Monday, July 31, 2006
The Sky in Taipei
Recently I read some news about the original singer, Ms Wang, of “The Sky in Taipei”. It said that she and her husband donated one million US dollars to a school in Virginia as a scholarship for Asian students. They also sold their own company which was worth more than several billion NT dollars and decided to do volunteer work all over the world.
I was touched by their generous deed because they are only in their late forty. It made me think and believe there are in fact nice people out there: the world isn’t really in the cul-de-sac and we should keep hope for a better future. I admire those who have a big heart and selflessness. It is not easy to put aside one’s wealth and devote to others fully.
I love the song “The Sky in Taipei” although I’m not literally from here. I used to sing the song when I was in Europe. There are many fond memories in this city I reside now; yet there are many sad ones too.
For a city like Taipei, I wonder how many people are like me, a passerby, trying to look for a sense of belonging. It’s true we don’t always see a blue sky here but I had the luck contemplating one a couple of times. Fortunately, I’ve grown to adopt myself to different environments over the past few years. I guess my loneliest time, which was in Oslo, had given me the strength to overcome whatever trial I might face later in life… I also miss the sky in Oslo at times…
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Hundred Pacer Snake
Hundred Pacer Snake
Clandestinely
Meandering like a river
A symbol of guardian god
Under the beauty of geometry
Lies an ancient sorcery
A totem is thy territory
The almighty emblem
Evoking power of mastery
Reunites tribes of valiant warriors
In a chaotic circumstance
When the summer bell strikes
Thunder and lightning withdraw
A harvest festival summons
The primitive and ethereal vocal
Embracing dancing and hailing
Hundred Pacer Snake
Everlastingly
Clandestinely
Meandering like a river
A symbol of guardian god
Under the beauty of geometry
Lies an ancient sorcery
A totem is thy territory
The almighty emblem
Evoking power of mastery
Reunites tribes of valiant warriors
In a chaotic circumstance
When the summer bell strikes
Thunder and lightning withdraw
A harvest festival summons
The primitive and ethereal vocal
Embracing dancing and hailing
Hundred Pacer Snake
Everlastingly
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Bronca and Wernicke areas
If Mandarin speakers learn Chinese in a different way compared with English counterparts, then what is the major variation in brain activities? Chinese happens to be a language that uses sound and character separately. If one does not learn the written form, there is no possibility that he knows how to write characters via the pronunciation.
Presumably, Mandarin speakers use both tactile and visual sensory mechanisms to master their mother tongue, but would that help them to acquire other alphabetical languages? Or would it be a hindrance? If one’s linguistic parameter, confined in the area of first language acquisition, had been set long before mastery, how hard would it be to switch the parameter to adapt other languages’ parameters? Or is it just impossible to change?
How much should be sufficient in terms of frequencies of word use so as for an individual to reach the native-like fluency in second language acquisition? How can we manipulate our brains to acquire new linguistic skills so that neurons, be in the Bronca’s or Wernicke’s area? How dissimilar is it in these two areas for both Mandarin and English speakers? What about bilingual people and those who acquire their second language well later in life? Could one use fMRI or PET to sort out some pattern or distinction?
I’m curious about those questions as we know Bronca's area is mainly responsible for outgoing speech, words for speech, and semantic processing or assigning meaning to words, whereas Wernicke's area is linked to memory functions, especially short-term memory, language comprehension, and processing incoming language whether it is speech or written language.
Presumably, Mandarin speakers use both tactile and visual sensory mechanisms to master their mother tongue, but would that help them to acquire other alphabetical languages? Or would it be a hindrance? If one’s linguistic parameter, confined in the area of first language acquisition, had been set long before mastery, how hard would it be to switch the parameter to adapt other languages’ parameters? Or is it just impossible to change?
How much should be sufficient in terms of frequencies of word use so as for an individual to reach the native-like fluency in second language acquisition? How can we manipulate our brains to acquire new linguistic skills so that neurons, be in the Bronca’s or Wernicke’s area? How dissimilar is it in these two areas for both Mandarin and English speakers? What about bilingual people and those who acquire their second language well later in life? Could one use fMRI or PET to sort out some pattern or distinction?
I’m curious about those questions as we know Bronca's area is mainly responsible for outgoing speech, words for speech, and semantic processing or assigning meaning to words, whereas Wernicke's area is linked to memory functions, especially short-term memory, language comprehension, and processing incoming language whether it is speech or written language.
Friday, July 28, 2006
"Lucky"
Indigo bracelets lay quietly on my desk as I got up to reach “Scientific American”. It’s already 6:26 pm; and I had another class to teach tonight.
The radio was playing the cheesy English learning program again. I wondered how many people really benefited from it. But I loved the songs they played sometimes. Too bad there was only one English radio station over here although one could get online and get all sorts of international ones on the Internet.
The weather was clement this morning, which struck up my memory of Vevey. I bet there must be tons of tourists there now. I recalled one late afternoon, C., B, and I were walking around the lake and we found several swans swimming with carefree air on their faces. C. picked up a piece of wood and craved it into a seahorse with a Swiss knife. He gave me the seahorse and I named it “Lucky”. I had taken “Lucky” to many places, including Norway and the United States. Now, “Lucky” still sleeps soundly in my precious memory box…
The radio was playing the cheesy English learning program again. I wondered how many people really benefited from it. But I loved the songs they played sometimes. Too bad there was only one English radio station over here although one could get online and get all sorts of international ones on the Internet.
The weather was clement this morning, which struck up my memory of Vevey. I bet there must be tons of tourists there now. I recalled one late afternoon, C., B, and I were walking around the lake and we found several swans swimming with carefree air on their faces. C. picked up a piece of wood and craved it into a seahorse with a Swiss knife. He gave me the seahorse and I named it “Lucky”. I had taken “Lucky” to many places, including Norway and the United States. Now, “Lucky” still sleeps soundly in my precious memory box…
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Fighting gamely
Why on earth are we living in this world full of chaos? People over here are losing confidence in the government; and yet those legislators and government officials are digging scandals and dodging the issues, respectively. How many out there are truly making effort so as to better our society?
They say everything is getting more expensive but salary; I say there are still quite a few making a fortune monthly, be it legally or illegally. One just needs to realize what he or she wants for life and not to go with the flow blindly.
I reckon I must fight more gamely in order to have my goals fulfilled. I can act nonchalantly and mind my own business. But I do care about those are close to me. However, one critical aspect to a happy life lies in one’s own attitude. If you really know what you’re seeking and doing, you don’t have to care too much about others’ criticism. It’s not easy being singled out and fighting the world; but truth will shed light on many things sooner or later. The question is: do we have enough patience to persevere to the very end?
I am mesmerized by “The Shadow of the Wind” written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Hope some day soon I will get to read in Spanish as well…
They say everything is getting more expensive but salary; I say there are still quite a few making a fortune monthly, be it legally or illegally. One just needs to realize what he or she wants for life and not to go with the flow blindly.
I reckon I must fight more gamely in order to have my goals fulfilled. I can act nonchalantly and mind my own business. But I do care about those are close to me. However, one critical aspect to a happy life lies in one’s own attitude. If you really know what you’re seeking and doing, you don’t have to care too much about others’ criticism. It’s not easy being singled out and fighting the world; but truth will shed light on many things sooner or later. The question is: do we have enough patience to persevere to the very end?
I am mesmerized by “The Shadow of the Wind” written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Hope some day soon I will get to read in Spanish as well…
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
German again
So, I dug out my German textbook and started to do a little review after such a long pause. Funny to say, after having learned Norwegian, I no longer feel it’s that difficult to study German. I guess it’s because Norwegian is also a Germanic language.
S. rang me this morning while I was still asleep. I thought he would be stuck in Bali due to the typhoon. Good to know that he is back and safe and sound.
I was watching TV news while preparing my lesson tonight and I glimpsed that the weather has been scorching hot in Arizona, 48 degrees Celsius! The TV showed some images of ongoing lightening as well. It really makes one wonder what is going on in our world? Is it really the end of the world? Is it the fulfillment of the Apocalypse? Therefore, one thought came over me: why bother to care so much about things in life? I don’t need to worry about what people think of me, not to the extent to affect my own feelings. After all, we are all going to die sooner or later. Accordingly, we should live to the fullest of our own lives.
Yeah, I do feel revitalized in reading German again. I just love learning languages. I believe the neurons in my brain are very active and doing their best to acquire new skills. I know I will sleep well tonight, no doubt. Time to read Amy Tan again…
S. rang me this morning while I was still asleep. I thought he would be stuck in Bali due to the typhoon. Good to know that he is back and safe and sound.
I was watching TV news while preparing my lesson tonight and I glimpsed that the weather has been scorching hot in Arizona, 48 degrees Celsius! The TV showed some images of ongoing lightening as well. It really makes one wonder what is going on in our world? Is it really the end of the world? Is it the fulfillment of the Apocalypse? Therefore, one thought came over me: why bother to care so much about things in life? I don’t need to worry about what people think of me, not to the extent to affect my own feelings. After all, we are all going to die sooner or later. Accordingly, we should live to the fullest of our own lives.
Yeah, I do feel revitalized in reading German again. I just love learning languages. I believe the neurons in my brain are very active and doing their best to acquire new skills. I know I will sleep well tonight, no doubt. Time to read Amy Tan again…
Sunday, July 23, 2006
If I Die
If I die, would anyone mourn for me?
Should I care, should I not?
We all long for being loved
But does that truly matter?
If I die, would anyone cry for me?
I have no answer
Not in my mind’s eye
Not in my brain’s neuron
Who says there must be an end
To every story we hear
I want mine to be the exception
Way offline
Hard to comprehend
If I die, would my friends feel sad?
Do I want to know?
Maybe not
Why can’t we let negative thoughts take over
Just for a while?
Why must we stay positive always?
As human beings, it crawls up in our nature
I know I shouldn’t think like this
Yet who would really give a shit!?
Should I care, should I not?
We all long for being loved
But does that truly matter?
If I die, would anyone cry for me?
I have no answer
Not in my mind’s eye
Not in my brain’s neuron
Who says there must be an end
To every story we hear
I want mine to be the exception
Way offline
Hard to comprehend
If I die, would my friends feel sad?
Do I want to know?
Maybe not
Why can’t we let negative thoughts take over
Just for a while?
Why must we stay positive always?
As human beings, it crawls up in our nature
I know I shouldn’t think like this
Yet who would really give a shit!?
Mountain Carp
Mountain Carp
There is a mystery about you
The beloved pet of crouching Buddha
Running away from menace
The fatal chase of ferocious feline
Thousands of years had passed
Leaving a trace of escapade
In the sable forest hunted by
A fearful blue ghost
On a sunny day of autumn
A troop of little pupils
Wandered around the steep treks
Searching the lost folktale
At the top of Mountain Carp
Where was it
Dead silent as it was usually
They looked up and saw only
The Orchid Island far east
Like a leaf floating in the sea
My first childhood outing
Lingered in my midnight dream
For ages and ages…
There is a mystery about you
The beloved pet of crouching Buddha
Running away from menace
The fatal chase of ferocious feline
Thousands of years had passed
Leaving a trace of escapade
In the sable forest hunted by
A fearful blue ghost
On a sunny day of autumn
A troop of little pupils
Wandered around the steep treks
Searching the lost folktale
At the top of Mountain Carp
Where was it
Dead silent as it was usually
They looked up and saw only
The Orchid Island far east
Like a leaf floating in the sea
My first childhood outing
Lingered in my midnight dream
For ages and ages…
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Trash Trash Trash!!!
