Beyond the Galaxy

Beyond the Galaxy
(inédit)

I
Come from a world
Beyond the galaxy
Exposing to this newly made earth
I
Come from a planet
Beyond the galaxy
Seeking the past of ancient legacy

The mystery of all humans
Intertwined with various ethnicities
Faded histories replayed over and over
I see love and hatred
Existing in every corner of this globe
Unfortunately, selfishness suppresses
Most hearts
Leaving myriads of unsolved problems
Piling up with afflicted beings

I
Come from a world
Beyond the galaxy
Our wisdom is from the Almighty
Our love is pure spring
I
Come from a planet
Beyond the galaxy
Where no one is judged by
His or her skin
Because we communicate through each other’s soul
Seeing the inhabitants in this world
I don’t know whether I should
cry or mock
For all the humanitarian issues
Are never concerns
In our universe

Why do people attack one another?
Aren’t they aware that color can be changed?
Don’t they realize that image can be altered?
Once they attain the kingdom of God
Once they become like their Father above
For the Almighty is omnipotent
And we are all His beloved

Poor or rich
Beauty or beast
Genius or mediocre
Hetero or homo
All these lie in simplicity
If they know heart is more intelligent
Than brain
If they know the opposition is to
Let the rich share with the poor
The beauty soften the beast
The genius serve the mediocre
The hetero respect the homo
For we are all equal and shouldn’t
Judge
Right or wrong
Is never a man’s task
It’s the supreme God’s
Everyone has a choice
So, why wage wars
Everyone is unique
Therefore, cherish differences!

I
Come from a world
Beyond the galaxy
Where peace is part of
Life
Where love conquers
All evildoing
I
Come from a world
Beyond the galaxy
Where everyone is his or her
Own Master or Goddess!
I
Come to say farewell
And good luck
My fair voyage!

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Hiatus

Hiatus

Project is nearly completed
Today was a cool day for me
Stone slab was lifted
In a lightning speed
Mail from Venice
Heart is set for a new scene
Who is going to miss
Me in another world of diversity
Will a blue moon turn into orange
Shed no tears
My dear
Cry no words
My darling
I am just going to leave
For a hiatus in an ocean so green…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Kill

Bubbles of blue moon form
An impressionist conundrum
September 22, 1976
A day to remember

“Can you take us to the Confucius Temple on Wednesday?” asked T.
“Sure, I’d love to…”
The used-to-be landmark of Taipei, Grand Hotel, stands as a giant ancient temple on the lush green hill, overlooking the northern part of Taipei basin. Tourists love taking photos at the façade of this magnificent edifice.

“We sort of idolized many saints or heroes in Chinese culture,” I explained.
“So, that is why there are many gods in your religious beliefs or philosophy?” asked R. as he contemplated the grandeur of various statues…The smoke of incense was everywhere in the temple, leaving a trace of serenity on a sunny afternoon one rarely found in this city.

Although I had to show these northern Americans around, my mind was on something else. Racing like an express train, my soul has been turned inside out, exposed to the bright sunshine outside the MRT. I took a glimpse at the corner of my shades and realized there was a reflection of D, an image I would never forget…

“When you feel alone and the world has turned its back on you…” the radio was singing as I looked up at the ceiling. So, this is what happens when loving someone. But I prefer what it says in “Rule of Four”, “you’d better love something that can love you back.” However, I’m not a quitter really, never was and will never be. Okay, perhaps I need to have a brain lobectomy, so I won’t be suffering so much. Yet, is that really going to help? If someone’s heart is already broken and his soul hunted, will all the feelings be gone?

Trying very hard to reach the back of my head, I slowly closed my eyes, pulling out an ice pick, and moved my elbow inch by inch until the top of the pick almost touched my skull where my frontal lobe lay underneath…


To be continued…

Youth

Youth

Flipping through leafs of youth
It occurred to me
A silhouette of east wind
Had assassinated a naïve dream
Slashed was your wrist
Dropped was my blood
Who had burnt our box of secret
Light of future dimmed
Yet it wasn’t the moment of extremity
Despair might suppress
But it would never prevail
As long as faith sustained
Malleable personality
Could turn into adamant will
Jettisoned was an old burden
Embraced was the acme
You and I still faced a new challenge…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

End

To Joy...

End

There is never a beginning
How can one find an end
Circle of life
Nowhere to hide
Glory of God
Touches every heart
Little angels’ laugh
Floats
Swings
And begets tons of love

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Future

They called me to attend German class last night, which I almost forgot. I didn’t like the previous teacher. Gosh, I just don’t think he ever learned how to teach language although he is a German native-speaker.

Something happened in my life recently; and to be honest I didn’t like it a whole lot. What can I say? S. said I have too much sense. Yeah, it’s me. I like to pursue new knowledge. Back in the church, everyone thought one should get married after a certain age, which I thought was completely bullshit! Why? I don’t want to be in wedlock, okay? Perhaps I’m a narcissist, but who cares? If I have to care about everyone’s opinion, I won’t be able to move even my finger an inch in this twisted world…

Therefore, I once again beat myself to sobriety! I really don’t have much time for anything else. In addition, I can’t force anyone to accept anything, right? So, setting me free is probably a good thing to others as well…

I got another book about neuroscience the other day. Really, I consider this path is getting more and more interesting. I am determined to come up with some magnificent breakthrough so as to facilitate millions of people who want to improve their linguistic skills. Texas! I’m coming soon!

Reading Spanish has become part of my daily activities. Now I just need to add German as well. J. has been gone to Italy already. Such is life, isn’t it? Friends come and go; and we don’t know when we’ll be seeing each other again. My childhood memory flashed back, revealing an old story, which yanked out a buried box of a sad past. I guess when being in a confined world, one could easily constrain himself to a track of fatal thought. Weakness is never happiness!

Oh well, German class I am coming this morning and the teacher had better be great!

Preexistence of Academia

“What do you want to know about yourself?” asks the Master.
“I’d like to know whether it is good for me to study more,” answers the student.
“Let me see. According to your astrological sign, you will pursue new knowledge all of your life…”
“So, does that mean it is okay for me to go back to school next year?”
“Pursuing knowledge doesn’t necessarily have to be in school; but if that’s what you desire, no one and nothing can stop you,” the Master replies.

After talking to the master, J spent the entire evening ruminating over comment given by this renowned astrologist who has been practicing a genre of ancient fortunetelling in the area of Tibetan mountains.

Through the mind’s eye, J had seen a little boy running fast with an overloaded school bag around the Seine River. This red-cheeked boy loved going to school and studied catechism in the evening at the local chapel. He dreamed of becoming a great philosopher and scientist like Aristotle. The burning fire of absorbing new things in his heart, mind, and brain seemed inextinguishable.

J also noticed one thing singular about the boy. He not only could read French and Latin but also some sort of ancient hieroglyph. To J’s surprise, he also spotted a book that was called “Rites of Zhou” among a myriad of books in the boy’s study. There was a delicate painting revealed a Greek goddess that was dancing among innumerous green fairies in a spacious golden palace.

In a blink of time, the scene shifted abruptly to a market where thousands of people gathered for an unknown yet seemed important event in the town. The little boy ran so fast and almost tripped himself over in the cobble- stone street. By the time he arrived at the fountain square where the important event was taking place, city police were already there standing by. Then a magnificent black chariot driven by eight pure white horses pulled in at the façade of the giant statue of Napoleon. A man with elegant attire stepped out of the chariot and the crowded began to hail…

…To be continued.

Osmanthus

Osmanthus

Incessant barking of wild dogs hunted
The alley of a harbor village
Lonely
Dilapidated houses buried in forgotten trees
A scorched photo lied next to a figurine
Rusty
Once a prosperous scene
Now a rampant disease
Who’s fault was that
Really
Don’t blame everything on God
Or the Evil Spirit
Man is de facto his own cause of sin
We must think
Deeply
Water from the sea
Echo of the valley
Nature has its own course
Categorically
Outcry of firmament
Splat of osmanthus
Awaked the deceased
Gently
Can’t you all see
Our fate is sealed

In a book of genealogy…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Not that bad

Today was my first day teaching at the nursing school. I’m responsible for helping those who are a little behind in class. However, after I finished the class, I realized my students are actually not that bad. They just need someone who can guide them to the right track in learning English. I’m pleased to have accepted the teaching offer a few weeks ago…

U.S. President, George W. Bush, said Chinese people save too much money in the bank and they should spend more. He hopes China will be a great nation of U.S. product consumption. Well, I just thought that was a very naïve comment. Apparently Bush didn’t know why Chinese people like to save money; it is estimated the saving amount holds 44 percent of GDP compared to the United States’ 14 percent. Well, Bush might be right about China’s welfare and pension systems which are not as good as the America’s but “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Thrift has been regarded a virtue for centuries in China. Chinese always teach their children to save a large portion of earning for the future use. No matter where one goes, this traditional thought is deeply rooted in a Chinese. Therefore, I think it’s not only people know they cannot rely much on the government but also a legacy being passed on for many generations. I doubt Mr. Bush really understands this aspect…What do you think-someone that used “the Internets” in his recent interview?

