I went back to Taiwan earlier this month for a week.  Even though it was for work, I had a lot of fun.  A week is a little too short.  Right when I got over my jet lag, I found myself on the plane again.  Well, I guess I shouldn't complain since I didn't have to pay for my ticket.  I took a lot of pictures and here is the gallery address:
http://ed.birdsky.no-ip.com/gallery/Tawian-Trip-102006.  

Those of you guys that are "fob enough" should remember a chinese toy similar to top, a thing that spins based on gyroscopic effect.  To play the chinese version, you wrap a string around the toy and then you toss it up.  While it is in the air, you yank back the string as fast as possible to creat the spinning effect.  You'll see it in one of the movie clips.  My manager took a movie clip of me throwing one of those and I got it to spin in my second try. I need to get that clip.  I look GOOD in that clip.  j/k.  

For those of people that wonder whether I met any "mei mei" over there.  Sorry to disappoint you.  I did see some nice looking ladies there, but, to be honest, I don't think I can "afford" them.  They looked like they are very high maintenance.  A poor guy like me will have to work many overtimes.   Anyway, I was in the meeting most of the time, so not much opportunity there. 

Alright, I'm half way done with the book (Only 168 pages total; I'm a slow reader), so hopefully, my xanga won't be this serious for too long.

The topic is about the biblical point of view of forgiving oneself.  Adams pointed out different views.  He first mentioned that many books out there stress about forgiving oneself as a way to get relief or freeing oneself from bondage.  Then, he offered his opinion on how "Jesus taught us to look away from self to crucify self, deny self and be concerned instead about God and others."  He further referred to the two greatest commandments given by Jesus, which is love your God with all our heart and soul and love your neighbor as yourself.  At the end, from what I can understand, Adams didn't particularly disagree with the outcome of forgiving oneself (make oneself feel better, improve self image...).  He did disagree with the motive of self forgiveness.  He felt that this type of selfish motive is not biblically correct. 

For once in my xanga, I think I agree with him. (Just because I agree with him for once doesn't mean I won't trash his argument next time.  hehehe....so mean )   I feel that when it comes down to it, doesn't matter whether it is forgiving oneself or others, if the motive is wrong, the whole thing is just wrong.  The motive should derive from God's love and grace for us.  If the motive is about improving oneself, then this selfish act will only lead to more self-centered mind and ego. 

Finally, I'll leave it like this.  The result should not be what we look for, but instead should be a stepping stone for something more, like extending forgiveness to others.