Winter Vacation II-- Paris (20091231-20100103)

Dec-31-2009
On the last day of 2009, we took Thalys from Rotterdam to Paris. In the train we met 8 young Polish. They started celebrated New Year's eve as soon as they got on the train. They drank, talk, and laugh, making many other passengers annoyed. They got excited due to the alcohol. Then began to talk to other passengers, including us. They were cute, but I still thought they were too noisy.

We arrived Paris Nord with half hour delay. Being in a new country, how to purchase transportation tickets is always a problem. We decided to buy 2-day tickets and a French helped us.(Next day we found out that we were cheated by that man. He purchased one-way tickets for us, and he earned at least 30 euro from us) Every city's metro system has its own features. Paris' metro could hold more people than London's and Rotterdam's. Wheels are also different. Finally, we arrived our hotel. It was too cold so we decided to stay in the hotel and watched TV to celebrate the coming of 2010. We saw celebrations in Sydney, Taipei(fireworks at 101), and HK. When midnight approached, the Eiffel Tower had light show, colorful and glorious. It's the first time I welcomed the new year in a foreign and romantic city. I was happy I was not alone.




Jan-01-2010
Our first stop is Notre Dame, the most important and the most famous cathedral in Paris. Its construction could be traced back to 1160. Inside I could feel the ancient and holy atmosphere. Outside was decorated with many "Gargoyles". It was cold and snowing. Therefore we decided to have lunch in a restaurant next to the cathedral. We tasted the real "French Fries", very delicious. The half chicken and the omelette were also good. But the onion soup was a little disappointing. We quite enjoyed the meal.

Then we went to Centre Georges Pompidou, just to see the building. I liked it. We also passed by Forum des Halles. The whole area was beautiful.

Our next stop was Place de la Concorde. The ancient monument from Egypt, the 18th- century buildings and a modern ferris wheel together formed an interesting view. We walked on the famous "Avenue des Champs-Elysees". I thought the pink flags destroyed the beautiful of the avenue.

We rushed to Montmartre to meet Henry's friend. He lead us climbing up the hill and enjoying the beautiful city view. I could see Notre Dame. There are not many tall buildings. Paris residents think skyscrapers would destroy the beautiful skyline.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, its white exterior and domes is quite different from other cathedrals in Europe. It was built after France lost the Franco-Prussian War. Its construction symbolized the religious and national renewal. Then we walked at streets of Montmartre. Many artists were selling their works there. Many famous artists, such as Van Gogh and Picasso, left their footprints here. We walked through the Cafe where "Amelie" worked, and reached Moulin Rouge. We said goodbye to his friend and had dinner at Quick, the local fast food restaurant. Well, we prefer real French cuisine.

We went to Trocadero station. There you could enjoy the full view of Eiffel Tower. It had light show every hour. Bright blue moon made the scene more beautiful and special. It was really romantic to enjoy the most famous night view in the world. The experience could be better if it was not so cold.



Jan-02-10
Musee de Louvre-- a place must visit in Paris. We entered it from the Pyramid. After purchasing tickets, I made a plan to "conquer" most of "must-sees" in our limited time. The Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and Mona Lisa(always crowded) are three most important collections. There are also famous many paintings. If we consider the value of collections, I believe Louvre is much higher than British Museum. Of course we did not see all collections in one day. I will be back one day.

We went to Place de la Bastille after leaving Louvre. Bastille, where the French evolution began, was famous of its history.

We had a bad experience at La Fayette. The fried rice of its Chinese restaurant was not good. After having several good meals in Paris, the feeling was really bad. I also did not find many attractive gourmet in its supermarket. And it closed early so I did not have time shopping. The only attractive thing in it was the tall Christmas tree.

Arc de Triomphe, the famous landmark, was beautiful during the night. So was Avenue Champs-Elysees. We bought Macrons in a store nearby. In my opinion, they were more delicious than those I tried in Taiwan.


Jan-03-10
We had buffet breakfast in the hotel. We thought it didn't worth 5 euro. They we directly headed to Orly airport. We needed to take RER first and then transferred to OrlyVal, an automatic metro service between the airport and RER station. We had a very good lunch there. I ordered duck leg, really good. Henry tried row beef. He thought it's good. Although I like steak, but raw beef, not my dish. Not only the dishes were good, the view as well. We sat next to window so we could enjoy the view. I used last few minutes buying a Longchamp bag. It is indeed cheaper in France.
Then we said goodbye to Paris, flying to our next destination--Barcelona.

Paris has too much to see, to visit, to experience. I believe I will go there again.

Winter Vacation I -- London (20091217-22)

Dec-17-2009

After finishing the law exam in the morning, I jumped on a train to Brussels and then took Eurostar to London.

The first night in London was also my first time seeing snowing. Snow fell on my jacket, on my face. It was not romantic at all.

