Writer's Block

Umbrella Karma

2010-12-01T16:53:00.006-05:00

As I braved through the raging rain today, I saw the old familiar sight of umbrella carnage out on the streets. The sidewalks were littered with abandoned, dismembered black umbrellas. I always seem to be in need of a sturdier umbrella that will stand up to the elements, but I'm always forever losing them or forgetting them somewhere, so why bother I think. I just need one to keep me dry as I go from point A to point B.

But this past spring when New York was having a particularly long stretch of rain, I actually went out and bought a nice full sized umbrella. As with most of my umbrellas I didn't manage to keep it within my possession for long.

Whatever happened to it I'll never know for sure. I had brought it with me to a networking event at an upscale restaurant bar in the Flatiron district of New York. At the end of the night, when I went to the umbrella bucket to retrieve it, it was no where to be found. The bucket previously crowded with umbrellas was now as empty as the restaurant. Upset to think that it had been nabbed from someone amongst the well dressed crowd of professionals that I'd just mingled with, I hastily grabbed another umbrella of approximately the same size for the walk home. Outside, I opened the clear plastic umbrella, but the spring was broken, so I had to hold my hand up to keep it open and the metal frame had rusted. It was falling apart, so I ended up throwing it away and grudgingly walking home in the drizzle.

I vowed to never buy another nice umbrella. What's the point? Worse than losing it, it had been stolen or taken!

So I went back to buying cheap, disposable, nondescript, black retractable umbrellas, the kind you'd pick up in a drugstore or from the guy out on the corner selling them for $5 a piece.

There would be no retribution for the disappearance of my umbrella, or so I thought.

Today, as I was leaving the yoga studio, I fished for my umbrella out of the communal umbrella bucket, but I couldn't find it. Oh sh-- someone had mistakenly grabbed my umbrella I thought! Assuming that someone had simply made an honest mistake by grabbing my nondescript, black umbrella by accident, I just grabbed another umbrella that looked approximately like mine. I knew I'd need an umbrella since it was still pouring outside.

Out in the rain, I pressed the umbrella's button to open it up and to my surprise it opened up to twice the size of what you'd expect for a retractable umbrella! This was a NICE umbrella with a sturdy metal frame, and it retracts to the same size as most retractables! This umbrella is even better than the one I "lost" in the spring. You bet I'll be hanging on to this one.

In fact, if I ever need to buy a new umbrella, I would definitely consider buying this one- the ShedRain umbrella.

Too bad for the owner of this umbrella, I certainly know how he/she probably feels.

Guess that's umbrella karma for you.

The Last Speakers

2010-10-06T02:06:00.003-04:00

Just listened to this fascinating article (which appears on on NPR) about the extinction of language, "In The Search For 'Last Speakers,' A Great Discovery." In the article, linguist David Harrison is quoted as saying:

"People really do value their languages," he says. "And ... the decision to give up one language or to abandon a language is not usually a free decision. It's often coerced by politics, by market forces, by the educational system in a country, by a larger, more dominant group telling them that their language is backwards and obsolete and worthless."

This sounds very much like what's happened in Taiwan when the Kuomintang prohibited Taiwanese people from speaking their native Aborigine, Holo Taiwanese and Hakka languages.

Harrison also has some interesting, though not surprising things to say about how to save a language.

To read the entire article, click here.

2010-10-02T22:59:00.000-04:00

What's great about New York is all of the resources and possibilities that this city has to offer, but I've been thinking that it is also so true that "if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere." New York can be a tough place if you don't have the means- the dough, the dinero, the moolah- you know, you get the picture. I have been feeling a lot like this lately as I hear people talking about rent increases, the cost of living, their job searches and struggles to make their dreams come true. Being on the job search again myself, I'm feeling the crunch.

Since I have a bit more time on my hands these days, it was very timely when I learned that there was an opportunity for me to volunteer at the Social Ad Summit on Friday, and so I did. I've been wanting to attend a mediabistro event, and this was a golden opportunity to help out and to attend an event for free. Volunteering is such a great way to learn more about an organization and to attend conferences for free. It's a great way to network with people and there's always something to be learned and to "take away from the experience." This leads me to this little bit of unexpected wisdom that I came across and wanted to share. My job as a volunteer at the Social Ad Summit was to work with the event's photographer. After he snapped photos of people, my job was to ask them their name, company and title, which I recorded for the photo captions. After the last picture of the day was snapped, one of the men in the photo handed me his business card before dashing off. It had his blog on it: 10MinutesofBrilliance.com. When I checked out his blog today, I came across this little bit of wisdom written by Cherie Carter-Scott from her book If Life is a Game, These are the Rules:

The 10 Rules for Being Human

1. You will receive a body.

You may like it or hate it, but it’s the only thing you are sure to keep for the rest of your life. So take care of it. You’re not getting another.

2. You will learn lessons.

You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called “Life.” Each day in this school, you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but you have designed them as part of your curriculum.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons.

Growth is a process of experimentation, a series of trials, errors and occasional victories. The failed experiments are as much as a part of the process as the experiments that work.

4. A lesson is repeated until learned.

Lessons will be repeated by you in various forms until you have learned them. When you have learned them, you can go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end.

There is no part of life that does not contain lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. “There” is no better than “here”.

When your “there” has become “here,” you will simply obtain another “there” that will look better to you than “here.”

7. Others are only mirrors of you.

You cannot love or hate something about another unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you.

You have all the tools and resources you need to succeed. What you do with them is up to you.

9. Your answers lie inside you.
The answers to Life’s questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.

10. You will forget all this.
You can remember any time you wish.

---------------------------------------------

Definitely rules to live by, and ones I can truly identify with. To me life is all about lessons and constant improvement. I don't necessarily believe that "everything happens for a reason" but rather that we can find lessons in the things that happen to us or in life, and hopefully grow from what we've been through for the better.

2010-10-02T21:55:00.002-04:00

Believe in your dreams. If you don't who, who will?

The Creative Life

2010-07-06T17:39:00.003-04:00

To me, the creative life is about challenge. It is a challenge that I must meet every day, as I renew my commitment to “doing my art” or that I face when I encounter all of the “elements” that life throws my way. This I find exciting. Maybe that is why these days, I essentially like feeling restless.

To Love

2010-04-06T02:18:00.002-04:00

Is to be strong enough
to surrender to overwhelming feelings, allowing them to engulf you
to feel scared and exposed, when everything is laid bare
to be vulnerable
to let go

To Love

Is not about me
Is not about you

To Love

Is about
Inclusion
Understanding
Acceptance

To Love

Is putting aside your needs and expectations
to nurture and support your loved one's goals

To Love

Is about growth, the growth of both individuals
Is about endless possibility

2010-01-05T15:54:00.002-05:00

Today I read an article in which defined adventure as:

A willingness to commit to an uncertain outcome with an open heart and an open mind.

As I read further, the author also talked about how adventure is about taking a leap into the unknown- which does not necessarily have to mean engaging in dangerous, death-defying feats, like scaling mountains, but how it is about feeling comfortable with the unknown, the uncertain.

Opportunities for adventure are around us every day- by making a change to one's routine, doing something completely differently, or learning something new.

This really resonated with me because I'd like to think that I take an adventurous approach to life- at least I try. I also find myself inspired by people who have an adventurous spirit.

Uncertainty is the gift of possibility. I have always tried to face challenges with confidence and this year I feel it is especially important to do so with a sense of purpose and mindfulness.

2009-09-16T23:50:00.007-04:00

I love fashion and I love the New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week- the glamor, the lights, and the music and energy of live runway shows at the Bryant Park tent. Yes, I've been fortunate enough to see some live runway shows and yes, the models are impossibly rail thin and there are so many posers in this scene, but I take it all with a grain of salt and just enjoy it, and see it for what it all is.

On Saturday I went to an off-site show where a new designer was debuting. It was a much more intimate setting with the theme of a "tea party." Alongside the runway there were small round white table-clothed tables for guests to sit as they sipped tea and sampled finger foods from a long table of mini-food stations.

The show started without the usual fanfare of loud, pulsing music, but with a pianist seated at a grand piano playing familiar sounding jazz tunes.

The models walked out in elegant silk crepe creations- there were billowing blouses, flowing dresses and sumptuous gowns. One by one they came down the runway, and then a second time- this time pausing at three points on the runway for guests to take a closer look, and then a third- pausing again at the same three points on the runway, and again... I stared at their expressionless faces. As the piano music paused and continued, they walked on like droids pausing at their preassigned intervals, as if on an assembly line in an seemingly endless loop. I started to have an unsettling feeling.

2009-07-27T15:16:00.002-04:00

When I was younger things came more easily, especially love. I questioned less. I'd fall first and then I'd eventually see the reality more clearly and then have to deal with the other person's faults and shortcomings. Problem is that by then I'd already be in a relationship.

Now I do fall, but but perhaps more slowly and with a critical mind and awareness of the other person's faults. No one is perfect, least of all me. There's always a need to elucidate was is and isn't working for me in these situations. I guess it is a matter of me putting me first and thinking about whether or not I can deal with the particulars of a situation. Or is it?

Sometimes we don't have all the answers to make a decisive decision, so how about just working through it, approaching it like a koan. Maybe there is some learning here as we break out of old patterns, drop the baggage, deal with things differently, let go and maybe we can even grow from the experience.

2009-06-24T03:01:00.001-04:00

Life should be lived intensely and without regret.

But sometimes that makes it hard to recover.

Misunderstanding and Miscommunication

2009-06-15T22:35:00.004-04:00

The gap between the way one person expresses him/herself and how the other perceives it.

2009-06-15T22:30:00.002-04:00

I was focused on what I did not see.
If I did not see it or experience it in the form I expected, it did not exist.
I did not realize it was there right before my eyes all along...
Until I heard it, or rather saw it written in black and white.

2009-06-15T22:10:00.003-04:00

With so many things in life I just go with the flow and follow my intuition. But, at the same time, I also know how to make things happen. I like making things happen- this is what inspires and empowers me.

But lately I've been struggling with my feelings and what it would take to make a certain situation work. Maybe it's time to stop working so hard to make it happen, and to let it go.

2009-06-06T06:37:00.002-04:00

Lately I feel as though my heart is on hold.

2009-06-02T18:57:00.002-04:00

When we find what we are passionate about in life, it may consume us, we may become consumed by it, but there's a fine line to tread- we've got to keep things in check- so that it does not become what we are defined by, what solely defines us, or stops us from living life.

2009-05-05T02:40:00.003-04:00

It's always nice to be noticed for one's beauty, especially at the most unsuspecting times... like tonight as I walked out of the subway casually dressed, with no makeup on, bundled up in a thick sweater jacket, in my rubber rain boots. I turned as I heard someone say "Sweetie, you're gorgeous"- in a simple sincere way. I smiled and told him that he just made my day.

Just as much as that made me feel good, I also realize that it is what it is. A passing acknowledgment... for what? I relish these moments, but also know that one day I will "loose my looks", age and such sweet comments will become less and less frequent. But what value is there really in them? I'd rather be admired for my accomplishments, achievements or contributions.

I try not to take it too seriously, or let it go to my head.

What am I waiting for?

2009-04-08T01:45:00.003-04:00

That one true thing
enduring
real
inescapable
something worth fighting for
perfect in its imperfection

Second chances?

2009-04-04T05:23:00.003-04:00

Do we get second chances at love?

As a love optimist I want to believe that this is possible. That as they say, there will be a second chance for people who are "meant to be together."

Well before there can even be a second chance with a good chance of success for a couple, I think a few things need to happen:

Sufficient time needs to have passed so that each person has completely let go of the relationship and any hopes or expectations attached to the relationship. And, that in that time each person has to have been able to work on him/herself- understanding and dealing with his/her own issues, and focusing on improving him/herself. I think that the odds would also be better if the first split was relatively amicable i.e. there were no lingering misunderstandings or hurt feelings. And of course, hopefully both sides would be ready and want the same things in the relationship the second time around.

Love Optimist

2009-04-04T05:13:00.000-04:00

I guess I'm what you could call a "love optimist." I really, truly want to believe that if there is love, real love, that you can overcome everything, but as the saying goes... it takes two to tango. And there are so many things that go into a successful love equation- having the same priorities, ambition, values, lifestyle, goals, the right timing.

What happens if having love, being in love with each other was just not enough? If you love each other, but... compromises that must be made can't happen immediately, if one of the partners has issues that require a tremendous amount of work to work through , if a person knows that he/she is loved, but doesn't feel loved in the way her or she would like to be by the other...

When this happens it is always difficult and perplexing. You love each other but...

In my younger days, I was so idealistic about love, believing that if I loved someone enough and was committed enough to making it work, working through things- that it could work. Question is, is the situation _really_ a workable situation and is the other person just as committed, willing and/or able to do his part?

Know When To Quit

2009-04-02T03:07:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about this article that I recently read about knowing when to quit. The author gives some compelling reasons and benefits to being a quitter.

The article starts off:

Want to be one of life's winners? Stop trying! You'll be a lot healthier, maybe wealthier, and altogether happier.

And continues by stating:

Recently, psychologists Gregory Miller and Carsten Wrosch set out to investigate the mental and physical health of people who resist quitting, and of those who throw in the towel when facing unattainable goals. The second group—the quitters—were healthier than their persistent peers on almost every variable. They suffered fewer health problems, from digestive trouble to rashes, and showed fewer signs of psychological stress.

Despite the sensibility in this, I refuse to accept this. I am so NOT a quitter to a fault- with most things in life, especially relationships. And I'm not about to change! I really don't like closing the door. With most things in life, I believe more in keeping things open and even putting something on the back burner if the time is not right, and saving it or waiting for the right time. But with relationships it's a different ballgame. There there are certainly times that one must move on for your own sanity and health. But for me that is not an easy thing to do. I am just wired that way, as one of my friends put it, wired "to go to the ends of the earth and back to make a relationship work."

I took an abridged version of the Myers Briggs test recently, which revealed these very accurate things about my personality:

Tends to stick to things until they are done.
Well-respected for their perseverence in doing the right thing.
Likely to seek out and promote relationships that are intense and meaningful.
Tends to be perfectionists, and are always striving for the Ultimate Relationship.
Have very high expectations for themselves and others (both a strength
and weakness).
Natural nurturer; patient, devoted and protective.
Holds a special place in the heart of people who they are close to, who are able to see their special gifts and depth of caring.
Have difficulty leaving a bad relationship.

