2009/10/18

採蘋果

襄理帶我們去賞楓、採蘋果,西點軍校等一日遊。
真的太感謝神了,原本說有百分之七十的降雨機率,卻是很棒的天氣,下一點雨也是在車上沒有妨礙到。
我們先到紐約上州的Rockland county- Bear Mt. State park賞楓。可惜不夠冷所以還是黃綠偏多偶有一簇紅。公園中有個熱心男士幫我們取景照相,我們離開時還叫我回去:You miss something, bring your camera, 原來是穿著警察裝和囚犯裝的兩隻狗,

之後去西點軍校,很嚴格,ICNY的學生證不能當Photo ID,所以不能參加他的TOUR。
不過West Point Museum是免費的,有真人穿著軍裝擺攤位,並有真的武器槍枝大炮讓我們可以實際體驗,對女生而言真的蠻重的5磅的槍枝及20多磅的連環槍。很Nice的講說員,耐心的解釋各種武器還說Thanks for coming.

New Paltz的 Dressel Farm是今天的重頭戲,我們坐稻草車至FUJI蘋果區,咬下去就噴汁並可看見紅黃色的果肉如蜜般甜,0.95一磅,採了25顆才11元。在裡面吃不用錢,試吃了四五顆發現邊際效用遞減是有道理的,還有PAW,如爪般可以採到高處的蘋果,心理學來說高的好像比較甜美。實戰經驗發現很甜的那棵果樹幾乎都被人採光,好樹結好果。結實纍纍且品種多真是豐收。
農場另有超級大南瓜,是萬聖節必備的Pumpkin裝飾,幾乎家家門前都有放幾顆,很有氣氛。
11.1 All Souls Day ~ 鬼門關
10.31 萬聖節小孩扮鬼treat or trick

照片: http://picasaweb.google.com/alicehua0512/200910#

2009/10/16

writing 10- Packing

2009.10.14 writing 10 –
Topic: Packing
Two weeks until I am backing home. To me 11 months and 6 days in New York are like a dream as Alice in the wonderland. Alice goes to New York, the Big Apple of the world and finds that she looks at things in different ways.

First of all, she saw a group of people who are willing to devote their free time to help foreigners. In the International Center New York (ICNY), many volunteers come here to be conversation partners or writing partners of foreigners; it makes it easier for them to improve their English ability and get used to the Big Apple. Even jobless people come to be volunteers as well; it is so abnormal from the Asian’s point of view.

Second, there are so many free events in New York City. The Thanksgiving Parade, New Year fireworks, Shakespeare in the Park, Museum Mile and openhousenewyork, etc. Though in the economic downturn, many companies cannot donate as much as usual, they still keep the tradition which makes New York has such a colorful culture life.

Third, working in the financial area of downtown Manhattan is a new experience. Wall Street, Trinity Church are no longer the names in a movie. While walking along the financial district, I feel man is so small compared to the skyscrapers. After 9/11, the World Trade Center collapsed, but a new center is under construction. Economic cycles go u p and down, firms open and close, new people will come in anyway. New York is always vivid and energetic.

Fourth, prayer in the city. There are so many churches in NYC. They hold a unified prayer meeting in Times Square, the heart of Manhattan; Manhattan is the center of NY, NY is the center of America, and the USA is the center of the whole world now. It is so meaningful and I am so surprised to see so many people gather on the street to pray and praise God because it is so hard to see this kind of outdoor event in Taiwan. People from different countries, different regions come here only to pray to God together. We pray to the Lord to forgive our sins and pray for the nation and the youth; I feel this country is full of hope and blessing, because from the President, the Mayor to the ordinary people, they pray! Most people know God and have the chance to go to church and learn about the Bible, it makes a difference.

All in all, this is the year of change for Alice in New York. I gained a lot and learned a lot from this city. I have packed all the love from God and people around me, and I appreciate everything I met or encountered to make me grow up and expand my horizons.

ps.Times Square: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square

Writing 9

translate and summerize from Sunday message and revise by Helen Mecs
2009.10.7 Writing 9
Topic: A girl in Jeans

When I was working in the nature temple, I saw a girl wearing jeans and standing among a group of people wearing formal white clothing I went to say hi to her because she was a first time visitor. I told her that I was really busy and would only be able to say a few words to her. I said, “Listen to my words really well and be sure to believe them. No matter what happens, follow me because Jesus sent you. Today I came here to meet you. Besides, whenever there are large assemblies, be sure to come on your own, listen to my sermons, stay till the end and leave after saying goodbye. Okay?” she replied yes.

