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2008年9月30日
世界上最快的列車和台灣最快的列車
上次和朋友聊到，到底世界上最快的列車在那裡？做了個簡單的Google搜尋，發現選項不外乎是：
I hope that is true: Taiwan will be the richest country in the world in terms of GDP per person
This is taken from a BBC blog: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2008/09/map_of_the_week_global_wealth.html
Check the third last paragraph (where I coloured it as red) and the atlas of 2015.
Check the third last paragraph (where I coloured it as red) and the atlas of 2015.
Map of the week: Global wealth
- 29 Sep 08, 11:10 AM GMT
Our Map of the week this week is culled from a new book, The Atlas of the Real World, out next month.
The book uses 'cartograms' to analyse how different aspects of life look in global terms - depicting the areas and countries of the world not by their physical size, but by their demographic importance.
Each territory on a map displays its data graphically by being made larger or smaller proportional to the other territories, which are in turn scaled according to the data within them.
The maps have been created by Daniel Dorling, Mark Newman and Anna Barford - academics behind the renowned website .
There are lots of fascinating maps in the book and I shall no doubt borrow more in the future, but a series which immediately caught my eye looks at 2000 years of wealth.
Wealth Year 1
Wealth Year 1500
Wealth Year 1900
Wealth Year 1960
Wealth Year 1990
Wealth Year 2015
It is a simple animation over six frames that reveals an amazing story of global power shifting across the planet and the UK's place within that.
Wealth is measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) defined as the total market value of all goods and services produced within a territory in a given year. The figures are also adjusted for purchasing power parity.
The first map entitled Wealth Year 1 shows how wealth was distributed across the world 2,000 years ago, in terms of modern boundaries.
The best current estimates indicate that average GDP per person living in the year AD1 expressed in current US dollars, was $445. By 1990 the equivalent was $5,248.
The researchers surmised that there was probably little variation between regions at the time. Indeed, since variations in GDP per person were low this map looks very similar to the population map for AD1.
By 1500, Europe had become one of the wealthiest areas of the world with Britain the sixth richest country in terms of GDP per person after Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and France.
In 1900, Britain dominates the picture, the richest country on the planet per capita.Within 60 years, we are not even in the top 10 and by 1990 the United States had become number one. But looking ahead and the Far East swells up, back to the size it had been 500 years earlier.
In 2015, the richest country in terms of GDP per person is expected to be Taiwan with the US in sixth. The UK is not quite back to its 1500 status but I think we can see the direction of travel.
The maps, of course, also reveal poverty around the world. The shrunken, deformed shape of Africa tells its own story.
The Atlas of the Real World: Mapping the Way We Live is published by Thames and Hudson on 6 Oct.
2008年9月29日
MelamineFree 本部落格100%不含三聚氰胺
最近中國的毒奶粉搞得台灣烏煙瘴氣的，加上新政府亂七八糟的施政，真是令人想了就生氣。
看到許多台灣部落格寫手的號召，立刻把這張貼紙加到我的blog上面。希望台灣的政府能夠真真正正地為台灣人民的福祉著想，好好把關由國外進口，尤其是由中國進口的食物或原料。
