保加利亞遊後感想

這是上個月中人在保加利亞的時候寫的. 現在才有空整理上來~~


人在保加利亞待了四天四夜了, 明天就要離開了, 很奇怪的....沒有什麼依依不捨的心情...
到達Sofia機場之前, 我是懷抱著非常期待的心情....因為這是個玫瑰之國. 全世界品質最好的玫瑰就是保加利亞所產. 讓我想像中的保加利亞是個充滿了粉紅浪漫的美麗國家.
可是到了之後....真的蠻失望的. 冷淡的機場工作人員, 簡陋的機場大廳, 動作很慢的行李輸送帶(100人的小飛機, 行李等了30分鐘), 然後....一出機場看到的是雜草叢生的荒地一片....幻想頓時破滅! 玫瑰呢? 古典建築呢? 所有稱得上浪漫的元素都跑到哪裡去了?

10分鐘的車程就到了Sofia市中心. 先經過主要的大道, 佈滿了美美的古典建築, 可惜交通狀況雜亂, 路邊環境髒亂, 行人隨意穿越馬路, 然後最最最可惡的...就是道路狀況非常差勁! 慢慢開像是吉普車, 開快點就像是要飛起來了一樣>_<



--Sofia市中心夜景






市區裡的單行道非常多....多到我們把旅館地址給當地計程車司機看, 他也明知道旅館在哪, 就是無法開車到達....我們迷路了約30分鐘後, 憑著我的直覺與運氣, 終於找到旅館了. 位於市區最熱鬧步行商業街旁邊的小巷子裡. 終於可以安頓下來...

接下來的幾天, 我們都要開車到不同的鄉鎮去拜訪客戶. 每天都要開3個小時以上的山路. 除了高速公路之外, 即使是市區的主要道路, 道路狀況依然是很差. 如果不小心注意, 隨時有可能開車進去大坑裡.....超危險的! 山路太多, 一路上我們要不停的轉換收聽的廣播電臺. 因為每段路能夠接收到的訊號不一. 很多地方是接收不到任何訊號的, 如果在那種地方出事, 真的是叫天天不應, 叫地地不靈.


還有....我們手上的地圖路名都是拉丁文字. 可偏偏他們路上的標示都是保加利亞文(類似俄文). 真的讓你猜都猜不懂.
舉例來說;
HOUR = yaca
Sofia (首都名) =
COфИЯ

這這這....怎麼看的懂?

我哥他跟另一位同事去年冬天來遇到過更危險的事:
那時候他們也是開車去拜訪客戶, 從a 到 b, 有兩條路, 山路比較近, 高速公路比較遠. 他們就決定開山路. 進山之前, 看到一個告示牌, 因為沒有任何圖示, 其餘都是保加利亞文, 看不懂....所以就不于理會. 沒想到開上山後, 車子整個卡在雪堆裡 ....那個位置還完全收不到手機訊號. 他們只好冒著大風雪, 走路下山約3個小時, 才能打通手機. 打到救難中心, 對方一問清地點, 拒絕派拖吊車過來. 後來還是打電話請我們客戶開著四輪傳動的吉普車來救人....

雜亂的公共交通設施....雖然我們迷路的時間除了剛到第一天的30分鐘就沒了....可是那真的是因為我們每天花非常多的時間研究地圖. 而且每天開車都是很小心的注意路邊每塊路牌....這實在不是個traveler-friendly的國家..

紫南宮-發財金

今天陪外婆和家人去南投紫南宮. 這應該是近年來台灣最受歡迎的土地公廟之一了....周圍擠滿了大大小小的小吃, 土產, 飲料商店等, 前往祭拜的信徒越多, 弄得這裡越來越像個觀光勝地.
廟方還斥巨資(三千多萬台幣)蓋了一棟竹筍外表的七星級廁所. 是不是很觀光?

為什麼這座土地公廟這麼出名? 因為在這裡, 信徒可以跟土地公公借錢. 早在民國伍拾年代, 紫南宮就有借錢給信徒度過難關的經驗. 那時最高甚至單次借出兩千台幣. (約當時兩個月的薪水) 後來借了錢的信徒都有求必應, 所以聞名而來的信徒越來越多....開始限制了出借發財金的金額大小.

現在單次以600/400/200為限. 能借多少要看土地公公的意思. 一年內還. 因為借了發財金的民眾一般都能夠感受到土地公公的保佑, 很多人在還金的時候會同時捐出一些善款. 所以廟方的資金充裕. 會不會有人不還呢? 聽說如果有人逾期不還, 土地公工會托夢去催款哦!

