For many of us, work is a matter of busting our backsides just to get by. But there are others for whom work is not only something they enjoy but a whole way of life. Banknote engraver Sun Wen-hsiung is one such lucky soul. After spending some 50 years working for the Central Engraving and Printing Plant, the skills he developed in the course of his career became more than just work for him, to the point that even in his retirement he continues to put them to creative use.
Located in a back street near National Taiwan Normal University, White Wabbit Records is like an oasis in the city, bringing together indie albums from Taiwan and around the globe. Just pick up a headset and you can leave the hustle and bustle of the world behind and set your lonely soul free.
They came to capture images of trains against the backdrop of the blue ocean at the mouth of the Jiajinlin River in Taitung County’s Dawu Township or at Duoliang in Taimali Township. All last year train buffs headed to locations along the South Link Line in Taitung and Pingtung to snap images of its scenery before electrification cluttered the line with poles and before the last of Taiwan’s blue-and-white liveried commuter trains were taken out of service.
Today it is commonplace for people to release their creative musical work on Facebook or YouTube. But it is only in the 21st century that these self-media platforms have become available. Before that, many musicians could only sing to themselves in the shower.
Waves are their sky, and trawler deck their land.
Not nigh is the sea that fishermen survey, but distant.
—Zeng Yuanyao, “Railroad Alley Days”
A National Chengchi University Golden Melody Award is something many music-loving students aspire to, and generations of singers and songwriters first made their marks with one. 2021 will be the 38th year of the awards, giving them a longer history than the Ministry of Culture’s Golden Melody Awards. The works submitted by contestants are increasingly diverse in style, and there is a rich offering of seminars and performances during the awards period.
He made his first crème brûlée when he was in fifth grade. At senior high school, he made apple pies to heal his broken heart when a relationship came to an end. At age 18 he put aside his studies to start his own business. He set up shop at the age of 21. At 24 he closed his flourishing enterprise and went to Taitung to become a volunteer. He is Huang Jie, pâtissier.
Whether for health reasons, out of compassion for animals, or as a dietary exercise to cleanse mind and body, a person’s journey to becoming vegetarian helps them to develop their own unique philosophy on life.
Mountains are a treasure trove. For Shen Enmin, to go into the mountains is to dispel perplexities, to cast a fresh eye on himself, and to reevaluate his priorities.
These vegetarian restaurants don’t base their appeal on health or sustainability, but rather try to stimulate and dazzle the taste buds, so that patrons are bowled over by the delicious flavors of their fare.
