Kai, the Google map geek, sent me this link for the satellite map of Taipei.
Also, He helped me find where I live in this world... this is amazing...
huh...how can I embed a photo in this blog?
sigh... should go back for my PMP exam study... ha, I am so good at distracting myself from concentrating on study...
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Trip to Japan
I went to Japan in June for a 5-day trip with Myriam, having our 3rd gal gossip reunion with our Japanese friend, Yukako. Myriam wanted to visit Yukako in Yokohama and a freind in Sapporo before she moved back to Paris. I was not planning this trip in the beginning. However, I was not sure when we three would meet together in the near future. Plus, We have had the 1st reunion in Taipei in 2003 (Yukako flew to Taipei) and the 2nd reunion in Paris last year before Yukako's getting married. So, why not take this chance for our 3rd reunion in Japan? Therefore, I decided to join Myriam's trip in a very short time and bought the ticket one week before her
flight.
I really had a great time meeting Yukako, her husband, and her parents; visiting a nice temple in Nikko, the modern Yokohama harbor, the Tokyo train station; and enjoying several geniune Japanese meals. I went back to Taipei and Myriam continued her trip to Sapporo.
While walking in Japan, I couldn't resist comparing the buildings, streets, traffics, people, languages, etc with those in Taipei. I could almost recognise every Japanese Kanji characters and read 70% of the traffic signs, store names, etc due to Japanese characters originated from Chinese ones. However, when listening to Japanese lanaguage, I understood almost nothing and acted like a deaf... It's really an interesting but odd experience! Though, Yukako was quite glad that I finally could share how she felt while she was in Taipei! ^_^
(Retreived from an email to Patrick)
And here is some photos taken during the trip.
flight.
I really had a great time meeting Yukako, her husband, and her parents; visiting a nice temple in Nikko, the modern Yokohama harbor, the Tokyo train station; and enjoying several geniune Japanese meals. I went back to Taipei and Myriam continued her trip to Sapporo.
While walking in Japan, I couldn't resist comparing the buildings, streets, traffics, people, languages, etc with those in Taipei. I could almost recognise every Japanese Kanji characters and read 70% of the traffic signs, store names, etc due to Japanese characters originated from Chinese ones. However, when listening to Japanese lanaguage, I understood almost nothing and acted like a deaf... It's really an interesting but odd experience! Though, Yukako was quite glad that I finally could share how she felt while she was in Taipei! ^_^
(Retreived from an email to Patrick)
And here is some photos taken during the trip.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
happy birthday
Last year, I celebrated my birthday at a boat restaurant on the Saine River in Paris, with my long-time-no-see friends. We had nice meals, drank French wine, and watched Notre Dame de Paris.
This year, I celebrate my birthday at a Taiwanese puppet show restaurant in Taiwan, with my families and friends visiting from Paris. We have Taiwanese food, drink Taiwanese beer, and play Taiwanese puppets on the stage. (photos to add later)
How about next year?
Anyway, Happy Birth day to me!
This year, I celebrate my birthday at a Taiwanese puppet show restaurant in Taiwan, with my families and friends visiting from Paris. We have Taiwanese food, drink Taiwanese beer, and play Taiwanese puppets on the stage. (photos to add later)
How about next year?
Anyway, Happy Birth day to me!
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
self-reflection
Until when can I learn doing things to the point and not beating the bush?
Until when can I learn seeing things in a broader and thorough view?
Until when can I learn expressing myself in a clear and smart manner?
Until when can I learn placing my own business on the top priority?
A long way to go...sigh...a long way to go...
Until when can I learn seeing things in a broader and thorough view?
Until when can I learn expressing myself in a clear and smart manner?
Until when can I learn placing my own business on the top priority?
A long way to go...sigh...a long way to go...
