The Appeal and Challenges of City Life

In modern era, cities have grown due to increasing of migration. Although cities have many job opportunities, cities are facing increasing disadvantages due to a growing population. Therefore, people have to think deeply for living in city or countryside.

Cities have convenient transportation such as railways, MRT and bus systems. People living in cities can take public transportation to travel anywhere. In addition, cities have museums and hold kinds of exhibitions for visitors. The most important is work chances, citizens would improve their standard of living with high salary. For this reason, people choose to migrate to cities to work for large and well-known enterprises. However, cities with large populations face several disadvantages. Governments have to deal with river pollution and shortages of drinking water. Otherwise, the cost of living is gradually increasing. The issue has become the first priority for citizens.

Although cities have several disadvantages, people still prefer to move there due to job opportunities and access to essential services. Moreover, to provide their children with a high-quality education, parents are more willing to live in cities despite the fast-paced and stressful environment.

A Weekend of Strategy: Playing Conquest and Consequence

This weekend, my friends and I played a board game called Conquest and Consequence, a three players military simulation games. My friends took on the roles of the Soviet Union and the United States. While I played as the Empire of Japan, we should get twenty five victory points.

At the first round US player paid many diplomacy cards and lift influence on United Kingdom. Surprisingly, the U.S. successfully persuaded the U.K. to join its faction, gaining access to British resources and troops. Therefore, Japan player asked marines and navy to surround Philippines. Through a swift offensive, Japan quickly took control of the region. As the game progressed, tensions escalated, US and Japan had a heavy battle in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Navy suffered a major defeat, forcing the American player to shift focus toward defending U.S. territories at great cost. Finally, The Soviet player remained relatively quiet but gradually gained strength and conquered the UK’s and Japan’s important city, Deli and Shenyang. In the end, Ultimately, the Soviet player emerged victorious.

Conquest and Consequence is a military and diplomacy simulation board game. Players could image themselves as a leader of those historic country and learn something about politics and military action. We could realize the world by the board game.

ChatGPT version

This weekend, my friends and I played a board game called Conquest and Consequence, a three-player military simulation game. My friends took on the roles of the Soviet Union and the United States, while I played as the Empire of Japan. To win the game, a player needed to accumulate twenty-five victory points.

In the first round, the U.S. player invested heavily in diplomacy cards and increased influence over the United Kingdom. Surprisingly, the U.S. successfully persuaded the U.K. to join its faction, gaining access to British resources and troops. In response, I mobilized Japan’s marines and navy to encircle the Philippines. Through a swift offensive, Japan quickly took control of the region.

As the game progressed, tensions escalated, leading to intense battles between the U.S. and Japan in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Navy suffered a major defeat, forcing the American player to shift focus toward defending U.S. territories at great cost. Meanwhile, the Soviet player remained relatively quiet but gradually gained strength. In a decisive move, the Soviet Union conquered key cities controlled by the U.K. and Japan—Delhi and Shenyang. Ultimately, the Soviet player emerged victorious. 

Conquest and Consequence is a board game that simulates military and diplomatic strategies. Players take on the roles of historical leaders, gaining insights into politics and military tactics. It provides a unique way to understand world history through strategic gameplay.

A Visit to the Taiwan Railway Museum

This weekend, I visited to Taiwan Railway Museum to admire number of paintings. Some of the artworks were created by Cheng-Po Cheng who is the most famous artist in Taiwan. I recognized that there were several paintings with different scenes to show the characteristic weather of Taiwan.

The painting that left the deepest impression on me was The Road Near the East Coast of Taiwan. In Japanese dominated period, there was a president of Taiwan. He received a retirement payment before leaving Taiwan. First, he donated a large portion of retired payment to Taiwan Empire University for doing research about Taiwanese residents. Next, he took the retained money to hire Cheng-Po Cheng to paint a unique and meaningful scene from Taiwan. Finally, Cheng-Po Cheng have him The Road nears to Est Coast of Taiwan. The painting not only conserved the scene of that period but also showed the humanity of Taiwan. For this reason, it became an important artistic treasure in Japan.

