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    June 03

    魅力之都-巴黎(1)

    魅力之都――巴黎(1

     

    在去法国之前,就听几乎所有去过欧洲的朋友说,去欧洲就一定要去巴黎。来到了巴黎就觉得朋友们的推荐名副其实。巴黎的魅力是需要时间慢慢去体会和感受的,巴黎的美也是历经时间的考验,愈久弥新。在巴黎呆了整整五天,觉得也只是走马看花,浮光掠影般的将她最美丽的一面一一记录下来。

    法国女子的美丽和高贵是举世闻名的,这一点从一登上法航的班机就能感受到。一进机仓,最令人印象深刻的就是一个个面貌优美,身材匀称,举止优雅的法国空姐。之前也搭坐过不少航空公司的班机,也见过不少国家的空姐,但总觉得法航空姐的美丽最耐人寻味。来到法国,首先让人吃惊不是她的建筑和美食,而是满大街的俊男靓女,与我在澳洲和英国的所见完全不同。法国人的靓丽和高雅有着悠远的历史和文化底蕴,去到罗浮宫和凡尔赛宫看到如此众多美仑美奂的雕像和绘画,才发现原来历史上的法国人就是美丽和高贵的,也许正是法兰西这块沃土孕育了这样一个美仑美奂的民族。正由于有了这样一种美丽的天质,法国人对于美和时尚的追求也是让人时刻可以感受到的。在街头或火车站的任何一家超市或杂货店都可以找到大量五花八门的时尚杂志,在地铁站里也随时可以见到一边阅读时尚杂志一边候车的法国女子,香榭丽舍大道两边的精品店更是带领着世界时尚的潮流。法国人对衣着的讲究可以说远胜过英国人,一个普通法国人的穿着打扮都可以看得出其搭配的用心,裁剪和用料的精致。所以说巴黎是世界时尚的中心,一点也不言过其实。

     

    当然巴黎的魅力远远不止于有如此众多的俊男靓女,整个巴黎就是一件时代久远的巨型艺术品,巴黎之行真可谓是一趟艺术文化和历史之旅。光是博物馆和名胜古迹,巴黎就有六十处之多,对于一个城市来说,也可以算是一项记录了。一个城市如果没有一条贯穿其中的河流,那将逊色不少。巴黎,正是因为有了一条闻名于世的塞纳河,才使她多了一份生命的活力和韵律。横贯全城的塞纳河将巴黎分为左岸和右岸,巴黎最著名的一些旅游景点大部分都集中在塞纳河两岸。塞纳河上有不计其数大大小小的游河船,要想在最短的时间内将巴黎最美的风景尽收眼底,最方便的方法就是搭乘游河船,方便又实惠,一个小时的船程,不到港币一百圆,还有两位法国美女用不同的语言全程介绍沿岸的著名建筑。从罗浮宫出发,沿途经过奥赛博物馆、图勒里公园、协和广场、亚力山大三世桥、艾菲尔铁塔、市政厅、大皇宫、巴黎圣母院、巴黎古监狱,一个小时的时光在不知不觉中就过去了,仿佛在观看一部优美的旅游纪录片,只不过所有的一切都如此的真实。在塞纳河上随处可见用巨大的游船改装成的河上餐厅,不时可以见到为数不少的男男女女在船上一边享受着法国美食,一边欣赏着塞纳河两边的美丽风景,法国人对于生活的享受可谓发挥到了极致。这正应验了中国的一句古话:靠山吃山,靠海吃海。每年数以百万记慕名而来的游客给法国人带来了一比相当客观的收入。当然法国人也不得不感谢他们的先人为他们留下了如此众多、独一无二的世界文化遗产,让他们有资本可以悠悠闲闲的享受生活而不必为生计烦恼。(待续)
    April 18

    不要让悲剧再重演!

    不要让悲剧再重演! 这是每一个人的心声。可是它却一次又一次地重演,而且一次比一次严重,一次比一次血腥!

    《爱城故事》欣林
    ----------------------------------------

    "你是来旅游吧?"

    "不,我是留学生。"

    八七年八月,从旧金山飞往锡德腊皮兹(Cedar Rapids, Iowa)的早班飞机上,乘客不多,个个睡眼朦胧。只有我脸贴舷窗不住向外张望。这时空姐走过来搭话。

    "去哪里呢?"

    "爱荷华城(Iowa City)。到爱荷华大学去(University of Iowa)。"

    "为什么选中那里?大学有很多嘛。"空姐刨根问底。

    "我的妻子在那里呀。"我不假思索。

    "完美的答案!"

    我俩都笑了起来。爱人一年前赴美求学,正在那所大学读数学博士。久别后重逢的喜悦激动着我,心早就到了那梦魂牵绕的小城。

    和我的故乡北京比,爱荷华城可真是太小了。五万多人的大学城,连一座高楼都没有,简直不像美国。可我却喜欢这地方。爱城,多好听的名字。湛蓝的天空下,绿草如茵。

    爱荷华河从南边奔流而来,到这里轻轻带住脚步,把起伏的山丘分为东西两岸。两岸山坡绿树丛中各色小屋隐约可见。宁静安详,远离都市的喧嚣。女作家聂华苓是这里的教授。她主持的国际写作计划,把许多作家带到这小城。贾平凹,韩少功,北岛……都曾在这世外桃源谈书论文,怡然自得。

    田园风情,人心淳朴,小城是读书的好地方。学生的生活紧张忙碌。我读计算机,妻子读数学,儿子上幼儿园。三个人每天在课堂、实验室、 Day Care(日托所)、图书馆和住所之间走马灯似地转。小城有一间华人教会。每到星期日,当街支起一个大牌子:"爱城华人教会──陈仰善牧师"。我对那里边的世界并无兴趣。功课、实验、奖学金和学位已经够我忙的了。读书之余,除了带着儿子到山坡下校美术馆Hancher前的空地上骑车,便是在停车场鼓捣旧车。修自家的老爷车,也搭手帮助修朋友的。和几个乐于此道的同学结成好友。因为常常把手弄得满是油污,便谑称自己是"黑手党"。

    这无忧无虑的时光没持续两年,故乡突如其来的那场暴风雨浇灭了我心中的赤子之火。

    对过去曾相信过的理念彻底绝望,对未来一片茫然。我试图振作起来,好好念书,先拿下学位再说。而妻子则开始带着孩子出入教会的门了。奇怪,那次在商场,当两个香港同学拿着新约圣经要送给我时,不是她拉着我就走,还嗔怪说"怎么被这种人缠住了"吗?如今却自己要去。不过也好,只要她心里快乐平和。住我们楼上,我素来敬重的蓝大哥也是基督徒呢。儿子若能在教会中学些道理,也强似在家闲玩。至于我自己就免了。哪里有神?奋斗到今天还不全靠自己。每到星期日,我把妻子和儿子送到那块大牌子前,然后一头扎进实验室。

    不知不觉间,妻子脸上的笑容越来越多。素来急躁、好忧愁的她,变得沉静而温和了许多。对公众的事也更热心了。这年还做了学生会主席,我却成了不是主席的"主席先生"。鞍前马后地跟着忙。

    一天,她小声却又兴奋地告诉我:"我信主啦!"

