論文配足球

現在我人生剩下兩件事就是論文跟足球了，幸好都可以用電腦同步完成，所以最常做的事就是待在電腦前一整天寫論文時間到了開轉播，人在英國實在太幸運了，跟巴西時差沒有很久！頂多十一點就可以睡覺。

好其實，十一點睡覺通常也都是為了德國隊的比賽啊！！！其他就算了啦誰叫我2002年就成為德國隊愛好者！我喜歡他們踢球的方式是表面，我更愛的是他們整支球隊的精神。比起南美洲的華麗腳法（有幾個人真的速度很快傳球位置千奇百怪），歐洲稍稍沒有那麼華麗一點，可是為準備比賽背後的努力根本讓我超崇拜。我覺得，德國永遠都不會只準備100%，而是會準備到120%或150%，對世界杯這種國際盛事，很多球隊都準備得非常充分，可是除了球員狀態外，當地天氣、裁判、對手、地主優勢、還有運氣也都會造成影響，有時候常常看到明明奪冠熱門的球隊卻提前（還提前很多！）出局。可是德國在這方面就比較有餘裕，比較少聽到他們說裁判不公天氣怎樣對手怎樣，就算被淘汰了也通常是徹底的輸了。

當然也有可能我是德國瘋狂球迷ＸＤ所以想出各種他們的優點讓自己更喜歡這支球隊，但是今天看到一則新聞訪問勒夫德國訓練過程，很明顯他就用各種方式訓練自己的球隊，多方考慮後幾乎可以面對大部分問題，我真的很愛這種準備比別人更充分的精神～德國加油～\^o^/

布丁加泡麵

前一段時間布丁加泡麵好像有點紅，尤其經過一些媒體的報導之後變得更出名，聽說美國和日本也都有相關新聞。我一開始覺得有點好玩，不過因為不敢吃泡麵，加上英國也買不太到台灣那種眾多口味的泡麵也沒有超商布丁，所以即使想試也無法。

可是我覺得後來記者在文章中都會用過於誇張的字眼，形容這種吃法是冒險等等，但其實明明沒有啊！布丁的原料基本就是雞蛋、牛奶（高級一點就用鮮奶油）、糖，這三種原料分開加進去湯頭裡也正好可以創造濃郁口感，同樣的三種材料再加上醬油和味霖就可以做成日式煎蛋捲，加上低筋麵粉就可以做成蛋糕，甚至派皮、麵包也都只是這三種材料再加上別的東西，當然過程順序不同，可是也沒這麼神奇吧...等有一天大頭針泡香水會變成皮蛋還可以吃再來用食物大冒險這幾個字。

我比較在意的點是，布丁的製作過程其實跟甜的蒸蛋有點像，將一定比例的牛奶、雞蛋、糖混合，之後拿去烤或蒸（或半蒸半烤）出來就是布丁，但是這種布丁即使加到熱水中也不可能融化，無論攪拌多久，頂多變成很碎的布丁塊飄在水中，所以，加在泡麵裡會融化的布丁的製作過程應該不是這樣。雖然現在沒有辦法直接從超商買個布丁來看看它原料是什麼，但我猜比較有可能是用果凍粉之類的東西做的，會凝結是因為有海藻萃取物，也有可能不是這麼天然，但我不知道也無法確定，這類萃取物在高溫下會融化沒錯，然後布丁內的糖and其他不知道是什麼的東西—就跟泡麵湯混合了。

原本我認為既然不是雞蛋牛奶布丁，那添加的物質可能不是很好，不過其實吃泡麵本來也沒有很健康，而且誰會餐餐吃這種東西啊ＸＤ所以就沒差。不過，還有另外一點比較重要的是，我覺得在任何流行—無論是小熊餅乾拿起來狂搖、各種口味霜淇淋、泡麵布丁—開始時，與其盲目跟隨然後ＰＯ臉書照片，更重要的應該是思考這個東西的合理解釋與其背後的意義，當然，有觀點認為不過就是流行嘛好玩嘛無聊啊試試看，但其實思考能力就是從日常培養的吧！

Oldest Cafe in Helsinki

Ekberg is the oldest cafe in Helsinki. It is famous for its breakfast buffet and coffee. I went there before leaving Helsinki to St. Petersburg. Although the buffet time was over because I arrived there at 10:30, I still enjoyed a sandwich there with a cup of tea. It was really delicious, the cheese inside was dense without a strong flavour, and matched well with tomato and pesto sauce (but not very sure). It was not a complex one but was the one that I would never be bored with.

