Yesterday was the official transfer of power from the outgoing Tsai Ing-wen government to the incoming Lai Ching-te government. Last week there were daily flyovers by military helicopters and fighter jets in formation, practicing for Monday’s ceremonies, I think. Here are some videos from the balcony of our apartment: And yesterday it finally happened–the interval… Continue reading Inauguration Day!
Tag: Taiwan
On Catching the Aftershocks
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while! I’ve been working intensively on the book manuscript lately and that’s absorbed most of my writing time and energy. Here’s a post I’ve had lingering in my file but hadn’t quite finished… As I wrote earlier, S and I missed the big earthquake that hit Taiwan on April 3. When… Continue reading On Catching the Aftershocks
On Missing an Earthquake
At 7:58 am on Wednesday morning, a greater-than-7.0 earthquake hit Taiwan. At 8:02 the first message came through my LINE account (instant-messaging app used in Taiwan) to a group of Fulbrighters: “Hi guys! Just checking in…earthquake just happened. Everyone ok?” In the hour or two afterward, dozens of messages. People checking in, sending photos of shattered… Continue reading On Missing an Earthquake
Fluency or bust!
Sometimes when I tell people that I teach Chinese history they will ask, “Can you speak Chinese?” Answer: yes; that’s one of the skills required to get a job like the one I have. But sometimes they will ask, “Are you fluent in Chinese?” And that question always gives me pause. It depends on what… Continue reading Fluency or bust!
Proof that the universe has a sense of humor
One of my favorite moments in Taiwan so far: A few weeks ago I was at the new year’s dinner that Academia Sinica’s Institute of History and Philology (IHP) hosts for its employees. The IHP is my host organization for this stay in Taiwan. It is the oldest and one of the larger institutes belonging… Continue reading Proof that the universe has a sense of humor