苗栗 MiaoLi

這是一趟輕鬆愉快的家庭旅行, 成員包括我爸媽, 姊姊, 姊夫, 弟弟, 弟妹, 以及兩個小外甥, 和家人在一起最讚了! :-)

It's an outing with my family, including my parents, my sisiter, my brother-in-law, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my two nephews. It's always very relax and joyful to go out with the family! :-)

Day 1

三義勝興火車站 Sanyi - Shengsing Railroad Station --> 龍藤斷橋 Longteng broken bridge --> 三義丫箱寶 --> 泰安 Tai-an - Sunrise Spring Hotel 日出溫泉度假飯店

這張照片是我姊夫在三義勝興火車站拍的, 我和小外甥正在玩, 據說這張照片式姊夫此行程中最滿意的一張照片了. ;-p

This photo was taken by my brother-in-law at Sanyi Railroad Station. He caught the moment that I was playing with my second nephew. This is my brother-in-law's favorite photo in this trip. ;-P


三義ㄚ箱寶蠻適合小朋友的, 可以隨意塗鴉. 我們離開時是帶著一隻賀春節的黑面米老鼠及一隻非常有過年氣氛的彩色豬, 好玩!

三義ㄚ箱寶 is a place for kids' to paint their own wooden arts. Therefore when we left the shop, we had one black-face Mickey Mouse with a New Year's Chinese character on the back and one very colorful pig.

Day 2

汶水老街 Wen-shui old street --> 採草莓 Strawberry farm --> 雪壩國家公園遊客中心 Shei-Pa Natinal Park Wenshui Visitor Center

汶水老街最裡面有間賣薑糖的小販, 老闆一直不厭其煩地述說他的材料與他的用心, 最可愛的是他會一直說"不要客氣, 來讓我請", 然後一面不斷補充他面前給大家試吃的超大塊薑糖, 用心實在加上大方, 果然贏得顧客的青睞. 另外, 在老弟和文君的努力排隊下, 我們吃到了傳說中的竹炭黑色臭豆腐, 其實和一般的臭豆腐差不多, 想去嚐鮮的朋友們請記得避開用餐時間, 會輕鬆舒服很多.

從汶水老街往雪壩國家公園遊客中心的路邊就會看到一大片草莓園, 所以我們並沒有進到大湖, 草莓照起來蠻美的, 吃到了特殊的草莓香腸, 也帶一些現採草莓回去, 大人小孩都開心~

There are lots local food stands along the wen-shui old street. One enthusiastic store-owner kept introducing his product and saying "please be my guest and have my treat". He served big portion for customers to taste, and he did earn lots of business. Besides, we tried the famous stinking tofu in black color because of artificial bamboo coke.

On the way to the Shei-Pa Natinal Park Wenshui Visitor Center, there are many strawberry fields. Of course we picked some delicious strawberries by ourselves and took them back home. By the way, the strawberry sausage is not bad at all, although the combination is still sounded weird a bit.

note.

以後可以用的苗栗官網.

There is an official website for MiaoLi.

騎馬 Horse riding

第一次真正騎馬, 是在澳洲. 依著當地旅遊資訊上騎馬活動的廣告, 一個人租了台腳踏車前往馬場. 出發前教練就口頭交代幾樣, 比如往左拉韁繩是左轉, 反之右轉, 停往後拉, 要走就輕踢馬的小肚肚, 要跑就用力踢, 然後, 一群人就各自騎著馬一隻跟著一隻地在灌木叢裡漫步, 然後抵達一個無人沙灘後就隨意讓馬狂奔了! 現在回頭想其實蠻危險的, 畢竟即使是很有經驗的人都有可能墜馬, 何況是一無所知的初學者. 但是, 我就是這樣愛上騎馬的. :-)

之後陸陸續續在不同的地方騎過, 在台灣的台南, 埔心和龜山的馬場分別騎過一次, 在印尼峇里島曾騎到鄉下去看鄉村風光, 在美國德州頗為乾枯的灌木叢中騎過, 在喬治亞州騎美國家庭自己養的馬, 也曾騎下大峽谷在懸崖邊與綠色的河流之上享受午餐餐盒(這次其實是騎騾). 都是讓人回味無窮的經驗.

