by Stuart Chuang
People of all ages love the cartoon character, Doraemon—a robot cat from the 22nd century with a four-dimensional magic pocket. For many, the technological gadgets in that magic pocket, including “Bamboo-copters” and the “Anywhere-door,” appear to be the most appealing elements in the cartoon. These gadgets somehow symbolize mankind’s new omnipotence, which is the result not only of technological advancement but a certain kind of religion of rationality. Yet, for Doraemon’s creator, Fujiko F. Fujio, it appears doubtful whether human beings can really enjoy the unprecedented gratification of their wishes. His work seems to suggest that happiness lies in the renunciation of an idealized future. While technological advancement might be able to fulfill certain dreams, it is also true that it can bring about unbounded human violence. We can see this in the fourth Doraemon film, Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil (1983). This film is set against the duel between two undersea federations, Mu in the Pacific Ocean and Atlantis in Bermuda. These two federations thrive while people on earth still live in the Stone Age. Yet, while the two federations enjoy the peak of civilization, they soon become indulged in territorial contests. Fatal weapons are therefore invented, which only leads to more and more aggression. As the aggression is unlimited, so is the boundless thirst for revenge. And trauma is thus caused. It is true that technological advancement does bless the undersea world with high civilization. Nevertheless, that bliss is overtaken by trauma, which dooms the people to paranoia. In order to ward off this paranoia, strict national boundaries are adopted. Atlantis encircles the Bermuda Triangle with explosive walls, while Mu sentences to death anyone who tries to step out of its territory. The segregation between the two federations, between the self and the other, thus becomes deepened. Each federation seems successfully to ward off violent revenge from the other. Yet, as it wards off the aggressiveness of the other party, it also represses its own aggressiveness as well as its own bloody history. Blind to the violence within the self, the two federations are doomed never to work it through. A future built upon religion offers no better prospect. The idealizations offered by religious promises, like technological advancement, are double-edged: the preservation of goodness often cannot dispense with violence towards the unwanted qualities both in the self and in others (which, however, are not necessarily evil). We can see this process in the story of the robot kingdom that assaults the earth in Nobita and the Steel Troops (1986). The residents regard themselves as privileged by God to rule over the universe, who has forsaken human beings because of their greed and aggression. Nevertheless, the privileges of the few exploit both their own slaves and, later, human beings on earth. This is why the earth is attacked. But this, too, has its price. It is true that by fighting against mankind, the robots can ward off their own hatred and greed towards other races. Yet, their ability to love is also split off. They lose the ability to perceive the kindness outside their own race and outside what their reasoning can comprehend. To regain mercy, these robots must learn to accept the unknown. This seems to be what Lilulu, a robot spy, goes through as she interacts with Doraemon and the other characters. While doing her duty on earth, Lilulu suffers a severe injury. She is rescued and taken care of by Shizuka, who, however, she has attacked and keeps attacking. Shizuka thus personalizes, in Lilulu’s case, the “irrational” love that is incomprehensible to the robots’ reasoning. With the entrance of Shizuka’s kind-heartedness, Lilulu’s capacity for love is reborn. Though this identification with a “baser race” disturbs the former idealization, it enables her to feel compassion for other races, which she has never felt before. Technological advancement does elevate mankind to new omnipotence, but positive omnipotence (like high civilization) is easily inundated by a destructive omnipotence. Religious promises do help envision a future of privilege, but this future can only be achieved when certain human emotions are split off. It seems that renunciation of an idealized future is inevitable, if happiness is to last. Though this de-idealization may bring various discontents, it also brings in love unknown to the ego. This at least allows human experience to be enriched, and life to be more complete. As important as the amazing gadgets in Doraemon’s pocket is the fact that he is blue. Doraemon is originally yellow in color yet becomes blue because he is too frightened when his ears are accidentally bitten off. And according to his creator, Doraemon’s blue is the color of tears. Being blue, he seems to carry all the while the imperfection of his robot life. And perhaps we are meant to think of our own imperfections when we, too, become disappointed by the omnipotence of his amazing gadgets. by Violet Lin
