Centered on Taipei September 2012

A p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e C o m m u n i t y S e r v i c e s C e n t e r

September 2012, Volume 13, Issue 1

Trading BirTh STorieS

in and ouT of The Box

Swinging To hiS own Tune

ancienT Medicine, Modern world

Taipei fringe feSTival 2012

Centeredon T A I P E I

cover storyThe rule of ThirdS

Sept_12_Cover.indd 2 2012/8/22 3:50:51 PM

3www.communitycenter.org.tw SEPTEMBER 2012

5 EdiToR'S LETTER

6 RichaRd REcoMMEndS naTionaL ThEaTER and concERT haLL: SEPTEMBER 2012

7 cuLTuRaL coRnER Moon Festival

8 cEnTER GaLLERY ThE cEnTER’S FavoRiTE FindS

9 oFF ThE BEaTEn TRack the You Rui stReaM

10 cSc nEwS in and out oF the Box

12 chaRiTY saving sea tuRtles in sanYa

13 acTiviTiES aT ThE cEnTER cSc chaRiTY aucTion donoRS

14 aRound TaiPEi swinging to his own tune

16 covER SToRY the Rule oF thiRds

17 coFFEE coRnER alYshia’s house cEnTER EvEnTS

18 coMMuniTY giRl scouts

19 TcM coRnER ancient Medicine, ModeRn woRld EvEnTS aBouT Town

20 hEaLTh tRading BiRth stoRies

22 EnviRonMEnT shiFt

24 aSk Bin vintage and RetRo FuRnituRe

25 GEnERaTion Y social Media and Me

26 ExPaT PERSPEcTivES is YouR liFe gReat? (PaRt 2)

27 chinESE kiTchEn essential cuPBoaRd contents

28 coMMuniTY taiPei FRinge Festival

29 cSc BuSinESS cLaSSiFiEdS

30 PoSTcaRd PERFEcT

contents September 2012 volume 13 issue 1

covER iMaGE BY cRaiG FERGuSonTaipei cityscape looking towards Taipei 101. Please see page 16 for tips from Craig about taking better photographs.

Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, 25, Lane 290, ZhongShan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-2836-8134, fax: 02-2835-2530, e-mail: [email protected]

Correspondence may be sent to the editor at [email protected]. Freelance writers, photographers and illustrators are welcome to contact the editor to discuss editorial and graphic assignments. Your talent will find a home with us!

Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner.

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4 SEPTEMBER 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw

Publisher:Managing Editor:

Editor:co-editor:

advertising Manager:Tel:

Fax: email:

writing and Photography contributors:

community Services

center Editorial Panel:

Printed by:

interim director:

office Manager:

counselors:

newcomer orientation consultant: accountant:

communications: Programs coordinator:

Events coordinator:chinese Teacher:

volunteers:

Premier Sponsors:



Every once in awhile, something will happen to each of us which gives us pause to reflect on life. I have been thinking a lot lately about community and what that really means and I think that the community which revolves around The Center is one of the best examples of people pulling together to support and encourage and inspire one another I ever have seen and probably ever will see. I have met so many people here who have made me think "Wow" that it would be impossible to list them all but each and every one of the people who make this magazine possible are my focus this month. To everyone who writes, takes photography, assists with the editing, makes the pages look beautiful or in any way helps maintain this publication: thank you. It’s an immensely rewarding experience to work with you all.

This month in the magazine, we have a feature on birthing options and resources in Taiwan through the eyes of both a doula, Angela Chang and new mom, Serina Huang. We also have two new sections to entertain and inform. The first is a column about photography written by Craig Ferguson, photographer extraordinaire, in which he gives us some top tips on how to take better photos. The second is a Traditional Chinese Medicine section written by Shaun Ramsden, an Australian who has spent the last 14 years in Asia and is a qualified TCM practitioner. He explains to us how he came to be interested in TCM and what it can bring to our lives. If you’re looking for something fun to do, Willam Mooney introduces Jazz Spot Swing in our Around Taipei section. If you want to consider doing something fun and rewarding overseas, turn to our article about voluntourism written by Ainslie Cheung.

No matter what it is you’re looking for, don’t forget that Centered on Taipei is your magazine, written by your community for your community. If you would like to contribute to the magazine, whether with your writing or photography, please write to me with your ideas at [email protected]. Right now we would really love to see more photography – so dust off your cameras and show us your Taipei or let us know if you are able to help out our writers by providing photography for their articles. Also, if you would like to write but you’re not really sure about which topics to cover, let me know. There are always stories waiting for someone to write them! As always we welcome your news and views.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our Charity Auction Dinner on Friday September 28th!

Kath

CoMMuniTy SERviCES CEnTER

Publisher:Managing Editor:

Editor:Co-editor:

Advertising Manager:Tel:

Fax: email:

Writing and Photography Contributors:

Community Services

Center Editorial Panel:

Printed by:

Community Services Center, TaipeiMichael BoydenKath LiuRichard SaundersPaula [email protected]

Katrina BrownMarina BuranaAly CooperCharlie ChangIvy ChenAinslie CheungCraig FergusonKatharine Susa GillRuth GiordanoMonica HessBin HuangSerina Huang

Siew Kang, Fred Voigtmann

Farn Mei Printing Co., Ltd.1F, No. 102, Hou Kang Street, Shilin District, TaipeiTel: 02-2882-6748 Fax: 02-2882-6749E-mail: [email protected]

Michael Boyden

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Suzan Babcock, Fawn Chang, Katherine Chang, Jung Chin, Wendy Evans, Cerita Hsu, Perry Malcolm, Eva Salazar-Liu, Ming-I Sun, Cynthia Teeters

Amy LiuMonica ChengKari SchiroRosemary SusaBianca RussellGloria Gwo

Alison Bai, Shana Garcia, Katharine Susa Gill, Webster Hsieh, Lily Lau, John McQuade, Bunny Pacheco, Gloria Peng, Ruth Reynolds, Jenni Rosen, Julia Ruggiere, Kari Schiro, Desta Selassie, Michelle Smith, Anita Town, Priyanka Waidande, Lillian Yiin 3M TaiwanBai Win AntiquesBP Taiwan Ltd.BreitlingChina American PetrochemicalConcordia ConsultingCostco Wholesale TaiwanCrown Worldwide Movers Ltd.Four Star Int’lGrand Hyatt Hotel, TaipeiHSBCICRTMetacity Development CorpProQCSan Fu Gas Co. Ltd.Smerwick LtdSongfu LiStandard Chartered Bank

interim Director:

office Manager:

Counselors:

newcomer orientation Consultant: Accountant:

Communications: Programs Coordinator:

Events Coordinator:Chinese Teacher:

volunteers:

Premier Sponsors:

The Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in Taipei. CSC offers the opportunity to learn, volunteer, teach and meet others. Check out our website www.communitycenter.org.tw and drop by The Center to chat with us about our programs. you can also email us at [email protected].

LETTER FRoM ThE EDiToR

Ting Ting HuangNatalie KöhleSarah Chen LinAmy LiuKath LiuJohn McQuadeRoma MehtaWilliam MooneyRichard SaundersAnja SerfonteinMaria Tan

www.communitycenter.org.tw

Centered on Taipei is printed on 50% post consumer waste content stock. We have also replaced the glossy laminated cover with a softer aqueous based resin coating which makes it easier to recycle. By committing to post consumer paper stock we support the market for recycled fibers and reduce environmental impact.Recycling paper uses 60% less energy than manufacturing paper from virgin fiber. "Every ton of recycled paper saves enough electricity to power a 3 bedroom house for an entire year." (http://www.greenseal.org/index.cfm)

Richard SaundersCo-editor

Kath LiuEditor

Paula LeeAdvertising Manager


SEPTEMBER 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw6

TICKETING OFFICES: • NTCH: (02) 2343 1647 • ERA: (02) 2709 3788

For full details, please log on to the culture Express website at http://express.culture.gov.tw or take a copy of the monthly program from ckS cultural center, available from MRT stations, bookshops and ticketing offices.

RichaRd saundeRs

As yet another school year begins, a new season also kicks off at the CKS Cultural Center, and early signs are that the coming year will be – at least – an interesting one. Local program organizers are ambitious as ever, and one

of the big performances of the year will be Wagner’s Die Walkure next July. Will Taipei be treated to a complete Ring cycle before too much longer?

Each year the National Symphony Orchestra embarks on a series of concerts on a theme. Previous years have seen (incomplete) cycles of Mahler and Shostakovich symphonies, and last year more adventurous local audiences got to sample the gorgeous music of Olivier Messiaen. For the 2012-13 season, the orchestra has opted for a more crowd pleasing approach: a series of concerts devoted to music by composers from France and from the Slavic ethnic world.

Getting the new season off to a great start, the first concert couples a pair of colorful modern classics from the USSR with an early work by one of the greatest of contemporary composers. Khachaturian is known largely for his ubiquitous warhorse the Sabre Dance, and no criticism is implied by saying his compositional style is relatively narrow in scope. Armenia’s national composer was so profoundly influenced by the folk music of his native country that everything he wrote seems to recognizably come from the same wellspring. Among the best known of his other pieces, the beautiful Violin Concerto (written for David Oistrakh) is also one of the finest: a magnificent combination (in the best Slavic tradition!) of fire and lyrical tenderness. The concert (on September 21st) also includes excerpts from one of Prokofiev’s best-loved works, the ballet Romeo and Juliet, and getting the concert off to a quirky start, we have a true rarity, the brief Concert Românesc by György Ligeti. This early, tonal and very attractive folk-inspired piece bears not the slightest resemblance to Ligeti’s spooky mature music (which made such a memorable contribution to the soundtracks of several Stanley Kubrick films). It’s a thoroughly enjoyable piece of fluff, with an evocative third movement opening with mysterious, floating horns, and a furious finale complete with country fiddles and plenty of artful references to Enescu’s perennially popular First Romanian Rhapsody (any chance of programming that roof-raising crowd-pleaser – please?).