    你──信──主──了?这里面的含义,我一时不能完全体会。于是跟着她去听牧师讲道。这牧师讲的逻辑不通嘛!回家的路上,我把一连串的问题撒向妻子,她也答不上来。算了,还是去我的实验室吧。我更加努力读书,跨越一个个考试,似乎离人生目标越来越近了。

    那是九一年的秋天。万圣节刚过,天灰蒙蒙的。星期五早晨,我紧跑几步赶上校车,见到住在三楼的山林华坐在靠门的长条座位上。"嗨,还好吗?"我在他身边坐下。"挺好的。我的岳父来了。我们刚从伊州香槟大学回来。下午系里有Seminar(研讨会)。"小山答道。小山是学校里的知名人物。博士资格考试时成绩之好,让遥遥落后的美国同学汗颜。体育也棒,足球场上的骁将。平时又乐于助人,还是前一届的学生会主席。

    最近好事盈门。论文获奖,又在本校物理系找到工作。一下子跳出学生之列,成了研究员(Research Investigator)。小山的今天,就是我的明天。我为他高兴,也在心里为自己鼓劲。

    下午,我在校行政大楼外等车。凉风一阵紧似一阵,空中开始飘起了初冬的雪。突然,两辆警车飞驰而来,嘎然停在楼前。警察跃出车门,曲臂举枪在脸颊。一边一个,直扑楼门。先侧身窥探,猛地拉开门冲进去。这场景与世外桃源般的小城构成极大的反差。

    我心里疑惑,这是拍电影吗?

    刚到家电话就响了,好朋友祖峰打来的。

    "物理系有人打抢!"

    "什么!是谁?"

    "不清楚。有人死了!"

    "啊!……"

    我不敢相信这是真的。电话铃不停地响。我家成了学生会的信息中心和会议室。一连串的坏消息构织出了惊心动魄的一幕:

    三点三十分,物理系凡艾伦大楼309教室。山林华和导师克利斯多弗.高尔兹(Christoph Goertz)教授,另一位教授罗伯特.施密斯(Robert Smith)及新生小李等许多人在开研讨会。突然,山林华的师兄,中国留学生卢刚站起身,从风衣口袋里掏出枪来,向高尔兹、山林华和施密斯射击。一时间血溅课堂。接着他去二楼射杀了系主任,又回三楼补枪。旋即奔向校行政大楼。在那里他把子弹射向副校长安妮和她的助手茜尔森,最后饮弹自戕。

    我们惊呆了。妻子握着听筒的手在颤抖,泪水无声地从脸颊流下。小山,那年轻充满活力的小山,已经离我而去了吗?黑暗中,死神的面孔狰狞恐怖。

    谁是卢刚?为什么杀人?翻开我新近编录的学生会名册,找不到这个名字。别人告诉我,他是北大来的,学习特好。但两年前与系里的中国学生闹翻了,离群索居,独往独来,再后就没什么人知道他了。听说他与导师颇有嫌隙,与山林华面和心不和,找工作不顺利,为了优秀论文评奖的事与校方和系里多有争执。是报仇,是泄愤?是伸张正义,是滥杀无辜?众口纷纭,莫衷一是。

    枪击血案震惊全国。小城的中国学生被惊恐、哀伤、慌乱的气氛笼罩。血案折射出的首先是仇恨。物理界精英,全国有名的实验室,几分钟内形消魂散,撇下一群孤儿寡母。

    人家能不恨中国人吗?留学生还待得下去吗?中国学生怕上街,不敢独自去超市。有的人甚至把值钱一点的东西都放在车后箱里,准备一旦有排华暴动,就驾车远逃。

    一夜难眠。该怎么办?大家聚在我家,商量来商量去,决定由物理系小雪、小季、小安和金根面对媒体,开记者招待会。实况转播的记者招待会上,他们追思老师和朋友。讲着,回忆着,眼泪止不住地流下来。看的、听的,心里都被触动了。一位老美清洁工打电话给校留学生办公室主任说,"我本来挺恨这些中国人!凭什么拿了我们的奖学金,有书读,还杀我们的教授!看了招待会转播,我心里变了。他们是和我们一样的人。请告诉我,我能帮他们做点什么?"

    从危机中透出一线转机。学生会又召开中国学生学者大会。教育系的同学不约而同地谈起了副校长安妮。安妮是教育学院的教授,也是许多中国学生的导师。她是传教士的女儿,生在中国。无儿无女的安妮,待中国学生如同自己的孩子。学业上谆谆教导,生活上体贴照顾。感恩节、圣诞节请同学们到家里作客,美食招待,还精心准备礼物……千不该,万不该呀!不该把枪口对向她!同学们为安妮心痛流泪。

    安妮在医院里急救,她的三个兄弟弗兰克、麦克和保罗,火速从各地赶来,守护在病床前。人们还存着一丝希望。两天后,噩耗传来。我面对着安妮生前的密友玛格瑞特教授,说不出话来。她脸色严峻,强压心中的哀痛,手里递过来一封信,同时告诉我,安妮的脑已经死亡,无法抢救。三兄弟忍痛同意撤掉一切维生设备。看着自己的亲人呼吸一点点弱下去,心跳渐渐停止而无法相救,这是多么残酷的折磨!在宣布安妮死亡后,三兄弟围拥在一起祷告,并写下了这封信。这是一封写给卢刚父母亲友的信。信里的字句跳到我的眼里:

    "我们刚刚经历了这突如其来的巨大悲痛……在我们伤痛缅怀安妮的时刻,我们的思绪和祈祷一起飞向你们──卢刚的家人,因为你们也在经历同样的震惊与哀哭……安妮信仰爱与宽恕,我们想要对你们说,在这艰难的时刻,我们的祷告和爱与你们同在……"

    字在晃动,我读不下去了。这是一封被害人家属写给凶手家人的信吗?这是天使般的话语,没有一丝一毫的仇恨。我向玛格瑞特教授讲述我心里的震撼。接着问她怎么可以是这样?难道不该恨凶手吗?公平在哪里?道义在哪里?他们三兄弟此刻最有理由说咒诅的言语呀。教授伸出手来止住我,"这是因为我们的信仰。这信仰中爱是高于一切的。宽恕远胜过复仇!"

    她接着告诉我,安妮的三兄弟希望这封信被译成中文,附在卢刚的骨灰盒上。他们担心因为卢刚是凶手而使家人受歧视,也担心卢刚的父母在接过儿子的骨灰时会过度悲伤。唯愿这信能安慰他们的心,愿爱抚平他们心中的伤痛。

    我哑然无语。心中的震撼超过了起初。刹那间,三十多年建立起来的价值观、人生观,似乎从根本上被摇动了。

    难道不应"对敌人严冬般冷酷无情"吗?难道不是"人与人的关系是阶级关系"吗?难道"站稳立场,明辨是非,旗帜鲜明,勇于斗争"不应是我们行事为人的原则吗?我所面对的这种"无缘无故的爱",是这样的鲜明真实,我却无法解释。我依稀看到一扇微开的门,门那边另有一番天地,门缝中射出一束明光……

    "我们的信仰"──这是一种什么样的信仰啊,竟让冤仇成恩友!

    还来不及多想玛格瑞特的信仰,卢刚给他家人的最后一封信也传到了我手上。一颗被地狱之火煎熬着的心写出的信,充满了咒诅和仇恨。信中写到他 "无论如何也咽不下这口气"、"死也找到几个贴(垫)背的",读起来脊背上感到一阵阵凉意,驱之不去。可惜啊,如此聪明有才华的人,如此思考缜密的科学家头脑,竟在仇恨中选择了毁灭自己和毁灭别人!这两封信是如此的爱恨对立,泾渭分明。我还不知道爱究竟有多大的力量,毕竟左轮枪和十几发仇恨射出的子弹是血肉之躯无法抵挡的啊!