After that meeting that girl participated in every assembly and remained. I greeted her if she waited till the end and asked her to eat with us because we always went to the restaurant to eat afterwards. She told me she was going to leave without eating. I told her, “Didn’t I tell you during our first meeting that you should stay till the end and follow even if no one tells you to do this?” Therefore, she always stayed till the end.
One time she came during an assembly. I saw her face when we were playing soccer on the field after Sunday service but didn’t see her face by the time we were finished. I thought, “She left since no one was taking care of her. In the beginning I told her to follow till the end but she just left.” I looked in all directions but couldn’t find her anywhere. Mumbling to myself, “She’s tall. So she’s easy to spot…” Everyone was waiting so I said, “Dummy, she left,” and got into my car. She was sitting in the back seat of my car.

“Who told you to ride this car?” She said, “I got in. You told me to follow you till the end, right?” I told her, “Good. I thought you left today without saying goodbye. Eat before you go. Don’t worry about transportation because someone will drive you home.”
You must manage them solidly like this and tell them exactly what they must do. Then they will carry out their responsibilities and will not rely on others. If you teach them what they must do and manage them only in areas that require care and management, they will do everything needed.

After going through various hardships for more than 7 years and after being trained and maturing, the girl became a leader and a revival speaker and was able to preach the Lord’s deep heart and move people’s hearts. Like this girl in jeans, all of us do not know how the Lord will use us, but all we need to do is to follow the Lord’s teaching and obey it until the end. We do not know the Lord’s purpose for us during the process, but we need to carry out our own responsibilities and then we will realize this is why Jesus loves us so much and raise us until now.

2009/10/11

OpenHousenewyork Weekend

10.10-11 紐約開門

The seventh Annual openhouse new york weekend. It shows the NYC's rich and diverse architectural, design and cultural heritage.
I joined the tour of Woodlawn Cemetery, Hall of Fame for great Americans in Bronx Community College and Grand Lodge of Masons.

the photos are in Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/alicehua0512/2009NY#

1 Woodlawn is in Bronx, the last stop of four train.
爭取遺族的同意後,我們得以在導遊的帶領下進入外國人的陵墓(mausoleum)。有的內擺桌椅,讓訪客可以坐下來讀聖經,有的把心愛的寵物鳥放入一起作伴,有的是Tiffany玻璃,更有各國人從本國運來的石頭及裝飾,因此有各國各式樣的陵墓。很多名人有錢人住在裡面,可惜沒幾個認識的。
當我想著:死人多麼羨慕我們活著的人,希望我們來拜訪他,帶來生氣,所以開放讓我們欣賞她所住的地方,天空出現兩群候鳥,飛著成為微笑嘴型。紐約的早秋,楓葉開始轉紅,聽說這墓園連樹的造景都頗下功夫,按照時節會有何種顏色的組合都是種樹時的考量。

2 Hall of Fame of Great Americans
當我趕到名人堂時已將近五點關門時間。很幸運的是遇到很好的導遊正在為一對建築師夫婦講解。名人堂主要是知識及學術界的美國名人,同樣的除了總統之外我沒認識幾個人,聽說每年還會票選決定要拿掉哪些新增哪些銅像。
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_Fame_for_Great_Americans

3 Grand Lodge of Masons

紐約共濟會總堂,在ICNY附近,23 st+6 ave Masonic Hall
揭開神秘的色彩,共濟會的神秘一直是小說家的最愛,但他們一直有開放民眾參觀,富麗堂皇的聚會房間,每個都有其特色,有埃及風,法國風,義大利文藝復興風格等,但因為大同小異且其色調不是很討喜,所以我們跳過講解人員挑幾個有興趣的房間看看就離開。
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry

2009/10/04

Writing 1

2009.8.12 Writing -1 why to NY
New York is on the opposite side of the earth from my country, Taiwan, so when it is 12 noon in NY, it is midnight in Taiwan. Last November, my company chose me as one of four trainees to have a one-year job-training in our New York branch. With the blessing of my family and under the envious eyes of my colleagues, I started my first time trip to the Big Apple, New York.

Our company rents a house for us in Flushing. To my surprise, I do not need to use English in my daily life, because where I live and where I work, I can use Chinese as well. Especially in Flushing, everyone speaks in Chinese, and there are Chinese restaurants and Chinese supermarkets everywhere, it is not like living in America. But on the other hand, New York is the place of different races of people, which forms various cultures and makes this city so attractive.