If you're curious about the article I'm referring to, you can read it here in its entirety.

Giving it another go

2009-04-01T01:11:00.002-04:00

Why can't you give up and just let it go?

Because when there's love, real love, you know that it is such a precious thing and when you feel that love for someone else and you feel that that other person really does love you, it gives you hope, strength and faith to go on.

New York New York

2009-03-31T22:08:00.003-04:00

In New York, there are definitely those "die hard New Yorkers"- people who may or may not be native New Yorkers- who say they are addicted to New York and could never imagine living anywhere else. Although I have always said that I don't necessarily have my heart set on living in New York for the rest of my life, I have actually lived here a pretty LONG time- since around the mid-90s, excluding my 6 years in Taiwan (2001-2007), so I've lived in New York for nearly 10 years in all.

I do love New York. There's always an endless number of things to do and experience. I've built a new network of friends, I am comfortable here (I no longer get lost in the lower east side or chinatown) and I'm good at being a New Yorker. I love the energy, the pace, the glamor, the diversity, the convenience, and the raw ambition in the air. I guess that there has never been anything, any opportunity, or anyone (dare I say) that has made me feel compelled to move.

Why would I ever consider living anywhere else?

I dream of having a large kitchen- since I love to cook and I'd like to have more space to entertain- since I love hosting dinner parties and social gatherings... and that to me means having a house.

New York is not necessarily the center of the universe, though it can certainly sometimes feel that way. But there are always lots of options in life, different lifestyles to experience with new opportunities and possibilities.

2009-03-26T23:46:00.002-04:00

I am such a people person.

I just got back from this monthly networking event that I help organize and I realize that it really energizes me. I love meeting and talking to new people.

But, the thing is, I am actually an introverted person. When I'm at social events, I'm definitely not the outgoing gregarious type striking up random conversations with people. When I'm in these "cold" social situations (in which I don't know anyone), I much prefer having someone else initiate a conversation with me, or if I overhear a bit of conversation and I feel welcome to add my two cents in, I may start up or join a conversation. Sometimes simple conversations are started with people who happen to be standing around me. Other times, I will simply talk someone who seems in need of some company.

But when I'm hosting an event or party, like tonight, that's a different story. Then, I am in my element. Tonight someone kindly commented that I had a nice way with people, the way I circulated and talked to people throughout the night. It's not the first time someone has given me such a compliment, and I'm glad to hear that I'm projecting the image of a hospitable hostess, making people feel welcome at my events.

It is interesting to me- sometimes I'll have a 10 minute conversation with someone new, sometimes there will a "continued" conversation with that person later, or not. There may be a conversation with someone I've met at previous events, a conversation with someone in my social circles, but who I haven't gotten the chance to know all that well yet, and on and on. It is interesting to me how these conversations and relationships evolve.

2009-03-25T00:45:00.003-04:00

I bought these daffodils yesterday because I needed a "pick me up." Flowers are always just the thing to brighten up my mood; they brighten up my day, and they always brighten up a room.

I'll never understand women who say they don't like flowers, unless of course they are horribly allergic to flowers.

Yes, simple as it sounds, flowers always make me feel better. I'm sorting things out, finding my strength within, and making room for better things to happen. I feel a shift, things are already beginning to happen...

OPEN

2009-03-25T00:19:00.003-04:00

One of my friends once asked me, if there was one word that you would use to describe yourself, what would it be?

I thought about it and said "open." At the time I chose the word and thought it was apt because I've always tried to be an open-minded person and open to new things.

That was quite awhile back- over 7 years ago.

I think this word is still fitting. I see it as a sort of basis for my "life mantra." I always try to be open to new opportunities, meeting new people, learning new things, new experiences, hearing different opinions and to be open to what's hidden- the energy in the universe and possibilities waiting to be discovered or noticed.

It's important to me, especially as a creative person, to stay open to all that is around me, which means being aware and attuned enough to pick up on promise and opportunities- which are always floating around- if you'd take the time to notice. You just never know where a connection that has been made, a seed planted, idea sprung, or any life experience will lead you.

The finality of it all

2009-03-24T00:31:00.002-04:00

When a relationship ends it's important to have the support of close friends and family who know you, really know you and understand. But the "real work" is when you are left alone, just as you were before the relationship began, but now mourning this loss.

What is love?

2008-11-11T00:51:00.002-05:00

People say that LOVE is a choice
It is a decision
A series of decisions
Affirmed everyday of your life
Through your actions
It is acceptance of weakness and faults
Belief in times of uncertainty
Remembering the greatness in dark times

Friendship and Loyalty

2008-09-24T12:37:00.000-04:00

Many people believe that our friends should be loyal to us. But what exactly does that mean? Should we expect our friends to be unconditionally loyal and to always side with us no matter what?

What if your friend has a completely different opinion and take on something from you? And they are frustrated that you are not taking their advice, but you are frustrated that she is not seeing things your way, agreeing with you or siding with you.

Just because your friend doesn't share your view of things- does that mean she is not siding with you? Maybe she really believes that she is trying to protect your interests, and is giving you the best advice she can from her particular point of view.

What should we expect from our friends? Can we just accept that there are some situations in which, though they stick to their opinions- that put them at odds with you- they are ultimately just being true to themselves? And wouldn't you want your friend to be true to herself?

Could a friendship survive this and what would be left of it afterwards?

2008-09-23T03:32:00.003-04:00

In friendships and relationships, there comes a point in time in which we let people into our lives and put our trust in them.

How is it that we come to put our trust in someone? Is it a blind leap of faith? Is trust earned? How is it earned? Do we ever really know for sure if we can trust that person and if they will come through for us in our times of need? Will they do what's best for us then the time comes? Will they do things with our best interest in mind?

Perhaps we will never know until faced with some formidable dilemma where the stakes are high. Then we will see what people are made of.

All The City's a living room

2008-07-31T02:57:00.007-04:00

In a city so cosmopolitan, diverse and densely populated, where space is at a premium and people pay through the nose for every square foot of space... I've noticed that the people in New York City just seem to have a way of claiming The City- any ol' sidewalk, piece of grass or public space- as their living room.

I've seen women stylishly dressed and in their strappy heels, making themselves completely at home- at the end of a night of partying- plopping themselves right down on the curb of a sidewalk outside of nightclub- chatting on their cellphone or chowing down a dog.

Today there was a man who sat on the metal tree pit guard of a tree in front of my building for a few hours- he was there when I went out to run some errands and was still there in the same spot when I returned.

One afternoon, as I was riding a bus across 14th Street, and we stopped at a light, I looked out at the sidewalk and saw a lazy boy sofa chair that someone had presumably put out on the sidewalk to be taken away with the trash. As I looked more closely at the chair, which was turned away from the curb, I saw two legs hanging off the end and realized that a man was actually reclining in the chair. There he was making himself comfortable right on the sidewalk, and then he started removing his shoes and socks!

Of course New York's ultimate summer outdoor living rooms are its parks. Central Park's Great Lawn is host to the free summer outdoor Metropolitan Opera Concerts, and Bryant Park is host to free outdoor weekly summer movies. On these nights, New Yorkers converge on the greens and under the stars, they spread out their blankets- the truly prepared veterans come armed with a balloon or flag to mark their group's "reserved" space in a sea of bodies and blankets- and of course there's plenty of food and drink, which are all consumed by the candlelight of a citronella candle.

Even without these sponsored events, in the summer you'll find tons people lounging in the various park spaces of New York City.

There's nothing quite like it- I don't think I've ever seen anything like this in any of the other major cities that I've lived in or visited.

2008-07-31T02:55:00.002-04:00

Who says guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses?

2008-07-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

I remember the days when it was all so simple- all it took was some ice cream to make everything right.

Recently I've discovered that it still works!

To bid or not to bid?

2008-03-28T01:01:00.003-04:00

This article, Public still support the nation's UN bid: survey, in today's Taipei Times is a good follow up to my previous post about the failed UN referendums in Taiwan.

It states that "Seventy-one percent of people responding to a Taiwan Thinktank survey said the incoming Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) administration should continue the policy of promoting the nation's bid to joing the UN despite the failure of two Referendums on the issue last week."

For your convenience I've posted the complete article here:

Public still support the nation's UN bid: survey

STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
Friday, Mar 28, 2008, Page 3

Seventy-one percent of people responding to a Taiwan Thinktank survey said the incoming Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) administration should continue the policy of promoting the nation's bid to join the UN despite the failure of two referendums on the issue last week.

The results of the survey released yesterday revealed that 67 percent of respondents were in favor of the nation seeking UN membership, and 57 percent supported Taiwan's inclusion in the world body regardless of what name was used to apply for membership.

Meanwhile, 23 percent of respondents said the Japanese are the friendliest people toward Taiwan, while 31 percent said the US is the friendliest government.

Fifty-one percent of respondents identified China as the country least friendly, with 70 percent saying China should be condemned for its recent crackdown on protesters in Tibet.

The survey was carried out between Monday and Wednesday this week on 1,078 people. It had a margin of error of 3 percent.

Seventy-five percent of the respondents voted in last Saturday's presidential poll, 34 percent of whom cast ballots in the two referendums, with 35 percent refraining from voting in either referendum.

One of the referendums advocated joining the UN using the name Taiwan, while the other advocated rejoining the UN using the nation's official title the "Republic of China," or any other "practical" name. Both were rejected because the turnout rates did not reach the required 50 percent, although approximately 90 percent of those who voted did so in favor of the initiatives.

Liu Shih-chung (劉世忠), deputy chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Research and Planning Committee, said that although the referendums' failure had helped to reassure countries such as the US which had expressed concerns over their possible negative impact on cross-strait relations, it had also strengthened the barriers to the nation's participation in major international organizations.

"Everything is back to square one. Major countries will only support Taiwan's membership in international organizations that do not require statehood," Liu said.

Lin Wen-cheng (林文程), a professor at National Sun Yat-sen University's Institute of Mainland China Studies, agreed with Liu, saying that the failure of the referendums would inevitably impact on the nation's bid for UN membership.

While the failure of the two votes has drawn the public's attention to the need for an amendment to the Referendum Act to lower the required turnout threshold, it remains doubtful whether such an amendment would clear the legislature, Lin said.

The KMT, which holds a strong majority in the legislature, is opposed to lowering the minimum requirements for the passage of a referendum.

2008-03-27T02:09:00.005-04:00

Taiwan's presidential election was paired with two UN referendums which failed to pass. The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) referendum asked voters to agree on Taiwan applying for full UN membership under the name "Taiwan." The Kuomintang's (KMT) referendum asked for support for Taiwan to re-enter the UN as the "Republic of China" or under any other "practical" titles.

The fact that these two referendums failed sends a message to the world that the Taiwanese do not care about Taiwan's admission to the UN. But it's not that simple, we need understand the requirements for a referendum to pass in Taiwan. There has been growing support amongst the people of Taiwan to have representation at the UN. Recent polls indicate that over 80% of the public think that Taiwan should have representation at the UN. Question is, under what name?

Several other factors contributed to the failure of the referendums, including calls by the KMT to boycott the DPP's referendum, and a number of KMT legislators even called for a boycott of BOTH referendums. Click here to read about the KMT's boycott of the referendums.

The two referendums were printed on forms separate from the presidential ballots. After picking up the presidential ballot at the first station, a voter would have to then request the two referendum ballot forms at the next station. At some polling stations there were cases of voters being subtly discouraged from picking up the referendum forms, or referendum forms were placed in an awkward position, inconveniencing voters wishing to pick them up.

The KMT's call to boycott the referendums may have also had an influence on voter's behaviors and attitudes towards the referendums. What subtle implications does this suggest about those who chose to pick up referendum ballots and those who didn't?

Thanks to Jerome Keating for writing this article (in today's Taipei Times) which explains the standards for referendums in Taiwan to be passed:

UN referendums trip on threshold
By Jerome Keating

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008, Page 8

In any other country, if a referendum were held and 94 percent of those who voted approved it, it would be considered a great success. That is not the case in Taiwan, however, which has unusually high requirements for success.

For the results of a referendum to be valid, 50 percent of all eligible voters must pick up and cast a ballot in a referendum, and 50 percent of those who cast a ballot must approve it.

Herein lies the problem. The first big hurdle for the UN referendums, which were held in conjunction with the presidential election, was to garner 50 percent of all eligible voters -- not 50 percent of the voters who cast ballots in the election.

That meant that since not all eligible voters turned out for the election, the referendum was already in danger of not passing.

Referendums have various requirements. They may or may not have a prerequisite that voter turnout be a certain percentage of the electorate. The Danish model requires 40 percent of the electorate. In some cases, a referendum can pass simply if the majority of those who vote approve it and there have been cases where a referendum has passed with as little as 8 percent of the electorate voting.

The Canadian government does not accept referendums as automatically binding; Quebec's referendum to secede from Canada in 1995 required a simple "50 percent plus one" majority. It barely missed the mark and had many worried.

Taiwan has had six referendums since it began directly electing its president and not one of these has passed. They have all failed, not because the majority of those voting did not approve them, but because an insufficient number of those eligible to vote picked up ballots. This is what happened to the two referendums on applying for UN membership.

In the referendum proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party, 6,201,677 people cast ballots and 5,529,230 approved the referendum. Another 352,359 people turned it down and 320,088 cast invalid ballots. The approval rate was 94.01 percent. Yet while more than 5.5 million people approved it, the referendum needed more than 8 million voters for the results to be valid.

A similar defeat was dealt to the UN referendum proposed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). Its approval rate was 87.27 percent.

The purpose of referendums is to express the public's opinion, but because of the requirements, the results may be misinterpreted. There may be many reasons why eligible voters did not pick up ballots. Referendums may be used to mobilize voters towards a party's agenda.

If one party proposes a referendum, the opposition can counter it by encouraging voters not to pick up a ballot. In this way, party voters will not go on record as voting against a given proposition, but they will nevertheless have defeated the referendum simply by denying it sufficient voters.

In recent polls, more than 80 percent of the public said the nation should have representation at the UN, yet most eligible voters did not pick up ballots in the UN referendums.

Laws governing referendums must be reformed to ensure that referendums can be employed to gauge public opinion.

Until that happens, many -- including foreign media -- can easily misinterpret the results of the UN referendums and other plebiscites in Taiwan.

