很早就下載了smilebox來玩,無柰筆電老是在重灌的循環,smilebox這個好玩的scrapbook軟體就有點被遺忘了.
今晚得知明天放颱風假後就好整以暇開始整理照片,安裝好smilebox後,選定圖片,下載smilebox的theme template後,再一一加入圖片,打上caption,就完成一本digital scrapbook了! 我先做了一個給W,又做了一個和928有點關係的,Learning how to teach 只是前言,明天我要做主題.
smilebox對我現在的這台老電腦是有點負擔,所以剛剛一直很擔心中途當機.還好成功的做完2本剪貼簿,很有成就感呢!
目前smilebox的免費帳號提供email/post你的作品,但若要印出就得付錢.值得一提的是,它也提供內建的配樂供使用,但若要上載自己的音樂,就是要買premium account啦!
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這是一篇來自Bangkok Post有關殘障奧運的報導.
Taiwan's Paralympics javelin gold medalist Chiang Chih-chung has been barred from defending his title at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing this month, it was reported Wednesday.
javelin是什麼? 根據AskOxford:
noun a long, light spear thrown in a competitive sport or as a weapon.
就是鏢鎗項目吧?
台灣參與殘障奧運的選手又被中國擋在門外,悲哀的是,This is nothing new for the Taiwanese...
"For the IPC to make such a decision, China must be interfering behind the scenes," said Lai Fu-huan of CTPC's standing committee.
interfering behind the scenes不言自喻,和中文的"在幕後指使操控"幾乎有異曲同功之妙呢!
選手們的負面心理可想而知,倒是政府層級的體委會回答挺有趣:
Taiwan's Sports Minister Tai Shia-ling did not accuse China of political interference, but said there should be a standard procedure to decide the participation of athletes in sports events.
"If China has blocked Chiang from the games for no reason, then it might have political implications, but the matter needs to be probed," the Taipei Times quoted her as saying.
"The matter needs to be probed?" Isn't that obvious enough already? Beijin doesn't give a shit of whether you are pan-blue or pan-green! They simply don't care!
週五才從豐原回家結束5天的研習課程,雖然被住宿環境嚇到了一下,長了大塊壁癌的寢室和成群的螞蟻和第一天不敢令人領教的午餐(雖然事後證明也許是我和J太挑食,其他學員都去豐原sogo買鞋,只有我和J是去豐原sogo買吃的,但老實說,你想想冷掉的鳯梨炒木耳會下飯到那裏去?),但是仍然從部份課程中獲得不少的啟發,而且我是第一次去豐原呢!藉著研習認識台灣也是不錯的!
J很厲害第一天中午就打聽好豐原的hotspot,叫做"廟東",那個廟是奉媽祖的.果然大廟旁的小巷弄(讓我想到士林夜市)擠滿大大小小的攤位,有很多賣蚵仔煎的.據計程車司機表示,那裏的蚵仔煎多來自彰化鹿港一帶.我們選了其中一間有較大店面的坐下來,牆面上貼著過去明星們來造訪的新聞剪報,似乎小有名氣.J點了蚵仔煎和臭豆腐(居然沒臭味哩!),我點紅油炒手和什麼麵之類的,挺好吃,J點的蚵仔煎料很特別,裏面還包了些蔬菜,有點像潤餅的做法,挺好吃的!
來自eTaiwan的一篇報導
The Department of Health said yesterday that one Taiwanese company had been found selling tainted Japanese rice products.
Japan's agriculture minister resigned yesterday over reports that Japanese food processing companies used Chinese and Vietnamese rice contaminated by pesticides or mould to produce sweets and biscuits.
tainted
According to OneLook Dictionary
tainted 的意思如下
adjective: touched by rot or decay ("Tainted bacon")
adjective: especially of reputation
因此tainted除了可以形容被污染的食物外,也可以用來形容聲譽/名譽上的損失
The questions about Japanese rice products followed the recent panic over milk powder and other dairy products from China found to be tainted by the chemical melamine.
