tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69121213910401576542024-03-14T06:36:21.499-07:00Bruce Stewart's Taiwan Blog 我的臺灣網誌Welcome to my blog which focuses on my life in Taiwan.
(Photo: Cheng Ching Lake (澄清湖), Kaohsiung)Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-15730898420844982342011-07-16T06:33:00.000-07:002011-07-16T10:44:41.122-07:00Italy - Where I spent 6 weeks this yearJocelyn and I arrived in Milan, Italy in the middle of March and were surprised at the warm sunny weather that characterized most of our first two weeks. Perhaps what surprised me even more were the many cherry blossoms in the area in which we lived. In Taiwan, we had only occasionally seen them on mountains several thousand feet above sea level.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHw2e5FcWxW1g5WyEmcawEatqrrNXEh7_UazxKqPiupaRiNis9GfdintwKtJtkN-vwa-JrBU6ZP7Vg9JdwP1StDZBsRWpYMzPxvmrunl3ZQrolzkFCQ9bLYqX-zwlMxp8RzOHxIsgbyz4/s1600/P3222367.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHw2e5FcWxW1g5WyEmcawEatqrrNXEh7_UazxKqPiupaRiNis9GfdintwKtJtkN-vwa-JrBU6ZP7Vg9JdwP1StDZBsRWpYMzPxvmrunl3ZQrolzkFCQ9bLYqX-zwlMxp8RzOHxIsgbyz4/s320/P3222367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982974629122226" border="0" /></a>Although we were staying on the outskirts of Milan, the business capital of Italy, I did not really venture into the city much at first, and so my experiences at that point were confined to what I saw in the predominantly residential area where we stayed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphOUHzXJNARWgR0IfqKBu_wR_z9g3uxx_y0qiGdLRz0_gzYZE9nw4jMxsjsi4eYsqfUTUBs3pEjCUIeR79j1oBXLPS-eiCNP34thwroh7N4DgEL-_hTQPEo5Y8wEUDtgD5d9lk-Ygs1y5/s1600/P3222359.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphOUHzXJNARWgR0IfqKBu_wR_z9g3uxx_y0qiGdLRz0_gzYZE9nw4jMxsjsi4eYsqfUTUBs3pEjCUIeR79j1oBXLPS-eiCNP34thwroh7N4DgEL-_hTQPEo5Y8wEUDtgD5d9lk-Ygs1y5/s400/P3222359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982552683967522" border="0" /></a>With Jocelyn busy with the course that she and five other students were taking, I needed to decide how I would make the best use of the six weeks I had there, given that my work would keep me busy much of the time. When I travel to places I am particularly interested to learn the local language and if possible interact with local people. However, I realized meeting people would not be that easy, especially since I was in a big city and was really unable to take part in the kinds of social activities that might help me meet people. If only I had had a good road bike!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9C85u_zJYhuKc1M-Z68Ztc4ZyrHxrYcwDOR2BmhNlfCAEL9TXk0q9qjOqfxEiQp2lpWobABOnKkRMkZ91z1rRH7mSuMFbWJERHQVpVzRUgLJVVgwvcbZ2ccMKNnd9hyphenhyphenp0CqjefieaDzg/s1600/P4052325.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9C85u_zJYhuKc1M-Z68Ztc4ZyrHxrYcwDOR2BmhNlfCAEL9TXk0q9qjOqfxEiQp2lpWobABOnKkRMkZ91z1rRH7mSuMFbWJERHQVpVzRUgLJVVgwvcbZ2ccMKNnd9hyphenhyphenp0CqjefieaDzg/s400/P4052325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982226306633378" border="0" /></a>I did have the use of a bicycle, even though it was very old and way too small for me. It had 20-inch wheels and the seat only went up do much, so that I had to ride very carefully so as not to seriously damage my knee tendons. However, the bike did prove very useful, and I could reach the area around the Basilica of San Lorenzo (above) in just about 20 minutes from our accommodation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF6FgSiWfbkzWgwNqCq3M5qncVLWFP9SRtU_Tm2opxalZI2LHjCGQJ0XpPzH3Eq4M5fV4PDtwi4eZG0ZGJqRAtpMsgaxISTzTgXsw9TPiJUB3cTQ9XVV5vOx8xE4cTPYpNYYx0UZAfS0Z/s1600/P4052381.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF6FgSiWfbkzWgwNqCq3M5qncVLWFP9SRtU_Tm2opxalZI2LHjCGQJ0XpPzH3Eq4M5fV4PDtwi4eZG0ZGJqRAtpMsgaxISTzTgXsw9TPiJUB3cTQ9XVV5vOx8xE4cTPYpNYYx0UZAfS0Z/s400/P4052381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982220493474914" border="0" /></a>Milan Cathedral was huge and I was lucky to be able to at least get a picture of it on a sunny day using a wide-angle lens. However, it was always a magnet for tourists, which meant that one soon got tired of being in that area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ElvoejBoYPF5rrqk28dH_3bLLqYtc_nNMvlvjfnhmEVXmFgJ4P5RqohZBp0jLvLwMXPlPOoeUneUg-TfGGVDCacnhivCnSKGKGGuS8pmhKVFeaY7pYFmRJ4FYsaM_M_DoWYYmGxR9SZe/s1600/P4082427.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ElvoejBoYPF5rrqk28dH_3bLLqYtc_nNMvlvjfnhmEVXmFgJ4P5RqohZBp0jLvLwMXPlPOoeUneUg-TfGGVDCacnhivCnSKGKGGuS8pmhKVFeaY7pYFmRJ4FYsaM_M_DoWYYmGxR9SZe/s400/P4082427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982217945930082" border="0" /></a>Not far from there, I found the church of San Steffan Maggiore, for which the foundation was laid around the 5th century A.D. From the outside it did not look particularly special, but the inside was amazing. I was also able to find some peace and quiet here, to read and to reflect a little. This is perhaps where I began to realize why I had come to Italy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgqHcDekD1UGnNyrbbUOo6zbE_L5Nw72LX67Ur8fLZa41MG3SB36eoZAUePADW0u6Cr0i8q2pKztl-MCeymCO0nd8mgFJBe5rcHutFEZiNlVX3kcS0MiulMtzI29yHm3kiztUmA1u7FhI/s1600/P4082444.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgqHcDekD1UGnNyrbbUOo6zbE_L5Nw72LX67Ur8fLZa41MG3SB36eoZAUePADW0u6Cr0i8q2pKztl-MCeymCO0nd8mgFJBe5rcHutFEZiNlVX3kcS0MiulMtzI29yHm3kiztUmA1u7FhI/s400/P4082444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982214856141762" border="0" /></a>This was the inside of a smaller church with more of an emphasis on Mary.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jW90iT2JrROx7MFDaFgAcAIO2Aw5372cNdZKpk-u1Jl0ZgjowoMW0OgLolEWjvcMw1_2HfbIKN2QH68CS_hxSQD4Z4e0HZqKsxLtFTOpfmy7Nz8U2uxP8clEXn9kl72n_RPVppne70gb/s1600/P4102412.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jW90iT2JrROx7MFDaFgAcAIO2Aw5372cNdZKpk-u1Jl0ZgjowoMW0OgLolEWjvcMw1_2HfbIKN2QH68CS_hxSQD4Z4e0HZqKsxLtFTOpfmy7Nz8U2uxP8clEXn9kl72n_RPVppne70gb/s400/P4102412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629982208147313506" border="0" /></a>After being in Italy and with Easter soon approaching, I summoned up the courage to attend mass at the church of San Barnabas in Gratasoglio, very close to where we were staying. I was not sure what to expect, since I had not been to a Catholic church since my childhood. At least it was a great way of hearing Italian being read and spoken. The service the evening before Easter Sunday was also particularly good - much work went into planning the mass and it appeared very well orchestrated, with the involvement of many "lay" people.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvTEOQPW8bEv7D7HAFPL_lT9xfaLTmboq0iOBeopBdP73ca795k94gewiFcjRoIdjdNfU6Yt2J6Qm3loP4yQQZollvQb9KeK8QUaJ53g5omLaYCzX3y9QiY_c-nZoQ6Qq4MXtl_On2Prt/s1600/P1012444.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvTEOQPW8bEv7D7HAFPL_lT9xfaLTmboq0iOBeopBdP73ca795k94gewiFcjRoIdjdNfU6Yt2J6Qm3loP4yQQZollvQb9KeK8QUaJ53g5omLaYCzX3y9QiY_c-nZoQ6Qq4MXtl_On2Prt/s400/P1012444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981250751830610" border="0" /></a>Perhaps the church I liked most was one with a very long and rich history and a huge building, San Eustorgio. In spite of the very well planned services (the Good Friday service was particularly memorable), the excellent quality of the singing, and so on, there were not that many people (perhaps just a few hundred) in attendance at the Sunday services. I somehow got the impression that most people in Milan did not care to go to church, even though there were so many historical churches there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVpPOegGhXe9L8gEtGKlCU4nxgpqbWFFS8Cc90ACkKwFp0p_fpJ_EpAlxY79QbpYusX7-L8oxWlwIn0vgNIkM85ch2as7AIbHMAfoPyepGQOMZjMs_w9g1_ciRz3lDGfpIjRQOMLFPLk8/s1600/P1012476.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVpPOegGhXe9L8gEtGKlCU4nxgpqbWFFS8Cc90ACkKwFp0p_fpJ_EpAlxY79QbpYusX7-L8oxWlwIn0vgNIkM85ch2as7AIbHMAfoPyepGQOMZjMs_w9g1_ciRz3lDGfpIjRQOMLFPLk8/s400/P1012476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981240190738226" border="0" /></a>I did even get to talk to one of the priests there. He did not mind my attending the services, even though I told him that I stopped attending the Catholic church when I was 17. I was later to learn that the senior pastor (now well into his 70s and who blessed me at the end of one of the services) had helped establish churches all over Italy and in spite of the robes and the relics within the church was a very fervent Christian and church leader. The ambulances in the picture where there because some of the ambulance personnel were participating in one of the services. It was good to see their commitment and enthusiasm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJw3P46MzwuqGg8yiwYFtY_nmA3ZTxzkKDE1ezKsNy9bJi56J1GQLi-Di9KRePDCdw_vKS7CGin1sOudFAZNY1OeJt29EI6Ud8j3G0mIvDM2rsEYCyM9kxShUZpCBRFApPHN_b35BMRhxf/s1600/P1012439.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJw3P46MzwuqGg8yiwYFtY_nmA3ZTxzkKDE1ezKsNy9bJi56J1GQLi-Di9KRePDCdw_vKS7CGin1sOudFAZNY1OeJt29EI6Ud8j3G0mIvDM2rsEYCyM9kxShUZpCBRFApPHN_b35BMRhxf/s400/P1012439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981231976541282" border="0" /></a>Milan also has many other buildings of historical interest, in fact so many that it is very difficult to visit them all, and I could more or less write a book on the few that I did get to see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtyyQcp8KOwoYhF1ESH4Gt9jc8smuxZPes0ht3vRn0F5qnKUusdG97lLqZkaMjH9T1nkxOtcnLYhSf2ii5d0Q-Wm3T1YSQuFBYBdkX1-RJ56R24WaHn447k5kF7uC4Kfe6n5VOXAP49gL/s1600/P1012428.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtyyQcp8KOwoYhF1ESH4Gt9jc8smuxZPes0ht3vRn0F5qnKUusdG97lLqZkaMjH9T1nkxOtcnLYhSf2ii5d0Q-Wm3T1YSQuFBYBdkX1-RJ56R24WaHn447k5kF7uC4Kfe6n5VOXAP49gL/s400/P1012428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981230431304962" border="0" /></a>Well, I did manage to see a few other places besides Milan, although the farthest that I went was to Venice. This is a great destination. It is packed with tourists, but it has that "olde worlde" feel and there are many alleys one can walk down without feeling one is in a tourist destination. And, no cars, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9vs6Tw3ZRi2yYYDF5F3Ru5ifWDBqwwXYaL_-u3KY8PjTyyPW0070EsKFP1AXcFq_qliOyAkyoKA8LLXzhlI3sPrITlQ_NQWt_qF3cyR044aNeG_WlA02tCWPGd16uw_qELoMikOe-qxw/s1600/P1012445.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9vs6Tw3ZRi2yYYDF5F3Ru5ifWDBqwwXYaL_-u3KY8PjTyyPW0070EsKFP1AXcFq_qliOyAkyoKA8LLXzhlI3sPrITlQ_NQWt_qF3cyR044aNeG_WlA02tCWPGd16uw_qELoMikOe-qxw/s400/P1012445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981224503969458" border="0" /></a>San Marco in Venice - It is huge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2oq3j4-YKlDx752IjD5wkulMOn690lXeDcqsy4Qe46KQeWvq4dNRmjRCF3ztn-AvuGBv8uCkQ6JF2LegRvs5MUkNmT4nT5USyedZ-ybpKujiRw1RttO-R6Jhl_zSTNRpYteJg695BDbP/s1600/P1012459.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2oq3j4-YKlDx752IjD5wkulMOn690lXeDcqsy4Qe46KQeWvq4dNRmjRCF3ztn-AvuGBv8uCkQ6JF2LegRvs5MUkNmT4nT5USyedZ-ybpKujiRw1RttO-R6Jhl_zSTNRpYteJg695BDbP/s400/P1012459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629980530791943346" border="0" /></a>A restaurant by a canal in Venice. No, unfortunately Jocelyn and I did not get to eat there. Generally we were on a limited budget while in Italy, and most of our money went on paying the rent. However, the views were priceless, and were almost costless (the train tickets we bought being relatively cheap).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5P0X8eCq8U5Rww_qdbKj7zVag3MTg4mTxlrOo4pPz-RjJtPooZKlbPC0SGQFOEWEMgJh8-r3ACTgrA3vcNcnND0uOFUu2zZzhTTMujjh4qKxVFeVQHcxvZLBWuDGENu6bl8d-xyyNFp7/s1600/P1012466.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5P0X8eCq8U5Rww_qdbKj7zVag3MTg4mTxlrOo4pPz-RjJtPooZKlbPC0SGQFOEWEMgJh8-r3ACTgrA3vcNcnND0uOFUu2zZzhTTMujjh4qKxVFeVQHcxvZLBWuDGENu6bl8d-xyyNFp7/s400/P1012466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629980524862678130" border="0" /></a>This was a quiet part of Venice overlooking the ocean where I ate the lunch I had brought with me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDs027Ae0OSMaKr0onPtTSx6SLMnyFUPi7eJJK_A0dWcIrRmhROiCbY8Wv9s5iD8Am6sv3J3aIfmb3q6VpNhYVa89__UguXDN8xsAAoNHy6R3im2G6FybRI9roPw-lYX-MOVe-lGTsJm8/s1600/P1012490.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDs027Ae0OSMaKr0onPtTSx6SLMnyFUPi7eJJK_A0dWcIrRmhROiCbY8Wv9s5iD8Am6sv3J3aIfmb3q6VpNhYVa89__UguXDN8xsAAoNHy6R3im2G6FybRI9roPw-lYX-MOVe-lGTsJm8/s400/P1012490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629980519523047138" border="0" /></a>Inside a church (Santa Maria di Nazareth) close to the train station in Venice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE62ye35QecN4ZGCa1FAHiewW813ngguw3KBicHhpRkigMhrPdhD22yCJJoYYKLSziOYEjHL6g2REuzg9r5FqYurhF1Flh35Yi2Y531n4QSa6fmGkbVBMXxM3GisxL-wcU2lAWCjtkxH_8/s1600/P1012503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE62ye35QecN4ZGCa1FAHiewW813ngguw3KBicHhpRkigMhrPdhD22yCJJoYYKLSziOYEjHL6g2REuzg9r5FqYurhF1Flh35Yi2Y531n4QSa6fmGkbVBMXxM3GisxL-wcU2lAWCjtkxH_8/s400/P1012503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629980518405699010" border="0" /></a>During my last two weeks in Italy, I got to visit a few other cities, including Genova (Genoa) in Liguria. I found this a nice city with much of historical interest, and also some astounding churches, including the one above, with its beautiful ceilings (see below).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlL5_tnxS20c0eVhsFsxoOTl3rQzWb_6ezUnP2oCDsVFIqQt3OetAeqVAM5KmhTOV7BChl5h2XjAKKF8xhg3DRMAY345APG6vfgjDmT6UG5602J2VeZb2l-_yo_de493kZwHPoQ6TBL9Y/s1600/P1012504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlL5_tnxS20c0eVhsFsxoOTl3rQzWb_6ezUnP2oCDsVFIqQt3OetAeqVAM5KmhTOV7BChl5h2XjAKKF8xhg3DRMAY345APG6vfgjDmT6UG5602J2VeZb2l-_yo_de493kZwHPoQ6TBL9Y/s400/P1012504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629980514001847922" border="0" /></a>I feel that Genova would have been a nicer place in which to live than Milan. It is by the sea, is made famous by Christopher Columbus, and is easy to walk around in a day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IZ7HFRonbqv0orA6CQKmAaGrj6_LM8kBPsrQUu165a80kUNHNIJz6lXNd_Lsl32MGbsMuWmEDaOH20Z4ustP7tuMNjPIUhSszHbazXBoFJjjzVwbNmpqXqirZQyDxFE_XuuZUbDlfcQb/s1600/P1012534.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IZ7HFRonbqv0orA6CQKmAaGrj6_LM8kBPsrQUu165a80kUNHNIJz6lXNd_Lsl32MGbsMuWmEDaOH20Z4ustP7tuMNjPIUhSszHbazXBoFJjjzVwbNmpqXqirZQyDxFE_XuuZUbDlfcQb/s400/P1012534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629979792335081986" border="0" /></a>A park in Genova.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hspq4iuzury5eqAORTyvv_DhGSuv2Ab5GPGFILoDDmtIs1zBZiZAzkk6_nxtCKMCDdubp6tRo6wdb1mVSDJny5-mdbNk9BpkW2fm7bIhEZ4ROa5Lg8arJBNnk9636Yq7n2NrZoJjcDVJ/s1600/P1012555.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hspq4iuzury5eqAORTyvv_DhGSuv2Ab5GPGFILoDDmtIs1zBZiZAzkk6_nxtCKMCDdubp6tRo6wdb1mVSDJny5-mdbNk9BpkW2fm7bIhEZ4ROa5Lg8arJBNnk9636Yq7n2NrZoJjcDVJ/s400/P1012555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629979785969381458" border="0" /></a>Inside one of the many churches in Genova. This one benefited from the help of famous European painters in centuries past.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfkzdqQrZ5f9pSFIX-tPxlhOnDeMOWFW9FoTcay9h-l4mZJ-GNqdbjTuDUZlUEfriukQKN_lqrFLUs-ExUpEYkVpiPIWlqb8wtIXpy617sJ46oxfUs1Y5dOWspubP_QjSyaujXKFzW7xL/s1600/P1012587.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfkzdqQrZ5f9pSFIX-tPxlhOnDeMOWFW9FoTcay9h-l4mZJ-GNqdbjTuDUZlUEfriukQKN_lqrFLUs-ExUpEYkVpiPIWlqb8wtIXpy617sJ46oxfUs1Y5dOWspubP_QjSyaujXKFzW7xL/s400/P1012587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629979784267709058" border="0" /></a>Standing by the Ligurian Sea in the Port of Genoa.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuUwR531QvtxYC6NC7HmHe1HOPc4FdBEhQ11JoXCyfUI4Q5mlXne_LYGivKYO-4cHuO0ss1-vkjthDkFxLSMege-8XmOC1hut458FkdME3XdACmBny62ETDMZ0BRrGlxzSYd6T7tp80a3/s1600/P1012607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuUwR531QvtxYC6NC7HmHe1HOPc4FdBEhQ11JoXCyfUI4Q5mlXne_LYGivKYO-4cHuO0ss1-vkjthDkFxLSMege-8XmOC1hut458FkdME3XdACmBny62ETDMZ0BRrGlxzSYd6T7tp80a3/s400/P1012607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629979780065325522" border="0" /></a>I also went to Torino (Turin) where I visited the royal palace.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_tgN6vKb2Oaw4bbLz2Qovkahaj54Ee_DMu0bKfcxIT0XDWmnenTHrjxs7YOE7_VeZTYUd_GnYn3nNfp-QT2lcmW7MgCCresZ6OvPiSIYPQ_t7hvEq-mGHsUetYygIE7y2d4gAQdvcAgP/s1600/P1012602.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_tgN6vKb2Oaw4bbLz2Qovkahaj54Ee_DMu0bKfcxIT0XDWmnenTHrjxs7YOE7_VeZTYUd_GnYn3nNfp-QT2lcmW7MgCCresZ6OvPiSIYPQ_t7hvEq-mGHsUetYygIE7y2d4gAQdvcAgP/s400/P1012602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629979773565607410" border="0" /></a>This particular church in Torino was devoted to St. John the Baptist.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RYE0WfyppyUt9M02s46Uzj6a4cwjtbWQtb14ZboMjjTn5u_gWoIniRve1gzqNTnRWy9ht0XYSTkwGUVpBh_DC3AkBmUUrzQsW_s4WIQqptt8wt9DuY3bVFM8_jqls4b8BvphUgN_I4Su/s1600/P1012626.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RYE0WfyppyUt9M02s46Uzj6a4cwjtbWQtb14ZboMjjTn5u_gWoIniRve1gzqNTnRWy9ht0XYSTkwGUVpBh_DC3AkBmUUrzQsW_s4WIQqptt8wt9DuY3bVFM8_jqls4b8BvphUgN_I4Su/s400/P1012626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629978990934536706" border="0" /></a>The Basilica di Superga outside Torino. This is several miles outside the city and at elevation. There is a train service. However, I chose to walk back from the Basilica to the town and it took a good two hours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xQPFAEE3Qkh9XSvuHW64iDWrPWk4UuwRaUdNd_VrxOkSiIbgNFTTWRPF6aQ9gFNgQaLPazJ0MiHckdp89KTvQXhPFEpS6IdUiSQrNAipRMqhFzIHL-FDsn09y3JfhDPCGOd72dccet7k/s1600/P1012688.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xQPFAEE3Qkh9XSvuHW64iDWrPWk4UuwRaUdNd_VrxOkSiIbgNFTTWRPF6aQ9gFNgQaLPazJ0MiHckdp89KTvQXhPFEpS6IdUiSQrNAipRMqhFzIHL-FDsn09y3JfhDPCGOd72dccet7k/s400/P1012688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629978987946229266" border="0" /></a>A view along the river in Verona, Italy. Jocelyn and I visited this city which is perhaps most famous for the balcony which Romeo was able to climb up to to meet Juliet and which inspired Shakespeare.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVxlkvDz_N5eozKgGsTS1syuGaq3BY5Rs6H4l4kOVwgw45WxeuBe7s0cc990ZM7TMKG90gj0qjrXYwhyyneE76wfvFn8R1_sNP4kfFmJN8yl3FDxG_tdE9GfTk948-LA8CxjB08NS3peM/s1600/P1012695.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVxlkvDz_N5eozKgGsTS1syuGaq3BY5Rs6H4l4kOVwgw45WxeuBe7s0cc990ZM7TMKG90gj0qjrXYwhyyneE76wfvFn8R1_sNP4kfFmJN8yl3FDxG_tdE9GfTk948-LA8CxjB08NS3peM/s400/P1012695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629978981510884706" border="0" /></a>The famous churches in Verona all required admission fees, whereas most in the other places I visited were free. This one, Santa Anastasia, had a particularly beautiful ceiling.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowKOJPJU10vY6xPKYEzJKouz4SzU8bHiJXhnwYmGmC4YKrgYqTuGblsLaaDpxfp8C47iEQTQyZ3-zoQdvJObZ5B7rVwzgQaXzovL00I0-_enQLCV9YUgdSO3RjRVR8QnoBP9Lk-1-59P2/s1600/P1012704.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowKOJPJU10vY6xPKYEzJKouz4SzU8bHiJXhnwYmGmC4YKrgYqTuGblsLaaDpxfp8C47iEQTQyZ3-zoQdvJObZ5B7rVwzgQaXzovL00I0-_enQLCV9YUgdSO3RjRVR8QnoBP9Lk-1-59P2/s400/P1012704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629978973504134194" border="0" /></a>Part of the Roman wall in Verona.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRaHeTph-_-L4aOItEzUrM2yt_XJlU7sNwwHHDi7mNrGENy-9CEK4wx0Jh8D2BdSfVLPz1gY5yYfcCq_1vO_N1_Rqb1AVa-r1tiVC7JkU4mtQG_ZsponeEPRNG8jsvZxgtL9_rj_4OHph/s1600/P1012668.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRaHeTph-_-L4aOItEzUrM2yt_XJlU7sNwwHHDi7mNrGENy-9CEK4wx0Jh8D2BdSfVLPz1gY5yYfcCq_1vO_N1_Rqb1AVa-r1tiVC7JkU4mtQG_ZsponeEPRNG8jsvZxgtL9_rj_4OHph/s400/P1012668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629978972209465506" border="0" /></a>Jocelyn and I standing in front of the open door to the balcony made famous by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.<br /><br />In my short stay in Italy, I feel I hardly got to know any local people, but I did make quite a lot of progress with the language, by first of all trying to read bits of newspapers, then attending mass in Italian on several occasions, and reading much of the mass-related material. While I was able to visit several of the major cities in Northern Italy, I feel that the greatest thing I learned during this trip was the relevance that being raised a Catholic had to me as a child, and also now later in life as I reviewed my spiritual pilgrimage over the years. Hopefully, Jocelyn and I will get to go to Italy again and then I can continue to understand more.Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-32240848948931339672011-06-11T08:13:00.000-07:002011-06-11T11:04:21.616-07:00The Last Year: Part One - Sweden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4c5DcYDw8STPAnJ20yeOll_oIz62yH8FXumEArcjNiI6qXeGDUhBRZ2cCKHhvdfS48TycJy_hflG8iAtXwI2CD1i_X-zqAxkv71f37rb8yKkgbiW5DcVlseepeFQzhItAXz48IDdUP1O/s1600/PB011851.JPG"><br /></a>It seems very hard to start writing a blog again after leaving it for so long. Well, my last post was about a failed attempt at a marathon early last year. This left me wondering what on earth there was for me to write about. While I continued to swim on and off for a few months after that fateful run, I was not particularly focused on sports at all. Thoughts of a possible trip to Hawaii where I could have got back into training again had to be pushed back as plans did not work out quite as expected.<br />So, what is there to write about over the last year or so? The first major event was a trip to Sweden, for about 11 weeks - not exactly a flying visit<span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyhuGvpZCFk3yAovDoudo1ayHTM2kiy_uaqX_QybZIb5EpXUsjk9S4oa7zfLmHD5RmVWFiv6ES21uQ7NM07-CxnXYs_yDw4BgDbDy1tZ-r0Zhfi0_k_s6J-cHVAvO-j1ho0WlY3ozZqei/s1600/P9181139.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyhuGvpZCFk3yAovDoudo1ayHTM2kiy_uaqX_QybZIb5EpXUsjk9S4oa7zfLmHD5RmVWFiv6ES21uQ7NM07-CxnXYs_yDw4BgDbDy1tZ-r0Zhfi0_k_s6J-cHVAvO-j1ho0WlY3ozZqei/s400/P9181139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616988822996593394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My wife and I stayed in a small campus community of about 100 people in an area that was mostly farmland. Fortunately, there was good Internet access, so I could keep in touch with the world outside.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ304R6r2ptwZplZ_R52ZNjWUBajU2M6FM6XuTjRsx0L1ugl-TsULQUBP3S3KMXaJtXNx6bKjlEARiRfJq4InDogJWWtPcRtIMxdb2r42ds2Ypq_tRD1MiYARp7TsNwx6ddSc_9jq2sjjP/s1600/P9211221.JPG"><br /></a>I arrived by plane in Göteborg, Sweden in mid-September after a week visiting family in England. After a train ride and a short drive by car, I found that I would be living in a fairly remote farming area for most of my time there. My wife was taking a 3-month course as part of her degree program, and I would be getting on as best as I could with my own work, as well as taking the opportunity to learn as much as I could about Sweden and hopefully attempt to learn some of the language.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJp6ZV6PRiH7ckQrRh5AnQVksyOxvPy2IFVYPcKqAqHKfctA-pupew70M7WI9wuKfQ85QhO-roktVoif6ydpeFke7kvRtEKrfXANSUP6A0V39zxs8Z1Xc16qUBRgWSJnnEKDYGY78I4rc/s1600/P9301500.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJp6ZV6PRiH7ckQrRh5AnQVksyOxvPy2IFVYPcKqAqHKfctA-pupew70M7WI9wuKfQ85QhO-roktVoif6ydpeFke7kvRtEKrfXANSUP6A0V39zxs8Z1Xc16qUBRgWSJnnEKDYGY78I4rc/s400/P9301500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616987431137123138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Picturesque views like this meant that in the afternoons on sunny days I could sit and overlook the sea while getting on with some of my work, based on the idea of doing work but enjoying nature at the same time.</span><br /></div><br />Having done quite a lot of swimming earlier in the year, I thought there may be opportunities to swim here, since I knew that the sea was only walking distance from where we were staying. However, while I did dive in once (very briefly), I realized that it may be better to wait until I returned to Taiwan before taking up swimming again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ304R6r2ptwZplZ_R52ZNjWUBajU2M6FM6XuTjRsx0L1ugl-TsULQUBP3S3KMXaJtXNx6bKjlEARiRfJq4InDogJWWtPcRtIMxdb2r42ds2Ypq_tRD1MiYARp7TsNwx6ddSc_9jq2sjjP/s1600/P9211221.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ304R6r2ptwZplZ_R52ZNjWUBajU2M6FM6XuTjRsx0L1ugl-TsULQUBP3S3KMXaJtXNx6bKjlEARiRfJq4InDogJWWtPcRtIMxdb2r42ds2Ypq_tRD1MiYARp7TsNwx6ddSc_9jq2sjjP/s400/P9211221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616988453184603538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Apart from the water being a lot colder than what I was normally used to, the one thing that stopped me from at least one longish swim was the many jellyfish that happened to frequent the waters at this time of the year.</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgkzvPznT-PWncXtH79CPEIqz68AsyemCUY1VHQ3ihGNqrdd1BuQ-hYKFoDY2g5tJng16F6Dli_1d6SCsdcPqBK2qirIK1ebZzfC2GRdDGpmgyOzTkvjxW6LZACLmBnqNjlIbzeG3YXeQ/s1600/P9271354.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgkzvPznT-PWncXtH79CPEIqz68AsyemCUY1VHQ3ihGNqrdd1BuQ-hYKFoDY2g5tJng16F6Dli_1d6SCsdcPqBK2qirIK1ebZzfC2GRdDGpmgyOzTkvjxW6LZACLmBnqNjlIbzeG3YXeQ/s400/P9271354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616991583341695922" border="0" /></a>A Lutheran retreat center about an hour's drive away. These were quite idyllic surroundings and I would have liked to have been able to just stay here.<br /><br />While living on what had once been a private Christian school, at times it felt like being a little cut off from day-to-day Swedish society. This was because there were many different nationalities represented on the campus, meaning that English was the main means of communication. Certainly not very good if one hopes to learn the local language. So, to try to speed things up a bit, I ended up picking up Swedish here and there through the Internet, especially through listening to music and comparing what I heard with the lyrics of the songs which I could usually find somewhere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZDuVvv8nmsH6aa0lDmLLTZUVNAU9PGRi3xWp1fOEoWVQMSrCr-K-1DKNlc_Vnb3pUPsAzLJlgdG7vM1GbRLYksEi3XXh-TURNjzNw5mQWa1yiQedxCgrh_bB80N_DKcQM28gp-1fqjbC/s1600/P9281397.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZDuVvv8nmsH6aa0lDmLLTZUVNAU9PGRi3xWp1fOEoWVQMSrCr-K-1DKNlc_Vnb3pUPsAzLJlgdG7vM1GbRLYksEi3XXh-TURNjzNw5mQWa1yiQedxCgrh_bB80N_DKcQM28gp-1fqjbC/s400/P9281397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616988090689461826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">When someone had said there was a lake within walking distance of the retreat center, I had thought that it might be the size of a small swimming pool which might provide the opportunity to swim. This lake (Kornsjön) was so huge and isolated that a swim was out of the question.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmjF_3iraNDbEwxaFmu0or0-SGcTH1t6r34kJNedGDZ0P7qGc2M01iLk0915dfwPcid-3vRVBMW6n__l3CPTPWTnOHbNdi8Xwl8vke4TnHwm3TjkJVYYC4XTl9E_CFIOqfDClWP36c-eI/s1600/PA111614.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmjF_3iraNDbEwxaFmu0or0-SGcTH1t6r34kJNedGDZ0P7qGc2M01iLk0915dfwPcid-3vRVBMW6n__l3CPTPWTnOHbNdi8Xwl8vke4TnHwm3TjkJVYYC4XTl9E_CFIOqfDClWP36c-eI/s400/PA111614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616986341994864450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">While living at the campus, in order to relax a little and get away from my desk, I would go for walks among the nearby farms - usually after lunch, as it got dark fairly early.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakMJJzcuZTg1JXGcFrz9gcpx38hBVRyPmWH5AjFAEExM_6maKL7KGGC0UWz48-njaUFVyMUTM6j5hzry2tutKjmIeTvDGJisHbF26_IA5etOMnSfMjd5SWh0fHHCZCHDF6Yt74X0AVW23/s1600/PA091590.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakMJJzcuZTg1JXGcFrz9gcpx38hBVRyPmWH5AjFAEExM_6maKL7KGGC0UWz48-njaUFVyMUTM6j5hzry2tutKjmIeTvDGJisHbF26_IA5etOMnSfMjd5SWh0fHHCZCHDF6Yt74X0AVW23/s400/PA091590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616986006608687826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Because my wife and her classmates needed to visit the library at the University of Gothenberg, I had a chance to go there, too. We also went to the Economics library in another part of the city. I found that interesting, although I am glad that I hardly ever go to libraries now, preferring to find whatever I need on my computer.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxD8Xt0LFnlhM8qL64OZle0PwUG6FO83QL0WeX_8V65OyWdGL3F4ODFgPWaFCJbE0IGbYdq7QYKPtb40YwsuqycpC4ctpM5UgI1tiSyd1qlRw6eoEPNl3ZzKkZG4E7gPOCXEtcK4ONYOK/s1600/PA091574.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxD8Xt0LFnlhM8qL64OZle0PwUG6FO83QL0WeX_8V65OyWdGL3F4ODFgPWaFCJbE0IGbYdq7QYKPtb40YwsuqycpC4ctpM5UgI1tiSyd1qlRw6eoEPNl3ZzKkZG4E7gPOCXEtcK4ONYOK/s400/PA091574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616986637976356066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The city of Göteborg has many nice buildings, many of historic significance.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIvju0InTWlrUYtya-V6SBdjIenhJwDDvCUF5PHFRHggy236_FMnz6G9znQrx0Ehqviu8MNiMyMFBZ4wEm4_vFv45tmlsCj4CbXDkij7nymaWnAephhZi9hJxEjTQkl9hlQ02XLyN4Ql8/s1600/PA311840.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIvju0InTWlrUYtya-V6SBdjIenhJwDDvCUF5PHFRHggy236_FMnz6G9znQrx0Ehqviu8MNiMyMFBZ4wEm4_vFv45tmlsCj4CbXDkij7nymaWnAephhZi9hJxEjTQkl9hlQ02XLyN4Ql8/s400/PA311840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616985388291930082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Later in our trip, we got to visit the Laxå commun. I cannot remember if this church (Tiveds Kyrka) was actually in that commun, but it was in a very nice part of the countryside half way between G</span>ö<span style="font-style: italic;">teborg and Stockholm.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRBUR9qGo_J91COvSxlVrT6jdJn-9Fd7iW9iUNQHtUnQyyYh4CKgaoAquZewug5GUW00c3meb4JEdOWQUizVrsTvnVUMD8Fdfd05jbnIJJcNVHnUqb3MYX656_OuvMtc8hoArLAuhz7W_/s1600/PB082034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRBUR9qGo_J91COvSxlVrT6jdJn-9Fd7iW9iUNQHtUnQyyYh4CKgaoAquZewug5GUW00c3meb4JEdOWQUizVrsTvnVUMD8Fdfd05jbnIJJcNVHnUqb3MYX656_OuvMtc8hoArLAuhz7W_/s400/PB082034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616984982373863762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the local farmers started grazing his horses (North Swedish horses) in the field in Restenäs right next to where we were staying. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4c5DcYDw8STPAnJ20yeOll_oIz62yH8FXumEArcjNiI6qXeGDUhBRZ2cCKHhvdfS48TycJy_hflG8iAtXwI2CD1i_X-zqAxkv71f37rb8yKkgbiW5DcVlseepeFQzhItAXz48IDdUP1O/s1600/PB011851.