When was the last time I really cared about myself? I wonder anyone out there truly cares about me? What kind of friend am I in their eyes? I don’t believe fortunetellers but at times I question myself why no one seems to bother…
So, that’s it! I am going to treat myself better! Those who are friends come to me; I’m not going to stretch out my hands. I got books to read, research to do, novels to write, and dreams to fulfill. Therefore, adieu for a while!
Some colleague asked me whether I had a bad day today. I didn’t even say a word but walked straight to my class. I despise those who come to “teach”. If they are passionate about teaching, I have nothing against them; but if they are here to take advantage of us, I look down on them.
That’s why I decided to study something more, not only to pursue my childhood dream but also get out of here. I’m sick of those fucking trashy people!!
Neurolinguistics, here I come!
So, that’s it! I am going to treat myself better! Those who are friends come to me; I’m not going to stretch out my hands. I got books to read, research to do, novels to write, and dreams to fulfill. Therefore, adieu for a while!
Some colleague asked me whether I had a bad day today. I didn’t even say a word but walked straight to my class. I despise those who come to “teach”. If they are passionate about teaching, I have nothing against them; but if they are here to take advantage of us, I look down on them.
That’s why I decided to study something more, not only to pursue my childhood dream but also get out of here. I’m sick of those fucking trashy people!!
Neurolinguistics, here I come!
Friday, July 21, 2006
WiMax vs. 3G
V. and I were talking about 3G mobile phone yesterday when he suddenly mentioned WiMax. What is WiMax? It is an acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, a certification mark for products that pass conformity and interoperability tests for the IEEE 802.16 standards.
With WiMax, one can also send and receive large files of video, photo, or music in a long distance, approximately 50 kilometers. It is useful having a cell phone integrated with this function in big cities. As for 3 G, one can also do the aforementioned things and even watch news or movies.
Now, the question is if WiMax or 3G provides the access of Internet, then one can also use free online telephone service such as Skype to make calls. What will happen with all those mobile phone companies? For those who are metropolitans, wouldn’t it be so convenient to use the free Internet phone to call friends or even clients any time and any where?
How would those mobile telecommunication corporations deal with this situation? Maybe they will have to increase the charge of the Internet service on cell phone. Although there are still a few years to go, I’m sure with the advance of technology, we will soon be able to use either WiMax or 3G in many places…
With WiMax, one can also send and receive large files of video, photo, or music in a long distance, approximately 50 kilometers. It is useful having a cell phone integrated with this function in big cities. As for 3 G, one can also do the aforementioned things and even watch news or movies.
Now, the question is if WiMax or 3G provides the access of Internet, then one can also use free online telephone service such as Skype to make calls. What will happen with all those mobile phone companies? For those who are metropolitans, wouldn’t it be so convenient to use the free Internet phone to call friends or even clients any time and any where?
How would those mobile telecommunication corporations deal with this situation? Maybe they will have to increase the charge of the Internet service on cell phone. Although there are still a few years to go, I’m sure with the advance of technology, we will soon be able to use either WiMax or 3G in many places…
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Civilian
It’s been nine days since Israel has started its air strike on Lebanon. No matter what reason hinds a war, I think the poorest victim is civilian. What choice can a civilian have, expect for awaiting his life being taken away?
Middle East has been a very unstable zone for decades. Israel’s aggressive stand towards other countries around has caused many conflicts albeit some sporadic truces in between. When can all of us learn how to live peacefully? Is this an omen of the end of our world? Or perhaps it’s really the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Feud can’t be eradicated if on one wants to forgive and move on. War can’t be stopped if the goal to pursue world peace and love never reaches a consensus. The very possible outcome is all of us kill each other and at the end Homo sapiens dies out.
I’m glad to see my parents today although we didn’t get to talk much. They came up to help my sister take care of my niece; then they will head back to Taidong by next Wednesday. My little niece is very excited about going down to Taidong to see the Aboriginal Festival. Wish I could go with them, but looks like I’ll have to wait until September.
I had some glutinous rice my mother made for us this afternoon. It’s so delicious and sort of quenched my nostalgia…
Middle East has been a very unstable zone for decades. Israel’s aggressive stand towards other countries around has caused many conflicts albeit some sporadic truces in between. When can all of us learn how to live peacefully? Is this an omen of the end of our world? Or perhaps it’s really the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Feud can’t be eradicated if on one wants to forgive and move on. War can’t be stopped if the goal to pursue world peace and love never reaches a consensus. The very possible outcome is all of us kill each other and at the end Homo sapiens dies out.
I’m glad to see my parents today although we didn’t get to talk much. They came up to help my sister take care of my niece; then they will head back to Taidong by next Wednesday. My little niece is very excited about going down to Taidong to see the Aboriginal Festival. Wish I could go with them, but looks like I’ll have to wait until September.
I had some glutinous rice my mother made for us this afternoon. It’s so delicious and sort of quenched my nostalgia…
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Angel or Devil~Chapter 2
“Mom! I’m home!” Jade-Lynne shouted as she walked in the house.
“Oh, hey honey! How’s school?” asked Marianna.
“Fatabulous! I helped Jenny finish her science project.”
“Really? You mean that molecular biology one?”
“Yeah…”replied Jade-Lynne as she opened the fridge to grab a Popsicle.
After dinner, Jade-Lynne went into her room, which was decorated with all sorts of silver objects. She just loved the color and proclaimed it could make her head cool down and think more thoroughly.
When everyone at her age was playing dolls, she was only intrigued by the adult world. However, she was very into making clothes for her pet, Vector, a green lizard.
She got a sowing machine as her 4th birthday gift, which made her smile that whole week. All the relatives and friends who came over the house were amazed by her delicate artwork. She applied geometrical patterns and Indian totems to make clothes; and the colors were usually very attractive blue, indigo, red, yellow, and green.
Pacing back and forth impatiently, Jade-Lynne murmured “That little bitch is not here yet and it’s 12 o’clock! I am going to teach her a serious lesson later!”
Soon after she said that, Erica rushed to her breathlessly.
“I’m so sorry, Jade-Lynne! I got…Ouch! Why did you slap me?”
“To teach you how important being punctual is! You ugly tramp!”
“Now, give me the damn crystal ball right now!” demanded Jade-Lynne.
“I…I…” stammered Erica.
“Don’t you tell me you didn’t bring it!” Another slap slashed right across Erica’s face.
“My mother took the ball and forbids me to get it out.” said Erica tremblingly.
“Then today is really your day to sleep with the demon!” screamed Jade-Lynne.
Jade-Lynne took out the bayonet hidden in her back and stabbed right through Erica’s left wrist. Erica was screaming and crying to beg for mercy. Yet, Jade-Lynne seemed not to hear anything at all. She continued stabbing for a few times and then stopped to take out the ropes she had prepared beforehand. The blood had already trickled down to the floor and formed a small pool.
“Do you like honey and chocolate sauce?” asked coldly Jade-Lynne.
“Yeah, why?” replied Erica.
“Well, well, it’s your lucky day! I’m going to treat you a real nice lunch!”
As soon as Jade-Lynne said that, she quickly pushed Erica down and tied her hands and legs with the ropes tightly. Then, she poured a big bucket of mixture of honey and chocolate sauce all over Erica.
“Okay! You’re ready to enjoy the meal I specifically prepared for you?”
“Please, have mercy, Jade-Lynne! Don’t do this to me! It’s all gooey!”
“That’s even better! Now I got another surprise for you, your special company for the meal! Hahaha…”laughed loudly Jade-Lynne.
She opened a big jar which contained thousands of big black ants and dumped all the voracious creatures out on the ground and walked away slowly without turning her head a bit…
“Oh, hey honey! How’s school?” asked Marianna.
“Fatabulous! I helped Jenny finish her science project.”
“Really? You mean that molecular biology one?”
“Yeah…”replied Jade-Lynne as she opened the fridge to grab a Popsicle.
After dinner, Jade-Lynne went into her room, which was decorated with all sorts of silver objects. She just loved the color and proclaimed it could make her head cool down and think more thoroughly.
When everyone at her age was playing dolls, she was only intrigued by the adult world. However, she was very into making clothes for her pet, Vector, a green lizard.
She got a sowing machine as her 4th birthday gift, which made her smile that whole week. All the relatives and friends who came over the house were amazed by her delicate artwork. She applied geometrical patterns and Indian totems to make clothes; and the colors were usually very attractive blue, indigo, red, yellow, and green.
Pacing back and forth impatiently, Jade-Lynne murmured “That little bitch is not here yet and it’s 12 o’clock! I am going to teach her a serious lesson later!”
Soon after she said that, Erica rushed to her breathlessly.
“I’m so sorry, Jade-Lynne! I got…Ouch! Why did you slap me?”
“To teach you how important being punctual is! You ugly tramp!”
“Now, give me the damn crystal ball right now!” demanded Jade-Lynne.
“I…I…” stammered Erica.
“Don’t you tell me you didn’t bring it!” Another slap slashed right across Erica’s face.
“My mother took the ball and forbids me to get it out.” said Erica tremblingly.
“Then today is really your day to sleep with the demon!” screamed Jade-Lynne.
Jade-Lynne took out the bayonet hidden in her back and stabbed right through Erica’s left wrist. Erica was screaming and crying to beg for mercy. Yet, Jade-Lynne seemed not to hear anything at all. She continued stabbing for a few times and then stopped to take out the ropes she had prepared beforehand. The blood had already trickled down to the floor and formed a small pool.
“Do you like honey and chocolate sauce?” asked coldly Jade-Lynne.
“Yeah, why?” replied Erica.
“Well, well, it’s your lucky day! I’m going to treat you a real nice lunch!”
As soon as Jade-Lynne said that, she quickly pushed Erica down and tied her hands and legs with the ropes tightly. Then, she poured a big bucket of mixture of honey and chocolate sauce all over Erica.
“Okay! You’re ready to enjoy the meal I specifically prepared for you?”
“Please, have mercy, Jade-Lynne! Don’t do this to me! It’s all gooey!”
“That’s even better! Now I got another surprise for you, your special company for the meal! Hahaha…”laughed loudly Jade-Lynne.
She opened a big jar which contained thousands of big black ants and dumped all the voracious creatures out on the ground and walked away slowly without turning her head a bit…
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Over The Horizon
Over The Horizon
Faces of dolphins protrude
From the surface of blue sea
Sirens of enigmatical history
Revive gently
My old days buried
With memorable comrades
Dearly
Master of pedagogy secluded
In a misty mountain far east
I miss you
Over the horizon
I see you
Across the Pacific
Being wrapped in Burgundy
Projecting a long lost picture
Of graceful memory
Faces of dolphins protrude
From the surface of blue sea
Sirens of enigmatical history
Revive gently
My old days buried
With memorable comrades
Dearly
Master of pedagogy secluded
In a misty mountain far east
I miss you
Over the horizon
I see you
Across the Pacific
Being wrapped in Burgundy
Projecting a long lost picture
Of graceful memory
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
When I see your faces shine...
One of the most fulfilling things in teaching is seeing students’ faces shine like a star.
I enjoy sharing my experience in language acquisition with students. I know it’s not an easy task to mast a foreign language. One needs not only assiduity but also determination, patience, and perseverance.
When I told mother I wanted to be an English teacher and actually went ahead and became one, she asked me whether I knew how to teach. That’s a really good question.