Jerome Keating is a Taiwan-based writer.
========================================

Here's another article from Monday's Taipei Times that discusses what the failed referendums mean:

Post-Election 2008: Academics assess meaning of failed UN referendums
By Jenny W. Hsu and Shih Hsiu-chuan
STAFF REPORTERS
Monday, Mar 24, 2008, Page 3

The failed passage of both UN referendums in Saturday's election may have sent a message to the world that Taiwanese do not care about the country's admission to the UN, a group of foreign and local academics said yesterday during a roundtable in Taipei.

Calling the failed referendum a "miserable story," Gunter Shubert, from University of Tuebingen's Institute of Chinese and Korean Studies, said that not only was the collective will of Taiwanese falsely represented, but the referendum, as a political instrument, was "misused and degraded" in this election, as both camps used it to boost the interests of the party rather than to mirror what the people wanted.

Both referendums were also poorly formulated, he said.

The referendums proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on Taiwan's UN bid were held in tandem with the presidential election on Saturday.

The DPP called on voters to agree on Taiwan applying for a full UN membership under the name "Taiwan," while the KMT version asked for support for Taiwan to re-enter the body as the "Republic of China," or under any other "practical" titles.

The referendums failed as the 35 percent turnout fell short of the required threshold of more than 50 percent of eligible voters, even though the DPP proposal received a 94 percent "yes" vote and the KMT proposal was approved by 87 percent.

Aside from specialists and those who followed the matter closely, most people will likely equate the low turnout with lack of desire for membership in the global body, Shubert said.

If Taiwan continues to misuse referendums, he said, people will eventually start to lose faith in the tool.

Christopher Hughes, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, said the Beijing government could spin the results and argue that the referendum defeat showed that most Taiwanese do not wish to be independent from China.

Shortly after the result was announced on Saturday night, Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office released a statement saying the failed referendum meant that "the issue of independence has not won the heart of the Taiwanese people."

Asked if he believes Taiwan can recover from the setback, Hughes said: "The situation cannot be worse than it is right now," adding that Taiwan should develop better public relations strategies to win more support.

Lin Cheng-yi (林正義) of Academia Sinica lamented the fact that the issue of Taiwan's entry in the UN has become politicized, which the splintered results made evident.

"If it had been the UN that conducted the referendum on Taiwan's membership, the result would have been overwhelmingly different," he said.

At a separate forum hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy yesterday, political observers said newly elected president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) needs to think hard about how he will explain the failure of the referendums to the rest of the world.

Lee Yeau-tarn (李酉潭), an associate professor at National Chengchi University's Sun Yat-sen Graduate Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, said "the failure of the two referendums was regrettable."

"What is even more regrettable is that the result was interpreted in such a way that would make it appear that the referendums were voted down, which is not the case," Lee said.

Highlighting the problem of the threshold, Lee said, is the fact that "the legislature would have been an illegitimate institution if the 50 percent turnout was an appropriate threshold."

"A 35 percent turnout isn't that bad," Lee said, adding that in 2005, the turnout at the National Assembly on approving a constitutional reform package that determined a legislative reform proposal was 23 percent.

2008-03-22T14:19:00.003-04:00

Heavy downpours of rain
Beat down this little island
Drowning in sadness and defeat
Washing away
Hopes and dreams
Flooded with memories of
An oppressive past
Cleanse away
Old wounds
Still fresh
Drenched
In a seemingly endless
Showering deluge

Reactions to March 22, 2008 Presidential Election in Taiwan

2008-03-22T13:56:00.000-04:00

Today has been a sad sad day, since hearing that Chinese Nationalist Party aka Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou has won the presidential election in Taiwan, with 58% of the vote. I cannot even begin to explain what this means since this would require a deep analysis and explanation of the KMT's ugly role in Taiwan's political arena in the past and present.

I have a previous post- on some thoughts about this recent presidential election in Taiwan that I haven't been able to complete and post yet. I will try to get around to it in the next day or so.

It's been pouring outside here in Kaohsiung like no tomorrow for a few hours now.

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 2008

2008-03-01T10:45:00.008-05:00

A shot of the Love River. Lanterns are displayed along the banks of the river.

Colorful lanterns on display. These lanterns were made by primary school students!

2008 is Lunar Year 4705-4706 and "The Year of the Rat"... or mouse. That explains why we have a lantern of Mickey Mouse running in the 2009 World Games which will be hosted by Kaohsiung.

Some more lanterns in keeping with theme of "The Year of the Rat."

Hearts appropriately wrapped around a tree along the Love River.

Nightly fireworks are set off over Kaohsiung Harbor during the Lantern Festival.

A few random thoughts

2008-02-22T12:44:00.002-05:00

About a week ago, I was at the gym doing my routine- using dumbbells to work on my arms and upper body. Well it just so happened that there were two other men, who, when they realized that they were using the same amount of weight as me, promptly switched to using twice the weight of dumbbells- which was about 20lbs. or more. Good for them- I think they should have been using more weight to challenge themselves anyhow. Never mind comparing themselves to 'lil ol me. It made me feel pretty good though that I was able to give them "a run for their money" so to speak.

Reflecting on my "adventures" as a single woman in New York since moving back in October, I realize that I have quite a bit of material that I could spin into some entertaining short stories about the men that I've met. They are just too good to blog about.

2008-02-07T06:33:00.000-05:00

I was born with a passion for fashion. I had no choice in this matter. As soon as I was old enough to walk and talk I loved to accessorize. Flipping through early childhood photographs, it's easy to see that my standard accessory always seemed to be a purse, but I loved it all- jewelry, dresses, shoes. The women in my family have always had a certain sense of style. My mother in particular, studied fashion design and naturally she encouraged my sister and I to enjoy fashion, follow the trends, and that probably gave us the seeds of each of our personal, unique sense of style.

This week I have been completely obsessed by it all since it is New York Fashion Week- Fall 2008 and I have been fortunate enough to get into the actual tents at Bryant Park to see a few runway shows and I am hooked I tell you.

When I was a young girl in my teens, fashion was all about being the first to wear "it", being trendy and getting attention. There is a certain superficiality in putting all this attention on one's appearance, but that's what you do in your teens. You try out different things as you try to find yourself, express yourself and figure out who you are.

Fashion for a long time has been about how to be in the "in crowd", what to wear and what not to wear. Some women's fashion magazines feature candid photos of everyday people, snapped by "the fashion police" exposing people's embarrassing fashion no-no's, and then of course there's the analysis of what went wrong with a certain celebrity's look on the red carpet. Fashion has long been criticized with contributing to people's insecurities about their appearance.

But lately, I like what I see happening in the world of fashion- how fashion gurus and stylists are turning it all around. Shows like "How To Look Good Naked with Carson Kressley" (Carson of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame) and "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" (Tim of "Projet Runway" fame) come to mind.

Fashion can be transformational. It can be used to bring out the best in yourself, to work with what you have, as long as you know how use it to accentuate your appearance. It can be an expression of how you present yourself to the world, or help you to cherish yourself as you take pride in your appearance and celebrate who you are.

What's in a kiss?

2008-01-04T00:37:00.000-05:00

Everything or nothing at all.

The first kiss is so telling. I personally put a lot of stock in the first kiss. I believe that once you kiss, you know if it's there or not. You feel it... and sometimes you don't feel a thing.

You also know if you want to kiss someone, and you know if you don't. That certainly says a lot doesn't it?

But then again if you're not sure about someone, a kiss, that one kiss could answer some questions.

To kiss or not to kiss? What are the rules?

Having said the above, I realize that I don't follow "the rules." Kissing sometimes just happens. It is not necessarily planned, calculated or a choice. It sometimes happens at a moment in time when it just feels right, in the most unexpected situations, with the most unexpected people.

Other times, the choice not to kiss is way to just stay in the safe, gray area.

Finding my Professor Higgins

2007-10-09T11:53:00.000-04:00

I've been really getting into salsa dancing lately thanks to the introduction (of my friend L) to Salsa After Work Mondays at the Taj here in New York City. The place has definitely got a good energy to it.

The first time I stopped by, by myself, I bumped into a meetup group. They were there to take advantage of the open bar and drink specials before the dance lessons. I soon found myself adopted by the meetup group and so I met some great new people, took a lesson and even got asked to take a few spins around the dance floor. I've taken a few salsa lessons here and there over the past few years, but have never really had a chance to practice by dancing regularly, so I'm basically a newbie. The people there are so enthusiastic and genuinely love to dance. It is really not a pickup scene. Each of my dance partners gave lots of encouragement and patiently gave me tips, and some even counted the beats of the music with me to keep proper time. I had a so much fun, but I left before seeing L.

The second time, I arrived late, totally missed the lessons, but it was just as much fun and L was there- though she was tearing up the dance floor most of the time!

Last night was the third time. I made a point to make it early enough for the dance lessons which start around 6:30pm. As we went through the basic steps and then partnered up I quickly realized that I had found myself an experienced dance partner-J. At first, I suspected that he must have been "planted" by someone in the club to help along the lessons. What a great idea- to "plant" some more seasoned male dance partners in the class. That would definitely help things along, because with most partner dances, the man is the one leading the lady and therefore he has his work cut out for him! It's very difficult if the man and woman start off at the same point when taking lessons together. Yes, I'm talking from experience here. In partner dance the man always has to be ahead of the game. So ladies, if you and your man are planning to learn a partner dance, I say that you should send him off for a few dance lessons first before you get started.

After the lessons which consisted of a brief review of basic dance steps and turns, J, my dance partner for most of the evening quickly took me under his tutelage. He gave me tips on my footwork, posture, and hip movements, taught me about the tension between the palms of partners, and how to follow his cues, all the while skillfully moving me around the dance floor. There is something about partner dancing. There is something about a man who knows how to lead a lady with firm control, at the same time paying attention to the other dancers around them, maneuvering around the dance floor and protecting her from any possible collisions.

In the beginning I felt awkward, and unsophisticated like Eliza Doolittle, waiting to be molded into a graceful dancer by my Professor Higgins. And you know what?! By the end of the night, as I danced with others I noticed that I could read my partner's cues a little better. I think that J and I will be having some follow up lessons.

My last day in Kaohsiung, was a gift

2007-09-06T01:28:00.000-04:00

With all the major moves and relocations I've been through, the last day before I leave is usually a frenzy filled day of last minute packing and preparations. Along the way I try to squeeze in get-togethers and goodbyes with friends and family. It is usually all a blur of activity. In fact, I don't think I remember exactly how I spent my last day in New York before leaving for Taiwan.

So it was truly a gift when my friend- A said he'd come down to Kaohsiung from Taipei to visit me on my last day (June 30) in Kaohsiung. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was just thrilled that he was going to be visiting me because I knew I'd miss him dearly!

The day he arrived was a beautiful sunny day and we played the role of tourists as we made our rounds to Kaohsiung's major sites, including some newer ones that I hadn't yet had the chance to visit.

We started off at the Tuntex Sky Tower aka 85 Skytower, the tallest building in Kaohsiung and went up to the viewing deck for a view of the city.

For those of you who have ever visited me in Kaohsiung- if you look closely, you might recognize some of these buildings.

The Dream Mall, a nine floor shopping mall, which opened up in March is one of Kaohsiung's newest sites and now Taiwan's largest mall. It has a ferris wheel on the roof with a view of the ocean. The ferris wheel is tremendously popular. The last time I went there in the evening with my cousin who was in town for a visit, there was an hour wait! Better luck next time... So of course A and I had to make a stop over there to ride the ferris wheel, which stands at 102.5m tall atop the roof of the mall.

Well of course the ferris wheel had to be a Hello Kitty themed one. This is Taiwan where one of the major airlines has introduced a Hello Kitty airplane! Someone has even blogged about it here. Here we see the backside of Hello Kitty and her "friend" Daniel. Oh the things you learn about Hello Kitty after having lived in Taiwan for six years...

A view of the 85 Skytower in Kaohsiung from the ferris wheel.

The containers of Kaohsiung harbor.

Hello Kitty and Daniel-san wave from the ferris wheel car.

Looking out from the ferris wheel.

Look down! Look way down!

It was a beautiful day full of many mixed emotions.

2007-09-04T14:04:00.000-04:00

Where have I been and what have I gone through these past few months? How do I even begin to detail it all?

Well I've done it, I've uprooted myself from Taiwan. I've quit my job in Kaohsiung and I will be relocating to New York for a time... eventually. It's hard to believe I'm using that word right now "uprooted." Six years ago, when I finally left New York for Taiwan, I could barely speak the language. I left simply because I felt that I needed a new perspective on life and the world.

What I thought would only be two years has turned into six... and I'm not even sure if I'm really done with Taiwan yet! I have made a life for myself in Taiwan, I have found inspiration and purpose, and I have cultivated my own unique circle of friends there- not a "borrowed circle of friends." I suppose that's how I felt when I lived in Taipei during my first 2 months in Taiwan. I found myself immediately plugged into a huge social network of people through my roommate Christine. It was odd stepping into her circle of friends- who so readily accepted me. I wasn't accustomed to such easy acceptance; I mean, I didn't have any personal history with these people.

Then I moved to Kaohsiung which was like a desert- in so many ways. It has disdainfully been called a "cultural desert", but just what would you define as "cultural?" Is culture measured by the size of an art gallery or concert hall, the number of modern dance performances? Or is culture the preservation and practice of local traditions and customs? I was "in the desert" for 2 years i.e socially isolated. At the height of the SARS epidemic my feelings of isolation intensified when my family and I decided to self-quarantine. At that juncture I discovered some things about myself, and thought about what I have to offer. I began to open my eyes, face my fears and follow my intuition.

As I prepared to leave Taiwan (on June 30), there were many goodbyes, and there were even some who couldn't say goodbye. There was one long endless weekend- my last weekend up in Taipei before I left- with good friends and food. It was a tour of sleepless Taipei's various all-night hangouts, we were up every day until the wee hours of the morning, there were tears over karaoke, a lockout, sleeping in an all-night diner, and lots of long conversations... We really squeezed every last minute of our time together. Then there was our trip to Penghu, several goodbyes to friends in Kaohsiung and then a gift- my last day in Kaohsiung.

2007-08-29T03:09:00.000-04:00

As I walked along 42nd street toward Grand Central Station today, I heard police sirens and turned around to see the entire block lined with police cars. I wondered what could possibly warrant such police presence, especially after the steam pipe explosion that happened in this area on July 18th.

