heidichang

要出國了

感覺

既陌生

又熟悉



明明是回到曾經生活且成長的地方

卻還是不禁感到距離



2002出國前

忙到壓根也沒看什麼學校資料

就一人提著行李飛奔出去

因為

到達普渡後沒幾天

學校就開學

很少

有人出國這麼敢

但是行程排一排

的確也不容許自己有所謂適應的時間



所幸

美國

去了不少次

仗著不用適應太多的東西

縱使對學校不熟

還是沒有提前認識台灣同學會

沒有打算接觸太多華人

就這樣

過了好一陣子

還是多多少少認識了不少人



這次

行程沒那麼趕

但是心理壓力卻增加不少

光是學校的網站

就比之前努力的看

大概現在要住的地方

是空屋

得自己重頭買起

跟當初還有簡單的床跟櫃子的單身貴族Graduate Hall差異甚劇

雖然徬徨

卻還是有點雀躍

畢竟

這是屬於自己第一個家

從空屋到擺滿裝飾且東西隨我放置的家

爸媽妹妹朋友到來

主人

將是我

而不是他們



這是以後要住的地方的資訊

http://www.housing.purdue.edu/HTML/HOUSPurdueVillage.htm



看著圖片

感受到那片綠地跟涼爽的風



只是

怎麼

心還是

旋著

-----

About Hot Dog



熱狗是臘腸的一種。夾有熱狗的整個麵包三明治也可以直接稱作熱狗。吃熱狗的時候可以配上很多種類的配料，比如番茄醬、美乃滋、芥末、漬包心菜、漬白蘿蔔、洋蔥，生菜、番茄（切片或切塊）和辣椒等等。



關於「熱狗」這個名字的來歷，有著不同的說法，而這些說法似乎都不很合理。下面第一個說法來自於英文維基百科。 「熱狗」這個名字最初來源於一個關於「狗氣喘」的古老笑話。以下的說法出現在很多報紙上：至少從1870年起，「一個冰冷的人和一個熱乎乎的狗有什麼區別呢？一個穿著外套，另外一個則氣喘。」1894年10月18日，密西根大學的一份幽默雜誌，《The Wrinkle》（皺紋）在封面上寫道，「找到了兩個希臘人和一個熱狗。他們找到的衣服，就是他們喜歡購買的。「熱狗」指一個時髦的被精心打扮的化妝師。一個流行的短語，「熱狗」便被加在了狗的身上。



關於熱狗來歷的另外一種說法如下：熱狗一般認為是在1904年舉辦的路易西安那購物博覽會裡首次出現的。然而類似的臘腸在當時歐洲的市面上已經買得到，而德國早在紀元前64年就有了。而最早的熱狗麵包則是在1860年代的紐約市布魯克林區里出現的。





Hot Dog Style







芝加哥風熱狗：洋蔥丁、番茄丁、黃椒/紅椒丁、酸黃瓜條、墨西哥辣椒片、酸甜黃瓜醬、芥末醬







紐約風熱狗：芥末、番茄醬、德國酸菜







辛辛那提風熱狗：墨西哥辣肉醬、巧達起士絲、或許加點洋蔥丁及芥末醬也不錯







西北風熱狗：番茄醬、芥末、甜酸黃瓜醬、美乃茲





資料來源: 熱狗會館, http://www.hotdogco.com/cht/history.aspx

今天

又胡亂轉著電視

轉著轉著

看到美食介紹

剛好在講在美國也常吃到的熱狗

其實

自己還真是個喜歡洋食物的人

有麵就不會選飯

有熱狗漢堡三明治

通常勝過燴飯等中餐



回來一個月

也不知道吃了熱狗幾次了

倒是因為在美國被冷凍水餃嚇到

現在

除了老媽包的

實在對看不到陷料品質的冷凍食品興致缺缺



話說

這個美食呢

在介紹熱狗

雖然介紹說是王健民的最愛

但是因為不喜歡追隨著大家一窩風趣捧某個偶像

差點轉檯

還好剛好在講頗喜愛的美式熱狗

也是繼bagel, donut後曾經想過可以引進來販賣的美式食物之一

所以沒急著切換頻道

聽著聽著

ending時記者說"高雄報導"

眼睛一亮

趕緊注意是哪個電視台報導的

連忙上樓開電腦查查

(如果做研究這麼積極就好了)



