As a #Tayal beginner, I ask my dad how to spell Tayal words. This morning I asked him how to spell “home”.
He sent me back this message, along with his voice clip on how to pronounce them properly Cyux (maki) inu #ngasal su? Where is your home? 你家在哪裡
Ngasal maku ga nyux maki Wulay qalang. My home is now in Wulai. 我的家現在位於烏來部落
My dad gave me a crash course on weather in Tayal language.
Nyux mqwalax la (it is raining)
Nyux shlaqi la (it is snowing)
Smoya saku wagi (I like the sun)
Smoya saku syax na wagi.(I like sunlight)
Mqwalax下雨 （qwalax雨）
shlaqi下雪（hlaqi 雪）
Smoya 喜歡
Wagi 太陽
Syax 光
健康檢查這種東西，真的跟出國讀書選學校、買保險選甚麼方案一樣，都非常需要多方比較。
我這次是想幫爸爸媽媽買個健康檢查，這樣可以早期發現、早期門診追蹤。我們家一般而言都是去萬X醫院，但是該醫院品質有點不一定，而且有時候聽到親友間傳了很雷的經驗，所以不考慮。
萬X醫院的品質真一個雷字了得，可以見幾個月前我家長輩Y住院遇見的狀況：
「轉眼間，Y進加護病房已有段時間，每天狀況都不穩定，很令人七上八下。今天很感動，跟家人進去唱歌給Y聽的時候，他有張開眼睛耶！（聽說Y左眼ok，右眼看不到）不過負責的護理師跑過來，跟我們說我們音量太大會吵到人，也會害她被罵。我不禁對護理教育的同理心訓練之缺乏感到瞠目結舌，當然我了解可能台灣醫療護理體制上先天不良，她要一人顧很多人等等，但她在家屬面前都這樣，很令人懼怕她在家屬不在的時專業是否到位?
這次比較了桃園長庚、聯合仁愛跟國泰三家的健檢，希望可以給有興趣的人一點參考。小家子氣如我，下了很大決心，預算也不過一人兩萬，所以其實能做的健檢不是頂級規格，大家隨意參考就是。
桃園長庚健診中心網站清晰明確，而且方案與價格一目暸然，非常讓人安心。我本來想說給父母選擇兩日型的，可以放鬆住在那邊一晚，但也蠻掙扎，因為全身精緻健診的價格不小心就可能到五或六萬。
打電話過去詢問的結果，說父母目前年紀（六十左右）選擇一日型就很足夠。我看了一下一日型其實不見得差，而且我最在意的相關癌症篩檢都有包括。
對我而言比較可惜是胃鏡麻醉需要提早預約，現在排都要到過年前後才有位置，我時間上沒辦法跟著他們兩個去，所以就暫時作罷。
2. 聯合醫院仁愛院區
聯合醫院仁愛院區是目前讀健康管理的妹妹推薦的醫院，就決定查看看。不過，就瀏覽網站時，有點無法感受出為何他們被推薦 XD 因為網站老舊，資訊雜七雜八，所有的套餐都是各自用 pdf 形式上傳，猶如我國公務機關上傳業務之相關檔案，感受到濃濃公部門的人情味。
雖然說 pdf 上傳所有健檢套餐，有點令人傻眼，但是 pdf 點進去還是蠻一目暸然的。比如說 防癌套餐 檢查項目明細都一應俱全，而且清楚標明男性 22000、女性 24000元。
本來想說幫爸媽選擇「防癌套餐」，因為，癌症篩檢也是我想要幫他們報最在意的項目。但是，由於套餐裡面有無痛胃鏡內視鏡，所以也是要排隊。我本來想要問一下他們到底排隊要排多久，但是發現打到總機轉健診分機把我轉到了麻醉科（分機1121），然後當我開始詢問套餐選擇相關問題，麻醉科接電話的就說要請另外一個分機處理（分機1061或1063），就把我給掛了。由於在那個當下，看到友人花傳來訊息，說覺得仁愛應該沒有很好，我就打退堂鼓，轉戰國泰。
3. 國泰健康管理
國泰真不愧是跨人壽、銀行、醫院、航空業（就是要字面上都國泰都把人家當ㄧ家，ㄟ），網站做的真的很棒，媲美長庚。
我想說都已經決定要健檢了，基礎型的就沒有考慮。比較了一下，決定「超值全日+心腸」真的很適合家族病史本來就有高血壓、心臟病、高血壓、腸胃也有潰瘍問題的。
國泰的敦南電話客服也非常專業，不僅親切解釋各個方案不同，也給我健檢小知識，問她 10 分鐘，絲毫沒有沒耐心的感覺，讚。她講的小知識就是如果家中長輩沒有健檢過，可以先做大腸鏡跟胃鏡。聽說吃太多外食、刺激性的食物，都會長息肉，這些息肉一不注意都可能發展成癌細胞。所以都沒有做過健檢的長輩，可以先參考做大腸鏡跟胃鏡。不過因為內視鏡牽涉到麻醉，都需要等久一點，保守估計至少要預留一個月。
我也問了30出頭女性可以採取甚麼方案，客服建議說參考他們的超值全日（跟半日型差別就在含婦科檢查）。也是蠻貴的，女生要一萬八；優點是可以一個禮拜就可以排到，不需等待一個月。
所以看來健檢真是個學問，多方比較了解才好。之後有更多學習再來分享。
I am so excited about hiking in Lapland! I went around the house and digged out the long-forgotten hiking stuff from the closets. I went to the outdoor shop for the headlamp, sit pad and pants. It was fun to try to gather things from four corners and just hope they work!
This is what I had prepared so far after visiting H:
I showed this picture to Nora, my friend who used to have a life as outdoor guide and worked in an outdoor shop she approved of these gears. It must mean I am not at least too wrong in the preparation process 🙂
I heard that it is snowing in Lapland already. To make sure I will not freeze to death, I have bought and borrowed these babies:
