Comment on Monica's News

Writer: Monica Bei (Aleli Damiano)
Reader: Meredith Lee (Meredith Rhosar)
Editor: Jocelyn Yu (Meimeiryo Littlebird)
Organizer: Judy Ting (Judy Meiler)

This comment is also posted on Monica's blog as feedback.


The dialogue
[19:07] Meimeiryo Littlebird: please tell us ur story^^
[19:07] Aleli Damiano: about my news report, I wanted to present something related to my experience in this country...
[19:08] Meimeiryo Littlebird: from an aspect of a foreigner, that's really interesting.
[19:08] Aleli Damiano: and the most recent cultural experience that I had and I enjoyed so much was the lantern festival so I wrote about it
[19:09] Judy Meiler: Yeah, I have the same experience just like Monica, so I know her feeling well!
[19:10] Meimeiryo Littlebird: both sweet experience thoughXDDDDDD
[19:10] Judy Meiler: Ha! Ha! That's right!
[19:11] Aleli Damiano: I am actually considering to keep an online journal in spanish to describe all my experiences here to let my friends know about it, my friends and family...
[19:11] Meredith Rhosar: Monica I have a question...
[19:11] Aleli Damiano: go ahead Meredith
[19:11] Judy Meiler: That's a really good idea.
[19:12] Meredith Rhosar: I'm afraid that Emma would say it's not like a news...
[19:12] Meredith Rhosar: because you use "I"
[19:12] Meimeiryo Littlebird: more like a journal really.
[19:13] Meimeiryo Littlebird: diary~sorryXD
[19:13] Judy Meiler: Yeah! I think it is more like a journal.
[19:13] Aleli Damiano: yes, I thought about it too, but there are magazines or journals that present stories of individual...
[19:13] Judy Meiler: Yeah, that's true too.
[19:13] Judy Meiler: So I just don't know what Emma actually wants.
[19:13] Aleli Damiano: I am aware is not a conventional one but I believe it can workk...
[19:14] Judy Meiler: Ok, so it's fine.
[19:14] Meimeiryo Littlebird: well, what monica wrote is more like a column than a news....i thinkXD
[19:14] Judy Meiler: So now we should give some advice!
[19:14] Aleli Damiano: go ahead guys :)
[19:14] Meredith Rhosar: maybe you can play the role as a journalist, and interview yourself!XD
[19:15] Aleli Damiano: good idea Meredith!
[19:15] Meredith Rhosar: "According to Monica..."
[19:15] Meimeiryo Littlebird: hahaha!
[19:15] Meimeiryo Littlebird: it should be according to "Monica and her boyfriend"!XD
[19:16] Judy Meiler: I think Monica can be the journalist to introduce her experience to her own country.
[19:16] Aleli Damiano: hahaha....
[19:16] Meredith Rhosar: good idea!
[19:16] Aleli Damiano: yeah, I like that...
[19:17] Judy Meiler: Ha! Ha! And the readers would think the couple is too sweet!
[19:17] Meredith Rhosar: and you can use your experience as quotation
[19:17] Aleli Damiano: yes...right...
[19:17] Aleli Damiano: editor what about u? ur suggestions?
[19:18] Meimeiryo Littlebird: i'm looking for phrase i like in ur story~
[19:18] Aleli Damiano: ok :) ...btw I love the headline hahaha...
[19:18] Meimeiryo Littlebird: " It was a warm and beautiful night with a full moon in the best of her garments witnessing the celebrations." this one is good!
[19:19] Aleli Damiano: thank u :)
[19:19] Aleli Damiano: appreciate it
[19:19] Judy Meiler: Monica, I think your news is just like a girl in Taiwan, who got the chance to have a part time job in Japan. And she wrote her daily life on her blog to share with us Taiwanese.
[19:20] Aleli Damiano: yeah, I should do that....
[19:20] Judy Meiler: In fact, the girl is very popular on Internet now.
[19:20] Judy Meiler: I think you can try it!
[19:21] Aleli Damiano: yes, I'll do it!
[19:21] Meredith Rhosar: :)
[19:21] Aleli Damiano: questions?
[19:22] Judy Meiler: Let's take a snapshot!
[19:22] Judy Meiler: Say cheese!
[19:22] Meredith Rhosar: cheese!
[19:22] Meimeiryo Littlebird: 7~~~~~
[19:23] Aleli Damiano: I have taken some...
[19:23] Judy Meiler: Good!
[19:24] Judy Meiler: So what should we do now?
[19:24] Aleli Damiano: is there something else to say about my news?
[19:25] Judy Meiler: I think it is a really good one. I like it.
[19:25] Meimeiryo Littlebird: I think maybe just need to change the form, and the content is good.
[19:25] Aleli Damiano: thanks
[19:25] Judy Meiler: It recalls my memory back! Ha! Ha!
[19:25] Aleli Damiano: ok...u mean to be more like a news report...
[19:26] Judy Meiler: I think maybe you can introduce the festival and quote your experience as examples!
[19:26] Aleli Damiano: ok...got it :)
[19:27] Meimeiryo Littlebird: yap~^^
[19:28] Judy Meiler: You should use your news to make your people know more about Taiwan!
[19:29] Aleli Damiano: yeah, that's the idea
[19:30] Judy Meiler: So should we go on to the next now?
[19:30] Meimeiryo Littlebird: keep working u r doing great~just need some revise.
[19:30] Aleli Damiano: thanks!
[19:30] Judy Meiler: Yeah I think so too. You really do a great job!
[19:31] Aleli Damiano: thanks u all...
[19:31] Judy Meiler: You're welcome!

