If you ever thought that Taiwan was just an outpost of China, think again.
Imagine a small, independant island with a fascinating blend of Japanese, Chinese, Western and Indegenous culture. The most delicious food, and warm hearted people. A strong work ethic, hospitable families, and the most picturesque scenery! It would take a thousand pages to give Taiwan a just description, but when the Portugese first landed in Taiwan many years ago they summed it all up in one small sentence: Ilha Formosa. Translated, "What a beautiful island".
China believes that Taiwan is a province of the nation, however no Taiwanese person I have met feels this way. Although the current party in power is pro-China, hopefully Taiwan will eventually be recognised without dispute as the completely independant, unique and beautiful nation that it is.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Other Side
Solid, dark and varnished.
It looks so heavy.
Nothing can penetrate the mass.
This world is dull and listless.
No magic, no extraordinary.
The door is tempting.
A small gap, a tiny clue.
The keyhole gives a hint.
Flashes of light, colour and shape.
The other side is wonderful.
People are free and happy.
They dance on moonbeams.
Ribbons of rainbow fly,
And fairies are singing.
The grass is greener.
The murky brown is boring.
This side is unbearable.
Where is the key?
It looks so heavy.
Nothing can penetrate the mass.
This world is dull and listless.
No magic, no extraordinary.
The door is tempting.
A small gap, a tiny clue.
The keyhole gives a hint.
Flashes of light, colour and shape.
The other side is wonderful.
People are free and happy.
They dance on moonbeams.
Ribbons of rainbow fly,
And fairies are singing.
The grass is greener.
The murky brown is boring.
This side is unbearable.
Where is the key?
The Boy Who Dared
I just finished a fantastic book by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Before this book, I had never of her, but I now regard her as a truly brilliant author.
The Boy Who Dared is based on a true story of a Hitler Youth, Helmuth, who begins to question all he is told about life: Is worshipping Hitler dishonouring God? Why are the Jews regarded as sub-human? Why can the Germans not listen to foreign radio? If Hitler wants peace, then why did he start a war?
Although these questions are not answered fully in this short novel, Helmuth begins to quietly rebel against the dictatorship. He illegally listens to the BBC's German news report, and distributes anti-Nazi leaflets.
The writing style used in this book makes the reader feel as if the whole story is almost a fantasy. Reality is cross-cut with memories, until the past catches up to the present.
The Boy Who Dared is based on a true story of a Hitler Youth, Helmuth, who begins to question all he is told about life: Is worshipping Hitler dishonouring God? Why are the Jews regarded as sub-human? Why can the Germans not listen to foreign radio? If Hitler wants peace, then why did he start a war?
Although these questions are not answered fully in this short novel, Helmuth begins to quietly rebel against the dictatorship. He illegally listens to the BBC's German news report, and distributes anti-Nazi leaflets.
The writing style used in this book makes the reader feel as if the whole story is almost a fantasy. Reality is cross-cut with memories, until the past catches up to the present.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Wuthering Heights
I am almost exactly half way through reading the most complicated and well written book I have ever come across - Wuthering Heights, Emily Brönte's only novel.
Most books that one reads are interesting, but mostly predictable. Although the story may have an interesting turn, a writing style can become so clichéd that even twists can be forseen!
I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen to the characters, how the book will end, or what will happen when I turn the page. It's brilliant. Infuriating in one way, but brilliant.
I haven't been reading for a few weeks because there are so many books I want to read in the world! However I will continue to read Wuthering Heights, because I have never found a book equal to it.
Most books that one reads are interesting, but mostly predictable. Although the story may have an interesting turn, a writing style can become so clichéd that even twists can be forseen!
I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen to the characters, how the book will end, or what will happen when I turn the page. It's brilliant. Infuriating in one way, but brilliant.
I haven't been reading for a few weeks because there are so many books I want to read in the world! However I will continue to read Wuthering Heights, because I have never found a book equal to it.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Vampires are Overated
Have you read the books by Stephanie Meyer? Don't lie, you know you have.
I stayed very strong for quite a while, I didn't read any books or watch Twilight when it cam out.
Then my friend bought it on DVD. So, I had to watch it. It was terrible. I didn't understand it, so I thought
I should read the book to find out.
Two o'clock in the morning: there I was almost finishing the most unusual, hypnotising and annoying book I had ever read. Why does some story about a vampire that doesn't even have fangs seem so interesting? I have a list of its appeals below.
1. Edward Cullen.
The most charismatic character, he has an incredible way to draw us all in. The way he cares for and protects Bella so passionately makes everyone swoon and wish they had a boyfriend like him. He seems a very tragic person (or vampire) as well. It is so easy to feel sorry for someone who is forced to drink blood for survival, must live in relatively discreet way, and is in love with a human whose blood makes him ravenous.
Oh, and he is incredibly attractive. Muscled, perfect style, amazing eyes, tantalizing breath, and an ability to dazzle anyone by just looking at them? Bella is one lucky girl.
2. The mysterious setting.
If Twilight was set in LA it wouldn't be quite so cool, would it? Forks (a town which actually exists, by the way) is tiny, near a magnificent forest, cold, rainy and so strange. Bella describes it as being a dead town, but Stephanie Meyer makes us see it as a fascinating place. Even Antarctica wouldn't be as amazing a Forks. Antarctica isn't a hole, it sounds fantastic!
3. The different vampires.
If these vampires ate humans, the story wouldn't go so well, would it? If they lived in a big castle, Dracula style, we wouldn't feel sorry for them.
