My headache is to keep on driving an old vehicle/Carlos Pueblo

 My headache is to keep on driving an old vehicle/Carlos Pueblo

Living in Houston, Texas, you must drive a vehicle to go around in your life. The city or county can't afford to build public transportation like the city of New York or city of Chicago. I feel comfortable when I think of the city of Los Angeles, California, there is no effective public transportation for people to take either. Driving a personal  vehicle costs money and drains your personal savings as well. I have been driving a 26 years old 1998 Q45 ever since I lost my main job in 2001. I have managed to get by every year to pass the vehicle inspection and repair required. Recently, both my vehicle and my son Arthur's 2008 Camry have been adding to my headache constantly and I can't manage such a crisis even though I shouldn't have any issue. I can afford to replace them with new vehicles yet I can't do it.

Arthur can't drive a new vehicle to work. He works at a supermarket and the parking lot is not safe for a new vehicle. I owe him a new vehicle because I have promised him a new vehicle when he graduates from the University of Houston with a degree. After I lost my main insurance agent's job in 2001, there has been no need for me to drive to visit my customers; therefore, I have managed well to get by with old vehicles on our small fleet in the family. I let Amy and Michelle drive newer vehicles while Arthur and I drive older ones. All of us understand such savings, I mean real savings and investment of such savings in the current stock market.

When the old vehicle has been sent to a garage, it usually costs more than a thousand dollars to come back out. It has been very annoying now because there are two older vehicles now, especially my 98 Q45 which is now at the shop to replace a new alternator. The vehicle quits every month after the battery is dead. In January, there was a power steering pump to be replaced and also belts. Arthur's Camry has had an issue of wires bit by squirrels forcing the check engine light on. Once the mechanic opens the hood, he always reminds me to do the regular maintenance like replacing belts, etc.

It is a two car garage and there are three vehicles in the household. None of our vehicles can be parked inside our garage because our garage is full of old stuff which I can't get rid of. I have many reasons why I always keep on driving old vehicles because it is very difficult to get rid of any one of them. I go away from home quite often nowadays to avoid such stress.

舊車煩惱2024／莊峻華

 舊車煩惱2024／莊峻華

家裡開舊車，可以省錢，但是有無窮的煩惱，我們家有三部舊車，都是日本製造，一是98年，一是08年，一是18年，前兩輛經常有麻煩，有時候真是不知所措。舊車無需本錢，蓋車錢已付清多年，只有維護費，好車維護費低廉，尤其是日本車，但老車則不然，車壞修理費昂貴，因為美國工資昂貴，繼續開舊車，可以將新車車款繼續存在基金，年增值和股息來支付舊車維護，是措措有餘，我曾經算過，所以煩惱難過大約過了一夜長考就習慣矣。

我們家元兒需開車上班，他在超市上夜班，新車停在超市不安全，所以他早不想開新車找麻煩，我是欠他一輛新車，因為他幫我完成他的休士頓大學學士位，主修市場學，學以致用，在超市工作，起薪三元五一小時，現在年薪三萬美金，一年有4週給薪假日，修車我付錢，免食宿等雜費，有時候我還幫他繳個人退休金，他的儲蓄所得已經是年薪之兩倍，開舊車他好我也好。我開的是老車，我只開來打網球，開車載園藝花草肥料，老車給元兒備用，緊急可以開愛美車急用，如此安排也有23年歷史，而且我也無業多年，而且是雲遊天下，不能開車，只能搭郵輪和坐飛機。

舊車送人，人都不要，因為很麻煩，車停在路旁，風吹日曬，落葉堆積，松鼠咬斷電線，車庫累積一生廢物，而且倒車不易，隨時碰撞，板金花錢，有錢不敢花，就像乞丐一樣，都是煩惱，新車很貴，我的老車新版要價七萬美金，車險也不便宜，離群索居日久，都不知全險要價，賣保險也是煩惱，人生都是煩惱，生老病死。

Visiting NTNU my alma mater in 2024/Carlos Pueblo

 Visiting NTNU my alma mater in 2024/Carlos Pueblo

The National Taiwan Normal University is my alma mater. I graduated from the Chemistry Department in 1971; therefore, I was eligible to apply to study abroad after my two years conscription in the Nationalist Army and two years teaching duty at high schools in Taiwan. The degree which I obtained from this University gave me the opportunity to have an assistantship to pay for my graduate study, then becoming an immigrant to the United States. I have always appreciated this opportunity and that is why I always visited NTNU campus when I come back to my home country. On the first Monday after my arrival in Taiwan, I did have a wonderful visit on both University campuses, the College of Science campus at Kongkuan as well as the main campus on the East Ho-Ping Road. After that, I did go back to visit the main campus again to refresh my fond memory dating back to 60 years ago.

I entered the Affiliated Senior High of NTNU and that was in the 60's of the last century. I was very familiar with the main campus area of the NTNU. Later, I passed the college entrance examination to enter the NTNU with a total of seven years of my young life plus a year of teaching at a junior high school at a suburban township outside of Taipei. I still visited the main campus often until I left the country in 1975.

I took the subway and exited at a station near an intersection of East Ho-Ping Road and Roosevelt Boulevard and passed by the same one story frame office building of the Taiwan Electrical Company. The entire East Ho-Ping Road are high rising buildings and can't resemble any of the bungalow frame ghettos in the past. I enter the Main gate and still see the distinguished red brick building of the original Taihoku Koudo Gatgo, Taipei Senior Academy back to the Japanese Empire Era, 1895-1945, the building was established in 1922. Now, the limited campus area is crowded with tall buildings for the expansion of the University. I still can tell those familiar buildings including classrooms, department offices, and protected classics, etc.

A mere three colleges University back then when I was on the campus for my degree, and now there are 9 colleges with 62 departments with a total 130 degrees offered. It is a major reason why I am not able to visit the University President this time. He is very busy managing the University affairs. I am going to see him in Los Angeles for the Global Alumni Meeting in June of this year and I shall visit our future University administrators in the future as long as I am healthy and appreciate the opportunity to study at this wonderful university in my life.

拜訪母校台灣師大2024／莊峻華

 拜訪母校台灣師大2024／莊峻華

這次返台整牙雖是醫療需要，但非迫切更不是必需，主要是我有11年未曾返鄉，雖非落葉要歸根，但乘老身體尚可活動，經常長途旅行，兩次在休市遇見母校年輕校長和副校長等行政主管來訪，心生感激，眷念這栽培過我的好學校，沒有理由不能不專程拜訪，所以特別注意兩艘郵輪的橫跨太平洋之行程，一是四月十日珠寶號從東京駛返西雅圖16日，此行程早已售罄，因此注意到精神號五月八日，從溫哥華駛出東京之18日行，我在返台首行程中，得知我的牙醫再需要兩週，始能完成下層假牙，於是我在台北旅店，訂下今年第二次返台行的郵輪船票，就是溫哥華到東京這一段，其他的都是飛機票，也都順利購妥。三月初之首行，抵達台北是下午，連絡到我的牙醫後，當夜就有門診，陳大夫立即規劃新假牙製造過程，過了週末，我順利的和同窗班長黃瑞耀博士，約好拜訪母校公館理學院化學系，化學系是擺出陣仗接待，非常有趣，我有專文報導，呂主任專車載我們參加陳副校長之午餐招待，許多年輕教授陪席，下雨天我們又有呂主任趕到和平東路本校，拜訪校友會公關中心，非常隆重，不巧吳校長招待法國學者事忙，不然我們已趕到大禮堂會場，只待下次。

隔一週，我意猶未盡，在週六又搭車重返和平東路，這次未麻煩任何人物，我只是親自再訪問這座深具感情之學府。我在羅斯福路和和平東路交界下車，然後就慢步走向師大門口，我二姊惠美，當年就讀家政系，幫我安排在校門口一違章建築陋巷內，參加台北五省中聯考，我果然考上附中。剛才忘記交待那座台電木造辦公室仍在。師大校舍已經擴充幾倍大，但無需認真回憶，也可以認出當年幾棟台北高等學校之建築，我找不到樂群堂，約是11年前公關室美麗之淑媛姊還招待我一杯冰紅茶，樂群堂樓上是活動中心，我們辦過學術演獎，普渡大學諾貝爾獎布朗教授愛徒范凱達教授，在此發表其硼急進分子之研究，就是布朗之專長，幾天前我忘記提起給化學系之姚清發教授，他是布朗之徒孫。

