Lunar calendar
Day 15 of each month
The full moon rises
But my heart sinks
To the bottom of an abyss…
“Okay, hold the rocket firmly and slightly twist it when you serve…” explained patiently Hui-Ching. “You must concentrate and always plan two steps in advance because the ball comes back fast.”
I nodded gently with all my strength gathered up to learn from this ping-pong master.
As I was trying to hit the ball back to Hui-Ching, the postman suddenly showed up with a big grin. “ Yang Hui-Ching! Letters! Gees! Another bundle of letters from Ping-Tung! How many have you gotten already?” asked the postman with beads of sweat on his forehead on this late summer afternoon.
Hui-Ching’s family just moved to our town a month ago. Apparently she was very popular in her class because each of her classmates wrote her a letter. As far as I was concerned, she had already received thirty five letters and twenty cards so far. Their house was two doors away from ours. The old banyan trees stood highly around the house, forming a natural fence thick enough to cut off any uninvited guests, especially the stray dogs in the neighborhood. I liked to play with Hui-Ching and her younger brother, Dong-Yu, and little sister, Hui-Ming. We would all go to the same elementary school in the fall. I was hoping Dong-Yu and I would be in the same class as we were both 10 years old. Hui-Ching was going to be in grade 6, Hui-Ming, grade 2.
“Hmm we have to stop here today as my dad was about to wake up from his nap,” said Hui-Ching while checking her pink wrist watch. “Perhaps we could play tomorrow after you finish your homework.” “Yeah, that would be nice. I must finish the calligraphy writing and some math exercises,” sighed I.
I loved summer vacations but teachers always gave you homework to do, so I didn’t really play all the time. The kids in our neighborhood all knew each other as our parents were quite familiar with one another. Now I look back, that was really something people don’t find in big city nowadays; even next-door neighbors don’t greet because they might not know who lives right next to them at all.
That year when we started the fall semester, I found out Dong-Yu and I were in the same class. We were so happy, shouting for joy and rushing to the shop to buy some strawberry popsicles for celebration after school.
“What are you doing? Moron! What in the world is wrong with your head?” shouted loudly Hui-Ching’s father as he used his right index finger angrily poking at Hui-Ching’s temple, almost knocked her out of balance. “Ai-ya, I’ve told you when cooking milk fish, you must pour some oil in the pan first and wait until it gets very hot and then you gently slide down the fish! So, the skin will not stick to the pan, UNDERSTAND?” “I just want to…” before Hui-Ching could finish, a slap came across her face faster than a lightning. “No excuses! And don’t even try to talk back to me!” yelled her father. “Now wash the pan and re-do everything! Hurry up! I want my dinner ready in half an hour!” Yang Yu-Fong, Hui-Ching’s father, walked out the kitchen and resumed to his wine-drinking. The cranky lad was addicted to alcohol ever since his wife divorced him five years ago. I heard he used to be a chef at a five-star hotel in the south but lost his passion after his wife left him for another guy. The drinking issue added another deadly bomb to his inherent bad temper in the family. Of course he didn’t know that and would never realize it even after his death.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Emotional Amygdala
Emotion is one of the most significant factors that triggers complex human behaviours ; and the cerebral part regulating this special attribute is called amygdala. It is an almond-shaped brain part which processes fear and other emotions in our brain.
In a research conducted by Ahmad R. Hariri (2002), the transporter gene that amydgdala enlivened was studied via fMRI. The result showed that people who had inherited at least one copy of short transporter gene demonstrated the influence of amydgdala by emotive faces. On the contrary, subjects with two long forms of transporter gene showed less active activity.
Recent research done by Turhan Canli suggests that those who have inherited the short serotonin transporter gene are more easily aroused even just by seeing negative words. However, this does not mean that people with the short transporter gene will beget depression easily unless the environment in which they live also conspires against them.
Thus, both biological and environmental factors are determining in a person’s onset of depression. Certainly there are various drugs that can regulate serotonin in our brain but I wonder how much people can do in terms of their own will and support gained from other family members and friends and to what extent these can help reduce depression.
