星期二沒上班,在外面跑了一天辦事情車子都沒事,傍晚讓Richard在社區裡開去倒垃圾之後竟然就壞了。說壞了也不盡然正確，但是方向盤就完全鎖死了, 鑰匙插進去也完全轉不動，在網路上查了一下發現這種情況似乎常發生，只要把方向盤左右輕輕轉一轉，同時也輕輕轉動鑰匙通常只要聽到"咖"一聲就可以動了。然而, 我們的情況沒這麼順利, 不管怎麼轉, 怎麼動, 甚至在鑰匙孔裡灌油也都沒辦法。記得以前爸爸剛買這輛車的時候也出過這樣的問題, 後來很不幸的只能叫拖車拖去原廠修理, 據說是鎖壞了,所以要把整個鎖換掉，花了很多錢, 讓老爸非常生氣, 不信任老美開的店, 賣的東西。這次還好我們有AAA可以免費幫忙把車拖到修車廠去, 拖這一次差不多就把年費給賺回來了吧 (安慰自己~~), 雖然到平常信任的華人修車廠會便宜一點, (因為人工便宜), 但是這樣常出問題造成的不便, 讓我們開始考慮該換一台新一點的二手車了 :(
雖然有點捨不得小藍, 畢竟她曾陪我們到田納西,佛羅里達 (甚至到Key West), 還有去年的Maine road trip也是靠她完成的, 不過如果一直出問題實在太傷荷包啦...哀,時機壞壞卻有這麼多開銷...我得更努力一點!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
what's in her mind?
今天看到facebook 上有人加我好友, 從名字往往看不太出來是哪位失聯多年的朋友,特別有些人註冊的時候是用我不曉得的英文名字,所以我每次都馬上confirm對方的friend request然後再跑去看看到底是哪位同學。今天的狀況有點點不一樣，點了對方的首頁之後，這個美女我怎麼看都想不起來是誰，名字反覆念了幾次也覺得沒印象，我喃喃自語了幾句說 "XXX XXX" 到底是誰阿??
Matt聽了英文名字後說喔那可能是XXX, (一個以前他在台灣的時候喜歡過的女生, Matt以為對方沒有喜歡他, 所以Matt就放棄了, 但是後來好像才發現那個女生好像也喜歡他...Matt總是這樣, 都先認為對方對自己沒意思,就白白錯過很多也許是很適合的人...), 後來Matt看了照片後就確定是她。
她是很漂亮很亮眼的女生, (至少我主觀上來看是這樣), 我有點好奇為甚麼她會來加我好友? 後來還在我的wall上留言, 她也沒有自我介紹她是誰, 就說是第一次看到我長甚麼樣子, 不過她給了一些很正面的comments,比如說我長得像她的counsin, 說我們的結婚照很cute等等, 後來她也在Matt的wall 上問我的中文名字...
女生通常這樣是在想甚麼呢?
Matt聽了英文名字後說喔那可能是XXX, (一個以前他在台灣的時候喜歡過的女生, Matt以為對方沒有喜歡他, 所以Matt就放棄了, 但是後來好像才發現那個女生好像也喜歡他...Matt總是這樣, 都先認為對方對自己沒意思,就白白錯過很多也許是很適合的人...), 後來Matt看了照片後就確定是她。
她是很漂亮很亮眼的女生, (至少我主觀上來看是這樣), 我有點好奇為甚麼她會來加我好友? 後來還在我的wall上留言, 她也沒有自我介紹她是誰, 就說是第一次看到我長甚麼樣子, 不過她給了一些很正面的comments,比如說我長得像她的counsin, 說我們的結婚照很cute等等, 後來她也在Matt的wall 上問我的中文名字...
女生通常這樣是在想甚麼呢?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
關於台灣關係法
剛好Richard Bush寫了一篇文章叫 "Thoughts on the Taiwan Relations Act", 裡面特別去釐清了一些大家對TRA常有的誤解, 常引用其security provision但卻可能有不符合實際情況的interpretation. 比如說:
"The TRA provisions that are most cited but less understood are the security sections. Individuals who assert that the TRA requires that the United States sells arms to Taiwan and comes to its defense exaggerate the legal meaning of the act. In fact, to ensure that President Carter would approve the bill, the congressional managers quietly adjusted its language in a way that reduced the bill’s impact on Executive Branch policy.