I have always wanted a silk liner, and I would say this hike gives a perfect excuse to acquire one. The sleeping bag and compus are Nora’s. I was impressed that the huge down sleeping bag fits in to this small bag!
To save me from my increasing pressure of anxiety, Nora shared me a list of things to bring based on her experience ♡ I feel that I can finally brethe again! Growing up in Asia, I LOVE to-do lists!! I can hardly function without one. Nora’s list is precisely what I needed.
Stuff for weekend hiking late autumn:
Clothes:
1x waterproof jacket
1x waterproof pants
1x fleece or other warm longsleeve
1x thin down jacket or another warm fleece or something
1x normal outdoor pants
1-2x leggings/thin wool pants
1x thin longsleeve
1x t-shirt (wool if possible)
2x thin wool socks
1x thick wool sock
(save one of the socks for sleeping, the two others can be used simultaneously to lessen chance of blisters)
1x warm hat
1x glove
2x “buff” or other scarf thing (one for neck, one for ears)
2x underwear/bra
(1x hiking towel or other really small one)
Hiking boots (remember to waterproof with spray/wax, depending on material)Own equipment:
Water proof packing bags for clothes
1 sleeping bag
1 foam/plastic sleeping mattress (if not meant for winter use, then take two or one inflatable + one foam)
1 headlamp
1 cup/plate/spork type thing
1 drinking bottle á 1 litre
Toilet paper in mini grip/plastic bag
Insect repellent
Other hygiene stuff of own choice (in as small amount as possible)
Fire (matches/fire steel/lighter) in a mini grip
Compass
First aid pack (including sport tape 2-3 cm to prevent blisters and for example: antiseptic, painkillers, wound-cleaning gauze, sterile dressings, bandage tape, plasters, tweezers, scissors, antihistaminets, sunburn treatment, insect repellent, insect bite treatment, medication for pre-existing medical conditions)
Toothbrush + small tooth paste
(knife or multitool)
(Book to read)
(Sunglasses + sunscreen)Together with other group:
Knife
Tent
Silver tape (to fix things with), maybe repair kit for tent
Trangia/other to make food with
Small sponge to clean food equipment + ecological soap
Gas or other fuel for the burner
Map + waterproof folder
Bag for trash
(Water container to bring water from stream to camp)
Just two days before heading to the north, I found out that Lapland had the first snow of the year! Jeez, I hope I would survive in my tent in the snowy weather! Well, we’ll find out soon enough 😉
What to prepare for hiking in Finnish lapland in Autumn? I have only hiked in Taiwan (twice!) and camped in Åland during the summer (twice!). Well, not exactly an applicable experience, since hiking in Taiwan was really hot and humid, and putting up tent in campgrounds in Åland was not exactly very outdoor-sy (read my experience of cycling and camping in Åland in my blog here). I checked out an all-male group’s experience in Finland’s second largest national park at FIVE DAYS HIKING IN LAPLAND. It’s quiet cool! I am so excited!
