Federer wins French at last

At last !!!!!!!
If you don't succeed at first, try, try, try again. The old adage proved true for world No.2 Roger Federer who finally ticked the last item off his Grand Slam shopping list - the French Open.

On Sunday, Federer played in his fourth-consecutive French Open final but this time it was different. Instead of facing his nemesis Rafael Nadal it was surprising Swede Robin Soderling who stood between Federer and what many believed to be his destiny.In a final that never really hit any great heights, Federer finally held the Coupe des Mousquetaires aloft in the French capital.
He has now equalled American champion Pete Sampras's record of the most Grand Slam tournament singles titles (14) and is expected to better that mark some time this year.

To all my friends: even if I never talk to you again in my life, you are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

What would you do if every time you fell in love with someone you had to say good-bye? What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be there? What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy there would be 10 moments of sadness? What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt?What would you do if you loved someone more than anything else and you could never have them? Some people live and some people die. But I want to tell you I love you and you are a true friend... That I will always be here for you when and if you need me... If I died tomorrow, you would be in my heart forever. Would I be in yours?
If you care about the person who sent this to you then you will send it back.
You might be best friends one year, pretty good friends the next year, don't talk that often the next year, and don't want to talk at all the year after that.

So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk to you again in my life, you are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.
Its what I learned and earned from travel.

100 places to visit before you die

Pyramids of Egypt
Great Wall of China
Taj Mahal – India
Serengeti Migration – Kenya/Tanzania
Galapagos Islands – Ecuador
Grand Canyon – USA
Machu Picchu – Peru
Iguazu Falls – Argentina & Brazil
Bali – Indonesia
Amazon Rain Forest – Brazil & Peru
Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania
Great Barrier Reef – Australia
Angkor Wat – Cambodia
Victoria Falls – Zambia & Zimbabwe
Forbidden City – China
Bagan – Myanmar
Karnak Temple – Egypt
Teotihuacan – Mexico
Banaue Rice Terraces – Philippines
Bora Bora – French Polynesia
Acropolis & its Parthenon – Greece
Potala Palace at Lhasa – China
Jerusalem Old City – Israel
Qin Terra Cotta Warriors – China
Chichen Itza – Mexico
Petra – Jordan
Nile River Cruise – Egypt
Easter Island – Chile
Cappadocia – Turkey
Colosseum of Rome – Italy
Fjords of Norway
St Peter's Basilica – Vatican City
Egyptian Museum – Egypt
Borobudur – Indonesia
Valley of the Kings – Egypt
Hong Kong Harborscape – China
Sistine Chapel – Vatican City
Alhambra – Spain
Louvre Museum – France
Canals of Venice – Italy
Versailles – France
Carlsbad Caverns – USA
Mecca – Saudi Arabia
Kathmandu Valley – Nepal
Metropolitan Museum of Art – USA
Mt. Everest – China & Nepal
Antarctica Cruise – Multinational
Temple of Emerald Buddha – Thailand
Hagia Sofia – Turkey
Pompeii – Italy
Kashmir Valley – India
Prague Old Town – Czech Republic
Golden Temple – India
Amalfi Coast & Drive – Italy
Meenakshi – India
Chartres Cathedral – France
Mezquita of Cordoba – Spain
Damascus Old City / Umayyad – Syria
Dubrovnik – Croatia
Uffizi Gallery – Italy
Rio Panoramic Views – Brazil
Golden Pavilion – Japan
Delphi – Greece
St. Basil's Cathedral – Russia
Abu Simbel – Egypt
St. Mark's Basilica/Campanile – Italy
Florence Cityscape – Italy
Kremlin – Russia
Varanasi & the Ganges – India
Li River Cruise – China
Shwedagon Stupa – Myanmar
Sahara Desert – Multinational
Leaning Tower of Pisa – Italy
Baalbek – Lebanon
Mont-St-Michel – France
Topkapi Palace – Turkey
Carnival in Rio – Brazil
Stonehenge – England
Angel Falls – Venezuela
Yellowstone – USA
Santorini – Greece
Petronas Twin Towers – Malaysia
Matterhorn – Switzerland
New York Skyline – USA
Marrakesh – Morocco
Eiffel Tower – France
Ladakh – India
Niagara Falls – Canada & USA
British Museum – England
Burj Al Arab – Dubai, UAE
Yangtze River Cruise – China
Yosemite – USA
Ayers Rock – Australia
Hermitage Museum – Russia
Chambord Chateau – France
Lijiang / Shangri-La – China
Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany
Banff national park
San Francisco – USA
Portofino – Italy

The Day Of the End

Its kind of "The Day of the end" today. The TV series "Veronica Mars" I have just finished the first season's DVD. Then the holiday is over. Mom has departured. And I've gotta go back in Melbourne later. Its strange that it seems a bit I will miss Sydney coz at first I didn't like Sydney at all. Last night my mom nearly did not sleep reminds me my last day in Auckland, I hate leaveing.