Police

The French radio is now playing one of my old time favorites, “Every breath you take” by Police. Just getting ready to hit the sack and suddenly heard this song, I feel some sort of mellow tickling pinch in the heart. After all, this song had accompanied me many days overseas. Sting is still the best to me!!

Eventually fall is here; the weather has apparently cooled down quite a bit. I didn’t have to struggle to go to work this morning because it just felt so comfortable outside. Lunch was delicious: chicken, bean sprouts, greens, and NO rice! Yeah, I’ve been eating less rice. In fact, I never really like rice believe it or not. On the country, I miss French baquettes. Hmm, the freshly baked bread at the bakery every noon made my day in Paris. But I am still not used to eating dessert, always think it’s too sweet…

This week shall be an eventful journey to me. I will post more details later. Anywho, I feel very relaxed and enjoy staying in my comfy room. Only one thing that worries me is my books. I really don’t know how I’m going to do with them when I move next year. I can’t send them back to my parents’ home because they had thrown all my old books away. I was taken aback when I found that out last week. But again, I will never read those books, so why being upset? I suppose I will ask some second-hand bookstore to come and get my books when the time approaches…Nonetheless, I will never give away my Norwegian novels…

Laurent Voulzy’s “Derniers Baisers” is playing now and I’m ready to sign off…

Queen Bee

Queen Bee

There is a little story about her
Submissive temperament is a curse
Diligently serving the one she loves
Never asking anything beyond the globe
Hives are decked
Cacti are placed
Every corner is another dose of blur
Parrots in a cage
Paintings on the wall
All lie in the revenge of betrayal
The beauty of queen bee
No one really knows
The sting is definitely a poisonous blow
To the one that made her seriously hurt…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Brain Plasticity

If a person’s brain didn’t receive enough stimulation before the age of three, then it would basically lose its functionality as opposed to those who had it. For instance, if a child was secluded for 10 years without any contact of human language, he or she might not be able to acquire a language even being exposed to linguistic training afterward.

However, my speculation is the plasticity of adult brain and its possibility to acquire a second language. Would it be possible for an adult to learn a foreign language like a child? Supposedly, an individual who did obtain the necessary linguistic stimulation and development of neurons for the language skills, he should be able to acquire another language with native-like fluency. The current theory suggest that a person will not be able to learn a second language if he passes the critical period, especially with the issue of accent. If our brain is being able to be manipulated, then there is no reason that one cannot acquire his second language well.

Is it possible we invent a certain device with electrodes to stimulate our brain so as to make a person acquire a foreign language more easily? If so, what kind of areas should we focus on stimulating? What about a person’s psychological factor, determination, and will power? Can we narrow down to a specific frequency in terms of applying the aforementioned factors to influence our brain’s acquisition of new skills? Would playing a positive and encouraging pep message via audio devices during our sleep help to enhance the brain activities? I’m intrigued to conduct such a research and find out whether this method would improve a person’s second language acquisition.

Rain

Rain

Steam of coffee arises
From a mahogany table
White daisies in a blue pot stand
As a centerpiece of a delicate board
Ink paper and photos
Pile up a macabre allusion
Enlarged are black pupils
Shrunk are rigid nerves
Story unfolds
With autumn rain so cold
Superstition and whacky anecdote
Science and rationale
All tug in a red bowl
Mixed feelings tumble
Like droplets of tears
Flooding a parched basin
Desperate for moisture
On an island absolutely remote

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Do I care

Medical tourism seems a soon-to-be trend in many countries. For instance, there is a big five-star-hotel-like hospital in Bangkok where many Americans and Europeans would rather travel thousands of miles to have surgeries. Those kinds of hospitals market high-quality facilities, good doctors, and the most important is the cost can be a lot of cheaper should one have to undergo the same operation in the United States or developed European nations.

I thought that was an interesting strategy to promote medical treatments. However, running hospital is no longer just a philanthropic matter, it is also a money-driven thing in our era. Then, one might speculate how many doctors or nurses out there still maintain high work ethic and the original mission as a medical professional-saving life in their hectic job. Of course, medical tourism is definitely a great idea to attract people from all over the world; and I can see in the near future there will be medical tourism in Taiwan as well.

T. gave me “La Sombra Del Viento” the other night. I was very happy to have this book in its original language, Spanish. “The Shadow of the Wind” is definitely one of my favorites; and one that I spent 7 hours straight reading it. I have started reading it in Spanish, which is an interesting thing to do. Too bad, I didn’t have more chance getting together with T. Oh, well, such is life, isn’t it?
Again, I heard one of my colleagues talking about his love affair and other things accidentally after I had tutored R Chinese the other day. Well, do I care? NO! First, I don’t know this colleague that well. Second, people tend to say shitty things when drinking too much. R and I just looked at each other and smiled. Are love and relationship really important in our life? Maybe. But I don’t think one can pester his or her friends with this kind of issue, let alone some acquaintances.

Foreign Hometown

Finally I went back to visit Taidong after four years. I thought I would be overwhelmed by seeing the familiar streets, houses, and other things; but everything was at the same time so foreign to me.

That was the very first time I felt that my hometown was a new place to me. I went to get my new ID card and spent some time riding the beat-up scooter around the town. I subconsciously landed on the street where the chapel is located. There I saw some new rocks lying around the old coconut trees.

I then swung by J and M’s company. They were surprised to see me and so was I to them. Many have moved away and so much has changed and we are no longer young. The evening was deadly quiet; and I thought I heard the sound of waves from the Pacific. I totally forgot how tranquil it could be in Taidong.

The day before I came back to Taipei, I spent a few minutes at the beach, looking at the blue ocean and Green Island lying afar. The County Government has converted the beach into a park. It apparently attracts many people during the weekends. I still prefer the untouched beach, a place full of my childhood memory, typhoon holidays, and many watermelons floating in the sea after typhoons hit the island…

On my way back to Taipei, I penned down another poem…

Half yellow half green
Lies my natural carpet of dream
Mountains on the left
Ocean on the right
A train leaves everything behind my back
Hippocampus fires
Familiar images of past
Scooter wanders on quiet paths
Air remains fresh
People still laugh
Yet my heart no longer aches
Should I rejoice
Or feel sad
For all seems so foreign to my winding mind
In this city of wind and sand…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Old Town Old Memory

Recently I used Swiss as a topic for some of my classes. It was interesting to read cities I had lived in before. I can’t believe it’s over ten years since I first set a foot on that beautiful country.

“Look! It’s snow on the ground!” Some of my friends shouted. I recalled the very first day we arrived at the Zurich airport, and the freezing cold weather did not seem to cool down our excitement about that foreign land.

I posted an entry discussing Vevey a while back. It’s my favorite city in Switzerland. The nostalgic feel I sensed while wandering through old cobble streets and lovely antiques shops and bookstores was something I would never forget. I remember well that I spent many afternoons at a nice little bookshop browsing books, wondering which French textbook I should purchase. Back then, I wish I could speak French as Vevey is a French-speaking region. I longed for communicating with people and local friends in that melodious tongue.

After my intraining at Hotel du Parc, I actually could speak some French. One day, I went down to the downtown and shopped for myself. I was happy that I could use French to tell the clerk I needed some tofu. Yeah, it was tofu because my French roommate liked soy products a lot…

When will I return to Switzerland again? I am not sure at all but I hope this day will arrive soon. I want to live there and feel the familiar fresh air, something I thought I had already breathed long before I went over there. Sort of bizarre, right?

And of course, I would love to visit my alma mater in Le Bouveret. I had some many wonderful and eventful memories studying at that prestigious hotel school. To me, it is always an honor telling others I did study hotel management in my youth although I never really worked in hospitality industry…
What I learned were multicultural differences, team work, negotiation, and many great examples from the devoted teachers. Those were irreplaceable elements on my path to a more wholesome personality and mature life later in life.