French music lovers will also be well satisfied this month, as the great French pianist Pascal Rogé (helped by his wife Amy) plays a program of the master’s piano music for two and four hands, including the piano duet version of his orchestral masterpiece La Mer. The NSO also contributes its first French-themed concert of the season this month with a performance of Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, the seminal work that gently introduced audiences, in 1894, to a brave new world of harmony and orchestral color. The program (on September 29th) includes another French masterpiece, the second suite from Ravel’s exquisite ballet Daphnis et Chloe, and a comparative rarity, an excerpt from the symphonic poem Psyche by Franck. Almost everyone forgets it, but Franck was actually a Belgian composer; his music, however, is as French as the Eiffel Tower.

All in all, it’s a great start to the new season, and if this month is an accurate barometer of what’s coming up in the next twelve months, it looks like we’re in for a good year at the National Concert Hall!

national theater & concert hallSEPTEMBER 2012

NatioNal theater

Cloud Gate Dance theater: Nine SongsThe return of the CG classic, reconstructed after the 2008 fire.September 13 - 16, 18 - 23

NatioNal CoNCert hall

2012 Summer Jazz – NtCh Summer Jazz ProjectSeptember 1

eldar Nebolsin 2012 Piano recitalThe Uzbek pianist plays Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninov and LisztSeptember 2

audi Jugendchorakademi ConcertBrahms’ German RequiemSeptember 3

2012 Summer Jazz – Mingus Big BandSeptember 5

2012 Summer Jazz – Patti austin ConcertSeptember 8

Debussy touch – Dang thai-son The eminent Vietnamese pianist plays the first book of Preludes, Images II and other works September 11 rr

Scherbakov 2012 Piano recitalWorks by Beethoven and ProkofievSeptember 16

Season opening Concert – oh romeo!Orchestral works by Ligeti, Prokofiev and KhachaturianSeptember 21 rr

Katherine Jenkins ConcertThe classical-crossover star in concertSeptember 22

Michel Plasson and Steven lubinOrchestral works by Debussy, Mozart and Saint-SaensSeptember 26 rr

Salvatore accardo Concert iThe great violinist plays Mozart, Prokofiev, Beethoven and PaganiniSeptember 27

Salvatore accardo Concert ii Works by Saint-Saens, Brahms, Franck, Bruch and PaganiniSeptember 28 rr

the Greek MythOrchestral music by Debussy, Franck, Ravel and TchaikovskySeptember 29 rr

Debussy touch – rogé solo and four handsA selection of pieces for piano solo and duetSeptember 30 rr

NatioNal reCital hall

Prokofiev: the Striking rebelSolo piano and chamber musicSeptember 28

RICHARDReCommenDs

rr: richard recommends


Corner Cornerultural CornerCornerultural ultural ultural ultural Amy's 台

灣

Traditionally, Chinese farmers p lan t and harve s t c rops according to the cycles of the moon, so consequently

the Chinese race has always paid it special attention and admiration. In fact, the major festivals in Taiwan are all celebrated according to the lunar calendar. The moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest on the 15th night of the eighth lunar month which falls on September 30th in 2012. The Chinese celebrate this day as Mid-Autumn (or Moon) Festival. Furthermore, in an agricultural society (as Taiwan formerly was), the autumn moon also indicated the end of the year’s hard work in the fields and it was the perfect time to celebrate the harvest, which is why this day is also called Harvest Day.

Moon Festival is one of three most important traditional festivals for the Taiwanese (the other two being Dragon Boat Festival and Chinese New Year), and just as Christmas and Thanksgiving are t imes for family get-togethers in the West, Moon Festival is an occasion for family reunions in Taiwan. People travel across the nation to return home to have a warm and joyful meal with their family; when the full moon rises, they go to a scenic spot, park, riverbank or rooftop to watch and appreciate the full moon. Traditionally Taiwanese eat moon cakes and pomelos and drink Chinese tea in the cool night air, and pray for a safe and healthy time during the remainder of the year.

BBQ daYMoon Fest ival in Taiwan has

turned into a ‘National Barbecue Day,’ although it’s unclear when and how this custom came about. BBQs certainly weren’t something people did during Moon Festival when I was a kid in the late 1970s growing up in Taipei, but had become a passion

by the time I returned to Taipei from the US in the early 1990s. On many streets, a group of people gathers every few yards around a tiny grill cooking popular Moon Festival BBQ items like Taiwanese sausages, mini hot-dogs, corn-on-the-cob, skewered chicken, shrimp, squid, fish balls, vegetables and mushrooms, all flavored with charcoal smoke and giving off that delicious BBQ smell. It’s an excellent opportunity for people to interact with friends and neighbors in apartment blocks, where there’s often little chance to otherwise socialize.

Moon cakesMoon Festival is a season for

f r i e n d s, f a m i l y, r e l a t i v e s a n d employers to show their appreciation for support and friendship received during the year. The occasion is marked by de l iver ing boxes of moon cakes to families, friends, a n d b u s i n e s s a s s o c i a t e s a n d acquaintances. Moon cakes are very rich, high calorie pastries stuffed with an array of fillings. The most

traditional version has a filling of red-bean paste and a hard-boiled, salted egg yolk inside with delicate classical designs embossed on the top. Other fillings include lotus seeds, dates, walnuts, and almonds.

I t’s customary for companies and other employers to give moon cake boxes to their employees. Nonetheless, companies may now give department store gift certificates instead to employees to show their appreciation.

The Taiwanese certainly have a special appreciation for the full moon. Its brightness and roundness represent wholeness, the unity of a family and the circle of life. The Moon Fest ival i s indeed a very important time to connect with the ones you love and care about, and it is also a time to re-connect with those you want to rebuild relationships w i th. Watch out however fo r horrendous traffic jams prior to the festival. Not only are people heading home for festival gatherings, but just about everyone else is on the road delivering moon cakes or gift boxes.


Moon Festival


When owner Alex Whalen opened his 40-seat bistro in July of this year, he fashioned it after a well-known North American restaurant, Tim Hortons. Whalen’s caters to people-on-the-go, offering fresh homemade (“nothing frozen”) menu options served in a cheerful atmosphere, with folk tunes playing in the background. His recipes are either original, honed by trial-and-error in the kitchen, or handed down from his family in Canada. Breakfast favorites include the Mayan skillet and Benny omelet. For lunch and dinner, the Montreal, Philly steak, and pulled pork sandwiches are popular items.My personal favorites: spinach dip with chips and veggies, vegetable barley soup, the veggie burger (best I’ve ever tasted), and the chocolate Mudslide dessert. Hungry yet? For take-out, please call between 10 and 11 am. Orders can be picked up after 11 am (sorry, no delivery). Whalen’s is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 9 pm. Really, you gotta try this one!

145 Anhe Road, Section 2 台北市安和路二段145號(02) 2739-3037Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whalens

This sleek white-and–neon-green place, located on the corner of Anhe Road and Lane 271, just opened in August and is already drawing a crowd. Dressed serves salads, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, and smoothies. The sheer quantity of options is staggering! If you can’t find something to love here, I’d be surprised. Also surprising, the mint avocado smoothie I recently tried. Wow, super minty and super refreshing on a hot Taipei night.

169 Anhe Road, Section 2 台北市安和路二段169號(02) 2739 3037Website: http://www.dressedsalads.com.twFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/dressed

The Center's The Center's The Center's Favorite FindsFavorite FindsFavorite FindsThe Center's The Center's The Center's Favorite FindsFavorite FindsFavorite Finds

a hui’s oil Paintings In September, The Center wall features beautiful oil paintings from Lin Shu Hui. When appreciating her paintings, you can feel the rhythm of her heart and joy of life from the dancing colors.

cherry hill antiques presents to the Center Gallery this month a wide range of handmade Chinese ethnic-style jewelry featuring Chinese knotting combined with old and new jade, cloisonne beads, lapis coral and other semi-precious stones. All components come from old Chinese items that are sourced by Li Chiao Upham during her travels in Asia. For more information please visit: www.cherryhill.tw or call (02) 2541-7575.

Patricia kortmann’s Jewelry Patricia is a long-time resident of Taipei and has held numerous jewelry exhibitions here over the past years. Patricia creates her pieces from a wide assortment of gems such as aquamarine, citrine, amethyst, fluorite, rose quartz, crystal quartz and pearls. Her works are all one-of-a-kind creations and blend the rich variety of contemporary-style gemstones with handcrafted ethnic silver and gold beads. Patricia also offers to custom design and create personalized pieces of jewelry.

A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery go to The Center, so please remember that by displaying and shopping here you are helping us to provide much needed services to the

international community.

September 2012

GALLERY


whalen’s

dRessed

RECOMMENDED BY MONICA HESS



Richard Saunders is a trained classical musician and writer who has lived in Taipei since 1993. He has written several books (available at The Center and in bookshops around Taipei), including Yangmingshan: the Guide (a complete guide to the National Park on Taipei’s doorstep) and Taipei Escapes I and 2, which together detail sixty day trips and hikes within easy reach of Taipei city. A fourth book, a guide to Taiwan’s offshore islands, is due out later this year.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACKRICHARD SAUNDERS EXPLORES TAIWAN'S LESS-TRODDEN PATHS

THE YOU RUI STREAM:Cliffs, Caves and Cold, Clear Water

Keelung, Taiwan’s second port is a remarkably interesting place, with its rich culture, historic forts, and fine sea cliffs, and just beyond the city limits there’s lots that even the Chinese

guidebooks don’t cover, such as the lovely valley of the You Rui Stream (友蚋溪). Rising in the eastern foothills of Yangmingshan, it cuts its way southeastwards for about eight kilometers before joining the Keelung River at Wudu, on the outskirts of the big city. For most of its length, it does nothing very interesting, but for a couple of kilometers above Wudu, it winds its way through an area of great beauty and peace, considering the metropolis that lays so close by. Ideally, you’ll need your own wheels and a map to explore the area properly, but there’s plenty hereabouts to fill a leisurely day of hiking, swimming and simply drifting along the narrow, winding back lanes which traverse a large area of very quiet, unspoilt hill country.

Leave Freeway one at Wudu exit, follow the road towards Wudu a few hundred meters and turn right onto Huaxin No. 1 Road (華新一路). About a kilometer after passing under freeway three, turn left at a brown signpost pointing to the “Pothole Scenic Path” (壺穴景觀步道), a gentle, easy footpath through lovely scenery including an area of fine rounded potholes cut in the sandstone of the river bed.