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4c5DcYDw8STPAnJ20yeOll_oIz62yH8FXumEArcjNiI6qXeGDUhBRZ2cCKHhvdfS48TycJy_hflG8iAtXwI2CD1i_X-zqAxkv71f37rb8yKkgbiW5DcVlseepeFQzhItAXz48IDdUP1O/s400/PB011851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616992249025292146" border="0" /></a>A trip to Sweden wouldn't be complete without a visit to Stockholm, in my opinion one of the nicest looking cities I have been to. We stayed in the Old Town (Gamla Stan). Here we are looking out of the old town.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkN3ajOxMCDF41KsQXrCp7-hW-EUYAu8baL9y326EGISh_XwvRinjcG264-P16Kcv2Tt5Cmz5c_-R0GTyJkYbpSjJk4KTiZVbQpCsatMXWUd6hiWPmD4G6HAvmAGR_IXNCvgSTABKKn5t/s1600/PB011856.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkN3ajOxMCDF41KsQXrCp7-hW-EUYAu8baL9y326EGISh_XwvRinjcG264-P16Kcv2Tt5Cmz5c_-R0GTyJkYbpSjJk4KTiZVbQpCsatMXWUd6hiWPmD4G6HAvmAGR_IXNCvgSTABKKn5t/s400/PB011856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616984598814051986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jocelyn and I in Stockholm. I was quite pleased with the hoodsweat I had found in the "boutique" (the free second-hand store) on our campus. Certainly one of my Swedish friends like it. The Swedes are very patriotic, at least a lot more than the British.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuQt_ybZAA5Hp0tRbwonHFeXr9X4VqlYE6_KVpY-q41juhkI8RSzCMXZf95qhzP7K4BPf1RSt3GzE7FFUVPv1TmGDN714i85YrWvyiEscDZ2gSsicqT3oxiiE2kDlzmc64PnDhTGuIbQq/s1600/PB011893.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuQt_ybZAA5Hp0tRbwonHFeXr9X4VqlYE6_KVpY-q41juhkI8RSzCMXZf95qhzP7K4BPf1RSt3GzE7FFUVPv1TmGDN714i85YrWvyiEscDZ2gSsicqT3oxiiE2kDlzmc64PnDhTGuIbQq/s400/PB011893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616990695127942514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There were many nice souvenirs on sale in Stockholm. I have a few souvenirs that I brought back. However, it is not the items that are important, but rather the memories that you bring back.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN4dqLVJY-S8M85Xko4oMGnES5ZWYXoJAJcO83njawC7wpTq7ZdnuWC9MW5dN6oMWNrSeZE_bDS9PJqqSmM_YWuhWr7QSuiwcEhrXdKaVDq2v_HPs1Lc8QXGQlvqg04I2S434uFVCVn63/s1600/P9191161.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN4dqLVJY-S8M85Xko4oMGnES5ZWYXoJAJcO83njawC7wpTq7ZdnuWC9MW5dN6oMWNrSeZE_bDS9PJqqSmM_YWuhWr7QSuiwcEhrXdKaVDq2v_HPs1Lc8QXGQlvqg04I2S434uFVCVn63/s400/P9191161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616991073330787618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Occasionally we would see a nice sunset. However, towards the end of our stay (early December) one had to hurry after lunch to get there in time.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UBLzgt1HXqqptYxvIdJbLecTdRmdqCSMxcyXaqMMUqg7xm6O7qQ3BhqwrPvHfEWQdDni4jqdAnGbfhYS5RF1lOUoo-Aq5L3rBMPUp0JR6TlQOmskAzS6t1IyC-Ynt6mor_Uk_xADCiQx/s1600/PB262183.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UBLzgt1HXqqptYxvIdJbLecTdRmdqCSMxcyXaqMMUqg7xm6O7qQ3BhqwrPvHfEWQdDni4jqdAnGbfhYS5RF1lOUoo-Aq5L3rBMPUp0JR6TlQOmskAzS6t1IyC-Ynt6mor_Uk_xADCiQx/s400/PB262183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616983871690123538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The horses were obviously used to the cold winters. On the day this photo was taken the temperature was between -5C and -10C. Just taking my gloves off to take a picture was quite a challenge for me.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmflb6GD9Irh1NW2E6wBSrm87Dccfb11qXq5CpsOczkR3LmItdcuiu1jMp3u5G0Y1om4zTtBV0hG8ak9zeja5AolThebP_WO83zZ4I1d9oHgs1wbYBNco4v1HBxmviAW3N_UAQinRK-eV/s1600/RSCN3895.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmflb6GD9Irh1NW2E6wBSrm87Dccfb11qXq5CpsOczkR3LmItdcuiu1jMp3u5G0Y1om4zTtBV0hG8ak9zeja5AolThebP_WO83zZ4I1d9oHgs1wbYBNco4v1HBxmviAW3N_UAQinRK-eV/s400/RSCN3895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616983533550062114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I still miss the horses, particularly this one, which always came up to me when I waded through the snow to visit them.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwWuhlwaJBL0tvla2fFrxMbp2LEZHIU8ll_wjVdCONJcYfACTA8makiCMKTutY7lqqNAtBt9rPyO5rzQKFjbh_MLh3AzqmqH7kwTjblYd2gJrzB6QKvR0ERuszA3J0z3t-0Bvhyphenhyphen9nJpAr/s1600/PC052198.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwWuhlwaJBL0tvla2fFrxMbp2LEZHIU8ll_wjVdCONJcYfACTA8makiCMKTutY7lqqNAtBt9rPyO5rzQKFjbh_MLh3AzqmqH7kwTjblYd2gJrzB6QKvR0ERuszA3J0z3t-0Bvhyphenhyphen9nJpAr/s400/PC052198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616982805576048194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Each time I passed this cottage (stuga) next to our campus (which appeared to be "empty"), I wondered about one day living in one of these.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sA-iT3igaBqZvBG-h4qGyi1nTf9cdWUdy_ZDj0mJ5L7ZwnNXFm5OG-5wWvrbOebnpYgFg6TSMhNGge7niTGEdjEiHPlJJW4LinXTQw1DZ1K8c9W0hpoqqg_ncSjQ4K-MIIDeSiKAf6SV/s1600/PC052194.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sA-iT3igaBqZvBG-h4qGyi1nTf9cdWUdy_ZDj0mJ5L7ZwnNXFm5OG-5wWvrbOebnpYgFg6TSMhNGge7niTGEdjEiHPlJJW4LinXTQw1DZ1K8c9W0hpoqqg_ncSjQ4K-MIIDeSiKAf6SV/s400/PC052194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616989787813447090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">In England, the airport would have been closed. In Sweden, this was just a normal day. After dousing the plane with warm water and making sure the snow was swept off the runway, the airport authorities allowed us to take off without incident and we were soon back in England where it fortunately was not snowing.</span><br /></div><br />So, what did I learn from my trip? I kind of had a lot of mixed feelings about my trip. On the one hand, it was great going to a country to which I had never been and finding the local people that I did manage to meet to be quite friendly, although not very easy to get to know. I am not a very touristy type of person, and I am not really interested in just seeing the sights and enjoying the comforts of hotels or having everyone talk to me in English just because I am British.<br />When being part of an international community, as we were, relationships with other people can tend to be quite shallow since everyone tends to be busy with their work or studies and after a few months most people are going to move on. That is why I particularly enjoyed being with local people who just live their normal lives year in year out in the location, usually working at the same job and living in the same house. While these kinds of contacts were few and far between, I did at least have a few good conversations (in English of course), which proved that despite the differences in nationality and background, there was still a lot we had in common. It was nice to hear people we visited talk about their taking the train each day to <em></em>Örebro each day to go to work, or to hear how one man almost my age coped with the harsh winters and how they affected his livelihood. The Swedes on our campus were mostly in their early 20s and so it was like my wife and I were talking to people of our children's generation. However, that was also a lot of fun. In fact we have been so used to that over the years that we don't realize how old we are getting.<br />I wish in a way that I had spent some time learning the language before going to Sweden, but that is a lot easier said than done. The pronunciation of Swedish is quite different from what I would expect. Therefore, I feel I learned to recognize the sounds a lot more easily by actually being there and listening not just to the occasional Swedish spoken around me but also to music to compensate for the lack of interaction with local people. I will always be better prepared next time. I hope to go again. I went to Oslo (for one night) since my wife needed to meet her classmates there for one week as part of her course, but unfortunately my Norwegian friend was not there at the time. It is so much easier if you know someone there with the time to show you around and introduce you to people. On this trip I wasn't attending a school or doing a specific job for people so that in some ways restricted me, but on the other hand it gave me a few more opportunities, too.Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-41467169860134849152010-02-28T23:28:00.000-08:002010-03-02T06:20:04.738-08:00Running in Kaohsiung (Cheng Ching Lake)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5g-vNw4kM1D_1qHC36gdO9ndN4qt6UN89Uo2xY59jDWFVr9fOTdUcAr2O0TMXScLWOTE6zmV8WKz23m0VXobfPDThbfh79L4WVJS4dCW6Qm9PFtYoU5HOXgKmtG1hTojeSBRzasMzMmK/s1600-h/P2280319.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5g-vNw4kM1D_1qHC36gdO9ndN4qt6UN89Uo2xY59jDWFVr9fOTdUcAr2O0TMXScLWOTE6zmV8WKz23m0VXobfPDThbfh79L4WVJS4dCW6Qm9PFtYoU5HOXgKmtG1hTojeSBRzasMzMmK/s400/P2280319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444012551741557570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The winner of the men's race in the 2010 Kaohsiung International Marathon was a Kenyan (hardly any surprise) who covered the 26-plus miles (42-plus km) in 2hr 36mins, which was close to 20 minutes slower than his personal best, which only goes to show how brutal the weather conditions were. In my opinion, the true winners (and heroes) were the many local Kaohsiung people who went out perhaps for their first ever 15 mile (half-plus marathon) and stuck it out for several hours in the heat with little drink, no food, no ice, hearing the curses of motorists forced by police to let them pass, etc. and then denied any recognition for their attempt because they did not finish within the 3 hr 20 min time limit set by the organizers. Do people who are professionals, with coaches, good training and proper nutrition, first-class VIP treatment, etc. really accomplish more? I wonder. (My photo - I ended up near the podium by mistake!)</span> </div><br />My attempt to run a marathon this last Sunday was a somewhat humiliating experience since I was told I had to stop at 15 miles because I was going too slow. Perhaps I should be thankful that I did not attempt to stay out in the 90F degree heat longer. It was not a "user-friendly" race, at least for the slower runners. I never saw any ice, hardly saw any food, and I survived on what I ate before the race started and the sports drink provided that I grabbed by the bottle rather than the cup, as the poorly-equipped aid stations were often several kilometers apart.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFyxjzaL9zH2djRmLt7RtfcHP3dlXcZ8pzwRuLWdgIZt3KVA6fq2c7t-uS02Duqjjn3OCKdtqXMyvIARce5pV8AkDGt-fauLiRUSq1k6Wgc2t-juT5fY-v8bG7N3X29sClQaV85kee2h9/s1600-h/P2280304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFyxjzaL9zH2djRmLt7RtfcHP3dlXcZ8pzwRuLWdgIZt3KVA6fq2c7t-uS02Duqjjn3OCKdtqXMyvIARce5pV8AkDGt-fauLiRUSq1k6Wgc2t-juT5fY-v8bG7N3X29sClQaV85kee2h9/s400/P2280304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444015622389228002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The man on the left, in his sixties, was from a running club in Peitou, near Taipei. I was still with him at around the 18 km mark (where this was taken), but then I slowed even more, and I assume he was just about able to make the "cut-off" at the 24 km mark, which I failed to do. He was slow (as these people are really only going at walking pace), but he had endurance. What's more, he had traveled 200 miles to race at his own expense. If I had just been a little fitter, I might have been able to see him up until the finish. Well, I'll look out for him next time.</span><br /></div><br />So the rest of Sunday, I was rather tired, and felt close to fainting as I walked back to my bike to ride the 20 minutes home. It seems there were no refreshments for those who had to drop out, and no convenience stores handy. The sports stadium is a wonderful piece of modern architecture, but it may only be used a few times a year for big events, and may remain off limits much of the time. On Monday, I could have written a long blog about all my failures in running over the years, etc., but did not get round to doing so. Fortunately, another day has passed, and rather than wallow in disappointment, I am trying to work out a "modest" running plan so that I can try and run a reasonable half -marathon this summer. Carrying out such a plan, does not involve high-tech stadiums, which are inaccessible to ordinary people, but places hopefully not far from home where one can get a little training in, while juggling all of life's other responsibilities.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx9NRZcxC6v5XEcZF4OTNSA0weQMvwMxbb_x7LdZzMZDjQlNp4n9O9tay5fA3SJ3jhbOpYPfYlIGguFR6O8YSgcFLvg1cIohAsxsACOck3KQ5rzanChZ243dtrYrsE7rdH7yw4q-2CxrZ/s1600-h/P3020341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx9NRZcxC6v5XEcZF4OTNSA0weQMvwMxbb_x7LdZzMZDjQlNp4n9O9tay5fA3SJ3jhbOpYPfYlIGguFR6O8YSgcFLvg1cIohAsxsACOck3KQ5rzanChZ243dtrYrsE7rdH7yw4q-2CxrZ/s400/P3020341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443991465731762690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There's no place (to run) like home. These cement paths (and wider flatter ones to) wind their ways on both sides of a river on a few hundred meters from our home. After taking measurements, I have found one loop around the park which involves crossing two small bridges is about 810 meters or half a mile. So on days when I just need to get the running over with quickly, I could just do it here. No motorized transport is allowed on the paths and one should avoid evenings when there are more people walking.</span> </div><br />One of the good things about my "miserable experience" on Sunday was that for a long time I have worried that running would hurt my knees, having had a little trouble with them in a failed Ironman attempt over three years ago. Well, after being out there on Sunday, they feel a lot better, and so maybe some running, done sensibly, may be helpful to me. In addition, feeling a little exhausted isn't much fun, but after two days, I was swimming today, and while a little slower, felt great.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YAxtSGSdTrYCCjq0U51eaRAJ7lRzsaEGv3RSdfxcQulawvsC-j_g_HR2lmaSVbRtBWrfXXTbU69MSg-XTVuFXUErCYDf4yIzpJuBL8Ks8lUddprQpPnrxb7bEKpeQF2Z5FJZXnWYVAHd/s1600-h/P5210138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YAxtSGSdTrYCCjq0U51eaRAJ7lRzsaEGv3RSdfxcQulawvsC-j_g_HR2lmaSVbRtBWrfXXTbU69MSg-XTVuFXUErCYDf4yIzpJuBL8Ks8lUddprQpPnrxb7bEKpeQF2Z5FJZXnWYVAHd/s400/P5210138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443993551045394978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cheng Ching Lake is located less than 3 miles from my house. My winter swimming pool is located at about 8 o'clock (the traditional-looking hotel) and my summer swimming pool (also 50m outdoor) is at about 1 o'clock (the green mound with a person on it). Apart from mornings and late afternoons when people travel to and from work, it is relatively quiet and pollution free, and the water is relatively clean (since it acts as a reservoir for the city inhabitants' water needs). About 70 percent of the lake's circumference has exclusive, designated bike paths, to separate riders from motorists.</span><br /></div><br />A 12-week running plan involves running 4 times per week, with one or two days for cross-training and one or two days of rest. Basically 2 of the runs in a given week are "easy" by which is meant just covering a distance of between 3 and 5 miles. So hopefully not too stressful. Another day involves running from 2.5 miles to 4 miles at "race pace", which for me will hopefully be 9 minutes per mile. The remaining running day, requires a run that starts at 4 miles in the first week, and builds to 10 miles by week 7, before going down a little as part of a taper towards the race day. The training plan proposes using Saturday for this - maybe not a bad idea, as there is a lot less traffic on the road Saturday morning. With all this in mind, one just needs to find suitable places to run.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-d_hs990X8zSyt2C_qFvoJFIIepzVY9wzZpJlvPHrsooIpEbF94Tm8WlKJ4IySg3TL2CruiYSiApBHQOthbmF8L-jDeacBtO0hrHD6gEA3CWAWBn04nboXObALjxQ9lBOyNvwt4p68ZQ/s1600-h/P3020327.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-d_hs990X8zSyt2C_qFvoJFIIepzVY9wzZpJlvPHrsooIpEbF94Tm8WlKJ4IySg3TL2CruiYSiApBHQOthbmF8L-jDeacBtO0hrHD6gEA3CWAWBn04nboXObALjxQ9lBOyNvwt4p68ZQ/s400/P3020327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443992960400004770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Currently the most important section of the Cheng Ching Lake bike path (the 2km thick red line along the "right-hand" side of the lake in the map above), is undergoing road works (perhaps cables or pipes that are not to do with widening the path), and so it is a mess. In one month I will start to swim at the pool on the right-side of the lake which means I hope everything is back to normal by then.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V5q9LPldiTG7vkE1jawGyUP4rgl64uWRFe9O7VuLVowp9_HDUpyuWHJn2pUW9AItgw4OTBLdKedCywg20LR7pU24fDAlJG8wwb_Q9aP79QKqVvZFnuvyw8pZCZXcESMeVZBIQ0gqXery/s1600-h/P3020329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V5q9LPldiTG7vkE1jawGyUP4rgl64uWRFe9O7VuLVowp9_HDUpyuWHJn2pUW9AItgw4OTBLdKedCywg20LR7pU24fDAlJG8wwb_Q9aP79QKqVvZFnuvyw8pZCZXcESMeVZBIQ0gqXery/s400/P3020329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443993262743370274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The right-hand side of the lake has some popular tourist attractions like this pavilion (that is one of three pavilions together). The bike path is behind the fence on the left, and the lake is through the trees on the right.</span><br /></div><br />By cross training, I will be doing swimming, since I want to continue swimming, and I will also use an old mountain bike to get to the swimming pool or to the running venue, if it is not within walking distance from my house. A slight snag is that I want to swim three to four times per week, which means that for two of the runs, I will ideally run starting and finishing close to the pool, and run first and then swim, and not the other way round as was the case in Kona. Here it is better to swim last, as swimming can help me cool off (even if the water is 82F or above), and I can make use of the showering facilities at the pool, before a relaxing cycle ride home.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi__kqbezCp1-oO2CeHgvtdXnnBGWQBEnDyKhMP9SaK1wnCFqPyeVuqgz6ubA6OKpiQAVejg8jjqIJsLLGKC9mFZIB5H8De2ODko1AqTJqdrzlRzKw0r-jzX5PogefD74MQU31vlpZXEe/s1600-h/P3020334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi__kqbezCp1-oO2CeHgvtdXnnBGWQBEnDyKhMP9SaK1wnCFqPyeVuqgz6ubA6OKpiQAVejg8jjqIJsLLGKC9mFZIB5H8De2ODko1AqTJqdrzlRzKw0r-jzX5PogefD74MQU31vlpZXEe/s400/P3020334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443991750495117570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cross-training (mixing days of running with days of swimming or both one after the other on the same day), not only helps reduce the risk of running injuries, but also has practical benefits, too. By swimming after the run, you get a free shower (usually two) and sometimes a free spa, and you can return home refreshed after what seemed like a blistering run in scorching heat. The water temperature today was 82F, but it still felt cool.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy-iiwvNuiRogNFVgF6YQF1AUFv2leXWKDXOsyLEyCGaEabiH3TRbev9u95fL6QyIYLFsv9W6VeGMBA8jBmf44TNpOkv3lQF7IxA3Tpd0j8cccxNb7GrBxfMwX6agMnpUBVK85_Tvih-p/s1600-h/P3020332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy-iiwvNuiRogNFVgF6YQF1AUFv2leXWKDXOsyLEyCGaEabiH3TRbev9u95fL6QyIYLFsv9W6VeGMBA8jBmf44TNpOkv3lQF7IxA3Tpd0j8cccxNb7GrBxfMwX6agMnpUBVK85_Tvih-p/s400/P3020332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443992686919223042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After one reaches the 1.96 km point on the "red" bike path, one reaches the bottom of the lake, and the next 1.24 km consists mainly of fairly uneven cobbled sidewalk with the occasional half-felled tree that runs alongside a fairly busy road, so it is doable, but not a lot of fun. From the 3.20 km point (above) is a fairly nice and quiet run well away from most of the traffic for about 870 meters, until one reaches the road that goes up past the Grand Hotel. Since the Kaohsiung local government is committed to "building more bike paths", hopefully something more will be done to deal with the more dangerous stretches especially to the south of the lake. Many whole families bike on these roads on Sundays, etc., and so making things safer concerns a lot more people than a few freaky runners.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1720YA9m4WV8w6p_BitEmDwsMstt7WhcywUkcmA8ShM-beO6jjy6HqKy2UgbIu9WelGEAc6GfZr1otQEOc3N-rB0IK3xyRSe7_O9haHB0APLyh4GfVmkccvYpWKOA8gPBjn5rwgtEeBVN/s1600-h/P3020336.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1720YA9m4WV8w6p_BitEmDwsMstt7WhcywUkcmA8ShM-beO6jjy6HqKy2UgbIu9WelGEAc6GfZr1otQEOc3N-rB0IK3xyRSe7_O9haHB0APLyh4GfVmkccvYpWKOA8gPBjn5rwgtEeBVN/s400/P3020336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443992315887589554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A few meters short of 1 kilometer from the start of Yuan Shan Rd. to the turn off (above) into Song-Yi Road, one reaches the exclusive bike path on the "left" of the lake that goes past a golf course further up on the left. This section of the bike path is 1,900 meters long and hilly, being higher at the other end. The first 350 meters is a "moderate" climb, then 650 meters is a gradual descent, then 350 meters of "moderate" climbing, followed by 550 meters of flat (along a green containment wall) then a gradual descent to the intersection of the roads the motorists use. There is relatively little traffic except during the times when people commute to and from work. After that, there is a total distance of 400 meters, the last half being a fairly sharp downward descent (with no bike path) until one reaches the "start" of the bike path track next to the side entrance of the Cheng Ching Lake park.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2aU2448_2JBc5P2tKZWqVV_e0YzbabZcY8dv_DIMGfU_BB2AdMlbf39BW-xc_c9gmbkQ7MQ2qWRGsQ46j4Z9qXhlrMr4hfCfZrR9VFwsR0mgetHg6mQm-PmI8bj5cHXcvOB-HkSVutIq/s1600-h/P3020337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2aU2448_2JBc5P2tKZWqVV_e0YzbabZcY8dv_DIMGfU_BB2AdMlbf39BW-xc_c9gmbkQ7MQ2qWRGsQ46j4Z9qXhlrMr4hfCfZrR9VFwsR0mgetHg6mQm-PmI8bj5cHXcvOB-HkSVutIq/s400/P3020337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443991933314089346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A few hundred yards away in a side road from the start of the "left" bike path (shown in the previous picture), I came across this larger than life sculpture. I guess the intention is to encourage people, young and old alike, to run to be healthy. At least that is a step in the right direction. Since this is a quiet residential road, I could probably lock up an old bicycle nearby and leave a towel, a bottle and some outer clothing, without anyone being concerned about it. After all, I don't want to return home looking like one of these people.</span><br /></div><br />To try to sum up, since I live in a city of about one million people, finding a place to run away from traffic or just the mass of humanity is not easy, and so today I went on my bicycle to look around at possible venues. If the training plan says "short, easy run today", I will consider running in the park near my home, preferably when there are less people, such as during the day when it is warmer and people are at work. However, if I want to have bit more space to run in (so I am not just doing laps) or I want to combine the run with a swim (since I hope to keep swimming 3 times per week), I will run on different parts of the bike trails around Cheng Ching Lake, to which I can cycle within 15 minutes. This will be good for "time trials" of usually no more than 4 miles, since I have measured the distances between different points on these bike trails fairly accurately. When it comes to doing a longish, and perhaps more challenging run, say 6 or 7 miles, then I will consider doing one whole loop of the lake (or fractions/multiples thereof) in order to accomplish that day's goal. According to my calculations, one loop of the lake, while remaining either on the bike path or the road next to it where there is no path, is about 7.25 km, which is 4.5 miles. About 3 of the miles are "safe" (though nowhere is really safe), and the other 1.5 miles is OK if one runs against the traffic or on more uneven surfaces (like narrow sidewalks that no one would ever walk on or drain covers that are at least shielded by trees to keep the motorcycles at bay as you run up past the Grand Hotel. Fortunately, the longer runs don't come very often, at least for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmrICEwbZ1kuv4dfDqzghJFG_E4TjEIUHYdeVR3jy7NXsTku1pCTjMoFNL9_0IGE3Si9Si2_mLBs-JGJMpu5gko5aQq61Ncgqkx9pUA1fCWi7NvXmFdHJGNpFN74kUfNAIg1NhWs5Be9f/s1600-h/P2280274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmrICEwbZ1kuv4dfDqzghJFG_E4TjEIUHYdeVR3jy7NXsTku1pCTjMoFNL9_0IGE3Si9Si2_mLBs-JGJMpu5gko5aQq61Ncgqkx9pUA1fCWi7NvXmFdHJGNpFN74kUfNAIg1NhWs5Be9f/s320/P2280274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443996660839733154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">About the author: Bruce Stewart is a one-time Hawaii Ironman finisher (2004) who, while having since then kept up a reasonable amount of swimming, has let the other two disciplines, biking and running, slip. After recently covering the first half of a marathon in barely under three hours, he has decided to follow a "modest" running training program that he can incorporate into a fairly busy life, all the while trying to make the most of living in a large city.</span>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-56726801742316143752010-02-21T21:52:00.000-08:002010-02-22T01:29:50.037-08:00Next Sunday's Kaohsiung International Marathon<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExCl433zAXjqVngoOhkfHXslR7rEmgvhjHyERK7LAvHCTaAHrmHNKAAqExHMauQnPy35X1gMVeto2XcTVZDlyHxvlYIXkFKeLx70n9zdWd-Y1DYi8CG1WqDtp901U5I2dE22VG1V-buSR/s1600-h/P2200251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExCl433zAXjqVngoOhkfHXslR7rEmgvhjHyERK7LAvHCTaAHrmHNKAAqExHMauQnPy35X1gMVeto2XcTVZDlyHxvlYIXkFKeLx70n9zdWd-Y1DYi8CG1WqDtp901U5I2dE22VG1V-buSR/s400/P2200251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440944246242829074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A bicycle I acquired just prior to the Chinese New Year of the Tiger. My intention in buying it was to have a second "old" bike that I could use to get around town, and have an extra bike available should friends or family visit from afar.</span><br /></div><br />This Sunday, February 28, is a special day in Taiwan to remember an unfortunate incident that occurred in Taiwan 63 years ago, and which led to thousands of Taiwanese being killed by Mainland Chinese who had only recently taken control of Taiwan following the withdrawal of the Japanese at the end of the Second World War. It is also the first time that the Kaohsiung International Marathon is being held. While I am not a marathon runner and I currently do not have a lot of interest in running, given the event is being held on my back doorstep, as someone who has at least completed an Ironman, I would have to come up with some very good excuses not to enter the event.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gUKdsUaiYXaot-lFIuxPWJiL8spBXepGwqSn6HGjcfDXcBkGPktAei4O9MKVuMcYfhQVENHeG5L4caWs7kyHV3_58yhyD9flZjfMeyOWHHJ7va7IgvZvOYoga3rm3VZ3ZduwNCUO3F9B/s1600-h/PC110042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gUKdsUaiYXaot-lFIuxPWJiL8spBXepGwqSn6HGjcfDXcBkGPktAei4O9MKVuMcYfhQVENHeG5L4caWs7kyHV3_58yhyD9flZjfMeyOWHHJ7va7IgvZvOYoga3rm3VZ3ZduwNCUO3F9B/s400/PC110042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440959452346188466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A photograph of an official memorial for the victims of the "white terror" in Taiwan that I took a few months ago in Taipei. The "white terror" refers to the suppression of political dissidents and public discussion of the 228 incident (referred to above) under the period of Martial Law in Taiwan from 1949 to 1987. I lived in Taiwan for 5 of those years. Not that I was threatened in any way, but either people knew very little of what had happened historically, or else they (or the vast majority at least) kept their mouths firmly shut.</span><br /></div><br />While I was in Hawaii until almost 3 years ago, I regularly took part in triathlon events, tending to prefer the shorter events (under 90 minutes if all three disciplines were involved). Like most in the local triathlon community, I tried my luck at the longer, more prestigious events, and qualified for the Hawaii Ironman three times, although I completed it only once, on my first attempt in 2004. The second time I twitched my knee towards the end of the bike and could not run, even though I spent nearly 6 hours on the run course before giving up, and the third time, for visa reasons, I could not stay long enough to have another attempt at the full distance.<br />With three sports to train for, I tended to mostly swim and bike as I enjoyed them more, and I constantly found I just did not have the time to do much serious running.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqTZPH9OSSDLkZQDtmdapG6PtAj1zGGvlSoSyEwpebckV-1lo2s3YA_xTh0opESYooKQSscloLwQzIa3v2usc_fLOxwhqnohgj5jZvUAjBHYFVlprM_E1hIFr-xCpJGAGSMPpYiz9dZyz/s1600-h/P1180203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqTZPH9OSSDLkZQDtmdapG6PtAj1zGGvlSoSyEwpebckV-1lo2s3YA_xTh0opESYooKQSscloLwQzIa3v2usc_fLOxwhqnohgj5jZvUAjBHYFVlprM_E1hIFr-xCpJGAGSMPpYiz9dZyz/s400/P1180203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440943898835812386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The weather in Kaohsiung is generally quite hot much of the year. Although the winter is a little cooler than in Kona, Hawaii, the winter is also short, making it possible to swim the whole year round outdoors. In addition, except for the summer school vacation, there appear to be few people swimming in excellent pools like the one above, which makes swimming all the more enjoyable.</span><br /></div><br />Kaohsiung is not an ideal place for running. The city is fairly heavily polluted (although it is slowly improving, as there are fewer factories, and the government is encouraging people to cycle or buy electric mopeds). However, while many bike paths have been established in various parts of the city, it seems that few people (apart from junior high school children or the elderly) use bicycles, unless they are going on a Sunday afternoon family outing. A gasoline-powered scooter is much more convenient for most people, and people always seem to be in a hurry. So the bigger roads are full of scooters, motorcycles, cars and trucks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxgDm2SS8MxhevWMqnLHuSAhGI9h7blFvKqqffbrtyfzG94gzZJPDFJeZpVx8tGNecE0CpdsLw7Rq8P6bqBfcFiy-6fLENhugHJ0RUiMPB-yJqw6G7Lg52570N4dhKIIDfuTZXFoa5sW_/s1600-h/P2110227.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxgDm2SS8MxhevWMqnLHuSAhGI9h7blFvKqqffbrtyfzG94gzZJPDFJeZpVx8tGNecE0CpdsLw7Rq8P6bqBfcFiy-6fLENhugHJ0RUiMPB-yJqw6G7Lg52570N4dhKIIDfuTZXFoa5sW_/s400/P2110227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440943182870915858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">From this photo of the city of Kaohsiung (the tall building on the left is 50 stories), it can be seen that this is hardly the place to run a marathon. Fortunately, the marathon will be held Sunday morning, so perhaps most participants will be almost done by the time the city of 1 million wakes up and all the gasoline/diesel-driven engines roar into action.