Centered on Taipei August 2012

P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e C o m m u n i t y S e r v i c e s C e n t e r

August 2012, Volume 12, Issue 10

ConsCious Living, ConsCious Dying

Eva saLazar-Liu

sLaCkLining in TaipEi

vinTagE FurniTurE in TaipEi

HEaLTH CHECk CLiniCs ExpLainED

cover storyvvg somETHing - insiDE onE oF THE worLD’s mosT bEauTiFuL booksTorEs

Centeredon T A I P E I

FaLL & winTEr aCTiviTiEs CaTaLog insiDE

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3www.communitycenter.org.tw AUGUST 2012

5 EdiTor'S LETTEr

6 richArd rEcommEndS nATionAL ThEATEr And concErT hALL: AUGUST 2012

7 cULTUrAL cornEr IndIgenous PeoPles of TaIwan

8 cEnTEr GALLErY cEnTEr’S FAvoriTE FindS EvEnTS AT ThE cEnTEr

9 oFF ThE BEATEn TrAck lanyu

10 oUTLook ConsCIous lIvIng, ConsCIous dyIng

12 covEr STorY vvg someThIng

13 coFFEE cornEr la Crema

14 ProFiLE eva salazar-lIu

sPeCIal suPPlemenT fall & wInTer aCTIvITIes 2012 iii Welcome & registration iv-xii Activities Listings xiii counselors

19 EnvironmEnT you are whaT you wear

20 commUniTY Tas

21 SPorTS slaCklInIng

22 GEnErATion Y Im-PossIble

23 Book rEviEW TurTle In ParadIse

24 cASUAL dininG shIn yeh 101

25 hEALTh healTh CheCk ClInICs

26 chinESE kiTchEn essenTIal equIPmenT

27 TrAdiTionAL ArTS dragon boaT fesTIval

28 ExPAT PErSPEcTivES Is your lIfe greaT?

29 ASk Bin vInTage furnITure In TaIPeI

30 cSc BUSinESS cLASSiFiEdS EvEnTS ABoUT ToWn

ConTenTs August 2012 volume 12 issue 10

covEr imAGE BY SArAh chEn LinThe interior of VVG Something, voted one of the Top 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world. See page 12 for the full story.

Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, 25, Lane 290, ZhongShan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-2836-8134, fax: 02-2835-2530, e-mail: [email protected]

Correspondence may be sent to the editor at [email protected]. Freelance writers, photographers and illustrators are welcome to contact the editor to discuss editorial and graphic assignments. Your talent will find a home with us!

Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner.

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4 AUGUST 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw

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If this is the first Centered on Taipei you have ever clapped eyes on, welcome! If you’ve returned from your summer vacation, welcome back! We certainly have a fabulous selection of content for you this month. On the foodie front, Aly Cooper lets us in on another great caffeine source in Coffee Corner and Amanda Hsiao takes us inside one of the Top 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores: VVG Something and its associated café VVG Bon Bon. And if you’re looking for somewhere impressive to take international guests, make sure to read Serina Huang’s article on Shin Yeh 101 – fine dining on the 85th floor of Taipei 101. Feel like doing it yourself and cooking at home? Ivy Chen introduces the essential equipment needed in a Taiwanese kitchen.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out Anja Serfontein’s article on making the most out of life here in Taipei as a trailing spouse or check out Sarah Chen Lin’s article on the wonderful things that can happen when a good idea is put into practice or see what Leat Ahrony has to say about the simple power of believing in yourself. If you’re looking for inspiration of the aesthetic variety, Bin Huang takes us on a guided tour of Taipei’s flea markets in search of furniture for your home. Or perhaps you want to try something completely different? Slacklining might be just your cup of tea – no idea what that is? Don’t worry, neither did I until a month ago. Read on to find out more...

No matter what it is you’re looking for, don’t forget that Centered on Taipei is your magazine, written by your community for your community. If you would like to contribute to the magazine, whether with your writing or photography, please write to me with your ideas at [email protected]. Right now we would really love to see more photography - so dust off your cameras and show us your Taipei or let us know if you are able to help out our writers by providing photography for their articles.

Kath

CommUniTy ServiCeS CenTer

Publisher:managing editor:

editor:Co-editor:

Advertising manager:Tel:

Fax: email:

Writing and Photography Contributors:

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Center editorial Panel:

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Community Services Center, TaipeiMichael BoydenKath LiuRichard SaundersPaula [email protected]

Leat AhronyMarina BuranaAly CooperDavid ChaoIvy ChenMonica HessAmanda HsiaoBin HuangSerina HuangTing Ting HuangNatalie KöhleSarah Chen Lin

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Farn Mei Printing Co., Ltd.1F, No. 102, Hou Kang Street, Shilin District, TaipeiTel: 02-2882-6748 Fax: 02-2882-6749E-mail: [email protected]

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Suzan Babcock, Fawn Chang, Katherine Chang, Jung Chin, Wendy Evans, Cerita Hsu, Perry Malcolm, Eva Salazar-Liu, Ming-I Sun, Cynthia Teeters

Amy LiuMonica ChengKari SchiroRosemary SusaBianca RussellGloria Gwo

Alison Bai, Shana Garcia, Leah Grande, John McQuade, Gloria Peng, Ruth Reynolds, Jenni Rosen, Julia Ruggiere, Kari Schiro, Desta Selassie, Michelle Smith, Anita Town, Priyanka Waidande, Lillian Yiin 3M TaiwanBai Win AntiquesBP Taiwan Ltd.BreitlingChina American PetrochemicalConcordia ConsultingCostco Wholesale TaiwanCrown Worldwide Movers Ltd.Four Star Int’lGrand Hyatt Hotel, TaipeiHSBCICRTMetacity Development CorpProQCSan Fu Gas Co. Ltd.Smerwick LtdSongfu LiStandard Chartered Bank

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The Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in Taipei. CSC offers the opportunity to learn, volunteer, teach and meet others. Check out our website www.communitycenter.org.tw and drop by The Center to chat with us about our programs. you can also email us at [email protected].

LeTTer From The eDiTor

Amy LiuKath LiuNicky LiuJohn McQuadePerry MalcolmNTU & NCCU 61 TeamAnnette OaniShereen PetersonRichard SaundersTodd StoneKari SchiroAnja SerfonteinGuan-Jang Wu

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Centered on Taipei is printed on 50% post consumer waste content stock. We have also replaced the glossy laminated cover with a softer aqueous based resin coating which makes it easier to recycle. By committing to post consumer paper stock we support the market for recycled fibers and reduce environmental impact.Recycling paper uses 60% less energy than manufacturing paper from virgin fiber. "Every ton of recycled paper saves enough electricity to power a 3 bedroom house for an entire year." (http://www.greenseal.org/index.cfm)

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Paula LeeAdvertising Manager


august 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw6

TICKETING OFFICES: • NTCH: (02) 2343 1647 • ERA: (02) 2709 3788

Publication of the National theater and Concert Hall schedule in Centered on Taipei is sponsored by Cathay Life Insurance.

For full details, please log on to the Culture Express website at http://express.culture.gov.tw or take a copy of the monthly program from CKs Cultural Center, available from MRt stations, bookshops and ticketing offices.

RichaRd SaundeRS

Two very different operas, the annual Summer Jazz and Taipei International Choral festivals and a recital of Debussy piano music are among the more standout offerings this month at the

National CKS Cultural Center. I’m not sure, however, if I’ve the stamina, at the height of the cruel Taipei summer, to sit through the whole of Mozart’s Magic Flute (August 3-5). I saw my first (and so far only) Mozart opera in summer (at Glyndebourne, no less!), at the tender age of 14, and found the experience so mind-numbingly boring that it was a mercy when my teacher finally allowed me to fall asleep. Thirty years later, I’d like to think that I could better appreciate Mozart’s masterwork, but I think that early experience has scarred me for life.

There should be no chance of getting bored during Ravel’s vivacious l’Enfant et les Sortileges. This fine short opera has been lucky with performances in Taiwan (it was last on just a year or so ago, I think), maybe because the Taiwanese connect well with the work’s ‘cute’ concept. It’s certainly not dull – an unruly child runs around, breaking things, injures a little bird, and causes general mayhem, only to have all the inanimate objects in the room (the clock, the teapot, the armchair… you get the idea) come alive and teach the little blighter a lesson in respect. It’s all very French and to those of us less attuned to cuteness, may all seem rather silly, but Ravel’s score is a masterly piece of stylization, incorporating disparate styles of music (including jazz and a foxtrot) into the rich concoction. This must be fantastic fun to perform (at one striking moment the singers get to mimic the croaking of an army of approaching frogs, and at another a pair of love-making cats – it’s more tasteful than it sounds!), and only Ravel could take a child’s slide whistle and turn it into a thing capable of a melody of ethereal beauty, to depict the onset of night and the rising of the moon.