Glee is a TV musical comedy that first aired on September 21, 2009. The series was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, who wrote wrote all of theshow’s episodes for the first two seasons, with Murphy and Falchuk serving asthe show’s main directors. Why is the show so popular right now? High school daysWhether you are a high school student or just graduated from one, even it was a thousand years ago, Glee can make you recall your high school days. It focuses on a glee club, New Directions, at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio. This group of eager students competes on the show choir competition circuit, while they and the adult characters deal with relationships, social issues, and sexuality. Did your school have popular students like the quarterback of the football team or cheerleaders? Of course there would also be some underdog classmates, maybe disabled, maybe overweight; some gays and lesbians, in or out of the closet, constantly bullied at school. The theme of the show is to be who you are. Murphy always tries to find inspiration from these kids to write more stories for audiences all over the world. This is why not only young kids love to watch Glee; even parents are happy to watch it with their children. GroupiesIf you happen to be a popular music groupie,or you always listen to the top 100 songs on iTunes, you probably like to follow Glee as well. Not only are the regular performers excellent, but big Hollywood celebrities love to join the show. Glee has featured guest appearances by many talented performers, including Josh Groban, Jonathan Groff, Kristin Chenoweth, Whoopi Goldberg, Ricky Martin, Olivia Newton-John, and Britney Spears. Neil Patrick Harris (season 1) and Gwyneth Paltrow (season 2) both won Emmy Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards for their guest appearances. Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson will join the cast for six episodes in season 4. Emmy Award-winning actress and fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker from Sex and the City will also guest-star next season. Becoming a StarIf you are more ambitious than just being a fan, there is also an opportunity to become the next global idol! The Glee Project is an American reality television series that serves as an audition for Glee, hoping to find new actors and actresses for the following season. According to casting director Robert Ulrich, “The Glee Project isn’t just about finding the most talented performer, is also about finding somebody Murphy can feel inspired to write for.” This is the reason why thousands of young people are dying to become a character on Glee every season. Amazing Numbers
by Thomas Chiang
We all want to be successful, but it is not something everyone can achieve. Although I do not have a lot of money or a girlfriend, I still think I’m a successful college student. My English cram school taught me that it’s not how much you prepare for success but whether you decide to be successful or not. I have never forgotten this. Success is not a consequence but is a way of life! You may ask how I am so confident. Confidence is something you can possess if you want it. It’s not the things you own that makes you confident but the reverse. The past is unimportant. No matter how bad you were, or how many stupid things you may have done, they were all in the past and mean nothing. You just have to accept yourself now. Face all challenges bravely and overcome them. All the difficulties in life will vanish. They will all be stepping stones you have crossed. You should be happy to encounter problems because you solved them and learned from the process. Most importantly, don’t hesitate, just step out and you will see a whole new world. Humor Humor is not about making people laugh. How do you define humor? It is a way of life, an attitude. When you encounter difficulties, face them with a sense of humor! Don’t despair at the problems you face. There are always ways to overcome them. Smile Smiling is not just an expression. It is also an attitude. When you are socializing or doing something, if you maintain your smile you will keep the conversation in a good mood. Things will be better when you are happy. So when you are facing difficulties, don’t forget to smile. Honesty Don’t