One thing I found interesting in this article ( Scientific American Mind Feb/Mar 2008) is the explanation of “Serotonin Switch”. It reminded me of my short stay at UDT, the behavioural neuroscience I took…
Serotonin Switch
“ Throughout the nervous system, serotonin passes between neurons in a chemical process that can influence mood, sleep or cognition, among other brain and body functions. At the small gaps between neurons called synapses, a so-called pre-synaptic neuron secretes this neurotransmitter, which promptly crosses the divide, or synaptic cleft. The postsynaptic neuron receives the serotonin via specialized chemically excited or inhibited. The neuron the reverts to its original state after serotonin transporters capture the remaining serotonin from the synaptic cleft and return to the presynaptic cell in a process called reuptake.” By Turhan Canli.
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
In a research conducted by Ahmad R. Hariri (2002), the transporter gene that amydgdala enlivened was studied via fMRI. The result showed that people who had inherited at least one copy of short transporter gene demonstrated the influence of amydgdala by emotive faces. On the contrary, subjects with two long forms of transporter gene showed less active activity.
Recent research done by Turhan Canli suggests that those who have inherited the short serotonin transporter gene are more easily aroused even just by seeing negative words. However, this does not mean that people with the short transporter gene will beget depression easily unless the environment in which they live also conspires against them.
Thus, both biological and environmental factors are determining in a person’s onset of depression. Certainly there are various drugs that can regulate serotonin in our brain but I wonder how much people can do in terms of their own will and support gained from other family members and friends and to what extent these can help reduce depression.
One thing I found interesting in this article ( Scientific American Mind Feb/Mar 2008) is the explanation of “Serotonin Switch”. It reminded me of my short stay at UDT, the behavioural neuroscience I took…
Serotonin Switch
“ Throughout the nervous system, serotonin passes between neurons in a chemical process that can influence mood, sleep or cognition, among other brain and body functions. At the small gaps between neurons called synapses, a so-called pre-synaptic neuron secretes this neurotransmitter, which promptly crosses the divide, or synaptic cleft. The postsynaptic neuron receives the serotonin via specialized chemically excited or inhibited. The neuron the reverts to its original state after serotonin transporters capture the remaining serotonin from the synaptic cleft and return to the presynaptic cell in a process called reuptake.” By Turhan Canli.
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Cutting Rain
Cutting Rain
Thousands of lines
Myriads of signs
Which one is mine
I’ve lost mind
Reflection from a mirror
Songs of the Beatles
For what reason
You like
Cutting rain
I tried in vain
Clouds in the wind
I wish I could lie
Eyes are blurred
Words were tied
Never hide
Feeling
I couldn’t help
But forsake
Sigh…
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
Thousands of lines
Myriads of signs
Which one is mine
I’ve lost mind
Reflection from a mirror
Songs of the Beatles
For what reason
You like
Cutting rain
I tried in vain
Clouds in the wind
I wish I could lie
Eyes are blurred
Words were tied
Never hide
Feeling
I couldn’t help
But forsake
Sigh…
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Naïve Smile
Naïve Smile
Thought flows in a green river
Turning right and left
Jumping up and down
Sight freezes on a blue mountain
Eliciting opaque clouds
Summoning dancing clowns
Naïve smile
Is no longer found
In this chaotic era
The new millennium
Nations are at war
Minds of people are distraught
What does peace feel like
When was the last time
You kneed down
Listening to the nature
Playing its drum
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
Thought flows in a green river
Turning right and left
Jumping up and down
Sight freezes on a blue mountain
Eliciting opaque clouds
Summoning dancing clowns
Naïve smile
Is no longer found
In this chaotic era
The new millennium
Nations are at war
Minds of people are distraught
What does peace feel like
When was the last time
You kneed down
Listening to the nature
Playing its drum
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Dialogue
“Money can’t buy love! Money can’t buy happiness!”
“ Yeah, sounds like truth.”
“ But human brain is an interesting organ, you know?”
“According to newest research and fMRI, money actually does make people feel happier because when people have money, they can buy things they dream of, thus making them feel happier…”
“Really? That’s weird, contrary to conventional belief, huh? Then again, what’s happiness? It depends on individuals, I suppose.”
“Agree. But I think without satisfaction of basic needs, such as food and lodging, it is hard to pursue another level of happiness, meaning spirituality!”
“ I also found it absurd when those religious fanatics trying to impose their faith upon others. I'll say it is nobody’s business when it comes to belief…”
“Yeah, what is good to you not necessarily good to others!”
