twenty-seven

Sometimes I wonder what the most beautiful moment in life could be.

twenty-six

pacific ocean, april 2009

twenty-five

As we were leaving the building, I spotted a homeless man - wearing nothing on his feet and standing in a puddle - by the garbage can.  Straying away from the norm, he wasn't searching for food or begging for money.

Instead, he was browsing the newspaper.

That was my most memorable moment from Taiwan.

twenty-four

I haven't booked a ticket home yet but most of all, even though I miss home, I just want to go to Luang Prabang.

twenty-three

Back at Bryn Mawr, I used to read the news every single day. Since Hong Kong, however, my attempts to keep up with the world have greatly failed. So it's quite chilling to see what's been happening in the world of non-JYA lately.

Last week I watched the movie Burma VJ for the HKiFF and it really cleared up the things that happened there pre-cyclone disaster. I felt really disgusting after watching it, actually. To be living a life like this, while others can't even voice dissatisfaction - does that somehow invalidate own enjoyment and accomplishments? Is it even worth it to try to make a difference? Even if there is supposedly little I can do to alleviate totaliarian regimes in places quite far removed from home, I just wonder about life sometimes. Okay, many times, not sometimes.



Anyways, onto my adventures in Asia...

After the Rugby 7s my life has been packed with random meetings and dinners and the like. I went to another Bryn Mawr in Hong Kong and after meeting these women for a second time, I now have [new] idols. It's like spelling success in every means possible, especially that beyond the material gains. I've also given tours to some friends around this tiny city, and more to come when others come for this upcoming Easter Break. Even though it's crazy walking so much throughout the day, it's so relaxing and comforting to see people from home again.

And speaking of home, I recently met an uncle for the first time. He's a pretty cool guy, I wish I had made a stronger effort to contact him earlier. We went to the temple that my grandpop's has his ashes stored in. It was quite crazy to see all the empty spots next to him with red flyers and chinese letters all around - these were mini tombs that people had reserved for themselves after they pass away. Even though they do this in the States, it's still just an 'uhhh..' moment. At this point in life, even though I say the world is going to end in soon, . Well I guess I won't think about it because it really is a strange practice that's been normalized in most societies. Oh anthropology..

Also sometime over the past week, I went to Shenzhen, China - known for the best fakes in the world. I didn't buy anything and got super antsy in the mall. I've come to realize that fake stuff really, really freaks me out sometimes. But we went to the spa and I gorged myself with green tea icecream! I kind of felt like a baby and was slightly reminded of the society from the movie Wall-E. Everyone was just laying in chairs in the same jammies with a television in front of them, eating fruit and icecream. Walllllll-EEEEEEE! I really love that movie, btw.. And so, being in pampered in the spa made me feel like a mindless tool, but I enjoyed it quite immensely. All the knots on my back and shoulders are gone!



I have less than two weeks to crank out a semester's worth of work on four topics that I have no interest in. I am scrwed.

But I'm also going to Taipei next weekend for my second visit...ever. During the first, I was five and got the worst bowl hair cut ever because they messed up and cut off my pineapple ponytail. I just hope I come back with all my hair and a stomach full of food for this next trip.


PS Taiwanese view of the world...here