B是結拜好友。B有一日本護士女友C，C與A、B二人均「過從甚密」，C為B生下一子，便過繼給A...。
靈感來源
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A3%E4%B8%AD%E6%AD%A3
一、閱讀測驗：（請先閱讀一段文字，並依據文字提供線索選擇最有可能的答案）
1. 2012年（民國101年）初，舉行第十三任總統、副總統大選，國民黨馬英九、吳敦義（1948年～）擊退民進黨、親民黨的候選人，順利當選，選舉過程較之前的總統大選理性，台灣民主政治更臻成熟。
請問這本教科書的編輯最有可能來自哪一個黨派？
A. 國民黨
B. 民進黨
C. 親民黨
D. 中國共產黨
本文所指＂選舉過程較之前的總統大選理性＂與＂台灣民主政治更臻成熟＂的表現可能包含？
A. 人民直選，而不像前八屆投票者僅限兩千多位國民大會代表
B. 政黨輪替，除了第十至第十一屆總統，所有總統當選人都來自國民黨
C. 多黨政治，從第四屆至第八屆總統選舉，總統候選人皆只有一位，皆來自國民黨
D. 無稽之談，這種偏頗教科書文字一看就知道是執政者自慰文
E. 以上皆是
靈感來源-音地臉書-
https://www.facebook.com/IndieDaaDee/photos/a.705959122818997.1073741827.705014679580108/880456252035949/?type=1&theater
2. ...1989年（民國78年）中共以武力鎮壓「天安門事件」，更強化國際輿論對我國的同情。在陳水扁（1950~）總統執政期間（2000~2008），採取「割喉外交」策略，導致國際關係一度緊張。2008年馬英九（1950~）總統上任以來，實施「活路外交」政策，積極增加參與國際組織的機會，拓展我國獲得免簽證待遇的國家數，以提升國際地位與能見度。
請選出文中所指最有可能的＂同情＂行為：
A. 聯合國歡迎中華民國以台灣之名入聯
B. 美國終於通過中華民國F16採購案
請選出陳水扁「割喉外交」之舉：
A. 2002年以「台澎金馬個別關稅領域」，成為WTO（世貿組織）第144個會員
B. 於2003、2004，與2007年三度申請加入世界衛生組織
C. 尚無美國綠卡
請問前總統蔣經國先生＂退出聯合國＂之舉最可能屬於：
A. 割喉外交
B. 活路外交
靈感來源-自由時報-
http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1398945
二、加分題：
1. 蔣經國的夫人原籍哪一國？
提示：Фаина Ипатьевна Вахрева
靈感來源
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Fang-liang
2. 依照最近教育部長吳思華以「課本已印」回應反課綱學生訴求的邏輯，推測長期使用該教材之好學生＂鈔乾爽＂夾大腸麵線時發現有塊屎的反應會如何？
靈感來源
http://udn.com/news/story/8413/1092647
3. 從中華民國歷任總統中選出最有可能有3P經驗的會是哪一位？
提示為A：1911年，...成為A之側室，A在日本時，與B是結拜好友。B有一日本護士女友C，C與A、B二人均「過從甚密」，C為B生下一子，便過繼給A...。
靈感來源
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A3%E4%B8%AD%E6%AD%A3
嚴重偏頗的歷史教科書 -臉書感想轉貼- History Book of Serious Prejudice -shared from my fb post-
A simple quiz that anyone with no knowledge to Taiwanese politics could answer by just reading the Chinese paragraph below(Here's my Eng translation just in case if you're not familiar with Chinese):
就算對台灣政治毫無概念的人也能因閱讀底下文字猜出底下問題之正解:
就算對台灣政治毫無概念的人也能因閱讀底下文字猜出底下問題之正解:
In 2012, KMT candidates, Ying-Jeou Ma for the president and Den-Yih Wu for the vice president, defeated candidates from DPP and PFP, and won the 13th Presidential Election of Taiwan. The whole process during this election was much more rational than any other presidential elections before. It meant that the democracy in Taiwan had matured more.
2012年（民國101年）初，舉行第十三任總統、副總統大選，國民黨馬英九、吳敦義（1948年～）擊退民進黨、親民黨的候選人，順利當選，選舉過程較之前的總統大選理性，台灣民主政治更臻成熟。
2012年（民國101年）初，舉行第十三任總統、副總統大選，國民黨馬英九、吳敦義（1948年～）擊退民進黨、親民黨的候選人，順利當選，選舉過程較之前的總統大選理性，台灣民主政治更臻成熟。
The question is "Which Party would be most likely to produce a history textbook like this?"
問題是：＂這本歷史教科書最有可能是哪一個黨撰寫的？＂
問題是：＂這本歷史教科書最有可能是哪一個黨撰寫的？＂
1. KMT 國民黨
2. DPP 民進黨
3. PFP 親民黨
2. DPP 民進黨
3. PFP 親民黨
Welcome to share the quiz
歡迎分享此題
歡迎分享此題
另外, 我看了覺得也很驚人的是莫名其妙的"1948~", 台灣總統選舉第一屆是1948沒錯, 但前八屆選舉有六屆總統候選人只有一名, 一直到第九屆總統全都是同個黨(國民黨)... 這難道是國民黨自嘲的方法嗎? 的確, 若看回前八屆, 能夠人民直選這件事的確是比較理性... 原來我誤會教科書了
BTW, what is also surprising is the random "(1948~)" in the paragraph. I googled it and found out that 1948 was the year of our first presidential election of Taiwan. In 6 of the first 8 elections, there was only one presidential candidate provided from KMT. The first 9 elected presidents were all from KMT. Is KMT being sarcastic to its own past? Now that I looked back, it is indeed more rational that all Taiwanese citizens are able to vote directly for their candidates(Only the 2500+ congress members could vote for the presidents before the 9th presidential election of Taiwan).
BTW, what is also surprising is the random "(1948~)" in the paragraph. I googled it and found out that 1948 was the year of our first presidential election of Taiwan. In 6 of the first 8 elections, there was only one presidential candidate provided from KMT. The first 9 elected presidents were all from KMT. Is KMT being sarcastic to its own past? Now that I looked back, it is indeed more rational that all Taiwanese citizens are able to vote directly for their candidates(Only the 2500+ congress members could vote for the presidents before the 9th presidential election of Taiwan).
感謝銘謀胸解答: 1948為吳的出生年
My appreciation to the Ming-Mou's answer: VP Wu was born in 1948.
My appreciation to the Ming-Mou's answer: VP Wu was born in 1948.