Take arms sales, for example. First of all, in U.S. legislative practice, the Congress uses the word “shall” to ensure that the executive takes the desired action. But the TRA says that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles. . . .” That is more a statement of intention than a binding mandate for action. Second, there is no indication either in the legislation itself or the legislative history to indicate how, substantively, the U.S. government should decide Taiwan’s equipment needs. Obviously, U.S. sales to Taiwan would vary tremendously depending on the criteria used to gauge its requirements. Third, the bill seems to require that the administration take congressional views into account during the decision-making process. But it qualifies that “requirement” with the phrase “in accordance with law.” All administrations have therefore believed that the obligation to Congress is simply to notify it at the end of the process. In short, the TRA does not mandate the sale of arms to Taiwan because the Act is not self-enforcing in either a substantive or procedural sense. "
這就讓我想到最近家鋒提到的自由時報與中時關於 "every expectation" 的解讀方式的爭論...美國人還真是會玩文字遊戲阿!讓我們推敲了半天有時候還會錯意, 不過中文也是有很多英語系國家很難翻譯的用詞, 特別是對岸的領導人有時候會用一些詞讓大家都不知該怎麼翻譯才好, 像是胡錦濤用的北方方言 "不折騰" 可就難倒了大家阿...(我去查了一下, "折騰"的意思是有直路不走, 偏偏要走彎路,給自己找麻煩, 比如說文革就是典型的民族折騰)
"The TRA provisions that are most cited but less understood are the security sections. Individuals who assert that the TRA requires that the United States sells arms to Taiwan and comes to its defense exaggerate the legal meaning of the act. In fact, to ensure that President Carter would approve the bill, the congressional managers quietly adjusted its language in a way that reduced the bill’s impact on Executive Branch policy.
Take arms sales, for example. First of all, in U.S. legislative practice, the Congress uses the word “shall” to ensure that the executive takes the desired action. But the TRA says that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles. . . .” That is more a statement of intention than a binding mandate for action. Second, there is no indication either in the legislation itself or the legislative history to indicate how, substantively, the U.S. government should decide Taiwan’s equipment needs. Obviously, U.S. sales to Taiwan would vary tremendously depending on the criteria used to gauge its requirements. Third, the bill seems to require that the administration take congressional views into account during the decision-making process. But it qualifies that “requirement” with the phrase “in accordance with law.” All administrations have therefore believed that the obligation to Congress is simply to notify it at the end of the process. In short, the TRA does not mandate the sale of arms to Taiwan because the Act is not self-enforcing in either a substantive or procedural sense. "
這就讓我想到最近家鋒提到的自由時報與中時關於 "every expectation" 的解讀方式的爭論...美國人還真是會玩文字遊戲阿!讓我們推敲了半天有時候還會錯意, 不過中文也是有很多英語系國家很難翻譯的用詞, 特別是對岸的領導人有時候會用一些詞讓大家都不知該怎麼翻譯才好, 像是胡錦濤用的北方方言 "不折騰" 可就難倒了大家阿...(我去查了一下, "折騰"的意思是有直路不走, 偏偏要走彎路,給自己找麻煩, 比如說文革就是典型的民族折騰)
TRA 30th anniversary
昨天(4/22)去參加了CSIS主辦的TRA 30周年紀念活動, 現場爆滿座無虛席，一大早8:30就先跟馬總統來個視訊會議,之後又有兩個session討論TRA如何在過去現在跟未來持續的serve U.S. interests 以及前瞻美台關係的發展等等。我個人覺得馬總統的表現非常好,念演講稿的部分就不談了,畢竟那是可以事前準備好的, 他在Q&A的時候給的回答都很清楚, to the point, 也適時的又把講稿的重點重申了一次,最重要的是馬傳達給美方的訊息非常明確,也就是在他的任內,同時跟中國改善關係並不會忽略了要加強跟美國的關係,而且台灣不會當一個free-rider, 台灣需要F16/CD還有潛艦, 希望美國能出售這些weapon system給我方，除此之外馬也特別提出了他的政府會秉持 務實的精神來發展美台關係,而且保證其外交政策是 "surprise-free" and "low key"。像這樣的發言跟內容看在華盛頓這些所謂experts眼中是非常受用的,畢竟馬本身不能來美國,與其透過大使來傳達馬政府的"assurance", 還不如用視訊會議來得即時又清楚。
簡單的記錄了一點感想還有 Q&A session的摘要:
I think President Ma made a successful presentation today, and a videoconference is a creative and effective way of bilateral communication between the Administration in Taiwan and the Washington community. Such arrangement should be done more often!
