Breathtaking view of the Milky Way from the surface of Mars

Believing that the mere use of rhetoric brings about drastic changes to our perceptions to many humdrum affairs, I have begun to dedicate more than enough vim to forage materials that plays with semantics, whether it being puns or witty quotes alike. Not only have I observed my steep inclining ability to master the English language over the past years, I am liking the notion of life with more umph in the forms of rendering languages in their most suitable attributes.

It's rarely easy to demonstrate what one's trying to convey, but luckily I came across these!
{1}An ordinary photo with two ordinary brands of cho-co-lates quoting

"Breathtaking view of the Milky Way from the surface of Mars"

A little nip-and-tuck of the caption, and voilà it's a whole new thing.

{2}Old School Vampires - The Armstrong and Miller Show - BBC One


Bluescope Steel in a nutshell

Bluescope SteelFactsheet: (22-23 Aug 2011)

1. Workforce reduction of around 1,000 people, with approximately 800 at Port Kembla and 200 at Western Port.
   It said the impending carbon tax[1] was not a reason for the decision.
2. Blamed the high dollar and soaring imput costs for a $1 billion loss in 2010-11
3. No longer exports steel
4. Exports business was losing money before the GFC[2] hit, before Australian dollar flirted with US$1.10.
5. Restructure includes closure of the No.6 Blast Furnace at Port Kembla (NSW) and the Western Port Hot (VIC)Strip Mill ; Closure of No. 4 cokemaking battery, No. 3 BOS steelmaking furnace and No. 1 slab caster ; mothballing of a metal coating line (MCL5). (22 Aug 11)
6. Export failures due to (1) rise of the price of iron ore and coking coal (2)Australia does not ahve a competitive coastal shipping industry (3) Australian wages are higher than those of workers in Chinese steel mills.   

   " Mr O’Malley said the Company is experiencing an unprecedented combination of economic challenges in the form of a record high Australian dollar, low steel prices and high raw material costs and these challenges are compounded by low domestic steel demand in the wake of the GFC. "- Bluescope ASX Media Release (22 Aug 11)
7. 
   

   Reported a Net Loss After Tax (NLAT) of A$1,054 million for FY2011[3] (underlying NLAT of A$118 million, in line with previous guidance)  

Possible financial compensation via :

1)Carbon Tax – Steel Transformation Plan

"The announcement of the Government’s Steel Transformation Plan (STP) on 10 July 2011, effectively shields BlueScope from any material cost of the Carbon Tax for the first four years of the scheme.

2) BlueScope Australia & New Zealand (BANZ) Restructure

"Following the announcement to restructure the Australian and New Zealand businesses on 10 March 2011 from three businesses into one consolidated business (BANZ), the design and implementation of the restructure is now well advanced and will deliver a more efficient and effective customer interface.

 3) Further Fixed Cost Reductions

"In FY2011, the Company has been able to achieve a further $38 million in fixed cost reductions, whilst successfully maintaining the cumulative savings of $696 million ($340 million in permanent savings and $356 million in temporary savings), based on FY2008 base levels.

Definitions:

[1]A carbon tax is an environmental tax that is levied on the carbon content of fuels. It is a form of carbon pricing. A carbon tax can be implemented by taxing the burning of fossil fuels—coal, petroleum products such as gasoline and aviation fuel, and natural gas—in proportion to their carbon content.

[2] Global Financial Crisis, GFC

[3] FY= financial year

Voluntary redundancies: Acceptance of the termination of employment by an employee on the basis of terms offered by the employer.

媽祖不無聊- 博館兩日參觀之回顧

這次的科博館行本是為最近絲路特展而去的,但因為館內同時也有為"台灣媽祖進香文化" 和"睡眠安全工作"做特展,我們也就很自然的就往裡逛. 走進進香文化展時誤打誤撞剛好有解說,所以我就和老妹不假思索得鑽進人群堆裡當導覽員後的小雞群.

我這一跟,才知道原來媽祖廟的學問非常之有趣.