Journey @ Tasmania

Happy Easter eveyone!

Been here Launceston, Tasmania already 6 days. Compare with whole Aussie, Tasmania is relatively countryside, and its beautiful!

I am very lucky that I had a chance to do a Help Exchange work in Launceston during this week. This is a excellent experience being in a Aussie family life and travel as well. The hospitality host is Yvonne. Her home is a homestay for some international students and there are 3 students living now.
This is she and her family when we were eating Easter dinner tonight.
Its the first exchange work I have, and I don't want to leave~although I want to travel Tas as well~ I enjoy every moment at Yvonne's.

Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oz Oz Oz!

On 2007 New years eve, I arrived Melbourne, Australia. Been here for a month and more, I become lazy and my apology that I haven't write any article since now.
New Year 2008 , New Country Australia , New journey, again , new friends and new shit things as well. This blog I made it for all my friends I met in NZ, oh my god it is already 1 years ago! Time is flying. Sometimes I wonder, how is everyone? I am pretty sure, except Kiwi or those language school's teacher, almost everyone has gone back to their home. Maybe, there's someone travel and go aboard again like me? I have to complained that the language in Melbourne is not as good as NZ, classmates are fine but they do't have many activity to get everyone familiar, and of course, no graduation speech(its good). The house mates are REALLY bad, I can't stand them anymore! They stole my food and make the whole place dirty. I am going to move out and hope my next step its going to be better.

Merry X'mas.....2 Everyone

To those we love and see each day,
and other loved ones far away;
To all good friends whose friendship means so much,
and those with whom we're somehow out of touch….
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
May the gladness of the holidays warm your heart in countless ways!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Kaohsiung Tennis ATP Challenger 2007

Its the first time I went to Tennis Pro Game Personal.


Althrough there are all not famous player in it, I am still excited coz I finally can watch a tennis pro game personal! Then next year I am gonna to see The Big event, one of the four grand slam, Australian Open! This one I took it like a warm up.
I don't really remember when I became a big pro tennis fans, it should be the time Sampras and Agassi lead the world and Martina Hingis is the youngest queen of the world. God, that was 10 years ago!
After 10 years, the coming 2008, is gonna be my TENNIS Year of my life!

World's Top 25 Most Livable Cities

World's Top 25 Most Livable Cities

From : http://jannock.wordpress.com/2007/04/09/worlds-top-100-most-liveable-cities/
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1.Zurich, Switzerland
2.Geneva, Switzerland
3.Vancouver, Canada = 3.Vienna, Austria
5.Auckland, New Zealand = 5. Dusseldorf, Germany
7.Frankfurt, Germany
8.Munich, Germany
9.Sydney, Australia = 9. Bern, Switzerland
11.Copenhagen, Germany
12.Wellington, New Zealand
13.Amsterdam, The Netherlands
14.Brussels, Belgium
15.Toronto, Canada
16.Berlin, Germany
17.Melbourne, Australia
18.Luxembourg, Luxembourg
19.Ottawa, Canada
20.Stockholm, Sweden
21.Perth, Australia
22.Montreal, Canada
23.Nurnberg, Germany

24.Calgary, Canada

25.Hamburg, Germany

The photo is Wellington.

I have been to 5.Auckland & 12.Wellington. Singapore is the 34; Japanese capital Tokyo is the 35; and unexpectly, Hong Kong is the 70.
And I am going to Australia, will have chance to visit Melbourne, Perth and of course, Sydney.

:
and my poor city Taipei is the 83 ; however, I saw 11.Copenhagen is in Germany? really!? I supose it is in Denmark.

The Music Along With Me in NZ 4.

【Music and Lyrics -- way back into love】

music video:
http://blog.pixnet.net/sharon0418/post/2909203

Cora:
I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

Alex:
I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

chorus:
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love

There's got to be something for my soul somewhereI've been looking for someone to shed some lightNot just somebody just to get me throught the night I could use some direction And I'm open to your suggestions
Oh oh oh
I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there

All I want to do is find a way back into love I can't make it through without a way back into love And if I open my heart again I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

English Skill

Today I've got my TOEIC test result. The score is 800, not very high, however, is much better than I anticipate.