我體驗過的教育-臉書感想轉貼-
It saddens me to read the news about a Taiwanese student protester who committed suicide this morning. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/…/student-prote…/2018860.html
看到曾抗議課綱微調的台灣學生今早自殺的新聞讓我難過
(新聞連結歡迎自由轉錄 我的感想也歡迎轉錄 只不過可能要自行複製貼上 要不然不會顯示在轉錄文章上)
看到曾抗議課綱微調的台灣學生今早自殺的新聞讓我難過
(新聞連結歡迎自由轉錄 我的感想也歡迎轉錄 只不過可能要自行複製貼上 要不然不會顯示在轉錄文章上)
Whether he wanted to become a martyr on his birthday or he just couldn't take it anymore due to unbearable depression, I was "impressed" by the immediate presumption, "His suicidal decision should have nothing to do with the protest", released by the chief of the Education Department (of New Taipei City Government) right after his death.
http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/…/20150730/658460/
無論他是想在生日當烈士 或因無法承受的低潮而輕生 教育部準次長立馬發表"應與反課綱無關"的推論與邏輯 著實讓我嘖嘖稱奇
http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/…/20150730/658460/
無論他是想在生日當烈士 或因無法承受的低潮而輕生 教育部準次長立馬發表"應與反課綱無關"的推論與邏輯 著實讓我嘖嘖稱奇
Is there anything wrong in our educational system? Please allow me to share some personal experience,
我們的教育系統到底有沒有問題呢? 請容我分享個人經驗:
我們的教育系統到底有沒有問題呢? 請容我分享個人經驗:
1. After PRC(the government in China) had ruled the mainland China for over 50 years, my history and geography textbooks still taught us that mainland China belongs to ROC(the government in Taiwan). I only learned that Mongolia was not part of China after a conversation with a Chinese student during a visit in the mainland in 99.
在中華人民共和國與中華民國分別統治中國本土與台灣島半世紀後 我的歷史與地理課本仍然強辯我國領土包含中國大陸. 第一次認識蒙古獨立 是於1999年訪大陸時受對岸學生教導才知道的
在中華人民共和國與中華民國分別統治中國本土與台灣島半世紀後 我的歷史與地理課本仍然強辯我國領土包含中國大陸. 第一次認識蒙古獨立 是於1999年訪大陸時受對岸學生教導才知道的
2. My very first Taiwan-focused(titled) history class came to me as an optional credit when I was in college.
我第一堂以台灣為中心(為標題)的歷史課是大學的選修學分
我第一堂以台灣為中心(為標題)的歷史課是大學的選修學分
3. After having access to online information written in a few languages, I finally knew that the ROC didn't quit its position from the UN, and it was actually that the ROC was expelled by the UN.
在會使用不同語言閱讀網路資料後才知道 原來中華民國不是退出聯合國 而是被踢出聯合國
在會使用不同語言閱讀網路資料後才知道 原來中華民國不是退出聯合國 而是被踢出聯合國
4. Learning it's OK to have "Double Standard". My history book told me how horrible the massacre was during Jun 4th Incident (Tien-An-Men Square) done by PRC, but the same history book did not want to give us details of how ROC came to murder (and kidnap) its own people.
學會容忍並使用"雙重標準" 我的歷史課本提到64天安門事件中國共產黨對於人民的殘酷屠殺 可是同樣的課本卻不願意更深入告訴我們228事件中華民國政府是如何綁架與謀殺人民
學會容忍並使用"雙重標準" 我的歷史課本提到64天安門事件中國共產黨對於人民的殘酷屠殺 可是同樣的課本卻不願意更深入告訴我們228事件中華民國政府是如何綁架與謀殺人民
Accepting Double Standard is the worst! If there is a problem calling Mandarin (pronunciation) as Chinese (language), there should also be a problem calling the dialect Hō-ló-oē(Minnan or Hokkien) as Taiwanese since there are other non related dialects widely spoken in Taiwan.
雙重標準是最糟糕的! 如果稱曼德林(發音方式)為國語的邏輯有問題 那麼稱福佬話(閩南話或福建話)為台灣話的邏輯也有問題(台灣還有很多人使用其它方言)
雙重標準是最糟糕的! 如果稱曼德林(發音方式)為國語的邏輯有問題 那麼稱福佬話(閩南話或福建話)為台灣話的邏輯也有問題(台灣還有很多人使用其它方言)
I had a feeling that our government, all my teachers, and all the grown ups knew what I learned from school was not always true. We'd tolerated it for so long because of the fear for lives or the fear for failing the school system(Any updated information could turn into more study for exams). For decades, having high scores at school is equal to a bright future.
我總覺得政府 老師們 與所有長輩都知道學校教的不一定是真的 但幾十年來我們無論是貪生怕死 或是對聯考過度依賴(自以為會考試等於爽人生 害怕任何"更新"可能造成讀不完而考試失利) 於是縱容政府或甚至陪著政府一起睜眼說瞎話
我總覺得政府 老師們 與所有長輩都知道學校教的不一定是真的 但幾十年來我們無論是貪生怕死 或是對聯考過度依賴(自以為會考試等於爽人生 害怕任何"更新"可能造成讀不完而考試失利) 於是縱容政府或甚至陪著政府一起睜眼說瞎話
For this generation of students who have witnessed that our educated lies and selective memory didn't bring us better lives, of course they would like to try to finally learn the truth?
這世代的學生們見證了我們一直沒以"教育體制的謊言"與"選擇性記憶"作答而換來更好的人生 他們當然會有給"學習真相"機會的想法?
這世代的學生們見證了我們一直沒以"教育體制的謊言"與"選擇性記憶"作答而換來更好的人生 他們當然會有給"學習真相"機會的想法?
Why not?
為何不好?
為何不好?
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Holy Poly! -definitely my next song title-
After traveling all over the world, my best friend came back to the States and moved into a fantastic house with 14 other warm and cool(in the good way!) house mates. The rent could be relatively higher in the area but it's definitely worth every penny:
1. Beautiful and large space
As much as I've seen, there are 3 floors plus a hot tub in the back yard and there are 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms on the second floor. The common space is beautifully and modernly furnished. There are cleaning crews coming regularly.
2. Beautiful and supportive housemates
It's a group of people who believe and practice polyamorous relationships. Anyone who wishes to live in the house must be interviewed by the owner and the current residents in the house. With that being said, there's a better chance to find superb housemates for everyone.
3. Beautiful location
It's under 5 min of walk to the closest subway station and it takes under 20 min to get in Manhattan. There are artworks everywhere and it's very convenient to do grocery shopping.
4. Beautiful activities
There are events hosted from time to time. I heard that there was a party of over 100 guests not long ago.