Fantasy

Fantasy

Mirror Mirror on the wall
Fairy tales told by pretty dolls
Palace magic and lots of gold
Ran out from a blue crystal ball
Who stole the zombie on the road
Causing a devilish and hunting spell
Who hid the ugly voodoo wolf
Making the empty heart
Pound with a super blow
Take it or leave it
Choose it or ditch it
Life can easily fail
From suicidal thought
Once taking upon the load
Don’t regret where you will eventually go
Listen carefully with hope
Story can turn into everlasting love
Fantasy
Without it
Mind will be bored
And we can’t write fantabulous poems

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Reticence

Reading “Scientific American” on the metro is one of my favorite things to do during my travel to work. It gives me some sort of inner peace. Funny to say that, I always think one must find something to do even just riding a bus for 10 minutes. At times, I would do eye exercise, motioning my eyes up and down or back and forth or in the forms of alphabets…

A week has passed; and the reticence in me also has emerged again. I didn’t even want to speak a word for the entire day. Perhaps I usually speak too much at work, teaching students or helping others. In the book “Memes”, it talks about how one seems not to be able to shut down thought because brain fires neurons all the time. Maybe when doing meditation, one can “freeze” or empty his or her thought. But I have to say I don’t really agree with that argument because I can stay “blank” for more than 2 minutes without any words, events, or anything in mind. Well, one thing interesting is I will hear voice I don’t pay attention to when I think of something…

It is time for me to pay a visit to my parents. I’ve decided to go back this week. What I’ve missed most about hometown is the blue sky and ocean. I know I will feel the streets are big and the air is fresh. A train ride will allow me to sink in and do some personal reflection on my recent research projects and interests. I can’t wait for the week to end…

Selfish

Sitting in a blue seat on the metro, I glanced over the Tamshui River across the mangroves. A fisherman’s hat with shades under the balmy sun reflected on the seemingly tranquil water near the boat. A child’s laughter echoed in my ears and I thought I saw a phantom in the middle of day…

Textmessaging several times a night didn’t make any difference, did it? When you fall in love with someone, you would probably get up at midnight dressing up and looking yourself in the mirror and wondering how the next date would be. Question is-are you willing to sacrifice a lot to be in love? Can you manage to change your lifestyle just to embrace another person’s variation in life? It’s not easy to break a mold when we come to a certain age, is it? When was the last time you tried t0 change yourself to be with someone you loved?

Neuroanatomy, the chemical substances, and all sorts of diagrams and illustrations flashed back and forth in my mind. Damn it! I still can’t get rid of the image of the person I met. Poems I wrote, essays I composed, and emotion I suppressed all conjured up a giant jigsaw puzzle for Christmas! Suddenly I recall a letter I penned down a long while back. Someone had forgotten to tie the yellow ribbon on my oak tree in the far-away Swiss garden. I collected a beautiful wine label especially for an old friend I miss a ton.

Sighing and sighing within the last ten minutes just might as well drive me crazy. Wait, maybe I am selfish because I can turn off the signals all at once if I really want to now. Do I want to? Yes, I sure do. Sorry I don’t think I can give my all to only an individual after having been through many highs and lows in life. I will set you free so as to set myself free too…

Revenge

Revenge

Slashed by a bayonet
Water changed to potion
Sorcery evoked magnet
On the blue jazz ocean
Little robins flapped
Black veils slapped
Ripples of revenge raced
To the white pines across
Why must man react
Like a snake with evil intent
If death is not an end
Who will really repent
After all was carefully planned
Life still found its way to regain…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Martha Curtis

Martha Curtis’ case about memories brought me another prospective in the area of adult language acquisition. According to the study, Martha suffered severe brain damage, thus a series of relentless seizures, which hindered her violin performance on stage.

Luckily, after undergoing three surgeries, she was able to play music again without disturbance; and to the doctors’ great surprise, she didn’t lose any memory related to her musical knowledge. In addition, she could memorize things better!

Doctors concluded that she suffered brain damage at an early age, measles at 3, and had practiced violin since she was young. Therefore, her brain had probably rewired its musical memory and recruited other areas so as to replace the role of the problematic right temporal lobe.

This definitely made me excited because it indicated that people can train their brain to acquire skills they desire to have even though there is some cerebral impairment. The question is: is it the same for both young children and adults?

Martha apparently started practicing violin at a very young age; what about adults, having certain cerebral degeneration, that still want to study a second language? Can they acquire it as their first language? If an individual doesn’t show severe linguistic problems in his mother tongue, shouldn’t it be presumably feasible to learn another language well?

Again, practice plays a critical role; but how much is enough? And is there any other efficient way to let long-term potentiation (LTP), a process that makes memories become encoded, work better in language acquisition? Is it possible to devise specific equipment to facilitate this? What would be a great brain exercise device for language learning?

I can’t wait to have chance collaborating with some experts and explore this fascinating world of brain and language!

Wisdom

Wisdom

The beginning of a universe
A door ajar
Influx of thought and microbe
Flood
An arid planet
They later call
The Earth
Desert decorated with oases
City filled with sleepless seeds
Twist
A philosophical shock
Civilization across
Continents and oceans afar
Where is your niche
What is your belief
Fame and affluence
Wisdom and health
Which one will you choose
If tomorrow is the end of all
Who will you remember the most
If memory can only carry one soul

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Betel Nut Charm

Gingerly walking into the dim-lighted house, Aaron saw his father was in the rocking chair without any motion. He slid his steps and came next to the chair and gently lifted the right hand’s forefinger to feel whether there was still breath from the old man.

“Thank goodness, he is still alive!” Alan thought.
For many years, he had to check his father’s vital sign right after coming back from school, just feared that the bedridden man would someday stop heartbeats all of a sudden.

“We can’t have this baby,” cried the mother.
“What do you mean?” The father inquired angrily.
“What do I mean? What would the neighbors think? You’re 67 years old and I’m 59!”
“So? We have 7 children anyway.”
“You think you’re Pablo Picasso? Shame on you! You can’t even paint a freaking cabbage, let alone do something grand. I’ve spent all of my life planting the stupid eggplants and YOUR lame asparaguses! And look at us, still penniless and living under a leaking roofed house without a proper stove!”
“That’s not fair you said that! I’ve tried all I can to raise this family. And look at the kids, they’re all married and leading a life they want.”
“Yeah, only to escape from this hell!”
“What the fuck is wrong with you today?”
“What the fuck is wrong with YOU, not me?”
“I am not going to keep this baby,” sobbed the mother incessantly.
“Well, it’s too dangerous for an abortion at your age. We can keep the baby and then give him or her to the market owner across the street…”

“Congratulations, Madam! You just gave birth to a healthy and handsome baby boy!” said the young nurse while handing over the baby to Mrs. Lee.
Taking the baby into her bosom and stroking the fine and blackish hair of the red- faced baby, Mrs. Lee started crying out loud. The nurse was taken aback and said:
“What’ wrong? Is something wrong with the baby? He is not what you expected to see?
“No, I…I… just cannot believe I could still have a baby at such an old age. And I…don’t know what others would say about this, ‘An old clam makes a young pearl.’ What a dishonor to the entire Lee’s kin!”

…To Be Continued.

End

After German class, I headed to the BBQ but no one was there yet. Then T and J came over and we went for a drink, thus began the evening’s journey.

It’s my second time to see T, seemed a very nice guy. J was a nice girl too. Wish the best for both of them…

A Russian investigative reporter was assassinated in her apartment building, causing a lot of attention worldwide. Allegedly she was killed due to her critics on the Russian government; and President Vladimir Putin’s tightened press freedom is under severe criticism as well. What I see is people have democracy rooted in Russia and they demand to remain free in speech. It’s a basic right being a citizen in a democratic country, isn’t it? The precious thing is no matter what or who controls a person, he can always have thoughts that are not being totally constrained. I too think the assassination was a heinous act.

Another day is going to pass; I’m ready to do paper work for my research. It will be fun conducting experiments on the neuroscience-related issues. What I perceive toward language acquisition needs more proof in an empirical setting. I'm determined to come up with something significant so as to benefit many others.


Got a textmessage from C, which wasn’t what I really expected but good enough. I guess I can move on and have no regret of whatsoever. I guess I’ve dealt with this matter well. It was a wonderful experience anyway.

Clare and I went to the movie “The Devil Wears Prada”. I have to say it’s a good movie although the subject matter isn’t something novel. A college graduate landed on a new job at a famous fashion magazine corporation in which the boss was notoriously bossy and “devilish”. But I like the plot that stated the novice finally chose what she actually wanted for life. It reminded me of my own career path. I could’ve led a life of businessman but I just ditched it after having seen what happened in many aspects in the field. It could be a great job for millions of people; yet to me it’s not. I’m glad I have chosen what my heart told me to do.

Now, I’m on my way to another new voyage. I can fully focus on this goal until my last breath on this planet, and I will never give it up no matter what lies ahead of me. I guess only God knows when I am supposed to leave this world, so the rest is up to me!
I know I get what I want as long as I plan to do it. Along the way over the past few decades, I have also learned many lessons regarding life in general. What do you want for your life? I would like to be a lover of wisdom, just like what I read in “The Rule of Four”…

Again

I looked at my wristwatch: 5:37 am! Damn it! What have I done again? Sprang to my feet, I briskly grabbed my backpack and headed home. The street was still asleep, only some early risers were jogging on the sidewalk.