In fact, the thing happened in Ekberg impressed me the most was the service. When I finished and waited to pay, the waitron (originally focused on her cash register) suddenly looked at my eyes and said 'I would not charged the tea because you waited for a long time' and in one second back to the cash register. Very cool. But still, I felt friendly as well. (kind of complex emotion, different with people in Taiwan or Japan or England) 'Oh, okay' was the only word I could give. But in 3 seconds, I thought why I did not say more like thank you or something else? However, three seconds were too long to reply anything. I just missed the chance, too bad.

72 hours later, when I finished the visiting in Russia, I went back to buy the Champagne cork, which might be the most delicious pastry I have had in my life, seriously. I mean, how can you resist the charming of the service atmosphere and the wicked dessert there?

在聖彼得堡看紅帆節

跪謝在聖彼得堡交換的學妹跟我說六月下旬到聖彼得堡有一年一度慶祝俄國高中生畢業典禮的活動，也就是紅帆節。維基百科說這是為了讓12年級畢業生面對人生下一階段進行的活動，有煙火、現場演奏、紅帆船會開出來，場面豪華。

不過，有個小地方要注意，就是六月20號左右的聖彼得堡已經幾乎算是永晝，天色不會全暗，那煙火怎麼辦呢？所以，我今年在涅瓦河畔等到半夜兩點多才看到煙火，可是非常值得！煙火放了好久，絕對是我人生看過最長的煙火秀。（不過我從沒參加過跨年）

另外，如果想看紅帆那可能要早點卡位，煙火我猜應該很遠也不會錯過，從youtube找來的影片非常好，可以看到完整的經過，所以可以看現場實在覺得我根本太幸運了！！！活動結束後，沿著涅瓦河走過俄國建築搭配燈光，真的是不用拍照、看一眼就會烙印在腦海中的景色。

Dining Etiquette

Chopsticks are the main utensils that many Asian people (at least Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean) use during the process of eating. Therefore, I am very familiar with it and comfortably having my meal with chopsticks. Only in a few of opportunities could I try western dining fashion when I went to western restaurants with my families. But actually, since not many people know clearly about the western table manner in Taiwan, I often did not really care about the way I eat as long as the food going into my mouth.

Also, some Asian people even say that Asian people do well on math because we use chopsticks which is good for brain training. I used to accept this thought because, well okay, it seems that foreigners are awkward when it comes to chopsticks. But then I soon realised that the way I use knives and forks and spoons can be really STUPID, especially after arriving the UK.

When I had lunch with British people, I could not help but noticing how they eat elegantly with utensils. I mean, it is absolutely difficult to cut salad and chicken leg and shrimp! I always hold the fork and the knife tightly, try to remove the part I want to eat from the bone, feeling sweating. So shame... At the same time, British people even don't notice the plate. They just concentrate on the talk and successfully finish the course. I know that both American and European people are used to their utensils. However, I still have to say believing chopsticks are more difficult than forks is ridiculous, and I really need to learn them from the beginning.

I found these videos on the Youtube, they are really helpful.

How Many Chinese Would be Enough?

This is a Taiwanese passport.

Both Taiwan and Republic of China could be seen on the cover of it. Actually, the word China caused me some troubles when I travel abroad. Well, they might not be considered as real troubles. Only some customs officers asked for the visa of other European countries, but then they soon realised that I am from Taiwan, which is visa free for Schengen Agreement countries, not from China.

Another thing is that, I might be wrong, but it seems that those who are not form East Asia think those who are from East Asia are Chinese although they might come from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or wherever! Well, I mean, yes it is a truth that the total population of east asian countries excluding China does not exceed 1.3 billion, so the hit rate of guessing 'this person is from China' is very high. HOWEVER, non-Chinese people do exist. So here I would like to require, if someone is going to start a small talk with, or curious about the nation of an asian face person, please, 'Where do you come from?' is much better than 'Are you from China?'

I have to admit that I have the preconception of Mainland China since the government kept trying to invade Taiwan in economic and politic ways. Despite the preconception, I have some Chinese friends as well. They are nice and kind, and they helped me a lot in my master year. Nonetheless, something upset still happened. When I finished the trip to St.Petersburg and waited in the line to leave the ferry, a Chinese guy in a traveling group started a quarrel with another person. The noise then became louder and louder and hence they drew attention from people waiting there. I firstly observed them with interest until I accidentally heard the whisper from a couple standing near by me.

The husband criticised Chinese people's behavior, and his wife stopped him since 'the person stands there might be Chinese.'

'Eacuse me, NOOOOO!!!!! I am not!!!' I screamed in my mind.

Fortunately, she decided to straight ask me 'are you in the big group there?'

