Advanced Reading — 第一冊

🔊Calligraphy is basically a name for fancy writing. A calligrapher, or calligraphist, is someone who writes calligraphy. Many cultures practice calligraphy, but none to the extent of the Chinese. In China calligraphy has been practiced for about three thousand years. In Taiwan it has maintained a place in culture by becoming an art form. Every year there are contests held where calligraphers can showcase their talents. The focus of these competitions is to keep the tradition alive and attract new followers. The following is a fictitious story of a young boy who discovers the world of calligraphy.

🔊Tristan takes calligraphy very seriously. He was first introduced to the art form in his early teens and immediately took a liking to it. It is not for everyone, but Tristan has an eye for aesthetics. As a child he would spend long hours printing characters perfectly with a pencil. A teacher noticed his remarkable penmanship at the age of thirteen and suggested that he take some formal classes.

🔊Every day after school, Tristan walks to Mr. Li’s house to take classes. Mr. Li is a renowned Taiwanese calligrapher, but has never actually taught anyone before. Once he saw the work of the promising young boy, though, he immediately took Tristan under his wing. Mr. Li offered his service under one condition: Tristan is never to question his teacher. Tristan gladly agreed and they have been working together ever since.

🔊Now, after four years of diligent practice, Tristan is testing his skills against the best in the county. For him, though, it is not about competing. He didn’t take up calligraphy to prove that he was better than anyone; he took it up because he loves it and is very proud of his work. And he is thrilled to be carrying on a tradition that has been practiced for thousands of years, if not more.

🔊Each student is given a long sheet of paper divided into squares. All the students bring brushes and ink for the competition. They are given a slip of paper with the characters they are required to write.  The students then have one hour to complete their work.

🔊Tristan works with all the skill of someone with 20 years of experience, but has only 4. The brush glides fluidly at his command forming lines and shapes on the paper.  It is as if the characters were already there and he is bringing them to life. With each stroke a new character is born. His focus is unbreakable and he only looks up to re-wet his brush in the bottle of ink to his left, then he fixes his eyes again on the paper.

🔊Many in the competition are finished before him, but Tristan is unfazed. His work isn’t rushed, though it isn’t slow, either. Each character is done precisely, but not too fast as to cause a mistake. He works at his own pace, giving a respect to his natural talent without being boastful.

🔊When the contest is finally over, a smile crosses Tristan’s face as he stares at his work. He then walks around the room to admire others’ work. He views no one as his rival. Mr. Li has taught Tristan that there is something to be learned from every calligrapher, even those who are not as skilled.

🔊After a few minutes of socializing, everyone takes his or her seat to await the judge’s decision. Most in the room are filled with anticipation, but Tristan is not. For him, it is not about winning or losing, it is about being around people that have the same love for calligraphy.

🔊The judge finally reaches a verdict—Tristan has won, hands down. He proudly accepts the award on behalf of everyone there, everyone who has dedicated much time to continuing on the tradition of calligraphy. Mr. Li is also thanked for providing 4 years of tutelage and support.

🔊The crowd gives Tristan a generous applause as he takes his seat. No one can believe the maturity or the modesty of the brilliant young calligrapher. He will no doubt continue to inspire with his wonderful works and bring praise to a timeless art for many years to come.

🔊Have you ever wanted to be able to play ping-pong on a regular basis? Perhaps you have wished that you could play at a higher level. Maybe you would just like to play more often to relax, but you don’t have room in your house or apartment for a table to play on. Fear not, Beidou has just the place for you.

🔊On May 24, 2008, the Beidou Table Tennis Training Center officially opened its doors to the public. The specialized new sports facility, owned by Mr. Chen and Mr. Tsao, enriches the community and surrounding area with a great new amenity that can be enjoyed by all. It also provides citizens with another exercising alternative.

🔊The center is very spacious and easily accommodates eight tables to play at. You don’t have to worry about bumping into walls or other patrons while playing. There are also low partitions around each table to prevent errant balls from rolling too far away. The setup is perfect for this type of facility.

🔊There is also an automatic ball machine on site to help you hone your skills when a coach isn’t available. This machine spits out balls at regular intervals to help you with your return. The speed and direction of the ball’s flight can be adjusted to simulate different scenarios. Because of the repetitiveness of drills using this machine, even the most challenging of shots can become like second nature, making you a more dangerous foe.

🔊The owners of the training center are also ping-pong coaches. Mr. Chen, himself, is a very accomplished coach and player. He has coached at several different schools in Chunghua County over the last 5 years. Under his expert instruction, students have won many trophies and other awards in competitions throughout the county.

🔊Three other coaches also work alongside Mr. Chen and Mr. Tsao and are available for hire. They are all on hand for one-on-one instruction at the facility or to offer a little advice here and there to help improve your game. You could even challenge them to a match if you feel so inclined, but be prepared for a whupping as they are a lot better than your average player.