我沒有借發財金. 可是今天我看到了台灣人民對現狀的無力感....只見每個都手拈著香, 很虔誠的對著神像念念有詞....似乎將他們對未來的所有期許都交託在土地公公的手上了. 聽到我外婆把所有孫字輩的名字都唸上一遍, 為我們求取土地公公的保佑, 心裡好感動.
雖然我是基督教的, 但我很高興今天去了紫南宮....台灣的民俗宗教讓台灣民眾藉著宗教的團聚向心力互相幫助, 而且也讓很多人的心靈有所寄託.

改天, 大家一起相約去跟土地公公借錢吧??

http://www.landgod.org.tw/index.asp official website

Toilet Story

Yes, you didn't read it wrong....I am going to tell a story about toilet~

toilet, is something you cannot miss out in your daily life. You can build a house without a room, or living room, or kitchen or balcony....but can you imagine it without a toilet?

In China, I see some toilet simply means....3 walls. Maybe the owner would be kind enough to dig a hold on the ground....so you know where "to do" it. But worst case is.....you see where the pioneers did their share, and you do it at the same "spot", along with long-time accumulated smell and millions of fly around you.
Of course, many cities of China are a lot more moderlized now. They have clean toilets. But they don't really take the door lock matter seriously. I see many public toilet are luxury enough to use Toto appliances, but the door locks are broken. (Even in every sense, you feel the toilet is just newly built) It just shows how much they do NOT care if the toilet door can be lock up or not...

During my Europe trip last month, i have experienced a different kind of toilet culture.
"User pays". It is very deeply rooted in Europeans' mind. Even with toilet.
1. If you want to use the toilet in the gas station, you must purchase something first, so you can borrow the key from the cashier. (This is normal....a lot of them in NA too.)
2. In Swiss, many toilets are equipped with door lock, which can only be opened with a 0.50 Swiss franc coin. (about 15 NT). The first time I tried to go to such toilet in a small train station, I had to go get the change first. Later found out the machine is broken. So I had to find the service person (a man) to come open the door....in all took me 10 mins.
The next time was even worse......I didn't have any swiss franc with me. I had to purchase with Euro bill, got euro change, then change them into swiss franc coins. (by machine) then found out half of the toilet door locks were broken....overall took me about 12 mins.

3. In Germany, I still have to pay to use the toilet. But it's easier. It's like a gate door....you pay 0.5 Euro (about 21NT), then you can enter. After you enter, it's just as a normal washroom.....but a man walking around in the women's side. (he is doing the cleaning job....but he really TAKES his time.) The special part is....you get a voucher of the 0.5 Euro, and can be used on your purchse in this building. I think that's nice....

So.....I prefere the clean toilet in Europe, even I have to pay. But if I can choose, the clean and FREE toilet in Japan and Taiwan are more attractive to me....hahaha

親愛的 你終於回到我身邊了

親愛的~~ 你終於回到我身邊了!!

記得那晚刮風打雷的下暴風雨, 整個南京市都淹水災, 我不敢相信...你居然選擇在這樣的天氣之下離開我! 遲鈍的我到隔天早上才發現, 難過不已>_<
為了你的離開, 我難過到無法正常上班, 從那天起我就再也沒進過辦公室. (除了有幾次客人來拜訪之外)
那天下午我爸就打電話來問, 為什麼我不上班? 我忍著哭聲, 不敢讓他聽出來. 試著冷靜的解釋, 你的離去...帶給我多大的影響! 還好他能諒解, 不逼我去上班.

隔了兩天, 我終於無法忍受沒有你的日子. 經過多次打電話溝通, 你還是不肯回來, 我決定親自去一趟南京. 一見面後, 你就願意跟我回來了, 我好感動好開心...... 整個辦公室都感染了我的好心情^_^

沒想到! 只過一天! 短短的一天! 甚至不到24小時! 而且又同樣選在下雨的夜晚, 你竟然又再次的離我而去~ 我真的這麼的不討你的喜歡嗎?
這次我的心被你深深的傷害了, 我選擇離開, 我去了上海度過一個沒有你陪伴的周末. 那晚在Edie家過夜, 遲遲無法入睡, 自我們認識快兩年以來, 這是我第一個沒有你陪伴的夜晚! 好難過阿!

一回到南京, 雖然工作堆積如山, 但是失去了你的我, 根本沒有辦法工作. 我還是繼續窩在我的宿舍裡, 逃避責任. 我爸媽都很為我感到可憐, 一直要我再去一次南京把你帶回來.

想了兩天, 我決定了, 再跑一趟南京. 心裡暗暗下決定: 如果你還不回來, 我就決定要徹底的跟你分手!! 下一個, 我要找日本的, 再也不要找台灣的了!

還好, 親愛的, 你終於回來了.













