my usual week

Here is a brief rundown of my week..

Weekly Timetable
Monday
9am - 12pm: Management
1pm - 3pm: Seminar
3pm - 6pm: Banking and Finance

Wednesday
9am - 12pm: Strategic Management

Saturday
1pm - 4pm: Organizational Behavior

Content and Homework

Management
How to write good journal papers in our research fields and the trends (or hot topics) of those "I"-journals. We were taught to analyze academic journals for their pros, cons, limitations and improvements.
-> Each students are given 2 papers related to their research areas and told to present it to the class. Also, we need to analyze the 5-year trend of a journal that we were given and do a presentation on it. Finally, we need to submit a proposal (or research topic) that we wanna research on.
My presentation dates are Oct 24, Nov 14 and Dec 12. 
Proposal submission dateline is Jan 02.

Seminar
*Compulsory for Year 1 and 2 PhD students
Every PhD student (2nd Year and above) is to share what they are currently researching and/or any publication that they've submitted. For 1st Year students, we're supposed to select an academic paper that is similar or relevant to our possible research areas and do a presentation on it. Thus each week, one to two students will be on stage to do a presentation.
My presentation date is Dec 12.

Banking and Finance
Talks about how to get publish, how to analyze and critique papers and how to look for possible research topics/areas.
-> Homework given as and when the professor thinks it is necessary. So far only written assignments were given. Ample time is given thus do not impose much stress. Maybe the rush might come at the end of the semester when everything comes all at once.. :(

Strategic Management
Textbook used.
-> Everyone in the class is to do 2 presentations and critique 6 assigned papers. Every chapter is allocated to a student. Thus each week, a student will have to "teach" the class the chapter he/she is assigned.
My presentation dates are Dec 21 and Dec 28.
Assignment datelines are Oct 12, Nov 09 and Dec 14.

Organizational Behavior
Every week, we are given 5 - 6 academic papers to read. Discussion will be conducted during class on those papers.
-> Only 1 written assignment is required.
Assignment dateline is Nov 05.



One very important fact to note:
As part of the PhD requirement, we need to publish 2 research papers in academic journals. These journals must be listed in SSCI or SCI for these indexes are internationally accepted benchmarks of academic "influence and reputation". Yet, I must add that this "obsession" with publishing in journals within these "I"-lists is very peculiar and specific in Taiwanese academia. If one could get published in a A++-ranked journal, one could get a lecturing position (either an assistant professorship or even an associate professorship) in one of the top-tiered universities in Taiwan fairly easily, according to most professors. Even promotions (from asst. prof. to associate prof. or from associate prof. to prof.) are based on the number (and quality) of publication.

Thus it is no surprise that getting published is deemed to be the most difficult prerequisite for graduation. However, before we can submit a paper to these journals, we need to "chose" an advising professor as our mentor. And this decision cannot be taken lightly nor hastily as this advising professor will determine how (horrible/stressful/*feel free to add in your own horror words*) our lives will be for the next 3 - 7 years.. as advised by my seniors, it is very important to find a professor that we can "click with" and get along, although his/her research area/specialization will also play a huge role in determining if he/she is supportive/useful in aiding our graduation. 

Currently, I've already shortlisted a few professors, and I would want to find out more about their temperament and their "modus operandi" before deciding. This year, there was a new ruling from the university - each (associate) professor can only mentor 2 students (from the same intake). So there is pressure to "secure" one's adviser as soon as possible.. A few of my fellow 1st Years have already "found" their mentors, either because they were under these professors during their Masters or their area of research matches exactly what these professors are doing.. all these really adds pressure to those of us who haven't decide what exactly we wanna research/focus in.. It is one thing to write a research proposal for gaining entry to the PhD program, quite another to ACTUALLY pursue it.. 

I for one am thinking of changing my focus from Healthcare Information System Management to Organizational Behavior, as I realized the latter encompasses human psychology and management, among other things. I am always curious about the whys and hows of human behaviors. I read a lot of (general) psychology, philosophy and sociology books, and I think my unique experience of having lived in 4 different countries and encountered (and worked with) people of different nationalities, culture and religion will provide me with some unique research perspectives. 

Again, it is too early for me to decide on anything yet.. I'll keep my option open and explore Organizational Behavior further to see if that is really what I wanna research on for the rest of my life..     

Sunday Serenade: nowadays

Chicago is one of my favorite Broadway shows.. one that I've the opportunity to watch in Singapore.. among many others.. and this song is one of my favorites from the show..