For a longer, more exciting walk, return to Huaxin No. 1 Road, turn left, and turn right off it in a couple of hundred meters across a bridge, following a lane up into the hills. On the left, just before the road ends at the gate of Huaxin Tourist Farm (華新農場) in a kilometer or two, a concrete track climbing into the trees leads to a fascinating natural wonder, Yue Mei Cave (月眉洞). It’s a steepish climb of about twenty minutes until a long, pinky-orange sandstone cliff rises above the trees, with a deep overhang carved by the elements into its base. It’s an imposing natural spectacle. Follow the wide track round past the cave for a few minutes and on the right a trail scrambles up the steep bank and follows close to the edge of a dramatic sheer cliff-face for about twenty minutes to the summit of Mt Xian Dong Hu (仙洞湖山), commanding a fine view over the hills north of Wudu.

For the perfect complement to this short but hot hike follow the road up a bit further, and turn left at the signposted fork to Shi Gong Tan (石公潭), the

Granddaddy Rock Pool. It’s astonishing that that this place seems to be known only to locals, as this is one of the best natural swimming pools in the Taipei area. The pool is nearly three meters deep, is somewhat larger than the average swimming pool, and of pure blue-green water, stocked with all manner of fish, including some big but friendly Koi carp. Be warned, the water is COLD, but, once you’ve got used to the strange sensation of lots of little fish sucking at the hairs on your legs every time you stop swimming, this is a marvelous, scenically beautiful place to spend one of those long, sticky summer afternoons, and the perfect end to a day exploring a hidden, but fascinating corner of Keelung City’s hinterlands.

To find more unusual and little-known places around Taiwan, visit Off the Beaten Track at http://taiwandiscovery.wordpress.com/.


10 september 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw

TexT: Marina Burana iMages: jiM clark

CSC

new

S

In And Out Of The Box

When I first heard these words I couldn't help but agree. In uttering them Ken Robinson, a famous

British educator, presented us with a very unsettling scenario, but one I believe is nevertheless true.

Jim Clark, the owner of innoGreat (‘innovate to greatness’), a consulting company specializing in creativity and innovation, has come up with an idea that can easily take us all ‘out of the box’. The main goal of his company is to help individuals, teams and organizations hone their capacity for being creative, make the best out of their potential and establish a stronger valuable connection between people and ideas. “About five years ago,” says Jim, “we had a client that asked us to do a program on ‘out of the box’ thinking. While we had been working on creativity and innovation for some time, we had never focused on this particular phrase before. My first thought was, ‘How can we think out of the box if we don’t know what the box is?’.” So he decided to go from the abstract world of the metaphor to the actual building of a box.

In the boxWhat does that mean? Well, each

member of a group creates a box out of cardboard and gets to design it the way he/she wants to, cutting holes for their eyes, mouth, etc. Once that’s done, they put it on their heads and wear it. It thus becomes universal; the tangible evidence of a deeply rooted reality: we all have a box on our heads all the time. We filter our environment, we make value judgments, and we shape our thinking based on our fears and concerns. “We swim in a sea of our own thoughts and emotions,” says Jim, “and the box is the transparent container that holds things in place. We are not usually aware that our thinking is limited at all, we simply experience our thinking as right or normal.” Participants are asked to reflect on who they are, what makes them each different from others or how they would present themselves in that particular social interaction. They then jot down their ideas onto post-it notes and place them inside and outside the box. There are numerous tasks they have to perform, always with the box on their heads. What Jim

discovered after many years of playing with this metaphor, is that in general people prefer to under-perform the tasks rather than challenge themselves by going out of the box.

Another quote I recently heard from British educator Ken Robinson is: “Human resources are like natural resources; they’re often buried deep. You have to go looking for them, they’re not just lying around on the surface.” What the box hopes to achieve is encouraging participants to dig deep in order to get to what is hidden. And in order to make this more tangible, Jim came up with a sketch of how we arrange thoughts inside that box. He explains that at the front we have filters, which don't usually let things get in. On the right side we have positively charged thoughts (what should be, what we expect, want, desire, etc.); on the left side are negatively charged thoughts (what shouldn't be, what we don't want or expect, etc.) and at the back are our limiting self beliefs (our fears, insecurities and uncertainties). “Many ways of thinking out of the box,” he says, “are about expanding our filters:

‘We don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it.’


listening to different music, reading different perspectives, seeing things from alternative perspectives. The more we are able to open ourselves up to our context, the greater the realm of possibility that exists.” There's no right, there's no wrong. There's just the need to try to play a little, out and back into the box.

Out Of the bOxThis can be a r isky business,

according to Jim. The box seems static but it is always changing. Thinking out of the box is not necessarily better than thinking inside it. Most communication is 'box to box'. Being completely free and open with others can create problems, generate contradictions that could lead us into chaos when communicating with others, or s imply reveal too much of our weaknesses or of those things that we are not yet ready or willing to give away. So what Jim actually puts forward is the idea that in order to be innovative you will need to think both in and out of the box.

I n a w o r l d b a s e d o n o v e r-production, on a criminally foolish excess and on the need of labeling every single step we take, more and more people feel the need of getting in the box and never getting out of it. It is always easier to be protected, which is what the box does. Getting out, even for a moment, pushes us into this abyss of ideas and interconnections; it leaves us a little bit unprotected and in an open field where everything is possible. And this can be one very scary thing.

Jim has had a very long relationship with Taiwan and is able to offer 'Out of the box' sessions in both English and Chinese. There's no planned schedule. He offers them, as he says, “whenever it makes sense” and adds: “Understanding the box provides a foundation for a variety of creativity processes which can help individuals or groups to explore, prioritize and make more robust decisions. Creativity and innovation [are not things] that you are born with, they are skills which can be developed.”

Around the world we are all being

educated out of creativity and into the box. We are getting boxed-in without knowing what's out. But just like in nature, just like yin and yang, everything seems to be related in ways we cannot really understand. But there's one thing we can certainly grasp: it only takes will to make a run-of-the-mill metaphor a powerful and innovative reality.

11www.communitycenter.org.tw september 2012

Marina Burana is an Argentinean w r i t e r bor n in 1986 . S he ha s published two books of short stories in Spanish and is now writing plays in English. She speaks French and reads Ancient Greek. She also plays violin, paints and studies Chinese in Taipei.

Jim will be teaching his ‘In & Out of the box’ workshop on Friday, October 19th between 9:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Center. to register, please call or check our website.


Saving Sea Turtles in Sanya

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ity

TexT: Ainslie Cheung imAges: CourTesy of The riTz-CArlTon, sAnyA

The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya (China) in partnership with Sea Turtles 911 has released seven sea turtles back to their ocean home on Yalong Bay Beach this year. This partnership started in December,

2009, when the hotel provided a home for three endangered green turtle hatchlings from Sea Turtles 911, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles on the Hainan Island coastal regions. The sea turtles released included an endangered olive ridley sea turtle and six endangered green turtles. Three of the green turtles were juveniles and had spent one year of their baby hatchling life at The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya, which provided a home for them at Ritz-Kids. The other sea turtles had been rescued by fishermen and had spent time recuperating at the Sea Turtles 911 floating hospital, due to injuries or illnesses.

Green turtles are found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are herbivorous and feed mainly on sea grasses; as hatchlings they eat fish and other sea life, but

their diet changes as they grow to adulthood. The little juveniles that were released are currently only about 5 kg; the one adult released weighed approximately 70 kg, although mature adults can reach up to 200 kg. Green turtles are endangered primarily due to humans killing them for meat and for their shells, as well as accidental ingestion of plastic and other garbage debris found floating in large amounts in the oceans.

For the past year The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya together with Sea Turtles 911 has been actively working to promote and educate their guests and locals about threats to sea turtles in the South China Sea, in an effort to increase the sea turtles’ chance for survival. The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya staff has made regular visits to the floating sea turtle hospital for the hotel’s Give Back Getaway Voluntourism Program. Guests can also join in a half-day visit to the Sea Turtles 911 floating hospital where they will be given the chance to work side-by-side with the Sea Turtles 911 team in a number of volunteer activities, and learn more about sea turtle conservation.

september 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw12

For more information about Sea Turtles 911, please see: www.seaturtles911.org

For more information about Ritz-Carlton Give Back Getaways Voluntourism Program, please see: http://corporate.ritzcarlton.com/en/About/Community.htm

Getting there: China Airlines has regular weekly flights to Sanya departing early morning and late afternoon. For more information regarding their flight schedules, please see: www.china-airlines.com.



American Chamber of Commerce in TaipeiAmerican Club In China American Institute in Taiwan Arlo Chou's Photo StudioAsian Tigers Mobility - TaiwanAustralian OfficeBluebell Hong Kong Ltd., Taiwan BranchBrilliant Art Handicraft Co. Ltd.British American TobaccoBritish Trade and Cultural OfficeCanadian Trade Office of TaipeiChina AirlinesCrown Worldwide (Taiwan) Ltd.CS AccessoriesEdx EducationDFI Home Furnishings Taiwan LtdEiger LawEngaging Minds WorldwideFrance Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and IndustryFormosa Optical (Tianmu Branch)George Pais Beauty ParlorGray GleasonGorgeous Me!Grand Hyatt San Francisco Grand Hyatt SeoulGrand Hyatt TaipeiHarvie's of Edinburgh Ltd.Heineken Brouwerijen B. V. Taiwan BranchThe Howard Plaza Hotel TaipeiHyatt Regency TokyoICRTKatya Ilieva-StoneItalian Coffee CompanyJardine Food Services (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.Liaison Office of the Republic of South Africa in Taiwan

Amy LiuMaster Wu's WorkshopMetropolitan Spirits Ltd.Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (R.O.C.)Nestle Taiwan LtdOffice of the President, Republic of ChinaSebastian OttePernod Ricard Taiwan Ltd.Persimmon LanePretty NailsQ BritanniaThe Regent TaipeiRegusThe Ritz-CarltonRobert Bosch Taiwan Co.Royal Choice LimitedSalmat Asia Limited Taiwan BranchSheraton Taipei HotelSpace Concepts Ltd.The Sparkle SpaGladys StovicekSifen Jewelry Superior Realty Co., Ltd.Swire Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd., Taiwan BranchTaipei City GovernmentTaiwan Folk Arts MuseumTsar and Tsai Law FirmVilla 32Waterford Wedgwood Taiwan Ltd.Wendel's German Bakery & BistroWillie's DeliWonderland Nursery Goods Co., Ltd.Your Expat Coach & MoreYvonne Yuan