我親愛的華碩M5手提電腦, 自從你那晚被雷打壞主機板, 就给我罷工了十幾天了. 害我無法正常辦公, 你要是還敢這樣, 下次我要換SONY的了!!

怎麼有這麼厚臉皮的人

2007-07-18　14:08:37
真不敢相信真的有這麼厚臉皮的人存在!!

之前公司有個高層管理/技術人員離職了, 好分好散, 我們也沒欠他薪水, 互相也沒惡言相對.

隔了不久, 聽說他帶著新老闆來挖角, 挖走了幾個現場的幹部, 我們也算了. 畢竟現場幹部要離職, 那是他們的自由, 我們也不好干涉.

再後來, 聽我們的供應商說, 那個人居然把我們公司的設計圖紙偷到新老闆那裡去!! 因為那家公司傳圖紙到零件工廠, 工廠發現那跟我們家的設計一樣, 才發現的.

這些我爸都說算了, 大家都心知肚明, 我們家的產品開發度真的很難, 即使你拿到所有圖紙, 你也要有很雄厚的資金才能一一的都開模仿造. 而有雄厚資金的那些大公司, 也不敢賭上它的聲譽來仿造.

沒想到, 昨晚那個人在我的sype上留言, 他可能以為我們都不知道他做了哪些事..... 他說希望跟我請教外銷的途徑, 希望能夠拜我為師 .

真是太好笑了~~~~一個完全不會英文的人要跟我學做外銷? 不是我要看不起他, 但是做出了這些對不起我們家的事, 居然後回過頭來認為我會傻傻的跟他分享經驗??

我之前對他太好了嘛? 還是我看起來真的這麼笨?

怎麼會有這麼厚臉皮的人阿!!

莫名的難過

2007-07-17　23:37:09
破紀錄一天寫了兩篇blogs

剛剛本來都要去睡了, 無意逛到一個朋友的blog, 看得出她在為情所困.

心有戚戚焉.....我最近雖然過的很充實, 很忙, 但還是少少的偶而會想到他.
我知道他快來了, 我也知道我快可以見到他, 如果我願意, 我可以先排好行程, 很合理的避開他.
明明會想他, 明明想見他, 卻又想躲開他, 天ㄚ! 我快要精神分裂了.....

知道我在講誰的朋友們, 他不知道這個blog address. 也請不要說....不要在msn上來問我為什麼我還會想他, 我也不知道為什麼. 曾經我以為everything is all over. 對他的感情, 從刻骨的愛到銘心的恨, 應該要沒有感覺了.....也許轉移目標會比較有效吧....

-----理智跟情感的戰爭 永遠是情感戰勝. 但是這次我不能再讓自己的情感壞事了! 我發誓, 如果我不能做到完全不想他, 即使他來了我也不會見他. 如果到十月我還會想他, 那我也不去日本見他了.

我當初到底是哪來的勇氣提出分手?

第一次搭火車坐硬座

2007-07-17　20:02:19
嬌生慣養的我, 昨晚第一次坐火車的硬座. 我想這次的經驗我一輩子都難以忘懷吧~~~~

我搭過好幾次火車啦, 可是都是長途的, 所以一般都以硬臥票為主, 偶而買不到硬臥, 也買過軟臥或軟做, 就是沒買過硬座!
昨晚是上海到常州段, 本來想搭看看動車卻沒票了, 軟座也沒票了, 為了想早點到家 想說短短三個小時硬座應該也沒差啦~~~

一上車, 就看到我的座位上有兩攤不知道是什麼造成的黑色汙漬, 我把心一橫, 就直接坐下去(身穿純白班尼頓長裙) 還好後來回家看, 裙子沒事^_^

我的右後方, 有一個中年男子帶著兩個小女生, 約6-8歲吧, 整個旅程都一直莫名的尖叫....... 然後他們對面有另一個中年男子, 一路上不停的吸煙, 讓我本來就有過敏性鼻炎的鼻子非常難過>_<

我的旁邊坐著一位中年男子, (好多中年男子阿!) 他還蠻好心的看我人長的太矮, 還幫我把行李放到上面去, 可是他很睏, 坐著又睡的不舒服, 一路上就動來動去的換姿勢, 讓我也坐的不太舒服...

我的前方是一對夫婦, 他們兩個人的腳都挺長的, 女的又喜歡翹腳, 所以我的白色裙尾留下了好幾個灰色痕跡. 而且我的兩隻腳一路上都緊貼著我的座椅邊緣, 伸不太出去....難得我算是少見的短腳, 居然還坐的不舒服.

