I just read an interesting report on BBC website. It's about my home country--Taiwan, but I've never known what they say about the new business.
In Taiwan, parents change old banknotes for new ones at banks before Chinese New Year Eve because they want to put clean, fresh notes into the red envelops to their children for good luck at the start of the new year. I always get and do that too.
As the report says, we are restricted how much we can change, and some people may not have enough time to go to banks. Therefore, the idea of “wash dirty money” business occurs. It’s actually not cheap for 10 NT$ for washing twenty banknotes. However, I would rather go to banks than send my money to the money laundries.
2/15/2010
A Cheerful Week
Last week was quite busy. Firstly, on Tuesday, The Olympic Torch came to New Westminster, and then The Games opened on Friday. The following day was Chinese New Year Eve. Especially Sunday was Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, and BC Day. They say it happens only once in about a fifty-years.
The Olympic Flame Lit Us Up!
It was a lucky day for my first time joining the moment of historic significance; I took a picture holding the torch with torchbearer number 77 (my lucky number is 7), but my husband said my pose looked like holding a bat; I as well got a free Coca Cola (with Olympic's design). The ceremony presented multicultural peculiarities of Canadian and the residence of New West. Jessica, an artist also showed her talent by extemporization—a painting of torchbearer to celebrate. 
I love the feeling of enthusiasm. It often gives me the energy for living. Some people disapprove of the games. I can understand those people who consider the problems in different aspects, and actually I agree some of their points, but right now I just want to immerse in the excited spirits.
Killing Whale Mermaid
My children Love stuffed Miga, Sumi, Quatchi, and Mumuck very much. Last week, “save on foods” they offered a very good deal for Olympic products, so I could buy the Mascots for only $9.99 each of them (the original price is $16). As we know, Miga is a killing whale, but I hear some people suppose that it is a bear for the sole of its feet while I believe it’s a mermaid. Since Ariel became a girl, so she has human feet; Mega, a killing whale, became an animal, of course it got animal feet. It’s reasonable. However, they are really lovely.
Dragons and Lions Dancing in The Year of Tiger
Chinese New Year Parade held on Sunday morning and started from 9:30. It was earlier than usual for the Olympic activities. This was the third time I went to Chinatown to see the dance of Dragons and Lions. Actually, in Taiwan people haven’t had it for a long time. The most popular and famous celebrations during Lunar New Year season are lantern festival and fireworks festival. I actually have ever seen so many parades in my life; not only Chinese New Year but also San Patrick Day, Pride parade, and Christmas. Living in Canada, I always have a lot of fun in a year! ^_^
The Olympic Flame Lit Us Up!
It was a lucky day for my first time joining the moment of historic significance; I took a picture holding the torch with torchbearer number 77 (my lucky number is 7), but my husband said my pose looked like holding a bat; I as well got a free Coca Cola (with Olympic's design). The ceremony presented multicultural peculiarities of Canadian and the residence of New West. Jessica, an artist also showed her talent by extemporization—a painting of torchbearer to celebrate. 
I love the feeling of enthusiasm. It often gives me the energy for living. Some people disapprove of the games. I can understand those people who consider the problems in different aspects, and actually I agree some of their points, but right now I just want to immerse in the excited spirits.Killing Whale Mermaid
My children Love stuffed Miga, Sumi, Quatchi, and Mumuck very much. Last week, “save on foods” they offered a very good deal for Olympic products, so I could buy the Mascots for only $9.99 each of them (the original price is $16). As we know, Miga is a killing whale, but I hear some people suppose that it is a bear for the sole of its feet while I believe it’s a mermaid. Since Ariel became a girl, so she has human feet; Mega, a killing whale, became an animal, of course it got animal feet. It’s reasonable. However, they are really lovely.Dragons and Lions Dancing in The Year of Tiger
Chinese New Year Parade held on Sunday morning and started from 9:30. It was earlier than usual for the Olympic activities. This was the third time I went to Chinatown to see the dance of Dragons and Lions. Actually, in Taiwan people haven’t had it for a long time. The most popular and famous celebrations during Lunar New Year season are lantern festival and fireworks festival. I actually have ever seen so many parades in my life; not only Chinese New Year but also San Patrick Day, Pride parade, and Christmas. Living in Canada, I always have a lot of fun in a year! ^_^
2/10/2010
The Sequel of "The Single Log"
Today I read a report about the writing exam on the China Times (Taiwan). They gave out the principle of marking Scale. I think if I took the test, I would probably get C only.
They said that a good writing for "the single log", first of all, should be written in narrator. Secondly, it should relate to the disaster of storms or typhoons and environmental protecting. Thirdly, the expressions should be vivid, interesting and creative. (That's Chinese writing test)
The news report also mentioned the English writing test. The topic was based on a four-cell manga, which 3 panels have been given, then students need to finish the last panel in an essay. 20 points in total: 5 for content, 5 for structure, 4 for words choice and spelling, 2 for form. Deduct one point for less 120 words.
Some critics commented that the rule of marking had strangled a creative student. However, it would be very hard for me to take the exams indeed.
They said that a good writing for "the single log", first of all, should be written in narrator. Secondly, it should relate to the disaster of storms or typhoons and environmental protecting. Thirdly, the expressions should be vivid, interesting and creative. (That's Chinese writing test)
The news report also mentioned the English writing test. The topic was based on a four-cell manga, which 3 panels have been given, then students need to finish the last panel in an essay. 20 points in total: 5 for content, 5 for structure, 4 for words choice and spelling, 2 for form. Deduct one point for less 120 words.