終於, 我從上個月開始正式學騎馬, 教練說騎馬要放鬆, 平衡, 跟隨, 目前練習從最基本的慢步和快步 (分為壓浪和打浪)開始, 還沒練到跑步. 每一次去都有新的體悟, 其中感覺最大的差異是在第一次無蹬騎馬, 雙手雙腳完全放空, 隨著馬的節奏快步卻只能用身體保持平衡, 才知道原來以前靠馬蹬施力是錯的. 不過知道跟真的做對還有段距離, 我還有很長的路要走, 教練說的沒錯, 每個人學習的快慢不同, 但在馬上的時間就是一定要夠. 已經開始期待下次的練習了!

The first time I really ride a horse was in Australia. I saw an advertisement about the horse riding for tourists, then rented a bike to look for the horse field. Before the riding, the coach only taught us few things such as the signals for the horses to turn right, turn left, stop, walk, and run. Right after the instruction, we ride in the bush, reached a beach, and run! Now when I thought of the experience, I have to admit that it's a bit dangerous. However that's how I started to love horse riding. :-)

After that experience, I ride few times in other places. I ride three times in Taiwan, once in the villages at Bali island in Indonesia, once in the dried-up bushes in Texas in US, once with the US family's horse in Georgia, once with mules down to a river valley in the Grand Canyon National Park to enjoy the lunch on cliffs above a green river. Each experience was unique to me.

Finally I have started to learn horse riding officially since last month. The coach said that relax, balance, and follow are important. Now I am learning trot and posting trot. Each time I learned something and felt differently. The first time I ride without hands on the halter and feet in the stirrups was really amazing. I could only rely on my body to keep balance, and I realized that forcing on stirrups is wrong. However, knowing the theory doesn't mean doing it right. I still have a long way to go. Every one's progress might be different, but it's for sure that significant hours spent on horses are required. I am looking forward to the next practice already!

Videos about Taiwan

收到轉寄的信, 好像是在捷克的台灣交換學生為了National Evening的活動而製作介紹台灣的影片, 值得推薦!

There are few videos created by some Taiwanese exchange students in Czech Republic for the event National Evening. They are quite recommendable.


Part 1：Taiwan History
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir83dKyhl_0&feature=related

Part 2：Traditional Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxR_FgjnxeY&feature=related

Part 3：Delicacy, Celebrities & IT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hld2VMaWuwM&feature=related

Part 4：Something More about Taiwan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlNCEjt1vg&feature=related

Part 5：Game Time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vSAWvYbyXU&feature=related

海地大地震 The earthquake at Haiti

海地大地震, 災情令全球震驚, 大家一起來, 捐多少算多少! (台灣世界展望會, 慈濟 和 紅十字會)

Stevie Wonder在美國一個Hope For Haiti Now的募款活動中演唱經典老歌Bridge Over Troubled Water, 帶著懷念的心情上網找了這首歌的歌詞, 很美.

Another tragedy happened at Haiti, and the condition of the disaster shocked the world. Let's donate whatever we can! (World Version, TzuChi and Redcross)

Stevie Wonder sang Bridge Over Troubled Water in the event Hope For Haiti Now in US, reminding me of the beautiful song. I found the lyrics below from the Internet.

---------------------------------

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
---------------------------------

同時收到我斯里蘭卡小朋友的來信, 感觸特別深. 其實我的小朋友年紀太小還不會寫字, 都是他媽媽寫信和我保持聯絡. (也有可能是媽媽口述義工代筆) 忘了從什麼時候開始, 某種程度上我們早已將彼此視為家人, 很讓人珍惜的緣分.

Meanwhile, I received the letter from my sponsored little girl in Sri Lanka. In fact she is still too little to write, but her mom has kept in touch with me. Somehow we are kind of family, and I appreciate it.

極限震撼 Fuerzabruta

極限震撼是一場來自紐約, 結合音樂, 戲劇, 舞蹈, 性感水舞等多重元素的表演, 觀眾隨時隨著舞台移動, 在與舞台與表演者的互動中, 觀眾也成為表演的重要一環, 整場show更像一場精心策劃的突破性大party!