過樂群堂需要走地下道穿過師大路，就是老龍泉街，師大校園美化許多年，我們的男生宿舍新蓋也有半世季矣，我們當年住的男生宿舍是台北高等學校之學寮，這是日治時代之學制，過去教育部不喜歡提及，其實日本帝國時代，高等學校有帝大般之地位，台灣有台北高校，也有台北帝大，戰後東京一高併入東京大學，二高併入東北大學，三高併入京都大學等等，日本也有師範大學，是高等師範升級，若東京高師改制東京師範大學，廣島高師，改成廣島師範大學，我相信北京師範大學，來自北京高等師範學校，明治維新，帝國學校制度，取自英帝國學制，二戰後，日本採取美國學制。

描述不完，以前我常參觀美術系師生畫展，每年台灣的重頭戲，這一次我巧遇一位東海出身的女畫家陳玉美，她在美術系有一畫展，是西畫，金屬顏料，別有特色，我將在下次介紹。

Visiting my senior high school alma mater/Carlos Pueblo

 Visiting my senior high school alma mater/Carlos Pueblo

Every time when I return to Taipei, I always find time to visit my senior high school alma mater, the Affiliated Senior High School of the National Taiwan Normal University. Later on I did enter Taiwan Normal as my another alma mater in Taiwan back to the 60's and 70's of the last century. I have credited all my alma mater schools to prepare me to immigrate to the United States and have changed my life completely.

Back then and now in Taiwan, we must compete to enter schools with distinguished performance to satisfy parents and students; therefore, we always are required to study hard to pass various entrance examinations to get the admission to study at certain schools on every levels, the junior high school, the senior high school, and the university, etc. After college education, many of us must pass another examination to study abroad in order to obtain a better future in their life. Of course, it has changed now that Taiwan is a developed nation in the world and you don't have to study abroad to make very much difference in your life.

The school was built in 1937 when Taiwan was still under Japanese rule, 1895-1945. It was named Taipei #3 Middle School with the Japanese majority of the student body. It was gradually changed to be affiliated to Taiwan Normal University after the Nationalist Chinese took over Taiwan in 1945. The size of the campus has been kept the same with some additional buildings in the front, the 1937 original Japanese built red brick building is still very attractive. The indoor basketball gymnasium was built by my classmate Kuo after he graduated from the engineering college.

There are two tennis courts added in the back field. We didn't have such a facility back then in the 60's. I was very good in Tennis when I was at the junior high school and was interrupted after junior high until 1996 when my daughter Michelle asked me to play tennis by myself and not bother her with tennis anymore.

One day, my old classmate, Mr. Kuo took me to inspect two of his big construction projects south of Taipei. He has become a very successful owner of a construction company. One of the two projects is a museum of the fine art for the New Taipei City at Yingke Township facing my grandparents' hometown Shansha Township. I am so impressed by his achievement after he graduated from our senior high school.

拜訪母校師大附中／莊峻華

 拜訪母校師大附中／莊峻華

每次回台北市，我都會拜訪母校師大附中，過去多半是附中同窗河南臨漳人郭鵬霄兄帶領，參觀他為母校興建之體育館，這次我藉參觀大安森林公園和建國假日花市，步行到附中校區，剛好遇見六千位小學績優生，參加附中初中部理科班甑試，非常劇烈，名額有限，許多家長不知道，理工科甚難當總統，統治國家。

日治時代，昭和12年四月一日，成立台北三中，就是師大附中之前身，1937年，國民黨不承認日治時代之學校制度，但仍舊繼續使用當年之建築，日本人實在，當年附中之紅樓建築仍在，而且很漂亮。附中的前操場已經蓋上幾棟大樓，都沒有日治時代之氣魄！而且需要經常維護。後操場較為完整，舊游泳池已拆除，有兩網球場，非常難得。後門出去是舊空軍總部，和私立延平中學，延平是台灣本土學校，現在令人刮目相看。

我讀附中時，附中是第二志願，這是傳統中華文化之大壓力，還好附中當年尚有四二制實驗班，非常優秀，後來我考入師大，藉口家境清寒，需要公費補助，始解脫此社會之窩囊氣，到了美國之後，海闊天空，沒工夫煩惱當年考不上建中和台大，在社會上混得可以，讀附中和師大，不再羞怯道出。其實當年，我舅父陳定遠牙醫之長子，陳超群醫師，就是附中出身，四十班，當年第一志願考入台大醫科，西德波昂大學醫科博士，他普通40班名人有連戰和陳履安，黨國後裔，國民黨顯赫，聽聞附中在中國較有名氣。

我在附中這位同窗好友郭鵬霄兄，是位傑出的建設商，有約300位職員的公司，我在網誌上看到他也承包柯文哲市長之大工程。他帶我參觀工地，有一座在鶯歌15億以上之美術館，已經完工正待驗收，牆壁堅厚像附中體育館，可以阻擋中國人民解放軍之礟彈和坦克，此建築位於鶯歌第二捷運線，面對我祖先三峽鎮，我特別拍照留念。

How do I budget myself to live in Taipei twice for two months?/Carlos Pueblo

 How do I budget myself to live in Taipei twice for two months?/Carlos Pueblo

Recently, for my dental repair needs I went back to Taipei once for a month and was required to go back again for another month to complete the job. How do I budget myself to live in Taipei twice for two months? Is it worth the cost instead of staying in Houston for the job done by the local dentist? I did make such calculations before I made such trips. First, it is my third fake teeth installation and it is more complicated involving 11 teeth and two crowns. My dental work including two layers of new denture built, two crowns covered on two teeth, and some minor chain to solidify around existing teeth, etc. is about NNT$100,000 equivalent to US$3,500. This is with a discount of my dentist's taking back my fallen golden crown to recycle it for NNT$20,000 or about US$700.

I have stayed in a small inn in front of the Taipei Main Rail Station for about US$40 a night for about 30 nights with a total of US$1,200 cost of room service, of course, I am alright with sharing a bath and toilet. I am used to the conscription life as well as the hostel in Europe, Japan, and the South American traveling. There is an 18 days cruise and 4 nights free stay at my hometown with my brother should not be counted as my expense on my dental work according to the true comparison.

I am so frugal or you say thrifty in English that I really don't spend unreasonable money on eating in Taipei. I eat like poor students preparing for all kinds of National Examinations around my hotel area, Nan Yang Street, for my daily meals. I estimate about US$15 a day for my food cost including daily fruits consumption. All fancy meals are treated by my Taiwanese friends because they appreciate my old friendship and they are doing very well and can afford such meals to treat me. I estimate those are about 6 days in total.

The public transportation systems are very advanced in Taipei. There are light rail and subway systems around the metropolitan area including two international airports and my dental clinic is only 8 stations away, about a 20 minutes ride one way. I have purchased US$50 worth of tickets for such service and am still not exhausted. The Taiwan High Speed Rail Authority will not allow me to enjoy a 50% discount on their high speed rail tickets and I refuse to take such service and I take the regular fancy high class rail service with 50% senior discount, i.e. two pairs of round trip tickets, a pair from Taipei to Douliu(my home town city) and another pair ticket from Douliu to Kaohsiung for a grand total of less than US$30.

Only two short legs of flights which I paid in cash and all other flights I have used credit points and mileage which I have gathered in advance for  minimum f

如何解決短暫台北食宿行問題／莊峻華

 如何解決短暫台北食宿行問題／莊峻華

選擇在台北整牙，問題是在經濟實惠，比較起在休士頓，我的第二次整牙是在休市，因為當年老人健保增加一年四千美元之整牙福利，但僅包括拔牙，不包括假牙製作，因此我的第二具假牙，上下兩具十一齒全塑膠是五千美元，美國牙醫還耗盡四千美金之年度整牙福利，包括拔掉五顆牙齒和愛克斯光。這次整牙，也是上下兩具共11齒，上下層都是金屬焊接，拔掉一顆牙，清除上下兩顆蛀牙，填上金屬，並蓋上兩牙套，鞏固假牙結構，還有幾齒有金屬圈套，看起來就是非常牢固耐用，我的牙醫要價12萬新台幣，收下我的金牙落齒一顆，給我兩萬元新台幣折扣，所以我的台灣整牙費是約三千四美金。

再來是宿費，我住客棧，前五日是在網上訂房，四十美金一夜，公浴公廁，以後直接訂房，節省一些是三十八美金一日，所以客棧費是一千一百美金大約一個月，現在又要回去十八日，約是增加七百美金住費，一共是一千八百美金。