Sunday, March 20, 2005
人體使用手冊
This book, 人體使用手冊 ([ren2 ti3 shi3 yong4 shou3 ce4], meaning "Human Body - User's Guide" in English, author: 吳清忠-Alex Wu), describes the human body system from a traditional Chinese medical view. The system fuctioning in a human body is, like a computer system, formed by hardware, software, and networking:
- hardware: 五臟六腑, [wu zang liu fu]
- software: 6 functional systems
- networking: 4 networking systems, including 經絡 ([jing luo], meridian), 血管 ([xuei guan], blood vessels), 神經 ([sheng jing], nervs), and 淋巴 ([lin ba], lymph)
The best way to stay healthy is suggested to
1. 敲膽經 ([qiao dan jing], hit the gall bladder channel)
2. 早睡早起 ([zao shei zao qi], go to bed early and get up early)
3. 按摩心包經 ([ann muo xin bao jing], massage the pericardium channel)
Item 1 and 3 may be easier for me. As for going to bed early... huh...may need more time working on this...
- hardware: 五臟六腑, [wu zang liu fu]
- software: 6 functional systems
- networking: 4 networking systems, including 經絡 ([jing luo], meridian), 血管 ([xuei guan], blood vessels), 神經 ([sheng jing], nervs), and 淋巴 ([lin ba], lymph)
The best way to stay healthy is suggested to
1. 敲膽經 ([qiao dan jing], hit the gall bladder channel)
2. 早睡早起 ([zao shei zao qi], go to bed early and get up early)
3. 按摩心包經 ([ann muo xin bao jing], massage the pericardium channel)
Item 1 and 3 may be easier for me. As for going to bed early... huh...may need more time working on this...
Monday, March 14, 2005
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Petals Around the Rose
Kai sent me the link for this interesting game. Thought I would never solve it by myself since I am usually not good at these brain teasers. Yet, tricky, tricky...
I've solved it!!! The name of the game really helps! Now I am quite proud of myself for this trivial victory!
And... I've also happily signed for the Fraternity of Petals Around the Rose as the 2485th register!
This link contains another game interface with a better hint and can calculate the user's total runs.
I've solved it!!! The name of the game really helps! Now I am quite proud of myself for this trivial victory!
And... I've also happily signed for the Fraternity of Petals Around the Rose as the 2485th register!
This link contains another game interface with a better hint and can calculate the user's total runs.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Politically Incorrect
This Politically Incorrect Dictionary contains some interesting terms...
Some examples are:
- Eastern (As when used when discussing Asian Culture) - Too Eurocentric. Instead, use Africa as your frame of reference. When discussing European culture you should now use the phase "Northern", and when discussing Asia use the phrase "North-Eastern". Now isn't that better?
- Ghetto - Replaced by Economically disadvantaged area. This term is used by politicians who believe money from the Government would solve their problems.
Frankly, replace "Dictionary" by "List" may be more proper...
Some examples are:
- Eastern (As when used when discussing Asian Culture) - Too Eurocentric. Instead, use Africa as your frame of reference. When discussing European culture you should now use the phase "Northern", and when discussing Asia use the phrase "North-Eastern". Now isn't that better?
- Ghetto - Replaced by Economically disadvantaged area. This term is used by politicians who believe money from the Government would solve their problems.
Frankly, replace "Dictionary" by "List" may be more proper...
anger
I felt upset this evening by a unpleasant discussion on a project closng issue with the counterpart in another department, due to the opposite nature of our role plays in this project. Thought it's over and yet I am pretty annoyed by a request-but-almost-command phone call from a superior for the same issue... gosh!
Why we get angry? *sigh*...
Better it's a better idea to think more of "生氣是拿別人的過錯來懲罰自己 (Feeling angry is punishing yourself by other's mistakes)", retreived the book seires, Still Thoughts, from Master Cheng Yen
Why we get angry? *sigh*...
Better it's a better idea to think more of "生氣是拿別人的過錯來懲罰自己 (Feeling angry is punishing yourself by other's mistakes)", retreived the book seires, Still Thoughts, from Master Cheng Yen
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
in the mood for songs
I am in the mood for songs tonight... to be correct, this early morning...
If... the oldie but goodie song with a cozy flash animation from a fotolog friend, Camera, warming my heart in this 15C cold and rainy night.
One of us... by Joan Osborne. The song I like so much and surprisingly listened to it from the radio on the way home tonight, which reminds me of a nice talk with K. (why do I keep mentioning him?!)
