Happy New Year

I wish myself a fruitful and successful 2007.

It is very important to keep a positive attitude. I should do so and try my best to achieve my goal. I have done nothing, and I constantly feel sad and depressed this year. I think all the negative qi that surrounds me in 2006 is a training to make me strong and ready for 2007. Now, I am slowly overcoming the negative qi around me. With the coming of 2007, I start to gain some silly confidence for no reason. I really don't know why. I guess 2007 may be the time for me to really do something that I have yearned for. If that is the case, I definitely will be successful, and of course, being extremely happy.

I wish all my firends the best in 2007.

Happy New Year!

Merry X'mas

Merry X'mas...
I don't like holidays. That means people everywhere!
By the way, Chinese don't celebrate X'mas, only when you are a Christian.
But we do celebrate this special day. It is the "Constitution Day"!
How sad the government canceled this holiday. Now all kids in Taiwan only celebrate "X'mas", which is quite irrelevent to us. It seems a bit dumb as well.
The most ridiculous is this crazy government is considering making X'mas a national holiday in Taiwan ...
I don't understand what is in their brains.
This is extremely stupid.
Still, I have to say "Merry X'mas" since some of my firends are turly celebrating this amazing day.

Artists versus Scholars

Artists create objects
Scholars entitle objects art
Without scholars, artists are only craftsmen
Without artists, scholars are no better than the proletariat
I guess Only God can be both, but God is dead
____________

Artists are those lucky poeple born with amazing natural ability to turn objects into something for appreciation, for interpretation, and for discussion. They live with great passion and imagination, and they devote themselves to their creation. Their innovation usually leads a new fashion that contests what has been established. They are not writers, nor explainers. They express their position through their creation.

Scholars, with learned knowledge and experience, perceive the quality of objects created by artists and identify them as art. These people appreciate, interpret, and discuss what art is. They are sensible. They are trained to explain in detail the meaning of the creation. They catogorize objects, give them names, and relate them to life. They establish their position through writing and explaining ideas.

These two groups of people are interrelated; one cannot survive without the existence of the other. When a person is able to create, it usually means the person expresses him/herself through artistic actions. The result is artisitc that requires perception and identification. On the other hand, a scholar delivers his/her ideas through reinterpreting and responding to artistic actions. This brings written words clearly explaining the ideas that are embedded in artisitc creation. Therefore, one's work is completed by the other's endeavour. This is a both way communication with which social fashions are constructed and theories on arts is established.

These are also two social positions we need to choose when we are enlightened, whether it’s a secular enlightenment or a religious one. Never try to be both. A good creator will never be able to explain his/her artistic action well enough, and no one can do this job better than scholars. In the meantime, a good explainer can only speak and write, and if he/she tries to create, the result can never be better than his/her critiques on other people's works. I firmly believe that God is the only one who possesses both abilites, but unfortunately he is no longer with us anymore. As Nietzsche stated "God is dead", and if there is truly a person who can do both works, then he must be the new "Savior". As for us, the proletariat, all we can do is to find out which group we belong to and work towards it. However, if enlightenment sounds rediculous and impossible, then it is totally fine to stick with the proletariat. They are everywhere and we always need them to support the function of the society.

學英文 :【中文不好，英文一定學不好】

為什麼說中文不好的，英文一定學的很糟呢？教英文這麼多年，遇到了各式各樣的學生，也發現若學生中文程度不好的，他們在英語學習上通常會出現問題，表現不如其他國語文程度佳的學生。這個說法或許不甚公平，但卻是我所遇見的實例。當然也是有一些學生，他們的英語能力大大的超越其國語文程度，然而在比較這些學生與其他學生的中文表現後，我發現這些學生仍具備相當的、甚至是中上等級的中文程度。所以我相信，不論中文或英文，都是語言的一種，是要下工夫學的，並且要活用。中文是我們的母語，若是連母語的運用上都出現了問題，就更別提外國語言的學習了。