政務委員曾志朗昨天主持「行政院國際生活環境推動小組」第一次會議，教育部在會中提案，主張基於與國際接軌及提升國際競爭力等角度，提議將中文譯音改採漢語拼音。
從通用拼音改到漢語拼音,除了涉及台灣主體意識之爭外,若撇開政治問題,到底漢語拼音比通用拼音好在那裏?什麼叫"易於與國際接軌"? 是那部份與通用拼音相較之下漢語拼音較易為外籍人士接受? 媒體在這方面除了不斷重覆原本就很主觀的主體意識之爭外,似乎對這個問題的核心也"忘"了陳述...
再來看聯合報對2種拼音方式的報導,還刻意說明連高雄市都主張採用漢語拼音
教育部昨天提出「中文譯音推動情形」分析報告，調查指出，遵守民進黨政府政策採用通用拼音的機關，有百分之十九的機關在推動時遇到困難，窒礙難行的項目主要在地政、觀光等。就連綠色執政的高雄市政府都提出拼音系統須與國際接軌，建議改採漢語拼音。
然而,事實真是如此嗎?同一件事情,在新浪網是這麼報導的...
高雄市教育局長蔡清華嚴正澄清表示:高雄市教育局是配合教育部的要求，行文各校調查意見匯整呈報，調查結果顯示，全高雄市145所學校中只有4所學校提及「通用拼音」有使用上的問題，其餘各校都沒有意見。高雄市教育局聲明:只是據實呈報4所學校的意見，絕沒有隻字片語提及「建議改採漢語拼音」。
...並且批評教育部當初的意見調查中，有一項要求各校條列使用「通用拼音」遇到的問題，高市教育局認為「有刻意誤導之嫌」。
這個聯合報記者"何明國"不知是新聞只跑一半,忘了平衡報導這個基本採訪原則還是乾脆把教育部的新聞稿就照本宣科抄下來?
至於曾志朗"主張基於與國際接軌及提升國際競爭力等角度，提議將中文譯音改採漢語拼音"的說法,我也實在不明白漢語拼音與國際接軌的關聯性在那裏?有誰有這方面的資料?我很想看看呢!
參考資料:
1. 中央大學教授整理的漢 語 拼 音 與 注 音 符 號 對 照 表,
2. 小兔先生
3. 中文字轉拼音引擎
自從遷居回鄉下後,從逄週末上台北到現在非得必要才懶洋洋的上台北,我已經是十足的鄉下人了.
所以也因此常在網路上購物,難免有些讓人不愉快/或是低於預期的經驗,但大致上我認為網路購物還真是向我這樣cocoon群的福音啊!
買衣服...
這個品牌是在艾瑪那兒看到的,後來自己約買了4-5次,也幫爸爸媽媽和W買,品質很好價錢也好,而且...是台灣製造的哦! 他們的包裝也很工整,我很喜歡.
也有在y牌拍賣買過,品質實在...很不怎樣,而且又都是中國貨,後來就下定決心圖片再怎樣美也不要被誘惑了!
買書
和博客來買書已經很久了,但是最近才開始向他們買外文書籍,比價後才發現台灣真是買書的天堂!!!我在Launceston機場看到The pillars of the earth要價24澳幣(696台幣),在博客來買依稀記得是280元左右...價差實在太驚人啦!所以既使要等個1-2個星期也絶對值得.只是有些書籍雖然有在網站上露出,但卻不能訂購,有些望之興歎...
買禮物和食品
我也曾在赴澳前透過Yilan美食生活玩家買食品送給W和親友吃,我買的是澎湖蔴酥酥脆餅和水果乾禮盒,結果第一項連我自己都不愛吃,第2項被W嫌"吃水果就好幹嘛吃果乾?".不過我還是挺欣賞她的"作品"還行銷自己的能耐.
