Truer than Fiction

With the recent comment from an Italian Catholic priest, that Father Christmas is just like Snow White and Cinderella - they are all fables, said to have ruined millions of children's Christmas. The first thing that came to my mind was: isn't Christmas a fictional celebration of a fable character from a book as well?

Everything that has been said about Catholicism and Christianity has been based on a book and millions of different interpretations of it. Scientifically, there is limited finding of whether Jesus was an actual person or not. As for Father Christmas, like Jesus, it is also a made-up character. However, the real person that it is based on is Saint Nicholas, who was indeed a real person. As for whether those miracles really happened, well, it's up to the people to interpret.

So once the facts of everything has been considered, there is really no need for the children to be upset because what they believe is most likely to be truer than what the religious people believe.

And a Happy Christmas to you too!

Birthday Girl

As another birthday quietly approaching, I found myself face to face with the reality of changing. Especially from the changes of friends to career and mentality, it seems apparent that they are the changes for a better me.

With the upcoming celebration, instead of calling up or meeting people for the invitation, I'm using Facebook. The result hasn't been great, for some reason, those who I thought were 'friends' would just simply click on 'not attending' without a message saying anything else. Frankly, I didn't think it was that big of a deal at first, but then I put myself in their shoe and to someone whom I haven't seen for a long time and they've invited me to their party and I'm not going, I'd definitely at least leave a message about why I can't make it and hopefully catch up soon. But not even those who I call 'really good friends' left anything... it's really quite heartbreaking and saddening to be confronted by the all mighty Facebook.

Despite whatever reason there is, looking back a year ago, things were different, and looking back to all my birthdays, things have always changed. And I have to say, they are changing for the better, not because of my friends aren't my friends anymore but it seems that I'm more opened up with people and hopefully, the parties I have have improved year on year.

I guess we'll just have to see what comes out of this year's and determine if my prediction about improvement has been accurate. Wish me luck!

Unserious Revolution

Yesterday, I revisited the Taipei Museum of Fine Art for its Biennial exhibition and was pleasantly surprised and fulfilled.

The personal main attractions were the documentary and artwork of the protest for the G8 Summit during the Genoa 2001 to 2003 in Geneva, and a hoax interview of the Dow Chemicals spillage in India with the BBC and the Survivaball for Halliburton at the Catastrophic Loss Conference in Florida in 2006 by The Yes Men.

From my understanding of art is that it's fluid and expressive, and documentaries have now entered a new realm into being one of the art forms that people start to accept.

At the museum, many were people between 20-30 years of age, which is quite exciting to see. Because in a place like Taiwan, where men mostly lack of masculinity and women act like girls, where democratic party members act like mobsters and nationalists act like sophisticated politicians, these visitors to this subculture contemporaries seem like a ray of hope for the unsophisticated bunch of Taiwanese people.

I believe the making of Taiwanese revolution for true democracy can happen from the chuckles of silly westerners in inflated balloon suits.

Handcuffs and Blowhorns

“Long live Taiwan!” and “Political persecution!”

The biggest news in the history of Taiwan has to be from this year. Besides the Chinese envoy being attacked by a group of protesting mobs and the high-voltage-security visit from the top rank Chinese official, the real king of the news has to be Mr. Chen Shui-bien, Taiwan's former president for two consecutive terms, 2000-2008.

Chen was detained by the DA for alleged in the money laundering scandal that revolves around his son, son-in-law and wife. The view on the detention is polarized by the public. The independent party supporters, DPP, which Chen belongs to, accuse this as being a 'political maneuver' by the nationalist party, KMT, the party in power.

When the Chinese envoy arrived at Taipei to meet with the Taiwanese president, Ma Ying-jeou, the DPP supporters held many rallies saying that Ma is a sell-out of Taiwan by inviting the official to Taiwan and the police for using excessive force among civilians during the Chinese envoy's visit.

It is definitely reasonable to hold the powerful into account, however, the rallies and protests that the DPP has been holding have been merely properganda slogans with no hard evidence or logical reasonings. The only reasons they've presented have been "Ma is a sell-out of Taiwan", "Chen is a policial scapegoat".