Dec-18-2009

The first spot I visited was the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, where you could one foot on the west hemisphere and the other on the east. Equipments for astronomy and ocean navigation were displayed. There was also a 28-inch telescope.

After having a vegetable noodle in a Chinese restaurant, I went to Westminster. Westminster Abbey, built one-thousand year ago, is still an important place for royal religious activities. I didn't go inside becuase of the expansive fee. Opposite to the Abbey is House of Parliament. It is located at a river bank of the Themes. I saw the famous landspots "Big Ben" and London Eye.

I went to Tate Britain to see an special exhibition called "Turner and the masters". I was very disappointed because the paintings showed there did not worth my 12.5 pounds. And I found that I don't really like Turner's works. I regrated.

My next stop was Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. It was freezing standing on the bridge. The towers are higher than I expected. I didn't stay on the bridge too long because my fingers were nearly frozen. I tried to find a place to see lift of the bridge but I did not make it. I decided to stay to wait for another chance, which is one hour later. I had my dinner in a Subway next to Tower of London. There were many sad and cruel stories happened in Tower of London, which made me feel the atmosphere was a little bit scary at night. But many people skated right next to the wall of it. I walked along the river bank where I could clearly see Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. There was a small wharf. Many prisoners were sent to Tower of London through here. I finally saw the lift of the bridge. It was very fast. Lift up and down took less than 5 minutes.

I took the underground back to Angel. A book store was on clearance sale. I spent 4.45 for the newest Star Trek novel(original price is 9.99).

Dec-19-2009

I planned to see changing of guards at Buckingham Palace at 11:30am. Since I got up earlier, I decided to go to Notting Hill to see the famous bookstore. It was Saturday so there was an open market at Portobello Road. I didn't stay there long but I still failed to reach Buckingham Palace on-time because the transfer of the underground was not as smooth as I expected. When I reached there, the changing process already started. And there were many tourists that I could not find a good place to see clearly. Anyway, I could see very little part when I stood on tiptoe.

I think it is better to watch this on TV.

I went to St. Jame's Park station, which located at Broadway. Next to the station is Scotland Yard, the headquarter of the metropolitan police. This name could be often found in Holmes series. Many places in London are familiar to me because the books. After I lunch I went to the British Museum.

I was quite surprised that the entrance fee is free, and I heard more Chinese than English in the museum because there were so many Chinese visitors. The mummies are still the most popular. In my opinion, although the collections are huge and various, not many have high value. For example, in its Chinese collection, I did not see porcelains or jades which could regard precious.

Covent garden, where the Royal Opera House locates, is another place I learned from Holmes series. It is a good place for entertainment. Many shops, theaters, and restaurants are here. I had dinner with my cousin and her friends in a French restaurant. The food was not bad. I was very happy to enjoy the meal.

Dec-20-2009

The weather was good. I visited a place where I told myself I would visit one day since my senior high--Baker Street 221B. Although there was no 221B when Conan Doyle wrote the series, now there is, and it is Sherlock Holmes Museum. I met two Russians there, they asked me if Holmes series was popular in Taiwan. I told them I wouldn't say it was popular, but some people became Holmes' fans when they were young, like me. They told me it was very popular in Russia. I met Dr. Watson there. I asked him where Holmes was. He answered me that Holmes would show up tomorrow. They took turns. Although Holmes is just a fiction character, I still felt excited visiting his place, imaging he was really here one hundred year ago and those cases really happened before. Outside the Baker street underground station is a Holmes statue and inside you could see posters of the new Holmes film. I believed there would be more tourists here after the film was released.

After leaving Baker street, I went to the Harrods, the famous department store. Most goods there were very expensive, according to my standard. I only bought bread.

I went to St. Pancras station and surprisingly found that the Eurostar service was cancelled for two days. It meant that I could not go home. The staff said he could not guarantee when the train would be back to service. I was trapped in London. I saw many tourists rushed to the hotel reservation office after they realized they had to stay here longer. I was glad I had a place to stay for free. Since I had time, I went to King's Cross, just next to St. Pancras, to see the 9 3/4 platform.

Dec-21-2009

I enjoyed a spare day in London. I took bus to Hyde park. I prefer took bus than underground. Red double-deck buses made me feel more "London". Then I walked through Constitution Hill to Buckingham Palace to see the beginning of changing of guards, which I missed two days ago. Crossed the Green Park, I went to Piccadilly Circus, another famous spot in London. Not far from there is the Chinatown. I had a delicious lunch(銀芽鴨絲炒烏冬) there. There are many Chinese in London so the scale of Chinatown is big. Compared to Rotterdam, we only have one road.

I went to financial district of London. There are two special buildings worth to see--Swiss Re Headquarter London and Lloyd's Building. Many people wore black trench coat walking quickly. I believed the scene was quite the same that you would see at Wall Street.