President Ma talked about what his Administration has done to improve cross-strait relations and the rationale of “flexible diplomacy” to reconcile with the mainland and to expand meaningful participation in IGOs. On top of that, he stressed the importance to revitalize U.S.-Taiwan relationship and reassured the U.S. that Taiwan will not be a free-rider in defending its national security. Lastly, the most important message to take away from his speech is to assure the U.S. audience that his Administration’s foreign policy style will be “surprise-free” and “low key”, and “pragmatic”. President Ma’s assurance received positive response from the panelists. All three panelist at the “U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Looking forward” session, agreed that Americans should be unconcerned about the Détente between Taiwan and China, and it’s impossible that Taiwan will rush toward reunification. Even in the foreseeable future, reunification is unlikely to be put on Taiwan’s agenda.
Today’s panelists talked about the TRA from historic, legal and diplomatic perspectives and they also mentioned how this Act served U.S. interests and made Congress an inseparable partner of the Executives in processing cross-strait issues. Mr. Alan Romberg mentioned that what matters the most is not just the Act itself, but the fact that U.S. fundamental policy and stance towards Taiwan remained unchanged. Alan also brought up some important points about the necessity of arms sales to boost Taiwan’s confidence in dealing with China, and he didn’t see pro-independentists emboldened by arms sales.
Q&A
Q1. How do you view Mr. Hu Jintao’s New Year’s statement and your views on the evolving process of a potential peace accord or CBM across the Strait? Is it necessary for China to take the 1st move?
A: Mr. Hu’s statement is generally positive, and Taiwan has responded already. When China proposed to sign CECA, Taiwan proposed to sign ECFA, which covers areas of investment and trade, etc. It is an important step toward normalization of economic relationship with China. As for CBM, which is sensitive and difficult to reach consensus, we need to focus on economy first. Economic issues are our priority.
Q2. When cross-strait relation is improving, how do you see the U.S.’s role evolve or change?
A: The U.S. has played a constructing role. The U.S. has shown enduring commitment and support to Taiwan. For example, President Reagan’s “Six Assurances”, and President Clinton’s decision to send aircraft carrier to maintain the stability in the region.
(Ma’s answer mainly referred back to the part in his speech about US commitment to relations with Taiwan and Taiwan’s security)
Q3. In terms of Taiwan’s objectives to expand its participation in international organization, are there other organizations as equally important as WHA?
A: (Ma laughed and said) We need to work on one organization at a time, and entering WHA is not just political issue, but also health and human rights issues.
Q4. What are the specific achievable goals in enhancing U.S.-Taiwan relations in the rest of your tenure?
A: We will open Taiwan market for more U.S. agricultural products. We hope to reach extradition agreement with the U.S. to bring back fugitives and people who committed financial crimes and hid in the U.S. Also, a visa-waiver program similar to that with Japan and the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
Q5. What strategy has been adopted to accept more mainland students?
A: Currently, we have more restrictions on allowing mainland students to study in Taiwan. The first group of graduate students will arrive next spring, and undergraduates next fall semester. We have 3 objectives:
1. let young people from 2 sides to meet and befriend with each other so that they can have better understanding of each other
2. recruit the best and brightest students to give Taiwanese students some stimulus, to foster benign competition
3. there are surplus capacity in Taiwan’s universities and students from mainland can seize this opportunity
Q6. What about Taiwan’s relationship with Japan?
A: Like I said earlier, improved cross-strait relations will benefit the world, the U.S. and Japan as well. This year is the year of special partnership with Japan. Taiwan set up an office in northern Japan to provide travel services. We also add a cultural office in Tokyo to promote cultural exchanges. There is going to be new charter flights between two domestic airports in Taiwan (Sonshan airport) and Japan. In this June, there will be a new program for Taiwanese students to stay in Japan for up to 1 year to work and study. There’s also fishery agreement reached to deal with maritime regulations. Just as we are affirming relationship with the U.S., we will so the same with Japan.
