I think it's funny that I've seen relatively major celebrities in person (i.e. Pete Wentz, and on a separate occasion his wife Ashley Simpson) and have a very mild surprise/ interest in their presence, but when I see a guy who blogs about Taiwan's politics in person (David on Formosa) I nerd out and start asking people if I should say hello or not. This happened at the gay pride parade back in October. Yes, I did end up saying hello, I read your blog, I'm a fan. I then saw him again at a screening of a movie about North Korean refugees. I opted for an awkward wave at this point, somehow half-expecting the guy to remember me.
I bring this up because I experienced a similar moment, when just now I was acknowledged by "taiwanews" (the twitter page for the Taipei Times) on twitter for "retweeting" one of their posts. I was shocked to find that taiwanews not only follows me, but also occasionally reads my posts! Sure, they also follow 1,207 other people but still. Acknowledgment. From a newspaper twitter page no less! Oh, there was also that time Jared and I's apartment was featured on The Daily Dish's "The View from Your Window" posts. Now that's internet famous.
In conclusion, and in summary, internet fame is the new actual fame.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Clothing Gems
"Tickle my beaver Stuart"
That was on a shirt. I am not lying. I don't think I can add anything else to this post. Just enjoy.
That was on a shirt. I am not lying. I don't think I can add anything else to this post. Just enjoy.
一點點
There is a model getting her picture taken outside almost directly behind me. While this normally wouldn't be a big deal (girls get beauty shots taken here, Taiwan, all the time) she's advertising for something. What would it be? Why a new computer graphics card of course. Nothing sells more than a cute girl holding computer parts in front of a student center.
Another brief snippet of my life here in Taiwan would be the emails I get from my land-lady/student (I teach her English every Wednesday). I get copious amounts of e-mails from her, which can truly be about ANYTHING. For example, in a recent spat of I emails I received emails with such titles as: "Elephant birth ??????" (Mystery solved, it was indeed a video of an elephant birth) and "bicycle gymnasts" to e-mails with links that bring me videos which are entitled "One heck of a dog trainer!". There is a frequent trend of beautiful landscapes put to classical Chinese music, or my personal favorite (although I'm pretty sure the elephant birth video has taken the cake) a email addressing nothing more than before and after pictures of child stars who are now adults. A pressing story. Anything under the sun because really, why not?
Another brief snippet of my life here in Taiwan would be the emails I get from my land-lady/student (I teach her English every Wednesday). I get copious amounts of e-mails from her, which can truly be about ANYTHING. For example, in a recent spat of I emails I received emails with such titles as: "Elephant birth ??????" (Mystery solved, it was indeed a video of an elephant birth) and "bicycle gymnasts" to e-mails with links that bring me videos which are entitled "One heck of a dog trainer!". There is a frequent trend of beautiful landscapes put to classical Chinese music, or my personal favorite (although I'm pretty sure the elephant birth video has taken the cake) a email addressing nothing more than before and after pictures of child stars who are now adults. A pressing story. Anything under the sun because really, why not?
Friday, November 27, 2009
一點點
In Taiwan you see a lot of funny clothing. Specifically clothing with hilarious wording on it. Now it's not as bad as China, but it has it's fair share. From hats that say "This is my Luck cap" to "What a fuck" to quite simply "Grope!", you get to see some true gems while you're here. Why, when I first got here I saw a shirt that said "Free hot dog, you just bring the buns." with an arrow pointing down. It also had a cartoon depiction of a hot dog on the shirt (I kid you not). Yesterday, while on a one-day road trip along Taiwan's northern coast I saw a small child wearing a green and white sweater that said: "I dig soccer moms". I am not making that up, despite what some people's reaction when they first hear that.
I think I'm going to try to make mini-posts regarding these eclectic clothing gems, and I will start with what I saw today: One blue and white wind-breaker which on the back read: "America: love it or leave it" and a hat which said "No fat chicks". Solid gold.