很妙的

的確有這麼一家店

取了個還挺有趣的名字

熱狗會館



找天

一定要去試試看

介紹如下



---------------------------------

對吃熱狗的醬料仍停留在只有番茄醬和芥末醬的年代嗎？對咬下去毫無口感可言的熱狗束手無策？或認為美式代表食物只有漢堡、油炸和高熱量？來一趟熱狗會館帶您重新體驗美式經典！



秉持著對健康的堅持，我們訴求一個舒適的環境給我們的顧客以及員工們。熱狗水煮不油膩、吃的快樂吃的健康是我們該提供給顧客最基本的服務。



擁有百年歷史的熱狗文化即將在熱狗會館裡完整呈現。在熱狗會館裡我們提供一個明亮寬敞的用餐環境、特別規劃的免費上網區、特殊設計的桌椅拉進大家的距離、以及平民化的價格。為了發揚熱狗精神，也為了讓所有的人都能體會到正宗的美式熱狗，我們將與基金會合作，並捐出一定比例的營業額和活動贊助，來幫助社會上更需要被關懷的人。



在食材方面，熱狗堅持百分百純肉製成，口感扎實且不含味精及防腐劑！



為了徹底讓美式風味完整重現在台灣，我們所有21種的配料全從國外引進，讓美國熱狗四大代表完整重現！其中包括『芝加哥風熱狗、紐約風熱狗、西北風熱狗、以及最受熱愛的辛辛那提風熱狗』！還在觀望著林林總總的菜單而猶豫嗎？別再懷疑，開始打造屬於你自己獨一無二專屬的口味吧！ 

