Mar 20cover.indd 1 A publication of the Community Services Center Centered on TAIPEI MAR Vol. 20 2020 2020/3/1 上午1:48 | 06
Mar 20 cover.indd 2 2020/3/1 上午1:48 CONTENTS March 2020 volume 20 issue 6
CSC COMMUNITY From the Editors 5 Finding Special Education Resources for Kids in Taiwan: March 2020 Center Gallery 6 My Journey 8 March Activity Highlights 7 Book Clubs 6 OUTLOOK CSC Business Classified 34 We’re All in This Together 10 Journey to Sake 11 Fostering Cross-Organizational Collaboration that Dismantles Departmental Silos 14
Publisher Community Services Center, Taipei BOOK REVIEW Editor Suzan Babcock Co-editor Richard Saunders About Women: Conversations Between a Writer and Advertising Manager Naomi Kaly a Painter by Lisa Alther and Françoise Gilot 15 Magazine Email [email protected] Tel 02-2836-8134 Fax 02-2835-2530 PROFILE MOWES 16 Community Services Center Editorial Panel Siew Kang, Fred Voigtmann How I Found My Love For Hiking 19 Printed by Farn Mei Printing Co., Ltd. HEALTH 1F, No. 102, Hou Kang Street, Shilin District, Taipei Self-Love as an Act of Happiness, Defiance and Tel: 02-2882-6748 Fax: 02-2882-6749 Preservation 21 E-mail: [email protected]
Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, FOOD 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Made with Love 25 Tel: 02-2836-8134 fax: 02-2835-2530 e-mail: [email protected] CULTURE Correspondence may be sent to the editor at coteditor@ Indigenous Language Preservation 26 communitycenter.org.tw. 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! ART Julie Hsieh 28 Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner. PHOTO GALLERY COT is printed on FSC certified 100% post-consumer recycled fiber. The paper is certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Maudie Brown, Elizabeth Lam, Virginia Lee, Roma Mehta, Council which promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and Naomi Kaly & Nayana, Cheryl Robbins 30 economically viable management of the world's forests. https://ic.fsc.org/
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 3 2020/3/2 上午9:57 TIGER TOTS PRESCHOOL A LOVING PLACE FOR LEARNING
Crown’s service offerings include: Everyone needs to know why... We’ll help your whole family prepare for the big adventure.
PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN (LOCATED INSIDE TAS) TIGGER'S(PRE-2S), 2S AND 3S PLAYGROUPS (TIAN YU CAMPUS) GRADE 1 & 2 : AFTERNOON LANGUAGE & LITERACY PROGRAMS North American Curriculum Engaging Outdoor Playgrounds Qualified Instructors Fun and Educational Daily Activities Go knowing Low Student/Teacher Ratios Fun After School Enrichment Classes Gymnastics and Music Class Mandarin Playgroups
We’d love to introduce you to our diverse and incredibly special community of learners! Please call to arrange a visitation. CR ad Euroview AprMay.indd 1 22/3/2016 3:40:25 PM
TYPA MAIN OFFICE: (02)2873-1815 www.typa.org.tw
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 4 2020/3/1 上午1:44 COVER IMAGE: My heart/mixed media on canvas/2019 FROM Please send email submissions, comments, and feedback to by Julie Hsieh [email protected]. THE For more information, please go to our website at EDITORS www.communitycenter.org.tw
COT Team This year’s March issue of Centered on Taipei (COT) marks the sixth anniversary of the Special Taiwan Women’s Issue. In Taiwan and throughout the world, women come together to commemorate March 8th, International Women’s Day, by celebrating women’s health, social, artistic, economic, political and cultural achievements. Suzan Babcock Richard Saunders Naomi Kaly KC ’ ’ “ Editor Co-editor Advertising Manager Graphic Designer The theme for this year s International Women s Day is I Am coteditor@ [email protected] naomi@communitycenter. graphicdesigntaipei. Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.” It also marks the communitycenter.org.tw org.tw weebly.com 25th anniversary of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, and its Declaration and Platform for Action. This
Feature Writers and Photographers was a historic international conference for it created a recognized, progressive set of guidelines for the empowerment of women and girls throughout the world. As early as 1994, Taiwan sponsored the Global Summit of Women organized by then Co-chairwoman Annette Lu, of the
Dr. Malabika Sarika Seki Catherine Leslie Roma Mehta Foreign Affairs Committee. This summit received several hundred Das Hussey Lai McFarlane elected officials and other political leaders from nearly eighty countries. Many of these attendees became the core of a new Writing and Photography Contributors international organization of women in political leadership. Several Sue Babcock Elizabeth Lam local expat women’s groups were called on to help with the Maudie Brown Virginia Lee organization of this global summit. We worked very hard and I truly Dory Chung Leslie McFarlane believe that we were among the first to coin and use the popular Tony Coolridge Roma Mehta Dr. Malabika Das Joseph Reilly Taiwan phrase, “24/7.” Sylvia Dean Cheryl Robbins In spite of the slow gains for women internationally, Taiwan Executive Yuan Website Richard Saunders Maja Ho Wendy Siegel has continued to move forward, especially in the area of gender Julie Hsieh Rosemary Susa equality. The voices of Taiwan women continue to be heard. This Kai Hsieh Grace Ting 2020 Special Women’s Issue reflects some of those voices in the Sarika Seki Hussey Gail West Naomi Kaly Tarana Wienrich areas of women’s language and speech, indigenous language Catherine Lai Ulli Wienrich preservation, community building, health, special education, management, new products and our Women’s Photo Gallery. We Pick COT up at: Uptown: are grateful to each and every one of you. Community Services Center, No. 25, Lane 290, Sec. 6, Zhongshan North Rd. Sprout – No. 33, Sec. 7, Zhongshan North Rd. George Pai’s Beauty – No. 14, Tienmu East Rd. Downtown: Ooh Cha Cha – 207, Sec.2, Nanchang Rd. Sue and Richard
Accountant Monica Cheng COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER Programs Manager Rosemary Susa Events Coordinator Joy Meglasson Coffee Mornings Coordinator Mirjam Meidinger The Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides Communications Morgan Loosli outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and Mandarin Chinese Teacher Gloria Gwo life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in Taipei. Systems Manager Samson Debele 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 Counseling Interns Ximena Lopez, Sofia Vintimila about our programs. You can also email us at [email protected].
Volunteers Miyuki Boice, Michelle Collins, John Imbrogulio, Director Adam McMillan Ximena Lopez, Leslie McFarlane, Mirjam Meidinger, John McQuade, Bunny Pacheco, Sofia Vintimila Office Manager Grace Ting Benefactors Bai Win Antiques Counselors I-wen Chan, Katherine Chang, Hui-shiang Chao, European Chamber of Commerce Jung Chin, Chiao-Feng Chung, Cerita Hsu, Miranda Grand Hyatt Taipei Lin, Emilie Ma, Kuang-Shan Wan Premier Sponsors Concordia Consulting Consultants Wendy Evans and Michael Mullahy ICRT San Fu Global Counseling Admin. Joanne Chua
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 5 2020/3/1 上午1:44 CSC A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery will go to the Center. Please remember that by displaying your items or shopping at the Gallery, you will be helping the Center to continue to provide valuable services to the international community. Gallery@CENTER MARCH AN EXHIBITION OF DRAWINGS VANA LIVING AND PAINTINGS BY DAVID Vana Living is a one-stop LLOYD destination for everyone who David is an artist, teacher and wants to discover Scandinavian skateboarder from Liverpool, design and lifestyle products. England currently living in Taipei. Here you will find selected His work is driven by the desire to Scandinavian lifestyle products represent the natural and man- as well as carefully curated made world around him as he tries products from around the to better understand and learn globe. from it. He takes a lot of inspiration At Vana Living we take pride from traveling and experiencing in offering affordable, high new sights, sounds, art and quality products and design. cultures. He likes to experiment An important part of our with materials and learn how to work is also reflected by our use them in different ways whilst approach to sustainability trying to improve his abilities with and transparency – we value each new piece. On display will be a Nature! By this we mean small selection of his drawings and that we place high and clear paintings, inspired by this beautiful demands on our partners to and interesting world that we minimize environmental impact should cherish before it's too late. and provide good working conditions at all levels
DECORATIVE BAMBOO DESIGNS FROM GOLD BAMBOO ART CO.
Displayed on the sideboard this month, we have beautiful designed bamboo home décor from Gold Bamboo Art Co., LTD. Mr. Hsu has been in the bamboo furniture manufacturing business for forty years and has transformed his product line from Chinese-style furniture to small items like vases, lamps and decorative ladders.