For some reason, I just knew how to teach, if you ask me. The reason my mother asked me the question was that I’m very quiet in person, especially in a group. That is just my nature and I cannot change it.
But when I stand in front of a podium, I am completely different. I become very eloquent and love every minute interacting with audience. That’s also why I participated in all sorts of speech contests back in the school days.
How many of you have had the experience giving a speech to over 2,000 people? I had and I didn’t get any stage freight either. I was only in the fifth grade.
Tonight, I saw again my students’ faces shine brightly, like some enlightenment struck them. I knew they got the information of how to study better and apply what they’ve learned in life. Language is all about application and practice, isn’t it?
I enjoy sharing my experience in language acquisition with students. I know it’s not an easy task to mast a foreign language. One needs not only assiduity but also determination, patience, and perseverance.
When I told mother I wanted to be an English teacher and actually went ahead and became one, she asked me whether I knew how to teach. That’s a really good question.
For some reason, I just knew how to teach, if you ask me. The reason my mother asked me the question was that I’m very quiet in person, especially in a group. That is just my nature and I cannot change it.
But when I stand in front of a podium, I am completely different. I become very eloquent and love every minute interacting with audience. That’s also why I participated in all sorts of speech contests back in the school days.
How many of you have had the experience giving a speech to over 2,000 people? I had and I didn’t get any stage freight either. I was only in the fifth grade.
Tonight, I saw again my students’ faces shine brightly, like some enlightenment struck them. I knew they got the information of how to study better and apply what they’ve learned in life. Language is all about application and practice, isn’t it?
Monday, July 17, 2006
If I Were You
“Do you want to go back to Europe?” a friend asked.
“Sure, I’d love to. But it’s not now; I got something else I need to accomplish first…”
The radio is playing Hoobastank’s “If I were you”.
“If I were you, I would go now. What makes you reluctant to take off? Nothing is left expect all those tragedies.” continued the friend.
“You don’t understand. I must fulfill an important promise to myself. But someday I will go back to the lake…”
How many times have you said “If I were you, I would do such and such…” to friends or even yourself?
I’m a typical Aries, especially during my youth. Whenever, I thought of something worth a try, I did it without much consideration. There were great moments but also some of the lowest of lows.
Perhaps I gained more experience and wisdom in life, which I regard as critical elements for being a human in this world.
Right now, I think more thoroughly before making any important decisions because experience is such an expensive cost of life.
Try to arrange time for German courses again. I just hope this hectic period of time will go by sooner…
“Sure, I’d love to. But it’s not now; I got something else I need to accomplish first…”
The radio is playing Hoobastank’s “If I were you”.
“If I were you, I would go now. What makes you reluctant to take off? Nothing is left expect all those tragedies.” continued the friend.
“You don’t understand. I must fulfill an important promise to myself. But someday I will go back to the lake…”
How many times have you said “If I were you, I would do such and such…” to friends or even yourself?
I’m a typical Aries, especially during my youth. Whenever, I thought of something worth a try, I did it without much consideration. There were great moments but also some of the lowest of lows.
Perhaps I gained more experience and wisdom in life, which I regard as critical elements for being a human in this world.
Right now, I think more thoroughly before making any important decisions because experience is such an expensive cost of life.
Try to arrange time for German courses again. I just hope this hectic period of time will go by sooner…
Angel or Devil~Chapter 1
“You’re so grounded! Jade-Lynne Knutson!” shouted Marianna hysterically.
“But Mom, I didn’t do it!” said Jade-Lynne tremblingly.
“Still lying? Where did you get all this money from? A child would not have 500 dollars in her purse!”
“But…but…I found it…”
“I don’t want to hear any lies! Now go to your room! You’re grounded for a week!”
Jade-Lynne was five years old but she was a lot of smarter than her peers. She had already read all the Harry Potter series and could do college calculus I. Her classmates adored her, especially when she gave her sweetest smile to every person she met.
“It’s so unfair! You never listen to me and I still need to call you Mom!” retorted Jade-Lynne.
“Face it! Nothing is fair in this world. You’re my daughter and I’m the mother! I will not tolerate your attitude any more. Now, I count to three and you’d better disappear in front of me!”
Stomping her feet hardly, Jade-Lynne ran into her room upstairs.
Sitting on her bed, her head started to race like a spinning top. “I will not let Erica get away from this! That bitch will definitely be dead meat by the end of this week!” thought Jade-Lynne with her calculating nature.
“Please don’t cut my hair, Jade-Lynne! I love my hair so much…”begged Erica.
“Really? How much do you love it? Show me!”
“I wash it everyday with milk…Ahhhh, please don’t pull it so hard.”
“You little bitch! What did you tell my Mom, huh?”
“Today is your day to sleep with the demon!” laughed evilly.
“Okay, okay, I will give you all my Barbie dolls and plus my secret treasure in the garden-the crystal ball!” said Erica
“Who wants your stupid dolls! Bring me the crystal ball at noon tomorrow or you are absolutely going down to hell!”
Before Jade-Lynne walked off, she snapped a strand of smooth blonde hair and cut it hard, leaving Erica sobbing in the dark.
To be continued…
“But Mom, I didn’t do it!” said Jade-Lynne tremblingly.
“Still lying? Where did you get all this money from? A child would not have 500 dollars in her purse!”
“But…but…I found it…”
“I don’t want to hear any lies! Now go to your room! You’re grounded for a week!”
Jade-Lynne was five years old but she was a lot of smarter than her peers. She had already read all the Harry Potter series and could do college calculus I. Her classmates adored her, especially when she gave her sweetest smile to every person she met.
“It’s so unfair! You never listen to me and I still need to call you Mom!” retorted Jade-Lynne.
“Face it! Nothing is fair in this world. You’re my daughter and I’m the mother! I will not tolerate your attitude any more. Now, I count to three and you’d better disappear in front of me!”
Stomping her feet hardly, Jade-Lynne ran into her room upstairs.
Sitting on her bed, her head started to race like a spinning top. “I will not let Erica get away from this! That bitch will definitely be dead meat by the end of this week!” thought Jade-Lynne with her calculating nature.
“Please don’t cut my hair, Jade-Lynne! I love my hair so much…”begged Erica.
“Really? How much do you love it? Show me!”
“I wash it everyday with milk…Ahhhh, please don’t pull it so hard.”
“You little bitch! What did you tell my Mom, huh?”
“Today is your day to sleep with the demon!” laughed evilly.
“Okay, okay, I will give you all my Barbie dolls and plus my secret treasure in the garden-the crystal ball!” said Erica
“Who wants your stupid dolls! Bring me the crystal ball at noon tomorrow or you are absolutely going down to hell!”
Before Jade-Lynne walked off, she snapped a strand of smooth blonde hair and cut it hard, leaving Erica sobbing in the dark.
To be continued…
Yellow Hibiscus
In the front yard of my next-door neighbor stood a hedge of hibiscus trees. There was one special tree that always had yellow flowers among the red, pink and orange…
JJ liked to play with his rabbit; I liked to chase after my fat guinea pig!
Who said we couldn’t pick the unripe grapes? I always plucked them to make strong ammunition of my bamboo guns.
Yellow Hibiscus
The flow of memory lane
Strikes up an oblivious fan
Turning languidly
With its heavy head
Where is my bucket of strawberries
Who ate all my cheese cake
The current of windy day
Brings down a forgotten dance
Where is the dragon
Who took away Confucius’s cane
Little child has a small pet
Running around like busy ants
Under the tree of yellow hibiscus
Scatter my all-time favorite
Mischievous robber bands…
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
JJ liked to play with his rabbit; I liked to chase after my fat guinea pig!
Who said we couldn’t pick the unripe grapes? I always plucked them to make strong ammunition of my bamboo guns.
Yellow Hibiscus
The flow of memory lane
Strikes up an oblivious fan
Turning languidly
With its heavy head
Where is my bucket of strawberries
Who ate all my cheese cake
The current of windy day
Brings down a forgotten dance
Where is the dragon
Who took away Confucius’s cane
Little child has a small pet
Running around like busy ants
Under the tree of yellow hibiscus
Scatter my all-time favorite
Mischievous robber bands…
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Splash
Splash
Rain follows a trailing spiral
Down to the bottom of muddy road
Crickets sing with sparrows
Up to the end of blue horizon
Golden stars yellow tarts
A small child's laugh
Like a dancing lark
In a park
Whether purple or turquoise
Forest or wilderness
Morning dews are lovely kaleidoscopes
East West North South
All reflect a beautiful ray of colorful touch
Monet Picasso and my own imagination
Splash
Splash
And
Splash
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Chinese Trend
My genealogy says my ancestors came to Taiwan about three hundred years ago. They were from a town called Chuan-Chao in the province of Fu-Jen. However, I overheard my parents talking about my great-grand father was actually an adopted child in the family. So, my biological ancestors were from another kinship.
What difference does it make when someone asks me whether I’m Chinese or Taiwanese? I reckon the real issue lies in the political ideology between China and Taiwan. I have nothing against people from Mainland China but I have to admit communism is not my favorite political regime.
I should be very proud because I was raised in a Mandarin environment; yet does that make me more advantageous in this globalization? I doubt it. At least, the Chinese trend is just getting started and it will at least take another 15 to 20 years for it to reach a full-fledged state. And again, who knows whether this Chinese fever will die down before it bears its fruit.
While many are rushing to learn English in Taiwan, one should maybe take a moment to think about Chinese and Taiwanese cultures. Is your English good enough to clearly tell foreigners about your own root and legacy passed on by your ancestors? Or are you just learning American or British culture and hoping to be like them? Let’s face it. It will never happen because you’re not born in either of these countries. But again, does that matter in the pursuit of being a global citizen?
What difference does it make when someone asks me whether I’m Chinese or Taiwanese? I reckon the real issue lies in the political ideology between China and Taiwan. I have nothing against people from Mainland China but I have to admit communism is not my favorite political regime.
I should be very proud because I was raised in a Mandarin environment; yet does that make me more advantageous in this globalization? I doubt it. At least, the Chinese trend is just getting started and it will at least take another 15 to 20 years for it to reach a full-fledged state. And again, who knows whether this Chinese fever will die down before it bears its fruit.
While many are rushing to learn English in Taiwan, one should maybe take a moment to think about Chinese and Taiwanese cultures. Is your English good enough to clearly tell foreigners about your own root and legacy passed on by your ancestors? Or are you just learning American or British culture and hoping to be like them? Let’s face it. It will never happen because you’re not born in either of these countries. But again, does that matter in the pursuit of being a global citizen?
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Duck Weed
Today on my way to work, I was reading Jeff Hawkins again. The subject matter was memory lane. All of a sudden, a picture of duck weeds emerged in my head. Then, it’s a small pond near uncle’s farm.
My cousins and I used to play there on Saturday afternoons. Gosh, we hated the noisome odor from the pig sty! Yet, we loved to feed the gold fish in the pond. I particularly loved the duck weeds because they could grow fast and I enjoyed picking them out of the pond.
There was a stream running slowly beside the Bei-Nan River, where lots of duck weeds “resided”. They actually floated around and never stayed put. Doesn’t duck weed mean an uncertain life? I didn’t know that until later I studied it at school.
Why did the duck weeds pop up in my head? I really don’t know. However, for some reason, I’m sort of like duck weeds. I’ve traveled to several countries and it’s not just for vacation but mainly for schooling. I pretty much lived in a country for one or two years.
Looks like my mind’s duck weed is agitating again. But I hope this time I will find the place I would like to live for a longer time. And certainly, my life isn’t uncertain; it’s more crystal-clear than ever!
