Bliss English Club

My Dear Blissers,

No one can deny the one who controls the Media is the boss especially in the networking media age!

How can Blissers recognize the truth from the bulks of transferred or intentional misleading Fake News?

Did the government regulate to inhibit or back it up instead?

This coming Saturday, Our Senior and informative Blisser, Kurt, is going to unveil the myth and shield us with the knowledge against such big wave of Fake News~

Welcome to jump on the wagon on July 27, 2019!

Kurt’s Introduction:

The explosive growth of information and its erosion to democracy, justice, and public trust increased the demand for fake news detection. Fake news is a neologism often used to refer to fabricated news. This type of news, found in traditional news, social media, or fake news websites, has no basis in fact, but is presented as being factually accurate. In order not to be misleading by that fake news, it is mandatory to learn how to distinguish the truth of information. In this meeting, I want to share/discuss my experience to deal with the fake news.

Guided Questions:

What’s the misinformation you hear most frequently?

How do you handle this kind of fake news?

Would you speak out the truth?

Meeting agenda:

14:30 - 14:45 Warm up and self-introduction

14:45 - 14:55 Experience sharing

14:55 - 15:50 Group discussion

15:50 - 16:00 Break time

16:00 - 17:10 Clip watching and brain stone

17:10 - 17:30 Q and A

<Recap of Bliss Meeting “The Ocean Cleanup” by Wen on July 20, 2019

Date: July 20, 2019

Host: Wen

Topic: The Ocean Cleanup

Attendees: Wen, Tony, Annie, Carmelo, Antonio, Hanny, Ellen, David

Meeting photo link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/f8uyqr1UjaRLpw1r7

Guided questions:

1.  Can you live in a world without plastic? Which parts is most difficult to you?

2.  What we can do to protect our earth from plastic pollution in our daily lives?

3.  What action you have taken for plastic pollution?

4.  Do you know the organization "The Ocean Cleanup?

Meeting started

Our handsome Host, Wen proceeded the meeting smoothly as scheduled and grouped us to discuss each guided question about “Ocean Cleanup” thoroughly as follows:

:

1. How it began

In 2011, Boyan Slant, a Dutch engineering genius when he vacationed in Greece, and found more plastics than fishes in the ocean. He started his Ted talk to call up people to change the world of plastics. At age 19 in 2013, he founded NGO, The Ocean Cleanup, aiming to clean up all the plastics in the ocean!

2. How has it done from 2013~till now

Their team experimented on System 001 from the original sketch, the Manta, sea anchor, the sea wave powered, anchored to the seabed, and then recent launch of upgraded System 001/B entailing two options to speed up or slow down .

3. What it tells us:
1. Age is never a barrier ~ Boyan Slant, a 19-year-old CEO and founder

You cannot dream big not because you are old; whereas, you are old because you stop dreaming big!

2. Midas Touch, an irreversible tragedy

The allegory teaches us people need to sacrifice more if they wish to have Midas touch! Likewise, people need to pay more after they started to use the easy-molding, low cost mass-produced plastics!

3. Can the Ocean Cleanup solve the plastic pollution?

It is sad to say that the plastics dumping speeds millions of times over than the cleanup! According to Greenpeace, 8.3 billion times of plastic have been produced since the 1950’s, and only 9% of this has been recycled. 12.7 million tons of plastics end up in the world’s oceans every year."

We also found that the trash not only from developing Southern Asian countries but also imported from the U.S.A. and European countries to dump into Asia!

Therefore, to fight against plastic pollution becomes everyone’s obligations!

4. How can do with plastic pollution?—changing our buying and consuming habits

(1).Reduce: Bring our own table ware, cup or box and reduce the unnecessary packaging or buy biodegradable goods!

(2).Reuse: Don’t ask for one-time-disposal plastic goods! If yes, please try to reuse them!

(3)Recycle: Assort your trash into different kinds for recycle.

Reflection:

We thank Wen’s well-prepared information about Ocean Cleanup, and the attendees’ feedback, from which we learned to cherish the natural resources and make wise use of plastic and eco-friendly products. Only with such environmental awareness, we can prevent from the upcoming plastic disasters in the globe! Cheers and stay tune! 

--

My dear Blissers,

Do you know ocean garbage patches are vast and dispersed?

Can you do something with it?

This coming Saturday on July 20, 2019, our handsome and intelligent Blisser, Wen, is going to lead us to discuss the important issue with us.

Without further undo, welcome to join us and prepare the guided questions before the meeting.

