Sep. 2 First two leactures

Today, I had my first two lecture of this period. For one, Mastering Theories of Technology and Innovation (MTTI), which is from the Science and Innovation Management program; and the other Writing Scientific Publication, from the Human Geography and Planning.

Deciding upon attending the MTTI was just yesterday, as the title of the course seem intriguing to me. After attending the first lecture, now I have strong incentives to take it though I could not be officially registered anymore. I know how not being able to get the credits will effect my motivation later on because of insufficient time in managing the subjects I am getting credits for. But since the time have pass and I fail to convince the broad of examination to get me into this course, I can only rely on my motivations to keep up the studies of the subjects.

What was at least worth it was that I met some interesting people in the course--Flaria and Pepijn. Flaria and Pepijn were both very friendly people. Pepijn, in especially approach to me asking if I needed some help since he saw me talking to the professor in the break time. After a few chat, I found out that he had been working in Taipei for four month at 中經院. This experience soon caught my attention and lead to more conversation related to memmories in the living experience in Taipei. It is always something very happy to know how foreigners love Taiwan, the atmosphere and the people. He also mentioned the world trip he had shortly traveled including: Australia, Thailand, China, Mongolia, USA, Argentina, and some South America countries that I don't remember anymore. He also helped me communicating with the secretary of the department after class. In sum, a very interesting and friendly people :)

Shortly during the noon break, I met Wang Yu, whom subrented my flat for half month during the summer. It is funny to start knowing that there are actually quite some Taiwanness people in Utrecht not knowing each other. Its hard to imagine how being abroad could make meeting friends coming from Taiwan such a pleasent event in life.

Not knowing of the location for Writing Scientific Publication, I was late in eventually getting into the chamber. That succefully make me the focus of the crowd in addition to being the only unfamailar face in the room. I had to shortly introduce myself, in which I really had to re-catch my breath after the stair-climbing. The lecture continued right away, and was just less exciting and luring than the course in the morning. It took me a great deal of time to be able to take the course, and therefore I don't think I should quite easily. Moreover, the content of training IS what I needed. I have to give it a try. Before the next meeting, introduction of the paper I am to write about should be handed in and be critically evaluated.

What I like about the course was also the members consists in it. As a newly formed first year research master team, they are very lively and present in a very active way. I also notice that despite some of them studies Human geography and planning, there are others like me that came from a different disciplinary, such as geo-science, artitechure, physics, and philosophy. I guess that's why it is also the case in my own department that they tries to make the group multi-national. Though in the same program, these prople like research masters in Economics have their own interst in different sub-field to discover and are very willing to listen to what others think and contribute their own ideas toward it. I am very glad to join them.

After class, a chinese girl, 小玲, approached to me asking my number while we and all the students in the course took the elevetor down from the 21st floor. She left on the 6th floor very suddenly and said she'd like to contact me later. It was when I am on Rijnlaan that she call. Very neverous, as I can hear on the phone, about all the informations she is getting and the demanding of the courses is asking. I fully understand the feeling as I have experience that sort of information overload when I first came along with the courses starting at the same time. I tried to give her some comfort and ease by telling her to take things easily. I don't think I perfectly understand what all classmates are talking about, but being selective in knowing what I should grasp. We arranged a short meeting tomorrow after my lecture and before hers. I wonder is it because that I am someone she could speek chinese to, or because I look pretty friendly that made her approach to me and ask for further help. Either way, I am more than happy to help them, and hoping to luckly become good friends with them.


End of day one lectures, I am fully exausted and demand for food and relax. The challenge ahead seem to be different from what I experience last year. This time, it will be more on the training of orgainizing thoughts and ideas into logical research. To be able to formulate a topic that has scientific relevence and a research that is intersting and worth reading to others. This is the ability I want to gain. Let's go for it!