Thank YouThank you to our donors

Activities at The Center

Activity First Meeting Date # of Sessions Instructor Time Meet @Survival Chinese I Monday, September 03 13 Gloria Gwo 9:00am- 10:20am The CenterSurvival Chinese II Monday, September 03 13 Gloria Gwo 10:30am- 11:50am The CenterChinese Study Group III Monday, September 03 26 Gloria Gwo 12noon- 1:20pm The CenterChinese Study Group I Tuesday, September 04 25 Gloria Gwo 9:00am- 10:20am The CenterChinese Study Group II Tuesday, September 04 25 Gloria Gwo 10:30am- 11:50am The CenterKindermusik I-A (0-18 mos.) Thursday, September 06 6 Jennifer Chau 9:15am- 10:00am The CenterKindermusik II (18 mos.-3yrs.) Thursday, September 06 12 Jennifer Chau 10:15am- 11:00am The CenterKindermusik I-B (0-18 mos.) Thursday, September 06 6 Jennifer Chau 11:15am-12noon The CenterEvening Survival Chinese I Wednesday, September 12 12 Gloria Gwo 6:30pm-8:30pm The CenterTraditional Thai Friday, September 14 1 Saithip Tantiwongkorn 10:00am- 12noon The CenterThe Shi Dong Market Tour or "What Is That Vegetable and How Do I Cook It?" Tuesday, September 18 1 Ivy Chen 9:00am-11:00am The CenterGentle Yoga Wednesday, September 19 10 Maria Moberg 9:30am-11:00am The Farès Academy DojoCreative Writing Workshop Wednesday, September 19 6 Monica Hess 7:00pm-9:00pm Trend Micro Bldg. 198 Dun Hua S. Rd.French Conversation Thursday, September 20 10 Coraline Lee-Bengloan 1:00pm-2:20pm The CenterIndian Vegetarian: Perfect Paneer Friday, September 21 1 Shakha Gupta 10:00am- 12noon The CenterBattleship Rock and Lovers' Temple Hike Monday, September 24 1 Richard Saunders 9:00am-12noon The Qilian MRT Sta. Near the Ticket BarrierFitness Training Class Monday, September 24 8 Larissa Tapsall 9:30am-10:30am The Farès Academy DojoTaiwan Law & You Tuesday, September 25 1 Fred Voigtmann 12:30pm-2:00pm The Center

Donor list as at August 16th, 2012


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Friday night at Jazz Spot Swing nears its climax. Chatter in the crowd competes with the music on stage. The band –

a pianist, bassist, saxophonist, and Sayami, a pretty singer dressed in black – launches into a spirited version of Route 66. Each band member is Japanese. Only one is a professional musician – the unassuming man at the piano – the one with salt and pepper hair and an impish grin that says he’s exactly where he wants to be and doing what he loves: playing jazz.

looking to unwindP a r t m u s i c b e n e f a c t o r, p a r t

businessman, all musician, Kuwuhara Nobuki was like many young Japanese company men scattered across East Asia. He loved to unwind after work. Unlike the rest though, he could also make a Hammond organ swing. That talent led the then-30 year-old to Taiwan as an employee of Hammond, the famous American organ company, which by the early 1990s had become Hammond/Suzuki.

“After work, I still liked going out and still liked music. I looked for places not only where I could listen but also have the chance to play,” says Kuwuhara, recalling his early days working at Hammond, not only in Taiwan but also i n Ma lay s i a, S i ngapor e, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. His search for the ideal place to unwind proved fruitless, but Kuwuhara’s a jazzman: he knows how to improvise. “I decided to open a place myself, so that I could provide others like me with a place where they could come and listen and maybe play.” Married to a Taiwanese woman he met in Japan, Kuwuhara brought his jazz dreams back to Taipei.

After six years at a tiny place on Guangfu South Road, Kuwuhara moved across town and opened Jazz Spot Swing on Xinsheng North Road, where he’s been the last two years. In an area better known for hostess clubs catering to Japanese businessmen, from the outside it’s tempting to

assume Jazz Spot Swing is similar. Inside, though, the vibe is jazz: intimate and soothing, with a bar, just enough seating, and a stage bathed in soft blue lights.

Tr u e t o h i s o r i g i n a l i n s p i r a t i o n, K u w u h a r a welcomes not only guests who like to listen but also those who want to play.

Joining the owner on stage most nights is saxophonist, Jun Suzuki, and a jovial bassist named Inada Nobufumi. Both shed their business suits after work and become jazzmen at night.

it dRaws You inFridays, the pace and energy rev

up when the charismatic Sayami commands the stage. Married to a Taiwanese man, this young mother obviously enjoys her one night to shine in public. She, too, originally came to listen but wound up on stage. “Someone told me about this place where I could go listen to jazz ... where I’d feel ching song [relaxed], she says. “When I came here, I told [Kuwuhara} that I used to sing pop and he told me to sing jazz. That’s when I started to learn how to sing jazz. The transition wasn’t too difficult though, because I’d been a fan of jazz since I was 15.”

Sayami attempts to explain in English the Japanese affinity for jazz. Though she’s fluent, doing so

TExT & IMAGES: WILLIAM MOONEY


Swingingto HisOwnTune


proves challenging. After a few false starts, she finds her answer. “Jazz frees Japanese from the Japanese stereotype. When they play, they feel [their individuality].” Words come easier when she talks about her own experience. “I heard Billie [Holiday], Sarah [Vaughn], and Dinah [Washington] when I was a teenager and discovered what it meant to be a woman. Not only the way they sang but the way they moved,” the former tomboy says, demonstrating. “Suddenly, I knew I was a woman, not just a kid who liked to climb mountains.”

With his glasses, Kuwuhara looks the part of a jazz sage: not surprising, since he was a music teacher for Hammond. One might expect, given his teaching background, a musician less tolerant of jazz neophytes, however just the opposite is true. Kuwuhara projects the same relaxed vibe as the sound he produces on the piano. Never rushed, Kuwuhara glides around the club between sets, always on the lookout for guests eager to play.

If Kuwuhara is cool jazz,

his wife is bebop. Moving a round the c lub wi th the speed of a Charlie Parker so lo, she does some improvising of her own. Welcoming arrivals, sitting down to chat with guests, or tending bar, she keeps things rolling. Having such a practical partner is perhaps what frees Kuwuhara to pursue his passion for jazz with such a generous spirit. His wife out of earshot, he leans forward and with the stage glowing blue behind

him, says, “My wife doesn’t even like jazz.” He pauses before continuing in a quieter voice. “But I prefer it that way. If she really understood jazz, she’d probably try to [dictate] the playlist.” He leans back, emitting a mischievous laugh that says ‘keep this between us.’

It's all about the musIcOne o’c lock approaches; the

band nears the end of its final set for the evening. Sayami is out front, snapping her fingers and in her movements channeling the spirits of the sirens who inspired her. Furiously strumming his bass is Inada, lost in the moment and a world away from his daytime gig as chairman of Yoshinoya, the Japanese restaurant chain. Less demonstrative but equally enraptured, Mr Suzuki plays the sax from his familiar spot in the corner of the stage. Kuwuhara looks on with satisfaction from behind the piano.

Moments later, the music ends and guests begin to filter out. Inada ambles over to the bar to chat with some friends. Sayami disappears for a moment and returns wearing jeans, signaling that she’s ready to relax. Mr Suzuki takes a seat in the corner, close to where he stands when playing.

Kuwuhara steps behind the bar. A few customers remain in the

now quiet club. But an after-hours surprise awaits. A man sitting at a table near the stage suddenly takes his place behind the piano. A visitor from Singapore straps on a guitar and joins the pianist on stage. Masa, a 35 year-old high-tech employee who learned to appreciate jazz in Okinawa from hearing his father play Miles Davis and John Coltrane records, plants himself behind the drums. Seconds before, he’d been at the bar discussing the relative merits of the world’s religions and Japan’s place in the world economy. Kuwuhara emerges from behind the bar and joins the others on his stage of jazz dreams. This time, though, he sits behind his Hammond organ, preparing to make it swing. A rollicking jam session follows. This time, there is no chatter. Now it’s all about the music. And the music is good and all is right with the world, at least in this Taipei jazz club. Masa, looking every bit the free spirit that he is, right down to his pink socks, says something to make the others laugh. Pure joy emanates from the stage as each member takes his turn at a solo, feeling their individuality through jazz. Sitting at a table near the stage with some friends is Sayami, looking relaxed and observing with a knowing smile.

William Mooney is a long-time resident of Taipei, originally from America. He has taught at the Chinese Culture University since 2004.

Jazz spot swing is located in b1,108 Xinsheng North Road, section 1. the closest mRt station is Zhongshan on the red line. the club is open monday to saturday from 8 pm to 1 am. sayami sings with the band on Fridays. there’s a Nt$500 table charge plus 10 percent service charge. simple Japanese meals are available. english speakers are welcome. call (02) 2571-1809 or check out the club’s chinese-language blog at http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/swing-kuwahara for more information.



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Hello and welcome to the first of a regular column that offers you some basic pho tography t ip s tha t

I hope will help you create great looking photos.

Photography doesn't have to be hard. Often the difference between an average photo and one that makes people say “wow” is simply a matter of following a few simple principles that require no technical knowledge or special skills, and can be used with any type of camera.

the Rule oF thiRdsIf there’s only one photography

concept that you must remember it should be the Rule of Thirds. Something so simple that can make such a difference and can quickly and easily become something that a photo student does automatically. So what is the Rule of Thirds? Simply put, instead of viewing the frame as a large rectangle, mentally overlay a tic-tac-toe-type grid onto it. Where the lines intersect are the thirds. Now, instead of placing your subject dead center, place it on one of these intersecting lines.

