Life keeps going

   Since my last time to work, it has been almost two weeks.  Without work, my life here doesn't stop but still passes. 

My colleagues: French

   Since two weeks ago,  I have worked in a DVD company located at Sydney. 

   In this DVD company, there are two kinds of staff, permanent staff and casual staff. Permanent staff is mostly recruited by the company itself and, on the other hand, causal staff is recruited by two agencies. One is SKILLED, the other is FIRST CHOICE. And I am from SKILLED. 

   In the days I worked in this company, I found all staffs recruited by FIRST CHOICE are from France. And from my agency are from Taiwan, Hong kong and other country.    Everyday, I have different works depending on the need of company, so I always with different groups of people. Take today as an example, I was divided to a line where French work. After today's work, I reckon French is talkative even during work. ALL DAY LONG! 

   Although I am in Sydney, an English environment, I am surrounded by French not only those in my share house but those working with me. How interesting it is. If I learned French during my uni, now is the best chance to improve it. :D
Kent

Alison Gopnik: What do babies think? | Video on TED.com

Alison Gopnik: What do babies think? | Video on TED.com

If we want to be those butterflies, to have open-mindedness, open learning, creativity, imagination, and innovation, maybe at least some of time we should be getting the adult to start thinking more like children.

My Aunt

   A random music in a TV programe made me think of my aunt this afternoon.    

   Since left Taiwan on April, I haven't seen her for more than five months. In fact, I made a call to her while her birthday last month, which is the same day as my mom's.

   She always took us to any districts of city besides her house, Kaoshiung as well. After buying a car, we always went for fun by car instead of taking any public transportation else. As a result, we spent much time on her car. In order to make the phenomenon enjoyable, my aunt always turn on the CD player. I therefore got familiar with such good songs.

Stay Alone in a room!

One of JDs was delivering woods in Mt. Hotham.

   Today I had  calls from three different employers. Unfortunately, they all refused me at all.


   The first one was due to my VISA restriction. I currently hold working holiday VISA in Australia, providing the holder a year duration to work and travel within Australia. Many Taiwanese come too with they own dreams and purposes. Most of them, including me, come here for earning money and improving English. And the holder could work for one employer within six months. The company needed someone who is permanent resident of Australia in order to avoid problems caused by VISA. As a result in a few seconds I finished the call with her. This is not what I can not break.


  The second was the company which promoted Chinese massage and therapy(推拿), therefore the company needed the applicant who is strong and hard working in order to do therapies it provided to locals. That was the chance I really like actually before getting know the job descriptions, because it gave to its staffs  accommodation and some chances of travelling Australia. "In my opinion, I am not strong enough to do the therapy but strong to move stuff."I told to the employer. Of course, after hearing this he shortly said thank you to me. I did it before, but just for Candy, a girl. She just had a slight feeling on her body. However, what the company targets was the local who generally stronger and bigger. Orz....


   The last and also last one was not on my list. I found it in the afternoon while searching jobs on a forum. But I called her as her request after 3 o'clock, she didn't answer me. Then I text her a message that I was highly interested in this chance she provided. Few a couple of hours, I got her text message that she had already found a girl who is going to replace her vacancy. Instead of complaint, I text her to thank her for letting me know the chance and put an end in my all day long on searching job.


   To be frank, I did not share this to my flatmates and Candy. They even didn't want to know.  Apparently I don't care. With a couple of coffee and my laptop, i choose to share on this platform for me and those who have ever explored this place.

Declaratiom

   This was the mail which I wrote to my boss after telling him Candy and I would like quit this job as housekeeper he provided. That was tough decision for me but intelligent for me. After reading this mail, you may know how intelligent it is.

Dear my lovely boss,

After deep consideration and overall discussion with Candy, we firmly decide to quit this job as the staff in your company. We feel sorry and, but honestly, have to make this crucial decision. The reasons that we decide to quit are as follows.

First of all, it is the problem of wage. Indeed, we have our second wages after one and half months, which took much more time than we expected. I know you have some difficult getting payment from Marco. Giving wages to employees on time is the responsibility of employer and, on the other hand, the responsibility for employers is working hard. If we work hard on our duties, should you give our wage on time as a reward? And you are not able to avoid this problem in the future, we undoubtedly will not get promise to have the same situation in the following two months.

Secondly, it is the problem of trust. If there is no trust between employer and employee, the business of you doesn’t go smoothly. Yesterday Liz and you promised Jill that you would come to assistant ABN application with her at 10 o’clock. Around 10: 20, I call you via Jill’s mobile. You told me Liz was the way to our place. But after a long day on waiting, both of you didn’t come with no any reason, which made us frustrated and disappointed at all. Even in this small case, you couldn’t fulfill your promise. Why do we believe that you will fulfill your promise in the following days.

