On April 10th 2008, I celebrated my 30 years-old birthday in the Netherlands. In the office, I invited some colleagues for delicious pies. It's a Dutch way to celebrate your birthday and it's fun! (According to the Taiwanese way, the birthday boy/girl would be treated by his/her family or friends, instead of treating them.) If my life is 60 years in total, I already reached the half way! I am delighted with my life, appreciating my family and all friends around. Hope I would feel blessed as well 30 years later while looking back again. *o^
On April 11th, I went to a harpsichord concert of the Goldberg Variations held in the castle Muiderslot with Jitse. The light of the sunset shed on the player and the harpsichord through the window. Sitting in the living room of the castle, I felt like a royal family who has its own musician to play at home. :P
On April 12th, I went back to Rotterdam! Nicole came to the Netherlands to visit me from Taiwan, so I showed her around for one weekend. It's so fun to visit the Blaak Market (which I went for food and flowers while studying in Rotterdam School of Management) as a tourist. We went into the Cubic house and walked a long way in Kinderdijk. (By the way, you might be surprised that most of the Dutch has never visited tourist spots such as Kinderdijk, Giethoorn, Keukenhof, and etc.)
2008/04/13
2008/04/05
清明節
您走後的第二個清明節
我還是 不在台灣
好一陣子 沒夢到您
上次夢到您 還是哭著醒來
許久沒用的Skype裡
您的電話還在撥出號碼的前幾位
一個2004到2006年在國外唸書時 固定撥出的號碼
您走後 有一次用Skype竟不自覺撥到您的號碼
然後 被空號的回音 驚醒
今天 全家在彰化團聚 獨缺我
偏頭望向辦公室外的景色
安安說 阿姨唔我想妳
爸爸說 太久了趕快回來 miss you
摸著項鍊 想念您
我還是 不在台灣
好一陣子 沒夢到您
上次夢到您 還是哭著醒來
許久沒用的Skype裡
您的電話還在撥出號碼的前幾位
一個2004到2006年在國外唸書時 固定撥出的號碼
您走後 有一次用Skype竟不自覺撥到您的號碼
然後 被空號的回音 驚醒
今天 全家在彰化團聚 獨缺我
偏頭望向辦公室外的景色
安安說 阿姨唔我想妳
爸爸說 太久了趕快回來 miss you
摸著項鍊 想念您
2008/03/30
The beauty of the Chinese language
Frequently being asked about questions of the Chinese language, I found that the more I try to explain it, the more I appreciate it. I realized that in the Kangxi Dictionary there are 47,035 characters, but for computer Big 5, there are only 13,060 characters available. It's fun but hard to explain the application, depth, and beauty of the Chinese language. Hope I could do it better and better. :)
Suddenly I thought of the beautiful dialogue referred by a good friend from The World of Huanzang and Silk Road few days ago.
"曾經有一份真摯的愛擺在我的面前, 但是我沒有珍惜, 直到失去的時候才後悔莫及, 塵世間最痛苦的事莫過於此,如果上天能再給我一次機會的話, 我會對這個女孩說"我愛你" ,如果非要在這份愛加上一個期限, 我希望是...........一萬年"
Translation:
A love used to be put right in front of me, but I didn't appreciate it until I lost it and regretted miserably. What can be more painful than it? If I can have the chance again, I would tell her "I love you". If expiration is required to put on the love, I hope it is... ten thousand years.
There are many things can’t be translated well among languages, such as poems, emotions, and etc. Somehow, the translation of a novel is relatively easier, although the artistic conception might not be revealed adequately as well.
Suddenly I thought of the beautiful dialogue referred by a good friend from The World of Huanzang and Silk Road few days ago.
"曾經有一份真摯的愛擺在我的面前, 但是我沒有珍惜, 直到失去的時候才後悔莫及, 塵世間最痛苦的事莫過於此,如果上天能再給我一次機會的話, 我會對這個女孩說"我愛你" ,如果非要在這份愛加上一個期限, 我希望是...........一萬年"
Translation:
A love used to be put right in front of me, but I didn't appreciate it until I lost it and regretted miserably. What can be more painful than it? If I can have the chance again, I would tell her "I love you". If expiration is required to put on the love, I hope it is... ten thousand years.
There are many things can’t be translated well among languages, such as poems, emotions, and etc. Somehow, the translation of a novel is relatively easier, although the artistic conception might not be revealed adequately as well.
2008/03/27
New experience in the past two weeks
I went rock climbing for the first time, and could climb up to level 5.
I cooked for eight people for the first time, and it was going quite well.
I had dinner with 3 continental vice presidents and etc., and it's proved that CVPs' are normal human beings as well. :P
It's quite exciting to have new experience anyway! ^^
By the way, in some movie theathers in Holland, every week one selected movie would be played at one time slot. It costs less, but you never know what you would get until the second the movie start being played. For foreigners, it's even more tricky. Could you imagine that you paid, sat down, was ready to enjoy the movie, and then a Franch/Spanish/German movie started with Dutch subtitles? It would be a funny experience as well. However we were lucky to get a good movie "The Bucket List", in English.