La Suisse, tu me manques, tu sais?
My cousins and I used to play there on Saturday afternoons. Gosh, we hated the noisome odor from the pig sty! Yet, we loved to feed the gold fish in the pond. I particularly loved the duck weeds because they could grow fast and I enjoyed picking them out of the pond.
There was a stream running slowly beside the Bei-Nan River, where lots of duck weeds “resided”. They actually floated around and never stayed put. Doesn’t duck weed mean an uncertain life? I didn’t know that until later I studied it at school.
Why did the duck weeds pop up in my head? I really don’t know. However, for some reason, I’m sort of like duck weeds. I’ve traveled to several countries and it’s not just for vacation but mainly for schooling. I pretty much lived in a country for one or two years.
Looks like my mind’s duck weed is agitating again. But I hope this time I will find the place I would like to live for a longer time. And certainly, my life isn’t uncertain; it’s more crystal-clear than ever!
La Suisse, tu me manques, tu sais?
Sister Gwen
Dear Sister Gwen,
How’ve you been lately? How’s life treating you in the world of spirit? I had written thousands of letters to you but never gotten a chance mailing to your side.
It’s been three years and from time to time, your smile would pop up on my mind. I’m sorry I never got to say good-bye to you. But I cried when I learned your passing away. Sometimes, I hate myself for not being able to see you for the last time, but then I would think I only want to keep your healthy and happy image in my memory.
It must’ve been a shock being diagnosed of cancer and announced for reaching the end of life. How cruel it was for a young person like you. Tonight I think of you and recall many wonderful times spent in your hometown. I wonder whether you will judge me for who I am. I hope you will not do so…
I suddenly miss the blue ocean in Taidong tonight. I miss seeing shooting stars in the summer. I miss my highs and lows in my school days.
What is it like on the other side of the veil? Is it cold? Is it full of love? I wish I were really an alien, so no one could penetrate my locked heart. Did you know I had buried my heart at the bottom of Geneva Lake before I went to Paris? Did you know I had prayed hundreds of times on the top of Mont-Pelerin? All had been gone for years by now.
Does love really stain? Why did I feel my heart has been colored?
Did you know I wrote a poem to commemorate you? I will survive and continue to be your fighter. I will go on for a PhD and accomplish your part of studies too. Please be happy and keep smiling for all the eternity…
Sultry summer eve
Sinking as my heart weeps
Tranquil midnight dream
Shattered as lightning whips
Enigma as death
Perplexed mortal man
Past or present
Emperors or civilians
No one could truly escape
Wish I could find an elixir
Sending you to the Promised Land
Tremble not, my dear friend
Albeit everything must end
Pure spirit as yours will forever remain
If the Milky Way had another name
I would engrave your faith
On the other side of the veil
If the universe had another space
I would weave your love
Into a supernova with a smiling face
How’ve you been lately? How’s life treating you in the world of spirit? I had written thousands of letters to you but never gotten a chance mailing to your side.
It’s been three years and from time to time, your smile would pop up on my mind. I’m sorry I never got to say good-bye to you. But I cried when I learned your passing away. Sometimes, I hate myself for not being able to see you for the last time, but then I would think I only want to keep your healthy and happy image in my memory.
It must’ve been a shock being diagnosed of cancer and announced for reaching the end of life. How cruel it was for a young person like you. Tonight I think of you and recall many wonderful times spent in your hometown. I wonder whether you will judge me for who I am. I hope you will not do so…
I suddenly miss the blue ocean in Taidong tonight. I miss seeing shooting stars in the summer. I miss my highs and lows in my school days.
What is it like on the other side of the veil? Is it cold? Is it full of love? I wish I were really an alien, so no one could penetrate my locked heart. Did you know I had buried my heart at the bottom of Geneva Lake before I went to Paris? Did you know I had prayed hundreds of times on the top of Mont-Pelerin? All had been gone for years by now.
Does love really stain? Why did I feel my heart has been colored?
Did you know I wrote a poem to commemorate you? I will survive and continue to be your fighter. I will go on for a PhD and accomplish your part of studies too. Please be happy and keep smiling for all the eternity…
Veil
Sultry summer eve
Sinking as my heart weeps
Tranquil midnight dream
Shattered as lightning whips
Enigma as death
Perplexed mortal man
Past or present
Emperors or civilians
No one could truly escape
Wish I could find an elixir
Sending you to the Promised Land
Tremble not, my dear friend
Albeit everything must end
Pure spirit as yours will forever remain
If the Milky Way had another name
I would engrave your faith
On the other side of the veil
If the universe had another space
I would weave your love
Into a supernova with a smiling face
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace
Where is the real world inside a crystal ball
Where is the sheer cold outside the gloomy wall
Isn’t someone just sitting quietly over the shadow
Aren’t peasants already gone for the season
One spot dots between his horizon and my skyline
A mermaid’s face sheepishly turns
Can one truly walk on the water
Or is it just an illusion
Fading in an insane vision
What is it over the rainbow
Is it a legendary kingdom
What is it across the Milky Way
Is it a hidden sanctuary
One silver dream emerges from the icy abyss
A dragon’s karma spookily hunts
Should one abandon his soul
Yet uphold someone else’s
Mystery or misery
Miracle or malady
It won’t matter anymore
Because the prince of peace has appeared…
Where is the real world inside a crystal ball
Where is the sheer cold outside the gloomy wall
Isn’t someone just sitting quietly over the shadow
Aren’t peasants already gone for the season
One spot dots between his horizon and my skyline
A mermaid’s face sheepishly turns
Can one truly walk on the water
Or is it just an illusion
Fading in an insane vision
What is it over the rainbow
Is it a legendary kingdom
What is it across the Milky Way
Is it a hidden sanctuary
One silver dream emerges from the icy abyss
A dragon’s karma spookily hunts
Should one abandon his soul
Yet uphold someone else’s
Mystery or misery
Miracle or malady
It won’t matter anymore
Because the prince of peace has appeared…
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Friday, July 14, 2006
Sleepless Night
Yeah, I wasn’t able to sleep last night, too much going on in my head. I will start a new class by Monday, need to prepare some other teaching materials, and pull myself together to seriously study neuroanatomy.
George W. Bush is in St. Petersburg for the G8 summit. I wonder how many people would care about this news in Taiwan. I’m always intrigued by international politics, and thanks to the three political science courses I took at the university in America, I got to learn politics from another perspective.
Many European countries complain Vladimir Putin’s seemingly backward policy in democracy. But what can they do? Russia got oil and we are in an energy crisis all over the world. Yeah, perhaps we should release the machine invented by some genius, using just water as energy, and no body gets to fight over gasoline. Then what would those Middle East countries do? They would probably become poorer but maybe there won’t be so much conflict for oil.
Long time ago, I published a poem called “Formosa”. It’s about Taiwan and its history and political situation. I know I have Chinese roots but just despise the complexity of cross-strait relationship between Mainland China and Taiwan. We did not get democracy until recent decades but being always threatened by the biggest communist country in the world is definitely not a comfortable thing to live with daily.
Like I said in “Terra-Cotta Soldiers”, I refuse to be anyone else's belongings but my own master…
Formosa
Tossing from the ocean
Rushing to an island
Deep blue lilies
Shed a light on
A broken family
Hundreds of years
Numerous tears
A colonial past
Bled an enormous gap
From tulip to cherry
From red stars to green leaves
A grand new hope
Is about to free
Dragon is awakening
Phoenix is hovering
I shall make myself known
As my name was shown
Formosa
The eastern nova
Glowing like a diamond pagoda
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
George W. Bush is in St. Petersburg for the G8 summit. I wonder how many people would care about this news in Taiwan. I’m always intrigued by international politics, and thanks to the three political science courses I took at the university in America, I got to learn politics from another perspective.
Many European countries complain Vladimir Putin’s seemingly backward policy in democracy. But what can they do? Russia got oil and we are in an energy crisis all over the world. Yeah, perhaps we should release the machine invented by some genius, using just water as energy, and no body gets to fight over gasoline. Then what would those Middle East countries do? They would probably become poorer but maybe there won’t be so much conflict for oil.
Long time ago, I published a poem called “Formosa”. It’s about Taiwan and its history and political situation. I know I have Chinese roots but just despise the complexity of cross-strait relationship between Mainland China and Taiwan. We did not get democracy until recent decades but being always threatened by the biggest communist country in the world is definitely not a comfortable thing to live with daily.
Like I said in “Terra-Cotta Soldiers”, I refuse to be anyone else's belongings but my own master…
Formosa
Tossing from the ocean
Rushing to an island
Deep blue lilies
Shed a light on
A broken family
Hundreds of years
Numerous tears
A colonial past
Bled an enormous gap
From tulip to cherry
From red stars to green leaves
A grand new hope
Is about to free
Dragon is awakening
Phoenix is hovering
I shall make myself known
As my name was shown
Formosa
The eastern nova
Glowing like a diamond pagoda
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
I Wish
I Wish
I wish I never knew the language
My heart would not pound so rapidly
There were many questions without answers
At least not within the extent of my knowledge
Why would familiar music trigger childhood memory
Thousands of neurons float gently
Through the end of eastern rainbows
A picturesque image fades
At a preliminary stage of metamorphosis
I wish diversity was a process temporarily
Reflecting one’s weakness only
I wish I never met the personage
So my soul would not run away from me…
My heart would not pound so rapidly
There were many questions without answers
At least not within the extent of my knowledge
Why would familiar music trigger childhood memory
Thousands of neurons float gently
Through the end of eastern rainbows
A picturesque image fades
At a preliminary stage of metamorphosis
I wish diversity was a process temporarily
Reflecting one’s weakness only
I wish I never met the personage
So my soul would not run away from me…
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Teacher's Pet: Chapter 2~ Friend and Foe
Wang is the other teacher’s pet in my class, he is also the vice class leader. Coming from a wealthy family, he gets whatever he wants. His father is the president of the parents’ association. You know the one who donates the most money to the school for activities, sports meeting, and carnivals.
Sometimes, I envy Wang’s possessions and the privilege to materials. However, Wang is willing to share his assets. We are the best friends and classmates. He always invites me to his house, the four-floored gigantic building. We like to swim in the pool on the top of the house, dancing, playing music, and competing to see who can dive in the water for the longest time.
Wang is also an excellent student and studies diligently. He and I vie for the first place all the time.
For some unknown custom, we kids like to take out our little desks and sit in front of the door doing homework after school. I even ask my little brother to be my spy, checking on Wang’s daily schedule to see whether he studies or not. Then, I will decide how much effort I need to put in so as to outrun him in class. My poor little brother usually protests but I can coax him to do it most of the time by giving him my allowance.
You probably have no idea how a sixth grader can study. I usually stay up late to memorize Chinese articles and do math exercises. Many times I would hear the croaks of frogs or the singing of crickets at night. One time I even heard the sound of the Pacific Ocean sending the waves of midnight bells.
And the way to keep myself awake in winter is studying on my balcony and using icy water to wash my face…My teeth tremble like energizer bunnies, and I persevere to finish what I plan to study.
To be continued...
Sometimes, I envy Wang’s possessions and the privilege to materials. However, Wang is willing to share his assets. We are the best friends and classmates. He always invites me to his house, the four-floored gigantic building. We like to swim in the pool on the top of the house, dancing, playing music, and competing to see who can dive in the water for the longest time.
Wang is also an excellent student and studies diligently. He and I vie for the first place all the time.