Guided questions:

1.  Can you live in a world without plastic? Which parts is most difficult to you?

2.  What we can do in our regular live that can protect our earth from plastic pollution?

3.  What action you have take for plastic pollution?

4.  Do you know the organization "The Ocean Cleanup?

Agenda：

1.     Self-Introduction

2.     Plastic pollution and our regular live

3.     Single-use plastic and microplastic

4.     News from world wide plastic pollution

5..     "The Ocean Cleanup" Project update   

6..     Question and discussion

<Bliss Recap of “My Trip in America” by Aaron on July 13, 2019

Date: July 13, 2019

Host: Aaron

Topic: My Trip in America

Attendees: Annie, Aaron, Mike Young, Levina, Stephanie, Tony, Angel, Antonio, Winnie, Lynn

Meeting photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jBpXK3kNxrSp59po7

Meeting started….

In general speaking, it seemed that everyone got something to say on the topic for over ten people attended Aaron’s first meeting today!

Part I. L.A."Creative Capital of the World"

Los Angeles is known as the above because one in every six of its residents works in a creative industry and there are more artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers and musicians living and working in Los Angeles than any other city.

Firstly, he warmed up by grouping us to discuss the following questions and asked us to present the answers accordingly.

(1)   If you go to other country, which one do you want to visit? City or country? Why?

(2)   Have you been to Los Angeles? If yes, do you like it? Why or why not? If no, do you want to go to L.A.?

(3)   The most progressive city in Taiwan is Taipei, do you like this city? Why or why not?

(4)   Discuss with your partner about 3 pros and 3cons of Taipei.

The questions are life-related so Blissers expressed their ideas comprehensively. Some people would like to choose Boston or L. A. as ideal places, others choose Japan! As for Q3, Taipei needs more improvements on construction and street regulation enforcement although it is acclaimed for the clean MRT and Barrier-free space.

Then he started talking about the geography of L.A.

The city of Los Angeles covers a total area of 1302 square meter, comprising 1214 square meter of land.  Los Angeles is both flat and hilly. The highest point in the city proper is Mount Lukens at 1,547 m, located at the northeastern end of the San Fernando Valley. The eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains stretches from Downtown to the Pacific Ocean and separates the Los Angeles Basin from the San Fernando Valley. Other hilly parts of Los Angeles include the Mt. Washington area north of Downtown, eastern parts such as Boyle Heights, the Crenshaw district around the Baldwin Hills, and the San Pedro district.

Surrounding the city are much higher mountains. Immediately to the north lie the San Gabriel Mountains, Its high point is Mount San Antonio, locally known as Mount Baldy, which reaches 3,068 m. 

Climate of L.A. :Mediterranean climate rainfall during winter

Los Angeles has plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually. The coastal region around Los Angeles has a climate comparable to coastal areas of southeastern Spain such as Alicante or Elche, in temperature range and variation, in sunshine hours and as well as annual precipitation levels.

Landmarks of L.A.

A.     LACMA short for Los Angeles County Museum of Art

He showed us the exhibitions as follows:

(1)   Urban Lights

Artist: Chris-Burden Year-2008; 202 street lamps with 309 bulbs

(2)   Rainroom Artist-Random International Year-2012 Walk in the rainfall without getting wet.

B.      Universal Studio

Other than movie scenes like “Jaws”, “Earthquake”, it adds the scenes of “Harry Potter” which attracts many thousands of children each year!

C.      Disneyland The most favorite for adults and children!

D.     Hollywood

The city's Hollywood neighborhood has become recognized as the center of the motion picture industry and the Los Angeles area is also associated as being the center of the television industry. The city is home to the major film studios as well as major record labels. Los Angeles plays host to the annual Academy Awards, the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards as well as many other entertainment industry awards shows.

E.      Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California, sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with a close view of the Hollywood Sign and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Admission has been free since the observatory's opening in 1935.

Then, Host Aaron helps us interact with each other with the following questions:

(1)    Have you been to museum or art exhibition? Do you like it? Why or why not?

(2)    Share your experience to visit the museum with us.

(3)    Have you been to amusement park? Do you like it? Why or why not?

(4)    Which one do you like? Disneyland or Universal Studio? Why?

Part II. Las Vegas:“The Entertainment Capital of the World”

It is an internationally renowned major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The Las Vegas Valley as a whole serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada.

The city is famous for its mega casino–hotels and associated activities. It is a top three destination in the United States for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world. Today, Las Vegas annually ranks as one of the world's most visited tourist destinations. The city's tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films, television programs, and music videos.

Then Host Aaron introduced us the hotel he stayed and other impressive casino scenes around!

1. Seven Magic Mountains

Built as a public art exhibit by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, the 30-foot fluorescent “totems” stand like brightly colored beacons lighting up the desert sky. Rondinone used locally sourced boulders, and chose this location because it’s “physically and symbolically mid-way between the natural and the artificial.”