Side-note
If you're looking for a ridiculous movie with lots of blood, a bad plot, and hilariousness all around go see Ninja Assassin. I do have to say however that movie I suppose should get some kudos for using an Asian cast where appropriate. Now I know it could be seen as a stereotype that all Asians do martial arts or some such thing, but at least it's not something like in the "Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise. Meaning the main character in these movies that are about ninjas, samurai, etc. usually ends up being some white dude who comes in and learns the ways of the (insert something Asian) and then kicks ass. Or finds himself, usually both. In this movie the main character is Rain (Korean pop star), and magically he doesn't somehow get put into some sort of side-kick position. Just saying.
I think I'm going to try to make mini-posts regarding these eclectic clothing gems, and I will start with what I saw today: One blue and white wind-breaker which on the back read: "America: love it or leave it" and a hat which said "No fat chicks". Solid gold.
Side-note
If you're looking for a ridiculous movie with lots of blood, a bad plot, and hilariousness all around go see Ninja Assassin. I do have to say however that movie I suppose should get some kudos for using an Asian cast where appropriate. Now I know it could be seen as a stereotype that all Asians do martial arts or some such thing, but at least it's not something like in the "Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise. Meaning the main character in these movies that are about ninjas, samurai, etc. usually ends up being some white dude who comes in and learns the ways of the (insert something Asian) and then kicks ass. Or finds himself, usually both. In this movie the main character is Rain (Korean pop star), and magically he doesn't somehow get put into some sort of side-kick position. Just saying.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
"Don't get complacent, purple!"
The overcast skies of the Taiwanese winter have broken. Finally. After what feels like a month straight of drizzling. To celebrate, Taiwan has had two days so far of clear skies and temperatures in the upper-70s. In November. My brain is constantly thinking it's spring. Shorts and a t-shirt on Thanksgiving.
It began yesterday when my friend Megan and I were walking by an elementary school which, according to her, was having it's weekly super long relay race. It seems just about every kid gets on a team and races. Perhaps by grade? Who knows. Unfortunately I didn't have my Flip camera with me so no not-that-interesting-videos for you. My apologies. The sun had just come out that day and so sitting on a bench with the sun shining while watching coaches and little siblings yelling at these kids while they ran seemed like the thing to do. I have to say now that I should go into athletic talent scouting because lets face it, I always picked the winners of the race. While nothing of note really happened there were some gems of enthusiastic exclamations from Megan like that in the title and "Run periwinkle, they're coming!"
I realize I don't post very often, sorry about that. I'd say I'll try to post more but I'm pretty sure I always write that. I'll have a video up from the Taipei LGBT Pride Parade up later, but I'm warning you there's not much to look at. Right now I'm on a week long vacation in between quarters so I'm doing my fair share of sleeping in too much.
In other news, I am not a millionaire. In Taiwan at the top of every receipt there is a lotto number. So every two months they announce winning numbers and you can win up to NT$2,000,000 (~US$62,500). Basically you end up collecting a ton of your receipts (and your friends receipts who don't want to play) and then don't win anything. Although apparently it's not too uncommon to win NT$200 or NT$1000, which isn't shabby.
This is a good enough update for now, it's too nice out to sit here on the internet. Next time I'll get the pride parade video up and talk about how I went paintballing.
It began yesterday when my friend Megan and I were walking by an elementary school which, according to her, was having it's weekly super long relay race. It seems just about every kid gets on a team and races. Perhaps by grade? Who knows. Unfortunately I didn't have my Flip camera with me so no not-that-interesting-videos for you. My apologies. The sun had just come out that day and so sitting on a bench with the sun shining while watching coaches and little siblings yelling at these kids while they ran seemed like the thing to do. I have to say now that I should go into athletic talent scouting because lets face it, I always picked the winners of the race. While nothing of note really happened there were some gems of enthusiastic exclamations from Megan like that in the title and "Run periwinkle, they're coming!"
I realize I don't post very often, sorry about that. I'd say I'll try to post more but I'm pretty sure I always write that. I'll have a video up from the Taipei LGBT Pride Parade up later, but I'm warning you there's not much to look at. Right now I'm on a week long vacation in between quarters so I'm doing my fair share of sleeping in too much.