It’s another forty-minute walk; the heck with that I insisted it anyway! I wanted to feel fresh air before the sun showed its face on this chilly morning. After coming back to the apartment, I took a quick shower and rinsed away the disgusting cigarette smoke stained all over me. Wait, I have to take off my contacts too. Shit, almost forgot that again…

Soon as I hit the sack, my exhausted body sank into a world of oblivion. Thought I slept long enough but only was awaken by the goddamned noise downstairs! I yelled: Fuck! Can’t you guys take a day off? It’s Moon Festival TODAY! Stop the fucking hammer and the stupid construction work! Perhaps it was just a coincidence or they actually heard my howling protestation, the noise vanished. I glanced over my alarm o’clock which showed: 9:38 am. Shit! I needed more sleep…

Somehow, I entered a familiar milieu, a place I lived for two years back in the States.
“K. kept coming out to ask whether you’re home or not,” said J.
“Didn’t she know I was out tonight?”
“She did. But she just wanted to talk to you. It made me sad, you know? I think the entire family has missed you very much”
“So have I,” said with my trembling body.
Six hours passed since I went out last night.
“Hey, you’re finally back! I’m sorry I know you’re out with friends, but…” said K.
“I know, J has told me all about it already. I’m sorry too…”
Out of the blue
The front gate and the kerosene lamps aligned the Victorian house kept magnifying at the back of my retinas until I clearly saw Robbie’s and Eric’s drawings stuck on the window panes. I thought the time had stopped for eternity.

As I blinked for moisturizing my eyes, I realized that was a dream, a vivid one again. I couldn’t hold my tears back-cascade hit me hard. I cried out loud and was afraid someone else in the apartment would hear it. I didn’t know why that came over me. I guess I truly miss my friends across the Pacific Ocean. They are always in my memory and have an important spot in my heart as well.

Love, I think I understand it better. My heart was full because I saw the person I like again yesterday evening…

October Rain

I had a conversation with A last night, talking about Wang Chieng-Ming. Obviously he is the pride of Taiwan and makes our country better known to the Americans. Fox News even showed where Taiwan is located and pointed out Wang’s hometown, Tainan.

I know many people are crazy about baseball and would do anything to see Wang play for the Yankees. I remember when I was little, my family would gather in front of the beat-up TV watching live broadcasting of baseball games. It was a huge craze back then because our national team was brilliant and had won many world championships.

Ironically, our government has been trying to let people recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty yet hasn’t been able to accomplish something significant. Wang Chieng-Ming’s performance, on the other hand, has pushed Taiwan to the top of a hill and let the world know more about us. Twenty-first century is indeed a Chinese era, I believe. But are we ready to embrace that? What can all of us do to wear the “crown”?

Okay, I met someone I like the other day. It sure made me distracted for a couple of days. However, my rationality came back and I just moved on again. What can I say? I was never really interested in love-pursuing type of thing. To an even greater extent, I have to admit I did not spend any time doing that in my teenage days whereas every one else seemed to go on dates. I devoted my youth to my religion and was so into letting others understand my beliefs.

Do people really need to get married or be in a relationship? If someone doesn’t have a wife or husband, is it that sinister? I don’t think so! There are many things a person can achieve; and marriage is definitely not a must to every one. To some people, it is better off not to get married although we all long for being cared for or loved by another individual. Don’t take me wrong though. I’m not a misogamist. I heartily wish the best for those who have found their true love; but if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world, either!

Will I see this person I met again? I’m not sure. Somehow, a poem I wrote back in the military days popped up in my head. “October Rain” it is.

October Rain

October rain
Full of fragrance
Something is in your eyes
Something is in our fate
Pearl tears drop on a plate
Heart beats race to my face
Red and afraid
Mind is outside the cloud gate
October rain
Is like an old friend
Healing my pain
On a blue aeroplane
Who says only the sun entertains
October rain can also dance
Amazing grace


Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Misty Eyes

Misty Eyes

Intoxication simmers
In a pot of disguise
Long island and Bloody Mary
Disclose
The deepest feeling
With cigarette smoke in misty eyes
Is it solitary mind
Or love at first sight
Bustling streets sleep
Yet my soul is reluctant to imply
Baseball game to catch
Research to study
My heart is not empty in the neon light…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Moon Festival

Mother called me the other day, asking me whether I wanted to go back to Taitung for the Moon Festival. I said no because I didn’t plan to do that but will probably go back the week after.

Since this traditional holiday is one of the three most important festivals for Taiwanese, I sure would like to spend it with my family. But time has changed; it is no longer a must-do-it thing for many people nowadays.

I went to an interview this afternoon at a college. They were looking for English teachers that could help their students to improve English learning. In the interview, I felt sad because our English education is totally a flop! Many college students can’t even write a decent sentence, let alone a good essay. It always makes me wonder what went wrong in our educational system and language pedagogy.

Is it really that hard for people to acquire a second language? Chinese is regarded one of the most difficult languages in the world. If a person is capable to learn this language, it is, to me, not supposed to be that hard to learn another language. What do Chinese speakers’ brain activity look like when they are learning English? Is it the same as other non-native speakers? What about comparison to native speakers?

I am not saying what kind of mission I’m taking up myself; at least it is my goal to find out a better way to help Asian students to learn English with more ease and efficiency. I believe there must be a way or two to delve into this seemingly mysterious phenomenon and do some research.

In the end, I hope learning is to reach a “full circle”, a perfect symbolic representation of the Moon and a reunion of family. Learning should make people become better and smarter and happier, just as spending a relaxing holiday with your close ones…

Fall Break

Fall Break

Thursday
The midway of autumn
Starts a road trip to the Pacific
Friday
Golden Gate Bridge
Yields a fisherman’s sanctuary
Saturday
Catch-up of old times
Spins a roller-coaster festivity
Sunday
Palm trees and Yellow Submarine
Paint a fall break filled with thundering plaudits

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

New Leaf

New Leaf

Thick air slashed by
A neon knife vertically
On a forked road
Green grass dyed with
Drops from a yellow palette
Fomented
My new leaf
A bright view
A great scheme
Both lie ahead
The eastern wind
Never look back
Don’t ever regret
Sow
Toil
And harvest

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

A Slow Morning

Well, it was a slow morning today, woke up around 10:00 am, replied some messages, cleaned up my desk, and got rid of the thought tugged at the back of my head from last night’s writing.

Still flabbergasted from the entry I penned down several hours ago, I just had some peculiar feeling writing about people with multiple personalities. Perhaps it’s from a conversation I had with friends yesterday; but I was actually amazed I could turn that thought into written words.

I might as well go out this afternoon, enjoying the warm weather outside.
If I want to see a movie, maybe it’s better to go earlier because in that way I can beat the crowd…

I really hate the rush hours in Taipei. As a fast walker, I can’t stand those who drag their steps, especially at MRT stations. Oh, well, I guess I am just not that fond of big cities a whole lot.

A slow morning, some slow thoughts, and even the music seems to be mellow. It’s going to be a cozy afternoon…

Colours of Kaleidoscope

“Psychotherapy? You’re kidding me, right? I’m not sick, okay?”
“No, I think you are sick, and you need to see a doctor…”
“Doctor, my foot! You ARE the one who should see one!”
“Okay, tell me why you scalped the neightbour’s cat and burnt the bloody, poor creature to death last night!!”
“What the freak are you talking about? I would never do such a cruel thing like that!”
“Yeah, right. The neighbours saw you doing that at midnight.”
“But…”
“No more buts, you God-damned psycho! Tell that psychopath to come out now!”
“What? I can’t summon him any time I want, you know that!”
“That’s why I said: Get the fuck out of your devilish shell, Mr. PSYCHOPATHIC Cannibal!”

“Haaaaa…You want some cannabis? Chill, my dear friend. Here I am, ain’t I or aren’t I or should I say AM I NOT? My grand, lovely, and knowledgeable master of grammarian!”
“Shut up, and stop using that sly and sarcastic tone! It gets on my nerves every time you do that!”
“Okay, then. What do you WANT me to do, BUTTHEAD! I can scalp your head and dig out your brain if that’s what you’re wishing … I’m also curious about how neurons work under a living creature’s skull. Don’t think you’re the only person who is so into neuroscience; I’m, too, very intrigued by the connections of synapses and how glutamates fire electrical chemicals…”


Why do you think I am ill
What you see is only part of me
There are various selves living
In this body
Just like our society
Lives all kinds of species
Some are veracious
Some are completely crazy
If the world lacks diversity
Where will you find the opposite
If Prada is only worn by the rich
Who will discover the devil can be
Someone who also wears it
Colours of kaleidoscope
Shine my other images
One lady
One boy
One baby
And one psychopath full of evildoing
Wait, that’s not finished
In fact
There are 666 personalities
Spreading in this walking human being…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Spiritual Inventory

Seclusion is bad? Maybe it’s because we’re gregarious beings and need to interact with others in order to progress. But spending some quality time alone is as important as being around with people. Sometimes we are impulsive to take action and then regret what we’ve done. If we can slow down and think twice, it will probably not be so doomful…

Things have slowed down a little bit; and I can do some personal inventory of spirituality. I realize how impatient I am at times. It seems dreadful to conjure up a brilliant idea or method in the project I’m implementing. Well, I reckon a nice walk is usually helpful to me.

On my way to teaching tonight, I swung by a French bookstore. Again I bought books… I got myself two books: Maupassant’s “La Petite Roque” and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “Discours sur l’origine et les fondements de l’inégalité parmi les homes”. These are the books I always wanted to read in the past but never got a chance doing so. Now, I’m glad I can read them.

