I have been living a blur in the last 4 months, trying hard to reorientate to life back home.
So what made it so difficult settling back home this time? I guess, it wasn't really about me and myself, and it was also about me and myself.
Just had a gathering at Yokey's place and Ww, who just resettle back home after a 3 yr overseas posting, made a statement which reflected my own. 1 yr isn't a long time to be away from home but home seems to have changed quite a bit since I left. Maybe the change had already seeped in long ago but it took a long stint away to feel that impact, that "cultural shock" to feel the full impact. So what has changed?
Home seems more expensive now, dining options seem to be comparable to European standards. Coupled with a strong SGD and a weakened UK pound, my stay in UK had seem easier on my purse than expected. My country just seemed to be more expensive to live in now. Much more.
Home seems to be more crowded now. Had the luxury of working near home during the first few years of my working life and the luxury of dad's drive to office in the last 2 years before I left for Edinburgh. Coming back to a super packed MRT system made me realised how heavy this island is with 5.5 million of us sardine-packed on it. There are now more shopping malls but everywhere seems too crowded for comfort. Quiet cafes are exceptions to the norm and weekends are better spent homebound if one wants to avoid the crowd.
Home is packed with more vocal people now, who know their rights and want their voices heard. The May election had reshaped the landscape for citizen engagement and coupled with the recent "slip-ups", there have been more than enough chances to experience the power social media has bestowed to the ordinary man on the street. (to be continued...)
2011年12月31日星期六
2011年8月30日星期二
写在离开前的8小时
再过八个小时，我就要离开这个住了一年的十七世纪屋檐了。
交了毕业论文后，一直都在忙着离开前该做的事，尽量完成清单上的一个个目标。
重逛爱丁堡、重新在爱丁堡当个旅客、尽量做些游客做的事情；约朋友一起看戏、看8月份精彩了一个月的艺术节表演、享受一个寒冷的秋夏带来的温情；不停的聚会、吃饭、送别。。。原来要毕业真的很忙。
昨晚聚会的时候，不知道为什么会冒出了一句“未来十年更精彩！” 这一年结束后，我也算是完成了自己的一个人生阶段，算是完成了一个心愿。这一周的送别，不断让我想起大学时期每年给球队的人饯行的场景和心情。这一年过得很充实，但是学习生活比本科时期来的紧张，多数时间都放在学习和进修上。不过，一年的时间，还是交了不少知心好友，这是比较意料外的事。感谢通讯科技的发达，现在有心保持联系的话，其实要常常联络还真的不难。不过，生命和时间总是一直前进的。下次再聚首的时候，也许人不会那么齐、聊的话题会改变。不过到时大家的经历又都丰富了，彼此的征途也会不一样，所以聚会聊天时一定会很精彩！
夜了。凌晨３点了。原以为毕了业后会直接结束这个部落格的。不过我想，还是需要再续一两篇的。先睡了。
交了毕业论文后，一直都在忙着离开前该做的事，尽量完成清单上的一个个目标。
重逛爱丁堡、重新在爱丁堡当个旅客、尽量做些游客做的事情；约朋友一起看戏、看8月份精彩了一个月的艺术节表演、享受一个寒冷的秋夏带来的温情；不停的聚会、吃饭、送别。。。原来要毕业真的很忙。
昨晚聚会的时候，不知道为什么会冒出了一句“未来十年更精彩！” 这一年结束后，我也算是完成了自己的一个人生阶段，算是完成了一个心愿。这一周的送别，不断让我想起大学时期每年给球队的人饯行的场景和心情。这一年过得很充实，但是学习生活比本科时期来的紧张，多数时间都放在学习和进修上。不过，一年的时间，还是交了不少知心好友，这是比较意料外的事。感谢通讯科技的发达，现在有心保持联系的话，其实要常常联络还真的不难。不过，生命和时间总是一直前进的。下次再聚首的时候，也许人不会那么齐、聊的话题会改变。不过到时大家的经历又都丰富了，彼此的征途也会不一样，所以聚会聊天时一定会很精彩！
夜了。凌晨３点了。原以为毕了业后会直接结束这个部落格的。不过我想，还是需要再续一两篇的。先睡了。
2011年8月2日星期二
修论文的过程中贴在脸书上的一段话
突然想到符合我这几天的工作的比喻。就像缝完一件百衲被后，发现
2011年7月31日星期日
Festival Starts in Edinburgh! My first Jazz concert
Went to my first Jazz concert. Festival SSSSSSSSSS time has started in Edinburgh!
http://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/2011-programme/artists/curtis-stigers.html
My Favourite for the night!
And the rest...links just for fun :)
http://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/2011-programme/artists/curtis-stigers.html
My Favourite for the night!
San Diego Serenade
And the rest...links just for fun :)
And surprise! MTV from 20 years ago. And I learnt what it means to be ageing with grace :)
In remembrance of a great 18th July 2011!
A note to myself.
Hahaa..i was a tourist in Edinburgh today!!!
I went to museum at 1230pm to view The Queen's Art and Image exhibition, which was really captivating! I have never been a fan of the queen but her portraits and photographs in the exhibition told a story. A story of history. A history story which I can enrich with tales from my grandmothers and my parents. If not, how would a child from my little island know what's "God Save the Queen" since young?
The essay written by Professor Sir David Cannadine for the commemorative publication was simply enchanting. I never thought that I would read something so true, about the rise and fall of The GREAT BRITIAN in this book. I didn't think that someone would be repeating these words- "Downsizing, de-victorianisation" - that many times in a book which commemorates the diamond jubilee of the Queen's reign. But it was so poetically well written, without any disrespect.
(Well, I just found out that Prof Cannadine is Lecturer of History at Princeton and has written The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy)
Then, in reward for my crazy working days, I paid for a super expensive "TEA WITH QUEEN" menu and had it as lunch and dinner. I suppose the Queen don't really have 3 pieces of dark chocolate truffles for her tea every time but that was the highlight of the menu.
I took a walk down Royal Mile in full touristic spirit and bought a Fringe Festival T-shirt, which will form part of my Ladies T-shirts collection, since I find clothes here are fitting me better than at home.
oh..and a Gaelic CD! Gaelic songs were part of my daily diet from BBC Scotland during the first semester while I was reading after 11pm. Never got to know any singers or tunes by name but I just decided to buy a CD for keepsake. It's an old school thing, buying CDs but I guess I should before it becomes a thing of the past.
And to wrap up the day, my dear Polish friend Malina declared that she needed meat for her dinner. So I accompanied a Carnivore onto the streets looking for her meat diet while I did a Nachos. Chips have been the call of the past few days. It takes the stress out and makes life feel better when days are just nothing more than staring at the computer screen.