I was surprise to my score.

I don't dare to say my English is excellent, no matter how I study, I have a Chinese brain through my whole life. I always do calculating in Chinese first then translate it into English. (Even in a game such as Monopoly, and because I have to translate first, I play very slow, usually I lose.)

The only thing that I only can admit my English is OK enough, at least for travelling.

Cape Dium~ Seize the Day !

“Cape Dium” Its Latin phrase. It means "seize the day, treasure every moment"

Sometimes I met some words or phrases coincidently in totally different places.

“Cape Dium” is one of this sort of case.

Yesterday when I saw the TV show " Grey's Anatomy" , one of the intern-doctor George saw a man fall from 5th floor but that man survived! It is a miracle. George is a innocent person, a little bit childish, he did the operation for the “miracle man”extremely happy. And he just started talking “Cape Dium! Cape Dium! seize the day!”with a creepy sound to everyone there.



When I saw this scene, I was laughing because I remember George was imitating Robin Williams from the movie “Dead Poets Society”, the first time I heard“Cape Dium. Seize the day!”

Robin Williams's character, Mr. Keating, is a unique teacher in“Dead Poets Society”, they are in a extremely strict boarding school. Mr. Keating try to teach his students they have more choices and he inspired them to pursuit what kind of life they want. The class visit the history hall of the school honor but Mr. Keating mention that “No matter how good they were, those people dead already.” So he said to the students“Cape Dium. Seize the day! Because after many years, everyone die!”


“Dead Poets Society”is a eighteen years old movie. I watched it twice, the first time with Chinese subtitle was many years ago, the other was in English subtitle in New Zealand. If I didn't watched it again in New Zealand this year, it is impossible I knew the Latin phrase.

A Part I Knew About Korean (editing)

The Korean appears a lot on the international news this year. Particularly two of these were very serious news. One was the murderer of US college homicide; the other was the hostage event of Taliban / Afğānistān.

I didn't know much about Korean before my NZ trip. On the other hand, I have sort of prejudice about them because they did some weird "trick" when they hold The Soccer World Cup game.

However, the old slang "Seeing is Believing" is totally correct.

There is a lot of groups Korean people around New Zealand. Fortunately, most of Korean I met were nice. (at least nice to me) Some of them has good skill in gitar, always make more fun of the party. They love to learn other language's conversation and be polite to everyone. There was a rumour I heard in Taiwan that Koreans are chauvinism. But I didn't feel it. My best friend in Christchurch he is a Korean boy. He told me he always do the dishes in their flat, not his girlfriend!

In my point of view, when a real Korean stand in front of me, what their attitude and action will let me comprehend "What is Korean, " not the prejudice. If I keep those prejudices of Korean in mind, I may lose many things and regret. Besides Korean, every other country when I met someone I know it more. For example, I have no idea and even a little bit afraid of Spain. At the first time they introduced my Spanish roommate to me, I was panic. But out of my anticipation that we have many thing in common, I have extremely good time there. It's hard to come by and I think I am lucky.

I will always remind myself, never distinguish someone worth to make friend or not by their nationality/appearance.

Script:

Weather

Now, the northern Hemisphere is in summer, on the contrary, the southern Hemisphere is in the winter.

Almost everyone knows that. We complain too hot, and those people in New Zealand say they were frozen. Sometimes I feel it's kind of mystery, the totally different season between NZ and Taiwan, but we are on the same planet and have the same moon!

(The picture I took in last night at Auckland outside the worldwidehouse, and tonight in Taiwan I've got almost the same figure the moon)

It points out that when we are not stay at home, people usually blame the bad weather, don't appreciate the good one. How to make people more satisfy?

What Should I Do With My Life ？

I was astonished by a tragdy:

Last month I visited somefriends in Taichung. One friend told a story that her co-worker die two month ago, at the age 30!

And the most scare is, she die when she was using toilet in the office. Nobody figured out what's really going on. Finally my friend felt strange why the co-worker took such a long time in toilet, and called others and then found the body. She wasn't breathing. Of course they sent her to hospital but even doctors can't sure what is her cause of death, it remains mystery.

After I knew this story, (is it ghost story?) I realized that everything changes very fast and no one can't sure what is coming in the future. I wonder if I will die at age 30, what should I do with my life? What is my goal? And how to achieve it?