Here is part of the lyrics that I liked..
You can like the life you’re living
You can live the life you like

 And truth be told, I didn't expect the Hollywood version to be good, but it was.. :) so enjoy the dancing by these two lovely ladies...



Have a great week ahead! Stay healthy and be safe!!!

campus tour II

There are 10 unique landmarks within the Tamkang University, and 9 of them are located in TamSui campus.. I've only managed to locate 7 of them and here they are..

1. Ke Nan Slope　（克難坡） or The Slope of Overcoming Difficulties

Built around 1953, this slope used to be the only way to get to the University.. its steepness and its 132 steps symbolizes the difficulties that students must overcome.. and thus climbing this slope became a rite of passage for freshmen before the entrance ceremony..

2. The Statue of Mr. Chang Ching-sheng （驚聲銅像）
A commemorative statue of Mr Chang Ching-sheng stood not far from the top of Ke Nan Slope. He was the father of Dr. Clement C. P. Chang, the founder of the University, who died before the campus was completed.








3. Gong Deng Classrooms （宮燈教室） or The Chinese Palace-style Classrooms

These were the very first classrooms in the University and they are still being used for classes till this day.

looks like my primary school classroom..

4. Piazza de Scroll （書卷廣場）or The University Commons

This is located in front of the library.. I called it Piazza de Scroll, although the official name is The University Commons, which is kinda "lame" if you ask me.. :p It is designed in a form of 4 bamboo tablets encircling each other.. They are aptly called tzu chien (竹卷 meaning “books and scrolls”), which represent the four qualities in the University Motto: Simplicity, Truthfulness, Firmness, Perseverance.



5. Lucky Dolphins Milestone Statue （海豚吉祥物里程碑）

No prize for guessing this is my favorite landmark among them.. :)

Dolphins were chosen by the students as the University's emblem. As quoted from the University's website, "Dolphins are the most agile and intelligent mammals in the ocean. They are endowed with an incredible ability to swim across the four seas." No argument from me.. :p




6. Bronze Sculpture of Five Tigers （五虎碑雕塑）

"Five Tigers Hill" （五虎崗）is the site of Tamkang University’s Tamsui Campus. This piece stands in front of the Shao-mo Memorial Gymnasium, represents Tamkangians’ (yep, this is how we called ourselves) spirit of vitality, and their sense of vigor and bravery.







7. Golden Eagle in Fu Yuan Garden （福園金鷹銅雕）

This Golden Eagle bronze statue is within the Fu Yuan Garden, right in front of the Business Building. In the form of a golden eagle spreading its wings, this statue symbolizes Tamkangians, like a flying eagle in the sky, majestically overlooking the earth below.


Click here for more detailed descriptions of all 10 landmarks..

Next up, the other buildings/structure in the campus.. 



p/s: been crazily busy these past few weeks.. and Dec is gonna be even crazier.. November offers some breather, but I'm gonna use it to complete as many assignments/translation projects as possible so I would still be able to enjoy my birthday and Christmas come December.. :)

settled down..

I've been in Taiwan for about 2 months now.. Friends and family like to ask me if I'm adapting to the environment in Taiwan... and truth be told, I don't feel like a person who "just" came to this country for around 60days..

Maybe it is my inert ability to adapt.. I tend to get used to a place in 2 weeks or so.. I have the ability to feel comfortable anywhere, even if I don't like the place initially.. Maybe it has something to do with my general view of "problem".. for me, there is only 2 ways to handle a problem, either I find a way to solve/resolve it or I accept and live with it.. quite similar to the saying, “If you can't beat it, join it.." :)

I apply the same philosophy to my life... if I can't change it, I won't fight it as it is pointless/useless and a waste of my energy.. and life will be easier if I just "accept" it.. Of course, I will try my utmost to change/solve/resolve the problem first.. if after some time I still can't, I will accept/ignore it and move on.. Life is too short to be bogged down by these.. I will use my precious energy and time to do things that are, in my opinion, productive/beneficial/interesting, even if people might think otherwise..

Thus I can live off a suitcase for months.. live like a poor student for years..  or just simply live with my version of "minimal comfort".. And I don't like to own vehicles, like cars, motorcycle or even bicycle.. I don't want to worry about it breaking down or getting stolen.. I am happy to use my feet (and the public transport) to get me to where I wanna be .. :p although owning a house, just a small studio would do, will always be a dream that I would want to fulfill..