2011年6月20日星期一
Project Nim, a film which teaches us about ourselves.
Watched. Project Nim.
Reflected.
So glad that I am catching films from the Edinburgh International Film Festival. 2 films thus far and it has been great. Would be going for more.
How far do we go, in the name of science? In the Q&A session after the film, a scientist from University of Glasgow reminded us that we have to take the happenings in context, that it was the 70s, when these events happened. However, Bob, the zoologist who was Nim's lifelong friend, also revealed that there are still many chimps out there being used for scientific ventures. Bob didn't really suggest if conditions were still as controversial as depicted in the film but the fact that one of the scientist who was involved in such work has come to be his partner in the work of rescuing chimps and monkeys from "abuse" in science labs is telling.
How far do we go, in the name of science? If we don't test the drugs and vaccines on some living things, who or what do we test it on? It's an ethical question that never die.
However, what's more interesting in my reflection is the personal pursuit of some key figure(s) in the film. What was the true motivation in that project?
印象罗国Romania
这一年来，罗马尼亚在岛国很出名。我们的媒体爱简称其为“罗国”。
这趟旅途，我们主要涉足罗国两个城市。一个是Sighisoara, 另一个则是首都Buchuresti。两个地方各有值得细细品味的地方。
这趟旅途，我们主要涉足罗国两个城市。一个是Sighisoara, 另一个则是首都Buchuresti。两个地方各有值得细细品味的地方。
一、
Sighisoara, 维基百科上把它音译为“锡吉什瓦拉”。这个古堡垒被列为世界文化遗址，最著名的人物则是不老传说吸血僵尸德古拉-Count Dracula。这么说好像对德古拉的原型人物Vlad al III-lea Ţepeş 不太公平，因为他在中世纪时原本也是大名鼎鼎的公爵一名，据说除了曾经英勇领军奋战奥斯曼帝国捍卫疆土，对其敌人也极其残忍，以穿刺酷刑对付俘虏和政敌，故被称为“穿刺公”。
这个堡垒城市现在散发着一种幽静的安详。尽管现在以旅游业为主，不过时逢六月初，还未进入旅游旺季，城里的旅客不多。走在街上，除了可以细细咀嚼这个堡垒的昔日风光，更能想象中世纪人的生活环境。
如果有点闲钱，之后就到吸血僵尸出世的老房子作客，一品罗国风味餐。
二、
Buchuresti，布加勒斯特，罗国首都。说真的，要不是罗国公使在我们那里出了名，我们也许也不会特别留意这个首都的名字。不过，世界第二大建筑物其实就坐落在这座城市里。
这座被称为“罗马尼亚人民宫”的建筑物记载着独裁者统治天下时耀武扬威的奢华狂想。步入人民宫参观时，跟同行的朋友说，这栋建筑物以庞大面积为主题，让我想起了朝鲜境内的建筑物。后来翻看了旅游手册，据说Ceaușescu铲平了首都九分之一的建筑物，就是企图根据朝鲜模式重建Buchuresti。所以人民宫前方的林荫大道，一路皆是用庞大的建筑物来点缀的。说真的，很抗拒用“雄伟”这个词来形容这些庞大的建筑物。怎么说呢？也许是因为，Ceausescu建这座人民宫时，罗国百姓已经处于三餐不温饱的状况了。领着我们参观的向导面无表情，而且很机械式地念诵着一串让我们透视了一个人的狂想的数字。罗国建筑工匠在五年里日以继夜地修筑宫殿、宫殿里的一砖一瓦甚至是一根螺丝钉都是罗马尼亚制造的。向导说这话的时候，面无表情的脸上似乎闪过一丝自豪。我似乎打了一个冷颤。也许我看错了。
89年，那个多事之年，人民宫还未竣工，独裁者已被人民推翻，而且迅速问斩了。今日的Buchuresti，处处只见这一幢幢让人认识历史的见证人。
这座被称为“罗马尼亚人民宫”的建筑物记载着独裁者统治天下时耀武扬威的奢华狂想。步入人民宫参观时，跟同行的朋友说，这栋建筑物以庞大面积为主题，让我想起了朝鲜境内的建筑物。后来翻看了旅游手册，据说Ceaușescu铲平了首都九分之一的建筑物，就是企图根据朝鲜模式重建Buchuresti。所以人民宫前方的林荫大道，一路皆是用庞大的建筑物来点缀的。说真的，很抗拒用“雄伟”这个词来形容这些庞大的建筑物。怎么说呢？也许是因为，Ceausescu建这座人民宫时，罗国百姓已经处于三餐不温饱的状况了。领着我们参观的向导面无表情，而且很机械式地念诵着一串让我们透视了一个人的狂想的数字。罗国建筑工匠在五年里日以继夜地修筑宫殿、宫殿里的一砖一瓦甚至是一根螺丝钉都是罗马尼亚制造的。向导说这话的时候，面无表情的脸上似乎闪过一丝自豪。我似乎打了一个冷颤。也许我看错了。
2011年6月17日星期五
索非亚Sofia
Sofia, 东欧之旅的第一站。
对东欧有着一种想象，所以留学这段期间，最想去的地方不是热闹的西欧和中欧城市，而是常被游客忽略的东欧城市。就像以前因为文学文本而迷恋支那印度一样，我对东欧的想象源自于文学文本、电影叙述和小时候听过的新闻片段。窥探这片疆土上，已经坠落的红星背后那一段段不堪回首的历史，成了我这个渺小的背包客心中潜藏的动力。
索非亚，东欧之旅的第一站。
多么美丽的名字啊。
据说这座取代列宁塑像的苏菲亚女神像，是一个美丽的错误。
保加利亚人在急于迎接历史新篇时，误以为自己的城市名称源自苏菲亚女神。
在试图匆匆洗尽苏联共产铅华后，他们终于发现了这个美丽的错误。
而女神像身后的那栋建筑物，依然保留着两片手持铁锤的浮雕。
主修历史的硕士生向导以自己阅读历史的思维告诉我们，也许这都是历史在给我们上的课。
Sofia这座古都弥漫着我想象中70年代的气味。
罗马人很早就来到这里了，拜占庭艺术也在这里留下了痕迹。
这里最繁忙的商业街节奏缓缓地，就像老电影里的旧唱机一样，按着自己的步伐慢慢的转着。
背包旅社坐落的那条老步行街展示着不再流行的时装和糕饼。
那里更像是时光机，让人穿梭时空回到了70年代。
时间不公平地在这里渐渐前进。城市坐标-亚历山大教堂前一辆辆的旅游巴士，也预示着索菲亚酝酿多时的蜕变。
对东欧有着一种想象，所以留学这段期间，最想去的地方不是热闹的西欧和中欧城市，而是常被游客忽略的东欧城市。就像以前因为文学文本而迷恋支那印度一样，我对东欧的想象源自于文学文本、电影叙述和小时候听过的新闻片段。窥探这片疆土上，已经坠落的红星背后那一段段不堪回首的历史，成了我这个渺小的背包客心中潜藏的动力。索非亚，东欧之旅的第一站。
多么美丽的名字啊。
据说这座取代列宁塑像的苏菲亚女神像，是一个美丽的错误。保加利亚人在急于迎接历史新篇时，误以为自己的城市名称源自苏菲亚女神。
在试图匆匆洗尽苏联共产铅华后，他们终于发现了这个美丽的错误。
而女神像身后的那栋建筑物，依然保留着两片手持铁锤的浮雕。
主修历史的硕士生向导以自己阅读历史的思维告诉我们，也许这都是历史在给我们上的课。
Sofia这座古都弥漫着我想象中70年代的气味。罗马人很早就来到这里了，拜占庭艺术也在这里留下了痕迹。
背包旅社坐落的那条老步行街展示着不再流行的时装和糕饼。
那里更像是时光机，让人穿梭时空回到了70年代。
时间不公平地在这里渐渐前进。城市坐标-亚历山大教堂前一辆辆的旅游巴士，也预示着索菲亚酝酿多时的蜕变。
2011年6月15日星期三
纪录片
今天，第65届爱丁堡国际电影节正式掀开序幕了。这个世界闻名的电影节是从放映和宣传纪录片起家的。刚巧从网络上看到了我家新的选区委员会的新网站上也有一段录像剪辑，觉得挺有意思的，所以顺道抓来了。感觉有点像我在爱城的非洲电影节看的纪录短片。简单的剪辑手法，不需要太多的言语和字幕。观众从影片中老百姓的脸孔和表情，看到了故事。对于不知情的观众来说，这不是一部关于选举结果的纪录片。这是一段记录着那一晚，聚集在体育场里的几千名市井小民的期待的短片。我尤其喜欢有人打锣“咚咚锵”的那一段，让我想起小时候阿嫲牵着我在街上看大戏的情景。科技的发达记录了历史性的一夜，岛国写下新历史的一页被科技记下了。
Results Night - Singapore General Election 2011 from Brian McDairmant on Vimeo.
Results Night - Singapore General Election 2011 from Brian McDairmant on Vimeo.
2011年5月28日星期六
Read - Attitudes and Language
