Buddha Statue

The sun bore down on us that day as we made the ascent to the large Buddha on the hill. We had stupidly chosen one of the hottest days of the week to go and visit the cultural monument. At the bottom of the hill we passed Zhong Hua's cultural center, an inviting haven that would surely provide us with some cool air and a chance to fill up our water bottles. After spending several hours perusing magazines, we continued our expedition. Past children playing in the fountain and an elderly couple dipping their cracked and tired feet into the cool stream, we made our way to the top. It would be one of our last outings together. Despite the heat and fatigue, we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Here are some pictures from our voyage.

Globalization and the Power of Music

Globalization is an unescapable trend that has come to shape the world as we know it. Through the advancements in technology, nations across the world have become more interconnected than ever before. However, human nature remains the same as it was before the birth of cell phones and the internet. As a platform, technology can be used to bring people together or, as some have decided, to divide us into warring factions in order to spread the seeds of instability. Global companies, in order to ensure a large profit margin, have come to disregard the individual. While a Chinese company adds a toxic substance to milk powder resulting in the death of 100's of babies, US food companies still pump chemicals into our food products with no regard for the effects they have on the body. The economy has been in shambles because of manipulation and greed on the part of businessman we are led to trust. Who will adhere to some sort of moral high ground in the twenty-first century? Despite the bleak prognosis for this dying world, there is still hope that the tools present in the globalization of this planet can be used in a way to spread love and joy as never before. Music has always had the ability to unite people under a common language. Certain songs strike a deep chord within our souls. A group called "Playing for Change" is succeeding in bringing people together through music. As a testament to our need for "the other", a need to have someone by your side in difficult times, a team of documentarians went around the world recording song bites from different countries. Here is the culmination of their work: a song that reminds us of what it means to be human and a part of a global community. Isn't that what globalization is truly about, realizing our dependence on others and embracing those around the world?

Language Acquisition

Her name is Elaine. She's a an intelligent, stimulating, Taiwanese girl who I met while living here in Taiwan. She also has severe muscular dystrophy. Despite the many hardships she has had to endure because of her condition, she personifies the passion that life brings to those who embrace its deep emotions and longings. Two Saturdays ago, I had the privilege of meeting with Elaine to discuss some topics for her upcoming video blogs. What began as a mere attempt to record some interesting footage, quickly turned into hours of conversation and a new-found friendship. With her permission, I have decided to post one of our discussions entitled "Language Acquisition". When she has finished editing the rest of the footage, I will be sure to share with you.

Changes

Despite having gone into exile, inadvertently allowing this blog to reach the brink of extinction, I will soon be posting more frequently so you can all share in the events of my life. I promise to stray away from my failed attempts at pure journalism and will also be posting videos, random thoughts, and much needed updates. Stay tuned...

With my year in Taiwan coming to a close, I have decided to try and document some of the moments that have come to shape my experience here. Unfortunately I will be leaving my students, my girlfriend, my friends, and my Chinese behind me as I head back to America for graduate school and the world beyond.

The robot dance I have been using for exercise time at the kindergarten has evolved from simple vertical movements of the arms to coordinated head jerks and spins. From its inception "doing the robot" has come to shape my identity as an English teacher. If only I had known the ripple effect of introducing the robot dance to the masses of children at Fong Yuan Kindergarten. "Teacher Robot" has become a household name. As a tribute to robots and humans alike, I have posted a video of my last exercise time in Taiwan. The blips and blops will go down in history as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between humans and their machine offspring. Enjoy.