相對的，英文很棒的，中文也一定具備良好的基礎。能夠將英文或外來語文學習好，表示這個人具有語言的邏輯能力，能夠理解外國語言的邏輯結構並且靈活運用。前一陣子我香港的朋友寄了 2007 香港藝術節的訊息給我，於【桃花扇】演出資料中有一則余光中教授的訪談記錄。在這個訪談中，余教授提到了中國文學以及昆曲藝術的美。他對崑曲及中國文學的了解與認知，是無可否認的，學戲劇與電影的我是十分景仰如此博大的學識。但這樣一位深具中國古典文人氣息的學者，實際上並不是一位專攻中國古典文學的儒士，而是台灣中山大學外國語文學系的榮譽退休教授。既能成為外文系的教授，想必他對外語，尤其是英語，一定具有絕對的理解及運用能力。在他身上，我們看見的是一位中英文俱佳的學者，他對中文的高度理解加強了他的語文邏輯能力，並強化了他對外來語文的吸收與運用。

記得在一篇台灣中國時報的社論中，余教授曾強力批評了台灣現在的中小學語文教育，而我讀完此篇社論，心中只有完全的贊同，並感慨現代台灣語文教育的悲哀。國語文是中小學教育中十分重要的課程，他的存在在於強化年輕一代對自己母語的了解與應用，並提供了一個語文邏輯的基本訓練。縮減這個課程的授課時數，事實上是剝奪台灣新一代學習本國語言與邏輯的權力。語文邏輯聽起來像學術論文中的專有名詞，其實它的意義是容易了解的。它的目的在於訓練我們對語言的熟悉與運用，例如如何將字組合成詞，如何組合字詞並彙整出一個具有意義的句子，如何構思一篇文章並清楚表達清晰完整的意思。這不只是中文的學習，而是一個完整性的邏輯訓練。學習邏輯是困難的，需要長時間訓練的，而最好的方式就是用母語來訓練。當年輕一代對於母語沒有情感只有陌生，想當然的他們不具備基本語言邏輯，這就導致了他們之後對英語學習上產生嚴重障礙。更糟的是，當學生沒有完整的架構起應有的邏輯能力時，不論任何科目的學習上，他們都會出現問題。最基本的是學習障礙，即不具備理解力，再者是缺乏分析與批判的能力。邏輯能力的缺乏將會造成整個教育品質的低落，比如說大學生本應具備基礎知識，如歷史、文學、或科學，並能夠對知識提出想法、批評、或建議；然而因邏輯思考能力的缺乏，大學生反而是在大學教育中才開始邏輯能力的訓練。很明顯的，這是將大學教育高中化，而小學教育似乎是延長板的幼兒教育。

我常常跟我的學生說要用心學中文，但他們的反應實在是令人灰心，有些更說為什麼教英文的要求中文要學好。沒錯，教英文的應該只要求英文的表現，但低落的中文程度是英文學不好的主要原因。這是很可悲的，當學生的中文句子都寫不出來時，如何要求他們造出完整的英文句子？當他們無法寫出中文作文時，如何能要求他們寫英文作文？當國語都不會說時，如何能開口說英語呢？有些家長執意要小孩學英文，從小就上美語班，但結果是中文、英文都不好。問題就出在太過於偏重英文，而忘了自己的母語。我相信若是在純英語的環境中，如送到國外去，小孩的英語必定一級棒。但是別忘了，在這樣的情況下，它的母語早就變成英語了。在台灣這樣的環境下，實在是很難靠著學校教育將語文學好，這也解釋了為什麼補習教育仍是如此昌盛，學生壓力仍是無敵大，台灣學生英語能力仍是亞洲倒數，以及火星文的氾濫。身為一位英語教學工作者，我反而更要強調中文教學的重要性，更要要求中文能力的提升。

這是我第一次用中文發表，以往都是直接以英文做表達。主要是因為我打中文字的速度實在太慢。此外，以英語寫作是一種強化自己對英語熟悉運用的好方式。如上所述，學語言是要花時間、下工夫的，並且一定找機會活用它。既然中文是母語，就應該將自己的母語強化，一來可以提升對語言邏輯的能力，再者可加深對自有文化的認知與了解。中文能力的提升強化了邏輯的發展，可幫助對外來語文的學習，並加促理解外來語文及其文化內涵。可見提升國語文能力即可達成對自我文化與社會的認同，並加速台灣新一代國際化的腳步。

教育部為了要強化台灣新一代的本土意識及國際化，硬是拿掉國語課時數並塞入了閩南語、客家語、及英語課程。我並不反對多元化語文教學，但是問題出現在政策的制定上。這些不負責任的官員，為了要配合減輕中小學生的學習壓力政策，反而減少最重要的國語文教學時數來配合多出來的課程。試想，原本的課程科目數量就以造成學習上的壓力，難道減少時數增加科目可以減輕壓力嗎？這不是反其道而行嗎？結果是現在的小孩反而要學更多的東西，而沒有一樣是學的好的。更慘的是連中文都不會講也不會寫了。如果那些在上位者，不認為中文是他們的母語，那請他們以後都不要講或寫中文，有本事的話就將閩南語寫出來。請謹記，千萬不要借用中文字來寫閩南語，因為中文字不是你們認同的母語。