The summary of the reader's and the editor's suggested revisions
  The writer's news is about her wonderful experience in Lantern festival, taking place in Longtan. Although she has been in Taiwan for three more years, it's her first time to participate in this unique celebration. She is so excited to write down her wishes on a red lantern and release it to the sky. To her it's a very special experience in Taiwan that she wants to share with the people in her own country.
  First, we all like the headline "Hopes in A Lantern" that can attract readers especially foreigners to know what is the connection between hopes and lantern. It gives us more space to imagine. Second, "It was a warm and beautiful night with a full moon in the best of her garments witnessing the celebrations." We all think it is appropriate to be the leading sentence to bring us into her news, because it is poetic and the image is beautiful. We seem to be on the spot, enjoying the same celebration with her. Last but not least, her news's style is more like a personal journal that we can't know exactly whether it is qualified to be news or not. We think it is better to introduce the Lantern festival and use her experience as examples. Just like a Taiwanese girl who gets a chance to have the part time job in Japan, introducing Japanese culture and writing her daily life on her blog to share with us. The girl is very popular on Internet now and many newspapers ask her to write on-line news for them. We believe it is a good model for her to learn from.

A brief comment on the entire article with respect to organization, length, logic, and style
  The whole news is very brief but clear that we can turn into the situation and share the writer's excitement together easily. She is like a guide leading us into an adventure step by step through her words. But if she can revise a little about her writing style like we have mentioned above, the news can attract more people and make them more near to "hope".

Electric-Techno Neon Gods -- When Religion Hits on Pop Music (First Revision)

BY Judy Ting

New display of culture and light of Taiwan you must know.

  When we hear about religion, things like serenity, hymn, scripture and holiness would always come to our mind. But after the Hollywood movie Sister Act and the news about "Vowz Bar", which means the bar is run by the monks in Japan we start to know there are many possibilities in religion. Now we also have a new choice to approach the faith and culture in Taiwan, called Electric-Techno Neon Gods.

  In fact, Electric-Techno Neon Gods often have performances in many temple fairs. Although "temple fairs" make us feel local and unfashionable, now Electric-Techno Neon Gods would change our stereotypes about them. Since the last few years, they modify their traditional performances into a modern one. The customs are combined with popular music and dance that they can perk up the atmosphere and have interaction with their audiences, giving the serious temple fairs some happiness and life.
  Nowadays many children start to take the course of Electric-Techno Neon Gods as a hobby. They provide us a chance to know Taiwanese religion and traditional culture in a new way. Through modern music and dances people's hearts seem to be bound together. To some youngsters the resistance to religious and folk customs is not so serious anymore instead they find interest in them.Therefore, the traditions can be preserved and handed down from generation to generation.
  Besides, Electric-Techno Neon Gods have become international and represented Taiwan's multicultural vigor. The World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung and Deaflympics 2009 in Taipei, we both can see their wonderful performances in these two universal games. Actually many foreign players and spectators appreciate it very much. Above all, in 2009 their performance mixed with the factors of Hip-Hop music, displaying to the spectators through a big screen with a flag of Taiwan beside, in the Citi Field in N.Y. before the baseball game. They really make their way to international stage and attract world's attention.
  Today Electric-Techno Neon Gods includes the meaning of fashion, religion, youth and tradition. It symbolizes the fusion of old, new times and different cultures. So no matter you love it or not, you must watch their performance once. The new light of Taiwan!

The World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung:Electric-Techno Neon Gods


Electric-Techno Neon Gods in the Citi Field in N.Y.


