Check you birthday color here and see if you agree with its description!
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
True Colors
Following Drocas's suggestion posted at renas e veados, I checked my color and alike Drocas, I also liked the sound of it:
Check you birthday color here and see if you agree with its description!
Check you birthday color here and see if you agree with its description!
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Chinese Serenity II
Remember the picture I posted the other day showing a mother and daughter looking at something with very a serene expression?
This is what they were looking at:
A park surrounding one of Tainan’s temple - 2004
This is what they were looking at:
A park surrounding one of Tainan’s temple - 2004
A walk in the new neighborhood
I am enjoying living and tripping in a part of this ancient city where many generations have passed by and left their marks.
My neighborhood is composed of small labyrinth alleys that remind me of Algiers old kasbah, except here the mosques are replaced with temples. Temples of all sizes and shapes but with a common feature: the burning essence that brings to the scenario a true mystic feeling.
The old structures remained perhaps just to tell us that the past existed.
This little old house remains still in a corner of an alley, it seems abandoned and unnoticeable to the busy passbyers who rush to grab their lost time.
This little house probably has witnessed so many stories, now lost in that lost time.
But if you stop, stay still, listen and look carefully, this little house is able to tell you those stories and bring back some of that lost time!
My neighborhood is composed of small labyrinth alleys that remind me of Algiers old kasbah, except here the mosques are replaced with temples. Temples of all sizes and shapes but with a common feature: the burning essence that brings to the scenario a true mystic feeling.
The old structures remained perhaps just to tell us that the past existed.
This little old house remains still in a corner of an alley, it seems abandoned and unnoticeable to the busy passbyers who rush to grab their lost time.
This little house probably has witnessed so many stories, now lost in that lost time.
But if you stop, stay still, listen and look carefully, this little house is able to tell you those stories and bring back some of that lost time!
Monday, November 15, 2004
A room with a view
Finally installed in the new home and very pleased to have a balcony in my room with a great view. From this balcony, you can see many temples from all ages, shapes and believes. It’s quite a spiritual landscape!
I was enjoing the view when I caught sight of an icon that always makes me wonder why on hell a fanatic fascist choose logo so similar to the one of the Buddhist, to symbolize so different his cause!
At a first glance one might think that there is a revival of such a hate doctrine, when in fact it is in fact the symbol of a peaceful philosophy of life - Buddhism.
I try hard to shift my mind away from what might look and focus on what it really is.
After all I should be happy to have such friendly and spiritual neighborhood!
The view from my room – Tainan – Nov.2004
I was enjoing the view when I caught sight of an icon that always makes me wonder why on hell a fanatic fascist choose logo so similar to the one of the Buddhist, to symbolize so different his cause!
At a first glance one might think that there is a revival of such a hate doctrine, when in fact it is in fact the symbol of a peaceful philosophy of life - Buddhism.
I try hard to shift my mind away from what might look and focus on what it really is.
After all I should be happy to have such friendly and spiritual neighborhood!
The view from my room – Tainan – Nov.2004
Welcome to my new home!
The planned move
Besides the accidental blog move to this new look, I also moved to new apartment (not so accidentally) right in the heart of the old city of Tainan.
Last Saturday night was party time at the new place. It was my friend Zeak’s birthday and the house warming party was transformed in a birthday party.
Happy Birthday Zeak!
Besides the accidental blog move to this new look, I also moved to new apartment (not so accidentally) right in the heart of the old city of Tainan.
Last Saturday night was party time at the new place. It was my friend Zeak’s birthday and the house warming party was transformed in a birthday party.
Happy Birthday Zeak!
Friday, November 12, 2004
Unplanned move
I was just trying on a new look when, by mistake I clicked on the wrong option.
Et voila’, without being prepared I kicked myself out of the previous template and moved into this one. It sounds like when I move home!
So as a result, I lost all my friend’s comments and links and it will take me a while to recover all of you.
If by any chances you pass by here, please leave the link to your blog again.
Thanks and sorry, this is what might happen when you play at work!
Chinese Serenity
Walking in a park in Tainan City, the serenity of this scene reminded me of these paintings that I've been posting here.
Mother and daughter - Tainan City, Taiwan - 2004
Mother and daughter - Tainan City, Taiwan - 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Chinese Beauty I
A friend in China, send me a collection of oil paintings, which I find particularly beautiful. I will be sharing them with you during the next few days.
