烤肉!!

烤肉實在沒什麼新鮮,至少來澳洲前我是這麼想的.
烤肉為澳洲的傳統之一,但是我也是最近才開始烤...而且連續烤了4天.
真的是 樂 此 不 疲!! 我也愛上烤肉了!
怎麼會開始烤肉呢? 首先是為了整理客房,韋恩開始蓋工作室, 就這麼裏裏外外的整理下來,久不見天日的烤肉架終於出現了!!
之所以愛上烤肉原因很簡單, 1是省了洗那麼多碗盤/清理廚房 2 是烤肉是他的事....哈哈順理成章他要負責. 3 是澳洲家家戶戶的院子大,放個超大的烤肉架也不會感覺擁擠礙眼, 4 是烤肉真的有獨特的風味呢! 而且我也發現澳洲牛肉不像我印象中在台灣買的有腥味, 比在台灣買的澳洲牛好吃多了!

Taiwan in the eyes of a foreigner

I came across this article about Taiwan from David's blog. After reading too much negative news coverage from the mainstream media in Taiwan, I found it quite refreshing to learn Taiwan from the eyes of a foreigner.

It would be a very tough question to answer if somebody ask you to define the Taiwanese culture. Yes, culturally, Taiwan and China share the same historical background but no, politically we are closer to the U.S. than the Chinese. So what's the core spirit of Taiwanese culture? What makes Taiwan different other than the strong capability in computing business?

The author of the article has a rather interesting description about Taiwan,

"...Taiwan is much more; a small island with lots of soft power. Above all, it
is a hybrid culture, in many respects even liberal with gay rights to boot, that
successfully mixes the civilizational attributes of America, China and Japan, which occupied it for 50 years. Indeed, it is the only country in the Asian region not consumed with anxiety over Japan rewriting its constitution, still doing massive business with China and sticking with America all at the same time."

I like the last part of the paragraph, which pinpoint the tolerance of the Taiwanese civic society. Contrary to some domestic opinion leaders question over the injustice of justice department in the investigation of the first family, the author sees the other side of the story, the independent jurisdiction, which is exactly what makes Taiwan so much different from China. I guess that's why the Chinese media stopped the large news coverage over this case since the Chinese public might asked, would the same thing happen in China?

Spareroom Renovation

爸媽12月初要來這裏小住11天.很開心! 為了迎接他們,我們最近非常忙碌.W的貼心和才華也在這時展現.從蓋工作室,搬運,重新油漆粉刷,買家具,組裝等等都一手包辦.雖然我也有小小的貢獻勞力,但和他比較起來實在不算什麼! 週末時整理到凌晨3點才休息.週日晚上終於大致完成, 兩個人忍不住頻繁出入客房admire the room. 我覺得他實在入錯行了,應該去當室內設計師或是property renovator才對啊!

比較起來,現在的客房比主臥好看多了! 看來下個目標是整修主臥.這也讓我想到台灣家裏的書窩,w第一次看到我的臥室時大吃一驚,他說那整一面牆書真是有點恐怖.回國後一定要開始出清!

The U2 concert pics

The news said that it is illegal for the fans(those who pay for the concert tickets) to take picture or filming the concert now. Those who do might face legal suit in the future. Well, personally I really think this protection of copyrights has gone a little big too far...But that was a great night to remember.

The word you can't say in the relationship

朋友寄來他們慶生的影片和歌曲.對我這個愛哭鬼很有催淚效果.現在正在聽 沿海地帶.老實說我對這個歌手-弦子一點認識都沒有,但在異鄉聽到熟悉的語言總是有點安慰的效果.
昨天和遠在挪威的M通話,實在很難想像負10度的低溫生活.更難想像the city girl做農事的樣子.Love can change the face of a person. M總是我的朋友裏面很有哲理的一位.這個新婚的女生,昨天說了一句話讓我有些慚愧-

This is the word you can't say in a relationship. Once you start evaluating
things with how much you sacrifice, you don't equal yourself with your partner

那個字就是Sacrifice嘍!我突然想到我和w吵架時,也老是愛搬出這個字來彰顯自己所做的犠牲..最近和w相處還算愉快,大概是快離開了,我們都開始明白天天見到面的機會也不多了.
哎呀,邊寫邊聽朋友寄來的催淚歌不知不覺的就越寫越...