Being a democratic country is to accept different stances in the society for having conherent argument and debates. But so far, the oppositional voices have been nothing more than a circus with loud blowhorns.

Bendy Cucumbers

Wanna Bite?

The recent EU overrule of irregular shaped fruits and veg have caused a stir in my prolific brain. The decision was said to have cut unnecessary red tapes among the EU Committee. However, what good does it do when the red tape itself was unnecessary in the first place?

A contrast of this excessive ruling would be China's recent scandal of tainted milk, animal feed, soy products and god knows what. Look at the great Middle Kingdom that fostered 1 billion people, the look of the food is not an issue, but the taste. The goal of most Chinese people's everyday life is to put food on the table, whether it is funny shaped carrots, oversized cabbages, or formaldehyde preserved tofu, they will make it taste good.

If the decision from the EU were to be passed, maybe the Chinese would be the beneficiary of all this. Instead of having poisonous foods, Europe will import their screwed-up fresh produce to China and China can ship their contamination to Africa or other deprived countries. Now THAT'S free trade working at its full gear.

The Children is all Evils

Like Lord of the Flies, children can really be cruel to each other by the nature of human beings, hence the last post.

Ever since I started teaching, I've noticed the potential of children of being evil to each other. Today, the last straw that crushed a tough little 8 year-old was made by the whole class of 11-year-olds, by stuffing trash into her drawer.

As naive as it might sound, this was made by over a month of abuse by an alfa-female student in the class, who is not only articulate, but also smart. Sharp little comments would slip from her cherry lips, sly little stares would glare from her metal framed glasses. The 8-year-old target with pig-tails and chubby cheeks is always defenseless with with her game-eyes, staring at me with helplessness and whimpering sighs.

The observation and warning have gone out into notice, however, it seemed to have failed as today the game-eyed girl laid her head on the desk with blank worksheets under her arms. She burst out crying as others pointed out her incompetence. She then wailed herself out of the classroom as the dumbfounded faces hidden with accomplishment watched with interest.

After a few minutes, failing to console the child, I returned to the classroom alone and asked about what had happened. No one dared to speak. Only the 11-year-old girl triumphing under the flash of her glasses silently. As the truth finally revealed when the chubby girl blurted out the incident with breathlessness mixed with spits and coughs, the children remained silent. "What a bunch of wusses, " I thought.

A lecture of 'don't do to others if you don't want it done to you' took place afterwards by the admin. Some children were full of remorse, yet the 11-year-old girl still remained her cool, turned and apologized to the chubby girl with a slight cunning grin. The class went on, and we all know who will be in trouble again.

The wonders of evil

The nature of people isn't pleasant. In my mind, we learn to live together because within the years of evolution, it seems to be the best way to survival. However, it doesn't mean that we're innately cooperative or compassionate.

Despite the usual homicide or psycho killers, people tend to act upon group psychology. Watching the 911 incident on tv or live, having the media coming in your ears about it 24-7. It's hard not to be hypnotized with the idea of sympathy and abhorrent by the deeds of terrorists.

Or the image of a child dying on the Oxfam commercial, urging people to donate money to the Africans, the sympathy seems to be synthicised by the image and the solemn voice of, "They need your help" and generated by guilt that we've all sinned.

A roadside accident in a sunny morning with bleeding couple twitching in the bus lane showed the horror of passerbys rather than any immediate rescue. Their lingering eyes simply cannot peel away from the gruesomeness of the sight when nothingness fills their brain.

Fear is the drive of humanity, not sympathy. We think the differentiation from us to chimps is compassion, and yet we steal, murder and betray far more than those that are in the animal kingdom. And those are, ironically, the elements that built our superior society. Some say humans have soul, and yet the 'soul' we have generated more hatred and selfishness than serenity or peace.

From this soul and brain that we equip, have taken us to the civilisation that we now obtain, and soon, to the destruction that lies ahead.

Bali dream

Whenever I go on a holiday, the withdraw of the vacation will always occur within the few days of returning. Normally, first the sensation of disorientation upon awakening, then it's the dreams of wanting to leave would probably last for a few days.