🔊I am sure that Ping-Pong enthusiasts in the area are very excited about the opening of the Beidou Table Tennis Training Center. One of my colleagues in particular was extremely thrilled when it opened. He couldn’t stop ranting and raving about this glorious new place and insisted that I check it out. This is his testimonial:44

🔊“Personally, I am very happy and grateful that they (the owners) can set up a place like this in Beidou because I can stay in shape year-round by playing ping pong before going to work. I used to jog or walk to stay healthy, but in winter or summer it’s really difficult because of the weather. Since it’s an indoor sport, you can play it, rain or shine. For those who are prone to sports injuries, it’s a good choice, too, because it doesn’t put a lot of stress on the body. One more thing, I hire a coach to help me improve my skills. Besides making me healthy, I get a sense of accomplishment as my skills become better.”

🔊The facility isn’t just for wannabe competitive ping-pong players, either. Young and old, boys and girls, inexperienced and otherwise are welcome to come out and discover the joys of the game. If you have never played before, don’t fret, the coaches can teach you the basic rules and skills to get you on your way.  Other, more knowledgeable members may be considerate enough to help you out as well.

🔊Next time you’re vegetating on the couch watching TV, consider getting off your butt and getting some exercise. Go to play some ping-pong at the Beidou Table Tennis Training facility. It’s open from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. It’s a great place to meet friends or make new ones and it will also do your body some good.

🔊Every year, on-line games become more and more advanced. They have captivated the young and old alike with an amazing realism, and their audiences continue to grow. Some people have become completely consumed and even addicted to the fantastic worlds that have been created. They allow people to escape, to become something they are not, but it is important to remember that they are only games. Spending too much time playing computer games can lead to social disorders and self-esteem issues. People that play these games too much can become reclusive, preferring to interact with people on-line, and may even try to avoid social situations. The end result is people that are not very well adapted to living in the real world. Think about that as you read the following story.

🔊Only the flicker of the monitor lit Mike’s room at this dark hour. He should have been sleeping, as his mother had instructed him earlier, but how could he? He sat almost lifeless, his nodding head felt heavy on his shoulders, but he fought it off─he must remain awake! His eyelids, too, felt heavy, though his eyes stayed fixed on the room ahead, waiting.

🔊It had been over four hours, now, that he had patiently awaited what would come and when it did, he would be ready. The clock ticked towards morning, but rest would not come this night, how could it? Some things are more important than sleep, he thought.

🔊In the room below Mike’s, his mother stirred. She knew her son wasn’t sleeping─he never was. His father was also concerned, but at this time of the night only his loud snoring could be heard, adding to his wife’s uneasiness. She would have to confront this problem of Mike’s again, before it was too late.

🔊Then a loud crash on the floor above jolted her up in bed. What is he doing now, she wondered. She stood up and put her nightgown on, and then made her way to the stairs.

🔊Mike, half startled, jumped up from his chair, knocking over a stack of CD’s onto the floor. He was wide awake now, still fixed on that room, that room inside the monitor, and he no longer stood there alone. Beside him surrounded by a dark cloud was a vile creature, a creature of horror, a creature that Mike had hunted for two days and, now, it was before him. Mike, a high-ranking samurai, drew his sword and stepped back, eyeing his evil foe, deciding whether to strike or allow his rival the honor. In an instant he decided, lunging forward, leading with his razor-sharp sword.

🔊The shadow creature scoffed at the attack. It seemed to consume all the light within the room and it grew and grew, until it towered over the bewildered samurai. The ghostly visage now rose straight up, holding its hands in the air, calling forth the powers of darkness. Black magic grew in its hands and it eyed young Mike with a hunger. Then it spoke.

🔊“Prepare to become darkness,” it said in a low almost merciful voice.

🔊The black magic flowed from its fingertips and surrounded Mike. He could feel his life force draining. Then, without notice, the monitor went black. Mike quickly turned. In all the excitement, he had not heard his mother come in. While his soul was being devoured online, she had reached over his shoulder and shut off the monitor.

🔊“What are you doing?” Mike snapped.

🔊“Something I should have done long ago,” she scolded and proceeded to dismantle his computer.

🔊“But I need it for my homework,” he protested.

🔊“Homework?” she laughed, “you haven’t done your homework for months.”

🔊“I will start tomorrow,” he pleaded. 37

🔊“That you will,” she agreed, “with some paper and a pen. Your computer privileges are now revoked. No more games, no more chat-rooms, no more online anything for you, Mister! And that’s final!”

🔊With that she turned and walked out of the room with his PC tower in hand. Mike didn’t know what to think. It’s not like I’m out hanging on the streets in some gang, he thought, I’m just playing games. He felt his mother’s decision was unfair and a bit rash. What am I going to do now, he wondered, I don’t have any real friends.