Luckily, my dear Finnish friend H who has lots of hiking experience taught me where to look for a smooth hiking experience in Lapland! First and foremost, she pointed out that the national park website of Finland contains insane amount of information for people who want to go hiking! Not surprisingly, hiking in Finnish lapland is featured as one of the must-go places 🙂 I am so excited about seeing the stunning beautiful ruska.
OK, so what to prepare for this stunning trip? This is not a exhaustive list, but it gives some clues for first-timers to do preliminary preparations.
It is amazing to see so many things actually fit in the 65l backpack! I explain below first on meals, then clothing and sleeping, followed by walking through wilderness and other important things to remember.
For meals, it is important to bring camping stove (the round thing with black lid next to the sitting pad) so we can actually cook stuff. You can bring salt and pepper to season the food– I am seriously thinking I can bring my own soysauce and chili sauce. It is also not a bad idea to bring chocolate and energy bars. For utensils, you should pack lighweight spork, eating containers and knief.
For clothing, it is important to have layers that not only keeps you comfy and warm, but also insulate and protect you from rain and wind. We can look at it through three layers (see more at Layering Basics).
For the base layer, synthetics or wool are both fine, but don’t use cotton. The idea of base layer to keep the skin dry and comfortable. If you wore cotton as base layer, you’ll be in trouble if the cotton layer got wet–since it’s real difficult for cotton to get dry.
For middle layer, you want a layer that helps you to keep warm. I think I will dig out my polyester fleece for the hiking trip. Last but not least, you need an outer layer (or shell layer) to protect you from rain and wind. I will try if my water-resistant snow pants would work, otherwise I still need to buy outer pants (preferably waterproof). In addition, wool socks, gloves, hats, mitton and some kind of multifunctional headwear (such as buff) should be included in packing.
For staying, althought we have already booked wilderness cottage but we just want to be on the safe side. H told me warily that one should always be mentally prepared that there might be nothing available and we are on our own. It makes sense to me. That’s why I want to make sure we have tents and prepare my own sleeping bag and slik liner (H recommds silk liner from SPR). If we are camping outdoors, I have to say I am so excited to see the stars in the northen sky!
For walking through the wilderness, I borrowed a pair of shoes from H and I am planning to test them out in one of the rainy days in these two weeks. I want to make sure I don’t have blisters with those shoes on a 11km walking trip. H also recommends the brand called ‘keen’ because they are amazing for outdoor use. I will keep an eye out on this brand from now on!
Last but not least, here are the remaining important points reminded by H. Some of them are already mentioned above but I still wrote it down. You know, as a double reminder.
I was writing the method chapter that deals with indigenous methodologies and critical ethnography. This is an inspiring segment from Grounded Theory in Ethnography that lit up my day. I have been struggling what and how to ask questions during my field work for the past years. This segment is like a torch in a dark tunnel that gives me some sense of direction. For those of you who are not so familiar with ethnography and/or grounded theory, here is a post Difference Between Grounded Theory and Ethnography that might be helpful.