MORNING EVENING BOOK BOOK CLUB CLUB Unsheltered My Enemy’s by Barbara Cherry Tree by Kingsolver Wang Ting-Kuo
For times and locations, For times and locations please contact Julie Hu at: contact Anna Lisa Ghini at: [email protected] [email protected]
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 6 2020/3/1 上午1:44 CSC MARCH Please refer to our website for schedule updates Yangmingshuwu and Zhuzihu: businesses, run cooperatively before the skills session, or shown thirst. It is also a social and Culture, History and Calla Lilies in by both the older and younger on the day. After completing cultural activity which can be Yangmingshan generations. We are fortunate the modules and successfully traced back to ancient China, and Thursday, March 5 to have the General Manager demonstrating competency of is embedded into the culture of 8:45am - 3pm; $1800 of Soho Creative, who led the skills, you will earn Red Cross the country. For the Taiwanese, Instructor: Jennifer Tong and revitalization efforts, as our guide certification valid for two years. tea culture includes tea Rosemary Susa to this now vibrant neighborhood. The downloadable First Aid/ production, tea arts and wares, Join Jennifer and Rosemary You’ll learn some of the CPR/AED participant manual is traditional tea ceremonies and for a lovely day trip up to fascinating stories of how second included and light refreshments the social aspects of consuming Yangmingshan National Park. and third generation owners will be offered at the skills tea. For those of us living in We will begin our visit at argued over decisions to overhaul practice session. Taiwan, tea is often chosen as a Yangmingshuwu, the summer outdated displays and design great local gift to bring home to home of President and Madame new packaging for their specialty Sandiaoling Waterfall Hike family and friends, but do you Chiang Kai-shek used by them items. The tour will highlight a Tuesday, March 17 know what type of tea to buy or to receive foreign visitors and Chinese medicine shop, an herbal 8am - 2:30pm; $800 how to prepare it? If not, then dignitaries. Formerly known tea seller, a sundries retailer, Guide: Jennifer Turek join Yasuko, a Taiwan Tea Master, as the Zhongxing Guesthouse a dried mullet roe store and This hike was in such demand last in her Tianmu home to learn the and Chiang's largest villa, a housewares supplier. Wear fall that we are offering it again proper way to select, brew, serve Yangmingshuwu is set on 37 acres comfortable walking shoes. this semester! This is a lovely and drink Taiwanese tea. Here of plum trees with a beautiful 5km hike through the forest to is your chance to taste a variety mountain landscape and includes Delicious Dumplings! see three beautiful waterfalls. of Taiwan teas and discover your courtyards, covered walkways Friday, March 13 The trail itself is along dirt paths. favorites. Some light tea snacks to and a goldfish pond. After our 10am - 12noon; $1200 There are two rope bridges that enhance our tasting will also be visit to this historic landmark Instructor: Ivy Chen we will need to cross, 1-2 people served. All included. we will make our way over to At least once every year, Ivy at a time (don’t worry, it’s not too Zhuzihu, famous for its calla lily shares some of her very popular high!!). We will admire the first fields where you may view, buy, Chinese dumpling (jiǎozi) recipes waterfall (Hegu Waterfall) from and sometimes pick these elegant at the Center. This semester you a distance. The second waterfall and beautiful flowers. We will can join her for this fun, hands-on (Motian Waterfall) has a viewing have lunch at a local restaurant class where she will demonstrate platform and sometimes you will that has its own lovely flower two different types of dumplings. see people swimming in the pool garden, making for some great On the menu are pan-fried pork under the falls. For those looking photo opportunities. Entrance with cabbage dumplings (guōtiē for a bit more adventure, we can fee to Yangmingshuwu, lunch and or ‘pot stickers’) and steamed climb up (about 5 minutes) to transportation are included. dumplings with shrimp and the top of the second waterfall jicama (zhēng jiǎo). Both will be and stand almost behind the THE CENTER served with her favorite dipping waterfall. The climb to the third NEEDS YOU! The Revitalization of Taipei's sauces. With Ivy as your cooking waterfall has some steep steps Historic Wholesale District: A guide you will be well on your with some ropes for climbing. It's Di Hua Street and Dadaocheng way to making these tasty local very safe but one should have a Do you have a skill Walking Tour treats for your family at home. good head for heights. The third or talent that you Wednesday, March 11 Hăo chī! waterfall (Pipa Cave Waterfall) would like to share? 9:30am - 12:30pm; $700 is where we will stop for a short Or have you found Instructor: Ting Ting Chang and American Red Cross “Adult and snack break before heading back Helen Chen Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED” along the same trail we came on. some great places Over the past ten years, the Certification Course For a regular and fit hiker, this is a around Taipei that Dadaocheng area of Taipei, and Saturday, March 14 moderately strenuous hike; for a you would like to take most notably Di Hua Street, 8:00am - 10:00am; $2800 beginner it could be challenging. others to see? Then have undergone a gentrification Instructor: Stephen Kuhlke Wear sturdy shoes with a good why not consider process that has focused on In this course, you will receive grip; bring your EasyCard for the retaining the area's historical direct-link access to the American train; water and lunch to eat on teaching a course or charm while helping small, Red Cross online learning the train ride back; plus, rain/sun leading a tour for the local shops stay in business. In classroom and must complete protection as needed. Center in Fall 2020? an effort to invigorate this old each interactive module before If you are interested, neighborhood that used to only attending the in-person skills The Culture of Tea: How or would like more attract visitors just before Chinese session on Saturday, March 14th. to Select, Brew, and Drink New Year, a number of traditional The modules take a couple hours Taiwanese Tea information, please stores have undergone stockroom to complete and can be done at Wednesday, March 18 contact Rosemary at renovations and the rebranding your own pace with the ability 10am - 12:30pm; $1000 ce@communitycenter. of their products. This wasn't to start, save, and return to your Instructor: Yasuko Hondo org.tw. necessarily an easy process work. Proof of completion must Drinking tea in Taiwan goes as many of them are family be emailed to the instructor beyond just quenching one’s
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Finding Special Education Resources for Kids in Taiwan: My Journey
TEXT & IMAGES: CATHERINE LAI
Catherine, a new family just enrolled in our school and their son has autism. The mom seems very stressed, would you The 2019 Conference mind reaching out to her?” “ “Catherine, I know your son has autism. I am not sure if mine has autism, but I felt that he might have it. I am so frightened. May I talk to you?” “Catherine, a friend is thinking of moving his family to Taipei. One of their children is on the spectrum. They needed to know resources - schools, therapists etc. Do you mind if I get them to write to you directly?” These are questions I have received from people I have met over the last eleven years in Taipei. My family moved to Taipei fourteen years ago. My son was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) just before he turned three years old. Our focus in life changed drastically after this. My husband and I went through the normal anxiety phrase - shocked, saddened, heartbroken, worried etc. I attended a weekly Bible study group, Parents in the group at the conference. so being the one with a stronger faith, I asked God to give us the Some of us managed to find each other and sat together heart to accept this special gift that HE has given to us and grant us the courage and wisdom that we will need to raise this special person. We went through so many difficulties because we were unable to find English-speaking resources for our son who was back then studying at Tiger Tots. Most of the government resources we found were in Mandarin and usually cater to Taiwanese, not foreigners like us. By the grace of God, we found a private center that could send out an English-speaking ABA Therapist to our place at our request. She worked with my son for about eight years. We also enrolled him in other therapy classes. Through these classes and family support, my son, who is thirteen now, could express himself very well and study in the mainstream program of Taipei European School. We went through so much to find help for our son and we had no one else we could talk to back then. There were no support groups for parents either. People just don’t talk about their child with special needs. I asked myself, “Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a support group for parents to share experiences, resources, anxieties, and questions?” I did not act upon it because on top of serving in the Bible Study school, I was running PTA in school and my time had kept me very busy. Also, I wanted God to reveal to me what HIS plan is in this and for me. So I waited. Finally I had peace and knew that it was time for me to start a group. In June 2018 I started the group on Facebook, “Special Photo with the speakers before they left for the day Education Resources for Kids.” I was inexperienced and did not
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narrow the group to just Taiwan. Soon I received so many Now that some of us have become friends, we are requests from people all over the world to join the group connecting with each other through a Messenger chat group hoping to find resources for someone in their life on the I created. When there is a seminar in town with related spectrum. I felt like I had failed them because all I could share topics, we will inform each other and post it to the group. In and offer was mostly only relevant to families who were living November some of us attended the “20th Anniversary Asia in Taiwan. Also being so distant, people in the group were not Pacific Autism Conference” organized by Autism Partnership, sharing about their experiences, but rather came in hoping held at a Taiwan University. Four speakers flew in to Taipei to find resources and tips on what to do. I was sad. Then I for it. It was such a rare and wonderful opportunity for us. waited. Without this group, some of us would not have known of this In August 2019, I started another group “Taiwan Special conference and missed this golden opportunity to hear from Needs Support & Resources.” The description of the group the experts. says, “Whether you are a parent of a child with special needs, Our third coffee morning, “Nothing can stop your child a teacher of a student with special needs, or a therapist from pursuing their dream” was scheduled on 21 January. interested in this field, we welcome you to this group. Please We invited Jason Routh, a 34 year-old man who was feel free to share with us your experiences, challenges and diagnosed in the Autism spectrum at an early age. He shared resources so everyone in this group could benefit from each with us how he did not let anything stop him from pursuing other. I hope that we could all learn together and give each his dream, or living a normal life. We were all so excited to other support and encouragement as we go through this meet him and also to meet more new parents. The meeting journey on how to raise a special needs child.” went very well and we were all charmed by Jason’s lively Then I stopped and hoped that just by me sharing any and positive attitudes. He is indeed an inspiration and gave related postings to the group, the group would grow and us confidence that our child will grow up to be a great and things would happen, but it didn't grow. People needed wonderful individual. to know those in the group are real people that are going I don't know where this group will lead, but it is my wish through the same challenges like us. They needed to meet up. that it would bring this community closer so people are more Coffee mornings, lunches, Meetups, workshops. These open-minded to talk and share about children with special ideas came into my head. I used to organize events like this needs. I also hope that foreigners who are non-Mandarin for the PTA so they are not new to me. I decided to try speaking will find their support through this group - new and organize our first gathering, a “Get to know you coffee friends, new families. I am thankful that because of my morning”, in October 2019. It was a two-hour session. experience, I am hence able to help others who are on the Five moms signed up. I was thrilled. We were able to have same path. everyone introduce themselves, talk about their child and the types of support their child is receiving. The morning went very well and we all agreed that we should have Catherine Lai moved to Taipei with her another session. So I asked one of the moms who was also husband and four children back in 2006. newly trained in ABA therapy if she would like to give a talk Together with her husband Lai Yit Loong, she at our next gathering. She said YES spontaneously. Hence wrote a book and published the book I am our second coffee morning in November, “How to become Special. It was a family project and the book a therapist for your child” took off. Seven parents came. was specially written as a birthday gift to We are also excited that we have amongst us in this group their son Benjamin, who has ASD. Catherine helped in PTA professionals like a Developmental Specialist, ABA Therapist, for both TAS and TES as well as serving as a group leader Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Editor, teachers in BSF. Catherine’s passions include dancing, singing and and coaches. traveling.