The Seven Magic Mountains are a temporary exhibit, and will be on display until May 2018.

2. The Cosmopolitan

The resort opened on December 15, 2010, and is located just south of the Bellagio on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard.

It consists of two high-rise towers, the Boulevard Tower and the Chelsea Tower, both of which are 184 meters tall. The $3.9 billion project features 3,027 rooms, a 10,000 m2 casino, 28,000 m2 of retail and restaurant space, a 3,700 m2 spa and fitness facility, a 3,200-seat theater, and 14,000 m2 of meeting and convention space.

In 2013, the hotel was rated "The Best Hotel in the World" .In 2015, the resort was named to the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List as one of the "Top Hotels in the World“

3.Bellagio

4. Venetian (Venice)

5. The Wynn

Questions for Las Vegas

1. Have you been to casino? Which casino have you been?

(2)     Do you like gambling? Which gambling game you like the most?

Natural Beauty: Canyons

1. Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona, United States.

Horseshoe Bend is located 8.0 km downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, about 6.4 km southwest of Page.

It is accessible via hiking a 2.4 km round trip from a parking area just off U.S. Route 89 within southwestern Page. Horseshoe Bend can be viewed from the steep cliff above.

The overlook is 1,300 m above sea level, and the Colorado River is at 980 m above sea level, making it a 300 m drop.

2. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic "flowing" shapes in the rock.

Flooding in the canyon still occurs. A flood occurred on October 30, 2006, that lasted 36 hours, and caused the Tribal Park Authorities to close Lower Antelope Canyon for five months.

Questions for Canyons

(1) Which natural landscape do you like the most? Describe it with us!

(2) Which scenery do you like? Mountain or sea? Why? 

Traffic Rules which Host Aaron found different from Taiwan

1.Stop!

2.Pedestrian first!

3.You can turn right on red.

Questions for travelling experiences:

1. Have you been to any country with very different culture or traffic rule?
2. Which country do you want to visit next? Why?

Reflections:

Host Aaron brought us an informative and resourceful afternoon as he was well –prepared for the guided questions during each section, the arrangement of which trigged more interaction and feedback among the audience and made the discussion intriguing! He proceeded and organized the meeting very successfully as an experienced host! We appreciate his efforts together with all the participants’ inputs and look forward to his next meeting soon! Stay Tune!

--

My Dear Blissers,

Travelling values much more than reading thousands of books! That is how our handsome young Blisser, Aaron started his expedition on L. A. , and Las Vegas and is going to witness the proverb this coming Saturday on July 13, 2019!

Look forward to your own city reflection or travelling experiences, too!

Here are his guided questions and agenda:

Guided Questions

1.If you go to other country, which one do you want to visit? City or country? why?

2. Have you been to Los Angeles? If yes, do you like it? Why or why not? If no, do you want to go to L.A.?

3. the most progressive city in Taiwan is Taipei, do you like this city? Why or why not?

4. Discuss with your partner about 3 pros and 3cons of Taipei.

5. Have you been to museum or art exhibition? Do you like it? Why or why not?

6. Share your experience to visit the museum with us.

7. Have you been to amusement park? Do you like it? Why or why not?

8. Which one do you like? Disneyland or Universal Studio? Why?

9. Have you been to casino? Which casino have you been?

10. Do you like gambling? Which gambling game you like the most?

11. Which natural landscape do you like the most? Describe it with us!

12. Which scenery do you like? Mountain or sea? Why? 

13. Have you been to any country with very different culture or traffic rule?

14. Which country do you want to visit next? Why?

--

Date: June 22, 2019

Host:Anita

Topic: “My Journey in China Part II” by Anita on June 22, 2019”

Attendees: Anita / Ellen / Angel / Winnie / Emma / Serine/ Daniel Yang

Photo Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EoUAyFG9xqoReofe6

Dear Blissers

Anita started her meeting with the hot issue the 31 incentives to Taiwanese by China. China offers 31 professional and economic incentives to Taiwanese in beginning this year.

There are 12 measures are concerned with Taiwanese enterprises competition. They allowed Taiwanese participate in public biddings and innovation programs in China’s state-owned enterprises, and we have some equal rights as their citizens.

Similarly, there are 19 measures offer new opportunities for highly educated Taiwanese to study, and people could initiate startups or join the China labor market in areas which have been difficult to enter in the past. For example, Taiwanese people have no need to apply a work certificate now, so if you want to work there is easily than before.