Recently, I’ve been able to locate some high school buddies. It’s really weird, not in a bad sense, but a great one. I haven’t seen those classmates for many years and of course every one leads a different life. I just thought: Wow, we’re no longer high school teens and what have I done to my life?

I remember P. used to tell me how she envied us being young and energetic. I just laughed over what she said and took what I got for granted. Yeah, time will never come back and the course of life has been set in many aspects. Fortunately, I know exactly what I want for my life and am enjoying myself very much.

My mother called me yesterday and said she is learning English now. I thought that was kewl! It’s never too late to learn something, is it? Well, at least motivation can help us acquire new things more efficiently. That’s why I want to keep learning new knowledge with a clear motive. To be candid, I don’t want to get Alzheimer’s disease when I get old and I want to be smarter as time moves on…

Today I learned archeologists in Peru found some mummified dogs, about 20 of them, in an excavation. They speculated dogs were actually well protected and people in that époque believed dogs also possessed a soul. How interesting it is! The breed seemed to be some kind of golden retriever. Archeologists are still working to find out whether those dogs were the unique breed in South America…So, what did you learn today?

Prefrontal Cortex

Only in recent decades prefrontal cortex was closely studied and regarded as an influential part in cognition. An individual suffers from prefrontal cortex damage will have difficulty in interacting with others according to social norms, which means he or she will not be able to take cues from others and thus commit minor or even obnoxious faux-pas.

When subjects are asked to focus on their inner states, and not pay attention to reality from outer world, their medial and lateral inferior prefrontal cortex will show signs of activity. (Elkhonon Goldberg, 2001)

This is really an interesting phenomenon because it indicates a close relationship between our cognitive perception and prefrontal cortex. Cognitive ability is always not easy to be accurately measured via empirical devices. Fortunately, neurologists and neuroscientists have discovered prefrontal cortex’s importance and come up with more advanced equipment to detect its activity in human’s brain.

My question is: since prefrontal cortex influences a person’s cognitive development, when undergoing impairment, it will affect the ability in interaction or other trivia things in life, does that mean it could cause certain hindrance in this person’s language acquisition? And how much impact will that bring?

What if we take a further study in people’s second language acquisition? Presumably, a person’s cognitive perception is damaged, he or she should also have similar intricacy in interacting properly in a second language. I wonder whether we can conduct experiments in this direction.

The question is-finding bilingual people that are subject to the experiment will not be an easy task. In addition, if a person struggles with second language acquisition and at the same time being diagnosed with prefrontal cortex impairment, how much will that change the person’s learning?

When observing certain adults’ struggling in language study, I wonder whether they are actually undergoing some severe prefrontal cortex degeneration. If that is the case, what can we do to better their learning? Is it likely to improve prefrontal cortex’s functionality and make it turn back to the normal track? And by what means can we accomplish that without drilling a hole on a person’s skull? Could nanotechnology do that? And how can it be done? Are there other methods that do not involve major surgeries?

I suppose there are many questions worth considering and finding the answers in the near future…

History

History

Pagoda
Sinks
Temple
Collapses
A forgotten fire drains
Wax of golden statuettes
Chinese zither drones
Choreography of dynasties
Parchment
Rises
Calligraphy
Launches
Cultural innovation
Or genomic evolution
Why should man study history
New ideas materialize from the old things
I read
I think
And I see

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Collide

Collide

Petals of white orchid flow
On the surface of a green river
Evoking, splashing, and unveiling
The mysterious aborigines’ festivity
Wolf-like folk songs blow
Into every ear of visitors
Leaning, turning, and wondering
The miraculous legend of totem poles
When civilization and primitiveness collide
There should be no opposite waves
Tapping into your thoughts
Because life is supposed to touch
Every soul with everlasting love

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Myanmar

Finally I’ve finished Amy Tan’s “Saving Fish From Drowning” two days ago. It was really a blast reading this novel, lots of imagination, amazing plots, and the perfect use of language. All were added with oriental flavors in lines. I admire Amy Tan’s talent in writing and her broad knowledge in other fields, such as medicine, history, and geography, etc.

Myanmar is a new name for Burma, but many westerners and Asians are still more inclined to use Burma in many occasions. I don’t know much about the country and actually have never been to that part of the world. What I was shocked from pursing the novel was many people had been victims of landmines in that region.

Man created myriads of inventions; yet many of them in return have turned into self-destructive weapons. Should we call this self-deserved consequence or fate? I guess man’s worst enemy is himself or herself in many aspects.

The novel also made me ruminate over how people react when being put in jeopardy and facing life-threatening predicaments. Why do we have to be forced to become altruistic and bury the hatchet? Why can’t we work with others in unison all the time? If we long for world peace, then the road is yet half-paved…

Reading the so-called “Karen” people in Amy Tan’s book somehow reminded me of my hometown on the east coast of Formosa. I happened to read some news about that familiar yet a bit vague of my birthplace. An elementary school principal tried all he could to ensure every student would have lunch. The cost of each meal was NT 30; yet many families couldn’t even pay for it. My heart sank when I read that.

The journalist reported that families in that area don’t have stable jobs; and parents seem to expect the government for more assistance. Well, we should teach people how to fish, not constantly feed them fish. However, I wonder how much our government has done for those remote villages when giving big chunks of money to other countries.

Is being poor really a sin? Whose fault is that? Who should we blame? If we are to tell the world Taiwan is a great nation, full of energy, high-tech advances, and other necessary criteria for developed countries, we should be ashamed letting so many poor children be deprived of their right in better education and other benefits enjoyed by pupils in big cities like Taipei…

Norwegian Forest

Getting off the train, I felt a sudden and poignant hit of chilly air. Yeah, it smelled like Switzerland, I reckoned. I looked up the sky, crystal-clear blue with tranquility only found in this northern nation. Lying in front of me was a dark, vast, and old pine tree. I realized immediately the forest was just a few feet away; it’s like walking into a gigantic no man’s land, full of primitive and exotic touches from the Nature…

Dinner appointment at 6 pm, I briskly glanced at my wristwatch: 5:34. Good, I had plenty of time hiking through the mysterious woods. Although it’s only beginning of autumn, I needed to wear a sweater and a windbreaker up here near the fjord. Fjord it was. The beauty of Norway deeply engraved an impressive mark on my mind’s eye.

Passing by a tiny wooden cabin, I noticed there was a wind chime dangling languidly in the façade. What caught me off guard was a fisherman’s half face emerged from the back of windowpanes. The blue bonnet embroidered with red elks stood out in the dim light; I thought I saw a… thanked goodness! It was a paper doll…

Liv told me I should join their “tur” in the forest one of those days. I laughed over it, thinking: Oh no, I would freeze my butt off if I were to stay a night outside in the cold Norwegian forest…

Here I was, walking toward a friend’s house for an unknown and supposedly delicious dinner. My mind raced like a space shuttle, yarning for an adventure. Nevertheless, the paradigm of verb conjugation still lay at the back of my heavy head. Not only must I finish the essay, but also a novel I scheduled to cross the midway. Oh well, the heck! Why couldn’t I just enjoy this giant forest?

6:49 pm just popped up; and I quickened my pace only to see a cherub flying by and the magic wand being held by a fairy giggling down the muddy trek… Wait, wasn’t that from my elementary school days?

Norwegian forest, a mixture of déjà vu and apprehension surreptitiously evoked the sleeping neurons in my exhausted brain. It was in the year of 2000; a year I flew away to embrace a childhood imagination.

Blog

This poem is dedicated to a good high school buddy who was also madly in love with English. Thanks to the prevalence of blog, I was able to locate him again…

Blog

Have you ever thought
I would walk
Accidentally
By your blog
Have you ever met
A long lost friend
Inadvertently
Via the Internet
Power of word
Or magic of cyberspace
Our living world
Has entered a new phase
Don’t think it’s only a personal stage
For many are out there to appreciate
A line of introspection
A paragraph of interchange
This link is drawing us
Into an unprecedented
And extraordinary state

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Scrimp and Save

“When I was your age, I was already married…”
“So? Time is different now…”
“When I was your age, I had three kids…”
“Did you enjoy that?”
“When I was your age, I had my own house…”
“Does that mean you’re more successful?”

Chinese parents always try their best to offer children opportunities in education in hopes their children will get top-notch jobs or become what is perceived a great achievement in mainstream society. Many scrimp and save to send their kids to learn all sorts of talents after regular school hours. Yet, is that really necessary? Do children have an enjoyable childhood here?

I know parents should provide a resourceful environment to children in order to develop better neuronal connections and further obtain more skills for the future. But I also think a happy childhood is essential in terms of wholesome development of cognition and personality.

We have long noticed the influence of psychology on an individual in the process of establishing a healthy life, be physically or mentally. Positive criticism brings more significant outcome in assisting teenagers in their multi-layered life. I hope younger generation will learn from their own experience, which apparently shows the older generation’s way of raising kids is not suitable anymore.