I feel that to maintain well balanced Polyamory requires more skills in communication and more open minds in general. As a guest there for few days, the welcoming and intelligent residents proved my assumption. Yes, sex and relationship topics are always on the table, (I was very lucky to have learned so much about toys because of the enthusiasm to perfect the sexual intercourse!) but we also have so much fun talking about other daily routines. I also believe that intellectuals can make anything more enjoyable more easily. In fact, one of them just started a KickStarter project and received almost 20 times of its goal so far in a very short period of time.
The house has made its name internationally. During my visit, I saw a photographer taking pictures of the tenants and the space for a German newspaper(or magazine?). I'll certainly be looking forward to reading that! If you like to know more about it, here is a link from NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/bushwick-manor-haven-polyamorous-tenants-article-1.1795608
1. Beautiful and large space
As much as I've seen, there are 3 floors plus a hot tub in the back yard and there are 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms on the second floor. The common space is beautifully and modernly furnished. There are cleaning crews coming regularly.
2. Beautiful and supportive housemates
It's a group of people who believe and practice polyamorous relationships. Anyone who wishes to live in the house must be interviewed by the owner and the current residents in the house. With that being said, there's a better chance to find superb housemates for everyone.
3. Beautiful location
It's under 5 min of walk to the closest subway station and it takes under 20 min to get in Manhattan. There are artworks everywhere and it's very convenient to do grocery shopping.
4. Beautiful activities
There are events hosted from time to time. I heard that there was a party of over 100 guests not long ago.
I feel that to maintain well balanced Polyamory requires more skills in communication and more open minds in general. As a guest there for few days, the welcoming and intelligent residents proved my assumption. Yes, sex and relationship topics are always on the table, (I was very lucky to have learned so much about toys because of the enthusiasm to perfect the sexual intercourse!) but we also have so much fun talking about other daily routines. I also believe that intellectuals can make anything more enjoyable more easily. In fact, one of them just started a KickStarter project and received almost 20 times of its goal so far in a very short period of time.
The house has made its name internationally. During my visit, I saw a photographer taking pictures of the tenants and the space for a German newspaper(or magazine?). I'll certainly be looking forward to reading that! If you like to know more about it, here is a link from NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/bushwick-manor-haven-polyamorous-tenants-article-1.1795608
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
親愛的老娘
我們都很愛你，可惜的是我們愛你的方式不是你最想看到的。
今天下午你把自己關三樓廁所生悶氣，當我去敲門時，你說我們都不想聽你說話，我回「那你可以現在告訴我」，你先回「我才不想跟你講」，然後又說「你只有現在想聽而已」...。到最後，你還是什麼都沒說，然後逃離廁所前往廚房。
我們都很擔心你，從看到你身體上的寸步難行到心理上亟欲證明自己存在價值的各種行為。
我們都想幫助你，但我們三個作風完全不同（唯一共同點大概是作法無論如何不同都不是你要的那種）：老爸的理論是你老了，無法被改變，我們能做的只能看著你任憑你發脾氣；阿妹看來不想有任何衝突，閃躲或聲東擊西讓你分心忘記生氣似乎能暫時讓你跳開；我是會對你當頭棒喝，直接告訴你問題在哪裡，因為我相信如果能讓你正視自己易怒的原因（我們三個都覺得是跟自我存在價值懷疑有關），也許你會發現即使不用在我們面前證明那些我們都是無條件地愛你的。
「像無法克制般重複別人的話」是一種症狀，有可能是TS，也有可能是OCD。當我今天說出請你不用重複我的話時，不是叫你閉嘴，而是要提醒你有這樣的症狀。自2012年底回台灣，在某次出遊時發現你開始重複所有人的最後一句話（連疑問句都會），我也從那時開始展開長期觀察。結果不像是聽力問題導致的重複確認，比較像是「為了證明自己存在有參與感的發聲」。想要證明存在感與存在價值的表現，也許是想博得家人的愛與認同。事實上是，我們對你的愛跟你個人成就多有錢多聰明無關，你不用多重複句話，你不用料事如神，你不用什麼都懂，我們都愛你，你要對我們有信心。
也許你的新朋友們教導你溝通的小撇步：偶爾回個「嗯」表示你聽到了、重複最後一句話能幫自己多賺點時間思考下句話說什麼又能填充思考時可能會產生的空白期，或是重複別人的最後一句話能讓人覺得你有在聽...
撇步只能治標不能治本，製造「我有聽到」的假象跟實際上「我聽懂了」真的不一樣。想要像朋友一樣地跟我們輕鬆聊天，需要現實狀況中跟我們差不多的生活體驗，或需要你自己不斷地刺激自己學習新知。假若記憶體已達飽和程度，為了減輕自我壓力，對你來說最重要的步驟就是認老，饒了自己饒了別人，別製造自己那麼多競爭壓力，沒有人要你贏，更沒有人為你舉辦比賽，不要跟自己過不去。
我真的很擔心，也許你沒發現到簡單的重複「語句」其實已經延伸到重覆「動作」。你下意識中期望被讚許的慾望，讓前一天別人家吃到被稱讚的番茄炒蛋，在一天後你煮的自家晚餐菜餚中出現（那之後至少過了一年才又吃到你做的番茄炒蛋）。
小時候，我覺得媽媽是全天下最聰明又最有智慧的人，什麼話都想找媽媽講。長大的過程中學到很多媽媽沒教過的事，但媽媽沒機會跟我一起學。我知道媽媽不是萬能的，但媽媽似乎還沒意識到這點，很希望能回到過去被人依賴崇拜擁有至高無上的地位。事實上是媽媽現在什麼都不用做就在我心中佔這地位了，能養大我這麼難相處的女兒應該全世界也只有她而已。
技窮，過沒幾天我會離開台灣，阿妹回台北，家裡就只剩爸爸看著媽媽了。老爸雖然嘴巴很硬又好辯，但內心超善良又充滿愛。這時候突然讓我想到這個讓我決定飛回美國的伴侶有個無人能及的專長：無論我有多邋遢或多落寞，他都能提供我自以為全世界最棒的成就感。
四年了，這大概是關鍵
那麼羊年，祝大家都能幸福洋溢！
今天下午你把自己關三樓廁所生悶氣，當我去敲門時，你說我們都不想聽你說話，我回「那你可以現在告訴我」，你先回「我才不想跟你講」，然後又說「你只有現在想聽而已」...。到最後，你還是什麼都沒說，然後逃離廁所前往廚房。
我們都很擔心你，從看到你身體上的寸步難行到心理上亟欲證明自己存在價值的各種行為。
我們都想幫助你，但我們三個作風完全不同（唯一共同點大概是作法無論如何不同都不是你要的那種）：老爸的理論是你老了，無法被改變，我們能做的只能看著你任憑你發脾氣；阿妹看來不想有任何衝突，閃躲或聲東擊西讓你分心忘記生氣似乎能暫時讓你跳開；我是會對你當頭棒喝，直接告訴你問題在哪裡，因為我相信如果能讓你正視自己易怒的原因（我們三個都覺得是跟自我存在價值懷疑有關），也許你會發現即使不用在我們面前證明那些我們都是無條件地愛你的。
「像無法克制般重複別人的話」是一種症狀，有可能是TS，也有可能是OCD。當我今天說出請你不用重複我的話時，不是叫你閉嘴，而是要提醒你有這樣的症狀。自2012年底回台灣，在某次出遊時發現你開始重複所有人的最後一句話（連疑問句都會），我也從那時開始展開長期觀察。結果不像是聽力問題導致的重複確認，比較像是「為了證明自己存在有參與感的發聲」。想要證明存在感與存在價值的表現，也許是想博得家人的愛與認同。事實上是，我們對你的愛跟你個人成就多有錢多聰明無關，你不用多重複句話，你不用料事如神，你不用什麼都懂，我們都愛你，你要對我們有信心。
也許你的新朋友們教導你溝通的小撇步：偶爾回個「嗯」表示你聽到了、重複最後一句話能幫自己多賺點時間思考下句話說什麼又能填充思考時可能會產生的空白期，或是重複別人的最後一句話能讓人覺得你有在聽...