还是小书容易读，竟然真的给我看完了！
喜欢Colin Baker结尾那段话。
不知道我们政策里隐藏着的此消彼长的观念是否也会随着时间的推移，领导的更换而出现改变呢？ 更重要的是，家长心中这种隐性的理念会不会也出现改变呢？
喜欢Colin Baker结尾那段话。
"While bilingualism at an individual and societal level may be in a constant state of change, this is not to suppose continuous conflict and contention. Within the evolution and development of languages within an individual and within society can be a view of bilingualism as a unified entity. Bilingualism as a language."换言之，此消彼长的观念是需要改变的。毋视双语者为两个单语者的共和体，而应该以更兼融的角度认识到双语者的语言能力具备相辅相成或者是互补的功能。
不知道我们政策里隐藏着的此消彼长的观念是否也会随着时间的推移，领导的更换而出现改变呢？ 更重要的是，家长心中这种隐性的理念会不会也出现改变呢？
2011年5月26日星期四
语言转用/语言迁移Language Shift
一直对这个课题特别感兴趣。大概从去年9月开始就认识到有个权威名叫Joshua Fishman.
贴上他对西班牙巴斯克(Basque)的语言复苏的言论。
http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=114238
也许语言转用是语言接触的一个自然产物。不过在保护濒临消失的语言，或者是维持自己母语的生命力时，Fishman的这番话还是很重要的。" Heritage languages don't have to be minoritized. Minoritized languages have a double burden that they're minorities in the eyes of the majority and they're minorities in their own eyes. And there's very little escape. They always have the hot breath of the big brother coming down their neck. And to see one of them or two of them or several of them show signs of recovery and stabilization—It's something that American Indian languages hope for, and minority languages around the world are watching these very carefully."
贴上他对西班牙巴斯克(Basque)的语言复苏的言论。
http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=114238
也许语言转用是语言接触的一个自然产物。不过在保护濒临消失的语言，或者是维持自己母语的生命力时，Fishman的这番话还是很重要的。" Heritage languages don't have to be minoritized. Minoritized languages have a double burden that they're minorities in the eyes of the majority and they're minorities in their own eyes. And there's very little escape. They always have the hot breath of the big brother coming down their neck. And to see one of them or two of them or several of them show signs of recovery and stabilization—It's something that American Indian languages hope for, and minority languages around the world are watching these very carefully."
2011年4月28日星期四
My alternative literature review before 6th May 2011
My uni lecturer孔庆东 taught me to be fair in assessing issues and to read out of mainstream news so that i can assess the truth for myself. So I listen to speeches from the alternative voices. My lecturers in UoE stresses the importance of a comprehensive literature review before deciding on my research topic and eventual essay, so I am spending some time to watch the rally clips of the incumbent too.
Just realised something from a 12min speech from the incumbent. Heartland Singaporeans are worried about basic bread and butter issues and complaining about the software and heartbeat of the island but the candidate i just heard spent 9 min on the history and development of Singapore and the last 3 min telling her rally supporters "we will have a big shopping complex in Punggol!" and "18 km of jogging track , 4.2km long punggol water way right at our residents doorstep, leisurely places for residents to go to, to enjoy the cohesion we will like to build for singapore". I guess we will really like to hear more about how the money can be used to help people who are still trying to cope with basic living issues, besides the term "workfare supplement scheme"? I mean, that's what the incumbent told us too right? to scrutinise what everyone has to say before making our decision right?
I will be fair. Will be listening to speeches from both the incumbent mainstream voices as well as the opposition everyday. I will apply what I learnt from my education, as well as follow the heeds of the wise leaders.
btw, these are some of the videos i watched tonight. You may assess for yourself too :)
the video i just mentioned
and some others...
2011年4月26日星期二
Scottish Parliament Hustings at University of Edinburgh
我们家大选，人家也大选。
The Scottish Parliament is holding their elections on 5th May, two days ahead of us.
EUSA (the students' association) sent out an email inviting students to attend the Parliament Hustings at the university. A representative from each party was present at the husting. According to the email, these five people will be the candidates for Edinburgh Central.
