N's learning

How to set a goal for N’s learning? What does it mean by learning? Is it to learn simply to become one of various techniques, to become oneself more like a technician, in the broad sense of the word, than like one who knows how to think and what to think of? Does learning a foreign language, for example, mean to master oneself a tool, a linguistic instrument, to communicate, more often than not, all that is trivial and redundant and to show oneself off, to mark oneself different in skin-deep vanity, or should it be tended towards more profound understanding and love of the culture underlying that language to give it its very life?

Too many questions left unanswered, yet to be the food of thought. It’s time to think this over for better involving myself in N’s learning at home.

Typhoon Holidays

Because of Aere's extended attack, two days off work and school ensued. Advantages? Holidays were holidays. A time for rest and doing-nothing. Disadvantages? Well, the time of rest and doing-nothing really gave off nothing.

My initial plan to finish reading the major part of Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception by the end of this week may have to be postponed due to the repose. A bit anxious to see time slip away with nothing that could be done about it in these two days. Though the familial gathering was no less enjoyable, the pressing of time still has its hold on me all the time.

N's new and very first semester in primary school will start next week. Hope my plan can be fulfilled by then.

Aere Gone

After a whole night of ravaging menace, typhoon Aere has gone a bit far from this area. Yet the damage has already been done. A few sections of this city have been flooded and hundreds of people forcefully removed from their homes due to the danger caused by the torrential rain and landslide.

Looking up at the overcast sky covered with thinner clouds, I cannot help feeling lucky to live on the higher floor of the building––only if the threat of earthquake is ignored.

Facticity of life.