我的右前方, 是一個爸爸帶著個小女兒, (又是一個中年男子!!) 他趁女兒睡著後 ,把她搬到地板上. (座椅正下方) 躺在那裡睡..... 我本來覺得這樣很髒, 可是看他女兒這樣睡的很舒服, 就想: 這真是硬座車廂裡的硬臥座位阿!!

除了火車行駛的聲音, 還有各位乘客聊天的聲音, 加上小孩子的莫名尖叫聲, 這是一節很熱鬧的車廂......
除了聲音之外, 汗臭味, 腳臭味, (很多人把鞋子脫掉然後把腳跨在桌上), 康師傅紅燒牛肉麵的香味, 煙燻味, 各式各樣惱人的味道, 更是把這節車廂弄得好像是大雜燴!!

感謝IPOD! 陪我度過了那無聊的三個小時

仗勢欺人?

前兩天我媽有個朋友來拜訪, 因為到達的時間有點晚了, 所以我們去了市裡的咖啡廳裡用簡餐.
我跟那位客人各點了一份餐點, 其他三個人點了兩份冰淇淋, 兩杯飲料.
共是五個客人, 點了六樣東西......但是服務的那位小姐動作非常的慢, 我們催她, 她還怪我們講的太快>_< 後來我才發現: 我們每點了一樣東西, 她要認真的回想那個東西售價多少, 想不起來的話, 還借我們手上的菜單去找出來價格. 為什麼不能等我們點完菜, 她再去找呢??

她是新手, 所以旁邊還有一個年紀大一點的服務生在指導.....

我那時候心裡還不太高興: 這家咖啡廳的收費是這個城市裡最高的, 卻是一個沒有培訓的服務生出來讓客戶乾等?

點完餐後五分鐘左右, 因為心理實在擔心, 叫了另一位小姐來問, 果然之前的新手小姐把客人的餐點漏點了......

然後開始上菜, 我媽的香芋冰淇淋變成了香草冰淇淋. 我們要求咖啡廳改, 那位新手小姐就過來理論, 說我們明明點的就是香草. 其實這沒什麼大不了的, 如果她道個歉也就算了, 但她居然說如果你們想吃的是芋頭口味, 就該說芋香, 而你說了香開頭的口味, 就一定是香草......
我們真的是啼笑皆非!! 我的口氣就比較硬, 說我們不可能接受這兩杯香草冰淇淋的. 她居然轉身就走, 說算了, 不就是44元嘛, 自己出就自己出.
更好笑的是, 菜單裡寫的是香芋, 不是芋香~~~

後來, 那位原本在旁邊指導的小姐過來道歉, 除了兩杯香草的送給我們, 還另外多來兩球香芋口味的. 我們就同意了
吃....(到最後香草的還是沒人要吃) 飯吃到一半那位新手小姐在我們桌子旁邊走過, 用不大不小的聲音說: 被他們這樣欺負, 我好想哭~~~

我才覺得: 我花錢來這裡被妳整, 我才想哭啦~~~

姐姐的守護者 My sister's keeper, by Jodi Picoult

好久沒有哭了.

剛剛花了5個小時一口氣看完了這本書....也順便痛快的哭了一場. 這是一本很好賣的書, 因為它的內容很能夠引起讀者的共鳴. 看書的時候, 我不時的問我自己, 如果我是書中的任何一個人物, 我會做怎樣的抉擇? 直到現在書看完了, 我還是不知道我會做怎樣的決定.

如果你是妹妹, 從出生起, 就開始背負著守護病弱姐姐的責任, 沒有自己的人生目標與自由, 就像是一個活動捐贈庫. 隨時準備捐出血液, 骨髓, 器官.....etc. 你要不要爭取得到你自己的人生? 你願不願意這樣無止盡的犧牲與冒險, 來換得姐姐一次又一次的僥倖逃生?

如果你是媽媽, 發現你心愛的小女兒是個血癌患者, 你是否會不計一切代價, 抓住任何一個機會, 只爲讓你的寶貝再多活一天? 即使這樣的行為, 讓你的生活中再也沒有樂趣, 忽略了你的另一個兒子, 讓他叛逆的成長? 每天每天的提心吊膽, 這樣的生活, 得要耗費這個媽媽多少心血? 要有多堅强的意志, 才能不崩潰?

如果你是爸爸, 你要怎麼在一個病重的女兒, 一個被嚴重忽視的兒子, 和另一個憂鬱的女兒之間做出最公平的決定? 怎樣才是公平的對待?

這本書....沒有提到的是, 如果你是姐姐.....你是否願意繼續這樣生存下去?