In other news, I am not a millionaire. In Taiwan at the top of every receipt there is a lotto number. So every two months they announce winning numbers and you can win up to NT$2,000,000 (~US$62,500). Basically you end up collecting a ton of your receipts (and your friends receipts who don't want to play) and then don't win anything. Although apparently it's not too uncommon to win NT$200 or NT$1000, which isn't shabby.
This is a good enough update for now, it's too nice out to sit here on the internet. Next time I'll get the pride parade video up and talk about how I went paintballing.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
paratus taiwan
Currently low on cash so I can't renew my picasa account, so I created a flickr. Better than nothing.
Currently low on cash so I can't renew my picasa account, so I created a flickr. Better than nothing.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Regarding Chinese medicine
Recently in class I was chuckled at for saying that I would take medicine if I had diarrhea. Really? This followed a conversation in which each person said what they would do, and since my class is predominated by Koreans and Japanese people it seemed that herbal remedies were the best medicine for just such an occasion.
Discussing it after lunch with my Korean classmate, I was told apparently Asians believe Western medicine to be harmful to the health because it's not natural. I know he by no means represents all of Asian, and While I agree Western medicine has its faults, I would much rather choose that rather than herbal medicine. Why? Scrutiny. Chinese medicine no doubt has its merit, but I'm supposed to believe it works because it addresses flow issues with the unproven concept of "chi" or success rate is based on the anecdotal evidence of believers who may very well be subject to the almighty power of the placebo? No. If it works, then it should be researched. Why does it work? I'm not going to deny the benefits of herbal medicine, or deny that America is most certainly over-medicated. What I am not going to do, however, is simply resign to herbal, Chinese, new age, etc. medicine working because "it just does" or some other equally illogical reason.
To avoid ranting and making a poor argument I'll stop there and maybe pick it up later when I've done more than react, BUT this article and video about sums up my viewpoint:
Credibility
Discussing it after lunch with my Korean classmate, I was told apparently Asians believe Western medicine to be harmful to the health because it's not natural. I know he by no means represents all of Asian, and While I agree Western medicine has its faults, I would much rather choose that rather than herbal medicine. Why? Scrutiny. Chinese medicine no doubt has its merit, but I'm supposed to believe it works because it addresses flow issues with the unproven concept of "chi" or success rate is based on the anecdotal evidence of believers who may very well be subject to the almighty power of the placebo? No. If it works, then it should be researched. Why does it work? I'm not going to deny the benefits of herbal medicine, or deny that America is most certainly over-medicated. What I am not going to do, however, is simply resign to herbal, Chinese, new age, etc. medicine working because "it just does" or some other equally illogical reason.
To avoid ranting and making a poor argument I'll stop there and maybe pick it up later when I've done more than react, BUT this article and video about sums up my viewpoint:
Credibility
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
mini-update
My landlady/English student asked me for my e-mail last Friday so that she could send me some stuff about Mid-autumn festival and general Taiwan culture. I said sure. I promptly got about 55 e-mails, and they're still coming.
Hurray?
Hurray?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
30 Days Later
I was originally planning on making an actual written post on the 28th to make the title a much better pun, but today will have to do.
Today I picked up my Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), which I suppose now makes me an official resident of Taipei. Which I suppose also makes it an apt time to make a proper post. I like it here. As you've probably already seen, the island is a beautiful place that I've had a few opportunities to explore. I'm hoping I can make those kinds of excursions every weekend, or at least close to it. Yet being in a sub-tropical paradise has its drawbacks, earthquakes, typhoons, and from my experience an almost constant temperature of 90 degrees (that's night and day, nighttime usually gets down to a chilly 86). Luckily I've yet to experience the first two of the list.
I don't have much to report. I'm in my third week of classes, and its somewhat of a struggle. It seems to be just outside of my skill level both in terms of material and my classmates, but I suppose that's the best environment for learning a language. It forces you to adapt. Classes more or less keep my day fairly rigidly defined. Class in the morning, eat lunch, teach English to my Korean classmate (and on Wednesdays my landlady), go to the library, do the internet thing, study, dinner, study, come home, work out at the riverside park, review and/or relax, sleep and repeat. At least that's the goal, things have kept coming up that changes things around, but that's the ideal. Churn through Chinese during the week, explore the mountains on the weekend. Sounds pretty good to me. On a similar note, Jared and I are planning on getting slightly higher end (as in not second-hand, Giant co. road bikes) bikes and using them to bike to these mountains or wherever really. I'm toying with the idea of biking around the island? At least to another city or something. Another potential adventure I'm looking forward to.