    转天是安妮的追思礼拜和葬礼。一种负疚感让多数中国学生学者都来参加。大家相对无语,神色黯然。没想到我平生第一次参加葬礼,竟是美国人的,还在教堂里。更想不到的是,葬礼上没有黑幔,没有白纱。十字架庄重地悬在高处。讲台前鲜花似锦,簇拥着安妮的遗像。管风琴托起的歌声在空中悠悠回荡: Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound(奇异恩典,何等甘甜)……人们向我伸手祝福:"愿上帝的平安与你同在。"

    牧师说:"如果我们让仇恨笼罩这个会场,安妮的在天之灵是不会原谅我们的。"安妮的邻居、同事和亲友们一个个走上台来,讲述安妮爱神爱人的往事。无尽的思念却又伴着无尽的欣慰与盼望:说安妮息了地上的劳苦,安稳在天父的怀抱,我们为她感恩为她高兴!

    礼拜后的招待会上,三兄弟穿梭在中国学生中间。他们明白中国人心中的重担,便努力与每个中国学生握手交谈。如沐春风的笑容,流露出心中真诚的爱。许多女生哭了。我的"黑手党"朋友,高大的男子汉也在流泪。爱的涓流从手上到心里,泪水的脸上绽出微笑。哦,这样的生,这样的死,这样的喜乐,这样的盼望,怎不让我心里向往!大哥弗兰克握着我的手说,"你知道吗?我出生在上海,中国是我的故乡。"泪水模糊了我的眼睛,心里却异常温暖。突然发现脊背上的凉意没有了。心里的重负放下了。一种光明美好的感觉进入了我的心。

    感谢上帝!他在那一刻改变了我,我以往那与神隔绝的灵在爱中苏醒。我渴望像安妮和她的三兄弟一样,在爱中、在光明中走过自己的一生,在面对死亡时仍存盼望和喜悦。

    笼罩爱城的阴云散去,善后工作在宽容详和的气氛中进行。不仅小山的家人得到妥善安置,卢刚的殡仪亦安排周详。安妮三兄弟把她的遗产捐赠给学校,设立了一个国际学生心理学研究奖学金。案发四天后才从总领馆姗姗而来的李领事感慨道:"我本是准备来与校方谈判的。没想到已经全都处理好了!"冥冥中一双奇妙的手,将爱城从仇恨的路上拉回。

    爱荷华河奔流如旧,我却不是昨日的我了。我从哪里来?要到哪里去?生命隧道的尽头是什么?我徘徊思索。信仰之路的障碍还在那里,无神论、进化论、科学与宗教冲突论,还在困扰着我。但奇妙的是,我开始喜欢读圣经,牧师的讲道也不再枯燥无味了。黑暗中摸索的人处处碰壁,一旦明光照耀,障碍便不再是障碍了,因为道路已经显明。我当时论文的研究方向是计算机定理证明。证明便是一切,未经证明的东西便不能认为是真理。谁能把神证明给我看?我以往的研究多注重在推理和证明上,此时才重新思考系统中的公理(Axiom)。公理便是公理,不可证明,只能接受。证明并不是一切,它只能证明在一组公理和推导规则之下产生的定理(Theorem)。重读一下伟大德国数学家哥德尔的哥德尔不完全定理吧。这定理说的是,在一个无矛盾的推理系统中,永远存在不可证明的定理。也就是说,所有的"好"的推理系统都必定是"不完全"的。上帝的存在原本不需要、也无法用"不完全"的科学方法来证明;但科学研究的成果却处处见证造物主的伟大与奇妙。许多过去读过、考试过、研究过的知识突然都有了新的含义,许多根深蒂固的误区,一下子云开雾散。

    离开爱城多年了,常常思念她,像是思念故乡。在爱城,我的灵魂苏醒、重生,一家人蒙恩得救。她是我灵里的故乡,与耶稣基督初次相遇的地方。爱城后来有了一条以安妮命名的小径。因她设立的奖学金名牌上,已经刻上了许多中国人的名字。友人捎来一张爱城日报,是枪击事件十周年那天的。标题写着"纪念十年前的逝者"。安妮、山林华的照片都在上面。急急找来安妮三兄弟写给卢刚家人的信的复印件,放在一起,慢慢品读。十年来的风风雨雨在眼前飘然而过,十年来在光明中行走、在爱中生活的甘甜溢满心头。照片里安妮静静地微笑,似乎说,这信其实也是写给你的。

    是的,我收到了。这源远流长的爱的故事,会接着传下去。

    作者简介:欣林,来自北京,爱荷华大学计算机科学博士;现在芝加哥工作,在中华基督徒国语教会聚会,为生命季刊海外学人事工部同工。

    March 24

    2007年的旅程

    不知不觉从澳洲回香港已经半年了, 回顾一下这半年也做了不少事情。
    1.写了4份paper;
    2.参加了2个conference;
    3.做了4个presentation;
    4.回了两次家;
    5.接父母来香港旅行了一个星期
     
    刚拿到英国签证,从我递上申请材料不到半天就拿到了签证,有效期居然还是半年,不得不佩服香港的高效率,和澳洲人懒洋洋的办事风格形成了鲜明的对比。拿到了签证,也得开始规划一下自己2007年的旅程了。
    1. 5月15-20日, 去英国参加英国咨询心理学协会年会;
    2. 5月21-29日, 去法国旅行一个星期;
    3. 6月, 回南京换护照和身份证;
    4. 8月中, 去美国三藩市参加美国心理学会年会.
     
    2007年最大的任务是完成n份paper和 thesis, 还要考虑毕业之后的去向。 看来这一年还真的一点也不轻松呀。
    October 09

    再见了,墨尔本!

    再见了,墨尔本!

     

        转眼半年过去了,再过几天就要回香港了,在一个个和澳洲的朋友告别的同时,也该打点行装准备出发了,同时也是时候回顾一下过去三个月在澳洲的工作和生活了。

     

    1.收了227data

    2.改完了一篇paper

    3.去杭州开了一个国际心理学大会;

    4.在墨大社工学院postgraduate seminar上做了一个presentation

    5.给墨大社工学院的本科生做了一个讲座;

    6.La Trobe University 上了English class

    7.参加了MU research office 的几个seminar

    8.上了两个MU English class

    9.Extend visa

    10.                受邀参加了MU国际学生学者的见面会;

    11.                受邀参加了澳洲教育部的见面会,受到教育部长的接见;

    12.                参加了MU Graduate Centre 5天的leadership workshop

    13.                参观了Melbourne最大的华人社区服务中心;

    14.                做了几次物理治疗;

    15.                去了几次教堂;

    16.                去了CanberraTasmaniaBallaratYarra ValleyQueenscliffTulip Festival

    17.                结识了更多的朋友。

     

        再见了,墨尔本!再见了,我所有在墨尔本的朋友!

