Turkey-Run State Park

I got my car on Friday (May 2, 2008).

Before I give a detailed information about the first car in my life, I want to share with you all about the marvelous day in Turkey-Run State Park.

It was such a sunny day with cool air and a little breeze. I did not feel hot and sweaty at all. Well, as a matter of fact, I am not really a nature-goer. Walking on the grass and leaves makes me feel nervous cause I am always worried about snakes. However, the scenery in the park helped relieve my tension and worry. In my eyes, there were green trees, shiny river, rocky valley, and little waterfall.
Nathan and I spent about thirty walking on Trail #6 and about an hour on Trail #3. …Exhausted, but feeling so relaxed and fascinated by the natural scenes. We hopped on little rocks while crossing various little rivers. We stopped by some rocky caves and valleys, pretending we are ancient monks or "supermen." When we saw the clean cool water in the river, we "almost" took off our shoes and jumped into it.

Summer is coming. I can feel that.

I am gonna spend more time exploring the beauty of Indiana, and other gorgeous places in the US. Life…shall be wasted in beautiful things!!!
Just take a break! Not tired yet, but need a deep breath to say "Thank you" to God: You have done a good job creating the earth.

I guess there is too much iron in the rock or the water, making the color red.

Don't worry about Nathan. He was just too stressed out because he is about to leave Indiana and go back Taiwan. Hahahahaha…!!!

I was a little tired actually. Jumping up and down really makes my legs tired.

What about taking a shower under that waterfall, pal??? It must be "cool."
I hope you become a monk here and I may come every once in a while to worship you. Hahahahaha...
Yeah, right! So now you decide to become a superman…what's next, pal!???

Isn't this gorgeous? I wanna go canoeing here next time.

Well, actually, it's forbidden to swim here! Are there any crocodiles there in the river?
Wow…I need to drink a second cup of coffee! What a day!!!!!!!! (Don't you have a fat-belly problem, buddy?)

次等拜金女

好幾年前，松島菜菜子主演一部「大和拜金女」，似乎又再度開啟現代女性嫁入豪門的夢想！
那些所謂超級有錢的小開，我是沒見過啦！但是在這留學異鄉的時光裡，我倒是見識到不少『土財子』以及『次等拜金女』！

解釋名詞：次等拜金女 ，指那些格調不高，所學不多，嬌生慣養，見識短淺而又胸無點墨，且還一心想嫁金龜婿的女人！

土財子們其實稍有格調的大有人在，所以身旁難免有一些小花野豔，因此也會常常被誤以為是有錢風流的紈褲子弟！說穿了，他們也還年輕，碰上投懷送抱的『假花』，往往也就禁不起誘惑！但是這些少爺可不是笨蛋，他們心裡雪亮，他們算盤打的更精：娶妻當求淑女！貞操把持不住的女人，口袋的錢也很有可能不會看的很緊！

冷眼旁觀，這些年，我也長了不少見識！
一、不要以為會上上床，完事後滴幾滴眼淚就能抓住男人的心，讓男人以為妳是世紀末的最後一個清純乖乖女！男人心中，新婚夜的處女，才是上上之選！我同意現代女性說的：追求處女的男人是沒自信的！但我更相信：「閱歷」豐富的女人，更沒有料！身體是最不用努力、不用本錢的武器！
二、廣大師說的好：當男人不用下半身思考妳的時候，妳就該懂得要儀態萬千、端莊淑徳、才華洋溢，且學富五車！（有點誇張啦！）那什麼時候男人不用下半身思考你勒！？...要談論婚嫁時或是完事後！嘿嘿！很多『假花』都搞不清楚這一點，老是在被甩後抬出一大篇「悲情花」的戲碼，有時還來個絕食昏倒！妳等著吧，甩妳的男人可能會心痛一下子，但他們很快會醒過神來，口袋裡的美金絕不可以因為一時心軟而白白灑入大西洋！
三、那這些『次等拜金女』到底失敗在哪裡勒？絕大部分原因都是以為上過床就是老娘最大，這個昨晚扒光我衣服的小子欠我的！然後就奉行所謂的美式女性主義教條，開始對他管東管西、頤指氣使！甚至三不五時來個『傷心血拼』，把帳全算在他身上！呵呵！這種事情一次可以，兩次不嫌多，多次後妳就準備被甩吧！
四、要想嫁小開，最起碼妳得具備一些人家沒有的美德吧！就算不用妳家世顯赫啦，妳也該有點料吧！首先就是學歷，能在國外唸書的人，一般來說都能達到這點！但是學歷也包含才華及能力啊！只是會知道當季打折名牌包包和洋裝，懂得把臉塗得像花旦，那是遠遠不夠的！廣大師說過：再美的女人，看十年也會厭;再醜的女人，看三個月後也能習慣！廣東人說：下得了廚房，出得了聽堂！留學生中會煮飯的女人真是用手指數得出來，難得煮鍋罐頭湯，也能說成世紀大作戰！再說吧，說到才華，就連應英系畢業的，來到美國都還要念語言學校才能進入碩士課程，這種女人你還要期待她有什麼才華！難道念大學時，她每天還堅持彈六小時的鋼琴嗎？所以囉，只想靠張臉、撒撒嬌，就想後半輩子當少奶奶享清福，妳再去修練一百年吧！不要當男人們都是笨蛋！