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8ZmduOA09sqLn3g5wJf13A1J8RjVg4AvoqsBlv2Ea-aXP7MrfzB1FjFmpHVZ1p-OUITTW2uV7XGej76X2TwYHBYbSm0VvCLmBAQfIdGZEwyjYthZds1LFccK6LTCgU18fK3e2e7dZVNN/s1600-h/P1100177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8ZmduOA09sqLn3g5wJf13A1J8RjVg4AvoqsBlv2Ea-aXP7MrfzB1FjFmpHVZ1p-OUITTW2uV7XGej76X2TwYHBYbSm0VvCLmBAQfIdGZEwyjYthZds1LFccK6LTCgU18fK3e2e7dZVNN/s400/P1100177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440942927007919826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There will no doubt be some "nice" spots along the course. In fact, for people moving at a snail's pace like myself, it will be a time to appreciate at least the steps that are being taken in the right direction to make this a better city for its many inhabitants.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd8NDUj12lr0MWN06-VHd2Us6WZkwy_e6Vr_U27GZf8h9adppZvse5oR5wujW3HTn4O0ksICnO823eSMwweaFVDYxxA7KwKpWuWe9K8PRqyajWetO3WOM7R-W-uxQ47cJAxkLNLW44sYC/s1600-h/P2220263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd8NDUj12lr0MWN06-VHd2Us6WZkwy_e6Vr_U27GZf8h9adppZvse5oR5wujW3HTn4O0ksICnO823eSMwweaFVDYxxA7KwKpWuWe9K8PRqyajWetO3WOM7R-W-uxQ47cJAxkLNLW44sYC/s400/P2220263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440942704468967618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A contrast in biking styles. On the one hand, a gleaming Harley Davidson Fatboy 1,584cc, designed for the ultimate ride, parked next to my rusty 18-speed MTB on the other. There is no doubt which one is better, but at the same time the Harley would cost more than one thousand times what my bike cost.</span><br /></div><br />The city of Kaohsiung is not a great place for training on a bicycle. One does see quite a few people in full cycling gear on their road bikes, but hopefully they are biking out of town to places where they do not have to compete with traffic. However, I occasionally hear about accidents, and so I am not too keen on going riding, unless I am planning a really long ride. About 50 kms south of Kaohsiung, there are some great roads for riding and it gets better and better the further south one goes.<br /><br />The bicycle is, however, a great means of transport for getting around the city, for instance when going to the bank, or to the swimming pool, or for shopping in the market. In the above photo, my bicycle is laden with several kilos of potatoes, carrots, onions, apples and bananas. I have bought more this week, as I will try to carbo-load as much as I can in the last few days before the marathon.<br /><br />This will be a marathon I have not trained for. I just found it very hard to generate the interest to go out and train, feeling that swimming and biking (to the pool and back) are much more suited to my schedule and longer-term goals. I also have to watch for injury when running, having had to drop out of the Ironman once due to knee pain (even though I found the problem had gone the next day). I don't seem to get any injuries swimming (maybe because I swim like a crab), and biking only gives me problems if the bike is too small (as the one I used for the Ironman races was), which puts a strain on my knee when riding long distances. I will wear soft knee braces for the marathon, and I will go slow and do whatever I can to delay the onset of bonking (still not sure whether the race organizers will supply anything other than water). I will carry my own supply of food and Gatorade if needed. I will probably look like some old grandpa, but I am not particularly worried. I have heard Mike O'Reilly call my name before, followed by "You are an Ironman!" Once an Ironman, always one, I guess.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq21wesizGapR9AS_2YhTlIOOWmPWYG79Mjzf0PSapYl8vXjfdSy9TTkkUvsB7U4x9cN6TdbJBK_CZ82U3G-51CP2_chJXNZyn_-YKuAv1EELcNs1g_BXV1UceOoJzMj9YNrB0QmKF8sp/s1600-h/P2220257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq21wesizGapR9AS_2YhTlIOOWmPWYG79Mjzf0PSapYl8vXjfdSy9TTkkUvsB7U4x9cN6TdbJBK_CZ82U3G-51CP2_chJXNZyn_-YKuAv1EELcNs1g_BXV1UceOoJzMj9YNrB0QmKF8sp/s400/P2220257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440942489210441938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Recently, I have been wondering what it is like to run/walk a marathon in a big city, full of buildings, vehicles and the hustle and bustle of city life. Recently, when I visited the recycling yard where I rescued the bicycle I am now using to get around, I found the owner's cat sound asleep amongst the huge pile of electrical cables that have been sorted to await further collection. The cat at least can make the best of far from idyllic surroundings, and it will be my turn to do the same this weekend. (This cat looks very much like our own. Since this cat lives a little over a mile from us, it might be our cat's older cousin).</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-66979139657297038942009-12-24T07:14:00.001-08:002009-12-24T08:34:32.459-08:00Christmas Letter 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyD96qQ_a0S6Fr23uT5GcDpi4hvXMYloXLb0-EpXk0WEdCSYZQX0c2iqXK5vh6KalwsTMITuomBYBbjfKP5uywSxI_wRprqlEhBMsY3b6keP7BtM7fWDz1usGCOrV73R9PQ4PZZOWs17RQ/s1600-h/PC220121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyD96qQ_a0S6Fr23uT5GcDpi4hvXMYloXLb0-EpXk0WEdCSYZQX0c2iqXK5vh6KalwsTMITuomBYBbjfKP5uywSxI_wRprqlEhBMsY3b6keP7BtM7fWDz1usGCOrV73R9PQ4PZZOWs17RQ/s400/PC220121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418829108977586370" border="0" /></a>In spite of 2009 being a difficult year for many in view of the global economic recession and various natural disasters, this year will certainly be one that we as a family will have many good memories of. It was our second year as a family living in Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan. Jocelyn was able to buy a good bicycle and to discover the joys of riding relatively long distances in sometimes difficult terrain. I myself also bought a "real" mountain bike and one that was the right size for me. In addition, I was able to swim the whole year outdoors in two different 50 meter pools.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WaLTV7GrfbeVBXoWwj82F5OCisKQz4CP6Zi-49HnT1pzjr0UdtEM_Nbr04YmLaLjXXHl_EMS_RiViQPZB7w3ZyhlYybg18PvE-yT_m1Tw3_eZM_OnUC93xlCUAnoMJHhyUP_VbLr0xgw/s1600-h/DSCN3172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WaLTV7GrfbeVBXoWwj82F5OCisKQz4CP6Zi-49HnT1pzjr0UdtEM_Nbr04YmLaLjXXHl_EMS_RiViQPZB7w3ZyhlYybg18PvE-yT_m1Tw3_eZM_OnUC93xlCUAnoMJHhyUP_VbLr0xgw/s400/DSCN3172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418828785975876962" border="0" /></a>Occasionally, Jocelyn and I were able to get away from the city of Kaohsiung, even if it was just for a couple of days a couple of hours away. Both our boys applied to colleges and were accepted, with James going to Surrey, England to study for a BA in filmmaking and photography, and Morrison going to Elmhurst in Illinois to study international business. I was able to work hard throughout the year, mostly from home or wherever else in the neighborhood I felt able to concentrate, and to meet all their tuition, accommodation and general living expenses by the due dates.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL42LdWsIAALWpzMtofEqIh85VOMjbLTzsI0C0MXEnxOm6dt3kBSR3IZao8F5zfq09aztSIclrmA2p3C65xftb0SqS5pkHNrZEAFb4oiG5Jfqu43foiNWgdzlH1S2oDC6ps0QFAKmOFqYy/s1600-h/PB180006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL42LdWsIAALWpzMtofEqIh85VOMjbLTzsI0C0MXEnxOm6dt3kBSR3IZao8F5zfq09aztSIclrmA2p3C65xftb0SqS5pkHNrZEAFb4oiG5Jfqu43foiNWgdzlH1S2oDC6ps0QFAKmOFqYy/s400/PB180006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418828549253434818" border="0" /></a>In my generally busy life, I was sometimes able to appreciate the beauty of flowers, like these bourgain villea, as well as banana trees. I enjoy eating bananas, and so I am thankful for the many banana trees that flourish in the warm weather here. To try to maintain some balance in life and not let work completely take over, I tried to swim for about one hour per day about five days per week, and also went on quite a few bike rides, mostly with Jocelyn, in addition to using a bike to get around town, usually to the swimming pool, as going to work mostly only involved going up or down stairs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8LntnbUiNFHMSb8C79r3N6OhgDEBcDFta_J9vdImlM0FVIQBiwwpfJ0KU10y8QNQB0lI7gKwYb_k_2vYep3YQNHbYl3hozS0wZBW01qAPhIt61qRIUcypU2usOmxaNUJvjyyl0jNDVzR/s1600-h/PB110039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8LntnbUiNFHMSb8C79r3N6OhgDEBcDFta_J9vdImlM0FVIQBiwwpfJ0KU10y8QNQB0lI7gKwYb_k_2vYep3YQNHbYl3hozS0wZBW01qAPhIt61qRIUcypU2usOmxaNUJvjyyl0jNDVzR/s400/PB110039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418828071126659714" border="0" /></a>Jocelyn was able to become increasingly involved in counseling younger women and church ministry activities and to develop her many unique giftings in these areas. She was also able to help with a fairly difficult translation I was given to do, as well as to work for the local city government as a counselor among some of the many indigenous peoples displaced by the disastrous landslides and flooding in the mountains not far away from us in August this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC26BUb3NwEVk7X6ZVvJ5fGvkxYgEU_KktXuPkW1glUtHIhwt4_L_ihGvJZvCfWVnK-i8sVROHIO_UhlCr-thKhtW2107Csl0MpyV05F3KfjO-2Z9BV2xr29HyLu76VQtT_y_UrOrve_Bj/s1600-h/DSCN3183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC26BUb3NwEVk7X6ZVvJ5fGvkxYgEU_KktXuPkW1glUtHIhwt4_L_ihGvJZvCfWVnK-i8sVROHIO_UhlCr-thKhtW2107Csl0MpyV05F3KfjO-2Z9BV2xr29HyLu76VQtT_y_UrOrve_Bj/s400/DSCN3183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418827724933268818" border="0" /></a>Ten years ago, at the start of the new decade, we as a family were still getting used to living in Hawai'i, where we had only been a couple of months, but subsequently stayed for another seven and a half years. When we returned to Taiwan in 2007, James had finished high school, but Morrison still had one year left (of home schooling). At that time and especially for the boys, the future looked somewhat threatening and uncertain. We are pleased with what happened this year, and thankful for having great friends, great supporters (through work) and a great God. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-83341254348853329812009-09-27T20:18:00.000-07:002009-09-27T21:41:08.544-07:00Confucius' Birthday 孔子誕辰日<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz80wdu0-vgu3-40dbi29-pNooUPO4AFKyBBNxxrDMmZ13WktWRbn87txPieOljOwwG5_3PexZHkjI9Py6wRA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div>As the world was getting ready to go to work on Monday morning, a gathering of faithful disciples of the great sage and teacher Confucius, ceremonial participants and a smallish group of curious onlookers made their way to the Confucius Temple in Tsoying, Kaohsiung to commemorate the day of his birthday about 2,560 years ago.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_YKdW7q1one54tkzbDbgZxySPabNEDh7TpNtC_tfFtECvRJ3YEidQzQ9FQXndieeJ3kaS6YLlvIpdQj9TBHuNR-BjSs0KXc4FX5ugNUCEARVvq3L1PHEYat51HQ0C0fCpDg3StHx3R21/s1600-h/P9280749.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_YKdW7q1one54tkzbDbgZxySPabNEDh7TpNtC_tfFtECvRJ3YEidQzQ9FQXndieeJ3kaS6YLlvIpdQj9TBHuNR-BjSs0KXc4FX5ugNUCEARVvq3L1PHEYat51HQ0C0fCpDg3StHx3R21/s400/P9280749.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386360006914905330" border="0" /></a>I was a little in two minds as to whether to go or not. I wasn't sure if the ceremony would be held here and thought it might start very early, say at 4:00 a.m. However, since I could not take good pictures in the dark, I waited until nearly 6:00 a.m. before leaving for the 15 to 20 minute bike ride to get there. I was greeted by this huge gate. Fortunately, the smaller red gates on the left had been opened and in I went.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus9eX6KUuaIjlPR6P24vNDHM4ExITapsxopVO2_n7vwPJSyQ4Lz-uq5kES-SkpkmjyzijWzuUmBLJSE0mBJtEL8xPDmDmJWDeqtV8ln2o5bs6sKqAjsxE9ljzg88cpp6LW0ExHps4AWRG/s1600-h/P9280748.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus9eX6KUuaIjlPR6P24vNDHM4ExITapsxopVO2_n7vwPJSyQ4Lz-uq5kES-SkpkmjyzijWzuUmBLJSE0mBJtEL8xPDmDmJWDeqtV8ln2o5bs6sKqAjsxE9ljzg88cpp6LW0ExHps4AWRG/s400/P9280748.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386359786234256482" border="0" /></a>This brought me into the following courtyard, and another gate. These gates weren't open and I had to go round to the left and enter the Temple forecourt from there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JV-8kttM2QFrn-k7iJon4JaRS59ZAnjOEfQF9FPMluBzAGWgcSb9tVtpQpXS00EbLuugG7_RRFY-2fOpdTH9zJRuFV9s8RHLCJmMAM0_UAwOJQaQCnFNDFwav2phv04akAaZZ-YFpr73/s1600-h/P9280672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JV-8kttM2QFrn-k7iJon4JaRS59ZAnjOEfQF9FPMluBzAGWgcSb9tVtpQpXS00EbLuugG7_RRFY-2fOpdTH9zJRuFV9s8RHLCJmMAM0_UAwOJQaQCnFNDFwav2phv04akAaZZ-YFpr73/s400/P9280672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386359495610250546" border="0" /></a>I thought I might as well have been standing somewhere like the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was about 6:20 a.m. I was told that the ceremony would start at 7:00 a.m. sharp. At least I hadn't missed it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveIerS2pVIHBznu5BaQsUf87fXFqcBPzvtY8SCJ33sVgfpeyrlnRqV8khmtoCqolyKodv8-UzswBBfifSA_IN0-siDjiWRAqFYmwsQnimUayk46k_0spOVCC3jQU2dz6HCVK2PhvZPfdW/s1600-h/P9280673.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveIerS2pVIHBznu5BaQsUf87fXFqcBPzvtY8SCJ33sVgfpeyrlnRqV8khmtoCqolyKodv8-UzswBBfifSA_IN0-siDjiWRAqFYmwsQnimUayk46k_0spOVCC3jQU2dz6HCVK2PhvZPfdW/s400/P9280673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386359258688351010" border="0" /></a>Just before the 50-minute- long ceremony commenced, various participants took their positions.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJi11djdIs_7HcjL2I9AL0AWu3Fk_rYPDHDD6FHVcfAZND7CbTB3gkI2LT-YAdCwfwkt92yqr9Is8h-qxEjMOuxp9Q5HPIVHjAaK0vjAHNvAuQQxHtNFqVYpu7C9PLNxLIqXcI18bSO8U/s1600-h/P9280676.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJi11djdIs_7HcjL2I9AL0AWu3Fk_rYPDHDD6FHVcfAZND7CbTB3gkI2LT-YAdCwfwkt92yqr9Is8h-qxEjMOuxp9Q5HPIVHjAaK0vjAHNvAuQQxHtNFqVYpu7C9PLNxLIqXcI18bSO8U/s400/P9280676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386359037224702018" border="0" /></a>The people dressed in red appeared to perform various duties like carrying incense, etc.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4yQpRR9PNg2cKiPTYlb1ZVDjTuRzeG3WFTIAI1zEGnYV1YZyTdzU-vyYQGqMZlmG_7mfEY8J73j1dktVIc3XHCZFcjF3yr_cwEnrmVNdlDlaRrp23IEmlt1faGeQQPZqP2k4M7r9stPZ/s1600-h/P9280679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4yQpRR9PNg2cKiPTYlb1ZVDjTuRzeG3WFTIAI1zEGnYV1YZyTdzU-vyYQGqMZlmG_7mfEY8J73j1dktVIc3XHCZFcjF3yr_cwEnrmVNdlDlaRrp23IEmlt1faGeQQPZqP2k4M7r9stPZ/s400/P9280679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386358784494566498" border="0" /></a>The people dressed in yellow appeared to be elementary school children. At least they hopefully can carry on the tradition in the future.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUF3tUqIPzWDmxkhW3JQC0KjlWdjRigL9u4Y_2nE1qYKHY9lgSNQEZCAAzDx2t5BhxEar_qSvM8MCMc2LlDjW-3hU0oHO4fxkUQb8v2dsMtQeospQgEXnkoiNO1jGmaqW5eGw9noLevf9/s1600-h/P9280684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUF3tUqIPzWDmxkhW3JQC0KjlWdjRigL9u4Y_2nE1qYKHY9lgSNQEZCAAzDx2t5BhxEar_qSvM8MCMc2LlDjW-3hU0oHO4fxkUQb8v2dsMtQeospQgEXnkoiNO1jGmaqW5eGw9noLevf9/s400/P9280684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386358441510534706" border="0" /></a>The people in black were modern-day disciples of Confucius, people no doubt who study Confucius' writings in depth. Many of them looked as if they could have been university professors. After all, you almost have to be one to understand the <span style="font-style: italic;">Four Books.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XLYscN92LCzkGRd28IY-AcAEEqKguXsPrlK2q-1aatBsjrbIHptwpUprDl8cNtruWG2gP0pKa8lQSMSeoPAvbbJYmJXmqal3PxbmMiR6ua8K_dAIG2obSpZ7zNSgFSApu_QH-2Q8pvtN/s1600-h/P9280687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XLYscN92LCzkGRd28IY-AcAEEqKguXsPrlK2q-1aatBsjrbIHptwpUprDl8cNtruWG2gP0pKa8lQSMSeoPAvbbJYmJXmqal3PxbmMiR6ua8K_dAIG2obSpZ7zNSgFSApu_QH-2Q8pvtN/s400/P9280687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386358123077930466" border="0" /></a>This was the first time I had ever tried to attend this ceremony. Many years ago when I studied Chinese in Taipei, the ceremony there was held very early and there was no way that I could get up at such an unearthly hour.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISJy79q8K_aujMbx-jndz6VCPetRgkBEA31BDkuiBiAa3-R0hHdTlsBG-65nQMoNvCrbnqWntItH1RImBQ-sEXbLpilwNaObZy6LxrF-Nmr51hfLWBZnEOibwXxBq7PUDUCq3q6Ere8fG/s1600-h/P9280693.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISJy79q8K_aujMbx-jndz6VCPetRgkBEA31BDkuiBiAa3-R0hHdTlsBG-65nQMoNvCrbnqWntItH1RImBQ-sEXbLpilwNaObZy6LxrF-Nmr51hfLWBZnEOibwXxBq7PUDUCq3q6Ere8fG/s320/P9280693.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386357883787172850" border="0" /></a>This is the entrance to the "front gate" from the inside of the courtyard.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6s3AaZoEfWYjo78QbGZIUVgZz6nFTJSDTxWmUCeM0uK5BxpkFb7YMOzDN9mhtmp8ACwU4pTy_9-YjG1pFsJmE4xCAPBZfXNQHg-9JqMujGsZJYgH1NKfhWMqXPiRDHwl3EEAoho0mJGN/s1600-h/P9280710.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6s3AaZoEfWYjo78QbGZIUVgZz6nFTJSDTxWmUCeM0uK5BxpkFb7YMOzDN9mhtmp8ACwU4pTy_9-YjG1pFsJmE4xCAPBZfXNQHg-9JqMujGsZJYgH1NKfhWMqXPiRDHwl3EEAoho0mJGN/s400/P9280710.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386357573889215698" border="0" /></a>I very much liked the mix of colors - red, yellow and black.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh293dPHkRYMyt-qWJF711xD15ExJVV-Ml3ZAcA7kYho8bVxndeK9Z07mpj9uL6KNUHuLprB3B895zKFrDJuSZxlZgze3pRrkt1HkCNAVGBZtBV94WVM_bXwqdQoIqlMO6gwfBpqcQt2XM/s1600-h/P9280712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh293dPHkRYMyt-qWJF711xD15ExJVV-Ml3ZAcA7kYho8bVxndeK9Z07mpj9uL6KNUHuLprB3B895zKFrDJuSZxlZgze3pRrkt1HkCNAVGBZtBV94WVM_bXwqdQoIqlMO6gwfBpqcQt2XM/s400/P9280712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386357307567000578" border="0" /></a>When I was a student of Chinese in the early 1980s in Taipei, one of my teachers spent about six months teaching us a lot of passages directly from Confucius' writings in classical Chinese.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXqAlaxeFPBUP_MUv76ejFBlEyY24fwUtoO5-my0Xkd2CDvUiqMXW82cKxuq7NbDR4JlsC3aIihAnD5QDfxi9362wziZu1YDLYIpBVmHuM3CTJY-jPUlzL2GkrG7kyF2MbXpmhynHlQM/s1600-h/P9280713.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXqAlaxeFPBUP_MUv76ejFBlEyY24fwUtoO5-my0Xkd2CDvUiqMXW82cKxuq7NbDR4JlsC3aIihAnD5QDfxi9362wziZu1YDLYIpBVmHuM3CTJY-jPUlzL2GkrG7kyF2MbXpmhynHlQM/s400/P9280713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386357077297715346" border="0" /></a>I also had a teacher named Kung (孔), who claimed that she was the 75th-generation descendent of Confucius. At least she was somehow able to trace her ancestry that far back. At the time she taught us, she was in her 60s, and was an expert in Chinese literature.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiXo4HG1qfGIpGNbBRjlImygIFfV8UOSzIEFMghHzuad2CQzqroSLat31v0joqMkxQ_P0LKOhljseg5Ql3mcWSrjlRdtDGXKqAgbY1-JRrYKvn6jDH3xffrqt-rCVJVsNVqReENT_EsM/s1600-h/P9280714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiXo4HG1qfGIpGNbBRjlImygIFfV8UOSzIEFMghHzuad2CQzqroSLat31v0joqMkxQ_P0LKOhljseg5Ql3mcWSrjlRdtDGXKqAgbY1-JRrYKvn6jDH3xffrqt-rCVJVsNVqReENT_EsM/s400/P9280714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386356880070792338" border="0" /></a>In the past, one of the research institutions where I worked held a conference on "Confucianism and Economic Development". While the evidence isn't conclusive, Confucianism is believed to be partly responsible for the economic success stories of Taiwan and several other Asian countries.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IzJRLrrVsjD_ikJb0qNz4OciF1wiKGlrXVDExEH1nnxrOOvn2wIbsqPm9hZ75Fu_OhGs5EU30EAdE_gKteaRXv7wSvCnC-t16BkqzLuT2eCJ56vjYn8AL6jItSRI5c6tfKA6Uw22lGA/s1600-h/P9280717.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IzJRLrrVsjD_ikJb0qNz4OciF1wiKGlrXVDExEH1nnxrOOvn2wIbsqPm9hZ75Fu_OhGs5EU30EAdE_gKteaRXv7wSvCnC-t16BkqzLuT2eCJ56vjYn8AL6jItSRI5c6tfKA6Uw22lGA/s320/P9280717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386356592362555778" border="0" /></a>Carrying incense.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkf0FJSPQ1qfuCIXcNR5OZHI7Rp6yJAai4dMh_a1KFj3Xg8_PVSNacmCh3W8O8HKyYolfYPfs2nHF2rMHW0bt2d_81bCQHibySjDomRRfIjVDVzGKq8WweMrQwrswJD_TRRIdIJjcCec/s1600-h/P9280718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkf0FJSPQ1qfuCIXcNR5OZHI7Rp6yJAai4dMh_a1KFj3Xg8_PVSNacmCh3W8O8HKyYolfYPfs2nHF2rMHW0bt2d_81bCQHibySjDomRRfIjVDVzGKq8WweMrQwrswJD_TRRIdIJjcCec/s400/P9280718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386356228858093330" border="0" /></a>In the olden days, these axes would no doubt have been real.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ720snqpmiWLGJbIENYzMW3oK6-8GHiPnKypDF_GB7jL6uks0nn-2fKDdKa9A-w0JU59v8LAOcPHQBVssklDa1RnDJQx7F2UUwlEt18tLBmPXc_jzvUgyHZzNv_1rcM7ieMuKqZD9d58/s1600-h/P9280721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ720snqpmiWLGJbIENYzMW3oK6-8GHiPnKypDF_GB7jL6uks0nn-2fKDdKa9A-w0JU59v8LAOcPHQBVssklDa1RnDJQx7F2UUwlEt18tLBmPXc_jzvUgyHZzNv_1rcM7ieMuKqZD9d58/s400/P9280721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386356010383964978" border="0" /></a>Standing guard on the other side of the gate.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5SUlwD_MY1sTNu55dEUBA5yrT0nNBgB4c7tdO7SQweAk0SelEzeAIBzngdb5cK6lCtGLxEXLoWxNZjqSyvL5WRHnneIgM3PKe3FceBdPDeMH5kuK-sLZtyym_3fn6KasPP7wYDPqseI/s1600-h/P9280726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5SUlwD_MY1sTNu55dEUBA5yrT0nNBgB4c7tdO7SQweAk0SelEzeAIBzngdb5cK6lCtGLxEXLoWxNZjqSyvL5WRHnneIgM3PKe3FceBdPDeMH5kuK-sLZtyym_3fn6KasPP7wYDPqseI/s400/P9280726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386355779076776146" border="0" /></a>Several "consecrations" were held.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyDPqFPmw9ggMuR3r0s35f4gfvkf5tSuuuDRLKxvqGBrkbRMD9uJVPH18kmPBa8RfSBl0s_GeahVWdSsnAnPY9eYTdFI40KJYq1F-gLNtmbXYUDglFD4XNyU0l2CASkU-249GcS15zZk/s1600-h/P9280736.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyDPqFPmw9ggMuR3r0s35f4gfvkf5tSuuuDRLKxvqGBrkbRMD9uJVPH18kmPBa8RfSBl0s_GeahVWdSsnAnPY9eYTdFI40KJYq1F-gLNtmbXYUDglFD4XNyU0l2CASkU-249GcS15zZk/s400/P9280736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386355566090035138" border="0" /></a>The children who participated posed for a photo afterwards.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytQQV9TUsDG_uNndG61mpA1vTLaYJcYx4b7-wevUe6VqvcnAFLKmDhGfu77ySQd67cLO9fx5vLicSxDwxh9RK6FvZ2IkHvZ4xjH1RE6ffCL58JaUiQGwhNRhQ1b-SdmbPTmcWa6hckS4/s1600-h/P9280746.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytQQV9TUsDG_uNndG61mpA1vTLaYJcYx4b7-wevUe6VqvcnAFLKmDhGfu77ySQd67cLO9fx5vLicSxDwxh9RK6FvZ2IkHvZ4xjH1RE6ffCL58JaUiQGwhNRhQ1b-SdmbPTmcWa6hckS4/s320/P9280746.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386355293191113586" border="0" /></a>I decided to get my photo taken, too, for the record.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibTRggAZuPJ_7byHPQcTTAiFF61_D8SFn7j-QmZv7EOjgMcRrMbSMeq06uTb72epmOQPZnalNWyH9yh6vMbQjpeSwTIafmynOCbnLvjP62Tx3X_FTHTLXy8AWU1ZUrk-q9xwhY-1cJpo/s1600-h/P9280750.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibTRggAZuPJ_7byHPQcTTAiFF61_D8SFn7j-QmZv7EOjgMcRrMbSMeq06uTb72epmOQPZnalNWyH9yh6vMbQjpeSwTIafmynOCbnLvjP62Tx3X_FTHTLXy8AWU1ZUrk-q9xwhY-1cJpo/s400/P9280750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386355119701757266" border="0" /></a>Outside the temple complex is a wall with a lot of engaving on it.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiPXmU7hmrr668bPUoZqKQ_nn78BwxzdoKAm5oBq9i-uazaGTrXUcxsM6rIaD6tVXYU29uPYi8yC6Ytj7D-sGBMH05O0PjmCxtYPa0y-r-hCjXY4DL3LFUbnLls29MJTx_U54_Rd_lbY/s1600-h/P9280756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiPXmU7hmrr668bPUoZqKQ_nn78BwxzdoKAm5oBq9i-uazaGTrXUcxsM6rIaD6tVXYU29uPYi8yC6Ytj7D-sGBMH05O0PjmCxtYPa0y-r-hCjXY4DL3LFUbnLls29MJTx_U54_Rd_lbY/s400/P9280756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386354786281471746" border="0" /></a>This close-up picture of the wall reminds me of Confucius. That is how I imagine he was.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvUe6iHSKPMN_MsEGOWAysngd9XWNbWo6JpGVsfn8nF1r-C_s8nrQQk8M3YQELAVhJKz2jn7kJgoFX-yfjr5BjFOaI2fRFzr0ko7KQ7X8ThoHlQCXisUgJTQZk8i6fFCTmwYSqK67Kd0/s1600-h/P9280758.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvUe6iHSKPMN_MsEGOWAysngd9XWNbWo6JpGVsfn8nF1r-C_s8nrQQk8M3YQELAVhJKz2jn7kJgoFX-yfjr5BjFOaI2fRFzr0ko7KQ7X8ThoHlQCXisUgJTQZk8i6fFCTmwYSqK67Kd0/s400/P9280758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386354469553538418" border="0" /></a>View from a bridge crossing the Lotus Pond. The building on the right is the one where the ceremony was held.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ4RxTM3UCWrPgDdDEd5XJLUffB5aaD919J8wiJhudYpwwyMV9CgkMWqG281rYPr4gi_ZXG5r5X83zPZdS90PxkBfQ6a0lUG2JyNq1NZ_f5qjIexaHBM_V6J-Kck6SYULGmj__s2Pkjo/s1600-h/P9280761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ4RxTM3UCWrPgDdDEd5XJLUffB5aaD919J8wiJhudYpwwyMV9CgkMWqG281rYPr4gi_ZXG5r5X83zPZdS90PxkBfQ6a0lUG2JyNq1NZ_f5qjIexaHBM_V6J-Kck6SYULGmj__s2Pkjo/s400/P9280761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386353957432399314" border="0" /></a>Looking towards Gu Mountain in the other direction from the Confucius temple. Although it was about 8:15 a.m. on a Monday morning, everything seemed so peaceful. Somewhere in the distance, the city of Kaohsiung was bustling with people going about their daily business.Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-57430820469838862302009-09-14T01:29:00.000-07:002009-09-14T05:13:21.574-07:00"I would rather be a chicken's head!"<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWxII9jKPlIc3WDbhaBZd9V_6ohI5yB3z6QiTNzT2yFM-jIrPx79RnFslUngMUzwO2hH6uLrTXKlTIkIT1G8iNr7gMgFzvI4efIaxMe-iGp92ZCQp0xrJgEp2SWv6mllW-g6hMYYgQ2Y/s1600-h/P8240633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWxII9jKPlIc3WDbhaBZd9V_6ohI5yB3z6QiTNzT2yFM-jIrPx79RnFslUngMUzwO2hH6uLrTXKlTIkIT1G8iNr7gMgFzvI4efIaxMe-iGp92ZCQp0xrJgEp2SWv6mllW-g6hMYYgQ2Y/s400/P8240633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381285118811773298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Not a big running track, but this track at the nearby Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages has a good surface and is completely surrounded by buildings so one doesn't hear the sound of cars. So far I haven't seen people use it (the summer vacation is very hot after all), but I do hope to try out my running shoes here as it gets cooler. I will need to bike home (5 minutes) to have a shower, as I haven't seen those outside showers like we had in Hawaii.</span><br /></div><br />There is a well-known saying in Chinese that states "I’d rather be the head of the chicken rather than the tail of the ox." When I first came to Taiwan, I had not had much work experience before (as in the U.K.), but what particularly surprised me was that most people who gave me name cards had the title of "President" or something similar. Of course, a few might have been big powerful bosses, but the vast majority were "one-man bands" or else very small businesses with just a few family members as employees. However, it was these "small businesspeople" who had a huge part to play in Taiwan's phenomenal economic success story.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGA_I4ZEQRXjiU9UPs5O3w6Y_RB7wR4mk7j_XKuV0Lc0rOm_rbJDfYZ8pmEpDNyaxzg4yFcBqf_3VmPyjhiUtRY5W36OQn3lhQIGnfzNdruo02bVg-jekBOcttaUpYy6nhHDlsunFlm8/s1600-h/P9040654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGA_I4ZEQRXjiU9UPs5O3w6Y_RB7wR4mk7j_XKuV0Lc0rOm_rbJDfYZ8pmEpDNyaxzg4yFcBqf_3VmPyjhiUtRY5W36OQn3lhQIGnfzNdruo02bVg-jekBOcttaUpYy6nhHDlsunFlm8/s400/P9040654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381284362920411762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Library at the Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages is less than five minutes by bike from my home. This is a great place to work at in the mornings, although one is never sure of being let in as they limit the number of outsiders who can use it on any given day. However, the library is full of books in French, German, Spanish and Japanese, if only I had the time to read them. If I cannot get in, I can usually bike to the Golden Lion Lake reading room (see below) in at most ten minutes.</span> <br /></div><br />When I finished college in England, I did not have a clear idea of what I wanted to do as a career, and at the time the only options were to be an employee of any firm that would employ me. Hopefully, the firm I joined would help me further my career, but invariably the firms I joined were at most stepping stones to an uncertain future and were usually quite slippery, meaning that I did not easily make it from one stone to the next.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEjsr6ZWk6C9Jz2uBDax7FsPuWtkxbJJIlpoo5HhKaWVwWhNFRqKHL8HREXwsGIabUpw6Z2H4JVWmRPMx22QpY4tKWMXmS1HtfQ5nYFtMYwLqmWi6Slt9izTwUY7QpEiy73d2iCA-NWk/s1600-h/P9060660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEjsr6ZWk6C9Jz2uBDax7FsPuWtkxbJJIlpoo5HhKaWVwWhNFRqKHL8HREXwsGIabUpw6Z2H4JVWmRPMx22QpY4tKWMXmS1HtfQ5nYFtMYwLqmWi6Slt9izTwUY7QpEiy73d2iCA-NWk/s400/P9060660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381284884525580354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Golden Lion Lake, five minutes by bike from my home. This is the view from the bridge I ride across to go to the reading room where I often work late afternoons.</span><br /></div><br />Even in Taiwan, after going back to school for a few years to study Chinese, I looked for a job that would give me a steady paycheck, and while I had some nice working environments (like well a air-conditioned office, and even a plush carpet in one case), I was generally in one of two situations. The first was where I had a steady, not-too-demanding job, but where it was not really possible to save much money or advance my career. The second was where I had a very demanding and challenging job with quite good pay, where I was able to save, but I had little security for the future as I never knew quite what would happen next.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv5pFBP8x_KZ9hcfmuFu8toDSrKKXwYjO9kk2vjJ2KZDr9-8LkmNGsiSLhQiBlu8q4RabJuRh1EHuRWGqZGD8fvmcvtvx21KKcfum5Suus9KVeObdV4bWHs-snUE5pOinCMTKkJtVknY/s1600-h/P8220619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv5pFBP8x_KZ9hcfmuFu8toDSrKKXwYjO9kk2vjJ2KZDr9-8LkmNGsiSLhQiBlu8q4RabJuRh1EHuRWGqZGD8fvmcvtvx21KKcfum5Suus9KVeObdV4bWHs-snUE5pOinCMTKkJtVknY/s400/P8220619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381284602111329682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Golden Lion Lake reading room. This air-conditioned public reading room is open six days a week from about 8:30 am to 7:45 pm. A place I often go to from 5 pm until it closes (when there are few people). I can spread my work out on the table.