Aging Europe

Although almost every country in the world is facing this critical problem, it is more severe to most European countries because their social welfare system is undermined. BBC has a report about German baby bust.

I believe many economists must have forseen such a issue long time ago. It seems it is difficult to find a balance between the welfare benefit and the government's fiscal policy. Many countries have been reforming their social security systems, but it doesn't save much. Will people become richer or poorer in the future? Let's hope we can find a solution before we know the answer.

French reform?

Millions of French students went on strikes to protest over the government's new job law. BBC said:

Protesters are bitterly opposed to the CPE, which allows employers to end job contracts for workers under 26 at any time during a two-year trial period without having to offer an explanation or give prior warning.

If the old people, such as Chirac, really cares about the youth, why doesn't he step down and give the power to young people?

Do you know...?

Do you know that the following brands are from Taiwan:

Acer, Asus, BenQ, Gigabyte, Hiwin, Trend Micro,D-Link, Giant, etc.

Can you name more?

A nice article explains about Why Taiwan is an IT hardware giant.

Worldwide Pension Reform

As most people can see, the old Europe has faced severe problems in their social welfare policies. The assiduous system has grown into an unbearable burden to the governments. According to Bloomberg, the German government plans to spend a thrid of this year's budget to top up the pension account.

Not only in Europe, the decrease of birth rate and old aging are the critical issues to the current pension system in every country. Taiwan launched its new pension system in last July, and China also reformed its pension system in 1997 and again in 2005.

Are the new generations going to pay more and receive less in their life? How can we solve those problems in time, if we are responsible enough?

That is my interest and the research which I would like to do in the near future.

Nightmare

Stress increases as the exams approach. Nightmare and a lot of nonsense dreams annoy me every night. I'm so scared that I might fail. Why am I so stupid? Am I not qualified for doing research?

I will talk to my professor tomorrow. I plan to write a proposal at this weekend, but I even don't know how to write! Perhaps his advice will help.

Chen Mingchan 陳明章

He is one of my favorite Taiwanese musicians. His music touches me a lot and delivers the utmost nostalgia into my heart. I have collected almost all of his albums with his autograph. You can't and should not miss his music if you love Taiwan. His music makes you feel closer to this island. For more information about his music, please visit his official website: www.cmcmusic.com.tw.

Taiwan food is great!

I went to a Taiwanese restaurant, Taiwan Cafe, in Boston yesterday. I didn't know it until yesterday. The food is great, and the price is reasonable. I think I will visit there more often in the future. Taiwanese food is the most delicious!

Preparation for research

My interest is about the American social security system and analyze the possibility of its application to Taiwan. I will start to read some papers and books about that topic, and I will talk to my future advisor soon. Hopefully my brain can generate a well-organized idea at this weekend.

Precious Joy

Sometimes I feel that life has more bitterness than happiness. But now I can enjoy both, because life needs some spice. Joy might be scarce; that's why it is so precious that we should cherish every joyful moment. Enjoy your life. C'est la vie!

Hope

Hope is the power for living, and love is the reason for living. I need both.

A Love That Will Never Grow Old

written by Gustavo Santaolalla / Bernie Taupin
performed by Emmylou Harris
Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack

Go to sleep, may your sweet dreams come true
Just lay back in my arms for one more night
I've this crazy old notion that calls me sometimes
Saying this one's the love of your life.
Cause I know a love that will never grow old
And I know a love that will never grow old.

When you wake up the world may have changed
But trust in me, I'll never falter or fail
Just the smile in your eyes, it can light up the night,
And your laughter's like wind in my sails.

Lean on me, let our hearts beat in time.
Feel strength from the hands that have held you so long.
Who cares where we go on this rugged old road
In a world that may say that we're wrong.

Absolute Taiwanese!

Pro-Taiwan supporters march in protest against China, marking the second anniversary of China's 'anti-secession law,' Saturday, March 18, 2006, in Taipei, Taiwan. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered to denounce aggressive threats from rival China including the more than 700 missiles aimed at the island. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

REUTERS/Richard Chung

Two types of residents in Taiwan

Pro-Taiwan

Pro-China

The first type expresses her love to mother Taiwan. The other type only knows hatred toward Taiwanese.