Open VS Electric-Techno Neon Gods


Electric-Techno Neon Gods: Sorry Sorry

G1 News Discussion 1

Judy Meiler → Judy Ting

Aleli Damiano → Monica Bei
Meimeiryo Littlebird → Jocelyn Yu
Meredith Rhosar → Meredith Lee

[6:53] Aleli Damiano: I like ur news a lot, Judy, I think is a very good way to re invent Chinese traditions...

[6:53] Judy Meiler: I mean discussing three articles together.
[6:53] Meimeiryo Littlebird: sure

[6:53] Judy Meiler: Really! Ha! Ha! Thanks!

[6:54] Aleli Damiano: because traditions tend to dissapear on time if they are not work according to the new movements

[6:54] Aleli Damiano: working...
[6:54] Judy Meiler: Yeah, I think so too.
[6:55] Meredith Rhosar: it's good to give traditional culture new life
[6:55] Judy Meiler: And it's a good way to preserve and hand down the tradition from generation to generation.

[6:55] Meredith Rhosar: but sometimes they 're really noisy XD
[6:56] Judy Meiler: Ha! Ha! But I think it makes me feel much better than before.
[6:56] Meimeiryo Littlebird: u mean those firecrackers?XD
[6:56] Meredith Rhosar: no
[6:56] Meimeiryo Littlebird: or the music?
[6:56] Meredith Rhosar: Electric-Techno Neon Gods
[6:56] Meredith Rhosar: yeah music
[6:56] Meredith Rhosar: soooo loud......
[6:56] Judy Meiler: But I think the traditional temple fair's music and parade make me feel sick. The Electric-Techno Neon Gods is much better now. At least, they use the pop music that we are familiar to.
[6:57] Aleli Damiano: yeah, sure it's noisy but is a new way to preserve the culture isn't it?
[6:57] Judy Meiler: Yeah!
[6:57] Meredith Rhosar: yeah
[6:57] Meredith Rhosar: people will never forget XD
[6:57] Meimeiryo Littlebird: well, it's harder to see and hear this kind of sight in North Taiwan.
[6:58] Aleli Damiano: why?
[6:58] Judy Meiler: I think the traditional custom mixes with the modern music is a good idea.
[6:58] Aleli Damiano: sure it is...
[6:58] Meredith Rhosar: but sometimes funerals also do that......
[6:59] Aleli Damiano: otherwise young people perhaps wouldnt like it, and will just forget about that kind of traditions...
[6:59] Meredith Rhosar: the music is really scary......
[6:59] Aleli Damiano: what do u mean?
[6:59] Aleli Damiano: scary?
[6:59] Judy Meiler: Because the Southern Taiwan has more ensembles to perform this kind of parade formation.
[6:59] Meimeiryo Littlebird: i heard that some funerals in Sourth Taiwan, they even invite stripper to dance@@
[7:00] Aleli Damiano: isnt that a part of the culture?
[7:00] Judy Meiler: Maybe, but I'm not really sure of it.
[7:00] Judy Meiler: Some people think that can make the dead happy.
[7:00] Aleli Damiano: I ve heard about that too, but I thought it was the same in Taiwan...
[7:00] Judy Meiler: Yeah!
[7:00] Aleli Damiano: not only the south
[7:01] Judy Meiler: But I think the Northern Taiwan have more people believe in Christianity and other foreign religions now, so they would have different kinds of ceremonies to deal with these things.
[7:02] Aleli Damiano: perhaps is because northern Taiwan is more internationalize, is that possible
[7:02] Aleli Damiano: ?
[7:02] Meimeiryo Littlebird: yeah, but here comes an interesting issue that, even such a small place like Taiwan, North Taiwan and Sourth Taiwan still exist such a huge diffence.
[7:02] Judy Meiler: Yeah! Of course!
[7:03] Judy Meiler: Politics is a good example.
[7:03] Meredith Rhosar: Northern Taiwan is not so ""traditional anymore......
[7:03] Meimeiryo Littlebird: we Taiwanese often make fun of ourselves that 濁水溪 is like a border
[7:03] Meimeiryo Littlebird: XD
[7:03] Aleli Damiano: of course...no doubt about that...
[7:04] Judy Meiler: We can divide into two countries now. Ha! Ha!
[7:04] Meredith Rhosar: Yeah!!! Taipei is a country!!!
[7:04] Meredith Rhosar: hahaha
[7:05] Meimeiryo Littlebird: haha~in fact, i really do think North Taiwan and South Taiwan is two country. We will become one only during the time of electionXD
[7:06] Judy Meiler: But during the time of election, people always think we should divide the country into two, because there is a really big difference in opinion between the Northern and Southern Taiwan.
[7:06] Aleli Damiano: that's true
[7:07] Meimeiryo Littlebird: no, i mean only during the time of election, will the politicians say that we r one countryXD
[7:08] Aleli Damiano: but dont u think if the country is divided into two then the country as a whole will be less strong?
[7:08] Meredith Rhosar: so are we going to move on to next news?
[7:08] Judy Meiler: I think that because the politicians want to get more votes.
[7:09] Meimeiryo Littlebird: well, Taiwan is never an united country i think.
[7:09] Judy Meiler: Yeah, that's the truth.
[7:10] Aleli Damiano: that's sad though...
[7:10] Meimeiryo Littlebird: honestly, we are not very patriotic.....^^"
[7:10] Judy Meiler: Everyone concerns only their power and authority.
[7:10] Meimeiryo Littlebird: u got it.
[7:11] Judy Meiler: So my Jocelyn, if you want to become a president one day, I would vote you, but don't forget to give me some benefit. Ha! Ha!
[7:11] Aleli Damiano: yeah I found out, that many people did not even know about some historical events or dates...
[7:12] Aleli Damiano: and I am talking about people who have studied and got a master degree...
[7:12] Judy Meiler: Yeah, many people just only get the degree, but actually have no knowledge.
[7:13] Meimeiryo Littlebird: Because people don't think that is important anymore. To them, history can't help them make money! people in Taiwan now, care more about benefit than nation dignity~XD
[7:13] Aleli Damiano: wow! I am shocked....
[7:14] Judy Meiler: In the capitalism society the only thing important is how to make money. It is terrible, but real life.
[7:16] Meredith Rhosar: but to business related field, news are important
[7:17] Meimeiryo Littlebird: haha, u don't have to be shock, just think, living so close by a super country----China. We Taiwan see China grow from a poor country, till now, their GDP already win us, of course we will feel anxious.
[7:18] Aleli Damiano: that's enough reason to be united as a country...
[7:18] Judy Meiler: Now we also have to rely on them to earn money.
[7:19] Meredith Rhosar: and in the future maybe we will need to work there
[7:20] Aleli Damiano: ok...I think this is an endless topic...what about moving onto the next news?
[7:20] Meimeiryo Littlebird: OK
[7:20] Judy Meiler: My cousin graduates in famous college in America, but now he also has to find a job in China.