        临走之前享受最后的澳洲式的悠闲生活。

    September 15

    用刀叉吃中餐

     

    用刀叉吃中餐

        ――生存于中西方文化之间

             夜幕降临,走在回家的路上,突见一家中餐馆,门口写着“来自香港的五星级厨师”,于是抵挡不住中餐的诱惑,毫不犹豫的就进去了。诺大的餐馆却只有两位客人,正纳闷着,服务生就端上了菜单。一打开菜单,终于找到了答案,原来这里的菜价比其它餐馆贵很多,不是一般的中国学生消费得起的。既然来了,就好好享受一下五星级厨师的手艺吧,就当是对自己一天辛勤工作的回报吧。点完菜,服务生很客气的送上一杯热水,我还没反应过来,她就很利索的把我眼前的筷子和碟子拿走了,又即刻送上了一副刀叉,真是把我搞得一头雾水。坐在宽敞的餐馆里,听着Whitney Huston的“The Greatest Love”,看着墙上贴的金童玉女和桌台上摆着的中国财神,望着窗外的车来车往和满街说着英语的老外,真不知道自己身处何处,一时间有一种莫名其妙的迷失感。等了半个小时,服务生终于端上了一盘热气腾腾的饭菜,原来是装西餐用的大盘子,饭菜合一,用刀叉比用筷子吃起来更方便,所有的疑惑迎刃而解。其实在澳洲其它的中餐馆很多都采用这种服务方式,即节约碗碟,又节约空间,餐桌也刚够摆两个大盘子。其实自己在家做饭又何尝不是如此,虽说是做中餐,可也习惯了用大盘和刀叉,简单又省事,其乐无穷。当刚开始的不习惯慢慢转化成一种个人习惯,甚至开始成为个人的一部分时,所谓的文化适应也在不经意中发生着。但是形式的、表层的东西容易适应,本质的、深层的东西却是更深蒂固。对于中国人来说,不管身处何地,最爱的永远都是中餐,最习惯的语言永远都是中文。对于身处异乡的中国人来说,永远游走在东西方文化的夹缝中。

             再说澳洲人的生活和工作方式,也和中国人大相径庭。对于澳洲人来说,工作和生活是界限分明,工作是为了更好的享受生活。一周五天工作制,每天五点钟准时下班,这对大部分澳洲人来说是雷打不动的,可对香港人来说这却是可望而不可及的梦想。如果有一天香港也变成这样,那香港也就再也不是香港了。这就是澳洲人的生活哲学。难怪第一次见老板的时候,她就对我说,“This is the culture in Australia”。当时就让我羡慕不已。澳洲人时常把“enjoy”挂在嘴边,这可和中国人的价值观背道而驰,中国十几年的教育告诉我们享受生活是资本主义的腐朽思想。可是时间一长,才慢慢发现,善待自己,享受生命中的每一天,这难道不是生活的真谛吗?对于澳洲人来说,享受生活是没有理由的,他们绝对不会象我一样,犒劳自己还要找一个理由。

             来到澳洲,几乎每天都是从中午开始,一天工作一个下午,时不时也会有一种愧疚感,觉得自己比以前雍懒了很多。可令人吃惊的是,我发现原来我可以说是我们学院工作最勤奋的一个,因为我几乎每天都去办公室。社会学院那么多办公室,大部分时间都是空无一人,不管是假期还是学期中,真不知道这些教授们都在哪里写paper、备课。想到香港的教授们几乎每天都不得不在办公室工作到深夜,不禁深深的叹了一口气。

             总是说中国人的盛情难却,来了澳洲之后,才知道,原来澳洲人的盛情也令人难以拒绝。老板听说我这个月过生日,兴致勃勃的对我说要在她家给我开一个生日party,还把时间也安排好了。这可让我受宠若惊,长这么大还没有人专门为我搞过生日party。这对他们来说可能是家常便饭,可对我来说生日就如同平常一样渡过就好了。看来,在澳洲过生日也不得不要入乡随俗。

             文化看来好象是一个很抽象的概念,可当它溶入到我们的生活中的时候,它就变成了真真切切的点点滴滴,让你去感受、去体验、去回味。当东方文化遇到西方文化,必定会碰撞出不和谐的乐符,但是也会产生美妙的和音。这些生活在异乡的中国人,就这样往来于东西方文化之间,寻找着属于他们自己的生存空间。

    September 11

    I am ready to Leave

    How time flies!

     It is five months since I came to Australia.

    I am ready to leave now although I will stay in Australia for another one month.

    When I look back at the past five months, it is really a special experience in my life full of happiness and tears.

    Conference, seminar, workshop, course, data collection, and paper,

    these are the main themes of my life in Australia.

    Travelling, reception, meeting new friends, Victoria market,

    they are also filled with my life in Australia.

     

    Australian coffee, my favourate, almost one cup everyday;

    Fresh vegitables, fruites, and milk, my everyday food and drink;

    Beautiful gardens, blue sky, green sea, and white cloud,

    This is my memory of Australia.

    A laid-back culture, low working efficiency, slow life-style, computer and IT, as well as service and transportation,

    This is also my impression of Australia.

    Experience is important, no matter it is negative or positive.

    It matters that I have experienced by my own.

     

    It is time to finish my work in Australia;

    It is time to prepare for my leave;

    It is time to prepare for my luggage;

    It is time to say good-bye to my friends in Melbourne, although I have know them for such a short time;

    It is time to go to the places I want to go but haven't been to.

     

    An end is also a new beginning.

    When I go back to HK, it will be a new beginning in my life.

    Australia will become an everlasting memory in my life.

    August 31

    Tasmania之旅

     

    Tasmania 是澳洲的第一大岛,介于澳洲大陆和新西兰之间。据说一万年之前,它曾与澳洲大陆相连,后来由于地形变迁而形成了今天的岛屿。从地图上看好似一个小岛,其实小岛并不小。从飞机上鸟瞰Tasmania,一片连着一片的绿色森林和蓝色海洋,加上近在只尺的朵朵白云,仿佛进入了自然仙镜。

             HobartTasmania的首府,是澳洲的第二古城。虽说是首府,却是一个人口只有20万的小城。小城的居民显得相当的本地化,可能很多人一辈子都没有机会离开小城,去看看外面的世界,就在这里过着日出而作,日落而息的生活。太阳一落山,小城里大部分的商店都关门打烊,街上更是行人奚落,偶尔能在酒吧或餐馆见到几个人影。可是一到周末的晚上,市中心广场上的酒吧却人头攒动,不管认识不认识的,都可以聊上几句,借着暖暖的酒意把一周工作的辛劳彻底消解。这在小城还真是一大景观,在这里平时很少有机会见到这么多人。

            令人吃惊的是小城虽小,可物价却不斐,比Melbourne高出两三层,外出用餐更是至少贵一半,真不知道当地居民如何负担如此高昂的生活费。一般的餐馆平时都是空无一人,即便是在用餐时间也很少见到餐馆里有人用餐,真不知道老板如何维持营运。好不容易找到了一家日本餐馆,是自助餐,每位29澳币,相当于180港币,这在当地还算是便宜的了。进去之后才发现所谓的日本餐馆除了有一些寿司,基本上都是中国菜,而且除了有一位日本伺应之外,其余都是中国人。可能对于很少有机会去亚洲的本地人来说,很难区分中国菜和日本菜。小城虽小,却处处可见中国人的踪影。除了在日本餐馆见到的中国人之外,在星期六市场上居然见到几个学生模样的中国人在摆摊,售卖一些来自中国的丝绸产品。我不禁好奇地用中文和他们聊了起来,才得知原来Hobart有一间大学,叫 University of Tasmania。真不知道当初这些中国学生是如何得知这所大学,并决定来此留学。星期六市场是当地的一大景观,也是接触当地人的一个好机会。从Parliament HouseSalamanca Place一路上摆满了露天铺位,摊主大部分都是当地人,售卖一些当地的工艺品、日用品、自制食品和一些来自中国的廉价服装,令人惊奇的是当地产品居然比中国商品贵出很多倍。在Salamanca广场上还有一个乐队在演出,演奏一些轻快的当地音乐,围观的群众在欣赏着音乐的同时也时不时地慷慨解囊,支持乐队的发展。蓝天白云映衬着高耸的Wellington山脉,让人觉得生活原来是可以如此的惬意悠闲。小城里的居民就这样日复一日年复一年过着与世无争的生活。