So far, being back for the third day, my dream hasn't been more vivid, the sensation of escaping has never been so strong. The smell, sound, taste and touch of the place back in three days ago still linger, the nerves on my skin still transmit the sensation of the wooden table and grainy dried sea water to the brain - the continuation of a vacation.

To quench this thirst and relive that moment, I decided to go to the pool nearby. With the scent of the sunscreen lotion I lathered myself with and the skimpy outfit for the trip, I was all the same but the destination was far from the poolside of Bendesa, Kuta, aside from the screaming kids.

As I read the lent book, Anansi Boys, these flea-like flying bugs kept biting, my skin swell and subsided. The pages turned, water splashed, sun shone and yet, there was no surprises, no expectations, all familiar.

Then there was an air drill, so everyone had to come indoor and wait for 30 minutes. As I waited with my music in my ear while watching families stuffing their face with instant noodles, fries with chilli and cheese, then washing it down with hydrated tea powder, I was slammed back into the reality that I am no longer in Bali.

Now looking at the unpacked bag, empty house, silent room, I'll have another slumber of my Bali dream.

A flash in the pan

As the AP reported, China is cracking down on child labour. At first, I thought it's another story of the west condemning the east with their own legal standards, like those so-called animal rights.

The fact is, these minor workers were forced to factories and particularly "by their parents to gangs who in turn sold them off to employment agencies or directly to factories hundreds of miles from their homes". As cruel as it sounds, what about going to the rural areas and ask the families who are struggling under the poverty line while threatened by the ever so booming economy of China in losing their land or ways of living.

The trickle down effect seems to be doing rather bad than good for them as an effect of how the system works. Moreover, according to Epoch Times, the rural poverty has worsen by the "dysfunctional public services", especially on medi-care and education. "The huge burden of medical expenses, in particular, changes rural poverty for the worse."

As for the benefits that are being adjusted and provided to the poor, the Chinese government stated in its 2008 Report on China Central and Rural Budget that, "In the central and western regions the standard for funding assistance from the central budget will be raised from 20 yuan to 40 yuan per person per year."

However, migrant workers are exempted from the benefits due to a government policy called Hukuo, introduced in the 50's, purposefully restricting and controlling the moving of rural people to urban areas.

In the dawn of the biggest game, China is slowly understanding and revealing its faults and ability in changing. The knowledge of protest, busting child labour, increasing the subsidies of the farmers and food safety have shown that the red dragon has a potential of changing for the better, though it might just be "a bloom of the night-blooming cereus (曇花一現)" or in English --- a flash in the pan.

Back to the 60's, people!

A true heroine

"Oppose splittism, Protect stability, Encourage development" is the new China slogan for the Tibetans in its new reeducation programme coming soon near you in Tibet.

According to the report from Taipei Times, an English daily based in Taipei, "China has stepped up so-called 'patriotic campaigns' in monasteries in Tibet requiring Tibetan Buddhist monks to denounce the Dalai Lama and declare their loyalty to Beijing." Reminiscing the 60's?

Other than that, there is the new red army movement in full speed equipped with not Mao's little red book but the little red mouse. As a result, with their 'patriotism', Ms Wang, a Duke University student and a Han Chinese, is now the 'traitor' and the number one enemy of the whole China because of her outspokenness for the Tibetans during the Free-Tibet demonstration in San Francisco.

As a result, not only her parents' names, address in China, and her background information are exposed, her life may also be in danger. Massive amount of anti-Wang blogs and forums sprouted since her exposure from the demonstration and all of them contain vows to take her blood.

Supposedly, Tibet was the trigger, though what caused this increasing hatred from China to the rest of the world is obviously from the past residue during the Mao and Dung era. Nevertheless, all the Chinese people's argument on how the western media has so far failed to be coherent.

I really can't agree with those so-called democrats who urge China to give greater freedom to Tibetans, or raise the issue of Darfur.

Look at what the US and UK have done to Iraq. Will these people protest over the London Olympic Games? --- student, China

A fallacious argument - (Red Herring) two wrongs make a right. (Yes, I did wiki it but I do remember it from H's class.)

In conclusion, the Chinese individuals need to understand that standing up for the ignorance of your government, who repeatedly fails to admit and learn from its failures from history, would make you seem ever more dumb and backwards, not the western criticisms.