以前

也沒什麼在想資本主義的影響

講了也是半調子



頂多只能說

因為資本主義

所以認知到錢的萬能跟重要性

只可惜

現在只是很深切的體會

沒錢

真的

萬萬不能

尤其

如果不能毫無物質慾望的時候



辦個存款證明

一張1/4 A4紙張大小的紙條

花了我2/3小時的等待

在這龐大卻緩慢的國營銀行體系裡

加上五十元台幣的費用

就位了一張存款證明



由於在國外學費甚高

於是

一張存款證明還是不夠

得雙親各開一張

於是

跑了兩趟

時間跟金錢

全部加倍



明天

得把這幾頁的存款證明

連同一幾頁證明自己不會在米國耗蝕該國國本的文件

得EXPRESS過去

又是個十幾二十美金的消費

更不用說

等她們願意寄I-20過來

又得花個十幾二十美金的郵資



書都還沒唸

人都還沒去

光是取得I-20就花掉不少錢

更不用說

還得去台北辦理簽證

機票錢也得支付



難怪

大家都說

如果費用不是問題

出國當交換學者

很好呀



我也知道很好

但是很好的背後

白花花的銀子

就是這樣毫不留情的流失



今天去作臉

也又買了課程

的確有比較便宜

但是說便宜

也是社會新鮮人1/4的薪水

幫我做臉的妹妹

剛好有個親人唸KHC

她說她老姐唸個書

花掉家裡很多錢

稿的媽媽四處標會妹妹到處借錢

畢竟

一個學期二十幾萬

也不是幾的家庭可以出的起的

可是

小孩要唸書

考上許多人認為難考的學校

在窮

也要讓小孩唸

這位妹妹

很成熟的說她不唸書

只因為家裡沒錢



這句話

說實在嚇到了我

有多少市井小民

其實還是現在貧窮的困境裡

因為家裡沒錢

於是高中畢業就出來賺錢

現在還是上演著



誰說

錢不重要

沒錢

連夢想有時候都無法追尋



所以

活著的當下

都得珍惜

自己

還是

有錢可以買自己想買的東西

有些許自由可以拿錢去換自己要的生活



錢

或許不用太多

但是

能有錢花來做點自己想做喜歡作的事

就已經不簡單

應該

珍惜

前年

知道之前的chair楚於退休狀態

今年已經在faculty introduction上看不到Dr. Pearson的介紹

幾個禮拜前

又獲知本來可能的committee member也要離開前往他校任職

今天

看到宣布說之前的校長要走

即將迎接第11任校長



這些人

除了指導教授

其實跟自己也沒大干係

就只是再次意識到

所有的人事物都在變動

雖然才離開三年

但連再回去

文件的處理

或是相關規定

現在看來都有點陌生

陌生還有部分來自於當初從未處理過的事情跟文件

感覺就像

重頭開始



跟同學聊

發現大夥的變動也不少

結婚的結婚

生子的生子

當初在2002一起的人們

最晚也會再2009春季畢業

或有同學已經有了SSCI

還跟哈佛醫學院合作

種種變動

其實也象徵著成長獲得與成就



反觀自己

是否也有所變動

的確也有

看看他人

更是變動無處不在



人生

的確

唯一不變的

就是變



只希望

變的更好

變的更成熟

變的更圓融

變的更有智慧



共勉之

旅居在外的人

或是喜好美食的人

多多少少有在網站上搜尋食譜的經驗

搜尋食譜

看著食譜以收望梅止渴之效

對自己還有幾個好友而言

是共同的經驗



今天早上

又不知不覺搜尋起食譜

現在

找食譜的方式

已經不像早期

因為什麼都不會作

所以到一些固定介紹食譜的網站

或中式或港式或台式或美式時材

不管三七二十一就一道一道的看

在腦海裡演練一翻



經過偶爾的實作

現在要找食譜

都是看想吃什麼或是腦袋想演練哪個功夫

就上網查一查



發現

其實大部分鉅細靡遺

把作菜的經過外加圖示精心製作在個人網頁的

都是旅居外國的媽媽們



這群媽媽

可能老公在唸書或是上班

她們在家帶小孩

成就感最大的來源就是煮出好吃的菜

在異鄉

把家人餵的白白胖胖



所以

看著她們的網站

可以看得出她們的耐心跟愛心

明明人在美國

可以變出各國料理

或韓式或日式或台式或各式



沒長期待過歐洲

不知道歐洲媽媽們是不是也是這麼容易的取得食材

其實在美國

起碼在我們那個鄉下地方

東西都還挺新鮮挺多元挺不貴

所以要嘗試是各樣的菜色

我覺得比在台灣容易



但是

重點要有動機跟對家人的愛

看著這些媽媽

雖然不用唸書跟上班

但是她們讓自己的生活在異鄉

有了依靠

有了目標

於是

廚房

就是她們最大的戰場

在哪裡

一一收服老公跟小孩



其實

真希望能這樣過日

^_____^

美國時間

真的是跟一般時間不一樣



所謂"哪來的美國時間"

