2009年6月17日 星期三

Cowardice

Charlie screamed when he saw insects, mice, and dogs. He would run as fast as possible and his screams sounded an ambulance siren. Moreover, he passed out every time when seeing needle and syringe. Is this so-called cowardice? The Macmillan English Dictionary defines cowardice as “a behavior that shows you are not brave to fight or do something difficult or dangerous but reasonable that you should do.” In other words, cowardice is not merely phobias but irresponsibility.
Refusing taking risk is not always coward, it depends on the motivation. Iliad is one of the greatest epics in literature and Achilles is also one of the greatest heroes. However, Achilles once refused to fight for Agamemnon. Because Agamemnon captured Chryseis and refused to release her to her father, Chryses, one of Apollo’s priests. Chryses prayed to Apollo and ask the god to punish Agamemnon. Hearing that, Apollo rained down his arrows so that all the animals were dead. Trying to convince Agamemnon to return Chryseis to end the plague but fail, Achilles was enraged because Agamemnon decided to return Chryseis and replace her with Achilles’ concubine, Briseis. Being humiliated, Achilles was enraged that he refused to war for Greek. Even Agamemnon finally offered to return Briseis to convince Achilles back to the battle, Achilles’ dignity didn’t allow him to negotiate. However, Achilles did not give up the battle; he still worried about that so he landed his armor to his best friend, Patroclus. Regardless of what happened in the rest of the event, why did no body ever dare to call Achilles a coward? Why did he become the most famous hero in Iliad? From the first time I read Iliad until now, I always believe that Achilles was regarded as hero not only because of his achievement but also of his self-dignity. It is obvious cowardice is defined not by people’s achievement, but by their motivation.
One of my friends once told me in our class discussion that he might try to run away from army in times of war. At first, I thought he was really a coward because it was his responsibility to protect the country. I thought he was afraid of injury and death; however, he just could not bear to kill strangers, who were under command just like him. I realized that he was not the only one who refused to kill people merely for some unknown or even ridiculous reasons, and I was sorry for them. Compared to those who lost or gained much of weight or those who broke their arms deliberately before military services, who is the real cowardice? Those who pity for humankind or those who do everything they can to escape the physical training?
Cowardice is not apprehension but retreat from what we should do due to weakness, ignorance, or frustration. As Mark Twain said, ‘We all live in the protection on certain cowardice which we call our principles,” sometimes people refuse to take charge of their duty because they are afraid of failures, disappointment, hindrance, or injuries. Therefore, they refuse taking any risk to protect themselves. In the movie, “Peaceful Warrior,” Socrates once expressed, “A warrior is not about perfection or victory or invulnerability. He is about absolute vulnerability. That’s the only true courage.” Life is full of surprises and challenges; facing all the difficulty is a way to fulfill and enrich our lives and it takes a lot of guts to face our own weakness and imperfection. The real coward is not afraid of something but himself who can not deal with failures.

All You Can Eat

“All you can eat” is a new form of buffet, which has become more and more popular in recent year. Different from traditional buffet, the quality of the food, the service, the ambiance, and the atmosphere is better; accordingly, the charge is more expensive. To lots of people, it has become the top choice for meals because within the fixed charge, there is no maximum of food supply. Although this kind of expenditure seems to profit the customers, both doctors and anthropologist point out that this kind of food consumption is not only unhealthy but wasteful and resource consumptive.
Having food without limitation is a luxury that everybody dreams of. Eating is a pleasure, but overeating would ruin and become a burden of our health. Doctors points that in order to digest the food we take in, our stomach will secrete acid to decompose it. It is natural that the amount of the gastric acid will increase with the food; however, too much gastric acid will lead to gastric ulcer, gastritis, diabetes, and liver trouble. Thus, it is parochial to seek the impermanent gratification of appetite which might in turn lead to eternal physical problems.
Most of people consider “All you can eat” buffet cheap because they supply endless food. Actually, all you can eat is much more expensive for most people than ordinary meals. Moreover, according to the research by the Consumers’ Foundation, 80% of the restaurants would charge the single customer for double service charge without informing him or her. Moreover, besides unhealthy, eating too much is wasteful in terms of food and money. Since the expense of “all you can eat” is not cheap, most of people tend to eat much more than they should in the restaurant; otherwise, they would consider it is waste of money. Take a true event for example; a girl who scared everybody ate 8 kilograms a meal in a buffet was diagnosed as having eating disorder.
While some people claim that this new and luxurious service reflects the affluence of our society. Actually, the fact is totally contary. The poverty of the Third-World is caused by the unfair food distribution, according to Food and Agricuture Organization of the United Nation. Possessing all the resource to fulfill our desire, it only shows our desire and uncivilization. Moreover, to plant more food and decrease the price, South America started to exploit the Amazon rain forest. Such a develoment makes the animals in the area almost extinct and worsens Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming. In other words, the waste of food directly lead to enviromental crises.
Provideing customers with various food without limit, “All You Can Eat” restaurants attract lots of clients. However, while we enjoy the food with caution, it might ruin our health, weaste food and money, and destroy the earth. When our temporary and personal pleasure may lead to so many effects, is it really worthwhile?