The crowd wasn't big, probably about 200-300 of us in the Teviot Dining Hall. It's Easter holidays before the exams and the campus has been pretty quiet. I must have looked out of place in the room, which must have consisted mainly Scottish students and students from the Scottish-UK borders. Nonetheless, the students present were all very concerned about national budget issues, especially higher education funding issues as it affects tuition fees and potential graduate tax. A lot of questions were asked and the five party representatives took their turns to explain their party's manifesto and their stand on the funding issue. The representative from the Green Party gave specific ways and figures on how they intend to manage the funding issue to ensure further free higher education for Scottish students. I am not sure if his cuts on other spendings will work, since there has been different forecasts about their potential funding gap and all figures are arbitrary. However, his assertion that his party will seek to increase tax on the higher income group, people with more assets etc, naturally earned him a rousing applause from the audience. That started the ball rolling as the other few speakers also elaborated on their parties' specific priorities with regard to national budget and how they intend to fill the gap.
Well, it's a husting, so some will think "you can say whatever you want". I was simply enjoying the friendly air of debate and the occasional sarcasm at each other among the five people on stage. They sneered at previous bad policies, and the person who had been in that previous parliament simply had a twitch on the face or gave a humorous remark to the past and moved on. This husting, was after all, a platform to win the hearts of the student voters, not to put the others down.
So here comes the interesting part. One chap asked a question, which he claimed as not related to the education funding issue but had arise from it. And it was probably the best question fielded this evening.
In light of Nick Clegg's broken election promise on the higher education funding issue, where a coalition government was cited as the reason for the broken promise and compromise, the student asked all the five candidates to state three things that they will never give up their principles on should a coalition government happens and their party has to seek compromises on certain issues. The question itself won the applause of the emcee and the floor. The student explained that he has understood the parties varying stands on the tuition fees issue and now he want to know more about the potential MSP themselves and what they hold dearest to their hearts. Now, this is the fun part. One of the ex- MSP moved on from the higher education debate and cited three other reasons. He said he joined the party because of nuclear power issues, so should they compromise on their stand, he will quit the party. Then the second thing will be continued free National Health Services (NHS) for all. He cited how he benefited from it when his wife had complications during delivery and how the NHS service saved his family, as well as a whooping 20000 GBP bill. So that's a personal anecdote to let the students remember about him as an individual as well. I can't remember his third point but it wasn't education. Nonetheless, I am sure he would be remembered by these young voters even if they do not intend to vote for him.
I guess, the point about writing this down is not so much on what I thought of the content of the husting. It is the event itself which was an eye-opener for me. It was serious, consider the marches against the funding cuts, and yet it was peppered with humour and there were quite some light-hearted jest. Yet, there was also some sincere and honest inputs from an ex MSP and an ex-Minister who tried to explain that supporting continued free higher education by cutting other budgets is not as easy as proposed. She said it plainly with no airs, and I am sure by putting things in this way, there will be a few students out there who will understand that.
The Scottish Parliament is holding their elections on 5th May, two days ahead of us.
EUSA (the students' association) sent out an email inviting students to attend the Parliament Hustings at the university. A representative from each party was present at the husting. According to the email, these five people will be the candidates for Edinburgh Central.
The crowd wasn't big, probably about 200-300 of us in the Teviot Dining Hall. It's Easter holidays before the exams and the campus has been pretty quiet. I must have looked out of place in the room, which must have consisted mainly Scottish students and students from the Scottish-UK borders. Nonetheless, the students present were all very concerned about national budget issues, especially higher education funding issues as it affects tuition fees and potential graduate tax. A lot of questions were asked and the five party representatives took their turns to explain their party's manifesto and their stand on the funding issue. The representative from the Green Party gave specific ways and figures on how they intend to manage the funding issue to ensure further free higher education for Scottish students. I am not sure if his cuts on other spendings will work, since there has been different forecasts about their potential funding gap and all figures are arbitrary. However, his assertion that his party will seek to increase tax on the higher income group, people with more assets etc, naturally earned him a rousing applause from the audience. That started the ball rolling as the other few speakers also elaborated on their parties' specific priorities with regard to national budget and how they intend to fill the gap.
Well, it's a husting, so some will think "you can say whatever you want". I was simply enjoying the friendly air of debate and the occasional sarcasm at each other among the five people on stage. They sneered at previous bad policies, and the person who had been in that previous parliament simply had a twitch on the face or gave a humorous remark to the past and moved on. This husting, was after all, a platform to win the hearts of the student voters, not to put the others down.
So here comes the interesting part. One chap asked a question, which he claimed as not related to the education funding issue but had arise from it. And it was probably the best question fielded this evening.
In light of Nick Clegg's broken election promise on the higher education funding issue, where a coalition government was cited as the reason for the broken promise and compromise, the student asked all the five candidates to state three things that they will never give up their principles on should a coalition government happens and their party has to seek compromises on certain issues. The question itself won the applause of the emcee and the floor. The student explained that he has understood the parties varying stands on the tuition fees issue and now he want to know more about the potential MSP themselves and what they hold dearest to their hearts. Now, this is the fun part. One of the ex- MSP moved on from the higher education debate and cited three other reasons. He said he joined the party because of nuclear power issues, so should they compromise on their stand, he will quit the party. Then the second thing will be continued free National Health Services (NHS) for all. He cited how he benefited from it when his wife had complications during delivery and how the NHS service saved his family, as well as a whooping 20000 GBP bill. So that's a personal anecdote to let the students remember about him as an individual as well. I can't remember his third point but it wasn't education. Nonetheless, I am sure he would be remembered by these young voters even if they do not intend to vote for him.
I guess, the point about writing this down is not so much on what I thought of the content of the husting. It is the event itself which was an eye-opener for me. It was serious, consider the marches against the funding cuts, and yet it was peppered with humour and there were quite some light-hearted jest. Yet, there was also some sincere and honest inputs from an ex MSP and an ex-Minister who tried to explain that supporting continued free higher education by cutting other budgets is not as easy as proposed. She said it plainly with no airs, and I am sure by putting things in this way, there will be a few students out there who will understand that.
