There Is Always A First Time

When I feel a bit down, usually there are two things that I would choose either to do to cheer myself up and stop me from mutating into a total pessimist. One is to get my hair trimmed, the other, which is also more frequently used, is to eat a nice meal. But this time I decided to take a brand new approach.

I bought two Thai massage coupons of a newly opened SPA shop from one of those popular discount websites at the time when I felt drained preparing for my IELTS exam. The offer on the website was not only in a very tempting price but also sounded exactly like what I needed then - with only 14 quid I can experience a 120 minute long ancient Thai style massage for the whole body to help relax your tense muscles.

However, I neither used the coupons during my IELTS preparation, nor did I use it as a celebration of passing the exam. I don't know what I was waiting for. Guess it was a bit like my 'Chrismas chocolate complex.' When I was still a kid, my younger sister Ruby and I always received loads of beautifully wrapped chocolate and candy at Christmas. Both of us had a tin box, Ruby's was sliver and mine was black, where we would put all of our chocolate and candy in. The bottom of Ruby's tin box was usually seen within one or two months after Christmas. As for mine, even though it was not my original intention at all, I usually let the chocolate and candy stay until passing its best-before date. Cos they were just too beautiful to eat. And I was also waiting for a 'special' mood, whether being depressed or happy, to feel like having the desperate need to enjoy them.

Despite intentionally choosing to walk for about forty minutes, instead of taking a bus there, I was still fifteen minutes early. A mild smell of incense wafting through the doorstep when the glass door was opened. The shop was pretty much the same as the photos I had seen on the website. Under my feet was clean and cool dark brown wooden floor. A wall of green plants stood at the left hand side at the entrance. Cozy rattan sofa formed the waiting area with a small bowl of white plumeria flowers casually placed on the rattan coffee table. There were also several different sizes of wooden and stone elephant sculptures resting at the corners on the floor and on the cabinets.

Although surrounded by very relaxing ambiance and having my feet washed and massaged, somehow all I was thinking was a footage of the famous Amercian chef Anthony Bourdain's programme Anthony Bourdain : No Reservations. In one episode he travelled to Turkey and went for a Turkish style massage. He was all wet and barely naked lying on a platform in a tiled bathroom with only a small towel covering his butt. Straddled by a Turkish guy he was painfully whining whiling having his limbs and body twisted and folded in a certain way. He claimed later in the interview that it was one of the most humiliated moments in his life. Suddenly, I felt a bit nervous and wanted to ask, 'errr, could somebody please explain what exactly the 'ancient Thai style massage really means?'

After the feet washing, I was brought to a room called Lavender in the cellar where I got changed into a loose-as-size-14 white cotton top and bermuda pants. My No.9 'master' (as what we call masseuse/ masseur in Chinese) is a slim Thai born Chinese woman in her early forty. To recall our conversation before she started her service, feel somehow now it sounds like lines in some kind of porn film.

'Is this your first time?'
"Yes, and actually I am feeling a bit nervous right now."
'Well, it is a bit painful if this is your first time. But, don't worry, I will try to be gentle. And you can always tell me if you want me to be even more gentle.'

There were some positions I think we might look like women wrestling on WWE women championship and I was preparing to scream if she bent my legs toward my head one degree more. Although I didn't fall asleep, which is what I had imagined and expected, we exchanged some interesting conversation. And I was surprised to know that actually there are much more men going for a massage than women. Interestingly, she also said that comparing to people in other countries, she thinks Taiwanese people prefer probably the most intensive strength on their massage.

Walking out the shop I can't wait to call Sabrina who recommended me to buy the coupons and shared with her my first time experience of having a professional massage.  Although think I will add having a massage on my list as one of the antidotes next time, maybe not a Thai style one. (10 quid for a coupon to enjoy an ancient Thai style massage, anyone?)

Another Pre-departure Briefing

In my family it’s mainly my mum’s task when it comes to our education. Besides providing bread, one of the most related things my dad was responsible for probably is picking me up after school and my piano lesson. My dad always looked uncertain when his friend asked him what year I was in at university. Not to mention when he tried to introduce me to his friends about what I studied for my MA, it took him quite a while to get used to say all the three words ‘intellectual property right’ together.

His indifference to our education will be the most unconvincing reason. But not sure whether it’s because he has an autocratic daughter who usually makes her own decision or because she just seldom worries him on her study. My parents, especially my dad, gave me great freedom on both what I want to study and which school I want to go to. Even though my mum was more informed, the information she obtained was still very limited.