Q7. What mechanism is there in Taiwan to forge consensus on national security?
A: Some people had doubts and questions about whether I am going to “sell out” Taiwan during the presidential campaign. Taiwan is a full-grown democracy, and no one is able to sell out the country at his own will. As government, we try to explain, clarify some extortion and misconception. For example, the Mainland Affairs Council sent out personnel to explain to local people about what ECFA is all about. According to the most recent poll, 70% of the people support ECFA. And that’s how we establish credibility.
Q8. What’s your Administration’s top priority in terms of arms sales from the Obama Administration?
A: We greatly appreciate U.S. support in last year’s decision to sell arms to Taiwan. We still need the F-16C/D to replace our outdated fighter jets. Taiwan requires these weapon systems for defense purpose, and Taiwan’s request for defensive equipment can usually be done at the same time with breakthrough in cross-strait relations. For example, the last major arms sales to Taiwan took place in 1992, and Taiwan was able to have the cross-strait exchange meetings and reached the “1992 consensus” with the mainland in the same year.
(Mainly, Ma wanted to stress that Taiwan will not be a free-rider, and will continue to pursue arms packages from the U.S. while at the same time develop economic relationship with China. Ma was careful about not to mention China’s reaction toward arms sales, but he gave examples of how Taiwan is used to and able to deal with such issue on 2 fronts without seriously damaging relations with China)
簡單的記錄了一點感想還有 Q&A session的摘要:
I think President Ma made a successful presentation today, and a videoconference is a creative and effective way of bilateral communication between the Administration in Taiwan and the Washington community. Such arrangement should be done more often!
President Ma talked about what his Administration has done to improve cross-strait relations and the rationale of “flexible diplomacy” to reconcile with the mainland and to expand meaningful participation in IGOs. On top of that, he stressed the importance to revitalize U.S.-Taiwan relationship and reassured the U.S. that Taiwan will not be a free-rider in defending its national security. Lastly, the most important message to take away from his speech is to assure the U.S. audience that his Administration’s foreign policy style will be “surprise-free” and “low key”, and “pragmatic”. President Ma’s assurance received positive response from the panelists. All three panelist at the “U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Looking forward” session, agreed that Americans should be unconcerned about the Détente between Taiwan and China, and it’s impossible that Taiwan will rush toward reunification. Even in the foreseeable future, reunification is unlikely to be put on Taiwan’s agenda.
Today’s panelists talked about the TRA from historic, legal and diplomatic perspectives and they also mentioned how this Act served U.S. interests and made Congress an inseparable partner of the Executives in processing cross-strait issues. Mr. Alan Romberg mentioned that what matters the most is not just the Act itself, but the fact that U.S. fundamental policy and stance towards Taiwan remained unchanged. Alan also brought up some important points about the necessity of arms sales to boost Taiwan’s confidence in dealing with China, and he didn’t see pro-independentists emboldened by arms sales.
Q&A
Q1. How do you view Mr. Hu Jintao’s New Year’s statement and your views on the evolving process of a potential peace accord or CBM across the Strait? Is it necessary for China to take the 1st move?
A: Mr. Hu’s statement is generally positive, and Taiwan has responded already. When China proposed to sign CECA, Taiwan proposed to sign ECFA, which covers areas of investment and trade, etc. It is an important step toward normalization of economic relationship with China. As for CBM, which is sensitive and difficult to reach consensus, we need to focus on economy first. Economic issues are our priority.
Q2. When cross-strait relation is improving, how do you see the U.S.’s role evolve or change?
A: The U.S. has played a constructing role. The U.S. has shown enduring commitment and support to Taiwan. For example, President Reagan’s “Six Assurances”, and President Clinton’s decision to send aircraft carrier to maintain the stability in the region.
(Ma’s answer mainly referred back to the part in his speech about US commitment to relations with Taiwan and Taiwan’s security)
Q3. In terms of Taiwan’s objectives to expand its participation in international organization, are there other organizations as equally important as WHA?
