War of the Worlds

When I was a kid, one of my favorite movie was called War of the Worlds, about an alien invasion of Earth and people trying to survive. Of course, in the original the people trying to survive were the usual scientists that you saw in every old science fiction movie. Now there's a new version of this story with Tom Cruise, and while I was initially skeptical about it I just saw a new trailer for it today that gave me chills. In the new version it's just about a dock worker and his two kids trying to survive as the invasion comes, and it looks like it could be a wonderful commentary on humanity and the human spirit. Of course I will remain a little skeptical until I see it, but I have to say I am impressed by what I've seen so far.

Here's the link to the main site where you'll find the regular trailers and teasers.

Here's the link to the new Japanese version of the trailer (Japanese subtitles and a Japanese voiceover) which is longer and I think is the best version of the trailer. Interestingly enough, in Japanese it's called "Uchu Senso" or "Space War", which I guess fits it well enough.

Today, Connie, her mother and I visited the temple in downtown Taipei to pay respects to Guan Yu, the Patron Saint of Bravery and Justice. I visited this place again because I had offered him a prayer when I first came to Taipei and felt I owed him thanks for my good luck since I got here. Connie was offering a prayer for success in her upcoming entrance exams. 

One of the two dragon pillars which guard the front door of the temple. 

The closed and barred front door to the temple entrance, you can see the two guardian dragonish on either side. On this day people were entering through the side door. 

The plaque at the front door, above the temple entrance. 

While we offered our prayers and thanks to Guan Yu we left food to be blessed on the table at the back of the temple. It was there for about 15 minutes or so, and then we left with it. I guess it had something to do with the praying Nuns.

As you can see, the Guan Yu temple was crowded with people making prayers and offerings. In the foreground you can see nuns reading their religious scriptures. 

The front door of the English for Special Purposes division of Kojen where I work, it's the only one in Taipei and consists of a grand total of two rooms.  

The cozy non-office which I share with the other 3 ESP teachers. This is basically a prep-room where we drop by, do our work, and then leave. There's also a secretarial office next door, and that's pretty much the whole place. (Mind you, KoJen does actually occupy most of the building, but that's the regular school, not the ESP devision.) 

Another shot of our shared office at the ESP devision.