Soon my life is going to take an exotic new turn and my academic study is going to be extended. After attending the pre-departure briefing host by British Council this Sunday, the outline of my coming new life will become even more vivid. Well, but only to me, I think.  So far my dad still has no idea which city I am going to go to. Guess he couldn't really point out where Cardiff is on a map either, even though I have been there twice. My mum remains referring to the University of Warwick and the University of Bristol by saying ‘the school at the boring place’ and ‘the school closer to Cardiff’. Ruby, my younger sister, has heard of the city Bristol but has no idea at all about the place. As for my little sister Lucy, 'Xiao Wen is going to study in the country where Harry Potter lives' is pretty much all she knows at the moment.

Maybe my family they need a pre-departure briefing too. They have been very supportive since the moment I announced my big plan. And I know sometimes they worry too. A powerpoint presentation may not be able to provide them a clear image of my coming new life, but at least might stop my mum from nagging me to buy a new down jacket to defend British winter or even better, to seduce them to visit me next summer in the UK!

haven't decided what I am going to put in my powerpoint yet, but hope mentioning the author of Harry Potter was born near Bristol will contribute some positive influence to Lucy.

Counting Steamed Buns

Since the day James left for his one-year compulsory military service, there have been love missiles launched every day from the Liens' apartment, well, from Ruby's room, to be exact. It has been more than three weeks and my sister Ruby is still sending a letter to her boyfriend by post every day. And the missiles always hit the target precisely according to James's telephone report every evening.

I seldom hear any of my male friends being looking forward to the military service. Most of them either worry about the strict discipline in the army or consider the service wasting their valuable time, especially my law school classmates. Because it means an extra year wasted to pass the bar exam. Yet, James was one in the minority who felt very positive before leaving for his service and was even hoping that he can serve in the toughest unit on one of those tiny islands around Taiwan. But after three weeks in the military, his determination starts to waver. Now plus Ruby's help from God, I guess we will never be able to see James in the uniform of marine corps.

Shortly before the first month's basic training is completed, James and other rookies will need to draw lots to determine where they are going to be and what they are going to do for the next 11 months. When things depend on pure luck, unsurprisingly some of us start to do what we Chinese are really good at - being superstitious.

A square and thin slice of rice cake, a half of rice ball with a 'dragon eye' fruit (longan) on top and several packets of biscuits on the kitchen counter were the clues that someone went the temple and prayed for something in our house. It was Ruby. She said she went to pray that God will send James to a relative easy unit and make him stay in Taiwan, even in Taipei. Meanwhile, James also received some tips from his fellows about how to have a lucky draw. For example, he was suggested to draw an eye on his palm when it is his turn to draw lots. Also, don't use the hand which you use to wipe your butt after you poo. Cos everything related with poo is also related with bad luck.

I shared Ruby with my friends' experience about serving on those small islands, 'It will not be that bad. Actually they said comparing to serving at Ministry of National Defense in Taipei, the task is much simpler and easier. And the meals are even better there. James will not only still get the same amount of holidays but also obtain an extra allowance. Besides, that's the only opportunity that you can visit those islands. I think that's pretty exciting.' Ruby looked at me the same way as some of my male friends. They think I have no idea how gloomy they sometimes felt.

In the old days when steamed buns and soy milk were still the food for breakfast in the military, consuming one more steamed bun means the soldier is one more day closer to going back home. Now the phrase is used to express and imply a soldier's feeling of wishing time can fly much more faster.

Think they are right that I may never be able to understand how it feels to serve in the military or how it feels to launch a love missile every day. But my empathy for James is absolutely undoubted. I really wish time can fly much much faster too.

Butt with No Thorns

Mum used to say that there are thorns on my dad's butt that he couldn't sit on the sofa for more than 30 minutes. I think she was just trying to describe how energetic my dad is.

Dad has no problem finding something to entertain himself. I remember when I started to play rollerblades at about 14, he not only got himself a new pair of rollerblades too but also a skateboard. Today, besides swinging his golf clubs in our lounge, he has found another thing to keep him busy.

A few weeks ago mum and dad invited Ruby's boyfriend James to the restaurant inside a nice hotel for a farewell dinner before he left for his military service. Even though dad is usually immune to fancy technology products, after letting him know how the female Taiwanese golf player Yani Tzeng was doing in the Honda LPGA Thailand this year during the dinner through my iPod touch, he was totally charmed by smart phone.

He has been sitting on his chair playing his smart phone for more than two hours after dinner now, sipping his tea and sometimes making strange noises when he couldn't figure it out how to let his smart phone work in the way he wanted. Mum said she hopes dad's new toy can make him learn how to check and reply emails himself, instead of asking us to do it every time. Well, if it doesn't turn out to be that way, think I can at least comfort mum that there are no thorns on dad's butt.