        Tasmania最著名的是它的自然景观,出发之前就有朋友建议一定要去看一看它的国家公园。小岛上总共有四个国家公园,我们选择了离Hobart 最近的Mt. Field National Park,参加了当地的旅行团,加上司机总共才六个人。游客虽然不多,可司机兼作导游,一路上不停地给我们介绍沿途的景观,服务态度无可挑剔。驱车一个半小时,终于到达了目的地,原来才发现所谓的国家公园就是在原始树林中圈起一块地,建上一个visitor centre,供游客休息和用餐。用过午餐之后,我们一行六人就向著名的Russell Fall出发了。一进入树林,满眼看到的都是参天大树和绿色植被,有些树木高达几十米,树干粗得需要六七个人才可以将他围住,一些大树由于树龄已高倒在路边,其横截面比我的人还高一截。经过一个小时的艰难跋涉,终于到达了Russell Fall,沿途也可以看到一些瀑布,可是Russell Fall是最大的一个,果然名不虚传,水流从十几米高的山崖上顺流直下,形成了极为壮观的瀑布,水质清彻见底,据说Melbourne20% 的饮用水都是由这里的泉水供应的。回来的路上,沿路看到的都是蓝蓝的天,白白的云,绿悠悠的草地,和一群群的牛羊,不得不赞叹澳洲人对自然生态环境的重视和保护,毕竟这是上帝赐于澳洲人最珍贵的资源,也是子孙后代得以持久繁衍发展的基础。于是想起了中国大陆灰蒙蒙的天空和黄得象泥浆一样的海水,真不知道中国人何时才可以把蔚蓝还给天空,把碧绿还给大海,中国经济的高速发展不应以破坏环境为代价。

        结束了四天的Tasmania之行,坐在回Melbourne的飞机上,从空中俯瞰这个小岛,又一次有了登天的感觉。

    August 29

    sharing article for Graduate School Newsletter

    (This is an article for Graduate School Newsletter in HKU to share my experience in Australia. It hasn't been published yet. Please don't reprint it due to copyright issue.)
     

    2006 is a very special year for me in my life because I have won a 2006 Endeavour Cheung Kong Award to visit the University of Melbourne for half a year. As a highly competitive award, only 20 students were awarded from more than 200 applicants. I greatly appreciated this award to give me such a precious opportunity to experience a different culture in Australia.

    When I got my staff card in the University of Melbourne and was told I was an academic visitor in this university, I suddenly realized I got a new title and I had to adjust to it in the following six months. My research topic is emotional resilience of university students in Hong Kong from mainland China. My task in Australia is to collect some data on Chinese international students in Australia to compare with the data I have collected in Hong Kong. After five months in Australia, I found that I have got more than what I have expected before I came to Australia.

    The biggest benefit I got from this experience is self-confidence. On the two receptions hosted by Australian government in Canberra and Victoria government in Melbourne, I was informed that Endeavour award is a prestigious award in Australia and it is granted to high achieving scholars and students from all over the world. I was invited to present my study on the postgraduate seminar in school of social work in the University of Melbourne. My supervisor congratulated me on my excellent work and being able to give a presentation in such a high level using English as my second language. At that time, I said to myself with tears in my heart, “I have made it.” It is a process of resilience and transformation.

    As a research student doing study on acculturation, this is a great opportunity for me to have a cross-cultural experience. Australia is a typical western country totally different from Hong Kong and China. When I first arrived in Australia, I experienced great “cultural shock” due to its laid-back culture, low working efficiency and slow computer and internet. In the first month, I did not have an office and friends. I did not have an identity in the university. I felt like a passerby. I sat on the meadow in the campus crying and called my friends in Hong Kong telling them I want to go back to Hong Kong. Four months passed, I have met many new friends from all over the world most of whom will become the best friends in my life. I have had my work in progress. I have traveled to Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Tasmania, Philip island, the Great Ocean Road, and Ballarat. When I look back at my experience in Australia, I am so proud of myself to be able to overcome the acculturative stressors and to be a happy and confident person.

    The journey of Ph.D. study is not only to get a Ph.D. degree, it is far more than that. I dream and I make it become true.        
     
    July 05

    Fly back to HK and China

    再过两天就要回香港了,为了去杭州开一个学校心理学的国际会议。掰指一数,来澳洲已整整三个月,半年时间已过半,不禁感叹时光匆匆。觉得也该回顾一下这三个月来的澳洲生活。
     
    1.第一次在一个澳洲家庭生活了五个星期;
    2.找了新的住所;
    3.在墨大图书馆晃荡了一个半月,终于在社工学院拿到了office;
    4.办了墨大职员卡;
    5.申请到了ethical approval(两个月);
    6.收到了65个data(一个月);
    7.终于写完了一篇拖了半年的paper;
    8.改完了一篇就快发表的paper;
    9.去了Sydney, Philip Island, Great Ocean Road;
    10.去Government House 接见了Governor of Victoria;
    11.认识了Soon, Grace, Dolly, Angus, Rie, Momoyo, Ai, Maria, Alba, Peggy, Jinsu......
    12.在墨大张贴了无数poster,上了 MUPAnews, Staffnews, Uninews;
    13.上了一个三天的课程"Academic Career Development";
    14.上了社工学院的一个课程"Advanced Practice with Groups",并做了一个presentation;
    15.Easter Holiday去老板家吃饭;
    16.改完了PBL case;
    17.去医院看了医生和物理治疗师,拿掉了collar;
    18.参观了一家社区健康中心;
    19.参加了在澳亚洲社会工作者协会的例会;
    20.招待了Esther;
    21.第一次参加正式舞会;
    22.参加了社工学院的postgraduate seminar;
    23.参加了社工学院的postgraduate dinner;
    24.观看了维省中国学生辩论会(够精彩!);
    25.收集了一些文献资料。
     
    写到这里才发现其实这三个月来还做了不少事情,自己也吃了一惊,可同时令人吃惊的是发现自己的中文越来越差了,不禁暗自惭愧。
    June 27

    Uninews in Melbourne University (2)

    (adopted from Uninews in Melbourne University)
     

    What’s life like in Australia for students from China?

    [ UniNews Vol. 15, No. 11  26 June - 10 July 2006 ]

    Chinese international students in Australia are the focus of a study at the University of Melbourne which asks about their life and study experiences in Australia.

    The study seeks responses to questions on how students cope with difficulties or stressors, the source of meaning in their life, whether they are happy or sad in Australia and whether they are satisfied with their studies and life here.

    Sponsored by a 2006 Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award, the study is being conducted by Ms Jiayan Pan, a PhD student in Social Work, as part of her doctoral dissertation at the Universitas 21 linked University of Hong Kong.

    Ms Pan is the first higher degree student to come to Melbourne under the newly adopted U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Student Protocol. Her supervisor at the University of Melbourne is Dr Lynette Joubert (Social Work).

    Miss Pan invites Chinese-born international students from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, who are studying in Australia, to fill in an anonymous questionnaire about their acculturative stressors, coping strategies, positive and negative emotions, and life satisfaction in Australia.

    She hopes her study will contribute to improved understanding of the life and study experiences of Chinese international students in Australia and development of resilience-based interventions to help them adapt well in the host country.