到底所言為何

看來應該是指著比較優哉比較愜意比較安然的光陰

事實上

也是如此

古人的話

還頗有道理

就像外國的月亮比較圓

如果到緯度偏高的北美

應該也不會反對此說法

這而月亮不僅圓

且大



話說

在台灣的一學期

有如一世紀般的長

永遠過不完

就這樣

兩個學期換兩個寒暑

生命就這樣交雜著



轉眼

又要回到那個不知道屬於誰的世界

心裡早已不像當初般吶喊世界的不是

取而代之的

是默默的接受與承受

誰叫自己無能為力改變



既不像他人有著置之於死地而後生的衝勁

又沒有壯士斷脕的決心

更沒有天才該有的百分之九十九的努力



只能

感歎

Time Flies



下禮拜的現在

應該在極高的緯度

看著看不到的月亮或太陽

任由

思念

蔓延

-----

做了兩次實驗

就是不相信會被beer擺平

但是事實證明

看起來沒傷殺力的drink

其實頗具危險性



或許是跟其他產品不搭

或是跟體質不合

一瓶半的小瓶啤酒

就令人遮騰的很不舒服



沒事不會去碰酒精

碰了一定是因為本來情緒已經在作祟

再加上啤酒莫名奇妙的後作力

更令人難以招架



要馬

選點好喝的酒

要不

找個不錯的伴

這樣縱使醉了

也不用太擔心

起碼

知道

I am in good hands

一大早

就看頒獎實播

一開場

就拿斷背山開玩笑



今年的host還真是不有名

只見他一直開大家的玩笑

開場十五分鐘

斷背山就被隱喻來開玩笑七分半

Interesting

繼續看頒獎去

這部神奇的電影

從十二月在美國上映時台灣媒體就已經開始議論

一月在台灣上映時也的確吸引頗多人去觀賞

在美國反而也沒幾個美國人真的去看

直到奧斯卡提名名單揭曉

似乎開始在美國又掀起一點點波瀾

甚至廣告起這部片子來



前幾天去看

還真是有點不明瞭

為何能獲得那麼多項提名

可能像朋友說的

奧斯卡就算今年沒啥好電影

也不能停擺

於是就讓這部所謂cowboy的電影提名八個獎



好笑的是

看完電影

只要看到兩個男生走在一起

就覺得他們有可能是gay

畢竟電影中的cowboy一點都不sissy

不管是講話穿著或是舉止

都很straight



這故事告訴我們

不要相信枕邊人

他們可能在任何一天的任何一秒鐘

告知你他的另一面

那時候

你只能震驚失望尷尬傷心而後面臨抉擇



只是

在這故事之後

以後你的另一半告訴你他要去釣魚

你會相信嗎



太多人以為做了不違背社會善良風俗的抉擇

太多人以為下了不傷害大多數人的決定

可是

deep down in the heart

能否俯仰無愧

卻也未必

只是

絕多數人

都在面臨死亡或是無法挽回的情境時

才被動地面對真實的自我

只可惜

千金已難買早知道

-----

一直以為

自己很會算時差



身在台灣

隨時可過著美國的時間

身處美國

卻也清楚掌握台灣與歐洲時間



今天

卻因為一個老師丟下的問題

首次打通電話去英國

卻也首次

算錯時差

第一次

半夜三更把人從被窩挖起來問問題

真是不好意思



以前

總是被人算錯時差從被窩挖起

現在

我明白了



人腦

老是要過著別個時區的時間

老是要計算著別個時空的時間

會混亂

會失調

會失序



不好意思

親愛的Amber

我把你

從被窩裡挖起來



我會好好重新計算

台灣

跟英國

到底時間分別怎麼過

深深瞭解

深深體悟



美國之所以是美國

家之所以是家

跟人很有關係



這次

第一次讓我覺得

美國

不再是美國



因為

空氣中

不再有自由的味道

-----

Coming here, with family.

I know, you will be upset.

I know you want me to stay in Taiwan, stop going abroad, and try to get to know things around.

I know you need somebody to take care of your business when your beloved students are not there for you.

I do know.

And I do care.



If there are two Heidi"s", I don't mind to leave one there for you, at your disposal.

I do care being a good and helpful PhD student for you, dearest Prof. Chen.

Yet, I love so much the circumstances that finally my parents agreed to come visiting USA.

I have been longing and nervous for this day coming.

So, please forgive me.



11 days will fly so fast.

Yet, there are 4 years and more for us to work together.

So, please excuse my trip.



You are important; study is important; teaching is important; many things are important.

Yet, there is always a "yet", that being with my family is priceless.

-----

Woke up in the early morning

Man, 7:00 only



Yet, guests are here; could not be lazy

Start to prepare for breakfast

Omelet, salmon, fruit, soup, bread, jelly, cream cheese, OJ and tea



9:30, went out driving around the neighborhood

Luckily, did not get lost

After that, Lansing Lake County Park, Wal-mart and Kroger were stopped by



Lansing Lake, we admired the fresh air, clean water, green meadow and relaxing environment

Wal-mart, the well-known store killed us some time checking almost every aisle and made us purchased 4 distasteful low-carb yogurt

Kroger, aiming at the 5.99 Canadian frozen lobster tail while they were out of stock until Fri.

Ham, salami, hamburger buns, a bag of apples, two cans of corn replaced the desirable lobster tail

Came home tired and hungry a little bit

I, the one, the Iron chef, started to make breaded white fish sandwich that I had planed to made for my folks

The sandwich, salad and fruit came out as a wonderful combination for a light lunch



3:00, everybody resting again

Later, maybe we will take a walk around the neighborhood, enjoy the beautiful houses, and do some exercise

Our supper will be a BBQ party they I've been preparing for since two days ago

What a day, the 2nd day to United State of America

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First day and first time expecting my own guests here.

Guests that I've been talking them into coming U.S.A for a visit.

16 months after I graduated, they finally did come.



I dreamed, I worried, I got panic.

Yet, things seemed to be okay with supports and encouragement.



3:00, I saw Carol came out form the airport.

3:01, I met my dear folks in the baggage claim.

Then, we drove home.



Taking them to my favorite Meijer, showing them around the house, helping them settle down and preparing for food.

Unfortunately, they were too exhausted to do anything else.

Everybody went to bed early than ever and finished the first being in the dreamland.

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最近懶的動筆

不是全因為懶

而是因為不想一發不可收拾

於是

把照片上傳



美麗的

他鄉

      The Mackinac Bridge is truly something to see!

      With a total span of approximately 5 miles, the Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. St. Ignace is located on the North end of the bridge, while Mackinaw City is located at the South end.

      Bridge fares begin at $1.25 per axle and move up from there. Fares are subject to change without notice.

      For more information, please visit their site at www.mackinacbridge.org

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      Perhaps the most noticeable first impression visitors get of Mackinac Island is the absence of automobiles! Visitors and residents travel by foot, bicycle or horse drawn carriage. This tempo is more comparable to the 19th century. Tour carriages and taxis will take you wherever you want to go and it's not long before you adjust to a slower pace most visitors have never known.