撇步只能治標不能治本，製造「我有聽到」的假象跟實際上「我聽懂了」真的不一樣。想要像朋友一樣地跟我們輕鬆聊天，需要現實狀況中跟我們差不多的生活體驗，或需要你自己不斷地刺激自己學習新知。假若記憶體已達飽和程度，為了減輕自我壓力，對你來說最重要的步驟就是認老，饒了自己饒了別人，別製造自己那麼多競爭壓力，沒有人要你贏，更沒有人為你舉辦比賽，不要跟自己過不去。
我真的很擔心，也許你沒發現到簡單的重複「語句」其實已經延伸到重覆「動作」。你下意識中期望被讚許的慾望，讓前一天別人家吃到被稱讚的番茄炒蛋，在一天後你煮的自家晚餐菜餚中出現（那之後至少過了一年才又吃到你做的番茄炒蛋）。
小時候，我覺得媽媽是全天下最聰明又最有智慧的人，什麼話都想找媽媽講。長大的過程中學到很多媽媽沒教過的事，但媽媽沒機會跟我一起學。我知道媽媽不是萬能的，但媽媽似乎還沒意識到這點，很希望能回到過去被人依賴崇拜擁有至高無上的地位。事實上是媽媽現在什麼都不用做就在我心中佔這地位了，能養大我這麼難相處的女兒應該全世界也只有她而已。
技窮，過沒幾天我會離開台灣，阿妹回台北，家裡就只剩爸爸看著媽媽了。老爸雖然嘴巴很硬又好辯，但內心超善良又充滿愛。這時候突然讓我想到這個讓我決定飛回美國的伴侶有個無人能及的專長：無論我有多邋遢或多落寞，他都能提供我自以為全世界最棒的成就感。
四年了，這大概是關鍵
那麼羊年，祝大家都能幸福洋溢！
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
101st post for my friends from afar -I, Re-
By the end of Dec 2014, I had several visitors, Re, Al, and Ke. Finally, I got the chance to make sense with the opening of Cabaret, "Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!" (And Re was the only one singing back to me after that grand opening at the airport lobby.)
Well, Re and I met in the summer of 2011, right? I was singing Suzuki with Edmonton's Mercury Opera. In that year, Re decided not to join the chorus but to host the cast if needed. I gotta stay with her meeting her family of a dog, a cat, a man, and two horses. We got along very well and made a promise to one day see the new year's Spectacular rockettes at radio city. Unfortunately, I returned to Taiwan at 2012 and had to postpone our date. In 2013, the disappearance of two males in the family made Re's winter holiday season unbearable. When she told me that she would really like to spend time at the place that doesn't make a huge deal of Christmas, I told her it's pretty safe in Taiwan!
Re charmed everyone with her beautiful blue eyes and pointy nose. (We even got non-listed service, door-to-door beer delivery, at Hong-Ye Hotspring.) Travelling with Re was very easy. There wasn't much pre-planned. I called the dean of the Hualien Youth Home the day of her arrival and we headed Hualien the next day. After renting the bike, we went to Taroko Gorge next morning and chickened back soon after. I thought about going to the brewery after but I failed. We went to A-Zhi-Bao at some point and had crazy amount of food. Our Christmas started from buying snacks and drinks from Carrefour. I introduced Golden Girls and Re showed me who Jonathan Creek was.
We also visited Carp Lake and Ching-Hsiu Monastery. My vague memory told me that we visited the children's home to say hi and the children were mesmerized by Re's eyes. We sang some songs and the kids sang something in return. At some point, I suggested us to get our tire checked and we found a nail and got the tire fixed. It cost us 150 NTD for the job. We went to Qi-Xing beach on a sunny day and I finally found the brewery. After that, I think that was when we ate at A-Zhi-Bao!!!
I take every friend and even strangers sometimes to Long-Yuan. Re not only had a great time eating sweets but also found the slices of stones fascinating. Yipei's dad, the owner of Long-Yuan, was very enthusiastic to tell us all the stories and images he has seen through the art. At some point, I suggested the hotspring trip two days before going and made the reservation at place A. After chatting with Yipei, I cancelled on place A and made another reservation at Hong-Ye the night before going.
Going to Rui-Feng was interesting. We went into the tourist center and the dude couldn't stop asking me questions and providing me lifetime repeated lectures such as "YOU SHOULD BE MARRIED AND HAVING KIDS..." and etc. We escaped and made it to Hong-Ye which was just awesome! It wasn't crowded at all at the time. There was this lady asking me where I got my swimsuit(because she didn't want to wear bikinis but she liked to show more flesh or wear less cloth!?). There was also this lady who couldn't stop chatting with us(sometimes in English). I was a little bit annoyed by the end because she couldn't stop starting phrases with, "They foreigners always can...". At some point I told her, "I don't think there's anything to do with being a foreigner to be able to switch between cold and warm spring because AREN'T YOU DOING THIS WITH US JUST NOW?"
When we were staying in Hong-Ye, we joked(!?) about starting an international criminal activity. After going through the list of things we could steal, I finally suggested that stealing a screw might be not as noticeable and devilish enough because some of the custom-made one time only screws may be hard to come by without buying a lot all at once.
