Tag: Taiwan

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Inspired by Tsing-Fang Chen 陳錦芳

It’s been a while since I wrote the article. I think it’s because there is no motion. Not many people care, I think. However, today I saw the introduction of a Taiwanese artist, Tsing-Fang Chen, and I suddenly wanted to write something.

圖為 陳錦芳-歡迎光臨台灣。圖來自 臺中市大墩文化中心 Facebook

I’m always very respectful to those people who still have passion during hard times. He insists on his dream and really makes the dream come true. He was confused, but he found his path with help from his friends and teachers. Tsing-Fang Chen is an artist, but not only an artist. He makes international friends with his talent and passion. He always cares about his home country, Taiwan’s political situation. He pushed for liberty and showed his bravery for Taiwan’s democratic development. He used his art to connect eastern and western culture, trying to introduce Taiwan on the international stage. What touched me is that his heart has never changed, no matter under stress or criticisms. I think the key to his success is his confidence and passion.

The international situation has not been so optimistic recently. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the virus looking calm, but still not gone, my brother’s upcoming marriage but I can’t go back to attend, my grandpa’s health, and the result of my father’s CT. There are many things I need to worry about. I hope they’re all fine and can see them soon. Like Tsing-Fang Chen, I couldn’t go back and forth between Taiwan and the USA due to the virus situation. The difference is that he is in Taiwan now. lol 

He was inspired by Amstrong’s first step on the moon, although I’m not a big one like him. I hope I can find my stage in the USA, and have the chance to give feedback to my home country. Let more people know about Taiwan!

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Differences Between Living in Taiwan and USA- Part 2 Healthcare System

The other big difference is the ‘healthcare system.’ I believe whoever has stayed in the USA can feel such a big difference with this too!

In Taiwan, we have ‘National Health Insurance‘ (全民健康保險). The insurance covers 99.6 % population in Taiwan (from national health insurance, https://www.nhi.gov.tw/Content_List.aspx?n=F02F2F627FE4BEC4&topn=CDA985A80C0DE710), and most healthcare institution has the service contracts with 93%. The number means you can go to most hospitals and clinics, and you can get good healthcare at a very reasonable price. The system is very convenient, universal, accessible, and affordable. Although there is some room to be improved about the system, I think this is still a model healthcare system that deserves worldwide acclaim. I’m proud of this system, and I hope Taiwanese can cherish this system and make this better.

In the USA, there’s health insurance, but it’s not what we know as ‘universal’ healthcare insurance. They have federal, Medicare, and state healthcare system, Medicaid, insurance from work employers, and a unique healthcare system. If you are interested in reading Mandarin introduction, you can go to this blog ( https://judy816.pixnet.net/blog/post/469475801-health-insurance.) Their healthcare insurance is very complicated; even most of themselves can’t figure it out all. You may ask, how about Obama care? Well…NO…it’s not there yet. There are tons of problems that need to be solved. You can go to this blog to read Mandarin introduction: https://doctork.pixnet.net/blog/post/198528838-%E9%80%99%E4%B8%8D%E6%98%AF%E5%85%A8%E6%B0%91%E5%81%A5%E4%BF%9D%EF%BC%81—-%E8%AB%87%E3%80%8C%E6%AD%90%E5%B7%B4%E9%A6%AC%E5%81%A5%E4%BF%9D%E6%B3%95%E3%80%8D%EF%BC%88ob.

I have student healthcare insurance, but I need to search clinics before I go. I usually need to make an appointment. I need to make sure they’re under my insurance, or I need to pay lots of money, which is equivalent to around 3000 NTD. I can’t imagine how people who can’t make enough money to afford that. You need to pay co-pay, like Taiwan’s registration fee, around 300 to 450 NTD. It’s still more expensive than our 150 NTD, but much cheaper than the fee without insurance. You won’t see the doctor for a bit of cold, because it’s not like in Taiwan. If you don’t have enough money, you don’t have the right to get sick.

National Health Insurance is one of the best things I miss in Taiwan. I still pay my insurance fee in Taiwan. I hope everyone can realize how it’s difficult to have the high quality healthcare insurance, and don’t waste the resource. I also hope USA can improve their healthcare insurance, although I think it’s still a long way to go.