The Olympic Hopefuls

As I was doing some research with my upcoming interview with the Chinese, Taipei (Taiwan) Olympics team, there was a burning urge to jolt down these questions:

"Do you think of the Olympics being more than just an international sporting event?"

"What do you think of the French president boycotting the opening ceremony due to the uprising in Tibet? What do you think of Ma's (our president-to-be) previous comment on boycotting the Olympics if the issue in Tibet does not lighten up?"

"Do you remember that in 1976 Taiwan too boycotted the Olympics because Canada, the country that was holding the event, refused our name of entry as 'Republic of China'?"

Also in 1976, due to pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC), Canada told the team from the Republic of China (Taiwan) that it could not compete at the Montreal Summer Olympics under the name "Republic of China" despite a compromise that would have allowed Taiwan to use the ROC flag and anthem. The Republic of China refused and as a result did not participate again until 1984, when it returned under the name "Chinese Taipei" and used a special flag.

When I found this passage on Wikipedia, I was elated, however, as I evaluated the whole incident, I came to realise that we didn't boycott it because we believed something but we were merely banned from our former name. Under the pressure from the PRC, we had to change our name to enable our athletes to compete in such great international event.

Like most countries, it's understandable that most of the athletes would be reluctant to pull out from the Olympics since that's what they've worked so hard for all their lives, and it would definitely be a pity for a place that its existence has been denied in so many parts of the world like Taiwan, to miss out another international event.

And despite the Olympics, most of Taiwan's athletes have a rather gloomy future in comparison to most advanced countries.

For most of them, except baseball players, no professional teams or programmes are available after they've finished their university or grad school. Many have voiced their concerns in upon their Olympics laurels. Chen Szu-yuan, an archery silver medallist in 2004 Athens Olympics said,

"My only worry is that next year I will graduate from graduate school and I will have to find a job. If my job doesn't allow me to train, then my archery career will come to an end. Taiwan has sponsors for table tennis, badminton and baseball. People are hired as staff members, but they are allowed to focus on training. I hope this can happen for archery as well."

Therefore, it is not so surprising to find them unwilling to pass on the opportunity for the Olympics, for it may also be their only chance to land on a contract with a big sports brand like Nike and secure their income for at least a few years before their medallist halo diminishes and left to their own device when they are in their mid-30s.

Even though it's really important that we all see to that China does the right thing at least during the summer this year, the chances of any changes seems slimmer than Posh Spice. Nonetheless, there is still hope to change the ways we treat our team of young hopefuls a bit better than what they are getting now before they turn into bitter old washed-ups with no national identity.

More than just a game

Besides the evil monks, the demonic Dalai Lama, and the lopsided reporting from the foreign media, the chairman of IOC, Jacques Rogge, is finally admitting that the game is indeed political after many other experts and NGOs have made their voices heard.

One of which entertained me the most (Guardian):

"Much nonsense is uttered about the Olympics not being political. Anything rooted in blatant nationalism is political. Anything so expensive as to impose a multibillion-pound opportunity cost on the host nation is political. Anything "awarded" as a prize to authoritarian states like the Soviet Union or China is political." --- Simon Jenkins

Even though it seems like such an obvious answer that the Olympics is indeed very political, I was happy to find out that someone has conveyed it into coherent phrases.

A lopsided reporting is another bewildering accusation of this incident.

A few weeks ago, James Miles, the only foreign correspondent during the rising of the riot reported on this account several times after his return, including the BBC From Our Own Correspondent, a weekly radio programme. Miles concurred that the riot was started by the Tibetans and targeted on the Han Chinese businesses. Yes, they looted stores, though injuries were yet to be seen. Yes, they targeted the Han Chinese, though violence was yet to be confirmed.

For those who have heard his reporting, might conclude that the Tibetans portrayed by the foreign media are indeed like peaceful angels, whereas the Chinese government the abrasive oppressor. Well, the Chinese did come in with tanks and soldiers, as for whether did any monks got injured or killed, we might never know. Nevertheless, like Miles said, "The policies that the Chinese government have on Tibet have failed."