Thirdly, it is the problem of time sheet. As you may remember this Monday when Andrew called you, only 2 out of your staffs, Jason and me, went up to the hill. No one knew when and where they need to do/go at the very last second. As a result, we can do nothing but wait for your arrangement all day long, which is quite unreasonable for your employees.

Due to these three reasons, both of us made the tough decision we won’t work with you in the season, which enables you to find better staffs and do your business well as you always do.

 At last, we truly feel grateful to you for giving us the chance to visit this fabulous place, Mt. Hotham, which will be an amazing part of our life, also thank for training us to be professional housekeepers. Furthermore, we will move out until you give us all wage we suppose to have in this period, or we will take some serious actions to ask for.


Kent

My own LIFE in Australia

   Eventually after booking the flight ticket and waiting, Candy catched the shuttle bus to Melbourne International Airport. This was the second time that I accompany her to airport in Austraila. In nearly four months, she has gone back to Taiwan for two times.


   Somehow, I really admire for her decision. In order to stay with her boyfriend, she decided to go back twice even she is in Australia, a southern hemisphere country. Every trip takes her two days and cost her at least AU800 bucks. And she always devoted herself to her boyfriend, which is really touching. 


   Some people may ask that if she is worried her boyfriend gets lonely, why she didn't come with her boyfriend? This is the question Candy always is asked when she told everyone the decision, including me at the first time. For me, she spares no effort for her boyfriend no matter either on his career or suggestion to daily chores. 


   Sometimes she likes to complain and murmur her boyfriend's shortcomings as a girlfriend always does, but most of time she behaves as a lovely cat to the owner, her boyfriend.  


Kent

Memorable pictures

   Today before we had dinner, i just found out the picture i have taken since arrived at Australia. We, including Candy, Jill, and Raymond simply explored them. To much our astonishment after exploring, we notice that we have change A LOT.

    You may not believe that from arrival to this moment, it's just more than 2 months. What kind of changes do we have? No matter on figure and appearance, we are different now. 

   Taking pictures is really worth doing. As long as you have pictures, you could share or watch at anytime and anywhere you want based on today's technology, couldn't you? 

In a bad mood

   Today, it was a hard time for me.

Situation: Today, after one day off I finally had the chance to work. Pub General is the first place we cleaned in the morning. After finishing cleaning job, my boss started to examined what we cleaned. He found out some tasks I did were not perfect, including vaccum the second level of the building carefully. And the following time at the same day, I was assigned to two appartments in Mt. Hotham. Due to the situation I had had in the morning, I spared no efforts on the task. To much my horror(can't find better word to describe), when I finished the job and hopped on the car, my boss told me, seriously that I left some areas to be desired such as dish washing machine in the kitchen. Even though the kitchen was examined many times by me and my colleague, I didn't notice the dish washing machine in the kitchen, my colleague as well.


   To be honest, I didn't like the feeling that my boss suspected my attitude and ability, which really made me upset. However, life is full of twists, so I would like to consider it as one of twists in my life. 

   From this situation I had today, I should improve my attitude and self-discipline in order to seek for high achievement in this job and trust from my boss. That is only what I can do and I suppose to at this moment.   

A quiet night

   Tonight has been a quiet night since I arrive in Dinner Plain.

   Few hours ago, I just came back from another house with Candy. One of our colleagues is going back to Taiwan for her personal reason, therefore we, including her roommates, held a simple farewell party for her with delicious dishes and drinks. After finishing the dishes. we had a so called deep talk. No matter what her final decision is, she will have no regret for her decision. And this is quite important, in my opinion.

   To be honest, I have a hard time that I don't know the exact reason of what I feel currently after some experiences, making me uncomfortable instead. Interactions with others, for example my roommate or colleagues, not only inspire me but give me shots. It is like you find all what they talk and behave are like bull-shit after they interact with you. All in all the feeling really sucks.....

   After returning home and the shower, I got calm down with a cup of black tea. Even though I needed to get up at 4 am and start to work at 5:30 tomorrow, this silent night was such a good moment to reflect for myself. 


Kent 

Two months in Australia!

   In order to celebrate my second month in Australia, I list down 2 months schedule of living Australia. I Hope my following life in Australia could be intriguing as expected.  

June 13th, 2011 - 2nd months in Australia.

June 1th, 2011 - Move to Dinner Plain, Victoria, Australia. As planned, Candy and I moved to Dinner Plain, a town near Mt. Hotham which is known as one of renowned snowing mountains of Australia.