對這場show的評價很兩極, 有人說他們那場觀眾冷冷的, 不怎麼樣, 也有人說他們那場high到衣服都快脫掉了. 所以說, 是一場蠻值得去體驗一下的表演. 結束時我們一群人都有點意猶未盡的感覺, 我想這場party成功了. 網路上的影片可以看一下內容, 但現場震撼感受還是不ㄧ樣喔~

Fuerzabruta is a show from New York, combining the elements of music, drama, dance, sexy dance above the water, and etc. The audiences are also part of the show, moving and dancing along with the stages and the performers. It's like a well designed big party with remarkable breakthroughs!

The opinions about this show are quite different. Some people said that the atmosphere was calm in the show he/she joined. Some people said that the audiences were so high that they almost took off their tops. When the show was over, we felt like to have more, more music, more dance, more show, and etc. That was a successful party. The videos on the Internet can show the content of the show, but the live show has much more shock~

烏來 Wulia

今天和K, J和S到烏來玩, 天公作美沒有下雨, 先來到陰離子含量高居全台森林遊樂區之冠的內洞森林遊樂區. 我們從新店捷運站開車過去不到一小時就到烏來了, 出乎意料的自然景觀與原始的森林步道都讓我大為驚艷.

K, J, S and I met met at a Taipei Metro station and it took less than one hour to arrive Neidong National Forest Recreation Area. The natural and trail in the forest is amazing.

內洞瀑布很美, 那一泉清池讓人想要跳下去玩水. 沿路鳥聲相伴, 賞鳥大師Simon不時指引我們認識各種鳥類. 我們一直往內走到步道盡頭才沿原路回來, 我真有點依依不捨, 心想夏天躺在涼亭裡聽瀑布聲一定很讚吧!

The Neidong waterfall is beautiful! It's a pity that swimming is not allowed over there. Lying in the pavilion in summer must be a great joy. All the way, many birds flied around and accompanied us. S used to observe birds a lot, so he was able to recognize most of the birds. It's quite educational.

享受自然享受到忘了時間, 我們一路叫餓地來到烏來老街, 看到第一攤"山豬肉"就二話不說地先來四串, 接著烤香腸, 炸地瓜等等, 以為這樣就結束了? 錯, 當然還要來個正餐啊! 咱們又到餐廳裡吃了一桌新鮮美味的菜倄, 然後一路叫飽地在烏來老街散步.

印象最深的就屬那間把山豬整隻攤在店們口的店, 油油亮亮的山豬好無辜, 結能減炭, 還是少吃一點肉.

We enjoyed the forest too much and forgot the time. When we arrived the Wulia old street, we were all starving. We bought some BBQ at the first food stall we saw, and other delicious local food followed. It's the end? of course not... we went into a restaurant for the real meal. On the way to the Wulia old street, we were yelling that we were too hungry. When we walked out the restaurant, we were yelling that we were too full...

A aborigine put a whole shining pig in front of his stall. We stopped by to take photos, but for sure it's not a successful way to attract customers to buy it. People tend to eat less meat when they see the poor pig. Well, it's good for the earth.

稍微消化一下後我們到烏來強羅溫泉會館泡湯, 這兒的地理位置很好, 居高臨下, 湯也不錯, 尤其女生相同的票卻有裸湯可選擇, 男生就只能去泡大眾池嚕~

一天結束, 心理滴咕著明天, 一定要上班嗎? 2010年的第一個上班日... 好像也該期待一下...

After taking a walked to digest a bit in the old street, we went to a hot spring hotel to enjoy the famous hot spring at Wulia. The mountain view with clouds and fogs was peaceful.

At the end of the day, I was murmuring to myself... Do I have to work tomorrow? The first working day in 2010... I should look forward to it...

Earthings 地球上的生靈

"Earthings" is a multi-award-winning documentary about speciesism. If you haven't watched it before, you should do it! (Note. Be ware that some content is violence or bloody.)

"地球上的生靈"是一個探討物種歧視的紀錄片, 已經榮獲多項大獎, 如果你還沒看過, 一定要看! (注意. 有些內容涉及暴力血腥)

Earthlings 地球上的生靈(1)Begin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQGYeWWINqk

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (2)Pets (寵物) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40cpTvvt-LM&feature

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (3)Food食物(1) http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=-6wp6lORdcg

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (4)Food食物(2) http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=aMDNsXSA2rg

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (5)Food食物-(禽畜) Part 2a http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=2L5ulKM9SKM

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (6)Food食物-(捕鯨) Part 2b http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=mPW7wQwkq58

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (7)休閒-(皮草) Part 2c http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=VeZdI-uJgv4

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (8)休閒-(馬戲團) Part 3a http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=GiDV6ZmeM5A

Earthlings 地球上的生靈 (9)vivisection(科學研究)-Part 3b http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=XX9LjPoWhCY

Earthlings(地球上的生靈)-Part 3c (總結) http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=CsXrklOZ-uE

2010新年快樂! Happy New Year 2010!