2011年4月20日星期三
选前的兴奋
5年一次的兴奋。
我不知道会不会有人像我一样，一边独自看网上新闻，一边自个儿兴奋起来。
每一次都会想起1996年，和一群不认识的邻居一路走到体育场看竞选群众大会的那一夜。
我记得那一夜，一路上我吃着我们家楼下咖啡店的鱼肉汉堡，一路听前边的大叔们有的没的聊天。一拨人就这样一起走到了体育场。
小时候没有机会住在甘榜里，但是我知道那种一路上和不认识的同胞开始聊起天的情谊，是传说中的甘榜精神的构成部分之一。因为我们之前两年追看大马金杯的时候，这种情况也会出现。那是一种人与人之间，很自然地乡村情谊。今天回想起来，那也是一种很奇妙的感觉，像是感觉自己真的是一名新加坡人的兴奋与自豪。（我自认很爱国。以前人在国外，单是看份东运会上年轻的狮城健儿夺下奖牌的网上新闻，也会按捺不住兴奋的。）
1996年，那时我们已不再每周到国家体育场报到了，但是大家都很期待几万人共聚一堂的盛事。记得当时有些人说，这5年一次的盛事，是一种解渴。不管票最后投给了谁，很多到场的群众实际上也是期待解渴的观众。解什么渴呢？可能性还挺多的。也许是政治辩论的饥渴、也许是听不同声音的饥渴、也许是听方言演讲的饥渴、也许是参与非演练过的大型活动的饥渴、也许仅仅是为了感受到自己和平时不常互动的岛国同胞们同在的饥渴？
这次人在国外，也只能靠日益发达的网络科技来解渴了。没了国家足球队，也许这是少数能让几万人一起走到街上的国家级活动吧？
5年一次的兴奋。只因爱国，所以我注册成为海外选民，虽然其实我们那一两千个人外海选民的票实在不算什么。好不容易有了（部分）海外投票这个机制，绝对要善加使用；否则无法传达海外公民也特别关心国家大事的信息。只因我认同国家说的“放眼世界，心系祖国”的教育方针，所以选前肯定会好好做功课，多看主流和网上媒体的新闻的：）
picture from :http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=129468633792685
我不知道会不会有人像我一样，一边独自看网上新闻，一边自个儿兴奋起来。
每一次都会想起1996年，和一群不认识的邻居一路走到体育场看竞选群众大会的那一夜。
我记得那一夜，一路上我吃着我们家楼下咖啡店的鱼肉汉堡，一路听前边的大叔们有的没的聊天。一拨人就这样一起走到了体育场。
小时候没有机会住在甘榜里，但是我知道那种一路上和不认识的同胞开始聊起天的情谊，是传说中的甘榜精神的构成部分之一。因为我们之前两年追看大马金杯的时候，这种情况也会出现。那是一种人与人之间，很自然地乡村情谊。今天回想起来，那也是一种很奇妙的感觉，像是感觉自己真的是一名新加坡人的兴奋与自豪。（我自认很爱国。以前人在国外，单是看份东运会上年轻的狮城健儿夺下奖牌的网上新闻，也会按捺不住兴奋的。）
1996年，那时我们已不再每周到国家体育场报到了，但是大家都很期待几万人共聚一堂的盛事。记得当时有些人说，这5年一次的盛事，是一种解渴。不管票最后投给了谁，很多到场的群众实际上也是期待解渴的观众。解什么渴呢？可能性还挺多的。也许是政治辩论的饥渴、也许是听不同声音的饥渴、也许是听方言演讲的饥渴、也许是参与非演练过的大型活动的饥渴、也许仅仅是为了感受到自己和平时不常互动的岛国同胞们同在的饥渴？
这次人在国外，也只能靠日益发达的网络科技来解渴了。没了国家足球队，也许这是少数能让几万人一起走到街上的国家级活动吧？
5年一次的兴奋。只因爱国，所以我注册成为海外选民，虽然其实我们那一两千个人外海选民的票实在不算什么。好不容易有了（部分）海外投票这个机制，绝对要善加使用；否则无法传达海外公民也特别关心国家大事的信息。只因我认同国家说的“放眼世界，心系祖国”的教育方针，所以选前肯定会好好做功课，多看主流和网上媒体的新闻的：）
2011年4月19日星期二
勤能补拙
和政见无关，只是刚来苏格兰的时候，碰上了大英帝国要大幅度削减各种福利，整个英国闹得热烘烘的，所以每天一边追看新闻，一边庆幸自己来的是时候。要不可能就要缴更高的学费了。那段期间，看到BBC有个频道现场全程直播国会辩论，议员们的各种姿态尽显无遗，觉得非常新鲜，后来就开始上CNA看看自家的国会辩论。说实在的，如果真要和别人家那种各个义愤填膺地辩论议题的情况相比，我们家的讲话都是挺闷的。开始比较闲的时候，我除了按课题，还尽量选我不认识的人来看。后来，我就只挑演讲能力比较好的议员的演讲片段来看了。
这一年来这里，学的是应用语言学。虽然不是专学二语习得的，但是因为工作关系，还是有很多研究都会涉及到这方面的理论，所以脑子里常常想到专业知识这一块。
开始先是发现刘老大国会上的英语演讲，除了发音咬字出卖了他，其用词精准，发言时用的英语句子结构甚为复杂，加上他惯有的说话语气，活脱就是一篇辩论稿。感觉是，其英语能力进步了。原来我想的是，如今有林姐助阵，国会演讲稿肯定彼此相互修订过。今天下午看了Razor TV一段录像，才发现刘老临场回答记者的问题时，其英语能力也真的令人刮目相看！我最后一次听刘老现场演讲当然是06年的事。这样的印象可能不是特别准。但是个人觉得刘老的英语水平真的提高很多，主要体现在句法句型的运用，实在是佩服。
上回听David Harrison和学生现场对话的时候，他说有些研究说30岁以后学习新的语言困难更大，而二语习得中很关注的一个问题就是语法错误的化石化。可见不管你几岁，语言习得方面，勤能补拙的道理还是通的！刚又看到一则有意思的报道，不知道何时可以听到林姐的中文演讲？http://www.zaobao.com/ge/pages/ge110409i.shtml
这一年来这里，学的是应用语言学。虽然不是专学二语习得的，但是因为工作关系，还是有很多研究都会涉及到这方面的理论，所以脑子里常常想到专业知识这一块。
开始先是发现刘老大国会上的英语演讲，除了发音咬字出卖了他，其用词精准，发言时用的英语句子结构甚为复杂，加上他惯有的说话语气，活脱就是一篇辩论稿。感觉是，其英语能力进步了。原来我想的是，如今有林姐助阵，国会演讲稿肯定彼此相互修订过。今天下午看了Razor TV一段录像，才发现刘老临场回答记者的问题时，其英语能力也真的令人刮目相看！我最后一次听刘老现场演讲当然是06年的事。这样的印象可能不是特别准。但是个人觉得刘老的英语水平真的提高很多，主要体现在句法句型的运用，实在是佩服。
上回听David Harrison和学生现场对话的时候，他说有些研究说30岁以后学习新的语言困难更大，而二语习得中很关注的一个问题就是语法错误的化石化。可见不管你几岁，语言习得方面，勤能补拙的道理还是通的！刚又看到一则有意思的报道，不知道何时可以听到林姐的中文演讲？http://www.zaobao.com/ge/pages/ge110409i.shtml
2011年4月12日星期二
时间滴滴答答地流逝了
春分后，爱丁堡又重新展现其魅力四射的活力。春分前下了一场三月雪，告示着冬天即将过去。雪花像是依依不舍地与众人告别，嘴里呢喃着“9个月后再见哦！”。只是我不会与你们再见了。
花开的日子是多么让人兴奋的。看着色彩斑斓的小花开满遍地，我不禁被记忆奶奶给拉回某一年的课堂里。不知道为什么那堂课让我印象深刻。我在教一篇关于春天的文章。那篇简写过的文章修辞手法还是可以的，原来自己读的时候没什么感觉，但是在给语文程度一般的中二生讲那一段春暖花开的文字时，我突然像是被某个灵魂上了身。我记得那一次，我说了好多课前没有准备的讲话，突然想到了好多春天与生命的联系，突然被嫩芽冒起的画面给感动。后来我意识到尽管我们也过年，但是春天的概念对很多学生来说是陌生的。就算是看过画面，但是亲身经历过春天的奇迹是不一样的。我依稀记得，我临场编织了一个强烈对比的画面。他们都经历过SARS。非典的日子是我们共同的回忆，只不过那时候我人在北国。我把那时人皆有之的非典恐慌和我在非典时期校园近乎人去楼空之时坐在五院墙上赏花的经历稍微夸张化地告诉了学生。课堂里给小朋友说故事，我总会带点夸张效果。其实我不知道学生会不会因为教师的兴奋而更加懂得欣赏那些文字。但是，我顿时明白了春天。这是我人在北京时也不曾有过的强烈感觉。想来，文字的魅力就在此。当然还需要加上个人的经历以及日后的细细咀嚼。
爱丁堡的春很美（不过也很冷）。这段日子，大家都被论文给压坏了精神，在春季感觉闷闷的。春天提醒着生命的强盛，再难熬的日子也会过去的！
2011年3月7日星期一
Bilingualism class: takeaway of the day
Gafaranga's take on Belgium and Canada's language landscape: Conflict is a social motivation for persistent bilingualism and language maintenance.