Ravel’s great rival (and friend), Debussy pops up as well this month in a piano recital devoted to his music. Nothing so unusual about that, only this time the pianist is regarded as something of a master of the French master’s art: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Fresh from recording a highly acclaimed complete traversal of Debussy’s piano works, Bavouzet gives a startlingly wide and carefully chosen range of works traversing the whole of Debussy’s career, from the pretty figurations of the ever-popular First Arabesque, through masterpieces such as Images book 1 and the second book of Preludes, to a pair of late, great works: the Etudes and (most impressive of all), the piano solo version of Debussy’s magnificent, elusive ballet, Jeux. What a shame even today so few people seem to appreciate the greatness of that last work! Now the very rarely performed (and extremely difficult) piano solo version is coming to Taiwan, who’s going to take the initiative and program the original, orchestral version? I for one would happily brave the cruelest Taipei summer heat for a chance to hear that masterpiece live.

national Theater & concert hallaugust 2012

NatioNal theater

Mozart: the Magic Fluteaugust 3-5

the Jungle BookKipling’s much-loved story, re-imagined by the Israeli Fresco Dance Companyaugust 31-september 2

eXPeriMeNtal theater

ravel: l’enfant et les Sortilègesaugust 10-12 rr

NatioNal CoNCert hall

taipei international Choral Festival Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus, the Philippines august 1 PUST, Norway august 2

Kammerchor, Stuttgart august 3

VOCESS, England august 4

Final Concert: Beethoven Mass in C major, op. 86 august 5

Pastoral SymphonyMusic by Beethoven, Rachmaninov and Richard Straussaugust 9

Gala ConcertMusic for guitarsaugust 12

2012 asian Youth orchestra Mahler’s heartbreaking Ninth Symphony august 21 rr

Works by Berlioz and Debussy august 22

Debussy touch! Bavouzet recitalA representative selection of the composer’s piano works august 24 rr

Joe lovano Us FiveSummer jazzaugust 26

love and Death i: romeo and JulietWorks by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev based on the story august 27

RICHARDReCommenDs

rr: richard recommends

Job opportunity at the community Services center

The center seeks to fill the director’s position by October 2012, and welcomes applicants to submit their resume

and letter of intent by august 24th, 2012.

Criteria: • Hands-on fiscal management experience • Fundraising experience• Excellent PR and interpersonal skills• Prior experience managing a non-profit organization,

desirable• English language fluency• Cross-cultural living experience• Knowledge of mental health issues preferred• Knowledge of Mandarin a plus

For more information about the Center, the position and how to apply, please consult our website

www.communitycenter.org.tw.


Corner Cornerultural CornerCornerultural ultural ultural ultural Amy's 台

灣

Ar r i v i n g a t T a o y u a n International Airport, you may notice a big sign that says ‘Naruwan’. This is a

traditional greeting of Taiwan’s Ami tribe, one of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. The Taiwanese aborigines belong to the Austronesian language family, along with the indigenous peoples of Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Madagascar and Oceania. Yet the origins of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples are not completely clear. A recent hypothesis states that the Austronesian peoples originated in Taiwan, and traveled to other regions of the Pacific by canoe or other means.

Taiwanese aborigines reside in the mountains and the cities as well as on the outlying island of Lanyu (蘭嶼, Orchid Island). As of January 2006, they numbered approximately 2% of Taiwan's total population of around 23 million. The Taiwanese government has officially recognized a total of 14 distinct indigenous peoples in Taiwan, the 14th tribe being officially acknowledged in April 2008. Nine of the tribes were originally grouped and recognized prior to 1945 by the occupying Japanese government.

Each indigenous group has its own language, set of traditional costumes, festivals, rituals, legends, ceremonial dances and songs, crafts, and practices. They are renowned for the i r exce l l ence in s ing ing and dancing through which they express every aspect of their daily lives, including their tribal legends, ancestral origins, and social structure.

Dance and music are perhaps the richest legacies of Taiwan's native peoples regardless of their indigenous distinction. Communal dances of

each tribe generally consist of simple but harmonious walking steps and foot-stomping movements. Small bells are used as bracelets or anklets, or are attached to the dancers’ colorful costumes to add a lively atmosphere. The aborigines sing from their heart, passionately sharing their tribal legends. Their indigenous music forms a part of nearly every aspect of tribal life, from daily chores to religious rites. The songs of the tribal music generally reflect themes such as harvests, daily work, love, tribal legends and ancestral worship.

More recently, young aborigines have left traditional occupations such as hunting, fishing, and farming for education and jobs in the cities. However those that remain frequently trade and interact with other tribes, and inter-marriages are also very common. They have continuously developed their indigenous culture and lifestyle; they have adjusted to rapid modernization and assimilated into mainstream Taiwanese culture. As a result, the number of native aboriginal language speakers is dwindling quickly; the younger generation typically speak Mandarin or Taiwanese rather than their own tribal tongue. In recent years however, many have returned to their villages where members of the older generation have managed to retain their original customs and identity, to jointly promote understanding of each indigenous group, its own tribal cultures and language.

I have personally c o n n e c t e d w i t h a f ew abor ig ine g r o u p s i n t h e m o u n t a i n s f o r

volunteer work in the community and photography. It has broadened my awareness and understanding of their rich cultures and enriched my experience of living in Taiwan as a Taiwanese. The aborigines are passionate, loving, down-to-earth and practical. They share great fun and laughter with others. I unreservedly recommend you take the time to explore their beautiful mountain homeland and share their simplicity and their optimism.

Indigenous life and cultures can be most conveniently seen near Taipei at (among other places) Wulai, and at Santimen in Pingtung County, in the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Vil lage near Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County, and in many places in Hualien (for instance at Buluowan in Taroko Gorge).

There is also a wonderful museum devoted to Taiwan’s indigenous peoples called Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines (順益臺灣原住民博物館) in Taipei, opposite the National Palace Museum, should you wi sh to l ea rn more about them. It was established as the first museum solely dedicated to Taiwan's native cultures with information on the aboriginal history, lifestyles, religions, beliefs, social relationships, customs and culture of these original

inhabitants of the island.

The Indigenous Peoples of TaiwanFourteen distinctive tribes, each with its own rich culture

7www.communitycenter.org.tw august 2012


At the risk of giving away a secret, you’ve got to check out Mega City in Banqiao, which opened earlier this year. It’s super easy to get to (by MRT or bus) and is just steps away from the rail station - it’s hard to miss; there are signs everywhere pointing to the mall. Enter through the second floor to discover ten floors of shopping (luxury brands to familiar standards), restaurants (fast food to fancy sit-down), and a movie theater (CitiBank cardholders get discounts: two tickets for the price of one Monday through Thursday). Since the mall is new, they have created a user-friendly printed guide, complete with color-coding. Mega City also has a VIP and VVIP lounge and is affiliated with Happy Go. This mall is also significantly less crowded than many others mid-week, so for a fun day of shopping, dining, and people watching consider taking the short ride to Mega City.

28, Xinzhan Road, Banqiao 新北市板橋區新站路28號Open: Monday - Friday 11 am to 10 pm Saturday 11 am to 10:30 pm Sunday 10:30 am to 10 pmMRT Banqiao station

The Center's The Center's The Center's Favorite FindsFavorite FindsFavorite FindsThe Center's The Center's The Center's Favorite FindsFavorite FindsFavorite Finds

Lemongrass House Taiwan is proud to present to you a range of aromatherapy, bath and household products. Light up your life with Sniff Soy Candles from Australia. Or indulge your body and mind with delicious handmade bath products from Planet Yum Australia.

Encuentro Art ExhibitionEncuentro. Encounter. When your soul crosses another soul you will Encounter. Encuentro tells the journey of an encounter between souls who progress from acquaintances, to friends, to brothers. Encuentro is a body of work created by Ywei Elena Wang in Philadelphia and Taipei from 2007-2010, and was recently exhibited in Christy's Art Gallery and the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. For more information please visit: http//irecruzyah.blogspot.com

Gide Cotton BagsMei l i Kou comes to the Center Gallery again with a selection of handmade c o t t o n b a g s f r o m h e r company, Gide. You can choose from small accessory bags to shopping bags to backpacks, all decorated with cute animal pr ints. These versatile bags are very popular among children.

A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery go to The Center, so please remember that by displaying and shopping here you are helping us to provide much needed services to the

international community.

August 2012

GALLERY

8 august 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw

Events at The Center

CSC CHARITY AUCTION DINNER 2012Friday 28 September, 2012Grand Hyatt Hotel

Should you wish to make a donation to the Auction, please check our website for more details ht tp: / /communitycenter.org.tw/whats-on/auction or email Bianca at [email protected].

BOOK CLUBS: ZEITOUN BY DAVE EGGERS

Morning Book ClubTuesday 21 August 10 am onwards

For more information please email Kath at [email protected].

Evening Book ClubThursday 16 August 7:15 pm onwards

We Share Everything Restaurant, B2 Gourmet Food Hall, Bellavita (28, Songren Road, Xinyi District)For more information please email Melanie at [email protected].

WELCOME COFFEE AND CENTER OPEN HOUSEThursday 13 September, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Mark these dates in your diary for the remaining special topic coffee mornings for 2012: October 18, November 8, December 6.

MEGA CITYRECOMMEndEd BY MOnICA HESS



Richard Saunders is a trained classical musician and writer who has lived in Taipei since 1993. He has written several books (available at The Center and in bookshops around Taipei), including Yangmingshan: the Guide (a complete guide to the National Park on Taipei’s doorstep) and Taipei Escapes I and 2, which together detail sixty day trips and hikes within easy reach of Taipei city. A fourth book, a guide to Taiwan’s offshore islands, is due out in 2012.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACKRICHARD SAUNDERS EXPLORES TAIWAN'S LESS-TRODDEN PATHS

LAnYU

The first sight of Lanyu (Orchid Island), as the boat rounds the rugged northwestern point of the island and sails down the coast to its little harbor, is always a vividly memorable experience.

It’s already abundantly clear that although this is an impressively mountainous place, it’s also amazingly lush: Lanyu isn’t so much a green island as an emerald one.

The scenery is simply superb. Precipitous cliffs rise almost directly from the shore to the wild and virtually inaccessible interior, a pristine wilderness haunted by a rich ecology of rare and unusual plants and animals, including the magnificent Magellan Birdwing, regarded as Taiwan’s most beautiful butterfly (and one of its rarest). The island’s shoreline, studded with six small settlements, is also largely pristine and of magnificent if lonely beauty, peppered with strange and striking rock formations such as the weirdly contorted Dragon’s Head and the stunning Mantou Rock, a shapely, symmetrical dome rising out of the blue sea, looking just like one of those steamed bread buns found in 7-Eleven.