For some unknown custom, we kids like to take out our little desks and sit in front of the door doing homework after school. I even ask my little brother to be my spy, checking on Wang’s daily schedule to see whether he studies or not. Then, I will decide how much effort I need to put in so as to outrun him in class. My poor little brother usually protests but I can coax him to do it most of the time by giving him my allowance.
You probably have no idea how a sixth grader can study. I usually stay up late to memorize Chinese articles and do math exercises. Many times I would hear the croaks of frogs or the singing of crickets at night. One time I even heard the sound of the Pacific Ocean sending the waves of midnight bells.
And the way to keep myself awake in winter is studying on my balcony and using icy water to wash my face…My teeth tremble like energizer bunnies, and I persevere to finish what I plan to study.
To be continued...
Questions I want to ask God face to face
Recently I had a chance reading some friends’ bogs, and that motivated me to post entries on my own. Well, I did. I have to admit I always wanted to pen down my thoughts and feelings. As some of you’ve known, I write poetry too. As a non-native speaker, it’s in fact quite fascinating to do so.
Long time ago, a thought came over me: What if having sex didn’t bring any physical pleasure at all, would people still be fervently engaged in it? What if sex were only for the purpose of procreation, would there be so many sexual crimes, broken hearts, and tragedies in our world? I know no one is perfect and we all incline to be sensual, but there is much more that one can pursue in this universe.
I always love chatting with those who have more life experience or full of wisdom because I can learn from them. Observing every bit of detail in life makes me wonder my own existence in our galaxy. Wouldn’t it be nice if I didn’t have to fight my own carnal weakness? Wouldn’t it be nice if I only needed 1 hour sleep every day? I would love to use the rest of time figuring out life and death, and the veritable meaning of life.
If God were like us eons ago, having walked the same path as what we’re doing now, where did He get His faith and strength from? What about all His fellow comrades? Had they also exalted to Gods and Goddesses?
If someday I got to meet God face to face, I would like to ask Him all the above questions. And yeah, I also want to know whether He encountered all the problems we have in our world as well, issues such as different races, sexualities, intelligences, and degrees of wealth. I hope His answers would be what I expect or at least not far from what I’ve come up with.
One last thing I would like to ask God is what His mother tongue is…
Long time ago, a thought came over me: What if having sex didn’t bring any physical pleasure at all, would people still be fervently engaged in it? What if sex were only for the purpose of procreation, would there be so many sexual crimes, broken hearts, and tragedies in our world? I know no one is perfect and we all incline to be sensual, but there is much more that one can pursue in this universe.
I always love chatting with those who have more life experience or full of wisdom because I can learn from them. Observing every bit of detail in life makes me wonder my own existence in our galaxy. Wouldn’t it be nice if I didn’t have to fight my own carnal weakness? Wouldn’t it be nice if I only needed 1 hour sleep every day? I would love to use the rest of time figuring out life and death, and the veritable meaning of life.
If God were like us eons ago, having walked the same path as what we’re doing now, where did He get His faith and strength from? What about all His fellow comrades? Had they also exalted to Gods and Goddesses?
If someday I got to meet God face to face, I would like to ask Him all the above questions. And yeah, I also want to know whether He encountered all the problems we have in our world as well, issues such as different races, sexualities, intelligences, and degrees of wealth. I hope His answers would be what I expect or at least not far from what I’ve come up with.
One last thing I would like to ask God is what His mother tongue is…
Multilingual Mind
Although most of us speak Mandarin Chinese at school, work, or other social gatherings, my first language is actually Taiwanese. I didn’t learn Mandarin until I went to kindergarten. However, I don’t recall how exactly I learned to speak Mandarin. The only memory lingering in my head is my mother showed me how to count from one to ten because she said the teacher in the kindergarten would ask me on the first day of school.
After elementary school, I officially started to learn English. The reason I said officially is that I wasn’t completely ignorant of the existence of English. The Catholic nuns near my house often communicated in English and I was also exposed to some American TV programs at home.
Unlike many kids in Taiwan nowadays, I took my first English lesson in the 7th grade. I guess I was blessed to have an unconventional teacher for we were asked to memorize dialogues in English and act them out all the time. I got to know it was critical to think in English if I would like to speak like native speakers.
The rest of my schooling in Taiwan, I forced myself to eat, run, or sleep all in English as so to master the language. Then, I went to Switzerland for college, where I acquired French. I was lucky enough to spend two years in France too. Therefore, my multilingual mind rapidly adapted to the new environment. Believe it or not, I only spoke a handful of times Mandarin for the entire period in France. The best proof is I wrote my journal in French for those days.
What is it like in my brain when I speak French? Do the neurons function in the same way as they do in English or Chinese? Is my acquisition different from those who grew up in a multilingual environment? To what extent is the variation? Would it be possible one can learn several languages simultaneously? And how would neurons handle that as opposed to the regular monolingual learning process?
In retrospect, I know when I spoke Chinese and English in high school, I seldom encountered difficulty expressing myself, be it cognition-related, or ordinary usage in life.
After elementary school, I officially started to learn English. The reason I said officially is that I wasn’t completely ignorant of the existence of English. The Catholic nuns near my house often communicated in English and I was also exposed to some American TV programs at home.
Unlike many kids in Taiwan nowadays, I took my first English lesson in the 7th grade. I guess I was blessed to have an unconventional teacher for we were asked to memorize dialogues in English and act them out all the time. I got to know it was critical to think in English if I would like to speak like native speakers.
The rest of my schooling in Taiwan, I forced myself to eat, run, or sleep all in English as so to master the language. Then, I went to Switzerland for college, where I acquired French. I was lucky enough to spend two years in France too. Therefore, my multilingual mind rapidly adapted to the new environment. Believe it or not, I only spoke a handful of times Mandarin for the entire period in France. The best proof is I wrote my journal in French for those days.
What is it like in my brain when I speak French? Do the neurons function in the same way as they do in English or Chinese? Is my acquisition different from those who grew up in a multilingual environment? To what extent is the variation? Would it be possible one can learn several languages simultaneously? And how would neurons handle that as opposed to the regular monolingual learning process?
In retrospect, I know when I spoke Chinese and English in high school, I seldom encountered difficulty expressing myself, be it cognition-related, or ordinary usage in life.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Teacher's Pet: Chapter 1~Me
I know many of you don’t like teacher’s pets but I happen to be one. I like to study and always want to excel. Meanwhile, I also love sports, so I joined the school’s field and track team.
My parents are always busy with work; but to me, doing homework is the first priority in my school life. I set up a daily routine, getting up before dawn, eating breakfast, getting dressed and walking to school by myself. I adore the cold and fresh air early in the morning, especially when passing by the boulevard lined with tall coconut trees.
Being a class leader, I’m in charge of many things, collecting fellow students’ exercise books, keeping everything in order in classroom, and yeah, leading the class to do the daily ritual-greeting to every teacher before each class starts.
I am also the master of our flag-raising ceremony every morning. Usually they would pick a girl but I am the best public speaker in school. Therefore, teachers assign me to do this honorable task.
Now, you might think many will probably not like me. Wrong, I’m in fact very popular among the peers. My friends like to hang out with me; not only can I help them with homework but also come up with numerous brilliant ideas for entertainment.
To be continued…
My parents are always busy with work; but to me, doing homework is the first priority in my school life. I set up a daily routine, getting up before dawn, eating breakfast, getting dressed and walking to school by myself. I adore the cold and fresh air early in the morning, especially when passing by the boulevard lined with tall coconut trees.
Being a class leader, I’m in charge of many things, collecting fellow students’ exercise books, keeping everything in order in classroom, and yeah, leading the class to do the daily ritual-greeting to every teacher before each class starts.
I am also the master of our flag-raising ceremony every morning. Usually they would pick a girl but I am the best public speaker in school. Therefore, teachers assign me to do this honorable task.
Now, you might think many will probably not like me. Wrong, I’m in fact very popular among the peers. My friends like to hang out with me; not only can I help them with homework but also come up with numerous brilliant ideas for entertainment.
To be continued…
Everlasting Banquet
One of Chinese sayings goes like “There is no banquet without an end in this world.” I used to be very upset about it, not realizing how reality could be and bite! After having spent almost 10 years overseas, I know much of our life cannot be turned back, or I should say it’s hundred percent irreversible.
On Sunday afternoons, we would get together, having lunch, chatting, and sharing many thoughts about life and death. I enjoyed the intellectual and spiritual stimulation of those days. After church, we sometimes would drive into the mountains to see the breath-taking scenes. I loved the fresh air and some unexpected aboriginal habitats scattering in the valleys.
I hope everyone I used to be close with is doing well, no matter where he or she is, or any lifestyle he or she is leading. We tend to judge others by social norms or our own standards; yet who are we to do so ? It’s a dire feeling to lose contact of those friends.
J.C., I know your divorce was a catastrophe but whom should we blame? I recall the night I rang back to Taidong, you said you were just being strong and perplexed why everyone expected you to show weakness because you’re female. Of course, it all had passed and we grew older and life keeps going and we will probably never see each other again…
I wish there would be an everlasting banquet, so we could be together forever!
On Sunday afternoons, we would get together, having lunch, chatting, and sharing many thoughts about life and death. I enjoyed the intellectual and spiritual stimulation of those days. After church, we sometimes would drive into the mountains to see the breath-taking scenes. I loved the fresh air and some unexpected aboriginal habitats scattering in the valleys.
I hope everyone I used to be close with is doing well, no matter where he or she is, or any lifestyle he or she is leading. We tend to judge others by social norms or our own standards; yet who are we to do so ? It’s a dire feeling to lose contact of those friends.
J.C., I know your divorce was a catastrophe but whom should we blame? I recall the night I rang back to Taidong, you said you were just being strong and perplexed why everyone expected you to show weakness because you’re female. Of course, it all had passed and we grew older and life keeps going and we will probably never see each other again…
I wish there would be an everlasting banquet, so we could be together forever!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Military Days
“What’re you reading, Jersk?” asked Eric.
“Oh, it’s a novel of Amy Tan.” said I.
“The Hundred Secret Senses?”
“Yeah, it is.”
Eric and I both like to read, but he prefers reading Chinese books, especially he is preparing for the graduate school entrance exams. He majored in Chinese in university and always wanted to be a high school teacher.
“Colonel asked me to buy steak for his breakfast this morning. I don’t know what to say. The chauffer had no idea where to get it, either. It’s 6:15 am!”
I replied, “Tell him to eat shit! Freaking psycho! I don’t understand having been in the United States for a few years could make a person go nuts like that!”
“Sometimes, I wonder whether I’m really stupid, you know?”
“Why would you say that?” I asked.
“He keeps telling me I’m stupid, clumsy, and not good enough. Like yesterday, I did clean his office and meticulously make sure every leaf of the plants was clean. But this morning, he called me in and scolded me for not cleaning the office properly because there were leaves on the floor.”
“What the heck was he saying? I know you clean his office every night! And you’re not stupid! You’re one of the smartest guys I’ve ever known.” said I.
“I reckon the leaves must’ve fallen during the night. But he wouldn’t listen to me but kept shouting at me. Sigh…”
“That son of bitch! The leaves must've fallen from the ugly tree! Someday, we will teach him a real lesson!” replied I angrily.