Photo taken at the “Nothing can stop your child from pursuing their dream” coffee morning (21 January 2020)
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We’re All in
This Together from your home country at first, or you may want to make local friends. You may prefer to observe, rather than participate, or you may choose to say yes to every invitation that comes TEXT: LESLIE MCFARLANE IMAGES: WEB your way. You may whole-heartedly embrace your new home, or you may wonder what ever made you think this move was a good idea. And all of this may happen in the same week. Remember that together we make up a dynamic mosaic that is constantly in flux as people enter and exit. Without all of us, there is no whole, no clear picture, and each life has its place in the masterwork. We are all at different stages of our expat experience. Our needs change over time, but the longer you’ve been here, the more you understand that we all need each other. Maybe not every person, every day. Maybe not a few people very many times at all. You don’t have to like everyone, but we all need to help each other where we can. No matter how long you have been here, it helps to remember that there is always a place at the table for each of us. Maybe not literally… some tables only seat eight. Figuratively, though, you’ll almost always find that even if you were not invited, you will be welcome. And yes, there are jerks everywhere, but chances are, just when you are feeling alone, or defeated, if you look around, there will be someone there to roll their eyes and laugh with you. say that not as some kind of “grin and our home countries. Although many Because we are all in this together. And bear it” advice, but because I hope of us grew up where place defined it’s a good place to be. you will remember it on the days the community, we strove to create Iwhen, as a friend so aptly put it, you identities as individuals there. As we “just can’t expat.” And yes, we all have grew, we created our own communities those days. with people who shared the same On arrival, technology can help you values, interests, politics or any navigate, locate and translate. The number of things. We arrive in Taipei company can help you find where to as individuals, but we have lost our live and pay your bills. There are many people. resources to help with logistics, but not But you haven’t, really. We are here, Leslie McFarlane has so many to help you find your people. we want to know you, and we’re all in lived in five countries Our expat community is based on a this together. Everyone will approach and says yes to a lot physical location, and this may be a big their new life in Taipei differently, of invitations. Happy adjustment for the majority of us who and that’s okay. You may feel more to be in Taiwan and have chosen our own communities in comfortable spending time with others happy to help.
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a handful of Japanese women around you, and they would quickly confirm this. While Japan is supposedly such an “advanced” nation, when we look specifically at gender, Japan ranks 121 (out of 153!), just one place behind the United Arab Emirates, but slightly ahead of Pakistan in the most recent World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index 2020. It is worth nothing that my maternal great grandmother was a gender pioneer. She was one of the first women to go to university in Japan when Tohoku University became the first university to open its doors to female students back in 1913. After graduation, she went on to study in Freiburg, Germany. Again, she was one of the earliest Japanese women to embark on a ship to study abroad in Europe at that time. She later became a scholar and her books can still be found on Amazon.co.jp even today! My paternal grandmother, on the other hand, through an arranged marriage, wed my grandfather at the tender age of fifteen with no formal schooling Journey beyond that point, and had children, including my father, immediately. So, I would say I had an interesting and somewhat conflicting mixture of to Sake perspectives from both sides of my parents. That must have impacted me unconsciously to have “gender” as a thread across my life interest. TEXT & IMAGES: SARIKA SEKI HUSSEY My parents met in Tokyo in the 60s in university. A city girl from Tokyo and a country boy from Nagano. don’t really remember how old I remember hearing this and thinking My father, coming from an almost was, but I was probably about five or in my childhood brain that it did not militaristically strict household in the so. I was my paternal grandfather’s make any sense that certain things (like countryside, eventually managed to Ifavorite, because I was the first colors!) were reserved only for specific get a scholarship to study Engineering grandchild, and he thought I looked like people. Why is that? It did not sound in Stanford. Having experienced his sister, who passed away when she fair to exclude half of the population? California in the early 70s with the was only a toddler. I would say this and he would laugh hippie movement at its peak, luckily, his In Japan those days, it was not warmly. While I know he did not have approach was more relaxed than that of that uncommon for children to die of any malicious intent, this was probably my strict grandfather. sickness, especially in the countryside. one of my earliest encounters with Unlike my paternal grandmother, As I study our family tree, I see quite a gender stereotyping, which later, I who believed it was not necessary for few names crossed out for this reason. would find out that is quite prevalent in girls to go to university unless it is to And, I did notice that the family tree society. find a good husband (!), my parents was clearly paternal. Fast-forward nearly half a century, encouraged me to study - (which I Then, my grandfather would and you would imagine that in the never really did until much later!). say something like “Sari-chan (my year 2020, such perspectives would be Eventually, I was motivated to advocate nickname), why are you wearing a blue obsolete. But the reality is that gender how women, especially in vulnerable shirt? Blue is not for girls. It’s a strong stereotyping still prevails in Japan, even situations, have major barriers (visible color (suitable for boys).” While I loved though major strides have been made and invisible) in accessing basic rights my grandfather dearly, somehow, I still in certain spheres. You only need to ask like housing. Hence, there was a need
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to change existing policies to adjust to world of Sake (and yoga). this truth. That was my graduate thesis Actually, to be honest, I never really at the London School of Economics. liked Sake all my life - even though (“The Urgent Need to Facilitate Urban I loved all other types of alcohol! Housing Access for Women-Headed That was until I tasted a local brew in Households in Urban, Low-income Fukushima, the very year I resigned. Settlements. Case Study: Philippines & It was so completely different from Ecuador). anything I've tasted before. It was In order to put my thesis into action rather shocking to learn that Sake was to affect real change, I joined the this good! I had been missing out all United Nations through its Competitive these decades, declining Sake, simply Recruitment Exam, and worked in based on my prejudices from a few this area of Gender and Urban Policy earlier bad-tasting Sake (actually that Sarika is a United Nations official in Kenya, Thailand, and Vietnam for my grandfather was drinking. Sake is turned Sake Advocate and Yogi. nearly a decade. Like my paternal so much more refined now than those Before she discovered yoga and Sake, grandmother had wished, I did “find” a days). The more I learned and tasted, Sarika worked at the United Nations great husband in university! But he is an the more I did not understand (!), but on Gender Equality and Urban Policy Irishman, not a “proper” Japanese man I became so much more fascinated by in Africa and Asia for a decade. She as they were expecting! My paternal Sake. holds a Master of Science from the grandmother could not believe that I learned that the domestic London School of Economics. my husband would follow me for my consumption of Sake is steeply She is starting up a new project, posting to Kenya, rather than the other declining and breweries are having Sarika Sake, to spread Sake way around. Although by that point, to close every year, especially in my appreciation, and to support women nothing much would surprise her grandfather’s prefecture. In fact, Sake, master brewers (Toji), advocating for anymore, since I suppose I was not such our 2000-year-old “national alcohol,” more gender parity in the 2000-year a “conventional” person. only occupies 7% of the whole alcohol old Sake world. She holds the Until I resigned from the UN, my last market share in Japan! Quite a shock. It (‘Sake Academician’) title and post was at the Gender Equality and did not seem like this reality was doing serves as Judge to the 2020 Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Section of the justice to Sake. Sake, at least to me, is Whisky & Spirits Competition and Regional Commission for Asia-Pacific, a beautiful work of art. It is absolutely 2020 Paris Féminalise World Wine working with Ministries and NGOs for delicious, steeped in history, with so Competition (Sake Division). www. better gender policy. But things happen much character. What more can one SarikaGroup.org in life! Like family and children! And I ask for? had to re-think life, and what makes the Since then, I quietly started my own most sense overall. Sake studies, formally and informally. At some point, I felt that I was Informally visiting breweries and Sake & Yoga Credentials: striving for everyone else’s rights, meeting brewers. Formally obtaining Official Judge, 2020 Whisky & Spirits but neglecting my own well-being, various Sake sommelier certifications, Competition, Tokyo spending limited quality time with and last year, I received the Official Judge, 2020 Féminalise World my small children and spouse. While I (Sake Master Teacher) title, Wine Competition, Paris thoroughly enjoyed the time working after passing five exams. Happily, I am (No.000456) Official with fabulous (and not-so-fabulous) now authorized by the Sake authority Lecturer | Certified Master Sake colleagues around the world, I also had in Japan, the Sake Service Institute, to Sommelier, Sake Service Institute, certify people as “Sake navigators.” Japan this unsettling feeling that I needed to “ ” Through these explorations, I became (No.116451) Certified try out life beyond the sheltered world International Sake Sommelier of the UN. When I decided to resign, fascinated by women master brewers (English) many people asked me if I was sure. ( /Tojis) who work in this largely (No.031523) Certified I had fortunately already obtained a male-dominated industry. Currently, Sake Sommelier (Japanese) Permanent Appointment shortly after less than 30 out of 1200 Sake breweries Certified Sake joining, which is quite rare. I did not are headed by women tojis. They often Quality Evaluation Expert even have anything lined up, but only work in small family breweries, not in (No.030172) Certified family and kids duties, which turned out big-name corporate breweries with all Shochu Sommelier to be huge! Somehow, I was confident the marketing budget to spare. That Certified Shochu trusting my instinct, rather than logic. is one reason we don’t hear about Quality Evaluation Expert So, I resigned and became a housewife/ their accomplishments often enough. Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT-200) trailing spouse in Japan! This was Curiously, in Japan, Sake falls under the with Yoga Alliance quite an interesting experiment. Sake Ministry of Finance for tax-collection Certified Face Yoga Method would have been the last thing I would reasons, and not the Ministry of Instructor, Face Yoga Method have ever thought of, but completely Agriculture, as one would expect. When unexpectedly, I found the fascinating going through public documents related