Lanyu’s natural heritage enchants, but what makes the island truly unique and memorable is its Dawu (Yami) aboriginal culture. The island feels completely different from anywhere else in Taiwan. The islanders’ beautiful canoes are a conspicuous presence in bays around the island, and unique underground houses are still inhabited in the villages of Langdao and Yeyin. Much has been said about how Dawu culture is slowly being lost, but, for now at least, it’s still gloriously alive beneath the surface. Put away the camera, loud T shirt and Bermuda shorts, slow down the pace, sit and wait, and the locals reveal themselves as a friendly and curious people

(some of the older aborigines have little knowledge of mainland Taiwan, or the life there), and one that still cling startlingly close to their old traditions and views. A chat with an older member of the tribe (many can speak Mandarin) will almost certainly be the fondest memory of a visit to this extraordinary island.

There’s no denying that visiting Lanyu is a bit of an adventure. Getting to the island involves either snagging one of the notoriously tricky-to-get plane tickets or

putting up with the often-rough boat journey from either Taitung or Kenting. The island has none of the developed tourist resources of Green Island to the north, and some Chinese ability is pretty much essential to get more than a set of stunning photos out of the trip. However those who are ready to accept the hassles and will find Lanyu to be one of Taiwan’s most magical corners, and absolutely fascinating.

To find out more about Lanyu, visit Off the Beaten Track at http://taiwandiscovery.wordpress.com/.



Mishkin: You’ve done an enormous amount of work over the years with people who are sick, people who are dying. You’ve witnessed the healing process in operation undoubtedly thousands and thousands of times. We’re going to look at some of the many stages of the process. When I refer to healing, I think in this context, really I’m not talking about medicine so much, as spiritual healing. And I guess a good place to start is to look at the “obvious” kinds of healing. That is, healing in which some kind of a physical recovery occurs, or a person experiences, for example, a spontaneous remission of a terminal disease. Let’s talk a little bit about that process to begin with.

Levine: Sure. You know when you say, when you ask me, “what is healing?”, I still don’t know. Ondrea my wife and I, when we were directing the Hanuman Foundation Dying Project, we worked for a long time predominantly with people who would come to us, to ask us to help them die. And a lot of the people we worked with, as they came to a certain point in their process usually including opening to the reality that death might well be in the near future, began to “finish business”.

Our relationships are usually run like businesses: “I’ll give you two. You give me two. If you only give me one, I’m gonna take my bat and ball and go home. I won’t play anymore.” So there’s this kind of “totaling of accounts” that’s always going on with people. It’s real easy to think that finishing business is, uh, “You forgive me. I forgive you. But I’m not going to forgive (you) until you forgive me.”, and there’s always waiting for the “someone else” to give you something.

But what we started to see was that many people started to see that the “end of business” was no longer relationships as business. When I take you into my heart, our business is done. If you don’t take me into your heart, that’s your pain, and I feel that, but it really doesn’t affect my business. And we started to see people heal their relationships toward the end of their lives where they were really meeting other people with such mercy and such care for their well-being. That even those who were angry…and for example...a really extreme example…A woman we know, had worked with, her mother had been very ill. She had never really gotten along with her mother. Her mother had been very judgmental. Quite unkind. Abusive. And her mother then became very ill, and she (the daughter)

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ConsciousLiving

Conscious Dying

A Conversation with Stephen Levine

Stephen Levine and his wife, Ondrea, worked for many years with the Hanuman Foundation’s “Living-Dying Project”.

I can’t recall when I first heard the following interview; however, since hearing it the first time, I was struck by the deep wisdom the words contained. Furthermore, I have referred to this wisdom countless times, with persons in various situations, and not just those facing death or grief. The scope of how these views can be applied is great.

What follows is a transcription of part of Jeremy Mishkin’s interview with Stephen Levine, broadcast on YouTube.

This part of the conversation, in a direct and powerful way, not only offers insight into the process of what happens as death approaches, but for those still facing the task of living, it also offers a way to live life with a mindfully-conscious, healing attitude.

I am most grateful to the Levines for giving me express, written permission to transcribe and publish this exclusively in Centered on Taipei.

– Perry Malcolm, LCSW

Not only is another world possible,She is on her way.On a quiet day,

I can hear her breathing.

~Arundhati Roy

Transcribed by Perry MalcolM and Kari schiro


was the only one of the sisters who would even go and sit bedside. They all had such contention, felt so judged; they really put their mother out of their hearts. She (the daughter) decided, (She was a Zen student), she decided her work on herself was to be there for her mom. She sat next to her mom, and her mom would go into a light sleep, and come out, and in and out, as people do when they are real ill. And she would just sit next to her mother and “wish her well, wish her well.”…Not, “Why haven’t you given me this? Why didn’t you do that for me?” Not trying to total the accounts, but trying to let her mother, as is, into her heart.

That’s the basis of a relationship: As Is…because, if I want you to be the least bit different, then you become an object in my mind instead of a subject in my heart. Where’s the healing there? It's just separation. Her mother had been very…nasty in her lifetime, and it wasn’t ending just because she was dying. This woman (the daughter), day after day, sending loving kindness to her mother…on the day that her mother died, her mother looked up at her and said “I hope you roast in Hell! I hope that you have the worst possible life!” Her mother died cursing. And she died, with her daughter sitting next to her looking at her with soft eyes, and with an open heart, saying “Ma, I hope everything’s okay for you.” Now for her mom, it was terrible. But for her (daughter), it was wonderful. She had really finished her business. She was just with another human being who was having a hard time.

And, I mean, that’s a really extreme story, and hopefully we can all get some glimpse of what that one would be. But that’s enormous healing!

The woman, who was dying, died. The woman who was sitting next to her was healing.

Mishkin: Who was she healing?

Levine: Herself.

Mishkin: Herself.

Levine: That's all we can heal. If we’re not working on our own healing, we certainly can’t be contributing to anyone else’s healing.

If you would like to see the YouTube video from which this is transcribed, go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxY0_RXq04EStephen Levine: http://www.stephenlevine.com/Living-Dying Project: http://livingdying.org/




co

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story

Hidden treasures, international fameOne of the wonderful things about Taiwan is that

the alleys off the main roads are a treasure trove of small, but amazing shops. One such gem is just a ten-minute walk from MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua station, namely VVG, or Very Very Good Something. This bookstore/café combination was named as one of the world’s top twenty beautiful bookstores by Flavorwire.com, an entertainment website. However if you’re a book lover hoping to find a copy of a popular novel or the next title in your favorite series, I should point out that this is not that kind of bookstore. In fact, after turning down the lane the first thing that comes into sight are plants lining the store front, making it seem more like a country porch than anything else. Inside, the walls are lined with cooking implements, old locks, and other various odds and ends not usually found in a traditional bookstore.

The main part of the store, however, is dominated by a large wooden table filled with stacks of hardcover books. Many of the books seem like they would be most at home on someone’s coffee table, and are filled with gorgeous examples of photography as well as writing. There are books for both adults and children and in a variety of languages as well, including English, Japanese, Chinese and even German. Visitors are welcome to grab one of the many stools under the table and sit to take a leisurely flip through the assortment of books available. However, if you’re dropping by on the weekend, seats may be hard to come by. Your best bet, if you’re able to, is to stop by on a weekday afternoon for a chance to grab a seat and leaf through a book, or enjoy a snack with a friend.

GrabbinG a bite

At the back of the store is a small café cleverly disguised as a breakfast bar. There customers can purchase pound cake, cookies or biscuits along with coffee or tea. Juice is also available as well as VVG’s own homemade ginger ale. The snacks are definitely worth a try as VVG is famous for their restaurant, café, and desserts shop which is at a different location. On the recommendation of a clerk in the bookstore, I went a few streets over and stepped into VVG Bon Bon, the VVG branch’s small dessert shop that is famous for their cupcakes. Whereas the bookstore was like stepping into a quaint country home, the dessert shop was like taking a walk on the whimsical side. The décor looks like something out of a fairy tale with the added pleasure of the scent of sugar and spices lingering in the air. Tables are surrounded by well-cushioned

chairs and sofas, chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and cute decorations adorn pink walls.

It isn’t only the décor that is whimsical. The cupcakes, which attract the biggest crowd, are not only mouth-watering, but eye-catching as well. The flavors range from the more traditional, like chocolate, to unique flavors like walnut and sour cream. And if that’s not enough sweet for you, the display case is lined with all types of candies and sweets. Set meals are also available if you’d like to be good and eat lunch or dinner before dessert, but I would recommend that you call and reserve a table if you’re planning to stay and enjoy the atmosphere. VVG Bon Bon is quite popular and often filled with customers who look forward to spending a leisurely afternoon in the shop that could have been taken straight out of Alice in Wonderland.

After the meal or tea and snacks, there is a small shop at the back filled with all things cute as well as more candy. The prices are a bit high, so I was more than happy to just browse, especially since it is almost impossible to leave without taking a few cupcakes or pieces of cake to go.

So, if you’re looking for a quiet afternoon spent leafing through books and browsing knick-knacks, VVG Something is the spot to visit. However, if you’re in the mood for something sweet and decadent, wander a few streets over to VVG Bon Bon and sample some of their famous cupcakes. No matter which you choose (and hey, who says you have to do just one and not the other?!) it will have been time well-spent sampling yet another example of the wondrous variety that Taiwan’s alleys have to offer.

TexT: AmAndA HsiAo imAges: sArAH CHen Lin & AmAndA HsiAo

A m a n d a H s i ao o r ig i n a l l y c a m e to Ta iwan f i ve years ago to s tudy Mandarin , but fell in love with the country that is now her second home and stayed! When she isn't teaching English, she is either reading, traveling with her husband, finding a new class to take, or watching anime.