Taiwan isn't China, in many senses of the phrase but I'll keep it apolitical for now. The people here are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Case and point, my first day here I was struggling to my hostel in the confusing back alleys that make up much of Taipei's areas off the main roads. A man walked by noticing that I was clearly lost (and very sweaty). Watching him, I saw him double back from where he was going, ask me where I was headed, and proceeded to walk me far several minutes out of his way to the hostel. That's just one example of many. Another great thing about Taiwan (or at least Taipei) is the high amount of Western toilets and toilet paper. Perhaps trivial sounding, or even an unsavory topic but it matters. In Beijing you generally had to bring your own toilet paper with you if you were out and about or traveling. While Jared as talked to me about the beneficial virtues of squat toilets (helps you get it all out; don't have to touch anything), I still vastly prefer Western toilets. Taiwan has a large Buddhist population and so has decent amount of restaurants that cater specifically to vegetarians. No, not all Buddhists are vegetarian but there are a decent amount who don't eat meat for religious reasons. Enough so that I regularly eat at the vegetarian restaurant in one of the cafeterias on campus for NT$50 (~US$1.50) a plate. As for an potential vegan friends who may want to visit someday, I did find a vegan restaurant off my campus. The food is decent, but I recommend going vegetarian for the trip.
As far as the food goes, it's been pretty good. Some places really don't know how to make vegetarian food, it being some of the blandest food I've ever tasted. While others have made fantastic dishes and flavors. The food scene here is pretty cool, and most of the best food is found in night markets. To give you an idea, basically take every little niche clothing shop, restuarant, and street vendor you can think of, add 7-11 and stuff them into a bunch of small streets. Then add people. Lots of people, usually young and trendy (at least at the nearest one to me). And you've about got it. One thing I never liked in America but love here: mangos. Specifically mango smoothies, and I found the best one yet at the Shi-da night market. So good. Sub-tropical to tropical island = lots of tasty fruit and smoothie potential.
Since it's a little late, and this post seems to be primarily about my normal day I'll take you, briefly, through what I did today.
Woke up --> Class --> Lunch w/ Jared & Korean classmate -> Teach English to Korean classmate, have interesting conversation about Korean war, martial law period in both Taiwan & Korea, Korean movies, Lost & Heroes -> Pick up ARC card -> show Jared where HSBC bank branch is -> Mango smoothie from Shi-da night market -> nap -> dinner -> homework
So concludes my first real written post since being here. In honor of my attempt to connect it to 28 Days Later, the only label for this post will be "zombies"
Today I picked up my Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), which I suppose now makes me an official resident of Taipei. Which I suppose also makes it an apt time to make a proper post. I like it here. As you've probably already seen, the island is a beautiful place that I've had a few opportunities to explore. I'm hoping I can make those kinds of excursions every weekend, or at least close to it. Yet being in a sub-tropical paradise has its drawbacks, earthquakes, typhoons, and from my experience an almost constant temperature of 90 degrees (that's night and day, nighttime usually gets down to a chilly 86). Luckily I've yet to experience the first two of the list.
I don't have much to report. I'm in my third week of classes, and its somewhat of a struggle. It seems to be just outside of my skill level both in terms of material and my classmates, but I suppose that's the best environment for learning a language. It forces you to adapt. Classes more or less keep my day fairly rigidly defined. Class in the morning, eat lunch, teach English to my Korean classmate (and on Wednesdays my landlady), go to the library, do the internet thing, study, dinner, study, come home, work out at the riverside park, review and/or relax, sleep and repeat. At least that's the goal, things have kept coming up that changes things around, but that's the ideal. Churn through Chinese during the week, explore the mountains on the weekend. Sounds pretty good to me. On a similar note, Jared and I are planning on getting slightly higher end (as in not second-hand, Giant co. road bikes) bikes and using them to bike to these mountains or wherever really. I'm toying with the idea of biking around the island? At least to another city or something. Another potential adventure I'm looking forward to.
