A Historical Day in Taiwan

Reuters:
"Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's son-in-law was detained on Thursday after marathon questioning on suspicion of insider trading in a scandal that has sparked opposition calls for Chen's resignation.
It was the first time a member of Taiwan's first family was held on suspicion of breaking the law."

Financial Times:
"The son-in-law of Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian and his family were questioned yesterday over alleged insider trading.
The interrogation is part of an inquiry that has revealed a web of nepotism and influence-peddling reaching beyond individual cases the administration has so far admitted."

Heard the news from radio 7:00 AM when I was driving to work. Feeling a little bit happy because he (and Chen) deserves it, but also very sad. Part of the sadness was for Chao's wife and kids, and mostly for the democratic and jurisdictional systems. It represents serious problems in this environment that nourishes such corruption. The mutual destruction behavior of the two political parties is the major reason these "worms" can occupy important positions.

Diet Plan

Started my diet plan last week because all my pants in my closet were too small. If I don't do anything, I'll probably reach 100kg by the year 2008. The plan is, have a glass of water first thing in the morning, an hour later have a good breakfast, drink a lot of water during the day but skip lunch. Dinner remains as usual but no more over-feeding when I'm full.

Preliminary result is quite positive. My weight droped from 87+ kg to around 85 kg now. Hopefully I can reach my target weight of this project -80 kg.

Casualties in Typhoon Chanchu

It was a clear, hot day yesterday when typhoon Chanchu (0601) passed Taiwan Strait and headed for China and soon downgraded. But today I learned that one of my former co-worker in Shanghai became a victim of this typhoon. Okay, it not that serious. Sarah (Zhang Xia) was riding home from work last night aroud 9 pm. It was windy and raining. When Sarah waqs making a turn, she got hit by a car. The accident caused a 6-stitches wound on her lips.

I asked Sarah if she can eat normally now, she replied, "I can eat anything!"

A brave Chinese female.

Convenient Online Taiwan Map

Introducing a convenient online map of Taiwan. It has detailed street maps, satellite photo view and a combined satellite street map. There's also a search function to help you find roads, interceptions and famous landmarks. Here's the address: http://www.urmap.com/SearchEngine/

Introducing Discovery Channel's 5 Takes

A pioneering interactive television series, 5 Takes chronicles the journey of five young travelers on the adventure of a lifetime.

With video cameras, laptops and US$50 a day, the five travel journalists (TJs) will visit 12 cities across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan in 12 weeks.

They have one mission: to share their experiences with the world through their five unique perspectives.

What makes the show different is that it's the Discovery Travel & Living online community at travelandlivingtv.com.au/5takes that will decide which cities the TJs should visit last in Australia and Asia, and suggest what the TJs should do in every city they visit. In effect, the online community will set the itinerary and drive the show.

The TJs will also be posting their personal blog daily as well as creating a video log (vlog) once a week to let viewers know how they're faring. This online element will happen in real time, enabling the community to have a concrete impact on the TV show that follows.

There's no "voting off" or scheming to win the big prize; there is no "winner" as there is no prize to win. At its core, 5 Takes is an immersion into a two-month-long summer trip by five young travelers, the story of their adventures in these incredible cities, and the life-changing experiences they have along the way.

....excerpts from the Discovery Channel web site.

For more informatio about the show, go to http://www.travelandlivingasia.com/5takes/season2/

First Typhoon of 2006

First typhoon of 2006 has developed several days ago. Typhoon CHANCHU (0601) just passed Philippines and entered the South China Sea. The direction is changing from northwest to north, but the strength may be decreased due to cold water temperature in Bashi Channel. Will it be the first typhoon to hit the land of Taiwan?

Life is Precious!

Saw a horrifying car accident today on my way home. At Long Tan exit of freeway #3, a car somehow flipped over right on the ramp of the exit. The windows of the car were all broken. Fifty meters from the car, on one of the northbound lanes of the freeway, a man was lying there. He was face down, not moving. I couldn't tell if he's bleeding or breathing, but I guess it's not a good sign. Several damaged cars stopped by the road, and two police cars were also there. That section were soon blocked by the police after I drove by.

Although I often saw accidents on the freeway because I have to drive 100 kilometers to work everyday, it's the first time I saw a body in such accidents. It's not the first time I saw human bodies badly indured, but somehow it really made me feel today.

Working Hard

Working hard recently. Got some new ideas to try which may improve current products. Junior high school geometry is more useful than calculus, ha!

Congratulations to my cousin!

Attanded my cousin's wedding last Saturday. She is a master of NSYSU and teacher of Chengyi high school in Kaohsiung couty, Taiwan.

Actually I haven't met her for a very long time (in years, actually) because our lives do not intersect all these years. I studied and work in northen Taiwan and seldom go back to Kaohsiung where my folks live. My mom told me things about my cousins when I came home, and that's all I knew about them.

I have more chance to meet these relatives from my mom's side after I got married. This is a pleasant change.