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gENEratioN y My Perfect Wedding TExT: LEAT AHROnY In movies, they always tell you that every little girl's dream is to find her Prince Charming one day, and have a pictureperfect white wedding. Even Fiona found her prince charming, Shrek, only in a more ‘ogrely’ way. Is this really true in reality though? Is there really a perfect woman or man out there who is destined to be with you? Is it really necessary to spend an insane amount of money on a dress you will probably never wear again? And does every woman desire a big white wedding? As human as I am, and as realistic as I can be, I for one have never ever thought about, or even pre-planned my wedding. However, my curiosity never stopped me from asking my parents, “Mom, dad, how did you guys meet?” My mother’s life had always been centered around her job. Working day and night, she was glued to her office chair like a magnet; she was, and still is, an independent business woman. One day, an American man followed her on the empty streets of Tianmu during Chinese New Year. No, it was not my father; it was his boss. This was how my parents were introduced to each other. New to Taiwan, my father struggled for the first couple of months. Keep in mind that this was thirty years ago, and my young father didn’t speak a word of Mandarin. My mother was his superwoman to the rescue! As time progressed, my mother and father became best friends. The first time my mother stayed o v e r a t h i s h o t e l r o o m w a s a complete nightmare, because she could not stand another second of his snoring. That night she asked herself, who would ever marry this man? Five years later, my parents were getting married. Who knew? My parents officially got married at court soon after, but they didn’t have their wedding party until a year later. In the end, the wedding turned out to be very simple, and relatively small in size; only close family and friends were invited. My parents didn’t see the need to make a wedding a huge deal. I understand why any human being would want their special day to be the best, and most memorable day. But I often find myself asking, is it really the only day where you get to feel special? There will be other days where every pair of eyes are on you. I think the truly special days come after the wedding date. The day you move into a new apartment or house is special. The New Year and family holidays that you spend together as a couple are special. The day when you announce you’re having a baby, and the day you feel it kicking is special. So many more days to come, and so many new events. A wedding is a celebration, but the importance of it is not in the expensive dress or flower decorations; it is the relationship between the couple that is noteworthy. We often have a modern-day scenario where two love birds-who have only known each other for a few months claim themselves to be Romeo and Juliet. Well indeed, they are! Young and in love. Somewhere down the road though, they may realize that things just aren’t working out. Yo u s u d d e n l y h a v e s o m a n y young individuals who think six months of dating will satisfy and guarantee a happily-everafter marriage. To tell you the truth, I don’t even think I can know a friend well enough in the duration of six months. Relationships r e q u i r e t i m e a n d l i k e a wedding dress, each thread needs to be sewn with gentle care and patience. Arguments and hardships are inevitable, but just as important, because they force both individuals to reach a compromise. Couples should try living together before rushing into a marriage. This is vital, because if one side can’t stand the other’s poor hygiene, tidiness, or weird habits for example, then problems need to be solved before moving any step further. Before you even think about having a wedding, there comes the question of WHO am I going to marry? Deep down, every single one of us desires some qualities or looks. A woman might desire a rich and powerful, but also sweet, loving, sensitive, and handsome man. A man might desire a sweet, saving, caring, beautiful, and graceful woman. But will these desires come true? Maybe, or maybe not. I have learned from the past that things don’t always go according to plan in life. My mother who thought she would never marry, got married. My father who thought his destined wife would be Jewish proved himself wrong when he stood before my Taiwanese mother with a ring, and a token of love and trust in his hands. Weddings, relationships, divorces, future years with the special someone, are all events in life that many people sail through. There are many different ways to tie the knot. You don’t have to spend 3.2 million dollars like Chelsea Clinton did in order to make it special. I’ve never planned my wedding before, but I have an idea of what I will need: 28 Summer 2011 www.communitycenter.org.tw
• A guest list of close family and friends, • An elegant, but not too fancy hotel by the beach, • A simple rented dress, • Little decorations, • A dance floor, • Cultural food, • Music. I believe marriage is more than just a legal declaration or a party. It is about sharing each and every moment together. It is about respecting, caring and loving each other, and most importantly, supporting each other through the difficult times. Like the ocean, a marriage will have its high and low tides. Wherever you may go, whoever you may meet, the dream wedding is only a tiny piece of the cake. The Beat of the Clock TExT: CHARLOTTE LEE, TAs GRADE 3 Tick tock Goes the clock Don’t go too fast The clock won’t last Look The moving hands Seconds passing Slow down What are you missing? Have you ever seen the full moon on a starry night? Or bother to reply when someone says hi? Tick tock goes the clock Don’t go too fast The clock won’t last Have you ever stopped to listen? Stopped to take the time to smile and wave to someone you know? Slow down Seconds will pass The beat of the clock Time doesn’t wait The clock won’t last www.communitycenter.org.tw Summer 2011 29
Page 1: Publication of the Community Servic
Page 4 and 5: Summer dates: 27th June ~ 19th Augu
Page 6 and 7: CSC NEWS RICHARD ReCommenDs RichaRd
Page 8 and 9: arts Taipei Arts Festival 2011: Par
Page 10 and 11: Foc del Mar Xarxa Teatre from Spain
Page 12 and 13: outlook Home Leave or Home Grief? I
Page 14 and 15: community TAS Middle School Student
Page 16 and 17: ook review Battle Hymn of the Tiger
Page 18 and 19: profile Writer Richard Saunders: Ho
Page 20 and 21: ENtErtaiNmENt three is the magic TE
Page 22 and 23: CaSual diNiNg Eating out with Kids
Page 24 and 25: ECo NEWS urban Gardening TExT & IMA
Page 26 and 27: soy sauce 醬油 [jiangyou] As kin
Page 30 and 31: ook review Rainy Night Moon by Tsai
Page 32 and 33: Word from the Director One of our i
Page 34: 34 Summer 2011 www.communitycenter.

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