    The online questionnaire for the study, in simplified Chinese, is available at http://147.8.69.193/death/interactive/aus_sc/jiayan.htm

    and, in traditional Chinese, is at http://147.8.69.193/death/interactive/aus_tc/jiayan.htm


    For more information about this study, or to obtain a hardcopy of the questionnaire, contact Miss Pan on (mobile) 0425-704328, or email: Jiayan@hkusua.hku.hk or call Dr Joubert on 8344 9417, or email: ljoubert@unimelb.edu.au

    Uninews in Melbourne University (1)

    (adopted from Uninews in Melbourne University)

    U21 protocol will promote research student mobility

    [ UniNews Vol. 15, No. 11  26 June - 10 July 2006 ]

    University of Melbourne higher degree research students will benefit from a new protocol that facilitates and promotes their mobility to visit other Universitas 21 institutions as part of their degree.

    The new U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Student Protocol was adopted at the recent U21 Presidents meeting in Auckland (May 2006).

    The initiative makes it easier for research students to move between U21 universities by providing administrative and other support at each end, including help in finding accommodation.

    Drafting of the protocol was carried out by Universitas 21 Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies, convened by University of Melbourne Dean of Graduate Studies Professor Barbara Evans.

    Professor Evans says one of the first U21 higher degree students to benefit from the new protocol is Ms Jiayan Pan from Hong Kong University (HKU), now visiting Melbourne to conduct a study of Chinese international students in Australia as part of her doctoral dissertation at HKU (uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_3467.html).

    Development of the protocol follows the signing of an agreement by U21 Vice-Chancellors in 2005 to increase student participation in ‘mobility programs’ within the U21 network – in which students undertake some study at a U21 partner institution as part of their home degree.

    The agreement includes a target for each institution to increase the number of research higher degree/doctoral students participating in a mobility program to at least 30 per year by the end of 2010.

    Professor Evans says many research higher degree students already undertake international visits, ranging from a few days to several months, as an essential part of their degree program.

    “At present visiting research students have contact primarily with an individual academic or department at the host university. Considerable value can be gained, however, by students being able to visit a member of an international network of leading research-intensive universities that is geared to recognise and facilitate collaboration and cooperation.

    “There is also the potential, through institutional cooperation, to further enrich U21 research student visits,” she says.

    The protocol calls for active promotion of the opportunities and advantages of U21 mobility to research students, including ‘hot links’ between U21 websites to facilitate access to information about partner institution research profiles, access to student support programs and services and the U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Student Protocol.

    June 23

    Good news for 2007 Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award applicants

    (adopted from University of Melbourne Staffnews 23th June 2006)
     
    U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Student Protocol

    Faculties and departments are asked to promote the U21 University of Melbourne Visiting Postgraduate Research Student Protocol to students and staff and to support visiting research students from other U21 institutions.

    The Protocol aims to add value to research student visits, raise awareness in the University community of the presence of Universitas 21 visiting research students and clarify student and institutional expectations about available support.


    The School of Graduate Studies is keen to monitor the frequency, success and challenges of research student exchanges and requests that staff forward details of incoming and outgoing U21 research student visits to
    Fiona Zammit, General Manager.
     

     

    Universitas 21 Visiting Postgraduate

    Research Student Protocol

     

     

    The University of Melbourne recognizes the Shanghai Declaration on Universitas 21 Student Mobility and that student mobility programs are an important activity through which international engagement can be fostered.

     

    The University of Melbourne makes a formal commitment to encourage and facilitate postgraduate research student mobility and will actively promote opportunities for, and the advantages of, U21 mobility to research students.

     

    To this end we will:

             Communicate our university’s research strengths to U21 members, by providing ‘hot links’ between university and U21 web sites to facilitate access to information about:

             institution research profile;

             research student support programs and services; and

             our U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Student Protocol.

             As part of the Postgraduate Research Experience Scheme, establish and promote U21 travel scholarships (including travel and health insurance costs) to support outgoing U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Student visits.

             Develop administrative routines to monitor the profile of U21 research student mobility (e.g., numbers and duration by discipline, home, and host institution).

     

    As a host university for visiting students we will:

             Establish simple, effective administrative procedures for visiting students, including appropriate identification as “Universitas 21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Students.”

             Appoint a University liaison person for visiting U21 postgraduate research students

             Provide incoming U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Students with:

             local supervision and reasonable access to resources;

             honorary visitor status for the period of visit, including access to library, laboratory, supervision, coursework and other resources comparable to locally-enrolled students;

             advice and reasonable practical assistance re accommodation;

             appropriate induction opportunities to learn about the activities and culture of our institution, to present their work to an appropriate audience whilst visiting, and to act as ambassadors for their home institution.

     

    The University of Melbourne expects that:

     

             Students wishing to visit the University should, in the first instance, make direct contact with the potential host department.

             Visiting students will remain enrolled at their home institution and thesis supervision remains the principal responsibility of the home institution

             Direct research project costs will be negotiated directly with the student’s home institution and agreement reached before the student commences their visit.

             U21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Students will accept our university research policies and protocols including intellectual property and research ethics. Where a student's work is already subject to IP and/or confidentiality arrangements, it will be necessary for these to be the subject of formal negotiation between our university and student’s home institution.

     

     

    Endorsed on behalf of the University of Melbourne:

     

     

     

     

    Professor Barbara Evans

    Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Training)

    The University of Melbourne

     

    21 June 2006

    June 21

    转自南京师范大学报(2002-11-25)

    重新扬起生活的风帆———南京首个“离婚妇女自强训练班”透视
    阅读次数:411
    2002-11-25 0:00:00

        今年7月20日至8月24日,我校社会发展学院的潘佳雁、赵芳老师同南京大学心理学系饶红、魏桂红老师,通过在报纸上刊登广告,招收了8名离婚妇女,开设了南京首个“离婚妇女自强训练班”。经过6次训练,这8名离婚妇女摆脱了心灵上的阴影,重新又扬起了生活的风帆。
        谈起为何要开设这个训练班,潘佳雁老师说,近年来,社会上的离婚率逐渐呈上升趋势,而男女离婚中,妇女受到的伤害往往是最大的,她们内心有许多痛楚,但目前社会上还没有一个专门针对这一群体进行心理辅导的机构,以致许多离婚妇女长期生活在忧愁之中。香港90年代中期,社会上就有了离婚妇女自强训练机构,并且做得很好,受到广大妇女的好评。
        出于对离婚妇女的关心,潘佳雁等四位教师在今年暑假期间举办了南京首期“离婚妇女自强训练班”。她们采用“小组辅导”的方式,将离婚妇女组成一个小组,用团体训练的方法,使她们建立起一个成员之间相互信任、彼此沟通的和谐氛围,通过小组的力量、动力,让她们走出困境。当时通过电话报名的共有十几个人,最后她们选定了8位。这8名学员中,年龄最轻的只有30多点,最大的53岁,其中离婚最短的才几个月,最长的已有十几年。这些女士都经历了一次失败婚姻,痛感“自己是世界上最不幸的人”,生活的航船没有了方向。为了让这些离婚妇女从失败的婚姻阴影中走出来,四位老师对她们进行了分步骤、有计划、系统地科学训练。训练课程一共安排了六次,内容可谓丰富多彩:有放松训练、唱歌、朗诵诗、心理讲座、演讲、讨论、家庭作业、爱惜自己……
        8名学员的不幸婚姻各不相同,但每个人的内心都有共同的感受,离婚后的生活,过得很不开心。刚进培训班时,学员们脸上少有笑容,神情忧郁,一位学员在第一节课上做自我介绍时,口未开,两眼泪水便止不住地流了出来。她说,她当年和丈夫作为知青下乡,在丈夫身患重病生活最困难的时候没有离开他,而当丈夫进城逐渐升官有了社会地位后,就提出要离婚。十几年来,自己将所有的心血都放在了相夫教子上,而得到的回报却是如此不幸。她说,与丈夫离婚后,没有人同情她,理解她,内心的痛苦也一直无处倾诉,现在上了这个班,终于找到可以倾诉的地方,和帮助她找回自我的人。
        在一个半月的时间里,四位老师为办好培训班倾注了大量心血,她们冒着高温酷暑,放弃休息,精心准备每一次课程。在她们的辛苦努力下,训练班结束时,8名学员都获益匪浅,大多数人都从失败的婚姻阴影中走了出来,重新开始憧憬起未来生活,并为今后的人生描绘了一幅美丽蓝图:有的人参加了老年模特队;有的打算要上老年大学,学习书法和电脑;有的人计划开一个茶馆,让离婚妇女有一个相互倾诉和沟通的心灵港湾;还有的学员想将自己工作之余的生活变得丰富多彩,学唱歌、跳舞、开车,旅游、交友……。最后一次课上,8位女士满怀信心地说,虽然婚姻解体了,但生活不应就此没有了快乐,人生的幸福要靠自己去不断创造,告别过去,重新书写人生的另一页。(许  文)
    June 19