We watched Oz before leaving Hong-Ye. After saying bye to the owner, we took a cab to Ji-Zhen, an organic farm famous for its milk. (I was amazed when Re recognized the exact business card of our driver from the pile of business cards I'd collected from all the drivers at Rui-Feng. I failed in my own language!) The milky hotpot was delicious but the animals outside without enough care upset Re. I can't emphasize this enough, if anyone decides to own any living beings, please treat them like family! These farms probably thought that more cute looking animals could attract more tourists but the truth was that the out of shape looking animals would drive animal lovers away forever. When we were having our tasty meal, there was this pony getting angry with a stupid dog and a few not so smart kids and adults who had no idea of how to approach horses. I worried a little(but at the same time kind of looked forward to see the pony kick to teach a lesson!).
There was a more than 5 hour long train ride back to Feng-shan. My parents were very excited and my mom gave Re a big hug. I teased my parents a lot and sometimes Re couldn't stand it but teased me back. My parents couldn't stop talking about how much Japanese people had contributed and I kept telling them that their contribution in Taiwan was based on the necessity they sensed to get the best result for Japanese people. I took Re to my high school and we laughed so hard when we saw the advertisement of the slogan of jeans, "Even the biggest bird can fit".
We also taught Re to play a card game called Seven. Dad might have taken a day off taking us to see the wild monkeys in National Sun-Yat-Sen University. We took the fairy to Qi-Jin and had lots of seafood over there. Yup, I ate a ton of snails because I liked the dipping sauce. (I have a reputation eating more sauce than actual food.)
Ah! I forgot about getting a cold after the hotspring. Re and I laid low for a day or two because we both had some fever. Now that I could elaborate our routine! Every morning, we started with breakfast around 10am, usually with some fried daikon(radish root) cake, hashbrowns, plus some drinks with sugar. Oh! Re would share a pill of Vitamin D(?) with me. We went to "La morning"(interesting!?) one day and discovered a delish "pocket" sandwich. Before we came to Kaohsiung, we used to have the last meal of the day before 5pm and returned to the place we stayed by 6 or 7ish in the evening. After watching a few episodes of Jonathan Creek or Golden Girls, we would say good night and just chill at our own rooms until the next morning.
Coming home means adjusting to my parents' schedule. My mom would ask me the same questions every day and I told her pretty much "No, thank you" every time she asked. Speaking of my mom, I usually acted like a horrible daughter. I believe that it is best for her to do all her routines on her own. It would be an alert if she stops doing her routines. My mom is not even 60 years old but she walks like a 70-year-old. Re couldn't stand watching my mom moving things around and offered to help but my mom believed that Re really wanted to learn how to cook Taiwanese food!? Re didn't try to explain and didn't escape. She ended up stir-frying a few dishes for us that night.
Dad and I took Re for a walk on the hill behind our house, and Dad even dressed up for that. (He wore a nice clean shirt before heading out. Cute, huh?) At some point, I asked Re to play something on my guitar. One of them was very sad, she said. Did I forget to mention that this Re is not only a linguist, a law expert, an animal lover, a guitarist, a ukulele player, a singer, and a composer!? The second night in Kaohsiung, Re showed my parents some photos of her life and some videos of "La Vocabella". My mom couldn't stop saying, "one more" and I believed that we might have watched all the videos of bellas online on that night.
One day, mom recommended me to check out Fong-I School, a group study place in the past. We actually went visit it and took a look at the temple next to the school. I bought a plate of flowers as offerings and the dude was so excited to tell Re where to look for the most precious parts of the old building. Re and I played a game to understand how it was like to advance in politics in the past at the school and it was LONG. I was the only one moving a step forward after 10 min taking turns rolling dices.
BTW, when Re came, our new mayor of Taipei City just announced that anyone could apply for the position as the Chief of the Department of Cultural Affairs in Taipei. Recommendations could be written by others or the candidates themselves. I proudly recommended myself for the job, and I swore that I saw some of what I wrote used on their updated website for a few days. I knew that I wouldn't be able to compete with others but I still felt so full of myself because I could freaking do that in my country!
Two weeks fled before I knew it. I kept postponing the time coming up to Taipei. When we finally got to Taipei, I tried to check Re in to a motel and the motel told us that they usually charge by hour and could only let people check in after 10pm. Re decided that we were gonna walk to another hotel on the corner. Just like that, Re luckily got the last available room in the hotel, and it was an excellent find. It only cost 3600 NTD per night(full breakfast bar included) and the room is great. However, that was the very first time I experienced "security deposit" in a hotel. After I walked into the room seeing a list of how much everything costs, I understood that this hotel's previous customers had the tendency sneaking hotel stuff home. (waterpot, cups, towels, tp holder, garbage bin, and etc.)
After settling in the room, we immediately went to the convenient store to buy lots of snacks and drinks to party in the room. I never saw anyone more prepared than Re. When she pulled out the HDMI core to connect my laptop to the TV in our room, I was in awe! Re welcomed me to stay but I had a lecture in Hualien the afternoon after. I secretly told myself that I would definitely come back to that hotel some time and enjoy all these luxurious things again!!!(And I made it in a week with Al, haha!)
There was a down side to the hotel. They didn't have "airport shuttles" as the sign said on their concierge desk.We asked about the shuttle while checking in at night and asked again in the morning. For some reason, people had a hard time saying, "We don't have that service". Instead, they kept telling us that they could call a cab for the airport. (We don't need a cab. I can call a cab on my own. We want the shuttle that we can share the ride with others to save more money!!!)
We had breakfast together at the hotel next morning and I gave Re a list of places she could visit along the blue line of MRT when I went to Hualien. We thought about spending our last night together but my train from Hualien wasn't available before 8pm. That was the only evening I didn't get to see Re for the entire trip she was in Taiwan! I suggested Re to wake up an hour earlier than her preference and it turned out to be a very good idea. We got stuck in the traffic for quite a while and the airport was just overloaded with people. It was always hard for me to say bye. A kiss, a hug, and a few words from Re made my eyes wet. I wimped back to Taipei and already started to miss her.
So here it is, a video I made with the files I saved
BTW, Regina told me that cellphone servers are trying to put posts and wires in the Canadian Rockies so that people could "check-in" on facebook. Please don't ever let those MFs ruin the natural beauty!
Well, Re and I met in the summer of 2011, right? I was singing Suzuki with Edmonton's Mercury Opera. In that year, Re decided not to join the chorus but to host the cast if needed. I gotta stay with her meeting her family of a dog, a cat, a man, and two horses. We got along very well and made a promise to one day see the new year's Spectacular rockettes at radio city. Unfortunately, I returned to Taiwan at 2012 and had to postpone our date. In 2013, the disappearance of two males in the family made Re's winter holiday season unbearable. When she told me that she would really like to spend time at the place that doesn't make a huge deal of Christmas, I told her it's pretty safe in Taiwan!