12 MARCH 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
March 2020_p3-end.indd 12 2020/3/1 上午1:44 OUTLOOK
to Sake under the Ministry, it is rather their brewery in Yamaguchi was a major difficult to find female names on the accomplishment in recent years. Forget decision-making committees. Sake marketing budgets! Other basic In the past, Sake brewing was off- priorities exist in these small breweries. limits to women for practical and But she continues to produce truly “religious” reasons. Myth had it that remarkable Sake. These are the hidden women’s menstrual cycle interferes Sake heroines, and I would love to with Sake’s fermentation process, and support and share their work with the that a “bleeding/unhygenic persons” world. entering a “sacred” area would spoil So, it simply came naturally that my the Sake. It was also to “protect” next mission, life after the UN, would women from the heavy labor involved be to share my Sake love, the beauty in Sake making. It is ironic because the of Sake to friends, and to the world origins of Sake can be traced back to through my humble workshops and temple goddesses brewing the sacred Sake consultancy, while also supporting liquid as an offering to the Gods. There these “hidden” women Sake heroines is even a special term for spheres where whose work should be sufficiently women are not allowed: . This breweries in Nagano is also the second highlighted for their contribution to the ban is obviously lifted for Sake, but it largest in the whole country. Somehow, Industry. Good Sake should not only does explain the disproportionately low curiously, this Sake project seemed be delicious, but should come from numbers of women Tojis today. to be pulling me back to my late an ethical, equitable, and ecological Surprisingly, Nagano Prefecture, grandfather unexpectedly. standpoint. That is how I unexpectedly the countryside where my paternal One of the many great women Toji got to my Sake Journey. I feel like I am grandfather is from, happens to have I met, Fumiko, brews in one of the only starting now, but the road ahead the highest number of women Tojis smallest (two-person) breweries in feels like it is already getting wider and in all of Japan. The number of Sake Japan, where she said fixing the roof of more delicious. Kanpai!
TAIPEI AMERICAN SCHOOL
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This message was shared in the Institute of Cultural Affairs Taiwan (ICA) Trends Newsletter in January 2020. It seems to be even more relevant today as we face conflict, chaos and confusion across the globe and within our communities and selves. — Gail West, Director Fostering Cross-Organizational Collaboration that Dismantles Departmental Silos
TEXT: WENDY SIEGEL IMAGES: WEB What does it mean to hold space for another person? It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they're on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open out hearts, ofer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control. —Heather Plett
lmost every organization for which I have consulted bring unusual bedfellows together. Creating a standard set in the past twenty years has struggled with of screening questions that force people to think about who how to foster consistent, efficient, and effective else across their organization would enhance the planning or A collaboration across multiple units or departments. development of any given project can be useful. Developing In nonprofits, the conundrum is particularly difficult because and implementing a standard process for resolving conflict is there are fewer resources for the ongoing professional another collaboration tool. development that builds leadership and team building skills, Skill development that enables team building. There is and in some cases for the technology that ensures active and plenty of literature about team building, both the theory regular communication. and the skills that are essential to success. Teams must be There are a few practices though that are commonly configured to include the right people – a mix of those with understood to be important in the quest for collaboration the right emotional intelligence and the skills needed for among individual employees and across teams in the team's particular charge. People need training in the organizations: skills related to collaborative behavior including: teamwork, Executive Leadership that models collaboration, invests in emotional intelligence, networking, holding difficult social relationships, and fosters an accepting and forgiving conversations, coaching, corporate social responsibility, culture. The leader must also articulate a clear vision and communicating the organization's strategies and shared guide employees in understanding their roles and deliverables values. in executing strategy. Management practices that are fair, not punitive, and that Building consensus around a common set of values. provide incentives for collaboration. Diverse hiring, equity Engaging employees in the development of a set of values in pay, benefits, and promotion practices are organizational that underpin and drive their work, and create a strong mainstays that form the foundation of trust. Transparent organizational culture is critical in order to ensure buy-in. and regular performance management and review, as well Organizational culture includes traditions, rituals, storytelling as standard and well-communicated operating policies and and fun. There is a saying that, "Culture eats strategy for procedures are important. Some organizations make building lunch.” In short, failing to create a cohesive culture has collaborations and relationships internally a measure in their serious consequences. annual performance reviews and scoring well can be tied to Establishing structural mechanisms that create the salary increases. scaffolding for successful cross-team work. These mechanisms Finally, both executives and employees can work together can be as simple as shared calendars, ground rules and to create the values that guide them and the structures and regular meetings or somewhat more complex such as creating mechanisms that form the scaffolding that will support their opportunities for short-term, cross-functional task forces that collaboration. The more the merrier.
14 MARCH 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
March 2020_p3-end.indd 14 2020/3/1 上午1:44 BOOK REVIEW
About Women: Conversations Between a Writer and a Painter by Lisa Alther and Françoise Gilot
TEXT: SUE BABCOCK IMAGES: WEB
hroughout history, women have created and used special personal patterns of language to express themselves. In China’s Jiangyong County in southern Hunan Province, women were taught nushu, T (possibly early as the Song and Yuan dynasty, 13th to 14th century) an ancient secret written and spoken language. Nushu allowed women to freely share with each other their innermost intimate thoughts, experiences, feelings and affectionate gratitude regarding their strong bonds of female friendship. About Women: Conversations Between a Writer and a Painter is a provocative and wide-ranging modern-day conversation between two distinctive women, Françoise Gilot, a French woman, and Lisa Alther, an American, on the dilemmas, demands and benefits of womanhood. Françoise Gilot was born in Paris in 1921. She was a beautiful, feisty, independent and talented artist whose presence in the 20th century School of Paris art scene eventually caught the attention of Pablo Picasso. Their decade- long relationship ended abruptly, when Françoise left. Knowing that she would have a lot of enemies, she left Europe for New York to begin life anew. Lisa Alther was born in 1944 and spent her growing-up years in a small backwater town in Tennessee. Her first novel, Kinflicks, is a feminist coming- of-age narrative about Ginny, a young woman living in the 60s, struggling to come to terms with her own identity and her mother’s approaching death. The mother-daughter conversations raise uncomfortable issues that were culturally considered as “not-to-be-talked about” topics for discussion. This was a groundbreaking novel for Alther, one that clearly defined her as “a non- traditional southern writer.” Lisa Alther and Françoise Gilot met in Paris in 1986 at a bookstore/art gallery where Alther was launching a new novel and Gilot was opening a new art exhibition. The women began talking and it was the beginning of a long friendship, which has lasted over 25 years. Despite the difference in their ages, generations and cultural backgrounds there is a spark of mutual recognition and appreciation that binds their friendship. They have managed to support themselves with careers in the arts, while juggling jobs and obligations of motherhood. About Women creates a space for Alther and Gilot to share their personal narratives, memories, family stories, childhood perceptions, thoughts on unpaid labor as community volunteers, the lasting impact of war, questions Suzan Babcock is a about feminism, privilege, nationalism, humanity and human values with each long-time resident of other. They share with an openness that makes them vulnerable…because we, Taiwan. During her as readers are allowed to be present. stay here, she has About Women’s retelling of remembrances, speculation, emotion and managed four successful careers in opinion using personal patterns of language is why it stands out. It is a education, cross-cultural relations and representation of the way that women speak to one another, what they counseling, although being a mother actually say to each other. It is about speech and the language of women. has been her favorite.
www.communitycenter.org.tw FEBRUARY 2020 15
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MOWES
TEXT: MAJA HO AND KAI HSIEH IMAGES: MAJA HO, KAI HSIEH AND WEB
Maja Ho (Founder) Maja is a Danish-born Taiwanese. Her background is in the arts, and she lived in New York for six years MOWES is a donation-based community space for everyone. where she worked as a dancer, We are proud to have an ever-growing and diverse community actress, and model. She put all that attends our classes taught by international and multilingual that on a shelf when she moved instructors. We connect Taiwan with the world. to Taipei in 2017 and opened ● We offer workout classes where we ask you to leave your body MOWES. MOWES is an ode to all the shaming at the door. women she has come across in life. ● We offer language classes that are affordable, flexible, and May everyone be allowed to feel customized to your level and needs. beautiful, and to have dreams and ● We offer workshops in sustainable living so that everyone can aspirations. have the knowledge and resources to be more environmentally conscious. ● We offer art classes that inspire creativity and self-love. ● We offer parents and kids classes because it takes a village to raise a child. ● We offer educational workshops that talk about the importance of gender equality for high school and university-level students. Through learning new skills and empowering yourself, you Kai Hsieh (Co-Founder) empower others. With all the resources we have, we give back to Kai is an American-born Taiwanese. Taiwan's community. We help women's shelters and NGOs that work Her background is in Sociology and to end gender-based violence. Activism, especially working with We are located in the Shida night market near Guting and marginalized populations. She has a Taipower Building MRT Stations. Our address is No. 28, Lane 50, passion for traveling, environmental Taishun Street, Da'an District, Taipei City. issues, and community building. She joined MOWES in January 2018 as co-founder, and dreams of making it a figurehead for Asia's movement toward equality.