Think of a very simple landscape image such as a typical beach or river scene. Somewhere in the image exists the line of the horizon. By placing the horizon either one third of the way down from the top, or up from the bottom, you’ll create a much stronger and more eye-pleasing photograph than if you put it straight

through the center. How do you decide whether to put the horizon in the top third or the bottom? There’s no hard and fast rule. If there are some great clouds in the sky, then perhaps you’ll want to show more of that and less water so put the horizon in the lower third. If the sky is boring and has little or no detail, then minimize its appearance and place the horizon in the top third and show more of the foreground. Each photo will call for a different approach.

not Just landscaPesThe Rule of Thirds can be used

for people photography too. Placing your subject on the left or right third is often more satisfying than placing them in the middle (assuming you’re not going to fill the frame). If your subject’s gaze is directed to his right,

place him on the right third so that he appears to be looking into the frame. If they’re looking left, place them left.

At the intersecting points between the horizontal and vertical lines, you have four very strong points. If there’s a single feature in your photo that you wish to emphasize, place it on one of these points. Your placement doesn't need to be exactly on these points – as long as it's in the general vicinity, the rule will work. You may even have a thirds grid that is viewable in your camera's viewfinder or on its screen to assist you when you’re composing the photo. For those of you who’ve never tried to use the Rule of Thirds before, give it a go next time you’re taking pictures. You’ll notice the difference!

Improving Your Photos With The Rule Of Thirds

TExT & IMAGE: CRAIG FERGUSON

Craig is a professional photographer and has worked with the likes of Lonely Planet, Monocle, Asia Business Traveller, Asian Geographic and many more. In addition, he also teaches regular photography workshops and individual classes in and around Taipei.




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I love ‘happening’ upon little places of awesomeness. Alyshia's House (which offers sundaes, coffee and light meals) is one of these places and I SWEAR to

you it's not because of the restaurant's name. Really. I swear.

As I stared blankly at the Chinese-only menu I felt confident that a latte was the way to go. A little fancier than your standard black coffee; if the place can make a good latte, I'm like a bad penny. I'll be back. One of the guys working in the shop who spoke English patiently went over the menu as I picked out a bite to eat. Fingers crossed, I soaked up my surroundings. The place was pretty cool. The entire wall behind me housed a relief map of the continents utilizing exposed brick. The contrast of the brick with the charcoal gray walls and the white double crown molding on the ceiling offered a great deal of visual appeal. Two platforms flanked either side of the café, one side with bench/couch-like seating and the other side with a number of tables, bookshelves and a massive fish tank. I was starting to fall hard for this place and I realized I was holding my breath a bit when the latte was placed in front of me. I wanted it to be good. My worry was for naught. From the moment the latte was placed in front of me, I was transfixed.

OK. *Dork alert* I'm a bit of a sucker for foam art. Even if you don't

admit it out loud (which you probably shouldn't), we all know it's wicked cool and we want to possess that skill (or maybe that's just me?). My girlfriend's latte held a heart, while mine had a leaf. My first sip equaled relief as the foam did not disappoint and the coffee was not ‘watered’ down by the milk. The coffee had a great taste and that foam was simply endless. It was literally as if each sip never happened; my cup appeared virtually untouched. I'm such a nerd - stuff like that intrigues me. I mean, the leaf pattern held itself together all the way to the very bottom dregs of my cup, people! THAT, my friend, is foam to be proud of.

Incredibly satisfied with our lattes, my girlfriend (who can read a bit of Chinese) looked over the menu/coffee options for me. While Alyshia's House doesn't necessarily offer differing coffee roast options, they do have the standard latte selection, two of which we belatedly discovered are star'd as recommended (the hazelnut and vanilla latte). Hot Italian coffee and Americano are also available and customers have a choice of having their coffees iced or hot. Price points range from NT$80 (hot Italian coffee) up to NT$130.

In talking with one of the workers I discovered that Alyshia's has only been open for three weeks. I felt like I’d struck a bit of gold. New, slightly undiscovered, AND good, this place is awesome!

TexT & images: aly Cooper, sToCk phoTos

Alyshia’s House

Aly Cooper is an expat wife of one year who enjoys adventures with her five-year-old son, reading, eating, blogging, having A LOT of coffee with friends, volunteering and spending free weekends exploring what the island has to offer with the family.Got a suggestion for our resident caffeine addict? Send them in via [email protected].

for foam art. Even if you don't

CSC CHARITY AUCTION DINNER 2012Friday 28th September Grand Hyatt HotelTo purchase your ticket, please complete the ticket reservation form (available on our website here http://communitycenter.org.tw/whats-on/auction) and return to The Center by fax or email.

BOOK CLUBS: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

The morning book club will meet Tuesday 11th September, 10:30 am onwards. For more information email [email protected] evening book club will meet on Thursday 20th September, 7 pm onwards. For more information, email [email protected].

WELCOME COFFEE AND OPEN HOUSE MORNINGThursday 13th September, 10:30 am - 12 noon

This month we have an open h o u s e – m e e t o u r s t a f f a n d instructors, participate in some act ivi ty demos and connect or reconnect with new and old friends!

Events at The Center

Alyshia's House: 17 Qiangang Street, Shilin 台北市士林區前港街17號Near MRT Jiantan Station


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This summer, Girl Scout Brownies from the Taipei American School came to the small aboriginal village of Chingchuan (清泉) in the mountains of Hsinchu County for an inter-cultural experience

with the local indigenous children. Professor Chuo and her son from Neihu conducted

an art activity for the Brownies group and the children of Chingchuan. The two groups had no diff iculty communicating, since the language of art was common to all.

Fr. Barry Martinson, the local village priest, welcomed the group and talked to the participants beforehand, emphas iz ing the importance o f d i scover ing new environments, being connected to the world around us, taking action for others, and learning how to become leaders in society.

After the art activity, the indigenous children sang and taught the Brownies their local dances, including the traditional aboriginal circle dance, an expression of friendship. With arms entwined and dancing in the same direction, the experience of unity and fellowship was contagious and experienced by all.

To prepare for this intercultural activity, the Brownies

sold cookies at the annual Taipei American School Spring Fair. They also invited the public to donate books in English to help those in the mountains who wish to learn another language. Together with children of the British Institute, they learned to dance and sing the ‘Ignite’ Girl Scout song.

One of the high points of the Brownies' gathering outside Chingchuan's Catholic Church was the presence of the indigenous Presbyterian minister and his wife, together with their youth club, who shared their own indigenous songs and dances with the participants. Thanks to the Brownies, this was the first time these two church groups had held an activity together.

After the gathering at the church, the Taipei participants, together with their new-found friends, hiked to the riverside market, where they joined in celebrating the annual fruit festival. Besides the local songs and dances, the Brownies were invited to come onstage to sing for the festival goers, and also to sample some of the local delicacies.

All in all it was a memorable experience for both the Brownies and children from the British Institute, as well as for the local Chingchuan children. When it was time to say goodbye and return to Taipei, some of the children had tears in their eyes from the sad farewell - but hope in their hearts.

taipei american school Brownies visit the village of chingchuan

TExT & IMAGES : FR. BARRY MARTINSON




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Every student of Chinese medicine has their own personal and interesting story behind their choice to study this ancient disipline. My own journey began with the study of Chinese martial arts and

an introduction to an old Chinese man. When I met him the first time he must have been in his early sixties; he had a long grey beard, the physique of a bear and a sparkle in his eyes. I started by taking herbal medicine from him to adjust my own body. After a few months of treatment I was better and no longer needed herbs. I continued to visit him when I could and had the opportunity to see the types of diseases he was treating. As I had already worked in a public Western hospital for four years, I was amazed at what his medicine could treat effectively, especially when I compared it with what I had seen in the hospital. I asked him if he could teach me and he said, “go get a degree from China and we will see”. Ten years later and now I have my own personal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic.

As Chinese medicine is gaining in popularity, the next step is in educating the public in what it can and cannot treat, and the importance of finding a good TCM doctor. Even though Chinese medicine is taught in university,

this isn’t where students gain most of their education. Instead they learn the most by by studying with a master or mentor. Every TCM practitioner belongs to a ‘school of thought’ and therefore depending on their own lineage, they will treat diseases in different ways with different results. There are only two medical systems in the world that are highly structured and can treat serious diseases effectively on a regular basis: Western medicine and Chinese medicine. No one system is better then the other: each has its advantages and disadvantages. Western medicine is best for treating all acute traumatic injuries and diseases where surgery is really needed. Chinese medicine excels in treating most internal diseases, gynaecological problems, skin disease, flu and colds, digestive disorders, pain, respiratory problems and kidney disease. TCM does not produce miracles, but it is an excellent and natural option for many ailments. In the last two decades cultural boundaries and geographic borders have diminished more then ever before. This has opened the doors to new and interesting knowledge, especially in the field of medicine. It is only through an open mind that we can further develop and find better ways in achieving health and quality of life.

TexT: Shaun RamSden

an ancient medicine in a modern World

Shaun Ramsden is a native Australian who spent eight years in Singapore and six years in China and has recently relocated to Taipei. He has a Bachelor of Medicine from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and a Diploma in Massage from the Australian College of Natural Medicine. In addition to running his own TCM clinic (www.classictcm.net), he enjoys writing books on kung fu, TCM health cultivation and Chinese medicine. On the weekends he teaches martial arts and qi gong on Yangmingshan.

National Museum of History

Until October 7thWinners of Chen Chin Art and Culture Award: A Joint Exhibition 4F Room 401http://www.nmh.gov.tw/en-us49 Nanhai Road

Museum of Contemporary Art

Until September 30thToilet Project TaipeiVenue | MOCA Taipeiwww.mocataipei.org.tw39 Changan West Road

National Palace Museum

Until September 25thImages of the Mind Borne from the Brush: The Paintings of Ding YunpengGalleries: 202 & 212Until June 20th, 2013Lifting the Spirit and Body: The Art and Culture of Snuff BottlesGallery: 303

http://www.npm.gov.tw 221 Zhishan Road, Section 2

SPOT Taipei – Film House

Daily Noon to Midnight 6 showingsAdvant-garde cross-cutural filmsHave a cup of coffee, see a good film, absorb a little cultureFormer residence of USA Ambassador http://www.spot.org.tw 18 Zhongshan North Road, Section 2

National Taiwan Museum

Until October 14thCome to Our Future: Climate Change ExhibitionGalleries: 101 & 102http://formosa.ntm.gov.tw/web/en 2 Siangyang Road

The Red Room

On the 3rd Saturday of every month from 6:30 – 10:30 pmStage Time & Wine is a monthly event hosted by The Red Room. Everyone

is welcome to take the stage for five minutes and share anything – a poem, a song, a scream, silence, a dance, a blog entry, an excerpt from a book, a monologue or anything else you can think of. Everything is welcome to this culture of listening….http://www.redroom.com.tw/2F, 117 Da-an Road, Section 1

Gold Ecological Park

Open All YearThe site of Taiwan’s largest gold rush http://superspace.cca.gov.tw/en/local_culture_page.asp?rid=38 Jinguang Road, Jinguashi, Ruifang, New Taipei City

The Red House

Until December 2015The Red House: A Century of Stories and Blessingswww.redhouse.org.tw10 Chengdu Road, Wanhua District

Just a few of the things that are going on around Taipei this month...


books on kung fu, TCM health cultivation and Chinese medicine. On the weekends he teaches martial arts and qi gong on Yangmingshan.


