Sweating inside, Snowing outside

Sweating by the abs and shoulder training, Yoshiki and I was enjoying the snow-white scene out of the window in the Leclub. Soon after we finished working out, we went outside and took pictures. In this moment, the snow scene was the most beautiful in ISU campus. The first picture was the pathway toward Root Hall and Cunningham Memorial library. In summer, it will look like a green path, with shadow among leaves and golden sunshine's sneaking inside.

Snow kept falling on my head and shoulder, reminding me of the first-time snow experience on November 1, 2005. I was like a crazy country boy, dancing, hopping, and running in the snow. Oh, that was thrilling and exciting…I recalled. Well, when was the last time you had this kind of "simple pleasure" in your life? While we are getting older, we are also getting used to everything around us. Then we become more and more insensitive…eventually NUMB!!!

It's just like working out. In the very beginning, I used to get excited because the muscle growth showed obvious progress. But when the progress did not seem so "visible," the excitement diminished and so did the motivation. Fortunately, I've got a friend who has been working out with me since the first day I signed up in the Leclub. We tortured each other, encouraged each other, and of course, pushed each other. He is Yoshiki Hasegawa from Japan. Thanks to him, we do not get used to weight training and become "NUMB." We get numb muscles because of serious training and always feel sore the other day. We have been doing this for more than a year and we are going to move on.

Today…I was still excited about the snow. I don't know…maybe it's because of the words from Buddha: while you fail to change the situation, change your attitude. What's stronger may not be the power to change everything, but the will to endure the hardship.

Hahahahaha...Look at Yoshiki! He was tired! Smile, pal. We are becoming IRON MEN.

色戒：高級的三級片

就在去年吧，好像是在一陣歡呼聲中，李安執導的『色戒』上映！
一會兒得這個獎，一會兒得那個！回台灣時，媒體爭相報導！
突然間，又是一個「台灣之光」！！！
這些年，台灣之光就是不喜歡待在台灣，好像非得從海外，這光才能看得到！
回頭說說這電影，要不是掛上個[李安]，再加上一些明星，不就是一部情色電影嗎？！
好吧！咱們就不從那個角度去看，那這部戲要表達的藝術概念在哪裡？？
有些電影，一看就之倒是誰導的！因為片中有強烈的個人風格，有深沈的藝術理想！
就算是一部眾星雲集的商業片，也能清楚感受導演的藝術靈魂以及人文的內涵！
說穿了，我實在看不出這部黑白色情片的創作力！
很迂腐的橋段，很無聊的故事內容！若不是床戲，誰掏腰包去看啊？

說到這個，我就想到臥虎藏龍！大家都說好看，我卻覺得才剛剛要感覺到一點戲裡人物的深沈，就很快地被武打或是其他東西蓋過去！
古代劍客的孤獨及風骨，表現不到三成！
我知道，也許有人會說，反正外國人不會懂的，只要讓他們看個熱鬧罷了！
呵呵！我覺得，就是拍不出來，外國人才永遠都不會懂！！！

藝術家的美，就在於創作下的新穎突出以及與眾不同。往往，作品裡的靈氣與創意會令人耳目一新，開人眼界！
李安及他這部『色戒』，充其量也不過是個能工巧匠做出來迎合大眾胃口的複製品！
張愛玲小說裡的迷惘、情感糾結，這部戲也只是沾上一點邊而已！

Coffee Finger: Monica...

There you go. The legendary "three layers" of the golden espresso just came alive from Monica. Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present you the Frankbuck's weekend espresso, double shots…go well with hot milk froth. Oh, do not add any sugar please. Don't delude the fragrance by sweetness. "本日特選素材"--Today's best selected material is Colombia coffee bean. It has smooth and well-balanced flavor…Imagine the passion and the exotic dancing coming from South America. Trust me, you won’t want to miss even a single drip…it's like the gift from God's imagination. Finally, we shall never forget the most important ingredient: ... ... LOVE. (Don't get any strange ideas.) It's the "LOVE" for coffee and the appreciation for Monica.