Two Very Very Good spots to Visit



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vvg someThIng 好樣本事13, Alley 40, Lane 181, Zhongxiao East Road Section 4台北市忠孝東路四段181巷40弄13號 (02) 2773-1358Sun-Thu 12 pm - 9 m Fri and Sat 12 pm - 10 pm

vvg bon bon 好樣棒棒 13, Lane 161, Dunhua South Road Section 1台北市敦化南路一段161巷13號 (02) 2711-4505Mon-Fri 12 pm - 9 pm,Sat and Sun 11 am - 9 pm

http://vvgvvg.blogspot.com/

la CremaI found myself once again sitting in a café looking at a page of coffee options/blends and roasts, having no idea

where to start. I spoke with my waitress thinking perhaps she knew what I wanted. She patiently walked me through the coffees explaining roasts, fruit flavors and acidity. I did notice however, that she referenced the blended espressos more than once. An indicator perhaps that she had me pegged as a lover of the sweeter coffees? Hmmm. While I wasn’t offended, I was a bit bummed that I didn’t look like I could hack the stronger stuff. I wanted to show her that I could roll with the big guns, take my coffee black and love it. Perhaps sensing my hesitation (or my palpable disappointment) she recommended the Americano; a happy compromise in my mind. While waiting for my selection, I took in my surroundings. The café itself had that comfortable, tantalizing coffee smell and was littered with tables. A bookshelf haphazardly spewed magazines by the counter, whilst the opposite wall contained a record player and some kind of intricate sound system that my amateur eye could not even begin to describe. The jazzy muzak playing overhead gave a relaxed laid back vibe that suited me just fine. When my Americano arrived, it was strong with a bit of a bite. I happily added cream, which was provided in a thimble-sized pitcher (adorable AND just the right amount) and settled in to enjoy the hot cup of energy that I had been craving all day. Ahhh. Pure satisfaction. I didn’t even add sugar. I am a changed woman.

La CremaTEXT & IMAGES: ALY COOPER, STOCK PHOTOS

Do you know that cows have 4 digestive compartments? I want four digestive compartments (without being referred to as a bovine of course). There’s just not enough room, you know? I NEED more room. When it comes to coffee shops in particular, having traveled the distance, I don’t want just one stomach. It only makes sense, am I right? To taste a variety of different beverages perfectly paired with a mouthwatering pastry?

Yeah, well you’re unfortunately stuck with this “monogastric” gal who can only handle one latte per visit. But oh momma. Those lattes (and “real” coffees) are yummy!

Aly Cooper is an expat wife of one year who enjoys adventures with her five-year-old son, reading, eating, blogging, having A LOT of coffee with friends, volunteering and spending free weekends exploring what the island has to offer with the family.Got a suggestion for our resident caffeine addict? Send them in via [email protected].

Coffees range from NT$180 - NT$350 Blended expressos range from NT$100 - NT$20045, Lane 280, Guangfu South Road, Da’an MRT Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station, Exit 2Monday - Thursday 12 noon - 11 pm, Friday - Sunday 12 noon - 11:30 pm


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Eva, who was born and raised in the Philippines, came to find herself in Taiwan after falling in love with a fellow PhD candidate whilst studying in Toledo, Ohio. Eva and her late husband, Jack, married in 1986 and

relocated here where she has remained ever since, coming to think of Taiwan as her home. It was not too long after she came to live in Taiwan, whilst teaching at Ming Chuan University, that Eva saw an advertisement for a counseling position at The Center in 1987. She applied, and Gale and Joel, the first co-Directors of the newly formed Community Services Center, hired Eva as their first contract counselor. And so The Center’s Counseling program was born and Eva’s long-standing relationship with The Center began.

Due to her professional training, fluency in Tagalog and personal background, Eva was well placed to provide much-needed professional help to Filipino workers in Taiwan. When she first started there was no such help available and so she was often referred cases from the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) dealing with abuse and mental health issues, which could happen at any time of the day. Happily, she notes, there are now other agencies which can help to provide support for Filipinos living in Taiwan but she believes that despite the challenges, it was immensely fulfilling work to be involved with. In addition to providing support in crisis situations, Eva was also a regular for many years on Gray Gleason’s Sunday Morning radio program on ICRT. She provided a point of contact for Filipinos across the island who would otherwise have had nobody they could talk to.

Providing this level of support for others has not been without its personal challenges for Eva. There are times at

which her personal beliefs as a Catholic have made it difficult to personally reconcile the decisions made by her clients. She notes that despite this challenge she has always respected the decisions made by her clients, no matter what and says that “with training and experience, you learn to separate personal convictions and professional guidance.” Beyond these personal challenges lie the challenges inherent in working with folks who are not permanently based in Taiwan, meaning that The Center is having to constantly adapt to the expertise available in their pool of counselors as people inevitably leave to return to their home country or relocate to another. Despite this challenge, however, Eva points out that the counseling team has wide range of expertise to meet the needs of the international community.

Although, as you might imagine, Eva does not have very much free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and has recently taken up quilting which she describes as her “calm down time.” Well deserved indeed, when you consider that aside from her counseling commitments at The Center, she is pursuing a full professorship at Ming Chuan University as well as homeschooling her son Joshua, not to mention having recently become a grandmother.

When asked if she had any words of advice for anyone who might be reading this article, she said “I can truly reassure you that you are never alone” – a sentiment which runs through the very heart of The Center and all who work there. If in doubt, if you are having any sort of difficulties, she emphasises that if you reach out for help, you will find someone there: “Ask when you have questions, call when you need help.”

TexT: HirosHi TomiTa and KaTH Liu image: csc


Recently, The Center has welcomed three new counselors to its ranks - or has it? One of these new faces is in fact the counselor who has been associated with The Center for the longest, Eva Salazar-Liu, who is returning to the fold after a four year hiatus. Eva has been associated with The Center ever since its inception in 1987, so it with great pleasure that we take this opportunity to once again get to know one of The Center’s oldest friends.

The Center welcomes back an old friend: Eva Salazar-Liu

When we experience difficult, uncomfortable or confusing times in our lives, we can usually manage on our own or with the help of family and friends. However, sometimes we need professional assistance. the Community services Center provides confidential, professional and caring counseling services in both English and Chinese, to individuals, couples and families for a wide range of issues. Center counselors also respond to crisis situations on a 24/7 basis. the Center is the only service in taiwan with a team of multi-cultural experienced counselors who provide Western-style counseling. If you are experiencing personal, family or relationship difficulties, please call the Center to speak with one of our counselors. Fees are set on a sliding scale, depending on each person’s income and ability to pay.

For more details about our counseling services and to view our counselors, please go to http://communitycenter.org.tw/counseling/about-counselors.to make an appointment contact the Center at (02) 2836-8134 or (02) 2838-4947For after hours emergency counseling services call 0932-594-578

Hiroshi Tomita is working as a GIS analyst for Getchee and spends his free time building bikes, awkwardly trying to run barefoot in the city, and working on an aquaponics farm. Always curious, learning, and creating things (typically just mischief) while spending as much time as possible with his friends and family.








JUnE/JULY 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw18 JUnE/JULY 2012 E/JULY 2012



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sToPLet’s pause for a moment. What are you wearing today?

Do you choose your clothes depending on the weather forecast? Social status? Your mood? Do you value fashion over comfort? Price tag over your actual sense of taste? They say that what you wear is a reflection of who you are. I used to think that Taiwan was heaven: the land of variety, and cheap things. I loved shopping and was addicted to bargains; and unknowingly, such attitudes fueled my greed and tainted my integrity.

So what changed? I became informed. I learned through documentaries, news and research about the realities of this world: cheap labor; children being put to work under unhygienic and, at times, dangerous conditions and the environmental stress we put on our planet every time we purchase something we want rather than something we actually need. I became aware of my own ecological footprint and I realized that just as our choice of clothing reflects who we are, so too do our actions.

The ChangeThat’s how my purchasing habits changed but it might

not be the same case for everyone else. Environmentally aware folks have all been through similar struggles: trying to convince their family and friends about climate change and other environmental issues. It is difficult to change someone’s living style and habits, especially when these habits are culturally embedded. Things like burning paper money for the dead or setting sky lanterns high up in the mountains are common local examples of non-environmentally-friendly traditions that have been carried down through centuries and are very difficult to change. This is why I would like to share the following story of what I learned through environmental activism.

CloThes-walkIng fesTIvalNational Chengchi University (NCCU, 國立政治大學) and

National Taiwan University (NTU, 國立台灣大學) joined forces to organize the “Clothes-Walking Festival (遛衣節)” this summer, which is sort of like a flea market with a few

added creative twists. The festival was first pioneered by NCCU in 2010 with the goal of introducing the concept of reusing old clothes by collecting unwanted garments and assembling them in at a place where the they could be exchanged. NTU followed a year later, sponsored by NET Impact at the Gongguang (公館) campus. In their first year (2011), a total of 500kg and 1800 pieces of clothing were collected. Not bad for a start!

This year NCCU managed to collect well over 3000 pieces of clothing. Although not all found new owners, the remainder were donated to non-profit organizations like the National Catholic Light Jen Social Welfare Foundation (大同社福中心), Garden of Hope Foundation, The Datong Welfare Center, and Catholic Kuang Jen Social Welfare Foundation (光仁基金會).

youTh PassIon and CreaTIvITyThe team of organizers from NCCU and NTU were joined

by students from other universities this year: Fu Jen Catholic University (輔仁大學), Tamkang University (淡江大學), and Ming Chuan University (銘傳大學). There are high hopes for other universities to join in the movement in the coming years. The organizers also hosted fashion shows, workshops to teach people creative ways of modifying old clothes or to turn them into something completely different.