目前為止最受W及家人好評的是台中日出的土鳯梨酥...真的很讚!
在Launceston的第二天,我們住的是一家精品旅館The Sebel.雖說是精品,也看起來像精品,但是一踏進房間的味道就不好聞...總有股食物放過久的味道...我們check-in之後2個小時回房間仍然餘味繞粱,第一印象就不是挺好.
放在床頭的礦泉水W隨性拿起來就喝,然後才發現原本以為是complimentary結果要價5元...
浴室裏沒有附牙刷/膏,我雖有習慣自備,但就是忘了牙膏,結果向櫃台索取時還被告知"可能會在check-out時被charge此項費用"...
而且沒想到check-out時館方居然向我們索取6塊澳幣的停車費!我們是停在旅館附屬的停車場吔?!連W都覺得有些訝異...我向check-out的人反映不知有此項費用時她也只回問了我一句: Didn't they inform you this? who did the check-in for you?
奇怪,她難道無法在她們自己的系統上查到嗎?既使她問了這個問題,顯然也沒有意圖有下個動作...
嗯....這是間設備精品但是服務一般的精品旅館...
開學第二週,忙的昏頭轉向.從暑假時的無所事事到現在的office hour無限延伸,This is the kind of job that eats up your life.
再加上對新聞媒體的反感透頂,這幾週來幾乎過著不知天下事的生活.曾經看到有人提倡取消訂閱有線電視台,轉而利用youtube等線上視音頻道的作法,我想,是可行的.
我一向很喜愛的TED.COM 最近放了一段精彩的presentation,講者是國家地理雜誌的photo director David Griffin.許多另人過目不忘的影片在此段講演中再次出現,影像中觸及的過度漁獵(over fishing),窮困,戰爭傷亡等問題, 與演講結尾一段攝影師與Leopard seal的有趣互動,讓整段presentation成功的表現攝影的美與力.
雖然Tom Jones是媽媽那個年代的歌星,但是他的sex bomb 一直是我的最愛.偶然發現這位老兄為sex bomb為編舞溜冰,除了不是很合我味口的健美先生身材外,他的舞藝與幽默感真是一絶呢!
這是一篇來自AFP的報導,有關台灣軍購與外交預算大幅刪減的新聞。
Taiwan plans to scale back its military spending in 2009 amid warming ties with rival China, it was reported Saturday.
找了半天似乎都沒有字典有載明scale back這個phrase,但是當scale為動詞時,其解釋是這樣的:
size or measure according to a scale
這似乎是最符合原文的解釋了.所以scale back大概和中文的"向下調整"有異曲同功之妙吧!
It will account for 17.2 percent of next year's government budget, the report said, but the move has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers.
根據Encarta的解釋account for有以下3個解釋
1. explain something: to provide an explanation for something
And how do you account for his behavior?
2. be responsible for something: to be responsible for something or be an important factor in something
Export sales account for at least half of our total business.
3. kill or destroy somebody or something: to be responsible for killing, destroying, or neutralizing somebody or something
當然在這裏第2個解釋才符合原文嘍!
自己造句:光是批改作業就用掉了至少30%的上班時間.
Grading papers account for at least 30% of office hours.
文中還有幾個與現今外交策略有關的用語
1. cement ties with existing diplomatic allies鞏固友邦 ...我看再強的水泥也無法鞏固這些只向錢看的"友"邦吧?
2. in line with Ma's call for ...呼應馬先生的外交休兵政策
The foreign ministry said the budget cut was in line with Ma's call for an end to the decades-old competition for diplomatic recognition between Taipei and Beijing.
Right, and Beijin government's is repeating deny to Taiwan's bid for any international body is in line with Mr. Ma's friendly approach? Sounds promising, Mr. Ma...