7thWinners of Chen Chin Art and Culture



20 SEPTEMBER 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw20 SEPTEMBER 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw

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Trading Birth Stories: Giving Birth in Taipei

Ever wondered what it might be like to give birth overseas? This issue we have two wonderfully informative pieces from two key perspectives: one of a doula, Angela Chang and the other of new mother Serina Huang. Together they cover the great range of resources that expectant mothers in Taipei have available to them. Read on to find out more....

Angela ChangSupporting new beginningsTExT: KATRINA BROWN AND KATH LIU

Typically, when one thinks of expatriates living in Taiwan, the fluidity and transience of this community would be

one of its defining characteristics. Contracts end, positions are relocated, new challenges beckon. But in every expat community there are those who have been here longer than anyone can remember, the so-called “long-termers.” These are the folks who perhaps came to Taiwan never intending to stay but somehow came to realise that they never wanted to leave, or came with long term intentions after having fallen in love with and married their Taiwanese spouse. Canadian-born Angela Chang is a hybrid of these two situations. Having studied English Literature in her native Canada, she came to Taiwan to teach English for a year with a view to saving enough money to travel for a further year. Life had other plans, however, and Angela met her now-husband, had three children and has been here ever since.

the eFFect oF exPeRienceIndeed, it was her experience of

having her children in Taiwan that was the catalyst that drove Angela to become a doula. A lack of access to information and support during the birth of her first child resulted in her being subjected to having “lots of stuff done” to her without feeling like she could speak up against it. This feeling of powerlessness and inability to advocate for herself or her son had a profound effect on her, she says, resulting in her crying for a week after she had given birth. Furthermore, when i t was t ime to del iver her

second child, she avoided going into the hospital for as long as she could, arriving a mere ten minutes before the baby arrived. Happily, her third and final birthing experience was a positive one, “a fabulous water birth” at the natural birthing center in Xinzhuang. Finally she was able to feel in control and empowered. Some time later when a friend asked her to attend her birth as a doula due to her experience with giving birth in Taiwan, Angela looked into what a doula was. It was at this point that she realised that this was exactly what Taiwan needed.

helPing otheR woMen Feel eMPoweRed

B u t w h a t e x a c t l y i s a d o u l a anyway? “Basically,” Angela explains, “a doula provides emotional and educational support for parents. A doula stays for the entire duration of birth, giving continuous assistance in areas including suggesting different questions to ask in order to assist decision making, trying different birth positions, helping the partner support the mother, giving reassurance, and (unique to Taiwan) helping with language and cultural differences.” It is important to note, however that a doula is not a midwife, she says. Doulas do not make medical decisions, but rather “provide information to help parents make informed decisions, and then support that decision. It's all about making informed choices.”

Since she became certified through Childbirth International, Angela has attended 75 births. Initially she thought that she would only be attending two or three per year but

these days she is attending around that many per month. Although each and every birth is special and the reaction of the parents when each baby is born is something that brings her great joy, Angela acknowledges that there are times when the job can be challenging. The unpredictable nature of childbirth means that she is unable to plan anything within four weeks of a client's due date and that at times, she has missed her own children's birthdays and milestones because she has been attending a birth. Considering this, becoming a doula seems to be more of a calling than a career choice.

staY inFoRMed – ask FRoM the Beginning

The relationship you have with your doctor when you are preparing to give birth is perhaps one of the most critically important professional relationships of your life. To ensure that this relationship works well and produces a positive birth experience for all involved, Angela stresses the importance of determining whether you are both on the same page. She encourages all prospective parents to consider asking the following five questions when meeting with your Obstetrician:1. What positions do you encourage

moms to use in labor?2. What are your policies regarding

induction?3. In what ways is your hospital

supportive of breastfeeding?4. What i s your p rocedure i f a

C-section becomes necessary? 5. How often do you attend natural

births?



Gentle Birthing in Taipei TExT & IMAGES: SERINA HUANG

Ex p e c t i n g a n e w b a b y i s a n e x c i t i n g t i m e . B u t negotiating medical care in an unfamiliar culture - and

language - can be daunting for many expectant parents. The good news is that in Taiwan the overall standard of medical care is high. There are countless obstetric and gynecologist departments in Taipei alone, staffed by experienced and well educated medical professionals. My first son was born over two months’ premature, so when pregnant with my second child I was concerned about contingency plans. I worked out that there were at least five excellent Neonatal Intensive Care Units within a twenty-minute commute from home. If there’s an emergency, you’re in safe hands.

less FlexiBilitYThe bad news is that the usual

standard of care is more invasive, less flexible and more opaque than what many Western parents expect. Taiwan has a high rate of Caesarean sections, with women often choosing them to ensure the baby is born on an auspicious date. Specialists also work under tremendous work loads and do not always have the time or inclination to explain hospital procedures. Even if they do, nursing staff often blindly follow Standard Operating Procedures that include uncomfortable practices such as shaving pubic hair, inserting an IV

drip rather than allowing laboring women to consume l iquids, and insisting on remaining in position on a delivery bed.

Sun Yi suffered birth trauma when her pubic bones separated while birthing her first son. When pregnant a second time, she was told by her physiotherapist to labor in an upright position. But hospital staff had other plans, despite assurances from her obstetrician. “There we were in the labor and delivery room, arguing with the resident doctors and nurses to let me have more flexible birthing positions,” she said. They eventually agreed, but it took considerable negot iat ion. As a resul t of her experiences, Sun Yi, a career diplomat, decided to learn more about doula skills to help women achieve positive birthing experiences. She is now an active volunteer in the Taiwan Doula Association.

suPPoRt availaBleThe Taiwan Doula Association

provides a network of services to promote gentle birthing to expectant mothers, including birthing classes, support during birth and advice to those wishing to have a home b i r th. The i r member s i n c lude midwives, lactation consultants and obstetricians. Although most of their services are currently in Chinese, they plan to develop English resources. They also plan to open a birth center

in February 2013 that will facilitate wa t e r b i r th s, f l ex ib l e b i r th ing positions and a range of postpartum services incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine.

M y h u s b a n d a n d I r e c e n t l y welcomed our second son into the world. He was a hefty 4kg (nine pounds) at birth, born naturally without medical intervention or pain relief. I was assisted by Taipei Adventist Hospital gentle birthing advocate Dr Wilson Tzeng, with support from Penny Lin from the Taiwan Doula Association and my rock of a husband, Sam. Having a specialist who supports gentle birth meant I was not pushed into early inducement or a planned Ceasarean sect ion (rout inely prescr ibed in Taiwan for babies 4kg and over). Support from a doula during labor ensured that I could adopt different birthing positions depending on what was (relatively) comfortable at the time, and gave me the all-important emotional support to keep going when things were tough.

I can’t say that delivering a nine pound baby naturally was easy, but with the right support it is definitely possible. It may sound clichéd, but the memory of pain and effort melts away into the distance in the magic moment when you first hold your child. And my postpartum recovery has been quick, allowing me to enjoy special moments bonding with my new bub.

ResouRces:For more information about angela and what she does, please see www.beautifulbeginnings.com.twthe taiwan doula association website is at http://www.taiwandoula.com.tw, it is currently only in chinese.

S e r i n a H u a n g e n jo y s s a m pl i ng Taiwan’s culinary creations, exploring n e w p l a c e s a n d discovering cultural i n s i g h t s . S h e recently gave birth to her second ch i l d , an d i s w r i t i ng about her bir thing and postpartum exper iences . Her blog i s at http:taiwanxifu.com

In Taiwan since 1995, New Zealander Katrina Brow n l i ve s w i th he r Taiwanese husband in the mountains of Jilong. With two elementary-school aged chi ldren , Katrina is determined to make Taiwan more accessible for all families. Visit her blog www.kidzone-tw.com for information about family-friendly spaces and events.

K ath L iu i s an a v i d r e a d e r and a founding me mbe r of the CSC Book Club w h o b e l i e v e s ha p p i n e s s i s a good book, good coffee and good friends.

Like books? Check this out:http://kathmeista.blogspot.com/



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Fairs are run for a variety o f r e a s o n s . T h e y c a n strengthen a community, g a r n e r d o n a t i o n s ,

promote a certain concept and, most importantly, teach something. The intention of SHIFT, an annual community fair that took place at Yenping Elementary School (延平國小) i n Da tong d i s t r i c t (大同區) this summer, was to teach environmental consciousness. The fair was so-named to represent change; in other words, letting go of possessions we don’t really need to those less privileged and encouraging people to reflect on things they might

otherwise take for granted. The f a i r was was o rgan i zed

by Taipei National Community Deve lopment Assoc ia t ion and superv i sed by the Min i s t ry o f Economic Affairs, the Industrial Development Bureau, Taipei City Council and Taipei’s Environmental Protection Agency. But really, the brain behind the operation was a 31 year-old researcher, who mastered in Management of Natural Resources, with an unyielding passion for the environment since his days at National Taiwan University, when he began to question everything.

