nice, cozy restaurant: Tapa Tapa

Located in downtown area, this place serves excellent spanish dishes; and when its neighboring establishments keep changing names and interior decore, this cozy restaurant keeps attracting customers, old and new alike, with its outstanding cooking. We have visited this place several times, and each time, our guests have been impressed with the unique menu and tasty dishes.

12, DaLong Rd.(04) 2323-6254, 2327-0225 Hours: 11 am-10 pm10% service charge (except for take-out). http://www.taiwanfun.com/central/taichung/dining/0610/0610Spain.htm

O. Henry

While preparing for a short story, found more related information that could be used in presenting - the exqusite balance in the diction, dramatic turn at that ordinary, everyday moment and thoughts provoked. It just occured to me that O. Henry, like many before and after him, was such a unique and able person. Unique in the stories he wrote; able, in the fact that these stories, after almost a century, still strike a chord.

http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/

Breakfast alley

It is called "breakfast alley" mainly because what you see here - stands that present tasty and inexpensive choices for breakfast - usually only last until 9:40. If you get up late, you will see an empty place and hear your belly growl like a bear.
^_^

Gift of life

Finally got this 921 documentary on DVD. 921 stands for a date that some still recall with mixed feelings - horror from the destruction done by quakes, pain stirred up by those who departed and courage that helps people getting back on their own feet once again. This transformation from the lowest point to rising up also helps to uplift its viewers.

Elementary

saw some elementary kids visiting a temple; their teachers busy sharing all about the local patron. Guess those who know more about their home will grow up to be people who would love and identify with the land that nurishes and nurtures them all along.

Hinokio

This is a movie that celebrates life and all that come to make what life is. Won't waste your time. Director's fresh viewpoint plus the renovated theme of growing up, achieves a movie which captures our heartbeat and galvanizes our soul.

"Cheaters"

Received fervent responses from kids for this provocative movie. "Compelling....makes a powerful statement" says it all. The director put, not cheating techniques nor individuals, but the whole society under microscope. Because the topic is common, the movie is presented in an atypical way that shakes its viewers. Some said that they made a bee line to the video rental store for this title, and they, too, had this catharsis. Good literature, as well as good movies, does advance and elevate human mind.

Tea time

This is a plaza lying next to a theme park. Walking in this place in the afternoon is a pleasure. Many people are also intoxicated by this layback atmosphere, and by the relaxing music from street musicians.

Ghosts from the past

Several days ago, was accosted by some one - wasn't sure until he called out the third time. His face was a vague and distant memory because now have been on a different schedule and fighting for a totally different cause.

While it is undeniable that service in the military is excruciating, many still find it hard to just jettison those memories. After all, those days did leave indelible marks in and out.

Now in restrospect, we were really like a bunch of naughty kids having fun on this Never Land. While no parents were around to supervise and look after us, we did a good job in taking care of ourselves, and faithfully carrying out tasks that no one would like to go through again.

One particular person wrote,"I'm sad and happy. Sad because have to sever my tie with the society; happy, because now i don't have to face the pressure of becoming an adult."

Gee, really miss my playmates.

ducks ducks

From a piece of wood came a lovely duck. Its maker must be quite happy for the look in this little thing tells. This trip to a decoy factory reminds me so many happy memories while my cousins and i were small.

Orange Marches

Received a message in the mailbox. It was from a friend in Ireland who has been watching the news of the sit-in campaign in Taipei and the quarrels sparked off from that point on.


She mentions the Orange March in Ireland, where people with different political views and relgions sometimes clash together, resulting in bloodshed and deep, long hatred among people. Seems no solution in sight.

For those who profit from disagreements, they're called politicians; for those who bring peace along, statesmen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNcPB-3LQbo&mode=related&search=

Being a child again!

While attending a small discussion group on how to take good care of children, one father and i found that while we're raising children, we simultaneously relive that long-forgotten childhood again. This time, however, I could really cherish the moment when our little child utters another after another new sounds, when she makes her first attempt to grab that toy and when she smiles back. ^__^

Child on the Road

Pulled a child off a busy road the other day. After work, on my way to a pharmacy, was startled to see a small child running bare-footed among the traffic. Quickly parked the bike and rushed into the busy flow of cars and motorbikes to pull that child, about the age of five, off the road. With the light from a beverage stand nearby, noticed that he was a bit different - a child with birth-defect. A warm-hearted girl from that beverage stand gave him a drink and called the police. A patrol car arrived within a few minutes, and that child was in good hands. ....... A child that grows up with the changing seasons is a joy to parents; a child that stays 2-years-old forever is a tormenting thing, a punishment.....sometimes.

