Sequim Lavender Festival

I was in the State of Washington this Saturday. My lanlord(a couple) invited me to go to Sequim to visit the Lavender Festival. Vancouver is pretty close to the US-Canada border, so a lot of people, epecially BC and Washington residents, spend weekend on another country. In addition, because Canadian dollar is so strong now (1 cdn:1 usd compare to 1cdn: 068 usd 5 years ago), so many Canadian go down to the States shopping. Follwing is a brief introduction of the annual Lavender festival in Sequim. "Sequim is located on Washington State 's Olympic Peninsula cradled in the "Rain Shadow" of the Olympic Mountains and the world-famous Olympic National Park. The Sequim-Dungeness Valley has an ideal microclimate for growing lavender. With less than 20 inches of rain per year, the area is similar to the Provence region of France where this amazing herb is native. Because of the unique conditions and dedicated farmers, Sequim lavender has received national recognition for its superior quality. Our farmers have over 200 years of combined experience cultivating lavender, determining ideal varieties, developing the best planting and growing practices, and creating lavender products. Visit eight beautiful Farms on Tour in the stunning Sequim-Dungeness Valley. Growers share their techniques for cultivating, drying and using lavender, and visitors experience the perfume and beauty of this captivating herb. See dozens of varieties with colors and scents from sweet whites to crisp purples, while enjoying the sunshine, mountain views, scented breezes and open spaces of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley."

Official visit to SFU

I offcially visited Simon Fraser University Burrnaby campus today. Dr. Chery Amundesen talked to me about an hour. She is a very very nice person. I got chance to know about the Educational Technology program at SFU and in Canada. I strongly agree some of her viewpoints about the use of Technology in learning. "Every technology can be effective, it just depends on how you use it." Thus, we cannot only pursue fast and fancy technolgy. The most important thing is to focus the nature of learning and teaching.

Circque Du Soleil-Corteo

I finally saw the Cirque Du Soleil (太陽馬戲團) show. Its venue is located at Concord Pacific place which is about 10 mins from the place I saty in Vancouver. The show, Corteo, is super good. No wonder people keep saying that "everyone should see the Cirque Du Soleil show in lifetime." This amazing circus is going to Taiwan to perform next year. I am sure it will attract a lot people to wintness the gorgeous circus in human history. The following is a piece of information from the Cirque du Soleil website.
"Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.
The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality."

Chinese characters on the famous Stationery store

I saw this store sign in Richmond. People can see Chinese characters everywhere in this city. The cencus shoews that 6 out 10 people are Chinese reside here.

Granville Island

I went to south part of the city-Granville Island. I walked on the Granville street, and I decided to walk over the bridge to enjoy few hours view at waterfront park. Actuaaly, I don't really enjoy this place. The reason is probably I have been similar place that had better view that this waterfront pier.

Uuniversity of British Columbia(UBC)

UBC is one of the Group of Thirteen(G-13) in Canada. According to Wikipedia (2008), the G13 (or G-13), is a group of leading research-intensive universities in Canada. Formed over 10 years ago as an informal biannual meeting of university executive heads, the grouping is similar to the Australian Group of Eight. The G13's primary activity is in joint research programmes. The chairmanship of the G13 rotates among the executive heads of the thirteen universities. There are currently 428,000 students enrolled in the 13 universities. In terms of endowment wealth, UBC ranks 2nd place in the 13 schools. I saw this bell in fornt of UBC's Asia study center which is donated by Mr. Choi Cheung Kok, an oversea Chinese business man.

A seagull scavenging for food

I saw this hungry seagull eating a plate of leftover at Longsdale Quay.
Every morning, I woke up because of their loud yellings. It is very typical to see seagull everywhere in coast cities.

Capilano suspension bridge, North Vancouver

Capilano suspension bridge is one of the must-visit place that all visitors would go when they are in Vancouver. It is located at North Vancouver. I went there to spend a afternoon after church service. This is not the first time for me to visit the huge suspesion bridge. I expected to see something different and new this visit. Yes, I saw the treetop advanture and took a walk to explore the life on the top of forest. While walking on the pathway, I remeber Chi-Tou(溪頭) forest recreation area in Taiwan. I think the treetop advaanture has more beauty to show than Capilano.

West Vancouver-Light house park

I went to West Vancouver to visit two famous spots today. They are Lighthouse and Amberside park. I got chance taking to a local people living there. He said that I choose right time coming to visit Vancouver in the year. Summer is really pleasant, but Winter will be raining season. From the lighthouse park, I saw Mt. Baker (in the State of Washington) pretty clear. Also, I enjoy moment of quite sitting and staring at English bay.

British Columbia: the best place on earth

British Columbia is celebarting its 150 year anniversary this year. A lot of celebration activities are going on at different locations across BC. Actually, Vancouver has been elected as the most suitable place to live on earth couple times. I guess most visitors will nod their head when they come to visit the city for few days. I took this skytrain picture at Joyce station where is close to the place I stay.

