“What does freedom mean to you?” This question, asked by a renowned journalist from Hong Kong, came during the keynote presentation of the country-wide orientation for my new teaching position. As a newcomer to the island, I feel a lot of individual freedom in Taiwan. It’s obvious why one-year grantees end up staying here for… Continue reading “What does freedom mean to you?” / One Month in Taiwan
Category: Taiwan
[四海为家]: Returning to myself in Taiwan
A chéngyǔ is a Chinese idiom that is typically written in only 4 characters. One that I’ve been reflecting on this past week is 四海为家 (sì hǎi wéi jiā), which literally translates to “four seas regard home”. A decade ago, I would have understood this to mean exactly what it implies: the ability to make… Continue reading [四海为家]: Returning to myself in Taiwan
On Perceiving and Being Perceived / Wandering in [西門町]
I’ll tell you a secret: for the past few years, I’ve developed an anxiety of wandering alone in large public spaces. It’s not that I can’t pass through a market without having a breakdown. But any time I have to go out, I have to mentally prepare myself. I have to tell myself to function… Continue reading On Perceiving and Being Perceived / Wandering in [西門町]