導覽員跟分析了一些有趣的事情想必多數人是不知道的.

大家應該都知道廟裡千里眼和順風耳吧?千里眼和順風耳是媽祖座前的二大護衛，傳說千里眼有無遠弗屆的視力，所以有人把他的名字叫高明，順風耳可以聽到很遠的地方和微細的聲音，所以叫做高覺。他們兩位被商朝的紂王器重，紂王的對手周武王屢戰屢敗，周武王的軍師姜子牙便想到用黑狗血破解他們的法術，然後把他們殺掉。千里眼和順風耳死後陰魂不散，在一座山下作怪，幾百年來危害附近的居民及路過的百姓。媽祖聽說便要來收服他們為民除害，可是他們兩個不知天高地厚，竟然調戲媽祖，要媽祖做他們的老婆。媽祖於是和他們約定大戰一場，如果媽祖輸了，便當他們的老婆，如果媽祖贏了，他們變得跟隨媽祖救世濟人。媽祖以土剋水(土=山),火剋金,五行相剋的方法打敗了兩個惡怪,從此他們變成了媽祖的左右護法，媽祖的愛心又廣被於百姓。這也就是為什麼當我們看見千里眼的塑像時,他要不是全身都是綠的,就是披著綠色的布料(左下).而順風耳因當時被收服時是被火制伏,所以塑像多呈朱色(右下).



Come follow my new blog!

Having trouble facelifting my old blog, because certain new features only apply to my old blog, so I have decided start a new blog. Here's the link if you're interested...

http://buttercupginger.blogspot.com/

我好喜歡你!

愛一個人的理由是無正解的.

專家們至今仍無法定義為什麼我們指認特定人去愛,而非其他人. 

我個人認為擇偶的準則有跡可循.有空觀察自己周遭的人,你會發現再挑伴侶時,多數人較容易選與自己, 以及與家人近親相似程度高的人.擇"友"也不例外. 你覺得呢?

**我希望發表我的見解前,先聽聽其他人的說法.如果有幸,你剛好經過我的"部落",喜歡我發表的文章,請一定不要客氣給我留言吧! :D   小花

不為寫而寫. 今天的是隨意.

今天是搬進新房間後的三星期又一天左右, 已漸漸的習慣新家的規矩.
不僅此,我也漸漸喜歡上我這庭院後的小房.
午後的陽光透過簾子照進房間,感覺特別舒服溫暖.
因為院後的小房,跟主建築分隔,只要關好門窗,
基本上是聽不見屋裡嘈雜的聲音,
我特別喜愛這樣幽靜的感覺.
你呢?

照我這房間狹小的格局-
只夠放張單人床,桌椅,木頭書櫃,
及角落一個人寬的衣櫥, 及地板瓷磚看來,
這間原本應該是間儲具室.



房東是個男同性戀,
他給人的第一印象是他那
矮小纖細的身材,膚色偏黑帶黃(我認為他看起來不怎麼健康).
因年紀近50, 參差的白髮不易忽略.
常擦著指甲油,週六頂著假髮出門"趴踢",
撈叨程度不輸媽媽,
講電話時發出比講話還要高八度的笑聲,
要求每個人都要清這清那的(大多在我能接受的範圍內),
剛搬來第二週就見識到他潑婦罵街的能力,
總的看來,我只能說他的行為舉止一點也不輸典型的女性.



同性戀的議題我一直很感興趣.
也因此我有此殊榮能住進一間同性戀伴侶家,
窺探並研究人類的奧秘.
我個人非常愛嘗鮮,所以這正好...

媚俗

就是過份遷就迎合受眾，以作態取悅大眾的行為，而且要討最大多數人好的一種態度，為了討好，就必需確定什麼是大家都想聽的，必須為固有的觀念服務。

台灣的未來呢?