But what caught my attention was the online competition - anyone could submit a photograph of a piece of clothing with a 150-word description of a particular memory or the significance of that piece of clothing to the owner. The best essays (decided by the public via Facebook) were displayed along with the corresponding pieces of clothing at Hillside Learning Lodge (山居學習中心). One of the most endearing stories was that of a soldier who was sent to Iraq. He had submitted a photograph of the uniform that accompanied him through that difficult stages of his life. That was precisely why he would never consider throwing away his uniform.

refleCTIons

It’s inspiring to see youth wanting to give old clothes a second life and promoting responsible consumption and

TEXT: SARAH CHEN LIN IMAGES: NTU & NCCU 61TEAM (台大& 正大遛一團隊)

added creative twists. The festival was first pioneered by

You are what you wear


creativity. Perhaps environmentalism has a long way to go in Taiwan but this is a start. A lot of students said that the event had given them a chance to reflect on whether more means better. But what I took home was the realization that in order to convince someone to change, you must first try to understand them. Trying to convince a person to change is useless if you can’t understand the things that are important to them. Perhaps this is one of the key ways to promote environmentalism. It must begin from the heart.

For more details:https://www.facebook.com/61inccuhttps://www.facebook.com/ClothingStory


B o r n a n d ra i s e d i n Ve n e z u e l a b y Taiwanese parents, Sarah has been exposed to world cultures since she was young. She graduated with an Environmental Science degree from Southampton University in the UK and currently works as a research a s s i s t ant for the C iv i l Eng inee r ing Research Department at National Taiwan University, as a radio host for Radio Taiwan International, as TWYCC’s media coordinator, as the main point of contact in Taiwan for ECYTF (Earth Charter Youth Task Force) and as a freelance photographer.

Taking Chances

Try something new – for the people that dare are the people that live. As Abraham Lincoln said, “...it's not the years in

your life that count. It's the life in your years,” so make the most of the opportunities that come by. When I first joined the Model United Nations (MUN) program at Taipei American School (TAS), it was with this same sentiment in mind.

As a sixth grader, I took on the position of a Page, which showed me what MUN is really about and gave me a glimpse into the world of diplomats, discussion, and debate. The TAS MUN program centers around practice and participation in UN simulations at which students representing different nations come together to so lve g lobal i s sues. Students prepare draft resolutions and muster their persuasive powers to convince both allies and adversaries to fo l low the i r l ead, a l l i n the spirit of achieving consensus and promoting peace through international cooperation.

Serving as a Page meant facilitating negotiation between delegates as well as assisting the upper school students, who served as committee chairs. MUN is an activity that combines public speaking, research, and people skills very much like a competitive sport requires the instant application of drills and team tactics to a moment of opportunity on the field. In sports, you are constantly

on your feet, anticipating the next intense action. This is similar to MUN: o n e m o m e n t y o u a r e delivering an impromptu speech, the next deflecting questions aimed at your resolution, very much like how a goalkeeper defends the goal.

After three years of MUN, I have had the privilege of attending three conferences: two as a delegate at Middle School TAIMUN, hosted by TAS Upper School MUN veterans and attended by other international schools on-is land, and one as a member of the Security Council at the MYMUN conference hosted by the Mont’ Kiara International School, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Represent ing a speci f ic country requires you to embrace that country's s tance on the i s sues and, more broadly, that country's worldview. Participating in these UN simulations has given me the opportunity to meet new people, and learn firsthand more about the world. The real United Nat ions i s about co l laborat ion between all corners of the globe, and MYMUN simulated this successfully in that it brought together students from schools in Vietnam, China, Singapore, Bangladesh, Brunei, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia.

In an era now dominated by the Internet, structured opportunities to practice public speaking are rare. The podium at MUN is one of the few examples. The ability to address

a crowd is an essential skill for any speech-giver. Consider Julius Caesar, for example. He was one of the most influential leaders of the ancient world. He conquered Gaul, now modern day France, and went on to consolidate these gains because of his ability to lead. In fact, when he created alliances, he relied on his oratory skills to win popularity. Power put him in the hot seat on many occasions, but he was able to defend himself by being unrivalled in front of an audience. He won as much suppor t f rom addressing crowds as from his military achievements; similarly in MUN, you must win support, and often times, military support, through superior speech making and debating.

Participating in MUN is a chance to improve this multitude of skills, a high-adrenalin activity that readies you to react like a leader in any given situation. You learn to speak up and think on your feet, create a coalition and popularize your ideas, and truly test yourself in an international arena. It has yielded the brightest and most memorable moments of my Middle School career, and turned out to be the finest opportunity I took on. Participating in MUN might just make you the next Caesar, with an empire built on powerful speeches, a sense of leadership and the foundation for a better future.

TexT: Nicky Liu, TAS MS STudeNT iMAge: TAS

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Modern slacklining has been around for forty years. It originated in the 1970s in Yosemite

National Park where rock climbers did it for fun and training purposes. Howeve r t h i s un ique fo rm o f balancing remained largely unknown to the general public until this year, when Andy Lewis performed a stunning slacklining show as part of Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show. Overnight, slacklining found itself at the center of unprecedented attention in the United States and worldwide.

whaT Is slaCklInIng?Slacklining is a sport that involves

a lot of balance and concentration. It is simply about walking on a line, typically nylon webbing, tensioned between two points. If trees are used as anchors, the diameter of the tree must exceed 30 centimeters and padding must be used to protect the bark. In modern slacklining most people use 1 inch or 2-inch flat nylon webbing. It can be practiced anywhere, from the backyard, on college campuses, city parks, and even hundreds of meters above the ground.

benefITs of slaCklInIngScientific research has been done

on the physiological benefits of slacklining and found that people

can improve their balance, strength, and postural control after regularly practicing it for just a month. As a result, slacklining is often integrated into athletic cross training and physical therapy. Other benefits of slacklining reported by longtime slackliners include increased focus and meditative ability.

sPeCIal TyPes of slaCklInIng

The basic form of slacklining is balancing and walking on the line which can be practiced by anyone who can stand on one foot. But as your skills develop, there are other, more specialised varieties of s lackl ining to try, including tricklining, longlining, highlining, waterlining, and yoga slackline.

Tr ickl in ing - Tr ickl in ing has become the most common form of slacklining due to the convenient setup of the commercial 2-inch slackline kits. Tricks can be done on the l ine and new tr icks are being developed all the time. Basic tricks including walking, walking b a c k w a r d s , a n d t u r n s . M o r e advanced tricks include surfing (swinging s ide to s ide), jumps, jumping from line-to-line, turn 360s, butt bounces, and chest bounces. Protection pads must be used in case of unexpected falls.

Longlining - Basically this involves a longer version of a slackline. There

is no official definition separating a slackline from a longline. For beginners, thirty meter-long webbing would be considered a longline and for advanced walkers, lines longer than 200 meters have been used. Rigging longlines however requires special gear, experience, knowledge and a lot of imagination.

Highlining - This is a slackline stretched between two anchors high above the ground. As with longl in ing, there i s no of f ic ia l definition of exactly what a highline is, but if falling off the line could potentially be fatal then it could be considered as a highline. Popular locations for highlining include between skyscrapers (known as urban highlining) and between rock outcrops or high peaks (mountain highlining).

Water l in ing - Water l in ing i s s lackl in ing over water. This i s a fun way to l earn new t r i cks because there’s water to fall into. Typical places to set up waterlines are over swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and between piers. It is of course important that the water is sufficiently deep and free from obstacles.

Yogaslacking - Another form of slacklining is slackline yoga, also referred to as yogaslacking or Slackasana. Yogaslacking involves practicing yoga poses on a 1 inch wide slackline. To balance on a webbing whilst doing yoga poses can be challenging.

slaCklInIng In TaIwanIt is unclear when slacklining

was introduced to Taiwan, but it is likely that some Taiwanese climbers have been slacklining for over 30 years. The systematic promotion of slacklining was launched by a group of students and teacher from National Taiwan Sport University (NTSU) in 2010. Their promotion

Slackliningthe coolest online game unplugged

TEXT: GUAN-JANG WU IMAGES: GUAN-JANG WU & STOCK PHOTOS


Leat Ahrony is a business undergraduate student at the University of Victoria (UVic) in Canada. She began her journalism career in high school writing for the Centered on Taipei magazine. She has a weekly online column for the UVic newspaper, The Martlet, and regularly writes print news and culture articles. She plans to earn her B.A in Commerce and continue a side career in Journalism.

Some people see their lives running away from them, skittering d o w n t h e y e a r s

like leaves in a breeze. Some people occasionally think

of what they want to do, waiting for the right time. Some people fail because they do not believe in themselves.

I can only imagine what cellular phones will look like in twenty years. Our world continues to shrink like a baked apple as technology continues to advance. At the same time, the pressure we feel increases by the second. Having a routine keeps us occupied and focused. However, we often forget that beyond our structured time schedule, there are other things that need nurturing. It is important for all of us to remember pressure from society and our peers should not dictate what "normal" is. Every individual is different.

The first step to overcoming low self-esteem is making the impossible possible. Creating the first computer or spaceship probably felt like an impossible task until it was done, and the world watched as the first man walked on the moon. For me, the challenge was math. Math and I were totally incompatible; it did not interest me, and challenged me constantly. Successfully completing a semester of finite math seemed impossible. But then I thought - if a woman with no hands can paint gracefully with her toes and create magnificent artwork, then surely I can take on math.

Every day is a battle for university students. It feels like playing a game of squash: constantly getting hit by surrounding pressures. We yearn for high grades and society says academic success is the key to a good career. We are pressured to join student clubs, fraternities or sororities, and do volunteer work because it sets a good example and looks great on your resume. I surprise myself sometimes when I realize how many things I do are contingent on what others

think of me.The desire to impress others is inevitable, but eventually

you need to be comfortable with who and what you are, and the direction you are heading in. Maintain self-respect, and do not change just to please people, do it for your own benefit. You need to remember that you are unique and anything is possible if you put it to the test.