Why are we afraid that our children have off-the-normal-track thoughts? Why can’t we let children ask any questions they want and guide them to search the best answers themselves? What’s wrong dreaming of becoming an artist? Why should only doctor, scientist, and businessman count as great professions?

Many years ago, I was asked by an elderly in my family that how much I got paid for teaching English. I said five hundred. Then this elderly quickly calculated and told me I would never get rich if I just wanted to be a teacher. I was still young and didn’t know how to defend myself, especially when facing elderly people like that in the family. But I recall I told myself: So, what? My passion is my job and I enjoy every minute and keep learning new things… I might not be as rich as you are, a billionaire, I still have my goals and I know life isn’t just about money and fame.

In addition, who doesn’t have teachers? No one can learn everything by himself. Without teachers’ teaching and stimulation and many others’ contribution to our present knowledge of world, who do you think you can really become? I wish I had some people who could’ve guided me to discovery my passionate pursuits earlier. Then I wouldn’t have spent so many years switching courses of careers. I know it’s not too late to give my all for the childhood dream; yet time will never come back again…

Scrimp and Save as did my parents for every one of us in the family. I will never forget that gracious offering and blessing. Tonight I find my reticent self in the rain picturing the night I had to wade through the river to get spring water for my grandmother’s funeral. I was so little and didn’t understand why I had to stay up so late and walk with my father in the rain. I didn’t realize grandmother’s suicide was the end of the spell on my mother and the beginning of my nostalgia from the old house I used to live for many years…And when the midnight falls, I sometimes find my mask peeling off bit by bit, revealing a childlike face…

Tiger Lily

To all my friends from Taitung...

Tiger Lily

Scattering magic
Like a velvet carpet
The bridal gown traces
On the mausoleum so green
A bunch of kids
Run here and there
It’s another day
For a great outing
One two three
A sweet sop tree
Sports enormous fruits
In a mist of golden beams
Four five six
A sea of tiger lily
Flops thousands of flowers
Framing my nostalgic mountain
Tai Ma Li…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Demagogue

Demagogue means one that attempts to mislead people, a politician who foments discontent among the masses so as to be voted into office. Yet, after being elected, the demagogue would use political power to further his own personal interest, ambition, or fortune.

Does that ring a bell? Doesn’t that sound like a description of our president? YES, and I think we should add an extra meaning to it: one that apparently has wrongdoings yet refuses to take full responsibility and step down.

In today’s news, I found two things appalling: the coup in Thailand and riot in Hungary. The obnoxious part is both PMs are not honest and they refused to step down too. Ironically, the similar situation happened in Taiwan. I wonder whether we will have a coup or riot to depose our president. The thing is most people hate our president and believe he has done something wrong in terms of corruption. What do we expect further from a political figure like Mr. Chen? Why do we need to keep diplomatic ties with those island countries? Will they help us gain a more dignified stand in international affairs? The answer is NO!! And Mr. Chen’s wife and son in-law allegedly have made big mistakes in “stealing” taxpayers’ money and insider trading. When will justice arrive? I hope it is not too late.

Are we really like the old saying implies- a plate of scattered sands? Can’t we unite ourselves as a great entity to fight for our own right? It is time for more profound thinking and reflection. With all those jittery participants in the sit-in protest, every one should calm down and ponder on how we want to make our country better. True democracy is not just a sensational outcry against an incompetent government; true democracy is every citizen has enough knowledge of democracy and can apply reasonable means to carry the nation a big step forward on the boulevard of peace, love, and wealth. If the conflict between the “Red” and “Green” continues, I bet the biggest beneficiary shall be Mainland China!

I'm willing to

I’m willing to

Your smile suddenly dived
Like a pure white waterfall
Fragrance you wore
Elegance you bore
On the trail to the spring full of gold

A blink of eye
A beat of vibe
I saw a burning fire in your mind
As soon as the sky caught some light
You would be ready to fly

Where was the destination
Could it lie within my soul’s sight
Thousands of butterflies
Millions of miles
All I wanted to hear
Was a simple reply
I’m willing to die
For another life…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Origami Lady

“She died! She died! Lady S died!” shouted hysterically the haggard sister of Lady S.
“Finally! Good for her. It’s a release for every one of us,” said Wise.
Every since S was born, every family member knew the day would arrive sooner or later…But is it too soon or too late?

Born with coronary impairments and without a corpus callosum, S had shown peculiar symptoms such as chest pain, epilepsy, and retardation in speech. She could not even button her own shirts until ten years old. Most of time, she seemed to be engaged in her own world, a mysterious one that was well-shielded with incomprehensible behaviors.

In order to cure her illness, S’s parents tried every possible way, traditional Chinese remedies, western medicine, and even singular religious beliefs; but none of them actually worked. After several years’ endeavors, the family eventually came to accept the fact S would not be a normal child and every one just had to do his best to make sure she was safe.

“Get out of my face! You dirty, filthy, and ugly pig!” S yelled at the top of her lung as she pushed her father away with a blow of sudden power.
“What the heck…” the father’s jaw dropped with eyes wide-opened as he slowly put down the bowl of mung bean soup. It was S’s first time to talk like a real kid, with emotion and intonation in words. It was a miracle to the father and the rest of the family!

…To Be Continued.

The Brain's Food

In “Inside The Brain” by Ronald Kotulak, there is a section that talks about stroke and spinal cord damage. And a paragraph goes like: “The suicide reaction—its scientific name is apoptosis-begins when a damaged or dying neuron releases massive amounts of a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate is normally one of the most import chemical messengers in the brain. But when too much glutamate is present, the NMDA receptors (“doors” on cell surfaces) are jammed open. Sodium floods in, causing the cell to swell. Calcium rushes in and smashes at the cell’s genetic controls, producing enzymes that eat away cell’s internal support structure and destructive molecules, called free radicals that chew away its membrane wall.”

Therefore, the cure to prevent cerebral damage is to develop drugs that block NMDA receptors being jammed open when stroke or spinal cord damage happens. However, it is not easy to let outside chemicals to wade through the brain-blood barrier, a self-protective way for the brain cells. Now neuroscientists and neurologists have come up some drugs that can “fool” neurons to let drugs go through their protective wall and further fix the damage.

I think it would be very interesting to find out whether an adult has some unknown impairment in the brain when learning a second language. The conventional thought is adults are not like children in terms of language acquisition. In some respects, it is proved that children learn a language differently from adults, especially in terms of cognitive development. However, I think adults might suffer some minor cereal impairments and are not aware of them. Therefore, rote memorization or repetition is not going to elevate an adult’s learning unless the problem is solved first in the brain.

I also love the phrase “The brain’s food is education”, which indicates everyone can train his or her brain and keep it in shape regardless of age. Learning new things can trigger new synapses between neurons and makes a person become smarter. Who wouldn’t want to be cleverer? There must be hope for all of us if we want to maintain a healthy brain, let alone acquiring a second language efficiently.

My preliminary approach is to monitor adults’ brain activities when being exposed to foreign language learning. The fMRI or PET scanning should reveal that perhaps there is something abnormal in the brain. Then we can precisely help subjects with the right methods to reinforce their neurons so as to acquire language more effectively, and not just learning via the conventional way without taking the cerebral problems into account.

Silkworm

“Okay, class, the next project will be raising silkworms and record their growth daily…” said the science teacher. “Yeah, that’s awesome! Dad has already bought me twenty baby silkworms last Friday,” thought Jake as he put his books into the backpack, rushing out of the classroom.

“Wait up for me! Carlos!” Jake shouted as he ran breathlessly.
“Hurry up! We don’t wanna be late for picking up mulberry leaves at grandpa Lee’s backyard.
“And the delicious spring rolls too…” said Jake with his angelic smile.

Going to the Lees’ after school had been a ritual for both Jake and Carlos since they first went to elementary school. And they really enjoyed themselves there because the Lees were a nice old couple that provided a secure and educational place for kids. They were retired from the local teachers’ college; Mr. Lee taught molecular biology while Mrs. Lee was a devoted English and German professor.

The enormous backyard of the Lees consisted of a green house, a swimming pool, and a beautiful garden. Since Mrs. Lee had a green thumb, there were all sorts of flowers according to the seasons. Her favorite flower was peony, the snow-white kind. At the back of the yard stood three old mulberry trees; and these were the food providers for Carlos’ and Jake’s experiments. They also bore large, juicy fruits for the Lees. Mrs. Lee loved using the fruits to make jam or tea. The neighbours all received their homemade gifts every year.

Behind the backyard was a small forest that spread out to the sapphire mountain. Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Lees would take the kids to go hiking and have a bath of Pythoncidere. The zigzag trek was a challenge for children but a wonderful place to let them embrace the beauty of nature and exercise both body and brain because Mrs. Lee loved to put up some interesting mental exercises for those future leaders of the nation.

…To be continued.

