Ten Years Old

My partner began a blog after our new presidential election on March 22, 2008. I've decided to show my full support by joining him. We will have a blog where we share our life and thoughts in Taipei while I will have this blog--LYDIA@TASSIE to talk about where we met and my other living abroad experiences. I've also posted some writing I did since 2004, felt pretty nostalgic reading them again. I've included a few photos as well. I don't really take photos or enjoy being taken, either. In fact, I forget to take photos sometimes. Maybe just because I don't have many photos, those I've got seem to be more precious. I've got even less photos from childhood. I especially put up this photo of me and my sister when I was ten years old. I thought this photo is very suited since this blog is mainly about valuable memories and past experiences.

Oh yes, I would like to extend my big congratulation to my sister and brother in law for the coming of a new life! XXX

ME, MATT and TISM

It’s December, that means I won’t have any more classes at TAFE and summer is finally here in Tassie. It rains much less here than Taiwan or Scotland, there has been about 10 rainy days since I’ve been here. Of course I am not going to complain about this. What I am less used to though, is the changes in temperature from daytime to night time, it can drop from 18 degrees to 0 sometimes. For this long awaited summer, I am going to spend a summer Christmas with a local family. We are going to have BBQ Christmas Eve dinner at the backyard, very Aussie and I totally look forward to having a summer festive holiday for the first time!


I’ve been living in Launceston for almost a year. The city has a population of 100,000, which is quite small compared to other places I had lived. There are not many foreign students around, I get to hang out with locals more instead. I got bored and a bit restless for the first few months after I got here given the fact that everything just felt so peaceful around here. And then, I start to get used to the pace and lifestyle, just do what the local do (the one I know): getting coffee, reading magazines, lying on the grass, going for a long walk and watching movies (including all the extra and special features that come with DVDs)! Interesting how this place has transformed me from a sleepless, restless worrier into someone who can actually fit in the very laid-back lifestyle—I do much less and I get to sleep much better! I realise my lifestyle is getting closer to be like the house cat, Tism I live with, hmm, not bad at all, “My life as a cat”.

People often ask me questions like: will you get used to living in Taiwan when you go back; what are you going to do with your job; will you go travel again? Well, the only response I can think of now is that I will climb the mountain when I come to it!

Living in TASMANIA

It’s mid winter in Tassie now, which is the first time I experience that in July. I am getting used to the cold weather. It’s cold but it’s also very dry, which is also something new for me since winter in Taiwan and Scotland has been fairly wet. It’s been almost half a year since I came and studied Marketing at TAFE (Technical and Further Training, more like a vocational college system in other countries). I think I will always have a soft spot for Scotland, however, the longer I have lived here, the more I realize I am more attached to this place.

The weather here is pretty damn good! I’ve never expected to live at a place that is mostly so sunny and cloudless even in winter. I can see clearly how much the weather can affect people after living both in Tassie and Scotland. Consider that the small size of the city, Launceston I live in, there are quite a few cafes in the city centre. Chances are if you don’t see me at TAFE or at home, I will be at a café reading or just relaxing, really. Given the fact that this is not quite the centre of the world, the tallest building is like six stories in the city centre and there have been less than ten rainy days since I’ve arrived, life here is super laid-back compared to other places I’ve lived. Of course there have been times I’ve felt a bit restless and missed the convenience and variety of living in a big city, overall, I’d like to consider myself lucky to have this lifestyle change.

Meanwhile, I am visiting the “Mainland” soon. I am flying Sydney later this month for my semester break and Melbourne in September for the term break. I can take cheaper direct flights to these major cities in Australia and have a little change of scenery from “Pure Tasmania”. Last month I visited the capital city—Hobart in Tassie and stayed at “The Henry Jones Art Hotel” (www.thehenryjonesarthotel.com) by using the hotel discount website (www.wotif.com), what a hidden gem for both the city and the hotel. Sleeping with the arts for one night is a sensational experience itself, the melting pot of the old jam factory building and the modern art is what gives the “Art” hotel an unique theme and character. What is more, despite the minimal furnishing style, the room really relaxes and comforts each and every exhausted resident and wandered soul. Oh, that’s right, you can also really use a robe at a five star hotel room after a bath at a translucent glass bathroom featuring the latest in European ellipitical spa baths and fittings (cited from the hotel’s brochure). The city, Hobart itself is not huge, but it happens to be the medium size I like the most, the harbour, Georgian buildings, Salamanca Market, and Mt. Wellington are all within friendly walking distance for you to explore and enjoy!