Considering an egg would’ve cooked with ease if cracked over the pavement that afternoon, the turnout was successful. Most fairs feature raffles, live bands, stalls selling homemade food, art goods, and whatnot. This one, however, was unique in that it focused on environmental education through practical workshops and games designed to provoke thought. An example was one that required the participant to throw plastic hoops into a symbolic ‘sea’ to try catch a figurine that represented their favorite fish. The countless plastic hoops that littered the depths in the process were intended to encouraged people to reflect on the plastic we produce, which often winds up in our oceans, damages the marine ecosystem, passes through the food chain and then ends up on our plates. Another example was one where participants were asked to map all the trees in the community and mark them with tags that categorized them by species; a clever move for environmental monitoring and encouraging citizens to be aware of their natural surroundings.

The highlight of my afternoon was a workshop during which we made spades out of empty plastic

TExT & IMAGES: SARAH CHEN LIN


Born and raised in Venezuela by Taiwanese parents, Sarah has been exposed to world cultures since she was young. She graduated with an Environmental Science degree from Southampton University in the UK and currently works as a research assistant for the Civil Engineering Research Department at National Taiwan University, as a radio host for Radio Taiwan International, as TWYCC’s media coordinator, as the main point of contact in Taiwan for ECYTF (Earth Charter Youth Task Force) and as a freelance photographer.

milk cartons. It was as simple as drawing an outline with a marker, cutting out the shape with an exacto knife, and decorating it some acrylic paint. Our very own planting tool! For those who were up for bigger challenges, the second half of the workshop consisted of cutting beer glass bottles that could be used in a variety of ways, including as cups, flower pots, pencil holders and hanging lamps.

Earlier this year, the organizer of the fair witnessed poverty up close in a rural area of Cambodia, and it reminded him of the old Taiwan, when people lacked access to many things that would now be considered a basic human right, such as clean running water, and children ran around naked. What struck him was that even though these Cambodian children had nothing, all they wanted was to play and be content. They never asked for more; perhaps it’s about time our consumerist society learned from these children, to be content with what we have. Upon returning, he organized a collection of second-hand uniforms as part of the events at SHIFT, as a gift to those children who taught him more than a text book ever could. In short, SHIFT reminds us that we must learn to open our minds and interact more with the outside world to ‘shift’ our perspectives when they may not be correct or realistic. That way we can begin to shift our unsustainable habits, donate unused possessions to those that will make better use of them, and, just maybe, shift the perspectives of others.


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Do y o u l o v e v i n t a g e furniture, but are more into well-preserved and well-presented items than into

the flea markets that we talked about in the August issue? In that case, there are plenty of stores that may be interesting for you. Let’s extend last month’s tour with a look at some of Taipei’s Vintage and Retro Furniture Studios!

VINTAGE LAMPSGood lighting is perhaps the most

important aspect of interior design. Any space only comes to life if you can illuminate it well. Yet finding a lamp that exactly fits your style can be really difficult! If you are looking for vintage lamps, there are two shops that I particularly like: Uncle Jack’s and Firefly (huojingu, 火金姑).

Uncle Jack’s opened in 1991, which makes it one of the oldest vintage shops in Taipei. As soon as you enter the shop, the 50s and 60s vintage décor make it seem you’ve gone backwards in time. Old jazz tunes float across the room,

time seems to have stood still, and the only thing that seems to have changed is you! This shop carries all kinds of well-chosen vintage items – furniture, deco, phones, stereos, even an original 60s refrigerator and a motorbike, as well as some new design classics with a retro flavor, such as the fashionable Tolix chairs and the famous Eames lounge chair (which, it is worth mentioning, he sells at considerably lower prices than other retro studios in Taipei). But the best part of the inventory is the large and well chosen collection of exquisite vintage lamps. Apart from the beauty of Uncle Jack’s lamps, there is another reason to buy them at this shop: the owner knows how to repair lamps himself: this means that you are likely to have a ‘life warranty’ for any lamp you buy there.

Firefly is hidden inside a small lane off Yongkang Street. What makes this shop so special is that, in contrast to all the other vintage stores which sell imported goods, the owner Mr Yang exclusively sells Taiwanese vintage lamps. He is a local artist who has been collecting broken lamps from all over Taiwan for more than nine years – from demolished houses, from donations – and, like a magician, he’s giving new life to these broken lamps by piecing them back together from the refuse. Come here to experience a very unique Taiwanese sensitivity of vintage, and a glimpse at its material

history. Bring along your broken lamp, and I am sure Mr Yang will fix it for you too!

VINTAGE WOOD FURNITUREMost designers love furniture from

Denmark, which is famous for its clear and simple design. The Danish Warehouse specializes in this style. What makes this shop special is that the owners decided to dedicate their retail space to help Taiwanese independent artists and furniture designers, and to sell their Danish vintage goods online instead. The result is that in a collaboration with five other stores, they curate rotating furniture exhibitions, where you can admire locally designed furniture, some of which is on sale too. If you enjoy good woodwork you will definitely like these exhibitions and perhaps find that special piece for your living room, too.

One other shop that is well worth

Uncle Jack’s7, Lane 49, Anhe Road, Section 1(台北市安和路一段49巷7號1F)MRT: Zhongxiao DunhuaPhone: (02) 2778-2227Opening times: Monday~Friday 2 pm - 9 pm Firefly Lamp Studio (火金姑)21-1 Lane 75, Yongkang Street(台北市永康街75巷21-1號1F)MRT: GutingPhone: 0916-397-432

Opening times: Monday~Sunday 2:30 pm - 11 pm (please call the owner first) MOOI (魔椅)6, Lane 1, Qingtian Street, Da’an District (台北市青田街1巷6號)Phone: (02) 2322-2059Opening times: Monday~Sunday 1 pm - 9 pm Danish Warehouse (丹麥倉庫)1F., 31, Lane 128, Roosevelt Road, Section 3 (台北市羅斯福路三段128巷31

號1樓)MRT: Taipower BuildingPhone: 02-2364-0606Opening times: Tuesday~Sunday 11 am - 6:30 pm For a complete listing of vintage furniture stores see: http://housewizard.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/retro-vintage-and-second-hand-furniture-stores-in-taipei/A list of the five other participating furniture exhibition venues is also on this website.

Vintage, Design, and Retro Furniture Studios

Vintage, Design, and Retro Furniture Studios

TexT: Bin Huang and naTalie KöHle images: naTalie KöHle

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Maria has a background in Business and Communications. She teaches English in Taiwan to both adults and kids alike. In her free time, she does freelance writing, a lot of reading, and shopping. You can reach her at [email protected]

RRRiiing!!!! There goes my alarm! I force myself to grab my iPhone, hit the snooze button and check my FB mobile for any new updates and messages. Then, I shut my eyes and … you guessed right, go

back to sleep. A few minutes later, my iPhone starts buzzing again. This time, reality sinks in and ...Ooof, it’s REALLY time to get up. This is how I typically start my day – to the tune of the Indian Elephant Bell on my alarm and FB updates. Come to think of it, that’s how I end my day, too – checking my FB on my laptop before turning in for the night.

Facebook, along with other forms of social media, has been a companion in my teenage years and adulthood. It used to be Friendster (remember those days?). Back then, there was no such thing as a smartphone, or if there was, I couldn’t afford one. I used to look forward to going home and going on-line (via dial-up Internet; no such thing as broadband then either) just to see if there was anything new. Now, I can’t even remember my username and password to Friendster, nor what the site looked like.

keePing in touchWhen I moved to Taiwan, it was to Friendster I clung.

It was a means of reaching my family and friends. It was someone to share my homesickness with. Then, I was invited to Facebook. In those days Facebook was still unheard of in Taiwan so I didn’t have Taiwanese friends there, just those from back home. Though managing two social media pages (no, three) was a bit cumbersome, it was great to see people posting pictures. In fact, I was looking forward to uploading photos even if it took me the whole night.

A few years back, an old friend ‘friended’ me on FB. We hadn’t talked for more than ten years, since her family moved to San Francisco in primary school. The move was

so sudden that she never had the chance to say goodbye. I was truly hurt by her unannounced departure and that pain wasn’t alleviated by her letter (yes, letter – old-school hand-written letter) which I received a couple of months later. We said our hellos on FB and the usual ‘how are you doing’ but didn’t really share anything intimate. After all, it had been years and people change. Last year, she changed her status to ‘engaged’. And honestly, I was overjoyed for her. She’s found Mr Right, the person we used to dream and speculate about in those school years. Had it not been for FB, I wouldn’t have known about this new chapter in her life. Had it not been for FB, I wouldn’t have realized that I still cared a lot for an old friend.

online validationSocial media in the forms of Facebook, Twitter, Google

Plus and so on have made my life more colorful. It’s a place to shout my joy, vent my anger, and voice my concerns, among other things. But what makes social media relevant in my world is the validation I get from people commenting, subscribing, posting, reposting and liking my updates or posts.

Looking back, I find it curious that hours were devoted into mainstreaming my life even if it was just through pictures. Back then, photos were uploaded one at a time, and a whole night might be spent uploading pictures from just one single event. Yet the satisfaction from getting an email, IM or text from someone asking after you just because they’ve seen or heard about a certain photo you uploaded was well worth all the trouble. It reminds me I’m significant enough to warrant a moment of their time. It tells me that regardless of where I am or how much I’ve changed, I’ll always matter.

Social Media and MeTExT: MARIA TAN

Bin is an interior designer with almost thirty years of experience in Taiwan. In addition to running his own interior design studio (www.inkstone.ws), he recently started a small home maintenance service company (http://housewizard.wordpress.com/), in order to share his local knowledge about the ins and outs of home decoration with the expat community of Taipei. Whatever your household question may be, he’d love to hear from you.

a visit for its wood furniture is Mooi – a small vintage shop in Qingtian Street, again near Yongkang Street. Mooi carries 50s and 60s furniture and imports mainly from Germany.

Their inventory is more recent than the furniture sold in Aphrodite and Carcasonne (covered in the August issue of Centered on Taipei), and has a completely different, yet also trendy retro flair. The shop has two branches: Fabrik, which sells German industrial and mooi trouvé, which mainly functions as a cozy coffeeshop in a restored old Japanese house near Shida.


When I moved to Singapore in 1999 I went there as a student with only one suitcase. Seven years later I moved back to Germany, but this time with a husband and a container full of

stuff in tow. In the meantime our furniture went from Asia to Europe and back. Once our moves got handled through the help of international relocation companies I have to say they became a smooth transition. Yes, there were still a lot of things to consider and sometimes I had the feeling my head was close to exploding, but in general the physical move was easy with the help of experts by your side.