Many a time, I would ask myself why the hell I was doing in the military. A major waste of my time in life was what it was. I despised the hierarchical system and those who still possessed the aristocratic mind-set. Were it not a compulsory service, I would never join the military. Luckily, my rear admiral was a decent guy and he respected others too. Eric was not fortunate. His colonel was a fucking jerk, a snob, and a hypocrite. In front of my boss, the admiral, he would speak softly, lowering himself, and showing his best side; once he turned his back and faced us, he would become a ferocious werewolf. Gosh, I so wanted to punch him right in the nose. No, I should get a gun with silver bullets and shoot him to a beehive.
“Don’t be sad, Eric. You only have 30 days left and will retire and probably go back to school. Think about the positive side!” said I.
“I know, but I just feel so helpless at times. I’ve tried all I can but he is just too difficult.”
“I know what we can do before you leave!” said I slyly.
“What? You got another one of your witty schemes?”
“Doesn’t Colonel have an expensive Chinese painting hung on the wall in the office?” asked I.
“Yeah, why? That painting is worth NT150,000 according to him.”
“Hmm, that’s great. We are going to leave a precious mark on it! hehe.”
So, right before Eric left, he and I wore gloves to take off the painting one night and drew a huge turtle on the back of the painting and then slid it back to the frame. More over, we slightly changed the plants to different directions as opposed to the ones that Colonel’s Feng-Shui master had indicated. Theoretically, this would bring bad luck to the colonel!
Two years later, I met Eric near his university. He successfully got into the graduate school and had been teaching Chinese in a private high school for ten months…
As for the colonel, I heard he was debugged and sent to a naval school to wait for his retirement because he was allegedly accused of having some sort of illegal trading with outsiders.
“Oh, it’s a novel of Amy Tan.” said I.
“The Hundred Secret Senses?”
“Yeah, it is.”
Eric and I both like to read, but he prefers reading Chinese books, especially he is preparing for the graduate school entrance exams. He majored in Chinese in university and always wanted to be a high school teacher.
“Colonel asked me to buy steak for his breakfast this morning. I don’t know what to say. The chauffer had no idea where to get it, either. It’s 6:15 am!”
I replied, “Tell him to eat shit! Freaking psycho! I don’t understand having been in the United States for a few years could make a person go nuts like that!”
“Sometimes, I wonder whether I’m really stupid, you know?”
“Why would you say that?” I asked.
“He keeps telling me I’m stupid, clumsy, and not good enough. Like yesterday, I did clean his office and meticulously make sure every leaf of the plants was clean. But this morning, he called me in and scolded me for not cleaning the office properly because there were leaves on the floor.”
“What the heck was he saying? I know you clean his office every night! And you’re not stupid! You’re one of the smartest guys I’ve ever known.” said I.
“I reckon the leaves must’ve fallen during the night. But he wouldn’t listen to me but kept shouting at me. Sigh…”
“That son of bitch! The leaves must've fallen from the ugly tree! Someday, we will teach him a real lesson!” replied I angrily.
Many a time, I would ask myself why the hell I was doing in the military. A major waste of my time in life was what it was. I despised the hierarchical system and those who still possessed the aristocratic mind-set. Were it not a compulsory service, I would never join the military. Luckily, my rear admiral was a decent guy and he respected others too. Eric was not fortunate. His colonel was a fucking jerk, a snob, and a hypocrite. In front of my boss, the admiral, he would speak softly, lowering himself, and showing his best side; once he turned his back and faced us, he would become a ferocious werewolf. Gosh, I so wanted to punch him right in the nose. No, I should get a gun with silver bullets and shoot him to a beehive.
“Don’t be sad, Eric. You only have 30 days left and will retire and probably go back to school. Think about the positive side!” said I.
“I know, but I just feel so helpless at times. I’ve tried all I can but he is just too difficult.”
“I know what we can do before you leave!” said I slyly.
“What? You got another one of your witty schemes?”
“Doesn’t Colonel have an expensive Chinese painting hung on the wall in the office?” asked I.
“Yeah, why? That painting is worth NT150,000 according to him.”
“Hmm, that’s great. We are going to leave a precious mark on it! hehe.”
So, right before Eric left, he and I wore gloves to take off the painting one night and drew a huge turtle on the back of the painting and then slid it back to the frame. More over, we slightly changed the plants to different directions as opposed to the ones that Colonel’s Feng-Shui master had indicated. Theoretically, this would bring bad luck to the colonel!
Two years later, I met Eric near his university. He successfully got into the graduate school and had been teaching Chinese in a private high school for ten months…
As for the colonel, I heard he was debugged and sent to a naval school to wait for his retirement because he was allegedly accused of having some sort of illegal trading with outsiders.
Chapter 1: Catholic Monastery, Part II
The first time I adventured in the wonderland was a late autumn afternoon. The white and yellow chrysanthemums were in blossom; and one could easily smell the fragrance of roses thirty feet away from the garden...
As I gently turned the door knob and pushed the heavy door open, I was astonished by the volumes of books displayed in front of me. I bet there were at least five hundred thousand books! The ceiling must have been renovated for a few times, as I could see the painting of Maria and baby Jesus appeared quite new and bright.
I walked toward the shelf next to the French window and found an interesting collection of ancient religious books. To my great surprise, there were several series of Chinese religious tales. I noticed one of them marked by a red dragon on the rim. Out of curiosity, I pulled out the book and started to flip through. It was all in English even though I did not know any words, I recognized the alphabets.
While I was contemplating the vivid illustrations in the books, my eyes soon fell on a blue phoenix. The wings of this gorgeous bird were so pretty and I couldn’t help myself but stretched out my right hand to caress them. As I was appreciating the delicate picture, I suddenly found the eyes of this beautiful creature moved back and forth. I thought I was dreaming, but the phoenix briskly flapped its wings and turned into a crimson animal.
To be continued…
As I gently turned the door knob and pushed the heavy door open, I was astonished by the volumes of books displayed in front of me. I bet there were at least five hundred thousand books! The ceiling must have been renovated for a few times, as I could see the painting of Maria and baby Jesus appeared quite new and bright.
I walked toward the shelf next to the French window and found an interesting collection of ancient religious books. To my great surprise, there were several series of Chinese religious tales. I noticed one of them marked by a red dragon on the rim. Out of curiosity, I pulled out the book and started to flip through. It was all in English even though I did not know any words, I recognized the alphabets.
While I was contemplating the vivid illustrations in the books, my eyes soon fell on a blue phoenix. The wings of this gorgeous bird were so pretty and I couldn’t help myself but stretched out my right hand to caress them. As I was appreciating the delicate picture, I suddenly found the eyes of this beautiful creature moved back and forth. I thought I was dreaming, but the phoenix briskly flapped its wings and turned into a crimson animal.
To be continued…
My family in America
Dear family,
I don’t expect you will see and read this letter but I would like to tell you how much I have missed you ever since I left the United States. The first time I experienced crying while I was asleep was on one of my business trips in Hong Kong. I woke up and couldn’t help but cry. I remember clearly walking back to the yard and I saw Kelly was fixing the lawn-mower and he was so happy to see me and gave me a hug. He led me to the kitchen and gladly said the rest of the family would be so thrilled to know I was back. I then saw Kim coming down the stairs with the little ones and their friends. She shouted with joy and the little ones were jumping and hailing.
I’m so sorry I didn’t keep in touch but I want all of you to know how much I love you. Thanks for having taken me into the family, which warmed me a ton as a lonely student in a foreign country. Sometimes, I wish I could be just anyone of you, then I would be able to do more in the church but now I’m on my own. I know God is still taking care of me, yet my heart is stricken with incurable wounds. I want every one of you know I will never forget your faces, names, and every bit of memory weaved in my good old days over there.
I try not to be cynical for I sure know it’s useless and doesn’t help much to move on my life. A typhoon is coming tomorrow; and I hope it can sweep away all of my sorrow and chagrin. I recall a poem I wrote back then. It was penned down after a geographic excursion at the Great Salt Lake. Adieu, my beloved family…
I don’t expect you will see and read this letter but I would like to tell you how much I have missed you ever since I left the United States. The first time I experienced crying while I was asleep was on one of my business trips in Hong Kong. I woke up and couldn’t help but cry. I remember clearly walking back to the yard and I saw Kelly was fixing the lawn-mower and he was so happy to see me and gave me a hug. He led me to the kitchen and gladly said the rest of the family would be so thrilled to know I was back. I then saw Kim coming down the stairs with the little ones and their friends. She shouted with joy and the little ones were jumping and hailing.
I’m so sorry I didn’t keep in touch but I want all of you to know how much I love you. Thanks for having taken me into the family, which warmed me a ton as a lonely student in a foreign country. Sometimes, I wish I could be just anyone of you, then I would be able to do more in the church but now I’m on my own. I know God is still taking care of me, yet my heart is stricken with incurable wounds. I want every one of you know I will never forget your faces, names, and every bit of memory weaved in my good old days over there.
I try not to be cynical for I sure know it’s useless and doesn’t help much to move on my life. A typhoon is coming tomorrow; and I hope it can sweep away all of my sorrow and chagrin. I recall a poem I wrote back then. It was penned down after a geographic excursion at the Great Salt Lake. Adieu, my beloved family…
Isostacy
Salinity soars
With an ancient past
Bonneville drained
As eons ago
Great Salt Lake roars
In a bi-direction sophisticated road
Flowing into a miraculous combination
Pink mirror with green floor
Extending a picturesque tempo
Why can’t anyone stop for a moment
Pondering the wisdom of Nature
Melting glaciers evaporate
Sustaining forces dismiss
Causing enormous rebound
Like mankind
We all miss
The purity of love and a peaceful mind
Conflict will forever exist
If the support of charity subsides
Like isostacy
Leaving our offspring
Nothing to shore up
Salinity soars
With an ancient past
Bonneville drained
As eons ago
Great Salt Lake roars
In a bi-direction sophisticated road
Flowing into a miraculous combination
Pink mirror with green floor
Extending a picturesque tempo
Why can’t anyone stop for a moment
Pondering the wisdom of Nature
Melting glaciers evaporate
Sustaining forces dismiss
Causing enormous rebound
Like mankind
We all miss
The purity of love and a peaceful mind
Conflict will forever exist
If the support of charity subsides
Like isostacy
Leaving our offspring
Nothing to shore up
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Monday, July 10, 2006
Only Love Begets Love
On the prairie of Siberia
Lies my lonely dream
Awaking in the imminent spring
Melting snow as the breeze sings
Why can’t I see thy face
In the blue lake
Why can’t I feel thy breath
In the cold air
The sun rises again
Yet my love seems so far away
In the castle of Normandy
Weaves my favorite memory
Walking on a sunny street
Sharing messages as the spirit lifts
What makes a man happy
In a serene city
What makes a man ready
To accept the eternity
Only love begets love
Truly as the Christ taught
Only faith begets faith
We shall all be saved
On the prairie of Siberia
Buried my somber dream
In the castle of Normandy
Raises my joyous memory…
Lies my lonely dream
Awaking in the imminent spring
Melting snow as the breeze sings
Why can’t I see thy face
In the blue lake
Why can’t I feel thy breath
In the cold air
The sun rises again
Yet my love seems so far away
In the castle of Normandy
Weaves my favorite memory
Walking on a sunny street
Sharing messages as the spirit lifts
What makes a man happy
In a serene city
What makes a man ready
To accept the eternity
Only love begets love
Truly as the Christ taught
Only faith begets faith
We shall all be saved
On the prairie of Siberia
Buried my somber dream
In the castle of Normandy
Raises my joyous memory…
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Ostrich Egg
So, France lost in the World Cup. Yeah, I was a little sad but they have done their best. What can I say? C’est la vie! The afternoon thunderstorm slashed the thick air in the city; and I was on the bus, looking out the window. I said it was all good, we did need some water to cool down the high temperature we’ve been having for the last few days.