窮人富人、男人女人，大家都是人！我不欣賞口袋有點家產就肆意揮霍、人格低俗的公子哥兒！但我也同樣看不起沒幾兩重，卻一心想攀高枝的鴨雀！琴棋書畫不著道，最基本也得做到持家理財、噓寒問暖，及克盡孝道吧！花兒們，妳們想挑昂貴的古瓷花瓶棲身，先照照鏡子吧：妳配的上嗎？

好天氣 ; 壞心情

親愛なる君へ :

我期待已久的春天終於來了！妳是否也和我一樣看到油綠綠亮眼的草皮！？走在這樣的校園中，一點也不覺得累！陣陣清風徐來，只覺週遭旺盛的生命力源源地停佇在鼻息邊，輕輕觸動肌膚，喚醒體內每一個細胞！

我和由樹邊走邊談著當天健身房的課程表以及等一下要上的統計課。其實他心裡老是想著那台凌志 IS 300，和整個夏天的高爾夫計畫！...（什麼時候要堅持？什麼時候要妥協？這實在是一門艱難的功課！）

今年秋季，由樹得到日文的教學工作，9 個學分費完全可以抵掉，等於省下五千多美金，相當於台幣約十六萬！比較之下，中文教學就沒有那麼吃香了！！！在我們學校教中文課，整整一學期也才拿系上五百多美金！呵呵呵呵，很不公平吧！但是其實話說回來啦，只要學生不多，老師可以拿的錢就會少！這是很現實、也很殘酷的供需法則！
我已經拒絕系上電腦教室的工作，因為他們對我的付出根本不會當一回事！

我算是學乖了！在美國，要做事，就要做得自己喜歡，心甘情願！台灣人那一套『辛苦就會有代價』的精神，在這裡美國人會解讀成是我們自己喜歡高興做的，然後漸漸當你是理所當然爾...！！！我不是說我的努力非得你給我加薪，給我表揚！去！我來美國就為了賺他們這種一小時六元的薪水嗎？！！！ 我不在乎多做一點，但我會很在意美國人覺得花一點錢就可以買到我的付出及專業！

說句不好聽的：要我回去為你們這些膿包做事，那你們得先培養認真專業的態度！微軟是源自你們美國啦，怎麼你們需要一個台灣人來教你們怎麼用啊？！

就連一張CD有多大容量都不知道，那你們還混個鳥啊！？回去啃漢堡看你們的足球賽吧！你們這些腦滿腸肥的笨蛋！

我道歉！我的言論的確有點過激！ ...（反省中）

Oral-B Triumph Professional Dental-Care

To be honest, I was not a big fan of power toothbrush before. I am the guy who always believe in hand-power. Well, admit it! Things with a "hand-made" title usually cost more than other stuff from industrial lines.

However, I surrendered to modern technology this time, especially after spending USD $126 just to temporarily stop the toothache. Bruce Anshutz, my doctor, told me to take good care of that cavity. If I am lucky, I may be able to "survive" till I go back to Taiwan and fix the tooth. Right now, he just helped me to segregate the nerve and outer influence "temporarily." Eventually, I will need to have a root canal treatment in Taiwan, which is going to cost me less money than here in the US.

So, here we go. I got a power toothbrush, which by the way, was suggested by Bruce and Nathan. This fancy little thing cost me USD$88.21, including shipping. Compared with the price I can get in Taiwan, I really got a pretty good deal.

I have used it for several days this week. In the beginning, it has kind of funny touch on my teeth and gums. But very soon, I get used to its vibration and start to enjoy the brushing process.

I guess this is a good investment. Hope I won’t be getting another toothache again.