Blissers went on discuss their observation toward the educational and workforce changes after the announcement of the 31 incentives by China last Feb

Since China issued the31 incentives惠台政策, Anita can be clearly observed that there are more students in universities who want to go to China to be exchange students, go to graduate school or have some professional competition. Even junior high school students want to go there to expand their horizon. Although there is a lot of negative news from China, some people still believe there are different opportunities.

Anita found some situations which are different from the past. When she was a college student, she was the third one to study in class in China (almost 5 years ago). At that time, just have two to four students were willing to study in China every year.

But last month, she went back to school for a speech. (The speech topic was a bit similar to today.) She found that the current willingness of students to study in China is different from the past, and the students in that speech class has more than 10 students want to apply for are the exchange student or a graduate student.

In addition to the teachers who are actively promoting these opportunities, the 30 audiences were staying curious and focus on her speech. Many students asked questions about life and study in China. They want to get more diversity and special experience to broaden their horizon.

Another example is, she recruited some interns for her current international CAP firm recently, and three students of all rejected her internship offer because they got the chance to go to China to study.

From these experiences was really surprised her and Let her found more and more people still want to get some chance from China.

As to Anita, she has been in Beijing for two years. The big cities and international resources are really rich. She has always lived and studied there with an open minded of learning from each other and experiencing local life.

At the same time, she has a belief there….that is not to lose herself, and try to understand the things around her. Any small things will become the best resources.

Other people’s weakness should be kept in her mind and try to feel each culture and people around her with heart. Learning hard to the fullest will make her a better person. And all of these are also the deepest understanding she has gained in studying in China for two years.

Of course, some people go for money, because money is really attractive.

To collect resources, China’s government use diversified ways to get their wants. As an example, they announce the students who study in graduate school or doctoral degree have no need to pay for tuition fee.

And there was her study expense in China for one year. Details as following table, which Anita can earn 66,700NTD/year for her study in China for master degree

Another interesting thing is that the recruitment time in China's campus is particularly early. It usually starts in August of the year before graduation. The school will invite companies to recruit students in school. At this time, many students will actively prepare for the interview, so the students will get the offer early than Taiwan.

As for the salary, the students who graduate on the first tier of school from Bachelor can get 6,000~8,000 per month on average, Master degree is 8,000~12,000.

However, there are a lot of taxes, five insurances and one Housing Provident Fund that the labor needs to pay for them. Generally, 25% of the salary will be deducted from (包括養老保險（endowment insurance）、醫療保險（medical insurance）、失業保險（unemployment insurance）、工傷保險（employment injury insurance）和生育保險（maternity insurance）；“一金”指的是住房公積金（Housing Provident Fund）、 income tax, so you can easily see the company needs to spend a lot of money on paying five insurances and Housing Provident Fund. In terms of funds, although foreigners work in China, the government will grant subsidies to enterprises. The cost of hiring foreigners will save money compared to hiring locals. However, a few large companies will still comply with laws and regulations to help workers insured fully.

However, the good news is that the new taxation decree was announce in January this year, and the people of Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and Macao were only required to provide local labor and health guarantees, then they did not have to pay for them.

Taiwanese Labor Insurance and Health Insurance also include these subsidies, but the cost is much cheaper. These attached tables are for everyone to compare

And the company whether giving “the qualification of the living to the city “may also affect the salary package. Because the qualification can get lots of welfare.

Like you can buy houses, get the visa to renew or some official certification service, and children can go public school in local and so on. However, that’s not an easy certification to get. You have to pass some conditions before you have a chance to get it.

Like pay the social insurance for more than 5 years, graduating from a master degree or doctoral degree, you are an excellent talent and freshman and so on. Even if you have these conditions, you may not be able to get one. Everything is a chance, even you have money.

So many workers who are work for 北京 or 上海companies are eager to get "the qualification of the household registration". If you don’t have that, just cannot stay comfortable in that city which you want to stay.

How inconvenience is it?

If you want to apply some certifications you need to go back to your household registration location. Otherwise, the workers who have no rights to buy a house, do the divorce procedure, renew a visa or take children to a public school and so on, so some people rather get a lower payment than to get a qualification of the rights in the city.

The easiest way to get one is for fresh graduates to find jobs, but often these opportunities are only available to the company for excellent talent.

For example, 百度 planed to recruit 3,000 employees in 2014. But they only offered 40 quotas, which mean it is very difficulties to get the qualification.

When it comes to this, there is a questionnaire. This questionnaire could test whether you are suitable for working in China? Please scan QR code to open it.

https://www.gvm.com.tw/event/32anniversary/ At the same time as completing this questionnaire, you can find out the personality traits that are suitable for work in China. If you want to go there, then you can reference these questions.

In the end of meeting,

Blisses discussed what is the salary package for assignments to China or Southeast Asian countries?