Although defanging the vampires, making them sparkle, giving them superhuman strength, speed, senses and immortality seems to make them not vampires at all, it gives them more appeal. We feel sorry for the entire family, like we do Edward Cullen.
4. The supernatural element.
Why was Harry Potter successful? The books contained magic. They weren't real. But Hogwarts existed beside an ordinary world, and it thrilled every reader to be apart of it. It's the same with Twilight. A supernatural world of vampires and werewolves exists right beside the dreary town of Forks, and all the readers are excited to read about it. Supernatural will always be exciting, because it doesn't exist - or does it?
So if Twilight is such a hypnotising book, why do I despise it so much?
1. I can't stop reading the series. I wish I could push them out of my head.
2. No guy will ever be as ridiculously mushy and obsessively protective of Edward Cullen. He may be gorgeous, but seriously, would you want a guy coming to see you ever night and make you freeze? Extreme fatigue and possibly hypothermia is not a good idea, even if you do get to be near an incredibly hot vampire who loves you.
3. The werewolves aren't the best either. Would you like your best friend to morph into a giant wolf?
Also, there is a risk of hyperthermia. Keep your body temperature normal. Stick with the wizards.
4. Bella is a ridiculously boring character. How could an immortal godlike vampire fall for her? Oh yeah... she's meant to be smart. For an intelligent person, she does some really stupid things, like jumping off cliffs, riding motorbikes with her klutz genes, and falling for a vampire, among other things.
So, there's my spiel about why I hate Twilight. I'm hooked, but it's an addiction I'm trying to give up.
By the way... the movies are horrible. Robert Pattison is not hot, he's a slob who doesn't shave and uses too much hairgel. And Kristen Stewart has a thing with dying her hair the wrong colour.
I stayed very strong for quite a while, I didn't read any books or watch Twilight when it cam out.
Then my friend bought it on DVD. So, I had to watch it. It was terrible. I didn't understand it, so I thought
I should read the book to find out.
Two o'clock in the morning: there I was almost finishing the most unusual, hypnotising and annoying book I had ever read. Why does some story about a vampire that doesn't even have fangs seem so interesting? I have a list of its appeals below.
1. Edward Cullen.
The most charismatic character, he has an incredible way to draw us all in. The way he cares for and protects Bella so passionately makes everyone swoon and wish they had a boyfriend like him. He seems a very tragic person (or vampire) as well. It is so easy to feel sorry for someone who is forced to drink blood for survival, must live in relatively discreet way, and is in love with a human whose blood makes him ravenous.
Oh, and he is incredibly attractive. Muscled, perfect style, amazing eyes, tantalizing breath, and an ability to dazzle anyone by just looking at them? Bella is one lucky girl.
2. The mysterious setting.
If Twilight was set in LA it wouldn't be quite so cool, would it? Forks (a town which actually exists, by the way) is tiny, near a magnificent forest, cold, rainy and so strange. Bella describes it as being a dead town, but Stephanie Meyer makes us see it as a fascinating place. Even Antarctica wouldn't be as amazing a Forks. Antarctica isn't a hole, it sounds fantastic!
3. The different vampires.
If these vampires ate humans, the story wouldn't go so well, would it? If they lived in a big castle, Dracula style, we wouldn't feel sorry for them.
Although defanging the vampires, making them sparkle, giving them superhuman strength, speed, senses and immortality seems to make them not vampires at all, it gives them more appeal. We feel sorry for the entire family, like we do Edward Cullen.
4. The supernatural element.
Why was Harry Potter successful? The books contained magic. They weren't real. But Hogwarts existed beside an ordinary world, and it thrilled every reader to be apart of it. It's the same with Twilight. A supernatural world of vampires and werewolves exists right beside the dreary town of Forks, and all the readers are excited to read about it. Supernatural will always be exciting, because it doesn't exist - or does it?
So if Twilight is such a hypnotising book, why do I despise it so much?
1. I can't stop reading the series. I wish I could push them out of my head.
2. No guy will ever be as ridiculously mushy and obsessively protective of Edward Cullen. He may be gorgeous, but seriously, would you want a guy coming to see you ever night and make you freeze? Extreme fatigue and possibly hypothermia is not a good idea, even if you do get to be near an incredibly hot vampire who loves you.
3. The werewolves aren't the best either. Would you like your best friend to morph into a giant wolf?
Also, there is a risk of hyperthermia. Keep your body temperature normal. Stick with the wizards.
4. Bella is a ridiculously boring character. How could an immortal godlike vampire fall for her? Oh yeah... she's meant to be smart. For an intelligent person, she does some really stupid things, like jumping off cliffs, riding motorbikes with her klutz genes, and falling for a vampire, among other things.
So, there's my spiel about why I hate Twilight. I'm hooked, but it's an addiction I'm trying to give up.
By the way... the movies are horrible. Robert Pattison is not hot, he's a slob who doesn't shave and uses too much hairgel. And Kristen Stewart has a thing with dying her hair the wrong colour.
I Am A Writer
I am a writer,
Who writes lots of things.
I like to write about
Horses and kings.
Of faraway lands,
In mythical places.
And sometimes a poem
About shoes and shoe laces.
As you can see,
I am quite unique.
I will keep writing,
So come see each week!
Who writes lots of things.
I like to write about
Horses and kings.
Of faraway lands,
In mythical places.
And sometimes a poem
About shoes and shoe laces.
As you can see,
I am quite unique.
I will keep writing,
So come see each week!
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