The meaning of Christmas to me

I know more or less about the meaning of Christmas. I am not a Christian myself but I had studied in two Catholic schools for 14 years. I had attended the Christmas Eve mid-night masses and joined the Christmas tea parties in school during those years.

Christmas is the celebration of birth of Christ who brought love and the message of God to us. He sacrificed for our sins. We should remember his sacrifice by doing good deeds and share our love and happiness with others on this day.

As Christmas is now celebrated worldwide among Christians and people of different religious beliefs and even atheists, its true meaning is almost lost. Nowadays when one hears the word Christmas, one tends to visualize Santa Claus and presents and shopping and extravagant Christmas dinners and parties etc. It is now almost totally commercialized and is the occasion for businesses make money out of our savings.

For me, I think Christmas is a time of joy, a time of peace and a time for sharing our gifts we have. I used to write Christmas cards and sent out Christmas presents to my friends in the past and I think they will be delighted when receiving them. I think Christmas is worth celebrating. On this day you will see people and enjoying the festival with their families like I did for so many years when I was living with my Dad, Mom and my brother in Macau.

Anyway, though it was a bit late, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year^^ Really miss Macau and my family these days…

My Favourite PC Game - Part II

The Legend of Heroes VI - Sora no Kiseki takes place in Liberl Kingdom, 10 years after the great invasion of Erebonian Empire from the north. Currently it is being governed by the old queen Alicia II and restored back to its peaceful state before the war. Currently the kingdom thrives of materials and high technology which is eyed closely by the Erebonian Empire.

The main character is Estelle Bright, daughter of Cassius Bright who is a legend within the kingdom. Estelle is completely ignorant of her father's past and history but settles comfortably in the house at Rolent. When she was at a young age, her father was assaulted by a young child of amazing combat abilities but loses his memory in the fight and becomes adopted by Cassius. This child was named Joshua Bright and is the main male character of the story. From there Estelle was taught the usage of staff and starts off the story on the day when she is going to join the Bracer's guild with Joshua.

The story progresses as normal Bracer's guild quests unveiling the dark side of the government, a faction of the army that decides to overthrow the old queen. This eventually lead to the exploration of the ancient facilities in the Liberl Kingdom... and it turns out that the manager of the army was just being used by a mastermind who's an adept at controlling people's minds. This also leads on to the second story, with Joshua's past unveiling in the ending.

Let's take a look at the opening of the Second Chapter...

My Favourite PC Game - Part I

Here I want to introduce my favourite PC Game to all of you. The Legend of Heroes VI - Sora no Kiseki (英雄伝説 空の軌跡, Eiyū Densetsu Sora no Kiseki) is a game of a series that's been developed by Nihon Falcom Coperation with a history dating back with the Ys series. To many Japanese gamers, Legend of Heroes VI is a highly rated RPG game which involves strategical setups of characters and movements. Its uniqueness in combat and sidequest system was extremely popular that some rated it as good as the Final Fantasy series.



I have played the first chapter last year, and recently I am playing the second chapter...It was amazing and I kept playing the game whenever I have free time.

Let's take a look at the opening of the first chapter...



Since I have an Accounting Quiz tomorrow...I think I will stop here for today. See you next week!

Describe a creative person - Albert Einstein

In my opinion, Albert Einstein was one of the greatest men who was very special if not creative in the human history. Wasn’t it amazing that he came up with the Relativity Theory and was awarded Nobel Prize for Physics, considering he could not speak clearly even at the age of nine. Looking at his early development, nobody would have suggested he would grow up to become a genius. When asked what profession Einstein should follow, his school principal replied, “It doesn’t matter; he’ll never make a success of anything.”

During his high school years, he studied in a typical German school (he was a German) and at that time, German school were harshly disciplinarian. There he development a deep suspicion of authority and a skepticism that encouraged him to question and doubt. Those qualities I think made him a great scientist.

At the age of 26, he published a paper explaining the photoelectric effect via the quantum theory. Since then our concepts of space and time were radically changed. No one would disagree that he was the greatest physicist of our age.