16 MARCH 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
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Dear Kai,
My love and appreciation for you is something I have been trying to comprehend in the past two years of knowing you. It is confusing to me because it involves all the events that happened in my life that made me who I am today, the person who was ready to meet you when I did. The past is like a string of Christmas lights, and the LED led me to you. Like you, my parents divorced when I was a child and I grew up with my mom. I heard her story about how she came to Denmark, her struggles and wins in a society that was not made for a deaf immigrant. Like you, I lived in a household where Taiwan’s traditions and food were strongly represented and every day, I would trek to school to find another world where I had to find my way of fitting in. Like you, I was a minority in my neighborhood and at a young age, I had to decide whether I was going to let it become a disadvantage or power. Like you, I chose power. Like you, I got involved in the world around me and became a student council president. I did well in school, I made my family proud, there was hope for the first doctor in the family. But like you, all I wanted was freedom. To get away, to get lost and find myself. For me, that meant moving to New York and chasing the dream of dance and all that shimmers and shines. But in New York, being a young Asian woman, I discovered the sexual desires men had for me. I learned about sexism, racism, ageism, feminism. I learned how to manipulate people in order to get what I wanted, I learned that everyone has a power within them waiting to be unleashed and that mine boiled down to three words: charismatic, cute, memorable. For six years, I lived in New York and danced my way through parties, famous people, and fifteen minutes of fame, but something felt wrong. I felt selfish chasing a dream that meant hurting people on my way there, that celebrated female artists for putting their bodies out there for everyone to take pleasure in, that did little to talk about the pain and destruction that was going on outside New York. Years passed and with no formal education to back me, I felt stuck. Like you, when the opportunity to move to Taiwan presented itself, I took it. We both left the dreams our parents had worked so hard to get only to return to the place where it had all started for them, home where our roots belong. We met at MOWES in December 2017, a couple months after I had opened it. I remember you sitting next to me and I remember the feeling in my stomach that I got, when you shared your story that resonated deeply and personally within me. I remember knowing in that instant, that I had to have you in my life. I have always been a spontaneous, gut-feeling, do-before-you-think kind of gal and we had our good share of head bumps in the beginning of our relationship. Because of our belief in MOWES, we had to find ways of communicating and understanding each other better and clearer. We have spent hours resolving misunderstandings. Do you remember that the ingrained cold-hearted Dane in me would used to say “you’re so annoying” instead of saying “I love you”? Today, we have built a brand that stands for empowerment, togetherness, and advocacy. As an ode to our moms who gave us everything, we have found a way to honour them. But we end up giving a lot and it can sometimes be hard to see the fruit of all the hard work we put in, so when I was asked to write an article for the women's issue of [Centered on Taipei], I knew I wanted to somehow dedicate it to you. Because without you, I would not be the woman I am today. I see your past and all the hardship you have gone through and I can only admire the strength and independence you possess today. From you, I have learned that through kindness and truly listening and being there for people is the road to a better self and a better world. By observing how you, without any preconceived judgement take in and care for people, I have learned that good surprises await around every corner. You have taught me patience, you have taught me to not rely on talent but that hard work takes you further. You have taught me that home is wherever you feel a sense of belonging, that unity is stronger than individuality. But most of all, you have taught me love. Unconditional, forgiving, accepting love. I do not want to know what a world without you would be like. You are my home. You are who I am supposed to find purpose in life with, you are my Moving Women Establishment.
Yours always, Because you are an annoyingly loving person,
Maja Ho
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Dear Maja,
Our story is a difficult one to tell. There is no clear beginning, middle, or end. It is a story that is influenced by events that happened before we even met. It is one that changes every day. Like all things in life, this letter is a work in progress. I just hope that in reading this, it’s clear that we’re MFO (made for each other). When I met you I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I had just gone through a traumatizing experience and felt alone surrounded by a sea of people. I was angry, hurt, and isolated in my feelings. I thought no one would understand. You had just opened MOWES a couple months before and were holding a support circle. I didn’t know anyone or what to expect, but I went anyway. Together, as strangers, we sat with 5 or 6 other women sharing our stories of pain and survival. I shared my story, someone else shared theirs, and then you shared yours. When you spoke, you looked in my eyes and told me “I feel the same way.” We sat there, continuing to listen to everyone else’s stories. Finally, when the circle ended, I approached you and thanked you. I thanked you for hearing me, for confirming the loss and pain I felt, and for making me feel less alone. Weeks later, you messaged me and said you wanted to meet. I was elated. I thought, “I’m finally making a girlfriend in Taiwan.” We met at Love Cafe and talked about what it’s like to be a woman in the world. We shared our ideas and passion for change. I hardly remember talking about myself or hearing much about you, but we connected and filled in the gaps of each other’s dreams, even without yet sharing our souls. Months passed and I went to America to visit my family. When I returned to Taipei, we met again. This time, I was going to find out why my gut told me, this is someone you’re meant to know. Over beers, I learned that, like me, you grew up as a minority with a single mother in a half Taiwanese and half western world. Like me, you grew up with conflict and poverty, choosing to face challenges head on instead of choosing the “safe” option. Like me, you felt stuck in a patriarchal society that judged you by the length of your skirt instead of the depth of your heart. Like me, you craved equality and freedom when your family only wanted you to follow tradition. Like me, you left your home and found freedom through a seemingly endless barrage of challenges, disappointments, and opportunities. I in Washington, DC and you in New York. We found our way to each other by knowing our weaknesses and sharpening our strengths. When you told me why you opened MOWES, I was compelled. I knew my calling. My patient, spreadsheet-loving, critical mind was what would balance your creative, cut-throat, and resilient personality. Of course, no relationship is without conflict, especially when it comes to female friendships. At a young age, we are taught as girls to compare and compete with one another. It’s sad, unnecessary, and inescapable. Yet, our friendship proves that it’s possible to transcend. Together, we’ve learned to become comfortable being uncomfortable. Together, we’ve talked through those tense and awkward moments. Together, we’ve learned to love and care for one another as friends and business partners. We share our feelings and tell each other when we’re disappointed, angry, or hurt. We’ve asked each other “What do you mean by that?” instead of letting our imagination run wild with silly assumptions. You’ve taught me to embrace myself, inside and out. You’ve taught me that sexiness is not in how you look, but how you feel. You’ve taught me how to be comfortable and confident in myself always. It is this dedication to one another and our mutual passion for equality and freedom that makes MOWES the empowerment center it is today. We are connected through our pain, yet we are bonded because of the power we created from it. People say that strong women aren’t born, they’re made, and we are living proof. Thank you for always being you.