So after all this time, after many comments of those bystanders, I'd really like to hear what the people in Lhasa have to say on this account and the whole rioting. To my surprise, this report from the Toronto Star, explained that the Han Chinese in Tibet seem to be quite pro Tibetans. And it seems like they want the same things --- economic growth.

At the end of the day, the basic needs of survival is what people of all races would fight for, though in the case of Tibet, the freedom to practice their religion would be just as crucial.

From 1984 to Tibet --- BB is watching

The row between Tibet and China has been the hot news these days. Aside from assigning one of my students to be my PA on gathering the essential information on this issue, I've decided to find out about the consensus on this issue.

The NYTimes reported that the Chinese Nationalism campaigners are protesting against all the foreign media and government, that are venoming the image and the good nature of the Chinese government and supporting the rebellious Tibetan monks and minorities.

By the blocking all information about Tibet and barricading all reporters from entering Tibet, the western media logically compared the Tienanmen Massacre in 1989 to the crackdown of Tibet.

However, most people in China have not made the link between the two because the propaganda machine is working in full fledge said a Chinese petitioner, Mr. Liu, who helped the drafting of a controversial petition telling the Chinese government to lay off Tibet's freedom.

In contrast, the sentiment from most Chinese people who consider the unrest in Tibet was caused by the 'violent and malicious monks and minorities' is frightening. Which intrigued me to ask all mainlanders of why and what is going through their minds. (This is still an on-going process) And those who are able to tell me, said they agree that the Tibetans are to blame and they even used James Miles's interview on the CNN.

James Miles, the Economist journalist who first was interviewed on the issue by CNN, noted that the Tibetans sporadically started off the riot and that they targeted the ethnic Chinese stores.

He went on to say the triggers of this incident were: the anniversary of the 1959 uprising of Tibet, so it's a sensitive time for the Tibetans; the Tibetans are using "golden opportunity" of the Olympics to get the attention of the international community about Tibet; and last, its sluggish economy, which was promised to be improved by the Chinese government upon the completion of the Lhasa - Beijing railway.

As a sane and sound person would ask: so what was the real motive? Why isn't there any real interviews with the locals or rioters, but merely clips of violence, Tibetans and white scarves? Why has the Chinese government blocked all access to Tibet if they really were the 'victim'?

Instead, the Chinese government sealed everything related to Tibet and promoted negative news about foreign media and Tibetans. As a result, most Chinese believe the government because --- BB is always right.

PS. Here is an interesting website that synthesises information on what some of the foreign leaders or countried have done to pressurise the Chinese government over the weeks.

As tall as the trees

I don't understand the obsession about height with Taiwanese mothers of sons. This, however, was never an issue in my family. Though ever since I can remember, I've seen commercials for Chinese medicine or machines which stimulates growth for teenage boys.

The basic plot of the ad since the dawn of time has been one mother with a short and unfortunate looking boy, and the other with a taller boy. While the short boy's mother complains to the tall boy's mother, admires the the boy's height and complains how short her own son is, the pathetic looking shrimp looks ever so whimpy besides his taller counter-part. An image which hammered into each growing boys' mind since the 80's to now.

But as time progresses, conventional 20 second commercials turn into 10 minute infomercials. Now, they invite 'real-live-witnesses' of the product and have thankful mothers crying while telling the audience how grateful she is with the product now that her son has grown into a real-size person.

After seeing such bewildering scene, I suppose I'm blessed with good genes away from shortness. Even though I don't understand the rationale behind it, I believe there is an explanation in evolution behind this height-obsession. Nonetheless, the height-marketing will always be an imprint of my memory and to some of the Taiwanese people.

And the Horse has won the race

Can we?

In the dusk of Nationalist's (KMT) victory of the presidential election in Taiwan, the streets are filled with a certain air of excitement and anticipation and so does my house. My dad, with his usual poker face, was sitting at his two seater of a throne as I entered the house after drinking for 3 hours. While the teevee showing the result of a 17% victory and Ma enjoying with his compadre.

As for Ma, like Obama, a charismatic and physically attractive man, who comes from an elite academic background of Harvard law school and a job at the KMT since the 80's. I'm sure he has acquired much experience in various realm in politics over the years.