'Oh, no,' thanks god, 'I am not (definitely).' And then we started to talk a little bit about what am I doing in the UK and where do I come from. To me, it is really nice to have an opportunity to explain the nationality. However, people often just guess this asian is from China, and sometimes, connect us with terrible behaviors.

From Helsinki to Са́нкт-Петербу́рг

It is 2 am in St. Petersburg, and the sky won't be darker any more.

'Russian chicks are hot.'

Sorry about that but you might get this answer if asking a Taiwanese what do you come up with when it comes to Russia, including me. I almost know nothing about this country, the language, and the culture. However, when I was a teenager I read a book named after a Russian movie 'Москва слезам не верит'. Literally in English, it would be 'Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears'. I then did learn something in this book, and as a result, have my own romantic imagination of Russia. The buildings there, the emotion to white birch of Russian people, and the literary masterpieces are so attractive that I picture my Russia until I pay my friend, who is an exchange student in St. Petersburg, a visit in Russia.

It is convenient to use the 72 hours visa free system to enter Russia from Helsinki by the ferry. I was very excited when I just arrived, even though my friend strongly implied me that it is not that easy to live in Russia. She called them battle people. 

I would like to emphasize that St. Petersburg is definitely beautiful. But I did meet some terrible things which remind me the implication from my friend 'it is not was to live here' again and again. Some people stared at me (as well as other asian people). It seems that racial discrimination is still a problem which would absolutely influence foreigners here. Also, flipping fingers were showed to us. Needless to say some people bursted into insulting sentences. Actually, I do not understand Russian, but my friends keep telling me to be careful for those who are giving these words.

Nevertheless, some Russian people also had interactions which are very different with European people (sorry but here I would like to consider the UK as a part of Europe). There is no doubt that European people are polite and friendly. Based on this advantage, they also created a distance, which is farer than Russian people. Therefore I sometimes find that it is not easy to be close friend with British, German, Finnish people. In my opinion, they are so polite that maybe they would try hard to think form others' viewpoints. Hence 'if I say that, would he be angry? if I do that, what would she think? maybe offensive?' In spite of the comfortable atmosphere created by the courteous conversation, it seems that people spend longer time to be close friends. 

Well, I am not going to judge which one is better since people would have their happiest way to act. But really, I was impressed by a Russian girl who was interesting and told me a lot of interesting things. Living in Russia is difficult, and therefore those good things could be presented much more clearly.   

This is exactly what I was looking forward.

\Soumi/ \Suomi/

Nice weather, isn't it? 

This is my first time to visit Finland, as well as Northern Europe. I am in Finland. But, I am not in Finland, I am absolutely in Rivendell! Needless to say that everyone learn the manner that 'staring at strangers could be impolite.' But how can I resist to look at those good looking passengers (elves?) on streets? I won't feel any surprise if one of them tell me that 'oh, yes, I am going to celebrate my 301 years old birthday tomorrow~.' 

 This is Helsinki Cathedral. I saw some pictures of it before I am here, but the biggest motivation of visiting here is one of the video of Turisas. Click here. You see Mathias is introducing Helsinki beginning with this cathedral. The atmosphere of this cathedral is very different with those in England. There is no stained glass here, and the decoration is simpler with light colour.

 Suomenlinna is another place that I can't miss in Helsinki. The sunshine here is really good. When I was waiting the ship to Suomenlinna and licking my ice cream corn, I met a guy who lives both in the US and Finland. He said that Finnish people tend to be quiet and the sunshine in California is lovely when I listened carefully to him but at the same time couldn't stop hoping the ice cream corn in my hand stop melting.

Suomenlinna was amazingly beautiful. To me, it created a little blue atmosphere despite the nice weather. I don't know why, but maybe because the history between Finland and Sweden was not that happy? I read something about the history but do not have the opportunity to ask what do modern Finnish resident think about this part. I mean, not from scholars, but from normal people. Even though every individual would have diversity opinions, listening to them would definitely be interesting.

I finished today by having seafood xoxo

Those seagulls kept trying to eat my food, and one of them succeeded once. The gentlemen near me then said he would keep all of the seagull away for me until I finish my meal! That was really kind! I love Finland! 

I am in Finland now

After suffering from the horrible night in Hxxxxrow airport including mice and other things, I am finally in Finland. In the Helsinki airport I saw the only Finnish word I know 'tervetuloa'. Welcome. Well, thank you, that's very nice.

Here began my journey! I love Finland, since I am a big fan of some Finnish bands. Also, When I read the information on the net I thought OMG! I totally have Finnish personality (Where comes the confidence, indeed?). But, just as I said before, when it comes to another culture, people never be prepared.