It is a chapter in Handbook of Ethnography, the chapter is written by KATHY CHARMAZ & RICHARD G. MITCHELL. The book was edited by: Paul Atkinson, Amanda Coffey, Sara Delamont, John Lofland & Lyn Lowland and published in 2001. DOI: http://dx.doi.org.libproxy.helsinki.fi/10.4135/9781848608337.n11
Here it goes:
A competent ethnographic study demands time and commitment. Grounded theory can help trim excess work but the core tasks still need to be done. Gathering rich ethnographic data means starting by [Page 163]answering basic questions about the studied phenomena:
From these questions, an ethnographer learns about context and content, meaning and action, structures and actors. Grounded theory can aid ethnographers in getting into these areas; it should not be used as reason to side-step them. Our basic rule: find data, answer the foundational questions, then develop theory. This approach also remedies weaknesses in grounded theory studies, especially those that rely on single accounts given to field interviewers. What people say may differ from what they do. How they explain their actions to each other may not resemble their statements to an interviewer. Moreover, participants’ most important explanations may consist of tacit understandings. If so, then participants seldom articulate them out loud, even among themselves, let alone to non-members.
Image Courtesy: 18th century Ethnography By J. Ratelband & J. Bouwer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
There is no better way to learn how to write by reading what you love. I figure out that while I immerse in the world weaved by Brandon Sanderson. His writing helps me to take a careful and close look at my field notes. It gives me the tool to transform the notes into narratives.
Here is one example from Sanderson’s book. The plot goes that Elend was challenged by his friend about his new position as the emperor. I particular like the way how Sanderson described Elend’s thoughts.
“So you become the Lord Ruler instead?”
Elena hesitated. It felt odd to have another confront him with his own questions and arguments. Part of him felt a stab of fear–if Teldon asked these things, then Elend had been right to worry about them. Perhaps they were true.
Yet, a stronger impulse flared within him. An impulse nurtured by Tindwyl, then refined by a year of struggling to bring order to the shattered remains of the Final Empire.
An impulse to trust himself.
“No, Teldon,” Elend said firmly. “I am not the Lord Ruler. …”
–The Hero of Ages p.280
I like the parts when the characters find who they are. I enjoy celebrating the moment of clarity with the characters. That’s probably why I revisited more than five times the parts when Harry Potter got the lucky portion and got the information about Horocrux from Slughorn.