I am trying to find out the name of the author and will disclose it if successful.
Meanwhile enjoy the serene beauty.
unknow author
Contemplating by the lake with aromatic lotus in a poetic atmosphere of bamboo shadow and shifting moon. One will be startled at the scenery with such exceptional charm.
I am trying to find out the name of the author and will disclose it if successful.
Meanwhile enjoy the serene beauty.
unknow author
Contemplating by the lake with aromatic lotus in a poetic atmosphere of bamboo shadow and shifting moon. One will be startled at the scenery with such exceptional charm.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Ok, but not in the family (for the time being)!
The second Taiwan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade put a spotlight on homosexual issues.
Organizers estimated around 3,000 people turned up to have their voices heard, their presence felt, and -- because it was a parade -- to fill the streets with music, dancing and bacchanalian revelry.
The fact that the parade-goers did not encounter much societal disapprobation, save the Christian saviors and the occasional annoyed motorist, might cast Taiwan as a gay-friendly Shangri La.
Last year, 1,000 people participated and the larger-scale event this year may indeed bode well for the Pride Parade's future in Taiwan, yet one attendee took a more jaded and perhaps more realistic view of Taiwan's state of affairs. "Society doesn't have a problem with gay people in the public sphere, but when gays enter the home, when a gay is in their family, that's where they draw the line."
True enough, unlike similar manifestations in New York, San Francisco, or Sydney, one did not catch a glimpse of parents out to support their gay children. But reaching that level of acceptance might be a long-term project, or at least an aspiration for the next Taiwan Pride Parade.
by Alonzo Emery
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER - Tapei Times
read more here.
Organizers estimated around 3,000 people turned up to have their voices heard, their presence felt, and -- because it was a parade -- to fill the streets with music, dancing and bacchanalian revelry.
The fact that the parade-goers did not encounter much societal disapprobation, save the Christian saviors and the occasional annoyed motorist, might cast Taiwan as a gay-friendly Shangri La.
Last year, 1,000 people participated and the larger-scale event this year may indeed bode well for the Pride Parade's future in Taiwan, yet one attendee took a more jaded and perhaps more realistic view of Taiwan's state of affairs. "Society doesn't have a problem with gay people in the public sphere, but when gays enter the home, when a gay is in their family, that's where they draw the line."
True enough, unlike similar manifestations in New York, San Francisco, or Sydney, one did not catch a glimpse of parents out to support their gay children. But reaching that level of acceptance might be a long-term project, or at least an aspiration for the next Taiwan Pride Parade.
by Alonzo Emery
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER - Tapei Times
read more here.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Taiwan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade (台灣同志大遊行)
When: Saturday, from 1pm to 5pm
Where: Assemble at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
For more details: See a map of the Pride Parade route and information on how to donate to the parade and Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline at: http://1106.bdsm.com.tw/ (Chinese and English)
read more here.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Tainan - Um passeio histórico e místico
Hoje o Taipei Times publicou uma merecida reportagem 'a minha terrinha (dos ultimos 2 anos), Tainan - a velha capital da Formosa.
photo by Gavin Phipps - Taipei Times
The former capital city of the country has plenty of historical monuments to take a look and some good food to savor
A walking tour of a major metropolis might not seem to be the most convenient, enjoyable or safest way to sightsee while touring Taiwan. But life moves slowly in Tainan and exploring the historic city on foot is fun, especially for those with a whim for history or ancient and colorful Chinese architecture.
The nation's first official capital from between 1663 and 1885, Tainan is one of the few places in the country where history has been spared the wrecking ball and much of its long and colorful past can still be seen today. Walking is the most convenient way of seeing the 200 temples and countless Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911) structures that help make up Taiwan's history.
Read more here.
photo by Gavin Phipps - Taipei Times
The former capital city of the country has plenty of historical monuments to take a look and some good food to savor
A walking tour of a major metropolis might not seem to be the most convenient, enjoyable or safest way to sightsee while touring Taiwan. But life moves slowly in Tainan and exploring the historic city on foot is fun, especially for those with a whim for history or ancient and colorful Chinese architecture.