If you or your friend has a chance to work aboard in China or Southeast Asian countries, what is the best salary structure?

Local pay or expatriate pay?

What is the minimum expected salary for local hire?

The basic wage is multiplied by 1.5 times, plus the rent allowance, relocation allowance, etcetera.

Don't forget to compare the company's salary with your local colleagues.

There are some generally items in salary package that can be a reference to you.

Local salary / living allowance / social insurance (labor insurance) / relocation fee / return home ticket 6 / housing allowance / visiting relatives’ tickets / tax burden subsidies, etc.

<Bliss Coming Soon Poster in July, 2019>

My Dear Blissers,

What do we greet the coming July?

Here they are:

Let’s borrow the “Magic Fan” to drive away the firing heat!

Let’s cross the ocean and enjoy the magnificent scenery in America!

Let’s go for the current Ocean Cleanup!

The last but not the least, let’s tell the “True” from “Fake” News around us!

Without further undo, come and join the “Fun” and “Cool” time in Bliss as follows:

Date: July 6, 2019, Saturday

Time: 11:00~17:30

Venue: 北門捷運站2號出口

Host: Bliss Staff

Topic: “無獨有偶 袋袋相傳”, <借我扇子涼一涼>

Date: July 13, 2019, Saturday

Time: 14:30~17:30

Venue: Minami Zephyr 小南風B1

Host: Aaron

Topic: “The Trip in America”

Date: July 20, 2019, Saturday

Time: 14:30~17:30

Venue: Minami Zephyr 小南風B1

Host: Wen

Topic: “The Ocean Cleanup Progress Update”

Date: July 27, 2019, Saturday

Time: 14:30~17:30

Venue: Minami Zephyr 小南風B1

Host: Kurt

Topic: “Fake News Detection”

--

Dear Blissers

On the 22th of June 2019, I’m going to share with Blissers what I feel and observe in China to continue the agenda for my first meeting on 6th January this year. I will share the salary issue by a different academic degree, and how people there pay the insurance and tax for the social welfare. Then we can have a discussion on the expatriate salary package and made it the structure perfect.

In the 2nd half of the meeting, Ellen would like to discuss the following article with us - Taiwan battles a brain drain as China aims to woo young talent. Please do read it through before joining our meeting (hard copy of the article WON’T be available during the meeting)

Here’s the link of article

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/taiwan-battles-a-brain-drain-as-china-aims-to-woo-young-talent-away/2018/04/13/338d096e-3940-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.363019a8e3d5

Let’s talk, discuss and have more in-depth discovery toward study, work and live in China.

Meeting Agenda

My journey to Beijing (14:30~15:10) – Hosted by Anita

How Taiwanese people look at China in fact?

Is it suitable for you to work in China?

Break Time (15:30~15:40)

Article discussion (16:30-17:30) – Hosted by Ellen

Article Discussion - Taiwan battles a brain drain as China aims to woo young talent.

Guided Questions

Q1：What is your opinion in惠台政策?

Q2：Do you know the changes after the promulgation of the 惠台 policy?

Q3：What’s your advice about expatriate salary package to China or South Asia area?

Q4：What’s your opinion or any question about article as below link?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/taiwan-battles-a-brain-drain-as-china-aims-to-woo-young-talent-away/2018/04/13/338d096e-3940-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.363019a8e3d5

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Bliss Recap of “靈性開悟不是你想的那樣”,Bliss 2^nd Book Reading & Discussion on June 15, 2019

Date: June 15, 2019

Topic: “靈性開悟不是你想的那樣”

Bliss 2^nd Book Reading & Discussion

Attendees: Ellen, Mike, Emma, Selina, Cindy, Daniel Yang, Antonio

Meeting Photo Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/WEKa5qxcyVsY94Vk9

Meeting started from “what does “enlightenment” mean to you?”

Blisser A: Ability to stay calm whatever the environment is

Blisser B: Out of thinking with highest mindset

Blisser C: Everything is not important; you create your own reality

Blisser D: Reach a status that not feeling confused anymore

Blisser E: Law of attraction not stays there when encountering problems but try to get solution for your own problems

Blisser F: Worry free, status of happiness

Discussion your personal interpretation or example for non-duality:

1. Blisser A

No matter what it is, just accept it. For example, when I didn't eat dinner on Friday and Sunday, I would expect to eat a good and big breakfast next day before. However, I don't expect it now.

2. Blisser B

I was excited to get a good job because I thought it was a big company. But, it turned out to be a nightmare. So, don't think working for a big company is a good choice.

3. Blisser C

Bicycling to 太平mountain in a rainy day and I was soaking and felt cold. I ate a meal. Although the mall was common, I felt it was delicious.