forget be true to yourself. Mistakes may have been made, but it’s fine. Face your mistakes honestly. In contrast, when receiving awards or getting good results you should feel happy and that you deserved it because of your efforts and sacrifices. Dealing with others in an honest manner is also important. Let people know you, the truth of you. People who know your true self won’t be afraid of you. They will be happy to accept you, to tell you how they feel, and to assist you in solving your problems. Confidence It is easy to achieve confidence just by thinking about it. Nobody likes people who are pessimistic and negative. Being with such people is really tiring. The people around you will be affected by your negativity. There are many ways to be confident, so don’t give people a chance to think you are unsure of yourself. Opportunities Whether something comes to you by chance doesn’t matter. Grab it! Besides, chances can be created. So never say you are not lucky enough to have an opportunity to win, to make money, to meet a good man or a good woman. You will always have the chance, but it up to you to decide to use it or not. So don’t just sit in your comfortable circle. Stand up and walk out of it and your world will change. Health Health is an important part of success. Without health, you cannot say you are successful. Success equates to perfection. If you are successful, you own everything including health. Health can improve your efficiency, make you happy, enhance your confidence, and make you live longer. Wealth Money is not the most important thing, but we can’t ignore the fact that money is useful. That is why many people dream of making big money! The truth is that many things in the world are related to money, an unavoidable fact. However, if we make good use of money we can accomplish more. We can use it to fulfill our dreams but also to help people. That is why we should emphasize wealth. Wealth will help your life become more convenient, allowing you to dedicate more time to your own success. Love I truly believe that love exists in the world. That‘s why I am happy to confront the challenges I meet. Love is not only a male-female issue. You can find it everywhere. Parents, pets, friends, relatives, politicians, enemies, classmates, colleagues are all related to love. They may seem hostile to you, but changing your viewpoint allows the world to change along with you. You should understand the love behind their actions. You have to think about their reasons, and you’ll find they are full of love and meaning. So don’t hate the world. Look on the bright side and you can find positivity in everything! by Mandy Hsu
The beautiful golden round lamps beside the escalator glowed, as I descended deeper into a magical world, one I’d never experienced before in my life. Upon my arrival in Moscow I headed for the metro, which serves as the pivot of this great city. For foreigners, taking the metro is a daunting task. There are no English signs to be found anywhere as everything is in Russian. Moreover, it is impossible to communicate with the locals, because Russian is all they know. To make matters worse, I was afraid of being overwhelmed by the vast network of underground railways. It is like a spider web with lines intersecting in all directions. I sat down on a marble bench and waited for the train. I was astonished by the architecture of Komsomolskaya station. Different types of marble that were brought in from the old Soviet regime still gleamed in their striated glory, accompanied by famous sculptures, mosaics, and paintings. I raised my head up to look at the fabulous Baroque ceiling, its color an imposing yellow. Divided into eight mosaics, it contained themes that showcased the country’s fight for freedom and independence. A few other mosaics were made of gilded cobalt glass depicting various scenes of weaponry and armor, surrounded by white-colored friezes. Chandeliers stood imposingly in the middle of the ceiling, illuminating the entire platform. Between two escalators, a row of striped lights shone brightly, with advertisements of clothing stores such as H&M, and MANGO. Such a strong contrast to the Baroque style of the metro station. I felt like I had been transported from the modern world back in time to a historical Russia. In this fantasy world, I was an explorer filled with the excitement of adventure. With a flash of light, the train zoomed to the platform with a deafening sound. I met it’s arrival with a faint smile of excitement. But after I stepped onto the train, the door immediately slammed shut right behind me. I was shocked to see how fast the doors close without warning. There was a young woman dressed in a