Could you survive a whole month in Taipei with just NT$20,000 in your pocket? That gives you about NT$5,000 every week for food, transportation, housing, and leisure (if there is any extra money left). If you live with your parents, this is an easy task, but for a tourist, it can be quite challenging, but possible. University students constantly face societal pressure and attacks. Letting your brain breathe, and focusing on yourself once a day allows you to spider-web the surrounding sounds, people, and happenings.

I pull out my list of future goals and dreams that classmates may laugh at. But if I only listen to what they say, how can I ever improve myself?

Self-respect and confidence seems to be diminishing in this bureaucratic and industrial world. A wave of worry rises up in me. Can everyone make it? Realistically, some will not make it. Whether or not you believe in fate, Karma, or sins commited in a previous life, surely the potential remains for one to overcome past mistakes and work for the better.

Humans did not grow wings, but they created airplanes. Who said it was impossible for us to fly? Maybe living on Mars seems impossible, but is anything impossible really? Is it possible for people to see ghosts, spirits, and create magic? To me, saying something is impossible shows a lack of self-confidence. Even when you are unsure, uncertain, or anxious, if you think positively, believe that something IS possible, you can, and it will be.

Impossible? Prove them wrong.


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campaigns include hosting a slackline photo competition, cycling around Taiwan to promote slacklining, conducting slackline workshops at schools and NGOs, and establishing an online social platform to exchange ideas. This year’s focus is to raise Internet addiction awareness. Instead of staying indoors on the computer, going slacklining outside is a fun “online” game that does not require electricity!

For people who are interested in trying out this new leisure activity, the setup of the system is easy. One can easily acquire the necessary equipment online or at certain outdoor gear shops in Taipei. There are also

several online social groups you can find to start your first slackline experience. A formal training workshop is also available at NTSU (http://dsm.ntsu.edu.tw/front/bin/home.phtml) and at the Community Services Center this fall. So what are you waiting for? Give your fingers a break and start slacklining!

Guan-Jang Wu is an assistant professor at National Taiwan Sport University. His professional interests include outdoor leader-ship, adventure programming, and cross-cultural communication. In his spare time, he enjoys slacklining and drinking coffee.

Want to try slacklining for yourself? Date: Saturday, October 20thTime: 9:45 am – 12 noonLocation: Tianmu Baseball ParkTo register, call the Center (02) 2836-8134 or email [email protected]

Please don't try this sport without professional guidance!



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“ M a m a ’ s w a t c h e d s o m a n y [movies] that she believes in happy endings...Me? I think life’s more like that car toon by Mr. Disney- The Three Little Pigs. Some big bad wolf’s always trying to blow down your house.”

Turtle has not had an easy life being raised by her scatterbrained, irresponsible, single mom during the Depression. She knows Mama will always believe in silver linings and better days just around the corner. But Turtle, with her soot-colored, grey eyes, sees the world for what it is. The world she sees is deprived of jobs, money, even dreams. But one dream still lingers - a dream of paradise. To her mom, it's the Bellewood, a

beautiful Sears mail-order house. But what does it mean to Turtle?

She’s eleven when her Mama gets a job, cleaning for a lady who can’t tolerate children. As a result she’s shipped off to her aunt’s house. One very long free ride with Smokey, her cat, a chatty hair tonic seller, and a quick introduction to her bratty cousins later, she is stashed in a tiny, t iny bedroom on Curry Avenue. Life in hot, poor, crowded Key West softens Turtle’s tough shell as she adapts to a new environment with Cuban food that tastes better than it looks, a surprising—and crotchety—grandmother, grown-ups who look out for kids (plus a few who are too worn down by them to be anything but exasperated), bare feet, sponging, and even hidden treasure. But the real treasure has nothing to do with pirate gold and everything to do with open hearts. And for Turtle, the

most important finding of all is the discovery of her own paradise within Key West, Florida: a place called home.

I liked that the characters in this novel are thoroughly developed, so you get to know them as if they were real people. There were some minor flaws, for example parts of the story were unbelievable (I didn’t really think that boys would be changing diapers and babysitting all day long, but some people will do anything for candy!) and I didn’t like the ending very much because I thought it was too abrupt and there were a lot of unsolved problems. But overall it was a great book that deserved its Newbery Honor. It's written for a younger audience, but I still think that a more mature audience would love it too. It's that awesome.

Turtle in Paradise Written by Jennifer L. Holm

Published in 2010 Published by scholastic IsBN: 9780375836886

Shereen Lee is a fifth grader attending Taipei American School who has a passion for writ ing and reading inspired by her family and friends. Want more? Go to her blog at http://booknuttereviews.wordpress.com.


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TEXT & IMAGES: SERINA HUANG

TradITIonal TaIwanese reInvenTed

You have friends, or in my case a delegation, visiting Taiwan. They will only be in Taipei for a few days and you want to take them out for a memorable meal. Somewhere in a central location, close to some tourist or shopping spots with good local cuisine so they can experience something about Taiwan’s cuisine during their brief stay. After staring out my window for some time, the answer dawned on me – why not take them to the very building I was looking at, Taipei 101. Situated on the 85th floor of Taipei 101, Shin Yeh 101 is part of a 35-year old institution. Founded by Mrs Lee Xiu Ying in 1977, Shin Yeh was one of the first establishments to specialize in producing high-end, restaurant quality Taiwanese food and it prides itself on finding innovative ways to reinvent traditional Taiwanese cuisine using top quality ingredients. The establishment has branched into several restaurants and associated eateries, the most upmarket and glamorous of which is Shin Yeh 101.

In case you were thinking of casually sauntering in, I advise you to first book in advance. This is not just because Shin Yeh does good business; security restrictions at Taipei 101 mean that you need a firm reservation before the guards will let you through (yes, they will check). Also, finding the correct lift entrance in the building can be a little hard (I initially led my delegation in the wrong direction).

But from the moment you step into Shin Yeh 101, it is clear that all the fuss of getting up to the 85th floor was worth it. What a view! We visited on a cloudy day, but even so, the outlook was spectacular. While not all tables have window-side views, we were thankfully placed in a small room with only a few tables and plenty of space to walk around and peer out the wide windows. The binoculars provided to view the landmarks below was a nice touch.

a meal wITh a vIewWe ordered the Classic Lunch

Set (NT$880 per person plus 10% service charge), which suited our business lunch requirements but was also the most cost effective choice on the menu. (If you want to splash out, one of the more opulent lunch options includes shark’s fin soup, fish maw and sea cucumber, and bird’s nest with snow frog jelly at NT$3,280 per person.) But the menu is good value given the quality of the food, attentive service and above all the opportunity to dine nearly at the top of one of the world’s tallest buildings.

The ent rée was an e l egant ly presented cold appetizer trio of a foie gras roll, mullet roe with shallot, and Matsusaka pork. The mullet roe brought back fond memories

of my time as a student in Tainan, where my home-stay family served it as an expensive treat for Chinese New Year. This was followed by a deceptively simple double boiled chicken and Chinese cabbage soup, which captured the full rustic flavour of a long-simmered restorative broth.

The next two dishes reminded me of Western-style Chinese take-away, only classier. First was there was a serving of large wok-fried prawns with cashews, tossed with capsicum. I particularly enjoyed a serving of deep fried round cod with sweet and sour sauce. While sweet and sour flavors are often derided, there is something about the tangy, sweet combination that I find inherently comforting, whether or not it is hip to admit it.

For the next item, I chose steamed rice cake with minced pork (碗粿, pronounced in Taiwanese warh gui): a traditional snack-food with a thick, gluggy mixture steamed in a bowl which was far more appetizing than the description indicates. Finally, the mango pudding dessert, with the consistency of a good panna cotta and hint of local mango, was an aesthetically enjoyable way to end the meal.

The view from on high: shin yeh 101

shin yeh 101 is on the 85th floor of the iconic Taipei 101 building (7, Xinyi road section 5, Taipei City). for reservations, phone (02) 8101-0185. further details are available on the shin yeh website: http://www.shinyeh.com.tw


Taiwanxifu (Taiwan daughter- in- law) i s the blogging alter-ego o f S e r i n a H u a n g , who enjoys sampling Ta i wa n ’s c u l i n a r y creations, exploring new places and discovering cultural insights. Her blog is at ht tp: / /taiwanxifu.wordpress.com.



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TexT: DaviD Chao

*The above represents the author's personal opinions and should not be construed as medical advice*

Fe w t o p i c s b r i n g t h e differences between Western and Eastern cultures into sharper relief than one's view

of healthcare. The Western way of braving whatever ills and pains life throws at you with a stiff upper lip and a couple of aspirin is as prevalent today as ever. As one expat recently said to me: “My shoulder's been hurting me for a while, but my arm had better be about to fall off before I go and see the doctor.” At the other extreme of this spectrum lies Taiwan, a nation of people who go to the doctor at the slightest hint of pain, and where peace of mind is not just the result of a favorable prognosis, but sometimes how much medicine the doctor has prescribed!

Whi l s t these s te reotypes are admittedly not wholly representative, these characterizations do serve to illustrate the contrasting views of healthcare between West and East, and nowhere are these differences more clearly highlighted than in Taiwan's burgeoning health check industry. For many Taiwanese, the health check is an integral part of their healthcare regimen, together with their annual eye check exam, and monthly dental hygiene appointments. Yet, for many folks in the international community, it remains something that is not clearly understood.

So, what is a health check? Put simply, it is an annual physical examination that has now developed to such a height of sophistication that it is more akin to a spa or health club experience. At its core however, the health check is built on the premise that health issues have warning signs, and the earlier these are identified, the more likely it is that they can be successfully addressed.

Normally a one-day affair, the health check involves first changing into a not particularly flattering tracksuit (think the 'sleepsuits' that Virgin Atlantic or Cathay Pacific

hand out) and then being delivered into the hands of a dedicated nurse who leads you on a circuit of medical tests and checks.