</span><br /></div><br />I guess that, apart from issues like job fulfillment, pay, career development, etc., I have never been a good team player. In most group activities, whether in paid or voluntary work, I have always tended to be at the far back of the orchestra, and in such situations I have felt frustrated, unable to follow my dreams and have felt my life has been wasted.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrGkJNpGaN_JwEkexP2PxvAj80DD0feGzfFbuASZU2A6C2MomZy85tSPGgvAuViLqGeGNYWJ3NwBU257uUrnfzk4M4tcg1WnxVEnPhyphenhyphen5kQrIq-U7OZu0GR44aKYerW6z-1BQ4FJhmgz4/s1600-h/P8230627.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrGkJNpGaN_JwEkexP2PxvAj80DD0feGzfFbuASZU2A6C2MomZy85tSPGgvAuViLqGeGNYWJ3NwBU257uUrnfzk4M4tcg1WnxVEnPhyphenhyphen5kQrIq-U7OZu0GR44aKYerW6z-1BQ4FJhmgz4/s400/P8230627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381283966238735714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Burning paper money to appease the spirits during ghost month. This is so much part of the traditional Taiwanese culture here, that these kinds of fires are being seen all over the place.</span><br /></div><br />So for the time being, I am "doing my own thing" as regards work, supporting my family and preparing for the future. I strategize and make plans on my own, and I mostly work on my own. I am not trying to further the cause of any organization, save my own reputation. I am, however, seeking to pursue excellence in what I do. In fact the work I do is little understood, perhaps not surprisingly since it involves the Chinese language, but I am convinced that if I can keep pace with the new developments constantly taking place, I am confident that as a chicken's head as opposed to an ox's tail, I can still continue to find my way in this increasingly integrated but at times unsteady world.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHRSubcL3ZvbhorE4f7NFPtOJB6wcpLAQt36bTJo1zMEWLaFfIOyiZuwNlGQN7hqoF7yrlJdq9nBpIU_U5m8euECG_cGQgMAfJ6vdCss5eJgxUnnpnU9eZPWrQHdUeADKSPWs96vT-0s/s1600-h/P8230631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHRSubcL3ZvbhorE4f7NFPtOJB6wcpLAQt36bTJo1zMEWLaFfIOyiZuwNlGQN7hqoF7yrlJdq9nBpIU_U5m8euECG_cGQgMAfJ6vdCss5eJgxUnnpnU9eZPWrQHdUeADKSPWs96vT-0s/s400/P8230631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381283619526281810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tables laid out for an offering during the ghost month outside a temple next to the Golden Lion Lake.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I continue to swim regularly, although with both children now in full-time education, I am currently unable to devote as much time to sports as I would like, and work is often a higher priority. Hopefully, my swimming will not slow down too much before I have the chance to visit Hawai'i again.<br /></div></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-61470904604904278062009-08-05T22:53:00.001-07:002009-08-06T04:06:59.742-07:00Recap on the Last Two MonthsIt is over two months since my last blog post. I have recently been posting to Twitter, mostly so that I can write to myself and see what the few people I have been following are up to, maybe unknown to them. Anyway, I am thankful for the few friends who do follow me on Twitter (there is a link on the right), and no doubt they sometimes see my postings.<br /><br />The main reason I have not posted on this blog is because I have been very busy. There just does not seem to be time to post things, and I sometimes feel bad about posting things, especially if it distracts me from my work. My swimming has been affected, too. While I still swim about 10 km per week, I often swim slowly and seldom feel out of breath, meaning that I go too easy.<br /><br />A few months ago, our younger son was accepted to study at a college in Chicago (see the previous posting) and soon after that I thought we could just about afford it. Then our elder son attended a UK universities exhibition in our home town in Taiwan and was subsequently accepted by a university in South-East England to start an honors degree program this September. James has often tended to be a last-minute person, and this was no exception. We received the university offer for him only in June.<br /><br />While this is of course good news, it has put added pressure on me. It's a bit like trying to ride the waves. If you can stay on the board, then it's great, but if the waves overwhelm you, then you sink! I am not one to consider borrowing money (even if it were an option), and so each day I have to be very disciplined with my work (fortunately I don't lack it), to make sure I am doing everything possible to make our children's university dreams a reality.<br /><br />On this posting I attach a few pictures taken in recent weeks and months to serve as a reminder of some of the more interesting things I have seen or done in an otherwise busy life.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIhyIx-sd_diIx6gScBrFus0mWbVOsAoYh4G-uphZCoOmZWmxdtTNkf2jvhDh4WHoKKOejUEqf9ZtOw7OY-aqeiIy5JIfnd82kQlEJFB7w7d77eDXZTC-ChsxkxkxRg5c97O_bqoy6Eo/s1600-h/P7160340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIhyIx-sd_diIx6gScBrFus0mWbVOsAoYh4G-uphZCoOmZWmxdtTNkf2jvhDh4WHoKKOejUEqf9ZtOw7OY-aqeiIy5JIfnd82kQlEJFB7w7d77eDXZTC-ChsxkxkxRg5c97O_bqoy6Eo/s400/P7160340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366792033715752146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Kaohsiung (in south Taiwan) hosted the 2009 World Games and we attended the opening ceremony with 50,000 other people. This is only a few miles from our home. The wooden canoe is a traditional hand-carved boat used by the Yami indigenous tribe living on Orchid Island off the east coast of Taiwan.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiVVtpCPInqYq2_OJ6a0d853yw8WVKzTQ745LtL4vWSQOGnxJJctW_Fon3LW1uEK9Lh61vaGOjtoMRk-1O6W316Iia1kKD_eRPNGkDGdbtDliAdIslSRXUF3NvjICwzQAY6vmmsoy5yE/s1600-h/P6290303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiVVtpCPInqYq2_OJ6a0d853yw8WVKzTQ745LtL4vWSQOGnxJJctW_Fon3LW1uEK9Lh61vaGOjtoMRk-1O6W316Iia1kKD_eRPNGkDGdbtDliAdIslSRXUF3NvjICwzQAY6vmmsoy5yE/s320/P6290303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366791447942618242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A fisherwoman casts her net into Kaohsiung harbor. In the distance is the tallest building in southern Taiwan (85 storeys). The image is not very sharp as it was late in the day.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBqPLpVYFsjY02GJm92EHBqXcs8tDmCpLLaEn0rFv3IgRyaXBP6SWu59NGobLwUFc6ulWwzxC46QXuxs_jU4Nv6PIubh6hyphenhyphenzZtskVxInoPiBz3h2KZOjWvB7rxgcd65XgJpQDT9oeWvw/s1600-h/P6270275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBqPLpVYFsjY02GJm92EHBqXcs8tDmCpLLaEn0rFv3IgRyaXBP6SWu59NGobLwUFc6ulWwzxC46QXuxs_jU4Nv6PIubh6hyphenhyphenzZtskVxInoPiBz3h2KZOjWvB7rxgcd65XgJpQDT9oeWvw/s400/P6270275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366791068199678914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">View from our rooftop. Not very exciting - naphtha crackers, a congested overpass, and some hills in the distance. Part of life in a big city.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvcGUj5_7x1SMN5cnh8IO0jQO7qLLLfT7SQTQg442vo0ca47RpPg0tiUuYc_GOp0iknvfdAPLwiGAsgTCGCg0y0xVM6WR-9Ca0QpNtsdpuLKcQUQOnw1sUX6kjE_M2KH4UE8wejQ1H5E/s1600-h/P7190404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvcGUj5_7x1SMN5cnh8IO0jQO7qLLLfT7SQTQg442vo0ca47RpPg0tiUuYc_GOp0iknvfdAPLwiGAsgTCGCg0y0xVM6WR-9Ca0QpNtsdpuLKcQUQOnw1sUX6kjE_M2KH4UE8wejQ1H5E/s400/P7190404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366790514018543634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sunset over Cheng Ching Lake in Kaohsiung. Our home is about one mile behind the building sticking up to the left of the setting sun (the incinerator shown in other pictures below). I see this lake each morning on my way to the pool.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPRifC8kJXEFL333n-rnSRDJYC4j9Avo4GbLST4J_BQSlPnwhCkm8pKxElk1AbUjkrVKV7bJKhnTytXOziPjV_CiL4Q2OtxjxTxtu1MN7UHsytJJvYQ0H18TwmS5J8XsCn7XBLPMdpoo/s1600-h/P7220431.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPRifC8kJXEFL333n-rnSRDJYC4j9Avo4GbLST4J_BQSlPnwhCkm8pKxElk1AbUjkrVKV7bJKhnTytXOziPjV_CiL4Q2OtxjxTxtu1MN7UHsytJJvYQ0H18TwmS5J8XsCn7XBLPMdpoo/s320/P7220431.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366790218987223730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Not the moon, but rather the sun during a partial solar eclipse on July 22 about 9:30 a.m. Taken through 4 pairs of sunglasses on the roof of our house. A little hit and miss!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWSshBHWn24XhxdP_-lwyd2Fp-IXfZRcPvm40O-C79KsT0EeO_e31h-4-1IaBTGIcHQuUiIyp0GwZjA7HqsKVKQHjpnNs5255RYyTsshHXLsBVJhTUD4qL9MnjSiORVvK-S3Gl7nJk10/s1600-h/P7220450.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWSshBHWn24XhxdP_-lwyd2Fp-IXfZRcPvm40O-C79KsT0EeO_e31h-4-1IaBTGIcHQuUiIyp0GwZjA7HqsKVKQHjpnNs5255RYyTsshHXLsBVJhTUD4qL9MnjSiORVvK-S3Gl7nJk10/s400/P7220450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366789901624365586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The gabage incinerator which is a major landmark in our immediate area seen behind a rice field. If you click on the image you will see that is carries an ad for the World Games.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcrpyiw_LjZKgCnocOTvhjdZYLWCcBCDhW4qwWMseodoQNDAOuwHitNzuCElqqn5U5GcPwGQp1O3fLaLbxd_0zO-3D6yPVa7GlpXp-xKO4ncxHue3rIxb-jM-EQKHYWNhae8hnI2kQ8w/s1600-h/P7220451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcrpyiw_LjZKgCnocOTvhjdZYLWCcBCDhW4qwWMseodoQNDAOuwHitNzuCElqqn5U5GcPwGQp1O3fLaLbxd_0zO-3D6yPVa7GlpXp-xKO4ncxHue3rIxb-jM-EQKHYWNhae8hnI2kQ8w/s400/P7220451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366789637527422914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A sign along the bike trail that goes along one side of Cheng Ching Lake, with the words being backlit by the setting sun.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqWoweGK9aYOxF6QSxjuIxTi3e-1lJGWU44c0F5zLgtY3r9HHHwGbDeZKeUobERb6TYj6hCk2txv0GkqBXDIgR7EHIZoWeqBKe1BPyRmT-jnK4rhsVP_hh9iKv2tiKBKmiDZL2tEmFao/s1600-h/P7220489.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqWoweGK9aYOxF6QSxjuIxTi3e-1lJGWU44c0F5zLgtY3r9HHHwGbDeZKeUobERb6TYj6hCk2txv0GkqBXDIgR7EHIZoWeqBKe1BPyRmT-jnK4rhsVP_hh9iKv2tiKBKmiDZL2tEmFao/s400/P7220489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366789293810832130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jocelyn standing with her bike next to two mascots of the Kaohsiung World Games. This was taken near the Love Pier by Kaohsiung Harbor, a place that we can bike to mostly along designated riverside bike routes.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YDc4DMC75bJrGZce54b8AKpF7lm9R2QOYaAMfqfLMO0Q_-ZGrXtYxotcXCMX9rjHD9uLS9ZIWDB0DlCRcMiy1cQDWGqCxkwUquHNtY3Fc1sqDLBNHN49Z8zxFvQiLbs5eG4kEF621Ls/s1600-h/P7240497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YDc4DMC75bJrGZce54b8AKpF7lm9R2QOYaAMfqfLMO0Q_-ZGrXtYxotcXCMX9rjHD9uLS9ZIWDB0DlCRcMiy1cQDWGqCxkwUquHNtY3Fc1sqDLBNHN49Z8zxFvQiLbs5eG4kEF621Ls/s400/P7240497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366789009185319122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The new wetlands park a few hundred meters from our house. The garbage incinerator is in the opposite direction to our house.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHINvnC4lqod8wkfnv6b_cpNZNxLHNz_Sb9s0dr0dcE1N5Bhcs1THzyu6X31MYocRwH8oSvgTcKWSb-W7X_3inzr-yiTF6MlOMfw7iyvebKjBqpw1xlWoRWMZZn6WBRgTlK3XxwrruU5c/s1600-h/P7240493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHINvnC4lqod8wkfnv6b_cpNZNxLHNz_Sb9s0dr0dcE1N5Bhcs1THzyu6X31MYocRwH8oSvgTcKWSb-W7X_3inzr-yiTF6MlOMfw7iyvebKjBqpw1xlWoRWMZZn6WBRgTlK3XxwrruU5c/s400/P7240493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366788828174231890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Not sure what these things are, maybe some kind of eggs. At least they have an important part to play in maintaining the ecosystem in these wetlands, something that has been neglected for too long.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1xAayyDTmxY1sQ9uRVMW4LgAJQYTHbue569Hhl_iOeukhJW8EhcqcjS_VTbnfV1ozYvj2uE17ELr8oUktXsSHznPKwi8Ds6vjlRZMtS_4nKUcAm-z5z886jMNAjIPYjOcretHlyVwFc/s1600-h/P7240495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1xAayyDTmxY1sQ9uRVMW4LgAJQYTHbue569Hhl_iOeukhJW8EhcqcjS_VTbnfV1ozYvj2uE17ELr8oUktXsSHznPKwi8Ds6vjlRZMtS_4nKUcAm-z5z886jMNAjIPYjOcretHlyVwFc/s400/P7240495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366788730565870530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Bananas, just yards away from the pink eggs. Grown privately on public land.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HkvRIi4QArEObqCOEu_Z6yFbR2X324ls-t7hYEuxVqFYoX9hbbq1nFT_kSvGmuVYPF2ri-BPn9QQtATglpWqsVHmuH7bJXTJxS6PV-PmhAmIyaRI_ie38OH3bQPKLWPVlZArTnxfqik/s1600-h/P8020507.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HkvRIi4QArEObqCOEu_Z6yFbR2X324ls-t7hYEuxVqFYoX9hbbq1nFT_kSvGmuVYPF2ri-BPn9QQtATglpWqsVHmuH7bJXTJxS6PV-PmhAmIyaRI_ie38OH3bQPKLWPVlZArTnxfqik/s400/P8020507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366788564446549538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A excellent local jazz band performing on a stage set up by the river along which we ride our bikes. Well worth stopping to listen.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3T6b7PZIrDiXRga2UbCxNezs0R-50ItF1f6KaZvT-gd2_IfW4-e2bwHqEFsaTp1WvztAMm91OBBQJzj7L27GpGilIwRurUMjuCRkfVe6_PWvUL8tnrnlvr4bqWUVUkwQTfkdiAbt2Q/s1600-h/P6100197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3T6b7PZIrDiXRga2UbCxNezs0R-50ItF1f6KaZvT-gd2_IfW4-e2bwHqEFsaTp1WvztAMm91OBBQJzj7L27GpGilIwRurUMjuCRkfVe6_PWvUL8tnrnlvr4bqWUVUkwQTfkdiAbt2Q/s400/P6100197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366791725619295970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jocelyn and me in our cycling gear on the sea wall having just arrived too late to watch the sunset over the ocean next to Kaohsiung's National Sun Yat-Sen University.</span><br /></div><br />We are not doing anything special this summer, just spending time with the boys mostly at home as they get ready for the adventure of their lives. Hopefully, as time passes and more work gets done, there will be a little time to relax later.Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-17315143769820206582009-06-02T01:21:00.001-07:002009-06-02T02:54:45.285-07:00Living the American Dream - in the U.S.!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEZ_1_f9a8MIquUX9_JL_09056Wr-rPumdtkXNHsX4tdfAkJ5GsA85LoGGFuVpb2SfR15pDOC6oqVQvj-uoYU4DjiyAs-B-b9nmArHgjEZVfXJXrGHWceMgFZmFBmhgzZ_D44JQ3N2zs/s1600-h/P6020157.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEZ_1_f9a8MIquUX9_JL_09056Wr-rPumdtkXNHsX4tdfAkJ5GsA85LoGGFuVpb2SfR15pDOC6oqVQvj-uoYU4DjiyAs-B-b9nmArHgjEZVfXJXrGHWceMgFZmFBmhgzZ_D44JQ3N2zs/s400/P6020157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342642915355312802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">On the way to the U.S. (Don't worry, the cards have either expired or are samples used as fridge magnets!)</span> </div><br />Many of us have grown up dreaming of living the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream">American Dream</a>, including myself. As a teenager, I used to regularly play golf with a couple of American friends who were living with their families in England because their fathers worked with U.S. organizations based in London. At university when studying economics, I found that much of the economics literature was written by Americans, and while I at times dreamed of one day going there to live, it all seemed a little beyond my reach.<br /><br />For our younger son, Morrison, the dream may be a little easier to realize than it was for me, since I did not first set foot in the United States until I was nearly 40. Morrison visited the U.S. for a few months when he was four, and then in 5th grade when he was 10 went there where he graduated from Kahakai Elementary School, Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, and spent in total almost 8 years of his life in Hawai'i.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2GYcPBPcmgtYnDC9m_-qEJNISfW7husRbYttBoghSq5WSEZjpixEDdch0nPu82hVNeuoaWxKiL3TwWUMaONNRX3Aim_EYcGVAP147VNTpgch2EMqiH93vXv1abohBzMiHig-9foHJEo/s1600-h/P1010984.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2GYcPBPcmgtYnDC9m_-qEJNISfW7husRbYttBoghSq5WSEZjpixEDdch0nPu82hVNeuoaWxKiL3TwWUMaONNRX3Aim_EYcGVAP147VNTpgch2EMqiH93vXv1abohBzMiHig-9foHJEo/s400/P1010984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342643943435864546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Morrison on a beach in Taitung, East Taiwan (photo taken by his brother James)</span><br /></div><br />At the end of our time in Hawai'i, Morrison still had one more year of high school, and upon our return to Taiwan, things looked a little uncertain. Life was also a little hard for Morrison at that time, as he had to leave all his good friends in Hawai'i and complete his high-school studies by correspondence. Having been home schooled for almost all of his teenage years, would he be accepted into a U.S. college? There were also other things like SAT scores that he had to concern himself about. I myself had not paid much attention to these issues and even wondered if he could take these tests on Taiwan.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C2Kk2kNSN5d6-R3AlJLl2xwFa8V-Q36MRzru-eOSG19WSVkgP-JedOB5knUf7Xj-9MC3tSSfC1dD3jNDME00g2iJNT3M7zJkXZoY9Mid4QsgjbDILP6FjRm2dmvL2g9jgchEwXYFXOE/s1600-h/DSCN1046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C2Kk2kNSN5d6-R3AlJLl2xwFa8V-Q36MRzru-eOSG19WSVkgP-JedOB5knUf7Xj-9MC3tSSfC1dD3jNDME00g2iJNT3M7zJkXZoY9Mid4QsgjbDILP6FjRm2dmvL2g9jgchEwXYFXOE/s400/DSCN1046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342643275182359714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Morrison on Mount Alishan, Central/Southern Taiwan (photo taken by his mother)</span> </div><br />When Morrison attended a small cooperative school in Hawai'i at around the age of 12, the teachers looked at each child and chose a character trait to describe what it was that each child had that caused him or her to excel. For Morrison, the character trait was "Determination". During the last two years in Taiwan, Morrison was certainly determined. In spite of a very laid back life in Hawai'i during his mid-teen years when his school performance was very so-so (homeschooling often seemed to be "no schooling"), Morrison's grades improved year by year and, even in subjects he found difficult, he managed to complete his assignments on time and get good grades. To prepare for the SAT test, he bought a large book full of practice tests and would sit in the local library for three hours at a time doing practice tests. While his written English (understandably) may have left a little to be desired, his Math scores got higher and higher.<br /><br />Morrison applied to three U.S. colleges and was accepted by all of them. After careful deliberation, Morrison settled on Elmhurst College in Illinois where he will read for a B.A. in International Business starting this fall. Last week Morrison went to the American Institute in Taiwan to be interviewed for his student visa and now he has that, the next step will be to book a flight to Chicago some time in August.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nats.us/combine_schedule/images/facilities/elmhurst_college_facility_320x240.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.nats.us/combine_schedule/images/facilities/elmhurst_college_facility_320x240.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Elmhurst College - Langhorst Football Field (Courtesy of the National Athletic Testing System)</span><br /></div><br />Studying in the U.S. is not cheap, even though Morrison fortunately was able to secure a more generous scholarship than I had expected, given our circumstances. However, as a parent, I am confident that the money that I invest in Morrison over these next few years will be well worth it, as I know from being around him all these years that he is very careful with money, and he is also someone who can be entrusted with other people's money. In Hawai'i, a few of his friends for certain periods of time actually left some of their savings with him for safekeeping, to make sure that the money would otherwise not be spent when they were saving up for things like relatively expensive overseas trips.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/d1dec04c-3440-43e8-bdc2-8a60ec6cf364.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/d1dec04c-3440-43e8-bdc2-8a60ec6cf364.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Elmhurst College, Illinois, established in 1871 as a seminary, and today offering a liberal arts education. About 10 miles from Wheaton College and about 40 minutes from the middle of Chicago.</span><br /></div><br />Of course, just going to America does not guarantee success, and one can be successful in all kinds of places, particularly in Taiwan as I in a small way have discovered for myself. However, as anyone who has lived in the U.S. for a length of time will realize, the United States is a land of opportunity, a land that treats people with due respect, regardless of their ethnicity, color or religious beliefs, a land which values the liberty of the individual, and a land in which one can easily make a lot of friends.<br /><br />As for me, the U.S. is a country that I feel I can be a part of without being one of its citizens (which I might well be if the process was a little easier!). During my eight years there, I could relate to what was going on, from the 9-11 tragedy, to Katrina, to the sporadic campus shootings, as well as to the more successful events like the return to earth of the space shuttle or the inauguration of the nation's first black president, Barack Obama. However, I am also European, and have lived much of my life (and continue to live) in Taiwan, and so I guess I will visit the U.S. for relatively short trips from now on. I hope that the next few years that Morrison spends in the U.S. attending college will be enjoyable and will help prepare him for whatever lies ahead, wherever that may be.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ye1bkMzCAo_8ncmF9ukN549t2JNs3MLB-dw9p5O01G3aRmZe1tJescHzvWqlBIfV7OkK_DHkl8EEJD2KsyN41EyhHjigNK2TKis8Pg509OZj4jJuZZ0hMMtYfSS1g2F-kZ3rOMLg4Bc/s1600-h/IMG_8242.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ye1bkMzCAo_8ncmF9ukN549t2JNs3MLB-dw9p5O01G3aRmZe1tJescHzvWqlBIfV7OkK_DHkl8EEJD2KsyN41EyhHjigNK2TKis8Pg509OZj4jJuZZ0hMMtYfSS1g2F-kZ3rOMLg4Bc/s400/IMG_8242.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342642758118779666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Morrison doing what he enjoys - skateboarding - somewhere in Southern Taiwan (photo taken by his brother or one of those with him at the time!)</span> </div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-80995293875272897382009-05-20T20:05:00.000-07:002009-05-20T22:56:44.155-07:00Biking for Health and Pleasure<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh3P8WWwBzhX3V9Sk4h5LL7GLmXCuCGCtAwl0ISgbR0UZIwZc0atLw1Y2GKH4DXTBYXm6O9fA2ZyIpazi6veni9kiS8BCtSwwyeYuLUuXC84VKrB92e9UMEpZ2al2uO4MeeHHblg1D2g/s1600-h/P5190093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh3P8WWwBzhX3V9Sk4h5LL7GLmXCuCGCtAwl0ISgbR0UZIwZc0atLw1Y2GKH4DXTBYXm6O9fA2ZyIpazi6veni9kiS8BCtSwwyeYuLUuXC84VKrB92e9UMEpZ2al2uO4MeeHHblg1D2g/s400/P5190093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338111035698752610" border="0" /></a>What does one need to enjoy biking on a regular basis? Well, a bicycle, I guess, but also a nice environment that is easily accessible from home in which to ride, relatively safe and uncongested roads, as well as dry and not too cold weather. In Niaosong, Kaohsiung county, it is possible to enjoy riding in this way. It takes less than 15 minutes to cycle from our home to this point on the edge of Cheng Ching Lake. In what follows, Jocelyn and I will show you that biking can be a rewarding and healthful experience.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3GexBXGAJMnmG-ldOv5oIoaPYUbis3s2N1fZka8F1E3Lgwh-JRiZwt24vl91SeR9Ci-f3cXbfhWU5Ve69aXOXHWm5tas8rG59Yz1fFnCFJaa3uMRxIsOebrEa6K2dLK3w2vL13vedhk/s1600-h/P5210138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3GexBXGAJMnmG-ldOv5oIoaPYUbis3s2N1fZka8F1E3Lgwh-JRiZwt24vl91SeR9Ci-f3cXbfhWU5Ve69aXOXHWm5tas8rG59Yz1fFnCFJaa3uMRxIsOebrEa6K2dLK3w2vL13vedhk/s400/P5210138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338108866608066290" border="0" /></a>If you are not too familiar with a bike course, a map is helpful and if you don't like carrying a map with you, one etched in stone by the roadside is just as good. This map describes the bike course around Cheng Ching Lake. One loop is a little under five miles. The red lines refer to an exclusive lane for bikes. This unfortunately does not extend the whole way round, but at least it's a start.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYMphb9iuSC0y3kotahap6pJyKQZpz5Y0x2zNrZUIn3dymAvBgeZFtvAWbpe64ysx3to15AmMypEnSGJP7rcKfkmDJTlKkqrHbmO36D52icUKhFBizvFIaTY7lZEU8K14tQfe50GcTbU/s1600-h/P5200102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYMphb9iuSC0y3kotahap6pJyKQZpz5Y0x2zNrZUIn3dymAvBgeZFtvAWbpe64ysx3to15AmMypEnSGJP7rcKfkmDJTlKkqrHbmO36D52icUKhFBizvFIaTY7lZEU8K14tQfe50GcTbU/s400/P5200102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338114291359383202" border="0" /></a>Since the bike course goes round a large lake, for about one-third of the ride (mostly downhill in this direction), one can see the lake to the right. Air temperatures close to large expanses of water like this are a few degrees lower, and the view is certainly good for the eyes.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71HV21F4aSnwpc92sifUnmg2NxwXiR8R9QNh7ZVrlGWH6s2SNZAWynJgrV-hThPca7rz7P3ps-jqsSE3MLq2-ML0YeiE3Gezb2EDCc-O_XMmETmyO2klY2-JCwCDuOzClHS-b96XsBZY/s1600-h/P5210126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71HV21F4aSnwpc92sifUnmg2NxwXiR8R9QNh7ZVrlGWH6s2SNZAWynJgrV-hThPca7rz7P3ps-jqsSE3MLq2-ML0YeiE3Gezb2EDCc-O_XMmETmyO2klY2-JCwCDuOzClHS-b96XsBZY/s400/P5210126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338110047747406194" border="0" /></a>When riding here it is not necessary to wear a face mask, although there are parts of the course, as well as parts of the ride to and from home, where one has to interact with quite a lot of traffic during rush hours. While this is part of the price that has to be paid for living in a big city, at least the contact with dust and internal combustion engines can be kept to a minimum.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJDWp1e-JQZCOrXfSCsQ1Tdxh01kgXNwcorwSSgsKihJ91ag30f72bPy9txipACuH6jsoTWtQvxLr_PWmmNJzdxIpItjp-_sN4EmGyya9N97G68BuoCDFYrUQCIaVA_PY36iduRRH7ck/s1600-h/P5160102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJDWp1e-JQZCOrXfSCsQ1Tdxh01kgXNwcorwSSgsKihJ91ag30f72bPy9txipACuH6jsoTWtQvxLr_PWmmNJzdxIpItjp-_sN4EmGyya9N97G68BuoCDFYrUQCIaVA_PY36iduRRH7ck/s320/P5160102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338121008522688802" border="0" /></a>To make the ride more pleasant, it is important to have good equipment. A bell is important as occasionally people are so taken in by the scenery that they fail to keep their eyes focused on what lies ahead of them, including oncoming cyclists.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nYusXL-pLAYgdzKUH1j6bpAJYI0ep2jB0uODcaFt36WkHi3Q_NUpnvHGu4IC0sYvNwEZV2f3ZJ_oUrkfiWtQXE1tE3khTeWy5KOr8PcbSUi7Hfx_KEBGnckPJjwG2ERhxxfo8bGebHw/s1600-h/P5160104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nYusXL-pLAYgdzKUH1j6bpAJYI0ep2jB0uODcaFt36WkHi3Q_NUpnvHGu4IC0sYvNwEZV2f3ZJ_oUrkfiWtQXE1tE3khTeWy5KOr8PcbSUi7Hfx_KEBGnckPJjwG2ERhxxfo8bGebHw/s320/P5160104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338120869009548082" border="0" /></a>The seat on the bicycle should be designed with the rider in mind, like this one was.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG54P83FWzOQGO3XKK-bvCueh4CR1T_xgndpR8E5rbdFLf46Wh1bINBiAFVQsm4klpxV8m_DUDeTm7W3VVk_Xj3oQSaIEykjFmJIEeGhoaor9Cr6zs9aw5HoipMeaq8mXfhVM29FQVUo/s1600-h/P5160105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG54P83FWzOQGO3XKK-bvCueh4CR1T_xgndpR8E5rbdFLf46Wh1bINBiAFVQsm4klpxV8m_DUDeTm7W3VVk_Xj3oQSaIEykjFmJIEeGhoaor9Cr6zs9aw5HoipMeaq8mXfhVM29FQVUo/s320/P5160105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338120673236395410" border="0" /></a>It is necessary to carry water on any bike ride, and the bike should have a bottle cage to allow a water bottle to remain firmly in place (as shown elsewhere), and accessed while on the move.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4Hvu9yB4y7Xr35EcuRqv8dowsSYdXgObEM11OpjCIjBRCrCBYLAHHX4eKJxoS4aZtFwtSc6aU_XwAIWDXgPXv6l7h2cPd6OmnsiysPVGQam8EJZdS_Ofjer28dELScCkEdnVC29cPOk/s1600-h/P5160106.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4Hvu9yB4y7Xr35EcuRqv8dowsSYdXgObEM11OpjCIjBRCrCBYLAHHX4eKJxoS4aZtFwtSc6aU_XwAIWDXgPXv6l7h2cPd6OmnsiysPVGQam8EJZdS_Ofjer28dELScCkEdnVC29cPOk/s320/P5160106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338120473810610370" border="0" /></a>Bikes no longer come in "one size fits all". It is necessary to find the perfect fit for you. Giant bicycles in Taiwan have come up with a bicycle that is "women specific" and this particular model is designed for the smaller rider. This frame is made of aluminum.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSOeC0qpPGONWQcW_m6Ng4ORXZ5NrDw2tUGy8Q7aNfHTaK3ThH_11euUEBf96aGsf-3KxOryc8t0O6OEcAfHHIvyvECHu95TIT15-vwYfLGpqj7IRaZfCQro7ZtIWkLj08lhY4R90fME/s1600-h/P5160107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSOeC0qpPGONWQcW_m6Ng4ORXZ5NrDw2tUGy8Q7aNfHTaK3ThH_11euUEBf96aGsf-3KxOryc8t0O6OEcAfHHIvyvECHu95TIT15-vwYfLGpqj7IRaZfCQro7ZtIWkLj08lhY4R90fME/s320/P5160107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338119962646101554" border="0" /></a>With a good set of gears (in this case Shimano SLX), there are few hills (barring parts of Kaloko Drive in Kona, Hawaii) that one should not be able to ride.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L1G-beV1ls4yZzmX3_WSMowHMDW1I3TdpLrHxo-FLk0DNSp13fpen1XtpAlz2HWQxM27TSkZfyco2umHGGgVFoVLA7bB4_ydUbZu9qWFqmR5ySaI-CkiXpgCtDWEuvDLiDZKys_ls6g/s1600-h/P5160109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L1G-beV1ls4yZzmX3_WSMowHMDW1I3TdpLrHxo-FLk0DNSp13fpen1XtpAlz2HWQxM27TSkZfyco2umHGGgVFoVLA7bB4_ydUbZu9qWFqmR5ySaI-CkiXpgCtDWEuvDLiDZKys_ls6g/s320/P5160109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338119566981211218" border="0" /></a>Front suspension will make for a smooth ride when the going gets rough. Disc brakes appear to be the 'in thing", although I find the traditional types of brakes are just as good.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iEpl9CSX24aAtIVzk5BXl3TSGMsnQY3FU_ubBNRqZ2I-2To3v1aOWVa4p8Bxg4ez1g4rqy0zfLkD_sOQzM35g-Wmnd7rLcBLsCO-peubIY5rDRddLlvutkgmn9m0J1hxZ6hlOI2DaBI/s1600-h/P5160116.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iEpl9CSX24aAtIVzk5BXl3TSGMsnQY3FU_ubBNRqZ2I-2To3v1aOWVa4p8Bxg4ez1g4rqy0zfLkD_sOQzM35g-Wmnd7rLcBLsCO-peubIY5rDRddLlvutkgmn9m0J1hxZ6hlOI2DaBI/s320/P5160116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338111306221647554" border="0" /></a>A mirror is a good investment, and saves one having to constantly turn one's head.