If I had to complain of something by living here (since I cannot do that with “the lousy weather” talk now), guess it would be the TAFE system with international students. I was applying for the Marketing course, however, according to the immigration law in Australia for international students studying at TAFE, I’ve got to study at least 20 hours per week and over 80% attendance rate but the truth is most TAFE courses don’t offer courses more than 20 hours and most local students just stopped showing up in class later during the semester. As a result, I had to pick up modules in Business Management course as well and was being monitored by my attendance and progression at TAFE. Guess I’ve never felt or been treated so special when I was studying in the UK, I always felt I received similar rights and treatments simply by being a student there. What annoyed me the most is that my interest in the course was not the priority but to add up enough hours. Because of that, I was seriously considering not to continue the second semester given the fact that I truly did not enjoy not being given full autonomy in course selection and being treated like a high school student at a school which offers 200% flexibility to local students instead. According to the international student advisor at TAFE, I’ve got too much pride on this issue since I’ve got the ability to cope with two courses at the same time anyways while most people would love the idea of gaining more than one diploma. Having said that, after looking at the big picture of the lifestyle I get to experience here, I’ve decided to stay on for the second semester. Oh yes, I am going to study ‘Budgeting’ and ‘OH & S’ next semester, which I’ve never imagined me doing before. Oh well, guess it’s time for me to embark the unexpected sights in life then.

How are things with you while you are surrounded by the true summer fever there? – (you see, we’ve only got heated up by FIFA World Cup, and that’s over, too; well, I’ll just endure the rest of the winter and look forward to the first summer Christmas here in TASSIE!!!)

Here I Come, Tassie!

Happy 2006!

http://www.tasmania.visitorsbureau.com.au

In the beginning of 2006, I’ve got an opportunity to live and study in Australia and I’ve decided to take it! At first, I was not into the idea at all. I was tired of moving to another country, being a student again, it’s too much work and I am not sure I wanted to do it again. Guess it was because the chance I had in Scotland in 2004 did not quite turn out what I expected, I was therefore a bit discouraged by the idea of studying abroad. However, after some consideration, I decide to be brave and strong again, face my own past, move on and give myself another chance. Most people kept asking me the same questions like “ You are quitting you job again? You are studying abroad again? What if you do not find this course suitable to you again? Are you sure you will stay for a year this time? Isn’t it time for you to get settled, get married, you know you are not getting any younger?” Ha, ha, I guess there is only one way to find out, just to do it!

It’s an opportunity I did not look for. When it came to me, I simply could not pass it by. Now I am very grateful to this and will treasure it as if it were the last time in my life to have the great opportunity to live and study abroad again.

Of course Scotland will always be the love of my life, but guess I am also ready to explore somewhere new!

Dreams and Birthdays

It is the coming of my birthday again. It also says that it is the coming of summer in Taiwan, officially, around the time of each year. Wow, time certainly has flown by very quickly since I came back to life in Taipei again.

This is a story from Buddhism. A hungry guy kept having some buns, he finally felt full by the time he finished six and a half buns. Then he thought “why don’t I just have the last half, it would have saved me lots of time eating and I could stop feeling hungry sooner”. I know we would be laughing by that silly idea by now, however, we all have been looking for the last half bun when we are feeling low, sad and lost.

I, too, have been looking for the last half since I have been back home. It’s been rather difficult for me to face all the rapid changes around me and face everything I had left behind me on purpose when I left Taipei. Therefore, I followed my rational side to get rid of the old Lydia and put up a new one, I tried to move to a new place, meet new friends, learn something new and go out with new faces. However, my heart hasn’t quite caught up since. In the end, I just became more confused about myself and “what next”.

I have decided to slow down and listen to my heart. I believe by starting a dialogue with my past will lead me to the last half bun.