去年跨年煙火看了, 元旦升旗也參加了, 今年實在有點懶, 只是沒想到國旗圍巾還是把我乖乖拐去參加元旦升旗, 還把L拖下水. 原本想說這條圍巾可不便宜, 專程從林口坐計程車去的呢~ 結果到頭來傳說中的9999條國旗圍巾沒看到幾條, 更別說要拿到一條... 後來看新聞知道有人等四小時都沒拿到, 我們5:30AM到沒拿到好像也沒什麼大不了了. 沒拿到就算了, 但還是希望這些辦活動的人下次可以貼心地安排得專業一點, 新聞上那樣的混亂實在不是很文明~

看啊~ 咱們馬總統脖子上那條就是我想要的啦~ anyway, 整體表演蠻酷的, 還是值得~

Originally I only planned to go to Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition with L as the first even in year 2010. However since the scarf with the designed national flag is too attractive to let it go, I left home at 4:50AM to join the flag-raising ceremony in front of the presidential palace. The government prepared 9999 scarfs, but we didn't see any when we arrived at 5:30AM. Later I saw the news on TV saying that some people waited 4 hours and didn't get it. Wow... I knew why I didn't get any... :-P

The scarf on the president Ma's neck is the one I wanted! The shows presented by the army afterward still made it worthy.

找間店吃了頓悠閒又豐盛的美式早餐後, 我們才開始今天的正規的行程, 台北市立美術館蔡國強的"泡美術館"展覽!

提到蔡國強, 最為台灣人所知的就是就是"負責北京奧運煙火的爆破藝術家"以及"馬總統女兒的教授", 今天看了他的展覽, 才知道他的藝術的多元性, 除了知名的爆破作畫, 還有更多具有各種意義的創新表達性作品. (關於蔡國強爆破作畫的影片可參考這裡.)

After an easy and great American breakfast, we went for the event as planned originally, Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition "Hanging Out in the Museum" at Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

Mr. Tsai is known as the artist of the firework for Beijing Olympics, and in Taiwan also known as the professor of the president Ma's daughter in New York. He uses various material and formats to present his art and to reflect the society phenomenon. He creatively paints by explosions. (Click here to see Mr. Tsai's arts, including how to paint by explosions.)

(this photo was copied from here.)

"撞牆"是最讓我感動的一件作品. 99隻真實大小的狼以前仆後繼無人可檔的氣勢往前衝, 直到撞到一面無形的牆的作品. 群體的力量和信仰可以產生極大的感動並達成任何事情, 但忠誠與盲目只是一線之隔, 人類因此造成多少不可挽回的歷史悲劇. 義無反顧地往前跑, 但看清前方是什麼了嗎? 有形的牆看得見, 無形的牆是無法看見, 還是我們不願看見? 旁邊悉悉落落幾隻未跟隨的狼在團體的氣勢相較下略顯孤獨, 但應該是智者吧~

Among the works, I was deeply impressed by the "Head On", consisting of 99 wolves running and jumping toward an invisible wall. While the determination of the following wolves was touched, the shock of the followed wolves heading on the wall was helpless. There is only a gleam of separation between loyalty and blindness, and that's why in the history there have been so many tragedies caused by blindness. Why do people follow blindly? We can see a physical wall, but how about an invisible wall? Can't we see it, or aren't we willing to see it? Few wolves didn't follow, although a bit lonely comparing with the group's momentum. They must be the wise ones.

台北出租院是個蠻有趣的專題, 人物的表情和動作維妙維俏.

There was an outdoor area with many fine sculptures of the characters in a novel. The movements and facial expressions were very lively with interesting details.

最後我們不知不覺在這個展覽待了4個小時, 真是個有意義的新年起頭啊~

Eventually we spent 4 hours in the exhibition. It's a meaningful event for starting the new year. :-)