Despite the recent row over his green card incident, he's still the golden child of his party, and in some Taiwanese people's mind. Like Obama, he also campaigned in 'change', though not a phrase as catchy as "yes, we can!" As a result of the election, many Taiwanese people seem to put faith in him and are betting on the fact that he'll open up the market to China even more, try (somehow) to improve the economy of Taiwan, boost the unemployment rate of a modest 3.8% and make the sky bluer in these four summers. On top of that, he's won the big seat and have the majority of the legislative yuan on his side, but also, he has the current president, Chen Shui Bein's, mess to clean up and the hope of Taiwan is on his and his vice president, Shao Wan Chang's shoulders now.

So far, no one is running out of Taiwan or talking about a dooms day, so I guess we're ok at the moment --- at least Dad is now happier and full of hope under his tanned freckled skin.

Making it or getting some?

In the past weekend, I've had some exciting things happening for a change. First, I had an elementary reunion, but only the three of us who were close and have stayed close during these years. Other than rekindling the friendship, it was also a chance for a first hand experience to knowing what Taiwanese 20somethings are doing with their lives.

Some do the same as I do, which is drinking, playing pool, watch movies, go to KTV or hang out with friends. Some would stay at home and hang out with the computer, which I do sometimes too. But what they all have in common is that they aren't making much money as a whole. An average salary for an average office worker at entry level is around NT$23K to 35K (US$800-1200) a month, which isn't a lot no matter how you look at it.

But since Taipei isn't a big city and the idea of independence from one's family is a bit frowned upon- because families should stick together - living at home is widely acceptable if you're "trying to make it". Then I wonder, "What about if you want to bring someone home?" I assume not many mothers would find it tolerable if a strange girl walks around in the house on a Sunday morning no matter how close the family should stay together.

This doesn't seem to phase my old classmates, they seem to be living in a semi- or no relationship situation quite happily with the company of each other. I guess at the end of the day, for a guy in his late 20s, saving money is the most important thing at hand.

The Noble Audience

Inspired by the recent incident of Edison Chen, a pop star who got criminalised by the media over his explicit photos with various female stars, I've noticed how people can be unforgiving with things that happened in the past. And the hypocrisy of

In the case of Chen, the viewers were upset from mainly how the media portrayed him and his behaviour. Analysing his motivation in photographing his sexual encounters, condemning the behaviour but not the fact that these are private property that are being violated, and even detecting what kind of video equipment he used, are the tactics the media used to prove that he is as much of a perv as they say he is.

As a result, with the publicity, this piece of news has become the biggest news in Taiwan other than the presidential election and it's also the topic at the dinner table.

"So sick! What a hypocrite!" While the downloading rate of his photos has never been higher. Some even took it in as a business opportunity, giving it out as an extra for pornography order, a boost for the Taiwanese pirating industry.

While people making a buck and satisfying their perverse needs on the internet, the star made his farewell to the entertainment industry.

Maybe this whole thing will all blow over soon and Chen will be able to regain his career in the show-biz, but who is the real perv? A man who photographs intimate encounters or those who thrive and gets off by sharing someone else's pain and violation?

Fridge Nightmare

Normally I'm quite a domestic person who enjoys cooking and cleaning around the house. Though, since I start to get used to the fact that now my dad has a wife, I've passed the baton onto her and hoping for the best.

Frankly, I never had any faith in her with the domestic chores simply because she's a woman of career and consumerism, and being the youngest in her family, I have no doubt in my mind that she is indeed a princess.

However, a sudden change as I left the house undone was the increase of fresh fruit and produce in and out of the fridge. Sometimes, there's even the banging of the wok and turning of the stove as I come home. Dishes that I would not dare to try - simply because they're more laborious than a pot of curry or stew that can last me for a week - are now being presented and left in the fridge.

Boasting and cheering, she even bragged to my dad on the phone with her new-found ability in life. I, too, enjoyed the success. Maybe I was wrong, maybe she's not a princess afterall.



For a while I enjoyed this metamorphosis, but as the Tupperware starts to accumulate rapidly, my worries reappear. The first sign was the occasional peculiar whiff as the fridge door is opened. As shown in the picture, the three circled items have been in the fridge for more than a few weeks, particularly the box on the right - Azuki bean soup (red bean soup) for more than a month ago. How do I know? Because she cooks it during her menstrual period.