戊子年四月 春

親愛なる君へ :

持續了下好幾場雪後，低溫爆冷的天氣終於漸形漸遠！草皮上的新芽一大片一大片地竄出來，和月前雪堆裡枯萎發黃『菜乾』相比，真是令人感嘆造物者之功、自然界的生生不息！

天氣一暖起來，人心就蠢蠢欲動了！活力就來了！

那天看到一群學生在遊行，標榜『不要種族歧視，接受多元種族並存』！挺有衝勁的！校警車在旁緊緊地跟著，生怕鬧出意外事件！不用說，示威學生多半是黑人和南美洲人！
說實話，我支持多元種族並存！也確切感受過美國白人的歧視心態！他們這種自大且井蛙之見的心理，大部分來自封閉的「大美國」意識型態！眼界走不出去，自然會覺得世界就應該是繞著美國轉！這當然很迂腐、很可悲、也很可笑！但是不可否認，美國的強大，支配著很多看不到的不公平！
話又再說回來，小黑和小拉丁們自己也要爭氣！我沒有種族上的偏見！但是在美國，黑人們真的該自己好好檢討！就拿學校的電腦室來說，永遠是小黑們最吵，永遠是他們堆在一起看球賽、講手機！常常可以聽到黑人女生笑的很大聲！要是你跟他們好言相勸，有時還會被白眼！而且那種「白」是真的很白，因為他們膚色的關係！哈哈哈！
如果再蠻橫一點，他們就會擺出一付被歧視的樣子，跟你沒完沒了！見識過黑人女生吵架嘛！包你一句話都說不出來！…

真的，我真的沒有歧視他們！但在美國待了近三年，就連一個讓我覺得跟他相處起來舒服的黑人都沒有！那更別談成為朋友了！

Puppy of April: Clover

This cute little puppy is Clover. He is the mix of beagle and German shepherd. Judging from Clover's paws, bones, and teeth, I think he will become a strong big dog in the future. However, Clover may need extra serious training to fit in his keeper's life and become a good pet at home.

Why?

First of all, I notice that Clover walks always with his tail up. The shape of his tail looks like a knife when he walks and runs. This symbolizes and implies one of the good innate abilities that a hunting dog should have. I guess this comes from one of beagles' characteristics.
Secondly, Clover was not afraid of my staring at his eyes directly. He looked back to me calmly and did not avoid my eyes. This means that Clover thinks his position is the same as mine (or even higher than mine). He also showed his courage by looking back to my eyes.
Finally, Clover did not respond to my calling every time, but showed greater pleasure to go to his master (recognized in his mind). He just represented his loyalty and integrity.

I am not a person who has purebred-complex about dogs. I always believe good dogs need serious training no matter how noble their blood is. What I mean " serious training" here does not require every dog to be trained like a police dog. The training should satisfy the keeper's daily life, not causing troubles like frequent and loud barking. More importantly, well-experienced keepers or trainers will adjust "methodologies" according to dogs' temper, characteristics, and innate abilities.

Frank-Made Chinese Honeycomb Tripe

I was not being asked by the cashier in Wal-Mart: "What is this?" (Anchang said he was asked by the cashier last time!) Maybe most Americans do not know what the honeycomb tripe is. That's right…it's cow's stomach. Americans may wonder why we Chinese people almost eat everything with four legs!!! They problably think it nasty to eat animal's organs like honeycomb tripe. Just wait until you guys come to China, you will find more Chinese food FAR beyond your imagination...Hahahahahah…!!!

This pot of honeycomb tripe took me more than three hours. Look delicious!? Actually, I put too much sugar in the sauce that it tasted a little too sweet, not as what I have expected. Next time, I will use Coke as substitution for sugar because its sweetness is just fine and the color looks deeper. Am I coming closer to a chef!?

By the way, I learned how to preserve garlic with vinegar. Oh! You will never imagine how it tastes with dumplings. It's a chef's combination from God's inspiration. But the disadvantage is that you will have an awfully bad breath after eating garlic. Well, what the heck! Why should I care? It's not like I am having a date every evening or something! Those who will complain about my bad breath may be Sharon, Yoshiki, Anchang, and Nathan cause I hang out with them the most.

What!? So I eat too much garlic…SUE me!!! ^_^

美食音樂季

親愛なる君へ :

那天晚上John的確是露了一手！
看到沒！？自製大蒜麵包加上熬煮一下午的台灣牛雜，搭配美式沁涼酷爾思啤酒！...別懷疑，這是男人做出來的！

大蒜香、麵包外脆內軟 ; 相當入味的牛肚、多汁的香菇、還有暌違已久的滷蛋！和青蔥大蒜末一起夾起來！呴呴呴...這一盤在美國要賣一百元美金都要搶破頭！喔！當然，不可忘了啤酒！酒瓶標籤上的山，要夠冰才會變成藍色。也就是說，當貼紙上的山變成『藍山』，那就是最適合飲用的溫度！