餐廳推薦

為響應遠見雜誌六月份的刊頭報導: " 吃出競爭力, 全民打造食尚王國.", 我最近對找尋台中的特色吃喝很有興趣 (一笑~). 當然, 很多出版社都有出版很多 XX美食指南, xx等地餐廳介紹...的書, 但是總是沒有自己實地去試吃來的可靠嘛! (點擊後可看放大照片)



餐廳名: 香蕉新樂園
位置: 豐原市向陽路上
特色:
1. 一份套餐只要180左右, 含大杯飲料及甜點. 俗又大碗.
2. 整間餐廳有濃濃的古早台灣味道. 整體展示了很多的舊台灣文物.
3. 最有名的套餐是蜜汁雞腿飯, 我覺得還好啦....我自己點了檸檬香雞排飯. 酸酸的檸檬讓原本油膩的雞排更好吃, 更入味.


















餐廳名: 德奧小廚
位置: 豐原市
特色:
1. 環境優雅, 服務態度超優.
2. 餐點很好吃.....我覺得根本不輸那些我在德國大餐廳吃到的.
3. 600元左右的套餐, 除了主餐, 還有濃湯, 餐包, 有機莎拉, 手工甜點, 現泡水果茶. 特別推薦冰水果茶. 各種的水果一起構成了豐富又有層次的酸甜口味.











餐廳名: 聚
位置: 台中市, 文心路和甘肅路口
特色:
1. 湯頭真的很好喝...
2. 服務非常的棒. 環境佈置也很好...可惜生意太好, 不管什麼時候去都很難安靜的用餐.
3. 前菜最好要由右往左吃, 漸層加重的口感, 回味無窮.
4. 700左右的套餐, 包含前菜, 主餐, 青菜/手打丸子, 副食, 甜點, 梅子醋. 我從來都沒辦法獨自吃完. 想要點新推出的小份套餐(330)又會覺得錯失了某些特別好吃的餐點. 建議三人點兩份/或是四人點三份套餐.

New 7 Wonders vote

The New7Wonders Foundation, which is the body behind the New7Wonders campaign, has the express aim of documenting, maintaining, restoring and reconstructing world heritage under the motto:

"OUR HERITAGE IS OUR FUTURE."

Now, the N7W campaign is in its most exciting, and crucial, stage. At the end of 2005, the N7W panel chose 21 candidates from the top 77 nominees that had earned the most votes, and these 21 are now in the final stage of the competition. The official N7W 21 finalist candidates were announced by the panel's President, Prof. Federico Mayor, on January 1, 2006 in Zurich.The final round of voting for the New 7 Wonders will continue through the first half of 2007. Then, on July 7, 2007 -07.07.07, the dream of the N7W initiators will become a reality as the globe joins together to celebrate the New 7 Wonders of the World, as chosen by the world's population using modern communications technology. You can join the N7W Society now. Become an official part of this dynamic community and support this historic project. ... be a part of the making of history !

The New 7 Wonders of the World will be announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07.

http://www.new7wonders.com

below are my 7 votes:

Angkor

Chichen Itza

Colosseum

Easter Island Statues

Great Wall

Machu Picchu

Stonehenge

來電恐懼症

我想, 我有來電恐懼症!!

我越來越害怕電話鈴響. 當然, 我指的是手機.



我有六個手機號碼: 大陸兩個(一支鎮江範圍內, 一支漫遊), 台灣兩個 (一個gsm, 一個phs), 還有加拿大一個(很久沒用了, 可能被停掉了)以及德國一個(每年參展用一次). 不論何時何地, 我的手機永遠24小時開機. 記得最累的一次, 是在義大利的凌晨三點, 用著台灣漫遊手機號, 接聽日本客人的來電. (那晚我好像兩點才睡).

回顧一下我的手機使用歷史:
記得高中學生時代, 在一群朋友之中, 我的手機上有著較多的人名/號碼, 而且常常有人打電話給我. 那個時候, 我接聽電話是用一聲很興奮的"HELLO!". 因為那些來電通常都是有趣的邀約. 去吃大餐阿, 去唱歌阿, 又或是去沙灘上烤肉...等等很豐富的娛樂社交生活.

到了大學時候, 開始學會避掉一些來電. (感謝來電顯示功能的發明). 有時候會故意不接, 有時候就特意關機, 再有的是不小心接了, 卻假裝收訊不好, 必須掛掉. 那時候忙著談戀愛, 除了他的來電, 其他的邀約一般都不是很想理會. 整天只想窩在家裡跟他講電話...好多學校的社交生活都這樣硬生生的被我躲掉. 現在回想起來都蠻後悔的>_< 不過那段時間的電話單超簡單...基本上都只有那幾隻固定號碼在通話...哈哈~~

畢業後, 剛回來開始上班的前兩年, 每個月的手機費用都保持在最低的狀態. 因為根本沒有人要打給我, 我也沒有需要打電話的對象. 熟識的朋友都在加拿大, 在台灣也不認識什麼人....那時候對我來說, 手機是被我拿來當做手錶使用的. 可悲的一段時期....