It's never has correct answer.

Tradition is a Tiger

Frustrated.

Its shame that tradition is a tiger, everyone follows the same route to grow up, no one can be different. Start since kindergarten, primary school, junior high school, senior high school, college/university, and then work work,work overtime.......... And then, maybe get married, having their own child, become old person......... wait to die.

In my society, traditional our life goal is "is having our own grand child." If you can't make it, your life is not complete.

Is it sounds great? I don't get it. Why grand child is so important? Or why we all should follow those old stuff? All reporters saying the population is way to much, we don't nee that many people, do we?

Dictionary!

During this trip of course I brought my electronic dictionary to New Zealand. However, I was very surprised when I saw other students (ex: from South America and Europe) they still carry the presswork dictionary.

I still remember one young Argentinian girl asked me on her first school day : "Why everyone has a small computer?" She is 19 years old and she has never seen an electronic dictionary before! That's why she thought they were small computers!

.

One teacher explained that an electronic dictionary is only popular within East Asia. The "translator" is rare in South America and Europe.

.

But I think regarding learning English there is still has a little bit of difference between East Asian and South American/European. Asians are more difficult. Most of the people from South America they speak Spanish, Spanish uses "ABCDEF" I am not sure of every European language, however I believe mostly they use "ABCDEF" as well.

.

On the other hand, East Asian systems mostly have their own characters. For instance, Chinese character【漢字】the system is totally different from ABCDEF. So maybe that is the reason we need a more functional device such as an electronic dictionary to translate faster.

.

Hey hey, next time during a short trip I may bring the dictionary "book" out, and see what's will going on?! (I can imagine people call me a "nut")

The Music Along With Me in NZ 3.

Karen Mok / If

If

Lyrics:David Gates
Music:David Gates
Arranger:Bruce Welch/John Farrar

If a picture paints a thousand words Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show
the you I've come to know
If a face could launch a thousand ships Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you You're all that's left me too

And when my love for life is running dry
You come and pour yourself on me

If a man could be two places at one time I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today
Beside you all the way
If the world should stop revolving
Spinning slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through
Then one by one the stars would all go out
And you and I would simply fly away

http://blog.yam.com/kingdog/article/124362

Tower in the sky (skyline) : Sky Tower

Sky Tower, Auckland
Its also the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere!

When I went on the observation 60 floors in Sky Tower, there was a American family. Their dialogue as below:

Son : So many houses around!!
Father: Yeah!
Which one is your favorite?

Son : Which one is the tallest?
Father: Well, you're already in there!! How good is that!!!

I went Sky tour in the school tour with my schoolmates but I left early. I still remember it was the day I ran out money and there had some mistake so my ATM card have no money in it. That's really drive me crazy. Fortunately, my travellers cheque saved my life, otherwise I would become a Taiwanese refugee in New Zealand!

.

Although bad things happened, I didn't regret I been there. Sky Tower Auckland is a place worth to go, if you can afford, go upstair the restaurant is a better option!

The Fellowship Of WorldWide House

The Fellowship Of WorldWide House------

I mentioned before, WorldWide House is the dorm of my language school. During the days I lived there, I met a lot of friends and I wish I will remember them forever.

Me and my best friend in Auckland/Spanish roommate Myriam

She is the another roommate Audrey from New Caledonia, I wasn't familiar with her becasue we met only one week.

My left hand:Polish boy Andrzej , my right hand:Korean boy Luke.

They both lived downstair. Andrzej is a "half-Polish half-German"

From left to right :
Japanese boy Ken, Brazilian boy Eduardo, me, Hungarian girl Orsi

From left to right :

Me , Andrzej, Japanese girl Kazumi, and Myriam
Orsi and Kazumi lived in my next door.

Church and Cathedral

The Cathedral square, Christchurch. Also it is the city centre of Chch, usually local people call it "the square."

First I read the city's name, Christchurch , sounds a little bit weird. I looked up wikipedia.org, Christchurch is named after the Christ Church cathedral, I believe the majority population all Christian.

I was cravenly because we don't really teach enough knowledge about Christian culture and I was going to live in a homestay in Chch. I don' have any religion. In Taiwan, the most popular religions are Taoism and Buddhist.

After I've been there and got along with my homestay host in Chch, I figured out advantages of Christian people they are more enthusiastic and kind to others. My host she do volunteer and serve The Cathedral observation twice a month, so I learned from her about "The Cathedral " is the mother of churches, and I went to Cathedral observation for free!