Re charmed everyone with her beautiful blue eyes and pointy nose. (We even got non-listed service, door-to-door beer delivery, at Hong-Ye Hotspring.) Travelling with Re was very easy. There wasn't much pre-planned. I called the dean of the Hualien Youth Home the day of her arrival and we headed Hualien the next day. After renting the bike, we went to Taroko Gorge next morning and chickened back soon after. I thought about going to the brewery after but I failed. We went to A-Zhi-Bao at some point and had crazy amount of food. Our Christmas started from buying snacks and drinks from Carrefour. I introduced Golden Girls and Re showed me who Jonathan Creek was.
We also visited Carp Lake and Ching-Hsiu Monastery. My vague memory told me that we visited the children's home to say hi and the children were mesmerized by Re's eyes. We sang some songs and the kids sang something in return. At some point, I suggested us to get our tire checked and we found a nail and got the tire fixed. It cost us 150 NTD for the job. We went to Qi-Xing beach on a sunny day and I finally found the brewery. After that, I think that was when we ate at A-Zhi-Bao!!!
I take every friend and even strangers sometimes to Long-Yuan. Re not only had a great time eating sweets but also found the slices of stones fascinating. Yipei's dad, the owner of Long-Yuan, was very enthusiastic to tell us all the stories and images he has seen through the art. At some point, I suggested the hotspring trip two days before going and made the reservation at place A. After chatting with Yipei, I cancelled on place A and made another reservation at Hong-Ye the night before going.
Going to Rui-Feng was interesting. We went into the tourist center and the dude couldn't stop asking me questions and providing me lifetime repeated lectures such as "YOU SHOULD BE MARRIED AND HAVING KIDS..." and etc. We escaped and made it to Hong-Ye which was just awesome! It wasn't crowded at all at the time. There was this lady asking me where I got my swimsuit(because she didn't want to wear bikinis but she liked to show more flesh or wear less cloth!?). There was also this lady who couldn't stop chatting with us(sometimes in English). I was a little bit annoyed by the end because she couldn't stop starting phrases with, "They foreigners always can...". At some point I told her, "I don't think there's anything to do with being a foreigner to be able to switch between cold and warm spring because AREN'T YOU DOING THIS WITH US JUST NOW?"
When we were staying in Hong-Ye, we joked(!?) about starting an international criminal activity. After going through the list of things we could steal, I finally suggested that stealing a screw might be not as noticeable and devilish enough because some of the custom-made one time only screws may be hard to come by without buying a lot all at once.
We watched Oz before leaving Hong-Ye. After saying bye to the owner, we took a cab to Ji-Zhen, an organic farm famous for its milk. (I was amazed when Re recognized the exact business card of our driver from the pile of business cards I'd collected from all the drivers at Rui-Feng. I failed in my own language!) The milky hotpot was delicious but the animals outside without enough care upset Re. I can't emphasize this enough, if anyone decides to own any living beings, please treat them like family! These farms probably thought that more cute looking animals could attract more tourists but the truth was that the out of shape looking animals would drive animal lovers away forever. When we were having our tasty meal, there was this pony getting angry with a stupid dog and a few not so smart kids and adults who had no idea of how to approach horses. I worried a little(but at the same time kind of looked forward to see the pony kick to teach a lesson!).
There was a more than 5 hour long train ride back to Feng-shan. My parents were very excited and my mom gave Re a big hug. I teased my parents a lot and sometimes Re couldn't stand it but teased me back. My parents couldn't stop talking about how much Japanese people had contributed and I kept telling them that their contribution in Taiwan was based on the necessity they sensed to get the best result for Japanese people. I took Re to my high school and we laughed so hard when we saw the advertisement of the slogan of jeans, "Even the biggest bird can fit".
We also taught Re to play a card game called Seven. Dad might have taken a day off taking us to see the wild monkeys in National Sun-Yat-Sen University. We took the fairy to Qi-Jin and had lots of seafood over there. Yup, I ate a ton of snails because I liked the dipping sauce. (I have a reputation eating more sauce than actual food.)
Ah! I forgot about getting a cold after the hotspring. Re and I laid low for a day or two because we both had some fever. Now that I could elaborate our routine! Every morning, we started with breakfast around 10am, usually with some fried daikon(radish root) cake, hashbrowns, plus some drinks with sugar. Oh! Re would share a pill of Vitamin D(?) with me. We went to "La morning"(interesting!?) one day and discovered a delish "pocket" sandwich. Before we came to Kaohsiung, we used to have the last meal of the day before 5pm and returned to the place we stayed by 6 or 7ish in the evening. After watching a few episodes of Jonathan Creek or Golden Girls, we would say good night and just chill at our own rooms until the next morning.
Coming home means adjusting to my parents' schedule. My mom would ask me the same questions every day and I told her pretty much "No, thank you" every time she asked. Speaking of my mom, I usually acted like a horrible daughter. I believe that it is best for her to do all her routines on her own. It would be an alert if she stops doing her routines. My mom is not even 60 years old but she walks like a 70-year-old. Re couldn't stand watching my mom moving things around and offered to help but my mom believed that Re really wanted to learn how to cook Taiwanese food!? Re didn't try to explain and didn't escape. She ended up stir-frying a few dishes for us that night.
Dad and I took Re for a walk on the hill behind our house, and Dad even dressed up for that. (He wore a nice clean shirt before heading out. Cute, huh?) At some point, I asked Re to play something on my guitar. One of them was very sad, she said. Did I forget to mention that this Re is not only a linguist, a law expert, an animal lover, a guitarist, a ukulele player, a singer, and a composer!? The second night in Kaohsiung, Re showed my parents some photos of her life and some videos of "La Vocabella". My mom couldn't stop saying, "one more" and I believed that we might have watched all the videos of bellas online on that night.
One day, mom recommended me to check out Fong-I School, a group study place in the past. We actually went visit it and took a look at the temple next to the school. I bought a plate of flowers as offerings and the dude was so excited to tell Re where to look for the most precious parts of the old building. Re and I played a game to understand how it was like to advance in politics in the past at the school and it was LONG. I was the only one moving a step forward after 10 min taking turns rolling dices.
BTW, when Re came, our new mayor of Taipei City just announced that anyone could apply for the position as the Chief of the Department of Cultural Affairs in Taipei. Recommendations could be written by others or the candidates themselves. I proudly recommended myself for the job, and I swore that I saw some of what I wrote used on their updated website for a few days. I knew that I wouldn't be able to compete with others but I still felt so full of myself because I could freaking do that in my country!