Singing in the rain--The U2 concert

昨天行程滿滿.早上和w一起出發到學校,途中接到H的通知說他不能去MARTHA家取回腳架的零件了,我聽他口氣有些沮喪,才知道他的FLATMATE 昨晚發生了一些事情,他得在今天幫忙搬家.好吧,看來只好我去取了.老實說這一堂VIDEO PRODUCTION課下來,我實在有些受不了H的行事作風,但是每個人個性不同,也只好多多忍耐.
沒想到倒楣事一件件來,先是搭錯了火車,最後發現自己落腳在HAWKSBURRY RIVER火車站,放眼望去只有我和樹上黑鳥幾隻,站務人員說下一班半小時才來.....天啊..於是整個早上就在換火車之間耗盡.又想到H如此輕易ESCAPE就有點氣
還好之後把小組作業都整理好交出,下午2點多和W約好一起回家準備換裝參加晚上的U2演唱會
入夜後還真是有些涼意.但是BONO等人一出場,整個TELSTRA STADIUM的氣氛都熱了起來,偌大的oval stadium可是全部packed呢!我和W雖有座位,整場演唱會下來坐不到幾分鐘,因為大家都太HIGH了站著聽.
可惜我一向不是U2的歌迷,只認識其中2首歌,不太能一起嘶喊.倒是看到前排的一位中年LADY整場熱烈扭動身軀,還有她身旁的一位70餘的老先生也是幾乎整場站著聽呢!
演唱會開始時就下著綿綿小雨,我很喜歡英文在這裏的用詞: sprinkling..很有詩意的感覺.這場演唱會是w送我的生日禮物.很喜歡.

感傷:一個偉大的人過世了

有些驚訝的得知前法務部長陳定南過世了. 我有些感傷.怎麼這麼有才華又有操守的人生命卻這麼短暫?好笑的事,我還是無意間去逛Michael Turton 's blog時才看到這個消息.
最近台灣發生的事讓我開始有些擔心2008後的台灣是什麼樣子? 總統被起訴對台灣的國際地位是幸也是不幸,幸的是台灣的民主和司法體系畢竟在這個方面被證實是成功且獨立的,不幸的是,這樣的民主成就能持續多久?如果把總統被起訴與換黨做做看化上等號,好不容易開始轉型的台灣,會走上什麼方向?
早上我有些難過的和W說了一些台灣最近發生的事情,他很直接的說,到底你們國家有多少人和你一樣關心這個問題?如果這只是你-安妮小姐的看法,也就是,只是少數人的意見,那麼民主制度就是服從多數,到時變成中國的一省,那也是在民主的機制下決定的,不是嗎?
But.....ah...I HATE HIM SAYING THAT...!!!!!
還記得前陣子和一個朋友在線上碰到,她忍不住提到台灣司法如何不公,不值得信賴等等..不知道她現在看到總統被起訴的新聞後,是不是會對台灣的司法有信心一點?
今天雪梨這裏陰雨綿綿,難得又濕又冷...