miniskirt, leather jacket, and high heels who struggled to pull in her handbag that was stuck between the doors. They miraculously opened again as she pulled with all her strength. I found a place to stand and began to observe the people in the train. Everyone seemed to have a poker face, a big difference between Russia and Taiwan. As a Taiwanese, I am used to seeing people laughing and chatting on the metro, making the journey livelier. Here they read books, used their smart phones, or simply stared into space. Sometimes I felt a barrier between myself and other people, especially when they stared at me for no apparent reason. I did not feel like I belonged. Moscow didn’t embrace me. I felt lonely and started missing the friendly faces that were thousands of miles away. Rush hour came, people were pushing to get onto despite the fact that the train was already full. A fat woman shoved me aside and I fell, but she continued to squeeze past me. I felt suffocated and could not bear to stay there any longer. She did not apologize and kept talking to her grandson, not even turning to see that I was unhurt. My spirits were suddenly dampened. People stepped on my new white shoes, hit my shoulders without apologizing, and pretended like I was not there. It seemed that time and their destination were the most important things in the world. I wondered why they had to panic when another train would arrive in just one minute. Feeling depressed by people and nervous about getting lost, I repeatedly asked myself if I was headed in the right direction. I counted how many stations had already passed and desperately tried to find an indication of where I was, by looking at the station’s name on the wall through the windows. Finally, I arrived at my destination, “Sportinvnaya.” Walking out from the station, I took a breath of fresh air and headed towards the church, Novodevichy monastyr, with its traditional golden Orthodox dome. A Russian man who looked like a villain from a James Bond movie walked towards me. Our eyes met and I smiled at him out of politeness. He smiled back and walked on by. After a while, he turned around and said: “It has been a long time since I have seen girls on the street smiling. Thank you.” I was touched by his words and my impression of the Russian people started to change for the better. The cold feeling that I initially felt had started to disappear. Maybe it was due to historical reasons that they did not display their friendliness, but I knew that in their hearts they still cared about the power of a simple smile. by Marin Yamamoto
Do you think you know Japanese food? I have been in Taiwan for six months, where the influence of Japanese culture is quite often seen. But I believe every country interprets cultures in interesting ways. For example, there are many foreign people who think Japanese pizza is strange because it contains many unusual ingredients, but it’s just that western food has been altered to suit the tastes of the Japanese. Although most Japanese and Taiwanese eat rice every day, there are some differences in the way rice is eaten. Japanese often eat rice with toppings such as natto (fermented sticky soy beans), umeboshi (pickled plums), and shiokara, (fermented seafood with salt or malted rice). In Taiwan, on the other hand, it seems that toppings are not as important because there are a variety of side dishes. The way we drink soup is also different. In Japan this varies depending on the dishes, but most of the time we drink soup along with the meal. In contrast, it seems that most Taiwanese people drink soup at the end of the meal. In Taiwan there is also sweet soup, 甜湯 (tiantang), which is not so easy to find in Japan. Also, in Taiwan there are many foods that theJapanese do not have, such as pig’s blood pudding, 豬血糕 (zhuxiegao), chicken feet, 雞爪 (jizhua), fried pork flakes, 肉鬆 (rousong), Taiwanese meatballs 肉圓 (rouyuan), steamed buns 饅頭 (mantou), and stinky tofu 臭豆腐 (choudoufu). Table mannersare different, too. When Japanese people eat noodles we are allowed to makenoise, but Taiwanese people tell me that they are not supposed to make suchsounds in front of other people. Or in Taiwan, the way customers are led totheir table might seem very rude to Japanese people. When we go to restaurants,the waiters will look for seats for us and very rarely make you sit with otherpeople. If there aren’t enough seats the waiter will make you wait until otherpeople leave. And the attitude of the waiters is also different. In Taiwan Ioften see them eating and playing with their cell phones. This would neverhappen in Japan! At the same time, however, I also feel that Taiwanese are veryfree and I like it a lot! During the lastsix months I have encountered many differences in food culture in Japan andTaiwan. I have learned that if you go to different places, you will find manydifferent customs and practices. 