Feedback from Blissers about the meeting

Blisser A

What a vibrant atmosphere today at the Bliss meet-up. The movie director, big cheese, Ellen, maneuvered the show quite well while the script writer Angel who acted as facilitator stood behind the scene.  Probably Angel has been the most influential person who bridged the gap among audiences. 

Though Ellen, the firefighter, acted as acting director, her capability, and talent, soul-searching techniques that triggered everyone’s inner voice and reactivated our power to appreciate Dualities.  She is one of a kind doing the presentation.

What left unknown is our true mentor Angel would have to stand upfront by the podium addressing her inner thoughts and philosophy? For further enlightening us, you have the call. We wait for you, Angel.

Other than that, this transcendental subject is yet to further explore. There was no awkward silence but passion. There’s no idling but brain-rebooting.

To wrap up my remarks, there is a law of attraction. What goes around comes around! Failure is not troublesome while success is awesome. While high tide rises, low tide will come as well. Be resilient, hard-working, analytical, and be a truth seeker, then we should find solutions.  Although we let the nature take its course, we still have to do our job.

Blisser B:

If there is still an opportunity, I would like to be happy to see more "free-style", extensive and in-depth discussion on related subjects, “to be open-minded", though.  After all, it's about spiritual enlightenment. (Smiling cloud)  

Willing and daring to think out of "the mentor's" box might make us more free and comfortable to explore broader horizons and break limits to achieve self-awareness and enlightenment.

Blisser C

I was so glad to be there and happy to see you again! Thank you for your great sharing. 

No one knows what is going to happen tomorrow and I believe the things having happened to me is a beautiful gift in the end.

Let’s enjoy the life and the journey of self-discovery!

Blisser D:

1. I think the enlightenment is to try to know what the reality is.

2. I am the watcher and want to be awakened watcher, because I am not sure if I am awakened.

-- 

Carmelo has reversed our dull stereotypes of the traditional Taiwanese Palm Drama Art since his performance in his meeting and YEP in 2018.  His fluent Taiwanese Dialects in antithetical couplets and brilliant vocal varieties fascinated the audience and awakens their sense of “localization”! Like western “Talk show & Stand-up Comedy “, “TPD” rooted in local customs and humanistic cultures, via Masters’ word of mouth and lively character description and manipulation, passed through centuries continues to be appreciated today.

This coming Q2 outing, we are going on “The Journey to the West—to DaDaoCheng”, deeply virtually being part of the dramas.  Immersed in the “Interactive Demonstration” on the spot, we will learn the hidden expertise over the century from National Treasure Masters there and receive the torch of tradition!

Without further delay, let’s explore the Amazing Wonders with Blissers then!

Themec: <Bliss Q2 Outing: Taiwan Traditional Palm Drama in DaDaoCheng>

■Date: July 6, 2019 (Sat.) 
■Meeting Time: AM11:00
■Meeting Point: North Gate MRT station Exit 2 

■Venue: DaDaoCheng Theater大稻埕戲院https://www.facebook.com/dadaochen2011/ 

■Drama : 大氣團 : 借我扇子涼一涼 NT$100 

https://scontent.ftpe8-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/58619779_2160395234008917_8007084607692341248_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpe8-2.fna&oh=75e3e536a67614a6a54ecf4e1bfe3132&oe=5D9D2191

Q2 Outing Agenda:

12:00 Lunch (Share in English: the palm drama impressed you most.)

14:00-15:00 DaDaoCheng Theater (The Journey to the West) Palm Drama Watching~

15:00-16:00 Regular Exhibition of DaDaoCheng Theater

16:00-17:00 Free time around DadaoCheng

Bliss無獨有偶 袋袋相傳

2018 Meeting與YEP Carmelo 翻轉了我們對布袋戲的刻板印象，霸氣的台灣口語與精采絕倫的十八般武藝，引人入勝。大家所不知道的布袋戲，媲美歐美流行的脫口秀，融合台灣本土的風土民情、人文信仰，經由老師傅的口耳相傳才賦予掌中人偶的生命，活靈活現。

這一次我們實際走進大稻埕的故事裡-西遊記，前往西方取經，宛若現實心之所向，豈能盡如人意? 不如來跟國寶級大師來場假戲真作，現場還有精心安排的互動展演，傳承百年的隱藏文物，一同身歷其境、驚喜連連八~

集合時間： 2019/July /6      11:00am

集合地點：北門捷運站 2 號出口

大稻埕戲院

https://www.facebook.com/dadaochen2011/

大氣團 : 借我扇子涼一涼 NT$100 

https://scontent.ftpe8-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/58619779_2160395234008917_8007084607692341248_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpe8-2.fna&oh=75e3e536a67614a6a54ecf4e1bfe3132&oe=5D9D2191