A voice I’ve heard very clearly from my heart is the desire to simplify things around me. Every time I go and visit our schools, our kids will always come up and give me hugs. They would speak out things like: Teacher Lydia is here; Where have you been when you are not here; I like you, teacher Lydia. One time, a kid I have never met just came up to me and said “I like you, who are you?” I was truly impressed since I don’t think I could say something just like that even when I really like someone or I want to get to know someone.

At the era of multiple choices and millions of options, we might just want to be with someone or something that we are comfortable with and can make us laugh at the end of the day despite various expectations, preferences, beliefs and religions, this is my birthday wish.

Ferris Wheel

I just had my third trip to visit my sister in Osaka last month. Moreover, I got to visit the three major cities of Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe in Kansei again. The day I went to Kyoto was a rainy day. Rain can somewhat be a “turn off” for a trip, however, a rainy day actually makes Kyoto city look like a purer and more mysterious oriental beauty in many ways. Osaka just kept reminding me of a very warm, loud and crowded local market, not quite a typical Japanese style, but definitely a more friendly and easy going version of it. At Kobe, we decided to be the typical tourists. We took the Ferris wheel by Kobe Port and had the world famous “Kobe Beef”, and then you said to yourself, what more could you ask for a great day out, lol!

After trying all kinds of Japanese gourmet, the taste I miss the most is actually the rice ball full of homemade flavour for breakfast at the hotel. Perhaps the simplest food can be the most profound and unforgettable.

Summer Getaway

I have started sharing an apartment with a good friend for a season now. It was pretty nice having a roommate for a change. Of course life would not be as convenient as the time I got to use everything by myself only, but it’s been very nice to have a great chat with a roommate while we are watching “Desperate Housewives” or “Sex and the City” on TV. The discovery from those programmes is that life is equally interesting and troublesome whether you are single or married.

Also, there is a usual ritual summer getaway in Taiwan that we always get three to four typhoon visitors. During those windy and rainy days, I got to enjoy the drop of temperature, which made you forget about summer for a few days. Of course those visitors always cause some damages, more than some, really. However, it is the case that if you cannot avoid your enemy, you might as well embrace it. Apparently there’s been an unusual visit of the rather new enemy in the States this summer. Guess there is no other way but to start to face and work with “it”.

While it’s been the case, in my view, that it’s just too hot and humid to do some real outdoor activities during day time in Taiwan, I’ve managed to have a few my summer “one night stand” getaways then. Instead of heading to the summer paradise—the beach, I went to a hot spring resort called Wu-Lai up in the mountains where you get the hot water tub, cold water tub, the breeze from the mountains and the discount from the resort (summer, of course, is the big discount season for hot spring).

Hot spring trip in Japan

It was Dragon Boat Festival last Saturday. As soon as the day comes, it also means summer is announcing its official presence according to the Lunar calendar. I somehow quite enjoy the heat so far since I came back from Scotland, ha, guess I need to wait until mid August to decide how much I enjoy being embraced by the tropical humidity!!!

I had a quick getaway to Japan for a four-day weekend at the end of May. I went to the main island in the south this time. The weather there was really similar to Taiwan and the people were truly friendly. I actually got to speak a lot more Japanese since my sister was not with me this time though it’s been ten years since I finished my Japanese major. A lady I was chatting to showed me the brochure of Taipei 101 building she got during her visit of Taiwan, that was a very pleasant surprise from my local encounter. The south island is famous for its hot spring. The custom for Japanese to take a hot bath at a hot spring resort or hotel is usually before dinner, before bedtime and before breakfast. No kidding, it is almost like most people having three meals a day, this is how much they are into it and this has become part of their daily life hobby. I enjoy the outdoor ones so much that I had to go twice late at night and early in the morning. There are also various “flavored” ones you can choose from, I was delightfully lost between the red-wine, white pearl powder (famous for Chinese emperor’s 3000 wives) and Chinese herbal ones. Another thing I was addicted to was the very well equipped toilet gadgets. You can set up a “warmer” seat, water flowing sound when you go, the breeze of fragrance after you go. The best part I think is you can actually have your bottoms cleaned up (almost feel like a massage to me) by two options (haven’t quite figure out the differences between them). I will not be surprised if I can get butt-spread perfume next time!

BALI SMILE

The weather last weekend in Taipei reminds me of the weather in Scotland terribly. Not that I like the weather, but it certainly makes me feel nostalgic.