日本と台湾の食文化山本まりん あなたは日本食について知っていますか?私はここ台湾に住んで六カ月、日本の影響を受けたであろうと思われるものをたくさん見てきました。しかし例えば、よく日本に住んでいる外国人が「日本のピザは変だ!こんなものをトッピングに使うなんてありえない!」と言うように、日本のピザは日本人の味に合うように変化しただけなのです。 日本人と同様、台湾人の毎日の食卓に欠かさず登場するのがあの白いご飯。そのご飯の食べ方にも違いがあります。日本人はよく白米と一緒に納豆や梅干し、塩辛などを食べます。一方で台湾人はご飯にのせるトッピングのようなものはなく、数豊富なおかずとともに食べるのが主流みたいです。スープの飲み方も日本では大体ご飯と一緒にということが多いですが、台湾ではご飯を食べてからというのが一般みたいです。それに台湾には甘い食後のスープなどもあります。日本では食後に甘いスープなんてあまり目にしません。 さらに台湾には日本にはない食べ物がたくさんあります。例えば、豬血糕(豚の血のケーキ)や雞爪(鶏の足)、肉鬆(豚肉のふりかけ)や肉圓(台湾風ミートボール)、饅頭(マントー)や臭豆腐(臭い豆腐)などです。これらは日本ではめったに見かけません。 テーブルマナーにも違いがあります。日本ではラーメンなどの麺類を食べる時、音をたてて食べても大丈夫ですが、台湾人がいうには、麺類を食べるときは音をたてないのが原則だそうです。他には店員の接客態度にも違いがあります。座席に数人で座るとき、日本ではなるべく他の客と相席させないようにするのが基本ですが、台湾では他の人と相席になるのはめずらしいことではありません。また台湾の店員の接客しながらの携帯の使用や飲食といった態度は日本では考えられないとことですが、一見してみるとすごく台湾人の自由さが出ていて、私はけっこうすきだったりします。日本人からしてみれば、なんと礼儀のない店員だと思われるかもしれませんね。 この六カ月で日本と台湾の食文化の違いを発見して、国が違えば、文化も習慣も違うということを改めて実感しました。残りの留学生活でもっともっとおもしろい発見ができればと思います。 by Marc Sim
As moonlight cast a reflective glow on the Singapore river, I embarked upon a journey across the Helix Bridge, a vantage point that encompasses thecity skyline. The concrete floors illuminate colors of white, its steel beamsentwine overhead, emitting neon blue lights. On a cool evening, the bridge ishome to photography enthusiasts and tourists alike. Viewing “pods” extend out horizontallytowards the river, providing a bird’s eye view of a structure shaped in theform of a lotus flower. Curiosity struck me as I descended the bridge to seek acloser look. Taking large strides, the backdrop of three massive separatetowers began to materialize. A large horizontal plane, akin to a surfboard,sits squarely atop the three towers. Laser beams and flashing lights cut acrossthe night sky in various directions. The bright lights coming from the tower seemed to be calling out to me,a silent invitation that my presence was required within. Temporarily withholding the temptation, I decided to enter the ArtScience Museum instead and explore the spaces within its unique lotus shaped exterior. A magnificent blend of engineering and architecture, convex floor to ceiling glass panels resembled futuristic themes. Its bowl shaped roof serves as a storage point for rainwater that cascades down into a reflecting pool. The museum’s lighting is well adjusted, its spaces wide and unrestrained as I made feeble attempts to appreciate the exhibitions on display. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, the ArtScience Museum currently hosts internationally acclaimed exhibitions such as The Harry Potter Exhibition and one on the pop artist Andy Warhol. Entering the Marina Bay Sands tower, rows of shops are stocked withinternational designer labels, their storefront mannequins decked out in the latesttrends and styles. Two floors above, theater goers, dressed for the evening,eagerly await the premiere of an award winning Broadway musical. A slew of Feng Shui shops are located withinthe vicinity of the casino. As the whirring sounds of slot machines drawnearer, aspiring gamblers peruse the ornaments on display, while others engagein consultations with faint hopes that lady luck is standing by. As I break fordinner, I am simply spoilt for choice with a vast plethora of dining options. TWG Tea Company, a local establishment, sets itself apart from the restof the pack. Located in the atrium, it stocks a vast collection of tea harvestsand blends, collected exclusively from source gardens around the globe.Chocolate lovers can indulge in tea-infused chocolates, entirely made by handusing the finest ingredients. My main course consisted of a Rack of Lamb withzucchini ratatouille. The lamb was cooked medium rare, its meat tender andlight pink in color and contained hints of rosemary and thyme. The gravy, whichhad a red African tea infusion, was a perfect complement in every bite.Rounding off my meal was a classic TWG earl grey tea. It’s clean crisp aroma atreat to the olfactory senses. The taste did not disappoint either, with hintsof citrus and bergamot, it was the perfect way to end off a hearty dinner. At$40 Singapore Dollars it was a fair price, considering the efficient service,great food, and unique décor. Despite having no knowledge about botany, I headed for the back exit andmade my way across an overhead bridge to begin my brief dandle with MotherNature. Flowerbeds which were meticulously manicured, basked under the bright moonlight.Their variety of colors exuded a sense of calm that created an innate desire toreach out and touch them. But I decided to