PURE YILING

View from the Brokeback Mountain - Love is a Force of Nature

2006-01-25T17:30:00.000+08:00

brokeback 1, originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

I went to see this movie the first day when it was released in Taiwan. Before the movie, I have read the book, written by Annie Proulx, in both English and Chinese translation.

The feeling was amazing. I did not feel too touching instantly while I read the book. But the feeling started to ferment after I close the book. Something like small ants crawling along my skin, and further getting into my blood. The pain was just biting out my heart. It was the next day after I finished the book; I was in the office working without my mind but unbearable tears.

Is it so-called the imaged power of Brokeback Mountain?

Then I went to the movie.

I carefully watched and digested each plot in the film, and silently compared the differences between the original and the adapted. Nothing seems too awkward in the film, but Ang Lee made Proulx's work much more presentable, and told the audience what was not released in the book in an untraceable way.

The imaged power came again. I started to weep and eventually cry after walking out of the theater. The night folded in with cold wind, and moonlight was covered with thin clouds. The street was quiet. I was touched by a long-lost love story, not because of the forbidden gay love, but for the dedicated feeling in everyone's heart that somehow never be fulfilled just because of the moral concerns ruled by others.

"This is no one else’s business but ours." Jack said.

However, so many people like to make other's business theirs.

As the subtitle of the movie poster: Love is a Force of Nature.

When it comes from the human nature, from the bottom of the fair heart, how can you ignore it and push it away?

The love between Ennis and Jack was long folded in the shirts, which was hung in Jack's closet but found by Ennis, and the memory of sweetness were left forever in the Brokeback Mountain.

I don't think this movie was intended to initiate some issues to discuss, however, it does awake the social conscious to some extend.

For those who have not seen this movie, I do like recommending give it a try. You don't have to bow for the gay love, but the scene of nature and the true voice from the bottom of the heart will eventually embrace you.

That's what Annie Proulx wrote about the frontier life of cowboy, that's how Ang Lee made it in front of our eyes.

Himeji Castle, as stong as our friendship

2005-12-28T12:20:00.000+08:00

Himeji Castle, originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

I spent the Christmas in Japan with my friends, Miyo and Liza. We met in Bloomingtion, Indiana, when we went to the Master program of IU Law School in 1997-1998.

It was a great reunion after almost 8 years.

Time flew, and people changed.

Our dreams did not fulfill as we wished.

However, the pure and true friendship among us is always as green as the tip of pine tree.

We went to Himeji Castle on the Christmas' Eve. It is the biggest Castle in Japan and recognized as the world historical heritage. It carries the astonished beauty, no wonder it survives from bombing of the US army in the WWII.

Just like our friendship.

After those ups and downs passing by, we still survive and live the best out of our lives.

Wish my friends be strong and be happy as we always were in the IU year.

May you a Happy New Year!!

The End of 2005, for peace

2005-11-24T13:09:00.000+08:00

Frankenmuth, Michigan, originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

The Thanksgiving is coming.
Soon the Christmas.
This year is going to wrap up with all happiness and sadness, whether you like it or not.
Let's enjoy the most peaceful time of this year and wish a new 2006.
Everything is going to be better.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Merry Christmas!!

Bed time reading...

2005-11-09T12:47:00.000+08:00

Bed time reading, originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

It becomes a ritual before going to bed. The books are decked up on the night stand, and I simply pick up one of them.
Sometimes, I read novels; sometimes short story or essays. Since the reading itself has been broke up into pieces, I might not remember the chapter that I read last time. This recalling process brings me more flavor while continue reading.
Yes, one fine day should always wrap up with a few pages of words.
Then a good sleep and sweet dream.

Lights

2005-11-01T13:32:00.000+08:00

lamp, originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

Nara, Japan.

My friends - Fumiko & Sakiko

2005-10-17T21:54:00.000+08:00

It was about 10 years ago, we first met in the summer school in Cambridge, England. Although we spoke poor English, our friendship grew as blooming flowers within 4 weeks. Two years later, Fumiko and Sakiko came to Taiwan visiting me.

We wrote to each other a lot thereafter, however, we kinda lost in touch after graduated from college. Fumiko went to graduate school in Japan. Sakiko went to Okinawa for a job. I flew to the US for continued law education.

The year of 2004, when I was cleaning my room, I found the old letters that Fumiko and Sakiko sent to me. It reminded me the good youth that we had shared together. As appreciated the friendship, I tried to send Christmas cards, even though I was not sure if the addresses were still active.

The miracles were just happened! First I got the email from Fumiko, gladly told me that she's coming to Taiwan for a tour. We met and got to chat in a little nice chocolate shop. She's married to Hisashi, her co-worker, a nice young man. Per her information, I knew that Sakiko got married too, and now Mrs. Sasahara. And I got response from Sakiko via email as well. Thanks to the Japanese postal services, and their parents still live in the same places. So we could get in touch after so many years apart.