這幾年, 工作漸漸上軌道了, 每個月開始要繳一大筆電話費給電話公司...幾乎所有來電都是工作相關. 我接聽電話也改為很禮貌(虛偽)的一聲 : "你好." 我現在一聽到電話響, 心情就緊張!! 會不會是出貨有問題? 還是現場員工受傷了? 也有可能是客戶打來抱怨.....甚至後來, 有的客戶打電話來下訂單, 我的語氣也都不太好...因為99.9%的來電都會增加我的工作量, 減少我的睡眠時間.
有一次我生病在房間休息. 雪上加霜的, 那天有特別多的人找我有事. 我在房間睡一個下午, 接聽了20多通來電...還不包含那些我故意不接的. 我那該死的責任感讓我不能電話關機...可是我的心理上已經越來越討厭手機了. 這樣~~開始了我的來電恐懼症.


倪匡的小說中有提過: "電話是最不受歡迎的不速之客" 我百分百的贊同這句話.

我的電話一年365天, 24小時開機(搭飛機除外) 但是, 如果不是急事, 我還是希望你有事找我用email.

蘇州一日遊

母親節剛過, 昨天陪著我媽去蘇州一日遊, 昨天下午兩點左右從公司出發, 大約4:30pm到吳江市, 就在快要到同里古鎮的時候, 遇到了大塞車.....剛好路邊有農民在賣香瓜, 我們就停下車來買瓜. 農民說, 前面100公尺左右, 有公安來強制要求賣瓜的農民撤攤, 但是農民們不肯, 抗議.....所以才造成了大塞車.
我過去看的時候, 看到好幾個公安一直努力的要疏散民眾, 但可能引起眾怒了吧, 農民們堅持不肯散去, 而且還一定要站在路中間吵架....馬路兩邊都排了常常的車龍. 後來, 有個老先生甚至躺在馬路正中間了.....可能怕更甚的激怒圍觀民眾, 公安們不敢強制抬離這位老先生, 只能拿著一台攝影機在那裡錄影留證. 而車流也只能緩慢的從老先生旁邊小心的開過.


因為這一下延誤....大約六點才到達同里, 停好車後, 客棧的陸老闆來接我們. 這是我事先在網上定好的民宿: "正福草堂". 老闆年紀輕輕, 客棧卻是打理的很好, 聽說前不久還在雲南麗江古鎮開了分店哦! 正福草堂位在同里鎮的中心地帶, 古色古香的二層樓木建築, 飛簷紅燈籠的, 很有古代大戶人家的味道. 還有古箏, 琵琶, 石製棋盤..等等, 氣氛很讚!! 我定的房間名為紅妝. 重點是一張雕花大木床, 我媽一直唸說她的阿祖有一張類似的床, 要回台灣問問那張床跑哪去了^^

雖然家具都是很有歷史的古董, 但是衛浴設備還是先進的, 除了24小時熱水供應, 電視, 寬帶, 空調..等還是有的. 唯一美中不足的就是蚊子超多! 老闆提供的電蚊香好像不夠毒, 一晚上我殺了十幾隻蚊子, 還好床上有美美的紗帳, 讓我還是睡的很香.

晚餐後在鎮上逛了一下, 白天看來很髒的水, 在黑夜之中, 搭配些許燈光顯的美麗又浪漫...而且遊客少了很多, 空氣新鮮, 涼風許許的, 很舒服. 回到客棧後, 老闆拿出武夷山的茶請我們喝, 大家在說說笑笑的, 渡過了難得悠哉的一晚....

今天一大早起床, 趁著遊客們都還沒到, 又去逛....買了很多蘇州的特產, 如珍珠, 絲巾等, 我還童心未泯的買了手工波浪鼓, 最特別的是買了一幅蘇繡. 手工一針針的繡出一隻栩栩如生的貓咪, 超美的. 我打算寄回多倫多送給Mrs.Porter.彌補我無法回去參加Mosaic的歉意...>_<
大約10點左右, 我們離開了同里, 往蘇州市區出發.....在蘇州市區裡稍微迷路了一下...看著地圖, 蘇州博物館附近有一條路, 路名很美: 桃花嵨大街. 所以特地繞過去看看, 沒想到那是一條即將要拆遷的路. 路邊房子支離破碎, 路面狀況也很差, 跟印象中的園林城市差很多. 在路的盡頭, 看到一塊牌子, 介紹桃花嵨大街以前滿街的桃花, 由此得名. 而且一代風流才子唐伯虎的家在這裡, 這裡曾是蘇州城的風流韻事中心點...這對比真的很大吧?