We love Taiwan!

More than 100,000 Taiwanese people march through the streets in an anti-China rally in Taipei March 18, 2006. Organisers estimated 100,000 people joined the march to mark the first anniversary of China's passage of the Anti-Secession Law that authorises war if Taiwan declares formal independence.

REUTERS/Jameson Wu
Reuters - Mar 18 4:20 AM

Speak Out for Taiwan!

There will be a march tomorrow in Taiwan to protest against China's threat. No Taiwanese can be absent in that March if (s)he really loves Taiwan. Unfortunately, those pan-blue people do not dare to shout to China. All they can do, and what they exactlz do everyday is anti-President Chen. If they are so unhappy to live in Taiwan, why don't they just get out of Taiwan and go back to their bloved China or anywhere they think is better than Taiwan?

Taiwan only needs those who love her!

Spring v.s. Winter

This photo was taken in last November on the campus. The winter has lasted almost for half year. That's the key reason why I don't want to stay in the northern countries. Yes, snow is beautiful. But the freezing temperature is not pleasant at all.

Now I really can feel the winter and the spring are fighting because the weather changes rapidly. Hopefully the spring will win!

Fleeting Joy

The last midterm was just finished tonight. Finally there is no more exam or homework until the weekend. The professor is also very kind to cancel tomorrow's class. To celebrate this temporary relaxation, my classmates and I will have lunch together in Chinatown tomorrow (Wednesday).

Although I didn't finish all the problems in the exam tonight, the feeling is much better than that after Micro and Macro exams. Let's hope for the best!

Bad grades

My grades of Macro and Micro midterms are so bad! Both are below the means. Do you still think I can survive after this summer? It seems I will never catch up my fellows, no matter how hard I study.

So frustrated, as always.

Macbook Pro

I'm thinking about buying a Macbook Pro. I never used Mac before, but Microsoft Windows really sucks. Hopefully I won't deiappointed about Mac.

My only concern about using Mac is the availability of software.

Econometrics

The midterm exam of Econometrics will take place on next Tuesday. I find it very interesting but somewhat abstract. The most important task to understand and remember all the definitions. Once you have done that, the rest is simply a trick.

The spring break is over. No more break until the final judgement.

Spring comes

The temperature is rising now. Hopefully it means that the spring is arriving. However, I still can't go anywhere because of the coming midterm exam. This is the most difficult year of my life, full of challenges and frustration.

I've never felt so desperate before like I am now. No more words can express my current feeling. The same words, as usual: do my best until it prvoes I can't.

Pride or Shame?

Many people in Taiwan, especially in Taipei, are proud of themselves because they think they can speak English very fluently. But most of them do not and can not speak Taiwanese, and they don't feel a shame of that. In fact, they consider Taiwanese language or culture low-class. If those people do not feel proud of being Taiwanese, why do they still choose to live in Taiwan?

That's a big and serious problem in Taiwan now. We're educating too many such people who don't regard Taiwan as their mother country. Taiwan is a pride to all Taiwanese, because she raises us and offers us food and everything we have now. But those people who don't consider themselves Taiwanese, are shames to themselves. I sincerely wish they could move out of Taiwan immediately!

Spring Break

Spring has not come yet, and the winter is still hesitating. Rain, snow, and wind visit in turn to prepare a farewell to the winter. Hopefully the srping will truly arrive after the break.

However, the spring will not arrive until I pass the qualification exams. I need good luck.

Here I Am

This is where I have been. A decision that has changed my life is pressing me to nowhere. The fear inside my heart never stops on a single day. No chance to turn back to where I was. No time to think twice. Here I am, to beat myself.

I must overcome all the difficulties ahead. Do my best!

Frustrated Life

I knew I didn't do my midterm exams well last week. However, I don't have feeling about frustration any more. Worries and stress are going to control my life, though it may be too early to make a conclusion now. Nothing is really a big deal if I fail or succeed at the end. Just do my best and enjoy this process as much as I can. That's exactly what we call "life", isn't it?

This one-week spring break gives me some time to prepare for the Econometrics midterm exam and to review Macroeconomics. If I am not smart enough to pass two qualification exams at the same time, at least I'll haveto pass Macro first. Wish me good luck!