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVyNYvo4TmhzYgf3MJX34moIUhxH5j2McIGpig5as1-RtJyFepF7aBXwVs0n_nb-tmVS6ho94rGRpSOPSghvuYZ9A3ou2xIgKGW5-v46VdFOFcPbOOAclhkdH4xU43Nb6RNB5yD3vHqc/s1600-h/P5160115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVyNYvo4TmhzYgf3MJX34moIUhxH5j2McIGpig5as1-RtJyFepF7aBXwVs0n_nb-tmVS6ho94rGRpSOPSghvuYZ9A3ou2xIgKGW5-v46VdFOFcPbOOAclhkdH4xU43Nb6RNB5yD3vHqc/s320/P5160115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338119192346989266" border="0" /></a>Lights are of course important at night, and a lubrication system built into the bicycle should keep the cables in good order.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXfhtxGXoG8tJ-52uNn4FoZA05fuRnOI9T3Utr5u_8V9ksBRTZONYd5S6qXOLAOCbe5xbaOm6wN9xaYYbzfS8xlRqwgDDhyphenhyphen8GU3vvV33fka4vZRNerMzQkb0Bb9GGKJ7psQgqzFYHm3k/s1600-h/P5160101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXfhtxGXoG8tJ-52uNn4FoZA05fuRnOI9T3Utr5u_8V9ksBRTZONYd5S6qXOLAOCbe5xbaOm6wN9xaYYbzfS8xlRqwgDDhyphenhyphen8GU3vvV33fka4vZRNerMzQkb0Bb9GGKJ7psQgqzFYHm3k/s320/P5160101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338121774606887346" border="0" /></a>A speedometer/odometer provides much valuable information on any ride.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFlxFlDzA_sDZqgYrPGXSBcZLegpXWUUWJEcIk9-utjM0IfsuTWwb4EwFB4Hpfrw7IFr-lb-LjPgnoGKGoMaj70t4mjji1ygOMYJRs1q075bPR5FLL5Hi6fafuMXxYzRUT3CNw3BdgW8/s1600-h/P5200112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFlxFlDzA_sDZqgYrPGXSBcZLegpXWUUWJEcIk9-utjM0IfsuTWwb4EwFB4Hpfrw7IFr-lb-LjPgnoGKGoMaj70t4mjji1ygOMYJRs1q075bPR5FLL5Hi6fafuMXxYzRUT3CNw3BdgW8/s400/P5200112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338112907485129106" border="0" /></a>About one kilometer into the ride, one passes three pavilions and one can also get a good view of the Grand Hotel on the other side of the lake.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8a_FFELjYgPg5bJnC5NOEjINkMZR30emaj5HkBm5Ek0TWWM1ym_xxsIBD0Z43iJ_eU5dVL_IXcZbJUxD8DgvMoGNGw5u2kQDzxThOA1OwlsWDwBx8bMTxSk6d9txvgv9S5qZreUfrXo/s1600-h/P5200109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8a_FFELjYgPg5bJnC5NOEjINkMZR30emaj5HkBm5Ek0TWWM1ym_xxsIBD0Z43iJ_eU5dVL_IXcZbJUxD8DgvMoGNGw5u2kQDzxThOA1OwlsWDwBx8bMTxSk6d9txvgv9S5qZreUfrXo/s400/P5200109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338116182977031538" border="0" /></a>The three pavilions area is an excellent place for watching the sunset. as the sun comes down on the opposite side of the lake as one looks out.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ0NgFCzui0ymYjQ1C5NvQZLuq94VqL4AAjMbRbepvHXl7Ui-p7RORvLdK5_ARDyaY7vqzlq4Bd-f1oPaDeT5PzXnLLFOvuDUhZRd9-vsy0t17xP4n_q_vs1IdsvuDANUVe33dijbtD8/s1600-h/P5200110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ0NgFCzui0ymYjQ1C5NvQZLuq94VqL4AAjMbRbepvHXl7Ui-p7RORvLdK5_ARDyaY7vqzlq4Bd-f1oPaDeT5PzXnLLFOvuDUhZRd9-vsy0t17xP4n_q_vs1IdsvuDANUVe33dijbtD8/s400/P5200110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338113175348684770" border="0" /></a>The Grand Hotel from a distance.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpDUjVQcA6nAp3cst-3SkvG0n_JHXC0k8BxtInFRVQceJ96uvSkZlOK981o4W0GK5VmmhJ06fED4yNtKAXWC-bEMhmeos9h3KN6qAr6RrE_405fO2KK_ugz4cyh0OKcnBAkr0eVTr534/s1600-h/P5210131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpDUjVQcA6nAp3cst-3SkvG0n_JHXC0k8BxtInFRVQceJ96uvSkZlOK981o4W0GK5VmmhJ06fED4yNtKAXWC-bEMhmeos9h3KN6qAr6RrE_405fO2KK_ugz4cyh0OKcnBAkr0eVTr534/s400/P5210131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338109082182171650" border="0" /></a>A bike helmet should be worn at all times even in warm weather. This one fits well (and is not cheap!) and has good air vents. Its white color is also less likely to absorb the heat.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNPz9wAA8dZoQRWcG5lKHfRB_qOl6ig0daNr4vsWA2WaJWTYEg6wSuPEn9kkTJHc3yC13KX5eFxXI99qcs75BvtD31V0FEq64kUQlVJ1JOo8M3qHr2QVBQVirZcbMhN929slFIVClbZ0/s1600-h/P5210128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNPz9wAA8dZoQRWcG5lKHfRB_qOl6ig0daNr4vsWA2WaJWTYEg6wSuPEn9kkTJHc3yC13KX5eFxXI99qcs75BvtD31V0FEq64kUQlVJ1JOo8M3qHr2QVBQVirZcbMhN929slFIVClbZ0/s400/P5210128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338109323581521890" border="0" /></a>Here one can see that the bike path is separated from the road by something resembling a 4"x4" piece of wood. The only criticism that could be leveled against the path is that is gets somewhat narrower than this in places, which might encourage some people to just ride on the road instead, which can of course be done, too.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaz6JhcJ3fmLsMKe-0UfWthO3DG-iIDQeBTzuoxdejnp_QeIC1aRPQMcKTD_eydtWRPMsLIiO4Fr6ZEJtW3YfnjvNHTZ_0doSkWeEs-zo2jbFefKLBCCKMoVw-uqTA80YkGFNkus7VKc/s1600-h/P5210130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaz6JhcJ3fmLsMKe-0UfWthO3DG-iIDQeBTzuoxdejnp_QeIC1aRPQMcKTD_eydtWRPMsLIiO4Fr6ZEJtW3YfnjvNHTZ_0doSkWeEs-zo2jbFefKLBCCKMoVw-uqTA80YkGFNkus7VKc/s400/P5210130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338109496587919938" border="0" /></a>As one turns at the bottom of the lake one sees a huge expanse of water. From this point on, one has to share the road with the other vehicles for about half a mile, but then after that there are more bike paths.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvHufVh2q7x-NYJgPMwi5i33Tac8lynNuuFts7D510ZeLQmPaDnpD9q2eaKnqWpqltWQja09FgRryRpBX76HgGDh53Ma_JZvwtvifmmlOlOSYodYh_4WZq86Lnwj-MIF2X43WcJ_CvWI/s1600-h/P5190097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvHufVh2q7x-NYJgPMwi5i33Tac8lynNuuFts7D510ZeLQmPaDnpD9q2eaKnqWpqltWQja09FgRryRpBX76HgGDh53Ma_JZvwtvifmmlOlOSYodYh_4WZq86Lnwj-MIF2X43WcJ_CvWI/s400/P5190097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338110363267126530" border="0" /></a>The Grand Hotel is a very famous piece of architecture in Kaohsiung and well worth a visit. After passing the hotel there are more rolling hills and relatively little traffic except in the height of the rush hour.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Pz8CCvshEM2EQ5GAu_tFJ2j-j8ghj0-1FjCCw7g4M3qLJ9VA5YCJNN8KUfZtC4Y8BsjVaoX8k3UaqIfgusDuDqcXxdVPQ72wYqq4CIXr417qtCJuHIeVdkkYAmCBJB6O2UDWhiHAyE/s1600-h/P5210141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Pz8CCvshEM2EQ5GAu_tFJ2j-j8ghj0-1FjCCw7g4M3qLJ9VA5YCJNN8KUfZtC4Y8BsjVaoX8k3UaqIfgusDuDqcXxdVPQ72wYqq4CIXr417qtCJuHIeVdkkYAmCBJB6O2UDWhiHAyE/s400/P5210141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338108638974517186" border="0" /></a>If one keeps following the route depicted on the map, one will eventually get back to where one started. Since this point where I (pictured) am standing is very close to the swimming pool, I not only biked today, but also swam about one mile in the pool, too. Not a bad workout. Maybe I could add in a short run as well.<br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-28474263556243084042009-05-11T02:44:00.000-07:002009-05-11T04:23:18.129-07:00A Different Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K7KJIp61km8QmhIIuM-MOQ-fNrCk7Yfr1ZoI61apncYNi978nvI3P2pUyesbE59cldZWS9NGymNX9PR2MaAA5A31_HGummTGeM-zZtMGd_-asUsYcOGknW4Dd9bMa7o7b9Q1b9E0DHg/s1600-h/P5090078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K7KJIp61km8QmhIIuM-MOQ-fNrCk7Yfr1ZoI61apncYNi978nvI3P2pUyesbE59cldZWS9NGymNX9PR2MaAA5A31_HGummTGeM-zZtMGd_-asUsYcOGknW4Dd9bMa7o7b9Q1b9E0DHg/s400/P5090078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334502177046962210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This year, the day before Mother's Day, I found these roses at the local market. Before I gave them to my wife, Jocelyn, I took this photo of them as a souvenir.</span><br /></div><br />Sometimes holidays give rise to conflicts of schedules, and being very busy these days, I am always a little apprehensive about participating in organized activities, for fear of falling even further behind schedule. Besides, on Saturday night the streets were packed with people going out to eat for Mother's Day, and I immediately imagined myself waiting at the entrance of some crowded restaurant on a noisy and traffic-congested street for more than an hour before we could get served.<br /><br />So I heaved a sigh of relief when my family members suggested we go for a bicycle ride as a family on Mother's Day late in the afternoon when it would be a good time to take a break from the busyness of life, anyway. The idea was to more or less follow the river which runs only a few hundred yards from our house all the way until it hits the ocean at the other end of the city. In recent years, the local government has expended much effort in constructing bike paths, and it is more or less possible to ride on these paths for miles, usually next to a river (or a lake if one goes in the direction of where I swim in the mornings), with only minimal interaction with motorized transport.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4JNSBdzdBGo8YRDgKlbQIGd0yQH-1UrugiHxUEFxqr9jaT5QB1L6ZeMGGRHK0pAQJRoDtXVeI97gZV_KZtx-BbHdUuNCK9-CGyHPBlLD_GWwFbriPQDqvvMs4KxAFzdBFXzeSRv0pDU/s1600-h/P5100082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4JNSBdzdBGo8YRDgKlbQIGd0yQH-1UrugiHxUEFxqr9jaT5QB1L6ZeMGGRHK0pAQJRoDtXVeI97gZV_KZtx-BbHdUuNCK9-CGyHPBlLD_GWwFbriPQDqvvMs4KxAFzdBFXzeSRv0pDU/s400/P5100082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334501960166482002" border="0" /></a>We did not leave home until about 5:30 p.m., and after one or two detours (like where we were on the "wrong" side of the river and there were repairs being made to the bike path), we soon found that the otherwise bright and sunny day was quickly coming to an end. At this point looking down the river we were about two-thirds of the way to our destination (had we gone directly there).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5wgQawygQ1_S_LXDJVqbXDQ6gkF_9aAjVTapNxb8d2hr63A3fZhEnEqzFttlwE0EzbmT3BNtwDS_bfmwwU88gwxsrqbQQx4BFx9m1LTgYeQDnLIay5NNdt5ZxnBaBb11PAuo0H2g4wE/s1600-h/P5100083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5wgQawygQ1_S_LXDJVqbXDQ6gkF_9aAjVTapNxb8d2hr63A3fZhEnEqzFttlwE0EzbmT3BNtwDS_bfmwwU88gwxsrqbQQx4BFx9m1LTgYeQDnLIay5NNdt5ZxnBaBb11PAuo0H2g4wE/s400/P5100083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334501688986497202" border="0" /></a>We stopped close to where the Love River meets the ocean to take a few photos and decide on where we were going to eat. Like many of our trips, little had been planned. I kind of like things that way, i.e., a bit more spontaneous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VAPYojYUDApAWysHNGzatlpky_oWH27B4Hjk04gjrtjk5WGXFjWm6I4nUPGXAMoaado4QQGH5EO3_C74exGWIJO0aLCwX38FX_DHgs2FfY9Q1FbuRNCbdQWYK61AkCAGQvQVjePRebk/s1600-h/IMG_0282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VAPYojYUDApAWysHNGzatlpky_oWH27B4Hjk04gjrtjk5WGXFjWm6I4nUPGXAMoaado4QQGH5EO3_C74exGWIJO0aLCwX38FX_DHgs2FfY9Q1FbuRNCbdQWYK61AkCAGQvQVjePRebk/s400/IMG_0282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334500816710343074" border="0" /></a>With less and less light, my little camera was becoming less capable of getting a clear shot, and fortunately James had his new camera with him, a Canon with a 30 mm F 1.4 lens, for those in the know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJYsA6Wbmx7jJDdeJ4c_gvIru5iHukh3rbQQDpDd2ptCScOX_PNYqaX1QlYJtksIff94kqtCEnfGBGixB3RecMoKnxPi0okPyp3i1Fn_fLI6pVGvPFBNjYxKPjf0vo-1HXlfnqIyIbGc/s1600-h/P5100085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJYsA6Wbmx7jJDdeJ4c_gvIru5iHukh3rbQQDpDd2ptCScOX_PNYqaX1QlYJtksIff94kqtCEnfGBGixB3RecMoKnxPi0okPyp3i1Fn_fLI6pVGvPFBNjYxKPjf0vo-1HXlfnqIyIbGc/s400/P5100085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334501487504642786" border="0" /></a>As we waited there, the lights on buildings started to come on. I could still get a few reasonably good shots on my camera, because there was still quite a bit of daylight left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXq1Cg0LgQyI3jhJ1UC7q0bvghuAX72H1HgcgllkAB6b9rT1U8-3XurXttrRrMv_zyed0bXE8YorYhAkEaez1RWJlxhKB0272z8hnQqPiVqHNXAdIuGBeor0CzBO_zEcZ5UdOnHs1hLqg/s1600-h/IMG_0298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXq1Cg0LgQyI3jhJ1UC7q0bvghuAX72H1HgcgllkAB6b9rT1U8-3XurXttrRrMv_zyed0bXE8YorYhAkEaez1RWJlxhKB0272z8hnQqPiVqHNXAdIuGBeor0CzBO_zEcZ5UdOnHs1hLqg/s400/IMG_0298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334500613781364578" border="0" /></a>However, without a a bigger and better camera, the above shot would not have been possible. I took it, although James set it up manually first. I should have brought a tripod.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF9GBbRDuomkQLH5nH3LtVbN24-mLWpIyMlVeTVgrZZGpLV-2SpbULGUZ4HadbJePII1GhhyphenhyphenSU2ina3RrfoxEJGv6N5yy8_7scfDC0xEEh_h4Awf_Rr1mkl6-uyCYfxiYyXPgQwcUFiM/s1600-h/IMG_0300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF9GBbRDuomkQLH5nH3LtVbN24-mLWpIyMlVeTVgrZZGpLV-2SpbULGUZ4HadbJePII1GhhyphenhyphenSU2ina3RrfoxEJGv6N5yy8_7scfDC0xEEh_h4Awf_Rr1mkl6-uyCYfxiYyXPgQwcUFiM/s400/IMG_0300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334500412725436226" border="0" /></a>In this picture we can see the four bikes we rode. Only mine on the far left, is a "real" bicycle. Even with gear on it and its much larger size, it still weighs a couple of kilos less than Jocelyn's bicycle. Maybe it is time to find Jocelyn a "real" bike.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqnN0qTGPsSn_VJR9GWpjcDAHBPazA8B9eB_TL_h7J7Kf97SwKYWdJk5G0zBGJdp9gyajY3P-qykZFXjOBEleaESB47vJmZK44_hoCEzadS49LZ6bJaK1ezlSIk_kxI-rUpk-HcHO5Co/s1600-h/P5100090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqnN0qTGPsSn_VJR9GWpjcDAHBPazA8B9eB_TL_h7J7Kf97SwKYWdJk5G0zBGJdp9gyajY3P-qykZFXjOBEleaESB47vJmZK44_hoCEzadS49LZ6bJaK1ezlSIk_kxI-rUpk-HcHO5Co/s400/P5100090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334501234240986466" border="0" /></a>After these pictures, we rode about another kilometer to the Fishermen's Wharf in Kaohsiung, which as its name implies is part of the port of Kaohsiung. (This was taken with my "little" camera, which was possible because the lights were very bright.) To get there were rode down a street full of small stores with names in various Asian languages, no doubt to serve the many foreigners who work on the boats.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvw-4zhp3phTjAgqmtOcFK7EQucK_yoSL2IC2yF8lstapYKQqo4xSNG3UFevseI5xj-LbtwQKh_aBdfTvZ_rbosqE_03Elkgi_2to6FmxyoV7lB7TtmFlJ69_5mW0CFeoMOa4fxLZ1AE/s1600-h/P5100089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvw-4zhp3phTjAgqmtOcFK7EQucK_yoSL2IC2yF8lstapYKQqo4xSNG3UFevseI5xj-LbtwQKh_aBdfTvZ_rbosqE_03Elkgi_2to6FmxyoV7lB7TtmFlJ69_5mW0CFeoMOa4fxLZ1AE/s400/P5100089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334501074762057602" border="0" /></a>This was the view (also taken with my camera) that we had as we ate a nutritious meal in an oceanside restaurant. However, instead of getting on one of these boats, we together rode (for about one hour) the 11 kilometers we needed to travel to get home, most of which was along the river and the nice bike paths built for this purpose.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvw-4zhp3phTjAgqmtOcFK7EQucK_yoSL2IC2yF8lstapYKQqo4xSNG3UFevseI5xj-LbtwQKh_aBdfTvZ_rbosqE_03Elkgi_2to6FmxyoV7lB7TtmFlJ69_5mW0CFeoMOa4fxLZ1AE/s1600-h/P5100089.JPG"><br /></a>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-15129568937172757992009-04-28T07:54:00.000-07:002009-04-28T08:44:52.117-07:00The Impossible Dream<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdCH2y112_x5tsfLoWAj9b_4cvJJcx-n_CfymS_uYWC81jxFLZN1vZGqyXRaiOXXBqnqG8src_gVcdHAN-fvvq3comdPCTIf3q7ElHW-UZAYTW9YahdTYR-kmLMYkoAnKRAUZk_37fxo/s1600-h/PC280581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdCH2y112_x5tsfLoWAj9b_4cvJJcx-n_CfymS_uYWC81jxFLZN1vZGqyXRaiOXXBqnqG8src_gVcdHAN-fvvq3comdPCTIf3q7ElHW-UZAYTW9YahdTYR-kmLMYkoAnKRAUZk_37fxo/s400/PC280581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329766541226126738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">50 meters of outdoor pool open all year rou</span>nd<br /></div><br />As I have been going to swim each morning, or at least most mornings, I have looked down the 50m pool and wondered just how fast I could swim a length if I especially trained for it. I remember in 1997 not long after recovering from illness that, at the end of a life-saving training session, I dived in another 50m outdoor pool in Taipei and swam the length in about 50 seconds. At the time, I told one of the instructors about it and he said that for us ordinary folk that was quite good, although of course for good swimmers it was really slow.<br /><br />Now I can swim the same distance with a dive into the pool in about 40 seconds, and I often will have a go as I finish a 3,000 m workout and am warmed up for it. The world record is somewhere around 21 seconds (20.94 if Frederick Bousquet's recent <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2009/04/26/D97Q9A4G0_swm_world_record_50_free/">record</a> in France holds). For my age group, the qualifying time for USMS Nationals is apparently around 32 seconds. So getting my time down from about 40 seconds to about 32 seconds may be impossible or possible depending on which way you look at it.<br /><br />I would really like to have the chance to qualify in some freestyle distance for the USMS Nationals. I think one of the main reasons is that there is a tendency for people to think that if you were not a good and fast swimmer when young, then you will never be able to become one when you are older. In my case, I did not break 50 seconds for this distance (LCM) until I was "over the hill" in my forties. In addition, in life I have had my share of setbacks and negative feedback, etc. and so to accomplish something, even if only small, will be all the more worthwhile.<br /><br />So what have I got going for me? Besides having a pool to practice in (even though it is probably not a "fast" one), I have the advantage of height (1m 92s). While I still look like a shrimp compared with some of the "big boys" (who are often almost two meters and much more strongly built), at least I can get stronger through training, although I cannot make myself any taller. I also have fairly big feet and hands, which while a curse when one goes to a shoe shop, may possibly help if I can learn to use them to my advantage.<br /><br />Currently, I am not very well coordinated on my 50m training "sprints". I can usually do a fairly good dive, but I am still experimenting with the dolphin kick (like they do in the big races) to get further up the pool before actually using my arms. Then I am not sure whether to take short, rapid strokes with my arms, or to fully extend them and take longer strokes with more glide. My breathing seems to be erratic, like 10 strokes then one breath, then 6 strokes, then 2 strokes, etc., etc. I can feel myself slowing down and struggling half way through the swim.<br /><br />Well, all these things can be overcome, just as can flip turns. When swimming 100 meters where I need to turn, I can flip over so that I lie on my back as I push off the wall. However, often my push is so weak that I must have almost come to a complete stop.<br /><br />Anyway, there are plenty of things I can work on, and it is well worth the effort. It is a great feeling to go down the pool and find out that a second was knocked off one's previous best time.<br />Another reason for focusing on the short distances is because in the past I have always tended to train for much longer distances. While I have developed a lot of stamina, I have always tended to be slow, and I could rarely pick up the pace in a short race (like a short Peaman or Mango sprint). So even if in the end I cannot reach the USMS qualifying standard, my overall performance in a "short" race with a swim of up to half a mile should be improved.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-vHLA_wCOs-9aO8t8zezR0fs9TFeyFfv-Jq_T4CQwKL-XYXGH1ZPrTGulYy1GCK8bYazfrMdPSbA8VfXyXoWo4CkgLfuykHG2CV7ymWdOatTeKAIBQb2JLsQWBV5FqYcJ8ixmamZbA8/s1600-h/P4240021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-vHLA_wCOs-9aO8t8zezR0fs9TFeyFfv-Jq_T4CQwKL-XYXGH1ZPrTGulYy1GCK8bYazfrMdPSbA8VfXyXoWo4CkgLfuykHG2CV7ymWdOatTeKAIBQb2JLsQWBV5FqYcJ8ixmamZbA8/s400/P4240021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329765438345470834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Second by second, pressing toward the goal</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-21060885720287612482009-04-15T01:51:00.001-07:002009-04-15T02:56:20.899-07:00Swimming Alone in Taiwan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS5ME_vRNJAsfDp_hyphenhyphenrHKQyKEUo11FcOBIa6tuOreZcZDsPiLQ9Tm_AgobqW-doXJYDY5OtA8oIuNJLJvMUPJw-5lXLD4sukugKp4AtoMZY9mreiHBWAkl66E2qnYXY2I3u-8KvtJ_BU/s1600-h/P4151429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS5ME_vRNJAsfDp_hyphenhyphenrHKQyKEUo11FcOBIa6tuOreZcZDsPiLQ9Tm_AgobqW-doXJYDY5OtA8oIuNJLJvMUPJw-5lXLD4sukugKp4AtoMZY9mreiHBWAkl66E2qnYXY2I3u-8KvtJ_BU/s400/P4151429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324838745393616258" border="0" /> </a>What do all these pictures have in common? The answer is that I am the only person in the 50 meter pool. This is a regular occurrence, since most of the few people that swim here are out of the water by 7:45 a.m. and I usually stay another half hour to "finish" my training. This is something I never could have dreamed of when I left Hawai'i almost two years ago - being able to swim all year round in a 50 meter outdoor pool, just 4.5 kms from our home mostly along quiet, scenic roads by bicycle, Kona weather all year round, except December and January when it is slightly cooler here, but still swimmable outside if one is mentally prepared for it. However, what about all this swimming alone?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfnd8HPOFdKJNs6MEnpE_nLJ6vdtr99vnYKCZySo9VgQ0oSSgaYal8rCJ_qPOR0EYcwNa0VO0ATXl0afZR8nJMIyX-3rvcs26UCAEuE87IbQKUpjGPzJjpI6t1VYXyiQUJxWZP4nI2RA/s1600-h/P4151432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfnd8HPOFdKJNs6MEnpE_nLJ6vdtr99vnYKCZySo9VgQ0oSSgaYal8rCJ_qPOR0EYcwNa0VO0ATXl0afZR8nJMIyX-3rvcs26UCAEuE87IbQKUpjGPzJjpI6t1VYXyiQUJxWZP4nI2RA/s400/P4151432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324839309612490898" border="0" /></a>Many years ago, I heard the story of someone who had stopped talking, not that he couldn't speak, but he felt that by not talking he would be less likely to say something bad and offend someone. Better to keep quiet than to start an argument or else be accused of being a gossip. Likewise, reclusivity may be a virtue. Just focus on yourself and live life for yourself, and spend lots of time training and reviewing your training.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMEA_sF-L4P2_Hw5wjBuiaLPmKpOMYQXyMosL-7uDxRzdWu0MPZ8WKHefeGLPbHmry1zFNAjoUnAmSu56HHgbh71jfm_-7NyZ4Cj1Blcxyr3BFvFMVKwFYV9Nd614SMeZrx1ZiF9T8Lo/s1600-h/P4151428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMEA_sF-L4P2_Hw5wjBuiaLPmKpOMYQXyMosL-7uDxRzdWu0MPZ8WKHefeGLPbHmry1zFNAjoUnAmSu56HHgbh71jfm_-7NyZ4Cj1Blcxyr3BFvFMVKwFYV9Nd614SMeZrx1ZiF9T8Lo/s400/P4151428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324838940670547730" border="0" /></a>Well, at times life may be like that (being on my own, etc.), especially after leaving Hawai'i and having to say goodbye to many good training buddies. There is the whole issue of culture shock when one relocates, not shock from an unfamiliar culture in my case (because I was just returning "home"), but having to start all over again, getting to know people, finding interesting things to do, etc., and discovering that people like those crazy friends that I trained with before don't seem to exist here (at least there are very few that I have the chance to meet).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCo0exe_IiUCIeY6Ix61nqf6wAd_Bpyq_vqucOVcWcn7f1KTFqnyc0WmBfZF8SGsbpn4EaBJT8s2n79R0fQJz2syvRFm6BylzXmEwkupwc2myzxu0FB-UgRiM1-4YOhER-sf66Q5JYIk/s1600-h/P4151430.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCo0exe_IiUCIeY6Ix61nqf6wAd_Bpyq_vqucOVcWcn7f1KTFqnyc0WmBfZF8SGsbpn4EaBJT8s2n79R0fQJz2syvRFm6BylzXmEwkupwc2myzxu0FB-UgRiM1-4YOhER-sf66Q5JYIk/s400/P4151430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324838628613740786" border="0" /></a>Of course, nowadays we have blogs and <a href="http://fr-fr.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Sinclair-Stewart/694683931">Facebook</a>, and so at least it is possible to keep in touch and share photos and video clips, etc. It is such an improvement over just using the telephone. And by keeping in touch, it is possible to plan trips to exotic places like Hawai'i to train and race with friends, and while a trip may be expensive, overall one still saves money as it is usually a lot cheaper living somewhere else the rest of the year.<br /><br />As for my own training, in March I generally swam between 1,500m and 2,000m each day roughly six days per week, and this month I have upped the distances to between 2,000m and 2,500m per day. Not a lot, but I need to work harder this year than last as our boys are going to further their education overseas. While an extra 1,000m may not take that long in the water (even for me), I am more concerned about the onset of sleep later in the day when I am supposed to be getting things done. Still, I can't complain, I still feel as if I am retired, only that I have to be very careful with time.<br /><br />I have benefited a great deal from the freestyle teaching <a href="http://www.aquaticedge.org/dvd.htm">video</a> prepared by <a href="http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=767&Itemid=330">Karlyn</a> Pipes-Neilsen, who continues to be a great inspiration as she breaks more Masters' records. My workouts start out with a longish warm-up, followed by relaxed sets as I slowly build up speed. However, instead of getting out once I have covered a certain distance, I usually like to finish with a 100m or 50m at at least 90 percent effort. That is the highlight of the day, and puts me in good stead for the work I do later in the morning, which requires a lot of mental concentration.<br /><br />I have recently made friends with a cardiologist I see at church. Don't quote me on this, but when I asked questions like: "Will I have a heart attack as a result of going flat out on a 50 meter sprint?" he appears to be of the opinion that as long as I train regularly this would be extremely unlikely, and when the unimaginable does happen, it may be due to a problem with the heart that existed at birth. Anyway, it is important to train regularly and consistently and to warm up well at each workout. I have not had any shoulder discomfort this year and had very little last year even with longer distances.<br /><br />In closing, after writing this, I am not so keen on becoming a recluse, and I do have a few good swimming friends here - someone had to take the pictures. So while it may not be so easy to train together, at least we can train and follow each others' blogs and maybe have the chance to race against each other in the not-too-distant future.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45qPYwGh5fxPskq449G3iCTx5PDDEcs4K-pkmTxdINKAp4uI2_JKdMWXr_YE6eGDnfq2tKydWLGeZTZmqtq6g2qDWrR9AMft7Q6tTJjVBWZacDp2h8x3s9U0MoTIma0cx_i1LpsFE3xQ/s1600-h/P4111416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45qPYwGh5fxPskq449G3iCTx5PDDEcs4K-pkmTxdINKAp4uI2_JKdMWXr_YE6eGDnfq2tKydWLGeZTZmqtq6g2qDWrR9AMft7Q6tTJjVBWZacDp2h8x3s9U0MoTIma0cx_i1LpsFE3xQ/s400/P4111416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324854123913055378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The pool is occasionally used by other people, like this Saturday morning. The children are mostly in elementary school and belong to a swim club. They are training for a meet and are all pretty good.</span>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-43495940488160615342009-03-18T20:27:00.000-07:002009-03-18T22:25:30.110-07:00Alishan's Cherry Blossoms 阿里山的櫻花季On March 9 & 10, we went on a family trip to Alishan in Chiayi County in central/southern Taiwan. Well, it was supposed to be a family outing, but James sprained his foot badly the day before and the doctor advised him to stay home. So just three of us went. We can always go again some time.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-kwRthxaxIOp0QbcRYTcwCAIcd7Q7l0VFc15RsoSrCQGfLMQhLvK-UWaoGTCXz58mdSO2cMw2xMlJUlYMDJfnV4XeyyxxbUz9tnkPow-45HiW81Eywvtj7KgHdtKvHHmXAxFhHisQzU/s1600-h/P3091304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-kwRthxaxIOp0QbcRYTcwCAIcd7Q7l0VFc15RsoSrCQGfLMQhLvK-UWaoGTCXz58mdSO2cMw2xMlJUlYMDJfnV4XeyyxxbUz9tnkPow-45HiW81Eywvtj7KgHdtKvHHmXAxFhHisQzU/s400/P3091304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314748749928714386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The real start to our adventure, as you will see below.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36qbNqh-dyNegSw7LfmKwNmuUTROtIfxxaKkJSY6W925IOhv-giawld2yRpK5323G0HGonF0rH-VLGAbcMC9OtkIY0KVvRoL_PjOpZ7rZEVv7Sjok58GzqZxQdyU9g97I9-Wx_QLLTr0/s1600-h/DSCN1004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36qbNqh-dyNegSw7LfmKwNmuUTROtIfxxaKkJSY6W925IOhv-giawld2yRpK5323G0HGonF0rH-VLGAbcMC9OtkIY0KVvRoL_PjOpZ7rZEVv7Sjok58GzqZxQdyU9g97I9-Wx_QLLTr0/s400/DSCN1004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314737397952590962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This little diesel train, and another further up the hill, were going to spend the next four hours transporting us to our destination.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmv2GvETjabTeRFKVSmuR8xS2NXEMcEGU1IYPTVXaXgSvvBrM5iAu5B4mGkP3Zh3c_yiHLIIh_OhZxbpA1xhDLKIwT-aELsLnziCXQFwPfQpz06vRuzQOGtmmlzcraOr9iYrZspPPlIc/s1600-h/P3091312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmv2GvETjabTeRFKVSmuR8xS2NXEMcEGU1IYPTVXaXgSvvBrM5iAu5B4mGkP3Zh3c_yiHLIIh_OhZxbpA1xhDLKIwT-aELsLnziCXQFwPfQpz06vRuzQOGtmmlzcraOr9iYrZspPPlIc/s400/P3091312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314754113189685538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The early stages of the train ride. Normal weather and plenty of betel nut trees (a cash crop that is not environmentally or medically friendly).</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU_FPuesrlQM5ElnidcldHsSa4nxQrOjJaFCLU5X9IYKFvi6_YVPPNf_R3mHmy6AZYlP7mttSQgWceuOFJxdVI69doBNBUmleXWiE1gOmmYxtkE86F0HhQGxLu3z92CK_M4YKkJVa84Y/s1600-h/DSCN1043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU_FPuesrlQM5ElnidcldHsSa4nxQrOjJaFCLU5X9IYKFvi6_YVPPNf_R3mHmy6AZYlP7mttSQgWceuOFJxdVI69doBNBUmleXWiE1gOmmYxtkE86F0HhQGxLu3z92CK_M4YKkJVa84Y/s400/DSCN1043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314747010540538338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">About half way (a little above one thousand meters) and above one set of clouds. <span style="font-style: italic;">Morrison is already warmly dressed.</span> </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIsy7VgrkkmWW-lQN4QFIjIeOt9D6UQdSWAnDK3eV7lyfxiWV6zNp39fYEL-s0Y3IHzseKUIwiFr9lfcoL0bi3Z6oco5S2bKHZO85LZWP88kmeiO4ioxewmEaRB-jIgiE5_qQrE6tzwQ/s1600-h/P3091318.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIsy7VgrkkmWW-lQN4QFIjIeOt9D6UQdSWAnDK3eV7lyfxiWV6zNp39fYEL-s0Y3IHzseKUIwiFr9lfcoL0bi3Z6oco5S2bKHZO85LZWP88kmeiO4ioxewmEaRB-jIgiE5_qQrE6tzwQ/s400/P3091318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314750171964251986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Somewhere in the middle of the trip we had to change trains which involved a 15-minute walk over hilly and muddy trails - all because of a landslide some time ago that broke the line in two.