Although I am not studying to become a scientist, I am inspired by Einstein life in the sense that he became such a great man even though he was less than ordinary when he was young. With dedication and hard work, shouldn’t we university students, growing up in this IT era with a normal IQ, be confident enough to achieve whatever goal we aim for?

The Golden Compass - Trailer

The story is about...
12-year-old Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel world, where human souls take the form of animal companions called daemons. When her best friend disappears, Lyra promises to find him. Her uncle, Lord Asriel, doesn't want her to go, but the mysterious Mrs. Coulter offers to bring Lyra along for the adventure of a lifetime. One thing Lyra packs for the trip: the alethiometer -- a mysterious compass that many people are violently determined to possess. When the compass reveals to Lyra the truth about her friend's kidnapping and the evil force behind it, it's up to her to stop the war that threatens her world.

I want to watch this movie!!! Fantasy movies are always my favourites! Haha...
Release Date: December 7, 2007

Group Project - "Eyes on Me"

★We all agreed to introduce the song "Eyes On Me". It is the ballad that serves as the theme of the game Final Fantasy VIII. It was performed by Chinese singer Faye Wong.

★"Eyes On Me" was the first song in video game history to win an award at the 14th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards, where it won "Song of the Year (Western Music)" in 1999. Lilian and Peter of this group had played the game "Final Fantasy VIII" before. They recommended this song and finally we all agreed that it is a good song and decided to introduce it to all of you.

★The song has a slow beat which is so sweet and comfortable to listen to. The lyrics are beautifully written, which describes the love between Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly—the main protagonists of Final Fantasy VIII. The melody is so soft and tender...and together with the impressive voice of Faye Wong, had deeply touched the heart of every player of the game.

★Lyrics:
Eyes On Me
Vocal:Faye Wong

Music:Nobuo Uematsu
Lyrics:Kako Someya
Arranger:Shiro Hamaguchi

Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar

My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Oh, did you ever know?
That I had mine on you

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer

So let me come to you
Close as I wanted to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you

Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming

★We are Fantastic 6!
We have 6 members -- Lilian, Trent, Terence, Johnny, Peter, Miquelina;
And 6 characteristics -- Friendly, Fancy, Funny, Fabulous, Fascinating and Fashionable!

About iPhone

Top 5 Best Things About iPhone...
1. Pretty - The icons are all bright and shiny. It's kind of cell phone that you take home and show your mom. Forget all reason and logic, it's good-looking!
2. Touch Screen - All the buttons you need in infinite combinations right there on a big shiny screen, the world is literally at your fingertips.
3. It's an iPod - You can put your iTune songs on here and listen to them and then pause them, and take calls.
4. Wi-Fi - Surfing the web in the coffee shop on your iPod.
5. Third-party Applications



Top 5 Worst Things About iPhone...
1. Expensive - $500 for the one with 4 GB storage and $600 for 8 GB. You don't get a discount and you have to pay the price of the desktop computer to get this phone and you're locked into the contract.
2. Battery issues - You can't take out the battery.
3. 2 Year Contract
4. Small capacity - Only 4 GB of storage. (Or 8 GB if you pay more)
5. No 3G.

Mid-Term Exams are over...

Mid-Term Exams are over. Finally I have some free time to update my blog. Actually I think I did badly in some of my exams such as Accounting and Calculus...but the most miserable thing was that I missed a whole page of my English exam!

Though Mid-Term Exams are over, I still have lots of things to get my head into. I have joined the Drama Competition, and the HKMAC Club of NTPU is going to hold a Christmas Party, which all Year-One HKMAC students will be involved, and my job is to promote this activity by drawing posters, and designing invitation cards...which is really a challenging task for me!

By the way, I have already finished Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! It's really amazing and I am so sad that Dumbledore is dead! I am about to start the last book of Harry Potter -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tomorrow...I can't wait to read it!

About Bluemen performance & Global citizenship

Part I About the Bluemen performance
A. Transcribe the complete text.
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING EARTH AS YOUR PLANETARY VEHICLE
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE MANY WONDERFUL FEATURES OF THIS PLANET
AS YOU HURTLE THROUGH THE COSMOS
PLEASE NOTE
HOWEVER
THAT IN THE EVENT OF CONTINUED INACTION
IN THE FACE OF GLOBAL WARMING
YOUR SEAT CUSHION CAN BE USED AS A FLOTATION DEVICE
ALSO
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO LOCATE THIS PLANET'S EMERGENCY EXITS
AS YOU CAN SEE
THERE AREN'T ANY

EARTH TO AMERICA!
CAN YOU HEAR?
SENDING OUT A MESSAGE
LOUD AND CLEAR

CAN YOU HEAR?

