The book of prefaces

I am fascinated by this book these days. When I took a lazy walk to Eslite bookstore, I usually do not check the height of my purse. Simply I used to buy some cheap book or magazine or just sit down beneath the display stand and read books for a while.

I'd like to go there becase of a few reason. A small but comfortable park is near and also good beef noodle restaurant is on the way. Most of all, there is a good toillete. It's very easy to access. Mostly, in Tainan, I can hardly use restroom when I'm walking on the street.

The fact that most of foreign books are very cheap is actually the reason why I used to go there. Back in Korea, the price of foreign books includes the fee and transit cost, and their interest so that it's really expensive. Some of CD books for kids are more than twice as much as original price.

But here, maybe in Taiwan, book price is almost same as original amount. Amazing. I don't know how they handle the contract, anyway I envy them. I bought some big size illustrated books about the images of Jesus here and was really satisfied. It is very famous and monumental work of Jaroslav Pelikan, who is also one of the famous theologians. It was quite cheap. And also I got Beethoven by Adorno even though I didn't read yet. May I hope to buy Gramatology here before I go back either.

I didn't check this book was already translated into Korean. Nonetheless I wanna buy it. It is good enough to decorate my library, isn't it?

You don't even need to leave your car at worship place

Usually I was called as a 'non-spiritual' people. I usually don't like to attend regular worship in church. Even though I regard me as a Christian, and even though I believe I believe in Jesus, I'm not sure whether some religious practices are effective and the best way to encounter God.

Of course I devote and concentrate myself on communicating with God as much as I can. I'd like to meditate during the service. I'd like to think about Jesus when I sit down on the chair. If people say it is a 'prayer,' I'll agree. I'd like to do it in serene.

But usually I love to be with people and street. I believe the way of life is full of spiritual things whatsoever we call them. I can find out what is lying on the reality and I enjoy what is going on in reality. Secularity is more close to the reality which we lost by religious or some 'meaningful' thoughts such as 'value.' I can find out another value in the street of people as well as structure of human civliazation.

Well, it's posted on Time magazine site. Maybe it's just a photo essey of the week. You can visit there and enjoy or be shocked more. I thought about the way of worship once again. Negative or not, I don't know yet.

A few impressions from Yushan

Yushan seminary was impressive. It was established on the mountain side and a lake call Lilyu was in front of the campus. Very small people including students and faculties are studying and live there together. Most of the students are aborigin people and seems all of them are friends each other.

Buildings are old but fine and their roofs were covered with moss, and beautiful. Even some paths and stairs were full of moss either. I liked it. In the night, I could hear a stange and beautiful sound that might be made by a bird. I've never heard that kind of warbling before. Fascinating.

The lake is related some facility for cleaning water system and raising carps. It has nice scenearies espeically early in the morning. I envied the students.

Yes, the place made me feel I'm retired or retreating. Usually it was serene and quiet enough. I enjoyed it. Also I met some good students and teachers there. I appreciate them much. Many people helped and cared me. Thanks.

School birthday

On last Sunday school has big ceremony for 130th birthday. They said more than 1,700 guests were invited. Yes, so much crowded. Every schools or organizations related to same foundation had prepared exhibition section around the whole campus and buildings.

I shot many picutures strolling around like a journalist because service was so boring and strange. Back in Korea, we never arrange any ceremony for 'people' during worship. We even never applaud when somebody sings or be introduced.

Unfortunately, however, Taiwan worship culture maybe a bit different so that I could understand it. But it was a very small reason. Actually I was so bored. People outside of worship was much exciting.

Picture on left top is the student choir conducted by Edgar. I could see some of my friends also. Left bottom is from a photo at Siraya tribe but I don't know what it means. Maybe the first period drawing by a western painter. Right bottom is wonderful decoration by David. He had prepared them since the last national election of Taiwan.

He gathered many campaign banners with some of international students when campaign was closed and sewed them as a few nice collage banners already and hung on the wall at second floor of dormitory. I like them.

Now he hung these wonderful decorations all around the campus. I wonder people recognized what it wanted to show. As David and me agreed, it was an exciting 'deconstruction' of politics.

Whatever, I enjoyed people then.

In spite of John's making fun of me, I've enjoyed Hualien and east coast of Taiwan for few days. High mountains and valleys were amazing. Taroko gorge and the places for travlers were really well-prepared and clean.

