CCIIIB - Rights to Write - Task 10 - 2nd Reply

Dear Nicole,

You are right, sometimes we tend to escape and retreat without even knowing that we're giving up. It often begins with small things that we think is okay to give up on, then gradually as we encounter bigger problems that we cannot solve, we give up again, until one day giving up becomes a habit without us even realizing it.

Everybody has these problems sometime in their lives, it's a natural part of what being human is all about. But it takes real intelligence to see and recognize our faults and not blindly fool ourselves into believing that we have no faults. Only when we can see what our real weaknesses are, can we hope to eliminate them.

It is good that you read books that encourage you for the better, and that also means that you have already found and know what your own weaknesses are. And since you are reading out of free will and are self motivated to find solutions, it means that you are not blinded by your own faults. I'm sure you will be able to conquer your fears eventually.

I like your way of self examination, by reviewing yourself after some time, and see your difficulties with a clear mind and be reasonable enough to figure things out. This is not always easy, especially for most people who have gotten so used to "blindfolding" themselves from their faults, that they simple ignore it.

In the end of this comment, which is already becoming too long, I would like to share a saying that I saw with you: "Bravery is not having no fears; it is having the courage to face your fears."
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CCIIIB - Rights to Write - Task 10 - 1st Reply

Dear Nicole,

Well said! I absolutely agree with your point on "not just playing it safe" and trying to "push the limits". It can be very difficult sometimes, the challenges we have to face, and like you said, ignoring the "voice" that keeps telling you to quit is a sure way to achieve success.

I think that most of the difficulties are caused by our own weaknesses in our minds. Of course there are some difficulties that are caused by other uncontrollable forces, and others by a series of unpredictable events or coincidences, but I believe that most of the problems that we have to face, which are caused by outside causes are easier to handle than the problems that occur because of our own weakness. It is because we have these weaknesses that we encounter these problems that we think are difficulties.

Most of the challenges we have that are caused by reasons other than our own mental weaknesses are easier to face. One reason is that we are not to be blamed for the consequences that may occur when facing these kinds of obstacles, because we were not responsible for the occurrence of the incident, and thus we can speak with ease, that we will try to resolve the problem with confidence.

However, if the problems were caused by our own mental weaknesses, then the problems would be a whole lot more difficult to deal with, hence we call them difficulties. This is because we lack the ability, or that we posses certain defects that allowed the problem to be able to arise, or take shape. And since we don't have what it takes to resolve the problem, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the difficulties, and can often choose to run away from them.

So the reason why over coming difficulties are difficult, is that we would have to change who we are initially, or to acquire the required skills or talents or characteristics needed to solve the problem, and this is way much easier said than done. Since we don't have the necessary skills or characteristics to prevent the problem from arising in the first place, so when the problem occurs, it would be difficult for us to solve it without the required skills, and it would be even more difficult to learn or acquire what we don't originally possess, in the face of the difficulties.

That is why people admire those who are successful, who can overcome their difficulties; they can achieve what they themselves think is difficult. While most of us see our own difficulties as impossible missions, those who are successful often see their difficulties as improbable missions. Difficult, yes, but not impossible. And then they will try to find a way to defeat their difficulties and whatever new problems that might occur during the process. I think this is because those people can differentiate the difference between the improbable and the impossible.

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CCIIIB - J03 - A Journal of Him and Her - Part 1

This is a story about two souls who were thrashed together, despite their own interests and deprived of choice, by someone named Fate...

He walks about the comforts of his house one cozy Sunday afternoon, carefree and arrogant. This is his territory, shared with none, except those who serve him. Sometimes resting on the large and luxurious Italian leather sofa, sometimes striding across the polished granite tiles of black and white. His favorite pass time would be to sit by his double pane glass window and watch the passers-by out on the busy streets.

Despite his stature, he never leaves his palace, save for the one time when he was young. He wondered out of his courtyard on just a same cozy Sunday afternoon, and the wonders of the outside world simply seized him by surprise. The dazzling lights dashing to and fro over his head, the scent of unfamiliar smells mixed up all together, the chaotic noises, sounds of everything crying at the same time, the sweet, warm taste of the moist air tangoed on the tip of his tongue. And all of his senses, boosted with excitement and curiosity, were like a furry leash, tugging gently on his neck, irresistible.

