The Obblogatory Life

My first video for Flip Ultra HD

Sep 4 at 7:07pm by ObverseView

Well, I finally did it. I went and bought a new pc: The Asus Eee Box EB1502 to try out. I’m still not sure that this PC will be able to replace my desktop. What’s good: the size, the fact I get to try out Windows 7 on it, and I uploaded my first Flip Video on the system, the wireless keyboard and mouse, and the fact I can set up Ready Boost, and the fact it tries to be user friendly! What’s different: nicer interface, but there are still some goofy features of Windows that I don’t like… the auto-turn on for Aero Basic, the fact that some software doesn’t work properly yet (including Windows Live Writer), and the fact I can’t easily import video to Movie Maker yet. What’s bad: really not much, things happen much faster, and the interface is much refined over XP,… I also hate the fact that I have to remove the trial edition of Office (again). So anyway here is my first Flip Video: I promise you won’t like it! Now was that worth it… looking at that $6.00 cappucino (it’s really good!)

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Toyota Prius

Sep 4 at 3:03pm by ObverseView

Finally, Prius is coming to Taiwan. We get to take part in the global environment saving efforts by buying friendly cars. I did price it, it’s about NT$1.2 million for the car, so it’s about double the conventional price.

The fuel savings at the moment won’t pay off the car within a reasonable time, as far as I can work out. But with a higher retail price, possibly you won’t lose a lot of money on its resale.
I’m curious to know why the retail price in Taiwan is nearly 50% higher than in the US for the base models. It’s weird.

Kenneth

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內政部移民署 Taiwan What’s Up 電子報

Aug 17 at 12:12am by ObverseView

2010/8/16 – No.53

The Real Taiwan: Dutch envoy and author looks forward to retirement in Tainan
真情台灣 荷蘭駐台胡浩德代表盼定居台南

Menno Goedhart, the former Netherlands representative to Taiwan, unexpectedly developed a fervent love for this island and its aboriginal culture during his research and exploration of his nation’s earliest settlements and interactions here. As he pondered the numerous fun and memorable events that he had experienced around the island, Goedhart decided to write a book, with all roalities donated to Typhoon Morakot victims. 《full text》

前荷蘭駐台大使胡浩德在尋覓17世紀荷蘭人在台歷史的過程中，意外發展出對台灣原住民文化及這片土地的熱愛，將其駐台八年來深入台灣各地的經歷見聞寫成「真情台灣」一書，可說比很多台灣人更了解台灣！駐台8年後於今年7月15日退休的他接受本刊專訪時表示未來將要定居台南，而其著作收入也全數作為八八水災賑災之用。 《詳全文》

NIA interpreter incubation programs initiated in various cities
移民署培訓通譯人才 各縣市陸續開跑！

To establish a multicultural living environment in Taiwan and provide convenient communication channels for resident foreigners, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) of the Ministry of the Interior has launched special interpreter incubation programs for immigrants. 《full text》

為營造我國多元文化生活環境，提供外籍人士完善溝通管道，內政部入出國及移民署特別辦理移民輔導通譯人才培訓，北區第一場培訓課程已於今年7月18日辦理完畢，本次培訓語言包括英語、越南語、印尼語、泰語、柬埔寨語及俄語等6種語言，共吸引60名本國及外籍人士參加。 《詳全文》

Exclusive customs counters for foreign residents make airport clearance easier
在台居留外籍人士入境通關專檯

The National Immigration Agency (NIA) of the Ministry of the Interior added two exclusive counters for foreign resident certificate holders at Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 2 on June 11 this year (2010). This is intended to facilitate more convenient customs clearance for Taiwan’s foreign residents, including any ARC holders. 《full text》

內政部入出國及移民署為方便在台灣具有居留身分人士入境通關更為快速，自今年6月11日起在桃園國際機場第二航廈入境證照查驗大廳增設2個「持中華民國居留證旅客」(「RESIDENT CERTIFICATE HOLDER」)查驗櫃檯，供在台灣具居留身分旅客通關查驗。 《詳全文》

Upcoming August/ September cultural events
八、九月份藝文活動

一起來看看八九月份有什麼藝文、節慶活動吧!《full text》

Check out the up-coming culture events in August and September! 《詳全文》

Ghost Month and Zhongyuan General Salvation Ceremonies
鬼月與中元節

According to Chinese folk tradition, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is known as Ghost Month. The 15th day of Ghost Month is Zhongyuan Festival, when every household has to prepare meat, fruit, fresh flowers and other sacrificial offerings for their deceased loved ones, as well as other lost souls who have no living descendants left on earth. This practice is known as “Zhongyuan Pudu,” or General Salvation. On the last day of Ghost Month, a special “Grappling with Ghosts” event will be held. 《full text》

在台灣，每年的農曆7月是民間俗稱的鬼月，而農曆7月15日則是相當於西方文化裡萬聖節的「中元節」。中元節當天，家家戶戶都會準備豐富的祭品，並燒香焚紙，讓好兄弟們享受這難得的「假期」。而在農曆7月29日鬼門關當天，宜蘭頭城將會舉行頗負盛名的搶孤祈福活動，每年都吸引大批觀光客前往參與。 《詳全文》

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Shaken, not stirred!