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVc6ze-ch9UH45bgAxDocElG2wiIJwlwsF5P4KSs362xYSKNKzpg78YvVDjeFsYnZ9dOFysvnYew_iQTchzhSrJlIyWJASR2h7UsLKATlO3froO_x_h0fj4LPFuClRIf8Llkh2UXKmLQ/s1600-h/P3091329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVc6ze-ch9UH45bgAxDocElG2wiIJwlwsF5P4KSs362xYSKNKzpg78YvVDjeFsYnZ9dOFysvnYew_iQTchzhSrJlIyWJASR2h7UsLKATlO3froO_x_h0fj4LPFuClRIf8Llkh2UXKmLQ/s400/P3091329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314751675672572914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">As the afternoon wore on, we would occasionally see some nice cloud formations (now about 1,600 meters)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE5hI2Jf_tRGXwpVSaYadeSwIWI3FWtX0qgs5MgmrrIHreV88aWN2Ywiuk27cHzEEMtxTIMF9GRDe_Ly9fakGGWwQImyLTmQ2WMGDNYdjcSm3EdL8MDEyrSUbtikccaUA96C-x4aVvR8/s1600-h/P3091338.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE5hI2Jf_tRGXwpVSaYadeSwIWI3FWtX0qgs5MgmrrIHreV88aWN2Ywiuk27cHzEEMtxTIMF9GRDe_Ly9fakGGWwQImyLTmQ2WMGDNYdjcSm3EdL8MDEyrSUbtikccaUA96C-x4aVvR8/s400/P3091338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314751231307122034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After we reached the end of the journey and our hotel at 2,200 meters and about 7 degrees celsius, we went out to eat our evening dinner - hot pot!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm8fmNDoTj8BqZrWmoLUFbf7v-OcdyhcEyPzewhivxN0IaEQkSTrQMQOfWCpUtLjSM5poRLA-RgGofz6JEcdcj0V8WXEG9FT9i7EQ-Vc5KkX5n_QFk8ZS2NKDEmWH2KmJAdiZBlbWU6E/s1600-h/DSCN1053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm8fmNDoTj8BqZrWmoLUFbf7v-OcdyhcEyPzewhivxN0IaEQkSTrQMQOfWCpUtLjSM5poRLA-RgGofz6JEcdcj0V8WXEG9FT9i7EQ-Vc5KkX5n_QFk8ZS2NKDEmWH2KmJAdiZBlbWU6E/s400/DSCN1053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314752078392763906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The next morning we were up early and joined a prearranged tour that would take us to see the sunrise.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe5b9ylnDsf4VaPqN7zNfXvcEbTJs8ncJQ29UXEa1QvIRsFiYPH-i8p9h3Mn_YpJu1xX1smn5m3GVGJh8OsriINZ61gOGwHiAiN93hXuG9LIm70KwqNaQGtIZfJYM8LIGud1bF2F_2fY/s1600-h/P3101344.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe5b9ylnDsf4VaPqN7zNfXvcEbTJs8ncJQ29UXEa1QvIRsFiYPH-i8p9h3Mn_YpJu1xX1smn5m3GVGJh8OsriINZ61gOGwHiAiN93hXuG9LIm70KwqNaQGtIZfJYM8LIGud1bF2F_2fY/s400/P3101344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314747388063141922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Two of the many sacred trees that we saw during our stay.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWirHwOvEMvBszgRnNxJD8jK0slf4f-cO3d79CLxZQWVJIfzWKE17Axfw0hZBZGq_eMsC4itaw2jV-uCjvm0csziLa1ro27R8mLaC1jyoDwovlk4W9IGFS6Th1IxqLyMtFYpRlp3kuh0/s1600-h/P3101351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWirHwOvEMvBszgRnNxJD8jK0slf4f-cO3d79CLxZQWVJIfzWKE17Axfw0hZBZGq_eMsC4itaw2jV-uCjvm0csziLa1ro27R8mLaC1jyoDwovlk4W9IGFS6Th1IxqLyMtFYpRlp3kuh0/s400/P3101351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314746556226435634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">We were fortunate to see the sun as not every morning is clear.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30gmqgTfgWBqUkOvWjfeRRSszwIYomh-k7DE3TCnXdyI8gOaV-5XRSpcPAv8lwVuHYrR-Ux9I_Ed_GXHr2oaIQlRv5Sl5NHAO0RpvzSCmadAi7l5E-3ZchWLmQcm2Fz4TrCXubhuL_D0/s1600-h/DSCN1086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30gmqgTfgWBqUkOvWjfeRRSszwIYomh-k7DE3TCnXdyI8gOaV-5XRSpcPAv8lwVuHYrR-Ux9I_Ed_GXHr2oaIQlRv5Sl5NHAO0RpvzSCmadAi7l5E-3ZchWLmQcm2Fz4TrCXubhuL_D0/s400/DSCN1086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314745341748943906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The scenery up here (at 2,700 meters) is a lot different from what one usually has at sea level.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUBLsPLi8HRaKfLbvZzaqJWpGarmnPwjzt9fRc0rvHDmUqLYjHASALFzowF0dNgVkLjIZoBTML-r79ybYaKmC9HERd127I0x595bYxmPHoDBe3u6qxp3iEmpI0uMm5qofTh1HlOs0blU/s1600-h/P3101362.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUBLsPLi8HRaKfLbvZzaqJWpGarmnPwjzt9fRc0rvHDmUqLYjHASALFzowF0dNgVkLjIZoBTML-r79ybYaKmC9HERd127I0x595bYxmPHoDBe3u6qxp3iEmpI0uMm5qofTh1HlOs0blU/s400/P3101362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314745019589939026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Some trees made people look like midgets.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnt-iRLuxbctknZJwO4vglucHLu3bhgbw8Iy1gT-dD6N49u54UAzni6wWyj1I_BtIy_W5u01uu8w5eJ4n_NWx-QIeAtK5wr1QEEf2E3qlkYAmQqy6FPINXB4b8wTge3f9BrbYPcLsP04/s1600-h/DSCN1123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnt-iRLuxbctknZJwO4vglucHLu3bhgbw8Iy1gT-dD6N49u54UAzni6wWyj1I_BtIy_W5u01uu8w5eJ4n_NWx-QIeAtK5wr1QEEf2E3qlkYAmQqy6FPINXB4b8wTge3f9BrbYPcLsP04/s400/DSCN1123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314744657407178898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The cherry blossoms that we saw later the same morning were the highlight of our trip, the icing on the cake as it were.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhyphenhyphenHqZkRCoS83ela0NnrsrCqxCkAUTw3XuCpbRUGSnsn2sOVI65uWAu8_76FaPiJmtKRQBaeyP7Vg67ziZ4ExOSup9Fvm-Nv3q60HYLTDMtolcJKEg2pbe-qjnk2PPAOYuShxIRD-cV8/s1600-h/RSCN1165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhyphenhyphenHqZkRCoS83ela0NnrsrCqxCkAUTw3XuCpbRUGSnsn2sOVI65uWAu8_76FaPiJmtKRQBaeyP7Vg67ziZ4ExOSup9Fvm-Nv3q60HYLTDMtolcJKEg2pbe-qjnk2PPAOYuShxIRD-cV8/s400/RSCN1165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314743903109588546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hsiu-chin even had the clothes to match!</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIICQCyH3YDm0Hc9eglU1-28ZVCXMvhyphenhyphenKah6XRk1172z3KL2Emh4pa47aYeoiRzHrTIng_62Ou72VEYLAXhyphenhyphennkb8xVEnvq8imJrIab5W2wXH7lRxmTg7Ys272cfEWZ6Nky1LV7mPQFMc8/s1600-h/P3101388_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIICQCyH3YDm0Hc9eglU1-28ZVCXMvhyphenhyphenKah6XRk1172z3KL2Emh4pa47aYeoiRzHrTIng_62Ou72VEYLAXhyphenhyphennkb8xVEnvq8imJrIab5W2wXH7lRxmTg7Ys272cfEWZ6Nky1LV7mPQFMc8/s400/P3101388_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314743694943615202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Many people have seen Christmas trees with lights, but they cannot compare with a Tokyo cherry tree like this. (To see the flowers more clearly, click to enlarge image.)</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdpVFCcNJTa81ZQPqcrkum_OZmxLYsZV8gJAw5gndlwIYr5xlQW-7x6k-k2EWFw9I6k24XeRF6inuJ2btrWD0qWOFnm4g8Z0ybYjWLvff2FtIGi_wjFJo9z0w2yF5JyJfz-opLvOSnVY/s1600-h/P3101378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdpVFCcNJTa81ZQPqcrkum_OZmxLYsZV8gJAw5gndlwIYr5xlQW-7x6k-k2EWFw9I6k24XeRF6inuJ2btrWD0qWOFnm4g8Z0ybYjWLvff2FtIGi_wjFJo9z0w2yF5JyJfz-opLvOSnVY/s400/P3101378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314739346480885026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This tree was located next to the Alishan hotel (which we did not stay at, but would consider doing so another time)</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_Kg4YbNJPp2YxWYPbd_5_15jscSwltS350zBBfAHUdQK0ZUV7AhIsJMf4HptXMlm0g2yVQHRtkV2jaPom1PAk65yKPtKJxEWeWQVKkHA0CfeyZf4FdIlK7iQjA0bcbSgJ-K5kGPUoj0/s1600-h/DSCN1124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_Kg4YbNJPp2YxWYPbd_5_15jscSwltS350zBBfAHUdQK0ZUV7AhIsJMf4HptXMlm0g2yVQHRtkV2jaPom1PAk65yKPtKJxEWeWQVKkHA0CfeyZf4FdIlK7iQjA0bcbSgJ-K5kGPUoj0/s400/DSCN1124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314739812248549346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">These blossoms are unbelievable (thanks Morrison for the pic)</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fdcAB6ZNcGJ7S3RkGqSDgD8b05Z7yGm7v9Fxa7Mj1H5OM3gJhscylhRbIKOxrCi631p8dMeEejJadYTQwfjorSG_qiv9ixUN7UZIEl1RSFid6gPCMwnYriKo9aqOpWfFWsNjx-e42ko/s1600-h/P3101375.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fdcAB6ZNcGJ7S3RkGqSDgD8b05Z7yGm7v9Fxa7Mj1H5OM3gJhscylhRbIKOxrCi631p8dMeEejJadYTQwfjorSG_qiv9ixUN7UZIEl1RSFid6gPCMwnYriKo9aqOpWfFWsNjx-e42ko/s400/P3101375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314739607744979074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Blossoms by the roadside.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHprqY9ZFE8oXhJG2pTzx9cYorIhq-jSw3UtTnaf5X8Zf-880A5QhXNltgOR9dw8DUjbwhZi1Lci8s4BTtI7EVcoeb0TiWi41xvoRmrEhDsVQGN-lRIUfJFjrsU6OYy4Mm4BxYMPlopzs/s1600-h/P3101379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHprqY9ZFE8oXhJG2pTzx9cYorIhq-jSw3UtTnaf5X8Zf-880A5QhXNltgOR9dw8DUjbwhZi1Lci8s4BTtI7EVcoeb0TiWi41xvoRmrEhDsVQGN-lRIUfJFjrsU6OYy4Mm4BxYMPlopzs/s400/P3101379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314739113196834386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There are trees everywhere and also a lot of blossoms.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBkT8AWxoHolaOawq9tzuLtzNyOoCAyIws7lX3TOMEBkeUA6rdomqDYrP2MRVpEjlyVXIOSq-1DjMT_7TMiq1kZP2REqtUQ_c4yvY6otvtX9J3J1SpTTmNrrDzmp_vb7NsjU6EMYkc6I/s1600-h/DSCN1134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBkT8AWxoHolaOawq9tzuLtzNyOoCAyIws7lX3TOMEBkeUA6rdomqDYrP2MRVpEjlyVXIOSq-1DjMT_7TMiq1kZP2REqtUQ_c4yvY6otvtX9J3J1SpTTmNrrDzmp_vb7NsjU6EMYkc6I/s400/DSCN1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314760878447421698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Two generations at the three-generation tree.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uL0IDHLHZA1Qab8wUvQ4LUY0OwEfWfi1yB2vNTVPSA3grskOk7v2wRq5p-VPAa-6FA5e1WpVT5G1tq_t3bTQy1J0oFnDv52X1C0yUoi8jYff2wLQ7G3EMpEoadaRHnP1OHtFbzFbdR4/s1600-h/DSCN1137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uL0IDHLHZA1Qab8wUvQ4LUY0OwEfWfi1yB2vNTVPSA3grskOk7v2wRq5p-VPAa-6FA5e1WpVT5G1tq_t3bTQy1J0oFnDv52X1C0yUoi8jYff2wLQ7G3EMpEoadaRHnP1OHtFbzFbdR4/s400/DSCN1137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314738808791638514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Certainly a nice place for a walk! We did not have a lot of time, unfortunately, at at this point we had to make plans to get back the the hotel to check out.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXrvp3XJlqOiVPJnRQKYZsMqqaZP5MFahF9j-mXDPBzS7ArSugcLMBMBbVumnyRFbdEaRbrYQVi5iu3dPvNa4F-oANr7IwSBzISBIAcGZFLumK_2gkqCYwX1uMISzGO-ED5ofv775zX4/s1600-h/P3101393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXrvp3XJlqOiVPJnRQKYZsMqqaZP5MFahF9j-mXDPBzS7ArSugcLMBMBbVumnyRFbdEaRbrYQVi5iu3dPvNa4F-oANr7IwSBzISBIAcGZFLumK_2gkqCYwX1uMISzGO-ED5ofv775zX4/s400/P3101393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314760449957918754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The 21st largest tree in the forest here. This one is still standing.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxPtmA9jMeKb_YeKfwNdJbYtPWnoA3yJSI19CvjtQNkA7aMywEy6nfFymoXmwekdlMULhrzf92UZS24D6hgPq6lzoOCBDdy3PKOpe-Vm4fJoYn7P4E4J9_4H7DdN7poOT6_STtRG46LY/s1600-h/P3101394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxPtmA9jMeKb_YeKfwNdJbYtPWnoA3yJSI19CvjtQNkA7aMywEy6nfFymoXmwekdlMULhrzf92UZS24D6hgPq6lzoOCBDdy3PKOpe-Vm4fJoYn7P4E4J9_4H7DdN7poOT6_STtRG46LY/s400/P3101394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314761490524364322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This sacred tree, after a life of two thousand years, in recent years (with the help of an earthquake) finally bit the dust. One wonders of the struggles that the ones still living are having to face just to survive in this day and age.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje54HEHNoNAD8n-k_R-xxG1ddwmXE6gF0jsCfGRr1dk6NQ1HpjRoJnMKKu0OTwSjG-ErPERwwfWnqT8BqERZuGOAtC4tL1ZUki9rNYn_noS4WuDagMuAgYDmuSFx1B37IITLLXAfG7MZ4/s1600-h/P3101405.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje54HEHNoNAD8n-k_R-xxG1ddwmXE6gF0jsCfGRr1dk6NQ1HpjRoJnMKKu0OTwSjG-ErPERwwfWnqT8BqERZuGOAtC4tL1ZUki9rNYn_noS4WuDagMuAgYDmuSFx1B37IITLLXAfG7MZ4/s400/P3101405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314761244655695906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sadly, the prearranged tour had us taken down the mountain in a 9-seater van. Had I been traveling the usual way I travel, I would have just got on this train instead (at Fenchihu station).</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJX7WgGUOKOQNoUmj-P6iziHeZKW0OmruvkQKYpw9gH76taK32jbktr1s-WmXSe44ZxL-dqaNLimHMQ_aPudVsV-x_i-tkrKGUl0ZYvU9Le-LAxKwwJotxVe6VyVjeGz0GxNfDCy5cds/s1600-h/P3101411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJX7WgGUOKOQNoUmj-P6iziHeZKW0OmruvkQKYpw9gH76taK32jbktr1s-WmXSe44ZxL-dqaNLimHMQ_aPudVsV-x_i-tkrKGUl0ZYvU9Le-LAxKwwJotxVe6VyVjeGz0GxNfDCy5cds/s400/P3101411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314749026501666706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After we go back to the old Chiayi station, we caught a bus which took 20 minutes to reach Chiayi's high speed rail station. Then, we rode the shinkansen for 35 minutes. After another 10 minutes we were back home.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I really think we need to go again. We did not see it all.</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-32587245417896589452009-03-08T05:04:00.000-07:002009-03-08T06:13:17.437-07:00Another New Computer<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1WZpZ62PnPcSgcrnh23uiMGGILkC_YX1UYqKLsQlcpffRRcAHUD-sY6iCSjxCbIgNzgyfI0-Q38QT2l9CVc8pGDd21ISdgvFXQEvoyvTvFpCf4ZiqnJ1l9ioWiRdtMlBc6jfkFsR-Po/s1600-h/P3071292.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1WZpZ62PnPcSgcrnh23uiMGGILkC_YX1UYqKLsQlcpffRRcAHUD-sY6iCSjxCbIgNzgyfI0-Q38QT2l9CVc8pGDd21ISdgvFXQEvoyvTvFpCf4ZiqnJ1l9ioWiRdtMlBc6jfkFsR-Po/s400/P3071292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310794908550488866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The addition of a new PC (a BenQ Joybook), was in my mind a necessary addition to complement the better quality MacBook that I also recently bought.</span><br /></div><br />Not long ago I posted an article about a new MacBook that I had bought and compared it with the aging computers that I had previously been using. The other day, I bought another new computer, not to replace the MacBook, but to complement it. It is a PC Notebook, with a 13.3" screen (the same size as the MacBook). I had toyed with the idea of getting a "mini Netbook" (with about a 10" screen), but ended up getting this one, a BenQ Joybook S31VW-T27, at a special price (just under US$500 dollars). The reason it was so cheap was that it was a demo model in a large store. So maybe there is a little risk involved there, but the price I paid included a 3-year guarantee. The 10" screen PC is the craze at the moment, and a lot of people "follow the crowd". However, they are also around US$500 and, besides being "ergonomically challenging" (if that is the right expression), they are relatively weak. There is only so much stuff you can squeeze into such a small space.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd0OvzKqir1e85qKW8PGEVK2DAmip8d7sT4khlaWgZGccZrNhOBaoYRwSPjz4LmcgnBKaoJh8kPLc-JL1nMNocCteA5lCuqzXqkOSjwmWMrtmBi6PtyoVeUXv7en5BubjUCSrESXhsnE/s1600-h/P3041280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd0OvzKqir1e85qKW8PGEVK2DAmip8d7sT4khlaWgZGccZrNhOBaoYRwSPjz4LmcgnBKaoJh8kPLc-JL1nMNocCteA5lCuqzXqkOSjwmWMrtmBi6PtyoVeUXv7en5BubjUCSrESXhsnE/s400/P3041280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310795805530449026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This tree, which is situated next to the swimming pool I go to each morning, provides great shade from the strong sunshine we have had recently. There are wooden tables and benches next to it where I can work in the mornings.</span><br /></div><br />My reason for buying the PC was that I occasionally have to do work that cannot easily be done on a Mac, and while I did install XP Home on the Mac, it does not work well, and so I just decided to get an extra computer. In addition, I plan to travel on longish trips by bike and I want to take a computer with me, as I need to carry a mobile office with me. Should something happen to this new PC (which runs on Windows Vista) on a trip, at least I will know there is another machine waiting for me when I get back home.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRApvApA8qwyxUMDLeODh9oYiB3Zig4bQzJFMHRaMpqUfz9LEloLPuaO8csp1-YHafRS2A15pt-Eat9DleJtAZa0vBrXk5L9aqqZKmg-aulw8nNQxjdS4b6u2ebc9G33MNE45DVB8lUU/s1600-h/P3041283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRApvApA8qwyxUMDLeODh9oYiB3Zig4bQzJFMHRaMpqUfz9LEloLPuaO8csp1-YHafRS2A15pt-Eat9DleJtAZa0vBrXk5L9aqqZKmg-aulw8nNQxjdS4b6u2ebc9G33MNE45DVB8lUU/s400/P3041283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310796745230385986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This pond lies next to the entrance into which I turn to ride the last few hundred meters to the swimming pool (along the road shown below). Views like this, seen from a bicycle, certainly help me relax. This pond is 4.4 kms away from our house.</span><br /></div><br />Being slightly more than one-third of the price of the MacBook, the PC has some shortcomings compared to the MacBook, one being that the Mac is a lot better for playing Youtube videos, even though I am using the same ADSL cables at home. The Mac appears to be able to get a lot more power/receptivity out of a weakish Internet signal as it were. The Mac is ideal for blogging and editing photos and movies, for typing Japanese, etc., and so I doubt I will bother to use the PC for this. However, sometimes the Mac will reject a research paper with a lot of mathematical equations, etc., whereas the PC seems to be much better designed for this. A Taiwan PC is also better for handling documents in Chinese since the operating system is in Chinese, whereas Chinese to the Mac is just one of the many foreign languages.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjasEMP-_5jajFX6apxwrmWjHht2jqed8Xeumvy5sR7sgKUrN7arkMN6rnKBtuf5CWVbY5WwydubsLoNu51e6Xdh5qAAuM3N6OSzWyIDzlMii6LrTHx7vK-olKE6dCj-JXe79dN39GXBs/s1600-h/P3041282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjasEMP-_5jajFX6apxwrmWjHht2jqed8Xeumvy5sR7sgKUrN7arkMN6rnKBtuf5CWVbY5WwydubsLoNu51e6Xdh5qAAuM3N6OSzWyIDzlMii6LrTHx7vK-olKE6dCj-JXe79dN39GXBs/s400/P3041282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310797991934466322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">As a friend remarked, the cherry blossoms are really nice. My family and I will go to see more of them soon.</span><br /></div><br />The BenQ brand may not be known much outside Taiwan, but here their computers are well-known for their good looks. After all, the insides of the computer are often much the same whatever brand you get. It has an Intel core duo chipset. Not a high-ranking one, because the machine is about one year old already. This 13.3" model is also no longer made. A pity in my opinion (for other people, that is). A 12.1" notebook has a narrower keyboard (which is a factor I consider) and the now popular 14.1" model is a tighter fit in a pannier bag on the back of a bike. Now at least my MacBook and PC being the same size can share the same carrying cases and sleeves, etc.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaJ2nKsDEg_wvSlLkQC8ylTYKGY9v-xE2A6g0a7Bcnap6iRdTuYY4o-uvw-0v69mj1R25dRCxCDW7G7I8_oFvre7KxMWIuHCRVnjquacK6LQvHyS3xom5sYRVDq5zUuBqSlYY1XQyp3E/s1600-h/P3051287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaJ2nKsDEg_wvSlLkQC8ylTYKGY9v-xE2A6g0a7Bcnap6iRdTuYY4o-uvw-0v69mj1R25dRCxCDW7G7I8_oFvre7KxMWIuHCRVnjquacK6LQvHyS3xom5sYRVDq5zUuBqSlYY1XQyp3E/s400/P3051287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310798699607529490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The building on the right serves as the entrance to the outdoor 50m swimming pool. Because these private grounds are all part of a "youth activity center", there are a lot of activities like camping and get togethers for school children of all ages. So when the kids come, they really like to live it up. (Click to enlarge photo)</span> </div><br />One word of advice when choosing/buying a computer. First, see what is available locally in case there are some good buys. Then go home and do some homework on the Internet, trying to read reviews, and finding out current prices and specifications. Then ask the sales clerk to switch it on and check things like the screen (for unusual lines, etc.) and the keyboard (in case kids have played games on it in the store). If you can make your mind up, then you won't be easily talked into buying a newer model or something you don't really need at a significantly higher price. This computer was the "last one" they had left of that line, and I think most people passed it by. If I get two or three years of good use out of it, I will certainly feel I got my money's worth.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jWBfzXPKlbUxe2GTQOHQVVxu6wKoy-oey7EIZhEdA_VCZASTZXNowVovmqw-8F2pOq6lY50NA69SMjSGrngZaYyESNiPc3dxaHvltWZG_3S0NPNbsizMMnJTpbptv4i4X9RGFSAuILg/s1600-h/P2121198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jWBfzXPKlbUxe2GTQOHQVVxu6wKoy-oey7EIZhEdA_VCZASTZXNowVovmqw-8F2pOq6lY50NA69SMjSGrngZaYyESNiPc3dxaHvltWZG_3S0NPNbsizMMnJTpbptv4i4X9RGFSAuILg/s400/P2121198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310800507397314722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is a map (by the side of the road opposite the youth activity center) of the "Niaosong Bike Path". The red line refers to a separate path that is only for bikers and pedestrians. The youth activity center and the swimming pool are located about 1/3 of the way down the red path to the right.</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-41409825426631085572009-03-01T04:26:00.000-08:002009-03-01T05:33:20.220-08:00Relaxed Freestyle Swimming<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RBzxkCKOJEDGJ1nKJn0kVnDkA-BmuN939IeOAE2ngbKhaeQqJuTnEHdniM4hr4vpj2nULx0MFkFTkU7uSW5E3-6hGnA9mm2tY9CJllS9gcSmCyltMxOzx0vh1jtBZ69HMOLQnvnhxyc/s1600-h/P2251259.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RBzxkCKOJEDGJ1nKJn0kVnDkA-BmuN939IeOAE2ngbKhaeQqJuTnEHdniM4hr4vpj2nULx0MFkFTkU7uSW5E3-6hGnA9mm2tY9CJllS9gcSmCyltMxOzx0vh1jtBZ69HMOLQnvnhxyc/s400/P2251259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308204728857683842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cheng Ching Lake at about 7:00 a.m., which is about the time I reach the swimming pool.</span><br /></div><br />February, being only 28 days this year, went especially quickly. At the end of January the pool temperature was still a chilly 66F. A few days ago, it had reached 78F, before falling to 76F today. So the winter appears to be past here, and the weather is generally very pleasant without being too hot.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kmyrJhqr7vU0WvCFAUPGgFUCkB_wMLp9Hghf2h-yLZwPRn7DnURZl20AZQqBGxvEF2QiDrMbXHckTSfjs4WvsPl6QyaVwrRUPIshrof8bqj22kZCS7wqix9HbWd72cTz3W3nfHCvxos/s1600-h/P2211222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kmyrJhqr7vU0WvCFAUPGgFUCkB_wMLp9Hghf2h-yLZwPRn7DnURZl20AZQqBGxvEF2QiDrMbXHckTSfjs4WvsPl6QyaVwrRUPIshrof8bqj22kZCS7wqix9HbWd72cTz3W3nfHCvxos/s400/P2211222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308203263352472418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Alongside much of the lake pictured above, is a separate bike path, designed to keep bicycles and other road users separate. That is my new bike on display there.</span><br /></div><br />My swims in the last few weeks have typically ranged between 1,500m and 2,100m, maybe not a lot, but I have often not wanted to get too tired from swimming, as I have been busy most of the rest of the time. Life often appears to require trying to excel in a number of different areas, and for me swimming is only one of them.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CfnyRMAi1A_UxP6wLc37ammzwl-NTxRmzgKaePVTJVlSQcIQ9_JwS4joSlgKIY0e6Wwvr6oDlF83qNuQtcdbITjmzj3-EfdSAqf1qu6Pu7vDbHoeatiHJoM2Df32NldaQJSM3CAuYoo/s1600-h/P2211226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CfnyRMAi1A_UxP6wLc37ammzwl-NTxRmzgKaePVTJVlSQcIQ9_JwS4joSlgKIY0e6Wwvr6oDlF83qNuQtcdbITjmzj3-EfdSAqf1qu6Pu7vDbHoeatiHJoM2Df32NldaQJSM3CAuYoo/s320/P2211226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308203589109000130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">While this path is intended for bikes, the surface appears perfect for running, and there are distance markers.</span><br /></div><br />So, while I may not have been quite as fit as in times past, I have been compensating for this by trying to improve my freestyle swimming technique, and that means swimming as relaxed as possible (and often fairly slowly) as I think about and work on issues like breathing, head position, extending and pausing before taking the pull, and so on. While I don't attend swim classes here, I am constantly working through what I remember of the Swimming 101 classes I attended with Steve Borowski in Hawaii as well as some of the recent variations in my swimming technique that I have been learning from Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_GcnuvlYIjV40lRj0aUqORh1ZFzXagn_0BQWs1R_g99nBNh_ow-aaprqWelVQjkxK5flpq_gz1HlW-rt8zueqzHVJrWmsR9rXLkGnI4qa-yBkqhn6cFH9YWwJyYHXYOTQ1Q2PQxjXbc/s1600-h/P2261264.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_GcnuvlYIjV40lRj0aUqORh1ZFzXagn_0BQWs1R_g99nBNh_ow-aaprqWelVQjkxK5flpq_gz1HlW-rt8zueqzHVJrWmsR9rXLkGnI4qa-yBkqhn6cFH9YWwJyYHXYOTQ1Q2PQxjXbc/s400/P2261264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308204135273092386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">On seeing these pictures with the blossoms and leaves on the ground (the pool is about 100m up this road), one would not think that the temperature when I took them was about 87F.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sad59yfvH3V8IW99wrXgTpf6RsZtcFreUDam0fjIlqrKd1zDGDodxW_WOC7-8L9PI8Ll9JAPL2qykDx1o_JCL8k-U40BqW_y8BSrDmy94n-QQfdA9JZpmxFu7k4LCmkEB_7rbn-0Q7Q/s1600-h/P2261263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sad59yfvH3V8IW99wrXgTpf6RsZtcFreUDam0fjIlqrKd1zDGDodxW_WOC7-8L9PI8Ll9JAPL2qykDx1o_JCL8k-U40BqW_y8BSrDmy94n-QQfdA9JZpmxFu7k4LCmkEB_7rbn-0Q7Q/s400/P2261263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308203880212063538" border="0" /></a><br />Timing is very important in swimming, and not just when one breathes. In particular, it is very important to learn just how much to pause after extending the hand and shoulder forward. Pausing before pulling does not mean one is wasting time. Even if the forward hand stops momentarily, one is still gliding in the water, and getting ready for a more powerful stroke.<br />As I swim each morning, I do attach a lot of importance to trying to relax. My life as it is is relatively stressful already, and when swimming it is easy to feel uptight, to feel "slow" and to worry. However, I find that if I relax, say, by taking the first half of the workout very easy, then it is much easier to crank things up later. Then, some of those shorter swims (like a 50 or a 100) feel barely moderate, with long smooth strokes, and the end result is a time which is equally as good as that hard swim only a couple of weeks ago.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkJhJOvIU7LYH7mxPxqUyH4_X6hfA9BkiSqLSKcwBrnbsda2wrM95mfMyVFNWxRgXSTOTuitB6IoEk7pIYkbloeNrayiCI0n5Jd8biVXladrN4IYal2AGwBkYruhI0gzzKtvGfzt56CU/s1600-h/P2231247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkJhJOvIU7LYH7mxPxqUyH4_X6hfA9BkiSqLSKcwBrnbsda2wrM95mfMyVFNWxRgXSTOTuitB6IoEk7pIYkbloeNrayiCI0n5Jd8biVXladrN4IYal2AGwBkYruhI0gzzKtvGfzt56CU/s320/P2231247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308204333855424882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The two tables here just behind and overlooking the swimming pool is an excellent place to get some work done before returning home in the mornings. Often one just has the birds for company.</span><br /></div><br />My flip turns are a lot more relaxed now and at least in most cases I keep on going. I still have a little difficulty judging exactly how close I need to be to the wall when I flip, so I sometimes don't managed to plant my feet squarely on the wall, or else get a fairly weak push. However, it is coming, and since I am only occasionally getting water up my nose, I am tending to flip turn more often. Today most of my turns are flip turns where the intention (not always realized) is to push off the wall while lying horizontally on my back.<br /><br />One reason I feel more relaxed is because my new mountain bike is so much more comfortable to ride than the old bikes (which are too small for me) that I had been using to get around town. It is a 15-min ride to the pool and about that coming back, so while I may not be doing any serious cycling, I am at least on the bike every day. The scenery close to the pool is particularly beautiful and I get to experience this just about every day.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2WlFIAkhyPLqJEzpEKixfa9CwfDUCUwaJqgBIozuM11T0foUCrkUFm8SANE8nwwPuh8YI9vW18HcLZvrGCFrIbyO_xM4FI8iwntHVKBRnJ7CR2L8EJg-KgRZX4ejxbQrDKCPt6Qac1c/s1600-h/P2251261.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2WlFIAkhyPLqJEzpEKixfa9CwfDUCUwaJqgBIozuM11T0foUCrkUFm8SANE8nwwPuh8YI9vW18HcLZvrGCFrIbyO_xM4FI8iwntHVKBRnJ7CR2L8EJg-KgRZX4ejxbQrDKCPt6Qac1c/s400/P2251261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308205327143466738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The grounds of the youth activity center which houses the swimming pool are not always quiet. One day last week all these high-school students had an activity here.</span><br /></div><br />On the subject of bikes, I passed a small bike store today and noticed that they had two "Argon 18" road bikes for sale (unfortunately way too small for me). However, I did ask the repairman there where they were made (Central Taiwan) and he gave me the name of the company. I don't know if they could make me a 61cm tri-bike frame, so I could get back to some road racing. One of my greatest triathlon heroes (or heroines) rides an Argon 18, and so surely if I was to get one, I would get a lot of respect wherever I go. Maybe the bike's name isn't important, but in many ways it is.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAnHBVsxydJSYxbwYQbReifqlbBxRmPxSYFlYqEy-i60-SADHnCj3zekvS2u94tFlDCW04cwcWDj-RYLAVqZhOY7Z7wAMcC-EYDmld5GcjsrHYUDaT_C3zVN2W1i1E_rwFaID4cSd8Kg/s1600-h/P2271272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAnHBVsxydJSYxbwYQbReifqlbBxRmPxSYFlYqEy-i60-SADHnCj3zekvS2u94tFlDCW04cwcWDj-RYLAVqZhOY7Z7wAMcC-EYDmld5GcjsrHYUDaT_C3zVN2W1i1E_rwFaID4cSd8Kg/s400/P2271272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308204975469623474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Bicycles serve many purposes, one being to transport heavy metal objects. In this case, the metal was on its way to a recycling center.</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-89383750063691393872009-02-19T19:31:00.000-08:002009-02-20T04:49:22.728-08:00Installing a Bike Rack on an MTB<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHowdrCyIe7caz9dwTGxOOcb0VCvH6LH1U5wAEkUbF3A2sVxhdWJa8ikocJqU3JS1nTqGc6JuZfSghHdU6NMQ_-wvDQS-jszkNxKmL_UsKVYXK6Zs09QURrw_VRErr2a-qHpsOA1upNk/s1600-h/P2201212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHowdrCyIe7caz9dwTGxOOcb0VCvH6LH1U5wAEkUbF3A2sVxhdWJa8ikocJqU3JS1nTqGc6JuZfSghHdU6NMQ_-wvDQS-jszkNxKmL_UsKVYXK6Zs09QURrw_VRErr2a-qHpsOA1upNk/s400/P2201212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304731067977850386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My MTB now has a sturdy aluminum bike rack firmly in place.