In strength and love, Kai
18 MARCH 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
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How I Found My Love For Hiking
TEXT & IMAGES: DORY CHUNG
hobby. In the past, even if a woman had events. I joined all the hiking groups a full-time job, she still had to do most I found. After hiking with different of the house chores and take care of groups, I found I liked Taipei Hikers the children. I felt a bit burned out from the most, as they have the most time to time, so I worked on and off. adventurous hikes. Day by day, I built When I turned 48, my kids had up my hiking skill and strength. Being already grown up and were on their in the natural environment, seeing own, so I started a new freelancing job beautiful scenery, and making new – tutoring Chinese. Since I had more friends got me addicted to hiking. free time than before, I began to find After a couple of years, with my something else to do. I found hiking friend’s encouragement, I started to interesting, so I started to hike. It hike the top 100 peaks in Taiwan [a used to be a traditional Taiwanese started a new chapter in my life. From collection of one hundred mountain woman, but all this changed. How then on, the world seemed to open a summits over 3,000 meters in height]. Iand why? Let me tell you my story. new door to me and I started to really My heavy backpack and the steep There are several different chapters enjoy life. I hope this chapter will last trails scared me a bit before I went in my life: for a long time. for the first time, but after I finished, I �he first 24 years, I felt that I lived for At first, I didn’t have a good sense of felt a great sense of achievement. The my parents. I tried to be a good girl and direction and I didn’t have any hiking scenery in the high mountains was very live up to their expectations. Studying partners, so I would ride my scooter to different from the lowland hikes. From was almost the only thing in my life the closest mountain for a short hike. then on, I did more and more. during my six years at middle and high The trail was very easy, but good for I normally did my research well school. The only people I knew were working out. After a while, I got a bit before we went. But there was one from school. bored of hiking the same trail all the time that I underestimated the The second 24 years, I dedicated time. I started to look for hiking clubs condition of the trail and we didn’t myself to my new family. I got married online. I knew that Taiwanese hiking get to the camping place before dark. to a nice guy and had two wonderful clubs normally hike with big groups I was tired and it was difficult to see children. When I was looking for a job, I of more than twenty people, which I in the dark, even though we all had always told them that I could not work thought would be too crowded, so I headlamps. The trail was very narrow. overtime because I had to take care of started looking on English websites for I took one wrong step, lost my balance my kids. Life was all about work and smaller groups, and I found Meetup. due to my heavy backpack, and fell off family. I didn’t have a social life or a com, a platform for people to host a ten-meter cliff. While I was rolling
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The popular ones are always very busy on weekends and holidays, and I started to find less popular trails. I use the APP “Maps.me” to help me to see what the possibilities are. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always have the correct information, and sometimes, the trails shown on the map are already gone because there were too few hikers and they became too overgrown. New landslides also occur, and trails become impassible. On the other hand, sometimes I see a new trail that has been created, but which no one has uploaded to the map. I just try it, and if down, I thought that I was going to die! We didn’t see any other people during it gets too difficult, I give up and return. Luckily, I stopped just beside a stream. the three days. I enjoy the adventure. Luckily, I have My friends, who were all freaking out, Every day we had to deal with some friends who have the same spirt ’ came down to help me. It was a miracle leeches, which were everywhere. as me, and don t complain if we get lost that I only had a few scratches on my One even got onto one of our guide’s or need to change our plan. face. That accident didn’t stop me from eyeballs! It’s good to get out of one’s I quite enjoy my current lifestyle. hiking high mountains, but it did teach comfort zone once in a while, and it My outdoors friends also introduced me a good lesson: that I should never was the most unforgettable and unique me to rock climbing, bouldering, river hike in the dark when I am tired, and trip that I’ve ever experienced. I could tracing (scrambling upstream in a river), give up rather than push too hard. So never go back to join a traditional rappelling down waterfalls, biking and far, I have done 44 peaks out of the tourist group. Since that trip, I traveled other outdoor activities. I like them hundred. I don’t think I can finish all of at least once a year. Each trip has its all, but hiking is still the one I love the them, but they are all good challenges. own attractions, and I feel that my life most. On some weekdays when I have ’ In 2016, I decided to go on an has never been so nice. time but can t find hiking partners, ’ overseas backpacking trip for the first In the meantime, I’d already attended I also hike alone. It s like walking time, when with friends I went to the more than a hundred hikes with Taipei meditation for me. I enjoy hanging out Philippines. My friends made the plans Hikers. The founder, Richard Saunders, with friends, but it feels good to be and taught me how to pack. We hiked thought that I was ready to lead hikes. I alone too. to a place that even most Filipinos had learned how to read maps and I was I am very active, and many people ’ have never heard of, a little place good at looking up the information for couldn t believe that I only started to blocked by mountains. There were transportation online. I remember when hike after I was almost fifty years old. very few visitors, and most went by I just joined Meetup, I always wondered My adventurous spirit also helped boat or plane, but we hiked three days why those leaders would volunteer me to try skydiving, bungee-jumping, through the mountains to get there. We to lead. Later I realized the benefit of and hang-gliding. It amazes me that hired aboriginal guides who were very organizing an event. You can decide most Taiwanese hikers are older than capable. They would stop at a place where to go and when to meet using fifty. Young people are normally too and cut some tree branches to make your own preferences, and it’s a good exhausted from work, and only want to a shelter and made fire from wood to way to find more hiking friends. be couch potatoes on the weekends. I cook. All they ate was rice and coffee. There are so many trails near Taipei. hope they can go outdoors more and learn to enjoy nature and adventures. Yes, I used to be a traditional Taiwanese woman, but not anymore. The many changes that I have experienced have changed me…for the better.
Dory is an experienced Chinese tutor, and has her own studio for one on one teaching. She loves hiking and has been leading hikes for the Community Center for more than two years.
20 MARCH 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
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Self-Love as an Act of Happiness, Defiance and Preservation
TEXT: DR. MALABIKA DAS IMAGES: WEB
hen I was in middle shaven” beginning in the early 1900s is part of this growth. The reality is that school a random boy with underarms, to the 1940s with many of us cannot perform or live up to made a point to tell me legs, and even now, in 2019, with arm our own or societal expectations. W that I had a moustache. hair! Besides hair removal, there are Over time we can accumulate While other girls had the same amount pressures over the lightness of skin guilt, shame, remorse and regret of normative upper lip hair at this age, (particularly for women of color), from making difficult life choices and perhaps mine was darker and more weight (too big or not enough), cringeworthy mistakes, or daring noticeable - after all, I came from South wrinkles and skin clarity; it seems to be different from our immediate Asian heritage. I share this incident there are standards for all parts of community or family’s cultural norms. because what seems like a miniscule our appearance! Even labeling us Self-judgment and societal judgment “mean” comment led me to a path of as “resting bitch face” when we are can begin to sow its vicious seed within something I had never been concerned not smiley enough. Let’s not even us. These standards, expectations, and about before, my appearance to others! get started with the ugly world of disempowering experiences can begin With that one judgmental comment social media and web-based content. a downward spiral of self-confidence, about my appearance, a part of my Young people, especially girls, are self-esteem and life contentment. childhood innocence died that day. increasingly being diagnosed with They can also begin an upward spiral Naturally, most of us begin to care higher rates of mental health issues of maladaptive and self-defeating about our appearance in our youth, from the pressures they may feel from thoughts, behavior, and self-talk, which including feeling self-conscious as our the various platforms. The reality is can evolve into unconscious patterns of bodies begin to change. However, that the majority of us will not live up being. our natural concerns around beauty to unrealistic beauty standards and Can we begin the shift from self- and body image are amplified by the will be disempowered or demeaned judgment to self-acceptance? How disempowering societal messages that by sexist and patriarchal messages. do we accept ourselves when we bombard our daily lives. Patriarchy and Consequently, this can set the don’t value our worth or feel valued peer pressure play a major role on the foundation for developing unhealthy by others? How can we cultivate self- beauty and appearance standards girls mentalities rooted in self judgement acceptance and self-worth? For me, it and women are subjected to. This can and inadequacy. became a journey about connecting to come in the forms of harassment or Beyond beauty standards and my authentic self and my true nature disparaging comments or treatment appearances, as we go through life’s of pure love, peace and joy. It seems (unbeknownst or known) from a parent, trials and tribulations, we find ourselves that just about anything which holds family member, coach, teacher, friend challenged by new and different weight is a journey of connection to the or colleague. It is glaringly apparent expectations and standards within the highest healing vibration, love. Loving in the over-sexualization of girls and varieties of roles and responsibilities ourselves can be the foundation of women in all aspects of media life, we take on. That of the daughter, mom, true contentment. It is also a defiant such as comic books, video games, wife, partner, friend, boss, employee, act against the forces that aim to keep television shows, commercials, and client, service provider and so forth. us oppressed and insecure. Finally, it even children’s movies. Our masks and “got it together” image is also a way to preserve and sustain Even corporate greed and influence can emerge. In our quest to successfully ourselves through the darkness of life’s taught us to judge ourselves and fulfill our many duties, the pressure to challenges. dislike our body hair when Gillette keep it together can become harrowing. The journey of self-acceptance and influenced women to become “clean Consequently, stumbling along the way self-love is a path into the mysterious
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beauty of the unexpected and unknown “The most terrifying thing is to accept of what life has to offer. Surrendering oneself completely.” and trusting in the process can be daunting, but if we do the work, in — Carl Jung my experience, the journey can offer a wonderful path to wellbeing and unexpected surprises. It can open changing knowledge, value and moral acknowledge them, be compassionate the doors to possibilities we have not base. It is this, which is called life. There to them, and dare I say, appreciate yet imagined which could enhance is no such thing as perfection; our them for what they are and what their our lives. The journey into accepting mistakes make us human, our learnings purpose may be. Eventually, we may and loving ourselves more deeply is create growth and maturity. Holding even be able to thank them for their inclusive of our bodies, minds and onto guilt or shame from cringeworthy messages and release them when they spirits. It takes commitment, patience, things we have done, or hard decisions no longer serve us. effort and work! The following concepts we have made can diminish our can be useful in this journey. Excitingly, physical and mental health over time. REWRITE THE DEFICITS NARRATIVE many of these concepts are now backed Without transformation, not only do INTO ONE OF STRENGTH by research and continue to garner we experience mental anguish, but We can rewrite our narratives and evidence. Healing and self-development held trauma and pain can sit within our create meaning making opportunities work is not easy for many of us to do bodies, particularly in the facia network from life challenges. Often it’s the on our own all of the time. It is valuable and joints, or manifest into other stories that we tell and retell ourselves to have a support system and seek help somatic complaints. Forgiving ourselves which cause continuous suffering; not from a professional. for the harm we’ve caused ourselves the event itself but our perceptions and others involves owning up to the of the event. From being with our SET AN INTENTION reality, accepting what has transpired, emotions and shifting our perceptions, The power of intention creates sitting with the feelings, processing and we can eventually emerge to reframe a mental and energetic vibration transcending. It can be a catalyst to self- our story from victim to survivor; from to prepare us on our path to self- acceptance and love. deficits thinking into a strengths-based development. It can be a powerful Note: Forgiveness work is approach. Finding meaning enables psychological determinant as well; the challenging. If you are dealing with engagement with maladaptive patterns theory of planned behavior links one trauma, it is important to seek and cognitions surrounding the event. intention to the behavior, thus intending professional help. Forgiving others is a We cannot change things we have done to set up a goal of self-love can lead to a choice and can be made if and when a or what happened to us, but we can higher likelihood of us taking action on person wants to or finds it helpful for change how we perceive the scenario this intention. Intentions set a powerful themselves. and the meanings we attributed to it. foundation for engaging in our self- An optional practice to explore is This may bring relief of transcendence development strategies, goals, and the beautiful Hawaiian practice of versus holding onto narratives which do actions and we can ask the universe for reconciliation and forgiveness called not serve our wellbeing. support along the way. Ho‘oponopono. You can imagine An optional practice to is to create yourself, others or the Earth as you DARE TO BE IMPERFECT, BUT ritual around intention. Find a quiet practice the four-step mantra. STRIVE TO BE BETTER or peaceful place to be. Begin to Step 1: Repentance: Say “I’m sorry” Our mistakes can create experience- center yourself by connecting with Step 2: Ask Forgiveness: Say “Please based awareness and wisdom. Our your breath. Notice the quality of your forgive me” so-called flaws and imperfections, or breath, how your body rises and falls Step 3: Gratitude: Say “Thank you” what we think we lack, can reveal a on the inhalations and exhalations, Step 4: Love: Say “I love you” path to our strengths and passions. and focus on the breath if the mind Repeat as you wish. Being vulnerable is not weakness, wanders. Sit for a few minutes in but is human and authentic. Being the space and then bring your hands LEAN INTO ADVERSITY imperfect is becoming brave to try in prayer position in front of your Being with “the dark side” can be things that may not guarantee success. chest. If you have something specific painful, but can be critical in bringing It is understanding that failing is an you would like to do or accomplish, light and love to it. We can befriend our opportunity to start again. It is seeking wonderful. If not, allow the intention to shadows by being with our emotions, satisfaction and contentment in our manifest naturally while you are in this whatever they are. What we deem as own priorities and not the approval of contemplative and calm space. dark, such as anger, jealousy, anxiety, others. It is believing that we are good and fear, may all be indicators of enough, but always with possibilities ENGAGE IN SELF FORGIVENESS something we need to pay attention to evolve. By focusing on where we do Experiences that we deem as to instead of suppressing or ignoring. shine and excel, we can progress and mistakes or failures can fester and Imagine how much our shadows could simultaneously improve where we need burden us. Within our developmental use our attention and kindness to bring in order to become a better version of lifespan, we operate from an ever- clarity in order to lighten up! We can ourselves.