Two weeks fled before I knew it. I kept postponing the time coming up to Taipei. When we finally got to Taipei, I tried to check Re in to a motel and the motel told us that they usually charge by hour and could only let people check in after 10pm. Re decided that we were gonna walk to another hotel on the corner. Just like that, Re luckily got the last available room in the hotel, and it was an excellent find. It only cost 3600 NTD per night(full breakfast bar included) and the room is great. However, that was the very first time I experienced "security deposit" in a hotel. After I walked into the room seeing a list of how much everything costs, I understood that this hotel's previous customers had the tendency sneaking hotel stuff home. (waterpot, cups, towels, tp holder, garbage bin, and etc.)
After settling in the room, we immediately went to the convenient store to buy lots of snacks and drinks to party in the room. I never saw anyone more prepared than Re. When she pulled out the HDMI core to connect my laptop to the TV in our room, I was in awe! Re welcomed me to stay but I had a lecture in Hualien the afternoon after. I secretly told myself that I would definitely come back to that hotel some time and enjoy all these luxurious things again!!!(And I made it in a week with Al, haha!)
There was a down side to the hotel. They didn't have "airport shuttles" as the sign said on their concierge desk.We asked about the shuttle while checking in at night and asked again in the morning. For some reason, people had a hard time saying, "We don't have that service". Instead, they kept telling us that they could call a cab for the airport. (We don't need a cab. I can call a cab on my own. We want the shuttle that we can share the ride with others to save more money!!!)
We had breakfast together at the hotel next morning and I gave Re a list of places she could visit along the blue line of MRT when I went to Hualien. We thought about spending our last night together but my train from Hualien wasn't available before 8pm. That was the only evening I didn't get to see Re for the entire trip she was in Taiwan! I suggested Re to wake up an hour earlier than her preference and it turned out to be a very good idea. We got stuck in the traffic for quite a while and the airport was just overloaded with people. It was always hard for me to say bye. A kiss, a hug, and a few words from Re made my eyes wet. I wimped back to Taipei and already started to miss her.
So here it is, a video I made with the files I saved
Friday, January 9, 2015
藝術創業＠立霧半小時講座－整理與補充－
結識立霧來自一系列機緣巧合，一時想表演於是自發寄出義演訊息給全台北地區育幼院，結果台北全貢辜之後某台北育幼院在花蓮的相關單位得知後積極邀約策劃，於是我開始頻繁出現在花蓮火車站，站前有間每次去都會拜訪的點心店隆元，有一天我認出掛在牆上的「藍帶」證書，搭訕老闆之後認識了老闆的好友畫家，又從畫家那得知立霧開幕的消息，一向喜歡很有特色文藝的我迷上了立霧的人文（結合當地文化色彩，尤其目標又為該地弱勢族群創造機會...）。當創辦人Wenli問我是否願意參加演講時，義不容辭地答應了。至於講座的內容，看著讓許多人困擾的22K現況，我決定分享藝術創業的心得。以下是講座結束後的整理與補充：
「我喜歡談戀愛」
我喜歡與人交流－以想法、精神、肢體，甚至「想像」...－。標題雖然是藝術創業，對我最重要的部分在於與所有人事物談戀愛，「創業」始終非目的，僅是過程中幸運把握住契機的結果。
無庸置疑愛音樂而學，一樣接一樣，從器樂到氣樂跨數位音樂以及舞台表演藝術發展到創作與策劃製作。人生路中每個參與者（包括自己）都曾為我的錢途擔心過，事後發現擔心真的一點也沒用。反倒在認清自己是誰想幹麻爽幹麻真的很認真幹麻之後，周遭感受到這些自爽成果順便爽到的朋友與陌生人開始幫助我取得或引薦更多機會與資源，以下為自爽後變成商機爽到更多人的案例（也有些連結能點選參考更多細節）。
1. 愛表演
A. 寫信給台北地區兒福機構－被花蓮子機構聯絡開辦募款音樂會一為該機構募得數十萬後被請回去再為少年們編導戲劇演出－演出後募得足夠款項新建大樓受到母機構注意－母機構聘請為募款目標更大做演出企劃製作與表演－募款相當成功並受邀擔任其它非營利組織募款活動顧問
B. 揹著從朋友那兒坑到的手風琴去高雄中央公園自稱奇怪的阿姨表演，認識以前完全沒交集過的音樂人們，促成更多玩音樂良機。花蓮少年之家孩子們腳踏車環島時，也從中央公園的朋友們中獲得很多支持與鼓勵。