The day starts with blood being drawn so that the bloodwork can be processed by the end of the day. Next is a basic examination of your height, weight, blood pressure and so on. Then follows various ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scans and procedures to determine the health of each of your major organs and body parts: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, prostate/OBGYN, eyes, ear/nose/throat etc.

D e p e n d i n g o n q u i t e h o w comprehensive the health check package you have selected is, you may also find yourself undergoing a colonoscopy (colon cancer is among the top-3 cancers by incidence in Taiwan), s i t t ing on an exercise bike and having your heart rate monitored, or undergoing even more detailed imaging techniques showing your various organs in all of their 3D glory.

Somewhere in the middle of the day you'll be fed a very nice lunch, no doubt heavy wi th s t eamed vegetables and brown rice, and you'll probably start to feel a little bit smug with how healthy you're being. You might even make a mental note to yourself that you must start exercising more and staying off the cigarettes/alcohol/late-night snacks/fast food/all of the above!

T h i s r e s o l v e w i l l l i k e l y b e strengthened at the end of the day when you will have a 1-on-1 debrief with one of the health check clinic's doctors. Throughout the day, all of your test results are keyed into your med ica l r ecord and then benchmarked against what is deemed medically acceptable for your age and gender. The doctor will review these results with you, and highlight those areas where you stray outside commonly accepted boundaries. He or she will make suggestions about what changes in your diet or lifestyle

are required to bring these medical data points into safer territory, as well as refer you to specialists if further follow-up care is required. And finally, a couple of weeks later, the health check clinic will deliver a nicely bound, bi-lingual report, and a DVD of your X-Rays and scans should you wish to keep them for posterity, or pass them on to another doctor for further review.

And so, on to the inev i tab le question: is it all worth it? The skeptics will argue that serious m e d i c a l i s s u e s w i l l p r e s e n t without the need to have such a comprehensive battery of tests, some of which they argue have dubious medical value. In contrast, health check proponents stress the convenience and efficiency benefits of having all one's medical tests done together, the undoubted peace of mind when receiving the results and the value of the doctor's 'persuasive r em inde r s' t o make h e a l t h i e r adjustments to your lifestyle. For these patients at least, health checks really do show that prevention is better than cure!

For those ready to explore further, most hospitals in Taiwan offer health checks, though sadly they are outside of the remit of the NHI (but fortunately are covered by private health insurance policies to a greater or lesser degree). For the type of full-day health check described, prices range from US$650-2,000 and up. You can find out more about health check clinics and how to book an appointment at http://beta.hulihealth.com.

David is COO at HuliHealth, an onl ine doc tor search and appointment booking service. HuliHealth recently launched its beta site in Taiwan, partnering with top doctors. If you have questions/comments, do drop him a note at [email protected]

Is Prevention Better Than Cure? Taiwan's Health Check Clinics Explained



Wok (鍋子 Guōzi or 炒菜鍋 Chǎo cài guō)Uses: The wok can be used for all kinds of cooking including, stir-frying, deep-frying, pan-frying, stewing, braising, steaming, and smoking. A c la s s i c wok has a rounded bottom with either one or a pair of handles. The shape of the wok is designed to distribute the heat quickly and intensively. Food can be tossed in the wok easily and always slides down to the hottest part at the bottom. Some types of woks are sold with lids; the professional types are normally without lids.

Material: Woks are typically made of cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

Preparing the wok for the first use (wok seasoning): Fill the wok up with water and add two tablespoons of tea leaves or two tea bags. Bring to the boi l, cook for about 20 minutes. Pour out the water and discard tea, then rinse the wok with water. This process will remove the machine oil residue from the manufacturing process. Then heat the wok over a high heat until it starts smoking. Grease the wok with lard or peanut oil very thinly with a towel. Turn heat off; allow wok to cool to room temperature. Heat up and grease wok again by the same process. The new wok will turn black and shiny after seasoning and the process will keep it non-stick when cooking.

Maintenance: Wash the wok with hot water immediately after use. Wash with baking soda if it is very oily or scorched. Chemical detergent

will damage the wok seasoning. Dry the wok by heating it up gently after washing it, or place it upside down.

CHoPPING BoARD (砧板 Zhān bǎn)Mater ia l: A block of tree wood is the best material for chopping board. Wood is antiseptic which kills bacteria and removes any bad smells easily. Choose a wooden chopping board made from a cross-cut of a tree instead of compressed wood – the cross-cut board is better to prevent sawdust and to use with the blade of a cleaver. You should use two chopping boards for raw and cooked food separately in the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination.

Maintenance: Wash the board with a sponge under running water after chopping each ingredient. Wash with hot water if it is oily or wash with vinegar or ginger to get rid of smells. Chemical detergents are not recommended for washing the wood board as residues will remain. Dry the wood board in a well-ventilated place.

STEAMER (蒸籠 Zhēnglóng)Mater ia l s: Tradit ional Chinese steamers are made from bamboo, which gives better air circulation than other materials. The bamboo steamer is generally placed over the wok or a soup pot and used to steam food over a medium to high heat. Steaming food is very quick and is healthier than other cooking methods.

To prepare the bamboo steamer for the first use: Add water in a large pot and bring to the boil. Place the steamer inside and blanch all over for 2 to 5 minutes. Remove and dry it in a well ventilated place.

Maintenance: Always place muslin or wax paper underneath the food when steaming it. Wash the bamboo steamer under running water with a soft brush after steaming, or wash with hot water if it is greasy. Dry in a well ventilated place completely before storing. Chemical detergent is not recommended as detergent residue will remain in the bamboo.

RICE CookER (飯鍋 Fàn guō)The modern choice of rice cooker

is an electric cooker (電鍋 Diàn guō) or electronic cooker (電子鍋 Diànzǐ guō). These devices can also used for steaming, stir-frying, braising, stewing, making soup, etc. It will automatically switch off when the food is cooked and keep food warmed. Some types of electric or electronic cookers come with a steaming plate for cooking two or more dishes at one time.

THE ESSENTIAl EquIPMENT of A TAIWANESE kITCHEN

text: Ivy Chen Images: tIng tIng huang



Maintenance: Always keep the outer pot of electric cooker dry, or it will corrode at the bottom.

(Further information about rice cookers can be found in the October and Nove mbe r 20 0 8 i s sue s of Centered on Taipei)

Chinese Cleaver (菜刀 Càidāo)Chinese cleavers are rectangular

with a blade attached to a wooden, plastic, stainless steel, or composite

handle. The most popular home style is about 15 cm long. This is a multi-purpose kitchen knife for chopping, cutting, slicing, dicing, mincing, shredding, peeling, boning, skinning, filleting, smashing and carving. It is necessary to use two cleavers for raw and cooked food separately in the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination.

Material of blade: Chinese cleavers are made of carbon steel or stainless steel. The heavier the cleaver, the better.

Maintenance: Wash and wipe cleaver dry or it will stain. It is not suitable to use for animal bone chopping or it will break the blade. Sharpen your cleaver from time to time to extend its life.

sifter ladle (漏杓 Lòusháo)Sifter ladles have holes or slots to

allow liquids to escape. It is used to sieve or strain food from water or oil. The round bottom of the ladle compliments the shape of a wok, allowing you to collect the food in one scoop.

Materials: Sifter ladles are typically made from stainless steel, aluminum, or bamboo.

The Dragon Boat Festival: Outsmarting The Rain

Of all the activities that take place during the three-day-long Dragon Boat Festival, the greatest attraction is of course the Dragon Boat race. That, and free zong zi (粽子); people gotta eat!

But of course, here in Taipei it's only normal for the weather to threaten rain, and not only did it rain on the big day, but it was also excruciatingly hot. However, nothing was going to ruin it after so many preparations had been made. So the public sat on the terrace beside the river, fanned themselves with pamphlets, pieces of paper or fans and waited for the races to begin.

As one race finished, another one was waiting to get started. Men and women gathered up to start rowing; most of them with their countries' flags painted on their faces or on their arms. They seemed to be in a football-fan state of mind – in spite of the rain and heat – celebrating and singing. Standing very near the water I could see that in each boat one member played a big drum, while another sat at the dragonhead for the flag-grabbing at the very end, while eighteen people between them rowed. When the people on the dragonheads of their boats grabbed the flags at the goal, we knew it was the end. Big screens would show the final positions and the time it took each boat to get to the finish line.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a very interesting and fun celebration, though I must admit I expected it to have

more traditional, intimate activities, and I certainly didn't know so many foreigners participated in the race! I loved the competition and loved even more that foreigners and locals alike celebrated their victories together. My favorite part was the zong zi giveaways, though, not only because I enjoy eating good food, but also because I heard that these rice dumplings were delicious. And indeed, they were! There were mouth-watering zong zi for vegetarians and also delicious varieties for those of us who must have our share of meat.

I felt that the most special thing about this day was that we could all be part of something that belongs to the Taiwanese people, who happily welcome anyone who wants to have a good time and learn something about a great Chinese tradition. One friend of mine who was rowing in one of the boats said that although he was busy and only focused on what laid ahead of him during the race, he could still feel a great vibe coming from the public. And it was a great vibe, three great days and amazing food! No heat or rain could take that away from us.

Marina Burana is an Argentinean writer born in 1986. She has published two books of short stories in Spanish and is now writing plays in English. She speaks French and reads Ancient Greek. She also plays violin, paints and studies Chinese in Taipei.

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text: Marina Burana iMage: toDD stone



Great to see that you have the current issue of Centered on Taipei in your hands. Whether it is the printed or the iPad version, I hope it has the same positive impact on you as it

did on me when I picked up my first copy during our look-and-see trip in May 2010. I remember I read it and instantly felt a sense of community and belonging.