我因為高一就在國外念書,我為求精進英文表達能力,在住進第一個寄宿家庭裡時開始培養了閱報的習慣.住進去的首要考量是英文及住房空間,老"佔"住堂姊家客廳,二來是增加自己的語言環境.我毅然決然的在高一剛開學沒多久那年,就搬進一對擁有一雙年約六-九歲兒子的老夫婦家,男主人是二度結婚六十餘歲,且頭髮灰白的人,而女主人則是染著金短髮有鷹勾鼻的女士.笑起來瞇眼的樣子總讓我聯想起童話故事,白雪公主動畫裡的老巫婆,只差髮色不同,鼻上沒有肉瘤.

好了,應該言歸正傳.我今天的主題並不是敘述住第一個寄宿家庭的種種瑣事.我要提的是我接觸的第一份市售報紙. 當時住的家裡訂閱的是與香港的太陽報屬同公司的The Herald Sun--The Sun News-Pictorial的前身. 據我語言學校的老師說,他是比大眾運輸站裡常發的Mx還要在高一個水平,但仍是給識字率稍低的人看的.我雖然只是隨便聽聽,但還是把這個訊息牢牢鎖在腦中.

不以為意的我,為了發揮我偵探的本能,逐漸開始研究並找出證實老師說的理由. 當初剛進學校,語言能力實在不足,連被語言學校老師斥的Mx都還不能上我"能輕鬆閱讀"的報紙榜.但漸漸的,到了高中,從The Herald Sun讀到The Age,再從之讀到The Australian,我才漸漸有辦法見證老師說的話.The Herald的差異在於社論的版面小,且多以圖片代替文字.而The Australian則多半以文字闡述代替.所以文字版面相對的減少.

澳洲報以識字率及知識水平為前提出版.反觀台灣的報紙,則有相當大的區別.相信大家都已心知肚明.無論是翻開自由時報還是中國時報;旺報還是台灣時報,大家不免都會讀到目前執政黨及在野黨的新聞,光是國家財政新聞就得耗上五~七個版面.想不被洗腦,多多少少也會被影響.我就是其中之一. 有時會為之而感嘆僅能眼巴巴的看著一年年的流逝.我二十了,仍對此束手無策. 我個人認為,沒法確立自己國家的身分,等於是在當個願打願挨的足球場皮球.甘願不被重視,也不要惹怒週邊的大家長們.但我們的下一代越來越多書呆子,四眼田雞,"肉腳"程度不輸甕中鱉,以後的台灣可能等不到兩岸互相確立即承認彼此關係,自己就先夭折. 誰來為我們的利益把關呢?哪天從空氣中消失,會有人來關心我們嗎?

處於弱勢的我們,教育的根基更不能少. Wiki就寫到,台灣識字率是97.3%,在已開發國家中那些排名19,識字率99%的國家比,偏低. 教育不能再單向思考.小學就要開始建立雙向甚至多項思維能力.我認為以下幾點正是點出教改應走的的取向:

1. 不要再愚昧的認為以"我的家" "我最敬愛的老師" "遠足的感想"等作文題目,就足夠打發六年級的學生.
2. 教育部應該多在教改上多下功夫.擬考試出題指標,公開給師生家長參考,減低大家對讀的版本不夠而考不到好學校而連累所有與教育扯上關係的人.
3. 再者,應廢除老師的公職位,及享有免付稅的權利.領公職薪水,多半是引導機關辦事成效不彰的誘因. 許多"老"老師,生病請假,懶得改學生作業等,樣樣來. 老師並不用心經營自己的崗位.

蝴蝶效應是非常可觀的,因此教育也不容忽視.請關心台灣未來的大家三思.

這是輸血的基本常識,你知道了嗎?

我每天早晨的例行公事不是刷牙,洗臉,梳頭,而是到門前拿報紙看.
說來好像我很不注重個人形象,但對我著雜食性閱讀者來說,早上能即時配報紙吃飯是件相當重要且幸福的事. 看看社論,政治及生活新聞,多方涉獵,只要能激發我潛在的創作力,邏輯思考能力或基本常識的我都在所不惜. 但別誤會,我並未打算撰寫書籍餬口,而是想為我這荒廢已久的部落格想題材,也藉機磨練我寫作的筆法.*因為我的作文真的很糟*.但也就是拜自己寫作無能之賜,我閱讀的動力非常足.閱讀功夫也逐日躍進.