If... the oldie but goodie song with a cozy flash animation from a fotolog friend, Camera, warming my heart in this 15C cold and rainy night.
One of us... by Joan Osborne. The song I like so much and surprisingly listened to it from the radio on the way home tonight, which reminds me of a nice talk with K. (why do I keep mentioning him?!)
Monday, January 10, 2005
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
On the last day of 2004, me and Myriam went for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, quite a silly but hilarious film for celebrating our year end... huh... okay, confess! Since we ended as single women still and didn't wanna go to the boring count-down parties socializing with not-that-familiar-with friends, we thus decided to celebrate our year end with these two cute guys, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, plus, at least we "know" them!
Actually, I like Firth's role in the two Darcies a lot, no matter Mark Darcy in this film or Fitzwilliam Darcy in the mini TV series, Pride and Prejudice (1995), or even in Jane Austin's novel. Darcy reminds me of K for his cold and arrogant attitude but the hidden tender heart. Myriam likes Firth since he also reminds her of her "best friend", A. I thus frowned and claimed that her linking Firth with him simply ruined my fantasy on Firth... well... shallow girlish talks and we were pretty delighted in sipping our drinks, pecking the popcorns, drooling for the two handsome guys, dreaming in the two-hour fantasy... and welcoming our new start of 2005!
ps. Renee Zellweger is a bit too overacting though...
Actually, I like Firth's role in the two Darcies a lot, no matter Mark Darcy in this film or Fitzwilliam Darcy in the mini TV series, Pride and Prejudice (1995), or even in Jane Austin's novel. Darcy reminds me of K for his cold and arrogant attitude but the hidden tender heart. Myriam likes Firth since he also reminds her of her "best friend", A. I thus frowned and claimed that her linking Firth with him simply ruined my fantasy on Firth... well... shallow girlish talks and we were pretty delighted in sipping our drinks, pecking the popcorns, drooling for the two handsome guys, dreaming in the two-hour fantasy... and welcoming our new start of 2005!
ps. Renee Zellweger is a bit too overacting though...
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
fear of unknown
This photo reminds me of an interesting experience in my 3-day trip to Hualien (花蓮), the west coast of Taiwan early this month.
Myriam, Rodolphe, and I decided to walk from TienHsiang back to Taruko (17 kms) the second day of our trip, since we arrived Taruko in the late evening and didn't see much scenery on the way up to TienHsiang.
This photo was taken before we went thru this TienHsiang Turnel (天祥隧道). I didn't expect this turnel didn't have lights installed and was so long that we walked almost all the way in the dark like blinds. Only when cars driving thru, which were not much, did we see the road via the car lights. My eyes were completely useless in the dark turnel. While in the dark, my fear raised from nowhere and I found myself using my right arm leaning tightly against the wall as the senser for the direction. I walked very slowly with cautious and sometimes hestiated stepping forward. However, when with the dim lights, I saw the road, felt relieved, and fasten my steps. Interestingly, I started realising how deeply I had been counting on my eyes for sensing and experiencing this world, plus how coward I was when facing the unknown...
How about life? I keep complaining my current life but don't or haven't dared to change it! Is it also due to my fear of unknown?
Myriam, Rodolphe, and I decided to walk from TienHsiang back to Taruko (17 kms) the second day of our trip, since we arrived Taruko in the late evening and didn't see much scenery on the way up to TienHsiang.
This photo was taken before we went thru this TienHsiang Turnel (天祥隧道). I didn't expect this turnel didn't have lights installed and was so long that we walked almost all the way in the dark like blinds. Only when cars driving thru, which were not much, did we see the road via the car lights. My eyes were completely useless in the dark turnel. While in the dark, my fear raised from nowhere and I found myself using my right arm leaning tightly against the wall as the senser for the direction. I walked very slowly with cautious and sometimes hestiated stepping forward. However, when with the dim lights, I saw the road, felt relieved, and fasten my steps. Interestingly, I started realising how deeply I had been counting on my eyes for sensing and experiencing this world, plus how coward I was when facing the unknown...