Taiwan isn't China, in many senses of the phrase but I'll keep it apolitical for now. The people here are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Case and point, my first day here I was struggling to my hostel in the confusing back alleys that make up much of Taipei's areas off the main roads. A man walked by noticing that I was clearly lost (and very sweaty). Watching him, I saw him double back from where he was going, ask me where I was headed, and proceeded to walk me far several minutes out of his way to the hostel. That's just one example of many. Another great thing about Taiwan (or at least Taipei) is the high amount of Western toilets and toilet paper. Perhaps trivial sounding, or even an unsavory topic but it matters. In Beijing you generally had to bring your own toilet paper with you if you were out and about or traveling. While Jared as talked to me about the beneficial virtues of squat toilets (helps you get it all out; don't have to touch anything), I still vastly prefer Western toilets. Taiwan has a large Buddhist population and so has decent amount of restaurants that cater specifically to vegetarians. No, not all Buddhists are vegetarian but there are a decent amount who don't eat meat for religious reasons. Enough so that I regularly eat at the vegetarian restaurant in one of the cafeterias on campus for NT$50 (~US$1.50) a plate. As for an potential vegan friends who may want to visit someday, I did find a vegan restaurant off my campus. The food is decent, but I recommend going vegetarian for the trip.
As far as the food goes, it's been pretty good. Some places really don't know how to make vegetarian food, it being some of the blandest food I've ever tasted. While others have made fantastic dishes and flavors. The food scene here is pretty cool, and most of the best food is found in night markets. To give you an idea, basically take every little niche clothing shop, restuarant, and street vendor you can think of, add 7-11 and stuff them into a bunch of small streets. Then add people. Lots of people, usually young and trendy (at least at the nearest one to me). And you've about got it. One thing I never liked in America but love here: mangos. Specifically mango smoothies, and I found the best one yet at the Shi-da night market. So good. Sub-tropical to tropical island = lots of tasty fruit and smoothie potential.
Since it's a little late, and this post seems to be primarily about my normal day I'll take you, briefly, through what I did today.
Woke up --> Class --> Lunch w/ Jared & Korean classmate -> Teach English to Korean classmate, have interesting conversation about Korean war, martial law period in both Taiwan & Korea, Korean movies, Lost & Heroes -> Pick up ARC card -> show Jared where HSBC bank branch is -> Mango smoothie from Shi-da night market -> nap -> dinner -> homework
So concludes my first real written post since being here. In honor of my attempt to connect it to 28 Days Later, the only label for this post will be "zombies"
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Toilet Restaurant Gave Me Diarrhea
More posts tomorrow regarding the toilet restaurant. Hiking again tomorrow. I'm hoping to make hiking and/or biking an every weekend event. For now here's a video of some hang-outs.
I also realize I haven't really shown you what my place is like, so here's a video from the roof of my building:
I also realize I haven't really shown you what my place is like, so here's a video from the roof of my building:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
"Computer Approved" -Sticker on my washing machine
Sorry for the long gap in posts. I'm moved into my place, where internet is provided but which I only seem to get near the door to our apartment. Jared has moved in. The view is amazing. I haven't taken pictures of the place, but I have uploaded photos from the roof. As my battery is going to die and I'm going to leave soon this will conclude the post.
Taiwan so far
Taiwan so far
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Getting there
I whipped up a video tonight, figured it was about time. I'll try to get another one out tomorrow.
I also put some more pictures up on picasa. Nothing really that new, just another memorial and a lizard.
To briefly get you up to speed, I've been spending my time: seeing the sights, getting acquainted with Taipei's subway system & the area around NTU, apartment hunting, and today got a cell phone set up. I register for classes on Monday. I'd also like to specially thank Tracy and Esther because they've been great helping me find apartments/look at them, and helping me get my phone today. More tomorrow (hopefully)
I also put some more pictures up on picasa. Nothing really that new, just another memorial and a lizard.