    人来人往

    去墨尔本的Immigration Museum,一进大厅,在最显目的地方看到一条标语: “Life is a journey”,不禁想起那次去悉尼拜访陈杨兵家,他对我说他当时正是看到这条标语,才萌生了把全家带来澳洲的想法,当时禁不住感慨,原来一条简单的标语,居然有如此大的效力,现在细细想来,觉得次话不无道理。
     
    想想自己的生活,也不就是一趟漂泊不定的旅程吗?从家乡到南京,从南京到香港,再从香港到澳洲,之后的旅程还不知道要去到哪里。小时候有一个宏伟的理想,读万卷书,行万里路,现在想来,前者是一个永无止尽的目标,已不奢求,至于后者,也算是在慢慢实现,人生短暂,能去多少地方就去多少地方,哪怕只是短暂的停留。在朋友们不断的羡慕声中,只有自己才知道漂泊的艰辛和无奈,不知何时才可以安定。
     
    幸好在这漂泊不定的人生旅途中,总是会有不同的人与我们同伴而行。还记得有一次在香港的一个museum,看到一个电脑模拟软件,有很多人在不停的走路,一会儿遇到一个人,同行一程,一会儿又遇到另外一个人,与前一个人分开,人生的几十年时间就浓缩在这短短的几秒钟里,这就是人生,在不同的阶段遇到不同的人,有些人遇到了,又分开,可能以后还会再见,有些人可能分开后就永远在我们生活中消失了,人生,就是这样的人来人往,用自己的生命演绎着自己的故事,在自己的生命舞台。不知道能够陪伴我们走完这段旅程的人是谁呢?我们用一生的时间在寻找。
    May 16

    终于可以上网了!

     

     

    来澳洲一个半月,终于可以用自己的笔记本上网了!那种心情真是不可言喻。初来澳洲,深深感受到了东西方文化的强烈冲突,和香港比起来,反差最大的就是它的办事效率缓慢,IT和服务业的落后,感觉自己一下子从21世纪回到了20 世纪,从大都市回到了大农村。在羡慕澳洲人悠悠闲闲享受生活的同时,也不得不感叹澳洲人办事效率低下所带来的种种不便。等staff card等了一个半月,等office也等了一个半月,如果不是我自己去催着他们办,也不知道何年何月才能办好呢。我要在这边收data,必须要通过他们一个ethics committee的批准,光申请表就18页,还要付上数不清的附件,终于把所有的资料准备好了,提交了申请,才被告之原来这个committee一个月才开一次会,简直要晕,真不知道什么时候我的申请才能批下来,只能耐心等待。这就是澳洲,这就是墨尔本。还是被香港的老板一语道破,是香港的高效率把我们都宠坏了,香港人走到世界任何一个地方都会觉得不适应的。是呀,也许世界上没有任何一个地方的节奏比香港更快,更便利了,可香港人也为此而付出了沉重的代价。

    May 11

    Academic Career Development (2)

     
    What is a good CV?
    - authority & confidence
    - flexibility & adaptability
    - "slicing off the bottom"
     
     
     
    What should be included in an academic CV?
    - academic qualification (education background)
    - positions held
    - research interest/area
     publication (journal paper, conference paper, book, book chapter, report, etc.)
    - research grant
    - award/scholarship
    - membership/affiliation
    - employment history
    - teaching experience
    - language competence
    - journal editorship/reviewership
    - community work
    - academic development activities
     
     
    Tips for preparing grant application:
    - build up your track record
      - find a mentor
      - undergraduate/postgraduate record
      - awards and prizes
      - scholarships
      - conference papers
      - academic networking
      - publication
    - know your funding source
    - What are they really interested in?
    - Does your track record measure up?
    - Is the timing right?
    - read the proposal guideline first
      - what do they want?
      - executive summary
      - statement of need
      - project description
      - budget
      - organizational information
    - identify an interesting problem or question earlyand frame it in terms of the fundamental science fare better
    - develop a record of scientific and research training accomplishment
    - use data to support your argument
    - select keywords carefully
    - ask for a little bit more budget and justify for the budget
    - Ask a successfully funded researcher to critique your grant proposal before you submit it.
     
     
    May 10

    Academic Career Development (1)

        I am taking a course of "Academic Career Development" in the School of Graduate Studies in the University of Melbourne these days. I found it a very rewarding course for Ph.D. students especially those who want to pursue a career in academia after graduation. I would like to share with all of you some of the notes I have taken during the class (this course cost me A$85). Three successful academic staffs in MU provided us some tips for developing an academic career by sharing with us their personal academic experiences. Although the notes are incompleted, I hope they will be helpful and useful to you.
     
    Tips for planning an academic career:
    - prepare what to do at least one year before graduation
    - try to a postdoc in a area different from your Ph.D.
    - try to apply for a study leave during Ph.D.
    - strategy of making yourself known by others
    - learn how to say "No"
    - learn to whom you shouldn't say "No" (I am learning it now)
    - to build up academic network
    - doing extra things beyond you are paid to do
    - publish your work as soon as possible when you are doing Ph.D.
    - develop contacts in conference
    - make improvement from negative comments on your paper/thesis
    - talk with people within your discipline
    - investment for your trip to conference as early as possible
    - go to the conference dinner (meals are important to build up academic   network :))
    - exchange and keep business cards with people you want to keep in touch with in the future
    - promote yourself in different ways
     
     
    Tips for keeping CV updated:
    - keep everything, e.g. thesis, paper, conference, seminar, workshop, community work, note of tutorial, teaching portfolio, grant and award
    - electronic portfolio
    - look at the CVs of other people
    - don't be afraid to ask for an example of CV from others
    - seek advise on your own CV from others
    - get feedback from students if you are a tutor or lecturer
     
    Tips for applying for a job:
    - good referees the employers might know or hear of
    - demostrate why you think you are eligible for this job or position
     
     
    some notes from another session of this course
     
    How to get started publishing paper?
    - go to conference
    - write joint paper with supervisor
    - give the paper to your colleagues to read
    - get to know the journals about what they are asking from authors, read articles in the journal to which you are going to submit your paper
    - persistence, never give up if your paper was rejected, keep working  to improve it
     
    How to prepare for an application for an academic position?
    - fit your experience/cv to the position
    - build up your own academic networks
    - send your CV to the head of appropriate department
    - target influential people at conference
    - digitally scan the working environment online
    - update your CV all the time
    - demostrate that you are indispensable and are too good to lose
    - persistence and multicultural strategy
    - to do work you think might be helpful to your future academic career when you are doing a Ph.D.
    - keep writing and publishing papers and attending conferences when you are doing Ph.D.
    - start to apply for research fund when you are doing Ph.D.
     