The nation's first official capital from between 1663 and 1885, Tainan is one of the few places in the country where history has been spared the wrecking ball and much of its long and colorful past can still be seen today. Walking is the most convenient way of seeing the 200 temples and countless Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911) structures that help make up Taiwan's history.
Read more here.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Pequim ataca Bush
A China quebra o voto de silencio relativamente aos candidatos 'as eleicoes norte-americanas, expressando pontos de vista comuns a uma grande parte da populacao mundial.
Oxala' que o povo Americano tambem tenham comprendido a dimensao do problema!
China criticized US President George W. Bush's war on Iraq yesterday, accusing an "arrogant" US of trying to "rule the world" and blaming the US-led invasion for sparking an increase in terrorist attacks.
In a rare commentary by former vice-premier and former longtime foreign minister Qian Qichen (錢其琛), China broke its practice of not commenting on US presidential candidates and chastised Bush for his foreign policies.
"The philosophy of the `Bush Doctrine' is in essence force," Qian said in the government-run English-language China Daily.
"It advocates the United States should rule over the whole world with overwhelming force -- military force in particular," he said.
While supporting Bush's anti-terrorism efforts, China opposed the war in Iraq and sees the US administration's policies as an example of superpower hegemonism, which Beijing frequently rails against.
"The current US predicament in Iraq serves as another example that when a country's superiority psychology inflates beyond its real capability, a lot of trouble can be caused," Qian said.
"But the troubles and disasters the United States has met do not stem from threats by others, but from its own cocksureness and arrogance," he said.
Far from winning peace for itself and the Arab world, Washington has "opened a Pandora's box," intensifying ethnic and religious conflicts, he argued.
"The Iraq war was an optional war, not a necessary one, and the pre-emptive principle should be removed from the dictionary of the US national security, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright also said," Qian wrote.
Mounting hostile sentiments in the Muslim world toward the US have already helped al-Qaeda recruit more followers and suicide martyrs, Qian said.
"The Iraq War has also destroyed the hard-won global anti-terror coalition," he said. "Instead of dropping, the number of terrorist activities throughout the world is now on the increase."
by AFP, BEIJING
published in Taipei Times
Oxala' que o povo Americano tambem tenham comprendido a dimensao do problema!
China criticized US President George W. Bush's war on Iraq yesterday, accusing an "arrogant" US of trying to "rule the world" and blaming the US-led invasion for sparking an increase in terrorist attacks.
In a rare commentary by former vice-premier and former longtime foreign minister Qian Qichen (錢其琛), China broke its practice of not commenting on US presidential candidates and chastised Bush for his foreign policies.
"The philosophy of the `Bush Doctrine' is in essence force," Qian said in the government-run English-language China Daily.
"It advocates the United States should rule over the whole world with overwhelming force -- military force in particular," he said.
While supporting Bush's anti-terrorism efforts, China opposed the war in Iraq and sees the US administration's policies as an example of superpower hegemonism, which Beijing frequently rails against.
"The current US predicament in Iraq serves as another example that when a country's superiority psychology inflates beyond its real capability, a lot of trouble can be caused," Qian said.
"But the troubles and disasters the United States has met do not stem from threats by others, but from its own cocksureness and arrogance," he said.
Far from winning peace for itself and the Arab world, Washington has "opened a Pandora's box," intensifying ethnic and religious conflicts, he argued.
"The Iraq war was an optional war, not a necessary one, and the pre-emptive principle should be removed from the dictionary of the US national security, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright also said," Qian wrote.
Mounting hostile sentiments in the Muslim world toward the US have already helped al-Qaeda recruit more followers and suicide martyrs, Qian said.
"The Iraq War has also destroyed the hard-won global anti-terror coalition," he said. "Instead of dropping, the number of terrorist activities throughout the world is now on the increase."
by AFP, BEIJING
published in Taipei Times
Monday, November 01, 2004
Friday, October 29, 2004
Taiwan should improve their English level
It is quite often seen a bit everywhere in Taiwan, a poor standard of the English language.
Although great efforts are visible among the young generations, we come across with innumerous careless mistakes, affecting the government (official reports), businesses, etc, etc.
This would not be a problem if Taiwan would only interact with it self, but we are in the 21st century and in a dynamic economy like Taiwan, an interaction with the world is unavoidable.