Tate Modern, renovated from an old factory, was a museum worth to visit. The entrance fee was also free. I loved this. Although I did not not really appreciate the modern art, the space made people comfortable. Among various works, I like Miroslaw Balka's "How it is" the most. It is a huge black box container located at ground floor. When walking into the box, you hardly could see anything. Keep walking, wondering what would be in front of you. You could give up, turning around and going out, or walking along the wall. I just walked slowly and carefully, and suddenly, I hit the wall in front of me. I smiled and felt relived. Many people did the same thing as well. It was a good opportunity to know yourself how to deal unknown things. A really interesting experience.

When I walked outside the museum, I could not believe what I saw--heavy snow. The guard asked me smilingly: Stuck? I decided to leave because there was no sign that snow would stop soon. I followed several people and difficultly reached the station. But, I could not get on 4 coming underground. Too crowded at peak hours. And the 5th was stuck in the previous station due to emergency situation. I decided to took the other bound underground and then changed to another line. I went back to Chinatown to have a buffet dinner--4.95, all you can eat. Well, you could imagine the level of those dishes. But I prefer this than fast food.

I got free newspaper at a station and the front page story is Eurostar. The situation was a mess. The heavy snow disrupted transportation in many European countries.

Dec-22-09

I stayed at my cousin's place and kept watching the most updated information. The airport closed yesterday and this morning due to the snow while the Eurostar was back to service today.

What should I do?

The weather was getting better and the airport opened again. I went on my way to the airport. It was not very smooth. It took me 13 pounds for a half-hour train. And many trains were cancelled so many travelers heading to the airport had to board on another train, which made the train overcrowded. The captain even said that I believed the train would be much lighter after the airport stop. Finally I flew back to Amsterdam. The snow also affected the transportation in the Netherlands. I waited for almost an hour and I took FYRA, the only available train, home. Fyra only took 25 minutes from Schiphol to Rotterdam. Finally I got home after such a long journey.

The lesson learned is avoid travelling if it is possible to snow. You may be trapped and could not go home.

The great grocery shopping experience

Recently the discount campaign began again.

Albert Heigh has 50 products "buy one get one free" every week.

Yesterday I purchased 3 pairs of active items and bread.

I totally spent 5.69 euro and saved more than 4 euro.

I was very satisfied with my shopping result.

I am proud of myself.

Rookies EP1~3

1~3集是川藤"收服"這些學生的過程

EP 1.

當熱血教師川藤到二子玉川學園任教的時候 棒球部雖然已經過了被禁賽的期間 但依然壟罩在當初暴力事件的陰影下 退社的退社 轉學的轉學 剩下的10人 都是川藤班上的學生 大部分的人都放棄了他們 他們也放棄了他們自己 整日抽菸打架

轉機來自於乖乖牌御子柴的退學信 川藤找到御子柴 聽他真情流露的訴說他想打棒球的夢想 "我只有棒球了 好像再跟大家一起打棒球" "夢想"是川藤最重視的事情 所以他毅然的表示他會支持御子柴的夢想 承諾他會讓大家一起笑著畢業

川藤之前害學生受重傷的過往被那些學生爆了出來 他表明暴力教師的標籤的確是無法磨滅的過去 但他因為無法放棄幫助學生的夢想 決定重拾教鞭 他向棒球部眾人宣告著"你們的比賽尚未結束"

關川的快腿得到川藤的讚賞 之後在辦公室偷聽到川藤和教務主任的談話 得知校長聘用川藤的目的是想藉由引起暴力事件讓川藤負責 並將棒球部所有人退學 但川藤卻表示他會守護著那些學生 關川的心理產生變化 但也因此觸怒新庄狠狠修理了關川(這一段穿插在川藤朗誦"山椒魚"的課文中, 安於作井底之蛙的山椒魚故事) 也修理了御子柴 川藤試著說服他們 甚至就站著讓新庄一拳接著一拳揍 也要說服他們重拾夢想 走向未來 雖然其他人還沒有完全被說服 卻深刻體認這個老師不是一般老師呀

<川藤名言錄>

不滿足現狀的人才會有夢想 苟且偷安的人是沒有夢想的

即使在追逐夢想的過程中遇到挫折 不要放棄 讓我們一起為夢想努力吧

激盪夢想 點亮明天

燕雀安知鴻鵠之志 (引自 司馬遷 史記)

握緊是拳頭 攤開是掌心 可以傳遞心靈 我相信 總有一天 你會主動向我張開你的掌心

Ep 2.