Take a sip. Oh, the fragrance goes into your nose, and the slight bitterness thrills your nerves. Sounds like taking drugs, doesn't it? Hahahahahahaha…

Happy WA, Frank. You are not alone…you have Monica.

小諾咖啡館

想起在秘密花園…..
『小諾，一杯藍山、兩杯曼巴！--大哥的朋友要的喔！』
曾經，我煮出來的咖啡是店長指定「老闆御用飲品」！
Syphon 在我手上時，那杯咖啡就是可以掛保證的啦!!!
我的師傅們，徒兒沒給你們丟臉！

現在義式咖啡當道，再好的Syphon手藝也慢慢被取代了！
喝純咖啡的人也越來越少了！
不過話說回來，Espresso在速度和品質上，的確方便許多！
很久了！很久沒有再讓咖啡粉滑過我的指尖！
輕握一小撮，湊到鼻尖，好久不見，哥倫比亞的香醇及恰到好處的濃密！

最近買了一台 DeLonghi espresso maker，價錢恰到好處！氣壓也很穩定！
雖然奶泡管有點短，但我的技術還是可以彌補這個小缺點的！
我給她取名叫 Monica！！！
整體說來，她的確是一台物超所值的義式咖啡機！至少，在美國的價錢會比台灣低的多！
現在，每天早上咖啡香都會飄散在我的書桌前！外面儘管是滿天風雪，我手裡卻有咖啡杯的微溫，肆溢嘴裡的咖啡香，當然...還有腦中轉來轉去的期刊論文！

【從一粒細微的沙子可以想見天地的寬廣，從一朵野花可以觀看出整個世界的奧妙，只要用心去觀察體會，便會發現我們的雙手掌握了無限的可能，而生活的每一瞬間的充滿了新奇與驚喜，只要能握住的當下的每分每秒，創造出的價值便形同永恆。】 ~威廉布萊克~

有一天，我也會有自己的花園！花園中刷白的石牆反射煦煦陽光…
藍色咖啡台望出去，是圍繞的長春藤蔓、是偶爾開在牆角的牽牛花！
我會煮著一杯杯的咖啡，然後一面想著，剛買的CD，要放那片來聽...
也許，這就是我心中的永恆！

One Fine Day

It was a little warm today. 'Warmness,' according to the current location, is about zero Celsius. Well, if my family heard me saying this, they would be probably saying: oh, then it is freaking cold there in Terre Haute.

I've never been to any northern states in the U.S. Maybe I should really go there and experience what's called "DMAN COLD."
Hahaha...!

Looking out the window of College of Education, I was composing the concept map of my future dissertation. The flow of thoughts ran like a crazy cat in my brain. I kept searching the ideas I got from the bibliography assignment. It seemed to me that the conceptual frame was being constructed piece by piece. After presenting my ideas to Dr. Powers, She actually gave me a positive feedback that I just keep going on the right track. "It's complicated though," said Yoshiki. I know…it may be a little bit!!! But I guess that's the way it is. All that I need to do is go on and get it done…

I was kind of surprised that I did not fall asleep because of the tiring exercise before the class. The sunshine was quite comfortable. Smell the air and take a deep breath! I know…I can feel it...this land is waking up. Spring is not far away.

The picture! Yoshiki was very good at taking my pictures from the angle that I look pretty "fat." Good job, pal! Now I will really keep working out in the Le Club, trying to lose several pounds of fat…!!! Is this how you keep me from being lazy working out with you? You really know how to get me do it, don't you? Hahahaha…

Well, well, well...please take a look at this, my BROTHER---My Dinner! Butter chicken spaghetti with vegetables in parmesan & Mozzarella sauce. I made it by myself. That's right…very cheesy and buttery. Oh, by the way, I found some beer left in my refrigerator. What a great combo! For sure, this is why I can not get rid of the fat around my waist. What the heck...Gan-bai…!!!!!