Don't know why this child was left unattended and running among heavy traffic; he must have slipped away while his care-giver was distracted by something else. Children are treasures of the world, and parents are given different children to look after, to protect and teach, to pamper and love. ..... Wish him, and his parents, all the best in the world.

Cat's in the cradle

My child was born and she is a lovely lovely baby. Now weighing like an average baby, she sometimes smiles back while we talk to her.(= was told that parents are crazy about their babies; didn't believe that until have my own one) Being inexperienced, both of her parents have to read and learn while trying to change diaper, feed her and apply her certificates. We're exhausted in the first few days, but gradually have adapted to the new schedule. Judy Collin's "The Cate's in the Cradle" comes in whenever i hold this small, little thing.

Voices that last

It has been raining on and off for the past two weeks. Rainy days bring back old songs. Joan Baez is one particular singer whose unique voice and style would catch a foreigner's ear; her albums were among the most treasured in many people's memory. Diamonds and Rust, Forever Young are made of simple words and only the necessary instruments, and therefore that message inside is even more salient. A guitar and a singer, how wonderful!

Comics

Made a deal with J, who has been shipping comic books into classroom, and the rest of the class. It would be wise not to spend too much time on comic books and get distracted. One girl reacted with the comment that she, besides being a student, is a citizen, too; and why should she be told to do this and that?

Then told them since the competition for good colleges is fierce and the expectation from their parents sometimes do influence how school operates, they seemed more willing to take the suggestion that in the following months before that BIG exam, comic books should have no place inside classroom.

Once asked a veteran teacher about how to carry out policies (or school rules) without bringing up the unwanted results. "Love and understanding" are two of her most salient conclusions. As to the process of setting up rules, she confirmed that it is vital to make it crystal clear and then enforce these regulations with firmness.

Strawberry Pear (Hylocereus undatus)

火龍果. Night-blooming Gereus
Soon May will give birth to a baby girl, and we usually take a walk after dinner. Along the road are rice fields and vegetable gardens. This fruit-bearing plant surprised us with its large and yet delicate flowers.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/strawberry_pear_ars.html

Old and Useful

It is easy to forget what magic reading can do to one's mind here in Taiwan. Because of the academic pressure from exams, reading is usually associated with fierce competition with peers, humiliating grades and nothing more. When college students graduate, they readily toss away textbooks as prisoners would do to their heavy shackles.

Once that appetite for books returns, so glad that it always will, a search will begin - to find out books worth one's while; several books are definitely not to be missed. One small compilation caught my attention with its rich content, elegant style and wisdom from many remarkable persons.

Later found out that some passages in this pocket book were used in many American schools for they convey ideas with succinct sentences. To me, in moments of doubt and perplexity, the book provide appropriate console and advice; hopefully, it will bring the same to you.

Famous Blue Raincoat

About some 16 years ago, one bookstore owner recommanded this CD title, "Famous Blue Raincoat," to me, and Jennifer Warnes' unique voice captured my attention. Unlike the coming and going in pop music, there are certain types of music that stay with you; this CD, written by Cohen, resides in this area.
Inside this album, three elements - beautiful voice, deep lyrics and excellent performance from the accompanying band - together express a mixture of conflicting motions inside every human soul. And here, 16 years later, this music title is still one of my prized collections.

Birman Rally: Passion

On the TV screen is a group of students with one pilot in a "simple" airplane, ready to jump down from a high platform, into the water down below. The first thought that came to me was, "They must be insane to do this silly thing." Insane, because that airplane is only made of fragile materials and powered by a crude bicycle chain mechanism.

Alas! Though some of those planes quickly plunge right after takeoff, a few do spread their wings and fly an astonishing distance before they make a splash. Through VCR footages and narrator's explanation, realized how much effort has been put into such 'silly' act. One single element stands out in this Birdman Rally: Passion. The passion to fly, the passion to defy common sense, the passion to accomplish the impossible, is the singular power that drive those simple airplanes up in the sky.