Terry Fox, a Simon Fraser UNiversity graduate, British Columbia

I visited Somon Fraser Univeristy (SFU) at the city of Burnaby today. SFU is mid-size university, and it actually is a well-known university in Canada. I was impressed by a huge complex on campus. Ir seems to me that most colleges and offices are located in a one huge building. I also saw a sculpture of Terry Fox, a Simon Fraser graduate. His story really touches me. Here is a brief introduction form Terry Fox foundation. " Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.
While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada's Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. It was a journey that Canadians never forgot. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at age 22. The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning. To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world. "

Official Visit to Vancouver Public Library

I offcially conducted my reseach today at Vancouver Public Library(VPL). I really appreciate Chris's (left on the picture) arrangement. She invited 6 staff coming to a meeting room. We then had 90 mins focus group section to discuss my research questions with regard to Information Literacy taining at BC's public libraries. It was really helpful. I will go back to VPL again to get more in-depth understandings and tour the library next week.

New Westminster

I took a stroll on the broadwalk along the Fraser river in New Westminister, a satellite city of Vancouver. It was lovely and enjoyful, especially I saw those cozy houses on the river side and people jogging on broadwalk. This city is the first city eastblished in the province of British Columbia according to the tour book of Candada traveling. "New Westminster has a wonderful history and heritage. In 1859, it was selected as the first capital of the new colony of British Columbia and officially named the "City of New Westminster' by Queen Victoria, after her favourite part of London. From this naming by the Queen, the City gained its nickname, "The Royal City", and became the first city in Western Canada." Nice to have a walk before sunset!

Wellingdon Church

Sunday is the day that Christians pay tribute to God. I went to the Willingdon Chursch at Burnaby. It is a big church in terms of the number of worshiping people. The pastor delivered a powerful message this morning, especially he talked about a story of Fred Smith, the founder of Federal Express (聯邦快遞). His dream to form a deliver compnay was almost an impossible work, but he did it and became a very successful business man. We should never measure people by his/her strength. The most important thing is how big our heart is and it will help us to reach our goal.

North Vancouver

I decideded to visit North Vancouver today. Although I have been there twice, I still think those spots are worth to visit again. I took bus to Cleveland Dam and Grouse Mountain. The Cleveland Dam was bulit in 1954, and it named after Ernest Albert Cleveland, LL.D., first chief commissioner of the Greater Vancouver Water District (1926-52), the Cleveland Dam sits atop the Capilano River Regional Park blocking Capilano Lake, which supplies approximately 40% of the Lower Mainland's fresh drinking water. I walked down to the viewpoint at the bottom of the hill to see the water fall and giant fir. It was a good walk on Saturday afternoon. Grouse Mountain was the next stop. I took the Red Skyride(it costs 37.60 Canadian dollars--it is pretty expensive) to the top of the mountain. I was regret to do that becuse it was foggy on the top. I couldn't get good ariel view of the city and its surroundings. However, I made this decision, and I should enjoy the consequeses. I saw a movie and took walk in the park for about 1 hour. It was dark when I got home. Nice to have a day out and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Going to Canada

I began my Canada visit on July 4th. I didn't choose this day for any reason (July 4th is the Independence Day in the States). After 12 hours, I arrived in Vancouver. It was a long fly, and I barely slept for about 1 hour. May be I get used to take long distance flight. I still felt awakening when I passed the custom inspection. It didn't take me long to find the guest house that I will be staying for 3 weeks. However, it reauired to change bus and train 2 times. It was not a challenge for me, and all I need was to read sign and ask questions. After I got the guest house, I had a dinner at a Vietnanmese restaurant. Then, I hit the bed to rejuvenate my body for the next day's schedule.

第二人生(Second Life)

Second life is a popular virtual game. Actually, we can't call it a game. It has become a platform of learning, entainment, communication, and so on. what is the seconf life? Below is a description you may find on the second life offcial websiet.

"Second Life® is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.
From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.
You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow Residents. Because Residents retain intellectual property rights in their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents.
The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the inworld unit of trade, the Linden™ dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden dollar exchanges. "

an honorable moment

I officially received my Canadian research award from Mr. Leonard reil, the deputy director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. I guess i was lucky enough and may be I picked a good topic that the jury really like it.

加拿大研究獎助金頒獎, 右為Leonard Reil加拿大駐台北辦室處政策暨文化處副處長

ACE 10 years

My department celebrated 10 year anniversary last Saturday. It was a lovely and joyful celebration.

提問問題與線上學習

西方哲學家培根(Francis Bacon)曾說過：「謹慎的提問能顯露其人的智慧。」(A prudent question is one half of wisdom)。在線上學習時，提問是學習過程中很重要的一部份，一般線上學習的課程皆提供了多元的問問題管道，例如e-mail、討論區、即時聊天平台、私人問題提問區等，藉由問題的提問，可以讓學習者或老師對於課程的內容能深入鑽研，深入的鑽研將會使學習者對學習內容有更清楚的瞭解。因此，建議線上學習者務必多提問，並在提問問題之前將每個問題的重點整理並修飾文字的內容，好的問題才可引起同儕或老師的興趣，並能深入或廣泛的討論主題，進而引起學習者的共鳴。