Reading the local newspaper.
Hello there,
Today is Sunday, December 21, 2008, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. I stayed at home to read.
While I read a piece of news on the Taiwan local newspaper that said:” There are 3 undersea cables broken at December 19 2008, GMT 8:00 am .According BBC news ….. “, I surfed on the internet immediately to find out what the English speaking press said. And I found a BBC news report , quoted it a little bit as the following:
1. Internet and phone communications between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia have been seriously disrupted after submarine cables were severed.
2. For this to happen twice in one year, on the same cable, is a serious cause for concern.
It’s weird, because my internet connection has not been affected at all. Then, I reread my local newspaper, and found that there was a map on the newspaper which indicated that Taiwan is a spot of the pacific submarine cable connection. It reminded me that the spot of the submarine cable in Taiwan is in Ilan County in which is my hometown. Carry on it, I found an old piece of news which is a notable event of the submarine cable broken:”The 2006 Hengchun earthquake on December 26, 2006 rendered numerous cables near Taiwan inoperable. “
After the above procedure, I started to write the blog entry of this one. That is one of my ways to write. As you can tell that I read a lot before writing, and I also gained a lot by reading, that is for sure.
It is winter solstice today; Taiwanese families traditionally eat pink and white Tanyuan, symbolizing family unity and perfection. The following photo is the Tanyuan that I ate today after dinner in the evening.
Best wishes, and be healthy.
James Wu (Wu Zhih Cheng), Taiwan
PS: What I meant above the words”undersea cable / submarine cable”, its official term is “optical submarine telecommunications cable.
Comments
Hi James! Although I have a broadband connection, sometimes I have some problems. Wireless connection has recently become widespread over here. So true! Reading opens our minds. I find your posts very interesting. If you celebrate Xmas, have a good one!!
Hello James! Your daily post was so useful for us too. The serial drawn from your daily life is a wonderful idea. I appreciate a lot all the work and entertainment it had been giving me through reading it. Now, I do know and agree that there are places and qantity of people for whom celebrating christmas give no meaning. It is the mistake some people making the meaning proclaim here that all people on the world celebrate it. You was all, amusing, witty, hardworking enviable husband and parent, just as you have said symbolizing family unity and perfection. Best wishes!
Hi James! I’ve read my comment on your blog and found some errors and typo. So I’ve decided to send a correct comment, if you don’t mind. Here I go. Your entries are always interesting and you bring a few unusual subjects like a toilet or what you do on duty as a prosecution. I’ve always read your subjects with great pleasure and curiosity. Today’s entry reminds me of one of my wonderful mother sayings to her seven children -you must try hard to stay away from a police, a lawyer and judge. She always warms us that they will sting your life. I think these powerful messages from mum teach us about how we must behaviour to get along with others and live harmoniously and look after ourselves well. James, I think you’re one of the most interesting blogmates and I am really surprised when I learn that you spend so many hours on writing each of your entries for us. I salute you and like to say “ thank you so much”. I am looking forward to reading another fabulous entry of yours.take carexx
Hello James I am so glad to read the article about winter solstice today.After two month studing in Germany,i totally forgot the importance of this day,but when i get online on the MSN messager,i saw my friends's title."Today is winter solstice today,where can i eat Tanyuan?" I was so excited when i read this.Yes,i need to find the Tanyuan.But in Germany,Asia Market close on sunday.Fortunately,my Taiwanese friends gathered together and cooked Tanyuan together.So i was so lucky to eat this on the right time. By the way,i like your post,i will read more detailly which you posted last year.
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