As for the pot, I wouldn't dare to look into it because the last time I looked, it was stewed pork and bean curd all curdled and smelled like foul sewage. Gordon Ramsay would definitely need to kick some ass here.

After seeing the fridge, I have no doubt that my immune system has been well trained for the worst. This incident should boost my domesticism and it did, which led me in cleaning the floor and maybe I'll even dump out the food to make it clear that I'm back.

"What do I have to do..."?

Little did I know how stupid teenagers can be sometimes, or how stupid I was sometimes when I was a teen. My sister came home today in tears because she's now an outcast by her clique due to her ratting out on one of them, moreover, she lied about ratting her out.

In tears and much agony, she told me the story and her discontent. To my surprise, she was only a bit remorseful of her dishonesty. Though I also learned how to be honest when being interrogated till later years, which was also a hard pill to swallow at first, I wasn't impressed with her reaction.

After hearing her out and knowing that her fear has driven her to only one conclusion - running away, I told her to stick to her own doing and see it through. But looking at the high school students on the MRT, I have no doubt that each year, the endurance of the 15-18 are diminishing as their habit of communication is getting more and more advance.

Unfortunately, their communication skill and content did not improve but rather succumbed to triviality. Since gossip is human's way of bonding, with the advancement in email, sms, msn and cell phone are the essentials in a teenage life, every bit of gossip and news is spread within seconds. This somewhat leads to the growth and flourishing of gossip mags, rumour spreading and bad mouthing all over the world.

At a vulnerable and innocent age, this easy access technology is not necessarily a good one.

Finally, after much persuasion and talk and consolidation, my sister said she would think about writing an email to the girl and apologise to her but not speak to her in person.

This goes to show that actual human contact has been overlooked and underdone, more and more trash is being trafficked in seconds, the same time learning to be an adult is harder by the minute, while sorry still seems to be the hardest word.

Selling shit but definitely not a shit seller

"Does probiotic really boost your health?" I, too, often wonder if it's true that the poo fairy is really related to the spoilt milk, the same way I wonder if Bush is related to bin Laden.

As it goes to show, with NYTimes article, yogurt does make you regular, but it doesn't boost your immune system. But in a Chinese/Asian medicinology --- a good poo gives great day, and a great day leads to great mood which gives you a better health. We believe that the wholesomeness of health is a lot more important than the singularity of it, that's why we also think that pain killers are bad for you.

Personally, I do think it's wrong for a big corp like Dannon to imply that Activia can be beneficial to health and had all these oversized women on TV talking about their bloatiness in public, but shame on those who don't google for fact! It is indeed wrong to make people believe that yogurt can be medicinal, but it is even a greater sin to be so lazy and believe in whatever you believe on teevee.

There's a saying that "money is the root to all evil", but actually it's that "ignorance is the root of all evil", because ignorance people start to believe in things that aren't proven, they follow what others say without questioning it and they end up bombing a whole country because of a hunch. If it isn't the root of all evil, I don't know what is.

So Dannon, well done on the art of deception, or PR. I'm sure you and yours alike will find better ways in wording and more convincing bloated individuals to sell their product.

When does it end?

It's apparent what this world has come to. Under capitalism, we see beggars beside BMWs, M-shape economic make-up: the rich and the poor get intensified and a massively decreasing 'middle-working' class.

Under globalisation, we see food shortages in Africa and people choking on cake-eating competition in the UK, while scientists telling us that we can eat worms in combating the coming years of possible food shortages. The inequality that we live in has been seen as a norm by those in power as an inevitability, by the rich and even the poor.

In the meantime, there's the big corporations making billions and telling us what we lack within ourselves, a lighter hair color, a brighter smile, clothes with big logos so we can really be unique. And we buy them, in hoping that we can gain a bit of confident and self-assurance about our existence.

I, too, am a consumer and observer of the situation, and I'm sure there are plenty like me who are uncertain about how to live in this world with a clear conscience. One of the ways would be to write about it, finding out the truth about it, the numbers to back things up; or just do what one can to lessen the damage: buy less things, donate more, recycle.