It was not until another two weeks that his servants found him shivering of cold and hunger in front of his home sweet home, unable to enter because he had lost his keys, along with his other few possessions he had with him on the day that he left. Nobody knew what had happened to him during those two weeks, he wouldn't say, but since he's back in one piece (not in one of many pieces); no one dared to push the question further. He had never stepped out of his house since, even though 20 years has past.

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CCIIIB - Rights to Write - Task 9 - 1st Reply

Dear Nicole,

Below are my replies:

What are the top two tasks you liked the most?

1) What are they? (task numbers and titles)

"Task 2: Country Girl/Boy in A Big City" & "Task 7: The Strawberry Generation"

2) Why? (three specific reasons for each choice)

For Task 2:

a) I actually enjoyed the clips of the movie so much, that I went and watched the whole thing; it's quite funny.

b) I born in the city, then moved to the country side, and now I'm back in the city again, so I could relate to some of the themes brought up in the movie.

c) Having a task on a movie, was like one of the high school assignments I had when I was studying overseas, which I enjoyed quite a lot.

For Task 7:

a) I've had much experience regarding to being "labeled", be it "strawberry" or any other since I grew up in a "colorful" country overseas, and had many working experiences after my return to Taiwan.

b) Since this is a topic that's directed at my generation, and it singles us out from others, it's a issue worth looking into.

c) I've always been told that I look like a 7th grader, but work like a 6th grader. I say I'm a hybrid of both, taking the good from both generations.

3) Did you respond a lot in these two tasks?

I responded more in Task 7 than in Task 2.

4) Which one among the two did you enjoy the discussion with your keypal most and why?

Well... so far I've only had a few discussion with my previous partner Candy, so for this question my answer would be on Task 2.

What are the two tasks you disliked the most?

1) What are they? (task numbers and titles)

I didn't really disliked any of the topics, I think they're all very well designed, but if I must choose, then it would be "Task 3: Identify the City" & "Task 4: What is your plan?"

2) Why? (three specific reasons for each choice)

For Task 3:

a) I couldn't identify any of the pictures, except for the one that has "Chicago" on it.

b) And for this task, I didn't get any "proper" response from my previous partner Candy.

c) Too less interaction, too less "action".

For Task 4:

a) I didn't quite follow with the news at that time, so was slow on the issue.

b) I'm not very familiar with the eastern side of Taiwan, so I didn't have much to comment on.

c) Too less interactions and responses.

3) What difficulties did you encounter during these two tasks?

Lack of background knowledge really hinders my way of thought. I couldn't comment on too much, because I didn't know enough about the issue, and so in order to give some decent replies, I had to spend extra time doing extra reading and googling for the news.

4) How did you manage to finish the discussions with your keypal in these tasks, e.g., any particular strategies were used?

We were more like doing our own individual tasks, with few responses.

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CCIIIB - Rights to Write - Task8 - 1st Reply

Dear Nicole,

I find your observations interesting, as I have very few female friends, and so lack the chance to observe the behaviors of the opposite sex. So as you can see, most of my findings are "men-talks", or sometimes just "boy-talks" depending on whom I was observing...

The one case I've noticed is my younger brother. He tends to ignore the questions when being confronted. For example, the last time I asked him if he has done his chores yet, he gave me a "hmm" for an answer, while playing computer games at the same time. His lack of decent respect provoked me to raise my voice and overpower his attention over the computer game. So he slowly and reluctantly removed his hands from the keyboard and mouse in response, but his gaze was still fixed on his monitor. And the look on his face smelled dread with disgust. And the typical ending of this episode was the usual "lecture" from the old to the young.