補阿里山遊記
從溪頭往阿里山的路上,我們臨時起意想彎進達娜伊娃谷.這一臨時起意就是一路一斷的蜿延山路.在路上就看到了這個在山路邊邊的小店,挺醒目.但是未停留,後來證明有點失策.
到了達娜伊娃谷,有些...怎麼說...失望.達娜伊娃谷是個園區,前陣子登上新聞的原因是當地鄒族人努力護魚最後成功的故事.也許是非假日的關係,園區內人影稀少,更突顯出建築物的破敗與了無生氣.這是一個讓人看得玩興大減的地方.我連相機都很懶得拿出來拍.
我們後來就只走到第二護漁區,看到一群群的魚種在清徹的溪裏悠游,的確是一個明顯的護漁果實.但是週遭的環境不十分的kid-friendly,我們又帶著幼鹷孩童.所以放棄繼續往上走第一護漁區,後來和游芭絲的老闆小聊一下才知道第一護漁區才是最美的地方...唉,好吧,只能說走進園區內的前半段破敗的景象把我的冒險心都磨掉一半了...而且聽老闆說在他們這裏買入園券有打折哦!早知道就先在這裏用餐啊!
旅途結束後才上網找找有關鄒族人護漁的資料,發現這個有田野研究性質的山美日記有些挺有趣的觀點和不太會在媒體上看到的觀察記錄.
喜歡游芭絲的店面設計,座落在半山腰上,正好給駕駛在彎曲山路上的旅人一個清爽小憩的地方
軒軒很高
興終於可以下車喘口氣,她一路喊著脖子痛,真怕她真的在車上吐出來.
太喜歡這種狗啦!
喜歡他們擺放水果的方式
從游芭絲往外看的景色
烤山豬肉就在這樣的大圓盤上烤!
超出預期的好吃的檳桹花(抄的),山豬肉和竹筒飯,好吃!
"Taiwan president promotes peace with China in speech"
An article from m&c reports about a speech Mr. Ma made while attending the 50 anniversary of the kingman battle.
"In his speech entitled, From Killing Field to Peace Square, Ma said cross-strait reconciliation which began when he took office on May 20 has paved the way for peace, and both sides must gradually build up mutual trust."
n. the action of reconciling, which is to restore to friendship or harmony
synonymous: settle, resolve
Ma has certainly very keen on practicing his softer approach toward the Beijin government. Let's hope he doesn't forgett that it's the Taiwanese who got him to the presidency, not the Chinese.
這一篇是英國Guardian報導有關中國觀眾在北京奧運為台灣女子舉重選手加油的報導.
Some of the Chinese crowd applauding the crop-haired Taiwanese contender said it was "natural" to do so.
在問到為何為台灣選手加油時,這名任工廠經理說"因為台灣是中國的一部份,所以如果她得金牌那也算是中國的!"
"I don't think she's as strong as the Kazakh woman. But Taiwan is a part of China, so if she wins gold that also counts as ours," said Li Rufeng, a retired factory manager from northeast China, speaking before the results were decided.
記者在比賽結束後問到盧映錡來自中國觀眾的加油是否讓她士氣大振?她很低調的回應"這太敏感了,我不知道"
Taiwan's athletes must tread carefully between the mainland embrace and their home island's proud distinctiveness.
根據Cambridge dictionaries online的解釋
tread v.
1. walk/tread a tightrope
If you walk/tread a tightrope, you have to deal with a difficult situation, especially one involving making a decision between two opposing plans of action:
2. tread carefully/gently/lightly
to speak or behave carefully to avoid upsetting or causing offence to anyone:
ex. The government know they have to tread carefully on this issue.
2種解釋有些微的不同,但是都是小心翼翼,左顧右盼的意思.尤其是第2個解釋.
運動和政治真能分得開嗎?我看是一廂情願吧?!
Heritage classroom in Beaconsfield Mine Museum, Tasmania, Australia
A peak of the old school classroom. Look at those cute writing board for each kids!