The working hours here are less than in Taiwan, usually I do not have to work overtime, and thus I have much time to explore the city after work. As the summer arrives, day light lasts until 8 or 9 pm and many free events are held in NYC. I love the art performances very much. I enjoy the Broadway shows and musicals. Opera and all kinds of dance, ballet, and museums all open my eyes. I have had many brand new experiences here. For example, last week I went to one of my favorite places, Lincoln Center, which is the largest performing art centers in the world and has 12 organizations which present over 5,000 performances by artists from around the world. When I went to Avery Fisher Hall for the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, they gave me a "stage seat", because it is the cheapest seat so I went to the top floor, then the usher told me, your seat is in the orchestra, so I went back to the first floor to my seat "on the stage", which faced the audience and the conductor but was behinded the orchestra members. What a different view to the music performance! I like the conductor, French-Canadian Yannick's performance; this was his New York debut. And the music was so colorful with various feelings: happy, sad, angry, and merry. The man next to me told me that though it started at 8:00pm, they provide pre-concert recitals at 7:00pm, which is also good and like a special gift to the audience. The whole night, I was soaked into Mozart’s beautiful melody elicited by the Maestro’s. What a wonderful and abundant art city is New York!

In a word, I like New York, except the subway. To see Shakespeare in the Park, Museum Mils, Philharmonic concert and opera in the park expand my horizon of life.
Furthermore, my company gave me a chance to study English in ICNY two afternoons a week. At ICNY I can meet different people and makes friend around the world. Besides, I can learn American culture through the volunteers; I am so thankful that I can be in New York and cherish the once in the life time experience.

Writing 8

2009.9.30 Writing 8
The happiest thing and the saddest thing happened to me in New York

As a foreigner living in the world’s Big Apple, New York, I experience many different things; sometimes it makes me happy; sometimes it upsets me.

The happiest thing for me is the subway system operated without any abnormal situation or accident. Then I can be on time to my office. Because I live in Flushing, the only way to my office is to take the number seven train and transfer to four or five train. However, the # seven trains always have problems and take me twice the time to get to work among the crowds of people. If I can have a seat, it is my day. I am so happy and satisfied with it.

Something upset me recently. Usually I buy an unlimited metro card for commuting. Though it is cheaper, it would be a big loss if I lost it. Besides, the metro card itself may have some problems as well. For example, my metro card had problem since I first used it on the bus, but it was fine in the subway turnstile. It bothers me so much, because I have to explain to the bus driver about my card’s problem. Most of bus drivers will say go ahead; but some bus drivers kick me out off the bus because my card does not work in the machine. I do not want to pay the extra 2.25 dollars after riding the subway home, so I have to walk home. When I asked the person working for the MTA in the subway, he just replied, “It is the bus machine’s problem, your card works with the subway machine. I can do nothing about this.” Therefore, I have to use this problematic card with a trembling heart to try the bus machine.

I like to travel; New York definitely is heaven for the traveler. Last Saturday, I went to one of the seven must see sites in the U.S.A. – The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The crown closed after 9/11 and reopened to the public on Independence Day this year.
At the beginning, I wanted to climb the crown after the summer vacation rush, but when I booked it on the Internet, I found it is not available until December. So I just bought the regular ticket to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It took me more than one and half hours to line up and pass the security check twice. But I felt it was worthwhile. I climbed the helical staircases to the 10 floor high ground level of the monument; it is a great view to downtown Manhattan and Ellis Island. The crown represents the seven seas and seven continents of the world. I realized how great a job it was for the artists to work on this giant statue. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France on Oct. 28th, 1886 to represent the two countries’ friendship after the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. “It represents a woman wearing a stola, a radiant crown and sandals, trampling a broken chain, carrying a torch in her raised right hand and a tabula ansata tablet, where the date of the Declaration of Independence JULY IV MDCCLXXVI is inscribed, on her left arm. Standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, it welcomes visitors, immigrants, and returning Americans traveling by ship.” According to the introduction sheet.

Then I went to Ellis Island and the immigration museum. From 1892 to 1954, about 12 million people passed through this gate to America. I saw many immigrates landing with big smiles, because they came far away from their home country to America to fulfill their dream. And this is the last gate after a long journey.
This is the fundamental spirit of America, this is the place where people came from different countries and contributed to this land with their own dream. Among those who came here for freedom, Protestants came here for religious freedom, and helped the country to build based on God’s word. For example, on all the USD bills, we can see “In God We Trust”; the presidential oath ends with “So help me God”. Also the witness has to swear on the Bible before testifying in court. All prove that God helps this country to grow with prosperity as most of the people in this country believe and respect God.

Though some bad experiences have happened to me, most of them are good memories and make me enjoy my time in New York. It is time to leave; the autumn is the season of separation. And it is time to say goodbye, New York.