June 22nd, 2008
It’s a long story why, but about a month ago I was asked to take the TOEFL test. I managed to get my hands on a preparation book, but because I was too busy (and lazy) I didn’t have a chance to go through it before the test. It was an interesting experience. Last time I took the TOEFL was when I was 16. Back then it was all with papers and pencils, and my still developing English skills resulted in a ~600 score. Now they have that Internet Based Test (IBT) which includes a few sections that weren’t there before – Listening and Speaking. You can also get your results online. I was probably the …
June 21st, 2008
Instead of taking the train/HSR up to the airport, I took the regular night bus. It reminded me of my first arrival in Taiwan a few years back. Never in my life, anywhere else, have I seen anything like it. I’m a tall guy, way too tall for the average seats they give me at most buses and airplanes, but in the Taiwan’s super buses I’m at last content. Those huge sofa machines allow even folks like me to enjoy a smooth comfortable ride. Every sofa …
June 20th, 2008
A friend came by from northern Taiwan to visit my little Tainan pond on the worst possible weather. For a while forecast was predicting a comfortable hot sunny day, but then it suddenly turned and rain started pouring like I’ve never seen before. Absolutely mad rain for hours and hours. But that didn’t stop us, oh no. We almost insisted that the rain would actually provide us with a different view of Tainan, and in a way it did. Only us crazy folks come out in the rain, riding around in raincoats on our old motorbike. There was this one place I’ve been meaning to check out for a …
June 19th, 2008
I have mixed feelings about malls. Although I’m not a passionate shopper, and almost feel uncomfortable with the endless options of ways to acquire fashion, the mall provides me with an opportunity for wandering and watching people where everyone else seem to feel comfortable. If I would need to shop for something for myself, it would be a very quick and practical get in, see, get out, but malls aren’t about that - when I go with someone else or not just for the purpose of looking for something malls are quite enjoyable, and Dream Mall in Kaohsiung is one of the nicest ones I’ve seen so far. I’ve been to malls all over the world. I hate the …
June 18th, 2008
My current status and future is an issue that constantly preoccupies my mind. Entering the big three O, I am regularly faced with the eternal question of whether the path that I’ve chosen for myself is indeed the right one for me. I was watching an “okay” Hollywood movie the other day which had this one short story that made an impression on me about one Zen master. Sharing this story with some of my Taiwanese friends it was fascinating to hear that they actually recall variations of this story taught to them by their parents when they were little. I’d like to quote the story …
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June 9th, 2008
Tainan’s 2008 Dragon Boat Festival was held yesterday at the Anping Tainan Canal with both the NCKU IIMBA students and NCKU Chinese Language Center participating. The Duanwu Festival is a Chinese traditional and statutory holiday. It is a public holiday in mainland China and in Taiwan, where it is known as the “Duanwu Festival”. The Duanwu Festival originated in ancient China. There are a number of theories about its origins. Today, the most commonly accepted version relates to the death of poet Qu Yuan in 278 BC despite a number of competing theories. (Wikipedia) There was a big festival of street food next to the canal… …