Brown or White ??

It's really ironic that the Caucasian want to become "Brown" but the Oriental want to become white!

In my society, everybody (mostly women) wants as white as possible, all the popular cosmetic to seek how white can they made! Usually the common topics is talking about which ways can made everybody become "whiter."

During the trip in New Zealand, there was one time I ate dinner in an Irish Bar with a group of white people.

I found it is extremely difference between Caucasian(the white people) and us. I mean, about seeking the perfect skin colour.
On the contrary, those American, Australian and British, all they want are to get tanned! I was totally cannot believe it! Its really weird that in Asian's opinion they've got white but some Australian even admire my skin colour! (Well, to be honest, I am brown)

Why everyone can't just satisfied what they've got?

The Music Along With Me in NZ 2.

I am not sure is it possible to change the world. Maybe, maybe not. I am just a small screw of this whole world.

Westlife / Change the World

Since you've gone, well it seems like everything is wrong
And deep inside, I know that I've lost much more than pride
Well happiness is getting further away
Girl I miss you more than words can say
I need a miracle now
So tell me

How can I change the world
'Cos I sure can't change your mind
Where's the miracle I need now
Got to get to you somehow
'Cos I can't change the world
I can't change the world
No I can't change the world

Losing you, well it's been the hardest thing to do

So I close my eyes and tell myself

That somehow I'll survive

Well you gave me heaven then you

Took it away

Girl I miss you more with each

Passing day

I need a miracle now

So tell me...

How can I change the world

'Cos I sure can't change your mind

Where's the miracle I need now

Got to get to you somehow
And it's so sad you're leaving me

Just so you can find yourself

And it's so sad that you just can't see

I love you more than life itself
No I can't change the world

How can I change the world

'Cos I sure can't change your mind

Where's the miracle I need now

Got to get to you somehow

'Cos I can't change the world

Got to get to you somehow

No I can't change the world

I can't change the world

No I can't change the world

The Music Along With Me in NZ 1

The Canadian singer Daniel Powter is my favourite singer.

1. Daniel Powter/ BAD DAY


Where is the moment we need at the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day* 2
Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on(repeat)
(Oh.. Holiday..)Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong(yeah...)
.
So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day..............

Watching Movie Spider-man3 Without Subtitle

Is anyone afraid of watching movies?

I did.

You may say :come'on , how's that possible?

I was a moviegoer before, but its really difficult to me to watch movie in New Zealand. Because: No Subtitles! Even no English ones. There is always Chinese when the Hollywood movie is released in Taiwan, and everyone relies on it.

The only time I went to a NZ movie theater, was in Wellington on a rainy day and the movie was Spider-Man 3. This action movie has more special effects and less dialogue which means no-subtitle is not a serious problem. Part of the reason is that my favourite actor Topher Grace is in the movie.

This is the first time Topher Grace got a part in a blockbuster movie. Although he played bad guy and the main point is not him, I believe this film made big progress in his career.

Spiderman 3's main story focus on the triangle relationship between spiderman, his best friend, and the girl M.J. However with the sad ending, his best friend dies for him, Spiderman is no longer an image of hero, I don't really appreciated this story.

Nevertheless, I did not regret going to the theater for it. Becasue, for the fist time in my life, I can understand almost 90% dialogue and whole story in English without subtitles--It is a great accomplishment for me and I will definitely remember this film forever!!!

Something Lucky and Funny

During the journey something quite funny...

Sometimes people thought Caucasians are looks elder than Asian, and my appearance usually looks even younger. Because I went to New Zealand for learning English, I thought be a student I should just looks like a student. But beyond my expectation, I've got child ticket in New Zealand~

It started at 16th of April, my Spanish roommate was taking me to the school by train. We were making some joke so it’s a little bit late when we arrived the train station. The train was about to leave! We just ran in it then I said I forgot to buy the ticket first. My schoolmates told me that there is always some ticket checker on the coach and I can buy the ticket through there.

My roommate told me I can buy 10 trip ticket $12.5 is cheaper and I prepared the money and went to buy the ticket.
Me : “Hi, I would like to buy 10 trip ticket from Newmarket to Britomart”.
the ticket checker : “Ok, are you a student?”
Me : “Yes.”
the ticket checker : “Mum… its $7.5 dollar, please.”
Me (a little bit shocked and grab the $10 dollar paper money to him) : “Thanks!”

When I showed my tickets to my roommate, she said : “It’s not fair! You are older than me! But they sale you child ticket.”