To briefly get you up to speed, I've been spending my time: seeing the sights, getting acquainted with Taipei's subway system & the area around NTU, apartment hunting, and today got a cell phone set up. I register for classes on Monday. I'd also like to specially thank Tracy and Esther because they've been great helping me find apartments/look at them, and helping me get my phone today. More tomorrow (hopefully)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
so far
Sorry I haven't been updating. I don't really have any excuses. I've posted some photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Paratus
I've been taking a lot of little videos with my flip camera and those aren't up yet. I'm thinking I'll edit something together later. For now, you'll have to be satisfied with the handful of pictures I've taken. More later.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Paratus
I've been taking a lot of little videos with my flip camera and those aren't up yet. I'm thinking I'll edit something together later. For now, you'll have to be satisfied with the handful of pictures I've taken. More later.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Skillz
An epic tale brought to you by me, circa 1994 (I'm guessing):
"(Un)fortuately
Once there was a space ship with aliens in it. They were flying smoothly. Unfortunately they started to crash. Fortunately thay had air brackes. Unfortuately they still hit the ground. Fortuately they didn't hit the trees. Unfortuately they started a stampede. Fortunately they had their ray guns. Unfortuately they were in a bomb testing zone. Fortunately they found pieces to repair their ship. Unfortuntely a bomb was coming down. Fortunately they got off earth. Unfortunately they started to crash again"
Yeah. That was the best story you've ever read.
"(Un)fortuately
Once there was a space ship with aliens in it. They were flying smoothly. Unfortunately they started to crash. Fortunately thay had air brackes. Unfortuately they still hit the ground. Fortuately they didn't hit the trees. Unfortuately they started a stampede. Fortunately they had their ray guns. Unfortuately they were in a bomb testing zone. Fortunately they found pieces to repair their ship. Unfortuntely a bomb was coming down. Fortunately they got off earth. Unfortunately they started to crash again"
Yeah. That was the best story you've ever read.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Bike the Oceans
Bren and I biked to Wheaton (or was it East Timor?). I made a video to mess around with the flip camera. I also managed to get myself a decent farmer's tan. In other news, I finally got a computer. Keeping my fingers crossed nothing happens to it/that it isn't stolen.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A tribute to Oanh
Oanh has requested that I take pictures of the food I see/eat in Taiwan, consider this practice:
Fake beef over rice, and red bell peppers and corn simply because they were around.
It was really good.
I am by no means trying to usurp Oanh's fantastic, and much more established/distinguished blog. I'm just making sure I know how to get the right angles for future food pictures. Oanh will always lead the way with food.
Fake beef over rice, and red bell peppers and corn simply because they were around.
It was really good.
I am by no means trying to usurp Oanh's fantastic, and much more established/distinguished blog. I'm just making sure I know how to get the right angles for future food pictures. Oanh will always lead the way with food.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
One Step Closer to Taiwan
I got my visa today. I made some hasty videos that I stitched together with the flip camera program. The battery was low so I only took a few roughly seven second clips. There are gaps in the time line (mostly due to me not recording while I rode my bike), but it works.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Lone Dancer
I got a flip video camera from a friend which means my blog will now feature videos. Enjoy the first video of some lone dude dancing at a far too loud club.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Highest Toilet in All the Land
Today I applied for my Taiwan visa. Easy and painless, and surprisingly cheap. Apparently if you're a Taiwan Scholarship awardee you don't have to pay the visa registration fee, thus saving me ~$130.
The view from the Taiwan consulate. Remind me to work in a skyscraper in Chicago.
Afterward Kristina, Chris and I made our way (eventually) to the Sears Tower. Well, as of yesterday the Sears Tower is now the "Willis Tower", or as our mayor hilariously called it "Big Willy".
I can now officially declare two things:
1.) I am still scared of heights
2.) I have urinated in the highest bathroom in the Western hemisphere, or if your prefer the 2nd highest bathroom in THE WORLD.
Minus the 2 1/2 hr wait in the damned unending lines to the observation deck, it was otherwise a good time. If you did not know already the observation deck in the Sears tower added 4 clear cubes that stick roughly 4 ft out from the building allowing you to see in all directions, including the 1,353 ft down (103 floors). Needless to say, I could barely get myself to step out onto the ledge. The look down is a doozy. The night was topped off with burritos and a bonfire. It was a good day. Enjoy the photos:
EDIT: Proof that I actually did go on the ledge, at least for a short while.