B. What do you think of this performance?
Up to now, many countries including America, the most powerful and richest country on Earth, do not take the global warming seriously. Our planet is sick and dying. If we do not take the Bluemen’s warning seriously and take drastic action now, it might be too late to save the planet Earth. The Bluemen’s performance, with its video clips and sound effect, gives the viewers a very deep impression of the present dire situation of our planet and a sense of urgency to act and save it NOW.

Part II About global citizenship
A. In what ways do you think you are already a global citizen?
I think I am already a global citizen because I am linked to the world socially by telecommunication and media. Although I am studying in Taiwan now, I still have close contact with my friends all over the world through internet. And I know what is happening at the other side of the world through newspapers and television. I share the same planet and the same environment with everyone else. If any thing happens to the world I will be affected one way or another.

B. How can you become a better global citizen?
To be a better global citizen, I think I should know how to appreciate others cultures and respect and value diversity. I should have a better understanding of the way the world works. I should act and live responsibly to make the world a more sustainable place.

Uniform Day

Today(11/8) is the Uniform Day of B.A.
This is the first time for me to join this kind of activity and I did have fun taking photos with my classmates. I put on the uniform of Preparatory School for Overseas Chinese Students, which I wore last year.

However, most of my classmates attended the Economic class starting at 1:10...and I attended the one starting at 3:10. Therefore we have to hurry using the break time taking photos...So...I couldn't take as many photos as I would like with many of them! What a pity...

Speaking of Uniform Day, my secondary school used to organize "Casual Wear Day" once every year. On that day, students were allowed to wear whatever they like. Somehow these two activities are similar...since we all have a lot of fun on these days!

Mid-Term Exam is coming...

Two months have passed since my arrival. I think I have already adapted to the new environment and I have got some new friends. They are all nice to me. But actually I still feel a bit difficult to understand the culture of local people, I mean, we can hardly find a topic(like stars and TV programmes) to discuss among ourselves. Fortunately, they are interested in Cantonese, so we are having fun in discussing about Cantonese, and in return, I also asked them to teach me Taiwanese dialect.

In my opinion, studying abroad does have many advantages. For example, you can learn how to take care of yourselves. By and by, you will become independent. Being in Taiwan for a year and two months, I think I have really grown up. I have learnt how to manage my time and money, how to wash my own clothes and cook my own meals, and also how to overcome difficulties and solve problems by myself. The most important thing is that, studying in Taiwan has really broadened my view. Things that I've seen and friendships that I've fostered in Taiwan will become my cherished treasures after I graduated and go back to my hometown.

Mid-term exam is coming, I am afraid I will not be able to update my blog so frequently in the days to come. I need time to get into "fights" with Accounting, Mathematics and Economics...since I can merely understand the general ideas of these subjects. I hope I can get ALL HIGH PASS in my mid-term exam! Here I wish everyone of you GOOD LUCK in your exams and...let's fight together!

Fantastic 6

Hi! We are Fantastic 6!
Why are we called Fantastic 6?
Because we are:
Fabulous!
Funny!
Fancy!
Fascinating!
Fashionable! and
Friendly too!
There are 6 of us--- Lilian, Trent, Terence, Johnny, Peter and Miquelina.
Thanks Prof. Feng for taking the picture for our group. We had a lot of fun taking the photos in last lesson and I have decorated my group's photo as well as my own one.



I am the group leader. Actually I was shocked when I was told that I would be the leader of the group, as I don't have much experience in leading a group. Anyway I hope I can manage the group well and I will try my very best to get along with my teammates.
Let's fight together! Fantastic 6!