However, that does not expel the demon in us: competitiveness. Always more! more! more! While looking over our shoulders to see who's behind and who's ahead. Trying to do the best we can but it doesn't seem enough.

The struggle of want, should, could, would, need, have to, not to will most likely be present, so I guess the question is: How do we cast them away?

The Debate

The Taiwanese presidential election came to a new climax as the final debate ended yesterday evening. The debate, however, was a great disappointment for its pick of question and the candidates' failing to answering the questions accurately.

Questions like, "Do you see aboriginals as Taiwanese?" I mean, what should the candidates answer to that? "No"?? Then there's the PR when answering to each question, bowing to apologize to his former mishap, speaking of his past achievement while being the governor and mayor, everything but answering the actual questions.

After watching it for 15 mins, I was fed up and turned to HBO. Not only the debate was a waste of money, time, it was a great humiliation to the Taiwanese people like a slap in the face, knowing that our two president candidates are incompetent in answering factually to what they plan on doing, where they tend to get the tax money from, how they plan on improving Taiwan's economic funk.

The only positive outcome was the fact that this debate questions were formed by the ordinary joe through the internet, though there should have been a smarter person choosing these questions and not the average joe.

Having a glimpse at the choices of our future president, it comes apparent that the gloom of Taiwan's ambiguity in the political arena may persist in the coming years while the economic sluggishness prevails.

Entertainment News

Recently I've noticed how limited Taiwan's entertainment business is, one can say that it's virtually a drought of the industry. Especially when the news channels steal the limelight of all the 58329231 channels available.

The news channels in Taiwan report on more than political, economic or social issues. Other than the usual news which the reporters merely transfer what the officials say without questioning, or if they do, they tend to ask victims or the relatives of the deceased of how they feel about the perpetrator. The position of reporters tend to be redundant in this matter.

Besides the verbal explanation, the most entertaining part has to be the animation and graphic designing of the news. This technique was first imported from a Hong Kong gossip daily - Apple Daily, in 2003. As a result, descriptive animated sequence of murder or rape cases supplements the report at large in most news channels.

After all the sex and violence were shown, came the food and leisure, which couldn't be anymore natural considering what we are build for. And frankly, these leisure reporters are the ones who hit the nail on its head. "Where are the produce from?" "How do you prepare?" "How many customers a day?" Then they switch to the customers: "How often do you visit this restaurant?" "What makes you want to come back?" "What do you think of this place?"

If the same questions were asked to the government officials and the people, Taiwan would probably have become one of the more advanced government in Asia. People's mind would have probably advanced to the next sophistication. The government would then be aware of what power and pressure the media can bring to them and make sure the real issues are dealt with. The people would then be aware of what actually happens and be involved in seeing it through.

For all we know this might happen in the distant future, it might not. But what I know now is that the media takes much of the responsibility of what we might become, or not.

President Watch

Like the US, Taiwan is also getting ready for presidential election, which will take place on May 20th. And ever since the landslide result of the legislative election this January, the independent party (DPP) has been eager to gain more popularity amongst the voters. Whereas the national party (KMT) has been cheerfully touring the island with great zeal.

Despite the financial scandals that happened in both parties, the DPP has been acting offensively to the KMT candidate, Mr. Ma Ying Juio, of his loyalty to Taiwan and whether he has a greencard or US residency. In the meantime, the KMT has been acting defensively, in wait-till-there's-proof-then-talk attitude. And none has delivered any constructive speeches of what they will do with Taiwan if they were to be the leader.

Problems like the economy: how to improve Taiwan's competitiveness in the world and explore new possibilities. The government: setting up an independent watchdog for all government officials, including the president to prevent bribery and embezzlement. Then the environment: cutting down emissions per capita, setting up bicycle lanes in the city and car pool rules for long distance traveling. Also, setting up watchdog of the environmental bureau, reinforcing the rules of factories and companies of their waste process and making sure there is no kickbacks or bribery between the officials and the companies.

Other issues like agriculture, relationship with China, human rights, labour rights all need offensive resolutions from both party's candidates. On the contrast, the issue of whether Ma has a US greencard or how long has the DPP candidate walked on his tour seem less than trivial.