大概是漸漸習慣的養成,一天沒看書好似與世界脫軌,手癢癢的.非得去翻它幾回.
今天也不例外.
翻到生活版頁時,讀到一則關於直系輸血的新聞.
標題醒目的寫著: 「直系血親不宜輸血?偶像劇演對了」.
這樣新鮮的事實,我還是第一次知道.我的目光就此在標題前打住.
我也就如往常一樣,找出事由的端倪.
原來,數位網友認為在「下一站,幸福」裡飾演媽媽的安以軒及飾演爸爸的吳建豪,欲捐血給兒子遭醫師以直系血親不得輸血為由婉拒極為荒唐,所以才因此意外引發影迷間的熱烈迴響.

就國內幾位血液醫學專家指出,編劇情節確認屬實,直系間輸血的確可能引發「移植物抗宿主」的嚴重疾病.台灣病情嚴重性雖約莫只有二%,且家庭發生此疾病的也只佔一%,但據馬偕的林媽利醫師指出,一旦發生便無藥可解,死亡機率非常高,仍須防範.

此一疾病因輸入之血液之淋巴球的排斥患者體內的血液,而移植物內抗體對患者產生攻擊致死.與「乞丐趕廟公」的意境雷同. 但若一時找不到血,直系親屬之血液經放射後,方得緊急輸血.直系輸血並不比檢驗過關的血液安全.

最初被認為是戲中常見的血型認親橋段,經過專家們的細心引導,子虛烏有的異議到此終結. 我腦中的健康書庫架上,又多了一本實用的書. 花短短的三分鐘就又多了一項生存的本能,時間與獲利的衡量下,我覺得很值得. 希望你們也這麼認為嚕! :)

官邸花卉展.漂亮ㄋㄟ~ (一)

姑且先不談從考場回來的故事.
我想很想分享一下上星期天,也就是13號,去官邸的趣聞及照片

故事是這樣的....
星期六傍晚,老爸工作太忙,本來預計當天晚上坐高鐵上台北的我們,打算改隔天早上出發,好讓老爸能睡夠再上路. 雖然仍坐高鐵北上,老爸原訂到台北拿學分的打算就此取消,因此本次北上的唯一目的僅只看外婆及舅舅一家人.

搭高鐵時...
老妹無聊之餘,學我看前座口袋的高鐵雜誌.初看時最左邊的小姐工作裙上有一大塊明顯的油漬,以為是攝影師故意製造的效果,但後來跟我座前那本比了之後,才知道原來不然. 誤會反成"笑果" :)
---->
因為當時在烏日搭高鐵已8旬,到台北已約11點多,老爸就建議去外婆家開車不遠處的行天宮去拜拜,卻因為我和老妹倆的反對票而改去官邸一遊.

當天炙熱無比,我那帽子的卡其色帽緣抵擋不住烈日,所幸老媽和外婆都有先見之明,各帶了支"雨"傘,我們才免於過度曝曬以致皮膚紅.沿官邸一路,有許多外籍人士及幾個在熱天下賣"麻糬"和"鴿蛋串"的小販,看了簡直讓我全身發燙. 怎會有這麼多人腦筋線路短路呢? 好在不是所有攤位老闆頭腦線路都接錯,有一攤就是在賣冰檸檬和冰酸梅汁,但僅此一攤. 希望那些外國人不會因此留下-台灣人都是群腦筋秀逗的人-的印象才好.


官邸門附近,環著許多奇怪的黃花.

官邸門口,則菊花滿目,各色品種以帽狀呈現,很特別.