Phlegmatic response

Finally R has contacted me and we had dinner last night. It was great seeing him after such a long time. I remember the time I was in the States and my visit to L.A. Boy, time really flies!

I called Da-Bei on Thursday, talking about his new school and his son. I miss that little kid. Oh, the time I had to take care of him and his mother and prepare meals for them. That was an unforgettable experience.

Incorrigible book-aholic me! I bought four books about neuroscience last night at Eslite. Giving the notion of brain’s plasticity, I believe I can do it in this new field and come up with some new methodology to help Asian students or other ones in general learn a second language more efficiently. I love the phrase, “Use it or lose it”, because it simply implies as long as we desire to learn, nothing is impossible!

As for the sit-in protest, I want Mr. Chen to step down as well; yet my response to whether I want to take part in the activity is phlegmatic. I think there is something more effective we can do to depose the president. Sit-in protest is just a passive way.

After dinner, R and I took a promenade around New York, New York. He told me that brought back lots of memory about his last stay in Taiwan. As for me, I didn’t feel anything. In fact, I never like Taipei; I always I feel I’m just a passerby, waiting for another destination…

Salinity Soars

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 on 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

Value of Existence

Value of Existence

Who are we to judge
Others’ lives and beliefs
Some are just obnoxious
Some are very understanding
Who will you choose
To be friends
Who will you regard
As enemies
If you take everything too seriously
Rage might turn into revenge
Think slowly
Value of existence
On this planet, lovely
The sun never ceases shining
Even though clouds still emerge
Hence we can be happy
If we want, really…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Hatchet Job

Is any one of us immune to a hatchet job? How would you tackle this sort of thing should it happen to you? My immediate response to this question is: no matter how hard you’ve tried, there will always be criticism, be the constructive, or the destructive . The point is our attitude toward the inner selves.

A Chinese proverb goes like, “Tall trees cause wind.” Jealousy is an inborn entity, which makes human beings diabolic sometimes. We live in a competitive society; and everyone wants success. Yet there are some who would do whatever it takes to achieve their targets even with inhumane and immoral means to step over somebody's head.

A better world requires benign competition and great cooperation, it also demands us be selfless and willing to share resources with others. Nonetheless, how many of us can totally rid our natural weaknesses of jealousy and wicked hatchet jobs? There are still many lessons we must learn in life if we want a better tomorrow.

By the way, I read an article discussing issues in our olfactory sense. How interesting to know this less studied and emphasized sensory mechanism is actually a very essential part of our existence. A lot of memories can be triggered by the olfactory stimulation. My favorite flavor is citron, which makes people more alert and refreshed. Lavender let people feel more relaxed and restful. A vanilla smell can even stop people’s craving for more food. So, what is your favorite one?

Lullaby of Crickets

Lullaby of Crickets

Midnight lord
Scribing work
Somebody has forgotten his note
Lines of characters
Runs of practice
The ultimate goal is a daunting road
Stars’ whisper
Teetering willow
Summer has begun its role
Leaves of gold lilies
Tons of loquat trees
The ancient magic is a living legacy
Columns after columns
Hours after hours
Eyes are already sore
Moonlight tells me to go
No worries for tomorrow’s score
Let the lullaby of crickets
Place a wonder word
Into my exhausted frontal lobes…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Lashing out French

Jean-Jacques Goldman is one of my favorite French singers. The first time I learned about his music was in Swiss. C invited me to her family for dinner and we were talking about concerts during the Jazz Festival. Both she and her husband loved Jean-Jacques Goldman a ton; and they played some of his music to me. As soon as I heard his song, I knew I fell in love with his music.

Years later, I still listen to Goldman from time to time. Sometimes the radio would play his music too. How interesting it is that music can trigger our memory, the one with vivid images of people, things, and stories. I really hope someday I will go back to Swiss for a visit and perhaps live there for a while. After all, I have very special feeling toward this picturesque nation.

If one wants to find out how well he acquires a foreign language, he can ask himself whether he dreams in the language or he curses in that language when getting really ticked off. At times, I would just burst out a bunch of French expletives when rage takes over me. Oh, well, I don’t lose control of my temper often but it hits me sometimes and I would just lash out French…

So, tonight after talking to a friend on the phone, my mind switched to French right away. I thought: wait a minute, why is this happening? I have no idea, really. And after stepping inside my room, I realized I had Jean-Jacques Goldman’s CD lying on the top of my desk ready for me to play…

Rumination

I’m reading a book called “The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and the Civilized Mind” by Elkhonon Goldberg. It’s an interesting read about brain science. I wonder what my frontal lobes react each time I ponder on something, especially the one concerning highly intellectual activities.

Frontal lobes are regarded as CEO in our brain, the ones that control intention, insight, and strategy. They were called a “silent organ” for many decades in the neuroscience field; and neurologists and scientists didn’t recognize their importance related to cognition and mind until recent years.

Now, I get to read various studies and researches about brain and I have to admit it’s not an easy task to understand everything. However, it’s always refreshing being able to challenge myself for I like to ponder on complex issues and try all I can to come up with solutions.

Again I would like to see how people’s frontal lobes work when they are doing certain things. For instance, I saw a group of ABCs (American Born Chinese) last Saturday after work. I was on the bus when I heard them speaking English. I could tell they’re native speakers by their accents. Then suddenly they did code switching talking about going to some sort of concert in Mandarin. I was mesmerized by the way they did the code switching, exactly the way I can manage too. Now, obviously those teens were raised bilingually and their language proficiency is no doubt great.

Although we are geared toward the specific language areas in brain when it comes to studying brain and language, I wonder what kind of influence the frontal lopes have on the brain activities. When a person’s frontal lobes are damaged, he might lose the ability in cognitive integration albeit the normal capability in moving, speaking, or even retaining new information.
The point is how much impaired frontal lobes will influence an individual’s language acquisition. And does that mean if the individual has already acquired his first or second language well and he will not be affected by the frontal-lobe impairment when applying fundamental linguistic skills save the skills associated with cognition? Are we able to devise solid and reliable tools to do experiments so as to find out answers? It will be awesome to conduct research based on these speculations…

Exit of the Wind

For all my high school buddies at the exit of the wind...

Exit of the Wind

College entrance exam
Somehow bound us as fate
Forever seventeen
Lay afar like jazz in a band

Naivety of youth day
Cigarette in your hand
Pretend
A road trip already began

Afternoon bell
Article on the desk
Who would be our next candidate
The yearbook was a complex game

English, math, and other subjects
Spiraled up like a furious flame
Obtain
The chance to the ivory tower train

Alma mater’s laugh
A novel of Freud
Twirl
At the exit of the wind

Although we will never be young again
I’d like to draw memory with a pen
Mind’s dance
Colorful windowpane
And the Mandarin teacher’s faith…

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Why Bother

Sometimes we all want to grap something from the past, an old friend, good old time, or simply a memory. Have you ever found yourself doing everything possible to catch a trace of your old times? Have you ever wondered what had happened to your oblivious high school days?

We all have to face a different stage of life as time moves on; and I rationalize that it is actually not too beneficial to live in the memory. As a human being, one will encounter thousands of people along his life path on this earth; therefore, we don’t need to feel pity or upset when time has left us some certain impulse to search the long lost feelings or things and yet nothing indeed happens.

I know it is a natural reaction seeking one’s past or friends but what are important factors lie in our perception and attitude towards our inner selves. Maybe you haven’t used your frontal lobe enough and it’s getting rusty as you age. Perhaps there is a kind of imbalance in your cerebral chemicals. You name it!

Thus why bother so much whining about life and waste your breath in meaningless things? I still believe one must live up to his best and try hard to locate his position in this universe. What is your core value in life, money, fame, or something else? What is more critical to you, wealth or wisdom? I love to lead an affluent life but I would rather choose wisdom over wealth if I really have to make a choice. What about you, my friends?

To be proud or not to be proud

Many years ago, I was a student at the U of Oslo, studying Norwegian and preparing to get into the British and American study program. Just before the spring break, I decided to pay a visit to my good friend, D, in France. I went to the French embassy to get the visa application form.

The lady heard I was applying for a tourist visa and simply handed me an application form and told me what I needed to prepare. Since I had lived in France for two years, I knew how one should do to make a French person “happy”. I used fluent French to communicate with the beautiful lady, not to impress her, but to show her I tried my best and had learned her language… Then she suddenly asked me where I was from. “Oh, Je viens de Taiwan,” replied I. Next came a silence and she looked at me and said: “Then, you must prepare extra documents.” She then pulled out another sheet of paper to circle what it seemed to me a daunting task to accomplish in a two-week’s time. I was surprised to learn that I needed to get a medical exam, a proof of medical insurance, an official invitation from my friend with authorization from the local police department, and an official letter from my school, let alone the other regular papers such as bank statement.