台灣加油！
看到許多台灣部落格寫手的號召，立刻把這張貼紙加到我的blog上面。希望台灣的政府能夠真真正正地為台灣人民的福祉著想，好好把關由國外進口，尤其是由中國進口的食物或原料。
台灣加油！
2008年9月18日
我的不捨：中文譯音定案 漢語取代通用拚音
這是一則台灣的新聞：中文譯音定案 漢語取代通用拚音。
在自己的部落格裡稍稍發抒一下自己的不捨，也不知道會不會有人看得到。
自從香港歸回中國後，台灣也許是最後一個使用正體中文的地方了吧！
台灣的中文教育，在過往一向是使用所謂的注音符號做為學習中文發音的符號。六年前，台灣的中央政府決定使用所謂的通用拼音，來提供給外國人使用，可以用英文字母拼出中文的發音。
通用拼音制定的時候最大的爭議在於當時在國際社會上已經有一套通用的中文拼音規則，就是中國推行的漢語拼音。通用拼音和漢語拼音有著極大的相容性，只有少數的音不同。這個爭議可以是學理上的，也可以是政治上的。我記得一個重要的學術上的爭議是中國制定的漢語拼音，有很多是很不自然的拼法，比如說X, Q所代表的音，就跟英文中，這些字母的發音方式不太相同。
不同拼音方案，會導致人名與地名的不同英文拼法。有些地方政府就因此自己採用漢語拼音，和中央政府打對台。最嚴重的就是首都台北市，因為和中央政府屬於不同的政黨，所以就採用漢語拼音。當然，台北市政府的說法是由於和國際接軌啦！
現在台灣政權交接，當初的台北市長，現在成了台灣的總統。政治的影響力再次影響了台灣中央官方使用的中文拼音方式，由通用拼音再轉回到漢語拼音。可以想見，未來的數年內，通用拼音將會被打入冷宮。漢語拼音將會變成以後的標準了。
我相信，不管是漢語拼音或是通用拼音，在使用上都不會造成太多問題。台灣做為一個獨立自主的政治實體，本來就有權力自己決定如何對國際社會呈現自己。我不認為採用漢語拼音，會讓台灣更加國際化，或是讓外國人更容易接近台灣。這種想法，對於我來說，是很膚淺的。
光是英文的使用可以增進國際化，這個假設對於我而言，就是一個很沒有說服力的想法。以兩種拼音方式的相似性，如果西方人要來台灣工作，了解一下通語拼音和漢語拼音的差異，對他們來說，不會是什麼大不了的問題。真心要來台灣發展的外國人，不會在意這種小問題的啦！真正哈台灣錢哈到要死的外國人，花錢請翻譯都會來台灣的啦！外商很精的！通用拼音和漢語拼音的小小差異，不會去影響外商的投資決策的啦！
除非是我們連面對外國人簡單的質疑，都沒有去面對的勇氣和自信！
而情感上，我更覺得難以接受。台灣要在國際上推廣自己，就是要讓自己有自己的特色。通用拼音和國際通用的漢語拼音不太相同，正好可以讓外國人知道台灣和中國的確是有點像又不是全部一樣！中國人用的中文，和台灣人用的中文，連發音方式都不太相同了，去用同樣的拼音方式，會讓外國人更好了解台灣人使用的中文嗎？台灣和中國有著在文化上的差異和在社會環境上的差異，去用各種方式，讓外邊「看起來一樣」，對我而言，真是一種膚淺的想法。
我想，我反對的理由，情感面的遠大於理性面的。做為一個商學院畢業的學生，也許不應該在這個方面太拘泥。但是做為一個愛著自己故鄉的台灣人，我更希望我的國家是一個獨立自主，有膽有識的國家吧！
======================
9月19日更新：
補上幾則自由時報的新聞評論
聯合報上也有類似的聲音
在自己的部落格裡稍稍發抒一下自己的不捨，也不知道會不會有人看得到。
自從香港歸回中國後，台灣也許是最後一個使用正體中文的地方了吧！
台灣的中文教育，在過往一向是使用所謂的注音符號做為學習中文發音的符號。六年前，台灣的中央政府決定使用所謂的通用拼音，來提供給外國人使用，可以用英文字母拼出中文的發音。
通用拼音制定的時候最大的爭議在於當時在國際社會上已經有一套通用的中文拼音規則，就是中國推行的漢語拼音。通用拼音和漢語拼音有著極大的相容性，只有少數的音不同。這個爭議可以是學理上的，也可以是政治上的。我記得一個重要的學術上的爭議是中國制定的漢語拼音，有很多是很不自然的拼法，比如說X, Q所代表的音，就跟英文中，這些字母的發音方式不太相同。
不同拼音方案，會導致人名與地名的不同英文拼法。有些地方政府就因此自己採用漢語拼音，和中央政府打對台。最嚴重的就是首都台北市，因為和中央政府屬於不同的政黨，所以就採用漢語拼音。當然，台北市政府的說法是由於和國際接軌啦！
現在台灣政權交接，當初的台北市長，現在成了台灣的總統。政治的影響力再次影響了台灣中央官方使用的中文拼音方式，由通用拼音再轉回到漢語拼音。可以想見，未來的數年內，通用拼音將會被打入冷宮。漢語拼音將會變成以後的標準了。
我相信，不管是漢語拼音或是通用拼音，在使用上都不會造成太多問題。台灣做為一個獨立自主的政治實體，本來就有權力自己決定如何對國際社會呈現自己。我不認為採用漢語拼音，會讓台灣更加國際化，或是讓外國人更容易接近台灣。這種想法，對於我來說，是很膚淺的。
光是英文的使用可以增進國際化，這個假設對於我而言，就是一個很沒有說服力的想法。以兩種拼音方式的相似性，如果西方人要來台灣工作，了解一下通語拼音和漢語拼音的差異，對他們來說，不會是什麼大不了的問題。真心要來台灣發展的外國人，不會在意這種小問題的啦！真正哈台灣錢哈到要死的外國人，花錢請翻譯都會來台灣的啦！外商很精的！通用拼音和漢語拼音的小小差異，不會去影響外商的投資決策的啦！
除非是我們連面對外國人簡單的質疑，都沒有去面對的勇氣和自信！
而情感上，我更覺得難以接受。台灣要在國際上推廣自己，就是要讓自己有自己的特色。通用拼音和國際通用的漢語拼音不太相同，正好可以讓外國人知道台灣和中國的確是有點像又不是全部一樣！中國人用的中文，和台灣人用的中文，連發音方式都不太相同了，去用同樣的拼音方式，會讓外國人更好了解台灣人使用的中文嗎？台灣和中國有著在文化上的差異和在社會環境上的差異，去用各種方式，讓外邊「看起來一樣」，對我而言，真是一種膚淺的想法。
我想，我反對的理由，情感面的遠大於理性面的。做為一個商學院畢業的學生，也許不應該在這個方面太拘泥。但是做為一個愛著自己故鄉的台灣人，我更希望我的國家是一個獨立自主，有膽有識的國家吧！
======================
9月19日更新：
補上幾則自由時報的新聞評論
聯合報上也有類似的聲音
2008年9月17日
我的阿基里斯腱 - 拆線換石膏
星期三9月17日早上，回醫院看診。這次看診，因為有老婆陪我，所以心情也比較愉快。起碼不用自己帶一堆東西，而且還可以聊聊天。
早上9點的約診，我和老婆提早了10分鐘到骨科報到。還沒有看到醫生，之前那個比較資深的石膏先生就來找我，請我直接到石膏室去拆石膏 - 不拆開，醫生也看不到咩！
他拆石膏的方式是用電鋸喔！為了讓我安心，他特地拿那個電鋸在他自己上鋸給我看，證明那個鋸子不會傷人。他由上而下鋸了兩個口，再配合剪刀把原先的石膏拆開，然後把我的腳拉了出來，順便把我腳上的繃帶給拿掉。
我總算有機會看我的傷口。不是我說啊，那個傷口看來，還真像是菜市場賣的豬肉。如果你想吃飯，千萬不要看這張像豬肉的照片。
早上9點的約診，我和老婆提早了10分鐘到骨科報到。還沒有看到醫生，之前那個比較資深的石膏先生就來找我，請我直接到石膏室去拆石膏 - 不拆開，醫生也看不到咩！
他拆石膏的方式是用電鋸喔！為了讓我安心，他特地拿那個電鋸在他自己上鋸給我看，證明那個鋸子不會傷人。他由上而下鋸了兩個口，再配合剪刀把原先的石膏拆開，然後把我的腳拉了出來，順便把我腳上的繃帶給拿掉。
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
我總算有機會看我的傷口。不是我說啊，那個傷口看來，還真像是菜市場賣的豬肉。如果你想吃飯，千萬不要看這張像豬肉的照片。
今天石膏室有三個技師呢！有兩個比較老的，我之前已經看過了。上圖中幫我處理的叫做Ian，我覺得是最資深的。而今天還多了一位年輕的小姐，看來是實習的。石膏室的氣氛很輕鬆，Ian一直在跟我開玩笑。當他看到我觀察傷口憂鬱的表情時，還一直打包票說這個腳沒問題。
Cheeven: Is this wound ok?