Therefore, I planned my trip to Japan for the very first time visiting my long-time friends.

After 10 year's rolling, we finally see each other again!

Stars Falling Off...

2005-08-26T11:48:00.000+08:00

Stars Falling Off..., originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

Starry starry night...

This quiet neighbothood used to be the gold mining town. After all glory had gone, it is now only companied by the street lights and soundless sky.

The Earl

2005-08-26T10:41:00.000+08:00

The Earl, originally uploaded by Yiling Liu.

Ingredients :
7 oz. Earl Grey tea, freshly brewed
3/4 oz. Cointreau®
1 squeeze Lemon juice
3/4 oz. Vanilla syrup

Preparation :
Pour the tea, Cointreau®, lemon juice and vanilla syrup all together.

WRITTING LETTERS

2002-05-13T10:11:00.000+08:00

Here we are, living in the digital world.

People don't pick up pens writing words on papers.
"I'll email you."
That's how we communicate.

I still like writing letters, putting stamps on the envelope, walking to the post office dropping the mail with a great smile on my face. You can weigh the words, they are as heavy as the relationship between you and the one who would appreciate the letters.

Nobody cares anymore.

LETTER TO A STRANGER (To Martinez)

2002-03-13T09:58:00.000+08:00

Ms. Jutta Martinez
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
March 12, 2002

Dear Ms. Martinez,

The book, "84, Charing Cross Road" by Helene Hanff, has arrived today. I would like to thank you for the timely delivery and the careful wrapping. Your using of the paperboard instead of the regular manila envelope reminds me my 90-year-old grandpa. As long as I could remember, he never buys a brand new envelope. He always recycles the used ones by turning them inside out and re-seal them again when mailing.

As for the "84, Charing Cross Road", the movie version first caught my attention nearly 10 years ago; and later I accidentally found a set of tapes recorded the reading of the book by some theater actor and actress. While I was desperate to have the original writing, I gave up buying a new edition and rather looking for the secondhand. That's how I cross the Half.com and found yours, a great De luxe 1975 edition. Been writing letters all my life as well, this book means a lot to me. It's so grateful that you keep this book in a good shape; I'll do the same.

Sincerely,
Yiling Liu

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POSTSCRIPT:

I bought "84, Charing Cross Road" through HALF.COM. It is 1975 De Luxe Gift Edition where the blue hard cover has HH marked in gold, which was Helene Hanff's abbreviation when she used in writing letters. This used book was first given to a mother by her daughter Jif as a new year gift in 1981.

LETTER TO A STRANGER (To Cantey)

2001-05-17T09:05:00.000+08:00

Paul and Yvonne Cantey
San Jose, CA 95118
May 16, 2001

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Cantey,

How are you? You don't know me, and I am not sure if this letter should be getting you by the address that I found from the front page of the book, "Backroad Journey of the West Coast States" written by David Yeadon (Published in 1979).

I got this nice book in a book sale of the Fremont Public Library in spring 1997. I didn't actually read it until recently when I left my current job and took a long break at the first time in my life. It may be a good idea to arrange trips like this: taking backroad journeys instead of the major highways.

Have you ever try those routes that the author suggested in this book?

From this book, I assume that you must be book lovers and love taking road trips. Therefore, I am simply writing a note to you saying hello.

I am appreciated that I got this book from you, even which is not directly, and such vintage piece might not be found in any fancy bookstore. On the front page of this book, I put my personal stamp just below your address. Whoever gets this book later will know the previous owners.

Nice to meet you this way, and wish you all the best.

Regards,
Yiling Liu

****************************
POSTSCRIPT:

This letter was returned one week later with addressee unknown. As for "Backroad Journey of the West Coast States", I use it as a reference to plan my solo trips where I found great joy in the driving routes introduced in the book.

Q & A

2000-12-26T10:44:00.000+08:00

1. What time is it?-- What time is it when you read this? :P

2. The name as it appears on your birth certificate? -- Yiling Liu

3. Nicknames?-- Elaine/Little Good

4. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake? -- I don't eat cake in my birthday, but if you really want to know, it's 27.

5. Date that you regularly blow them out? --- As I told you, I DON'T celebrate birthday, well, I do accept gifts...It's Jan.26. ^__*

6.Pets? -- I had a bird, but he's gone to heaven in 1995.

7. Height?-- 165cm.

8. Eye color? -- I used to believe they were black, but actually they are BROWN.

9. Hair color?-- Black.

10. Piercing? -- None. I think that adding holes in my body will change my fate to better or worse. My life is not perfect, but acceptable at this point. So I don't want to take the chance.

11. Tattoos? -- None.

12. How much do you love your job?? -- I used to love it a lot, but now it is just OK.

13. Birthplace? -- Tai-Chung, Taiwan

14. Hometown? -- Difficult to define. My family moved 18 times in three different cities when I grew up in Taiwan. And I have changed addresses almost every year since I came to the States. Where is my hometown..mmm...I had lived in Taiwan for 22 years, there you go.