A: (Ma laughed and said) We need to work on one organization at a time, and entering WHA is not just political issue, but also health and human rights issues.
Q4. What are the specific achievable goals in enhancing U.S.-Taiwan relations in the rest of your tenure?
A: We will open Taiwan market for more U.S. agricultural products. We hope to reach extradition agreement with the U.S. to bring back fugitives and people who committed financial crimes and hid in the U.S. Also, a visa-waiver program similar to that with Japan and the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
Q5. What strategy has been adopted to accept more mainland students?
A: Currently, we have more restrictions on allowing mainland students to study in Taiwan. The first group of graduate students will arrive next spring, and undergraduates next fall semester. We have 3 objectives:
1. let young people from 2 sides to meet and befriend with each other so that they can have better understanding of each other
2. recruit the best and brightest students to give Taiwanese students some stimulus, to foster benign competition
3. there are surplus capacity in Taiwan’s universities and students from mainland can seize this opportunity
Q6. What about Taiwan’s relationship with Japan?
A: Like I said earlier, improved cross-strait relations will benefit the world, the U.S. and Japan as well. This year is the year of special partnership with Japan. Taiwan set up an office in northern Japan to provide travel services. We also add a cultural office in Tokyo to promote cultural exchanges. There is going to be new charter flights between two domestic airports in Taiwan (Sonshan airport) and Japan. In this June, there will be a new program for Taiwanese students to stay in Japan for up to 1 year to work and study. There’s also fishery agreement reached to deal with maritime regulations. Just as we are affirming relationship with the U.S., we will so the same with Japan.
Q7. What mechanism is there in Taiwan to forge consensus on national security?
A: Some people had doubts and questions about whether I am going to “sell out” Taiwan during the presidential campaign. Taiwan is a full-grown democracy, and no one is able to sell out the country at his own will. As government, we try to explain, clarify some extortion and misconception. For example, the Mainland Affairs Council sent out personnel to explain to local people about what ECFA is all about. According to the most recent poll, 70% of the people support ECFA. And that’s how we establish credibility.
Q8. What’s your Administration’s top priority in terms of arms sales from the Obama Administration?
A: We greatly appreciate U.S. support in last year’s decision to sell arms to Taiwan. We still need the F-16C/D to replace our outdated fighter jets. Taiwan requires these weapon systems for defense purpose, and Taiwan’s request for defensive equipment can usually be done at the same time with breakthrough in cross-strait relations. For example, the last major arms sales to Taiwan took place in 1992, and Taiwan was able to have the cross-strait exchange meetings and reached the “1992 consensus” with the mainland in the same year.
(Mainly, Ma wanted to stress that Taiwan will not be a free-rider, and will continue to pursue arms packages from the U.S. while at the same time develop economic relationship with China. Ma was careful about not to mention China’s reaction toward arms sales, but he gave examples of how Taiwan is used to and able to deal with such issue on 2 fronts without seriously damaging relations with China)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
我的 Nina Shoes
自從去年婚禮前買下了一雙Nina之後，我就變成Nina的fan了...他們的鞋多半沒有做適合在一般地上行走的鞋底,那層薄薄的金色的表面甚或是一層薄薄的皮革,讓人根本捨不得踩在一般的路面。去年在教堂外面拍照的時候還有從停車場走到餐廳這短短的距離,就使得我的愛鞋鞋底增添了亂七八糟的刮痕，讓我超心痛的...
除了喜歡Nina的satin鞋面之外, 他們鞋跟的部分也都會用絨布包覆著，也就是說這鞋子最好只能在室內穿, 最好還是有地毯的室內,所以說實在的,我買了這鞋子後能穿的機會真是少之又少。去年結婚穿過之後就再也沒有機會穿,就連那天拍婚紗也都沒穿,現在想想真是挺可惜的,也許應該留到在台灣拍照的時候穿。
就在上個星期突然收到nina的廣告信說他們現在正在70% off clearance, 我一時心癢又跑去看了一下，不看還好,一看就讓我懊惱，去年為了台灣的婚宴買的一雙包頭的金色中低跟鞋竟然只要$39.99, 而我去年買的時候沒打折,要八十幾元!!!除此之外,今天去逛Filene's basement的時候發現結婚的那雙鞋已經從去年的$50元降價到$15元啦!!!!看到這麼高的價差心裡真是鬱卒阿..不過為了稍微"補償"自己一下 (擺明了就是藉口) 我就挑了一雙打折後只要$19.99的黑色高跟涼鞋, 想說在台灣拍照的時候可以用。
雖然覺得自己因為打折就去敗家有點慚愧，但是真的太喜歡Nina的線條跟材質了!!!
