Back in the Groove~

I'm back in NY and I've found a way to be sure that (for the most part) while I'm in China, I'll be able to access and post on a more regular basis to my blog... this is very good news!

Until returning then, I'll be home for the holidays enjoying meat without bones, fat, cartilage or organs in it, and speaking only English (unless annoyed by anyone I want to yell at in Chinese).

Happy Holidays All!

Earthquake aid~

Huge earthquake in South China. I didn't even notice it, but I guess the buildings shook even in Beijing (I guess after two years in Taiwan, I was a bit numb to that :-D)

A lot of people hurt, it was a huge quake. I will be send money soon - you can check it out at here.

One note, it's amazing to me how no one is critical of the government here, despite the terrible damage that was done here - more than New Orleans and hurrican Katrina by FAR.

A lot of nationalism I think, perhaps some shock, and maybe expectations as well.

But it made me realize, compared to the rest of the world, the response from the US Government and Churches in the United States, while slow, was still better than anyone would ever get in China.

The Chinese government is now asking for money so they can buy hammers and equipment! Can you imagine if that happened in the US?

We really do have it good there.

Oh well, just a thought.

On a side note, I have heard that one reason many of the buildings have fallen, besides the fact that the hurricane was MASSIVE, is because many these building might not have been
built according to building codes. Corruption is common outside of the US afterall.

I can't see this blog now, blocked again, but if I can ever see it again I will be curious to see what people think.

Happy Memories

Walking around the sunny clear skies of Taipei... I remember this day, the air was not too humid, the sun was high and the sky blue...

Well now, I do miss Taiwan!

I can't say I like being in Red China these days, especially when i remember the friends I met and memories I had on that wonderful little island..

>sigh<

Good times, good times... someday I'll go back... if for no other reason, then just to see the old places I used to know so well. ;)

I can't view my blog (it is blocked by the Great Firewall of China), I can only edit and make new posts... so sorry for the way this looks.... I should probably make a blog posting about that sometime!!

Anyway, as you might all remembers, I blogged awhile ago about a toothpaste called "White Man"...

Turns out there is also a much more popular toothpaste in Taiwan called "Black Man" (In Chinese), in English it is called "Darlie".

It used to be called "Darkie", because Asian people thought that black people had very white teeth when they first saw them.

I guess they realized later that calling their product "Darkie" was not such a nice/good thing, so "Darlie" it is!

The thing that shocked me when I bought it was the Chinese - literaly "black" + "man". :-P

Anyway, looks like either "White Man" or "Black Man" make for good toothpaste branding! :-D

Huzzah!

Ma Ying Jiou's party (KMT) swept into power for Taiwan in these latest elections. This can only be a positive thing for Taiwan for several reasons.

1 - Investors around the world were not happy with the other party's laws and inflammatory stances and statements towards the PRC. Laws passed by the DPP (the opposite party) encouraged independence at a high price - they seriously hindered and weakened Taiwanese Businesses and pissed off one of the largest, more ruthless governments in the world. In the long run, both of these are bad for Taiwan.

2- Whereas the DPP was angering China (and annoying the US) with its bold statements of independence, the KMT is interested in strengthening ties with the PRC and opening channels of commerce and trade. They believe you can want to be separate from the PRC and still do business with them. This attitude will help Taiwan's recently falling economy.

3 - The current president of the DPP and his entire family are wrapped up in a HUGE scandal that threatens to put the whole family behind bars. That really doesn't go far for helping the image of a nation and the confidence of outside nations.

Now, that's not to say that I don't understand why some people don't like the KMT. Certainly, they've had their own corruption problems in the past. Just two days ago as I was waiting by the bus stop a slightly insane woman was telling me how the KMT came to Taiwan from China after losing the civil war in China 50+ years ago and killed many Taiwanese, and forced them to speak Mandarin Chinese instead of Taiwanese (a dialect of Chinese). The infamous 2-28 massacre is the most striking example of this. (look it up if you want... I'm too lazy to place a link!)

But that was then, this is now, and the KMT is what is good for Taiwan - definitely. For the record, I think Taiwan should be separate too. I think they should be in the UN too (as the DPP brazenly pushed and campaigned recently).

But the mode you go about that cannot be to face off with China. That government would rather kill millions of people than look bad. The KMT has a better method.

Jia Yo Taiwan!

Kaboom!

Another New Year's celebration in Taipei, staring wide-eyed at the famous 101 as it (seemingly) explodes in a terrorist attack of massive proportions - casting lights and sparks into the night air.

It's quite pretty actually.

Last year I went to 101 and stood in the massive crowd (think Times Square without the confetti or skyscrapers). That was cool, but VERY crowded.

This year was smarter - we went to a friends house and had risotto with crab cakes and some other good food they made, and the wii was beckoning to me from the living room.

When the "magic time" came, we went to the roof of the building and had an excellent view of the entire thing. Brilliance! :)

Happy New Year all! My resolution? To write in a journal and to be a better person! (I hope I can do at least one of these!)