Another serious example is when the local post offices have street names lists with wrong spellings. When they receive a letter with the right spelling in English and as the majority of the post office employees can't speak English, they rely on their list to verify the correspondent Chinese name. Because their list does not contain the official English spelling, the letter is either returned to the sender as "Non-existing address" or is delivered in a wrong place.
I've been personally affected by this problem several times and had to take a photo of my street's plate name to bring to the post office, for them to understand the actual problem.
Check out an example of shop that has the intention to advertise their product: Instead of writing "Fruit Ice-cream", they write "Special Ice & Fruit Food". This is an example of a direct translation, which sometimes does not make any sense (not to mention the spelling error).
Another example published today in the Taipei Times (the main Taiwanese News Paper in English), they meant Kelly doesn't eat much of that crap:
phto: AP
At 53kg, something tells us Kelly Chen doesn't each much McDonald's.
PS. Nothing to do with the subject of this post, but I do not want to make any publicity to such company so here are the facts published in Taipei Times:
"Hong Kong singer/actress Kelly Chen (陳慧琳) was put in a tight spot last week when reporters began pressing her about her role as a spokeswoman for McDonald's with the documentary Supersize Me, which is set to be released in the city. Chen, who clocks in at 53kg, offered the stock response from the McDonald's camp that the fast food restaurant now offers low-calorie options, like salads, and that it's a great family locale. No one pointed out, though, that with salad dressing added, the salads are just as calorie-rich as a Big Mac."
Have a great Halloween weekend and avoid fast food!
Although great efforts are visible among the young generations, we come across with innumerous careless mistakes, affecting the government (official reports), businesses, etc, etc.
This would not be a problem if Taiwan would only interact with it self, but we are in the 21st century and in a dynamic economy like Taiwan, an interaction with the world is unavoidable.
Another serious example is when the local post offices have street names lists with wrong spellings. When they receive a letter with the right spelling in English and as the majority of the post office employees can't speak English, they rely on their list to verify the correspondent Chinese name. Because their list does not contain the official English spelling, the letter is either returned to the sender as "Non-existing address" or is delivered in a wrong place.
I've been personally affected by this problem several times and had to take a photo of my street's plate name to bring to the post office, for them to understand the actual problem.
Check out an example of shop that has the intention to advertise their product: Instead of writing "Fruit Ice-cream", they write "Special Ice & Fruit Food". This is an example of a direct translation, which sometimes does not make any sense (not to mention the spelling error).
Another example published today in the Taipei Times (the main Taiwanese News Paper in English), they meant Kelly doesn't eat much of that crap:
phto: AP
At 53kg, something tells us Kelly Chen doesn't each much McDonald's.
PS. Nothing to do with the subject of this post, but I do not want to make any publicity to such company so here are the facts published in Taipei Times:
"Hong Kong singer/actress Kelly Chen (陳慧琳) was put in a tight spot last week when reporters began pressing her about her role as a spokeswoman for McDonald's with the documentary Supersize Me, which is set to be released in the city. Chen, who clocks in at 53kg, offered the stock response from the McDonald's camp that the fast food restaurant now offers low-calorie options, like salads, and that it's a great family locale. No one pointed out, though, that with salad dressing added, the salads are just as calorie-rich as a Big Mac."
Have a great Halloween weekend and avoid fast food!
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Democracia Imatura
O comportamento infantil de certos politicos deixa-nos a pensar se serao pessoas com capacidade de nos representar e de certa forma influenciar as nossas vidas.
Aqui na Asia e’ frequente em certas culturas e regimes democraticos, os membros do paralamento acabarem as sessoes ‘a porrada.
E’ do conhecimento publico este tipo de cenas tanto no parlamento de Taiwan como no da Coreia do Sul.
Ontem, aqui em Taiwan discutia-se no parlamento, a compra de armas aos USA. O partido da oposicao, KMT, bloqueou a compra com o voto negativo e afirma que ficou ofendido com a declaracao de Colin Powell (Secretario de Estado Americano) em Pequim: “Taiwan nao e’ uma nacao soberana.”
Apesar de compartilhar os sentimentos do partdo da oposicao, o partido do actual governo, DPP, insiste na compra de armamento aos USA.
Resultado, nao chegaram a um acordo e acabaram a sessao ‘a batatada, ou melhor ‘a arrozada (ja que as armas que utilizaram para se atacarem mutuamenete foi nada mais nada menos que as lancheiras de arroz.