How about life? I keep complaining my current life but don't or haven't dared to change it! Is it also due to my fear of unknown?
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Merry Christmas
This Christmas eve, I prepared the Christmas gifts for each of my families though we are not Christians and I have not been the fan of Christmas celebration for years. I don't know why I did so... anyway, my second niece has joined this world since this May and her father is currently having the 2-month overseas assignment and her mother has to work late usually on Fridays and... whatever..., so I decided to become the Santa Claus that night and celebrate the Christmas with these two little cute angels. Interestingly, I felt very contented when arranging these gifts under the plastic Christmas tree decorated with lights, bells, and candies that their mother set up a week ago...
Another funny thing was that I also received great Christmas presents from friends, in a virtual way: a funny talk with my lesbian friend and some emails from some of my favorite friends, including a great Christmas present from K: a cute blog and a synical but cool comment about Shanghai.
So happy to receive K's response cause I was so worried about his disappearing and being in his down time too long. Now, at least, I am aware that he's staying alive and kicking and so delighted to see his arrogance's coming back little by little...
I also feel happy receiving P's greetings though it's a pity we couldn't meet each other before his leaving Taiwan...
This Christmas, I was both happy and lonely and oddly I enjoy it ...
Another funny thing was that I also received great Christmas presents from friends, in a virtual way: a funny talk with my lesbian friend and some emails from some of my favorite friends, including a great Christmas present from K: a cute blog and a synical but cool comment about Shanghai.
So happy to receive K's response cause I was so worried about his disappearing and being in his down time too long. Now, at least, I am aware that he's staying alive and kicking and so delighted to see his arrogance's coming back little by little...
I also feel happy receiving P's greetings though it's a pity we couldn't meet each other before his leaving Taiwan...
This Christmas, I was both happy and lonely and oddly I enjoy it ...
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Sake
My preference of warmed sake having a better taste than the chilled one is defeated by myself again tonight in a Japanese restaurant. The Japanese friend introduced two different kinds of Japanese sake (chilled, of course) to us and confirmed that the poor quality of sake can be disguised by serving in warm. This reminds me of the discussion about the sake temperature in June with K... Is he ready to come back from the down time?
okay, back to the dinner... sitting between the Norwegian and French guys, two of my favorite languges, discussing about the Sophie's World and Freud, enjoying the tasty Japanese food and sake... all and all, brought me back to my study in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1996... ahh...I want to be a student again....
okay, back to the dinner... sitting between the Norwegian and French guys, two of my favorite languges, discussing about the Sophie's World and Freud, enjoying the tasty Japanese food and sake... all and all, brought me back to my study in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1996... ahh...I want to be a student again....
Friday, November 19, 2004
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
busy
Recently, heard a lot from friends and colleagues complaining about their being busy... busy at work, study, families, relationships, life, etc. I is complaining about her work and not quite happy about her life living in a foreign country. K is disappearing and I so worry about if anything gone bad at his side, ill, accident, down time, so and so...and which silly thought I should have stopped since... *sigh*... Anyhow, is busy becoming a fancy word people hung at their mouths nowadays?
I have been in fact also quite busy these days... yet, what on earth am I busy with? let me think...
- work, working like a dog... don't know where those workload springing from... oh, and handling a brand new type of project which I have never dealed with... struggling with the project sizing estimation and yet on the other hand feeling motivated in these new stuff...
- helping a good friend moving from another country to settle down in Taipei for her one-year stay and Chinese language study... visiting apartments, meeting landlords or potiential flatmates... (this could be a great experience for my future flat hunting!)
- acompanying a colleague having an overseas business trip in Taipei for sightseeing... she is excited in planning, with my company, to visit many famous sightseeing spots each weekend for her 4 weekends in here, whereas I feel worried for my short of time excorting her.... gosh... why everything is all bumpped into each other at the same time!!!
Then, today, I suddenly realise, "hey, wait...what about me myself?" seems that I have been placing myself in the lowest priority in all kinds of relationships... I should have had my priority focusd on my taichi course on Sundays, my weekly squash time spent with my old time friends (athena and meihsin), my long-overdue assignment (which would probably affect my salary), my certificate exam preparation (should be done by Dec this year), and my exhausted and desperately-need-to-rest body...and my healing the... *sigh*...