I later made it into Grand Central Station and onto the subway without incident.

Rediscovery

2007-06-28T13:16:00.000-04:00

Engulfed by the depths of
Sincerity
Unguarded
Attachment
What matters
To the heart
Of the matter
Laid bare

2007-05-17T12:35:00.000-04:00

Enough with listening to what others have to say and being the one asking questions. I'm always the one doing the listening. Not that I'm complaining. That is my preferred role and I do think that I am a good listener. So it's a good thing.

Now it's time to listen to myself speak for a change. And for others to ask the questions. I recently had the tables turned on me and my what a fresh perspective it's given me!

Expectation

2007-05-05T13:19:00.001-04:00

tempered by pretense and
dubiousness
doubt curbed by wishful thinking
challenging
priorities
lost

Giving

2007-05-05T12:50:00.000-04:00

pieces of myself away
another minute another hour
more

2007-04-15T11:53:00.000-04:00

a whisper in my ear
as you pass
they are not words I'd like to hear
you walked right past me without losing a step
but the words linger
I say nothing as I hasten my step
and wrap my coat
tightly around my body
as if to cover up
after having been stripped
by the prying eyes of a stranger
in broad daylight
on a busy New York street
with no witnesses
but your conscience
and my memory

Whisper

2007-04-09T22:58:00.000-04:00

Listen
Softly
Breaking down the walls
A veil of intimacy
Decends upon us

2007-03-29T00:42:00.000-04:00

I'm finally taking a day off. For the past three days I've kept up with my classes and tried to rest my voice by minimizing my speaking in the classroom, preparing handouts for my classes, and relying more on the blackboard.

This of course has required my students to be more attentive than usual. And it's actually worked like a charm! In my conversation classes I had my students reading out loud, as I often do, but now without saying a word, I'd stop them, indicate an error in pronunication on the blackboard and have them correct themselves. Thankfully I've already pretty much laid down much of the groundwork, in previous classes- pointing out and reminding them of common pronunciation errors, so when they saw the "writing on the wall" (aka the blackboard) they knew how to correct themselves. Now it's just a matter of getting them to break these bad pronunciation habits by being more mindful when reading or speaking and correcting themselves.

2007-03-26T22:26:00.000-04:00

It is a strange thing- losing my voice and only being able to speak in a whisper. Strange that it's easier to be understood speaking in a whisper rather than straining my voice to speak normally, only to hear it breaking up into bits like a bad cell phone connection.

Funny thing that I've noticed is that when I whisper out of necessity to communicate with others, people have caught themselves involuntarily whispering back.

2007-03-25T23:48:00.000-04:00

Yes, I'm being forced to "slowdown" physically, but believe me it's not going to get to me, and it certainly won't really slow me down.

Trying to follow the doctor's orders

2007-03-25T23:15:00.000-04:00

There is definitely a nasty bug going around. My Dad has had the fiercest, most relentless, nagging, lagging cold for weeks and finally it's gotten to me. At first there was the persistent dry throat for a few days and then it hit me like a ton of bricks last Thursday. That evening I felt feverish and achy all over. I promptly went to sleep for 9 hours and woke up feeling fine physically, except for my throat- which felt itchy, scratchy and slightly constricted. My tonsils are probably a bit swollen. Have been to see the doctor about this and have been popping pills for the past 4 days.

My Mom has caught the same thing. One of my friends had to cancel our get together this weekend because she has a cold. Her voice sounds horrible. And I have several friends who are getting over, or have just gotten over a cold.

Well yesterday I could barely speak! A few friends wanted to Skype me, so there I was listening to them, typing back responses via MSN! Oh the wonders of technology.

Went to see the doctor again this morning and I've been ordered not to talk. What am I going to do with my English conversation classes? I think I'm going to have to take a break for a few days and rest up. I have no choice in the matter.

Not quite 100% these days...

2007-03-25T22:35:00.000-04:00

I hurt my ankle last December after a night of dancing. Oh yes, it hurt like h*@#$ the day after, so I just took it easy for a week or 2 afterwards and then it felt fine. I didn't realize how serious it was at the time.

It wasn't until just this past February that I hurt it again while in San Francisco out dancing again (!). Ah yes, there it was- *OUCH*! Oh yes I remember, I remember exactly how this happened last time. Only then did I wonder if there was something more seriously wrong.

By March it felt fine again and I wondered if I should have it checked out. I could rotate my ankle just fine. There was no persistent pain. But then, I did notice that if I pointed my toes and pushed my heel back- there it was *ouch* again.

I went to see a doctor here in Kaohsiung last week- just to have it checked out and it turns out I sprained a ligament in my ankle, so now I'm going through some physical therapy which includes water massage and a sort electical massage stimulation. I have been told to rest for 2 months or more! That means no running, jumping or exercise that puts pressure on my ankle. It's a little difficult to accept since I usually workout 3-5 times a week, but I'm managing.

I suppose that's what I get for not letting it heal properly the first time! I've talked to several doctors about this and all they can tell me is rest, rest, rest!

It seems like there's a perception that: once you've sprained your ankle or had a similar injury it will NEVER completely heal, and one will be prone to future injuries/reinjuries. So I had to ask. The doctor who did an ultrasound on my ankle said it WILL heal, but you must REST and let it heal completely. She erred on the ultra-conservative side saying I shouldn't do any exercise at all, not even walk or swim! When pressed she said that of the two, of course swimming would be better since it's non weight-bearing, but it still puts some strain on the ankle.

I am determined to let my ankle heal, no matter how hard it's going to be to follow the doctor's orders. I suspect this is why so may people who sprain their ankles or have knee injuries injure and reinjure themselves; they don't completely rest and heal; they continue or start back into their exercise regime too soon or intensely. Taking things in moderation is a must. Once you've healed, you've got to slowly build your strength and flexibility up again. Foot and leg injuries are among the most difficult to take complete rest for. You don't realize how much "abuse" your two legs and feet go through every day in bearing your entire body weight!

Now I've just got to figure out some alternative methods of exercise, massage or daily diet management to keep myself in reasonable shape.

The Universe Is Conspiring To Find Me A Husband

2007-03-21T02:08:00.000-04:00

I don't like blind dates or being "set up" by my friends... preferring to meet people "naturally" through social events or friends of friends. But recently it seems like there's been a rash of people wanting to introduce some fine eligible young man to me. And then there's the matter of my parents' anxiety over their thirty-something single daughter- their last hope of having any grandchildren. Well who knows if that is even in the cards for all of us? Oh but I digress. To allay this relentless worrying by my parents I finally gave in. So far it's been split with 1 out of 2 introductions being somewhat favorable.

So back in mid-January I was up in Taipei for a visit before flying off on my Mexico/Los Angeles/San Francisco vacation. And yes, I was there to see someone I'd been introduced to by a friend of the family. At that time I was staying with a relative in Taipei for a few days.

Apparently one day I entered the building (with a set of keys given to me by my relative) and on my way to the elevator some woman asked me where I was going. I paid no attention to her and just got in to the elevator. I truly have no recollection of this exchange, but at the time I probably thought it was none of her business where I was going and didn't want to get into it.

The woman watched the elevator to see what floor I went to. She was a resident of the building and unbeknownst to me, she later paid a visit to my relative's- after I'd left the country. She told my relative about our little exchange and then proceeded to ask whether I was single or not because I guess she liked the looks of me; she had a son who was also single and she wondered if I'd like to be introduced to him. She went on to say that he had been educated in the U.S. and worked at some hi-tech company. My relative, "J" told the woman that she didn't even know if I was available or not because I had been in town that week to visit someone who I'd been recently introduced to.

J was pretty anxious about the whole thing; she relayed the story to my Mom who relayed it to me and she even consulted with my Mom about how to handle the situation. She didn't want me to lose out on any other "opportunities" I suppose. I found the whole situation amusing and somewhat flattering. I wondered what kind of mother would go to such lengths to find her son a match- and this was just based on my looks! Just what did she know about me or have to go on ?! I politely told J not to make any further inquiries about her neighbor's son and to just not to do anything about it.

More recently, I was up in Taipei earlier this month to attend the FAPA 25th anniversary dinner banquet. I was seated at a table with my Mom, her friend and friend's friends. I was the only single person, not to mention the youngest one at the table. So it wasn't long before one of the older gentlemen smiled at me and said he could introduce me to someone.

And just last weekend at a luncheon for my cousin's grandmother, with my Mom, surrounded by my aunts, uncles and their friends, I once again found myself there the youngest and only single person. There was some discussion about how young people these days marry so late. One of my uncle's friends Mr. L said that he has more nephews than nieces and that a lot of them are still single. Well, I'm not sure how it all started, but I suppose some of the friends and relatives started saying things to encourage Mr. L, like "Here's your chance to make a match, for the next generation." So he started going on and on about one of his nephews. His nephew was born in Taiwan, had moved to the US at the age of 6, works for some hi-tech company in Silicon Valley, is an easygoing talkative guy, and just so happened to be in Taiwan (visiting his family in Kaohsiung) while on a business trip in the Asia region. I thought it was all pretty hilarious and simply a gesture of goodwill. I took Mr. L's offer with a grain of salt and just thought: it's the thought that counts.

Well, last night the nephew actually gave me a ring and yes, we're going to meet over dinner later tonight.

Let Kaohsiung lead the way

2007-03-13T10:38:00.000-04:00

In Kaohsiung they've begun changing the sign of the Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center; it will be replaced with a sign reading "Kaohsiung Cultural Center." I hadn't even heard much about this decision until there were television reports of "blue" minded folks out there tonight, protesting the removal of "Chiang Kai-shek" from the sign.

What a contrast compared to all the brouhaha surrounding the debate over changing the name of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to the "Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall" and the proposed demolition of its surrounding walls. On March 2, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) announced that the walls of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall would be demolished. Soon after, there was a news leak that the Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) had presided over a closed Cabinet meeting (also held on March 2) to rename the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall the "Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall." Though the Cabinet had approved the name change and demolition of the walls, the Taipei City Government has now stepped in, using its authority as the memorial's managing body to invoke articles 12 and 17 of the Cultural Resources Preservation Act (文化資產保存法). This legislation allows the Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs to declare the hall a temporary historical monument, allowing the debate to drag out for at least another year.

According to the Cultural Resources Preservation Act, a building must be at least 50 years old to be declared a historical monument. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is about 27 years old; it is the newest building on record to be evaluated for its cultural and historical significance.

Well if it were up to me, personally I'd prefer a mass removal of all and any relics related to the Chiang regime, no holds barred. But if they must remain I'm not necessarily in favor of simply changing the name, or beautifying the building. If the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is to remain for instance, how about posting some facts to enlighten the public on how Chiang Kai-shek governed the island and "safeguarded" the interests of its residents: by imposing martial law on Taiwan in 1949, ordering systematic elimination (murders) of intellectuals in the events associated with the 2-28 massacre, implementing policies to reeducate the people of Taiwan, and the list goes on... A sound understanding of historical events and context seems to be in order here.

To me, the renaming of buildings like the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall seems like an exacerbation of the already pathological view that the Taiwanese have of their national identity.

A Day of Peace and Remembrance

2007-02-28T09:32:00.000-05:00

Here in Taiwan, today is a day known as 2-2-8, the 2-2-8 incident or the 2-2-8 massacre. It is also now a national holiday to commemorate those who were senselessly, systematically murdered by the Kuo Ming Tang, before, after and on this date in 1947.

In past years, as this day approached, it was not always even certain whether or not it would actually be observed as a national holiday. It's good to see that dissention over this has dissipated somewhat. This year there's been more discussion about presenting evidence proving former dictator Chiang Kai-shek's responsibility for the atrocities committed. As a result there have also been some proposals to remove any relics related to the ex-dictator. You can read President Chen Shui-bian's comments on this here.

Every nation probably has a dark chapter in its history- genocide, oppression, conflicts, terrorism, holocausts, civil war- call it what you will. And yet it all still continues to happen somewhere in the world around us.

Can we learn from the past or if we see history repeating itself what can we do?

If you want to know more about the significance of 2-28, read this editorial from the Taipei Times:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/02/27/2003350258

Remembering is key to the future
By Li Thian-hok 李天福

Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007, Page 8

On the afternoon of March 8, 1947, 10,000 troops landed in the port of Keelung in response to an urgent request for reinforcements by executive administrator Chen Yi (陳儀). Concurrently, some 3,000 troops landed in Kaohsiung. They then began a systematic massacre, shooting people on sight.

According to Allan Shackleton, a UN Relief and Rehabilitation officer witnessing the events: "Truckloads of troops armed with machine guns and automatic rifles quickly sped from Keelung to Taipei. Not content to firing at people on the street, they fired indiscriminately into shops and houses. In one village between Taipei and Keelung, 20 youths were castrated, their ears were cut off and their noses slit before they were bayoneted."

In Keelung, some prisoners were stripped naked, forced to kneel on the street and beaten to death with iron chains. Many were shot in the back of the head, had their ankles or palms pierced with wires and were thrown into the sea in groups of three or five. A policeman estimated that 2,000 people were disposed of in this way.

In Taipei, a massive slaughter of residents took place, including some 200 high-school students who had been cornered near the zoo.

Kaohsiung was unique in that a massacre of some 2,700 residents started on March 6, before the arrival of reinforcements from China. On that day, the mayor and four city councilors went to the Kaohsiung garrison headquarters to urge that troops disarm voluntarily.

The garrison commander, Peng Meng-chi (彭孟緝), shot three delegation members on the spot before leading more than 300 soldiers into the city to start an indiscriminate slaughter of residents. The gunfire persisted past March 8.

Peng was later commended by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) for his valor and promoted to major general in 1952. In 1957, he was made commander of the army, and later head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Academics generally agree that 28,000 Taiwanese were killed. [Editor's note: This is contestable.] What is noteworthy, however, is not only the number of deaths but also the brutality and wantonness with which the Chinese soldiers massacred people, molested women and robbed Taiwanese.

On March 13, massive arrests began. The members of the Settlement Committee were the first to be arrested, many executed on the spot, followed by the systematic slaughter of Taiwan's elite in all major cities and towns, including doctors, lawyers, teachers, journalists, businessmen and members of the Provincial Council. A whole generation of Taiwanese leaders was thus eliminated through ruthless ethnic cleansing.