Don't irritate me, or I'll walk off the stage

After Roberto Alagna's opening aria in Aida, the audience in the gallery of Teatro alla Scala greeted him with boos. Then, very surprisingly, Radames, the role he played, stalked off the stage in response to the rude audience. Daniel Wakin from New York Times reported,

"In the history of operatic hissy fits, what happened at Teatro Alla Scala in Milan during 'Aida' on Sunday night was a bravura performance." (Dec. 13, 2006)

This is the first time we see a tenor walking angrily off the stage in the middle of the performance, and the stand-in was pushed on stage to finish the act without costumes. Can Alagna just leave the stage like that?

How I wish I were there!

I believe every artist deserves proper respect, but in the meantime, he has to show his professionalism and the ability to take catcalls and boos. The audience in the gallery of La Scala, called the "loggionisti", is notorious for their attitudes. These people are the opera aficinados who queue for cheap seats and always express their opinions freely during the performance. They could nod approvingly or shout and boo loudly if the performance is simply not as good as they expected, which is the case that happened on Sunday. Indeed, the loggionisti is rude, but it is their freedom to express their preference. If their actions are far too extreme, the opera house would certainly take good actions to stop them. I just cannot imagine the tenor suddenly stopped his singing, stared angrily at his audience, and then stormed off the stage.

This action is extremely childish and unprofessional. Even the loggionisti disapproved your singing, you still had the responsibility to finish the performance. After all, every audience in that theatre paid to hear your singing and see your performance. The conflict between the artist and the loggionisti is not new. Alagna is not the only one who was booed by the picky audience, Luciano Pavarotti and Renee Fleming were also victims at La Scala. In the infamous case, "Rome Walkout", Maria Callas simply cenceled her performance Norma after the first act at Rome Opera House in 1958. Many great opera singers encountered such disgrace, but none of them dared to leave the stage in the middle of the performance. In my opinion, once you step on that stage, you must do your best to play your role. You are responsible for the completion of the performance. This is the basic requirement for all actors and singers, and this is the respect for both the opera house and the audience.

How could Alagna ask for respect when he was not able to pay his? Of course, it is the loggionisti who started the conflict, but if Alagna completed his duty and presented a great performance, every opera critic and operagoer would speak for him. He would definitely secure his reputation as one of the greatest tenors. Sadly, he did not do so but quit the performance in the most irresponsible way. It is truly "such a shame" as those audience yelled. Due to this incident, Alagna is replaced by Walter Fraccaro, the Italian tenor who has sung in La Scala, the Met, and many major opera houses. I wonder if Alagna would ever have any chance to sing at La Scala agian.

Why would I care?

The son of the president of Taiwan is the most discussed person lately in Taiwan. Everyone wondered if he and his wife would come back to give brith to their first baby. The supporters of the current government urged them to come back because:

the president of Taiwan should not have an American grandson.

The opponents said this couple should come back because:

1. producing an American baby would secure their legitimacy to stay in the U.S, which is not what we want to see.
2. their expense in the States is actually the dirty money his parents stole form the country, but no one can confirm this information

Eventually, they were forced to come back, very reluctantly.

I am trying so hard not to make any comments on this news; however, the whole issue is just so stupid and insane. Whether you agree or not, I mut say their coming back does not and will not change anything. This lousy government of Taiwan still functions like a lame old man, the dear president and his corrupt wife still claim shamelessly their innocence, and politicians are all still blind and busy protecting their own rights. Their coming back is extremely useless to the development of Taiwan. I only agree with the opponents' idea that they should come back for the first lady's prosecution. This is the speculation that the son of the president, though not prosecuted for the first lady's fraud, should have known and in whatever ways assisted and provided his mother the required receipts for obtaining the secret funds. If this is true, than he must be ready for the possible coming trial against his family and himself. I firmly believe that every member of that family is more or less involved in this fraud.