A rather simplistic approach to life, don't you agree? But then, I'm not sure if my adaptability is a blessing or a curse..

Sunday Serenade: give a little more

Like this band.. and its songs... and this is one of my favorite... enjoy! :)

Give a little more
performed by Maroon 5

Now you've been bad, and it goes on and on and on
'til you come home babe, 'til you come home
You taste best, the poison I've learned to love is gone.
I'm all alone baby, I'm all alone

I'm waiting for something, always waiting
Feeling nothing, wondering if it'll ever change
And then I give a little more, oh babe ohhh
Give a little more, oh babe ohhh

[chorus]
I'm not falling in love with ya, I'm not falling in love
I'm not falling in love with ya, I'm not falling in love
'til I get a little more from you baby ohhh
Get a little more from you baby
[end of chorus]

You were wrong for turning me on and on and on
And on and on
You make it so hard

I'm waiting for something, always waiting
Feeling nothing, wondering if it'll ever change
And then I give a little more, oh babe ohhh
Give a little more, oh babe ohhh

[chorus]

I have no defense
I know you're gonna get me in the end
(gonna get me in the end)
And I cannot pretend
I never want to feel this way again ohhh

[chorus x 2]






Have a great week ahead! Stay cheery and healthy!!

Poetry Solace: Of rainy day, autumn, loss and gain

Works of an American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow..

The Rainy Day

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the moldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast

And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Autumn Within

It is autumn; not without

But within me is the cold.

Youth and spring are all about;

It is I that have grown old.

Birds are darting through the air,

Singing, building without rest;

Life is stirring everywhere,

Save within my lonely breast.

There is silence: the dead leaves

Fall and rustle and are still;

Beats no flail upon the sheaves,

Comes no murmur from the mill.

Loss and Gain

When I compare

What I have lost with what I have gained,

What I have missed with what attained,

Little room do I find for pride.

I am aware

How many days have been idly spent;

How like an arrow the good intent

Has fallen short or been turned aside.

But who shall dare

To measure loss and gain in this wise?

Defeat may be victory in disguise;

The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

Have a great weekend!

a dear old friend..

Finally got the time and chance to meet up with my senior, Joe, last Saturday.. :)

Although I stayed at his house when I first came to Taiwan in late Aug, he was in Japan then.. He got back more than a month ago, but we were both too busy to meet up.... until now.. We went for dinner at the famous Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) at Xinyi Road, which is the main branch..

The restaurant was packed.. or should I say the crowd queuing to get in was crazy.. we were given a menu list and were told to order while waiting.. heard lots of Japanese being spoken.. and saw lots of Japanese tourists, old and young.. we waited for about 30 min to be ushered in.. the place is small and narrow, similar to restaurants in Japan.. we were seated on the 4th floor..

Din Tai Fung's famous xiao long bao

Since we've given them our orders before we were seated, the dishes were served really quickly.. frankly, I wasn't very impressed by the food.. yes, it was delicious, but not THAT fantastic as I've had tastier dishes... Was it worth half an hour of my life to queue for it? don't think so.. but anyway, it was the company that's most important..

Both of us had been through a lot since we last seen each other.. Many things had happened.. we cheered and supported each other on from afar... He is one of the few good friends that I'm glad to have made in Japan..  :)

Anyway, it's good to have a "big brother" like him in a foreign country.. :p

Sunday Serenade: truly madly deeply

An oldie.. another goodie.. one of those love songs that linger in your mind.. I must admit that the lyrics is kinda cheesy but hey, everyone needs a little bit of romance once in a while, right? :p


Truly Madly Deeply
performed by Savage Garden

I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
I will be strong I will be faithful
'cause I'm counting on
A new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning, yeah

[chorus:]
I want to stand with you on
a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

And when the stars are shining
brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the
pleasure and the certainty
That we're surrounded by the
comfort and protection of

The highest powers
In lonely hours
The tears devour you

[chorus]

Oh can you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standing right
before you
All that you need will surely come

I'll be your dream I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do

[chorus]

I want to stand with you on a
mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to live like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me



Here is a link to the music video in YouTube..


Have a good week ahead!! Stay healthy and be safe!!

campus tour.. I

Time to showcase some of the photos taken of my University's Tamsui Campus, aka the main campus.. and I am gonna do it in the following sequence..