Today Taiwan faces the threat of another massacre by Chinese troops. China has deployed close to 1,000 short-range ballistic missiles targeted on Taiwan. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is rapidly developing the capacity to invade and overwhelm Taiwan's defenses before any help could arrive.

The PLA's modernization efforts are focused on a "Taiwan contingency" and include the acquisition of advanced weapons from Russia and improvement of its joint force operation capability while the Legislative Yuan cannot even debate the purchase of US weapons offered by the Bush administration back in 2001.

Taiwan is also increasingly vulnerable to internal subversion due to China's united front tactics. Ever since the pilgrimage of former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to Beijing, the pan-blue opposition has done its utmost to belittle the Democratic Progressive Party government and scuttle Taiwan's democratic institutions in an effort to regain power and facilitate the annexation of Taiwan by China.

Much of Taiwan's media is known for its pro-unification bias due to its KMT roots, a tendency exacerbated by the infiltration of such media by Hong Kong and presumably Chinese capital. Pan-blue politicians and media bared their fangs when they combined forces last fall to encourage the red shirt rebellion -- an attempt to destroy the democratically elected government through extralegal means.

In the face of grave external and internal threats to Taiwan's democracy, the DPP government appears feckless in its dealing with the PRC. Its main concerns are how to implement direct links and open up Taiwan to Chinese tourists and investments, seemingly oblivious to the national security consequences of such policies.

Taiwan's most important ally, the US, meanwhile, is so preoccupied with its problems in the Middle East it is in no position to pay heed to the deteriorating status quo in favor of the PRC.

Philosopher George Santayana has said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." It may thus be useful to compare today's Taiwan with the situation 60 years ago. There are certain similarities.

First, the 228 Incident was caused in part by the friction between a backward country and an advanced society. In 1947, Taiwan enjoyed an 80 percent literacy rate, the antithesis of China. Taiwan's standard of living was second only to Japan in Asia and industrialization and economic infrastructure were much more advanced than China's.

Today similar disparity persists between Taiwan and China.

Despite rapid economic development, China's per capita GDP remains around US$1,200, compared to US$15,000 in Taiwan. China has much more serious problems in environmental degradation, rampant corruption and widespread social instability.

Second, in 1947, the Taiwanese and their leaders failed to understand the predatory nature of the KMT. This phenomenon persists today although the main adversary is now the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Suffering grievously under the corruption and plundering of the Chen Yi administration in 1947, many Taiwanese hoped that once the situation was made known to the central government in Nanjing, it would come to the rescue. Others placed their hope on the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution scheduled to be implemented in July 1948, naively expecting Taiwan to be given local autonomy.

In reality, the KMT treated Taiwan as war booty to be squeezed for maximum profit, and Taiwanese were regarded as colonial subjects contaminated by the Japanese. The human-rights guarantees of the Constitution were nothing but empty promises. The blind faith in China resulted in the destruction of a large segment of Taiwan's leadership class.

Today, many Taiwanese are committing the same mistake. Due to the biased reporting of the pro-China media and Sinocentric education, many Taiwanese have an unreasonably benign view of the PRC's repressive rule.

They pay little attention to the gross violations of human rights by the CCP and its intent to annex Taiwan by nonpeaceful means. Taiwanese businesspeople continue to pour capital, technology and manpower into China, forgetting that the PRC is the nemesis of Taiwan's freedom.

A Wall Street Journal reporter once compared Taiwanese businessmen to lemmings, which are known for their propensity to plunge to death en masse.

There are also substantial differences between Taiwan in 1947 and in 2007. Taiwan in 1947 was an obscure colony, little known to the outside world. Today, it is the world's 17th largest economy and 16th largest trading nation. It has evolved from a one-party dictatorship into a nascent democracy and a de facto independent country.

Second, although isolated from the international community due to Beijing's pressure, Taiwan maintains substantial relations with the US under the Taiwan Relations Act. US policy dictates that any dispute between Taiwan and China must be resolved peacefully and Taiwan's status must be determined with the consent of the Taiwanese people. Japan has also expressed explicit concern for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Finally, while in 1947, the Taiwanese had no hope of establishing an existence separate from China, today they have the potential to maintain the status quo as a de facto independent nation until an upheaval in China overthrows CCP rule, provided the Taiwanese people can unite and defend their hard-won freedom.

For Taiwan's ethnic groups to unite toward a common goal, there must first be reconciliation.

The KMT leadership likes to say, "Let us forget the past and move forward." Many native Taiwanese believe, "We should forgive but never forget." In my view, "We should neither forget nor forgive." During the White Terror era, there were many victims but no perpetrators. The KMT has shown no contrition and offered no apology, which makes talk about forgiveness premature. In any event, atrocities should never be forgiven or condoned.

Does this mean never-ending enmity between native Taiwanese and Chinese emigrants? Certainly not. The notion that the 228 Incident was a conflict between these two groups is a myth propagated by the KMT for political purposes. It enables the KMT to falsely claim that ethnic reconciliation is possible only if the 228 Incident is buried and forgotten.

The 228 Incident was in essence a conflict between democratic values and a corrupt autocracy. During the White Terror, many Chinese also fell victim to KMT repression. Because native Taiwanese and Chinese emigres worked together to achieve Taiwan's economic miracle and build a robust democracy, and due to intermarriage, the sense of Taiwanese identity has grown.

In 2004, 60 percent of the people considered themselves Taiwanese, while only 9 percent regarded themselves Chinese. The rest said they were both Taiwanese and Chinese.

Thus, the 228 Incident should not be regarded as an impediment to all ethnic groups pulling together to preserve Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy. On the contrary, the courage exhibited by many 228 heroes should inspire the current generation of Taiwanese to strive for genuine reconciliation and a nation everyone can be proud of.

Ong Thiam-teng (王添燈), a Provincial Council member and president of the Taipei Tea Merchant's Association served as spokesman for the Settlement Committee and was the chief drafter of the "32 Demands." He knew that in presenting the demands he was risking his life. Chinese security agents poured gasoline on him and burned him alive but to his last breath, he never relented on the rightness of his cause.

Thng tek-chiong (湯德章) was a lawyer in Tainan. When soldiers showed up to arrest him, he was burning a list of people who participated in the activities of the local Settlement Committee. Because the list was only partially burned, Thng put up a fierce resistance so the paper could burn completely. He was severely beaten and executed the following day. Because of his bravery, the lives of scores of leading Tainan residents were saved.

The proper way to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the 1947 massacre and the ensuing White Terror is to make sure such catastrophes will never be repeated, by safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy so all Taiwanese people can continue to live in a society where freedom and human dignity are respected and preserved.

Li Thian-hok is a freelance commentator based in Pennsylvania.

2007-02-24T02:50:00.000-05:00

I've decided to fast for the day today. It just seemed imperative after a month long vacation- which was full of all the excesses that one should be able to indulge in when it comes to a vacation. There was plenty of rest and relaxation, a little too much eating, lots of shopping but too little exercise to tip the imbalance. Does shopping for 3-6 hours a day count as exercise? When I'm back in the States I always feel like there's a tendency to overeat since the portions are so large and there's always something else yummy to try or that I've missed eating.

My first week of vacation in Mexico was complete relaxation- thank you very much! In bed by 11pm, definitely before midnight, and up at 6-7am everyday for an entire week... that ladies and gentlemen is no small feat for an incurable night owl such as myself! But what else is there to do when you're staying at a resort by the beach, with hammocks on the front porch, and no telephone, no television or internet access in your room? It was family time, time for walks into town, walks along the beach, 7 dives with my sister and her husband (the most notable of which was the surreal experience of diving in two Cenotes), there were visits to the local Mayan ruins (with my parents, sister and her husband), and of course we shopped and dined.

The next three weeks in Los Angeles and San Francisco were what really did me in. Every meal seemed like an indulgence, especially those fully loaded "breakfasts" of waffles, pancakes, breakfast burritos etc. The "problem" is that breakfast is not necessarily the first meal of the day- it's the meal that's available at anytime of the day! There were visits to the In-N-Out Burger, Krispy Creme, an entire day of eating and imbibing in Napa valley (which included dinner at the Culinary Institute of America's Greystone's, where we shared the largest chocolate souffle that I have ever seen!), diner food (which is available practically 24-7), the monstrous portions of BJ's, all you can eat Korean BBQ, Brazilian meat night, a Lunar New Year dinner banquet, cheesecakes, chocolate and oh so many other indulgences! I am full just thinking about it. Well, sure there was plenty of great food, but it was every bit as much about spending time catching up old friends, because somehow most social gatherings manage to get centered around some sort of meal.

It's been awhile since I've fasted. Should do the body some good, I imagine some sort of cleansing of toxins and excess as I only drink water today. I'm thinking of reading up on how to detoxify the body through fasting.

One unexpected positive "side effect" of fasting today is that keeping myself away from the distraction of food has made me focused and productive, which is just what I need as I tackle some projects that I've vowed make some progress on in these next few months.

Shaken and stirred

2006-12-26T21:51:00.000-05:00

The earthquake hit last night around 8:30pm, as I was in my room working away on my computer- writing up a final exam for one of my classes next week. The US Geological Survey measured it at 7.2 on the Richter scale. The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) in Taipei measured it at 6.7. I was sitting on one of those chairs with wheels, so the swaying effect of the earthquake was intensified as my chair rolled back and forth.

I got up and went into the livingroom where my parents were and we sat around waiting, watching and listening as the building visibly shifted, and the walls swayed and creaked from side to side. I wondered what we should be doing to stay safe, or to secure things from falling or breaking. We live on the 29th floor, so what was there to do? There was nowhere to go, nothing to do but wait it out. Even though we were quite certain that our building was earthquake safe, it was rather unsettling. It was a reminder that when that time comes, or when certain situations arise, we are powerless, completely defenseless.

Afterwards, when I was in the bathroom standing over the sink getting ready to go out and meet up with some friends, I actually felt a little woosy and wobbly. Then the second one hit. (The CWB measured it at 6.4) This time it felt like the building was bouncing up and down! That's the first time I've felt an earthquake like that. Most earthquakes rock and shift, leaving you feeling a bit off balance, as if you're seasick, but this second one was much more intense but shorter. The glass doors to our built-in wall display units flapped open and closed, and sliding doors rolled back and forth. Amazingly, through it all, nothing fell or broke.

When it was all finally over, I wondered if it was safe to venture out. As we listened to announcements over the building intercom, we learned that one out of three elevators was out of commission.

I was more shaken than I expected- feeling a little throbbing of the temples and minor headache, but figured that getting out would do me some good. As I walked into the cool, brisk air, I felt grounded.

Life goes on.

Nice guys finish last, and nice girls don't stand a chance

2006-12-17T07:42:00.000-05:00

Oh the woes of nice girls- have been on my mind lately.

Since when did being nice become such a bad thing?

If you're too nice or give too much too soon, cynics wonder.

Perhaps it is precisely because that they haven't earned it that they don't appreciate it

Why would someone do this? She must be manipulative or needy.

Maybe it's simply a confident woman's form of initiative, an invitation.
Why shouldn't a woman "put it out there" or let a man know she's interested?

If you give too much or when it's not asked for; you won't be appreciated and run the risk of being taken for granted.

She was too nice, too accomodating, she gave in; the man got bored.

What's a nice girl to do?

2006-12-05T11:52:00.000-05:00

Generosity must be extended without expectations
Otherwise resentment breeds
Resentment is a relationship's silent poison

It's all coming to a head

2006-11-20T23:43:00.000-05:00

Like a train wreck waiting to happen, I've found a new form of procrastination- oversocializing, and overscheduling my life to the point of overexhaustion. I've got to find a remedy to this downward spiral. Is it time to retreat into hiding?

Are we there yet?

2006-11-06T07:10:00.000-05:00

Spent the better half of this past weekend catching up with my friend C, who is an intense bundle of ideas and energy. We certainly have some interesting discussions over our shared interests.

Among the both of us there's also a shared feeling that there's never enough time to do all that we want to do nor to get it all done. Though this might sound exhausting to some, being around someone of such intensity is both comforting and troubling.

We have both felt overwhelmed at times- juggling all of the things each of us has on our respective plates. But, these are choices that each of us has made, to try make the most of our lives.

Being around a like-minded person is definitely a strong form of validation, but it's also a double edged sword. There's a danger in reinforcing certain well intentioned tendencies, which could just as easily become a "bad habit." In the most extreme of cases a person might end up overextending him or herself at the expense of his or her own personal life or health.

Why do I choose to involve myself (perhaps overinvolving myself) in all of the things that I do?

One of my friends recently suggested that I do all of these things to feel that I'm a person of worth, but that I don't need to do all of this because I am a person of worth already- just for who I am, the person I am, the friend, daughter, sister, teacher, woman that I am.

Well perhaps it is true that I don't give myself enough credit for all the things I do, or the things I don't know I do (i.e. the things that I don't know or realize that benefit others). But I'd rather think that it's because I feel that I need to make every moment count. I spent too much of my youth with my head in the clouds. I'd like to think I still haven't lost my idealism, but it's time to make things happen!

Why I don't like Confucius

2006-10-07T13:15:00.000-04:00

Last week one of my students gave me this box of mooncakes, well to be more specific, Confucius mooncakes. Actually, at first I didn't realize that this was the Confucius on the box.

To me it could have been any old, generic Chinese guy. It wasn't until my Mom saw it and asked, "Who sent us these Confucius mooncakes?" Then I realized... it's Confucius!

a tin of Confucius mooncakes serving double duty for Teacher's Day and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Here in Taiwan, Teacher's Day is celebrated on September 28, the birth date of the poster boy of teachers here in Taiwan, Confucius. It seems like few students today remember their teachers on this day. One of my colleagues told me that it even used to be some sort of national holiday in Taiwan. This year I made out pretty well, besides the box of Confucius mooncakes, one of my classes sent me a card with a bag of candies and I received a text message from a former student. Had it not been for these thoughtful gestures, I'd have completely forgotten about Teacher's Day!

One thing I know is that I don't like mooncakes or Confucius for that matter.

"You can have them, give them away or do whatever you want with them because I don't like mooncakes and certainly don't like Confucius," I told my Mom.

"Hmpf, what do you know about Confucius?" she responded.

"I know that he was supposedly a male chauvanist," or so I'd heard or read somewhere.

"Well he did say some wise things, but he also said something like 'Women and lowly people are the worst kind to have to deal with.' I don't think you should be making such statements about things you don't know about."