和T做採訪+週五報告

最近天氣又轉涼了,讓我想到7月時去墨爾本的天氣,也是有些陰陰的.早上和來自Ethiopia的T約好在NSW ART GALLERY採訪.這是最後一段的採訪了,我已經開始覺得這個GROUP PROJECT IS A PAIN IN THE NECK...但是仍然很高興和T聊聊天,他已在澳洲待了14年,目前也正在和M學FILM MAKING.老實說我對非洲的認識真的說不上二句,對Ethiopia印象,甚至全非洲的印象大約就是難民,骨瘦如柴的兒童等等.他說了Ethiopia總共有80個以上的ethnic groups,15個states,最後一次的饑荒發生在數十年前,所以國際間對Ethiopia的印象其實是很落伍的.這讓我想到台灣的國際印象似乎也是如此,還記得申請赴澳時體檢被一檢再檢的惡夢,也是因為在大部份的medical textbooks裏,台灣仍列在TB疫區裏.但是這也早已於事實不符了.
來澳洲以後,更深刻的感覺台灣的幸與不幸.幸福的是台灣並沒有花太大的流血衝突換取目前的成就,不幸的是世界上沒有那一個國家和台灣一樣面臨這麼詭異的國際地位.
星期五終於完成最後一個報告,我選擇的是發展台灣的教育輸出的相關ADVERTISING& CAMPAIGN,尤其是華語海外教育.雖然與政治無關,但是OBJECTIVE難免和台灣目前的國際地位有關.我特別強調-International recognition is one of the best protection for Taiwan's independent status.只見一個中國女生的臉色很難看.韋恩說我雖然措辭溫和沒有任何形容詞,只陳述事實,但是的確是有點stab the Chinese govenment in the eye. 不過老實說,我覺得應該給他們多一點教育才行! 我常常很驚訝為何那麼多學傳播的人仍然會這麼相信新聞管制?甚至懷疑所謂政治犯,西藏問題都是國際媒體製造出來的?
在準備這個報告時,我也和Nardia討論了很久.她是法籍Jewish,做的題目是Palastanian image awareness.我們馬上感到惺惺相惜.大概某種程度來說,Palastan和台灣的命運很相似吧.她給我看一張Palastan近50年的領土變化圖,很嚇人.從50年前的一大片,到目前只有一個圖釘大的國土.我問她那人都跑那去了? "散落到世界各地去了.."
每個國家都會面對不同的問題,但是像這樣的故事總是讓我覺得有點悲傷.

終於可以上傳圖片了,這是去航空展的照片

Interview Martha

今天去採訪Martha Mollison.之前和她去過Mount Tomah的植物園做側寫.今天去她家完成專訪.我一直覺得Martha的個性非常迷人.也許就是因為她是這麼一個people person所以她的community video film making才會這麼的成功.當然,成功的定義每個人都不一樣.對Martha,最佳的回饋應當就是看到自己協助種下的果實真的發芽長大.她的工作性質相當特別,是community video worker,她以接案的方式到各個部落或是社區拍攝並教部落成員們扛起攝影機,學會用自己的話,以自己的perception為部落/社區說故事.當然,這種工作在film making industry算是少數族群,但是我很欣賞她的創意和堅持.
第一次到她家,我也好奇的東看看西看看,她有隻大狗和3隻雞,每天都會下蛋呢!我想大概是free range的關係雞們都心情很好吧:-)房子是她先生設計建造的,廚房有skylight,顯的特別明亮,望出去就是她的花園,除了雞欄之外就是一塊塊的蔬果和藥草園.我們下午吃的蛋糕就是home grown的,蛋是她的雞生的,桑梓是她家桑梓樹結的果.真是自給自足啊.

The busy weekend

最近家事很多,前幾個星期才參加完韋恩姪子的婚禮,昨天又去參加姪子babe的滿周歲受洗儀式.和天主教的受洗儀式不太一樣.牧師落落長的唸了大概快5頁的宣言,然後頒發證書分別給babe,父母和教父母.
兩方家族都到了不少人,教父,教母和現場的人都一起見證這個babe正式踏入這個世界.儀式是在mittagong的Lake of Alexandra舉行的.當天非常冷.還好我雖然穿著涼涼的洋裝搭了一雙靴子,看到在場的女生都瑟縮的直發抖.Barbeque的火也一直都不大不小的,大概是太冷又太餓,我連吃了3個sausage roll,回程時不停的burping...實在非常討厭.
實在很想趕快回溫,但是之後又一群人去韋恩姪子家.他家的位置真的是前不著村後不搭店.沿路景觀相當棒.和韋恩的房子一樣,姪子家的房子很小但院子很大...老實說有點小亂,不過,大概有了babe後也很難保持整潔吧?從他的廚房望出去可以看到約500公尺遠的下方有另一戶人家, 房子相當漂亮,隱居在此也很不錯.
韋恩的家庭大概真的屬於異數.同班的Eva來自西班牙,她就說像韋恩家這麼緊密的澳洲家庭是極少數的.嗯,我不知該高興還是怎樣,有時真想逃哇!
還好星期天我們去Richmond看航空展,據說每年的Air Show都相當精采.由於展場是當地的air base, 入場前還有數十個軍人駐守檢查背包行李等,氣氛有些些緊張, 大概是因應反恐行動吧.各式aircraft的特技表演都相當不錯.只是其間拖的時間太長了...
說到這裏,不知這是我個人的習性,還是台灣人的民族性,韋恩說我太沒耐性.總是動不動就問, 還有多久才到某某地? 現在在那裏?...等等等等.