His strategy is what we call "裝傻" in Chinese, where he pretends that he heard you, and then when confronted, claims that he didn't hear you. It appears to be a typical method of getting out of undesirable duties or chores such as cleaning the cat litter, or sweeping the floor. And by "deliberately" provoking me, he was trying to "change the subject" or "focus" by bringing up another issue which would require an amount of time to deal with, and hopefully to exhaust me of my energy to pry on with the original matter, or to wish per chance that I would become too engaged in the second topic, that I would forget about the first subject. But his plans rarely succeed.

When I am presented with a question, I usually try to answer all of them, unless there were far too many for me to remember. And the reason why I would elaborate more on some questions and talk less on others is simple. I answer according to my own interests, and also according to how the question was asked, fulfilling what the question requires and sometimes giving examples or comments as well, though I do tend to be quite "talkative" sometimes.

I'm used to observing and analyzing things, not only is it a career I once had, it is also a very big part of my interest; to discovery and to understand. The good side about this habit, is that I can "see" more details than most people do, and the down side about this, is that I get carried away with my thoughts sometimes.

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CCIIIB - Rights to Write - Task7 - 1st Reply

Dear Nicole,

I can see that you too are affected by this "Strawberry" label, though it does not affect me quite as much as it does you. Since I'm also a "7th grader", I too had this issue brought up upon me. But instead of "meeting their expectations", I showed them who I really was, and proved myself that I was definitely not a "strawberry".

I wouldn't get angry if anyone calls me a "strawberry", since I know that I'm not one, and that my actions will prove that, so the label doesn't bother me too much.

I agree with your point of view about labeling our generation is "not objective" and is also "unfair". I believe that every generation has its own unique features, developed as a result of their "generation" and environment. Like you said, when it comes to work, the previous generation seems to have more "stability" and are more "passive" in their decisions. That could be because they have to become this way in order to survive through their time, and also these features suit the way our society functions at that time. But the down side of this is that they tend to be more "stubborn" and less "flexible".

Whereas our generation are relatively more "creative" and are more "active" in our way of thoughts. We are more "flexible" in the sense that we dare to let go of the old, and to take on new challenges, which in some cases are "irresponsible and unstable" to the previous generation. And I believe that our features are also the result of our environment and of our society. 

We are what we are because our environment made us what we are. And so the reason why the older generation don't like or don't agree with our way of thinking, is because they see things differently, and think differently. And who is to say what characteristics are definitely good or bad? I believe that according to different situations, there is only "the most suited", and not "the best". Of course this is just my own perception, please feel free to comment.
As for the task, since it's already way overdue, I'll just post my own comments on the issue.

From what I saw in the article provided, it does seem a bit too extreme and subjective, but as differently as I felt, I have to say that this clip we saw is not objective in its own form, as we were not presented with the content of the interview, and only the partial comments of 蔣友柏先生, and this is dangerous as to the extent of "斷章取義". 

And even if 蔣友柏先生 really did meant to insult and offend all people under the age of 30 (which I doubt that a man of his stature would be arrogant enough to show such stupidity), I'm sure he would do so with sincere explanations, because if not, then this would be a very serious offense, since he mentioned not only job-seekers, but also potential customers. And those under-30s are the future of our society, so unless he plans to close his business within the next 20 to 30 years, I don't really think that he would want to be enemies with the entire future population.

Sincerely,

Danny 

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CCIIIB - Rights to Write - Task 6 - 1st Reply

My father put up a poster he got from Apple Daily. It was a picture of 淑君kicking her opponent in the face, with a big “淑君我挺妳！” written on it. Not only do I see facebook events concerning this issue, the local news and the printing press have also been reporting the story around the clock. I’ve also heard that some companies have announced to “cease support” on all Korean products and goods, even if it costs them a third of their usual income.

If I were one of 淑君’s close friends, I would show my support for her without doubt. Although there have been many talks of conspiracy, I believe random acts of anger upon the Korean society solves nothing, nor does it help to change the fact that淑君 has been misjudged. It will only make matters worse. However, I also believe that, on an international and on a civilized basis, we should by all means make ourselves be heard by the related authorities. And in doing so, showing the whole world that we are not a cowered nation to be pushed around easily, and that we, as a part of the global community, have just as much right to demand justice as any other country.

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