蘇州博物館新館2006/10才完工. 建築設計可是由贝聿铭 (巴黎羅孚宮也是他設計的) 操刀設計的. 我之前在雜誌上看過介紹, 這次完全是慕名而來. 可能不是假日的關係, 館內人不多, 而且還大多是外國人....有點奇怪. 不管怎樣 有點融合了西方的簡潔, 又有一點蘇州園林的特色, 這個博物館建築特色突出, 讓我的印象非常的深刻. 整個展館圍繞著中心的蓮花池/庭子, 在展館裡, 隨處可以透過園林風格的六角窗看到外面的綠意盎然. 成功的排除了一般博物館會有的沉重老舊感.
館裡的展品不是很多, 跟我去過的幾個博物館比起來算少的了 (Toronto ROM, NY MOMA...etc) , 可是展示順序, 展架設計, 說明牌製作, 燈光效果, 展品的保護...等都很棒. 完全可以說是一個超國際水準的博物館!! 6/30日前還有徐悲鴻的個人畫展. 他可以說是中國近代油畫的第一人. 我一直很喜歡他那種中式風格的油畫風采....我覺得在一個中西合併的博物館裡, 展出一個中西合併的畫家之作, 真是再合適不過了!

這次的蘇州一日行悠閒又不失其豐富的內容. 我媽也蠻喜歡的. 尤其是蘇州博物館, 有機會, 建議大家都應該去走走看看哦!!

Shanghai Show

Finally the show is finished. I feel more exhausted than ever because the show size is big, and the amount of works I put in is greater.

9:00AM, 5/2

This clean empty land, for us to construct on it.

1:00PM, 5/2

Our truck finally entered, unloaded the materials, and first started with the steel frame work.

H: 6M, W: 6M, L: 15M

2:00PM, 5/2

After the steel frame works were done, we started with the wood job of our meeting rooms.

4:00PM, 5/2, We also had to start the construction of Assess.

6:00PM, 5/2

Gladly we could see the draft of the Aezda booth. The posters were up, and the showcases were on-site.

5/3, we spent whole day adjusting our bike samples, and thanks to Charlie with his lovely plants.....at 5PM, 5/3, we have a lovely booth look as this

And this is how Assess looks!! White vs Black, a designed-effect!

Over the show, we were very busy, and received countless customers. But very satisifed with the results (design, and business)

Me, Tony and Charlie are thinking to start up a show-design company....maybe it would work out? but all three of us are already very busy with our current job position.

More photos:

Preview of Shanghai Cycle Show

Shanghai cycle show is coming....it's the biggest cycle show in China, one of the biggest in the world too. 5/4 - 5/7. Anyone is around the city, welcome to visit me at Hall E2, 0705.

1. The stand design: we have spent 3 months discussing the design idea with this construction company, and spent 3 weeks on negotiating prices and contract terms. THEN she told me she can't take the case, cuz her company has not yet set up the company account, thus cannot accept any payment from us. While we refuse to pay to her personal account, we gave up with this construction company. Now, I design the stand, I go to the market to buy materials....I feel i am almighty powerful......anyway, scared to see the result, while aggressively let my creatively flying around with this opportunaty.

2. The samples: as usual, we have planned several new models to be exhibited during the show. But my company is just not efficient enough (or am I too impatient?) only 2 weeks away from the show now, and the samples only half-way done!! so worry so worry

3. The orders: Since the successful taipei show, we have received many requets and orders....wow!! that really made me busy these days...I can't remember when was my last time enjoying a "weekend"!! I can foresee the shanghai show as a super busy show. I shall bring some massage oil with me to Shanghai.

Anyway......this is just to report why I chat much less on msn now. all my dearest friends, I hope you can understand^_^

巴著過去不放手

我一直是個很念舊的人, 時不時的就會在那回想當初, 遙望過去....以前cal常常指責我花費太多時間在過去. 他認為念舊不是壞事, 但是過度的念舊, 只會讓我停止往前走, 不再進步.

因為他的影響, 我每次一開始回想過去, 就會硬逼自己停止, 並努力的往前看. 不管怎樣, 規劃未來比無謂的歷史回顧還要有用......可是我很難控制自己. 尤其最近因為jci下個月要辦的同學會活動, 跟幾個很少聯絡的朋友又開始交談起來, 話題離不開回到母校的種種. 我連作夢都一夢到高中的種種. 有的是惡夢, 有的是美夢.....

每次想到過去, 我都有股愧疚感! 我覺得對不起自己, 對不起cal一直以來的勸說....這種愧疚到讓我到現在還無法下決心買機票. 我覺得....花這些時間/金錢回去重溫舊夢, 是否代表著我對過去還是放不下? 還巴著不放手?