Finnish people are rather calm and cool, as their weather. Gosh, it is June and I just saw the snow! Alright that's fine, I was surprised by the same thing when I visited Muenchen this April, at the same time I could wear one T-shirt roaming around the accommodation in Nottingham. I still consider they are friendly, they gave or answered EXACTLY what I want. No smile or other useless things. If I live longer as a resident here, I definitely would love this kind of interaction. But it seems to be a little bit cruel for a Finland beginner.

And they do not waste anything here, including the human recourse. No reception in the hotel I booked, they sent me a text (Finnish style!!! you see!!!) and told me the code of my room, so I could check in by myself. Then when I went to the supermarket, I firstly saw no one, but when I finished the shopping and the keeper appeared! It seemed that he was counting something back in the store. Really, I did not meet any of those situations when I was in England, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands.............

That's Finland.

I still love it, for one more reason, people here ignore me.

P.s. I am really lucky that the hotel is near Hellsinki the heavy metal store!! Must go there. Also the Moomin store~~~~~~

The Nationality and Faces

I am Taiwanese, but I am very often thought as Japanese by many people worldwide, including Japanese and Taiwanese. When I traveled to the US and to continental Europe, people thought I am Japanese and therefore talked to me with their cute but limited Japanese. That's okay for me since I know most foreigners, especially not from east Asia, could not tell the difference between Asian people. However, when Japanese and Taiwanese (hey...we are from the same country okay?) start to say the same thing, I am increasingly interested in the reason why they say that.

The first reason I came up with is I speak fluent Japanese. Okay, but millions of foreigners (I mean, to Japanese we are foreigners) in the world speak Japanese, and we Taiwanese learn English as well, but why we did not look like American or Australian or English people?

Then I thought it might has something to do with the history. Taiwan was a colonial of Japan. My grandparents were deeply influenced by Japanese culture, as a result, they act, talk, live like senior Japanese. Therefore, they influenced my parents and then me. (Got to make sure if my siblings are considered as Japanese.)

Or maybe, Taiwanese people actually have no features, hence we easily coloured by the culture we are interested in. My Japanese learning friends look like Japanese, Korean learning friends look like Korean, and even though it takes time, those professors teaching German or French were changed by the culture they spent time with. Here I have a question for non-Asian people, does the similar situation happen in your country? (Hopefully someone would answer me someday...)

But why we Taiwanese have no individual features? Well the problem is probably caused by the history of Taiwan. Long long ago, Taiwan was invaded (or colonised) by Spanish people, and then the Dutch, and then Japanese, finally some Chinese people came here and mixed with Taiwanese. Ancient Taiwanese might be the mix of ancient Chinese and original Taiwanese, but the history influenced us too much that we now have our own story.

Wait, I just said we have the own story but we do not have individual features? Yes, that the biggest problem. People talked the romantic French, polite Japanese, elegant English... but what did we have? Maybe we have too much, so the exotic gene will be activated once we are interested in some culture?

Now I am in the Heathrow airport waiting for the plane going to Helsinki. I will know if people there would consider me as Japanese.

濃情比利時 La Venise du Nord

比利時的布魯日實在太美，我那天才待幾小時就拍了一堆照片，很想全部上傳，但還是稍微選了一下，非常捨不得那些無法出現在這裡的啊！我們在比利時的三天都是住布魯塞爾，但也沒有特別看特惠車票什麼的，純粹因為大家都說布魯日必去。那邊天氣晴朗，照片真的都好美。我覺得歐陸比英國更注重放假，週日早上英國還會有些超市營業，歐陸很多都是全天關閉，像布魯日這種小鎮，居民還會午休，12:00-2:00全鎮都休息了。

這邊也有很多蕾絲小鋪跟手工巧克力店，買一小塊手工蕾絲（約20X20cm）不會很貴，大約五歐，是非常棒的擺飾或伴手。

火車上

布魯日的廣場！好可愛，比利時也說法文是法國鄰居，可是整
體氣氛完全不同，歐洲每個城市都有自己的個性與獨特美感。

廣場一隅

進入童話般的鎮上！我只用手機拍，但是清澈優雅感完全不減。

可以搭船

巧克力店午休中

小提琴製作工坊，讓我想到紅色小提琴那部電影。

薯條是比利時發明的，但是因為強大的法國鄰居，好像一般誤傳成法國。

滿滿比利時啤酒的機車

布魯日蕾絲也很出名，這張路邊地圖是用蕾絲織的！
天啊下雨的話怎辦？都心疼了～

非常喜歡歐洲的招牌

總而言之，童話小鎮！超級推，一個月後我弟也來，一樣愛炸，還買了蕾絲給家母當伴手，打skype告訴她時完全開心瘋了。