除了喜歡Nina的satin鞋面之外, 他們鞋跟的部分也都會用絨布包覆著，也就是說這鞋子最好只能在室內穿, 最好還是有地毯的室內,所以說實在的,我買了這鞋子後能穿的機會真是少之又少。去年結婚穿過之後就再也沒有機會穿,就連那天拍婚紗也都沒穿,現在想想真是挺可惜的,也許應該留到在台灣拍照的時候穿。
就在上個星期突然收到nina的廣告信說他們現在正在70% off clearance, 我一時心癢又跑去看了一下，不看還好,一看就讓我懊惱，去年為了台灣的婚宴買的一雙包頭的金色中低跟鞋竟然只要$39.99, 而我去年買的時候沒打折,要八十幾元!!!除此之外,今天去逛Filene's basement的時候發現結婚的那雙鞋已經從去年的$50元降價到$15元啦!!!!看到這麼高的價差心裡真是鬱卒阿..不過為了稍微"補償"自己一下 (擺明了就是藉口) 我就挑了一雙打折後只要$19.99的黑色高跟涼鞋, 想說在台灣拍照的時候可以用。
雖然覺得自己因為打折就去敗家有點慚愧，但是真的太喜歡Nina的線條跟材質了!!!
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
The road kill
已經許久沒在公路上看見大型的road kill了，偏偏上星期在270上來來回回的跑了個幾趟，路中間有一坨看似原本是鹿的肉，經過往來車輛反覆的碾過，已經血肉模糊慘不忍睹。之所以會猜想是鹿是因為隱隱約約的看到了像是鹿頭的東西，這個震撼的畫面不曉得為甚麼在心中出現了奇怪的聯想，這頭可憐的鹿彷彿是限制級版的伊索寓言或是恐怖的格林童話裡面的主角，因為個性固執不聽勸告，堅持想跨過到公路的另一端去，所以不幸成為輪下魂，最後變成一堆爛肉，再幾經風吹日曬雨淋後只剩一些毛皮跟灰塵。
記得去年剛入冬不久的時候，據說去年的橡樹橡子結得少，松鼠們再忙碌似乎也蒐集不到足夠過冬的食物，也因此使得他們比以往更大膽，更 "勇於" 跨越馬路去尋找食物。於是很明顯的有較以往多好幾倍的松鼠被撞死，有時候這些小松鼠過馬路過到一半，妳以為他就會蹦蹦跳跳直接到對面去，但是他們常會突然意識到危險又折返，有時候救了他們自己，有時候卻是致命的反應。
記得去年剛入冬不久的時候，據說去年的橡樹橡子結得少，松鼠們再忙碌似乎也蒐集不到足夠過冬的食物，也因此使得他們比以往更大膽，更 "勇於" 跨越馬路去尋找食物。於是很明顯的有較以往多好幾倍的松鼠被撞死，有時候這些小松鼠過馬路過到一半，妳以為他就會蹦蹦跳跳直接到對面去，但是他們常會突然意識到危險又折返，有時候救了他們自己，有時候卻是致命的反應。
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Passover (Pesach) at the Nadel's House
在復活節前一天我們到了Russell跟Tara家去跟他們一起過猶太人的Passover節日。以前我從來沒想過會認識猶太朋友,但是偏偏身邊的同事朋友還真不少人是Jews, 就連我們的婚禮上都融合了猶太婚禮的習俗, hora dance + chair hoisting
看過埃及王子的話大概就知道出埃及記以及10 plagues 之類的故事，所以我也不多贅述這些背景了, 猶太教裡有很多symbolism , 比如說吃parsley 沾鹽水代表了眼淚跟過去先人經歷的苦難, horse raddish 代表了bitterness, shredded apple + spice + wine 代表了猶太人替埃及人建造宮殿時用的那些cement, 在Sader plate裡的骨頭是象徵那時候猶太人宰殺羔羊塗抹鮮血在門上做記號,使得天使可以pass over Jewish families, 另外Sader plate上的orange是代表了女性參與religious services的權利, 因為之前曾有Rabi說過女人在這台上就彷彿sader plate上放了orange一樣,所以為了證明女性也應該有參與主持service的權利, 有些比較不orthodox的family就會放orange.