Ian: Do I look like I am worried?
Cheeven: Well, it is not your leg...
幫我開刀的醫生是Dr. Naique。 他也過來跟我和我老婆打了招呼。他還講了個冷笑話，問我老婆多了一個人在家裡跳來跳去的感覺怎麼樣~~~ 傷口拆好時，他看了一下傷口，就告訴我這個傷口的狀況很好，在腳跟的地方縫得醜了一點，不過那個是因為關節附近的關係啦~~~
醫生說呢，今天主要的工作呢，就是把這些線頭剪掉(Remove stitches)，然後重新上一個石膏。再過6個星期再回診，之後就可以不用打石膏了。Ian解釋說，在這段期間，每2個星期還是要回醫院，但不用看醫生，也不用在入口處報到，可以直接到石膏室跟他打招呼換石膏。他們會每次逐漸調整角度，把我的腳板壓回到正常的角度。之後復健就可以容易一點。
我問醫生，當我的腳長期被壓著向前伸的角度，腳背的肌腱會不會也出問題。他承認的確會，但是他們的醫療的重點先是要確保阿基里斯腱能夠良好地癒合，之後可以慢慢復健我腳背的肌腱。Ian則表示因為每次會調整角度，所以之後腳背就不會那麼難受。換句話說，在基本上，我已經度過了最痛苦的前兩個星期了。
今天等最久的，反而是拆線。
不知道為什麼，我的手術縫合時不是用會自己被人體吸收的線材，而是需要人工去拆掉的線材。幫我拆線的不是石膏室的人，也不是醫生，而是另外一個護士。我們等了好一陣子，那個護士才出現（她花了不少時間幫隔壁一個病人拆線的樣子）。她一到我的診療床邊，就忙著拆一堆的棉花啦，夾子啊，搞了10分鐘吧，總算把一堆機絲頭都準備好，才開始處理我的傷口。
這個過程大概20~30分鐘。她工作得很賣力，我也忍得很痛苦。這些縫合的線，由於傷口不是在身體平整的部份上，本來就不好拆。再加上她的工具中並沒有剪刀，只有一個夾子，和一個小刀子。所以對於每個線頭，她必須用夾子拉起來，再用刀子去割斷它。拉的時候，會痛，割的時候，也會痛。當她處理到腳跟上方的皮膚皺折的部份時，由於角度更難處理，時間就花得更久。
當她宣稱她處理完所有線頭，把傷口重新用棉花蓋起來的時候，我雖然跟她說了謝謝，但是我心中除了幹字連連外，還有很可怕的，因為忍痛忍到想噁吐的感覺。老婆在旁邊，她光是看我的表情都可以讓她自己開始痛起來了。
等到拆完線，一切又快了起來。石膏室的年輕妹妹首先幫我快速地把腳包紮起來，交給Ian。Ian則把剛剛已經準備好的石膏拿來包。這次的石膏又不一樣了。上次出院前，醫生幫我包的，是用白色的石膏紗帶，然後隔天石膏室的人幫我上Fibreglass。這一次呢，Ian直接拿Fibreglass來包。很快地包了起來，做得漂漂亮亮的。專業的石膏技師果然不一樣！而且因為是直接用Fibreglass，所以重量輕體積也小得多了說！
上石膏前，Ian則是用板子重新固定我腳板的角度，讓它可以從完全向前伸展，壓到約有45度的角度出來。以後每兩個星期來換石膏，都會重新再調整角度。
昨天有稍微跟一些朋友詢問，看大家希望新的石膏用什麼顏色。有不少人說要粉紅色或是紫色。我今天是選擇紫色。做起來果然是不錯看呢！以下是幾張新石膏的照片：
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
2008年9月16日
好站介紹：台灣教育部國語推行委員會
有些國外第二代的華僑朋友，其實中文沒有學得很多。往往聊天起來，就會問說這個字怎麼寫，那個字怎麼唸什麼的。話說台灣是正體中文的大本營，這種資源應該很多才對，但是搜尋我的腦袋，卻好像背不出那個網站是比較優的。
幸好我還知道台灣有個教育部。上次還跟這邊的朋友秀過當年惹過大風波的「三隻小豬」成語典。今天請google大神幫忙，才找到這個絕佳的中文教育網站：教育部國語推行委員會網站 http://www.edu.tw/mandr/。上面有不少很好的查詢功能可以增進個人的中文知識的呢！
比方說：
我覺得對於在海外出生的華人朋友初學中文，最好的應該是上面的國語辭典簡編本，有簡單的查詢界面可以使用，非常的好。而且還可以在透過網路用語言把字典的內容唸出來哩。
我覺得一個大問題是這些網站是設計給已經會用中文的人使用的，並沒有設計英文的界面。這樣對於推廣給海外人士，其實不是很方便說…
幸好我還知道台灣有個教育部。上次還跟這邊的朋友秀過當年惹過大風波的「三隻小豬」成語典。今天請google大神幫忙，才找到這個絕佳的中文教育網站：教育部國語推行委員會網站 http://www.edu.tw/mandr/。上面有不少很好的查詢功能可以增進個人的中文知識的呢！
比方說：
我覺得對於在海外出生的華人朋友初學中文，最好的應該是上面的國語辭典簡編本，有簡單的查詢界面可以使用，非常的好。而且還可以在透過網路用語言把字典的內容唸出來哩。
我覺得一個大問題是這些網站是設計給已經會用中文的人使用的，並沒有設計英文的界面。這樣對於推廣給海外人士，其實不是很方便說…
2008年9月12日
我的阿基里斯腱 - 家庭醫生
自從出院後，每天就是在家裡放病假。日子過得還真是無聊。原本這個星期三(9月10日)要回醫院拆石膏看傷口的，但是醫院臨時來通知，改到下星期。這個星期唯一的大事就是去看我的家庭醫生。
英國的醫療制度蠻有趣的。英國有和台灣全民健保類似的制度，叫做NHS, National Health Service。我每個月的薪水都會自動扣繳NHS的費用，而像我這次住院和開刀，都不用另外付費用。NHS和台灣全民健保另一點相似的地方是：它們都有嚴重的財政問題，也常常遭受各種利益團體的批評。
NHS和台灣全民健保有一點不同：一個人生病的時候，不是直接去醫院，而是要先聯繫自己的家庭醫生。英國這邊把它稱為General Practioner, GP。GP就像是各種醫療服務的起點一樣。
