NYU SCPS

I guess most of us grow up with some compromises and unsatisfactory.

Young boy dreamed of becoming a singer may end up being a 9am-5pm engineer.

It’s not totally a bad thing…it’s just not as we wished it to be.

As for me,

I’ve never thought about studying in business school, calculating profits and all these sorts of things. As far as I could remember, I wanted to become a fashion designer, a interior designer or a diplomat, but never an accountant or a decent businesswoman. It’s a shame to look at what I’m doing now, and it’s a blessing to have this chance to study in New York, to feel free of choosing anything I really want to learn.

Here I am, at NYU SCPS.

It’s so incredible that they have all sorts of digital arts programs, and it took me a decade to decide which one to choose. With limited sponsorship and course requirements, I registered in two courses: “Digital Imaging Intensive” and “Use Public Relations as a Marketing Tool”. All I could say is that, the former is fantastic!!! 
Though it might be incredibly expensive, after the courses, I found it worth.

Equipped with all the Apple stuff and a computer screen big as my TV at home, even the classroom itself shows its value. However, what enchanted me most is the instructor, as a professional photographer, he teaches not only about the techniques of Adobe Photoshop and photography, but also the aesthetic perspectives and his tips of doing digital manipulations. Also, he makes me feel no shame of being ignorance. It’s really different from my past experience in Taiwan. Back home, people feel embarrassed asking questions. Here no. And the instructor is so patient answering every question, and appraises you even on the useless efforts you did. Now I can confidently say that I have some understanding about digital imaging. I’d say that it is one of the best classes I’ve ever had. It feels so good that, you can choose a class just because you like it, not because what it can bring to you.

Thanks for this opportunity.

It enables me to see myself from another perspective.

Maybe I’m more that I knew.

After all,

Dreams will come true only when you have dreams.

Now I have new dreams.          

    

Viva Taiwan

我好像越來越愛國了，在路上看到有人用HTC的手機都會特別開心，

不過這裡也太極端了，路上的人九成九不是iphone就是blackberry，

以前總以為東方人偏向集體主義，西方人則崇尚個人自由、自我獨特性，

但是美國人被Steve Jobs制約地似乎更嚴重。

以前在台灣，我時常會對現況感到不滿，

為什麼路人都愛穿越馬路、為什麼天氣這麼差、為什麼路上都是蟑螂，

那時我總以為在所謂的先進國家就不會有這些問題了，

但在紐約，路人紅燈時也大大方方的穿越馬路，

地鐵又髒又充滿尿騷味，等車時還會看到一隻隻肥肥的老鼠在鐵軌中穿梭，

隨隨便便就一百多度的天氣更令人難以忍受

記得去年在巴黎的暑假，路上每五公尺就會有垃圾桶，但垃圾桶總是空空的，地上卻是滿滿的菸蒂

到底什麼是進步？什麼是文明？

我想，在追求進步的同時，我們也不必太自我貶抑，

在許多方面，台灣絕對是很棒的。

Faits Divers

(1) The Americans don't recycle: I barely see recycle cans, and even when I see them, often times they are empty.
(2) So many books are made of recycled materials: This one is kind of tricky. I always wonder how those papers and materials came from, since they don't recycle at all.
(3) Books are so CHEAP here: I bought "pride and prejudice" the other day, and it costed me only $4.99!!! I suppose it is at least $20 in Taiwan.
(4) 孫子兵法 is really a popular book with many different language translations.
(5) Taiwan is not the only place that drinks cold drinks all day long. These people do as well - and their plastic cups are even bigger.
(6) Summertime in New York may be as hot as in Taiwan, or maybe ever hotter.

(...to be continued.)

Great Neck

Today I’m going to talk about where I stay during my trip to New York. Before getting the scholarship, I wasn’t even thought about going abroad this summer. (All I planned was to get an intern, etc) So it explains that I didn’t have much extra money to spend for this trip. With the support of the scholarship, I can possibly get 1,100NTD per day, which is about $35. And let’s now look at the house rental rate of NYC (here I ignore Manhattan because it is way too expensive, and I also eliminate those places that are regarded less safe for people like me):

(1)Astoria, Queens: $800/month, $27/day.

(2)New Port, New Jersey: $1100/month, $37/day

Obviously, it is impossible to live on the 1,100NTD to live and eat in the city, even without any traveling. So I STRUGGLED between safety and money. I was so so lucky that, at that moment, I was told that I have a far far away relative who lives in long island, New York! It was like the first time I heard this place, and then I soon knew that it was quite far away from NYU. However, it’s like way safer and cheaper…here I am, at Great Neck, Long Island!

Where it is? Actually, it’s not as far away as people thought. It’s just right next to Queens, and it’s quite a nice area - 30mins to Manhattan on LIRR. The best of all, this family is really kind to me- Carol, Robert, Steve, Jeff, Alan, Oscar and of course auntie. It's so funny that, I guess I eat Chinese cuisines even more often when I'm staying here - thanks to auntie! Here is like a relaxing paradise with no pressure but laughter. Everyday when I come back from the tiring school, it feels like at home. I think it's very important to me, since that when I'm abroad alone, I always feel kind of alienated and wanted to belong to somewhere.

Also, it's extremely bustle and hustle in the City. So it's really nice to stay in Great Neck where you can breathe happily while enjoying the convenience of urban lifestyle. Here is the lovely house:

There are so many beautiful houses here, and it's almost like a gallery. Everyday, I can see lots of fireflies in the garden, and I was even told that, the brown bears sometimes do come out and eat our garbage!

Welcome, to the Capital of Capitalism

A Fresh Look At The Big Apple

7/14/2011, Roosevelt Island

It’s my very first time keeping a blog,

Thanks to NY.

4 days after leaving the JFK airport,

I see, I walk, and I eat in the Big Apple.

Frankly speaking, I prefer Paris to Manhattan.

Last Year,

Wandering through the arrondissements of Paris,

I could sense its abundant history and culture.

Walking down the streets of London,

I was stunned by its spirit and cleanness.

Now,

Riding on NYC subways,

I see dirty, danger and coldness.

While promenading on the avenues,

I see extravagance and pressure.

That’s my comment for the City so far.

Honestly, I was depressed.

I dreamed of coming here about a million times.

Friends, Sex and the City, Skyscrapers, Fantastic night views…

Seem to be more wonderful in the movies.

The reality is,

Money counts, talks, and rules all.

Welcome, to the Evil Empire, Capital of Capitalism.