When consensus is eventually formed, language shift towards monolingualism will be very likely to occur...
My take : Language shift is probably inevitable but language shift towards monolingualism is preventable!
When consensus is eventually formed, language shift towards monolingualism will be very likely to occur...
My take : Language shift is probably inevitable but language shift towards monolingualism is preventable!
2011年2月24日星期四
The Real King's Speech
For those who watched and loved The King's Speech, here is The Real King's Speech!
2011年2月15日星期二
谶言
就像那首古老的谶言，
我们将无法再见到瑞彦。
这样盛大欢乐的相聚，
原来真的一生仅有一次。
下次东京或赤道聚首，
也许会加上你我他和他，
但是却会永远少了他。
朋友越洋电话中告诉我，
我们要为他而更坚强，
思考并珍惜自己的生命。
只要心中收藏着回忆，
他的笑容将会紧紧伴随。
我们忙碌于世界各地，
但是更要记得常常联系。
去年在脸书上贴上了这张07年东京聚首的照片后，写了这么一段话，没想到竟成了谶言：
这样的聚会也许一辈子只会有一次。（当然，我希望不是）
人生路这么长，当年打球建立起来的单纯友谊都是我们人生
还有几位老队友没能出席。这两年大家也各奔东西在不同地
也许以后还会有机会吧。到时可能大家都是带着家眷一起出
下次球队相聚时，我们将永远少了一员。
然而我们将永远记得Gisshi 的真诚与乐观。
2011年2月14日星期一
2 Days in Oslo
Oslo——
Land of the Vikings, land of the trolls
A modern city which functions
In the abundance of snow.
The metro pulled off quietly from the low
While parents boarded with children in tow.
Golden rays shone brightly on the skis
Laughter brought a Sunday perfect to the T.
Munch was famous for The Scream,
but his best was with The Kiss.
Sipping a cup of goodness tea,
the city stood with Nobel peace.
Though my nose was cold from Oslo's freeze,
my heart was warm with her friendly ease.
2011年2月6日星期日
北国春节
就算是在一个没有春节气氛的国度里，我们仍然一起制造精彩，一起过好年！
年除夕：
看春晚，吃年夜饭！
同屋煮了一桌菜，我现在给他们起名字啦！
猪扒苹果绿沙拉----祝你甜蜜常绿，有钱有闲“趴趴走”！
马铃薯切土豆丝----祝你丝丝甜蜜，幸福数也数不完！
酱油烘烤三文鱼----祝你年年有余，鸿运当头福将到！
辣甜萝卜炒年糕----祝你步步高升，阖府甜甜乐安康！
看春晚，吃年夜饭！
同屋煮了一桌菜，我现在给他们起名字啦！
猪扒苹果绿沙拉----祝你甜蜜常绿，有钱有闲“趴趴走
马铃薯切土豆丝----祝你丝丝甜蜜，幸福数也数不完！
酱油烘烤三文鱼----祝你年年有余，鸿运当头福将到！
辣甜萝卜炒年糕----祝你步步高升，阖府甜甜乐安康！
年除夕第二餐：天天自助海鲜火锅
麻辣清汤鸳鸯锅
天天温馨在北国
四海友人聚首过
新鲜愿望何其多！
年初一：兔年聚餐会
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| 玉兔拜年，好运连连！ |
 |
| 麻辣火锅，通红迎春 腐竹香菇，祝福故乡 （哈哈，用“故乡”好像不太合适。当作是送给离家很久的游子的吧。） |
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| 西兰花菜 西方北国，斑斓碧绿， 春暖花开，吉祥彩头！ |
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| 兔气扬眉、笑口常开！ |
2011年2月3日星期四
想
今晚，我突然对自己国家领导人在外交上走得步步为营，秉持“中立”（有些人说是没立场）的原则，有了新的了解。我们只能发展成靠自己的独立国家。不管你们是不是同一个祖宗、同一个大文化概念的，在全球化的环境下，其实各个地区之间的隐性矛盾可能更多。全球化把贸易世界缩小了，但根据我个人的观察，这个现象（当然加上民族主义的发展和演变）似乎让人们的心更加窄了。原来Prof J.J 说的理论是对的，认同是发展自（甚至取决于）对他人的排斥的。我们之间的认同的建立，是来自于我们对“我们”与“他们”的区分。
在各地追求自己的个性的同时，我们却否认与他人历史上的渊源。不知道较早的民族主义运动和现在的全球化世界的发展是否是极端主义的催化剂？
在各地追求自己的个性的同时，我们却否认与他人历史上的渊源。不知道较早的民族主义运动和现在的全球化世界的发展是否是极端主义的催化剂？
2011年1月31日星期一
Waiting for Superman
Made a date with Dina some time ago to watch "Waiting for Superman", a documentary about the public education system in the United States when I saw the advertisement on Filmhouse's website. Both of us have been engaging in some interesting exchanges about the education system in our countries and it has been a joy.