• Faculty/Department buildings
• Special landmarks of TKU (short for Tamkang University)
• Other buildings
• Misc 
• TKU's Taipei Campus

One of the entrances into TKU.. the one I use almost everyday..

College of Liberal Arts

College of Education

College of Foreign Languages and Literature

College of Business and College of Management.. this is where I "belong"..

College of Science

a separate building for Department of Chemistry..

College of Engineering.. main building..

another Engineering building.. think there are 4 - 5 Engineering buildings

Unlike NUS, there is no separate structure built specifically for lecture.. all lecture halls are incorporated within the above shown buildings, which explained their huge sizes... based on my estimation, TKU's campus is smaller than NUS's but larger than Waseda's.. while in term's of hilliness, TKU wins hands down..  

Okay, next up - Special TKU landmarks....

extreme urge..

Since going back to school, my wandering lust is slowly germinating again..

After my Australia trip in 2009, I've not been to a new country since.. yes, I went to Pangkor Island last year, and Kota Kinabalu and Singapore this year, but these weren't on my must-visit list... I wanna go some place new.. a new country to experience new things.. especially after my tandem skydiving in Byron Bay, I wanted to experience that out-of-the-world adrenalin rush again...

But alas, money and time is not on my side, at least not the next 2 years.. Even though I can't do any traveling much less extreme adventures these days, it doesn't hurt for me to come out my dream list of extreme activities..

1. Hang gliding.. maybe in California or Hawaii
2. Spelunking..  maybe in NZ or Malaysia
3. Snowboarding.. maybe in Canada or Austria
4. Whitewater rafting.. maybe in NZ or Chile
5. Bungee jumping.. maybe in Switzerland or Zambia/Zimbabwe

Other than these, I would like to hike long distance or climb a mountain.. I would want to hike up the Everest Base Camp, make land trip to Tibet and Nepal, hike around NZ and many many more.. Of course, if given a chance, I would like to sky-dive again.. and maybe even be a certified skydiver... ;)

All these shall remain a dream for now.. but don't doubt for a moment that I will try my best to fulfill at least some of these in my living years.. :) :) :)

happy centenary!

Today is the 100th year of the Republic of China. And I am watching the live telecast of the celebration in my room.. :)

As expected, lots of activities and promotions are organized by both public and private sectors to commemorate this milestone.. everywhere will be crowded, I would think.. either to attend the celebration outside the Presidential Office Building or to take advantage of sales held at various shopping malls all over the island..

At 7-11, a promotion was held whereby one can get a free file holder after spending more than NT$100 on Oct 9 and Oct 10. I wanna have something to mark this occasion, so I collected both.. :p

A small personal trivia: I love to read about China's history, all those dynasties with their emperors and empress, coups and political maneuvers, heroes and villains, etc.. but I tend to stop reading when Dr Sun Yat Sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty.. I have no interest in the communist party and what it did... and I particularly loathe the Cultural Revolution and its far-reaching effects... And I always feel more affiliated to and have more affections toward ROC than PRC.. :p :p


Finally, Happy Birthday ROC!

中華民國建國100年國慶快樂！

Sunday Serenade: heart skips a beat

Introducing and sharing another song by Lenka.. really like the simplicity of her songs..

Still waiting for that special someone to make my heart skips a beat or two.. ;)



Heart skips a beat
performed by Lenka

Heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat

My heart is playing tricks on me
And it's building bricks on me
I can't break through
And I can't face you

My world is turning slowly now
But it's burning up somehow
I need some time
To know what's right

'Cause it's only in the quiet that I feel some relief
I'm trying hard not to resist the joy
Don't listen to me I'm being paranoid
I might try hard but it's too hard to avoid

My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat
My heart is always first to know
And as the feeling grows
I can't deny push those thoughts aside
My world is full of loveliness
But I focus on the stress

My heart says "Go" but my brain says "No"
And it's only in the quiet that I hear myself breathe

I'm trying hard not to resist the joy
Don't listen to me I'm being paranoid
I might try hard but it's too hard to avoid

My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat

Oh I know this time 'cause it's physical
My blood has stopped and I am breathless as well
But I need a minute to convince myself
'Cause it's only in the quiet that I know what to feel

I'm trying hard not to resist the joy
Don't listen to me I'm being paranoid
I might try hard but it's too hard to avoid

My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat

I'm trying hard not to resist the joy
Don't listen to me I'm being paranoid
I might try hard but it's too hard to avoid

My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat
My heart skips a beat






Have a great week ahead!! Stay safe and cheery!!