Life should be wasted in anything that makes you happy …^_^ …

Reading by the Riverside

"To see a world in a grain of sandAnd a heaven in a wild flower,Hold infinity in the palm of your handAnd eternity in an hour." ~ William Blake ~

Have you ever dreamed of sipping a cup of cappuccino while reading a favorite novel in your back yard beside a river? It could be considered a luxurious lifestyle in this modern world…well, depending on where the house is located actually.

The riverside idea is not really fascinating to me as long as the house is surrounded by bunches of mosquitoes. Sounds pretty nasty, doesn't it? However, I do like the tranquility as presented in this picture. If I can live in a house like that, I must have a dog. Shibainu is definitely my first choice. Then, what else? What kinds of cars do I need? ...Probably an SUV. What about Acura MDX 2008 or Lexus RX350!? ----------HaHaHaHa…either one is perfect. Of course, I shall have a mini-bar beside my living room. Imagine there is a comfortable couch with a reading light by the side. I can make a cup of coffee, go back to my reading, and pat my dog sometimes.

What's the eternity in an hour? For years, I have been praying for the tranquil moments in my mind…An hour is enough…if only I can really hold those moments in the palm of my hands sometimes.

髮梢裡的記憶

今天陽光挺大的，地上的積雪頑強地抵抗著！
我伸手摸了摸教室窗台上的玻璃，打了個冷顫，外頭還是零下的低溫！
那女孩不像是美國人！那種細緻的氣質是裝不出來的！…..至少，在粗魯的美國女人中式看不到的！
我聽得出她的口音，她肯定是會說兩種以上的母語！
細白的皮膚卻沒有多少雀斑，棕色的髮絲看得出她用心打扮過！ …..很明顯，她是有男友的！
這一小時裡我格外多看了她幾眼，不是覺得她美，而她也沒有特別『魔鬼』的身材！
捉住我的，是那陽光灑在她髮梢上...淡淡光影扶疏間的...眼神！！！

不陌生！從側面看，一下子就喚起我的記憶。
這個眼神，曾經望著我的眼神，在夢裡思念過千百回的眼神！

見不到妳，聽不到妳，都不是最痛的！
凌遲在心裡的，是好像處處都留下妳的記憶，妳的蹤跡，妳的一言一行！
一分一秒、一草一木，妳好似在我身旁…
伸出手來，卻觸不到妳的溫柔，握不住妳的髮梢！

妳好嗎？親愛的天使：
記得那家咖啡館嗎？ 妳還喝同一種咖啡嗎？
今天下午的陽光是否也溫暖妳的臉？
髮梢裡的浮光掠影是否也曾令妳想起我…..？

Lousy Bank, Poor Service (Not research-based, but authentic)

I have never felt so disappointed at a bank…Chinatrust Commercial Bank!
The story started with the problem of the annual fee. I was being charged $NT600 because I have not used my credit card "enough" for the past year. Well, I currently live in the U.S. so that I may not be able to use that credit card so often. Feeling that I should not pay that annual fee, I called and asked for the cancellation of the annual fee. Then, guess what! The bank clerk on the phone dared to say: Since you have not used your credit card, you have to pay the annual fee…or you can cancel the fee as well as the credit card.

Wow! What kind of bank is this? What a service!!!!!

First of all, why should I pay the annual fee since I did not frequently use the card? Maybe this was just because of the poor service from Chinatrust bank.
Second of all, I did not say that I will not use the card any more. I did explain that I will use the card soon after I go back to Taiwan. Just because I do not use it right now does not mean that I will not use it in the future. How dare you tell me to cancel that card just because of the damn $ NT 600.
Finally, this was how Chinatrust bank treated a customer who have kept business with it for more than ten years. For Citi Bank, just a phone call solved everything. (Oh, by the way, it seems that credit card users do not have to pay annual fee in the U.S. SO why banks in Taiwan are so special?????)