One of my students told me the next host country for the World Cup would be South Africa. That’s interesting to know because no one seemed to mention it at all. I don’t know much about South Africa, only the memory from the navy days. Da-Bei was on a tour and stationed over there for a few days. He brought me some colored stones and an ostrich egg. I think I still keep the egg at my parent’s house.
Gosh, those military days were so far away, almost fading into oblivion. I didn’t like my service and always think it was a waste of time. What did I learn? Nothing! I read many English novels and that could be the only beneficial thing for the entire two years. But speaking of South Africa, I think of my ostrich egg and the novel I got from Da-Bei. I recall the day he came back to the classroom and told me he was soon leaving for the battleship fleet. We were at the naval school in Zwo-Ying…
One of my students told me the next host country for the World Cup would be South Africa. That’s interesting to know because no one seemed to mention it at all. I don’t know much about South Africa, only the memory from the navy days. Da-Bei was on a tour and stationed over there for a few days. He brought me some colored stones and an ostrich egg. I think I still keep the egg at my parent’s house.
Gosh, those military days were so far away, almost fading into oblivion. I didn’t like my service and always think it was a waste of time. What did I learn? Nothing! I read many English novels and that could be the only beneficial thing for the entire two years. But speaking of South Africa, I think of my ostrich egg and the novel I got from Da-Bei. I recall the day he came back to the classroom and told me he was soon leaving for the battleship fleet. We were at the naval school in Zwo-Ying…
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Chapter 1: Catholic Monastery
Behind the loquat trees lies the spacious catholic monastery. I await Sister Anderson’s smile after school. Her bright laughter always stirs a bit of awe from my heart. I timidly walk into the garden through one of the side doors. I love those sisters’ starched white robes; it gives me a sort of comfort.
On every Wednesday afternoon, when I’m not out in the forest with other playmates, I am always in the garden of the monastery, helping to pull some weeds, and watering the sweet potatoes and cabbages. My reward would be picking those purplish grapes and golden loquats when they are ready for harvest. And I’m usually the first one who tastes this out of the world fruits!
I don’t really speak any English because I’m only six years old. But I am fond of the intonation given off from the utterances of Sister Anderson and other nuns. Many a time, I would daydream myself speaking fluent English but actually just muttering gibberish.
The second floor of the monastery is a big library, full of foreign books and biblical documents. The old books in the darker corner emit a pungent and stale smell, which makes me dizzy every time I enter the room. However, I like to spend my afternoons in there because there is a little world, filled with wonders. I haven’t told anyone about this wonderland, not even my dear Sister Anderson…
To be continued…
On every Wednesday afternoon, when I’m not out in the forest with other playmates, I am always in the garden of the monastery, helping to pull some weeds, and watering the sweet potatoes and cabbages. My reward would be picking those purplish grapes and golden loquats when they are ready for harvest. And I’m usually the first one who tastes this out of the world fruits!
I don’t really speak any English because I’m only six years old. But I am fond of the intonation given off from the utterances of Sister Anderson and other nuns. Many a time, I would daydream myself speaking fluent English but actually just muttering gibberish.
The second floor of the monastery is a big library, full of foreign books and biblical documents. The old books in the darker corner emit a pungent and stale smell, which makes me dizzy every time I enter the room. However, I like to spend my afternoons in there because there is a little world, filled with wonders. I haven’t told anyone about this wonderland, not even my dear Sister Anderson…
To be continued…
Terra-Cotta Soldiers
Terra-Cotta Soldiers
Silence of sleep
Thousands of years
A forbidden mystery prevailed
Bright sunshine overwhelmed
Millions of human beings
An ancient dynasty
Reappeared
Palace, military and hegemony
Slowly evoking a vivid history
Buried power with treasuries
Reemerged
Fear, blood, and dictatorship
Gruesomely established the first unity
Emperor and Empress
Heaven and Earth
How daring were they
Locked us there
Even just terra-cotta soldiers
We demanded democracy
And refused being belongings
Written by Jerski Bjorksen
Saturday, July 08, 2006
All in gray
It’s not a good day for me. I felt tired after teaching six hours straight, and the weather was so sultry due to the typhoon. I went to Watersheds with Dr. Joy but I had something else on my mind…
P. emailed me back, asking about my plan of going back to America. I haven’t thought about how to tell P. the details. I’m really on my own now, without my favorite religion, without siblings, and without parents. I guess I can go ahead and pursue what I have had in my heart since my childhood.
I’m sad but try to be nonchalant. Yet it just doesn’t work! I’m afraid everything I see would turn out gray again. Those days in France, I thought it was the end of my path. I don’t want that appears again, really, I don’t want to see things all in depressing gray…
P. emailed me back, asking about my plan of going back to America. I haven’t thought about how to tell P. the details. I’m really on my own now, without my favorite religion, without siblings, and without parents. I guess I can go ahead and pursue what I have had in my heart since my childhood.
I’m sad but try to be nonchalant. Yet it just doesn’t work! I’m afraid everything I see would turn out gray again. Those days in France, I thought it was the end of my path. I don’t want that appears again, really, I don’t want to see things all in depressing gray…
Friday, July 07, 2006
Wish we could speak French together...
I saw my second oldest sister yesterday. She was also on her way home. Although we live quite close to each other, I don’t see her that often. She told me last night that she got a job doing housework for a family. I thought that was great because she never really had a career since she got married not long after college. However, I also had some sort of mixed feeling because she was a French major in university. She never got to use that language skill after school. Sometimes, I think that’s a pity; yet who am I to judge?
Does going to university make an individual superior than others? Does that make a person smarter? In our society, I think we care too much about diploma. It’s true one can receive certain intellectual stimulation in a college milieu, but it also depends on a person’s desire to explore the world of knowledge.
I wish my sister had continued her French education and used that language skill, so we could speak French together. But I know she is happy with her life, which is the most important thing to me…
Does going to university make an individual superior than others? Does that make a person smarter? In our society, I think we care too much about diploma. It’s true one can receive certain intellectual stimulation in a college milieu, but it also depends on a person’s desire to explore the world of knowledge.
I wish my sister had continued her French education and used that language skill, so we could speak French together. But I know she is happy with her life, which is the most important thing to me…
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Seditious Media
Media in Taiwan could be one of the weirdest phenomena one can find in the world. 24/7 broadcasting bombards you with sensational scandals if you flip on your TV. Recent insider trading of the son in law of Mr. President causes a tremendous ripple effect in both political parties.
How can a person like Chao be so greedy? Doctor by trade, he graduated from the top university in Taiwan. Is his family poor? Not that any one of us knows of. Avarice is indeed a destructive abyss. I think those legislators should pass a law enforcing those who embezzle or do insider trading to return the money that doesn’t belong to them, or even better confiscate all their property to help the poor and needy children. No wonder people say politics is dirty but I say many government- related individuals are filthy.
Whenever it comes to politics in Taiwan, it just makes one deflated, depressed, and suicidal. What the heck is our government doing? And what are those TV news stations doing? Isn’t our society messed up enough? Gosh, I want some clean news, okay? I don’t give a shit about a fifty-year-old woman getting married to a twenty-three-old lad. I don’t need all the details three days in a row. I know I know I can just turn off the TV. Yeah, in fact, I ditched it!! I don’t have one now… I’d rather read Amy Tan or “Scientific America”.
How can a person like Chao be so greedy? Doctor by trade, he graduated from the top university in Taiwan. Is his family poor? Not that any one of us knows of. Avarice is indeed a destructive abyss. I think those legislators should pass a law enforcing those who embezzle or do insider trading to return the money that doesn’t belong to them, or even better confiscate all their property to help the poor and needy children. No wonder people say politics is dirty but I say many government- related individuals are filthy.
Whenever it comes to politics in Taiwan, it just makes one deflated, depressed, and suicidal. What the heck is our government doing? And what are those TV news stations doing? Isn’t our society messed up enough? Gosh, I want some clean news, okay? I don’t give a shit about a fifty-year-old woman getting married to a twenty-three-old lad. I don’t need all the details three days in a row. I know I know I can just turn off the TV. Yeah, in fact, I ditched it!! I don’t have one now… I’d rather read Amy Tan or “Scientific America”.
Allez La France
Yeah, France is into the World Cup final! Unbelievable! I bet Portugal must feel like shit. Oh well, c’est la vie! France vs. Italy, which one do I support? Certainly it’s France. After all I had lived there for over two years. I was lucky because people I met were quite nice to me…And I tried my best to learn the language as well.
I only have to work for two hours today, which is awesome. I need some time sorting out my stuff and doing errands. In addition, I’d rather stay in my air-coned room than go out in the scorching sun. Yikes! I detest summer in Taipei.
I only have to work for two hours today, which is awesome. I need some time sorting out my stuff and doing errands. In addition, I’d rather stay in my air-coned room than go out in the scorching sun. Yikes! I detest summer in Taipei.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
I'm an alien
I’m an alien
What about you
Did you ever run into my people
I’ve seen many of yours
What made you think I had other intention
I was just being polite
I know you very well
But you have no idea about me
I’m an alien
What about you
We see you by heart
Yet you see us by appearance
What made you think you're wiser than others
There will always be aliens
Beyond your limited imagination
I’m an alien
And you are still a human
I guess after all we are all different
What about you
Did you ever run into my people
I’ve seen many of yours
What made you think I had other intention
I was just being polite
I know you very well
But you have no idea about me
I’m an alien
What about you
We see you by heart
Yet you see us by appearance
What made you think you're wiser than others
There will always be aliens
Beyond your limited imagination
I’m an alien
And you are still a human
I guess after all we are all different
written by Jerski Bjorksen, July 5,2006
I love math
The new life has begun; and I know for some reason I won’t have much chance being with my family. Isn’t that the way it has been for several years? However, I can strongly feel it’s the end. I started to read Amy Tan’s new book “Saving Fish from Drowning”. It’s a hilarious book with a sense of humor that makes me laugh. The first time I read Amy Tan, I was a junior in high school. It’s the novel “The Joy Luck Club”. I even told my pen pal that book would become very popular. It proved I was darn right. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. I did have some pen pals in high schools, mainly for practicing English. You had no idea how I was attracted to the language. I used to watch L.A. Law in order to learn English.
My high school math teacher said math was very important and if we didn’t study it hard, we would be a failure in life later. Screw the heck out of him! I didn’t like math was because the way he taught. His handwriting was so small and his voice so weak, we could barely hear him. This kind of teacher is basically unqualified. If I were the dean, I would fire him first!
So, one day, I brought ten English books, including my favorite novels, scattering all of them on my tiny desk in the math class. I didn’t take out my math textbook, nor did I listen to the whole lesson. I knew the teacher noticed what I was doing but he didn’t say a word; instead he went to our class teacher and complained about my audacious and rude behavior. Was I audacious and rude? I was just trying to show my discontentment and protested I disagreed with what he said.
Why didn’t he ask me I hated math? As the matter of the fact, I loved math, especially when I was in junior high. My beloved math teacher was one of the best. He made learning math so fun and easy. I thought about going into the scientific filed because it was not only my childhood dream but also the encouragement of that great math teacher. Yet all had changed after entering high school. I failed on math for my junior and senior years in high school and didn’t bother to take the make-up tests. I hated math or I should say I hated the incompetent teacher!