“So, what’s the purpose of life?”
“ Oh, that’s a complex question. I seldom think beyond tomorrow!” (trying to laugh)
“Well, if you feel happy about that, nothing is wrong, you know.”
“ Uh-huh…”
If I could
I would like to walk along
The surface of brain
Folds of highs and lows
Zigzagging the globe
Paths of inputs and outputs
Involving millions of neurons
Synaptic connections
A natural phenomenon
Too much or little
Will trigger imbalance of chemistry
Isn’t life similar in that regard
Balance is no doubt the ultimate factor
Rendering happiness
In the limbic system
If I could
I would love to see
My own universe
Functioning in its equilibrium
“ Yeah, sounds like truth.”
“ But human brain is an interesting organ, you know?”
“According to newest research and fMRI, money actually does make people feel happier because when people have money, they can buy things they dream of, thus making them feel happier…”
“Really? That’s weird, contrary to conventional belief, huh? Then again, what’s happiness? It depends on individuals, I suppose.”
“Agree. But I think without satisfaction of basic needs, such as food and lodging, it is hard to pursue another level of happiness, meaning spirituality!”
“ I also found it absurd when those religious fanatics trying to impose their faith upon others. I'll say it is nobody’s business when it comes to belief…”
“Yeah, what is good to you not necessarily good to others!”
“So, what’s the purpose of life?”
“ Oh, that’s a complex question. I seldom think beyond tomorrow!” (trying to laugh)
“Well, if you feel happy about that, nothing is wrong, you know.”
“ Uh-huh…”
If I could
I would like to walk along
The surface of brain
Folds of highs and lows
Zigzagging the globe
Paths of inputs and outputs
Involving millions of neurons
Synaptic connections
A natural phenomenon
Too much or little
Will trigger imbalance of chemistry
Isn’t life similar in that regard
Balance is no doubt the ultimate factor
Rendering happiness
In the limbic system
If I could
I would love to see
My own universe
Functioning in its equilibrium
Friday, February 15, 2008
A Step Back
A Step Back
Emotion triggered
By a turmoil
Fallacy planted
In a mind so fogged
Is it inadvertently surfaced
Or subliminally staged
A step back
Looking from the past
Spike can be oval
Green turns into scarlet
Ocean is ocean
Ocean isn’t ocean
Ocean is still ocean
Says the wise man
At a sunny bay
Written by JerSki Bjorksen
Long time ago, on the east coast of a remote island lived a curious boy. He liked to look at the sky in the evening and waited for shooting stars. Teacher always said to him that only studying hard and getting good grades could lead a better life in the future. But many years later, the boy had grown up to a man. Things changed; reality is not just black and white. Perhaps a step back isn’t that bad. At least it gives a person some moments to contemplate and re-plan…
Emotion triggered
By a turmoil
Fallacy planted
In a mind so fogged
Is it inadvertently surfaced
Or subliminally staged
A step back
Looking from the past
Spike can be oval
Green turns into scarlet
Ocean is ocean
Ocean isn’t ocean
Ocean is still ocean
Says the wise man
At a sunny bay
Written by JerSki Bjorksen
Long time ago, on the east coast of a remote island lived a curious boy. He liked to look at the sky in the evening and waited for shooting stars. Teacher always said to him that only studying hard and getting good grades could lead a better life in the future. But many years later, the boy had grown up to a man. Things changed; reality is not just black and white. Perhaps a step back isn’t that bad. At least it gives a person some moments to contemplate and re-plan…
Friday, February 08, 2008
Consternation
Consternation
Picturesque scenes catch
An array of misinterpretation
Verbal or kinesthetic
Mental or corporeal
Blue sky chooses to leash
Consternation
Arrives suddenly
In my head
Over the horizon
I see
A misty image
Fading
Spinning
And erasing
The past or present
I wish
It was not the future
I dreamt
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
Picturesque scenes catch
An array of misinterpretation
Verbal or kinesthetic
Mental or corporeal
Blue sky chooses to leash
Consternation
Arrives suddenly
In my head
Over the horizon
I see
A misty image
Fading
Spinning
And erasing
The past or present
I wish
It was not the future
I dreamt
Written by JerSki BjorkSen
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