2009年6月13日 星期六

Isolation

Few days ago...I found I can not lon in my MSN...it was terrible because it was one of the most important ways that I kept in touch with my old friends. :( I was so sad that I tried again and again, but it still the same, so I applied a new one. However, I didn't write down their ID so now I have merely my classmates and friends in NCHU. Sometimes I feel sad and nervous, it feels like I am gone forever in my friends life, of course I mean thoes I won't see and phone. Fortunately, I still have thoes who are important to me. Maybe it's good that I won't need to socail with thoes who are not tight with me.
Watching the white screen, I think of some peopel who were close with me. Freinds, family, classmate, and so on. Then I wonder...no matter how close we were with someone, maybe once you break the connection then you can't never make it up again? There are mistakes and misunderstandings that I wish I could fix, but it just impossible.

The song is good but it makes me sad...Anyway, I like her voice.

The Sound of White




Like a freeze-dried rose, you will never be,
What you were, what you were to me in memory.
But if I listen to the dark,
You'll embrace me like a star,
Envelope me, envelope me...
If things get real for me down here,
Promise to take me to before you went away -
If only for a day.
If things get real for me down here,
Promise to take me back to the tune
We played before you went away.

And if I listen to, the sound of white,
Sometimes I hear your smile, and breathe your light.
Yeah if I listen to, the sound of white ..
You're my mystery. One mystery. My mystery. One mystery.

My silence solidifies,
Until that hollow void erases you,
Erases you so I can't feel at all.
But if I never feel again, at least that nothingness
Will end the painful dream, of you and me...
If things get real for me down here, promise to take me to
Before you went away, if only for a day.
If things get real for me down here, promise to take me back to
The tune we played before you went away.

And if I listen to, the sound of white
Sometimes I hear your smile, and breathe your light.
Yeah if I listen to, the sound of white
Sometimes I hear your smile, and breathe your light.
And if I listen to, the sound of white.

I knelt before some strangers face,
I'd never have the courage or belief to trust this place,
But I dropped my head, 'cos it felt like lead,
And I'm sure I felt your fingers through my hair...

And if I listen to, the sound of white sometimes
I hear your smile, and breathe your light.
Yeah if I listen to, the sound of white.
The sound of white,
The sound of white,
The sound of white.

2009年6月6日 星期六

Appreciation.

I am not a lucky guy but I have lot of treasure. :) I am happy!

Last week, I dropped my friend's cell phone into closestool so it was broken. But my friend didn't blame at me but just make fun of me and keep call me fool. After that happened, he turned the cell phone and it was all right, so he thought it still working. However, after he took it to his dormitory, the phone was dying... Sometimes it worked, sometime doesn't. Anyway, my frined said it was okay because it was an old one, and he would buy a new one someday, maybe after Final. When I told my sisters and friends about this, most of them were suprised that he didn't angry with me. "If he got mad, I deserved it! But he was really a unlucky but nice guy.", said one of my sisters.

Few days ago, my "lovely" and only umbrella was broken when I needed it most. It was a heavy rain that I was totally wet. That day was obviously not my day. After Chinese and Listening class, I was so cold and a little angry at my self and the weather so I skipped some class. Even it was a bad day, I felt happy because of you guys. :D Thanks for your umbrellas and care.

I love you guys. :D

Hahaha~after this long long long confession, I think of "Friends". I love it, even it is over I can still watch it on PPS. It is not only funny and interesting but touching. The freindship between thoes guys is really hearwarming. :D The song was lively and cute, just like how we used to get alone with our friend, right? Hahaha...seems I am talkative today...




So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's DOA.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.

You're still in bed at ten, the work began at eight.
You've burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these,
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees.

That, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.

No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me.
Seems like you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me.
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with,
Someone I'll always laugh with, even at my worst, I'm best with you.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.