True, I haven't read any of Confucius' works. I couldn't quote him. So I suppose my dislike of Confucius was a little shaky. I knew that Confucius was a Chinese philosopher, revered as one of China's greatest teachers and that many of his teachings focused on knowing one's place in society and behaving accordingly. I suspected that some of his teachings smacked of chauvanism. And it does bother me sometimes when the Taiwanese adopt hegemonistic aspects of Chinese culture.

In the states Confucius has been reduced to a dirty old fart, who makes dirty, sexist jokes a la "Confucius says" genre, or if read in English effected with a Chinese accent "Confucius say man who..." I'll leave you to click on the links to discover some of this bathroom humor.

This article is pretty telling of Confucius' opinions of women:

Women to be included in Confucius' family tree
www.chinaview.cn 2006-07-25 20:22:57

JINAN, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Confucius, who looked down upon women, probably never expected that his female descendants would eventually be included in his family tree, which for generations has ignored the second sex.

Having women in Confucius' genealogy is the first for China's greatest teacher, but also a rarity in the whole history of genealogy in China where a centuries-old mentality has traditionally valued men and belittled women.

The thoughts of Confucius (551-479 BC), a philosopher, educator and founder of Confucianism in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), are still very influential in Chinese society.

"The new practice in compiling genealogies is a revolution in China, which has a tradition of undervaluing women. The fact that it is Confucius' family, with its reverence for tradition, is a significant symbol," said Prof. Liu Shifan, vice president of the International Association of Confucianism.

According to Kong Dehong, in the past women descendants were always excluded from the Confucius Genealogy. The spouses of male descendants, marked in small characters behind the names of their husbands, were almost hidden.

In the new 5th family tree, which was kicked off in 1996, women descendants will be written in the same size characters as men. Spouses of female descendants will be marked in small letters behind the names of their wives.

Kong Dewei, head of the Confucius Genealogy editorial office, said so far as the office knew, women descendants make up less than 200,000, or approximately 20 percent, of the total. The figure will change as the compilation work advances, Kong Dewei added.

Confucius was recorded in the Analects as saying," Women and people of low birth are very hard to deal with. If you are friendly with them, they get out of hand, and if you keep your distance, they resent it."

"This citation takes it for granted that men are superior to women. The Chinese used to think a married woman no longer belonged to her original family," said Pang Pu, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Today this point of view is still deeply rooted in some parts of China, particularly in rural areas, making it difficult for the Genealogy to include every female descendant of Confucius.

Confucius' descendants living in cities are usually more willing than their rural peers to include women in the family tree.

Kong Dewei said as far as the compilers know, the youngest Confucius descendant is a girl named Kong Nianying born in 1995.

Kong Lingren, a 76th generation descendant of the Confucian family and former vice chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, said as a woman, she was delighted to hear about the inclusion of female descendants in the family tree. In her 80s, she now lives in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong Province.

Confucian thoughts have profoundly influenced Chinese society for more than two thousand years. Apart from a positive attitude toward life and the world and respect for morality and virtue, Confucianism also contains some negative elements, including a neglect of innovation and scorn for women.

Family trees are an important part of traditional Chinese culture. They record priceless historical information and represent a precious legacy for Chinese people. Enditem

Editor: Mu Xuequan
==================================================

The practice of leaving female relatives off of a family is a common practice in Chinese culture, so we can't blame Confucius alone for promulgating this practice. After all, I suppose he was a man of his time.

Question is, how does this "victory" for female descendants of Confucius, contribute to the legend of Confucius as China's greatest teacher?

Absence or Presence?

2006-10-05T23:35:00.000-04:00

Distance is an abstraction
In the gray I can interpret, imagine and idealize
No longer present
No longer a present presence in my life
And then something makes me wonder

Missing

2006-10-05T23:06:00.000-04:00

As if you never were
Without a word
Into thin air
Erased
But you ARE

Are you?

The Wedding Dress

2006-09-30T13:09:00.000-04:00

At long last, after searching high and low, having tried on more than one on for size, she had found THE ONE, the ONE for her at long last.

She had found the perfect dress- elegant, strapless, A-line, delicately embroidered, and beaded. It was perfect. It complemented her figure and highlighted her delicate shoulders and bone structure.

THE dress hung in the wedding store waiting for its first fitting and alterations before doing its duty on the glorious day.

Days and months passed and it seemed to have been forgotten.

A year later it remained unclaimed.

There had been heartache and pain, then revelations, forgiveness and growth.

Years later she imagines it- pure, pristine, and untouched, frozen in time. Though she never claimed it or wore it, she remembers loving it. She still does. It is a timeless memory etched in her mind that now makes her smile.

The anachronistic Assembly and Parade Law

2006-09-18T11:38:00.000-04:00

When I heard that Su Beng had been charged with serving 50 days in prison, I knew that I had to get to the bottom of it. I wasn't exactly sure what he'd been charged with.

This all dates back to last year- April 26, 2005, the day Lien Chan was to leave on a trip to China to meet with Chinese Communist leaders.

On that day, en route to the airport, Su Beng had Lien Chan’s car followed. Several taxi drivers made coordinated efforts to surround Lien’s motorcade while on the expressway so that a taxi carrying Su Beng could drive up along side Lien’s car, close enough so that Lien could read a message that Su Beng held out the window of the taxi; it read, “Don’t sellout Taiwan.”

Su Beng and his supporters also showed up at the Taiwan Taoyuan airport (formerly known as the Chiang Kai-shek airport then) that day, to protest Lien Chan's trip. Su Beng's group had fireworks which were brought into and released inside the airport.

Su Beng's taxi driver was arrested on April 26 and held without bail for over 24 hours. After 24 hours had passed, on April 27, Su Beng and his supporters (which included other drivers of taxis and vehicles from the "Taiwan Independence Action" motorcade) went to the jail where Su Beng's taxi driver was being held. They assembled there in a show of support for the driver. Su Beng's taxi driver remained in jail for a month before he was finally released.

From April 2005 until June 2006, Su Beng has appeared in court no less than ten times for questioning regarding possession of fireworks in the Taiwan Taoyuan airport. He was not questioned regarding the incident on the expressway; the incident which presumably his taxi driver has been imprisoned for.

Finally, on September 7, Su Beng was notified that he would be charged with serving 50 days in a jail, or fined over NT$50,000. The reason for the charge? When Su Beng and his supporters, including all the drivers for the "Taiwan Independence Action" motorcade assembled at the jail on April 27, they had not applied for a permit to assemble publicly.

Although protests, and marches are now commonplace in Taiwan, there are still laws on the books that make such demonstrations illegal. According to the Taiwan Journal, "[The Assembly and Parade Law] stipulates that people must first obtain a permit from the police precinct where the assembly is to take place. The police at the precinct level therefore have the power to permit or deny all applications for assembly and protest activities, and they are charged with maintaining order during the marches and driving away protesters if things get too rowdy." Click here to read more about the selective enforcement of the "assembly law."

Some of us suspect that authorities are using this loop hole to charge Su Beng. If they charged him for setting off fireworks in the airport on April 26, then they'd have to go after the other protestors who caused disturbances in the airport, namely the instigators of violent attacks, many of whom are actually gangsters.

Su Beng has the right to appeal the ruling, but he probably won't appeal. What difference would a further appeal make? He is currently awaiting notification on when the 50 day charge must be served.

Su Beng has been charged for his involvement in protesting Lien Chan's April 26, 2005 trip to China

2006-09-15T08:59:00.000-04:00

Su Beng lecturing about Taiwan's history

I can't believe things have gotten this far. I just heard that Su Beng, 88 year old lifelong independence activist and author of "Taiwan's 400 Years of History" has been charged with serving 50 days in jail for his involvement in last April's protest in the Taiwan Taoyuan airport (then known as the Chiang Kai Shek airport). Perhaps Su Beng has been charged for conspiring and organizing the taxis that followed Lien Chan's motorcade on the expressway, enroute to the airport that day. On April 26, 2005 Lien's trip to China to meet with Communist China's leaders sparked violence among protestors in the airport.

More than a year after the incident, on June 6, 2006, Su Beng appeared in court regarding the incidents related to that day.

Today the Chinese language Liberty Times newspaper reported that he received a charge of serving 50 days in prison. I don't have the complete details on Su Beng's case and current situation, but I will post more later when I get the whole story.

War of the Rallies

2006-09-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

Looks like it's going to be a war of the rallies in Taipei.

The major news around here lately is that, former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Shih Ming-teh has been leading an anti-President Chen Shui-bian/anti-corruption campaign to depose President Chen. This has been going on since Saturday, Sepember 9. Shih has said that he is speaking on the behalf of common people who want the president to step down from his post since he has lost the people's trust; President Chen's son-in-law was allegedly involved in a corruption scandal and there has been controversy over the Presidential Office's special allowances.

You can read what Shih Ming-teh had to say when he launched his anti-Chen Shui-bian campaign here. Of course there have been some other developments and changes in the campaign strategy since.

Reactions to Shih Ming-teh's announcement that he was launching an anti-Chen campaign varied. Read about it here.

Pre-premptive anti anti-Chen demonstrations started weeks before Shih's anti-Chen campaign even began. The earliest among these was a demonstration in the 2-28 Peace Park on August 26. There was even a demonstration on the day before the anti-Chen campaign was to officially begin.

This Saturday, the Taiwan Society is organizing a rally to counter Shih's campaign to oust President Chen. I just hope that the situation doesn't deteriorate into physical altercations between the two groups. Tension are running high. Let's hope we don't see displays of the violence and protest, like we did in March of 2004 when Lien and Soong protested the 2004 Presidential election results, or on April 26, 2005 when violence errupted between protestors in the Taiwan Taoyuan airport (then known as the Chiang Kai Shek airport) over Lien Chan's trip to China. The New Party was accused of enlisting gangsters to beat up pan-green supporters. Details were reported here.

Emotions were still running high when Lien Chan returned from his trip on May 3, 2005 after fraternizing with the Chinese Communists.

2006-09-12T08:36:00.000-04:00

A Tribute in Lights, September 11, 2006- Reuters/Gary Hershorn

I’m sure that most people around the world, especially Americans, remember where they were or what they were doing on this fateful day five years ago. September 11 will forever remain a hauntingly, shocking day in history. For many people out there, I’m sure that this day marks a place in your personal history, conjuring up certain memories, feelings, occupying a particular context.

As I reflected on September 11, and was transported back five years ago, I realized that it marks the over five years I that I have lived in Taiwan. I moved to Taiwan in June of 2001 and spent my first two months or so living up in Taipei. In late August, I relocated to Kaohsiung, so by September, I had only been living in Kaohsiung for a few weeks.

On the night of September 11, 2001, I was alone in my parents’ apartment in Kaohsiung; they were out of the country in Canada. Taiwan is on Greenwich Mean Time + 8 ; New York is on Greenwich Mean Time -4; therefore we are 12 hours ahead here. As I was winding down and watching TV that night, my Mom called from Ottawa and it was then that I heard that the World Trade Center towers had collapsed. I immediately switched to CNN in disbelief. I have never felt so alone and helpless as I did that night. I immediately started calling up all of my friends who lived in New York or worked in the financial district and of course I couldn’t get through. I had no where to turn. I can’t even remember… I vaguely recall calling a few of my friends up in Taipei. We were all in disbelief. There was nothing to say.

At that time I was teaching English in the airline management department of a local college that specializes in training students to enter the hospitality industry (hotel management, tourism, culinary arts, and airline management). The next day I was in a daze. It was fitting that I talk to my students about 9-11, my disbelief and grief and their views on the responsibilities and risks of working in the airline industry. I told my students to be thankful for their health and safety.

When I look back on that time, I realize what a lonely time that was for me and how I struggled with that loss alone. I didn’t know anyone in Kaohsiung who could truly empathize with the complexity of emotions that I experienced. Not even my parents could understand. They had spent a few years living in the U.S. before immigrating to Canada where they have lived for more than twenty years. So they identify more as being Canadian than American. I was born in the U.S., and raised in Canada. But my adult life has been spent living in the U.S., beginning the day I went off to attend university in the Midwest, ending up in New York city where I joined the workforce, went back for a master degree, fell in and out of love, “reinvented” myself more than a few times along the way, where I was distracted beyond distraction, and yearned for a completely different experience outside of North America. That is (an exceedingly abridged explanation of) how I ended up moving to Taiwan.

In September of 2001, I was in Kaohsiung isolated and alone. In Taipei I had had an instant social network; networking was practically effortless, but it had been replaced by the desert, the desert of Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung is a difficult place to meet people. Call it a challenge. Kaohsiung is certainly not known for its dizzying array of nightlife options. There are pockets of communities which are spread out, hidden and self-contained.

Kaohsiung is an industrial city; it is not a center for science, finance or business. It is one of the four largest harbors in the world, but it is not really the center of any major commerce. Consequently, most people here have chosen to make Kaohsiung their home base because they have family here, have set up a business or are working for a family business here. And then there are the foreigners who are overwhelmingly employed here as English teachers.

My first year in Kaohsiung was a trying adjustment. Others who have moved to Kaohsiung from Canada or the U.S. have shared with me their stories of struggle and transition. It is a struggle that lasts only until one finds that link that opens it all up. If you’re not an English teacher working at one of the local cram schools or hooked into the English speaking community, it can be a lonely time of transition. But somehow you find your way, find like-minded friends, start building a circle of friends, finding a balance and living life again. That’s where I’m at now, more than five years later. It wasn’t easy, but along the way I’ve grown wiser, learned a few things about myself, and started in on a few challenging pursuits.

The Wife and the Mistress

2006-09-07T10:28:00.000-04:00

The doorbell rang and the wife answered the door.

“What can I do for you?”

The stranger at the door said, “I’m looking for ----. Is he home?”

The wife’s husband’s name hung in the air.

“He’s not home now. Who are you?”

“I’m his girlfriend. I drove all the way from ---- to see him,” said the other woman.

Completely stunned by the bare admission, the wife’s heart sank like a dead weight; her feet bolted to the floor. As she scrutinized the other woman, her business suit seemed a little too snug in all the right places and her long manicured nails, upon closer inspection, looked cheap and tawdry. The wife found herself flatly saying, “My husband is not home now, but you’ve come all this way. Why don’t I arrange a room for you in a nice, nearby hotel? Go there, settle in and I’ll let my husband know where you’re staying when he gets home. By the time you’re all settled in he’ll stop by to see you.”