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IMPLEMENT MINDFULNESS about ourselves. As we begin to accept connecting with the breath. To find or PRACTICES ourselves, we feel worthy, useful and create the feeling of love that you wish In order to preserve and sustain our deepen the value we hold for the self. to send out, you can imagine something cultivated self-love and acceptance, Also, in accepting our own appearance that makes you feel loving and fuzzy we can practice mindfulness, moment and practicing body positivity, we inside (maybe a cute puppy, or a baby). to moment awareness. Becoming can defy and rebel against sexist and Step 2: Begin to imagine yourself in mindful of our own habits, thoughts, patriarchal societal standards. It can your mind’s eye, all parts of you. Send patterns and triggers can help us to feel liberating to know that by living yourself waves of energetic love and immediately realize when we are ourselves we can reduce our needs kind thoughts. critical or judgmental of ourselves or for external validation. Witnessing Step 3: Think of someone you love others. As we become more aware and self-worth is far more attractive than deeply and send them love. thoughtful, we can practice forgiveness admiring the outer appearance. The Step 4: Think of someone you don’t in that very moment. Mindfulness can energy we exude will be remembered know so well, and send them love. be accessed by connecting with our long after our faces are forgotten. Step 5: Think about the Earth and all of breath first. Noticing what is happening Moreover, we should stop judging humanity, and send the world love. with our breath in the moment creates others and be kind! Research has a deeper interconnection to our revealed that treating others with RECONNECT TO GRATITUDE, LIFE internal processes. We can further our kindness can make us happier MEANING AND PURPOSE mindfulness practice and abilities as and more satisfied in life. We can Through all the roles and we begin to explore different types practice empathic skills such as active responsibilities we have in life we may of meditation. Accepting ourselves listening to connect more with others. begin to disconnect ourselves from our moment to moment can have a big Judgments of any kind cause suffering, authentic nature of pure love. We can impact on increasing kindness and love so why bring it on ourselves or others? rediscover things that used to make to ourselves as much as possible. Finally, it is imperative that we become us joyful and happy from the past or An optional practice to explore is conscious caretakers of our only home, re-engage with things that make us adding mindfulness in a daily habit. Mother Earth. Being loving and kind happy now. We can also explore and Choose a daily habit (brushing your to nature and doing the best we can embrace spiritual practices which teeth, cooking a meal, hanging out with to reduce our destructive learned can help reconnect us to our higher your kid, taking a walk). Try to focus habits and increase love and caring for meaning and purpose. In this effort, and pay 100% of your attention to this, Mama Gaia will increase sustainability incorporating gratitude in our lives can and practice being present during all for generations to come. It can also be a powerful catalyst to counting our aspects of the activity. Further, note connect us more deeply to the global blessings and feeling thankful for all the how many times you do lose attention society around a commonly shared wonderful things in our lives and even (such as thinking of something else bigger purpose. Connecting to the the tough life challenges we have had. you need to do or looking at a device). inherent inner beauty-of our mind- An optional practice to explore Through mindful attention, your hearts allows our authentic beauty to around gratitude is writing a letter to daily activity can become much more shine through for ourselves, others and someone who has made a positive enjoyable and interesting, rather than a our home. impact in your life, thank them and redundant thing we do each day! An optional practice to explore is the send or deliver the letter. Or for the Loving Kindness Meditation. week, at the end of each day, reflect BEAUTIFY THE MIND-HEART FOR Step 1: Spend some time quietly on the day and write down the things TRUE BEAUTY We become beautiful by accessing our true nature which lies in our mind- hearts (the essence of our spirits). “To be beautiful means to be yourself. Beauty lies in how we treat ourselves, You don't need to be accepted by others. others, and the Earth. Within our life and healing journeys, self-kindness and You need to accept yourself.” compassion can be our good friends and combatants of self judgements, — Thich Nhat Hanh harm and defeating beliefs we have
“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” — Brené Brown
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in the day that you felt appreciative for notice any sensations. Notice any love! Self-acceptance was the key to that day. This could be the start of a emotions and feelings associated with this wonderful journey of surrendering gratitude journal. it. Afterwards, wrap your arms around and connecting back to my true nature yourself and give yourself a deep and of peace, love, and joy. One of my A PRACTICE TO EMBODY THE loving hug. Remember this feeling in biggest takeaways is this: Our capacity ENERGY OF SELF-LOVE your body, mind and spirit and come to love anything or anyone is amplified In our efforts to cultivate self- back to it as often as possible! through authentic love and compassion love, we can actually be love by My self-healing journey seems never for ourselves. As my daughter says, embodying this pure blissful energy. ending, and this is okay with me; I am “always accept yourself, because you Begin by centering yourself and taking now grateful for all the experiences are special the way you are.” diaphragm breaths by using your lower which have come my way. Through belly in the breath. Allow the breath the waves of life, I now have tools and to rise from the lower belly, inflating techniques which help me ride (and the belly with air, and allow the breath sometimes surf) these waves with to gently rise into the abdomen, then more ease than before. Every once in a the thoracic cavity and finally release while, I still crash, but when I do, self- the breath and feel the diaphragm love brings me back to shore. I can send contracting back. After a couple of that middle school “moustache” kid rounds, as you inhale begin to visualize love and good wishes with hopes that M a l a b i k a i s a n a beautiful ball of light entering through if he has kids, he teaches them body integrative social the crown of your head. Allow this light positivity. Releasing judgements about w o r k e r t r a i n e d i n to fill every part of your body: your myself and not judging others has been Eastern and Western cells, bones, organs, joints, muscles one of the most liberating processes for therapeutic modalities. and tissues. Continue to breathe in and me. It fills me with unconditional deep She uses a strengths visualize this self-love energy until you self-love and love for others, even those based, trauma informed approach are all filled up, and even overflowing. I do not know! within her wellness initiatives. She Sit with this energy for some time This overwhelmingly beautiful energy currently lives in Taipei with her and notice how it feels in your body, confirms that I truly am confident in my husband and daughter (and loves it)!
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 24 2020/3/1 上午1:44 FOOD MadewithLove
TEXT: TARANA WIENRICH IMAGES: ULLI WIENRICH
I still remember back to a time when I was seven, standing in the kitchen with my brother and Mary. Feeling excited at the thought of mixing, pouring, stirring, tasting almost like a wizard with his potions and recipes, and not quite sure how things would turn out. This memorable and magical experience is one a child never forgets.