Some critics commented that the rule of marking had strangled a creative student. However, it would be very hard for me to take the exams indeed.
2/08/2010
The Soliloquy of Floating Single Log
I learn that an English essay, academic essay, should follow 5-paragraph essay structure in Canadian High School. As well. in Taiwan, students have to follow the four steps of composition: introduction, explanation of the theme, transition to another view, and summing up.
I think the different requirement is I can chose one topic from two or three in my English writing test here, so lucky! Comparatively, in Taiwan, students get only one. That is, they have no choice; every one has the same opportunity, but are Taiwanese teachers less creative to give the question? I suppose not. For students, to comprehend what the question has been given before writing is very important.
Today I heard that the theme of university pretest, which is an important exam similar to BC provincial exam, is "The soliloquy of floating single log."(so hard for me to translate Chinese to English) How romantic Taiwanese teachers are, I think! I really have no idea when I read it because it's too difficult to interpret. ...Maybe, if I were the log, I might say, “Leave me alone; I want a home!” This world has been noisy, polluted and so many homeless… or the log should say like Hamlet, “To be or not to be...” Maybe it's not the log, it's the students who are taking the exam should say.
I think the different requirement is I can chose one topic from two or three in my English writing test here, so lucky! Comparatively, in Taiwan, students get only one. That is, they have no choice; every one has the same opportunity, but are Taiwanese teachers less creative to give the question? I suppose not. For students, to comprehend what the question has been given before writing is very important.
Today I heard that the theme of university pretest, which is an important exam similar to BC provincial exam, is "The soliloquy of floating single log."(so hard for me to translate Chinese to English) How romantic Taiwanese teachers are, I think! I really have no idea when I read it because it's too difficult to interpret. ...Maybe, if I were the log, I might say, “Leave me alone; I want a home!” This world has been noisy, polluted and so many homeless… or the log should say like Hamlet, “To be or not to be...” Maybe it's not the log, it's the students who are taking the exam should say.
2/07/2010
Oh, my “gods”!
Saturday noon, I encountered two nuns on Royal Avenue on my way home. I wondered if they wanted to ask road while I figured out their purpose; however, I still chatted with them for a while because I thought that to do a “questionnaire” was not bad. Their questions were interesting, just like we did discussions in English11 class.
* There are so many gods, and how do you know which one is real?
* What can God help you when you’re in difficulty?
* What do you think the meaning of life?
Firstly, I have to declare that I respect different religions and the people who have their own religion. Actually I don’t think I’m very religious but following my parents worshiping our ancestors and gods. In Taiwan, most people believe in Taoism (combined with Buddha). Similar to Hindu, Taiwanese believes gods rather than only one god.
I like the thought of respecting every thing. When I first visited Bali, I saw there were varied fresh fragrant flowers setting on trays lying on two sides of the street. Later I got to know that they believed in road god, tree god... therefore, they kept the road clean. They respected Natural just like the belief of "Avantar", the movie.
I never consider what "gods" can help me. I believe "God helps those who help themselves." I don’t think I can do nothing but sitting there or kneeling down and praying for something. Help is an action of assistance. If we never start and try to deal with our problems but ask for "help", it's not "help"; it's "doing" for us.
About the meaning of life, I couldn't count how many times I've been asked about it since I was teen. Chiang Kai Shek said, "The meaning of life is to create the new lives of the universe," (directly translated from Chinese) which I learnt at middle school. For me, now I would say- satisfaction. We might covet being a rich man or a powerful person, but we might still unhappy because we would want more, or we would lose something else when we got it. Happiness could be just simple, just like right now I'm sitting at my desk by the window with the night scenes of New West uptown sharing with my feeling.
Thanks gods!
* There are so many gods, and how do you know which one is real?
* What can God help you when you’re in difficulty?
* What do you think the meaning of life?
Firstly, I have to declare that I respect different religions and the people who have their own religion. Actually I don’t think I’m very religious but following my parents worshiping our ancestors and gods. In Taiwan, most people believe in Taoism (combined with Buddha). Similar to Hindu, Taiwanese believes gods rather than only one god.
I like the thought of respecting every thing. When I first visited Bali, I saw there were varied fresh fragrant flowers setting on trays lying on two sides of the street. Later I got to know that they believed in road god, tree god... therefore, they kept the road clean. They respected Natural just like the belief of "Avantar", the movie.
I never consider what "gods" can help me. I believe "God helps those who help themselves." I don’t think I can do nothing but sitting there or kneeling down and praying for something. Help is an action of assistance. If we never start and try to deal with our problems but ask for "help", it's not "help"; it's "doing" for us.
About the meaning of life, I couldn't count how many times I've been asked about it since I was teen. Chiang Kai Shek said, "The meaning of life is to create the new lives of the universe," (directly translated from Chinese) which I learnt at middle school. For me, now I would say- satisfaction. We might covet being a rich man or a powerful person, but we might still unhappy because we would want more, or we would lose something else when we got it. Happiness could be just simple, just like right now I'm sitting at my desk by the window with the night scenes of New West uptown sharing with my feeling.
Thanks gods!
2/05/2010
Just Start
I never thought to write a blog in English because I still can't manage my third language well. It's just like toddlers renounce riding their tricycle and trying to control a 16" bike, so awkward! It doesn't mean I forsake my Chinese writing; I just suppose that if I can keep writing journal in English, I will benefit greatly from it, but will I keep my promise to write regularly? Hehe, I know I would probably have millions excuses for being lazy. However, I’ve gave myself a try. Just set off!
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