</span> </div><br />I am pleased to say that I have finally bought and installed a sturdy bike rack on the back of my new mountain bike. This means that I can now buy appropriate pannier bags to hold all the things I would need for long-distance traveling, both in Taiwan and overseas.<br /><br />Buying a rack was quite troublesome as when I visited a few of the many bike shops in Kaohsiung, I was constantly told that my bike could not hold a rack (as there were no special holes for it in the frame near the middle of the back wheel). I almost got to the point of ordering a rack from the US which would have cost significantly more than twice as much as what I ended up paying here (US$28 which included the bits necessary to attach it firmly to the bike). In my opinion, while the US version is a good invention designed to deal with the problem faced by many MTB's with rear wheel disk brakes or no holes for screwing on racks, I believe my rack is a lot sturdier and although it says "Max 25 kgs", I bet I could probably sit on it without it breaking, although I won't do so just in case, which would just create unnecessary work.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81NoBcc2OdDFbsG-_7__7N6KNIf_n-PZOyVnlIpJVB6CaT09kuckEwjEZdCE2eDibI2NEizs4QSHLBSGzncGIyE3p8QG3dnHLDFR5gSyaA0tR4r-k4H5A1buyOrscnQi9Srl-OwC1S7s/s1600-h/P2201213.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81NoBcc2OdDFbsG-_7__7N6KNIf_n-PZOyVnlIpJVB6CaT09kuckEwjEZdCE2eDibI2NEizs4QSHLBSGzncGIyE3p8QG3dnHLDFR5gSyaA0tR4r-k4H5A1buyOrscnQi9Srl-OwC1S7s/s200/P2201213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304731712392514210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AJmV5T-0LqzDT0xH10LIH0JNbvj2SVATIjFLp_qePXtWUNnBYtZ3OhDj8nwbJ7CV555msv9pXJqPDjIYhqdYBhvqwWIPZvWIF1QqpyEo4sfH7DP_UwMLV76Tf2c4EHQIlYmzELdNkuI/s1600-h/P2201214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AJmV5T-0LqzDT0xH10LIH0JNbvj2SVATIjFLp_qePXtWUNnBYtZ3OhDj8nwbJ7CV555msv9pXJqPDjIYhqdYBhvqwWIPZvWIF1QqpyEo4sfH7DP_UwMLV76Tf2c4EHQIlYmzELdNkuI/s200/P2201214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304731887531131442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tin plate "plastic pipe" clips, bolts, washers and nuts, duck tape and strips of old inner tube rubber were combined together to securely attach the rack to the frame where there were no previously built-in bike rack holes.</span><br /></div><br />After seeing someone else's bike where a rack had been fitted with a little improvisation, I first went to a few stores to find a rack that would fit well, given a few "extras". The "extras" essentially turned out to be two 3/4" "Omega" shaped clips (pictured) made of tin plate or galvanized iron (白鐵) bought in any hardware store that are usually used by plumbers to secure plastic piping to the wall. I ended up using the 3/4" size because I estimated that my rear "forks" on my bike are roughly 3/4" in diameter. I wrapped one of these clips on each side of the bike and put the long rod of the bike rack which had a hole near the bottom in between the two ends of the clip (it so happens that the weight of the rack almost rests directly above the bike frame and is not that much dependent on the clip - there is a small gap that could be stuffed with rubber as a precaution in case a gorilla tries sitting on the rack), and passed an appropriately sized bolt through the three holes which I secured with a washer and nut. To protect my precious bike frame, I wrapped (blue) duck tape around the affected area and placed a strip of rubber cut out of an old inner tube on the inside of the clip to make a snug, rattle-proof and shockproof fit. Being a novice in this area, I spent quite a lot of time adjusting the various places where adjustments could be made to the positioning of the rack to ensure that the rack was perfectly horizontal when the bike was in the upright position (I used a split level to test this), and that, as far as possible, the back wheel was centered in the middle of the rack. I also loosened the bike stand to accommodate the clip on the left side and retightened it, which was not a problem, despite being told before that I would have to remove the stand completely. One area where I was a little lucky was that, I only narrowly missed intefering with the V-brake mechanism due to one of the rods at the front of the bike rack. Some adjustment is possible here, but not a lot.<br /><br />The bike rack I bought is made of aluminum, just like the bike frame. I forgot to check its weight, but it was somewhat lighter than some of the cheaper models despite its relatively intricate design. It is certainly less than one kilo.<br /><br />The bike feels a little heavier now, because I have also added a "tool" bag under the back seat which has an inner tube, a multi-function tool, a front light if and when needed, tire levers, patches and glue and a few other loose tools as deemed necessary. The CD reflector is quite a common sight here, and I just bored a small hole into it and used a nut and bolt and washer to hold it in place as there are holes built into the back end of the rack.<br /><br />The bike shop (one of the many "Giant" retail stores) where I purchased the rack also has several varieties of panniers, including a relatively expensive set that is "plastic coated". Something 100% waterproof will be essential. It may not rain much here, but when it does, it pours, and some parts of the island have little cover.<br /><br />Before venturing on a trip, in particular one requiring airline travel, I need to learn how to get the bike into a cardboard bike box. While I have fixed bikes a lot in the past, I have yet to take off the handlebars, and need a good pedal-removing tool. I don't know if I will need to take the forks off. The less I take off, the better. I will also have to decide what to do with the bike box at the other end. For instance, if I ride in Japan I will still need a cardboard bike box when I return home. So, as yet, I don't know if I can just pick one up for free that is being discarded by a bike shop (as you can in Taiwan), or whether I have to "hide" it somewhere near the airport to use again later, or whether the airline will take care of providing a box for the return journey for a fee. Anyway, I certainly don't want to carry a hard case, for I want to get on the bike in the airport and start riding there.<br /><br />Long rides will, however, be on hold for now, as my work is particularly busy at this time of year, and with the economic recession looming and currency depreciation, etc., I want to make hay while the sun shines. Still, I will try to plan trips in the meantime, by studying maps and finding out where the interesting places are.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWvFSpY-hCxhs9Uvp7ii1O-SCXJBqtnXJDgPvRZiR7-yixvfE0-ZdC0RxsMSBJB4L90u1ETzxiNdiUwr-_rO9J9G00ROVywf7yQEY4KHCHbdQ0Bnq97IPPtrzTLxRfszjdyLTfXefZv8/s1600-h/P2201215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWvFSpY-hCxhs9Uvp7ii1O-SCXJBqtnXJDgPvRZiR7-yixvfE0-ZdC0RxsMSBJB4L90u1ETzxiNdiUwr-_rO9J9G00ROVywf7yQEY4KHCHbdQ0Bnq97IPPtrzTLxRfszjdyLTfXefZv8/s320/P2201215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304733181058064370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The CD provides an effective reflector at little or no cost. However, it also is symbolic of the times in which we live. In future, when I go on long trips, I will carry a notebook computer, a flash drive (to use for printing files in 7-ELEVEN stores), a digital camera (to prepare .jpg files of any documents needing to be sent as well as maintain a travel log/blog), and a cell phone (at least in Taiwan). I won't attach a navigator on the handlebars, but I will research the next day's journey, ideally with the use of the Internet, wherever I stay in the evening.</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-79938866508950467342009-02-09T22:51:00.000-08:002009-02-19T20:54:44.181-08:00Have Bike, Will Travel<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfaPSfU3wCO0zmgcrcpIriPBe8jfrBoXSUimCO5597ZJzR3dojcNL8vtVVz_vy_EcmdZK1MoNNKfUYyPABTrMwM5ngh5IcaM0Xki3uBLlfsrmXU1lzYE_14S_e7257ySdDcMEr0NpMzc/s1600-h/P2101188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfaPSfU3wCO0zmgcrcpIriPBe8jfrBoXSUimCO5597ZJzR3dojcNL8vtVVz_vy_EcmdZK1MoNNKfUYyPABTrMwM5ngh5IcaM0Xki3uBLlfsrmXU1lzYE_14S_e7257ySdDcMEr0NpMzc/s400/P2101188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301058720365598882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Not a particularly fancy looking bike, but that may make it a little less easy to catch the eye of a potential thief. The main reason I bought this bike was that it was the only one more or less my size that I could find. The reflectors in the wheels is actually a legal requirement here in Taiwan, although you rarely ever see them used.</span><br /></div><br />It may not be the most expensive bike on the market (cost a little over $400 new), but at least it is more or less my size, and besides being able to get to the swimming pool and back a little more comfortably, I will also be able to go for longer rides. The bike is a GT Avalanche 2.0 "hardtail" with an aluminum frame. For the technically minded, it has a seat tube measuring 21.4 inches, the effective top tube length is 24.33 inches (fairly generous for a tall person), and the standover height is 31.41 inches, high enough but without having to slant the bike when dismounting. A little like my training shoes, it is not suitable for the average-sized person, and also not very easy to ride off on unless you are at least six feet tall.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsweG1lR7vk2HGXjV58K6TUBr9lwN_nrBIddnlzhy3HOGQ251lAH_PT2dufsHFMgBXEi6zu7Mc3AHRa_o8Lv7eKK0NGn9vxWCJs8_idmtkvWtgnupefOcctlECuEIL-BtwNfq7Vf_Yxc/s1600-h/P2101192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsweG1lR7vk2HGXjV58K6TUBr9lwN_nrBIddnlzhy3HOGQ251lAH_PT2dufsHFMgBXEi6zu7Mc3AHRa_o8Lv7eKK0NGn9vxWCJs8_idmtkvWtgnupefOcctlECuEIL-BtwNfq7Vf_Yxc/s400/P2101192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301058952725831138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The rear derailleur is the Shimano Deore variety. This is a fairly "basic model". I would have preferred to buy a similar GT bike with a more expensive set of gears. However, I am not using this for racing (yet, anyway) and maybe one day in the future I will be able to find something better (like a good road bike).</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUotyF54mYcXjs04ENWGP5SOHNYtbPC_XPjac5ALpOeLqKJA12tfTkj_jnsW-UW4GOxa6EZeeHY3VGbtHkYADtBrliAGWHWzIHOxZWCVfi4_uLqUtjneq8JAq6qwS4Vtj3d9AAH-ruWY/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUotyF54mYcXjs04ENWGP5SOHNYtbPC_XPjac5ALpOeLqKJA12tfTkj_jnsW-UW4GOxa6EZeeHY3VGbtHkYADtBrliAGWHWzIHOxZWCVfi4_uLqUtjneq8JAq6qwS4Vtj3d9AAH-ruWY/s400/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301059145124959170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The bike is "designed in California, USA". This is what in many ways gives the bike its value. While Taiwan is very good at making things, the perception at least locally is that things made (or at least designed) in Japan or the United States are better (and usually a lot more expensive, too). A bike is actually just a collection of different parts, and the more one pays for a bike, the more that these parts are designed or manufactured in places like the U.S., Italy, Japan, etc. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I am not particularly up-to-date with modern gadgets (except for my new Macbook), and so it may be a surprise to some to say that this is the first bike I have ridden where you can actually see what gear you are in. In the past, it was always a matter of glancing towards the back wheel. I have no idea how good the wheels are. At least, being black, I won't see the rust too quickly. The dealer who sold me the bike put a thick front tire on it. If I go on a long trip I will probably put a thinner, smoother one on. Anyway, it's just a tire. I don't know if the stem or whatever it is that connects the handlebars to the frame is the longest available. Anyway, it seems pretty good as it is. Maybe there is a little room to lengthen it or push the seat a wee bit back. The bike's brakes are just the "V" kind. The modern fashion in Taiwan is to use disk brakes. However, as long as they work, then that's fine. In Kona I did not use brakes a lot, as I tried to keep moving.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVYYTqYofQaHn_2_FMhOa4dM73w_sHeTQoy0Wed1FJdr-hpPwbCMTbSnijzwXTX6HRAK1xxnSHwuD6Q7hKziz5wtOHVeKFRIoqPdFbmYnZK8UBMt4Dsn99_SKMyvT0D3xjvz7dawfDEQ/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVYYTqYofQaHn_2_FMhOa4dM73w_sHeTQoy0Wed1FJdr-hpPwbCMTbSnijzwXTX6HRAK1xxnSHwuD6Q7hKziz5wtOHVeKFRIoqPdFbmYnZK8UBMt4Dsn99_SKMyvT0D3xjvz7dawfDEQ/s320/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301059305473343282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The seat pictured separately is a fi'zi:k "Vitesse". It was a gift that came with the bike. I am not sure what it is worth. Usually any old seat has worked fine with me. Maybe this is the seat I need for long rides. </span><br /></div><br />Until I unwrapped the bike after it was delivered (I got it via the Internet from Taipei!), I was still worried that they would send me the wrong size, even though the ad clearly said it was XL and I specifically asked for that. So you can imagine my relief when I found the "XL" sticker on it. Still, I did get a tape measure out to measure the seat tube length just to make sure.<br /><br />The Ironman helmet did not come with the bike. It is one I bought at Costco in Kaohsiung a few months ago, but still haven't worn (I just wear an older one). Now I will be able to get my bike clothing out and put on my new helmet and I'll be ready to go.<br /><br />Not pictured are the various gadgets that I will consider getting to make the bike appropriate for long-distance riding. First and foremost is a bike rack which can be attached at the back. Then I will be able to get various bags, like panniers, etc., drink bottle holders, quality lights, and so on. Maybe I'll end up spending a few hundred dollars just on those things.<br /><br />If any of you want to bike Taiwan in the summer (beaches, mountains, gorges, etc.), you could come over, buy a bike here (as long as you are not my height), travel around, and then take the bike home where you can use it to do X-terra, Maui in the fall. I could be your guide....<br /></div></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-59282647530989059612009-02-04T00:40:00.000-08:002009-02-04T02:49:24.473-08:00Review of Freestyle Technique<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw13IZRXrsp0kLD-aDsl5WgOM_aDjnbVcSLSizZ5hKxAMH-5X-zj3nqv1ncX2e2wL3HeywMLSbu7G5tmz4AKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br />This is a simple clip, but at least enough to give me something to think about. This may not be how I always swim, as I did this rather hurriedly after a fairly hard 2,100 meters. Still, the camera is a very good way in which we can see what we are doing.<br /><br />In spite of swimming a lot of meters much of last year, my swimming slackened in December and January as I grappled with water temperatures sometimes in the low 60s together with the fact that I was very busy with work - the recession has not hit me yet.<br /><br />I was swimming at my best around early October last year, and for distances around 100m and 200m I appeared to set my best times perhaps ever. However, I switched pools in late October (from an indoor 25m pool to an outdoor lane-divider-less 50m pool) and I started studying the freestyle swimming technique taught by Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen of Aquatic Edge.<br /><br />Everything felt strange at first, and I balked at the idea of doing a flip turn where I would have to lie on my back underwater - a sure recipe for a lot of water up your nose or, worse, a crash into the bottom of the shallow pool! However, I persevered and things started to look good, although I became a lot slower.<br /><br />Then the cold weather came followed by a cold a little before Christmas that decimated me. I literally lost about 10 percent of whatever muscle mass I had built up in the space of a few days. I still have not got it back.<br /><br />Anyway, hopefully the winter is over now and I can increase the yardage and not feel all weakish from the effects of the cold for most of the morning after the swim. I will also pay attention to doing a little weightbearing exercise at home, and use the Stretchcordz, etc. Hopefully, I will get my times down somewhat over the next few months. Never give up, it is never to late to learn!Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-78782392116987231952009-02-03T05:51:00.000-08:002009-02-03T07:08:56.783-08:00The Bike Predicament<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HicAvQfBuxl0kHMY528RL2aKqGh4-C5jmXpzk23QKSKhElzQKJwzLEvlYs9f72Ahp3ri53r6Ds5-57hGqoUd1fWAtaQTBP13nU08uEqh9KYRfroQxyDmL04av4Zt7WE_AqReAVhkYsI/s1600-h/TAHOE+SL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HicAvQfBuxl0kHMY528RL2aKqGh4-C5jmXpzk23QKSKhElzQKJwzLEvlYs9f72Ahp3ri53r6Ds5-57hGqoUd1fWAtaQTBP13nU08uEqh9KYRfroQxyDmL04av4Zt7WE_AqReAVhkYsI/s400/TAHOE+SL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298578121243297458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fuji <a href="http://www.fujibikes.com/Mountain/29er/Tahoe29SL.aspx">Tahoe SL</a> hardtail MTB is made in Taiwan with its 21-inch aluminum frame size (with an effective top tube length of 24.8 inches) would apparently cost about US$2,100 in the U.S., but at least 15% less in Taiwan if it were made available here. This is the bike I would use to tour Taiwan and Japan.</span><br /></div><br />I sold my Kestrel before I left Kona 19 months ago, and since returning to Taiwan, I have been riding an old MTB that is somewhat small for me. When still in Taipei, I occasionally visited bike shops after being informed that at such and such a place they could sell me a tri-bike or something like that.<br /><br />However, it was easy to get a little disillusioned, as road bikes in stores seldom were over 50cm, and parts and things imported from overseas were very expensive. At the same time, most of the money I was getting was being used to pay for fairly extensive repairs to our former apartment, and I was so busy I did not have any time to ride, no were there many places to ride anyway.<br /><br />Having moved to Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan one year ago, I realize that if I had the time, I could bike and train, too. The roads are relatively flat, it seldom rains, and if you ride about 20 minutes away from here you are very much in the countryside. Of course, there are bound to be quite a lot of 35-ton trucks hauling dirt or other cargo, but at least they are fairly easy to see.<br /><br />Recently, I have been thinking of getting a mountain bike, the idea being that I could carry necessary things for extended travel (with overnight stays elsewhere) and venture on to more isolated roads where the surface may not be very good (to visit the indigenous "mountain" peoples, for instance).<br /><br />So about two weeks ago, I started visiting various bike shops in Kaohsiung that stock Taiwan-made brands, like Giant, Merida and GT (which apparently is American, although the bikes are made here). By trying to learn about how to determine what is an appropriate bike size from reading articles on the Internet and also asking salesmen and looking on the Internet websites, it appeared there was a fairly good range of bikes for taller people. However, none of the shops actually stock these large (actually XL in my case) bikes, for obvious reasons. In addition, when I ask them if they can get hold of a bike my size made in Taiwan that I could buy were I to visit a bike store in the UK, I am told either the large bikes are now manufactured in Europe or the company (which makes them here) hasn't got any in stock and is not planning to make any for the foreseeable future, or that the export department is like a separate company, etc. It makes me wonder whether I should just wait until I go overseas and buy one there and bring it back.<br /><br />Today, I visited another bike shop that sells the Fuji brand of bikes. I like the name (since it sounds Japanese to me), and from reading the catalogue I noticed that the bikes are generally longer than other brands with comparable seat tube lengths (which is good for someone like me with longish arms). The store manager even went so far as to say he would phone the head office to see if he could get the larger sizes that appear in the US catalogues and are made in Taiwan. So maybe there is a glimmer of hope, and maybe with some arm-twisting I might be successful.<br /><br />Another thing that interested me was that Fuji has a tri-bike called the Aloha. I think that it has that name because it is a way of being friendly when you whizz past someone and leave them in the dust. And, guess what, they sponsored Matt Reed, at least in the past as I don't know who he is with now. Matt is 6' 5", so a little taller than me, and he would need a larger bike than someone like Lance or Macca.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJS1vlPnyQuWEMRk2_Gf_wW5UoBBt5fUynkCtSCxaGwH_9GSY9xD-hemkslx7w5G42AWB-qJ75hIEmYLbSgt4VRxo555NPDuvK72yag7QEqQr7XVPv0lm0uFY6u6ckoEDqkoTVL2dvaI/s1600-h/FUJI_Aloha_2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJS1vlPnyQuWEMRk2_Gf_wW5UoBBt5fUynkCtSCxaGwH_9GSY9xD-hemkslx7w5G42AWB-qJ75hIEmYLbSgt4VRxo555NPDuvK72yag7QEqQr7XVPv0lm0uFY6u6ckoEDqkoTVL2dvaI/s400/FUJI_Aloha_2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298580164187575746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fuji Aloha road bike (up to 60 cm), a cheaper model to that which<a href="http://www.fujibikes.com/Specialty/Triathlon/Aloha10-%281%29.aspx"> Matt Reed</a> was apparently sponsored to ride. To justify having a bike like this (if I could get one), I would need to spend a lot more time training than I am now, time that I don't really have, and I would need to spend more time in places like Kona where I would have people to train and race with. So maybe something to dream about for the future.</span><br /></div><br />So I don't really know if I will eventually be told that I can get an appropriate bike through them or whether I will just be riding a 17" MTB indefinitely. Money is of course an issue in the case of a tri-bike. Not that I don't have any, but this year the focus is on one of our son's first year college expenses, and so I would be wiser to just think about a relatively cheaper MTB for now.<br /><br />One thing is that I don't really want to compromise and end up either buying something too small (like the Kestrel was (57 cm?), which is why I did not bring it back) or something too cheap that is poorly designed and built. Only the other day, I almost in desperation bought an MTB for US$550 that was almost big enough, etc., but which actually felt pretty awful. The Kestrel in Kona at least taught me how something good should feel.<br /><br />Should my present inquiries lead nowhere, I guess the next step will be to try to locate the factories where some of the good frames are made - they surely must be on this island somewhere. Maybe the bike in the end won't have any brand name, but if it is big enough and feels good, it should at least be able to do its job on the Queen K.Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-61842598379559927932009-01-27T01:10:00.000-08:002009-01-27T03:24:10.460-08:00A Visit to Kuan Yin Mountain (高雄縣 觀音山)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKGCwSjfAJkpWC-s6YIN2dzrPDTPByPfS-Soa0kLD68XpXgbap2ntbBDt5SFrJxxGVDcT7CofoP5v_B_wL-GBNI4KVMisRrlZYPH9VqLptnt2-rlBSRL7Cx4SXPpa2cD5OByVA_1s8BE/s1600-h/P1271152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKGCwSjfAJkpWC-s6YIN2dzrPDTPByPfS-Soa0kLD68XpXgbap2ntbBDt5SFrJxxGVDcT7CofoP5v_B_wL-GBNI4KVMisRrlZYPH9VqLptnt2-rlBSRL7Cx4SXPpa2cD5OByVA_1s8BE/s400/P1271152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295919894227297634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">View of the pagoda. There were many smaller statues which I did not photograph. This one being a lot bigger was a little difficult not to photograph.</span><br /></div><br />Over the years, we have occasionally visited Kuan Yin Mountain in Kaohsiung County. My first visit was a little over ten years ago after the passing of my mother-in-law. The Chinese New Year break is a time for family members to be together and, in the case of our extended family, it includes a trip to Kuan Yin Mountain, which is about a 20-minute-plus drive from our house.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVADfQh3WIug_k4O9lsbXL3_rXavDDuu46TzdlB3bInnzwhLk1t4ODVGonhN11prsC6x_7VrC-GjqOah40GKKnnoRLeSduC7yX6JG4GP6t7e1AKftFU_QxIKWYmmjT64UgC0B8cqEmKw/s1600-h/P1271146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVADfQh3WIug_k4O9lsbXL3_rXavDDuu46TzdlB3bInnzwhLk1t4ODVGonhN11prsC6x_7VrC-GjqOah40GKKnnoRLeSduC7yX6JG4GP6t7e1AKftFU_QxIKWYmmjT64UgC0B8cqEmKw/s400/P1271146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295920246427747330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jocelyn (left), brother-in-law, brother and elder sister deal with the offerings and the paper money.</span><br /></div><br />This year's trip included Jocelyn's older sister and only (older) brother, and a few others, several being the next generation of children who have all grown up. Morrison, our second son, is the youngest of eleven grandchildren of the grandparents whose remains are both located here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaX5bXIWHTWeLlus4cP0zUpkZpCGNoouko3GnI8SP_RbAkalHv4pHLCFHiEReUTyfYX31s_Q1-61y82ccN4eJxT6clGgJW9__-_Q3audN6NGqo1kfs866U8GHGJH3C9SAm0oxLWWtIWg/s1600-h/P1271145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaX5bXIWHTWeLlus4cP0zUpkZpCGNoouko3GnI8SP_RbAkalHv4pHLCFHiEReUTyfYX31s_Q1-61y82ccN4eJxT6clGgJW9__-_Q3audN6NGqo1kfs866U8GHGJH3C9SAm0oxLWWtIWg/s400/P1271145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295920608867517042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">James, Morrison and one of their first cousins, who is about six feet tall. They are now all grown up.</span><br /></div><br />While Jocelyn and I did not spend a lot of time with our Taiwanese relatives since we lived far away from them until the move down south last year, the saying that you marry not just a person, but into a family, is very true for the Chinese. When Jocelyn and I got engaged and subsequently married many years ago, I met quite of lot of relatives who mostly lived around Kaohsiung, and we would briefly see them on our mostly annual trips down south. Most of our boys' cousins at that time were in elementary school and I tended to just know them as lively kids who liked playing games all the time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iXsU6ANlLYIAKnAXp7Kk81VQSKVCmUJkO2NH5MvG6wNxf2scgXVnB3oRW0gXIvbRyulDnpDj-96IIz0CysVOHL4Nm5ApgBs99xGmZ4x2qjJvyhaz9MRvHzueb5Yk82Lxkn8dtzaS210/s1600-h/P1271147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iXsU6ANlLYIAKnAXp7Kk81VQSKVCmUJkO2NH5MvG6wNxf2scgXVnB3oRW0gXIvbRyulDnpDj-96IIz0CysVOHL4Nm5ApgBs99xGmZ4x2qjJvyhaz9MRvHzueb5Yk82Lxkn8dtzaS210/s400/P1271147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295920977236583970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">View from the 7th floor of the pagoda. Since it is the Chinese New Year holidays, the place was packed.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVrgK4UkDMFMtKtqHYMVEfwTMMT72bmzQLmq_hTvI_09KQlbDlMVZdr413sV4Vb4myhSwWdlyLZNpki-1bOOhH5Mg0g3gJwae8-xa1jdQuBsdOuYfDWw9iQfPvCL-fZsEfFUI6d_YYGU/s1600-h/P1271151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVrgK4UkDMFMtKtqHYMVEfwTMMT72bmzQLmq_hTvI_09KQlbDlMVZdr413sV4Vb4myhSwWdlyLZNpki-1bOOhH5Mg0g3gJwae8-xa1jdQuBsdOuYfDWw9iQfPvCL-fZsEfFUI6d_YYGU/s400/P1271151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295920792166949314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The marble ball was constantly turning due to the force of the water. The goldfish were on average about 6 inches long.</span><br /></div><br />Then about a couple of years before we went to Hawaii, Jocelyn's parents unfortunately one by one passed away as a result of illness and as a spouse I accompanied Jocelyn to the family gatherings and the various ceremonies that took place. In Buddhism, at least here, many people are cremated and their ashes are placed in urns that are kept in pagodas in what look a little like safety deposit boxes that you would find in banks. Often a passport-sized photo of the deceased will be placed in front of the urn, probably to aid recognition as the boxes, apart from an elaborate numbering system, all look the same.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEoSpSalMOEPFLap24QaIOxx-Jq2CxeFzcTmfipzMj23pemYPiVm-_kf9Q7WAJoEXpsMby25RGElm4M2ibNH_7jCzgdT4VQVpTKU3CaeWwIY2yJFpLjD8jOcOIZXjsC3tfLiKa2T0RPg/s1600-h/P1271150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEoSpSalMOEPFLap24QaIOxx-Jq2CxeFzcTmfipzMj23pemYPiVm-_kf9Q7WAJoEXpsMby25RGElm4M2ibNH_7jCzgdT4VQVpTKU3CaeWwIY2yJFpLjD8jOcOIZXjsC3tfLiKa2T0RPg/s400/P1271150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295921297468662642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">In the middle of the picture is a huge bonfire where the paper money is collectively burned. This is why Jocelyn covered her mouth when walking outside. In the foreground are various graves for those buried in that way.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuU6OV3aTCi1MFS_g_-lZ6yVHi1OjqysEtHMzhcEtao1yfusyMHZE_qBNoqq0Grrh0qe7MA4wA2WBruki5qC8jC1aRtBDo3y6ORh6gq4Ie-4N7FbEIrezTvOomYRCU5qsAipkKrPIQ0w/s1600-h/P1271149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuU6OV3aTCi1MFS_g_-lZ6yVHi1OjqysEtHMzhcEtao1yfusyMHZE_qBNoqq0Grrh0qe7MA4wA2WBruki5qC8jC1aRtBDo3y6ORh6gq4Ie-4N7FbEIrezTvOomYRCU5qsAipkKrPIQ0w/s400/P1271149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295921120593594738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Peace and tranquility in the distance</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">greet us</span><br /></div><br />The photos taken here were not taken openly, as this is not the kind of place where people take pictures. However, these are the sobering realities of life that we all face, and increasingly as we get older. The pictures I took were mainly to serve as a reminder of today's visit and previous trips, and also so that I can reflect on my gratefulness for being part of a great family.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XlCgrgARNvyGDBcWGw97wblOvdCpffAu5DROWPu4Nu31V6D5b2OaktE2rnHcQvpfj55RudrWIR3BIKZOlmWp8ynMamRdXv-giCUXLQl9tZip1IoLdbevTau-wQ-NLJPuVpOkYYaQExY/s1600-h/P1271155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XlCgrgARNvyGDBcWGw97wblOvdCpffAu5DROWPu4Nu31V6D5b2OaktE2rnHcQvpfj55RudrWIR3BIKZOlmWp8ynMamRdXv-giCUXLQl9tZip1IoLdbevTau-wQ-NLJPuVpOkYYaQExY/s400/P1271155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295921490060755810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">When we returned to Kaohsiung, we all stopped to eat lunch within walking distance of our home. Afterwards, Jocelyn's elder sister, her husband and two of their children (pictured) came over to our house for a visit.