Taiwan Tidbit # 547 (but who’s counting…)

April 6, 2006

Sometimes, the fabulously inexplicable happens to put me in my place, to give me perspective on my total lack of perspective. This morning I asked a  2nd year student to fetch some hot water in my teapot. He is a smart boy and not prone to antics. But just to be certain, I made the request in Chinese. He came back and was instructed to lay the teapot on my desk. After  sufficient time had passed to achieve adequate infusion, I poured myself a cup. It was lukewarm and obviously flavourless.

“Didn’t you put hot water in here?”

“Yes, teacher.”

“Why is it cold then? Was the water machine not working properly?”

“The machine is working ok.”

“So?”

“Well teacher, I put hot water first, but it was very hot. I am afraid you will burn your mouth so I put cold water after…”

Here is a photo of the computer lab, where I spend most of my working hours. I refer to it affectionately as “the bat-cave”.

(Unless otherwise mentioned, all photos posted are taken with my Samsung D608 mobile phone)

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