Red, White and Blue: Such a common theme for the flags of Mankind. People have embraced vileness and hatred due to these colours. People have embraced and cared for others because of these colours. People have fought and died for these colours. Others have chosen to celebrate and live live to the fullest with the colours in their heart. Who would have though that such three simple colours could have such an effect!
The Taiwanese have 同心同德，贯彻始终， 晴天白日满地红 as a motto. So stoic!
Hmm, I don't know if Aussies really have any motto explicitly tied to the flag though.
I would be lying if I said that I have no opinions on Australia Day and the flag it bears. I guess since no-one really reads this,Ｉcan air my opinions right?
I haven't attended a proper celebration of Australia Day in many years, especially not the ones for the fireworks. I think the fireworks are repetitive, loud and crappy excuse to pollute the air. The firework celebrations also breed awful behaviour, at least the years I went, especially those held near the city and foreshore. The people I encountered were loud, rude, littered everywhere and probably used the day as an excuse to get blind drunk and belligerent.
Perhaps I was swayed by the flag bearing ceremony in Taipei on New Years. It was massive and crowded, but I saw no serious incidents at all. Sincere patriotism was shown, but the crowd was civil and polite. There were foreigners there as well, waving the ROC flag as well, on a cold windy Taipei night, this made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Everytime I left the fireworks, I would feel a little disgusted, especially seeing the incredible amount of rubbish left on the grounds. The only real reason whyＩever attended was because I love Dad and I enjoy spending time with him and bonding with him. My mother never wanted to go and my brother (who's much older) always celebrated with his mates. I also had a few minor racial encounters which angered me quite a bit. So I decided a few years ago, that I wouldn't bother going.
Maybe I should just hold a quiet barbeque at home with some family and friends. :-P
As for the flag, what was I going to say? I dislike the design, not for any ideological and nationalistic reasons, I just dislike it aesthetically. I think it's an ugly flag. For those who argue that the Union Jack no longer represents Australia, well Australia is still technically a dominion and Queen Elizabeth the Second is still the Head of State. I think my demand for a change in flag design is kind of selfish on my part :-P So I don't really pursue it seriously. I think for now, the ugly-ass flag will do. However when or if Australia does ever change into a republic, then obviously a new design should seriously be considered.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. Whatever your opinions are of your own country and the flag it bears, I hope everyone has a lovely day today, enjoys themselves and keeps the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of man in their hearts especially with what is happening in Queensland and other afflicted places around the globe. I know for some this day has a bad history, but so do a lot of national days I guess around the world, let bygones be bygones and be nice to one another ;-)
Best regards,思捷
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Gripes with EFL Phonics Series
I'm in Taiwan for my summer vacation and whilst I'm over here, I'm volunteering (as part of a student organisation called AIESEC) for an elementary school as an English teacher. So far it's quite a fun and interesting job, however there are at times, some parts that get me down. Today I'll just quickly talk about the EFL phonics series as I have little spare time to write about my time here in Taiwan and the other aspects of the job in detailed fashion.
I've only realised how long it has been since I had finished Elementary school (way back in 1999)when one of the teachers asked me to create an answer guide for the EFL Phonics series of books. These books introduce the sounds of the English language through the presentation of sometimes utterly nonsensical and whimsical sentences. I assume this is done to hold the interest of the students. It brought back fond memories, but then when I started work on the books, I had begun to be thoroughly irritated.
This was through no fault of the books or it's authors, they're just doing their jobs of educating children. I'm just the type of person who has this irritating trait of curiousity and for asking too many questions. Also, the trait of delving too deeply into things to possibly find hidden meanings and implicatons, as you have witnessed previously with my rant against the Cheng and Tsui Integrated Chinese series (on which I have gradually mellowed my position).
I lament the fact that I must abandon all logic when I'm creating answer guides for the exercises of the EFL Phonics series. Again it comes down to those ridiculous sentences. Such as,
"The ram has a ham"
Why does the ram (a herbivore) have a ham? Is it just playing with the ham or is it some mutant carnivorous ram which has developed an appetite? Should we be worrying about mutant carnivorous rams, is there a danger that they might eventually develop a taste for human flesh?
or "The ham is on the dam"
Why is the ham on the dam, what purpose does it serve being there? In the picture, the ham is almost as wide as the dam itself, this huge ham could feed a lot people but instead it is sitting on a dam rotting away. What a shame.
or even "The bugs cut the bun"
How are the bugs able to cut a bun? Most bugs that I know of have neither the dexterity or strength to use a knife properly. Again should we worry about these obviously genetically or otherwise engineered insects that are able to handle utensils and neatly slice a bun in half.
Anyway, I'm probably just thinking way too much about this. I just felt like another rant :-D When I find the time, I'll write about my time in Taiwan and my experiences until and maybe even another World Music entry.
Until then, that's for me now. Comments are much appreciated, well I give you much thanks if you even decided to spend your time reading this blog much less comment on it.
Regards, 思捷.
I've only realised how long it has been since I had finished Elementary school (way back in 1999)when one of the teachers asked me to create an answer guide for the EFL Phonics series of books. These books introduce the sounds of the English language through the presentation of sometimes utterly nonsensical and whimsical sentences. I assume this is done to hold the interest of the students. It brought back fond memories, but then when I started work on the books, I had begun to be thoroughly irritated.
This was through no fault of the books or it's authors, they're just doing their jobs of educating children. I'm just the type of person who has this irritating trait of curiousity and for asking too many questions. Also, the trait of delving too deeply into things to possibly find hidden meanings and implicatons, as you have witnessed previously with my rant against the Cheng and Tsui Integrated Chinese series (on which I have gradually mellowed my position).
I lament the fact that I must abandon all logic when I'm creating answer guides for the exercises of the EFL Phonics series. Again it comes down to those ridiculous sentences. Such as,
"The ram has a ham"
Why does the ram (a herbivore) have a ham? Is it just playing with the ham or is it some mutant carnivorous ram which has developed an appetite? Should we be worrying about mutant carnivorous rams, is there a danger that they might eventually develop a taste for human flesh?
or "The ham is on the dam"
Why is the ham on the dam, what purpose does it serve being there? In the picture, the ham is almost as wide as the dam itself, this huge ham could feed a lot people but instead it is sitting on a dam rotting away. What a shame.
or even "The bugs cut the bun"
How are the bugs able to cut a bun? Most bugs that I know of have neither the dexterity or strength to use a knife properly. Again should we worry about these obviously genetically or otherwise engineered insects that are able to handle utensils and neatly slice a bun in half.
Anyway, I'm probably just thinking way too much about this. I just felt like another rant :-D When I find the time, I'll write about my time in Taiwan and my experiences until and maybe even another World Music entry.
Until then, that's for me now. Comments are much appreciated, well I give you much thanks if you even decided to spend your time reading this blog much less comment on it.
Regards, 思捷.
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