每一個人都會視自己需求或是活動區域去註冊自己的GP。當我剛到劍橋唸書的時候，因為知道自己常常需要找醫生檢查尿酸，所以就註冊了劍橋當地的GP。而開始在倫敦工作後，因為不方便常常回劍橋，就在家裡附近註冊了另一個GP，我的資料就自動轉移過來。這些醫生都可以存取英國這邊的醫療系統，所以病歷交換很方便。
由於我知道我的GP那邊並沒有器材處理我的阿基里斯腱斷裂，約診又會有時間上的延遲，所以當初我是直接去大醫院的急診A&E看診。但是我在醫院那邊看的醫生是比較專門在處理骨科，他們不是GP，所以出院時，只給了一小段時間的藥，並且要我去和GP討論後續病假的核准和後續的止痛藥處方箋。
GP看診，可不是隨時上門就能看的。在英國不只是病人有權益，醫生的權益也很重要。不論是註冊新的GP，或是要和GP討論病情，都要事先約診才行。所以很多台灣來的留學生會覺得看GP很麻煩，有小病自己忍一下，有大病直接去醫院，一兩年一下子就過去了。但是像我工作在倫敦，感覺又不同了。而且每個月薪水自動扣一大筆的NHS費用，不看醫生白不看啊！
我上個星期就打了電話約這個星期四(9月11日)看GP。如果是星期三有去醫院拆石膏的話，星期四見GP應該會更有意義一點，因為病歷會轉給GP，而他也可以知道最新的進展。但是因為我的病假已經快到期了，而且止痛藥也快沒了，所以還是去給GP看吧！
我那個GP的診所離我家不遠，走路的話不用15分鐘。但是由於本人目前不良於行，所以還是叫計程車來載我。不到5分鐘的車程，要了我£5.50鎊。真是讓人心酸。這還是我發現在倫敦比較便宜的計程車公司哩…
我的GP是一個年輕的英國男性。我一進到診間，他正在看著從醫院轉來的病歷，所以對於我的病情已經了解。我告訴他說，我此行的目的一個是病假的問題，一個是止痛藥的問題。他很阿莎力地開了一個四星期的病假給我。關於藥的部份，我目前服用的藥包括Paracetamol和Diclofenac Sodium。這兩種藥都是相當常用的消炎止痛藥。由於Paracetamol不是處方藥，所以他還建議直接從藥局架上拿，因為比較便宜。
不到20分鐘，看完GP。我想應該我做的功課比較足夠，所以每次看GP都很快… 畢竟我目前也只看痛風和我的阿基里斯腱，該知道的我都知道了啊！臨行前，醫生開玩笑說，再過一陣子，我應該會變成拐扙的高手。我笑笑回說，我已經是用拐扙上下樓梯的高手了。出了門，忽然覺得，也許該試試用拐扙拄回家喔！
為什麼原本15分鐘不到的路程，變成30分鐘也跳不完的路呢？為什麼明明是涼爽的天氣，我回到家的時候變成全身臭汗呢？為什麼想在路邊順便買的Kebab店，會到中午還沒開門呢？
這一切都是一時鬼迷心竅的下場啊！
不過，路上竟然還有很多人關愛的眼神以及鼓勵呢！
當我走了快1/3的時候（嚴格說，是跳了1/3的時候），剛剛旁邊是一個工地，所以人行道只容一個人通行。對面來了一位推著娃娃車的年輕媽媽。我本著儒家謙忍的精神，讓她先行。正當要擦身而過的時候，沒想到卻看到娃娃車裡的小baby對著我一直猛揮手。
“好肥好嫩的手啊！” 我忍不住地笑了出來，而推著娃娃車的媽媽也笑了出來。我搖了搖手，向那個小娃娃說再見，並且和那個年輕媽媽點頭致意。相錯時，簡單的互相說了一句“cheers”，讓人心情頓時好了不少。
繼續往前跳，過了一個巷子，看到一位清瘦的中年太太也拄著根拐扙出來散步。本來還在我後面的，在我停下來揉著手在休息時，她竟然超了我的車。超車之時，她回頭對我笑了一下，說她了解我的感覺！她說她換了右膝關節半年了，但還是得用拐扙走路，所以還跟我鼓勵呢！跟她說了聲謝謝，她又往前走了。我還在休息…
這一路真是辛苦，然而我卻沒有休息的權力。因為家就快到了！路上的車也看到我的狀況，過馬路後，兩邊都是長長的車龍，讓我徐徐地跳過去。
可以感受到很多英國人的體貼和善心，真是很棒的事情呢！回到家，儘管身體累壞了，心卻很舒服喔！
話說從頭：我如何弄斷了我的阿基里斯腱 (1) - 意外的發生
英國的醫療制度蠻有趣的。英國有和台灣全民健保類似的制度，叫做NHS, National Health Service。我每個月的薪水都會自動扣繳NHS的費用，而像我這次住院和開刀，都不用另外付費用。NHS和台灣全民健保另一點相似的地方是：它們都有嚴重的財政問題，也常常遭受各種利益團體的批評。
NHS和台灣全民健保有一點不同：一個人生病的時候，不是直接去醫院，而是要先聯繫自己的家庭醫生。英國這邊把它稱為General Practioner, GP。GP就像是各種醫療服務的起點一樣。
每一個人都會視自己需求或是活動區域去註冊自己的GP。當我剛到劍橋唸書的時候，因為知道自己常常需要找醫生檢查尿酸，所以就註冊了劍橋當地的GP。而開始在倫敦工作後，因為不方便常常回劍橋，就在家裡附近註冊了另一個GP，我的資料就自動轉移過來。這些醫生都可以存取英國這邊的醫療系統，所以病歷交換很方便。
由於我知道我的GP那邊並沒有器材處理我的阿基里斯腱斷裂，約診又會有時間上的延遲，所以當初我是直接去大醫院的急診A&E看診。但是我在醫院那邊看的醫生是比較專門在處理骨科，他們不是GP，所以出院時，只給了一小段時間的藥，並且要我去和GP討論後續病假的核准和後續的止痛藥處方箋。
GP看診，可不是隨時上門就能看的。在英國不只是病人有權益，醫生的權益也很重要。不論是註冊新的GP，或是要和GP討論病情，都要事先約診才行。所以很多台灣來的留學生會覺得看GP很麻煩，有小病自己忍一下，有大病直接去醫院，一兩年一下子就過去了。但是像我工作在倫敦，感覺又不同了。而且每個月薪水自動扣一大筆的NHS費用，不看醫生白不看啊！
我上個星期就打了電話約這個星期四(9月11日)看GP。如果是星期三有去醫院拆石膏的話，星期四見GP應該會更有意義一點，因為病歷會轉給GP，而他也可以知道最新的進展。但是因為我的病假已經快到期了，而且止痛藥也快沒了，所以還是去給GP看吧！