I cooked for eight people for the first time, and it was going quite well.
I had dinner with 3 continental vice presidents and etc., and it's proved that CVPs' are normal human beings as well. :P
It's quite exciting to have new experience anyway! ^^
By the way, in some movie theathers in Holland, every week one selected movie would be played at one time slot. It costs less, but you never know what you would get until the second the movie start being played. For foreigners, it's even more tricky. Could you imagine that you paid, sat down, was ready to enjoy the movie, and then a Franch/Spanish/German movie started with Dutch subtitles? It would be a funny experience as well. However we were lucky to get a good movie "The Bucket List", in English.
2008/03/25
France - Mont Saint-Michiel, Saint-Malo, and Normandy - 2008/03/21 ~ 2008/03/24
During the Easter, we decided to visit Mont Saint-Michiel in France. We encountered heavy rain, heavy snow, sweet sunshine, and mixed weather sometimes. The weather changes all the time. How lucky we were that when we drove or were indoor, the bad weather came; when we arrived and were ready for visiting, the sun came out. It's a special experience. :)
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Patton
Tel: +33 (0) 2 33 48 52 52
Add: 93, Rue de la Constitution, 50300 Avranches
Mont Saint-Michiel
On Saturday, we changed the first visiting from Saint Malo to Mont Saint-Michiel because of the unexpected sunny day! Mont Saint-Michiel is an rocky island connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge. Parking the car down and next to the land bridge, people have to walk into the town through a little wooden bridge. There is a monastery on the top with beautiful scenery. What I like most is the walking on the beach around the island during sunset. The incredible golden color covered the water lines wandering through the sands. One hour later, the high tide submerged the parking lot and the pedestrian bridge. People were reminded to move their cars to the land bridge and an announcement was made in the town to ensure that people knew they had to leave ASAP if they don't want to be stuck in the town in the coming few hours.
Recommended Restaurant
La Mère Poulard
Tel: +33 (0)2 33 89 68 68
Add: Grande Rue BP 1850170 LE MONT SAINT MICHEL
Saint-Malo
In the Sunday morning, we visited Saint-Malo, used to be a piratic town. The sea food is very fresh and the price is relatively cheap. You may have a set meal with a substantial seafood plate as a starter by only 16 euros.
Recommended Restaurant
Restaurant des Remparts
Tel: +33 (0)2 99 40 91 23
Add: 17, rue Jacques Cartier, 25400 Saint-Malo, France
Normandy
In the Sunday afternoon, we went to Normandy to approach the history of World War II. There are still some concretes left on the beach or in the ocean. The beach is too peaceful to believe that a war did occur here in year 1944.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Patton
Tel: +33 (0) 2 33 48 52 52
Add: 93, Rue de la Constitution, 50300 Avranches
Mont Saint-Michiel
On Saturday, we changed the first visiting from Saint Malo to Mont Saint-Michiel because of the unexpected sunny day! Mont Saint-Michiel is an rocky island connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge. Parking the car down and next to the land bridge, people have to walk into the town through a little wooden bridge. There is a monastery on the top with beautiful scenery. What I like most is the walking on the beach around the island during sunset. The incredible golden color covered the water lines wandering through the sands. One hour later, the high tide submerged the parking lot and the pedestrian bridge. People were reminded to move their cars to the land bridge and an announcement was made in the town to ensure that people knew they had to leave ASAP if they don't want to be stuck in the town in the coming few hours.
Recommended RestaurantLa Mère Poulard
Tel: +33 (0)2 33 89 68 68
Add: Grande Rue BP 1850170 LE MONT SAINT MICHEL
Saint-Malo
In the Sunday morning, we visited Saint-Malo, used to be a piratic town. The sea food is very fresh and the price is relatively cheap. You may have a set meal with a substantial seafood plate as a starter by only 16 euros.
Recommended RestaurantRestaurant des Remparts
Tel: +33 (0)2 99 40 91 23
Add: 17, rue Jacques Cartier, 25400 Saint-Malo, France
Normandy
In the Sunday afternoon, we went to Normandy to approach the history of World War II. There are still some concretes left on the beach or in the ocean. The beach is too peaceful to believe that a war did occur here in year 1944.
Yes, it's ASML on the Normany beach... :P
It's my favorite photo in the D-Day Museum. It's quite amazing to see how the artificial concretes and bridges were built for logistics supplies within 12 days.