吃在南陽街非常克難，這是一補習班林立的補習班街，都是克苦上進的用功學生，小吃路邊攤林立，早上我走路到228公園衡陽街買甜鹹豆漿各一，燒餅油條，是三元美金有找，就是七十五元新台幣，我吃上一整個月，中午和晚餐都在自助餐選擇，若是素餐是兩美金多一些，加香腸是三美金多一些，鐵道便當是三元半美金，都可以裹腹，有時候我走到重慶北路吃一碗牛肉麵約是五元美金多一些，就是一百六十元新台幣，偶爾我到省城皇廟旁小巷添財日本料理，吃刺身烤鰻魚飯和台灣啤酒，是三十五美金，這是豪華享受，我在台北一個月，有五日是親戚朋友請吃飯，加上每日水果不斷，食費最多四百美金。

我最喜歡台北之捷運，我大蓋買三張五百元新台幣，就是五十美金，台灣高鐵歧視我拿美國護照，不給我敬老票，幾經力爭無效，我改乘台鐵莒光號，台北斗六來回，斗六高雄來回，四張票不到三十元美金，我是因禍得福，也無需抱怨，台灣很小，高鐵台鐵相差甚微，我常坐日本新幹線，沒有甚麼遺憾。

五月五日開始第二次返台，其中溫哥華到東京是跨太平洋18日行，抵東京後直飛台北松山機場，六月十三日返美，滯留洛杉磯三日是參加師大全球校友會，行程都是累積信用卡哩數和點數，機票幾乎是免費，不能計較在整牙食宿行成本。

A graduate of Chemistry from the National Taiwan Normal University/Carlos Pueblo

 A graduate of Chemistry from the National Taiwan Normal University/Carlos Pueblo

Recently, we all pay attention to the immigration issue of our southern border that seems to be out of control. People all over the world love to immigrate to the paradise-like nation like the United States of America, indeed. I have always appreciated my opportunity to come to this nation in 1975 as a graduate student and married a green card holder's wife to become a citizen of this nation. \It is all because I graduated in Chemistry from the National Taiwan Normal University.

The best high school students in the U.S. have a strong desire to enter colleges to prepare to go to medical schools, engineering schools, pharmacy schools, and veterinary schools, etc. therefore, they must take some chemistry courses and there are needs of teaching assistants in the chemistry laboratories, such as the general chemistry, the organic chemistry, and the physical chemistry in the pre-medical and the chemical engineering majors. This was how we came in to fill those needs in the United States. The U.S. has been a dynamic nation for a long time and it needs many such supplies of talent from the rest of the world.
I was from a very humble family background. I passed a national college entrance examination to enter a university to train a secondary school chemistry teacher in Taiwan. The government made it free of tuition and fees in return we, the graduate must teach for 4 years to return such favor. I have passed all necessary academic examinations such as TOEFL and GRE to satisfy the U.S. graduate school admission. I came here to study for a graduate degree and eventually became an immigrant after I got married.

According to my own estimate, I have contributed much more to the United States than my original nation which I came from, Taiwan on the income tax calculation. Of course both the U.S. and Taiwan don't care very much about my immigration, yet, in my mind I have appreciated such an opportunity to immigrate to this nation and wish more and more people can fulfill their dream to immigrate to this wonderful nation.

師大化學系之因緣／莊峻華

  師大化學系之因緣／莊峻華

最近我又開始熱衷於大學母校之活動，我在台北市短居一個多月，有兩次造訪師大校區，一是公館理學院，一是和平東路本校，我和師大之因緣甚長，包括高中時代，我是師大附中之畢業生，從高中時代，就在龍泉街出入，我們家有五位師大畢業生，二姊家政系，大姊夫國文系，大嫂和大弟生物系，我是化學系。因畢業於化學系，我服完兵役，教兩年書，就順利拿到助教獎學金來美國，兩年後取得碩士學位，工作三年不到，結婚成家，不久失業，改從事於販賣保險證券20餘年，在美國立足生根。我歸功於師大化學系，成就了我的自信。

2013年，我曾拜訪公館的化學系，當年的系主任，就是現任的師大副校長，陳焜銘教授，當年他出示我系教授陣容，非常堅實，泰半是留美博士之教授，設備如Mass和NMR等都非常普遍，大學部學生都可已使用到，系裡已經接受社會上之化驗疑難怪症，走入權威性之應用化學領域。去年，陳副校長來訪，我再提到化學系畢業生之就業出路問題，副校長曰已經替台積電培養人材，這次我到系主任辦公室，願聞其詳，有位洪教授曰台積電這種高科技公司，需要有邏輯訓練背景之大學畢業生來接受實業訓練，就像現在化工電機博士班學生，早已在化學系物理系上挑選，我猜是物質科學，休大的謝兩參退休電機教授，確實證明此趨向，近代科學之演變如是。

我確實在上世紀七十年代末期，找不到化學工作，所以只好賣產物和人壽保險，後來加上一般證券，其實主要是基金退休金，我說我能無中生有，其實主要是上述之邏輯訓練，化學系之學生培養，有這麼一段，微積分，微分方程，高等微積分，分析，有機，物化等一系列，有一套完整之訓練。

當年，師大是公費制度，造就像我這一般的清寒學生。

A month long short stay in Taipei/Carlos Pueblo

 A month-long short stay in Taipei/Carlos Pueblo

It is because of my need for dental work, I have to make a month-long short stay in Taipei. Yet, it is not finished, I shall go back again for another month in May, of course, there is 18 days on the cruise across the Pacific to Tokyo from Vancouver in Canada. I selected an inexpensive hotel in front of the Taipei Main Railroad Station to budget my total cost. I eat at food stands nearby. I share bathrooms and restrooms. I only manage my visits to the dental clinic and gardens among several city parks.

Where there is a will, there is a way. I don't like to spend unnecessary money if I can save it. It is my third time in 11 years to get my fake teeth installed. I believe my cousin, Dr. Chen, 50 years practicing dentist can do the job to satisfy my needs. He tells me that making dentures requires many adjustments. He always receives me after 4:30 pm once in many days due to the making of a new set and regular dental preparatory work. I have most of my days free. I go to 228 City Park to get my soybean milk breakfast, sitting on a bench by a pond with birds as my company. After breakfast, I shall walk to several garden parks nearby including the only famous President Palace, the center of the Republic, every day.

I walk to the old city business center where my first aunt's family used to live and do business even though I can't locate their exact location. It was a gift shop to sell gifts and straw mats produced in the center of the island. Taipei is very busy, full of people and tourists from all over the world.

There are several garden parks nearby the city center, the 228 City Park in memory of the massacre of February 28, 1947, to Taiwanese by Chiang Kai-Sek's army, the Freedom Square include the Chiang Kai-sek's Memorial, two National Musical Hall and Peking Opera Hall. The huge garden with various spring flowers attracts me dearly. Another huge garden park is the Da An Forest Park with an outstanding garden full of the azalea blossom, spider flowers, the dahlia from Akita Japan, and many beautiful sets up ponds and trees. During the weekend, there is a flower market open nearby.
I went to visit my old alma mater, the affiliated senior high school of the National Taiwan Normal University, the National Taiwan Normal University both the old main campus and the new college of science. I also visited all four old city gates dating back to the Manchu Dynasty.

短住台北市／莊峻華

 短住台北市／莊峻華

這次回台北市整牙，一共住超過一個月，和2013年一樣，同樣是整牙，這次過程稍微複雜，需要的時間較長，我又找不到民宿，只好安置在台北火車站前的一家小客棧，需要使用公廁浴室，我年輕時當過兵，過去在歐洲日本南美等旅行，為節省也住過類似客棧，故不以為忤。這客棧尚稱整潔，交通方便，因附近都是辦公大樓和補習班，所以到處是小吃店，食衣住行都方便，我搭捷運上門診，板南線八站就到後山崥。

早上，我散步到228紀念公園，這是過去的新公園，買下甜鹹豆漿各一杯，一套燒餅油條，然後攜帶到公園內水池旁小凳上，常有飛鳥前來為伍。飯後，我就散步到總統府，凱達格蘭大道，介壽公園，北一女等台北市著名地標，公園內杜鵑花怒放，尚有些櫻花。後來，散步範圍更廣，走到北門，東門，南門，自由廣場，若大安森林公園和建國假日花市，則需要搭捷運兩站。

有幾次我更是行軍到大稻埕，就是延平北路和迪化街，這是台北老商區，以前住台北不曾來過，我有一大阿姨過去在延平北路開禮品店，賣大甲草蓆，我前一週常行軍到迪化街前段近淡水河，拜訪一禮品店。