川藤答應了用賀高中一個月後的練習賽 他向校長表明 要是在比賽前無法集齊隊員 就辭職負責 這件事被岡田和湯舟知道了 川藤來找若菜等四人 希望他們重拾棒球 若菜隨口說他的夢想是踢足球來為難川藤 卻發現川藤非常開心並認真的要替他達成夢想而去拜託足球隊的教練 不管自己可能回被逼辭職的問題

同一時間 安仁屋去找了當初因為川藤受傷的學生 卻發現他竟然是感激川藤的 川藤也繼續向安仁屋勸說 但他回說"世界上有些東西是再努力也得不到的"

川藤替足球部連續拔了一周的雜草 再加上他向其他老師說"因為他們是我的學生 我想幫他們抓住夢想" 感動了若菜 "我是雜草 一無是處 卻不是垃圾 讓我繼續打棒球吧" 繼若菜加入後 岡田 湯舟 檜山 也一起加入了 在棒球場上露出笑容的 多了四個人

<經典台詞>

川藤: 小人閒居為不善(引自 大學, 目標明確的人沒空做壞事)

川藤: 相信自己 我會支持你們的

安仁屋: 川藤那傢伙 只會投直球 若菜: 那傢伙的直球 不會半途而廢

御子柴: 大家都只是逞強 其實心裡都在期待 像老師這樣的人來到身邊支持他們 我相信老師

Ep 3.

棒球部的重生之路並不順遂 剛恢復活動 就發生社團教室被噴漆 新庄雖然自那天之後就沒有出現 但一直默默關心著這些兄弟們 新庄和安仁屋去找主使者"理論" 其他人也跑去助陣 校長以此為藉口要將他們全員退學 川藤引用Hawthorne名言"Generosity is the flower of justice" 勸校長網開一面

川藤熱血的要大家以甲子園為目標 眾人一笑置之 但安仁屋卻批評川藤連棒球規則都不懂 甲子園之夢太天真了 川藤從和安仁屋青梅竹馬的塔子口中得知安仁屋懷抱著甲子園之夢但他清楚知道他自己的實力離甲子園有多遙遠 所以他才會有那麼大的反應

接下來是搞笑片段 大家都想要當投手 若菜一出手就打暈了川藤 這段佐藤隆太的動作實在太爆笑了

御子柴再度向安仁屋邀請重回棒球隊 若菜看不慣安仁屋的態度 打了起來 川藤並未制止 他相信這些學生們"打出來的心意"才是最真實的 御子柴反駁安仁屋"我們很清楚自己的實力遠不如你 我們也不是非要達成夢想不可 我們只有棒球了 現在我們充實的過著每一天 如果你想打球就爽快說出來呀 不然 就別讓我們對你有所期待" 安仁屋也喃喃的說"我也只有棒球了"

在河邊的棒球場 川藤向安仁屋提出對決 "我要讓你揮空三球" 在雨中(日本人很愛這套)的投打對決 雖然川藤輸了賭注 但安仁屋卻主動回到了棒球隊 並且稱呼川藤為"監督" 而因為經理塔子的關係之前跑去合唱團的搞笑搭檔 平塚和今岡 相信下一集就會自動到棒球隊報到 二子玉川棒球隊終於湊齊了九人

<1~3集心得>

老師一個一個收服壞學生 這算是老梗劇情了 極道鮮師可算是代表 但是多了棒球這個夢想 Rookies的可看性就提高多了 雖然依然還是有一貫的說教意味 但是 川藤最重視的 是要學生正視自己 找到夢想 他會在背後做為他們的支柱 其實這些學生的本性是不壞的 而且這樣的人反而單純 當他們決定重拾球棒之後 他們就一心一意的做這件事 看著大家都這麼熱血 讓我在這秋風颯颯之際也熱血起來了

佐藤隆太非常適合熱血角色 只要聽到學生的夢想 就一股傻勁的幫助他們 目前還想不到有人比他更適合這個角色

劇情和角色的安排 讓每個學生都有獨特之處 有鑑別性 不會看完不知道誰是誰 而且可以感受到演員間彼此的兄弟情誼 下一集開始打棒球後 應該會有更多令人感動和熱血之處吧

Dreams, Passion and Courage--Rookies

I just finishd the Japanese drama--Rookies this afternoon.

It is the best Japanese drama I watched recently.

It's about a group of hot-blooded high school baseball players chasing their dream--"Koshien "

Besides dreams, one also needs passion and courage.

Hope everyone can achieve his/her dream.

Lectures ended, Exams are coming

Just finished the presentation.
The end of all lectures of block one is coming.
On Wednesday, exam week begins!

Keep my pace to move on(Although slower than others)
After next Monday, my life will be better again!

Rainy day

It rained today, actually from yesterday.
Walking in the rain toward metro station at 8:00AM doesn't a good experience.
After a 3-hour class, there's another one waiting.
I just wanna go home.
To be honest, I don't feel easy at school.
And I still have mant readings, several presentations waiting for me.
I am looking forward the weekend.
Maybe it's the weather that makes me a little bit depressed.