🔊Mike slipped into his bed. It was now 4 a.m. and he wasn’t going to get much sleep. As he drifted off, he still saw the dark villain in his head. I know I could have beaten him, I just know it, he thought, then he fell asleep.

🔊The monitor no longer flickered and the hum of the PC was no more. The dark of the night settled in around him and stars danced outside the window. At this hour, the moon and stars were the only light, as it should be. These lights have been here for millennia, and will continue for another, guiding the adventurous through the night. The night of the real world.

🔊There are so many different subjects required for students to get a proper education. There are math, science, history, geography, language and on and on. Some subjects seem very practical while others, though we may not use them daily, help us to be well-rounded, more educated individuals. It makes choosing what should and shouldn’t be part of the curriculum a very tough decision. But first and foremost it is important to keep the kids motivated.

🔊It’s not an easy task keeping students motivated and eager to learn. If they were taught nothing but core subjects from sun up to sun down, boredom would quickly set in and uninterested children tend to be unfocussed. They start to look for other ways to keep themselves entertained like shooting spitballs and acting like goofs. Then the teacher gets angry because the students aren’t paying attention; the students think the teachers are out to get them and nothing good comes out of any of it.

🔊Classes like art and PE can be used to break up the monotony. PE is great because it gives students the opportunity to blow off some steam, get out of the classroom, and do some exercise while they are at it. Art also helps to blow off a little steam, but in more of an emotional sense. It allows students to be expressive, creative and explore a different side of themselves.

🔊Whenever I have asked students what their favorite subjects are, art or PE is usually the response. Probably because there is more freedom and it doesn’t really feel like a regular class—in the sit-in-a-desk-and-take-notes sense—where numbers and information are being forced down their throats. Then again, maybe it’s just because there are usually no big textbooks to lug around!

🔊Other classes that are popular with students are home economics and industrial arts. Again, it gets away from the everyday ABC’s and allows them some time to learn other skills that they might not otherwise get the chance to. These classes are both very practical, as well, and students generally enjoy the activities; thus, learning without even realizing they are learning. Whether you’re going to be an accountant or an astronaut, it never hurts to learn how to run a power saw or sew a dress. You just never know when your knowledge will be useful.

🔊It’s important to remember, too, that not all teaching has to be from books and in the classroom. Students need variety to keep them stimulated and stop them from becoming bored out of their skulls. Take your science class out on a nature walk and let them see firsthand the world up-close. A trip to the local art gallery for an art class would be wonderful. Taking your history class out to a local landmark would probably educate them more about local history than reading 100 pages of text. Most students learn tremendous amounts on field trips and usually remember it, too. Who knows, an outing might even inspire some of them.

🔊I have fond memories of my school years, as I am sure many of you do. As an adult, and a teacher, I often reflect back on what helped me to learn best and what I disliked. Long days without a “fun class” to split up the tediousness were definitely high on my dislikes list, while days where I had IA or PE gave me something to look forward to and kept me focused. And trust me on this, if a 40-minute art class here or there can keep ME motivated and on track, it will do a world of good in keeping a lot of students on track and make them happier. And happy students are certainly going to learn a lot more!

🔊Pamela is an accomplished violinist. She has been playing the stringed instrument for almost 6 years. Even as a beginner, those around her knew that she had a special gift and her parents, especially her father, nurtured it.

🔊For the past month she has spent every spare moment practicing for an upcoming recital. During her lunch breaks, while others were napping, Pamela could be found under a tree in the schoolyard polishing up her skills. This recital is everything to her and if it is a complete flop, it won’t be for lack of trying.

🔊Before going on stage, Pamela paced back and forth. The butterflies in her stomach* were making her uneasy and quite nauseous. Her father assured her that it was just a case of performance anxiety and said she shouldn’t dwell on it. Although she believed him, she couldn’t stop worrying.

🔊“Okay, you’re on,” the event organizer announced. Taking a deep breath, Pam stepped up onto the stage with her violin in hand. She stopped in front of the music stand and turn∗ed to face it, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone in the crowd so as not to feed the already wild butterflies* frolicking in her belly; the notes on the sheet music were all she wanted to see.

🔊For a minute she seemed to freeze. Her muscles held her rigidly in place. Everyone in the crowd was silent, sensing Pamela’s stage fright, but they seemed supportive enough and their smiles encouraged her to break free of the icy hold. She ignored the voice in her head that was telling her to run and placed the violin’s body under her chin.

🔊Pamela rested the bow on the strings and closed her eyes. With the first pull a cloud of rosin wafted into the air. Robotic initially, her tempo eased into a silky rhythm and the room slowly filled with sound. Each note danced from the violin across the recital hall joining the butterflies that were merrily fluttering about and no longer confined within her belly.