有一日，心血來潮，行軍到小南門，路過東吳大學，台北西本願寺舊址，然後一不作二不休，沿貴陽街一段走到二段舅父故居，折入一觀光夜市，從龍山寺出來。

每次回台北，我都設法回去參觀我讀過的母校，和服務過的學校，像師大附中，師大，和新店文山國中，當然也想辦法參觀曾考不上的台灣大學，這次未曾到台大參觀，但是路過，心裡不再憤憤不平，蓋大學畢業後，我發現許多新價值和成就感。

Visiting the Chemistry Department of my Alma Mater/Carlos Pueblo

 Visiting the Chemistry Department of my Alma Mater/Carlos Pueblo

After visiting my dentist on the first night of my arrival in Taiwan, I have scheduled a visit to the Chemistry Department of my Alma Mater, the National Taiwan Normal University Kuan Kuang campus. I graduated from that department in 1971 and left Taiwan to the United States in 1975 after my completion of two years conscription and two years teaching duty in Taiwan. This study background has provided me the opportunity to immigrate to this wonderful nation. In 2023, I had an opportunity to meet an Executive Vice President and a Distinguished Professor Kwunmin Chen, Ph.D. at a reception dinner in Houston, Texas. I promise to visit him when I have a chance in Taiwan. Coincidentally, he was the department head in 2013 who received me at his office. Later, he was promoted to the Dean of Science and then the Executive Vice President.

I know that my visit will bring me great honor to meet many young professors in the department; therefore, I specially invite one of my classmates, Dr. Roger Huang who has a distinguished background both in the academy and industry, a M.S. degree from Chin-Hwa university and a Ph.D. from the famous Tokyo University and 4 years professorship at Chin-Hwa and Hsin-Chu Scientific Campus representative to Japan till retirement. His presence would make my visit more competitive. President Chen was busy receiving a large group of French scholars yet would treat us to lunch with a group of professors from the department.

His old classmate and a fellow professor, Chin-Fa Yao, came to receive us for him and then several other professors joined him. Professor Wenwei Lin, Ph.D., Department head, Professor Chia-Jung Lu, Ph.D. , Associate Professor, Ling-Hsien Tu, Ph.D., and Professor Yi-Chun Yeh, Ph.D. The latter two will come to the University of Texas Austin Campus as exchange scholars this summer for half a year.

After a very nice vegetarian lunch, we moved to the University Main Campus on the East Ho-Ping Road to visit the alumni Center. Li-Chun Teng, a Senior Secretary and Ya Wen Yan, a Senior Staff joined us, and also Professor Ya-Hsun Tsai, Executive Director of the Mandarin Training Center. I met Tsai in 2023 when she was invited to Houston, Texas to supervise the Mandarin Teaching program.

拜訪母校化學系／莊峻華

 拜訪母校化學系／莊峻華

今年有機會返台整牙，特地拜訪母校化學系，因緣巧合，2013年也是整牙返台，專訪公館母系，招待我的陳焜銘系主任，就是這次接見我的行政副校長，我固知陣仗之大，特別邀請我們1971級乙班班長黃瑞耀博士同行，瑞耀係清大碩士，東京帝大哲學博士，清大教授四年，竹科駐日代表到退休，讓我甚有顏面。我們約好在理學院前會面。

副校長當日有事，但立即安排其同班同學姚清發教授接見，並交待將出席午餐，這位清發兄出身愛阿華州大，是我們有機界大老普渡大學諾貝爾獎得主，布朗教授之徒孫，教育部授以中央課程與教學輔導諮詢自然科學領域召集人重任，我們有詳細之交換意見。隨後陸續有系主任呂家榮教授加入，我們就在他辦公室聊天，林文偉教授，葉怡均教授和杜玲嫻教授等均加入，後來得知葉杜兩教授今年夏天，均將遠行我們德州大學奧斯汀本校，參加半年交換學者計劃，我立即報告在休市校友會主辦詹怡姊，也是我們同窗，她表示將竭誠招待。

我在十一年前訪問焜銘兄，就在他辦公室讀過母系之師資陣容，泰半是留美陣容，像焜銘本人是常春藤名校賓系法尼西亞大學博士，系主任後又任理學院長，當今化學系師資陣容和設備等，與我們當年迥然不同，十一年前焜銘介紹，系已幫忙檢驗校外化學疑難怪症，如今，化學系開始培養台積電之職員，詢其故？姚清發教授有說明，後來葉怡均教授也有補充，真是有趣。

焜銘兄招待我們到一家精緻之素食餐廳午餐，飯後呂家榮主任驅車，攜帶我倆拜訪校本部校友中心，非常有趣，校友中心主任，仍是同一位教授銜，見到一位鄧麗君簡任秘書，顯然她有高考資格，另一位是行政專員楊雅雯，她是安排拜見吳正己校長者，國語中心主任蔡雅薰教授也前來，我們都有休市見面之因緣，呂主任再帶我們到古蹟大禮堂，想與吳校長不期而遇，結果他還是太忙，現在的師大行政主管都非常親切有禮，又有學問，後來我又私自拜訪師大本校一日。

My third denture procedure/Carlos Pueblo

  My third denture procedure/Carlos Pueblo

Once I got older, I started losing teeth and teeth. In 2013, I managed to go back to Taipei and located my uncle's old dental clinic at Kuei Yang Street. One of his grandsons extracted one of my teeth and his father, my cousin who took over and built my first fake teeth for me to continue my normal eating. After 8 years, I continued losing more teeth in my mouth, the Medicare added a $4,000 a year dental benefit and I was lured to a local dentist to have my second denture set. The new additional dental coverage can only cover the extraction and the dental cleaning of the fake teeth; therefore, I must go back to Taiwan to have my third denture installed. It was because I chewed on a queva and broke a piece of my tooth on the bottom part of my jaw.

Dr. Chen, my cousin and a 50 years dentist practitioner, made a drawing on a piece of paper to describe what he was going to do with my denture. He first would extract the broken and dead tooth from the queva incident and observe the heel of the extraction wound. He then would drill and clean two decay teeth and fill some metal in them and cover them with two permanent crowns on them before two new dentures. He told me how much it would cost me with a discount of my fallen gold crown tooth which was worth US$667.

I took the subway from my inn in front of Taipei Main Rail Station to his clinic for appointments for about a month. He still needs two more weeks to complete the bottom part of the denture. I instantly purchased an 18 days cruise from Vancouver, Canada to Tokyo port and a flight to Taipei on May 26, 2024. I shall give him another 18 days to complete my 3rd denture. I did bring back the upper part of the new set.

He tells me that the fake teeth will require trial and error and make it fit accordingly. He learned it while attending the dental university in his father's laboratory at Kuei Yang Street while his father learned the skill from Dr. Furui, a Japanese pioneer in this trade in the beginning of 1900. The dental implant is a new technology while the fake teeth has been in business for more than 150 years, a very mature dental technology.

整牙過程2024／莊峻華

 整牙過程2024／莊峻華

十一年前，我遠赴台北首次整牙，由牙醫表弟陳超然大夫診治落牙，八年餘滿嘴落牙繼續，老人健保添增四千美金一年齒險福利，美國牙醫和我均誤會包括假牙，結果是包括拔牙和洗牙兩項而已，我的雙層假牙耗價約是五千美金，加上用盡當年四千美元之新齒險福利，該套假牙品質普通，不久我因吃蕃石榴咬碎一齒，影響假牙結構，幾月前該碎牙發炎，我想時間到，我必需專程返台整治假牙。我想順便搭郵輪從東京返美，結果該郵輪客滿，於是我僅能搭飛機來回，機票便宜者是分兩段，經東京返台，因為班次多，競爭劇烈，所以我的理數點數均能發生作用。

抵達台北火車站前旅店時，和診所聯絡上，當夜七點半門診，大夫評估些時，決定拔掉該顆小牙，整理右側上下兩顆蛀牙，就是鑽淨蛀牙，填上金屬，配上臨時牙套，準備製作永久牙套，拔牙後需要觀看傷勢恢復狀況，再決定製作假牙模型，就是咬牙齒模。他畫一簡圖，給我一估價，我因高中借宿舅舅府，舅舅也是牙醫，技工專門製作金牙套，我故知金牙套有價值，於是帶來幾年前一顆黃金落牙，他給我約六百餘美金之折扣，兩萬新台幣，好讓我高興。

我從旅店走下捷運站，搭板南線八站就到後山崥診所，非常方便剛開始，拔牙和鑽牙很是緊張，後來完工，漸入佳境，他在舊假牙上填補一假齒，補空拔掉之小齒，臨時牙套換上永久牙套，舊假牙更加堅固，他說假牙需要仔細調整，他已經開業50年，經驗豐富，幫他製作假牙之技師和他，他小弟阿吉，都曾在其父診所實驗室鍛鍊過，阿吉現在在中國福建設廠，出產假牙成品，規模更大，掙錢更多。

上層假牙已竣工，但底層僅及咬上模型，無法趕上我之回程，他再需要兩週時間，於是我馬上訂妥五月八日船票，從溫哥華上船18日抵東京，再搭機飛台北，趕上27日門診，回家後陸續將幾張機票補上，都是哩數和點數，只花一些手續費。

Coming back from Taiwan in 2024/Carlos Pueblo

 Coming back from Taiwan in 2024/Carlos Pueblo

The day before yesterday, I came back from a month-long stay in Taiwan for my fake teeth work. I don't realize how much house chores I must manage right away. First, I must get my old vehicle started right away, second, I must purchase several air plane tickets again to go back to Taiwan within a month because that I have to give my dentist two more weeks to complete the lower part of the denture, third, I must repair the damaged front and back yard after a long drought in 2023 and a foundation repair early this year.