May 28th, 2011 - Departure from Perth to Melbourne. The original plan was taking the flight to Melbourne on May 27th. Due to the operational reasons from Tiger airways, we were forced to change our plan. 

May 13th, 2011- 1st month in Australia

April 13th, 2011- Arrive Perth, Australia

April 13th, 2011- Departure from Singapore to Perth, Australia. From this moment, life was different from the one in Taiwan.

April 13th, 2011- Arrive at Singapore. With some hours on the flight of Tiger airways, I successfully arrive Singapore, making us exhausting. Few hours in Singapore, especially in  Sentosa impressed me a lot. 

April 12th, 2011 - Departure Taiwan to Singapore. I said goodbye to my family and friends in Taiwan and land off to my adventure with a tone of wishes. 

As a housekeeper

   After a month long time on waiting, I finally arrived in Mt. Hotham for a brand new life. Tomorrow,  I am going to start my work after two day training, making me so excited and nervous. 

   You may not believe now I work as a housekeeper in Mt Hotham in Victoria, Australia. All i need to do are cleaning the property of hotel and lodge here, including mopping and vacuuming. Compared to the previous job here in Australia, this is absolutely not complicated. 

   Yet it is nearly 0 degree at the outside, it doesn't start to snow. Maybe in few days it will snow soon. For me, snowing is really exotic due to the reason in Taiwan it doesn't snow often. And snowing makes me like staying in a fairy tale story, which will be unforgettable experience in my life.

Kent

A Visit to Curtin University!

   After a few calls to the vice president in AIESEC Curtin, I finally had a casual meeting in Curtin University with Jenish.  The reasons that I regarded it as a causal meeting were that the meeting was held at a restaurant in campus and few people attended(I didn't know how many member they have in LC) including president and two vice presidents, which was absolutely different from what we regard meeting in Taiwan.

-In an expectation to have a cultral interaction, I spared no effort to share what with them and made good use of every chance of chatting with them. 

  In the meeting, they asked me why I was here and the current situation of AIESEC Taiwan(yeah, they are typical questions). Everyone was surprised that I am NOT taking AIESEC internship but working holiday visa. They are absolutely different. One is for developing your leadership potential but another is for earning money. One thing in common is that they provide chances to experiencing your life(don't you think so?).

 This has been my first time to walk such a long distance since I arrived in Australia, which took me more than one hour on waling. Basically, I just want to save money and do exercise sometimes.

The forum in the campus

The forum is like a place where we play golf.

One red tree on my way to Curtin university

Kent

To Live my own life

I am not perfect.

   I am not perfect and ordinary, as you may know. Since my childhood, I have noticed that I was different from other kids from my grandmother, and those around me. While running on farms, I could not run properly as I wanted. My grandmother always complained the status of my feet in front of my relatives and families on particular occasions. Compared to other children with the same age, I was afraid of running on the playground of school. One day, i still remember till now, prior to the contest of 100 meter, I was madly lying and, simultaneously, crying on my bed for my situation. And these made me realized that I was different.

 

   Before going to see the doctor while I was a sophomore,  I deeply thought was likely to be healed and able to run like a normal people after some therapies. But I was totally wrong. In fact, I was diagnosed with a chronic disease called CMT(Charcot-Marie-Tooth).  And, instead of being healed, this goes along with me all my life. After explanation of the doctor, I realized that i was inherited from my mother and my son/daughter(if i have in the future)possibly will get this disease. 

   To be frank, despite of delimma and situations I have experience in my past more than twenty years, as a child, I don't blame my parents for making their kid so different at all. Instead I feel sorry for them. Due to me and the situation that I have, they might experience a tough life.

   I, now, choose to accept myself bravely. No matter my life will be, this is my own life and a life I live with my foot by myself. I am not perfect, therefore I have an unique life.

Half day in Fremantle!

Perth Train station

   Today, we went to Fremantle for buying some vegetables. Fremantle is such a historical city to explore and an important port city for Western Australia. It is located at southwest of Perth, the capital of western Australia. Although we spent few hours there, we went to a fabulous place to see beach by taking orange cat bus. One of ways to get there is taking the train from Perth on Fremantle line.

   Before going to the round house, our first destination was the conventional market in Fremantle(at orange cat bus 11th stop). From any corner of the market, we easily get to know the history and importance of the market.

the beauty of Fremantle

  The round house is located besides the beach. On the edge of the place, we could easily find the beauty of nature and of Fremantle.It seems that we could experience the development of the port city. To be frank, I really like the city not only because its natural scenes but its culture, which impress me much.