當留言板上有將近一半的留言是出自我手, 我懷疑....我是不是所有老友中, 最熱衷的一位? 也象徵著, 我是對現狀最不滿, 最想回到過去的?
?
然後, 繞完一圈的複雜矛盾思維....我又開始想: 我會不會想太多了? 到底該不該回去?

Clover-new product announcement

These days are crazily busy!! I am going to Taiwan this friday Mar.16, and exhibit in Taipei cycle show starts Mar.24 - 27. This show is very important for my company cuz we have prepared many new models to show.

The most special one is the one: Clover. We have given big hope on this bike...cuz it's very small, comfortable riding, and light weight. I named it Clover, derivated from 4 leaves clover. I was insipired by the coming St.Patrick day....these greenish clover images really reminds me the coming of bright spring.

anyway....I hope the taipei show has a good result!!

My poor nose

My poor nose gets very bad these days. Everynight it's all stucked, that I could not sleep. And during daytime, it is always making me feel uncomfortable. Very itchy and running continuesly. I sneeze in every few minutes, use up tons of cleanex. I find it very difficult to concentrate on anything I do.

I went to see an old chinese doctor yesterday....so from now on, I have to take super bitter medicine soup twice a day, for a very long time.

I have I can cure this and have my healthy nose back. Nose~nose~I wish you the best.

What do you know about the T-shirt on you?

I have started reading "The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy" by Pietra Rivoli. This talks about the souvinier t-shirt you buy at Miami beach for 5.99 USD, could be produced in Shanghai, and exported at 1.28USD. And digging deeper, the cotton were grewed in Texas, USA.

I have only read the preface and the first chapter. One sentence grabbed my eyeballs: " You have to put on sunscreen in where you buy the t-shirt; you have to bring a gun for self-protection in where you make the t-shirt." This probably not talking about Shanghai, but could be Africa or South America.

Coincidently, the cover issue of recent Business Week in Taiwan is also about Globalization, but not the economy, the people instead. The journals suggest the best paid labours in the future are the ones able to fit themself in new environment easily and quickly. According to the journals, people like me are called "Global Nomads", or "TCKs". (Third Culture Kids). During my growing process, I live in a non-mother culture for most of the time. Every culture melts into part of my life experiences, but my life experience does not purely belong to any identical culture. I was born in Taiwan, grew up in Canada, work in China, and deal with customers from all over the world. I already find it difficult to identify WHO I am, where does my root belong to.

Anyway, teatime break is over.....I should go back to my work. Many of you are also TCKs, tell me how you think, I am very interested to know.

What I get from my job?

My job today is surfing the net. Cool eh? All I did this afternoon was surfing around all the big sites such as google, baidu, yahoo, sina....etc. Mostly Chinese websites. Searching how people's opinions toward my company's products--Aezda Folding Bicycles.

I smiled while I read. A father bought an Aezda Folding bicycle for his 7-years old son, after his son swim across the river...as an award. I am sure that aezda bike must have been a big deal to this courageous little boy. I feel happy, honored and proud....that our product has been used as an AWARD, a gift!!

This reminds me the other day I was in Nanjing shopping, I gave my business card to a sales person, for him to write up an invoice for me. He said "OH! Aezda! You are the one making the little foldable bikes....Can I receive discount if I present this business card to the dealer?" That made me laugh~ But I must admit, it was a great feeling. A feeling being acknowledged.

Unavoidbly, this job gives me heavy pressures. Many times, I think about quitting...but when I realize that our product, my hard work....have become part of someone else's life, I am satisified.

TAIPEI CYCLE: March 24 - 27, Booth #: G722.

Velopark 2007, Moscow

This winter was amazing, I have visited a city full of art-- Moscow, Russia.

The bike show itself was ok, small but made its point. What I want to emphasize is the city, and the people living in that city. Russians (or at least Russians in Moscow) are so proud of themselfs. Everyone of them looks so distant and unreachable. They walk through subway station tunnel, as though they are walking on fashion show. Yes, everyone of them walks with a sense of arrogant and stillness.


The expenses there are very high. Hotel, transportation, food, souviners...etc. If consider their average monthly salary is only few hundred US dollars, you would doubt why 1 bottle of water prices at $1.00 in the supermarket.



The architectures were amazing. Those onion-heads cathdrals, the orthodox pillers, and the subway stations! A friend questioned about so many station photos in my Moscow album. Every subway station was designed in an unique style, and all were museum-like!! Many stations were deep down underground...You could stand on the escalator for 60 seconds for up or down. Guess what? Russians don't waste their time. I see many couples hugging and kissing during that 60 seconds on escalator.