2009年5月31日 星期日

Holiday

I love holiday!!
Few days ago, I happend to meet a African-America in Taipei MRT station. He looked so nervous when he showed me the paper which wrote his destination. So he asked me how to get to "Ximen". I was confused because I don't know "Ximen" means 西門 or 新明. So I took him to see the board but the words was too small that I could hardly see it. Finally, with his vision and my common knowledge, we found out the direction and took the MRT together. On the way, I talked with him. He was a teacher in FU JEN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY and he could speak a little Chinese. So I was wondering that since we have the ability to ask for help, we don't have to worry too much about going abroad. Hahaha...but my sister said it was a negative idea.

I heard the song few days ago in CSI NewYork. It's good and I like it even it seems have no conection with my first paragraph.
Just enjoy it! :) I wish you like it.




Fade into you

I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that's true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
You live your life
You go in shadows
You'll come apart and you'll go black
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what's not there.

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew

A stranger's light comes on slowly
A stranger's heart without a home
You put your hands into your head
And then smiles cover your heart

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew
I think it's strange you never knew

2009年5月22日 星期五

Time is not on my side. :(

I was so excited for the holiday next week. I had discussed with my friends about our scheduld and we were both looking forward to it. I planed to go home in next Tuesday and go to museum the next day. It is Museum Carnival rignt now. To celebrate, some museum doesn't charge with money but only a peice of receipt. However, things changed!! :(
We were supposed to have a test this Wednesday, but the teacher suddendly diceded to put it off to next week. That is to say, I can't go home at Tuesday because of the test. Oh my god, I had expected going to the museum for several weeks...but now......I must change my schedule. :( I were so disappointed that I could not concentrat on the class. I seemsed to hear ABBA's voice on my ear singing "S.O.S". :(



S.O.S

Where are those happy days
they seem so hard to find?
I try to reach for you
but you have closed your mind
whatever happened to our love?
I wish I understood
it used to be so nice
it used to be so good

So when you're near me
darling can't you hear me
SOS
the love you gave me
nothing else can save me
SOS
when you're gone
how can I even try to go on
when you're gone
though I try how can I carry on

You seem so far away
though you are standing near
you made me feel alive
but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out
I wish I understood
what happened to our love?
It used to be so good

So when you're near me
darling can't you hear me
SOS
the love you gave me
nothing else can save me
SOS
when you're gone
how can I even try to go on
when you're gone
though I try how can I carry on

2009年5月15日 星期五

Hunger

After seimming, I am starving right now!! :(
I want to joing the 30 Hour Famine in this summer vacation but my friends can't go with me. So guess I have to give up. My sister once told me that the fewer people eat, the smaller thier appetite would become. Don't know whether it is true or not, but guess it might ruin our body. That's terrible! :( My Dad has a guge appetite that whenever I see he is eating, he reminds me of a Chinese legend- a monster with a huge mouth on his head. :(
I am eating little cucumber but it tastes a little...awful. :( But I know I can't be wasteful for there are so many people are under starvation.......Moreover, I "bought" it!

Whenever I think of thoes poor, I think of the song. Again, Michael Jackson! Whenever I hear it, it always makes me wanna cry. I do not post his official Music Vedio for though it was reall touching, it's little scaring. :( I don't want to ruin your good mood, so...if you want, check it by yourself.


Heal The World Michael Jackson



There's A Place In Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
and this place could Much Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You'll Find There's No Need To Cry
In This Place
You'll Feel That There's No Hurt Or Sorrow

There Are Ways To Get There
If You Care Enough For The Living
Make A Little Space
Make A Better Place...

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

If You Want To Know Why
There's A Love That Cannot Lie
Love Is Strong
It Only Cares For Joyful Giving
If We Try We Shall See
In This Bliss
We Cannot Feel
Fear Or Dread
We Stop Existing And
Start Living

Then It Feels That Always
Love's Enough For Us Growing
Make A Better World
Make A Better World...


And The Dream We Were Conceived In
Will Reveal A Joyful Face
And The World We Once Believed In
Will Shine Again In Grace
Then Why Do We Keep Strangling Life
Wound This Earth Crucify Its Soul
Though It's Plain To See
This World Is Heavenly
Be God's Glow

We Could Fly So High
Let Our Spirits Never Die
In My Heart
I Feel You Are All My Brothers
Create A World With No Fear
Together We'll Cry Happy Tears
See The Nations Turn
Their Swords Into Plowshares

We Could Really Get There
If You Cared Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
To Make A Better Place...


Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

Make it a better place
You And For Me
Heal the world we live in
You And For Me
Save it for our children
You And For Me
Heal the world we live in
You And For Me
Save it for our children


It's really so touching and powerful, isn't it?
But...it's a little ironic when he said, "No one should have to suffer, especially our children."............