2008/03/17
Awake
Sometimes
People treat you very well, but you can't treat them well
Sometimes
Happiness is in front of you, but you keep it away
Sometimes
You know the chances might not come back, but you leave them alone
You went for a danger
got lost
Awake
Would you get out of the danger
Would you take the happiness
or would you get out of the danger without taking the happiness
What are you looking for
People treat you very well, but you can't treat them well
Sometimes
Happiness is in front of you, but you keep it away
Sometimes
You know the chances might not come back, but you leave them alone
You went for a danger
got lost
Awake
Would you get out of the danger
Would you take the happiness
or would you get out of the danger without taking the happiness
What are you looking for
2008/03/15
Netherlands - Marken, Volendam, Huisduinen & Julianadorp - 2008/03/15
It's a sunny day! Spring is coming! What can I ask more than it! :)
Taking the boat to Volendam...
Eating the Dutch fish sandwich for lunch... ok. I know it's not professional introduction, but I don't know the name... :P
From the historic spot, we got the view of Julianadorp with the light house.
The sunset looked warm in the cold. Lying on the grasses... the time stopped...
Around noon time, we arrived Marken, a lovely fishing town with houses mainly in green and white. Driving to Marken is a joy because the way to the island is basically through the ocean, with many flights of birds flying in the sky. Like the buddy bodies in US or the cat bodies in Taiwan, there are bird bodies on the roads. It's natural, but I felt sorry about it. They are so beautiful.
Taking the boat to Volendam...Eating the Dutch fish sandwich for lunch... ok. I know it's not professional introduction, but I don't know the name... :PFrom the historic spot, we got the view of Julianadorp with the light house.
The sunset looked warm in the cold. Lying on the grasses... the time stopped...
2008/03/10
A key which could open all the doors
Finally I moved from the hotel to the apartment today. Although there is a second bedroom, I would rather exchange it with a garden or a closer parking lot. ha ha.. don't get me wrong… I do like and appreciate what I got this time. The apartment is very new, and in fact I am the second person to live in it. The last tenant must be a guy because most the stuff in the kitchen has never been used.
One incredible thing is that when we arrived the apartment, the housing agency realized that the last tenant didn't return the key, so she asked me to take the key which could actually open all the apartments on the same floor. What can I say? They do trust people. However I think it's not fair to the other tenants because they don't even know that someone else has the key to open their doors. They are lucky that I am not a bad person. :P
To me the separated lavatory with such a small sink is very Dutch. The height of this stool is considered as low. Sometimes you could experience a stool which you could rock your legs without touching the floor. Since the average height of Dutch is around 185cm, a high stool should be in fact a reasonable design, isn't it? :)
One incredible thing is that when we arrived the apartment, the housing agency realized that the last tenant didn't return the key, so she asked me to take the key which could actually open all the apartments on the same floor. What can I say? They do trust people. However I think it's not fair to the other tenants because they don't even know that someone else has the key to open their doors. They are lucky that I am not a bad person. :P
To me the separated lavatory with such a small sink is very Dutch. The height of this stool is considered as low. Sometimes you could experience a stool which you could rock your legs without touching the floor. Since the average height of Dutch is around 185cm, a high stool should be in fact a reasonable design, isn't it? :)
2008/03/08
Germany - Dusseldorf - 2008/03/08
The main purpose of this trip is to go to a Japanese restaurant. Waiting in a queue about 40 minutes, my colleagues and I finally got in the restaurant and had the pure la mian. :)
NA NI WA
noodles & soups
Address: Oststr.55, 40211 Dusseldorf, Germany
Phone: 0211-16 17 99
After the late lunch, we walked in the city center, had great Italian ice cream, and watched the crowd drinking on the streets.
Of course we joined them, emptying the dark beers on the street.
Dusseldorf is a city good for shopping, so not really a place for me. However there are many nice restaurants!
NA NI WA
noodles & soups
Address: Oststr.55, 40211 Dusseldorf, Germany
Phone: 0211-16 17 99
After the late lunch, we walked in the city center, had great Italian ice cream, and watched the crowd drinking on the streets.
Of course we joined them, emptying the dark beers on the street.
Dusseldorf is a city good for shopping, so not really a place for me. However there are many nice restaurants!
2008/03/07
Where does the urine go...
In Holland, during the weekends or festival periods (or make it simple, anytime when the government expects that people would drink a lot), you might see few or a line of prominent facilities for guys' convenience on the pavements or squares. I am not sure whether it's Dutch only, but one of my German friends was curious about it as well when she saw it. Anyway, taking the mission required by a friend, I asked my Dutch colleague "where does the urine go actually?" To answer the question, my lovely colleague called the government. :P
The answer is kind of too simple. It goes nowhere! They periodically suck urine from the facility, which is no more than collecting the urine in this case. The other brilliant guesses such as pipes under ground and etc. are just high tech fantasy. No wonder why it could be very smelly. ^^
The photo below was copied from http://pic.jxnews.com.cn/0/02/29/95/2299579_660747.jpg because I didn't dare, or didn't get a good chance, to take photos when people used toilets.
The answer is kind of too simple. It goes nowhere! They periodically suck urine from the facility, which is no more than collecting the urine in this case. The other brilliant guesses such as pipes under ground and etc. are just high tech fantasy. No wonder why it could be very smelly. ^^