When Religion Hits on Pop Music……

BY Judy Ting

New display of culture and light of Taiwan you must know.

  When we hear about religion, things like serenity, hymn, scripture and holiness would always come to our mind. But after the Hollywood movie Sister Act and the news about "Vowz Bar", which means the bar is run by the monks in Japan we start to know there are many possibilities in religion. Now we also have a new choice to approach the faith and culture in Taiwan, called Electric-Techno Neon Gods.

  In fact, Electric-Techno Neon Gods often have performances in many temple fairs. Although "temple fairs" make us feel local and unfashionable, now Electric-Techno Neon Gods would change our stereotypes about them. Since the last few years, they modify their traditional performances into a modern one. The customs are combined with popular music and dance that they can perk up the atmosphere and have interaction with their audiences, giving the serious temple fairs some happiness and life.

  Nowadays many children start to take the course of Electric-Techno Neon Gods as a hobby. They provide us a chance to know Taiwanese religion and traditional culture in a new way. Through modern music and dances people's hearts seem to be bound together. To some youngsters the resistance to religious and folk customs is not so serious anymore instead they find interest in them.

  Besides, Electric-Techno Neon Gods have become international and represented Taiwan's multicultural vigor. The World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung and Deaflympics 2009 in Taipei, we both can see their wonderful performances in these two universal games. Actually many foreign players and spectators appreciate it very much. Above all, in 2009 their performance mixed with the factors of Hip-Hop music, displaying to the spectators through a big screen with a flag of Taiwan beside, in the Citi Field in N.Y. before the baseball game. They really make their way to international stage and attract world's attention.

  Today Electric-Techno Neon Gods includes the meaning of fashion, religion, youth and tradition. It symbolizes the fusion of old, new times and different cultures. So no matter you love it or not, you must watch their performance once. The new light of Taiwan!

The World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung:Electric-Techno Neon Gods

Electric-Techno Neon Gods in the Citi Field in N.Y.

Open VS Electric-Techno Neon Gods

Electric-Techno Neon Gods: Sorry Sorry