</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-79248660552592100402009-01-23T03:11:00.000-08:002009-01-23T04:23:04.772-08:00Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快樂!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXc94RN2pMdmZT_VK6vNA06ku8dGKlDrnTdQbbbJAabSqtr8o6Vuhhf5_2GJLSgU3AqqGBeDAteBa3flxlrFK-1sj-JjAWcsoPQE-Y5JMAOxoAu5eovkQJWX3frqrlr00Zv3Jkejz4vE/s1600-h/P1231127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXc94RN2pMdmZT_VK6vNA06ku8dGKlDrnTdQbbbJAabSqtr8o6Vuhhf5_2GJLSgU3AqqGBeDAteBa3flxlrFK-1sj-JjAWcsoPQE-Y5JMAOxoAu5eovkQJWX3frqrlr00Zv3Jkejz4vE/s400/P1231127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294457946790370866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The gates of this large kindergarten in Kaohsiung have been nicely decorated to usher in the new year of the ox.</span><br /></div><br /> Chinese New Year is more or less upon us, and this coming Sunday (January 25th) will be the Chinese New Year's eve. We are not planning to do anything too special this coming week, when many people will be on vacation. It does not make a lot of sense to go places or to try and stay in a hotel when everything is likely to be crowded and fully booked. Since I don't have to report at an office each day, it will make more sense to go somewhere after the Chinese new year and the vacations that surround it (especially for students and university faculty) are over.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSR3bgsei-fp_4_JEQjpQoGjwsR6bd7QS_dgNsod8nj-_Bz1N2c-2HzyFRmZjjtHWRBD5L3516nQeUI-KL-oqBMxhw_38IsHPp0-EbulKwdx-Z6C6Z1NL28tVWWMtFkhMb39sxqk3rp4/s1600-h/P1161116.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSR3bgsei-fp_4_JEQjpQoGjwsR6bd7QS_dgNsod8nj-_Bz1N2c-2HzyFRmZjjtHWRBD5L3516nQeUI-KL-oqBMxhw_38IsHPp0-EbulKwdx-Z6C6Z1NL28tVWWMtFkhMb39sxqk3rp4/s400/P1161116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294458433692813154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The market where I get my fruit and vegetables with my bike in the foreground. You can see the weather has been quite cold recently. This is unusual and fortunately does not last long for Kaohsiung.</span> </div><br /> I have been in semi-hibernation as far as training is concerned. With the water temperature at the outdoor pool having started at 18C (64F) at the beginning of January, and having steadily declined to 15.5C (60F) on January 14 and having come back up to 19C (66F) today, while swimming is bearable, it has not been such a lot of fun. I have swum between 1,000m and 1,600m each time (less when it was colder), and I have obviously not thought of doing sets or flip turns or anything apart from just going for it and getting the distance over with. Hopefully, that should change within a few weeks once the water gets above 20C (68F), which in my opinion is a reasonably temperature, even if not particularly exciting.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM0koSpy_6A3el68CSTg9Q17boqYdbMT4NhVa9c5EJBvahhb56Ya8-eabTyuRQA81nRCqHKpowExnU3H389FOYK9HFkA1HWjw88Qbhs9ZgfP6SKlzG2ElcvXjdyVq5YliafQsHz19uyA/s1600-h/P1221123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM0koSpy_6A3el68CSTg9Q17boqYdbMT4NhVa9c5EJBvahhb56Ya8-eabTyuRQA81nRCqHKpowExnU3H389FOYK9HFkA1HWjw88Qbhs9ZgfP6SKlzG2ElcvXjdyVq5YliafQsHz19uyA/s400/P1221123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294459353331472530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">In early January this year, tougher anti-smoking laws came into force and many no-smoking signs have been posted in public facilities. Whether the restrictions have any effect remains to be seen.</span> </div><br /> Other news is that I might be getting a mountain bike soon. Of course, I ride one to the pool and back each morning and use it for shopping, but it is designed for someone almost a foot shorter than me. On trips around town, it is not a problem, but I cannot expect to ride to the southern tip of Taiwan (about 80 miles away) on that, not unless I want to have a lot of knee and back problems.<br /> I saw a bike that might fit me last week, but the shop was about to close early for the New Year break and so I will have to wait another week before taking a further look, assuming it has not been bought already. However, in my opinion, if it really is my size, there aren't many people here who are likely to buy it. What I need to do is to really make sure it is my size, and if it is even only slightly small for me, it will still be a lot bigger than anything I rode in Kona.<br />For all my "official" races (including Honu Half-ironmans and two Ironman attempts) I rode a Kestrel that would have been ideal for someone about 5 ft 9 in. It was great in short races, but on the longer rides my forearms went numb due to the arm rests being too close to the saddle and my knees were hyperextended so that when tired they gave me trouble, so much so that on one Ironman attempt I was unable to run at all at the end of the bike and eventually had to drop out.<br /> Taiwan makes lots of bikes and I have seen some really nice ones in the stores, and at good prices, too. However, mountain bikes larger than 19" are hard to come by (they are mostly just exported), and there are few bikes with longer top tubes (which suit people who don't just have long legs). People are just not that tall here. The bike I saw may turn out to be a fairly good choice if I can convince myself it is large enough. It is in the "middle" price range for aluminum-framed bikes, and so, while it should provide fairly good service, it also won't cost me such a huge amount of money, thereby leaving open the possibility of something else later on when I am more certain as to exactly what is the right bike for me.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEkp0ssjiIkT6x9wFoTrCUIksUFLzyF48PmrRGnEf3QZSNnUb6XdlEf9WgvtYB56r7yFugev_BjYE1XfGjc4GSJMuURYzmJHs_ITZgE0rcVmakaPxHHkSXczW_5zqH9petc71lwA19h8/s1600-h/P1161118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEkp0ssjiIkT6x9wFoTrCUIksUFLzyF48PmrRGnEf3QZSNnUb6XdlEf9WgvtYB56r7yFugev_BjYE1XfGjc4GSJMuURYzmJHs_ITZgE0rcVmakaPxHHkSXczW_5zqH9petc71lwA19h8/s400/P1161118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294460374371885202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">These flowers, which Jocelyn planted at outside our front door have been blooming and it is the coldest time of the year. At least it does not feel cold seeing these.</span><br /></div><br /> I am not considering a road bike or tri bike at present. The MTB will not be for racing, but more for exploring, and will hopefully enable me to carry sufficient "baggage" to travel, eventually overseas. If I can get it to Hawaii, I could try riding down from the radio tower at the top of Kaloko Drive (lol), in the same way that I watched one girl, who knew the route, do it on an MTB that she had just ridden up to the top in Gecko's "Journey to Lalaland". It's not about how fast you go, but rather how much fun you have. I did that ride (on the asphalt) three years running and it was probably the funnest biking experience I ever had, even though I did not have the right gears on my Kestrel.<br /> Hapuna is only 170 days or so away. Will I make it there? That depends on a lot of things. Whether I am swimming faster or not does not really matter as I can only train so much. One of our sons has applied to three colleges in the U.S. to start this fall and all three have accepted him, but at a high price, which is normal given our circumstances. So the big priority for this year is to ensure that he has enough to pay his way at whichever college he in the end decides to go to. If my training suffers, that does not matter too much. All that really matters is that I don't get too busy.Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-80661173098842503002009-01-14T02:50:00.000-08:002009-01-14T03:37:15.336-08:00Crazy Cold Swimming<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurINX_fBlxLbRE-utvxdhYoTu5fWDaiMDsyS8MQlza54jPThgcgo73msCLAum-92Wp_XIOuX3_gdmAL8E5jtayMYpnfXOFKD82CVjYCO4dyE1hRv6DWsvB7uiErrMNyjWmjFiIY-WVb4/s1600-h/P1121104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurINX_fBlxLbRE-utvxdhYoTu5fWDaiMDsyS8MQlza54jPThgcgo73msCLAum-92Wp_XIOuX3_gdmAL8E5jtayMYpnfXOFKD82CVjYCO4dyE1hRv6DWsvB7uiErrMNyjWmjFiIY-WVb4/s400/P1121104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291107293024329842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Me standing with </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosuke_Kitajima">Kosuke Kitajima</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, the world champion breaststroker, before our swim Monday (well, not quite, but this guy A-Long is a tremendous breaststroker and I have to swim really hard at freestyle just to stay with him and often cannot). The numbers in the picture are in Celsius for the air and water temperatures.</span><br /></div><br />In Taiwan, we have had quite a lot of cold spells recently, and the temperature in my office at home today never went above 68F, in spite of today being sunny and my room facing the sun, at least around the middle part of the day. The colder weather has also caused the water temperature at the pool to drop further. I remember when 73F felt cold. Then I got used to 68F and it did not seem too bad. Then 66F, and then anything below that felt cold, and the emphasis shifting from serious training to just seeing what I could withstand, and also only on an every other day basis.<br />Well, Monday may have been only 61F in the water and 50F out of it when I swam 1,000 meters, but this morning, the water was only 60F and the air temperature was only 44F at least when I entered the water. The push off the wall felt cold, but at least I knew I had swum in only slightly warmer water a couple of days earlier. On the first 50 meters I could particularly feel the cold air on my arms as my hands one by one entered the water. However, after about 200 meters I felt reasonably comfortable, at least comfortable enough to relax and slow down a little. At the outset I planned to do 1,200 meters and that is what I did. I could have done more. However, the problem is not so much with the swim, but having to handle things like a hot shower in a cold air temperature afterwards. I really don't know enough about all of this, but for one thing it was hard walking barefoot after the swim to get to the showers and I was not sure how the rush of hot water would affect my circulation, especially now that I was standing as opposed to being horizontal in the water. It must be a sign of age, I guess.<br />My stroke feels quite good, although the cold may make me feel a little delirious and so I wonder if I am zigzagging at times because of how I am set up when I take the pull or because my mind cannot think normally. I don't know. Hopefully, the cold weather will soon be gone and I will no longer face such a predicament. I really miss being in Hawaii at the moment (for the swimming that is).<br />It is a little unfortunate that we have to exit the pool at around 8 am in the morning. If I could swim, say, at midday, at least the sun would be a lot stronger. Still, when there are only a handful of people swimming, we are very lucky to be swimming at all.<br />I am not planning to swim the English Channel, and I realize that it is way beyond my capability. To do so, I would need to increase my body weight by about 20 kilos, and spend a lot less time working. If I did not live so far from the place, I would consider being a support swimmer, although I am not good at traveling by boat in anything but calm seas, and so I am not sure I would be able to perform when needed. Maybe I will just stick to pool swimming for now. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />Anyway, in case I am looking for a pat on the back after all this, a 70-year-old gentleman swam something like 1,500 meters today in the same pool as me today, and he was there Monday, too. Hats off to him, truly awesome!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC_zikc1XURjuMTPAzmwEosKneJNVb55LnhlKxb4X97nbPaetwkMUF19pJ4w4vLWQRJFX_ViicURk4leUs6lZ7_bZxHqSRDcpGePasAVpaKLoW7lqhI_cJilHlcdyMW-YTr0JK0LcopM/s1600-h/P1121111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC_zikc1XURjuMTPAzmwEosKneJNVb55LnhlKxb4X97nbPaetwkMUF19pJ4w4vLWQRJFX_ViicURk4leUs6lZ7_bZxHqSRDcpGePasAVpaKLoW7lqhI_cJilHlcdyMW-YTr0JK0LcopM/s400/P1121111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291109675650975842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">When I returned home at around 10:30 am, the sun was shining and you would not think it had been so cold earlier. On my bike are various fruits and vegetables I bought at the open-air market and some hard foam squares, the kind you piece together on the floor to provide a mat for doing sit-ups on or whatever. The 16 pieces cost me about 60 cents altogether secondhand. No need to buy them new. All they need is a little soap and a scrub. Kitty as usual was there to greet me.</span><br /></div>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-69800456212755977012009-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:002009-01-11T07:48:13.569-08:00A Busy and Cold Start to 2009<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhseJMnWSlkmouJ5oN8NB-Cz0vanF_UzTmz0Qy4o0y1ckF1IdLVwt-27aPY-E7qzn_FEvtiW5TM_mlB5NmR7aeB7Rbic-E8t987xeM_dRGdw_1FZJXOU5CGX2hGjYFNsFagaS2gvr9Eo/s1600-h/P1071061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhseJMnWSlkmouJ5oN8NB-Cz0vanF_UzTmz0Qy4o0y1ckF1IdLVwt-27aPY-E7qzn_FEvtiW5TM_mlB5NmR7aeB7Rbic-E8t987xeM_dRGdw_1FZJXOU5CGX2hGjYFNsFagaS2gvr9Eo/s400/P1071061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290063224059880194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This picture is very similar to the one at the top of this blog, the main difference being that this one is taken a lot later in the day. I heard the sunsets here were quite good and so I biked the 15 minutes from home one clear afternoon to wait for and see this. I hope these views can help me relax a little more.</span><br /></div><br />The weather has been fairly cold, despite quite a lot of sunshine around the middle of the day. I have not been doing a lot of swimming. It is not that swimming in 65F water is all that bad, but I tend to feel fairly weakish for several hours after the swim and if I am not careful I catch colds more easily. It is not that much fun swimming at the moment. I guess I just want the winter to be quickly over. I am used to Hawaii weather. In Kona the water never seems to go below about 72F during the coldest times in the year and that makes a big difference.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JxiOQNzVofjAgkevV-lmGV-sgrU0rP-m9Z4FZcIsXQI5rctAfcT7D6bKyIU27GHSXsllWqw0uu6NQiuBnuNTs27XuhyJjoesnkD_7-r75HfOU_CpWT8XmynnwubWispvgRCnWNyVLw0/s1600-h/P1111090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JxiOQNzVofjAgkevV-lmGV-sgrU0rP-m9Z4FZcIsXQI5rctAfcT7D6bKyIU27GHSXsllWqw0uu6NQiuBnuNTs27XuhyJjoesnkD_7-r75HfOU_CpWT8XmynnwubWispvgRCnWNyVLw0/s400/P1111090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290049822134541826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">With the colder weather, being busy and frequently feeling tired, I have often found myself in danger of falling asleep on the job. No kidding, working in surroundings like this is far better than in an office (except when I need my computer). What I make is based on my productivity, which is based on my ability to think, and has nothing to do with clocking in or trying to look like a professional or pretending I'm working. I am either working or not working.</span><br /></div><br />I have been very busy working these days, a good thing in some ways since the economic recession is deepening worldwide. For me it is "Make hay while the sun shines." One never knows what may be around the corner. While we are fairly comfortable here in Taiwan, this is the year when our children will "move on" whether to college or just to try out life in a foreign country.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVRmKrqyHPIKddsPnjLIn5PWHZDdRbfkVhZUoubDWo3c8dPVozLe6rCQa4aT9creJ7QIYG5jKlA43SHlcZ-kQOTYLFygI5mRsNCfnxEPz_hwsgueMsWOmhPiIpqjrIY5iQdQI_xZzucg/s1600-h/P1101086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVRmKrqyHPIKddsPnjLIn5PWHZDdRbfkVhZUoubDWo3c8dPVozLe6rCQa4aT9creJ7QIYG5jKlA43SHlcZ-kQOTYLFygI5mRsNCfnxEPz_hwsgueMsWOmhPiIpqjrIY5iQdQI_xZzucg/s320/P1101086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290049323588140658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">To readers, this might look just like a pair of jogging shoes and that's true. However, this is the first time I have ever found a pair of size 13 trainers in at least the last 7 years in Taiwan. These New Balance 373's may not be top of the line, but getting them for US$43 equivalent is not bad considering I find it so hard to find shoes my size. My feet are not particularly big, either. The shoes are very comfortable (including riding the MTB) and being new look very smart. I will wear them to attend a wedding of a couple of friends next week.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoKiMEZMchtswKdCqBuRntpIuZPv35yWuQbYzQc-PiE0NGWwHuBR6y2OIMfCYoRVRss47UEDQp0M1lZ_8IhFA1ITSkuc49VkSEvbWhTjYaM0t2RyKEm0XkunepyiA7QB3DdG701qHfaE/s1600-h/P1081076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoKiMEZMchtswKdCqBuRntpIuZPv35yWuQbYzQc-PiE0NGWwHuBR6y2OIMfCYoRVRss47UEDQp0M1lZ_8IhFA1ITSkuc49VkSEvbWhTjYaM0t2RyKEm0XkunepyiA7QB3DdG701qHfaE/s400/P1081076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290048689564918802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Freeway is something I have to cross every morning I bike to the outdoor swimming pool. It is a constant reminder that I still live in a big city. However, I am glad I only have to ride a bicycle. The Freeway access road is very close (maybe a little too close) to our house. At least one day when we have a car we will be able to get out of town fast.</span><br /></div><br />The Chinese see investing in the children's education as being very important, and so we may well be investing in them both for many years to come. This is certainly a different approach from what I experienced growing up, and while I eventually ended up doing what I wanted to do, I felt very restricted in terms of the choices I had when I was in my early to mid-20s. While of course I learned a lot of lessons in humility, etc., I feel that I also missed a lot of opportunities. Time goes very fast and a lot of those opportunities never come again.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VGvz_w-V2GGohanLJ69xjDsBr2ZDnmArzGoW25PwTlvSu4if1JmeEWpokGN20reXoGprlaAdp3vHlJXuzwGPkI_bmIZudxE0wF3X1ITDVYFHa5wVADZfqkDo0hBsHkhYseppcuwOH_U/s1600-h/P1111096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VGvz_w-V2GGohanLJ69xjDsBr2ZDnmArzGoW25PwTlvSu4if1JmeEWpokGN20reXoGprlaAdp3vHlJXuzwGPkI_bmIZudxE0wF3X1ITDVYFHa5wVADZfqkDo0hBsHkhYseppcuwOH_U/s320/P1111096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290050456041546626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jocelyn had her birthday recently, and so we went out to celebrate it with a meal which included making your own cotton candy. A memorable occasion!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkV-QD6e8Fa7lxjpPjChVslNUfaLEHPe2K0pA-50oEz3NRYHP1U5z5_lNhjzb2mKg2k6dRSAX_KZ8xTEjbD7Ku4ci1dKVtDZIa18pSpjq8S9UpTeVWLFM3LdxNql6v6lT6GkacyypoEg/s1600-h/P1111099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkV-QD6e8Fa7lxjpPjChVslNUfaLEHPe2K0pA-50oEz3NRYHP1U5z5_lNhjzb2mKg2k6dRSAX_KZ8xTEjbD7Ku4ci1dKVtDZIa18pSpjq8S9UpTeVWLFM3LdxNql6v6lT6GkacyypoEg/s400/P1111099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290050211636705922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Morrison (left) and James (right) learned how to make pretty large cotton candy for themselves. </span><br /></div><br />I'm thinking of a swim tomorrow morning, but it will be cold!Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6912121391040157654.post-8632041808003122522009-01-01T04:11:00.000-08:002009-01-01T17:10:27.681-08:00The British Consulate, Kaohsiung 英國領事館<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlYo9QHiDdMImjK63jACe3RvhzssJyN5dESxmR3rQPhto646gS68Avtd6ed95oDhjJ8vx6VlVK-UiZUiSeaLV3bDuO2n8D4oczFL-0weeD45JmDfolKcYDCKOM3wppMh_fnIeONCIYUY/s1600-h/DSCN0651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlYo9QHiDdMImjK63jACe3RvhzssJyN5dESxmR3rQPhto646gS68Avtd6ed95oDhjJ8vx6VlVK-UiZUiSeaLV3bDuO2n8D4oczFL-0weeD45JmDfolKcYDCKOM3wppMh_fnIeONCIYUY/s400/DSCN0651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286297980767948082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Had there been less people around, maybe I would have tried to disguise myself as the person on the left.</span><br /></div><br />Today Hsiu-chin and I celebrated the beginning of 2009 by visiting the former British Consulate in Kaohsiung (高雄港的英國領事館). Being a public holiday, there were many more people than we expected, and also compared with the last time we came here, which may have been when the boys were only starting elementary school.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0uw2BE-vtxUTL0HKcqo3PrEtvMCkuIdW54RM3EXWw5pjOHRMrsmQoMYXNgNMMGehAFe_C1cIQmhEAOqzbQuztrTKypfTROpkQzg9j0hfkBGPtB7veHizcUhrEQu5VPNVdzwofd_GzBk/s1600-h/DSCN0662.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0uw2BE-vtxUTL0HKcqo3PrEtvMCkuIdW54RM3EXWw5pjOHRMrsmQoMYXNgNMMGehAFe_C1cIQmhEAOqzbQuztrTKypfTROpkQzg9j0hfkBGPtB7veHizcUhrEQu5VPNVdzwofd_GzBk/s400/DSCN0662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286299536585996274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The former British Consulate in Kaohsiung. It's always amazes me how great an influence Britain had in the far corners of the world a century or more ago.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIindQ2ZrDG_EjMogmwzmSXLxiGa27NTJvaBN5ljmoisvUWuJG6qJ2YQ61BEQxeCRz7guB4cWpIAsvMlMG5sMt0bvm8l1xXcLTgSPowjOUB2IKcJCsVxEizbLFdisdJ1YcBWbQy_Kx1D0/s1600-h/DSCN0647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIindQ2ZrDG_EjMogmwzmSXLxiGa27NTJvaBN5ljmoisvUWuJG6qJ2YQ61BEQxeCRz7guB4cWpIAsvMlMG5sMt0bvm8l1xXcLTgSPowjOUB2IKcJCsVxEizbLFdisdJ1YcBWbQy_Kx1D0/s320/DSCN0647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286298569506243938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I guess if I had been born a hundred years earlier, I would have sought to enter the diplomatic service.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn0d5rACfdXSCytgZO9fyUvmRRXYYTCDG1BJNBcbY7Yl71tFIgEy9QDVJ8lyE-k6Iu4yiItznWMlE7v4mxNbvHt1QjersfFYq6pHUK1GPExYgqd1om2yJ2h04HOUIpNnUeB0_sZL10TA/s1600-h/DSCN0665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn0d5rACfdXSCytgZO9fyUvmRRXYYTCDG1BJNBcbY7Yl71tFIgEy9QDVJ8lyE-k6Iu4yiItznWMlE7v4mxNbvHt1QjersfFYq6pHUK1GPExYgqd1om2yJ2h04HOUIpNnUeB0_sZL10TA/s400/DSCN0665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286301025020771698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">While the building was very interesting, I was finding the view of the ocean equally interesting.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAX3Uj5yPdNEnoPhL8E5tBgeKJz-H86gB3SX_GEtiFqAGlx8JA7MSHEolY705rSvlJYljzAwG-A-lyuXyVxjom6UgpZWOXqzPUz0xfrn97CZhQaeB-Kl_-tjCarsRLZLpcSM7M2gD4Ts/s1600-h/DSCN0649.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAX3Uj5yPdNEnoPhL8E5tBgeKJz-H86gB3SX_GEtiFqAGlx8JA7MSHEolY705rSvlJYljzAwG-A-lyuXyVxjom6UgpZWOXqzPUz0xfrn97CZhQaeB-Kl_-tjCarsRLZLpcSM7M2gD4Ts/s400/DSCN0649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286300100417397410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hsiu-chin posing next to the postbox. Would we do this when in the U.K.?</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIUKXFyg5WhfYakVXBWV5PkLTZStMQsv4ZTkRFbqGnjcIg2yX4kPrZKLt_QysmGBzK3FJpg5Q-GTfvMrruAAfbxYPbqXBE5eZ6u67BL-HYvvWQRGyc45L_m7mrDmTSw94oTs1JFg4wJM/s1600-h/DSCN0653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIUKXFyg5WhfYakVXBWV5PkLTZStMQsv4ZTkRFbqGnjcIg2yX4kPrZKLt_QysmGBzK3FJpg5Q-GTfvMrruAAfbxYPbqXBE5eZ6u67BL-HYvvWQRGyc45L_m7mrDmTSw94oTs1JFg4wJM/s400/DSCN0653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286299025931633442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This was the kind of boat used about 150 years ago when the British came here.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJINO0Z-CfdZnDYM0rbOqgq1jaGYoJPI2DRxS7oQB7yC6VbZJQqOh4YjXbojJ7AomgkQc3bhSgVUxeaFftnrCEhE19EiQoy1efabxxVUEK-GB78HaxjNGIYUJYDSTHETYBMkabTjiGLM/s1600-h/DSCN0668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJINO0Z-CfdZnDYM0rbOqgq1jaGYoJPI2DRxS7oQB7yC6VbZJQqOh4YjXbojJ7AomgkQc3bhSgVUxeaFftnrCEhE19EiQoy1efabxxVUEK-GB78HaxjNGIYUJYDSTHETYBMkabTjiGLM/s400/DSCN0668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286300287827498098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The ink in the stamp pads had more or less run out. Next time, I will bring my own stamp pad so that I can stamp a lot of things with the "official" chop of the British Consulate.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTbI_gruMW_bTCGiDSs3amvslwtHFnrcNZpSVJfdrGPWhR4SwRjmDVktv2ime8xeKQ4jYc3PuyvmBs4P3ANh3pDjBriv3tOVxhzinzYFP5UItGUxN45hWZdP7pxNqrizFMB6jKWcLNJs/s1600-h/DSCN0663.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTbI_gruMW_bTCGiDSs3amvslwtHFnrcNZpSVJfdrGPWhR4SwRjmDVktv2ime8xeKQ4jYc3PuyvmBs4P3ANh3pDjBriv3tOVxhzinzYFP5UItGUxN45hWZdP7pxNqrizFMB6jKWcLNJs/s400/DSCN0663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286299913051920946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The buildings in the top left corner of the picture are only a couple of miles or so from where we live. So I could make this dream of coming here more often a reality.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi3xnZWlQGS72XP0KNS8ebDDa4jCSiWtH3_oq5liK-41Q52taNhJd9JLoKIof7RyLQZQ3hqIiD_uUJI_aO3jSB4Z5vcuAG2e9bVovsIQZ_8YhKIEguwevg3_8oJmGHkOHfk-wjELkglc/s1600-h/DSCN0648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi3xnZWlQGS72XP0KNS8ebDDa4jCSiWtH3_oq5liK-41Q52taNhJd9JLoKIof7RyLQZQ3hqIiD_uUJI_aO3jSB4Z5vcuAG2e9bVovsIQZ_8YhKIEguwevg3_8oJmGHkOHfk-wjELkglc/s320/DSCN0648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286298778498129074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hsiu-chin wanted a picture by the British letter box. I actually wanted to post a letter.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS_YDBlr7aAfjiPBgb6cnQ2EGrQP_QVTuw8lgo_6gUnfSD5b0dvX4y2uit5fa1ccCDNDbPODDX2TD3gy2eS5QMvBXYcNE62bgWa-6tgd4IXQJtOUUyG5QSQ7Mge8sSsPeOx7mkQqpnaQ/s1600-h/DSCN0656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS_YDBlr7aAfjiPBgb6cnQ2EGrQP_QVTuw8lgo_6gUnfSD5b0dvX4y2uit5fa1ccCDNDbPODDX2TD3gy2eS5QMvBXYcNE62bgWa-6tgd4IXQJtOUUyG5QSQ7Mge8sSsPeOx7mkQqpnaQ/s400/DSCN0656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286299223123826210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Just sitting here about to edit a Taiwanese professor's academic research paper on econometrics. The rarified atmosphere reminds me of Albert Einstein's office in Bern, Switzerland, which I visited many years ago. This beats any modern office. People need to be able to think and concentrate. I doubt if many Nobel prizes were won through constantly being in noisy surroundings.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4aPB5aifJGRVEw0u_AcC8MTnbV4spVWnPQgtsSL2LME5AUqM9m_yMk8z7cVHlub4Q2BMY8geq34FzuwvJuYBCv3O5CBy0_2avLIgsAJg1bNLT3FEVG7dYMuj8xQsSloH6_NFyqMIV3Y/s1600-h/DSCN0669.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4aPB5aifJGRVEw0u_AcC8MTnbV4spVWnPQgtsSL2LME5AUqM9m_yMk8z7cVHlub4Q2BMY8geq34FzuwvJuYBCv3O5CBy0_2avLIgsAJg1bNLT3FEVG7dYMuj8xQsSloH6_NFyqMIV3Y/s400/DSCN0669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286301260245103122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I'll have to come back again when it's quieter. I could bike from home to here within 40 minutes (mostly by "river" bike paths), and I could get a lot of work done here, too. I could go indoors to see the computer screen better, too.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KXakHp1qqsdxF762NeinrVTOUP5tZpjI9T8MDyy9GC526D3qP5UHJDde_pC2bJ3Mly1YUeRw_zWOCC0t7RJS-R_8HZDoAAAwykccZWRxLbR2iAj0Mxdi6j49fVjvxxVQkDc01_yJoRw/s1600-h/DSCN0673.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KXakHp1qqsdxF762NeinrVTOUP5tZpjI9T8MDyy9GC526D3qP5UHJDde_pC2bJ3Mly1YUeRw_zWOCC0t7RJS-R_8HZDoAAAwykccZWRxLbR2iAj0Mxdi6j49fVjvxxVQkDc01_yJoRw/s400/DSCN0673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286300534402195266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The large concrete post is one of the entrances to the adjoining National Sun Yat-Sen University. The bay behind has a beach for swimming, and I could join a morning swim group for a moderate fee. I would not mind an occasional swim here, but am not sure if people would really let me swim out, so perhaps I'll just stick to the pool.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgZ_yiCtAt-W2AGIHB9Skc1wtztL888oy18vVbJjCQvPCWREFCVmJACMc5cTNQK0MG6ViRbi50Z9WR_RoqBIiysS8rW-2WV1YJ8WlELX3oQlZZ-_g3YDvQFEuYSn-teNXI41dvlwJ9XM/s1600-h/DSCN0674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgZ_yiCtAt-W2AGIHB9Skc1wtztL888oy18vVbJjCQvPCWREFCVmJACMc5cTNQK0MG6ViRbi50Z9WR_RoqBIiysS8rW-2WV1YJ8WlELX3oQlZZ-_g3YDvQFEuYSn-teNXI41dvlwJ9XM/s320/DSCN0674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286300768812580050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This beautiful mosaic is found on the ground in the courtyard of National Sun Yat-Sen University (about 1.3m x 1.5m).</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi93R0SM0Yp2hs5wK8s2kdBsx4-6nOGOq2N3N7QEBb4YmiFGkKlKbOhvJheiOSlNcxh-XCMKvri3QAQQcaPihQqPy6xlOJiJX7JFnKV_rQD7DaD2AEHY-uVx9r_xR2G8uZ2h0teK8qtE/s1600-h/DSCN0672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi93R0SM0Yp2hs5wK8s2kdBsx4-6nOGOq2N3N7QEBb4YmiFGkKlKbOhvJheiOSlNcxh-XCMKvri3QAQQcaPihQqPy6xlOJiJX7JFnKV_rQD7DaD2AEHY-uVx9r_xR2G8uZ2h0teK8qtE/s400/DSCN0672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286301447918059442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One thing about watching the afternoon sun, is that no two minutes are the same.</span><br /></div><br />Today, as it is the start of the New Year, I have made the following resolutions:<br />1. Smile and laugh more - I often take life too seriously.<br />2. Work harder and smarter - I will need to this year.<br />3. Keep up the swimming and eat and sleep well for my health and sanity.<br />4. Spend more time enjoying beautiful scenery and surroundings.<br />5. Pursue my dream of "cycling for cultural understanding".<br />6. Keep working on my two blogs (this one and a new one I am just starting).<br />7. Have more fun times with family and friends.<br /><br />In closing, let me wish all readers a Happy and Prosperous 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today’s background music (Theme from Shaft) is played in memory of Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008), an outstanding musician and songwriter.</span>Bruce Stewart (施樸樂) (ブルース・スチュワート)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10138855311644631957noreply@blogger.com5