trudge on. Tall trees stood amongstthe flowerbeds. Their height imposed themselves on the flowerbeds that grewaround them. Taking a closer look, however, I saw that their bark bore noswirling grains nor was were they smooth in texture. To my surprise, it was anartificially made “Supertree” with a concrete core, embedded with plantingpanels that serve as camouflage. Despite their somewhat ghastly appearance, lookinglike whittled trees stripped bare in winter, the Supertrees serve a practicalpurpose by being able to harvest solar energy. I saved the best for last. Strolling leisurely along, I approached aspherical shaped dome made entirely of glass. A key highlight, the Flower Domestands as a crown jewel of the entire Gardens by the Bay. A cool breeze sweptacross my skin as I entered. The dome re-creates a Mediterranean sub climate toaccommodate plant species such as corals and cactuses, a rarity in this part ofthe world. I stood, deeply amazed by the greenery, enthralled by thearchitecture. As I leaned against the glass panel to take in the dome’s sights,scents, and sounds, fireworks lit up the sky nearby. A perfect ending to aperfect evening. by Casey Huang
With fall and winterapproaching, perhaps your closet may need a little updating…? To start off, your grandmother’s wardrobe isdefinitely back this season, with a fusion of bold textile patterns, leather,lace, fur, and knit tweeds. Not to mention oversized coats and military trendshave also returned. That being said, cigarette pants, a nice waist belt, or anything that creates or accentuates your feminine shape might just jump to the top of your shopping list. Don’t hesitate to experiment with all these interesting styles, but most importantly, make sure to begin this fall season with sophistication and elegance. It suddenly hit me how the weather has changed when I saw her wrapped in this beautifully textured oversized fur coat. This fur coat not only brings her whole attire to life, it also fits perfectly with her silhouette; not too oversized to devour her s lender figure. All black ensembles in the fall may bequite mundane, but adding texture on top of texture she brings excitement toher outfit. Her all black wardrobe highlights her fair complexion effortlessly,giving her a piercing and mysterious look. From the sharp shoulder pads of herfur coat, to the slick composition of the leather pants, down to the detailing of the leather boots, all work brilliantly and cohesively with her messyhairstyle. Finally, her dark hue lipstick is really the main element that pulls her entire look together. This young lady has playfully mixed“Grandma” garments with an alternative look. By pairing her peach floralpatterned shirt with a pair of vintage high-waist trousers and a studded belton top of her cardigan, she brings drama to her outfit and silhouette. Eventhough I often see belts on open trenches and cardigans in fashion shows, Ihardly ever see anyone try this style out on the streets. Therefore, I wassurprised to see her cinch a belt over an open cardigan holding it in place.Her clothing is highlighted by the studded belt, since it not only addscharacter to her outfit, but it also brings emphasis to her feminine figure and lengthens her legs, portraying a taller and slimmer silhouette. I love this subtle combination of summer and fall wardrobe. The way she pairs up her vintage combat boots with a plaidjumper semi tucked into a pair of slick high waisted leather shorts, ensure aneye catching look. The purple streaks in her hair really finish off the outfit with a hint of grunginess making her all black and grey attire really pop. Even though the “Don’t mix gold and silver jewellery” rule is no longer a taboo, itmay still turn out tacky at times… However, in this picture, her ability toeffortlessly blend silver and gold rings together makes you feel the need topause and take a closer look. Not only do these rings add personality and charmto her appearance, they also make her hands look gracious and fabulous. Thesilver studs on her brown leather purse captivate a nice tension to her elegant look. Stepping out with statement Bordeaux nails infuse a final touch of sophistication to the whole attire. The geometric pattern of the thick knit cardigan complemented with a pair of black skin tight trousers and a lace top over a dark sleeveless shirt creates dimension and a fun contour. With the open cardigan landing on her hips, it emphasises the torso and lengthening the legs, portraying a taller and slimmer silhouette. Finally, her vintage ankle boots add a retro tint to her appearance. |
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May 2024
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