While I was in Taiwan, my son Arthur's vehicle had an alarm light on the panel. The mechanic indicated the electric wire was damaged by squirrels throughout the year and also the vehicle was required to have some basic maintenance and the cost was about $1,400. It was alright that he could drive my old 98 Q45 to work. Unfortunately, after one day, the vehicle was stopped on the road and rescued by police to jump it up to a supermarket parking lot nearby. Amy suggested that I donate the vehicle to a charity foundation and purchase her friend's 9 years old vehicle. I kind of considered it because her friend is leaving here to join her son in South Korea for good. After two days thinking, I guess the fault was that I shorted the electrical system two months before when I replaced a new battery that I paid a price to fix the shortage and also damaged the re-charge system of the battery. I guess if I can replace a new battery on the Q45, I may still drive the vehicle. I was right and the cost was a very minimum $72. This time, I did have my neighbor Mike to supervise my replacement of the battery.

I bought a cruise ticket immediately when I learned that I had to come back to Taiwan for additional dental work that would be for the itinerary from Vancouver, Canada to Tokyo, Japan on May 8, 2024 for 18 days. I also purchased an airplane ticket from Tokyo to Taipei City before I left Taipei. I like to minimize my cost by using mileage and points from credit cards; therefore, I worked right away when I got home to purchase three  tickets from IAH to YVR to board on the cruise, then another ticket from LAX to IAH when I come back from Taipei to attend an alumni conference in Los Angeles for three days. This way, I don't feel too much pain for my traveling costs.

We are doing very well in our garden before my leaving for Taiwan. Six new roses and many amaryllis plants are blooming excellently. Half of the amaryllis are from neighbors' seeds. It takes seven years to bloom! I filled some more sod in the backyard and 4 bags of dahlia which I was persuaded not to smuggle into the U.S. from Taiwan.

自台灣旅行歸來2024／莊峻華

 自台灣旅行歸來2024／莊峻華

前日自台灣旅行歸來，立即馬不停蹄，東奔西跑，處理幾件緊急業務，第一，取下老車電池，開元兒老車到握爾瑪大賣店更新，第二，售清艾克森石油股，第三，些許整理後院。

我是因整治假牙，返台一個月餘，結果牙齒狀況複雜，牙醫需要再有兩週，來完成下半部假牙製作，因此我立刻安排五月初再返台北一趟，六月中旬經洛杉磯三日後返家，剛才第一項和第二項間，是在電腦上購買五月返台來回機票等事。在台期間，元兒老車燈亮，原來是松鼠咬壞電線，我們有熱線通話，元兒開我老車上班，一日後，我舊車又中途停電，由一過路警察幫忙發動，停靠在一超市車場，這都是半夜，車子拖回家，由愛美開車接送元兒上下班兩日，花上一千五美金修理斷壞電線和一些維護，老車均有此支出，我將省下購買新車款為資本，決戰於紐約股市。愛美要我贈送我的老車給慈善機構，並安排購買一老客戶九年老車，我原同意，但在台北想了兩日，越想越氣，剛花一大筆整修此車，如何如此脆弱？我猜是上次自換新電池有錯，陰陽極搞亂，引起損壞之結果，於是我決心再試一次，握爾瑪店員查出死電池，於是新購一只，等鄰居麥克溜狗時，在旁肯定陰陽極無誤，如此解決發動問題，僅花七十元美金購買新電池。

有車開動後，我就到大賣店買些破碎草皮，填補後院整修地基破壞之草坪，買不到玫瑰花種，和山茶花，現在家裡前後院有花圃，但買到大理花根，這是日文中的天竺牡丹，我原想從台灣走私進來，但經多方勸阻，台灣種根也不便宜，於是買下四包約五十元美金，這四包均甚乾枯，若種不成，我留下收據，和死根要求更換，美國人善作生意，必能令客戶滿意。

師大校友會，將在洛杉磯舉行全球校友峰會，校友會和王金平院長，要我邀請石清一和洪恭儀兩夫婦四理化系元老赴會，他們均以老邁為理由不宜遠行婉拒，都是85許老人，給我一些警惕。

賣掉艾克森石油股，在台灣只能賣掉一部份，另一帳戶因登入三次有錯被關閉，只得回家後要求證券公司幫忙，我都是提前賣出，但又利潤未嘗不可。

Another nervous day/Carlos Pueblo

 Another nervous day/Carlos Pueblo

Maintaining a senior life is an art to avoid boring and stressful. I make it very simple that I shall eat and sleep to keep my daily needs filled, then I would add something in between during the day. Usually, I play light tennis in the morning for an hour; therefore, I can take my morning nap when I return home. If I take lunch, I can take another nap right after the meal. I go to bed before 8:30 am and wake up several times right at midnight to do something which is interesting to me. Amy couldn't wait for me to help her to cut dead branches on the flower trees, she went ahead to finish it. She still asked me to clean fallen leaves from the Arizona oaks. I went to the pharmacy to request my Metformin drugs for a month-long trip to Taiwan. When I came back, I was very happy to do more street blowing of fallen leaves and I moved my street car in order to complete the cleaning. In the afternoon when I tried to go to the pharmacy to pick up my medicine, my cruise agent from Miami, Florida called and chatted with me for a while at my chilling garage. I found my old vehicle on the street had a flat on the right rear. I got nervous. It was late and the traffic was bad at that time. This old vehicle might cost me additional money to make it running.

I had a towing car service company send a technician here to replace the spare. Amy was against going right away to the tire store because of the traffic and the closing time for the shop. She could help me to pick up my medicine because she had one to pick up as well. She also liked me to accompany her to a supermarket to buy some vegetables. Drugs were not ready and the clerk asked us to wait. We decided to go to the market to do the shopping. It was a busy evening, A 10 pounds watermelon is $8 now, a one pound pineapple is $4, the asparagus is $4 a pound, and a nice big mango is $2, etc. I agree to Amy that the inflation is here to stay.

I decided to drive the disabled vehicle the next morning to the tennis court first, then slowly to the tire shop. I was early so I went to another store to check on some flower plants to prepare to plant in the yards. I found Dahlia bulbs in a bag for $11. The tire store supervisor gave me a hard time to accept my vehicle because Amy needed to be present. I argued and a store manager came and overruled it in my favor. The mechanic recognizes the vehicle and me both are the original customers from the store.

