taiwan

My country?

This post started writing itself in my head in Chinese, rather than English, something that's never really happened before. I feel awkward and plodding when writing the language, but here goes. 「自己的國家，自己救。」 我非常喜歡這個口號，可是這個「自己的國家」對我這種怪怪的台灣人有點不配。 從318那天之後每天盡心察跟台灣有關的新聞、臉書、twitter、等等。找到的英文材料po給美國朋友看。有空就獻時間給文播組翻譯現場文字轉播。 如果我在台灣，也應該只能這樣做。拿外國籍參加台灣學生學運可能影響到居留證，下次不能回國，不能回家。 一天24小時都有消息。這有它的優點和缺點。整天為台灣想、煩惱，按照睡眠不好、不專心學業、覺得平時生活中該做的小事都很煩，因為都不像太陽花學運一樣重要。 自己覺得是自己的國家，然而不能救，那不是很無用嗎？ 今天早上，新聞、臉書、twitter 看累了。心煩意亂。 我把電腦給關閉。默默得坐著。想到芝加哥還這麼冷的天氣，強調我現在跟台灣的距離差很遠。太陽花也見不到。 但是我有鉤針，有毛線。鉤了一朵太陽花。手動著鉤針，慢慢靜心了。 至少自己的太陽花，自己能做。 ""My own country, saving it myself" I love this slogan, but that phrase,…Read more My country?

Questions

This post comes out of an online conversation I had with an American friend yesterday. I quote his questions with permission. This conversation begins in media res, so if you need background into what students he's talking about, or what protests I'm talking about, here are a few resources: Democracy at 4am Anger Grows in…Read more Questions

Protests in Taiwan

First, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2XyhLbWKOw Then read some of these articles, if you're still interested: Taiwanese Occupy Legislature Over China Pact Student protesters repel police, hold Legislative chamber Occupy the legislature: is it the only way? Importance of Social Movements in Taiwan Smear Tactics and Taiwan's Compliant Media I've been glued to coverage and wandering about…Read more Protests in Taiwan

The end of Chinese religion?

After two weeks in Beijing in 2012, I finally realized why I felt the city seemed so lifeless, even as it teemed with millions of people and their very real, full lives. Where were the temples? Where were the markers of a neighborhood like Tudi Gong shrines? Where were the folding tables full of offerings…Read more The end of Chinese religion?

Those lucky southerners!

In 1919, families in 大稻城 (Dadaocheng, Tōa-tiū-tiâⁿ), which lay north of the Taipei City wall, sponsored a troupe of actors from China to come perform in Taiwan for a few months. With what seemed like great excitement, the tour was announced on August 2nd in the Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo 台灣日日新聞, the most widely circulated…Read more Those lucky southerners!

Recommended read: Reflections on 228

Recommended read: Reflections on 228 People in Taiwan had Friday off as a national holiday, not one of celebration but of national memorial.   Whether the 228 Massacre and the remembering of it weighs heavy in your heart each year, or if this is the first you've heard of it, the short article at Taiwaneseamerican.org …Read more Recommended read: Reflections on 228