Plata quemada (English: Burnt Money) (2000)

Today I watched a movie "Burnt Money." That was great! At the beginning, I didn't like the topic, not because a topic of homosexual, but because of it's advocation of crime and drugs. However, later I seem to understand that there probably an internal causality in this context. The society rejected these two guys and forced them to become criminals. I was amazed by the whole story was based on a real one happened in Buenos Aires in 1965. It was also a novel written by Ricardo Piglia, which won the 1997 Planeta prize. My surprise was such a touching story was a fact, not a fiction.

A Blue Day

After two final exams, I finally got a week off to take a rest. However, I still have homework to finish. I am burn out now. Once I am frustrated and under pressure. I become addicted on sex. To get rid of this, I would go to library tomorrow.

MBA Summer Reception in Taipei

To attend an MBA Summer Reception in Taipei held by a renowned consulting firm, I took a coach to Taipei this Wednesday and returned home next day. Although I had to spend about 4 hours for each trip and only stayed in Taipei overnight, it has been a rewarding participation because it ignites my interests in management consulting. I may put consulting as my priority of job search.

The host of this presentation is the firm's partner, who is in charge of the great china region and is very charming and even look like Jude Law. In the Q&A session, I forced myself to ask one question, something I require myself to do so that I can train myself how to perform in front of the public. To pursue an MBA, I have to challenge myself and change my personality to become more talkative, eloquent and logical. Looking at him, I realized that I need to talk with more confidence, articulate each word, and exude my feelings and passion to each person in the room. This would be a big challenge for me because I don't think I am good at speech and interview.

After the reception, this company treated all attendees a delicate dinner in Shin Yeh 101. It was a luxury meal with abalone, lobster, etc. Two consultants sat next to my in turn and I was able to understand more about consultant career life. Via such an event, I also got to know more MBA admits and later kept in touch with them by networking website.

The American Dream of Bruce Lee

I've heard a lot about Bruce Lee, but I have never try to seriously understand who he is and what he has done until today I watched the movie called "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" starring Jason Scott Lee. This movie gave me a rough idea of Bruce's life and stimulated my interests in his story. This movie shaped him having an American dream and saying himself as an American. However, he did not succeed in the U.S. until he turned to star in the Hong Kong movies. The discrimination did limit his career development in the U.S. and eventually it is his birthplace that brought him to be a superstar. This story line reminds me of my current situation. Will I succeed after leaving Taiwan for the States?

Furthermore, Obama defeated Senator Clinton to become the first African-American candidate for the American president election. Some critics said that the U.S. has gone through a big change after Martin Luther King's speech about "I have a dream" in the 1960s and that this result has proved that nowadays no matter the white or black both have the opportunity to run the presidential election. I am kind of suspicious of this conclusion.

Memorable Quotes

Linda: "Its okay, Im awake"
Bruce: "I was working on game of death, lost track of time. The kids okay?"
Linda: "Dont you ever get tired of asking that question?"
Bruce: "Linda, we've been through this before - I dont have a choice"
Linda: "You might not, but I do. Im taking the kids and going home for a while."
Bruce: "Home is here for now!"
Linda: "No... here is where we watch you work!"
Bruce: "What do you want me to do?"
Linda: "I want you to come with us"
Bruce: "I worked in America for 10 years - and what it get me? It got me nothing!"
Linda: "It got you me"
Bruce: "Oh man... [pause] they got such a good line of bullshit. 'Come and get it! America! The mountain of gold! Its for everybody! Yeah! its for everybody white but they dont tell you that! You gotta read the small print [pause] if you can read"
Linda: "I am not America! Your kids are not America! Dont push us away... Were going... I want you to come with us... I want the kids to have a father again."
Bruce: "Dont lay any guilt trips on me! Im NOT taking any guilt trips!"
Linda: "This place is eating us up, cant you see that Bruce!?"
Bruce: "This place has given us a life! Im SOMEBODY here, Im SPECIAL. Back there Im just another GOOK! Just another.. wet back.. Charlie Chan.. low payed dishwasher in a stinky stinky restaraunt!! - Starch your shirt Mr. White man! Pleasee! No ticky, no shirty, a one from colum A, and one from column B! Me happy to build the railroads! Me happy to dig the mines for you Mr. WHITE-MAN!!!" [visibly distressed] IS THAT WHO I AM? IS IT? TELL ME, TELL ME THATS WHO I AM!!!"
Linda: "I DONT KNOW who the hell you are anymore! [pause] Do you?"

The First Birthday Gift for My Father

Yesterday was my father's birthday. Although it had been raining all day long, I took my bike to a supermarket in the downtown to buy a shaver and foams as president for him. This was the first time that I gave my father a birthday gift. I was embarrassed to do so. Thus, I gave a red envelope with $3,000 inside, a mission that my brother asked me to execute and he would pay me back later. My father asked me how my brother could arrange this because my brother was in Taipei. To prevent my father decline this red envelope, I said my brother gave the money to me earlier when I was still in Taipei. To my surprise, my father didn't say much and accept this red envelope. Therefore, I promptly gave him the birthday gift to him. I noticed he always used a plastic shaver and had to clean the razor after using it each time. I think he needs a better shaver. Today, my father unpacked the shaver but had some trouble to put the razor into the shaver. I helped him with this and answered his question about where to buy these razors.

My father didn't ask why my brother gave him red envelop and why I gave him a gift. That means he actually remembered his own birthday. I feel shameful that so many years had passed and I had not given any birthday gift to him before. I think it does not really matter what I prepare for him on his birthday. What counts is that at least I should express something to him. I did not say "Happy birthday to you!" words that I felt difficult to spell out. I should try to enhance our mutual interaction and communication this summer because I don't think I will return home in 2 years after my departure from Taiwan.

Dinged by a Top MBA School

Waiting for the final notification all day long and unable to concentrate on anything, I finally got the result just now. Sad… I was rejected by the top MBA school. So, this notification concluded my MBA application and I will start to pack my baggage to move back Taiwan.

Last night, a serious argument and debate first on Skype and then in email happened between my business partner and me. I tried to point out his weakness that made him work overtime again and again but my words incurred his discontent and prompted him defensive. I was doing so to ensure the company can run smoothly after my leave. I don't want the company collapse after my quit.

Falling In Love at the First Sight

Yesterday, waiting right from the Starbucks in the malls of Oriental Plaza for quite a few time, I eventually saw the face similar to the one showed online. Lisbon ordered an espresso for himself and treated me a Latte. We then had a casual talk. His blue eye was shining.

Unable to pick up a decent restaurant for our lunch, I guided him to Chamate, a Taiwanese chained restaurant. We ordered too many dishes. While I was doing my best to each as much as possible, he only ate a few. He said he wasn't hungry. While he spoke, I stared at his blue pupils. He explained that his brothers and sisters have different colors of pupils from green to orange brown. He was born in Mozambique and his father somehow moved back to Portugal at the age of 40 with nothing, no property and money. Sometimes I still missed some information from his talk, but I think I caught the code behind his eyes.

He said he wants to be along with me.

He said he loves me.

He said he will call me.

At 5:00 p.m. I just left him, and got a text message from him telling me that he already missed me and was glad to have meeting me.

After more than 2 years' single life, I seem to be falling in love with Lisbon. Oh, and one thing I didn't tell him: sometimes when I stared at him, I felt his eyes and face resemble my ex so much.