 11:00 北門捷運站 2號出口集合 

12:00 午餐 (請參與者英文分享: 所看過的布袋戲或是相關經驗)

14:00-15:00 大稻埕戲院- 大氣團 : 借我扇子涼一涼 NT$100 

15:00-16:00大稻埕戲院常設展

16:00-17:30大稻程自由活動

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<Bliss Meeting Notice> No meeting on June 8, 2019 & recap 0601

Recap of < “Do Schools Kill Creativity? -Vision & Goals of 12-year Curriculum” by BK on June 1, 2019”

Date: June 1, 2019. Saturday

Host: BK

Topic: “Do Schools Kill Creativity? -Vision & Goals of 12-year Curriculum”

Participants: BK, Ellen Huang, Winnie, David, Annie, Mike Young

Meeting photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/exDxRAGFgh7k86zVA

Meeting started:

Examples: Chinese VS. Jewish

A kid asked his parent: What can I do when I grow up?

Jewish parents: Observe what kinds of need in the world now and see what you can offer to satisfy the needs.

Chinese parents: Observe what the successful people (or me) have done and follow suits.

1. You have told your child not to steal, but one day in the 7-eleven, you found your child steal something. What will you do>

Jewish parents: Accompany their child to the counter and confess what he has done and see what the counter clerks would deal with it, the consequence which he need to face!

Chinese parents: Accompany their child to apologize what he has done and beat him hard immediately on the spot and back home.

2. Group Decision Making

When one proposal gets the unanimous agreement

Chinese boss: We are of one mind and let’s go for it! (Resist any disagreement)

Jewish boss: What is the catch here? We need to find it out before we go for next step! (Welcome different opinion and questions)

3. A young entrepreneur who failed 19 times but now is searching for the 20^th investment

Chinese Investor: His records prove he is a loser, worthless to invest at all...

Jewish investor: He has the courage to try the 20^th times! Let’s hear what he learned from the failure experiences.

What conclusions you can get from the above 4 examples?

1. Video: I sue school kill creativity

How can you teach a fish to climb up a tree and run for 100 miles?

How can we teach children without regard of their temperament, nature, nurture, and gifts? Everyone is UNIQUE!

2. Handout: Chinese Imperial Examination

It became widely utilized as the major path to office since Han Dynasty and remained so until its abolition in 1905. . On one hand, it stabilizes the social order but shaped its citizen inclining to obey not to fight! On

3. Chinese (Confucian examination syllabus) VS. European (Humanist education)

=Stifle creativity VS. Challenge authority

However, Chinese offers fair play on the ladder of success and centered on the fundamental and general training, some of which even some European governments adopt to distinguish students between Academic or technical inclinations.

Question: How to adapt it into practice properly?

4. Video: What should school be?

Schools teach us language, math, physics and so on for us to prepare for the better future but not survive for present survival skills such as cooking, DIY and so on.

5. 12-year Curriculum for Basic Education in Taiwan in 2019—aims to strive for the development of potential in the individuals

It is learner-centered. Goal-oriented, mission-oriented, and value-oriented. It is regulated into the law, article 3 of Taiwan educational fundamental Act. It is going to practice this coming semester in September, 2019.

6. Competitive vs. Cooperative Learning Formats

Q1: Is Taiwan school practicing the cooperative learning formats in classrooms? YES

Q2: Are teachers competent to group students in cooperative teaching methods? YES

Q3. When is the best timing for cooperative teaching? Learning teaching via monitoring and teaching!

Upgrading Education is A MUST: Better Human Resource & Prosperous Taiwan

=Needs the supports from citizens with citizenship!

7. The Pygmalion Effect (contrast: Golem Effect) impact your performance

The good leadership in cooperative teams will manage in a positive “can-do” approach instead of “despising” one because it will arouse “used-to-be-low-achievers” to reach for better performance!

Globalization makes 20% (Class A) wealthier and wealthier while 80% (class B) poorer and poorer, and then who become marginalized soon. The disparity between classes speed up the mutual conflicts, which Class A try to avoid.  Subsequently, Class A invented “Tittytainment”, featured in a low cost, poor taste and sensory satisfaction to hocus 80% in fear of their lurking dangers!

9. **One parental tip offered by BK**

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.  By Haim Ginott , Isreal teacher, 1922~1973!

Attendee’s feedback

(1)🌇Who stifled my creativity? You, him or her?