15. Current residence?-- Fremont, California, USA. For your information, I had lived in Huston, TX; Bloomington, IN and Concord, NH.

16. Had the drink Calypso Breeze? -- No.

17. Been in love before? -- I don't know. I only had crushes on some people, however, never had the mutual relationship though. Does it count?

18. Been to Africa? -- No, but I have the book "Out of Africa" the 1952 special edition for TIME Magazine Reading Program. I found it in the library book sale.

19. Been drunk? -- Never. Maybe I should try once...

20. Been toilet-papered?-- No.

21. Loved somebody so much it made you cry? -- Yeah... well, no one knows and no big deal anyway.

22. Been in a car crash? -- No.

23. Croutons or bacon bits in your salad? -- Bacon bits, I like putting Croutons in my soup though.

24. 2 doors or 4 doors? --- 4 doors Silver VW Jetta 2001, I am still paying the loan...

25. Sprite or 7UP? --- 7UP, do you know the commercial few years ago featuring a boy named Fido Dido? I had lots of Fido Dido T-shirts when I was in college. My friends used to call me Fido Dido girl. Ha~

26. Coffee or coffee ice cream?-- Coffee when I feel I am a grown-up, but coffee ice cream revives my childish playing spirits inside.

27. Big Mac or Whopper? -- Whopper, you know it is really bigger than Big Mac...

28. Salad dressings? -- Italian, I like honey mustard, too.

29. Color of socks? -- Various.

30. Favorite number? -- It's always 6.

31. Carpet or hardwood floor? -- I like hardwood. The apartment I lived in Bloomington has a great hardwood floor.

32. Favorite place to be kissed ?-- Don't know.

33. Favorite movies? -- The big blue, A river runs through it, Dances with wolves, Singles.

34. Quote from a movie or TV? -- " If you die, I will hold your hand. The last thing you ever see will be me." from "Dying Young"

35. Favorite holiday? -- Christmas, it is a good reason to think about someone without feeling embarrased and good excuse to send warm greetings even we don't see each other very often.

36. Foods? -- Chinese, Italian, Mexican Fajita, Korean TOFU stew, Vietnamese noodles, Japanese Tampra.

37. Favorite day of the week? -- Wednesday.

38. Favorite smell? -- Gardenia. (or Ocean Breeze)

39. TV shows? -- It used to be Felicity, Young Americans (hehe..the teen drama), now I don't watch too much TV shows.

40. Airlines? -- Continental Airline, I am collecting the mileages.41. Restaurant? -- No preference. I enjoy trying new ones.

42. Favorite Flower? -- Babies' Breath. The only flowers I could receive with whole pleasure.

43. Least favorite subject?-- Stocks, money...but I will pretent I am listening if I have to.44. Favorite alcoholic drink? -- Margarita, flavored beer cooler.

45. Sport to watch? -- Ice Skating.

46. Type of ice cream? -- Cherry Garcia from Ben & Jerry.

47. Zoo exhibit? -- Except monkeys.

48. Sesame street character? -- "Forgotten", I am not sure the name, the one who always forgets things.

49. TV station? -- WB for teen drama, Bravo for nice films, and Cooking Channel for enjoy the presentation of food.

50. Fast food restaurant? -- KFC

51. When was your last hospital visit? -- 1997

52. Favorite drink? -- Tea, however, I always have a glass of water with lemon if eat in restaurant.

53. What color is your bedroom carpet? -- Whilte Sand Beige.

54. What was the name of your childhood blanket? -- Bei-Bei, I still name the current blanket the same. ^__^

55. How many times did you fail your drivers license test?-- Three times, you know I wasn't goot at all for tests.

56. What do you think of Ouija boards? -- Spiritual, I do believe there are spirits talking to us.

57. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?-- Hopefully get a small house somewhere in a Midwest town. I will have a bakery where I provide cakes, of course, and books and music. All my friends are welcome and free of charge. To be honest, I will never get there in 10 years. And after 10 years, even I would be capable financially, I am not sure if I still have the dream. Let's see...

58. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? -- No.

59. Which SINGLE store would you choose to max your credit card? -- Kitchenware store.

60. What do you do most often when you are bored? -- I would simply drive to nowhere. If i have to be in doors, I would read, write, sort my CDs and photos, or take bath for an hour.

61. Name the person that you are friends with that lives the nearest? -- Hanns, Anita, and Fred. I am not sure which one is the nearest.

62. Most annoying thing is? -- Being trapped in one place or being forced to do something. Having too much responsibilities.

63. Best thing? -- Going away whenever I like.

64. Bedtime on a normal day? -- I try to sleep before 10pm, but usually it's around midnight.
(The above information was last updated in 2000.)