My first sultana cake!

每次到了每個月都會來的那個禮拜,我就會開始頻繁的進出廚房.一下做個三明治,一下烤個吐司,一下吃碗cereal(在晚上十點半),總之就是吃個不停.
今天也不例外,雖然不太舒服,但是韋恩去弟弟家,我又想懶散一下,包完水餃後沒多久,就想想做個蛋糕好了.
食譜是Nop給我的,她上次做carrot cake味道挺不錯,我也想自己來做做蛋糕.
沒想到真的做成了!天啊,我來這裏除了學歷更上一層樓外,廚藝也精進不少也..意想不到
沒想到蛋糕這麼容易做!我和韋恩有時在外面吃個咖啡點心,隨隨便便就500元...嗯,我該在這裏開個35元咖啡店的...

critical thinking媒體識讀

在Poynter看到這一篇有關媒體識讀的文章,我覺得其中提到的觀點讓我印象挺深刻的.在讓人眼花撩亂的媒體新聞/評論節目中,怎麼對這些information有自己的critical thinking? 我一直覺得這是台灣較須加油的一環,尤其是在教育單位裏.如果老師自己都沒有這個awareness,老師又怎麼傳達這樣的觀念給孩子? Dr. Roy Peter Clark 在Oprah Winfrey的節目中有一段話我很認同,
“We have to figure out what the world looks like from all these different points of view. This requires skepticism, which is a great democratic virtue, but not cynicism.”

Skepticism和Cynicism,一個是對媒體特質的awareness, 能比較不同立場媒體的報導並做理智的判斷.Cynicism則是犬儒式的質疑,不問證據,不用理智,迴避辯論,很遺憾,台灣似乎較多Cynicism,較少Skepticism. 我很喜歡Dr. Roy Peter Clark對這兩者的詮釋:
A skeptic doubts knowledge. A cynic doubts moral goodness. The cynic says, "All politicians are liars," or "All journalists have a hidden bias." The skeptic says, "That doesn't sound right to me. Show me the evidence."

上學期針對Oprah Winfrey的book club寫了一篇文章,所以對她開始有些較深入的認識.有些人批評她以self-help的方式引導大眾閱讀經典名著其實是將自己的觀點意識輸入大眾的腦袋,名意上是藉著閱讀解放大眾的心靈,實際上仍是一種控制的手段. 我倒覺得這控制大眾思想的工具大概也不差她的book club這一個吧!沒有她的book club,社會大眾是否就免於被無形有形的工具控制?這似乎也是過於簡單化了.

不管對Oprah Winfrey個人的評價如何,她觀察社會現象並創造議題的能力將她和一般脫口秀主持人做了一個分明的切割.以下節錄Dr. Roy Peter Clark在她最近的一個話題-Truth in America的部份內容:
1. Freedom of expression means nothing if you lack the means to express yourself.

2. Recognize the power of framing as a communication device. People may be telling you the truth, but only a part of the truth. They may be framing events to focus on some themes, but not others. In the immigration debate, for example, the "safety of our borders" is a frame, but so is "America opens its arms to immigrants," and so is "there are jobs in America that Americans will not do."