Spitzbuben Spitzbuben (also known as hildabrötchen or linzer plätzchen) are among my favorite cookies, and the dough is easy to handle. You can make them in a few steps. The sweet cookie and jam filling in the middle are a really good combination. I used to bake these cookies a lot with my grandma. Some days we overcooked them, and others we got it just right, but they were always different, which I thought was a good thing. I had a lot of difficulties making the jam for the cookies because the seeds are very difficult Vanillekipferl to get out, so I recommend you to use a sieve or just get As soon as you enter the kitchen you can smell the cookies store-bought jam. If you like chocolate you might want to baking in the oven. The aroma fills the whole room, drawing try a chocolate version of these cookies. They are as easy to everyone in the house towards it. Vanillekipferl originated prepare as the classic ones. Mouthwatering moments in just in Vienna four centuries ago, and are also quite common minutes. throughout Europe, particularly in Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. They are a shortbread Recipe cookie made with the addition of nuts and a generous 250 g Flour dusting of vanilla sugar, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture 125 g Butter due to the high butter content. Crisp and buttery with a 85 g Sugar nutty, almond flavor, this recipe for delicate vanillekipferl, 1 Package Vanilla Sugar or Austrian vanilla crescent cookies is one that you must try. 1 Egg These cookies remind me of the time during the holidays ¾ Package Lemon Flavor when I went to my grandma’s house and used to bake them with her. Heat oven to 180 C. Knead everything together until you get an elastic dough. then let the dough rest for one hour in Recipe the refrigerator. Roll the dough to a thickness of 0.3 cm and 280 g Flour cut out an even number of cookies. Bake for around 8-10 210 g Butter min, let the cookies cool 70 g Sugar down for ten minutes 120 g Almonds (ground almonds give these cookies a crumbly then sandwich them texture, but they can also make the dough a bit difficult to together with jam. To work with) finish, sprinkle a little icing sugar over them. Heat oven to 190 C. Knead all of the ingredients together and let the dough rest for one hour in the refrigerator. Take small portions (six grams each), form into little half-moons, Tarana Wienrich is a and put them put them on a tray. If possible put the tray in student at TES. the refrigerator for around 15 minutes before you bake them for 10-12 min (they shouldn't get brown). Be careful not to over-bake these cookies, or they will become very fragile. After baking, roll the cookies (they should still be a little warm) in a mix of vanilla sugar, which adds a distinct flavor to these cookies, but be careful as they break easily.
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Indigenous Language Preservation TEXT: SYLVIA DEAN IMAGES: TONY COOLRIDGE, EXECUTIVE YUAN WEBSITE
n November 22nd, I diaspora language Hakka, Taiwan is approach to language preservation. watched as the classrooms home to an abundance of indigenous The top two place winners receive an of Taipei’s Lishan Junior languages, branching from the award from the national government, O High School transformed Austronesian language group. These including a beneficial certificate which from a familiar and orderly scene, include Atayal, Truku, Amis, Bunan and can be used to earn a place in a better into a festive explosion of color and Paiwan, among others. high school or university, as well as a excitement. Parents and teachers alike Between colonization, Han Chinese cash prize. They will also receive similar smiled proudly as they helped each immigration, and industrialization, prizes from their local government. student add the finishing touches to most of these languages have lost their Since many of the students who their unique traditional outfits. Some place in modern Taiwanese society. begin studying indigenous languages students gathered for group pictures, They are no longer able to thrive are very young, these incentives may while others took up their readings as they once did; because of this, work indirectly, encouraging parents to practice before their turn. It was alternative measures are required to to find ways to motivate their child. the day of Taiwan’s annual National revitalize these languages, which are Mothers and fathers will seek out Language Speech Competition. representative of entire cultures. more opportunities for their children if Each year, selected students from Revitalization efforts are supported they hear that there are solid financial third to 12th grade travel from all by indigenous communities as well as benefits or an increased chance of thirteen counties in Taiwan to take the Taiwanese government, which has recognition and opportunity. It will part in this competition. Participants created the framework for financial and urge families to put one foot forward compete in various languages found in merit-based initiatives to encourage for language learning, even if it may Taiwan, including indigenous languages, today’s indigenous youth to learn their not seem practical to study a minority and Hakka or Hoklo (Taiwanese). heritage languages. As they move language in an era of linguistic Students are evaluated on their forward in their education, students hegemony. accuracy, fluency, and expression. may receive prestigious scholarships for However, compensation is not all Although the official language of proficiency in an indigenous language. it takes to encourage kids to study Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, the small Socially, the same students may earn a their roots. Seventy-year-old Puyuma island nation is home to a linguistic more distinguished reputation, as well language teacher Qi Gao Mei explained multiplicity unexpected by many as the opportunity to attend better that a student must first have interest outsiders. In addition to Taiwanese schools. in a language before they can study Hokkien, a branch of Southern Min The National Language Speech it well. “The strength of a student’s dialects, and five dialects of the Competition is one facet of this aboriginal identity may influence their
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interest. However, if they don’t have a strong sense of identity, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be poor students. We will work with them and guide them.” Qi has lived through three different generations as an indigenous woman in Taiwan. Born in the agricultural age, she experienced the industrial age as a young adult. Since her fifties, she’s witnessed the advent of the technological age. “Over 55 years, the government has made a lot of changes. Indigenous people are more disadvantaged, but we’ve seen a lot of new opportunities for us.” The movement towards equal treatment began with a change in discourse. When indigenous communities were first colonized, aboriginal individuals were called “barbarians,” and later they became known as “mountain people.” Finally, they are recognized as indigenous. “It all began with language, and the way we were called in society. This led to eventually having indigenous political figures elected - congressmen and legislators. Then it came to incentivised language education.” Although the conversation only lasted about thirty minutes, Qi outlined the extreme changes she has seen in the indigenous community over 55 years of her life. As a relatively new nation, Taiwan has seen a rollercoaster of cultural evolution in those five-and- a-half decades. “My individual identity has not changed. I’m indigenous, from the the Bunun tribe. I can also share my Puyuma tribe. Since I was small, my culture with my friends and classmates mother always told me that no matter and communicate with my teachers,” what changes, I’ll always be who I am.” She said. “I really like going to my tribal Sixth grader Sun Li Cheng Ting, a village to talk with elders there, too.” competition participant from Tainan, For the older generation of began studying the Bunun language indigenous people, who once faced when she was in first grade. Passionate extreme cultural and linguistic about her language, the biggest oppression, being able to pass on difference between her education and knowledge of their language, and seeing Qi’s lies in accessibility and technology. it put to use in a nationally celebrated Regardless of resources, their desire to competition is an exceptional and S y l v i a D e a n i s a learn is equal. uplifting experience. visiting scholar from “Studying Bunun is important to “It’s a very profound feeling,” stated Iowa City Iowa, me because I want to be a language Qi. “I think having these kids learn U.S.A. On a Fulbright teacher someday,” said Sun. “Eventually about and study their own language grant, she works in the teachers we have now will retire.” and culture in schools is very special, Hualien's elementary Sun enjoys studying her indigenous because as long as they continue to schools teaching English, and is also language mainly for communication learn, our culture will continue to live. working as a journalist for ATAYAL, a reasons. I fear that if they don’t study it, it will nonprofit organization dedicated to the “I can speak with other people from disappear very quickly.” preservation of indigenous cultures.
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 27 2020/3/1 上午1:44 ART
Julie Hsieh
Julie and her painting In Flight 2017/acrylic on canvas/200x200cm
Julie Hsieh, a family doctor who grew up in the US, returns to her hometown of Taipei, Taiwan with her husband and two children and finds herself and her true passion in art. Since 2016, she has exhibited all over the world including Venice, Rome, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, Miami and Madrid and she feels grateful to ride on the wings of Art’s journey, connecting with the world’s people through art.
Higher and Higher/2019/acrylic on canvas/194x130cm
Julie's daughter's art creation Julie's son's art creation
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Gossamer Dance/created during Julie's artist residency at the Rome Contemporary Julie and her contemporary ink creation Art Museum, March 2019
Heartbeat/2019/mixed media on canvas/100c100cm
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 29 2020/3/1 上午1:44 THE WOMEN’S PHOTO GALLERY
Guandu
Maudie Brown is an artist and creative who loves Taiwan. She holds a Master's Degree Maudie Brown in Cultural and Creative Studies
Lanyu, Taiwan Longdong, Taiwan
Elizabeth Lam
Elizabeth Lam is a UX designer, amateur painter, and lifetime explorer, who spends most of her time creating paths as an Illustrator, and the rest of her time looking for paths in nature.
1. Morning tourist
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 30 2020/3/2 上午10:03 Virginia Lee is an accomplished photographer known for her outstanding Virginia Lee photos of Yangmingshan National Park
Go home Grocery shopping
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 31 2020/3/1 上午1:44 Three women from Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, India. South India is still primarily a Dravidian culture. Tradition and independence go together in this ancient land. I was pleasantly Roma Mehta surprised by the openness and confidence I encountered with the women there. As custodians of values that generate a well- balanced society, they also contribute to the economy.
Naomi & Nayana
Up, by Nayana Down, by Naomi
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 32 2020/3/1 上午1:44 Taiwan Tourism Bureau-licensed tour guide specializing Cheryl Robbins in travel to Taiwan’s indigenous communities
Bunan slate house
Far, by Nayana Near, by Naomi
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March 2020_p3-end.indd 33 2020/3/1 上午1:44 CSC BUSINESS CLASSIFIED
#14 Tienmu E. Road | Telephone 2871-1515 | [email protected]
TIME is the latest outdoor installation project by well-known Japanese photographer Saturo Kondo. Located in a narrow lane nearby Tainan's Chihkan Cultural Park, vivid wall images of contemporary school children mingle with those of older local residents to create a unique time-travel experience. This is one exhibition not to be missed.
Dates: August 312st 2019 - ongoing | Venue: East Street and National Street, Lane 208, Tainan
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