Little did we know that this documentary is so subtly powerful in its message that it left the both of us in tears. Neither of us are facing a failing public education system back home but as educators, the journey that we went on in that 1.5 hour was a powerful reminder on what public education is all about. When the education system fails to provide hope for the youths who had once hoped of getting out of the vicious poverty cycle, and when some schools fail to help more than 2/3 of their students graduate from middle school and acquire a basic certificate, and when the unions didn't even dare to allow for a vote so that there's a possible way to get rid of the rotten eggs in the teaching force, it definitely paints a bleak picture. In the end, all the parents can do is continue to pray for a lottery strike to get their children into one of the better public charter schools. (of course, as documented in the film, only 1 in 5 of the public charter schools are doing well too)
Of course, we only saw what was in the documentary. Nonetheless, it seems to suggest a strong take away, ie. Sometimes, too much democracy and too much union rights may not be in the best interest for overhauling changes after all.
PS: Just when things seem to just get brighter for D.C (the worst performing state), the chancellor, who was interviewed in the documentary, resigned. Politics!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqW0JISv-vc
PS: Just when things seem to just get brighter for D.C (the worst performing state), the chancellor, who was interviewed in the documentary, resigned. Politics!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqW0JISv-vc
2011年1月12日星期三
Reorientation - some readings on education issues
With the first semester almost over (since I just took the rescheduled examination last night, and most results are not released yet) , I found it time to reorientate myself. Having immersed almost entirely in the world of sociolinguistics stuff, it is time to navigate my way back to education issues. I guess, the bilingualism course by Gafaranga will assist me in this re-orientation, and hopefully the friday lectures are not going to fail in my expectations.
Anyway, i thought this reading worth some thoughts. The age of wikipedia and online learning...
Wikipedia comes of age How could I apply this in secondary classrooms?
Anyway, i thought this reading worth some thoughts. The age of wikipedia and online learning...
Wikipedia comes of age How could I apply this in secondary classrooms?
2011年1月6日星期四
Auld Lang Syne
On my trip in Spain and Portugal, we learnt that they eat 12 grapes 12 seconds before the strike of twelve to welcome the new year. The British sing Auld Lang Syne instead. We sang it on the streets during the Hogmany Street Party along with the Scots and tourist. After some search, I figured out the reason why. The song is really Scottish! Robert Burns rewrote the original poem and fitted it to an old Scottish tune.
Seems that the original tune sounded like this -
Seems that the original tune sounded like this -
and in true Scottish style, one can try to sing the popularised version today in Scottish pronunciation!
On Royal Land, finding out about the Royal stories...
Trips in Europe are rarely complete without visits to the royal palaces and hearing stories about the monarchies. It is the same when you visit China, Vietnam, India. However, living on a royal land somehow makes me view modern films on the royal stories with a special eye. The upcoming The King's Speech would definitely be one of the films I am going to watch. But let's talk about his granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II first.
Over the semester, Queen Elizabeth II's pronunciation has been dicussed a couple of times.
Has her pronunciation changed? Has she learnt to speak more like the middle class? To try to be closer to her people? Or it is a misconception to compare her change with only the old and new BBC standards, since on the whole, the way that British people speak has also changed? Variationist sociolinguistics do such work to discover the dynamics between people of different status.
It is one of the links which I love too, as it transforms me into the olden days. The first televised Christmas broadcast in UK in 1957! (note, it is 1957 again!)
It is obvious that her pronunciation has changed but does it necessarily mean she was trying to be more commoner? Perhaps, perhaps not. Try thinking about how our own speech style has changed over the course of our lives!
PS: I like the 2009 , because I have never known that she actually makes addresses to the Commonwealth nations as well. Notice that some of the Commonwealth nations have very similiar school uniforms as our schools.
Over the semester, Queen Elizabeth II's pronunciation has been dicussed a couple of times.
Has her pronunciation changed? Has she learnt to speak more like the middle class? To try to be closer to her people? Or it is a misconception to compare her change with only the old and new BBC standards, since on the whole, the way that British people speak has also changed? Variationist sociolinguistics do such work to discover the dynamics between people of different status.
It is one of the links which I love too, as it transforms me into the olden days. The first televised Christmas broadcast in UK in 1957! (note, it is 1957 again!)
Let's listen to the Queen again in her recent 2010 Christmas broadcast.
It is obvious that her pronunciation has changed but does it necessarily mean she was trying to be more commoner? Perhaps, perhaps not. Try thinking about how our own speech style has changed over the course of our lives!
PS: I like the 2009 , because I have never known that she actually makes addresses to the Commonwealth nations as well. Notice that some of the Commonwealth nations have very similiar school uniforms as our schools.
2011年1月5日星期三
Old films and their charm
This is one of the most amazing links I saw in 2010.
Singapore in 1957
History has never come so alive before! Even though it was filmed from the colonists' eyes, the scenes and street views were truly ours and I just have to keep telling myself, that was the Singapore which my grandmothers and my parents would have memories of !
Old films have a charm in them.
I finished reading George Owell's classic 1984 on my trip (which became a must read for me after encountering it in my course) and had the story images filling up my head. I found the link for the first movie based on 1984. It was made in 1956 ( notice the years?) and the music was so fitting for the mood of the novel---scary. I saw the trailer for the newer film and decided that if I am to spend 2 hours watching it, it would be the old one first, as it is nearer to the writing time. There's a newer film made in 1984 (so symbolic!) Perhaps it is me, I kind of like things in their chronological order, if i have a choice.
PS: it is tagged under 看戏随身书，though it really should be 电影原著篇
Singapore in 1957
History has never come so alive before! Even though it was filmed from the colonists' eyes, the scenes and street views were truly ours and I just have to keep telling myself, that was the Singapore which my grandmothers and my parents would have memories of !
Old films have a charm in them.
I finished reading George Owell's classic 1984 on my trip (which became a must read for me after encountering it in my course) and had the story images filling up my head. I found the link for the first movie based on 1984. It was made in 1956 ( notice the years?) and the music was so fitting for the mood of the novel---scary. I saw the trailer for the newer film and decided that if I am to spend 2 hours watching it, it would be the old one first, as it is nearer to the writing time. There's a newer film made in 1984 (so symbolic!) Perhaps it is me, I kind of like things in their chronological order, if i have a choice.
PS: it is tagged under 看戏随身书，though it really should be 电影原著篇
More on languages
I am not sure if the Teochew language will be endangered in the near future but it definitely is in Singapore. I am overwhelmed by the surprised looks on the faces of some of my friends when I said that I speak a half-baked Teochew. I am actually proud of being able to speak my dialect (or this language, from some linguists' point of view) actually.