9. A key value of journalism is to make important things (like health care) interesting for the public. Beware of attempts to make interesting things, such as lurid crimes, seem important -- when they are not.

11. Prefer people who want to have a vigorous conversation to those who want to shout at each other.

12. Be not seduced into thinking that every hot-button issue requires to you be on one side or the other. There may be a middle ground. Don't be afraid to be puzzled or uncertain about an issue. It's OK to be working to make up your mind.

Happy Birthday, Taiwan

As scheduled, I went to the Taiwanes National Day Party last night. I havn't been to any similar occassions before. I don't know any one there, either. While waiting for something to do, I met another girl who immigrated to AU. when she was 12. It's nice to talk Chinese once in a while. I miss the language.

I also met several interesting people that night. Two gentlemen from the hospitality business. One of them lived in Taiwan for three years since 1985. He used to work for the airlines, now he starts his business in AU. Another one is from Hungary, Budapast (is that the right spelling? :-P). We have quite a long chat. The gentleman from Hungary looks a lot like one of the lectures I admire at school. He suggests that I should give him a ring after the party.
hmmmmmmm...
I'd love to. I want to know the possibility of working in the hospitality business here.
However, I still have trouble of deciphering people's real intentions behind the words. As a woman, I love the feeling of being flattered. However, as a person with a partner, accepting this invitation doesn't seem like a good idea.

I also noticed several things in the ceremony. The Director of General doesn't seem like familiar enough with the English script when she made the toast. It is kind of boring and embarassing to hear she pauses several times without proper reasons. I also think they should do more work on how to presenting Taiwan's strength and characters instead of just a luxurious setting.

But then again, it's always easy to criticize. In general, I made the right decision to skip the class and join this party.

台灣生日快樂

終於渡過開學以來最忙的2個月,我的影片也在今天下午終於編輯好.雖然不甚滿意,但我是新手嘛,對這堂課也不期望得到distinction,倒是有了些點子可以用在日後的教學檔案裏.明天要去參加台北經濟文化辦事處的國慶酒會,我自願去當招待.
感覺有點好笑,以前在國內從沒去參加過任何和國慶有關的event,倒是出國後比較有動機去參與.
諷刺的事,很多有關台灣的事,是來這裏以後才因為大量的閱讀和research 才對自己的原鄉有更深刻的了解.大概也是因為這樣,才在國慶的時候更有感觸吧!
剛剛去search了一下明天要招待的賓客背景資料,嗯,第一次做"receptionist",還挺新鮮的!

Thredbo滑雪行ski trip

好久沒寫啦!好不容易在2個星期內趕完4份作業,今天終於可以鬆口氣!寫一下前陣子的thredbo滑雪行.
We're very priviledge to make up the last snow in Thredbo. It's not that I havn't seen snow before, but it is truely poetic and refreshing to see snow falling and covering everything in white. This is my very first ski attempt. Before we left for this ski trip organized by our uni gym, Norp told me to be careful since it is a rather dangerous kind of sport.
Well, yes, but luckily I made it back in one piece. :-)
We stayed there for two nights. We were quite shocked when we learned that the accomodation is actually dormitary styled. So Wayne spent another 80 to upgrade us to a double room.
To walk with the ski boots is a funny experience. The boots are so heavy and protective that it is nearly impossible to walk in usual way. Everyone walks like some mobs with legs outwarded in chinese eight (外八字怎麼講啊?).
I had difficulty of stoping and picking myself up in the first day. Luckily it doens't hurt to fell on the snow. Otherwise I'll have some real bad marks on my butts. I've fell for almost 20 times in the first day. At the end I really wish I can just lay there without having to struggle to get up!
But I seemed to pick up the skill a little bit in the afternoon. I can make a small turn when skiing down the hill. I can pick myself up and stop when I want to.
I felt a great sense of achievement for that!
Wayne said skiing is such a difficult sport to learn, so once you pick up the skill, you don't forget that. Good, coz I think i'll try that again somewhere sometime next year!!