In addition to making thoughts visible, to make a story great, it is very important to make good use of contrast. A good amount of contrast (and humor) makes reading the text tolerable.
To graduate, I need to make my writing to carry an engaging plot so the readers could tolerate and bear with me.
“Do you know why I dislike men like you, Venture?” Women finally asked.
“My insufferable charm and wit?” Elena asked. “I doubt it’s my good looks–but, compared to that of an obligator, I suppose even my face could be enviable.”
Yomen’s expression darkened. “How did a man like you ever end up at a table of negotiation?”
“I was trained by a surly Mistborn, a sarcastic Terrisman, and a group of disrespectful thieves,” Elend said, sighing “Plus, on top of that, I was a fairly insufferable person to begin with. But, kindly continue with your insult–I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
–The Hero of Ages p.284
能夠有幸參加塔林台灣圓桌會是件很陰錯陽差但是幸福的事，在芬蘭波海這個區域並不是每個人都了解台灣（連中國甚至東亞也不一定了解–基本上就是個西方/歐洲中心的思維），所以這幾年在研討會報告時，一再發生的現象就是我要花一半（甚至以上）的時間來交代到底台灣這個地方，作為我研究的脈絡，到底是什麼怎麼樣的所在。
我很興奮的是，在塔林台灣圓桌會不需要交代這些東西，可以直切議題並做深入討論。我在週五早上八點半從家中出發，拖了個Samsonite登機行李箱跟舅婆手織的泰雅圖騰包就上路了。郵輪早上10點半在西碼頭出發，中午12點半就抵達愛沙尼雅首都塔林。
第一天的活動是下午五點開始，是一個台灣駐拉脫維雅代表處（註一）以「台灣光點」為名的補助活動，由於代表處希望播放司馬庫斯的紀錄片，所以活動就邀請我來稍微分享一下原住民觀點。我的分享主題 “Research as Ceremony: My reconnecting journey home to my Ancestors”，主要是講我怎麼樣從一個被標籤為高度漢化的泰雅部落長大，在主流教體制中向上爬但是卻發現爬得越高、離原住民認同卻越遠，在徬徨的同時，博士班的研究讓我有機會跟泰雅族的奶奶回到部落去，真可說是一種轉捩點與再出發的認同連結。分享之後，許多與會者在會後跟我分享這樣的矛盾與掙扎他們也感同身受，一個馬來西亞長大的同學說明在長大的過程當中雖然家中長輩說中文，但是她從小是在英語/馬來語的環境長大，所以對中文的認同他覺得在我的演講中很有感觸；有些台灣學/漢學的學者知道原住民族，但是不甚瞭解，在那個場合也多瞭解了一點。
我回想到其實幾年前同樣司馬庫斯影片在芬蘭也有播過，那時候以珍珠奶茶吸引大眾來看也蠻有創意的，但是看的人或許不是說有機會跟原住民文化有什麼機會多瞭解。拉脫維亞代表處這種把經費投注在學術交流分享以及尤其專注原住民議題，我真的非常有感動，覺得這是長遠而且有智慧的投資。
與台灣學的學者交流是第二天的重點，我們首先是早上的公開分享，然後接著是下午場的閉門會議討論合作的各種可能性。台灣學學者出席的波海以及芬蘭幾個國家都有，雖然人不多，但是涉獵的議題中國詩詞、漢語教學文言文、台灣民主國興衰、台灣認同與台海關係、台灣社會運動等等非常廣泛。大家也透過我的發表以及司馬庫斯的影片，對台灣原住民的議題有了很立體而且嶄新的認識。所以與其說是我在台灣圓桌會學習，不吝說是一種雙向的學習吧！
後記：
每次坐在電腦前要打字，都覺得很糾結恐懼，覺得自己沒有辦法一鼓作氣打出拍案叫絕的好文章。但猶如記者朋友前兩天在圓桌會 reception提醒我的：「每個人都會寫，文章好不好只是看編輯修改幾次而已。」所以我決定要秉持這個精神來好好練習自己的自信來梳理自己的思緒。
我決定突破這個心結的方式是 Focus free writing ，這是社會工作博士班學生咪挺時學到的字眼，用來突破所謂 writer’s block。
以上就是我針對「塔林台灣圓桌會」做的focus free writing 筆記。
悠久的漢薩同盟而興起的塔林老城
註一：台灣代表處在整個波海三小國只有設一個館，在拉脫維雅。聽說拉脫維雅的僑民很少，除了來來往往的交換生，掐指一數台灣人在拉脫維雅不超過20人。這樣一比，台灣人在芬蘭就稍微多一點，至少我們有快200人（僑胞加上學生），但比起一般熱門的台灣僑居地，北歐/波海還真的是天高皇帝遠的地方。
上週開始玩一款遊戲來練習耍廢放空，遊戲叫做「女神異聞錄」(persona 5, ペルソナ5, Perusona Faibu)
遊戲整體非常美，給我第一印象很好。又有日語旁白，可以練習日文（？
很怕自己手感不佳會卡關，把難度調成簡單，但仍然一度瀕死(((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))
一些網友的攻略好像蠻值得參考的，比如說小知識、彩蛋與疑問。
昨天去田裡散步，發現三個月放牛吃草的田居然有紅蘿蔔跟馬鈴薯在那兒長得超好！
想要進一步了解芬蘭租田的耕讀細節，可以看我在水鹿遇到馴鹿寫的耕讀文。
今年太貪心租了兩塊十平方公尺的田，完全連除草都除不完。幸好有弟弟暑假從台灣飛來幫忙除（ㄟ！）⋯今天才有那麼好的收成。
長得健康的胡蘿蔔
今年第一次收成胡蘿蔔，又激動又興奮，自己從產地到餐桌的過程真是一種療癒又充權的過程。
隨便拔個三株，就那麼多！
¡VOLA! 沒啦 