Schools, some hate it, some love it for the achievement or the attention, some work for it, some work against it. I'm currently work for it but I can see why there are people work against it. I wouldn't deny the value of schools and I do value the skills I learnt at school but I can't ignore the fact that school education in general have a pretty big gap from the real world.
I came across this article 8 essential skills they didn't teach you in school from Lifehack, one of my favorite blog. It mentions networking, personal financing, negotiating, self-learning....etc. to be the less cultivated field in school system. I feel so true when reading the part about the people skill.
The shy folks lurking in the corners at cocktails parties will never reach their full potential as human beings because our school system didn’t place enough value on “being social”. President Bush didn’t get the best grades at Princeton, but boy did he know how to network, and look where that got him.
Some would claim that people skill is something inherited. That's only partially true. I believe people skill needs to be practiced, discussed like any other subjects.
What about learning to be money smart? I hate math doesn't necessarily mean that I hate organizing my finance. I would probably find math more interesting if I can apply it in my future money management.
This is an interesting post for both educators and parents. It's also an interesting reflect for those adults who already done with school!
今晨看到英國Telegraph的其中一則關於台灣的消息.我想要是台灣的媒體大概不會用succumb這個字眼在中國送熊猫的新聞...
按照Cambridge dictionary 的解釋succumb的字義是:
verb
to lose the determination to oppose something; to accept defeat.
怎麼看都是相當負面的意思.在我看來,台灣最近向中國投降的恐怕也不只是一對熊猫吧?
文中提到三年前陳總統以台灣為亞熱帶氣不宜熊猫居住為由間接的否定北京的"好意",但其實真正的原因是-
A more significant but unspoken reason was the fact that China's last "panda gift" was to Hong Kong to mark its return by Britain in 1997.
在97回歸之前,中國也致贈香港熊猫過,等於是相當明示的宣示主權.
熊猫終將落腳台灣.台灣是否也將漸漸走向香港的歸途呢?
家裏書籍太多了,我們整理了一些給圖書館,一些準備回收,而這一些古董雜誌該怎麼辦呢?丟也不是,不丟又相當佔空間. 如果你喜歡,就給你嘍!有興趣的人email給我吧!
走進信義鄉農會時看到的這個角落著實讓我...想吐.
這2個人放在一起是多麼的諷刺啊!果真沒有一世的朋友,也沒有一世的敵人.不過,看看開放兩岸直航後中國人的旅遊人數統計,恐怕也不值得台灣人這麼熱情相待吧?!
本來看到梅子就受不了的我,和爸媽逛完一圈後兩手空空的出來.爸爸說農會裏面很多產品的產地地名標示已經改成 台灣地區了...
還有比自降國格更悲哀的事嗎?
我是是搭維珍航空到Launceston的,很喜歡維珍的性感女標織.但是這種budget flight的座椅可就不怎麼性感了.雖然短短3小時的航程我卻坐的腰酸背痛,再加上每回落地時的耳鳴,難怪W總是說我下機時的神氣活像打完仗的士兵狼狽不堪.
不過,美食總是能解決一切.我們第一晚住的Lesiure Inn Penny Royal的對面就是當地相當有名的Stillwater restaurent.
餐廳的建築物可是挺有歷史的,是原建於1830年的磨坊工廠整修而成的.Launceston和Hobart 一樣很有些歐洲的味道,從我們坐的位置往窗外看,冬日的Tamar River很有些蒼涼清冷的感覺.
我和W各點了Asian styled pork belly和Asian Styled salmon.哇,這真是我吃過最好吃的東坡肉了!真希望愛吃東坡肉的弟弟也可以來此品嚐啊!順便學到東坡肉的英文-Pork belly
Stillwater雖不算便宜,但還在可以接受的範圍內,和Fee and me比起來算便宜的啦! 記得我和W共花了快60澳幣吧!
Tasmania,stillwater,eat