我那個GP的診所離我家不遠，走路的話不用15分鐘。但是由於本人目前不良於行，所以還是叫計程車來載我。不到5分鐘的車程，要了我£5.50鎊。真是讓人心酸。這還是我發現在倫敦比較便宜的計程車公司哩…
我的GP是一個年輕的英國男性。我一進到診間，他正在看著從醫院轉來的病歷，所以對於我的病情已經了解。我告訴他說，我此行的目的一個是病假的問題，一個是止痛藥的問題。他很阿莎力地開了一個四星期的病假給我。關於藥的部份，我目前服用的藥包括Paracetamol和Diclofenac Sodium。這兩種藥都是相當常用的消炎止痛藥。由於Paracetamol不是處方藥，所以他還建議直接從藥局架上拿，因為比較便宜。
不到20分鐘，看完GP。我想應該我做的功課比較足夠，所以每次看GP都很快… 畢竟我目前也只看痛風和我的阿基里斯腱，該知道的我都知道了啊！臨行前，醫生開玩笑說，再過一陣子，我應該會變成拐扙的高手。我笑笑回說，我已經是用拐扙上下樓梯的高手了。出了門，忽然覺得，也許該試試用拐扙拄回家喔！
為什麼原本15分鐘不到的路程，變成30分鐘也跳不完的路呢？為什麼明明是涼爽的天氣，我回到家的時候變成全身臭汗呢？為什麼想在路邊順便買的Kebab店，會到中午還沒開門呢？
這一切都是一時鬼迷心竅的下場啊！
不過，路上竟然還有很多人關愛的眼神以及鼓勵呢！
當我走了快1/3的時候（嚴格說，是跳了1/3的時候），剛剛旁邊是一個工地，所以人行道只容一個人通行。對面來了一位推著娃娃車的年輕媽媽。我本著儒家謙忍的精神，讓她先行。正當要擦身而過的時候，沒想到卻看到娃娃車裡的小baby對著我一直猛揮手。
“好肥好嫩的手啊！” 我忍不住地笑了出來，而推著娃娃車的媽媽也笑了出來。我搖了搖手，向那個小娃娃說再見，並且和那個年輕媽媽點頭致意。相錯時，簡單的互相說了一句“cheers”，讓人心情頓時好了不少。
繼續往前跳，過了一個巷子，看到一位清瘦的中年太太也拄著根拐扙出來散步。本來還在我後面的，在我停下來揉著手在休息時，她竟然超了我的車。超車之時，她回頭對我笑了一下，說她了解我的感覺！她說她換了右膝關節半年了，但還是得用拐扙走路，所以還跟我鼓勵呢！跟她說了聲謝謝，她又往前走了。我還在休息…
這一路真是辛苦，然而我卻沒有休息的權力。因為家就快到了！路上的車也看到我的狀況，過馬路後，兩邊都是長長的車龍，讓我徐徐地跳過去。
可以感受到很多英國人的體貼和善心，真是很棒的事情呢！回到家，儘管身體累壞了，心卻很舒服喔！
話說從頭：我如何弄斷了我的阿基里斯腱 (1) - 意外的發生
2008年9月11日
My Story of Achilles Tendon Rupture (English version)
I have already posted a few articles about my Achilles tendon rupture on my blog in Chinese. This article is to run through the whole story briefly in English so that I can let my friends here in UK understand what I have been through.
The whole thing started in the evening Monday 18 August 2008.
I made some good friends in south London who play Badminton regularly, about 2 or 3 times a week. I joined them in order to get myself healthier. On that night, we booked the court from 8pm to 10pm, and it was about 9:30pm. When it happened, I was trying to run and bend forward to catch a short ball near the net. My right leg was in the back and suddenly I felt like being hit by some rod on above my ankle. The leg became so weak that I fell down immediately.
I checked the people behind me, but they did not see anything. I observed my leg, and found that the muscle was all loose and there was an obvious gap in the back of my lower leg, right above the ankle. I suddenly started to worried about it was something wrong with my Achilles tendon although people in the sports centre assured me it was just that the muscle went through some shock and I just needed a good rest. It was not painful, and I could still bend my foot in all angles.
I sat there for a few minute and then a close friend drove me home.