2. 因為自己樂團成員不會看譜於是寫了首只要看得懂數學方程式就能理解演奏的歌曲
結果加拿大維多利亞藝術學校的老師看到後覺得很有趣，於是學校目前正在安排時間與預算請我去教一系列數學與音樂的創作講座。
3. 想念在西班牙的妹妹與友人於是做了首歌放在網路上－法魯卡幻想曲－
1-B的其中一位伯樂問我能不能為他們團體改編制讓他們在音樂會演出
4. 熱愛語言
無論是唱說工作或是休閒娛樂上，學習數種外語，鍛鍊出流利美語。認識的人發現後把我抓去當翻譯，好康到相報。
5. 愛打電動
配合第四點，加上成功的面試攻略，打敗同時競爭的數間翻譯公司，以個人身分取得三十多萬字的遊戲翻譯與該遊戲所有更新的翻譯先行權。
6. 愛交朋友
從2010年至今（約五年）住過歐美亞洲十幾個城市住宿費總和不超過五萬元台幣，去年十二月也有來自歐美的朋友來台拜訪我！來自不同國家會帶給我各種不同文化刺激，增廣見聞！
7. 其它
前六點其實才是真正的其它，我過去十二年其實專注於歌劇與各種演出、聲樂教練（紐約州立大學冰漢頓校區與曼哈頓音樂學院），以及四處演講。
由於夠瞭解自己，知道自己所愛，分得出必要需要與想要，又能善用既有資源盡可能避免任何浪費，因此所有的金錢與精力花費都在刀口上，興趣培養與技術升級效率提高成果就會更好，當成果更好時換得的報酬也會增加。報酬提高，工作緊湊壓力就能減輕，有更多時間培養更多興趣與更深技術，持續良性循環。
一直以來，我覺得幸福是金錢無法衡量的，但人類在基本衣食住行無缺後很難就此罷休，大部分的人需要持續與＂更多＂的欲望滿足行為才能覺得幸福。不少人在探索幸福過程中被媒體價值觀炒作背後操作的商業行為利用，成為一個接著一個無止境的錢坑。反之，有人則為了無法達成媒體洗腦的幸福標準痛苦自卑。我無法祝2015年全世界的人都變得更有錢，因為這在錢幣不貶值的狀態下是不可能發生的（總和不增加時，每個人的財產都增加是數學上的不可能）。人類的想像賦予金錢萬能的假象，貨幣的存在原是方便我們不用僅依賴以物易物（還沒想到要換什麼之前先以貨幣型式放著），但人們「以備不時之需」的想法不自覺地讓許多人搶著一大堆葛屁時帶不走的紙張。如果已經知道要錢的目的是什麼，直接從目的下手不一定會比較困難（還可以少一條稅務）。
由於資訊發達，這世代的人很幸運也很不幸。不幸的是網路的快，能更迅速造成人為競爭壓力。但最幸運的是我們能藉網路獲得所有教科書上的內容，知識交流與來源僅需網路線與電腦（低成本）。一個聰明的現代人，能避開炒作的無謂競爭，更有效率利用網路的優點成就自己的幸福。話說回來，網路上的資料也是一堆人找時間鍵入的結果，若沒有這些藉由鍵入資料獲得各種不同層級滿足的人，也不會有這麼多唾手可得的寶藏。
三十分鐘很快就過去了，藝術創業是契機掌握的結果，而非目的。我也深信社會安定來自於多數人順利達成欲望滿足，因此若讀者知道自己的幸福來源是什麼，想分享或需要像我這款歪斜腦袋參詢出主意，歡迎隨時連絡我。至於聯絡方法，我相信讀得到這篇文章的人都有辦法！祝大家到處浪漫「談戀愛」順利，享受更多快樂生活！
最後，在這裡分享我最近推出的非營利獨立製作短片－What's up, Taiwan? (台灣怎樣?)－，未來會分中文與英文介紹不同台灣相關議題，讓更多使用不同語言的觀眾有機會用詼諧的步調更認識台灣。（請記得在youtube上開中或英與字幕，第一集製作中聲音控制有差！）
更多相關資料
個人網站
中 www.yumuse.com/auntiestrange
英 www.yumuse.com
臉書頁
奇怪的阿姨
What's up, Taiwan? (台灣怎樣)
1. 愛表演
A. 寫信給台北地區兒福機構－被花蓮子機構聯絡開辦募款音樂會一為該機構募得數十萬後被請回去再為少年們編導戲劇演出－演出後募得足夠款項新建大樓受到母機構注意－母機構聘請為募款目標更大做演出企劃製作與表演－募款相當成功並受邀擔任其它非營利組織募款活動顧問
B. 揹著從朋友那兒坑到的手風琴去高雄中央公園自稱奇怪的阿姨表演，認識以前完全沒交集過的音樂人們，促成更多玩音樂良機。花蓮少年之家孩子們腳踏車環島時，也從中央公園的朋友們中獲得很多支持與鼓勵。
2. 因為自己樂團成員不會看譜於是寫了首只要看得懂數學方程式就能理解演奏的歌曲
結果加拿大維多利亞藝術學校的老師看到後覺得很有趣，於是學校目前正在安排時間與預算請我去教一系列數學與音樂的創作講座。
3. 想念在西班牙的妹妹與友人於是做了首歌放在網路上－法魯卡幻想曲－
1-B的其中一位伯樂問我能不能為他們團體改編制讓他們在音樂會演出
4. 熱愛語言
無論是唱說工作或是休閒娛樂上，學習數種外語，鍛鍊出流利美語。認識的人發現後把我抓去當翻譯，好康到相報。
5. 愛打電動
配合第四點，加上成功的面試攻略，打敗同時競爭的數間翻譯公司，以個人身分取得三十多萬字的遊戲翻譯與該遊戲所有更新的翻譯先行權。
6. 愛交朋友
從2010年至今（約五年）住過歐美亞洲十幾個城市住宿費總和不超過五萬元台幣，去年十二月也有來自歐美的朋友來台拜訪我！來自不同國家會帶給我各種不同文化刺激，增廣見聞！
7. 其它
前六點其實才是真正的其它，我過去十二年其實專注於歌劇與各種演出、聲樂教練（紐約州立大學冰漢頓校區與曼哈頓音樂學院），以及四處演講。
由於夠瞭解自己，知道自己所愛，分得出必要需要與想要，又能善用既有資源盡可能避免任何浪費，因此所有的金錢與精力花費都在刀口上，興趣培養與技術升級效率提高成果就會更好，當成果更好時換得的報酬也會增加。報酬提高，工作緊湊壓力就能減輕，有更多時間培養更多興趣與更深技術，持續良性循環。
一直以來，我覺得幸福是金錢無法衡量的，但人類在基本衣食住行無缺後很難就此罷休，大部分的人需要持續與＂更多＂的欲望滿足行為才能覺得幸福。不少人在探索幸福過程中被媒體價值觀炒作背後操作的商業行為利用，成為一個接著一個無止境的錢坑。反之，有人則為了無法達成媒體洗腦的幸福標準痛苦自卑。我無法祝2015年全世界的人都變得更有錢，因為這在錢幣不貶值的狀態下是不可能發生的（總和不增加時，每個人的財產都增加是數學上的不可能）。人類的想像賦予金錢萬能的假象，貨幣的存在原是方便我們不用僅依賴以物易物（還沒想到要換什麼之前先以貨幣型式放著），但人們「以備不時之需」的想法不自覺地讓許多人搶著一大堆葛屁時帶不走的紙張。如果已經知道要錢的目的是什麼，直接從目的下手不一定會比較困難（還可以少一條稅務）。
由於資訊發達，這世代的人很幸運也很不幸。不幸的是網路的快，能更迅速造成人為競爭壓力。但最幸運的是我們能藉網路獲得所有教科書上的內容，知識交流與來源僅需網路線與電腦（低成本）。一個聰明的現代人，能避開炒作的無謂競爭，更有效率利用網路的優點成就自己的幸福。話說回來，網路上的資料也是一堆人找時間鍵入的結果，若沒有這些藉由鍵入資料獲得各種不同層級滿足的人，也不會有這麼多唾手可得的寶藏。
三十分鐘很快就過去了，藝術創業是契機掌握的結果，而非目的。我也深信社會安定來自於多數人順利達成欲望滿足，因此若讀者知道自己的幸福來源是什麼，想分享或需要像我這款歪斜腦袋參詢出主意，歡迎隨時連絡我。至於聯絡方法，我相信讀得到這篇文章的人都有辦法！祝大家到處浪漫「談戀愛」順利，享受更多快樂生活！
最後，在這裡分享我最近推出的非營利獨立製作短片－What's up, Taiwan? (台灣怎樣?)－，未來會分中文與英文介紹不同台灣相關議題，讓更多使用不同語言的觀眾有機會用詼諧的步調更認識台灣。（請記得在youtube上開中或英與字幕，第一集製作中聲音控制有差！）
更多相關資料
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中 www.yumuse.com/auntiestrange
英 www.yumuse.com
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奇怪的阿姨
What's up, Taiwan? (台灣怎樣)
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