🔊With every passing note Pamela’s confidence grew. She worked the fret board like a master, crafting and sculpting each measure into a living entity. The accompanying piano subtly augmented the performance beautifully without dominating it.

🔊As the tempo quickened, the audience gasped in awe. Pam’s fingers moved so quickly that they seemed to blur. Faster and faster she played, the music became a frenzy of emotion, building to a climax and then....

🔊It was over.  Sweat rolled off her brow as she raised her head to look at everyone for the first time. Initially, the crowd just stared. They couldn’t believe that this beautiful young girl was capable of playing with such reckless abandon. Then a single clap echoed in the room. Then two. Until the whole building was a roar of applause.

🔊Pamela bowed appreciatively and her father rushed onto the stage to embrace her. A proud tear rolled down his face and she wiped it away and smiled. Somehow they both knew that it was the start of something big.

🔊During the New Year holiday, Julie decided to take a trip to Japan. She had been there once before and enjoyed it so much that she decided to go back a second time. It was her favorite place to go.

🔊On her previous visit she had checked out all the usual tourist destinations. They were great, but this time she wanted to try something different, something more exciting, and something she had never done before.

🔊Seeing it was winter, she felt the obvious choice was skiing, but unfortunately all the ski resorts were booked full. The only other option was tobogganing. It seemed a bit childish, but beggars can’t be choosers, so she decided to try it.

🔊When she arrived at the hill the beauty of the winter landscape impressed her. Snow covered everything, the trees, the buildings and even the children. It was also very cold, but the excitement of trying something new made the temperature more bearable.

🔊She found a small shack where they rented sleds. They were a little on the small side, after all tobogganing is mostly for children, but the man who worked there assured her that many adults used them and it was nothing to be ashamed of. She shelled out the cash, grabbed a sled and headed for the top of the hill.
     The hill wasn’t terribly big, but Julie didn’t realize that walking up a snow-covered hill was a lot more difficult than it looked. Her steps were higher and required more energy than usual, but she kept her head down and ascended the hill, slowly but surely.

🔊By the time she reached the top, she was completely out of breath. she set the toboggan down on the slippery slope and bent down to tie her winter boots. When she lifted her head again, she saw the sled flying down the hill without her. She had learned her first tobogganing lesson: always keep the rope in your hand. Back down the hill she went on foot.

🔊Now on top for the second time, she kept a tight grip on the rope. She stepped into the sleigh and whoosh! It shot out from underneath her and flew down the hill without her again. Lesson two was finished: never stand up in a sled. Back down the hill she went on foot.

🔊The third time at the top, she was more than ready to toboggan. She was also tired of going up and down the hill on foot. People were also starting to point at her and snicker, which didn’t make her feel any better about the whole thing. If she didn’t make it down this time, she didn’t know if she could walk all the way up again or endure the taunting of the children.

🔊Carefully she put one foot on either side of the sled and slowly sat down as if mounting a wild horse. To her surprise the sled didn’t move as she had expected it to, so she used her hands and pushed herself along to get moving. The toboggan began to move and pick up speed. Julie held the sides tightly.

🔊“Wee,” she said as she slid down the hill. It was more fun than she could’ve imagined. Faster and faster she went down the snowy hillside.

🔊Now, Julie was going so fast that her eyes were beginning to water. She flew by other sleds as if they were standing still and was still picking up speed. Why weren’t the children going so fast, Julie thought. Then she remembered a few things about physics that frightened her.

🔊Her “wee’s” suddenly became screams of terror as she realized that she was heading straight toward the rental shack at what seemed like terminal velocity. Panicking, she dug her right hand into the slope. It did little to slow her down, but she was now veering right and away from the shack. Unfortunately, the only thing on the right was a forest of pine trees.

🔊Julie bailed from the runaway sled just in the nick of time. The sleigh crashed hard into a big pine tree and shattered into numerous pieces. Meanwhile she tumbled out of control like a rag doll before coming to a stop upside down in a deep powdery snowdrift. At least nothing was broken, she hoped.

🔊Looking back across the hill, she saw her mitts, toque, boots and scarf strewn about. It looked like a yard sale. She gathered her things and a few bigger pieces of what was left of the sled and went back to the rental shack.
    The man looked oddly at Julie as she approached with an armful of clothes and unrecognizable plastic parts. He took the pieces of sled from her hands and chuckled.  “Don’t worry about it,” is all he said. Then added, “Theses things are cheap like borscht.”

🔊Julie could only feign a smile, but she was deeply thankful that this tragedy hadn’t cost her anything more than a bit of pride. She would realize later, though definitely not now, that this event would become one of her longest lasting memories of Japan and would be a story she would never tire of telling.