Aug 2 at 11:11pm by ObverseView

If you live in an earthquake zone, and you experience this kind of shaking,

you’ll know the importance of buildings that stay up even under duress, especially when the underlying structure of the building is weak.

We live in a fairly strongly built building with a lot of concrete and iron and we get shaken around quite a lot.

There are also many factories, workshops and stores that use a steel building structure to ease building costs, and complete construction faster. But you have to wonder how they stay up.

Odd thing is: I can’t remember seeing one that just fell down! Perhaps the steel is more flexible and strong than other kinds of structure.

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Taiwan What’s Up – August 2010

Aug 1 at 11:11pm by ObverseView

Foreign students eligible for public school enrollment
外籍人士子女在台就學 選擇多元化

As more foreign professionals move to Taiwan, the challenge of finding appropriate schools for their children has become the most important issue for many of them. Although foreign parents can send their children to international schools such as Taipei American School and Taipei European School, there are now other alternatives worth considering. 《full text》

隨著來台從事專業工作的外籍人士人數漸增，其依親子女的就學問題是許多父母最關心的事情。在台灣，可供選擇的教育管道除了知名的台北美國學校、歐洲學校等國際學校之外，有許多公立學校提供精心設計的中英雙語課程。《詳全文》

Speedy airport customs clearance offered to foreign business people
外籍商務人士通關，快速又便利

To expedite entry/exit procedures for foreign business people who frequently travel in and out of Taiwan, the Border Affairs Corps of the Ministry of the Interior’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) has set up rapid-clearance counters at Taiwan’s international airports. Foreign business travelers recommended by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and those holding Business Travel Cards (ABTCs) issued by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) may use these exclusive counters to enjoy rapid customs clearance.《full text》

為便利經常往返我國經商的商務人士入出國，目前內政部入出國及移民署國境事務大隊於各國際機場設有快速通關櫃檯，提供經由經濟部推薦之外籍商務人士，及持有亞太經濟合作會議（APEC）所發行的商務旅行卡（ABTC卡）者，可經由專屬櫃檯快速通關查驗入出國。外籍商務人士之配偶、直系親屬同行時，亦可隨同快速查驗通關入出國境。 《詳全文》

Foreign residents share perspectives on life in Taiwan
外國人漫談在台文化差異

Today, foreign residents in Taiwan are able to express their ideas, emotions and perspectives about life here via a growing number of channels. For example, many foreign spouses have been invited to join TV shows and share stories from their daily lives, focusing on a variety of interesting topics. In keeping with this trend, Taiwan What’s Up decided to do some of its own research and share some interesting culture-shock experiences from two long-time foreign residents. 《full text》

目前在台的外籍人士有越來越多管道以抒發異鄉人的心情，例如邀請遠嫁台灣的各國新住民暢談在台生活各類趣聞的電視節目，詼諧逗趣的內容令台灣人聽了也不禁莞爾。現在就跟著Taiwan What’s Up，透過兩位深耕台灣、擁有豐富生活經驗的達人來瞭解台灣有哪些令他們意想不到的文化衝擊！ 《詳全文》

Savoring exotic delicacies in southern Taiwan at Amy’s restaurants
來南台灣感受異國的美食饗宴！美食與人氣的象徵－Amy’s系列餐廳

During the summer months, bright sunshine and blue skies beckon everyone to take a trip to the beach. Kenting, Taiwan’s mecca for beach-goers, lures millions of visitors each year with its warm temperatures, white sand and other attractions, including a variety of exotic cuisine. Among all, the American-Mexican style restaurant Smokey Joe’s is one of the most popular local eateries among visitors. Amy Wu, the owner of Smokey Joe’s, also runs 11 other well-known restaurants in Kaohsiung, offering Italian, Chinese, Thai and hotpot cuisine.《full text》

隨著夏日正式來到，燦爛的陽光令人腦中不禁嚮往一個海邊的小旅行。墾丁這個海岸聖地充滿了南國的夏日風情、以及充滿異國風情的美食，而其中位於墾丁路上福華飯店旁的Smokey Joe美墨料理，更是為數不少的遊客指名要品嚐的人氣餐廳。事實上，Smokey Joe的老闆Amy吳靜怡在高雄還開了11間特色各異的餐廳，提供義式、中式、泰式、麻辣鍋等餐點，道地的口味與令人沉醉的氛圍吸引許多思鄉的外籍顧客上門光顧！ 《詳全文》

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內政部移民署 Taiwan What’s Up 電子報 2010/6/30 – No.50

Jul 2 at 12:12am by ObverseView

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Weird Registration Plates in Taiwan

Jun 5 at 12:12pm by ObverseView

I pulled up behind a silver Merc in Taipei and I read the registration plate:

9-9-0-0

which of course means: long, long, (9-9) and you, you (0-0).