The next day, Tuesday 19 August, because I was still very worried about the injury, I went to a hospital near my place, Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. I went directly to the A&E department, and a nurse checked on my leg and confirmed that it was indeed the Achilles tendon rupture. He let me knee down on the coach, squeesed my muscle in the back of the lower legs. and then checked the response of my foot. The left foot was lifted while the right foot was only a little bit lifted. It was then obvious that the tendon was not functioning well. It could be a partial Achilles tendon rupture.
Since my leg was still swelling, the nurse used a plaster to fixed the position of my right foot that it was bended forward and the distance of my ankle and the tendon was shortened so as to let the tendon grows back naturally. I told the nurse that I had a trip planned on the following weekend, so he suggested me to come back to the hospital and re-do my plaster in the plaster room before flying off. He also tried to arrange my appointment with the doctor, but could only be scheduled on 1 September because all the time slots were taken.
The nurse gave me a document from the internet regarding Achilles tendon rupture and its treatment. You can find the document here. There are at least 2 ways to treat this injury - conventional treatment or surgery. Either way, I will need to be in the plaster for 6 - 8 weeks.
Knowing that I had this injury, I quickly informed my project team lead and my career councilor. They kindly asked me to follow the doctor's instructions and rest as much as needed. My roll off date from the project was quickly decided and I then started my longest sick leave ever.
The following Friday, 22 August. I went back to the hospital, with a reference letter from the nurse in the A&E department. I met the plasterer of the hospital, and he did a similar test on my tendon before replacing the plaster. This plasterer was more senior to the one in A&E and did a great job in making the plaster. However, he gave me a different conclusion on my tendon - it was looking more like a complete Achilles tendon rupture now.
I think I was very lucky because I went to the hospital the next day the accident occured so the hospital could do proper handling on my case. Knowing the situation had changed from partial rupture to complete rupture, the plasterer asked the reception to insert an emergent appointment with the doctorthe truma and fracture clinic on the coming Wednesday, 27 August.
Of course, the trip to North Ireland was cancelled.
Before I knew it was a complete rupture, I always believed that I would take the conventional treatment in which the leg will be kept in plaster and let the tendon grow back naturally. But now I started to seriously consider surgery treatment - was it necessary? should I do it in UK or in Taiwan? what would be the impact on my work after the surgery?
After talking to many friends, including my flatmate who is doing his PhD study in medical engineering in Imperial College, and an old friend who was a doctor from Cambridge. I concluded that the repair surgery of Achilles tendon was not a very complicated one and it was almost the most basic operation in orthpedic. The biggest risk in surgery is the potential for infection on the wound - there is less blood circulation in that area. I thought it should be a manageable risk.
Wednesday 27 August, I went to the hospital to see the doctor. After a short wait in the treatment room, the doctor came and spoke to me. He told me my situation was a partial rupture and the conventional treatment would be the better option for my treatment. I suddenly realised that he was speaking based on the inspection in A&E. I told him what the senior plasterer discovered when I went changing my plaster. He realised what I was talking about and started to unwrap my plaster and checked on my leg.
He was soon convinced that it was a complete rupture. Since it was a complete rupture, the surgery was inevitable. He asked me to sign on an agreement form for operation and then arranged the ultrasound inspection. It was a few hours later, after a series of waiting and checking, it was confirmed by the ultrasound that my tendon was indeed completely ruptured.
By then it was another young doctor who did a series of pre-operation questions for me. He then asked me to come next day, Thursday 28 August, for the operation. He said he would like to get me into the hospital that day if there was a bed available for me.
'Tomorrow? Is it possible? I never saw UK people working in such efficiency!' I was amased and my flatmates were all amased.
So I went the next day but it was a diappointing day in the end. As instructed, I stopped eating/drinking by midnight and arrived at the ward room before 7:30AM. But I did not get the surgery or even the confirmation for the surgery until 5PM when the young doctor and the registrar came and said sorry to me - since I was put in the emergent theatre list, and because there were other more emergent cases so I could not have the surgery on Thursday. I had to stay in the hospital over night and wait for the chance for the operation on the next day.
So I did not eat anything and drink anything until 5pm that day and I would need to be on fast again after mid night. Thankfully many friends came to visit me in the evening, bringing my laptops along so that I could pass the following few days without too much boredon.
Afternoon Friday 29 August, I finally get the chance for the operation. I had been greeted by anesthetists and nurses, I also see the doctor who would do the surgery for me - he was the first doctor who saw me on Wednesday. I was given a full anesthetisation and the surgery was done in a couple of hours. When I woke up and saw my doctor, he told me "the surgery was technically successful".
Cool.
I was kept in the hospital for observation until Monday 1 September. I think it was the post effect of anethetisation, I was not really feeling good until Sunday. I was given a new plaster, a full plaster with fibreglass outfit, which looked like a ski kit or something similar. When I arrived home, it was already in the evening.
I was given a 2-week sick leave by the doctor when I left the hospital on Monday 1 September.
Today, Thursday 11 Septmember, I went to see my GP. After understanding my situation, my GP gave me another 4 week sick leave so that I can fully recover and he suggested me go back to him toward the end of the 4 week period to review my progress.
Usually the recovery will take 6 - 8 weeks. If everything goes well, by the time I can get rid of the plaster, it would be late October, maybe toward the end of October. I will still need to go through a series of practice after that, since I need to regain the strength on my leg. There is still a long way ahead before I can go back to the sports ground. What a long wait!
Anyway, I will make it.
Update 2 Oct 2008.
I went back to the hospital on 17 Sept for the appointment with the doctor. After checking the wound, the doctor confirmed that it was healing well. That day I had the stiches on the wound removed, and also the plaster room gave me a new plaster - it was purple and looked pretty nice.
On 2 Oct, I re-visited the hospital to replace a new plaster and bending the foot angle. This time it is a pink.
Update 15 Oct 2008.
I revisited my GP last week on Wednesday 8 Oct. The doctor extended my sick leave for another month. I will be back in office in early November.