Luckily I had a few days of winter escape in Bali Island. I realized that it’s the first time I was closest to the Equator. I noticed that there was no big tourist crowd there this time. I truly enjoyed the relaxing local atmosphere there as well as the big, carefree yet seemingly content smile from the locals. Considering how much I could get nervous in water, I tried a few water activities for the first time in my life. I would highly recommend anyone who gets insecure in water as much I do to go to a tropical island, the warm and crystal water would truly lure you to get closer to it!

Sometimes when we have to make a big decision, it is hard to tell at that time it is a good decision or not until afterwards. Now that I have been back to Taiwan from Glasgow for over two months now, I know it is a suitable one for me at this stage. To simplify, things I could experience in Scotland this time, I already had the first time I was there; things I wish to experience this time, I simply don’t have the environment, time and finance to support me. Realizing that, I find it easier to face and accept the answer. The thing I miss the most since I came back is my flatmates, my course supervisor and practically everyone I met there. It is always people that makes a place unforgettable and special.

I am happy to be back to my position at work. It is still hard and stressful yet nevertheless it is a suitable and challenging one for me. I am lucky to have a job that somehow suits my personality, which I came to realize that being away for a while.

Home Again!

What happens when you’ve lived up your dream but you realise that’s not for you anymore?

I’ve always wanted to make my way back since I left Stirling four years ago, it has become some sort of obsession which I could not understand why at times. I have successfully created a scenario in Glasgow that was fairly similar to Stirling. The penthouse and the part time course have contributed a lot for me to make this work. The landscape is still amazing but people, including myself from four years ago are not there anymore. I can see the new generation coming here, studying hard for their degrees, waiting for their careers to take off. It’s almost funny how I always wanted to give myself another year to re-live that experience. The truth is you can create the scenario, but not the same people or feelings anymore.

It seems to be so much work to realize something rather obvious. I am glad I have done so though, I simply need to see and feel the difference then I can finally let go. Without doing so, I might keep neglecting the best happenings in the present but think the past could be re-invented.

People I have met here in Glasgow are also amazing but I don’t have a reason to stay here longer. I am terrible at saying a formal goodbye, on the other hand, who needs that? When someone gets in your heart, it stays for good! Scotland will always be there on the map and my heart as well.

Hello, Taiwan, I am home again!

Taoism-An Oak Tree and A Blade of Grass

I have moved in the penthouse for roughly a month. I still feel so fortunate to have a luxurious panoramic view of Glasgow for fifty weeks. If you come and visit me, you will be nicely surprised by how privileged I am at where I live. I need a key at the lift to take me to the penthouse since there is only one flat on that level. Another wonderful surprise is my flatmates. At first I was thinking eight girls they would not live together unless they were married to the emperor. However, it’s been a month now and we still talk to each other, I guess that’s a good sign, ha. The truth is I get on well with everyone, and some girls and I just hit it off right from the start. This is something I feel very grateful and something I know I should never take for granted. I enjoy going back to my sweet home and my “family” every day. We would knock on each other’s door to have a wee chat in bed before going to bed. I think one of the best places to chat is being in “bed” though some people might think talking is such a waste of time when you lie down…

The course I am taking now only occupies 1/3 of my attention here (I think that’s good enough). The other 2/3 I want to explore Glasgow lifestyle and meeting people practically from everywhere. The best lifestyle one can possibly have, in my view, is being a foreign student in one of the UK universities. It is such a challenge yet very rewarding to study a course in English with local and foreign students. I enjoy “reading people” a lot. Of course I get to know some people I am drawn to in the beginning, yet what interests me the most is to learn the hidden beauty in each unique individual. Guess that explains why most friends say they tend to have a deeeeper conversation with me. Sometimes I don’t feel I like in the UK but more like in mini EU, there are quite a good number of European students, especially from exchange programmes. I wonder what the majority of European thinks of EU, guess it depend on which perspective you are looking at. Then, should there be an Asian Union if it is such a good idea? Well, the best reply I could come up is that where there is land, there is Chinese, I suppose we simply love to explore everywhere as long as there is a market rather than confine ourselves to Asia?! Another huge group of people I have met is the generation from the 80’s, which I would also like to describe as the “Internet Generation”. Babies from the 80’s, they learn knowledge by clicking enter or delete. Interestingly, I find this generation can learn fast and have a good variety of different viewpoints individually (though not always practical). They seem to have a better idea of what they want to achieve in the future than me at the same age. So, what seems to be lacking in this generation then? I would say patience and persistence in general, guess there are things cannot be taught by computers.