沿大理石路走,左有兩邊都有花看
更有官邸咖啡供歇腳.每每看到照片內的Shine Cafe總令我捧腹. 跟中文一點都不搭嘎嗎~
下面這張是老妹幫我拍的, 我滑稽的戴著那頂皺到不行的帽子,非常適合站Shine Cafe前拍照.拍照時發生了段小插曲. 一位好心的捲髮媽媽上前警告我們別抱著那電燈桿拍照,說那種有電的都很危險.我心想...挖~這樣抱就危險,那修理高壓電線那些工人叔叔怎麼辦.不過還是要謝謝那位好心的媽媽拉~

今天 是考"兆"日!

15.12.09
今天是考駕照第一天-筆試日.我6.30早早就到考場準備搭車去豐原監理站. 先是排隊領駕訓班的號碼牌,等了會兒就坐上駕訓班的大遊覽車,搖搖晃晃得做到目的地. 考試程序及簡單,到場有駕訓班派的小姐幫忙分發准考證,進考試間時間考原審對身分證准考證後,便就坐.翻開考試卷,寫沒幾分鐘後就發現有種被欺騙的感覺.平日辛辛苦苦背的罰鍰金額居然沒有再試卷裡出現,連吊扣駕牌照的題目也只有零星的幾題,根本就沒有向駕訓班的模擬題一樣複雜. 未因此掉以輕心,我反倒檢查了三遍左右,才願意離考場喝老媽買的豆漿.

窸窸窣窣的... 我沒膽檢視自己沒把握的題目,喝完就往廁所去小避裝忙,梳梳頭髮在廁所裡來回踱了幾步才肯回等待區. 回去只見大家起身,小姐宣佈"大家都過了只有7號沒有..." 乎~好險!我飛快的往樓梯方向飛奔下樓,搭上巴士心中輕快無比. 鑒於教練早上囑咐如果有通過,回駕訓班要去照他,我不假思索的再次以輕快的步伐下巴士,搶先去廁所小解後往平時練車的場地走去,去忘了剛陪車的小姐說成績會在公布欄上,下了樓才想到. 這時,想趕上樓去看成績時,對面走來的一個只有點頭之交的學員.我就趕緊問她是不是要到樓上辦公室查成績, 她說"ㄟˊ,你坐我後面不是嗎?你考100" . 我愣一下,心想...是我嗎? 我有不確定的題目阿,有可能是我嗎?...但我就為多問,說了聲"是ㄡ"就跟她齊向教練的方向走去...


16.12.09
先陰雲,再來飄下的是陣陣夾帶著風的毛毛雨...今天早上的太陽實在很不爭氣.7.35AM我人到駕訓班等待下一關的路考了,它仍家裡賴床. 雖然一早就下雨不是什麼好徵兆,但因為雨很快得就停了.所以也就沒有太忌諱.凡是雨過必天晴嗎.

已8.00AM了,二場的考官已到,但遲遲未見我們一區考官的蹤影.教練就開始和我們閒聊,說那監考二區的考官騎的是"超重型機車",我頓時鬆了口氣. 換句話說我們碰不到比他更挑剔嚴苛的考官,再糟也不會比一張張無辜坐在長綠凳上不知情的二區考生還要慘. 又是個好兆.

雖然寒風未因考試而稍歇,微微的陽光卻還是悄悄得從雲朵間隙裡滲透出.好巧不巧,考官來了,一區第一組先開,再來就輪到第二組第一棒奶茶大姊出擊,姑且先這樣稱呼因為她很海派得得請了三位學員,包括我在內各一杯清涼消暑的飲料,我卻沒有).但很不幸的奶茶大姊第一關因為S型不小心壓線(-32分),而只好放棄. 這次的霉兆並沒因此讓我魂飛魄散,反而讓我更加鎮定.坐進車後,我不疾不徐得將那鬆得失去彈性的安全帶繫上,調整椅帶長度然後把過長的部分塞在椅墊下,開上我慣聽的電台,就發動了車準備向第一關邁進.