The Nadel family有一本他們經過多年來compile起來的一本 "Sader" pamphelt, 裡面就是在介紹這些種種的典故,配上希伯來文的經文以及英文翻譯,讓在座的大家輪流念出來, 有的時候還有歌可以一起唱, 其中有一首"Dayenu" ,旋律很catchy, 後來晚上睡覺我還在夢裡想起那調調, dayenu意思是"that would have been enough", 就是猶太人在感謝上帝對他們的救贖以及所做的一切, 比如說 上帝freed the Jews from the Egyptians 然後就要唱 dayenu, 因為本來這就已經夠好了, 但是上帝又做了更多。雖然他們真的經歷了很多苦難,但是他們還是很感謝上帝給他們的一切, 甚至有一段還提到聯合國讓以色列建國的決議呢!
猶太人真的是很特殊的民族阿, 他們把對於上帝的感謝,民族經歷過的痛苦跟教訓,在宗教活動及各個節日的儀式裡慢慢的傳給他們的下一代, Nadel family剛好是特別輕鬆又搞笑的, 所以參加這個嚴肅的節日卻一點都不覺得嚴肅有壓力!他們去蒐集了一些把流行歌曲改編成跟Sader有關的內容,讓人容易了解節日的特色,比如說Beattles的 Eight days a week 還有把 "who let the dogs out" 改成 "who let the Jews out" 等等。在吃了各式各樣matzah做的很料理後, 很期待以後再參加各種關於Jewish 的節日跟活動呢!!
看過埃及王子的話大概就知道出埃及記以及10 plagues 之類的故事，所以我也不多贅述這些背景了, 猶太教裡有很多symbolism , 比如說吃parsley 沾鹽水代表了眼淚跟過去先人經歷的苦難, horse raddish 代表了bitterness, shredded apple + spice + wine 代表了猶太人替埃及人建造宮殿時用的那些cement, 在Sader plate裡的骨頭是象徵那時候猶太人宰殺羔羊塗抹鮮血在門上做記號,使得天使可以pass over Jewish families, 另外Sader plate上的orange是代表了女性參與religious services的權利, 因為之前曾有Rabi說過女人在這台上就彷彿sader plate上放了orange一樣,所以為了證明女性也應該有參與主持service的權利, 有些比較不orthodox的family就會放orange.
The Nadel family有一本他們經過多年來compile起來的一本 "Sader" pamphelt, 裡面就是在介紹這些種種的典故,配上希伯來文的經文以及英文翻譯,讓在座的大家輪流念出來, 有的時候還有歌可以一起唱, 其中有一首"Dayenu" ,旋律很catchy, 後來晚上睡覺我還在夢裡想起那調調, dayenu意思是"that would have been enough", 就是猶太人在感謝上帝對他們的救贖以及所做的一切, 比如說 上帝freed the Jews from the Egyptians 然後就要唱 dayenu, 因為本來這就已經夠好了, 但是上帝又做了更多。雖然他們真的經歷了很多苦難,但是他們還是很感謝上帝給他們的一切, 甚至有一段還提到聯合國讓以色列建國的決議呢!
猶太人真的是很特殊的民族阿, 他們把對於上帝的感謝,民族經歷過的痛苦跟教訓,在宗教活動及各個節日的儀式裡慢慢的傳給他們的下一代, Nadel family剛好是特別輕鬆又搞笑的, 所以參加這個嚴肅的節日卻一點都不覺得嚴肅有壓力!他們去蒐集了一些把流行歌曲改編成跟Sader有關的內容,讓人容易了解節日的特色,比如說Beattles的 Eight days a week 還有把 "who let the dogs out" 改成 "who let the Jews out" 等等。在吃了各式各樣matzah做的很料理後, 很期待以後再參加各種關於Jewish 的節日跟活動呢!!
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