Silver Spoon, Animals, and Ethics

Some time ago, I took a course in the English department—Literature, Animals, and Society—that had us read the works of Alice Walker, Roald Dahl, Alice Munro, and others.^[1] While literature was emphasized, the main focus actually laid more on animals and humanity.^[2] The readings explored large ideas: animal rights, gender identity, feminism, Freud, sexualization of animals, and such. The course also dealt with more immediate issues, such as stray animals, pounds, and conservation of wildlife in Taiwan. The overarching theme was a simple question: how do we interact with animals? The answer, however, is a convoluted clutter of contradictions and emotions.

Summer Musings I: Jiufen

The last semester has been a busy, stressful blur. Now that I am finally on winter break, I can take the time to think back fondly to that satisfying, warm summer. This is part one of two photo posts about my summer, 2013.

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Tari Tari: On Passion

Prom was in a month, and all the high school seniors were scrambling to find dates, lest someone ends up a loner in this momentous dance of our lives—well, for those without partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, or implicit best friend at least. Conversations and gossips all revolved around who was going to prom with whom, who got rejected by whom, and most importantly, who were still available. As usual, I was chatting with my friends in our free period after lunch. This particular day, we had a junior girl with us. We were hoping to set her up with this desperate kid in our group. As we prodded and sugarcoated and romanticized and gauged her interest, I asked her what she finds hot.

“Passion”
“Passion?”
“Yea, I like it when someone’s really into something and take hella time to work at it.
“Like what?”
“Like water polo or wrestling or something.” (My school had a killer water polo and wrestling team.)
“Or like Magic Cards?”
“Uh… Yea… I guess?”

Although the prom date did not quite pan out—I guess my friend needed to be a little better at Magic—the conversation struck me. Indeed, there is something very attractive about passion.
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On Kaori Yuki and Gothic Horror

A cult classic mangaka among shoujo manga enthusiasts, Kaori Yuki has published several notable works in the genre, including Angel Sanctuary—my personal favorite. Her manga all have a markedly distinct flavor: gothic horror. This post is a celebration of that literary style and, more importantly, of Kaori Yuki.

Adventure, Books, Cake, Pina

This gallery contains 5 photos.

March has been kind to me, although it has been a chaotically busy time. School is now in full swing, and, with work in the morning and a vibrant social life, my time these days are productive, exhausting and slightly—very—frantic. … Continue reading →