Lastly, I have the last 1/3, my study, which I am the least motivated to focus on when I am here. It is funny how the more you least expect to enjoy doing something, it turns out not so bad in the end. I was reading a book “Managing Across Cultures” for my assignment, it was quite pleasant reading in the end, especially the part with the distinctive cultural characters between the East and the West. Of course I am always bias in this aspect, I believe Chinese philosophy is the ultimate truth in life. One example, as Lao Tzu, generally considered as the spiritual leader of Taoism, wrote: since all matters have positive and negative attributes associated with them, the key to success is to accentuate the positive and minimize the negative. Consider, for instance, the difference between an oak tree and a blade of grass. The oak tree is strong and mighty, no one can trample on it when it stands. A blade of grass, on the other hand, is small and fragile. It can be stomped on and crushed. But this picture changes during a storm. The tree may collapse under the wind’s force, while the blade of grass yields to the gusts and stand firm. I enjoy this metaphor a lot. Guess everyone is gifted in different ways, we do not really need to envy others or feel less confident in ourselves. I see myself more the grass type. Well, I did not have a very pleasant upbringing and haven’t got a sweet home I can return in Taiwan. Nevertheless, I feel I’ve got nothing to lose, I can enjoy living on less and explore living in foreign land without family constrain. So, my dear friend, which type do you see in yourself then?

Now, it is the change of a new season, a very challenging season for me, indeed!

I live in a PENTHOUSE!

I have moved to a new flat from the one I stayed during summer break. I almost felt I had moved to China since I lived with Chinese only during summer. I started by seeing merely the difference between Taiwanese and Chinese; however, the similarities between us are also everywhere. Guess it is like the relationship between the US and the UK, they say they are different but we see the traces and roots meanwhile. Each is a unique individual and I should be careful about making generalization by nationalities. I have actually managed to become better friends with some Chinese while I haven’t been able to with Taiwanese in Glasgow yet.

The new flat I just moved in is a penthouse. It’s got a scenic and panoramic view of Glasgow, I feel very fortunate to be chosen as one of the residents. I’ve got to share it with seven other girls, two from Norway, another two from Greece, one Canadian, one Indian British and a girl from Trinidad. Everyone seems to be fairly easy going and we have fun hanging out together so far. Welcome to visit me in this so called “The best” flat on campus if you are into admiring the wonderful view and meeting the girls!! I have managed to impress people by my Scottish pattern skirt (a female kilt if you like) and I never forget to mention that it is made in Taiwan after my introduction. It is a fun way to emphasize the productivity of Taiwan I suppose!!!

The thing that impresses me the most so far is the people I have met here, even just a brief encounter. I have met people from Iceland, Trinidad and Oman for the first time in my life since I came. The student from Oman told me that it is legal for him to marry four wives and quite a few cousins of his wanted to marry him already. It is funny how something you read about before suddenly becomes alive in front of you. He told me that he would prefer to have one only. Interestingly how people always want more when they cannot but choose not to when that option is given. I think I am satisfied with one in a time, ha!

Living in Glasgow

I don’t really know how it works actually, it’s like one day I woke up and I realized I’ve only got a limited time in Glasgow. I decided to bring myself up, think less about memories in Taipei (since they are called memories now) and make the most of my time here.

Living abroad alone can be lonelier at times yet definitely stimulating and inspiring. Who said that great writers were born under the extreme circumstances. I feel I have the privilege of sampling one year of retirement life first. The fact that I only have classes once or twice a week that leaves me plenty of time to explore things I would like to do here. I’ve got used to living without 7-11s, DVD rental stores, varied and convenient food on the street, however, I am also exploring walking distance museums, cinemas, concerts and discovering a good range of DVD that I could never find in Taiwan. Of course, there are more in the picture, I want to enjoy more music by joining Music society, learn how to play squash and take in more oxygen for my eyes by highland trips.