I have been in fact also quite busy these days... yet, what on earth am I busy with? let me think...
- work, working like a dog... don't know where those workload springing from... oh, and handling a brand new type of project which I have never dealed with... struggling with the project sizing estimation and yet on the other hand feeling motivated in these new stuff...
- helping a good friend moving from another country to settle down in Taipei for her one-year stay and Chinese language study... visiting apartments, meeting landlords or potiential flatmates... (this could be a great experience for my future flat hunting!)
- acompanying a colleague having an overseas business trip in Taipei for sightseeing... she is excited in planning, with my company, to visit many famous sightseeing spots each weekend for her 4 weekends in here, whereas I feel worried for my short of time excorting her.... gosh... why everything is all bumpped into each other at the same time!!!
Then, today, I suddenly realise, "hey, wait...what about me myself?" seems that I have been placing myself in the lowest priority in all kinds of relationships... I should have had my priority focusd on my taichi course on Sundays, my weekly squash time spent with my old time friends (athena and meihsin), my long-overdue assignment (which would probably affect my salary), my certificate exam preparation (should be done by Dec this year), and my exhausted and desperately-need-to-rest body...and my healing the... *sigh*...
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Friends gathering in Taipei (continued...)
My French friend, Myriam, arrives Taiwan today and starts her one year of studying Chinese and living in Taipei. She has talked about this plan since last year, moving her life to this city in which she's been in love so much. She said if she wouldn't do this now, she will probably never do it in her life. Now, she finally makes her plan for real...
Now, Andreas and his family, Laurent, and Mimi are finally all living in Taipei... wondering who else will be the next?
ps. Admire and envy her courage and execution on her dream... then me? how about my plan?
Now, Andreas and his family, Laurent, and Mimi are finally all living in Taipei... wondering who else will be the next?
ps. Admire and envy her courage and execution on her dream... then me? how about my plan?
Sunday, November 07, 2004
attitude: Kerry vs Lien
On Nov 3, 2004, Kerry lost the US presidential election of 2004 with a minor difference of vote counts. Though regret, he's showed his respect to the choice of American people and accepted the vote result for unity of his country.
On Mar 20, 2004, Lien lost the Taiwan presidential election of 2004 by a margin of 0.22% of valid votes. With upset to the two-bullet effect, he refused to concede and is challenging the vote result. On Nov 4, 2004, Lien lost the High Court Lawsuit. Again, he refused to accept this verdict and made a shocking statement.
When will this man realise that accepting the lost and facing the truth may move on a new life for him?
huh... this question seems to be for me too... *sigh*...
On Mar 20, 2004, Lien lost the Taiwan presidential election of 2004 by a margin of 0.22% of valid votes. With upset to the two-bullet effect, he refused to concede and is challenging the vote result. On Nov 4, 2004, Lien lost the High Court Lawsuit. Again, he refused to accept this verdict and made a shocking statement.
When will this man realise that accepting the lost and facing the truth may move on a new life for him?
huh... this question seems to be for me too... *sigh*...
Gift of Life (生命)
Just watched Wu Yi-Feng's latest documentation, Gift of Life (生命), a 142-minute film focusing on residents of Chiufen Erh Shan (九份二山) about families dealing with loss after the 921 earthquake and putting their lives back together again...
feel touched by how these people got thru this disaster and struggled with their sadness of losing their familes, no matter the two couples' "life has to go on" for their loosing their children or Hui-Ru's anger and lost for losing her parents... time, also playing an interesting role...they somehow found a way to move on their lives... time...
and... how about my ilfe? live my own life... *sigh*...
feel touched by how these people got thru this disaster and struggled with their sadness of losing their familes, no matter the two couples' "life has to go on" for their loosing their children or Hui-Ru's anger and lost for losing her parents... time, also playing an interesting role...they somehow found a way to move on their lives... time...
and... how about my ilfe? live my own life... *sigh*...
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