      With over 80% of Mackinac Island in public hands you would expect little development and, fortunately, that's true. Concerned with the disappearance of America's finest natural treasures, Congress took steps in the early 1870s to ensure that some of these treasures would be preserved for posterity. In 1872 the federal government designated Yellowstone America's first national park. In 1875 portions of federal land on popular Mackinac Island were given similar protection.

     Other than issuing a small number of land leases for the sites of bluff cottages, all development was stopped. This ensured the preservation of most of the natural limestone formations such as Skull Cave, Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf. Twenty years later, when the last U.S. army soldiers left Fort Mackinac, all federal land, including the fort, became Michigan's first state park. The newly appointed Park Commission limited all private development in the park and required leaseholders to maintain the distinctive Victorian architecture of their bluff cottages. In recent years the historical sites and fort buildings such as the Officers' Stone Quarters have been restored to their original condition and brought to life through dioramas, period settings, guided tours and reenactments for the benefit of the thousands of summer visitors.

      When the Park Commission purchased a Victorian cottage near Fort Mackinac in 1945 and designated it the Governor's Summer Residence, it ensured politicians would beat a path to its door. John Kennedy rocked on the porch with Governor G. Mennen Williams in 1960 and won his important support for the Democratic nomination that year. More recently Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole conferred with state politicians here.

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      Mackinac Island is the truly "all natural" theme park of America. Limited to transportation of horse and buggy, bicycle or foot, surrounded by water, it has escaped the vast changes of time.

      Its real Victorian image is preserved and enhanced by a small population of 500 permanent residents and scores of summer residents, maintaining bluff cottages in original state. Families, especially children, love their relatively new found "mobility", exploring the historic, natural beauty of Mackinac Island State Park, honored by National Geographic as one of the ten finest in America.

      The calendar of events on Mackinac Island is highlighted by the Annual Lilac Festival, climaxed with one of the largest "All Horse Hitch" parades known. The American Bus Association has designated Mackinac Island's Lilac Festival as one of the nation's top 100 tourist attractions.

      The residents are warm and friendly, even during the Island's brief but unique winter holiday and cross-country season. Prices are best in winter, spring, and fall, of course, but the enjoyment level never fails to put new perspective into the concept of relaxation.

      When you step off of the Island Ferry Dock, you will be in a living Victorian village. Please cross streets on straight angles rather than diagonally and be aware of horses, bikes and people stepping off of carriages, enjoy the downtown hustle and bustle of the early 1800s but don't miss the beauty of the Island's interior and peaceful lakefront perimeter path. Once you've visited our beautiful Island, you will find that it is your Island, too. We look forward to your return many times in the future.



Climate

      The summers are moderate, with cool mornings and warmer afternoons. Islanders suggest dressing in layers, shedding sweaters, etc, as the day progresses putting them on again in the cool of the evening. Winters are interestingly cold and by February, the Straits freeze and Lake Huron is covered with ice. Average temperatures: May 50-degree, June 64-degree, July 70-degree, August 71-degree, September 63-degree, October 50-degree. Winter holidays and cross-country skiing season, mid-December through March.

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      Lake Superior is about 20 feet higher than Lake Huron. The Soo Locks raise and lower boats as they travel between the lakes. Boats headed into Lake Superior (upbound) must be raised and boats headed into Lake Huron (downbound) must be lowered.

      As a ship enters a lock, gates shut behind it, "locking" it in. Next, a valve is opened to allow water to flow either in or out of the lock to raise or lower the ship. Finally, the gate in front of the ship is opened and the ship moves on.

      On June 18, 1855, the steamer Illinois became the first boat to pass through the Soo Locks. For years, Michigan officials had urged the building of a canal and locks around the rapids of the St. Mary's River at Sault Ste. Marie. Michigansnians argues it would benefit both Michigan and the nation. Not everyone agreed.

     This attitude changed in the mid-1840s with the discovery of copper and iron ore in the western Upeer Peninsula. The minerals had to be shipped to Cleveland and Detroit for processing. Because of the rapids, all goods had to be removed from the boats and portaged around the rapids. A canal was desperately needed.

      Digging began during the summer of 1853. When the Soo Locks were completed in May 1855, boats passed through two locks. Each lock was 350 feet long, 70 feet wide, and had a lift of 9 feet.

      As boats got larger, bigger locks were built. The newest lock opened in 1968. It is 1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide and 50 feet deep. Today, the Soo Locks remain among the world's busiest locks.

            

      For more information, please refer to http://www.geo.msu.edu/geo333/SooLock.html

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