3 days in Australia!

   Since this Wednesday, I have been in Australia, a country beyond imagination, for 3 days. Everything here is new and expensive. Compared to Taiwan, the living cost of Australia is really high. In this way, i don't spend much money. How hard it is .....

   Australia is English native country, which means it is a fully English learning environment. In a day, I need to deal with many thing by English, for example shopping, seeking assitance, and finding job, which provides many chance to practice my English.

Brilian! The impact works!

   Today, while I made a postcard to my Brazilian friend, my father was surprise that I know the person from the other side of the planet and the country he just could see on the television.

   I was really honored to introduce this Brazilian friend to my father. Not only does he come from, but why he came to Taiwan. He came to Taiwan for development project in Toujia elementary, which located in Taichung. All what he needed to do was interaction with student in school through country and culture introduction. And the school provided him accommodation and food, which didn't cost him so much for staying Taiwan for a few months.

  My father went abroad for a few times, such as China and Thailand. Except for these countries, like those in early 50, he obtains information only from the television and friends. But the news from the television are always negative and not comprehensive, which makes him have some stereotype.
So, introducing my new friends and new culture to him is always my pleasure.

【Tainan】 Tourism sites

Fort Provintia-BuiIt in 1653, Fort Provintia, popularly known as the Red-Haired tower, is located on the shore across the Tai-Chiang inland sea from Fort Zeelandia.  It is another important fort built by the Dutch during their occupation in Taiwan.  The fort was built in response to an uprising in the year before.  Before the construction of the fort, the site of the fort was an aboriginal village named Sakam.  Bricks were the main material for the fort while the mixture of the glutinous rice, sugar, sand and ground sea shells was used as the mortar, the same as those at Fort Zeelandia.  The scale of the Fort Provintia was relative small and no parapets were provided.  Inside the wall of the fort, there were a 36-foot high pavilion and two watch towers located at both north and south part of the fort.

Anping Fort- In 1624, Dutch built the first fort in Anping, Taiwan, called "Fort Zeelandia", now known as Anping Fort, where has been the administrative center of the Dutch regime, and the hub for trading. The building was originally constructed in square inner fortress and rectangle outer walls. In 1661, the fort was renamed as Anping to commemorate his home town when Guoxingye (Cheng Cheng-Kung) has driven the Dutch out of Taiwan. Therefore, Fort Zeelandia was also known as "King's Fort" or "Taiwan Fort", nicknamed Anping Fort.

I've told to my boss!

   I've told to my boss that I will head to Australia on 12th April, therefore I work till 8th April. As I expected, He asked me why I will head to Australia, I didn't say nothing but say that I would like to get a job there and improve my English. Then he had no response and the atmophere at that moment was freezing actually.

   "Don't you regard this moment as a bad timing?" my collegue Mandy said.  Because there are a few weeks that i still need to work here.

   To be frank, this was my first time to quit a job. Without any experience, I choose to 3 weeks earlier told to my boss that I decided to leave and hope O can assist them to recruit new associate.

   Anyway, I took my first step after consideration so many times. All i can do is keeping going ahead with my conviction. :)

Para tu amor! by Juanes!

To be honest, I really like this song :D

And regard it as a reason that I studied Spanish.

This song is quite famous in Taiwan, since Taiwan is not a Spanish countries.
Almost everyone who learns Spanish in Taiwan suppose to know.
Take me as an example, I took two Spanish courses in university life. Both of two teachers shared this song with us.

Tonight, I just wanna share this song with you!
Hope you have a gooood night!!



Para tu amor lo tengo todo --擁有你的愛擁有一切
Desde mi sangre hasta la esencia de mi ser --從我的血到我的本性
Y para tu amor que es mi tesoro --你的愛就是我的寶藏
Tengo mi vida toda entera a tus pies --我生命中的一切都放至於你的腳下
Y tengo también --也一樣擁有

Un corazón que se muere por dar amor --一個心拼命的給你所有的愛
Y que no conoce el fin --我不知道盡頭在哪
Un corazón que late por vos --這個心為你跳動
Para tu amor no hay despedidas --給你的愛從沒有個結束
Para tu amor yo solo tengo eternidad --給你的愛只有個天長地久

Y para tu amor que me ilumina --給你的愛讓我發光
Tengo una luna, un arco iris y un clave --我有個月亮.有到彩虹還有個暗號
Y tengo también --也一樣擁有
Un corazón que se muere por dar amor --一個心拼命的給你所有的愛
Y que no conoce fin --我不知道盡頭在哪
Un corazón que late por vos --這個心為你跳動
Por eso yo te quiero tanto que no s é como explicar lo Que siento --就因為如此我無法向你解釋有多麼的愛你