    What appointment panel look for in a CV?
    - international refereed journal papers
    - respectable journals
    - major grants
    - parternships and collabrations
    - consistent output
    - evidence of teaching quality
    - evidence of interest in teaching, innovation in teaching
    - institutional contribution
    - membership of important groups
    - research grant and award
     
    More to come tomorrow.......
    April 26

    Anzac Day March

    25th Apr. 2006

    Anzac Day March

     

    Today is the Anzac day in Australia. Anzac day is a public holiday in Australia to memorize not only the death but also all the victims in all kinds of wars around the world. A long time ago, I have watched a documentary which introduced a Veterans Day in Canada to remember the sacrificed soldiers in the wars. It may be an international holiday in western countries.

     

    March is a very important activity in Anzac day. From 8:50am more than 30 groups started to assemble in different spots in the main streets of the city. Most of them are veterans who are the survivals in various wars, such as The First World War, The Second World War, and Vietnam War. This is a most significant day for these veterans because the war has changed their whole lives and the experience has deeply embedded in their memories that will never disappear until death. Everyone is well dressed in uniforms and put all of the medals they have won in the war in front of their chests. When they were passing by, everyone applauded spontaneously to show their respect and appreciation to them. At that moment, something warm and moving uprushed into my heart. I suddenly understood that our present peaceful lives come from the effort and sacrifice of these people who are moving in front of me as well as hundreds and thousands of those died in the wars. They are no longer young. Their hair are all while and pale. They have sacrificed their best time in life to the war. They are miserable. In the mean time, they are also lucky because they survived in the war compared with those who lost lives in the war and never have the opportunity to appear in the parade. At that time I seemed to see a slogan appeared on their faces full of wrinkles ---- "No war forever". At the same time I suddenly realized that it is such a beautiful thing to live in this world, wherever and whoever you are, the most important thing is that you are still alive.

     

    This march reminded me of various marches in HK to express the dissatisfaction of HK people to the government and inquire for their own rights. Maybe besides that march still have other functions, such as memorizing the death. Our memories will be fading as time goesby, but there is always something that will never disappear in our memories. Maybe this is also the reason why I started writing my blog ---- to record the good time in my life.

    April 19

    Eating in Australia

    16th Apr.

    Eating in Australia

          Fruits, vegetables, juice, milk, and seafood

          Australia is an agriculture country, which is full of agriculture products, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood. What impressed me most in these two weeks are all kinds of fresh fruits, vegetables, juice and milk in the supermarket and market. They are not only of high quality, but also very cheap. My host told me it is the season for grapes now and she bought them every week. They are so sweet that I like them so much. I eat them almost everyday. Last day Angus took me to the Queen Victoria Market. It is a very large market which was set up one hundred years ago and sells a variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, clothes, and souvenirs from all over the world. If you like, you can saunter there for a whole day. I bought 1 kg green pawns and 1 kg scallops which cost me only A$20.

          Meals at homestay

          My host is a nice old lady. She cooked dinner everyday for me and my flatmate Nicola. She is neither a good cooker nor a bad cooker. She is an Australia born lady, so all the meals she cooked are quite western style, which are very different from Chinese cuisine. She always put all the materials together and cooks them. In general Chinese cuisine has various dishes for one meal, they have only one dish for every meal. I found my host has a lot of cuisine books teaching people how to cook various kinds of western main course, dissert, and cookies. Sometimes when she doesn’t need to go to work and stay at home, she prepares dinner for us according to her cuisine books. I don’t know the name of the dishes, but they are really delicious and tasty. I like them very much. However, if she cooks by herself, the foods are quite difficult to eat. To my surprise, my host can make all kinds of sauces, jams, and cookies at home. Last day was Good Friday. She stayed at home and made bottles of bottles of tomato sauce for a whole day. She also made cakes and breads by herself, which I like very much. People here like making food at home. Last day, our Italian neighbor gave us a plate of cookies she made at home. I tried one this morning and it tasted well just like the ones we bought from the supermarket.

          Eating in China Town

          After eating western-style meals for two weeks, I miss the Chinese dishes so much. This Friday is a public holiday in Australia (Good Friday), after going to church in the morning, my Singapore classmate Soon took me to China Town to have lunch. The China Town in Melbourne is quite small, consisting of two streets in the city. Besides the Chinese restaurants, there are also some Chinese supermarket and shops along the street. My friend took me to a Singapore restaurant. Immediately when I stepped into the restaurant, I saw most of the clients and all of the waitresses are Chinese. They were eating Chinese food and talking in Chinese. I felt like that I came back to China again. The pictures of the Chinese dishes on the wall were so attractive that we couldn’t help having a try one by one. Soon ordered a Singapore noodle and I ordered a Hainan chicken rice. This is the most delicious food that I ever ate in these two weeks since I came to Australia. I have never felt Hainan chicken rice was so tasty when I was in Hong Kong. At this moment I felt that the eating habit of a nation is so deep-rooted that it cannot be replaced by the one in the host country. Wherever we are in the world, we are Chinese, we like Chinese food. This is the fact that has never hanged and will never change. In every corner of the world, there is Chinese people, there is China town, which help Chinese people healing their homesickness and maintain their eating and life style as well as Chinese identity.

    Credit society

    Apr. 11 2006

    Credit society

          Australia is a credit society, which impressed me greatly in the few days since I arrived here.

          The first day when I arrived in my host family, my host gave me three keys, two are for the front doors of the house and the other is for my own room. However, I found that I can’t use my room key because there is no lock at my door at all. I felt very strange and looked around the whole house. To my surprise I found that all the doors of the rooms in the house have no lock at all but the front and back door of the house. Another interesting thing I found is that my host and her son never lock the front door after they come back home even at night when they go to sleep. My room is beside the front door. Every time I go back home I get used to locking the door as I do in HK and China. One time my host saw me locking the door and she asked me not to lock the door since her son will come back soon. Maybe my behavior seemed a little strange or abnormal in the eyes of my host. Everything is relative. The normal behavior or thinking in one culture may seem abnormal or strange in another culture. The first step of acculturation is to learn about how people in another culture think and behave in their own ways in daily lives, and then learn to behave in their ways. I have to get used to go to sleep without locking my door, sometimes even without locking the front or back door of the house. I felt upset the first day when I go to sleep at night, now I can have a good sleep and wake up till the sun is rising everyday. It seems that there is no difference whether we lock the door or not here. I can feel a sense of security all the time here, from daytime to night. Everyone has a boundary which is not a written contract, but embedded in the bottom of our hearts.

          Another interesting thing I found is that there is no inspector on trams in Melbourne. I always saw people go on the tram without checking their tickets. I have bought a monthly ticket and checked my tickets in the checking machine every time I get on the tram. I asked my host whether I need to check my ticket every time. She told me that I don’t need to do that all the time and as long as I ensure that I have a valid ticket I can get on the tram. There may be an inspector on tram, but most of the time there is no. It is really quite different from HK and China, which impressed me a lot. In these few days, I felt greatly that self-inspection and credit is most important in western countries such as Australia. Once a person loss credit in such a society, he or she will be difficult to survive in this society.