Aborigin museums and natural historic museum were also impressive. As I told the president of Yushan seminary, I learned inside of Taiwan there as well as shape of Taiwan in TTCS. I felt some unique spiritual world from the culture of aborigin tribes. I was touched.

I cannot say I understand them fully. Nevertheless, it's much different from main stream of cultures of continents. Maybe it's aborigin culture. But it's quite different from formalized and merchandized aborigin cultures of other countries I think.

Are we free?

President came and told us, "You are free today, we are very busy."

Well, they are kind. But we are too small number to handle I think.

So, what should I do today? It's just 8:50. Damm.

Retiring in Yushan

I visited Hualien yesterday. Once there was the top place of Taroko tribe in the mountain but now it was covered by other people. Impressive turnels and bridges have liked their territory and we don't know where chief lives.

Scenery was fantastic. If this computer has good memory reader, I could post some pictures. Unfortunately they don't have I guess. I shot more than 800 cuts for last 3 days and moved them into CD but nobody has battery charger. I forgot it in my dorm. Damm.

Anyway today I guess I'm going another sightseeing. Maybe eastcoast of Taiwan.

Abscence notice

I'm going to Yusan and Hualien tomorrow morning until Saturday. Another 'exchange program' is prepared and we need to participate it. Under the scholarship, I have no choice but I hate to go.

Well, I know it's just a show for people who want to make it as nice international project. I should perform a puppet on the stage they build again.

I'm not sure I would bring my laptop or not yet. Should I?

Chatting with my daughter

I'm chatting with Sarah. Actually this name was given by her teacher several years ago. Kindergarden teacher just named every kids for convenience. Kids and parents usually take new names uncontiuously including me because of two reasons.

One is by the ability of English I guess. They used to be nervous to talk with foriegner as well as their kids' teacher. It is not easy for them to change or claim on names. The other reason maybe no special thoughts about second name. Like naming their pets or nick for internet id, it is not so serious for them to have another 'name.'

To me, it is not so moderate meaning. Ok, my fashion is old enough to be too serious about 'just' another name. But name should be not just a title. Like a poem, "before you call my name, I was just a small motion" Whatever you feel by this line of poem, it is one of the famous modernism poets. "I" in the rhyme is a flower. A flower becomes some flower when someone touch it and call its name. It is the relation between a being and another being. That's my understanding of relationship.

Naming is not classifying or grouping. Not title. It usually presents what's it all about being. Am I too sophisticated? Anyway, she is teasing me with a snack. She is eating a delicous dried squid. I like it.

In the bible, Sarah means 'laugh' as I know. She makes me happy and smile. Always. I love her so much. Yunhoo, well, it's her original name, I miss you...

Strings on the street

A lady was playing traditional instrument. Thousands of people were enjoying "Love River," which has its beautiful history. I stopped there by the instrument's force and listened her playing for long while although I didn't understand the tune.

Maybe the lovers who threw their bodies there in the story would hear the sad songs together. Her instrument was spreading clear but melancholy sounds surrounded by unknown people including me who still stay here as an alien.

In Taiwan, I experienced many artists on the street but she was really fascinating player at the darkest place. An old man who plays sorrowful harmonica, a pan flute playing European and his woman, an old artist who draws visitors with traditional bamboo reed, and saxophone playing young man, they were creating every other colors and atmosphere here by their own dreaming. She was the most impressive to me.

I don't know how I get to understand music sometimes unless the tune could explain the detail to me. However, sometimes, a sight or face, tune strikes me like a kite in chilly sky. I really don't know why at all.

Old British Consulate

Near the old Canon Battery of Kaohsiung, a beautiful cafe attracts so many people in spite of its inconvenient location.

One who want to enjoy a British "afternoon tea" with rich cake have to ride byke or car to the harbor and climb up many steps. If it's weekend or holiday, one must wait for long while.

The building should be rebuilt as it was. It's so nice and clean. Inspite that it's a cultural property by government, a contract let someone get business and collect big money.

Nevertherless, visitors including lovers and family seem to enjoy with feeling of Western style itself as well as tea and cake on high hill beside seashore.

Except simple dungeon beneath the floor, whole structure is using as big restaurant. Nice scenery and building encourage visiors to pay not so cheap money for menu and buy small souveniors without hesitating.

"Takao," which means "beat dogs," was the old name of the place, but many people are willing to come with their dogs as other places in Taiwan. No dogs are beaten there.