Years later, while I was studying in the Untied States, I wanted to prove that I could learn math well. So I took calculus which wasn’t required by my major, linguistics. But I did it anyway and I got an A. I know nothing is hard as long as I want to accomplish. Damn the math teacher! I’m now an English teacher myself but sometimes I think back how teachers could ruin a student’s life and self-confidence. Fortunately, I wasn’t affected by that. And I have to say I had so many great experiences due to my language skills…
On the other hand, you can tell I like to challenge authority, which can be very catastrophic at times. I know we all have to bend a little bit, tolerate a little bit because not everything will fall on our track. I know being a human being, we are gregarious and it would be dreadful staying secluded. Nonetheless, it is good to get away from the daily routine, people, work, and let oneself sink to the very bottom of personal contemplation in this universe.
I still have to say thank you to the high school math teacher. Without him, I wouldn’t have known how to be a better teacher myself. What’s wrong being a garbage collector? Why does everyone have to be a doctor, scientist, teacher, or president? What makes our world so precious? Isn’t it the diversity and different layers of thoughts diffusing in our society? I still believe the dictum said by Confucius: Teaching students according to each individual’s talent and capability.
I’m in the mood for some Norwegian music. Yeah, I’m going to listen to Silje Vige...
My high school math teacher said math was very important and if we didn’t study it hard, we would be a failure in life later. Screw the heck out of him! I didn’t like math was because the way he taught. His handwriting was so small and his voice so weak, we could barely hear him. This kind of teacher is basically unqualified. If I were the dean, I would fire him first!
So, one day, I brought ten English books, including my favorite novels, scattering all of them on my tiny desk in the math class. I didn’t take out my math textbook, nor did I listen to the whole lesson. I knew the teacher noticed what I was doing but he didn’t say a word; instead he went to our class teacher and complained about my audacious and rude behavior. Was I audacious and rude? I was just trying to show my discontentment and protested I disagreed with what he said.
Why didn’t he ask me I hated math? As the matter of the fact, I loved math, especially when I was in junior high. My beloved math teacher was one of the best. He made learning math so fun and easy. I thought about going into the scientific filed because it was not only my childhood dream but also the encouragement of that great math teacher. Yet all had changed after entering high school. I failed on math for my junior and senior years in high school and didn’t bother to take the make-up tests. I hated math or I should say I hated the incompetent teacher!
Years later, while I was studying in the Untied States, I wanted to prove that I could learn math well. So I took calculus which wasn’t required by my major, linguistics. But I did it anyway and I got an A. I know nothing is hard as long as I want to accomplish. Damn the math teacher! I’m now an English teacher myself but sometimes I think back how teachers could ruin a student’s life and self-confidence. Fortunately, I wasn’t affected by that. And I have to say I had so many great experiences due to my language skills…
On the other hand, you can tell I like to challenge authority, which can be very catastrophic at times. I know we all have to bend a little bit, tolerate a little bit because not everything will fall on our track. I know being a human being, we are gregarious and it would be dreadful staying secluded. Nonetheless, it is good to get away from the daily routine, people, work, and let oneself sink to the very bottom of personal contemplation in this universe.
I still have to say thank you to the high school math teacher. Without him, I wouldn’t have known how to be a better teacher myself. What’s wrong being a garbage collector? Why does everyone have to be a doctor, scientist, teacher, or president? What makes our world so precious? Isn’t it the diversity and different layers of thoughts diffusing in our society? I still believe the dictum said by Confucius: Teaching students according to each individual’s talent and capability.
I’m in the mood for some Norwegian music. Yeah, I’m going to listen to Silje Vige...
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Madame V
Madame V was my French professor at college in Swiss. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had. She not only speaks French fluently but also English. Her impeccable accent intrigued me when I first heard her in class. To my greater surprise, she was so patient when it came to instructing French. For those who have studied French, you should know the complexity of French grammar compared to English’s. I admire Madame V’s dedication in education at an international school. I was even more touched after I got a list of linguistic books from her while I was studying in the United States. Merci bien, Madame V!
Have you ever tried code switching? Normally bilinguals will switch languages back and forth. I heard people do that when I was in Vevey, Suisse. So, I tried it in Mandarin and English. Then, after I learned French and mastered it, I tested in English and French. Interestingly, I could do it quite fast too. My method is one sentence in French and the subsequent one in English. One has to utter his words like he is speaking only one language. It’s actually quite fun. Try it for those who are bilingual.
Alrighty, I have to dash now. Hope everything will go smoothly today. Oh my God, the radio is playing Faye Wang’s “I do”. This song reminds me of my old days with Sterling in Taidong, sad times in Suisse, and good friends in Oslo. Henry, I hope you’re doing fine in Australia. Still remember Norwegian? It was fun learning the language, right? And I loved your cooking too!
Have you ever tried code switching? Normally bilinguals will switch languages back and forth. I heard people do that when I was in Vevey, Suisse. So, I tried it in Mandarin and English. Then, after I learned French and mastered it, I tested in English and French. Interestingly, I could do it quite fast too. My method is one sentence in French and the subsequent one in English. One has to utter his words like he is speaking only one language. It’s actually quite fun. Try it for those who are bilingual.
Alrighty, I have to dash now. Hope everything will go smoothly today. Oh my God, the radio is playing Faye Wang’s “I do”. This song reminds me of my old days with Sterling in Taidong, sad times in Suisse, and good friends in Oslo. Henry, I hope you’re doing fine in Australia. Still remember Norwegian? It was fun learning the language, right? And I loved your cooking too!
Wind Flower
The bell just rang and J and I ran so fast to the school gate. We were desperate for the weekly ritual, catching little frogs in the rice paddies. We must be there before the sun went down because we wanted to pick some watermelons too…
I’ve lost all the contacts from my childhood. Yet some of the faces still emerge from time to time in my late night dreams. I cried when J had to move away due to J’s father’s debt. What would be worse than losing a good buddy in the eyes of a seven-year-old?
Have you ever cried in your dream? And suddenly you woke up and found out you were really crying. It happened to me once while I was away on a business trip in Hong Kong. It hurt so much! I dreamed of my very good friends in the United States. It hurt so much because I had missed them dearly.
A picture of wind flowers gently rocks my deepest memory of childhood. The generous Catholic sister waved her hands, telling me in Chinese that I could pick the ripe grapes in her garden. I always heard those sisters speak English or some language I didn’t understand. I told Sister Anderson I wanted to learn English. She gave me a book about wind flower. I remember she taught me the first sentence: Wind flower is beautiful but there is a story behind the beauty…
How hard would it be to unfold the mystery of brain? Is it possible to build an intelligent machine like Jeff Hawkins thinks? Would the energy support the machine function like the one in our brain cells? What is the role of mind or heart in this mechanism of intelligence? A machine will not have mind or a heart. And how do we evaluate the intelligence of a machine? Can an intelligent machine possess human-like linguistic character? It would be thrilling to do a profound research in the above questions.
I’ve lost all the contacts from my childhood. Yet some of the faces still emerge from time to time in my late night dreams. I cried when J had to move away due to J’s father’s debt. What would be worse than losing a good buddy in the eyes of a seven-year-old?
Have you ever cried in your dream? And suddenly you woke up and found out you were really crying. It happened to me once while I was away on a business trip in Hong Kong. It hurt so much! I dreamed of my very good friends in the United States. It hurt so much because I had missed them dearly.
A picture of wind flowers gently rocks my deepest memory of childhood. The generous Catholic sister waved her hands, telling me in Chinese that I could pick the ripe grapes in her garden. I always heard those sisters speak English or some language I didn’t understand. I told Sister Anderson I wanted to learn English. She gave me a book about wind flower. I remember she taught me the first sentence: Wind flower is beautiful but there is a story behind the beauty…
How hard would it be to unfold the mystery of brain? Is it possible to build an intelligent machine like Jeff Hawkins thinks? Would the energy support the machine function like the one in our brain cells? What is the role of mind or heart in this mechanism of intelligence? A machine will not have mind or a heart. And how do we evaluate the intelligence of a machine? Can an intelligent machine possess human-like linguistic character? It would be thrilling to do a profound research in the above questions.
Fourth of July
Today is the Fourth of July and it’s also my niece's birthday. I still recall the day I left for the US, my sisters and little niece sent me off at the airport. She was so small but for some reason she knew I was going to be gone for a long while. She squeezed my hand so hard and wouldn’t let me go. Now she is a first grader and will be moving to Beijing soon. Wish her a great birthday with all those who celebrate the Independence Day in America.
On my way home, I noticed the half-full moon hanging quietly in the sky. Can you believe we can actually see the moon in Taipei? I wonder how many people would take a moment and look into the sky tonight. Sometimes, we rush to do this and that and forget to stop for a minute to look around the enviornment. You’ll be surprised to see the beauty of nature even in this city jungle. ICRT is playing one of my favorite bands, ColdPlay. I feel content, really. It’s one of those days in life; I don’t need to worry about anything just relaxing and doing some self-reflection.
Fourth of July, yeah, I wish I could be at the top of Mon-Pelerin, overlooking the great Geneva Lake. I bet the lying-down-on-the-ground cherry tree must have lots of cherries now. It was such an unforgettable surprise stomping upon that tree on a serene summer afternoon.
On my way home, I noticed the half-full moon hanging quietly in the sky. Can you believe we can actually see the moon in Taipei? I wonder how many people would take a moment and look into the sky tonight. Sometimes, we rush to do this and that and forget to stop for a minute to look around the enviornment. You’ll be surprised to see the beauty of nature even in this city jungle. ICRT is playing one of my favorite bands, ColdPlay. I feel content, really. It’s one of those days in life; I don’t need to worry about anything just relaxing and doing some self-reflection.
Fourth of July, yeah, I wish I could be at the top of Mon-Pelerin, overlooking the great Geneva Lake. I bet the lying-down-on-the-ground cherry tree must have lots of cherries now. It was such an unforgettable surprise stomping upon that tree on a serene summer afternoon.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Taipei 101
Sterling and I went to meet Clair this afternoon at Taipei 101. Gosh, it’s been a long time since I went to that place. I remember I took Raphael there when he first came to study Chinese at Shi-Da. I wonder how he is doing now. For some reason, I felt he was like my son. Some said I was too nice to him but I knew how that felt being all alone in a foreign country. The first time I went to college in Swiss. I couldn’t believe all the stores were closed after 6 pm. So, I thought maybe I could use my lunch hour to go out to buy some stationary. But guess what? The shop was closed for lunch break! I cursed several times…
So, what is it about manipulating one’s brain so as to acquire new skills? I actually believe it is feasible; and I would like to conduct some research in this area. It would be compelling if I can monitor my own brain activities. I want to see how PET or fMRI show when I speak French, Norwegian, Chinese, and English, respectively. What about when I think in English and write in Chinese simultaneously? I figured that I could actually do that at a relatively fast pace. Can others do the same?
I sorted out my poems under a new file folder. Someday, I will publish my own anthology, I promise! Yeah, America, I’m coming!
So, what is it about manipulating one’s brain so as to acquire new skills? I actually believe it is feasible; and I would like to conduct some research in this area. It would be compelling if I can monitor my own brain activities. I want to see how PET or fMRI show when I speak French, Norwegian, Chinese, and English, respectively. What about when I think in English and write in Chinese simultaneously? I figured that I could actually do that at a relatively fast pace. Can others do the same?
I sorted out my poems under a new file folder. Someday, I will publish my own anthology, I promise! Yeah, America, I’m coming!
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