緊張一日／莊峻華

 緊張一日／莊峻華

因為準備外出旅行，開始緊張生活，需要打包行李，又要隨時注意是否有所行程改變，半夜凌晨發現一節郵輪，從東京返阿拉斯加段已售盡，立刻訂購兩日後返美機票，提早結束台灣之旅，然後清晨網球局，回家後愛美要我幫忙鋸掉花樹枯枝，小憩後，她已耐不住，逕自上梯整樹，但又差我清掃落葉，我還有事需要到藥局拿藥。

從藥局回來，我又多事，掃清老車下積葉，街道一新。下午正待出發藥局領藥，邁阿密郵輪代理來電話，討論我今年行程計劃，發現老車右後輪胎消風，於是開始緊張。先是電話接通拖車公司，很快的技師到來，他很熟練的卸下車輪，果然是壓上鐵釘，換上備胎，我需要開到卡斯口大店修補輪胎，美國人善於生意，拖車公司是會員，卡斯口輪胎有保證，都是免費，就是緊張而已。

晚飯後，愛美載我到藥局，因她也需領眼藥，兩藥均未備妥，因此我們先去附近買菜，藥局菜市場都甚忙碌，美國大都市真是繁榮，一粒西瓜約十磅許，要價八美元，一粒一磅許鳳梨，要價四美元，蘆筍一磅四美元，難怪通貨膨脹，但我已無壓力矣，我還是省吃儉用，投資儲蓄，靠退休計劃生存。

今晨還需網球局，開老車第一段到球場，再慢慢開到卡斯口大店，週五共和黨眾院議長同議讓預算暫時通過，股市稍有波動上揚，也很緊張。

My old suits/Carlos Pueblo

 My old suits/Carlos Pueblo

Yesterday, I was doing some sorting of my old suits from two closets in the house. I have kept most of my old suits since I lost my insurance agent job in 2001. They are old yet freshly dry cleaned and I love to wear them when I go on board cruises because cruise restaurants are fancy and formal. I am going abroad again next week for a little bit more than a month and I plan to visit my Alma Mater, the National Taiwan Normal University; therefore, I get an opportunity to dress up.

The man's suits can be worn for generations because the fashion code is slightly changed, not like the female dress. A commoner wearing suits can only express neatness and cleanness in his appearance. That is why I always wear a suit to meet people in a formal gathering. I helped my English teach, Mr. Yu-Wen Shen of Shanghai, China sent his suits to a dry cleaner in our sugar factory's residential area. Mr. Shen was my elder sister Amy's English teacher at a girls high school across town. He didn't get along with the lady principal; therefore, he came to our boys high school to teach at a much junior English class of mine. He spoke fluent English with idiomatic grammar all the time. He always dresses up even at our class. I adored him and he was my role model.

I worked study during my college life and my first major purchase was a brand new suit made of the wool material imported from Hong Kong. The tailor was from a small township south of my hometown Huwei on another county. His main job was as a cleaner at our male dormitory in the campus as an ironer to press clean clothes. I continued to have my suits made by his tailor shop after I returned from my conscription and teaching in Taipei. I even brought suits from him to Auburn in 1975.

I started working in Houston and I found suits from department stores. I found what I liked, the inexpensive products from Eastern European countries. I wear suits to schools, work, and visit my clients. At least that I have shown my respect for what I am doing.

Recently, I have earned some compliments on the board of ships. They tell me that I am well dressed up that is the only thing to impress them. I am going to take one of my favorite suits to wear in Taiwan.

舊西裝／莊峻華

 舊西裝／莊峻華

行將遠行，整理行李箱，兩衣櫃內有11套舊西裝，均乾洗完畢，我一一歸套，重新置入衣櫃，有一套上衣袖裡襯脫落，愛美將它縫妥，這是一套西裝我帶先岳母大人所得贈與，都30年舊衣，我仍喜愛如昔。最近，我經常郵輪旅行，都帶西裝上船，出入餐廳酒會，非常整潔，頭帶德州牛仔草帽，蓋住禿頭，和義女義孫女合照，不易樂乎？

我從小就喜歡西裝，先父家貧，未有機會西服，我從初一開始就幫英文老師沈鈺文，送西裝到糖廠乾洗店，沈師系中國上海人，戰前有著西裝經驗，糖廠乾洗店是日本設備，我深有印象。讀師大第一年，我就在外家教，家教費除日用外，省錢訂製西裝，西裝師傅是男生宿舍乾洗店燙衣師傅，當年只有僑生始有送衣服到洗衣店，後來宿舍改建，不再有洗衣店設備。我在虎尾教書，也在台北訂製西裝，師傅曰甚至可寄送到美國。

結婚後，體重劇增，舊西裝已不合身，於是開始就地取材，剛好美國大城市有大購物中心，其中有很多成衣西裝可選擇，這些西裝來自東歐國家，價廉物美，服裝店尚且幫忙修改合身，我就穿西裝上班上學，後來從事銷售業，西裝成為我的製服。我喜愛純毛織品，我甚至遠行到蘇格蘭愛登堡，追尋西服材料大皇冠，當年洗衣店暢銷港貨，愛登堡毛衣店員博學曰，蘇格蘭著厚毛衣物，若輕裘毛衣物，應為義大利出品馳名全球。

中年失業，未曾再有機會著西裝，但我仍舊保存舊西裝在住屋衣櫃，後來子女均長大成人，我開始出外旅遊，郵輪是我最佳機會身著西裝，我很喜歡旅行日本，日本青年著西裝上班，日語西裝為西服，整個國家乾乾淨淨，非常整潔有禮。

The primary/Carlos Pueblo

 The primary/Carlos Pueblo

The primary is usually in March in an election year such as this year, 2024 before the general election in November. There is a National President election this year, both parties must hold a primary to select their representatives to compete in November. We all are aware Biden will represent the Democrat while Trump shall represent the Republican for this year's contest. This primary shall reflect some of voters' tendency toward the general election.

I believe that Trump will get less and less votes than his previous 2016 as well as 2020. Voters for Clinton didn't vote for him in 2020 while more and more voters left him in 2020. I am sure again that even more voters will leave him this year, more than 7 millions. He had been impeached twice before he left the White House in 2021. Now, he is facing four criminal charges, one in New York City for the abuse of funds to cover his sexual misconducts; one in Washington, D.C. for his insurrection charge in January 6, 2021 to overthrow a real election result of 2020; one in Miami for an illegal taking and withholding government documents after leaving the White House and refused to surrender such documents when he was ordered to do so; one in Georgia for his harassment of Georgian election officer to change the election results in Georgia. Two of his many civil lawsuits have more than half billions judgement against him, one is about 88 millions for a sexual assault 5 millions while another is for his deformation, or loose mouth to deform the plaintiff. Another one is from the State of New York for his make up of asset values in order to get a favorable treatment for loans for many decades. There are some more lawsuits against him which are waiting in courts to fine him for his misconduct.

Can you believe that we can hand over a nation to this man again? Yet, there are many Republicans who say yes, affirmative. I am sorry that there are many of us in this great nation who think very differently. I am going out for a trip and will come back in June to wait and make sure that I shall help to prevent him from entering the White House again.

美國的初選／莊峻華

 美國的初選／莊峻華

美國政治是選舉官員來治理各級政府，因此有代表政黨的初選，我們德州選舉年是三月初選，十一月大選，一般說來我較重視總統，參眾議員，州長等職位，連休士頓市長我都常常忽略，更何況法官等職位，美國政治非常上軌道，只要按部就班者，在美國都有充分機會脫穎而出。我下週即將出外旅行，德州之總統局初選時，我已經在台灣，我連提前投票初選，都找不出時間，只好先做評論。

這次美國總統局，情勢泰半底定，民主黨由拜登總統出戰共和黨之川普，川普有民刑事訴訟案纏身，能否參選，都尚在最高法院待判，民事案已有兩案，強姦民女作家案兩罪，共判罰款8800萬美金加稅；私人公司造假不實，不法取得利潤，判罰三億五千五百萬加上利息一億，超過六億美金，上訟期間仍需繳利息，一日十餘萬。第一件刑事案在三月二十五日開始選陪審團人，開庭審理；元月六日主使華府叛亂案，開庭日上訴到最高法院，還有非法盜取國家機密文件案，喬治亞州脅迫官員作票案，華府受傷死警官民事訴訟案等等，他想再選上總統，一切都無事。

我的看法是，過去兩次總統未選他的人，絕對不會改投票給他，因為他當總統，我們都撈不到好處，為何選他？華府已經被暴民攻入，國會議員紛紛逃命，警察都被暴民毆打致命，他還在辦公室餐廳吃零食看電視喊精彩，只要一開庭，真相將更清礎。

川普有精神病，選川普的選民也不明是非，這種人可以交給他美國？美國初選如何淪落到如此狼狽不堪？

Rebuilding two small lots for roses/Carlos Pueblo

 Rebuilding two small lots for roses/Carlos Pueblo

During last year's drought and recent foundation repairs, we have vacated two small lots in the backyard for rebuilding our rose garden., Of course, after that we must rebuild our lawn in the front yard and the backyard. Our home site is smaller than a quarter of an acre about 8,500 square feet. A two story house is sitting on it; therefore, some space is left for the lawn and some garden lots. Previous owner planted some flowers and bushes around the backyard. Now, I have gotten rid of debris from bushes and stumps. I get two small lots with the sunshine to grow roses.