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When we met in the Beginning…

2018在嘉義林區

When we met in the beginning, I thought, “Wow! He’s so tall and white….” It is easy to tell that’s you because you’re exceptionally tall among people. You looked so nervous and stand there next to your suitcase, in the airport, waiting for me. It’s your first time going to other countries, and you must worry what if I didn’t show up.

When we met in the beginning, I didn’t bring you to see my family. My family is conservative, but it is because they want to protect their daughter. They get the stereotype that westerns are usually womanizers and do not care about family. Most people typically think that Americans are very open, arrogant, cold, and maybe racist. I know not everyone is like that, but I think there’s a point for you to consider why other countries think about that when talking about Americans. I know I need to give them some time to get ready to know you little by little. We also can have time to know each other more.

I brought you to know my best friends because they’re like my family too. They are so curious about you, and you’re very curious about many things about them and Taiwan too. We found that you have a Taiwan stomach. It’s always good to make friends from food, although you still don’t like seafood. Lol, We met many good people in the Taiwan mountains and near the ocean. Everyone we met is very curious to you and very kind, generous. You found that’s amazing, and we found you try to understand our culture and learn language from that.

When we met in the beginning, I didn’t know if you’re reliable. I know what we decide will change our lives. We realized that you’re an open mind person and not racist, of course. That’s why after that you get to know my family, and I think that’s another story. 🙂 We’ll see my family, friends, and kind people again after the virus. I believe the journey will keep going!

2018高雄西子灣

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Happy Birthday! 生日快樂！

My parents’ birthday is coming soon, but I can’t be there to celebrate it with them.

When I was in Taiwan, we usually went to buy a small cakes for my parents. If they are in a good mood, we went to the restaurant together. My brother and I will pay for the meal and sometimes will give them gifts that they need. They can’t eat too many cakes now, and they are not fans of cakes. That’s why we get small cakes for them. We will choose the meal or cakes that they like most. They don’t drink beverages very often, but they’re happy to have good coffee. We’ll go to buy good coffee if we think they may like it. Usually, they will blame us when we told them that we prepare something for them. I know that’s because they don’t want us to spend too much money on them, especially they think we haven’t done every significant thing in our lives. I can understand how worried they are, and I think that’s the typical attitude for parents. However, we still celebrate their birthday every year. We hope we can see their smile and make them feel a bit happier in their lives. They always share with us their birthday wishes because the first two wishes are always about us. I hope their third wish is for themselves. If my parents have good spirits, we hang around town for their birthday too. That’s one of my father’s favorite things, and my mom will go with us even she murmurs things under her breath. lol

I feel so sorry that I can’t celebrate with you two this year, and I’m afraid that not only this year. I know you will say that’s okay, only if I have a good life. However, I feel bad when I saw others can celebrate their parents’ birthday together. I know I can use video chat to say happy birthday to you, but I feel bad that I can’t be with you on your birthday. I will keep your birthday gifts and try to do my best not to make you worried. I hope you both are healthy, and father’s therapy not only works but maintains longer this time.

Love you, my dear parents. Thank you for always caring for me and giving us the best that you have.

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New Semester Begins!

It’s been around two weeks since the new semester began, and I’ve been busy until now. Finally, I can take a break at the weekend. Hahaha

There are many new things I have to learn this semester, including coding, statistics, some NLP, and so on. Sometimes I can’t imagine how to deal with those new things, but I always told myself that I could overcome those problems. I am fortunate because I have my family, boyfriend, and his family to support me. My classmates that I met and have been on the same team so far are good people too. Professors are engaging and strict for sure. XD When I have language problems or studying questions, I can always ask them. They are kind people, although I don’t have enough time to get to know everyone. I wish I could.

Except for the study, I’m worried about my family’s situation. The only thing I can hope is that they can make it. I can only try to do what I can do, but I know I can only give some suggestions or mental support. I can’t help with material or stay with them now. Sometimes I’m afraid I will miss something, but I can only seize any hope and try to do my best. It would be great if we have Stargate or can transport ourselves in a short time. Then I don’t need to think about the journey time for extraordinary or emergency events. So far, we don’t have that kind of technology, and I guess that’s why we can always just treasure it when we have the chance to get together.