But what comes afterwards? The move is done, the cartons unpacked.

Having left your home country, where you hopefully lived a happy and fulfilling life, you start to look for the carton you've put 'happiness and good times' in. OOPS – did that one go missing?

Of course such intangible things can’t be packed by the movers. It’s your own responsibility to re-create the great life you've had back home. Things weren't so smooth back home? Never mind! Now you are given a clean sheet and you can press the re-start button. Isn't that fantastic?

In the last issue of Centered on Taipei I invited you to draw up your own Art-of-Living-Abroad Wheel. This forms the very basis of the vision that you can work towards. Some of you might simply visualize this vision in your head, but it becomes even more powerful when you make a collage out of pictures representing your ideas.

There are a few other things you should remember when trying to achieve the goal of your desired life:

• Believe in your vision It’s one thing to paint a nice picture, but quite another

to believe in it. One of my most important lessons from life has been: Commitment + Action = Success, whereas Trying + Doubt = Failure.

Do you believe in your vision? • Involve your partner and family How can they support you, if they don't know

how you envision things falling into place? It’s very important to draw up individual visions for each family member and then find out how they can be aligned into one big family vision.

• One step after the other – take your time How do you eat an elephant? One piece at a time (and

here by an elephant I of course mean your anticipated projects). If for example you desire to write a book, take the very first step and start writing. You’ll be amazed how quickly you can write a book if you just commit to write five hundred words a day!

• Recognise your own achievements It's important to acknowledge your milestones along

the way. Managed to de-clutter a room? Shopped smartly for healthy family dinners? Well done! Write it down. With small steps like these you are one step closer to make your vision a reality.

• Remain true to your values Many people are not aware of their personal values,

and hence find it difficult to live in line with them. Assuming that you understand your core values in life

make sure your actions are aligned with them. • Be prepared to change and adapt your vision if

necessary The only constant is change. With this in mind we

have to leave some flexibility towards the goals we aspire to. Life sometimes unfolds in a different way than planned. That's OK – that's why it is LIFE! But we have control over how we react to things, so if your dreams change or take a detour don't sweat about it. It’s OK!

• Move outside your comfort zone and do it now For my husband it was asparagus soup, for my friend

it was joining the gym – anything that stretches your horizon is a good thing! Especially in a foreign setting it is important that we recognize the differences around us and overcome them by taking a leap forward.

• Be honest with yourself – it’s OK to be sad. It happens to all of us. So why should it not be

acceptable for you, living many miles away from your friends and family? Reach out to a new friend you trust (or call an old friend back home) when you experience the 'expat blues'.

• Seek further help and advice If you feel stuck, reach out to the hands around you.

The Center with its excellent team of counsellors is there for you; alternatively consider working with a coach. A coaching program will help you to realise your full potential and to achieve balance and happiness in all your life areas. Find a coach who can support you in the best possible way and who understands the challenges of living and working abroad.

expat perspectives

Anja Serfontein coaches, with heart and soul, executives and expats on various topics. You can reach her at: [email protected]

Is your life great? [ Part II ]

TexT: AnjA SerfonTein

How to live your life abroad to the full

The core essence of this article has to be credited to Jeanne A. Heinzer – the author of the book: Living Your Best Life Abroad

“Living Your Best Life Abroad” Workshop: 16th October: 6:30 – 9:30 pm (Light snacks will be served.) 18th October: 10 am – 2 pm (Includes a light lunch) Venues: To be decidedCost: NT$3,970 per person

sepTember 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw26



Soy Sauce 醬油 [jiangyou]The King of Chinese condiments, soy sauce is used for dipping, marinades, stir-frying, braising, stewing and seasoning in all kinds of cooking. Soy sauce has a full-bodied soy bean fragrance with a slight hint of alcohol and tastes salty at the tip of the tongue and sweet at the back of the throat. This is a key source of salty flavors in Chinese cuisine.

oySter Sauce 蠔油 [haoyou]Oyster sauce is traditionally made

of just oysters and salt, although the sauces available commercially are commonly made from oyster essence or extract, salt and sugar, al l thickened with starch. This sauce is used for seasoning seafood, vegetables and tofu, and enriches the flavor of meats.

Vegetarian muShroom oySter Sauce 香菇素蠔油 [xianggu su haoyou]

Vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce is made with soy sauce, mushroom extract, and starch to thicken it. It is used for seasoning meats, seafood, vegetables, and tofu, as a marinade, and a dip in all types of cooking.

rice Vinegar 米醋 [mi cu]Rice vinegar comes in three types:

white, black and red. White vinegar is fermented with Indica rice and acetic acid bacteria, and is available in regular (米醋 mi cu) and aged (陳年醋 chennian cu) forms. Vinegar fermented from glutinous rice is called glutinous rice vinegar (糯米醋 nuomi cu). Rice vinegar is a light

translucent yellow in color, and is used for cooking, in salad dressing and marinating.

Black Vinegar 烏醋 [wu cu]B l a c k v i n e g a r i s m a d e b y

fermenting white rice vinegar with vegetables, fruits and/or other grains (such as wheat, millet or sorghum). It is used for dip and seasoning.

White SeSame oil 香油 [xiangyou] and Black SeSame oil 麻油 [mayou]

White sesame oi l i s made by toasting and pressing white sesame seeds. Likewise, black sesame oil is made by toasting and pressing black sesame seeds. White sesame oil is used for seasoning and salad dressing. Black sesame oil is used for cooking dishes such as ‘three cups chicken’ (三杯雞, san bei ji) and ‘chicken soup with black sesame oil and rice wine (麻油雞酒 mayou ji jiu). The later is a tonic treatment for women recovering from childbirth during the confinement month (坐月子, zuo yue zi).

rice Wine 米酒 [mi jiu]Ta iwanese use r i ce wine for

cooking more than for drinking. There are a couple of varieties of rice wine.

“Rice wine head” (米酒頭 mijiu tou) uses unpolished Japonica rice (蓬萊米) and through brewing and extraction, enhances its strength and flavor. It is the highest quality rice wine and has a special rice fragrance, pure and transparent. Its natural alcohol content is 34%. You need

only use one or two teaspoons for seasoning.

“Red label rice wine” (紅標米酒 hongbiao mijiu) is the most popular traditional distilled spirit. It is made from unpolished Japonica rice which is brewed and distilled, and blended with rect i f ied alcohol. Alcohol content ranges from 19.5 to 22%.

“Culinary rice wine” (料理米酒 liaoli mijiu) is blended with brewed and distilled rice wine and rectified alcohol with 0.5% table salt. Alcohol content ranges from 20% to 58%.

ShaohSing Wine 紹興 [shaoxing jiu]

Shaohsing wine is used for cooking and drinking as well. While used as a drinking wine, it is better to drink it warm than at room temperature.

Shaohsing wine, which originates from a city south of the Yangzi River called Shaoxing (紹興), is a type of yellow wine. This is made from glutinous rice, wheat and selected rice yeast. In Taiwan, it is made in the town of Puli (埔里), in central Taiwan. An improved traditional brewing method is employed and it is stored in an earthen jar for at least two years for ‘Shaohsing wine’ (紹興酒, Shaoxing jiu), over five years for ‘Aged Shaohsing wine’ (陳年紹興酒, chennian shaoxing jiu), and ten years for ‘Fine aged Shaohsing wine’ (精釀陳年紹興酒, jingniang chennian shaoxing jiu) before being bottled. Alcohol content ranges from 14.5% to 17.5%.

the eSSential contentS of a taiWaneSe kitchen

cupBoardtext: Ivy Chen Images: tIng tIng huang



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Open Your Ears! Shakespeare’s Macbeth1930s Golden Era of Radio Drama Revisitedred room radio redux presents the spoken word to stimulate the imagination. part One features scenes from shakespeare’s Greatest Hits. part two is a one-act adaptation of the tragedy of macbeth.Venue: AVeDA LeArNING KItCHeNDates: 09/08 (sat) 14:30/19:30 09/09 (sun) 14:30/19:30

Campfire - an improvised showTaipei Improv invites you to sit with us by the fire. Write a dream, secret or wish and throw it into the flames. Watch us take and play with it. the resulting scenes will be phenomenal, hilarious and inspired!*please note: no real campfires provided. Venue: COmeDY CLUbDates: 09/08 (sat) 19:00-20:30

Sando’s Variety Show for Human BeingsPunch Me Tonight!—Sando’s Variety Show and CampfireAn extravaganza of amusement, weirdness, music, poetry, sketch and awkwardness. Venue: COmeDY CLUbDates: 09/07 (Fri) 19:30

MacarenaOh-la~~ Cabaret flamenco right here in Taipei!*beware of flying sweat and heated passion. Not for humans with heart problem.Dates: 09/14 (Fri) 14:00 at Nanhai Gallery; 09/16 (sun) 14:00/19:00 at Ximen red Hallhttp://eng.taipeifringe.org/index.aspx

The 2012 Taipei Fringe Festival is going to be everywhere, in every nook and cranny of Taipei City. From Saturday, September 1 to Sunday, September 16, 250 artists will be leaving blazing bright marks for the world to see!

Forest Puppet TheaterFamily-friendly Puppetrybring back the magical memories of sitting under that wishing tree.Venue: Cafe ecoleDates: 09/07 (Fri) 19:00-20:30 | 09/08 (sat) 14:00-15:30 | 09/15 (Fri) 19:00-20:30 | 09/16 (sat) 14:00-15:30

TexT: RuTh GioRdano imaGeS: Red Room



Listings are now available online from http://communitycenter.org.tw/life-in-taiwan/worship-directory and http://communitycenter.org.tw/life-in-taiwan/community-groups.

worShip direCtory and Community groupS

cSc BuSinESS cLaSSiFiEd

haiR dResseRweB consultant

education BeautY

#14 Tienmu E. Road | Telephone 2871-1515 | [email protected]



Sunshine Bridge, New Taipei City

Charlie ChangCharlie Chang is a photographer from taiwan who likes to discover new things in his daily routine. His pictures cover a variety of subjects, from landscapes to animals and people. please visit his website at http://bkcolor.blogspot.tw/ for more of his photography.


Centered on Taipei September 2012

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Transcript of Centered on Taipei September 2012