We make some cuts from the original rose plants and stick branches to the ground to hope that we'll have some new plants coming out. We also bought 6 new rose plants to plant them outside of Amy's library so that she can enjoy the beautiful roses in the future. There is still space to grow a pair of the camellia. One of a pair does survive in the front yard and is blooming very well this year.

I have spread many seeds which I have collected throughout the year. I am pretty sure that I shall have some coming out later in the spring. I did have a small watermelon and a small pumpkin coming out last year and I was informed that both were not bear eatable fruits. It is always nice to view some crops growing out of our own yard.
It is not that easy to grow anything like a farmer; however, it is a good life to enjoy. Gardening can help us to be aware of the four seasons in a year.

重闢花圃／莊峻華

 重闢花圃／莊峻華

剛整修地基，庭院有些變化，後院空出兩小塊地，一在愛美書房外，一株老灌木為掘地溝渠拔掉，我們不再補上，原盆栽老檸檬株也枯死多年，地基工幫我們拆除原老天然氣烤肉架，於是我們決定重闢花圃。

我們到大五金行，購買6株插枝玫瑰花，我以前在茶花女街舊宅屋簷下栽培過，非常成功，拍攝許多相片，這些都是小孩們幼年時代。我將原土鬆動，按愛美指令，栽上6株，原地本栽一老屋薔薇，也修葺完畢，這是紅色小花，來自老屋鄰居，她搬家時贈我許多薔薇和喇叭花，我曾移植喇叭花到處去，甚至收集鄰居花子，在家播種如今已開花。

我們鄰居甚能享受園藝花圃之樂趣，社區協會每月固定表揚最佳庭院獎，許多鄰居都請專業園丁，主司其事，我們是最近一年始聘請割草，但因不勤灑水和夏季枯燥，聖奧古斯丁草均枯死，需要重新栽培，這是當務之急。我開始喜歡此屋，整修住屋，令我感覺此屋之價值，房屋格式週全，鄰居和睦相處，交通也方便，到各地都方便。

早上，我將玫瑰花苗種上，愛美找我再到另家大五金行，尋找山茶花，十年前我種兩株於門前，一株已遭病蟲害死，另株成長開花，但樹葉呈現病害，我應買農藥來幫助，五金行尚無貨，需待初春天暖後。

Preparing for a long trip away from the home/Carlos Pueblo

 Preparing for a long trip away from the home/Carlos Pueblo

After finishing our federal income tax returns, I am preparing for a long trip away from the home. I am leaving Houston in early March, 2024 for Taiwan via Japan for my denture repair, then, coming back to Japan to wait for a last minute deal with a cross Pacific cruise deal back to Seward, Alaska. If it is possible, I shall stay with the same ship for additional two weeks in Alaska. Then, I shall continue another last minute deal on another ship back to Japan and stay in Japan for three more weeks and fly back home afterward. Of course, if I don't get the last minute deal, I shall return home early.

I am afraid one of my left teeth will fall soon. This would endanger the structure of my bottom set of the denture. My dentist has alarmed me to prepare for a new set. I decided to make it in Taiwan due to the cost. I also desire to visit Taiwan after such a long time.

In spite of a month-long waiting, I do plan to visit my alma mater, Taiwan Normal University. I have an appointment with the senior executive vice president, Dr. Chen, at the Chemistry Department on the first Monday morning. I shall also plan to visit the president of the University, Dr. Wu in the following week when I plan to stay at the University Inn at the main campus.

 
I shall go back to my hometown Huwei to visit my sisters and brother. My stay in Taiwan shall end at the beginning of April. I have already booked my flight back to Tokyo to wait for my ship, If it's possible, it would be more than a month and a half cruise trip and my first three weeks journey back to Japan in 2024.

準備返台旅行2024／莊峻華

 準備返台旅行2024／莊峻華

再過兩週餘，我就準備返台旅行，台灣是我成年前生長之故鄉，這次闊別十年，不曾返台，我已經老邁不堪，但為做假牙省錢和其他理由，很早就決定準備，剛好遇見住家整修和申報聯邦所得稅，家事纏身，如今諸事告一段落，我可以整裝待發矣。

兩年前，我在紐約上船，咬蕃石榴子咬碎一片牙齒，兩月前該齒發炎，我知道不久將掉落，於是崩塌底座假牙，這是假牙之結構力學，我曾有過經驗，我裝過兩次假牙，第一次2014年在台北訂製，約是800美金；兩年半前繼續落牙，於是在休市訂製新假牙，要價$4500，而且尚未包括拔除鬆動之牙群，況且耗盡老人牙險$2000德政，效率甚差，沒有台北先進，於是我心準備返台。裝置新套假牙，需要一個月時間，於是我開始購買機票，利用信用卡哩數和點數，買下單程機票，從休市到東京，接機經南韓首爾機場到桃園機場，我無所謂耗時多久。

抵達台北市後，馬上見牙醫，現在尚未預約，但應無問題，然後就是靜候一個月，我只先安排第一個節目去拜訪師大化學系，然後參觀台北市，看看能否拜訪老友，也想回雲林虎尾故鄉，拜望在台家人。

我在四月初就搭機返回日本，準備購買珠寶號回美國，如果買不到最後一分鐘廉價票，我就擇而其次，到另一廉價路線，可能是阿拉斯加遊，我就從東京飛到溫哥華，再搭珠寶號幾次，等候五月的精神號回東京，也是最後一分鐘，如果能持續，抵達東京後，我再逗留日本三週。

當然，秋天珠寶號將再重返日本，我也不想錯過機會。

Two fall chrysanthemum exhibitions at two castles in Japan 2023/Carlos Pueblo

 Two fall chrysanthemum exhibitions at two castles in Japan 2023/Carlos Pueblo

During my second three weeks stay in Japan last fall, I ran into two chrysanthemum exhibitions at two castles, Himeji and Okayama. Japan is a nation of art full of artisans of every kind to present the best of life. The cherry blossom in the spring and the chrysanthemum exhibitions in the fall are two examples.

As usual on my three weeks of Japan Rail Pass tour, I go to visit my favorite castle at Himeji and Okayama not far from my stay at Osaka. I ran into two chrysanthemum exhibitions outside of both castles free of charge to visit. It reminds me that Japan is a nation of chrysanthemums. People have the habit of growing various kinds of chrysanthemum and show them everywhere every year such as temples and castles, etc. I first ran into the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, yet the exhibition was not as large as both Himeji and Okayama castles. The exhibitions have gathered some winners of the year from the local mayors up to cabinet ministers and the prime minister.

I am going to show you some of my pictures.

日本秋季菊花展2023／莊峻華

 日本秋季菊花展2023／莊峻華

去年我搭精神號在阿拉斯加州，徘徊三週然後直奔日本東京港，下船後又在日本逗留三週，就是搭新幹線環遊全國，我稍介紹東京淺草，上野公園，北海道大學校園，釧路之丹頂鶴，然後就到大阪城，還未盡述，又飛羅馬搭寶石號返紐約港，家裡整修地基，室內粉刷，和換地板，天翻地覆，真是戎馬倥傯之際，年初大工程方畢，我又臨時在德州高維斯敦上普莉斯瑪號遊西加勒比海，上下船交通有驚無險，還忙碌不堪，我還想重溫此段美憶，今日介紹日本秋季菊花展覽，我看到的是姬路城和崗山城的秋菊展。我常有長居日本的想法，因為我喜愛日本文化，環境，和禮節氣氛。

姬路城和崗山城，都在大阪市附近，我都曾經親自住過，而且來過多次，兩城秋天都讓當地菊花協會主辦菊花展覽，就是在城外周圍搭棚擺設，莫小看此菊展，作品均擁有獎狀，下自姬路市和崗山市長，上自內閣大臣，首相大臣獎，我不贅言，讓各位欣賞我拍攝之相片。這種菊展，在一般神社廟宇也有，而且規模也相當，可見日本民間賞菊之雅緻。

姬路城出名是德川家康愛孫女千姬，在先夫豐臣秀賴自盡後改嫁到姬路城，崗山市是桃太郎的故鄉，從崗山可搭火車到四國島，桃太浪平妖處就是四國，日本民間故事，也甚迷人。

I can't bear its frightened appearance/Carlos Pueblo

 I can't bear its frightened appearance/Carlos Pueblo

During my Lunar New Year's three family lunch invitations last week, I ran into three exactly crises similarly to once Mencius described 2500 years ago in the ancient China. I read the piece of the philosophy when I was at the senior high school as well as at the college. Mencius explains the cruelty of seeing an animal's frightened appearance to the death to a King in his home country. It's Buddhism that we shall not kill all living things, animals and human beings. In the Buddhist's world, they encourage vegetarian diets.