Nay, it could be the system, your surroundings, or those stereotypical reactions that take you down.  Or perhaps school structure would have sabotaged your potential.   The sharing of ✅BK’s goes beyond my imagination.  Not only has it sparked our passion pitching in the focal discussion but developed our further thoughts about educational system.  There is no absolute sense of right or wrong.  However the formula remains existed that right attitude will help the young moving towards the healthy direction and all programs could be customized to seek potentiality who could be cultivated to be super athletes, entrepreneurs, scientists, or great leaders .

It may take to be channeled to possess proper attitude or behavior.  Each one has various potentials.  It could’ve turned ones into an expert or into becoming social mediocre people.

BK’s feedback

I did spend many days on this issue, and I am so excited we have

A time to share individual experiences with each other here in Bliss. I 100% glad received your encouragement and feedback. I always believe Bliss is a good place to practice collaborate learning, and with this idea we are the group to bless each other and benefits our own family even our community. Hopefully, this topic give us to think something around us and bless that one day we’ll see the next generation in Taiwan reach out their hands out to the world.

(2)✅What a job well done! You BK have a Style. It is Thought-provoking and good to be hilarious.  Coupled with your funny toss-up questions and fine-tuned video clips, it is a successful weekend sharing.  All the A’s goes to you, and F is not in my dictionary......🎉

Thanks for stimulating our creativity on group photo taken today and yet also attempting to our deeper thoughts and review our own educational experience, expectation and also to pitch how an ideal education shall look like in Taiwan.

My little one is going to elementary school this year, therefore , today's meeting truly inspire me to think more what parents role could be and getting involved to the new educational system in Taiwan

Thank you BK, you bring up an important issue and topic for us to think and discuss, most importantly, what we can ACT for this new educational system in Taiwan as the parents, as a citizen 😉

BK’s feedback

Remember years ago, you shared a topic about citizenship in Swiss, which gave me a deep impression. What I believe is education upgrade in Taiwan is not only the duty of the authority but also the citizens’ too. Child centered education =good Human Resources =prosper Future of our country.

Reflection

Bk’s presented his passion, dedication, and concern for better society. He streamlined the ideas in videos, handouts, guided questions, education system reviews thoroughly from ancient China to modern Taiwan, from west to east, from theoretical expedition to life-related application. Last but not the least, his pop-up humor, friendly Questions, and perfect time-control lead to successful-ever meeting in Bliss. Bravo, look forward to your next meeting~

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My Dear Blissers,

“What a competitive ‘Boat Race’ in coming June!

And with the tasty sticky rice dumpling at hand, having in-depth reading and discussion with Blissers would be even celestial!

Without further delay, let’s prioritize the life-related and profound Bliss meetings as follows:

Date: June 1, 2019. Saturday

Time: 14:30~17:30

Venue: Minami Zephyr 小南風B1

Host: BK

Topic: “Do Schools Kill Creativity? -Vision & Goals of 12-year Curriculum”

Date: June 15, 2019, Saturday

Time: 10:00~13:00

Venue: TOHOHI Arts Corner東豐喜

Topic: “靈性開悟不是你想的那樣”

Bliss 2^nd Book Reading & Discussion

Date: June 22, 2019, Saturday

Time: 14:30~17:30

Venue: Minami Zephyr 小南風B1

Host: Anita

Topic: “My Journey in China Part II”

 ***remarks:  typo: 6/1 12-year curriculum in the attached poster***

<Bliss Meeting Notice> “Do schools kill creativity?-Vision ＆ Goals of 12-year curriculum.” By BK on June 1, 2019

My Dear Blissers,

Do you care for our kids’ education under 12-year curriculum in Taiwan?

Do you know how and why “imperial Examination “has evolved for ages?

Why does “Cooperative Learning” become the core of today’s curriculum?

Which educational format is better, "Competitive" or "Cooperative"?

This coming Saturday, BK will guide us to discuss and thus reveal the myth!

**Please read the attached 2 articles prior to the meeting for discussion!**

Introduction-

WHAT IS SCHOOL FOR?

WHAT IS A GOOD SCHOOL TEACHER LIKE?

ARE YOU SO CALLED “A GOOD STUDENT “?

Guided Questions

1. The 12-year curriculum of Taiwan(12年國教課程) is just around the corner this year, do you agree the shift from 9-year to 12-year? What impacts do you think it would bring?
2. What is the core learning should an ideal educational system consist of?
3. How imperial examinations (科舉考試) has evolved?
4. What the cooperative learning of education is about? And why it becomes the core of the global education?
5. How to differentiate between “competitive” vs. “cooperative” learning formats?
6. What other educational concepts you think should be put into our educational system?

Agenda:

1. Team building

2. Imperial examinations  (科舉考試) reading and discussion

3.Cooperative learning (合作學習)  reading and discussion

4. Concluding remarks