15 Oct morning, I revisited the hospital to replace my last plaster. My foot angle was fixed at 90 degree so I am allowed to stand and walk on both feet now. It hurts a lot to stand and walk as I believe the foot has been free from any pressure for too long and it needs to get used to my body weight again.
My new plaster is a green one. I originally wanted an Apple green, but unfortunately it is the only green they have. The plasterer has done a good job again to make it very nice and beautiful. I was also given a shoe to put on the plaster when I need to walk outdoors.
Please see the new photos at
Update 29 Oct 2008.
I revisited the hospital today and finally got my plaster removed. Hooray!!!!
The leg is weak and the tendons in the back and front of my foot are all very tight. I have taken some photos today. It is interesting to see how my skin gets dry and easy to peal on the leg.
I also talked to the physiotherapy today. I have been given 2 practices to stretch my foot. The next appointment will be in 2 week time.
Full Chinese Version：我如何弄斷了我的阿基里斯腱 (1) - 意外的發生 [How I ruptured my Achilles Tendon (1) - The Accident]
The whole thing started in the evening Monday 18 August 2008.
I made some good friends in south London who play Badminton regularly, about 2 or 3 times a week. I joined them in order to get myself healthier. On that night, we booked the court from 8pm to 10pm, and it was about 9:30pm. When it happened, I was trying to run and bend forward to catch a short ball near the net. My right leg was in the back and suddenly I felt like being hit by some rod on above my ankle. The leg became so weak that I fell down immediately.
I checked the people behind me, but they did not see anything. I observed my leg, and found that the muscle was all loose and there was an obvious gap in the back of my lower leg, right above the ankle. I suddenly started to worried about it was something wrong with my Achilles tendon although people in the sports centre assured me it was just that the muscle went through some shock and I just needed a good rest. It was not painful, and I could still bend my foot in all angles.
I sat there for a few minute and then a close friend drove me home.
The next day, Tuesday 19 August, because I was still very worried about the injury, I went to a hospital near my place, Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. I went directly to the A&E department, and a nurse checked on my leg and confirmed that it was indeed the Achilles tendon rupture. He let me knee down on the coach, squeesed my muscle in the back of the lower legs. and then checked the response of my foot. The left foot was lifted while the right foot was only a little bit lifted. It was then obvious that the tendon was not functioning well. It could be a partial Achilles tendon rupture.
Since my leg was still swelling, the nurse used a plaster to fixed the position of my right foot that it was bended forward and the distance of my ankle and the tendon was shortened so as to let the tendon grows back naturally. I told the nurse that I had a trip planned on the following weekend, so he suggested me to come back to the hospital and re-do my plaster in the plaster room before flying off. He also tried to arrange my appointment with the doctor, but could only be scheduled on 1 September because all the time slots were taken.
The nurse gave me a document from the internet regarding Achilles tendon rupture and its treatment. You can find the document here. There are at least 2 ways to treat this injury - conventional treatment or surgery. Either way, I will need to be in the plaster for 6 - 8 weeks.
Knowing that I had this injury, I quickly informed my project team lead and my career councilor. They kindly asked me to follow the doctor's instructions and rest as much as needed. My roll off date from the project was quickly decided and I then started my longest sick leave ever.
The following Friday, 22 August. I went back to the hospital, with a reference letter from the nurse in the A&E department. I met the plasterer of the hospital, and he did a similar test on my tendon before replacing the plaster. This plasterer was more senior to the one in A&E and did a great job in making the plaster. However, he gave me a different conclusion on my tendon - it was looking more like a complete Achilles tendon rupture now.
I think I was very lucky because I went to the hospital the next day the accident occured so the hospital could do proper handling on my case. Knowing the situation had changed from partial rupture to complete rupture, the plasterer asked the reception to insert an emergent appointment with the doctorthe truma and fracture clinic on the coming Wednesday, 27 August.
Of course, the trip to North Ireland was cancelled.
Before I knew it was a complete rupture, I always believed that I would take the conventional treatment in which the leg will be kept in plaster and let the tendon grow back naturally. But now I started to seriously consider surgery treatment - was it necessary? should I do it in UK or in Taiwan? what would be the impact on my work after the surgery?
After talking to many friends, including my flatmate who is doing his PhD study in medical engineering in Imperial College, and an old friend who was a doctor from Cambridge. I concluded that the repair surgery of Achilles tendon was not a very complicated one and it was almost the most basic operation in orthpedic. The biggest risk in surgery is the potential for infection on the wound - there is less blood circulation in that area. I thought it should be a manageable risk.
Wednesday 27 August, I went to the hospital to see the doctor. After a short wait in the treatment room, the doctor came and spoke to me. He told me my situation was a partial rupture and the conventional treatment would be the better option for my treatment. I suddenly realised that he was speaking based on the inspection in A&E. I told him what the senior plasterer discovered when I went changing my plaster. He realised what I was talking about and started to unwrap my plaster and checked on my leg.
He was soon convinced that it was a complete rupture. Since it was a complete rupture, the surgery was inevitable. He asked me to sign on an agreement form for operation and then arranged the ultrasound inspection. It was a few hours later, after a series of waiting and checking, it was confirmed by the ultrasound that my tendon was indeed completely ruptured.
By then it was another young doctor who did a series of pre-operation questions for me. He then asked me to come next day, Thursday 28 August, for the operation. He said he would like to get me into the hospital that day if there was a bed available for me.
'Tomorrow? Is it possible? I never saw UK people working in such efficiency!' I was amased and my flatmates were all amased.
So I went the next day but it was a diappointing day in the end. As instructed, I stopped eating/drinking by midnight and arrived at the ward room before 7:30AM. But I did not get the surgery or even the confirmation for the surgery until 5PM when the young doctor and the registrar came and said sorry to me - since I was put in the emergent theatre list, and because there were other more emergent cases so I could not have the surgery on Thursday. I had to stay in the hospital over night and wait for the chance for the operation on the next day.
So I did not eat anything and drink anything until 5pm that day and I would need to be on fast again after mid night. Thankfully many friends came to visit me in the evening, bringing my laptops along so that I could pass the following few days without too much boredon.