These numbers are generally complimentary, wishing you a long long life!

But the last two letters were very embarrassing.

V followed by D

So the entire plate reads “9..9..0..0..V..D”. How funny is that?

Clearly, the driver is unaware of the meaning of ‘VD’ in English’ or (s)he’d know that (s)he’s wishing all the people around to have a sexual disease for ever!

I wonder why the license registration bureau of Taiwan allows embarrassing number plates… But it makes a good post! Tomorrow when I get my licenses renewed, I’ll be asking the DMV here in Taipei.

Kenneth

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Summer is here: Finally!

Jun 3 at 10:10pm by ObverseView

With Summer finally here, things are hotting up both literally (daily temps now around 30′s) and figuratively (so many things to do).

We’re planning our second promotion this summer to fight the 2010 recession, which has seen student enrollments down by 20% on previous years. Naturally, this impacts our bottom line quite severely. So it’s important that we pull out all the stops we can this summer!

So, you’ll see me starting in several promotions with my co-star, Tommy.

Enjoy! It also means several changes in my lifestyle: teaching more adults again, working three SBI sites and blogs on a more regular basis, and (perhaps) the end of daily blogging on my blogs. Though things are not certain yet on that score.

I may also seek full-time work again, if the business downturn persists longer than September of this year. It would be a pity. But times change, we all have to be flexible.

Besides, I would like to earn my OWN salary again, and be responsible for myself rather than work as part of the school. So taking on my own students and/or full time work may provide some answers. We’ll see.

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Latest Issue: 內政部移民署 Taiwan What’s Up 電子報

Jun 2 at 12:12am by ObverseView

New Youth Travel Card makes Taiwan explorations even more fun and appealing
青年旅遊卡二合一 好康等你來!

How would you like to travel around Taiwan while enjoying discounts on more than 700 items and services, including admission fees, transportation, accommodations, local delicacies, souvenirs and Chinese-language courses? 《full text》

想要暢遊台灣，享受門票、交通、住宿、小吃名產、中文學習課程等超過700項旅遊優惠嗎？您絕對不可以錯過行政院青輔會發行的新款青年旅遊卡！ 《詳全文》

Exclusive 2010 Taipei Food Festival discounts offered
2010台北國際食尚秀獨家優惠

Exotic foreign foods and local Taiwanese culture have mixed over time and resulted in a variety of untraditional Taipei flavors, giving the city its own unique brand of gourmet cuisine. The 2010 Taipei Food Festival has been holding a series of activities since May and warmly welcomes your participation. 《full text》

世界各大城市很少能像台北一樣，飲食文化多元又豐富，各地美食經過台北城融合在地的力量，都能呈現出不同以往的親切家鄉味。由台北市政府所舉辦的「2010台北國際食尚秀」，從5月起舉辦一系列美食活動，邀請您共襄盛舉。 《詳全文》

Notice: Homemade snacks from expatriates delight local palates
小啟：外籍配偶手工產品歡迎踴躍訂購

As more expatriate residents move to Taiwan, they not only add multi-cultural hues to local society but also introduce distinctive homemade products, including special snacks that enrich local cuisine. Those interested in these exotic edibles can download the product list here. 《full text》

隨著越來越多的新住民移入，為台灣帶來了多元文化，也帶來了具有特色的手工產品，包括各類特色糕點、食品及蔬菜等；歡迎全國民眾洽詢訂購！ 《詳全文》

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Renovations: Job Incomplete

May 20 at 11:11pm by ObverseView

I’m terrible. I start lots of projects, and I try hard to finish as many as I can but it must be my nature not to finish stuff. I have a dozen projects that I would like to start or finish but I never seem to get things together.

The school was redecorated at Chinese New Year, and we all worked hard! But it’s been a difficult six months since then trading-wise. Still, with more time to fill, I still didn’t manage to fix the bathroom lighting that was accidentally broken by one of our co-workers with a generous swing of her mop handle. She broke the entire glass cover, one bulb, and showered herself in glass.

Luckily she wasn’t hurt, but that bathroom light needs fixed! Oh, well!

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