I miss Taiwan, things, the ocean, mountains, food about Taiwan, and my family, friends in Taiwan. However, I know my partner is great, and his family treats me well too. I only hope for the best for everyone, and we won’t regret essential things in our life. I want to see you again, and I hope you can hold on, even in the tough time!

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The First Article in New Year!

Winter vacation is almost ending, and I had a joyful New Year!

We had a Taiwan-style hot pot and cocktail on New Year’s Eve, and I watched Taiwan’s New Year’s Eve celebration from TV live stream. Although there’s jet lag, Taiwan was in the future time in 2021, and the USA was still in 2020. I’m glad we still have the chance that crosses over the same time to celebrate together! I had the opportunity to say “Happy New Year” to my family and friends! They get my card on New Year, and I got the card/small gifts from Australia! The hot pot was delicious, and the best surprise was to find Taiwan’s brand hot pot stinky tofu base, 寧記臭豆腐.

Happy to get food from TAIWAN!

I miss many of Taiwan’s food, and stinky tofu is one of the food. I’m glad that my boyfriend likes this food. My parents also had a hot pot on New Year’s Eve, and I’m so happy they enjoy the food. I’m familiar with all the ingredients when I am still in Taiwan, and I’m so delighted that I can find most of the food here. However, not all of them come from Taiwan, which is a shame for me. Although I’m sad that I can’t go back to Taiwan during our traditional New Year. T_T

Parent’s hot pot in TAIWAN! I can’t find the same garland chrysanthemum (大葉茼蒿/圓葉茼蒿).

This winter is not as cold as before, which is called a sad winter. I hope there will be more snow until the end of the winter for sure because I know snow is an essential resource for their summer water. It will be dry and hot during the summer, and they don’t have typhoons or rainy seasons like in Taiwan. The other wish for my New Year is to have another smooth coming semester because I hope I can get good grades, which will help me apply for a scholarship when the chance comes. My family will also no need to worry about my studying. Of course, I hope the vaccine will work, and I can go back to Taiwan to see my family and friends. I also have many things to do after going back to Taiwan, such as enjoy food, the ocean, and very green mountains! I know there’s a travel restriction from 2021/1/1 in Taiwan, and I hope people here and other countries face the mutated virus seriously. I think even after the vaccine, people still need to keep good personal hygiene.

Happy New Year! Be healthy and safe in 2021!

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Happy New Year!

Delicious Taiwan home-made dinner! Braised pork on rice, green onion eggs, cabbage fried with pork and Chinese Kale fried with pork! My mom and dad are very good at making these dishes!

It’s 2020! Maybe it will be another important year! After finishing this semester, I can look forward to the traditional new year and vacation, and then another busy last semester.

Looking back my 2019, I finally passed many exams, presentations, and reports. I hope I can get good news this year, and graduate smoothly. I don’t want to make my parents be worried, especially my next step. Although there are some problems with my family’s health, I hope they can eventually get their health under control. I hope my parents can take care of their bodies more. I hope my family and friends can have a healthy 2020. About love, my boyfriend got to know my family and friends more. He is willing to learn and understand our culture, and get along with my family. I can relax, and wish we have another anniversary year. On a side note, while my boyfriend was here, we took a trip around Taiwan. There is a railway that travels around the island. We learned to surf, climbed the turtle island, went to Takaro, the daily Lily flower meadow, and the surprising dolphins! We met kind people, had many different tasty foods, and admired beautiful landscapes. We had nice memories with my family and each other in 2019.

There are many challenges in the future waiting for me. I hope I can conquer and pass every challenge. Although it can be scary, I hope I can get through every test safely. Thank you for every one I love and who also loves me. Because of your love, we are here. Thank you for every one I met, maybe we just crossed paths briefly. But because of those moments, I can pass 2019 smoothly. Hope I have great serendipitous moments waiting in 2020. Treasure every day, and have a healthy, safe, joyful 2020.