XGregory and the

Chocolate Factory ISS. 4 VOL. 1 2010. 10

G. SHELLNUTT ....... 1

X Steamy windows
G. IMREH ..................2

ASICC
X Taipei Cinema Talk
K. TAKAHASHI ......... 2

ACADEMICA SINICA. times

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF

Academia Sinica is keen to address the specific interests of our

international colleagues. By establishing ASICC we hope to offer a
dynamic environment and ensure a strong work/life balance.

Gregory and the Chocolate Factory

In elementary school I read Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
for a reading assignment. I had found
memories of the book and I always
wonder what it would be like to visit
chocolate factory and see river of milk
chocolate. So it was with great delight
that I jumped at an opportunity to
indulge in the pleasantries of life and
visit The World Chocolate Wonderland
exhibit on display at The National
Taiwan Science Education Center this
past weekend. The exhibit showcased
all things chocolate in a playful and
unique way. Located on the 7th floor,
the display begins with a few wonderful
chocolate molds of dinosaurs and
Disney characters which then blends
seamlessly into the international
displays. Only a few countries are
represented, including my personal
favorite (Belgian chocolates), but, since
they are the main purveyors of
chocolates, it does not disappoint. I
had a good laugh when I saw the
Taiwan display because it shows eight
authentic Taiwanese foods (e.g. xiao
long bao, sausage, friend chicken
cutlet, soup) all made from chocolate.
The transition from the international
displays to the main exhibition passes
through the history of chocolate and
its use by Meso-American peoples as a
spicy bitter drink known as xocoatl
(pronounced so-co-la-tle). The real fun
begins in the main exhibition as there
is a Great Wall of chocolate, a life
sized terracotta warrior and numerous
smaller ones, a wall of chocolate
Buddha, Taipei 101 and some
magnificent sculptures of cars, tea
pots, tigers, footwear and a personal
favorite, a violin with a broken string
(continued on page 2).

October 31st marks the festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-an) or as we know it today,
Hallowe’en. Hallowe’en is a modern incarnation of the Samhain festival which originated
amongst Celtic peoples of Great Britain and Ireland many centuries ago. They believed that during
the seasonal transition from the ‘lighter’ to the ‘darker’ part of the year that good and evil spirits
could interact with the living. The term Hallowe’en comes from ‘all hallows-even (evening)’
which corresponds to the day before (Oct. 31st) All Saints Day in Christianity. The modern
tradition of wearing a scary costume and carving Jack-O’-lantern (original turnips) comes from the
old traditions to scare away evil spirits. Recommended movies for Hallowe’en include:
Paranormal Activity (2007), Halloween (1978), The Fog (1980), Night of the Living Dead (1968),
The Exorcist (1973) and Dracula (1931).
 Taipei Cinema Talk
UPCOMING
If you need action look no
further than Bruce Willis, it
Pray Love”, a move that features
Julia Roberts. She plays a wife EVENTS
seems like he is back again searcher for more to life. Liz
to save the world with his all Gilbert (Roberts) has everything
out action packed ways in a modern lady will wish a
“Red”. Amazingly, some husband, a house and great
people, however old they career. Well after a divorce, she
get, take on the same starts to take risks goes on her
Nights are getting cooler, but the character that they did when own feet to live life. Italy, India,
Japanese yen is still too strong, I they were young. This time Bali what is it she is looking
am not sure which way the Willis is aided by Morgan for? Will she find it? Anyway,
economy is going, well the same Freeman, who seems to have we all long for something in life,
is true in the movie world, taken a different type of whether we get it or not depend
“Greed is Good” is back!!! character than he usually on how much we are willing to
Gekko is back in “Wall Street: does. Of course you can put into it, but at the same time, Workshop on Baking
Money Never Sleeps”, 23 years never have an action movie going after it without looking at
ago the original movie about the without the ever crazy John other things may derail you, so Place: Mrs. Evans’ place
high life of fast money with Malkovich, with his usual doing research in Academia Date: Oct. 12, 2010
shady deals was a hit, now its “unusual role”! Sinica is good, but have some Time: 10:00am-11:30am
back in the recession time. This free time to refresh yourself at
time Gekko, seems to be a For people who want slower the movies. PREVIOUS EVENTS
changed man. What is his modus pace in life, there is “Eat
operandi this time? 1. BOURBON TASTING
Date: Aug. 27, 2010
Don’t forget there are many second run cinemas throughout
Taipei which offer double features for low prices. 2. MOVIE APPRECIATION
NIGHT
Date: July 29, 2010
K. Takahashi, INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC & MOLECULAR SCIENCES
3. COFFEE HOUR
Date: June 28, 2010
Just walk around Ximending or near Zhongxiao
Steamy windows Fuxing station and you are bound to find one.
The soups can vary a lot too: from the regular to
4. DRAGON BOAT RACE
Date: June 16, 2010
As the weather gets colder, Taiwanese start
to change what are they eating. The role of the quite spicy ones (麻辣火鍋) - but that's not
food and drinks changes from keeping for the faint-hearted. Or, to cater for everyone, 5. SPORT NIGHT-NBA Finals
people fresh and happy to keeping them some pots are divided into two and you can try Date: June 11, 2010-09-07
warm and happy. One cure for the cloudy, two kinds of soup in one meal. So, what can you
rainy days is hot-pot dinner, or 火鍋. In put in the soup? Normally one would start with 6. TUNG BLOSSOM PARK
hot-pots you have a nice soup-base and boil vegetables to give it a good taste: cabbage, Date: May 15, 2010
various items in the pot. The soup stays, spinach, lettuce, corn etc. Hotpot is good for
while you fill up with what you cooked. Hot Vegetarians. On the other hand, you can add 7. PINGXI DAY TRIP
pot restaurants are found everywhere in sliced pork, beef or lamb, prawns, or almost any Date: Apr. 18, 2010
Taipei and can be easily spotted by their meat that cooks in a few minutes. Most places
steamed up windows. Chain restaurants like stock plenty of ice-cream to finish off. You see, 8. POTLUCK PARTY
Cash City (the basic version of hot pot) or no reason to be cold this Autum: go out and Date: Feb. 19, 2010
White Sugarcane (a bit more fancy, all-you- have a dinner!
can-eat version) are common but there are 9. HIKING - Shishou Hills
many unique ones. G. Imreh
INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR SCIENCES Date: Jan. 30, 2010

10. ASICC Opening Dinner

CHOCOLATE from page 1
Date: Jan. 22, 2010
I have the distinct feeling the exhibitors were attempting to benefit from the recent Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory movie because there were elf and nymph-like creatures guiding me from
the beginning to end. Although the exhibit is aiming for children, kids of all ages can appreciate Photo Album:
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/asicc2010
the artisanry and creativity of the pieces on display. The exhibit runs until October 10, 2010.

J.G. Shellnutt INSTITUTE OF EARTH SCIENCES