Happy Halloween

Halloween is one of my favourite festivals. It is the festival which children will dress theirselves up into different characters, then knocking the doors of their neighbours, asking for candies by saying "Trick or treat?"
In the past, I used to give out candies to my friends and draw a Halloween picture to celebrate this festival. I did the same this year and here I would like to share my work with you...



Halloween picture - Young Lily Evans of HP
Now sticked on the door of my room^^



Gift for my friends

I hope you will enjoy Halloween, which is a festival full of fun and laughter^^

P.S. I am still reading HP6...now heading towards Chapter 11...

P.P.S. Congratulations to B.A. in winning the Championship of the Cheer Squad Competition! I am proud of being one of the B.A.s! Haha...I love taking photos for them...

Revise my Comprehensible English Enhancement Plan

1. I have gone through the Common European Framework and I think I stand between B1 and B2 for both my listening and reading. I think my present English standard is not as good as when I was in Form 4 and Form 5, as I got much less chance to speak and use English in Taiwan.
Actually I got a PASS in the London Test of English Level 5, which is the proficient level and scored 'A' Grade in O Level GCE English Language. However, I am now doing less well than before. Therefore, I am going to work hard to brush up my English in the coming future.

2. My goals are:
---Learn at least 100 new words. (Adjustable)
---Make friends with people of different countries and share my experience of learning English with them.
---Write a short novel or some film critiques.

3. What I am doing:
-- Keeping a little notebook where new words that I come across will be recorded. There are already about 30 words in it at present.
-- Reading 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince', which I think I will finish this week, and I am going to watch the movie "Persuit of Happyness" this week and I will write a film critique about it next week.
-- Trying to squeeze out some spare time to go to the English Corner with my roomate(classmate), Miq, in order to improve my speaking and listening skill.

4. I think my biggest problem is insufficient TIME. Homeworks and quizzes occupied my mind every single day. I have to manage my time well so that I can have time learning and improving my English. I need improvement most in my writing and speaking skills, that's why I would like to write film critiques or short novel and watch more English movies or listen to English songs.

Addendum to Homework 3

A. I am now learning English through attending English lectures at NTPU. I think I can learn more by getting myself well prepared beforehand for every English lecture and by doing extended reading and listening to English programmes in tv or radio .

B. I intend to visit the BBC Learning English web site(http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/). This web site contains a variety of English learning materials.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I am now reading the English version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I am a big fan of Harry Potter for 6 years already but I have only finished reading book one to five. Recently I bought the English version of HP6 and HP7 and I decided to read them during my free time. I am now heading towards Chapter 7 of HP6 and I hope I can finish it before the mid-term exam.

Reading such a thick book(around 700 pages)may seem to be a challenge because it takes you a long time to read it, but I really enjoy the story as it was about magic and fantasy. It always makes me feel excited and sometimes I even can't let go of the book. Therefore, I strongly recommend you to read Harry Potter Series.

Eyes on me

Because of my homework and quizzes keeping me busy the whole week, I was not able to update my blog. Today, I had my last quiz for this week. So, I have just decided to write an article sharing my another favourite English song with you.

To say the truth, I seldom listen to Chinese songs or English songs. I used to listen to Japanese Anime's songs when I was small, so till today I still love listening to them. However, I enjoy listening to Chinese and English songs with meaningful and touching lyrics and beatiful melodies. Those will be the ones I am going to share with you in the future.

Here is an old song--- Eyes on me sung by Faye Wong, a famous Hong Kong singer . It is the theme song of one of my favourite PS games, Final Fantasy VIII, which I used to play when I was in primary school. The melody of the song is so soft and comfortable and the lyrics are beautifully written. So, enjoy!



Eyes On Me
Vocal:Faye Wong

Music:Nobuo Uematsu
Lyrics:Kako Someya
Arranger:Shiro Hamaguchi

Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard

I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy
You'd always be ther in the corner
Of this tiny little bar

My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no

I kind of liked it your your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Oh, did you ever know?
That I had mine on you

Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer

My Comprehensive English Enhancement Plan for 2007-2008 School Year

My goals are:
---To learn at least 100 new words. (Adjustable)
---Make friends with different people and share my experiences with them.
---To write a short novel or some film critiques.