Presuming that you are still in Taiwan, please allow me to ask you this rather personal question: how are you doing? How are you really doing? Moving overseas and setting up a new home – regardless if it is for a defined short to mid-term range or if you are here for the long-run – is a challenging task and it is easy to end up just feeling “OK” rather than making sure your life is great. I am writing this article during my visit back home in Germany. Previously many family members and friends asked me: 'So how are you doing overseas?' – but this year I got to hear more than once: 'You look great – seems like Taiwan is doing you good' … and I have nothing to add but 'Yes it is!' and smile.

But was it coincidence that when I’m in Taiwan I feel like a fish in water or am I just a natural chameleon, able to adapt easily in a foreign culture? I doubt so – I trust that my life could have taken a roller coaster ride just as anybody else’s could have. So what did I do differently? I hired a Coach. Not just any coach, but an expert in the field of ‘from surviving to thriving’. Jeanne A. Heinzer wrote a book with resources, tips and tools for women accompanying their partners on an international move. Her book Living Your Best Life Abroad inspired me to use the ‘Art-of-living-abroad-wheel’ (adapted from the Coaches Training Institute) for my own personal life. It is a great exercise to find out how you are doing.

Why not grab a piece of paper and copy the image on the right? As you can see, the wheel-of-life touches on all important life areas, such as career, health, family and friends, relationship to your partner etc. You can either take the eight categories as suggested or create your own 8 most crucial categories. Ask yourself how happy are you in each life area? Create your wheel then look at it – can it roll smoothly, or is it a rather bumpy ride? If your wheel looks crooked or small, don’t panic. Direct your energy towards making positive changes. Which area requires attention first? Notice that changes in one area can lead to changes in another. Being healthy can increase your work performance and have a positive impact on your relationships. Take the first small step. As Leo Tolstoy put it: ‘True life is lived when tiny changes occur.’

Create a plan for your life - your life vision!

Just like a manager needs a business plan, folks living overseas require a plan for their personal venture called ‘life’. It includes a strong vision, clear objectives, and a conscious and honest discussion with the people around you. If you could dream wildly, what would your vision of your life look like? What do you need to feel happy? By putting on paper how different family members – assignee, accompanying partner and children – feel about their life situation, it is possible to better align expectations, needs and family responsibilities. You can negotiate what it takes to accommodate everyone’s vision. When you are actively involved from the beginning, you ‘own’ your own experience. You are not a ‘trailing spouse’, you are a full-fledged partner in building a successful transition.

This new powerful vision (or perhaps even visions, if you include the entire family) will result in decisions that you make for your new desired life. It will feel like the mist in front of your eyes is lifting. I was overwhelmed by the endless opportunities that this assignment brought to me. After my daughter went to a local Kindergarten it left enough time to pursue my dream of becoming a Coach. I wish you clarity to make decisions in life! In the next part of this article we will look at how to turn these decisions into actions.

expat perspectives

Living your best life abroadBy Jeanne a. Heinzer

IsBN 978-1-904881-16-2

references

Anja Serfontein coaches, with heart and soul, executives and expats on various topics. You can reach her at: [email protected]

Is your life great?TexT: AnjA SerfonTein

The eight sections in the Wheel of Life represent Balance. Seeing the center of the wheel as 0 and the outer edges as 10, rank your level of satisfaction with each life area by drawing a straight or curved line to create a new outer edge. The new outer perimeter represents your Wheel of Life. If this were a real wheel, how bumpy would the ride be?

The Wheel of Life



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Listings are now available online from http://communitycenter.org.tw/life-in-taiwan/worship-directory and http://communitycenter.org.tw/life-in-taiwan/community-groups.

Worship Directory anD community Groups

Recycling is not only green, it is also chic! Just a few years ago, ‘second-hand’ w a s c o n s i d e r e d ‘ l o w -

class’ in Taiwan. But during the last decade, the idea that recycling and re-using is cool has started to catch on. Consequently you will find a surprising number, and variety, of vintage and second hand furniture shops in Taipei.

Taipei’s Flea markeTsThere are three flea market-style

shops in Taipei: Aphrod ite and Carcassonne import vintage furniture f r o m S o u t h e r n E u r o p e , w h i l e Treasure Hunt Flea Market mainly imports from Japan. All three stores are quite large, and seek to imitate the atmosphere of European flea markets and Japanese shrine sales in the presentation of their items. You are free to rummage around their spaces that are piled up to the ceiling with furniture and accessories. Just like in European and Japanese flea markets, much of the furniture they sell is ‘shabby chic’ and shows the wear and tear of the years. If you are looking for valuable antiques, expert advice, and authenticity certificates, these shops are not for you. While you might always luck out and come across a genuinely old, beautifully preserved piece, the bulk of these stores’ inventory is squarely vintage. But if, like me, you just enjoy the character, workmanship, and look of old furniture, without looking to make major investments, I’m sure you will love these shops. The prices in these shops are higher than overseas

flea markets; however, considering the costs of importing, the prices are pretty reasonable. Expect to pay around NT$60-80,000 for an old European leather sofa (three seater), NT$16-36,000 for an ornamental arm chair, NT$50-65,000 for a large Japanese chest and NT$15-18,000 for a smaller chest. Smaller items, such as Japanese vintage bowls, can be found for as little as NT$300.

How To make a piece work For you

At the Treasure Hunt Flea Market I noticed a pretty Japanese cha-dansu (tea chest) on sale for NT$10,000.

Not ice the e x q u i s i t e workmanship w i t h w h i c h all the details of this piece h a v e b e e n executed. I t would be quite impossible to

find a contemporary carpenter who would be willing or able to do such delicate woodwork. Examining the piece in more detail, I noticed that its back was plywood. It means that the piece has undergone repair after its arrival in Taiwan (this also explains why it was on sale). The Treasure Hunt Flea Market offers free delivery of items over NT$5,000 to your home (regardless of whether your building has an elevator or not) so all that was left for me to do after buying the chest was to apply some wood polish, and to decide which things to put inside!

I d e c i d e d to go fo r an A s i a n - s t y l e l o o k , b u t i t would just as easily combine with classical E u r o p e a n f u r n i t u r e , o r f o r m a n

interesting contrast to a modernist style. Since the height of this piece may be a bit low if you combine it with western furniture, you can always put it on a plain base, to add a bit of height.

Bin is an interior designer with almost thirty years of experience in Taiwan. In addition to running his own interior design studio (www.inkstone.ws), he recently started a small home maintenance service company (http://housewizard.wordpress.com/), in order to share his local knowledge about the ins and outs of home decoration with the expat community of Taipei. Whatever your household question may be, he’d love to hear from you.

Vintage Furniture in Taipei

TexT: Bin Huang and naTalie KöHle images: naTalie KöHle

ADDRESSESTreasure Hunt Flea Market (尋寶跳蚤屋)Style: Japanese vintage38, Roosevelt Road, Section 2 北市羅斯福路二段38號 MRT Guting Exit 7 (02) 2391-2100 Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Aphrodite (歐洲跳蚤市場)Style: French and Italian vintage, ornamental, neo-classic16, Minquan East Road, Section 6, Neihu 北市內湖區民權東路六段16號Monday - Sunday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Carcassonne (卡卡頌)Style: French vintage, ornamental, neo-classic, neo-baroque25, Lane 120, Lide Road, Beitou 北市北投區立德路120巷25號 (02) 2898-8638Tuesday - Sunday 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm

NOTE ABOUT WEBSITE ADDRESS LISTFor a comprehensive list of Taipei’s vintage and second-hand furniture stores, please see: http://housewizard.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/retro-vintage-and-second-hand-furniture-stores-in-taipei.



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haIr dresserweb ConsulTanT

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#14 Tienmu E. Road | Telephone 2871-1515 | [email protected]

Taipei fine arts museum

Until September 2ndBeyond Gazing: Communion with the Permanent Art CollectionBe sure to see the works of centenarian artist Kuo Hsue-HuGalleries: 2A & 2Bhttp://www.tfam.museum/ 181 Zhongshan N. Rd., Sec. 3, Taipei

museum of Contemporary art

Until August 26thKing Hu: the Renaissance ManVenue: MOCA Taipeiwww.mocataipei.org.tw39 Changan W. Rd.

national Palace museum

Until September 25thImages of the Mind Borne from the Brush: The Paintings of Ding YunpengGalleries: 202 & 212

Until September 9thRoyal Style: Qing Dynasty and Western Court JewelryGallery: Exhibition Area II, 1F , Library Building

http://www.npm.gov.tw 221 Zhishan Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei

sPoT Taipei – film house

Daily Noon to Midnight 6 showingsAdvant Garde cross-cutural filmsHave a cup of coffee, see a good film, absorb a little culture in the former residence of the USA ambassador http://www.spot.org.tw 18 Zhongshan North Road, Section 2

national Taiwan museum

Until October 14thCome to Our Future: Climate Change ExhibitionGalleries: 101 & 102http://formosa.ntm.gov.tw/web/en 2 Siangyang Rd.

The red room

On the 3rd Saturday of every month from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pmhttp://www.redroom.com.tw/2F, 117 Da-an Road, Section 1

gold ecological Park

Open All Year

The site of a gold rush in northern Taiwanhttp://superspace.cca.gov.tw/en/local_culture_page.asp?rid=38 Jinguang Rd., Jinguashi, Ruifang, New Taipei City

The red house

Until December 2015 The Red House: A Century of Stories and Blessingswww.redhouse.org.tw10 Chengdu Road, Wanhua District

national dr sun yat-sen memorial hall

Until September 23rdRobot Story – Maria to RoboThespianVenue: Chun Shan National Hall, Yamingshan National Parkhttp://www.yatsen.gov.tw/en/505 Ren-ai Rd., Sec 4

Taipei arts festival

Until September 9th Various locations across Taipei - see website for detailshttp://eng.taipeifestival.org.tw/

Just a few of the things that are going on around Taipei this month...

Taipei Taipei fine arts museum

Until September 2ndBeyond Gazing: Communion with the

Taipei fine arts museum


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Documents

Centered on Taipei August 2012