I am the guilty one that I do see the struggle of lobsters and king crabs. They were alive when I put them in the pot to be boiled with a can of beer. Both of them kicked the pan cover struggling to escape and showing the frightened appearance. I was so stressed that Mencius suggests keeping away from the kitchen.

People kill animals because they need the food to eat. People including leaders of some sorts go to the war and kill because they have a strong desire to be fulfilled. I prefer the economic sanction than the physical war on the battleground. Of course, we are entitle to defend ourselves and then we can't bear the sight, the frighten appearance.

不忍其觳觫／莊峻華

 不忍其觳觫／莊峻華

今年過農曆年，邀請奧斯汀之琳兒家庭，大哥峻嚴家庭，和球友竇醫師夫婦，分三日來家裡便餐，我提意吃龍蝦和大王蟳，大家均曰可，於是我就分三日上午十時，準時到超市購買生猛龍蝦和大王蟳，首日我就遇到困難，這是我們佛家之忌諱，殺生，在中國孟子梁惠王上篇也提到，不忍其觳觫。

因為龍蝦遇熱爭扎，我剛好在廚房，但已經來不及取消飯局，這段原句是，君子之於禽獸也，見其生，不忍見其死，聞其生，不忍食其肉，是以君子遠庖廚也，當然前段講到牛羊祭祀之觳觫。我甚為難之完成庖廚工作，而且圓滿新年飯局。

佛家主張素食，避免殺生，印度人和猶太人也有類似主張，我曾素食11年以上，不是宗教信仰，而是閱得書籍曰全素食，有益糖尿病，當年失業無健康保險，血糖任其飆高，一直到65歲，自動進入老人健康保險，食素實在非常不方便。

下次，我們就避免生猛海鮮為食材，選擇新鮮魚肉，先遠庖廚一次，眼不見為淨。

Three new benefit on my Medicare Advantage/Carlos Pueblo

 Three new benefit on my Medicare Advantage/Carlos Pueblo

This year there are three new benefit on my Medicare Advantage  coverage, first, $120 for copayment to visit physicians every quarter; second, $120 payment for approved over the counter items a quarter; third, a $225 limit a year for glasses purchase. On the first benefit, I did receive a credit card and activated it without any difficulty; however, on the second and the third benefit, I did run into very much difficulty to get them on board until the insurance sent me an additional email to remind me of such a benefit. I got two good help to get them on registration.

I went on the internet to purchase the OTC items without any difficulty. Now, I am waiting for the mail delivery. For the reading glasses, I did go to an approved eye care center to have my eyes checked. I have picked my favorite glasses; however, it was more than $225. I didn't like to pay extra. After negotiation, such as no other adjustment needed yet for the reading purpose, the price of a pair dropped to $261. I asked the technician to try my co-payment for the extra. We got the insurance company's approval.

I like my Medicare Advantage Coverage. I have both my diabetes and eye issues at my senior age. Medicare takes good care of them. I like to travel to Japan and would like to stay in Japan for a little longer; however, I can't quite solve the health insurance issue to live in Japan. Without proper health insurance, I don't feel comfortable living in other nations at my age.

新增老人健保三福利／莊峻華

 新增老人健保三福利／莊峻華

去年底，我的老人健保公司已經來信通知，新增三項新福利，一，一季提供$120，給付專科醫生之自備款或藥款；2，一季提供$120，給付一些藥局非處方成藥等物；三，給付眼鏡，上限是一年$225。這三款新福利，我都可以使用上。剛開始我需先注冊，但除第一項因公司寄來一張信用卡，注冊容易外，其他兩項注冊均有困難，於是我暫時放棄，一日保險公司，又寄信來提醒新福利，我剛好忙完住屋整修，又請畢三午餐，於是再申請注冊，這次終於通過。

除半年一次眼檢查眼球血結晶外，我目前無需手術，無需看眼醫，因此一年只需交兩次$80手續費，家庭醫生門診糖尿病藥等均免費，因此此福利，也僅能用到六分之一。第二項福利是需要合格之產品始可，我在網路上很快選妥$120產品。第三項是老花眼鏡，我早使用便宜之批發價老花眼鏡，最近老花遠視度數增加，我再增加一放大鏡幫忙，今日我到眼鏡行，配置金邊老花眼鏡，東扣西扣，還是超過$37，於是我請小姐試一下我的第一項信用卡，居然通過。

美國老人健保和貧民健保福利均佳，因此居住美國甚為放心，保險公司要求醫生定期檢查病人身體，預防治療並進，我旅行日本，甚喜日本環境，甚想久留，但就因無健保保護，僅能短期居留。

Observing the Lunar New Year in Houston, Texas/Carlos Pueblo

 Observing the Lunar New Year in Houston, Texas/Carlos Pueblo

This year, the Lunar New Year is celebrated on February 10th, Sunday. Our family is back to observe such a celebration. I had been very fond of the Lunar New Year before I came to the United States. We celebrate such festivals in Taiwan vigorously up to the day. We follow the American custom to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas and gradually ignore the Lunar New Year. It's very different this year. I have invited three families to come for luncheons, on the 3rd with Michelle's family, on the 5th with my brother's family, and on the 6th with my tennis body Tony's family.

I have designed a seafood menu for all three lunches. I provide every one a lobster, share two king crabs every meal, plus a piece of T-Bone steak, some braised beef, and vegetables. The main purpose is to have a long missed gathering with my brother and a return favor for Dr. Tou.

I like this idea to celebrate the Lunar New Year because we eat at a remodel home and I get a better control of the cost. Lobsters, king crabs and Xo are very attractive.

過農曆年／莊峻華

 過農曆年／莊峻華

今年農曆年是在二月十日，除夕夜是在九日，我是天天過年的人，平常不過農曆年，今年特別，提前過三個農曆年，就是邀請三個家庭來家裡便餐，琳兒家庭在三日，因她準備送來一隻調皮之小貓勝君，他在家裡欺負一隻老貓奧利佛；大哥峻嚴家庭約五日，我們許久未聚餐，十二日他們全家到日本韓國旅行，我可以提供一些日本地圖和經驗，關西和關東，主要是大阪和東京；球友竇大夫夫婦約六日，因為我們接受兩次招待，和許多禮物，藉過農曆年回請一次。

我的請法很簡單，就是煎牛排，滷牛肉，滷雞蛋，啤酒龍蝦和大王蟳，壓軸戲為我的法國漢那系極老白蘭地，我從郵輪購買三瓶回家，此酒甚貴，引人注意，客人都不喝酒，但均知我之誠意。我先購買梯骨牛排，幾大塊精細牛肉，早晨開始準備，我平日有煮清燉熟牛肉之經驗，駕輕就熟，醬油加水，蔥薑蒜八角橘皮，德州鮮嫩黃牛肉，不到兩時刻就爛熟，六顆滷蛋也一氣喝成。

上午十時，我上韓國超市，購買生猛鮮龍蝦，大王蟳，和解凍明蝦，這是給元兒添加一份。我家大鍋一次只能煮四隻龍蝦，龍蝦入鍋，加入一大瓶米勒啤酒，這是超市最廉價者也，然後大火煮開十午分鐘，旅行阿拉斯加胡娜島路上小餐廳外擺龍蝦大蟳，就是如此景觀。煮熟後之海鮮產品，置烘烤盤中，入烤箱保溫。琳兒臨時通知一隻愛犬蜂蜜長瘤破裂流血不止，已是生死交界，無法南下休市，所以我們馬上決定兩雙龍蝦大蟳置入凍箱，調整週一購買量，因為材料昂貴。我們品嘗龍蝦，確實好味道，我又多喝兩大瓶啤酒，兩鍋剩熱湯，也是啤酒，我怕浪費，早已喝盡，那是熱啤酒，嘗龍蝦時是冰啤酒，講了許多醉語。半夜醒來如廁，發現元兒之剝畢淨龍蝦肉和明蝦，完全清蒸無酒精者，他一口而淨，非常成功。我嘗滷熟牛肉和滷蛋，根本未浪費到白蘭地，已經非常可口。大哥和竇大夫兩飯局，想當駕輕就熟，豪無問題。

我不喜歡餐廳之小費15％，地方稅9％，還有開瓶酒費$10等等，若要上餐廳，我就上郵輪，何況寒舍剛整修完畢，美侖美奐，而且股市也上揚，我藉過農曆年，一舉償還多年人情。