啟動後我心中順口得唸著開車的步驟"對到線後方向盤轉一圈半,前進後在黑色線下停,在一圈半向右...",就在要向右轉時,考場的扣分鈴響了,我當下想著這下完了,頭眩暈了一下方才回神.看見考官正從上一個考生的車上探出頭來緊盯著我看,我這才會意剛剛聽到的是別人的鈴聲.我就迅速的輕釋煞車踏板,快速的按照原先既定的排練順序開,很快得一關關都通過,考官在三關倒車入庫出來時跳進我的車內要我繼續往下關走.踏進車內還不忘問我叫什麼. 我納悶著,心想"不是准考單上就有我的名字嗎,幹嘛還要我說呢?" 但我為了不要因為恍神太久,被誤為停車而被扣分,我還是迅速得以迴轉方向盤,駛向爬坡路段.考官則在我到直線關-暫停後行駛前下了車,丟下一句"你開車要速度要一致,不然在外開車會追撞."對考官突如其來的評語,我的心又再次糾結,但沒辦法回應,只好再次得駛向下關,然至終點,再來第一考區. 總算平安度過多重關卡,過於興奮期待而有草刺感的末隻也隨之恢復原來的知覺. 今天最終任務就是去櫃檯左方的布告欄那兒,拍下昨天的豐功偉業....然後踏著輕鬆的步伐,往回家的路前進.

想家 想哭 想當個暫時的鴕鳥

最近幾天心情都很複雜...我想大概是因為最近功課排山倒海得湧來,有些措手不及吧.接二連三的日文小考要準備和機械及數學作業要交. 唉~雖然已經動筆寫了,但是就是寫不出個所以然,讓我上週和這週心情都處於糾結的狀態,困惑之餘卻找不到對象來發洩一下情緒.只好三不五時,自己一個人去餐廳吃飯解燜 讓自己透透氣,作一點冥想好調解一下腦裡複雜的情緒.

真不知道哪天才能跟白馬王子?組個家庭也好 我好希望有個人可以依靠,談心,隨時笑臉迎接我回家...

我朋友聽到我說這些,就問我是不是思春了,怎麼突然接起想談感情的線路. 我其實也不明白,但是我意識到這種常態通常在我心情低落的時候出現.大概是覺得自己離家太遙遠了,想在雪梨尋找另一個異鄉的歸宿. 也就是因此,我推論我戀家的程度比自己想像的還要在高許多. 記得小時候出國去日本玩, 爸爸常跟媽媽說我是個不折不扣的不戀家女,常常東跑西跑的. 喜歡走在一群人前頭,或著是去牽親戚的叔叔 姑姑 阿姨 伯伯走,就是不願意多待在爸爸身邊久一些,只到 姑姑 阿姨 等親不願意掏錢幫我買東西時,才認老爸. 我承認的確記得有幾次都覺得父親走得太慢而感到丟臉,且在一次非常想要拋棄式相機時藉口要爸爸買,但後來卻還是覺得虧欠了爸爸,沒有在旅途多陪陪他們,卻不時到處亂竄而感慚愧.

那時我六歲.

已經對人情世故有依稀的理解的我, 家庭帶給我的喜悅及溫暖已不陌生了. 但真正的體悟到無私的愛之其珍貴卻是到了出國之後才開始. 雖然遺憾沒辦法永遠和家人相處,但就是因為如此...我才能了解家人在我心中的地位. 還有珍惜和他們相處的時光. 我愛你們 !

今日的自我勉勵:
芳妤 要振作阿 別把不順心的事小是看做是絆腳石...
這些阻力是你再接再力的原動力.
一直是如此,以後也是如此. 加油!

p.s.我中文的寫作邏輯雖不是頂尖的,但想必日後的練習會改善我語無倫次的日記寫法

This Chapter's called...The beginning of the A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS #14

