JUSTIN DI'S REFLECTIONS

REFLECTION ON VLOG 1

我们做我们的vlog以前，我很怕这个project，但是做了我们的第一个vlog以后我觉得不错。现在我觉得我们可以做很好的project。我觉得我们的project有一点难，因为我们的topic是 ’台湾早上的时候‘， 所以我们得起的很早。早是早，可是我觉得早上热少了。我是很高兴，因为下个星期我们会录影好吃的台湾早餐。我想吃吃看蛋饼，饭团，还有萝卜糕。

Filming my first vlog has been an extremely memorable experience. I have always wanted to start my own vlog, but I could never find the time to do so. Starting this research project has forced me outside of my comfort zone. In doing so, I have surprised myself in more ways than one. I feel like my creativity has helped me to express my research and findings more effectively and am proud of what I’ve created. I’m also impressed with the work ethic and teamwork that me and my partner have. 

Among other difficulties that I’ve had to face, one of the biggest challenges has been becoming more comfortable while talking in front of a camera. I am not used to hearing my voice over video and I have had insecurities about it for awhile now. Doing this with my partner has helped a lot since I feel like we both share in each other’s fears and insecurities. I also gained a lot of support and courage from seeing the vlogs of other people and how they are also struggling like me. It was humbling to see myself within this group of hardworking people stepping outside of our comfort zones.

Another difficulty we faced early on is coming up with a suitable topic for this project that we could agree on. I remember we switched topics several times before settling on this one because Taiwan has so many interesting aspects and traditions. Even after finishing the filming I felt like my partner was having second thoughts on if this topic was best for us. What we realized was we could choose a more general theme and then that would give us more room to talk about unique and interesting topics for each episode. We also got the chance to get help from our mentor 詹老师. She helped check and approve our theme for the project which gave us more assurance that we were moving in the right direction.

REFLECTION ON VLOG 2

Looking back on this week’s vlog, I reflected about how food in many cultures is about bringing each other together. It’s important to observe a country’s food culture and breakfast might be one of the best places to start. Yong He Soy Milk is an institution unlike any other. It serves the community first and foremost and I think that is why such it has lasted such a long time. 

The people working at the restaurant and eating there all seem like they are part of a family that eats breakfast together. It is warm, cozy, and the perfect start to a new day. The staff are very welcoming and helpful. I had a hard time figuring out what to order, but they were not afraid to recommend some items for me. The auntie that helped us out was also a warm surprise. She knew from the start that we were not from Taiwan, but nonetheless was not afraid to talk to us and tell us about the food. She spoke about the food as if she was sharing a hidden treasure, and that made me appreciate it that much more. 

Normally, I would not eat a meal as heavy as that, especially not when the weather is as hot as it is in Taiwan. However, after that meal, I truly felt like I started the day on the right food and had the energy to get me through the day. I think it was just a matter of getting used to the cultural practice. 

上个星期我们去了一家很有名的饭馆，叫永和豆浆。在那家饭馆我们认识了一个阿姨。她介绍一些早餐菜。我们吃吃看了饭团，蛋饼，还有别的菜。我们也吃吃看咸豆浆，是我的第一次吃了咸的豆浆。我觉得不但特别，而且很有意思，很像一个菲律宾的早餐菜。但是，我觉得下次，我不会再点它一次。我比较喜欢那个蛋饼和饭团。我觉得中文暑期课程以后，我会好想永和的菜。

REFLECTION ON VLOG 3

For this last vlog, Eric and I decided to give a little background on Taipei Transportation system. We felt that people's morning transit is a good place for others to connect better with a culture since all of us have to get to school or work one way or another. We wanted to give other people a better idea of what it is like trying to get around such a busy city like Taiwan— and to be honest it's not that hard. That's because Taiwan has one of the most well developed transportation systems in the world. 

One of the most interesting aspects of the impact of Transportation has on a city is reducing fossil fuels. I believe that this aligns well with the Taiwanese culture of environmental cleanliness. Because Taiwan has such a reliable transportation system, it leads to a reduction of pollution. For the most part, most road users are usually rideshare vehicles, like taxis or UBER drivers, motorbikes, and scooters. Unlike Taiwan, public transportation in Manila, my homecity, is a mess and so many locals need to rely on using their own vehicles. The result is the world's worst traffic and pollution. 

Not only does the MRT indirectly reduce pollution, it is also one of the cleanest train systems in the world. Taiwanese trash and recycling cultural practices are evident in the MRT etiquette. People always make sure to never bring food or drinks inside, and are very mindful to properly recycle or dispose of their trash before entering the station. Hopefully, I can bring these things back home with me to Vancouver and Manila to improve our way of life and push for cleaner and more efficient transportation systems.

来台湾以前，我常常坐汽车出去玩儿。因为来台湾的时候我得坐捷运或公共汽车出去玩，所以我学会台北的交通文化。我以为坐捷运或坐公车是麻烦，但是现在我觉得这些交通比开车方便，而且便宜。是因为我不用把车停好。回去温哥华以后，我觉得我会多坐公车或多坐天车。