Yo te quiero porque tu dolor es mi dolor --我愛你就因為你的痛也將會是我的痛
Y no hay dudas --沒有任何疑問
Yo te quiero con el alma y con el corazón --我是全心全意的愛你
te venero --我想說
hoy y siempre gracias yo te doy a ti mi amor por existir --今日我要感謝你接受我的愛
para tu amor lo tengo todo --有你的愛就有如擁有一切
lo tengo todo y lo que no tengo también --我擁有一切或者沒得到的那些
lo conseguiré --我也可以找的到
para tu amor que es mi tesoro --你的愛是我的寶藏

Tengo mi vida toda entera a tus pies --我生命中的一切都放至於你的腳下
Y tengo también…也一樣擁有...

An Earthquake in Japan!

   Today, I got this news from TV during my dinner time, which terrified me so badly. What I got from the TV were the scences that wave invaded into the countryside of Japan and the roads were flooded and devastated. It was quite hard to find a real and straight road. All situations made me experience the feeling like watching the renowed movie "2012". 

   According to some news,  Taiwan government announces some eastern counties need to be careful of wave, which eables the schools in these counties have a half day off. Luckily, due to the effect of tide, the effect of wave to Taiwan is neglectable. 

   I deeply pray that those who are in Japan are still fine after this disaster.

Rende Junior High School

 

   These were the scenes in Rende Junior High school located in Rende district, Tainan City. I had studied at this school for nearly 3 years in the past. Now the scenes have been changed. All things can only be found from these photos.

   To be frank, I don't have much memory about this school. All I can remember are that I met some friends and teacher, and I had an exciting life before senior high school extrance exam. But now, some my favorite teachers who taught me before have retired and I am not sure whether possible to see them again in the future.

   Mrs. Wang had been my Chinese teacher for three years in this school. Her sweet voice and intriguing teaching method enable student like her classes. To much my delight, it made me so impressed. 

A Journey to Dentist

   Yesterday, I finally did wisdom tooth extraction in the hospital closed to my workplcace. Honestly, It hurts me so much due to my large wisdom tooth. After this experience, I need to take care of my body. :(

An internship in India!

   Few days ago, I found an interestiong internship in India on the system of AIESEC(myaiesec.net). The i sent a mail to the traineeship manager who is responsible for this chance.

   After one or two day, he replied to me that I just needed to write an article for one of certain topics the company provided. If the company accepts the article, i will not have interview and immediately get the offer, which made me so excited.

   Based on the topics the company provides, I choose "Diabetes: how common is it?" surprisingly. This topic is absolutely unfamiliar and challenging for me. In order to make my article more persuasive, some figures are needed in my article. I spent all Friday night and Saturday morning searching all the relevant information and write by my own word. 

   No matter the result will be, I really learnt a lot in this application. Not only do I improve my English writting, but my logic thinking, which both will play important roles in my future career. 

   Keep up the good work.

She is one of my Indian friends! I miss her so much >///<

Chinese Custom: A day to Thank God!

   Today(or tomorrow), in Chinese custom, is the day that Chinese prepares some fruits and vegetables for thanking god. In this way, it is said that god, which we thank, will tell about only good things to the master of god which rules the world of human being as a reward. It has been a conventional activity before celebrating the new year(Chinese has lunar calendar as we call)for a long time.

   Few minutes ago, my mother bring some fruits and candies to fourth floor where my family pray god. Basically, candy is the common and quite ingredient stuff at this moment, which thought to be the best thing for god. 

   Many people from different cultures have their own religion, Chinese has no exception. By doing any religious activities, Chinese tries try to seek the solace of god as many people do nowaday.  So, there is no definitely correct and wrong. Only taking respect of every culture and religion is right thing we should and suppose to do.

Night View from Da Du moutain!

 

Da Du moutain(in Chinese: 大肚山) was one of memories that I had in Tunghai university. Tunghai universiy is located on the mountain. As a result, in my four years university life, I had been there so many times. Standing on the moutain, what you view is the whole Taichung city area, the 3rd biggest city of Taiwan. 

As you know from the picture, the view is so beautiful that many couples date there quite often. During holidays such as Valentine's Day and Christmas, it is like a small night market(Imagine it).  

Believe it or not, I went there alone one time. Still, I have the memory vividly that I got bad scores after the midterm exam and went to that place for relaxing. 

More information:

Taichung City government: http://english.tccg.gov.tw/