Although it has been over 8months since I have first set foot in Sydney, it seems like yesterday, that I have just arrived to this large city full of night lights and night life, which I haven't yet come to adjust to. I think it was the initial bad impression of Sydney, that makes me want to head back to Melbourne- where every thing seems so familar and everyone seems so much nicer.
My jouney to Sydney was made set, when I have recieved the letter from Victoria Tertiary Admission Centre(also know as VTAC). Although it was not an impressive result, as I have suspected a much higher result, I was fortunate to have been offered a place in Sydney. Pleased being offered, I am more than willing to start something new in a new city that gives me more hope and opportunity then that of what I have asked for. At the time of the day when I have made up my mind, I booked a return ticket and reserved a 2-day hotel in Chippendale, Sydney and went on the plane the next day at seven(because the early tickets were cheaper), and straight to Sydney, which I have suspected to be pleasant and nice journey, but turns out I was wrong.

My flight to Sydney was an urgent one, mainly because I have an international flight home to catch within 2days, so quick that before I leave, I have to make sure that I would be able to apply for the university right away. After a restless night and an early morning flight for 1.15 hrs, I was really exhausted, that I would rather collapse on the bed then to do anything that day. My conscience made me stay awake.It was a bit of a tumble trying to find the hotel I was about to stay, but no later than 30min-ride on the Taxi under pouring rain and heavy traffic, I have safely arrived to my destination.
It was from that point onwards that my life had made a significant turn to its worse. The blonde receptionist(a man of his thirties), who was suppose to inform the cleaners to clean the room before I arrive had failed to do so. He told me that it would be a good half an hour until I could move in my hand lugagges (with the tone of pride), which I was most reluctant to do, so I asked him whether the room it's possible if the cleaners could do my room first, which he said it wouldn't happen, so I was again reluctant to be leave my luggages behind in order to get some breakfast from the nearby coffee shops. (biscuits and drinks are to be bought on the plane if required)
The weather, as I have mentioned, was bad, real bad that you couldn't tell where the Sun was. It was near 10am when my room was cleaned, and I was given only ONE swipe card...(p.s. everything seems wrong in that place...the ppl...the service...everything).......(to be continued)

This Chapter is called the boring chapter you would never read~

I’ve taken numerous photos of Sydney CBD, since I last got my maroon-coloured camera from dad during the holidays. I was so eager to show off my camera skills, that I bring my camera along with me almost everywhere- and yes, that includes the time when I’m in the toilets! ! ( lol I won’t go into detail, as it is most unpleasant when you’re trying to eat, swallow or digest food you just took a bite of) haha…jokes. Anyway, back to what I was saying. I was rather pleased with my touch-screen camera that I have decided to spend more time on it. I have now organised trips around Sydney areas on a weekly basis, and have started mapping out my two-week holiday in September, to either Queensland or Central Australia, since last Friday.
I’m so psyched about the idea of travelling that I hope, just hoping, that I could work whilst travelling, and still get paid well in the future. I’m sure anyone would die for a dream job like this, but I am certain that such job would come with a price. Surely, this sort of position would only be given to those who are highly skilled-acquiring certain standards of proficiency in various languages and experience in travelling is a definite yes in the résumé, photo manipulation and processing ability, interpersonal skills and immense lots to include, nevertheless, I have continued my Japanese and English at uni , and as mentioned previously, I have plans for my travel ,down under and at home, so maybe one day I just might get that dream job I am thinking of. My parents told me that my dowry is the education they gave me- the express ticket to the world- although I doubt that I would ever be competent enough to stand alone like a confident individual, resembling the almost parentless child in the orphanage after four years life in Australia, I do agree that education in certain ways, do prepare me to the unpredictable future…..(cont’d)

