The song

She asked me about the song while I was driving her home.

"I will email you the file," I said.

I smiled.

She likes the song you like.

And then I thought of you, and had the song repeat for the rest of the night.

meaningless

I listened to the song that you like.

I read the article that you like.

I ate the food that you like.

I drank the beverage that you like.

I closed my eyes, and tried to search you that I was familiar with

in this semi-familiar city.

It is meaningless, but I just can't help.

過去這一個月... / In the past month...

過去這一個月以來，這些畫面一直在我腦海裡出現...

爸爸頭上的白髮...
抱媽媽的時候，突然發現媽媽好小...
媽媽說："你要是回來台灣，我就好像撿回一個女兒"...
坐在高鐵上時看到台灣綠油油的田地和落日...
深夜家裡社區外面亮黃的路燈...

當初心中那種堅定不移的熱情，已經漸漸開始冷卻，我開始不太確定這樣的決定是不是正確的，但我也不確定這是不是因為我一時的脆弱。
每天時間漫長的煎熬，有時讓我想一走了之。跟著其他車子一起開在高速公路上，有時會給我一種身不由己的無奈。每天睜開眼睛，綠色的小房間有時想讓我永遠閉上眼睛。


我感覺到靈魂的乾枯，就好像眼睜睜看著手中的流沙一點一滴的消失。

我還不夠強壯。
自以為過去三年的時間已經讓我比以前更加強壯，這時才發現那只是曇花一現的假象。

Dialogue II

A: You just don't understand.

B: I just don't love you anymore.

Dialogue I

A: okay, you win, the prize is my heart.

B: Can I just take the medal instead?

Chinese is one of the most difficult language in the world?!

For Tao Yuran,



I was at an Chinese language related event the other day. I happened to overhear a Chinese lady said to a white student that Chinese is the most difficult language in the world. Actually I really wanted to snap at that Chinese lady. How can we attract more foreign students to study Chinese if we keep telling them that Chinese is the most difficult language in the world?

Maybe it is a good tag line to attract students who would like to study something that offers challenges. However, I believe that people prefer something easier. Considering my future job prospects, I always tell people that Chinese is not as difficult as you think.

Let's make the statement more specific. As regards to speaking, Chinese is not as difficult as people think.

First, there is no conjugation of verbs in Chinese. Unlike European languages, one does not have to memorize a variety of verb changes according to tense, mood and aspect when he or she is studying Chinese. For example, 去 (qu4; go) is always the same in any situation. There is no qu"s", qu"ing", and qu"ed" in Chinese.
Second, even the noun forms do not have to be changed in Chinese. Many European languages have gender markings. One does not have to worry about these complications in Chinese.

However, as regards to Chinese characters, they might be a challenge for Chinese learners. But, technology nowadays makes learning Chinese characters much easier than before. Students are able to use computers to type Chinese as long as they are familiar with the pinyin system. The high-tech tools such as on-line dictionaries and hand-writing input systems help students increase their efficiency in studying Chinese.

Indeed, Mandarin Chinese is very different from European languages. Those differences might be the problems for the learners whose native languages are not in the same language family as Chinese. However, it does not mean that Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world.

Blogging

For Tao Yuran.



We talked about his project a little bit last time.

He wants to do some research about adopting blogging as a method to teach writing. Some second language teachers encourage their students to blog in attempted to improve their writing. Tao Yuran asked me about my opinion on blogging. I stated that even though I blog sometimes, I am unsure of the usefulness of blogging in a second language.

First, I wonder how blogging can actually help second language learners with their writing. I believe in the principle "practice makes perfect". However, I wonder how would I improve my writing if no one corrects it for me since I would just repeat the same mistakes.

Second, I have more confidence to blog in Chinese than in English. I guess that is because Chinese is my first language. I have more confidence to use the language that I have known for over 20 years. I don't really want people to find English grammar mistakes in my blog. This is the main reason making me hesitant to blog in English.

Finally, I don't know what to write in my blog because it is open to the public. A lot of people blog because they want to share their ideas, opinions, daily lives, and even their feeling with others. I don't share my feelings with the public, instead I have something called a diary. The only place I would put my personal feelings is in a diary. I feel it is the same as being naked in public if I write my personal feelings in blog. Concerning my daily life, I feel that everyday is almost the same. I see nothing of worth in my daily life to share with others. With respect to sharing ideas and opinions with other people, I do so sometimes, but I carefully select my opinions and audiences beforehand.

Overall, blogging in English might be a good way for some people to practice their writing, but it might be not a good way for me, unless it is a requirement from my teacher.