So I was really glad to find Teochew lessons link online.
Technology has definitely made foreign language learning much easier! I recall the days in PKU when I only had audio cassettes for learning Bahasa Indonesian. Till this day, I don't dare to claim that I know the language as I have forgotten most of the vocabulary and I am really not conversant in it. I could probably say more than what Obama did in his address in Indonesia,(see old post "Power of speaking their language" ) though there are speculations that he is really conversant in the language. However, I am able to understand simple sentences from reading, ie the passive skills. Add on a Indonesian-English dictionary and some extra time, I could probably translate quite accurately simple sentences too. But I am simply not conversant since I don't recall much daily life vocabulary.
Probably that explained the joy in my heart when I tried to converse in Malay with the Malaysian family whom I met in Spain. Think Cik was quite surprised that a Singaporean gal would be speaking to them in Malay. Her comment "yah, your sentence is grammatical" could be just a casual compliment (we all do that to new learners of our languages) but it was enough to send me to the skies. I guess, it is a reminder that compliments and encouragements are really important to students who are not confident of themselves. Every little sentence counts.
So I was really glad to find Teochew lessons link online.
Technology has definitely made foreign language learning much easier! I recall the days in PKU when I only had audio cassettes for learning Bahasa Indonesian. Till this day, I don't dare to claim that I know the language as I have forgotten most of the vocabulary and I am really not conversant in it. I could probably say more than what Obama did in his address in Indonesia,(see old post "Power of speaking their language" ) though there are speculations that he is really conversant in the language. However, I am able to understand simple sentences from reading, ie the passive skills. Add on a Indonesian-English dictionary and some extra time, I could probably translate quite accurately simple sentences too. But I am simply not conversant since I don't recall much daily life vocabulary.
Probably that explained the joy in my heart when I tried to converse in Malay with the Malaysian family whom I met in Spain. Think Cik was quite surprised that a Singaporean gal would be speaking to them in Malay. Her comment "yah, your sentence is grammatical" could be just a casual compliment (we all do that to new learners of our languages) but it was enough to send me to the skies. I guess, it is a reminder that compliments and encouragements are really important to students who are not confident of themselves. Every little sentence counts.
Obsessed with reading about Endangered Languages
It all started with The Linguists and the lang soc activities. Really, or maybe it is just my obsession with reading and watching about loss cultures. I am learning to be not too sentimental about it while keeping my acknowledgement and awareness that we might be losing more than we think we are as a humankind. So it got me all excited even when all that I read was about work done on the documentation of endangered languages. The database launched by Cambridge is really one big piece of massive work. I salute the linguists and scientists for their work.
At the same time, judging from how I struggled with phonology and how much i rely on written phonetic forms to remember for good and reproduce all the vocabulary from foreign languages, I know I do not have that kind of ear to jump into this world of documentation and investigation. Nonetheless, it is really a joy to read and know about their works.
My french friend gave me this link while we were discussing a little about phonology. I have absolutely no means to differentiate and reproduce all the sounds in the Yi language but I've also learnt from the linguists that technology and platforms such as Youtube might actually be a good way of revitalising endangered languages. So long as their young speakers are really to pick it up again.
At the same time, judging from how I struggled with phonology and how much i rely on written phonetic forms to remember for good and reproduce all the vocabulary from foreign languages, I know I do not have that kind of ear to jump into this world of documentation and investigation. Nonetheless, it is really a joy to read and know about their works.
My french friend gave me this link while we were discussing a little about phonology. I have absolutely no means to differentiate and reproduce all the sounds in the Yi language but I've also learnt from the linguists that technology and platforms such as Youtube might actually be a good way of revitalising endangered languages. So long as their young speakers are really to pick it up again.
Holiday in Mylnes Court
I wanted to start the year with a blog post that reflected my 2010 and perhaps talk a little about my 2011, while i recuperate from my 双牙之行. However, I have decided to do some documenting job instead. Have been reading and googling and digressing on some knowledge that I have came across. So the next few posts will just go into the interesting weblinks section. Count it as a documentation of my 2010 too.
First to be linked would be the book that I am currently reading : When Languages Die.
I am becoming a big fan of K.David Harrison! Remember the film "The Linguists", which inspired one of my first post when i started my MSc? Seriously, I love theoreticians who see the real world and talk about real things out there in the world. His knowledge as a theoretician and his intellectual pursue is more than just that. The documentation work that he and his team do may not reverse this trend but it adds on to knowledge of the world and reshape how our history, how our knowledge of human civilisation and even human cognitive processes might be written.
Okie, more links to appear...
First to be linked would be the book that I am currently reading : When Languages Die.
I am becoming a big fan of K.David Harrison! Remember the film "The Linguists", which inspired one of my first post when i started my MSc? Seriously, I love theoreticians who see the real world and talk about real things out there in the world. His knowledge as a theoretician and his intellectual pursue is more than just that. The documentation work that he and his team do may not reverse this trend but it adds on to knowledge of the world and reshape how our history, how our knowledge of human civilisation and even human cognitive processes might be written.
Okie, more links to appear...
2011年1月3日星期一
Festive Theatre Edinburgh
Watched the best theatre performance in Edinburgh so far, The Secret Garden, at the Festive Theatre.
Intrigued by the glass facade which seems to suggest that the Festive Theatre is a pretty new theatre, I did a mini research on it and discovered that it is in fact the oldest continuous theatrical site in Edinburgh. All old things come with aplenty of stories, so you can read its history in the link. I just thought that the glass facade, though really grand looking, was really unbefitting for the history carried by the theatrical site, so I tried searching for an image of the old Empire Theatre.
Here's the results -
1. Empire Theatre - probably in the late 80s or latest 1991
2. Empire Theatre - probably in the late 80s or latest 1991- showing Pound Savers in its current look!
3. Festive Theatre 1- image 2
4. Conversion stage in 1993
I guess, the glass facade was a good job done after all :)
Intrigued by the glass facade which seems to suggest that the Festive Theatre is a pretty new theatre, I did a mini research on it and discovered that it is in fact the oldest continuous theatrical site in Edinburgh. All old things come with aplenty of stories, so you can read its history in the link. I just thought that the glass facade, though really grand looking, was really unbefitting for the history carried by the theatrical site, so I tried searching for an image of the old Empire Theatre.
Here's the results -
1. Empire Theatre - probably in the late 80s or latest 1991
2. Empire Theatre - probably in the late 80s or latest 1991- showing Pound Savers in its current look!
3. Festive Theatre 1- image 2
4. Conversion stage in 1993
I guess, the glass facade was a good job done after all :)
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