Afternoon Friday 29 August, I finally get the chance for the operation. I had been greeted by anesthetists and nurses, I also see the doctor who would do the surgery for me - he was the first doctor who saw me on Wednesday. I was given a full anesthetisation and the surgery was done in a couple of hours. When I woke up and saw my doctor, he told me "the surgery was technically successful".
Cool.
I was kept in the hospital for observation until Monday 1 September. I think it was the post effect of anethetisation, I was not really feeling good until Sunday. I was given a new plaster, a full plaster with fibreglass outfit, which looked like a ski kit or something similar. When I arrived home, it was already in the evening.
I was given a 2-week sick leave by the doctor when I left the hospital on Monday 1 September.
Today, Thursday 11 Septmember, I went to see my GP. After understanding my situation, my GP gave me another 4 week sick leave so that I can fully recover and he suggested me go back to him toward the end of the 4 week period to review my progress.
Usually the recovery will take 6 - 8 weeks. If everything goes well, by the time I can get rid of the plaster, it would be late October, maybe toward the end of October. I will still need to go through a series of practice after that, since I need to regain the strength on my leg. There is still a long way ahead before I can go back to the sports ground. What a long wait!
Anyway, I will make it.
Update 2 Oct 2008.
I went back to the hospital on 17 Sept for the appointment with the doctor. After checking the wound, the doctor confirmed that it was healing well. That day I had the stiches on the wound removed, and also the plaster room gave me a new plaster - it was purple and looked pretty nice.
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
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| From 20080917 - Outpatient |
On 2 Oct, I re-visited the hospital to replace a new plaster and bending the foot angle. This time it is a pink.
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| From 20081002 - New Plaster |
Update 15 Oct 2008.
I revisited my GP last week on Wednesday 8 Oct. The doctor extended my sick leave for another month. I will be back in office in early November.
15 Oct morning, I revisited the hospital to replace my last plaster. My foot angle was fixed at 90 degree so I am allowed to stand and walk on both feet now. It hurts a lot to stand and walk as I believe the foot has been free from any pressure for too long and it needs to get used to my body weight again.
My new plaster is a green one. I originally wanted an Apple green, but unfortunately it is the only green they have. The plasterer has done a good job again to make it very nice and beautiful. I was also given a shoe to put on the plaster when I need to walk outdoors.
Please see the new photos at
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| 20081015 - Green Plaster |
Update 29 Oct 2008.
I revisited the hospital today and finally got my plaster removed. Hooray!!!!
The leg is weak and the tendons in the back and front of my foot are all very tight. I have taken some photos today. It is interesting to see how my skin gets dry and easy to peal on the leg.
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| 20081029 - Removing Plaster |
I also talked to the physiotherapy today. I have been given 2 practices to stretch my foot. The next appointment will be in 2 week time.
Full Chinese Version：我如何弄斷了我的阿基里斯腱 (1) - 意外的發生 [How I ruptured my Achilles Tendon (1) - The Accident]
2008年9月3日
微軟推出WLM的自動翻譯機器人
從別人的blog上面看到有這個新玩具，立刻把它加到我的MSN聯絡人清單中，並且跟他玩上一玩。
首先是簡單的「我愛你」測試，看來它的反應還不錯喔！而且能夠自動測知我常用的是正體中文，不錯喔！
再來嘛，我想就用一些港台曾經都風行過的流行語「殺」來測試一下，一開始蠻有樣子的，但是後來就怪怪的說~~~
首先是簡單的「我愛你」測試，看來它的反應還不錯喔！而且能夠自動測知我常用的是正體中文，不錯喔！
再來嘛，我想就用一些港台曾經都風行過的流行語「殺」來測試一下，一開始蠻有樣子的，但是後來就怪怪的說~~~
我知道微軟在北京有很大的研究中心，所以我難免會懷疑有些正簡中文轉換的問題。我立刻拿出我的標準測試方法：「幹乾干」測試法。實驗證明，這個翻譯軟體肯定是北京來的。
我個人對於微軟是沒有什麼偏見的。起碼我的電腦上裝的還是正版的Windows XP。感謝這些筆記型電腦廠商很貼心地幫我自動加錢裝Windows。所以最後還是有微軟做些翻譯上的測試囉！至於一不小心抓出的翻譯問題，就…… 大家知道的嘛，微軟的品質一向是有保證低。
2008年9月1日
我的阿基里斯腱 - 出院。新的石膏
星期一 9月1日。準備出院了。
早上見過了不少人，包括石膏室的先生們，一個叫做 Chris ，和一個叫做 Sophia 的復健師。離出院是愈來愈近囉！
石膏室的先生們看過昨天 Alex 醫生的作品後，認為形狀還OK，不用重做。昨天說的這個星期三的約診也移到下星期三。石膏室的先生們問我要什麼顏色…
'.... Do you have orange?'
'ah... we just stopped providing orange'
'.... oh, then, ... please give me a blue one, ok?'
'nice one'
'doesn't is like another ski kit?'
'surely it is!'
整個對話讓我覺得非常的英國。
這個新的石膏，將會陪我10天喔！
話說從頭：我如何弄斷了我的阿基里斯腱 (1) - 意外的發生
早上見過了不少人，包括石膏室的先生們，一個叫做 Chris ，和一個叫做 Sophia 的復健師。離出院是愈來愈近囉！
石膏室的先生們看過昨天 Alex 醫生的作品後，認為形狀還OK，不用重做。昨天說的這個星期三的約診也移到下星期三。石膏室的先生們問我要什麼顏色…
'.... Do you have orange?'
'ah... we just stopped providing orange'
'.... oh, then, ... please give me a blue one, ok?'
'nice one'
'doesn't is like another ski kit?'
'surely it is!'
整個對話讓我覺得非常的英國。
這個新的石膏，將會陪我10天喔！
話說從頭：我如何弄斷了我的阿基里斯腱 (1) - 意外的發生
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