This exhibition featured eight of Cheng-Po Cheng’s paintings, collectively narrating the stories of that period. In addition, visitors could immerse themselves in the past and connect with the artist’s thoughts. The exhibition wanted to introduce not only weather of Taiwan but also Cheng-Po Cheng. I feel fortunate that I did not miss this remarkable exhibition.

Modified by ChatGPT

This weekend, I visited the Taiwan Railway Museum to admire a collection of paintings. Some of the artworks were created by Cheng-Po Cheng, one of the most renowned artists in Taiwan. I noticed that several paintings depicted different scenes showcasing Taiwan’s distinctive weather conditions.

The painting that left the deepest impression on me was The Road Near the East Coast of Taiwan. During the Japanese colonial period, the governor of Taiwan received a retirement payment before leaving the island. First, he donated a large portion of his pension to Taiwan Imperial University to support research on Taiwanese residents. Then, he used the remaining funds to commission Cheng-Po Cheng to paint a unique and meaningful scene from Taiwan. Eventually, Cheng-Po Cheng presented him with The Road Near the East Coast of Taiwan. This painting not only preserved the landscape of that era but also reflected the humanistic spirit of Taiwan. For this reason, it became an important artistic treasure in Japan.

This exhibition featured eight of Cheng-Po Cheng’s paintings, collectively narrating the stories of that period. Additionally, visitors could immerse themselves in the past and connect with the artist’s thoughts. The exhibition aimed to introduce not only Taiwan’s climate but also the artistic legacy of Cheng-Po Cheng. I feel fortunate that I did not miss this remarkable exhibition.

A Memorable Meeting with Hui-Ming Fashi

Last month, I had free time to visit Taouang City. To my surprise, I had a chance to visit an important person to me, Hui-Ming Fashi. In my opinion, he is one of the most dharma master in recent one hundred years.

Hui-Ming Fashi specialized in Dharma studies and earned a Ph.D. from Tokyo University. After graduating from Tokyo University, Hui-Ming Fashi taught at National Tai-Pei Art University and Dharma Drum College. Now He is the chief monk of Si-Liang temple. Because Hu-Ming Fasi is good at Dharma, he was appointed as a Dharma heir from Master Sheng-Yen and Master Chi-Yu. Luckily, In this trip I got a chance that I had lunch with Hui-Ming Fashi and had a small talk with him. he shared insights from his daily monastic life and his philosophy of humankind. Additionally, he expressed his thoughts on modern technologies such as AR and VR, noting that they share certain characteristics with Dharma teachings.

Due to his humble and mankind, Hui-Ming Fashi is popular with kinds of group. Although he has retired from academic and administrative roles. He still receives lot of inviting to participate dharma research team and deliver speech around world. Hui-Ming Fashi shares his knowledge and mindset to help human get a happier life and contribute to a more peaceful and enlightened world.

Modified by ChatGPT

Last month, during my free time, I had the opportunity to visit Taoyuan City. To my surprise, I also had the chance to meet a person who holds great significance to me—Hui-Ming Fashi. In my opinion, he is one of the most influential Dharma masters of the past century.

Hui-Ming Fashi specialized in Dharma studies and earned a Ph.D. from Tokyo University. After graduating, he taught at National Taipei University of the Arts and Dharma Drum College. Currently, he serves as the chief monk of Si-Liang Temple. Due to his profound knowledge of Dharma, he was appointed as a Dharma heir by both Master Sheng-Yen and Master Chi-Yu.

During this trip, I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Hui-Ming Fashi and engage in a brief conversation with him. He shared insights from his daily monastic life and his philosophy on humanity. Additionally, he expressed his thoughts on modern technologies such as AR and VR, noting that they share certain characteristics with Dharma teachings.

Due to his humility and compassion, Hui-Ming Fashi is widely respected by people from all walks of life. Although he has retired from academic and administrative roles, he continues to receive numerous invitations to join Dharma research teams and deliver speeches around the world. Through his teachings and wisdom, he strives to help people achieve greater happiness and contribute to a more peaceful and enlightened world.