The mistress couldn’t believe it; the husband had actually smoothed everything over with the wife. He must have told her everything about them, how he’d felt trapped and wanted to move on.

When the husband returned home, his wife greeted him as usual and calmly mentioned the stranger at the door. The husband immediately launched into a full confession of all the sordid details. His words were not chosen or considered. It was as if it was a relief to have it all out in the open. But the words deadened a part of his wife’s heart that day. After his catharsis, the wife simply asked, “Do you want to continue your relationship with her or do you want this marriage?”

The husband chose the marriage.

The wife calmly told the husband what he must do. He must offer the mistress some money to leave her in comfort. He must take full responsibility for starting the affair. He after all is the one who is married and betrayed his wife and family. He made that choice. He could not put the blame on the other woman. The mistress had only hoped for what he misled her to believe. He must make it crystal clear why the affair must end.

The wife had her husband back. The husband was more attentive than ever before.

The wife vowed to protect herself from disappointment. She knew that something had been lost and irreparably damaged but she stayed.

Was it attentiveness? Insecurity about his wife’s affections? Indebtedness? Or the projected suspicions of a guilty soul?

2006-09-05T07:24:00.000-04:00

It seems that this article, which appeared in today's Taipei Times has upset quite a few people.

So I just have one question for AMCHAM to consider: What about the 800 or so missiles in China aimed at Taiwan?

2006-09-04T05:28:00.000-04:00

The view from my window (in Kaohsiung, Taiwan) this early evening

Breaking the absence

2006-08-25T02:51:00.000-04:00

I WAS down in the dumps and busy beyond belief, getting ready to finish up the semester in late June.

For the past two months I've been traveling around the U.S. and Canada with limited internet access.

So I've hit all three excuses for being away from my blog!

I've been traveling across the U.S. and it's given me a taste of what it'd be like to live in three major areas of the U.S. This summer has taken me from the East Coast (my beloved New York, and Philadelpia and Boston), to Canada (Ottawa & Toronto), to the Midwest (Chicago and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois), to Vancouver, to the Northwest- Alaska and finally Seattle (which is where I am now). By the end of it all I will have spent the longest period of time, about 2 weeks in of all places- Seattle and I can tell you that strangely enough, this place is starting to grow on me.

2006-06-14T03:46:00.000-04:00

Long absences from my blog usually mean one of two things.

I've been busy beyond belief, perhaps out of town/traveling with limited internet access.

Down in the dumps, over in the darkside trying to find my way.

Oh that's three- isn't it?

And when I'm in those depths, don't think that I should use my blog to publicly whine. I prefer to keep things upbeat and positive.

2006-05-17T11:58:00.000-04:00

Gusts and gales
Pushing
Resisting

Hotness
Persisting

Pressure
Mounting
Pop

Clouds burst
Beating
Down the
Rain

2006-05-17T08:54:00.000-04:00

He huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down...

From Lemons to Lemonade

2006-05-16T01:14:00.000-04:00

Every year I am required to advise a graduating group of students on their senior project. Basically, they must produce a group paper based on some kind of research. I always try to encourage my students to make this to make this more of a research project- in which they can explore questions they may have, express their opinions or insight or to learn more about a particular topic of interest. In this way, the project will become more meaningful for them. This seems to work much better than writing on some dead guy or some such similar topic; I find that with such topics, students are prone to simply regurgitating a list of facts and statements, and taking the easy wasy out, in other words, plagiarizing.

The entire process is certainly quite daunting for students who have barely even honed their essay writing skills. Individually writing a paper in English is challenging enough, nevermind attempting to write a paper when there are 5-6 people involved in the process! English is their second or third language; many native English speaking college students still struggle with the process of essay writing.

Honestly, I find most students to be poorly equipped for the task at hand. Their writing skills leave a lot to be desired. Sometimes it seems as though they've forgotten the rules of grammar and the mechanics of a sentence. Why are their writing skills really so poor? Have they compartmentalized what they have learned in grammar class and completely forgetten how to apply the rules of grammar to their writing compositions? Have they had enough time to develop their essay writing skills? Are they just plain lazy? Or are they being thrown prematurely, like a fish out of water into this?

So far I've supervised three senior project groups. Over and over I've had to deal with things that seem so basic like how to quote and reference sources and issues of plagarism. I don't know how they've gotten thus far without having learned such things. It makes me wonder what they are being taught in their writing classes...

When I decided to take this year's group under my wing, I knew that I'd probably have my work cut out for myself. I knew that it would be a challenge, and hoped it wouldn't be too much of an exercise in frustration.

A few weeeks ago I discovered that my current senior project group didn't know the basic structure of an essay or even how to write an outline! Silly me, how could I assume that they'd come to me already having learned these basic skills?

I tell you the logic or lack there of around here is unbelievable. How could students wihout these basic skills be expected to produce a paper?!

After advising them for about 2 months, laying the ground work, helping them to organize their thoughts, and telling them how to write an outline, they've finally actually started putting their thoughts into an outline form. That made my day. I can see some progress and direction now!

2006-05-16T00:46:00.000-04:00

Well it seems that someone around here is going to try to make some noise over the "anthem" currently being used here in Taiwan. It's all here in the Taipei Times front page story, TSU plans referendum on anthem.

2006-05-14T12:20:00.000-04:00

Like I've barely undressed
Thinking
I'm ready to jump in the shower

2006-05-14T12:13:00.000-04:00

The more you think about it
The older you get
The harder it seems to "leap"
Who says it has to be that way?

2006-05-14T12:11:00.000-04:00

I've always believed that when the right person comes along I'd be ready to make that leap of faith. There's no such thing as being half in, 'cause that's half out.

2006-05-14T00:18:00.000-04:00

The Taipei Times' front page story today, Chen comes out in support of anthem, immediately caught my eye. I just had to read on, thinking that OMG, could it be that President Chen has gotten some guts and said something supporting a newly proposed anthem?!

As I read on, my hopes were dashed. Well actually, I wasn't holding my breath. A few months earlier I'd heard that the proposed name change for China airlines was going to be Mandarin airlines. Not having the word China in the name of the nation's state-owned airline will certainly minimize confusion over Taiwan's status, but it's not that much of an improvement.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary mandarin means: 1. a) a public official in the Chinese Empire of any of nine superior grades, b) a pedantic official, bureaucrat, c) a person of position and influence often in intellectual or literary circles; especially an elder and often traditionalist or reactionary member of such a circle. Mandarin with a capital M means: a) form of spoken Chinese used by the court and the official classes of the Empire b) the group of closely related Chinese dialects that are spoken in about four fifths of the country and have a standard variety centering about Beijing.

Turns out that in today's article, President Chen was complaining that people, namely government officials, don't sing the national anthem out loud. Well get a clue! Might it be because it is a relic from the Kuo Ming Tang's one party authoritarian rule?! The "anthem" when written, was the anthem of the Kuo Ming Tang Party which was basically synonymous with the Republic of China. Problem is that when the KMT fled from China to Taiwan in the 1940s, after being defeated by the Chinese Communists, they brought this and the Republic of China framework with them to Taiwan.

Who knows? Maybe singing the ROC national anthem so many times has effectively brainwashed President Chen Shui-bian.

This is going to be the hot topic of debate on all the evening talk shows for about a week and then all will be forgotten, nothing will have changed and everything will be "back to normal" as it should be.

My rose-tinted glasses

2006-05-08T03:49:00.000-04:00

It's spring and
I'm in love
With life
All is lovely, light and right
Joyous
Out of dormancy
Emerges new life
Boundless optimism
Shedding away extra layers
Revealing
Something new
Poised for adventure
Time to play
Create
Open the door

2006-05-07T13:15:00.000-04:00

To loosely paraphrase what a new found American friend told me recently of how he feels about living in Taiwan, and he's lived in Taiwan for a damn long time, probably over ten years or tens of years even...

He used the analogy of a person going to Mars and having this sort of alternate experience, having senses that he'd never had before; and he likened this to how he feels about living in Taiwan. It's as though having lived in Taiwan stimulates the senses in a way very unlike life in the U.S. and now that he's experienced it, he can't go back.

I've been hearing this sort of thing a lot lately, from people who have been living in Taiwan for 5 or more years. I've also been hearing that the standard of living and quality of life in Taiwan is one of the best in Asia- this from people who have lived in other major Asian cities such as Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong. So these people have well-based points of comparison, I think they know what they are talking about.

Is someone trying to tell me something?

2006-04-21T14:54:00.000-04:00

Inconsistency in one's actions always seems to be a red flag to me.

2006-04-21T14:42:00.000-04:00

Can someone be inconsistently consistent?

2006-04-21T12:52:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I realized that there was no where that I HAD to be. Nothing that I HAD to do. And then I remembered back in the day when those sorts of days seemed so much more abundant. So then I thought, I should arrange for this to happen (or not happen?) more often.

But after about 10 minutes of laying down and doing nothing, I got up to go out and run some long overdue errands and squeeze in a workout before dinner and coaching one of my students (this evening) for an upcoming speech competition being hosted at my school.

Busy, busy, busy...
Why is it that so many of my peers- those thirty-something singles (present company admittedly not excluded), are always SO busy? Busy doing what? So busy that there's no time to workout, get a decent night's sleep, or to see some of your closest friends?! Whether it's because of work, starting another business, taking classes, learning something new, picking up a new hobby, maintaining a full social calendar- what is it all for?

Are we keeping ourselves busy to the point of distraction because we're single? Is that because, being single, we can do whatever we want? Or simply because some of us need a distraction from being single and alone?

Or is it that we are single because we have kept ourselves so busy and have no time for someone else in our lives? Are we so involved in our lives? If a special someone were to come along, would we be able to fit them into our busy schedules? Would we want to fit them into our busy schedules?

Guess it's not such a bad thing... it's better than waiting around for life to happen.

The American in Kimen is no longer MIA

2006-04-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

I finally heard from Thomas. It turns out his cell phone battery was dead and I've been in Korea since Wednesday. I was really starting to wonder...

He's slowly recovering. He seems to be taking everything in stride. He even joked that he's "infamous" now that that article has appeared in the Apple Daily News. We agreed that it is a pretty incriminating photograph and article.

Thankfully the article and all this exposure doesn't seem to have put his job in jeopardy. But the school where he teaches has told him to just let it go and keep it quiet, not to shake things up too much about it. Thomas has said that he can't just be quiet about it. I can't blame him. I'm just glad to hear that he's ok and taking this all so well.

Funny thing is the "hot girl" mentioned in the Apple Daily News article, that he was grinding up at the club- ME was so NOT looking hot that night! I was dressed in long sleeve button down collared shirt and long pants, exposing the least amount of skin that I've ever exposed in a dance club! And my "male companion" Kaohsiung Boy most certainly did not order anyone to beat Thomas up that night.

Outrageous! Completely MAD flatout outrageous I say!

Even more disturbing

2006-04-05T11:55:00.000-04:00

Got back from Korea today and Kaohsiung Boy passed along this article from the Apple Daily News, a publication which I'm sure many would agree is best described as being of the National Enquirer variety. Here's the article which gives a phony account of what happened at Dreams Club last Thursday, March 30:

Unfortunately my Chinese reading ability is still quite not up to par, so according to Kaohsiung Boy the article says:

A foreigner named Thomas was at the DREAMS pub last night, when an incident occurred around 1:50am. Thomas was grinding up against a hot-chick and subsquently irritated her male companion which resulted in the beating up of Thomas. When the police arrived, he was suffering from heavy bruises on his chest, face and arms and other parts of his body. His shirt was ripped off during the beating by the 2 to 3 people that took him outside and beat him up. Because he can't speak Chinese well, he was cussing when the cops arrived.

The American in Kimen is still M.I.A. No one has heard from him or been able to reach him since last Friday.

2006-04-05T11:30:00.000-04:00

I am so behind on my posts. I have plenty of half written back posts that I need to update and publish. They are well documented in my personal diary and mind... There's already going be a huge lag between the date of the post on my blog and the actual date the posting appears on my blog. Oh well... I'm working on it and doing the best I can.

Once again I feel my life being taken over by my Mandarin Chinese classes, while simultaneously managing my full-time and private teaching schedule, miscellaneous projects, all the while trying to balancing life, work and play. As usual I'm trying to "have a life" while biting off more than I can chew.

There's so much to say and so much that's happened since my trip to India, which almost didn't happen, including what prevented me from leaving the country!

But now I have to stop and post something far more urgent. Something that happened less than a week ago- last Thursday, March 30th.

Hate crimes hit home

2006-03-31T10:24:00.000-05:00

Disturbed and Distressed

What other words can I use to describe what I'm feeling after the turn of events in the last 24 hours? Heavy hearted, incredulous, enraged, disillusioned, and the biggest of them all- indignant.

Last night I met up with some friends- new and old- at my friends C & S's lounge bar.

When most were calling it an evening, I found myself obliging some of the "out-of-towners," three to be exact-- Kaohsiung Boy- who is from Kaohsiung but now lives in the states, American in Kimen- my American friend who teaches English in Kimen, and Mystery Military Man- who lives in Taipei and does top secret military work in Taiwan. Hardcore Party Girl- a 20-something-year-old Taiwanese college girl wanted to dance the night away. So the five of us ended up going to a local dance club, located behind the Sogo and Mitusoki Department Stores in downtown Kaohsiung. I haven't been there in about six months because I'd heard about a number of incidents involving Caucasian foreigners being beat up or hit over the head with a beer bottle for simply talking to, or dancing with a local Taiwanese woman. I felt some hesitation and asked Hardcore Party Girl if she thought the place was ok and how it would be on a Thursday night. She said she went there regularly and that it would be a good time.

I had my misgivings, but brushed them aside thinking that perhaps what I'd heard was an isolated incident. Once we arrived, we settled into a booth/table and started drinking watered down whiskey and vodka shots, and the occasional orange juice/whiskey drink. It wasn't yet midnight; the dance floor was still completely deserted. As I'd predicted it started hopping just before 1 am. Kaohsiung Boy and I hit the dance floor a few times and chatted with my friend the American in Kimen and Mystery Military Man- who had both remained comfortably beated at our booth the entire night in deep conversation. About an hour later, Kaohsiung Boy and I decided that was time to get going. The American in Kimen wanted to hit the dance floor with me, so we started to "get down" on the dance floor and ended up dancing on one of the platforms. Admitedly, I know how to shake this booty and was just having some fun- the way a girl can when she's in the hands of someone she knows and trusts. Trust me, I can shake it and grind it- but not like that with complete strangers. After dancing with the American in Kimen, I resumed dancing with Kaohsiung Boy and finally we decided to make our exit. Kaohsiung Boy went to look for Hardcore Party Girl and say goodbye.