The view from the Taiwan consulate. Remind me to work in a skyscraper in Chicago.
Afterward Kristina, Chris and I made our way (eventually) to the Sears Tower. Well, as of yesterday the Sears Tower is now the "Willis Tower", or as our mayor hilariously called it "Big Willy".
I can now officially declare two things:
1.) I am still scared of heights
2.) I have urinated in the highest bathroom in the Western hemisphere, or if your prefer the 2nd highest bathroom in THE WORLD.
Minus the 2 1/2 hr wait in the damned unending lines to the observation deck, it was otherwise a good time. If you did not know already the observation deck in the Sears tower added 4 clear cubes that stick roughly 4 ft out from the building allowing you to see in all directions, including the 1,353 ft down (103 floors). Needless to say, I could barely get myself to step out onto the ledge. The look down is a doozy. The night was topped off with burritos and a bonfire. It was a good day. Enjoy the photos:
EDIT: Proof that I actually did go on the ledge, at least for a short while.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Bring on the Budget
Since I never found a summer job, I'll be heading to Taiwan on a very meager safety net. Yes, I will be getting money from the Taiwan scholarship, but after figuring out expenses it seems I'll be budgeting a fair amount when it comes to food and living expenses.
Apparently language programs are the real money makers of Taiwanese universities because the masters is about US$250 cheaper than the language program. Once you get past the first year, though, Taiwan seems to be more forgiving. In addition to getting NT$5,000 more a month during the masters than with the language program, after the first year I can apply for a work visa and work ~16 hours a week. Maybe then I'll be able to save up some money to do more traveling than just the return trip to the U.S. of A. Or maybe more than just the one trip back home.
Before all that though I'll have to find an apartment in a country and city I've never been to, in a language I can just barely get by in. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get sick or hurt, especially food poisoning.
Here's to adventure and heading into the more or less unknown.
Apparently language programs are the real money makers of Taiwanese universities because the masters is about US$250 cheaper than the language program. Once you get past the first year, though, Taiwan seems to be more forgiving. In addition to getting NT$5,000 more a month during the masters than with the language program, after the first year I can apply for a work visa and work ~16 hours a week. Maybe then I'll be able to save up some money to do more traveling than just the return trip to the U.S. of A. Or maybe more than just the one trip back home.
Before all that though I'll have to find an apartment in a country and city I've never been to, in a language I can just barely get by in. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get sick or hurt, especially food poisoning.
Here's to adventure and heading into the more or less unknown.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Words of Wisdom
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop once in a while and look around, you might miss it."
-Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
-Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Thursday, June 25, 2009
馬天林的博客開始
So begins my blog. I have a number of aspirations for the blog, and hopefully those come to fruition. I will be moving to Taiwan in August (of 2009) for some language study and, as current plans dictate, to pursue a masters in International Relations. The blog will no doubt at that point become primarily a travel blog. I do, however, reserve the right to write on whatever comes to mind. One goal of which is to research issues that I find myself lacking knowledge about and to research them, to fill the gaps. So hopefully once in a while I'll talk about something new I've learned about. I'm open to suggestions.
As for the title of my blog, it is quite simply the literal translation of my Chinese name. I could probably have come up with something more clever or something that will show the theme of the blog but there isn't one really. Since "sky" is part of my name then, I shall reserve the right to talk about anything under, in, and above the sky. Also since "sky" in Chinese can also mean "heaven" or "god" I suppose that leaves the theological realm open as well. I don't even know why I'm breaking this down. This blog is about whatever I want it to be, nuff said (whether it needed to be or not).
My first post was going consist of me researching the value of NASA and all that, because I get very frustrated when I hear people say that we should cut NASA's budget if not altogether. It is by no means the most expensive government funded program out there, but it is by far one of the most open to scrutiny. NASA has been one of the more beneficial endeavors of the United States. We have have so many technologies invented and/or improved because of the necessities of space travel and flight. Not to mention the awing walk on the Moon that inspired scores of American youth into the sciences. The intangible benefits are no doubt great.