In order to achieve these goals, I will...
1. Pay more attention during the class and participate in more activities.
2. Make a little notebook for recording new words and bring it along wherever I go.
3. Listen to more English songs and put in extra effort in finding the lyrics of the songs and write out my feelings towards them. I will also watch movies and write some film critiques.

The English classes I am taking:
---The other English class of NTPU (Sir Alan's Class -- Reading and Grammar)
---This one. (Listening and Conversation)

Everyday

"Everyday"

This is the name of my favourite song in the movie "High School Musical 2". The lyrics and the melody of the song is really touching. So here I would like to share the song and the lyrics with all of you. I also recommend you to watch this movie (It's better for you to watch High School Musical 1 before watching 2).

High School Musical is mainly about the wonderful school lives of a group of friends in East High. The movie makes me recall my college life and I now aspire to have a life like that in the movie --- Life that is so energetic, full of laughter and tears and surrounded by music and dance.

"Once in a lifetime
means there’s no second chance
so I believe that you and me
should grab it while we can

Make it last forever
and never give it back
It’s our turn, and I’m loving’ where we’re at
Because this moment’s really all we have"

Above are my favourite lines. These few lines remind me to live a meaningful life and to treasure what I possess now --- My beloved ones, and those who love me. Though life may seemed to be a boring routine, there are still lots of fun and interesting stuffs unexplored. Time flies quickly. Who knows what will happen to us in the future? Who knows if we will lose our lives in the next minute because of an earthquake or some other disasters?

Cherish every moment in your life, live as if everyday was the last day of your lifetime.

"Everyday"
Sung by Troy and Gabriella of High School Musical 2

Once in a lifetime
means there’s no second chance
so I believe that you and me
should grab it while we can

Make it last forever
and never give it back
It’s our turn, and I’m loving’ where we’re at
Because this moment’s really all we have

*Everyday
of our lives,
wanna find you there, wanna hold on tight
Gonna run
While we’re young
and keep the faith

Everyday
From right now,
gonna use our voices and scream out loud

Take my hand;
together we
will celebrate,
celebrate.
Oh, ev’ryday.*

They say that you should follow
and chase down what you dream,
but if you get lost and lose yourself
what does it really mean?

No matter where we’re going,
it starts from where we are.
There’s more to life when we listen to our hearts
and because of you, I’ve got the strength to start
Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Everyday
of our lives,
wanna find you there, wanna hold on tight
Gonna run
while we’re young
and keep the faith.

Everyday
from right now,
gonna use our voices and scream out loud
Take my hand;
together we
will celebrate,
Oh, ev’ryday

We’re taking it back,
we’re doing it here
together!

It’s better like that,
and stronger now
than ever!

We’re not gonna lose.
‘Cause we get to choose.
That’s how it’s gonna be!

*Repeat
*Repeat

To begin with...

Hello to you all. I am Lilian Chan, an overseas student from Macau. Macau, also known as the Monte Carlo of the Orient, is a small city about 40 miles west of Hong Kong. It is famous for her gorgeous sceneries, unique world heritage sites and casinos that open around the city. You may have already heard of the newly opened resort - Venetian, boasted to be the largest casino and resort in Asia, is now becoming the newest landmark of my hometown. Life in Macau is always so fantastic and spectacular to me, I miss it very much.

I major in Business Administration at National Taipei University. Although there are more than 10 tertiary educational institutions in Macau, many are small and have been established only recently. That is why I come to Taiwan to further my studies. Last year, I studied at Overseas Students’ Preparatory School in Linkou and I felt that I was very fortunate to get enrolled at the Department of Business Administration of NTPU which is one of the best business schools in Taiwan. Though I have stayed in Taipei for one year, everything in NTPU are still new and exciting to me. I hope that the coming four years will be rewarding and that I can learn knowledge and skills that will be essential and useful for my future career.

I spend most of my free time on my hobbies---drawing comics, taking photos, watching Japanese animated cartoons and reading comics. I also love singing, recording Japanese songs and editing music by computer.

I like exploring and understanding different cultures of local people where ever I lived. And I think the best way to do that is making friends with them. And I am looking forward to become your friend. By the way, you are welcome to visit Macau and when you are in Macau you can always count on me. I will be your best tourist guide---for free!