Poetry Solace: Of song, remember and rose..

Another lady poet.. from England.. Christina Rossetti.. 3 of her poems that I liked..

Song

When I am dead, my dearest,

Sing no sad songs for me;

Plant thou no roses at my head

Nor shady cypress tree.

Be the green grass above me

With showers and dew-drops wet;

And if thou wilt, remember

And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,

I shall not feel the the rain;

I shall not hear the nightingale

Sing on, as if in pain.

And dreaming through the twilight

That doth not rise nor set

Haply I may remember

And haply may forget.

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

A Rose Has Thorns as well as Honey

A rose has thorns as well as honey,

I'll not have her for love or money;

An iris grows so straight and fine,

That she shall be no friend of mine;

Snowdrops like the snow would chill me;

Nightshade would caress and kill me;

Crocus like a spear would fright me;

Dragon's-mouth might bark or bite me;

Convolvulus but blooms to die;

A wind-flower suggests a sigh;

Love-lies-bleeding makes me sad;

And poppy-juice would drive me mad: -

But give me holly, bold and jolly,

Honest, prickly, shining holly;

Pluck me holly leaf and berry

For the day when I make merry.

Enjoy your weekends!

congrats, my baby sis!

A heartfelt congratulation to my baby sister... she has finally completed her 2-year houseman-ship.. :) and is now a qualified medical doctor! :)

It was a real roller-coaster ride for her.. lots of lows.. with a couple of highs in between.. I was really glad that I was there for her - lending her my shoulders and ears, and guiding her through the intricacies of working life.. of course, there was only so much I can do for her.. she did most of the "hard work" - balancing her expectation with reality, dealing with her colleagues, supervisor and nurses, handling difficult patients and their families, etc..

For the next phase of her professional life, she is posted to a rural hospital, which will no doubt posed a challenge for her.. There might be some adjustment pains, but I am confident that she will overcome whatever obstacles that may come like a fighter that she is.. :)

All the best, my dear sis! Gambatte ne!

my neighborhood..

Okay, finally have some time to process some of the photos I've taken.. so first up, my neighborhood.. here are some of them...

My block.. I am staying on the level above the green awning.. on 5th floor..

Main gate on ground level, leading up to my room but no lift, only stairs..

View of the lane where I live.. left side

View of the lane.. right side..

Lots of students park their bikes along this lane, as it is only a few minutes to campus.. and no parking fees required.. here, they park "responsibly" and do not block entrances..

The other side of the lane.. leading to more smaller lanes..

another small lane around the area..

A lot of bikes are parked along these small lanes.. this is what I see all around the campus, or rather outside the campus.. students need to get a permit to park inside the campus and the permits are very hard to get.. so most just park outside the campus..

From the main road, going into "my" lane..

view from "my" lane looking out at the Main road.. on the right is the University..

view from the campus back to "my" lane.. with the 7-11 being a very good landmark.. :)

That's all for now.. next up, my campus..

Sunday Serenade: safe

I've been here for more than a month already.. Alone in a foreign country is not a new thing for me.. yet I can't help but wish for a soul mate.. one who I will keep safe.. one who will keep me safe..


Safe
performed by Westlife

Hard to find a way to get through
It's a tragedy
Pulling at me like the stars do
You're like gravity
Even if the wind blows
It makes it hard to believe

How ya gonna love
How ya gonna feel
How you gonna live your life like the dream you have is real
And If you lost your way
I will keep you safe
We'll open up all the world inside
I see it come alive tonight
I will keep you safe

Doesn't even matter to you
To see what I can see
I'm crawling on the floor to reach you
I'm a wreck you see
When you're far from home now
Makes it hard to believe

So how ya gonna love
How ya gonna feel
How you gonna live your life like the dream you have is real

If you've lost your way
I will keep you safe
Well open up all your world inside
Til you come alive tonight
I will keep you safe

We all fall down
We all feel down
Cus rainy days and summer highs
The more we pray the more we feel alive

How ya gonna love
How ya gonna feel
How you gonna live your life like the dream you have is real
How ya gonna love
How ya gonna feel
How you gonna live your life like the dream you have is real

If you've lost your way
I will keep you safe
Well open up all your world inside
So you come alive tonight
I will keep you safe

Well I will keep you safe
I will keep you safe




Have a great week ahead!! Stay safe and cheery!!