要早知道有這鍋魯味，我會禁食兩頓，清個空胃來填這一餐！

隔天早上一醒來，就有個老外在樓下裝浪漫！活像個巴黎街頭的賣藝浪人！只可惜，背後的政治標語似乎不甚浪漫！倒像是歐巴馬請來助選的！我從窗台望下去，好好聽了一曲！其實還真不錯！就是場景不搭，旁邊那個看熱鬧的小子聽到最後竟然也沒丟個銅板！呵呵！…

我煮了杯咖啡，讀讀信，心想樓下還有人幫我奏樂！那天早上真是夠了！

J & B Blended Scotch

Justerini & Brooks blended scotch

If I remember correctly, I had this bottle in winter, 2004, in Taiwan. It was my beginner-level whisky, which can be categorized as the same level as Suntory whisky. But the difference is that Suntory is more mild and smooth, making peace with your tongue and nose. J & B is more like a young guy…always listen to rock & roll and like spicy food.

Maybe it's just because of the unique climate pattern in Scotland, I can taste the salty touch of J & B. Have you ever eaten pears or any kind of fruit with Chinese plum powder? The sweetness and sourness of the fruit will be blended by the plum flavor, and that makes a great combo. I think that's the spirit I can get from J & B.

Well, I know! I need to control the amount of whisky I drink every day. It's just I really had a hard time falling asleep this week.

I pray to God…please give me strength and wisdom to deal with all the difficulties in my life. I am pretty lost right now since I may not remember to forgive, to be considerate, and to give love. Give me some clues, please. And I will follow and learn.
Thank you…!!!

歲月

親愛なる君へ :

妳是否也像我一樣注意起臉上的皺紋、光澤以及斑點！
從2007年12月到今天，我買過大概十次酒，沒有一個店員檢視我的年齡證明！
呵呵！我換了好幾家店買，結果都是一樣的！
可見，他們沒有把我當作熟客，很純粹地從我臉上就可以判斷我絕對超過法定飲酒年齡！（在Indiana，法定飲酒年齡為21歲！）
還記得我剛來美國時，就連買一包煙都要看駕照！唉！歲月摧人老啊.......！
這個月拿到印第安那州合法的駕駛執照了！接下來，就是買到車，開始我在美國的自助旅行！

我計畫在考完博士檢定考後，要好好去玩一個禮拜！ 去看看所謂的美國大峽谷！

那天，我靜靜地從窗外向外望！在美國唸書，已近三年了！我每晚面對相同的街景；
與其說是思鄉，還不如解釋成『無聊』來得貼切，只覺得心裡感覺不到那麼強烈的鄉愁！
從大學開始，我就好像每幾年一輪，一直在外鄉打轉！
大學加上兵役，就在外混了六年！工作五年後，又赴美留學至今！
若是論文順利，算算我在美國又待上五年有餘！
說到這裡，
我真的很感謝我的父母親！支持我到今日，他們真的辛苦了！
媽到現在仍在餐廳工作，爸退休後就連一架新車都捨不得買！
我真的希望趕快回國，就是待在家裡每天聽你們念兩句，我也要看你們快快樂樂地！健健康康地！
博士的光環，在我心中，抵不上你們抱佑佑時滿足的笑容！

Political Week

This week was actually quite political to me. First of all, Hillary Clinton came to Terre Haute on March 20th (Thursday). What’s more, she was just about 100 meters away from me in front of my apartment. I knew I would not be able to stay too close to her any way so that I just watched her from my apartment window. Out of security concern, she was surrounded by several bodyguards, looking vigorous and younger than how she is on TV. This was the first time for me see a politician celebrity so close and real. Well, I do not have the right to vote In the US and I am not one of her fans. It was just an interesting experience for me to see a “possible” US president candidate in front of my place. Hahahaha…it was not like the things you can see every day out of your window.
Second of all, Ma Ying-jeou won the president election on March 22nd (Saturday), Taiwan time……Hurray!!!!! Well, I am not a KMT fan, neither a DPP one. I am just a critical Taiwanese who is really tired of Chen Shui-bian’s presidency. I was very excited about Ma's victory and impressed by his calm and reasonable delivery of the speech when he knew he won the election. He just showed Taiwanese people his manner of integrity, modesty, and wisdom. I really hope Ma can lead Taiwanese people toward a better future by presenting the advanced development of our democracy in Taiwan. (By the way, I may have something to say to Lien Chan, Wang Jin-pyng, and James Soong: if you three cannot fully support President Ma, please at least don't do anything harmful to him or KMT, just for gaining your popularity. I don't think you three are better than Ma. To be honest, you three can just retire if you cannot devote yourself to Ma's presidency.)
Well, well, well! I have enough political excitement this week. Last but not least, DO NOT think you can escape and get away from a justice judge of your corruption and scandals, Mr. Chen Shui-bian. You'd better wash your ass before you go to jail.


Do you see the future of Taiwan?.....