To sum up, I strongly suggest people in Taiwan stop business and service with Chinatrust bank. In this modern world, you want to make money…..you got to have good service!!!

Scotch Reviews: Glenfiddich 12 yrs

"Quality that can be appreciated in the glass - through its purity, elegant taste and long lingering finish" (Jim Murray, Whisky Magazine).

To be honest, this is a review with a very neutral tone for me though I wouldn't be much sure about the "long lingering finish." Or maybe it was the Glenlivet 12yrs that has already spoiled my tongue. Well, what the heck! They both went directly into my stomach though. Ha! Ha!

On the other hand, I did felt her mellow and fruity taste with a gentle touch of the sweetness of pear and the hint of oak. Without much difficulty, I did get along with her very easily. She's like a companionship of many years. We seem to have known each other for such a long time that even just a blink can tell everything. No words…not at all! I felt myself talking to a teenaged kid, just like my sister.

And by the way, I really enjoyed the time I spent reading Jinyong's kung fu novels with her…imagining that I was wandering around the eaves in the Forbidden City, Beijing, sipping the Scotch, and maybe seeing some kung fu fighting.

Scotch Reviews: Glenlivet 12 yrs

I got this bottle of Glenlivet single malt Scotch from Sherry as my Christmas gift in 2007. I got to tell you, Sherry: this is the best reward for me cause I have already quitted smoking.

Well, well, well! Take a look at this bottle. Does it look like a teenaged girl who lives in your near neighborhood? Oh! Yeah!..... Exactly. The floral and fruity aromas really bathed me in an exquisite delicacy of summer-like fragrances. It's so vigorous, so sunshiny, and yet so violent…Remember what's the opposite side of the extreme? …A drastic storm, maybe.

She's too young. I may say the enticing vanilla notes and nutty hints are hardly being sensed owing to her intense emotional changes…..SPICY. I was once hurt in the very beginning…a tender bite without a touch of bitterness. It was deep and painful, but couldn't stop me from feeling the thrill again and again.

How can I ever forget about her?! I still seem to feel her kiss in the breeze of mid-summer night. ….. Even though snow flakes were falling on my window.

感動

記得上一次的『感動』嗎？
你/妳時時刻刻想他/她！他/她也分分秒秒地你/妳！
離下班還有5分鐘，卻迫不及待地要飛奔到他/她面前！
總要聽他說晚安才能安眠！聞妳髮稍的香味，想把妳抱在懷裡疼一輩子！
兩人只吃一晚陽春麵、共喝一杯咖啡看日出！就是餓到發昏，能聽到一聲『我愛你』也能感動半天！
可以為了挑他/她的生日禮物，凌晨五度低溫下，在新光三越排隊！
…..只要感受對方的手心的溫暖，熱血就為他/她而沸騰 、心跳加速！！！

已經有多久了，你/妳不再『感動』？
覺得他的『政治論』很孩子氣！感到她的『購物經』了無生趣！
妳要多點擁抱，他的擁抱就是做愛的前戲！
他要多點撒嬌，妳的殷勤就是要多買件當季的外套，也許還得加上額外的鞋子和包包來搭配！！！
不再慶祝彼此的生日，因為要存孩子的教育基金;
但多添套汽車音響或是Gucci的包包，竟是毫不手軟！
.....『食之無味去之可惜』的關係，就這麼持續下去！
也許，沒有勇氣說分手，也許，是在等待分手的理由！
也許，勇氣和理由要等到第三者的出現才能浮上檯面！！！

你/妳的心像你吶喊『感動』的渴望嗎？
聽聽心底的聲音！
試著回憶.....
一個眼神可悸動你/妳的心
一個擁抱可奪走你/妳的呼吸！
一句[我愛你]，便可讓你/妳歡喜地徹夜不眠！！！