The ridiculous part of this issue is on the supporters' point. This is a very bizarre and immature attitude, and sad to say so that most of the people in southern Taiwan strongly agree with this attitude. They have been educated by those who claim themselves as "the real Taiwanese" that being a Taiwanese must recognize Taiwan and live for Taiwan only. Sure, I agree with the notion of "recognizing Taiwan", where I am from, and "contributing to the future of Taiwan". However, this does not mean that I only live for Taiwan or I must support their idea to bulid a new nation-state. The most ridiculous is that those, who are "the real Taiwanese", are usually living somewhere other than Taiwan, having foreign properties, having offspring who hold foreign passports, or themselves foreigners. When people are ignorant, they are very easily influenced by stupid but passionate laguages. These supporters always say that everything must be about Taiwan. If the president has an American grandson, then this fact would contradicts to their political standing. They will naturally lose their supporters. This is why they urged this couple to come back for the baby with such a naive statement. After all, these "real Taiwanese" are only using this case to protect their own political rights.

Why would I care if this president has an American grandson? Why can't he have one? This is a free country, and his son and daughter in law are free to make any decisions of where to have this baby. Even though they came back to have this baby, they still could immigrate to the U.S. if they really want to, especially after having such a big amount of money stolen from the country. They are rich people! If he commited to his mother's fraud, he would still have to come back for the tiral, as an American.

I only care if he is tury innocent of the fraud, which I believe he isn't.

World AIDS Day & Free Hugs

Around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. ... World AIDS Day, 1 December is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, it's up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice.
World AIDS Day.

AIDS is not scary; AIDS is not dangerous. AIDS only becomes scary and dangerous when we are not aware of it. It is a disease that can be prevented, and I firmly believe that there will be an excellent cure for this disease someday.

In fact, I think AIDS gives us a good chance to reconsider our current human relationships. We seem to detach ourselves more from normal human interactions due to the proliferation of Internet. We stop talking to our neighbours or stop smiling at a beautiful baby. We have become so cold and distant. It is this cold and distant attitude that stops us from caring for other people. When we are not able to care for other people, how we could really fight against AIDS.

People with HIV are not dangerous, and they need our attention. This disease has long been mystified, and all we know is the negative parts of it. Who said AIDS is reserved for homosexuals only? Who said you will become HIV+ just because you have any contacts with another HIV+? Who said AIDS is a sin? No one ever gives any definite answers to these questions. All we know today is plainly rumors we heard somewhere.

I don't agree with the idea that AIDS is a sin. I agree many gay men were diagnosed as HIV+ in the eighties, but recent cases show that people with HIV are mostly from unsafe straight sex, inappropriate blood transfer, and the delivery of babies. I agree that AIDS is highly contagious, but it only happens when you know nothing about it. Every individual is responsible for his/her behaviours. Only when we have proper knowledge of AIDS and are responsible for our actions could we prevent it from spreading.

Educating the public about AIDS is what we need to do today. We should stop taking AIDS as a taboo, an unspeakable subject, a sin. We need to encourage people to learn about this disease, to communicate, and to open their hearts. Imagine how a person with HIV would feel. We can actually offer our aides to help him/her to recover in whatever ways. Instead of feeling sad and unsafe, with our help, he/she could build up a positive attitude towards this disease. Through our help to them, we learn more about AIDS, and we truly contribute to better humanity.

On 11/26, there is an action named "FREEHUGS FOR HIV/AIDS" in Taipei. The goal is to encourage 100 people to hug Mr. Chang (張亞輝), a HIV+ writer and the organizer of this campaign. To the end, he actually hugged more than 150 people that day. Living in this modernised society, we used to oppress our feelings because showing true feelings would be a weak action. Of course, we become so cold and distant so as to survive in this society. However, according to the reports of this campaign, some people said that hugging Mr. Chang, or even just showing support by smiling at him, had already made their day, and they would never forget this experience. Through this campaign, he helped introduce the notion that people with AIDS are just normal patients, and the hugging and warm responses show that humanity still exists. Showing humanity in fact brings more happiness than all other achieved success.

This campaign reminds me the freehugscampaign proposed by Juan Mann in Sydney. He said that this is the age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact. I totally agree with this, and I think it is more important to remind the public to seek again good human contact we used to have but lost now. If we can encourage people to reconstruct smooth and positive human interactions, the idea of uniting people to fight against HIV could easily be realised. We would start trusting people again, and we would care for people again. Along with good education programmes on AIDS, we definitely would end our prejudice against AIDS.