Art afterhours

昨晚和韋恩一起去Art Gallery of NSW,他們最近有個活動art after hours.我們昨天去聽的小型音樂會是由Sydney Conservatorium of music擔任表演的,品質相當不錯.尤其是第一回,由William Barton擔任主角的演奏我很喜歡. 據主持人介紹, Barton是很有經驗的 Didgeridoo的player,同時也是composer.他和另外3個Violinist, 加上一個演奏Cello,一起合奏Sacred Song.我一直對Didgeridoo的印象是有些單調的樂器,但是昨晚的演奏的確跳脫一般江湖賣藝式的Didgeridoo的印象.另外二回則是Flute表演,笛子這種樂器跟我一向絶緣,就沒什麼太大的感覺.這場音樂會是在一個較小型的硔型空間舉行,牆面上就是正在展期中的畫作,整個空間營造的很有味道.我也注意到這應該是Art Gallery找錢的方式之一,Ernst & Young是露名唯一贊助商.台灣的美術館不知道有沒有這樣多重利用空間的點子,相信對台灣的"叫罵空氣"會有所幫助.昨晚我和韋恩都各有一項戰利品,韋恩買了一幅日本仕女圖複製畫,我則買了這個tea towel:-)

ps.天啊! Optus的寬頻比台灣的撥接還慢,上傳圖片等了5分鐘畫面還是白的....:-<

Job interview

Although I've got the "Steel Bowl" as a primary school teacher, I'm still very much interested in learning the survival skill in the office. I have numerous experience of interview, some of them turned out to be wonderful, while others remain the embarassing moments in my life.
I believe work interview is an art of quick thinking and presentation, it is also a chance to examine how much you know yourself.
I came across this article and found it very thought-provoking. Exception below is the part I found interesting. You can check the original article by click on the link above. Some of them are rather tricky!!

4. Do you consider yourself successful?You should always answer yes and briefly
explain why. A goodexplanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some
and areon track to achieve the others.
7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A widevariety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement.Have some good ones handy to mention.
8. Are you applying for other jobs?Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focuson this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else isa
distraction.
10. Do you know anyone who works for us?Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. Thiscan affect your answer even though they asked about friends notrelatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thoughtof.
11. What kind of salary do you need?A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like,That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not,say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a widerange.
12. Are you a team player?You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready.Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team ratherthan for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag,just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
examples.

就這麼斷了

下午去買墨水匝和運動內衣.發現比較之下台灣的服務業真是無微不至到一種境界.
我到Myer的內衣部逛,拿了2件就到試衣間換.和台灣不同的是,這裏的服務小姐不會主動來問你穿的是否合適,似乎也不會主動協助檢查內衣是否合適.在台灣被服務慣了的我,很不習慣呀!
更糟糕的是,當我要換穿上自己的內衣時,肩帶就這麼"啪"的一聲斷了!!!!!
只好硬著頭皮按鈴(試衣間裏有個鈴)請小姐來,跟她說明原因後,她有些驚訝,大概也有點好笑.
也因此沒得貨比三家,只好馬上穿上新內衣..

記者和抗議群眾有什麼不一樣?

在msn上看到這則小消息.有點感觸.
不知道某報是那報? 記者回去後報社會如何處置? 記者的行動代表的是自己的還是報社的言論? 記者要總統下台基本上就是個大笑話.雖說不管再公正的媒體都有特定的立場,但是如此"明示"自己的立場的記者,實在有失新聞素養.不管總統該不該下台,這似乎不應該是由記者來決定的? 更何況是利用自己的身份做抗議.那記者和抗議群眾有什麼不一樣?

記者當面要陳總統下臺 【2006/8/24】
　　
總統陳水扁下午出席「台灣精品金質獎」頒獎典禮，發生一段小插曲，前往採訪的某報記者，在陳總統致詞結束後，走到陳總統面前，拿起一個紙版，上面寫著大大的「阿扁下台」，並高喊兩聲「阿扁下台」，結果立即被一群安全人員架住，被請出去，陳總統面無表情的離開，而這名記者，則在安全人員盤問後，被釋放。
新聞來源：中廣