The course I am taking is mainly designed as a part time course for local teachers who would like to take up a role like a principle teacher for their career lives. Somehow it suits me well cause it is rather practical than pure academic and leaves me more free time to do other stuff. I did not have much expectation on this course before I came actually, I never see myself as the academic type. A local teacher asked me why I chose to take this course here rather than at home, I told her that I wanted to learn the concept and the language of management in English. It’s been a wonderful reflection on my work life from this management course. I’ve always got ideas about what to do at work, but don’t really know how to put them in words. Now I have found them from this course. The lecturer said management is no science, no art, it is closer to craft, I think I like her analogy.

Also this is the first time I have so many opportunities in contact with my ‘great’ neighbor-China. I’ve got this chance to do some real-life based research on them. Well, don’t think I’ve known them long enough to set any conclusions yet, but my personal findings are: Chinese are practical. Taiwanese are practical as well but under a flexibility norm. Chinese are confident in themselves but also seek hard for a brighter future by their definition. Chinese are no good communicators in my eyes. They see something and get that registered in their head until they see something else to break that belief previously. They wouldn’t really be told. Mind you, my samples are mainly the only precious child from each family in major big cities in China. I am curious to learn what unique character the society shall become when the leading members there are all the only child deal.

Diana Lane basks 'Under the Tuscan Sun'

Diana Lane had a dream in the film “Under the Tuscan Sun”, she’d like to live in a house where there is someone special, a wedding, a family who she could cook dinner for. The reality is that it seems to be much easier to bring your physical being to the spot rather than your mind-set. Of course there were times she wanted to give up on her dreams since she was not convinced that any of them would come true. It was lonely to live there and she kept missing her seemingly someone special. Luckily, she stayed and did not give up entirely. She started to build up bit by bit the connection in Tuscan, a baby from a friend, a wedding from a young couple and a big group of new friends she could cook dinner for….

I was thinking about this film the other day when I was sitting in my room alone. There were times I was like Diana Lane wondering what I was doing here and my dreams would ever come near or not. I then remembered why I wanted to move to Glasgow. Of course I realized it was easier to move my physical being here than my heart sometimes, however, I told myself somehow before I could realize it, there would be some life time experiences happened to me already. Overall, I enjoy the fact that I get the chance of seeing this world beyond Taiwan, or Asian roof but from the other side of the world.

I have been the minority both at my flat and the class. I live with three Chinese girls and go to class with fifteen Scottish local teachers. I have started my Education Management course last week already. I only have classes once or twice a week, which shall provide me with a good opportunity to arrange my spare time here, a break from work life. A classmate asked me why I wanted to come and take this course, didn’t my country have the same kind of course? Well, that is certainly a very understandable question since I picture most Scottish teachers did not have the experience of studying nor teaching with foreigners before.

I got to know an “Icelander” at a party last weekend. I feel like I am traveling around the world by meeting people from different nations already. Apparently the population in Iceland is similar to the population in the district where I live in Taipei. Wow, that was quite beyond my imagination. I strongly advised him not to marry a foreigner in order to reserve the pure blood since not many there now, ha!

Another good thing I get to enjoy much here is go to cinemas by student price. I have seen two films, one is “Before Sunset”; the other is “Love Me If You Dare”. Well, how should I put this, if you think you are also a hopelessly romantic like me, they are highly recommended.

I am watching the tree outside my room bathing under the sun, guess I do not have to go to Italy for this. How about you, what is the weather like there?

Back to Scotland, 2004

I have arrived Glasgow after a 20 hours trip from Taipei. I must have brought the sun from home to Scotland, it was such a sunny day. It is a more typical windy and cloudy day today like I have remembered.

It is funny how I miss home already. Only that I have just say goodbye to one and haven’t built up another yet. It’s kinda refreshing yet solitary to be alone in a foreign city again. Guess it’s a good timing to try to find my way around and to get lost sometimes. Knowing the fact that this might be the last time for me to be a full time student in a foreign country for a year, I feel I should taste every flavour slowly whether it is sweet, sour or bitter….

One thing is for sure though, I think I will be even more suitable for the job at Jump Start when I come back since I truly learn and know how difficult it can be at times to go through the transition when you move to a foreign country. Having said that, I honestly feel very proud of our foreign teachers at Jump Start, especially those who came alone and knew no one there.