On the way out, I realized that there had been several rounds of drinks going around, so I looked around for the American in Kimen, wanting to give him some cash for my share of drinks. He was no where to be found, so I returned to our booth where I found Mystery Military Man. I asked if he'd seen the American and if I could give him something for all the rounds of drinks that had gone around. "No, no," he said. He told me not to worry about it that that it would all be taken care of.

Kaohsiung Boy, Hardcore Party Girl and I walked out of the club to Kaohsiung Boy's car. We said our goodbyes. Hardcore Party Girl went back into the club and Kaohsiung Boy drove me home.

Thursday was a long night of harmless, good fun... It's somewhat cathartic "getting it all out" on the dance floor and fortunately I don't have to teach on Fridays. I can take a "backseat" since I'm in the role of a student only having to go to my Mandarin Chinese class on Friday mornings.

Today (Friday) afternoon, at home after class, the phone rang and it was the American from Kimen. He began cautiously by asking me if I'd noticed anything strange or out of the ordinary last night at the club. "No," I said. "What are you talking about?"

Then he began to tell me that shortly after we'd danced, some men told him that he had to go i.e. leave the club. Some men took him outside and before he knew it there were three men beating him up with a baseball bat and baton. They hit him in the face, on his back, stomach, legs and knees. They told the American that a woman he'd danced with in the club was pressing charges of sexual harrassment; that she had gone crying to security claiming that he'd grabbed her breast. (*Not that, that could justify roughing someone up!) It was all mostly blur for him. At some point the police picked the American up and he made it to a police station where he reported the incident and made a statement with the help of a Taiwanese friend who translated for him. He also had to go to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was in pretty bad shape, his glasses were broken, face messed up, body bruised, head and body aching.

My friend the American from Kimen asked me if he had done anything at all inappropriate last night and if I had felt uncomfortable or upset with him. I was the only woman that he'd danced with all night and he couldn't imagine what he could have done to offend me or that I'd press charges against him.

I assured him that everything that had happened last night was in friendly, good fun and that I had no reason to press any charges against him. Apparently this whole ordeal had done a number on him, making him second guess what had happened and now he wondered what exacly had happened and why.

I met the American nearly a year ago and know him to be a very gentle, kind person. This couldn't have happened to a less deserving person.

I asked him what I could do if anything and he said he only wished that this wouldn't happen to anyone else and that others know the truth of what happened. We agreed that the club should also be closed down. (Whether or not that can be done is another story)

I offered to go to the police station to state for the record that he had not harassed me. Kaohsiung Boy had been with the American and I the whole time. Actually Kaohsiung Boy was standing nearby when I was dancing with the American. Kaohsiung Boy agreed to go the police station with me this evening.

When we got to the station this evening the police only had a report with the American's account of what happened. There was no record of the accusations of sexual harassment made against him. Kaohsiung Boy and I tried to explain the situation, that we were all friends who went to the club together, that I was the only woman that the American had danced with, and that there was no woman pressing charges against the American. No official statements were taken from me or Kaohsiung Boy because there was no record of any accusations filed against the American.

Someone I know with connections had arranged for a city councilor (*who is responsible for the district in which the club is located) to accompany us to the police station. The city councilor demanded to see other statements and/or documents that may have been written up or filed last night. Perhaps the police on patrol at the site had taken statements from the witnesses or perpetrators at the scene.

It was all rather disappointing. I mean, you could kill a person with a baseball bat! I shudder to think what could have happened if things went too far and people were even more out of control.

Well, at least we were able to establish that nothing incriminating about the American had been documented in the police report filed at the police station.

The more I thought about the whole situation and pondered throughout the day, the more I began to suspect and question the actions and character of all the people involved. I'd only met Hardcore Party Girl and Mystery Military Man for the first time Thursday night, so all of their actions through out the night and after the incident were now under scrutiny.

Before going to the police station, I had spoken to the American twice about the incident, getting the details of his account clear. And I thought about how trying it must be for witnesses, defendants and plaintiffs to be grilled repeatedly over certain details. I was impressed that my American friend was able to recall what he did after having gone through the ordeal he'd been through!

I haven't been able to reach him since coming back from the police station and I'm leaving for Korea on a short vacation tomorrow. This couldn't have happened at a worse time. I don't know what else there is I can do.

The State of Taiwanese Identity

2006-03-12T06:14:00.000-05:00

`Taiwan identity' growing: study

From the Taipei Times
March 12, 2006

CRUNCHING NUMBERS: Using data from his own and other polls, an Academia Sinica researcher wrote that Taiwanese identity may be rising, but Taiwan nationalism isn't

By Rich Chang
STAFF REPORTER

Although more and more people have come to identify themselves as Taiwanese in recent years, this has not necessarily translated into an increase in "Taiwanese nationalism," according to an academic paper yesterday.

The paper on Taiwanese identity was presented by Academia Sinica research fellow Wu Nai-teh (???) at a forum held in Taipei yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of the "1996 Missile Crisis."

"Although Taiwanese have different views about identity, almost all Taiwanese agree that the country's future should be decided by the people of Taiwan," Wu concluded in his paper.

According to annual household interview polls conducted by National Chengchi University, Wu said that the results suggested that only 13.6 percent of respondents identified themselves as Taiwanese in 1991. That number had risen to 45.7 percent by late 2004.

In contrast, Wu said the "Chinese consciousness" of respondents has steadily decreased.

While in 1991 43.9 percent of interviewees identified themselves as Chinese, the number was down to 6.3 percent by 2004.

Telephone surveys conducted annually by the university from 1994 to 2005 indicate a similar percentage and a same tendency, Wu said.

Wu added, however, that the polls showed interviewees with double identities (those who identify themselves as both Taiwanese and Chinese) have remained steady.

While 49.7 percentage of the household interviewees described themselves as both Taiwanese and Chinese in 1992, the percentage was 45.4 in 2004.

Telephone surveys indicate that since 1994 to 2005, around 40 to 50 percent of interviewees think of themselves as both Taiwanese and Chinese, Wu said.

In order to further explore the identity issue, Wu said he has conducted annual polls from 1992 to 2004 asking people questions such as "Do you agree that Taiwan should declare independence if it would not cause a war?" and "Do you agree that Taiwan should unite with China if there were no political, economic or social differences between the both sides?"

Wu said the polls found around one-fourth to one-third of respondents had maintained "double identities" over the years.

Wu found in his polls that the percentage of Taiwanese nationalists -- defined as those who consider Taiwan an independent political entity and would never want Taiwan to unite with China, even if both sides had no social differences -- grew very fast after the 1996 missile crisis.

The number rose from 10.3 percent in 1993, to 21.3 percent in 1996, but the percentage has stayed between 20 to 30 percent ever since, he said.

However, Chinese nationalists -- those who would like to see both sides of the Strait unite if they shared the same social conditions, declined from around 40 percent in 1992, to 15 percent in 2004.

Wu said he interviewed the same people in 1998 and 2000, and found that more than half of them had changed their views.

This means that many Taiwanese are still confused about identity, and are easily affected by political, social and economic circumstances, Wu said.

===================================================

Identity shifts
* 45.7 percent of respondents identified themselves as "Taiwanese" in late 2004, compared with just 13.6 percent in 1991.

* 6.3 percent identified themselves as "Chinese" in 2004, compared with 43.9 percent in 1991.

* 45.4 percent described themselves as both Taiwanese and Chinese in 2004, compared with 49.7 percent in 1992.

Source: National Chengchi University

Tainan Orchid Show

2006-03-10T06:26:00.000-05:00

This afternoon I ran off to Tainan to see the annual Orchid flower show. There are so many breeds of orchids- it's amazing the diverse variety of shapes and sizes that they can come in. Here are some of the photos I snapped:

Opening Orchids

A Taiwanese water buffalo amongst orchids

Yes these are orchids too

More unusual orchids

The ever popular "slippers"

Dainty slippers stepping down

This little baby slipper will be sitting on my desk at home for the next little while.

2-28 is here to stay

2006-03-01T09:21:00.000-05:00

February 28, 1947, known as 2-28 has been referred to as the 2-28 Incident, the February 28 Massacre and Taiwan's Holocaust. It is a date that refers to the Kuo Ming Tang's murderous rampage of tens of thousands of Taiwanese (up to 30, 000 according to some accounts). The date also marks the beginning of 40 years of martial law imposed by the Kuo Ming Tang in Taiwan.

Now it's just a national holiday to some, and sadly the complete significance still alludes many in Taiwan, but perhaps that'll change since February 28 has been recognized as a holiday. It's been a long hard struggle of recognition.

I've found vague reports on 2-28 and its road to becoming a national holiday.

Most sources have stated that in 1995 a 2-28 memorial monument was errected in the newly renamed 2-28 Peace Park in Taipei, which was formerly named the Taipei New Park and 2-28 was called a Peace Memorial Day.

According the Government Information Office of ROC (Taiwan):

"In 1997, Peace Memorial Day was elevated to the status of a national holiday after the Legislative Yuan amended the February 28 Incident Disposition and Compensation Act. [O]n February 25 and the president promulgated the revised legislation on the same day."

But February 28 has apparently had a pretty precarious existence as a national holiday. According to the Taiwan Communique (in 2001):

"Earlier this year [2001], the DPP government took a peculiar step backwards when it decided to change the status of the day from formal public holiday to memorial day. The discussion took place in the context of the implementation of a shorter workweek. Under pressure from business and industry the government was reviewing existing public holidays which could be "downgraded."

Fortunately, the decision to change the status of public holidays does require legislative action. However, the cabinet was late in notifying the Legislative Yuan, and the Kuomintang-dominated legislature was too busy trying to impeach the President in the Nuclear Four power plant case. So, this year 228 was still an official public holiday, but if the Taiwanese people don't speak up, next year it won't."

This year, for the first time, flags flied at half-mast at schools and government offices in observation of this holiday. Here's the Taipei Times report on February 28, 2006.

2006-02-28T10:43:00.000-05:00

What did I do on this the last day of February 2-28?

I had the a day off. I didn't attend any somber memorials or do anything to especially commemorate the occasion. It's certainly not that I'm not mindful of the significance of 2-28, a day that symbolized the reign of terror and string of murders committed on tens of thousands of innocent Taiwanese.

I woke up late, and spent the entire afternoon with "S" running a long overdue errand, gorging ourselves on all you can eat barbecue, while catching up on our stories of life and love, having our girl chat, bargain shopping and finally, taking in the last day of the Lantern Festival on the banks of the Love River- continuing this "annual tradition" that "S" and I have.

2-28 need not be a dark day of mourning, as "S" put it, "Why can't we see it as a day to celebrate?" I agree, we should celebrate it as the day the Taiwanese decided to stand up for themselves, to stand up against the corruption, to stand up and fight for themselves... a day to celebrate all that we have for the sacrifices made by those who have died and suffered in the name of social justice.

Lanterns by the side of the Love River

The hourly water light show

More water light show action

One of the many dog theme lanterns of course in this Year of the Dog

The hourly fireworks show

More fireworks

2006-01-24T07:09:00.000-05:00

Got all my paperwork for my visa application to India in order and ran it over to a friend of mine who's going to have my passport and application sent up to Taipei this afternoon. I still don't have my flight officially booked though since my travel agent is in Korea until Thursday! Things are finally underway I thought, with everything being so last minute.

Just over a week ago, I was up in Taipei without any of my official documents, trying to coordinate travel dates and arrangements with "M" for a trip to Bangalore, India. Thus started the flurry of phone calls and emails between "M", myself and my travel agent in Kaohsiung. After discussing all the different dates and scenarios, it still didn't seem real when my travel agent reserved flights for me. She said she'd confirm everything and arrange for payment when she returned from Korea nearly a week later.

Today I was feeling relieved that my visa was going to get done in time. I was all set but then we ran into a slight snag. Though all of my documents will arrive at the embassy later today (Tuesday), my paperwork won't get reviewed until Wednesday and for some reason the Indian Embassay would be closed on Thursday, so my visa wouldn't be ready until Friday.

Therein lay the problem. My friend was sending my passport up through another travel agent (mine being on vacation). After picking up my passport and visa on Friday the travel agent couldn't guarantee sending it back down right away since Saturday is Lunar New Year's Eve. Basically at the close of business on Friday, the travel agent and most businesses would be officially on vacation and they'd remain closed until the following Wednesday! That is just days before I'm supposed to depart (on February 3rd!) I tell you, everything here stops for the Lunar New Year!

I was in a panic. It was ridiculous to think I might have to actually personally go up to Taipei just to get this done! Fortunately, I remembered that I had a friend "F" up in Taipei who had mentioned that she would be coming down to Kaohsiung for a visit on the 1st of February. So I called her and asked her to do me the favor of intercepting my passport and bringing it down for me next week- just days before my slated date of departure!

I knew that I could count on "F"! What are friends for?! Boy am I ever glad for this coincidence. No one ever comes down to Kaohsiung for a visit- they just always say they're coming, but never seem to make it. Two consecutive cancellations around the holidays in December come to mind...

2006-01-23T09:44:00.000-05:00

Just back last Thursday evening from my latest trip to Taipei- the "appetizer" of my winter vacation travels- as my friend C so affectionately called it.

I could have, I should have looked into this on Friday, but I waited until today (Monday) to contact the Indian Embassy up in Taipei about applying for a visa. So I've lost one day, one day in which I could have gotten my visa processed sooner. Even still, if I'd gotten the forms all filled out on Friday, I not sure if I would have been able to courier up the papers to Taipei from Kaohsiung until Monday anyhow.

The Indian Embassy emailed me the visa application forms earlier today. Tomorrow I'm going to have to arrange to have them couriered up from Kaohsiung to Taipei. I need to get this all done by Friday because I'm cutting it pretty close to the notorious Lunar New Year holiday. This year's Lunar New Year's eve is on Saturday the 28th. So starting January 27th, businesses will close for 5-7 days. And I'm slated to leave February 3rd!