Sweet Battle

← Cemetery

I believe this is in the area of SanZhi (三芝鄉), near DanShui.  Don’t ask me why I went to a cemetery, but I don’t mind.  I guess living a regular life here does include going to cemeteries.  This place is actually very nice, more like the ones in Toronto than Macau.  The buildings look nice and are well-maintained.

← 野柳

This is on the northern-most side of Taiwan in WanLi (萬里鄉).  It is an area with rocks in various shapes; ones that have been eroded by the ocean and wind.  It was so hot though, but definitely worth going to.  The rocks look really nice, each with its unique shape and form.

← 女王頭

This is the most famous rock in 野柳.  It is said to be shaped like the queen’s head.  The Taiwan government is trying very hard to keep it standing, since the neck part is about to break.  It is believe that it will be gone in a few years time, so better go see it soon.  There are also many other rocks, like the fairy slipper, which you can no longer tell is a slipper (but it does look like one in the picture taken a few years back).

← The Beach

This is a beach in Keelung (基隆), but no one knows the name of it.  The sand was so dirty since the typhoon last week blew all the garbage over.  We were suppose to go to 白沙灣, but when we got there, there were too many people and no parking so we left.

← 龜山島

You can see this island from across the beach.  It is shaped like a turtle, thus called "Turtle Island".

Went to Eslite Bookstore on Dunhua Road today; the one that is open 24 hr.  I was told that in the middle of the night, a lot of stars like to go like to read, but I won’t get the chance to go.  However, today when I walked into the bookstore, there he was, 黃秋生.  He looks so mix, looks more like a foreigner in real life than on TV.  I wanted to take a pic with him but I know it will create too much of a commotion, so end up didn’t.  A lot of people recognized him, but no one walked up to him.  I think he is use to that, being stared at and talked about like he wouldn’t notice.  He was there for a long time, walking around and choosing books.  He was in an old, wrinkled white tee and blue jeans, very casual, holding a basket with quite a few books.  I think he can never do that in HK, just walking around peacefully.  I am actually quite happy bumping into him.  He is an actor that I do like and have watched so many movies of.  Maybe next time I will bump into Jerry or Leehom!

This book is by Michael Lewis.  It is a story about a coach, whose impact on his students’ lives are immeasurable.  It is a nice story and it is great to have such a coach in one’s life.  It also shows the difference between the generations and how today’s kids are so spoil.  I think it was good and an interesting read.

You can’t help but to be attracted to these stores!

This is my third time going to DanShui.  I like DanShui a lot, since there are good food and nice sceneries (what else can you ask for!).

← 淡水老街

Had to eat the 地瓜求 & 臭豆腐 again; they are delicious.  The street wasn’t as busy today since it is a weekday, so it was more enjoyable to walk around.

← Oxford College

It is situated at Aletheia University.  It is a historic site with a mixture of traditional architecture of Taiwan and the Western Church.

← 情人橋

This is a continuation of the 情人橋 (the one I took a picture of last time), with the Fisherman’s Wharf in front of it.  It is nice walking along the bridges.

← Beautiful Sunset

The sunset looked so beautiful along the river bank with the reflection in the water.  It just look so warm and relaxing.

Finally found this book in a bookstore and had to buy it.  I have always liked 孫協志 after watching MVP情人.  And I like biographies since you can learn so much more about that person.  After reading, you can just understand why some people become successful in life while others don’t.  He truly has the will-power and drive to succeed.  It also allow you to see a different side of him and the stuggles that he went through to get to where he is today.  I truly enjoyed reading this book.

After spending almost 2 months in Taiwan, I have to admit I am getting very tired.  I wanna go home.  After saying that, I realize that I am not sure where my home is.  It is not that I don’t like Taiwan, I actually really like Taipei, but I am mentally very tired and think I no longer wants to stay at someone else’s place.  Is Macau where I wanna get to?  I am not sure.  I still don’t have a home there.  Toronto definitely feels more like home but that’s not where I wanna be.  I guess what I have to do is settle down and start to work towards finding my own home.  I am actually really looking forward to working in Macau and getting my life back in order.  In a way I do enjoy life as it currently is, but I know it can’t last forever.  Currently, my future is too uncertain; though I am not at a point that I am starting to worry, but I don’t wanna get to that point.

I think the 2 months stay is Taiwan had been the worse living condition I have ever experience in life.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining.  The living condition is totally acceptable, but I guess I just have been pretty lucky in life.  First, stairs is really not something I like; especially going up to the 4th floor at 36 degree after walking a whole day and carrying some groceries.  Second, having a cockroach in my room and a lizard in the bathroom are both new experiences to me; which I definitely don’t wanna experience again.  Third, having kids go in and out of my room while I am sleeping is really stressing me out; I wanted to yell at them so many times.  And it’s amazing how they think once the door is close, it is alright to scream and yell.  I guess all these are good experiences since it helps me appreciate what I already have a little more.

Can’t believe I have left Toronto for 3 months already.  Though I can say that my relationship with the people there haven’t changed much, but I think it eventually will since I probably won’t see them again for a long time.  I have been reading what I wrote at the beginning when this blog was created, and I can tell that my points of view and the things I treasure the most haven’t changed.  There are things that I might not write about or mention anymore, but my feelings towards it is still the same.  I think it is just the priority of things in my life that had changed, but no matter what, they are just as important to me and always will be.

Went to XiMenDing again today since there were stars there that I wanted to see.  There were more people today than last week, but luckily, it didn’t feel as hot today (just 36 degree!).  S.H.E. (Selina, Hebe & Ella) were there doing a promo for HEME.

← 國立台灣大學 (National Taiwan University)

What a nice place to attend school!  The campus is huge and the picture shows the main entrance route.  There are buildings on both side.

← 自來水園區

This place has a few water parks, though not very big.  Then there’s a museum, an exhibition of pipes, and a hiking trail.  It is a good place for kids to play at.

← 自來水博物館

The outside of the museum looks quite nice.  Inside, it is very simple with water generators from different times.

← Jerry’s Oral-B Advertisement

Taiwan is just a lovely place since you can see Jerry everywhere.

← 大腸麵線

The one with oyster is more famous, but I haven’t had a chance to try that one yet.  I think I will prefer this one though since I am not big on oysters.  This one is good.  It’s like a thick soup with noodles.  Yummy!

← 甜不辣

How can I lose weight in Taiwan with 甜不辣!  I think this is the thing I will miss the most; I just love this.  Another thing would be 地瓜求, which is way harder to find.  Have been eating too much fried stuff, as I have no appetite for rice or noodle.

To me, Morrie is an old man with a unique view on life and death, and can always give some useful advices.  I guess a book is always more interesting when it is written in the last moments of one’s life.  He had learned so much during his lifetime, especially after getting such a serious illness like ALS.  He wrote about various things we should consider and think about before it is too late.