Journey back and forth

This is my eighth time back to Australia after a long return home (Taiwan), I was as exhausted as usual. Feeling stiff and tired after being seated in the small compartment chair, it was a great relief to know that I was about to stand on hard soil after a maddening double 6 hrs flight from Taipei to Singapore and then from Singapore to Sydney. Even though there was a small 40-minute break at Chengchi Terminal, my butt could still barely able to bare my weight few hours after the plane took off. I felt myself supporting my body only with the ‘tips’ of my butt. I believe all you who had been overseas before would know, how it feels like staying in this position for a lasting few hours without moving. Another reason for my soaring butt would be from the constant feeding, by the flight attendants, of high carbohydrate food every few hours, which made me, gain more than a kilo after I’ve arrived to the destination. I have long learnt that the only few things I would do on a flight, would be those of the boring ones you could think of, that is, being fed with food, watch movies, drift off to sleep; and back to food, more movies, and then back again to the head nodding. Maybe a few times to the lavatory, but that's pretty much what I’ve been doing in the past few hours.
I have wondered how much time I’ve spent travelling over the past 4 yrs down under and many more times somewhere else in the world and the times I’ve spent doing nothing, but sitting to rot and daydream. A surge of guilt arose in me, and I’ve thought about making use of my time, but I couldn’t seem to come up with a perfect solution. I’ve tried reading books and completing Sudoku’s during my time of absentmindedness, but my mind seemed to get sidetracked easily, wondering off thinking about the meaning of life, and wondered what I would do if I have the chance to start over everything. I have recently encountered a death of my pseudo aunt’s sister [I met my pseudo aunty purely by fate. It’s one of the best things that have ever happened to me]. She suffocated by the sudden incoming flood from the nearby riverbank, while asleep, and was breathless after the members of the fire brigades from the surrounding county had arrived for the rescue, when the fully equipped brigade nearby with underwater supplies, copped-out. She could have survived if it wasn’t for the conscience lacking people who dare see others die in front of them without making an effort to help [they could have at least called other divisions to rush over for assistance, rather doing nothing after the incident’s being reported 1.5hrs ago]. [*There was more to the story. This was just part of it]. Her death brought pain to those loved her dearly and reminded me that life’s short. It also reminded me that the process of the things achieved and done is more important than the results received, and that what really matters is how you live life.
“You never know when impermanence would come before life”, so “live life to the fullest and finish everyday without regrets!!”
Speaking of not regretting what I have done, I actually regretted not being able to successfully introduce my country Taiwan to the taxi driver who drove me back to my Uni apartment. As many wouldn’t know, like the driver that we aren’t part of China and we have our separate ruling system, and that we are located on the Pacific Ocean. South to Japan, East to China, West to North America, and North to Philippines. I have failed to address that I’m proud to be in a country with leading computer technology and that we are like any other well developed country, where citizens are entitled a vote every four years for their presidents and voice opinions when ever and where ever we want without worrying the consequences of such act, as long as we do not break the law. We have one of the world’s fastest rail and we have various kinds of food that are uniquely Taiwanese, but I have failed to address these all, but fell silent in the back seat without mentioning any. My regrets bring me motivations, and motivations encourage me to write more on the blog, so someday Taiwan could be made famous because of my little effort writing the blog. China claimed to be the owner of “Formosa”, but I strongly disagree. Taiwan might have been China’s land centuries ago, but I doubt they ever wanted us when we were merely a somebody in the world. They are reluctant to make advances to improve the living status of Taiwan long time back and had abandoned this beautiful green island for the welfares of the governments who are heavily involved in briberies. No doubt that Taiwan’s culture is of the like to China, Taiwan has evolved into a culture and system different to what many think they knew….
To be continued…
P.S. I hate to be politic orientated, but the history of Taiwan involves politics. Lots and lots of politics.
P.P.S. I have attached a few photos along with this post. Their all photos of my random snapshots while I’m in Taiwan and some from the airport, enjoy!!
P.P.P.S. Photos are all from my red BenQ cam my dad bought me recently. I have to thank my dad for being so generous to me. 

It's Exiciting to be a Starter!!

I've been dreaming to travel ever since I was little, but I never really knew how to make it come true, so I've decided to set out this blog to begin my dreams. Using this as a pictorial diary, I'll be sharing photos on places I've set foot on, and fill anyone who's interested in my story.This is a little step in my life journey and one tiny task in the billionth dreams I've made list of, but it's always great to give anything a head start. I'll be updating this as often I could, but there's no guarantee that I would.