You think the sustainability movement is strong now? Think of the required technologies to get people to and to establish a successful base on the Moon, let alone Mars. A crew sent with a finite amount of resources on a journey to Mars that takes years. This would require recycled waste, water, a lasting energy source, and so on.
I'll stop there though so as not to continue on in generalities because I would like to write something about that sometime in the future. Unfortunately my sources for the NASA budget usage compared to other US ventures is based solely on me remembering my American Politics course from 3 years ago. More on this later I suppose, BUT I would like to talk about one thing I think that we can all agree upon which could very well be the saving grace of NASA:
"Sky Falls, Who Cares?"
Some time ago while listening to NPR I was shocked to hear that we tracked an asteroid come in over Earth and later collected it's pieces. We had 20, count 'em 20 hours of notice. No, it was not big enough to cause harm, only big enough to cause rejoicing in related academia. Is this disconcerting to anyone else? These catastrophes have happened, and will happen again. I realize this, like many issues, often seem distant and abstract. More something for the realm of Hollywood. Problem is, that this one isn't as abstract as we'd like, just easily forgettable. No one has been building special jet fighter-like shuttles to land on asteroids to deliver a special team of roughneck American oil drillers to save the day (Armageddon reference). It's a collection of Astrophysicists and the like musing over potential doomsday scenarios going without funding, and without significant political power.
Maybe people should stop worrying about December 21, 2012 and start thinking about April 13, 2036:
Death by giant meteor
How to deflect a killer asteroid
p.s. :
Neil DeGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist who earned his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. Sorry for the underlines. He's up there with Bill Nye in my book, check him out.
As for the title of my blog, it is quite simply the literal translation of my Chinese name. I could probably have come up with something more clever or something that will show the theme of the blog but there isn't one really. Since "sky" is part of my name then, I shall reserve the right to talk about anything under, in, and above the sky. Also since "sky" in Chinese can also mean "heaven" or "god" I suppose that leaves the theological realm open as well. I don't even know why I'm breaking this down. This blog is about whatever I want it to be, nuff said (whether it needed to be or not).
My first post was going consist of me researching the value of NASA and all that, because I get very frustrated when I hear people say that we should cut NASA's budget if not altogether. It is by no means the most expensive government funded program out there, but it is by far one of the most open to scrutiny. NASA has been one of the more beneficial endeavors of the United States. We have have so many technologies invented and/or improved because of the necessities of space travel and flight. Not to mention the awing walk on the Moon that inspired scores of American youth into the sciences. The intangible benefits are no doubt great.
You think the sustainability movement is strong now? Think of the required technologies to get people to and to establish a successful base on the Moon, let alone Mars. A crew sent with a finite amount of resources on a journey to Mars that takes years. This would require recycled waste, water, a lasting energy source, and so on.
I'll stop there though so as not to continue on in generalities because I would like to write something about that sometime in the future. Unfortunately my sources for the NASA budget usage compared to other US ventures is based solely on me remembering my American Politics course from 3 years ago. More on this later I suppose, BUT I would like to talk about one thing I think that we can all agree upon which could very well be the saving grace of NASA:
"Sky Falls, Who Cares?"
Some time ago while listening to NPR I was shocked to hear that we tracked an asteroid come in over Earth and later collected it's pieces. We had 20, count 'em 20 hours of notice. No, it was not big enough to cause harm, only big enough to cause rejoicing in related academia. Is this disconcerting to anyone else? These catastrophes have happened, and will happen again. I realize this, like many issues, often seem distant and abstract. More something for the realm of Hollywood. Problem is, that this one isn't as abstract as we'd like, just easily forgettable. No one has been building special jet fighter-like shuttles to land on asteroids to deliver a special team of roughneck American oil drillers to save the day (Armageddon reference). It's a collection of Astrophysicists and the like musing over potential doomsday scenarios going without funding, and without significant political power.
Maybe people should stop worrying about December 21, 2012 and start thinking about April 13, 2036:
Death by giant meteor
How to deflect a killer asteroid
p.s. :
Neil DeGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist who earned his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. Sorry for the underlines. He's up there with Bill Nye in my book, check him out.
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