Coisas de democracias imaturas!
photo: Lin Cheng-Kuan, Taipei Times
DPP Legislator Chen Chong-yi yesterday throws a copy of the proposed arms procurement plan at opposition lawmakers as the legislature failed to pass the budget again due to the opposition's boycott.
Pan-blues block arms deal citing Powell's comments
The statute governing the arms deal with the US failed to pass the Procedure Committee yesterday as the pan-blue camp claimed they objected to the statute in response to US Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement that "Taiwan is not a sovereign state," and the meeting ended in confusion as the lawmakers from the two camps threw their lunch boxes and other items at each other to vent their frustration.
The pan-blue camp lawmakers boycotted the statute yesterday, saying that if Powell does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, then Taiwan should refrain from buying weapons from the US.
By Debby Wu – Taipei Times reporter
Wednesday, Oct 27, 2004
Aqui na Asia e’ frequente em certas culturas e regimes democraticos, os membros do paralamento acabarem as sessoes ‘a porrada.
E’ do conhecimento publico este tipo de cenas tanto no parlamento de Taiwan como no da Coreia do Sul.
Ontem, aqui em Taiwan discutia-se no parlamento, a compra de armas aos USA. O partido da oposicao, KMT, bloqueou a compra com o voto negativo e afirma que ficou ofendido com a declaracao de Colin Powell (Secretario de Estado Americano) em Pequim: “Taiwan nao e’ uma nacao soberana.”
Apesar de compartilhar os sentimentos do partdo da oposicao, o partido do actual governo, DPP, insiste na compra de armamento aos USA.
Resultado, nao chegaram a um acordo e acabaram a sessao ‘a batatada, ou melhor ‘a arrozada (ja que as armas que utilizaram para se atacarem mutuamenete foi nada mais nada menos que as lancheiras de arroz.
Coisas de democracias imaturas!
photo: Lin Cheng-Kuan, Taipei Times
DPP Legislator Chen Chong-yi yesterday throws a copy of the proposed arms procurement plan at opposition lawmakers as the legislature failed to pass the budget again due to the opposition's boycott.
Pan-blues block arms deal citing Powell's comments
The statute governing the arms deal with the US failed to pass the Procedure Committee yesterday as the pan-blue camp claimed they objected to the statute in response to US Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement that "Taiwan is not a sovereign state," and the meeting ended in confusion as the lawmakers from the two camps threw their lunch boxes and other items at each other to vent their frustration.
The pan-blue camp lawmakers boycotted the statute yesterday, saying that if Powell does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, then Taiwan should refrain from buying weapons from the US.
By Debby Wu – Taipei Times reporter
Wednesday, Oct 27, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Grab life now, it’s not going to last for ever!
Although the English is not quite OK, the message of this sentence is very powerful.
I think they meant something like this:
The excitement in your life depends on how you pursue your dreams!
A felicidade na tua vida depende da forma como tu tentas realizar os teus sonhos!
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Veneza em Taipei
At least four die as storm hits Taiwan
LOCAL DEVASTATION: Heavy rains, flooding and severe winds left their mark on the country as Typhoon Nock-Ten brushed trough Taiwan.
At least four people died after Typhoon Nock-Ten pounded northern Taiwan with heavy rains and strong winds yesterday.
photo: Tang Sheng-Yang, Taipei Times
Aisan 3rd Road in Keelung suffers the worst flooding since the devastating Typhoon Nari in 2001. Extensive flooding resulting from Typhoon Nock-Ten leaves the usually bustling street deserted.
Mother natures attacks fiercly this year: so far 10 typhoons and 97 earthquakes in Taiwan!
LOCAL DEVASTATION: Heavy rains, flooding and severe winds left their mark on the country as Typhoon Nock-Ten brushed trough Taiwan.
At least four people died after Typhoon Nock-Ten pounded northern Taiwan with heavy rains and strong winds yesterday.
photo: Tang Sheng-Yang, Taipei Times
Aisan 3rd Road in Keelung suffers the worst flooding since the devastating Typhoon Nari in 2001. Extensive flooding resulting from Typhoon Nock-Ten leaves the usually bustling street deserted.
Mother natures attacks fiercly this year: so far 10 typhoons and 97 earthquakes in Taiwan!
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