I then felt some sort of discrimination and asked the lady why I must prepare so many things. I told her I didn’t remember I was requested to do those things when I did the same application in Swiss. She coldly said rules had been changed. Whatever she said did not convince me at all. I knew it’s because I was from Taiwan… When I walked out the office, I angrily ditched the form into a garbage can. Later that night, I called my friend and told him I wasn’t going to France…

Well, I told this little story in order to let you know being Taiwanese doesn’t make me feel proud most of time when I was abroad. Westerners never understand Taiwan is de facto a country and we are denied with such an identity in the international community. Being rejected to join the UN and WHTO tells us we are second-class citizens in the world. People are amazed at Taiwan’s economy and high-tech advances, but the heck with that! All I want is an equal treatment in the global community. What kind of country is that when its president wants to stop over other countries yet being refused? How pathetic is it that we and other government officials keep deceiving ourselves? Establishing diplomatic ties with those destitute, small and island nations cannot really help us to gain recognition in the global community. Don’t you get it? Why do we keep throwing money in the gutters? If it is used to help out the poor, I have nothing against it; yet is it truly used in the right place? Look at what our country has become since the DDP has taken over? I was glad to see the party take over the regime but after six years, nothing has made us better! And now there is a sit-in protest to ask Mr. Chen to step down. If Taipei is paralyzed, maybe he will resign himself?

However, I doubt people will take up unison to form a powerful force making our president to relinquish his post. After all, we are a people that is infamous for its selfishness and lack of team spirit. “Everyone only sweeps the snow in front of his door.” is the best description for thousands of years. May I ask how many of us have got rid of this deeply rooted traditional thought which was passed on to us from our ancestors?

To be proud or not to be proud? I feel ashamed whenever I see people from China. Almost everyone I have met can tell you that he or she is from a grand country with a kind of incomparable indignity. Where is then our stand? Again, if we are to unify with China, are we willing to renounce democracy and embrace communism? And will there ever be democracy in China?

Deposition act is still under way and going on fervently. I also have an idea. Why doesn’t Mr. Shih tell citizens of Taiwan to write a letter to Mr. Chen? I bet with millions of letters going to the presidential palace, it would make our president do some real self-reflection. And if they dare not to receive the mail, let all the media stand by and do a firsthand coverage of the news and I reckon the international community will also pay some attention to this never-will-get-a-real-identity country and recognize we are also people that deserve some respect and we are on the way to real democracy. The balance of power in the world should include us too!

Dans Ce Monde

Dans ce monde

Dans ce monde
Où se trouve l’enfant qui
Aime la mer en rose

Dans ce monde
Où on peut voir le vent
Qui dort en valise

Dans ce monde
Je reprends tout ce que
J’ai eu depuis long temps

Dans ce monde
Je pars encore une fois
Sans parler à quelqu’un d’autre…

Ecrit par Jerski Bjorksen

The Shadow of the Wind

Like rain-drops
Pattering
Like wild-crops
Rattling
Your silhouette sneaked in
The deserted campanile
On a blue winter eve
Hidden love
Wicked revenge
And disgraceful humanity
Each one played a frightening beat
When the bell struck vehemently
The whole world would hear
The shadow of the wind
Singing a grimacing melody
Penetrating a forgotten mystery
On this peninsula of Mediterranean Sea

Written by Jerski Bjorksen


Last night I spent six hours reading “The Shadow of the Wind” and by the time I turned to the last page, it was already 7 am! I have to say Zafon is really a great writer and his novel is definitely an enjoyable read.

Love could be so poisonous that a person might become so illusive and lose all sobriety. Love can make a person deeply attached to a special individual; and yet embrace someone else when solitude and loneliness strike. Among all the characters, I love Nuria the most. Her letter to Daniel was something that touched me and I knew there were tears welled up in my eyes after reading her words…

The fear of knowing when your foot will be set into a coffin is enormous, but being betrayed by a dear friend and threatened by his or her assassinating scheme is apprehensive as well. It’s hard to get rid of the scar after hurting someone. Neither apology nor can repentance erase the permanent damage in a relationship or friendship. That is why we all need to learn how to forget and forgive…

Well, looks like the autumn has arrived. I noticed yellowish leaves lying on the sidewalk tonight while I was on my way to a bookstore. The cool rain also brought a little chill into the quiet sky in Taipei. I thought I saw my own shadow in the wind, too…

Self-defense

Self-defense

Garden of yellow reef
Tantalizing tropical fish
Bubble of blue eel
Embellishing a pristine and white oasis
Who the heck are you
Intruding my territory
Camera and ridiculous monkey outfit
Chasing me incessantly
Every turn I take
Every move you catch
All this drives me absolutely crazy
Don’t step over the line
Or my venom-filled barb
Will charge an inexorable
Self-defense
Right through your beating heart
Leaving a pool of bloody ink
Adding another hue of labyrinth

To this forbidden and oceanic Sistine

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

The Influx of Positive Thought

In “Scientific American” (volume 17, number 4, August/September, 2006), there is an article titled “Turning off Depression” written by David Dobbs. It is an essay about Dr. Helen Mayberg’s studies in depression and how she found the mysterious relationship between depression and the brain activities in Area 25.

I was very intrigued by her studies and had a fun read about it. Dr. Mayberg conducted experiments to test her assertions concerning the hyperactive Area 25 and its connection with severe depression. She had some healthy subjects think about sad thoughts and scanned their brains when tears fell down. The images showed depressed frontal activity and a very active Area 25.

My immediate thought shifted to: if we make certain adult subjects think positively about their second language acquisition, will there be any obvious brain activity shown in the areas of Bronca and Wernicke? And what will PET or fMRI images show? Will positive thought influence a person’s language learning in terms of neuronal activity stimulated in the specific language area in brain? How much will the positive thought affect an individual’s language study and how much positive thought is enough so as to cause relatively phenomenal changes? I would like to conduct experiments to find out answers to the aforementioned questions.

I truly admire those who are like Dr. Mayberg and hopefully it is not too late for me to dive into Cognition and Neuroscience. And of course my primary interest lies in the area of first and second language acquisitions and their relationship with brain activities. If certain depressed people respond to CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), would it be possible that people could also respond to CBT to break the “spell” saying adults can never master another foreign language like, their counterparts, toddlers?

Sound of Heart

This poem is for the linguanova kid in the remote village of Taitung County.

Sound of Heart

Voice of cricket
Enlarged the face of Jupiter
On a birthday eve
Getting ready for chemistry and French
I scattered a handful of wishes
Who would bring spring of dream
And send off the rotten preaching
Weaving threads of burning beam
Into an ocean green
Like a mountain
Like a fountain
I heard
Sound of heart summoning
Follow me
Follow me
Why did logic and reason obliterate
The call of basic instinct
If others wanted to go with the flow
I would rather travel unconventionally
Speed of light
Wave of tsunami
None of them could stop me
From pursuing another victory
Life isn’t that thorny
We are often
On the contrary
Our own adversity
Through all ages and eternity

Written by Jerski Bjorksen

Tomato Tie~ Chapter 2

“Mother! I’m home!” Waalt shouted as he entered the spacious four-section compound.
“Oh, you’re early today. Would you like some red bean soup?” Waalt’s mother, Elisa, asked.
“No, I’m not hungry and I’d better get ready to help out in the garden…”

Walking toward his room, Waalt thought why he must do this ritual weekly and whether his mother would ask him something else besides offering red bean soup. He knew mother meant well but he wished there was more of communication and interaction.

As the bedroom’s door was pushed open, Waalt immediately noticed something was wrong: one of his books was apparently taken out and put back because it slightly stuck out compared to the other aligned ones. His meticulous manner with certain things was an innate attribute as he always told himself.

Then, he quickly groped under his bed to make sure the little mahogany box hidden in a small drawer was there. Waalt spent two nights surreptitiously making this personal treasure safe. Unless one completely dissected the bed, it would be hard to perceive there was another covert world full of dark secrets and overwhelming enlightenments of Waalt's…

“Shit! It’s already 7:05. I got to go down to the garden otherwise father would be furious,” said Waalt. He calculated and decided to fix the problem he just found in his room later tonight while running rapidly to the lush green vegetable 'hell'.

“Good morning, father! I’m here,” saluted Waalt.
“Hmm, start work now,” answered sternly James.
“Gosh, I hate it when he says that, just freaking gets on my nerves…” murmured inside his head as Waalt reached a sickle. The half-crimsoned tomatoes seemed to show off their brawny bodies and laughed that Waalt had to work again under his father’s twisted dignity.
“Damn the tomatoes! Keep laughing as much as you want now but soon I will let you guys know who is really in charge!”

…To be continued.

Echo of September

Echo of September

Leaves
Falling down
On the blue mirror
Tell a magical anecdote
A fairy’s songs and summer night’s love
Tenderly brush
Circles
Running off
From the seasonal hearth
Emanate a wonderful chitchat
A genie’s gowns and spring morning’s dove
Softly touch
Echo of September
Memory full of hilarious blasts
Who would’ve thought
The shadow of autumn breeze
Will bounce back
Into a shielded heart
And oblivious epilogues

Written by Jerski Bjorksen