Dear 104-01

Thanks 104.01 for a Great 2010 Summer!

Dear 104.01 Students:

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed teaching you a great deal this summer and can't believe tomorrow is already graduation! I am looking forward to seeing you all perform "Bad Romance." I hope you feel you learned this summer and are now more prepared to carry on with your future goals and ambitions. Good luck in your studies and other future endeavors. Feel free to visit me in the IEC and tell me how you are doing if you are continuing as a student at Stony Brook. Take care of yourselves and, as I said in class today, feel free to keep in touch with one another, even after summer session, through this class blog! Good Luck and see you tomorrow.

Best,
Alexandra

Bad Romance Lyrics

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want you leather studded kiss in the scene
And I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad,your bad romance
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your psycho
Your vertical stick
Want you in my room
When your baby is sick
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

Can’t read my, Can’t read my
No he can’t read my poker face
She’s got to love nobody

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends

(French)
I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends

Caught in a bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
and all your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Kung Fu Master

Well, did I surprise you with this topic I choose? I really want to see your facial expression when you are reading this.

Chinese Kung Fu, the fantastic combat skill, is also known as Chinese Material Arts. It is not only about the techniques that teach people how to fight, but also with great philosophy in it. OK, there’s too much to be talked about of Kung Fu, and I want to focus on the most famous Kung Fu master in the world: Bruce Lee, the Kung Fu Master, famous Hollywood Actor and National Hero in China.

Bruce Lee was born in November 27^th 1940 and named Li Zhen Pan as his original Chinese name. He was born in a performer family which means both of his parents are actor/actress. He learned Tai Ji Quan when he was 7 and Yong Chun Quan (these are two branching of Kung Fu) when he was 16 as his Kung Fu foundation. Moreover, he learned some other branching including Shao Lin Kung Fu. These helped him when he built Jeet Kune Do, his own branching, in the following time. He joined some film shooting when he was young but none of them succeed; on the other hand, his Kung Fu quite good, he set up his own Kung Fu School when he was studying in University of Washington.

At that time, Kung Fu was not known by the world until Bruce Lee’s first Kung Fu Movie. In his movie, Bruce Lee made himself famous by the powerful aerial-triple-whirly kick and loud squeaking. After that, the strange squeaking has even become a mark as Bruce Lee., the movie that made people remember his name, was considered very successful in Hong Kong by selling 3 million Hong Kong Dollar. Thereafter, in his movie , he introduced a new weapon to the world: nunchaku (two sticks connected with iron chain). Because of his perfectly performance, nunchaku was once considered a fashionable in America; the police office in some states of the US even taught nunchaku to the cops after the nunchaku fashion swept across America.

So far, he was already quite popular in both Asia and America. However, Hollywood refused Bruce Lee to join them because the reward he asked was too much for an oriental actor in their biased mind. As a strike back, Bruce Lee made himself even more famous by his and with great ticket office income for both them; and that made those bosses of Hollywood have to surrender. After joining Hollywood, Bruce Lee had become well-known all over the world and began his life as a cinemastar.

However, it was really a pity that he died just after he had becoming more successful. He died before he finished his . There are many guesses for how he died, but even until now, there is no conclusion. His death has become a mystery. However, some people said he knew he was dying, because the he designed, he was acting like an peerless Kung Fu master who was trying to get a treasure at the top of a tower with defeating other five masters from other countries. In the end, he found out there’s no treasure but a piece of paper with this sentence: Life is a journey waiting death. No one knows he set up this sentence for purpose or not, but in the end, it became true.

Bruce Lee owned a lot of honor even after his death: Los Angeles city set July 8^th as Bruce Lee Day; Times magazine evaluated him as the Hero and Idol in 20^th century. Moreover, Bruce Lee is also the first Chinese People whose name and image had been printed on USA Stamp; such kind of honor that has only been given to three people as an actor or actress all over the world, they are Marilyn Monroe, Sean Connery (known as 007, James Bond) and Bruce Lee.

A little music, a little life

Before my trip to America, one of my friends asked me wether I am afraid or not, since I was going to a totally strange foreign country without any relatives or friends there. I told her that honestly I felt more excited than terrified, since I couldn't wait to see how my brand new life was going to change me, and I said, " To be more specific, for example, I can't wait to meet the people who is going to appear in my life. I'm expecting what kind of role they are going to play and how they are going to influence my feelings and thinking.''

Similar but not exactly, this feeling occurs to me when I come across a new song. To me, finding a good piece of music is like meeting a new nice person. It can influence not only your mood but

also your life. Listening to a nice song can allow you to understand the feeling the composer wants to express and the culture behind a group of people. I believe it is acknowledged to many people that music can change the atmosphere. Some of them cheer you up when you are discouraged; some of them reminds you of a certain period of time and tells your inner feelings. People believe that melody has something special to do with our neurons and brain, so it is good for pregnant women to listen to music of Mozart, which seems to be helpful to the growth of babies' brain. You can learn more about Neuronal Music here.(http://cns.iaf.cnrs-gif.fr/alain_music.html)

Now I would like to share some music which are different from popular music. Maybe you have already been familiar with some of them. I will provide you with my own opinions and explanations, and hopefully these can make your listening journey more interesting.

The Piano Duet

This is a piece of music comes from an animation

called Corpse Bride. The scene is, the man, also the bridegroom, lied to the bride. She was

heartbreaking, so she played piano alone to relieve her sorrow. The man realized his fault and tried to apologize and comfort her. But it was obvious that the bride would never forgive him no matter what he said. However, smart as he was, he used music as language to express his sorry. You can hear that they were talking to each other by playing a piano duet. Click here to see how things is going on, and you will find out that sometimes music words better that words.

If one song is popular, some music genius will have the interest to create their own version. It is pretty interesting for me to listen to one song played in so many different ways. This fully shows the diversity of music and creativity of musicians. You can do whatever you want with music, and you will be surprised at how much fun music will bring you.

I choose a few of them to share with you. You can search it on youtube if you are interested in that.

Canon

Pachelbel's canon in D Major in original version (

Canon In D Violin Rock(

Canon violin duet

Canon Rock violin

Canon Beatbox [ Piano + Beatbox ]

Pokerface

Sometimes, music can be enjoyable and romantic. In this video, the couple is playing a song in one guitar. You can easily see their fascinating guitar skill and perfect cooperation. Sometimes their hands are really close, sometimes they use one hand to cooperate with each other. They have the same rhythm in their heart and the same dream to pursue. Although the music is fantastic, you won't ignore the smile and laugh on their face. Honestly, this is their way to enjoy their life, no matter they are rich or not.

Click here to see this lovely couple.

Okay, that's it!! Thank you for reading this and you are very welcome to comment on some of this songs!!

Brilliant ancient knowledge

Do you know what it is?!! Have you ever seen it before in your life?!! It is an ancient symbol called Ouroboros which gives us an image of a snake or a dragon swallowing its own tail. It represents the very original power and creature of the universe. As you can see, it's a circle, that is to say, it serves itself, feeds itself, recreates itself, and it is an endless and eternal symbol that plays a big role in religion,culture and sicence and that represents some principles of the universe.

This symbol has been discovered in many different ancient cultures and religions. It has had a very long history. For example, from Plato's description, "The living being had no need of eyes when there was nothing remaining outside hin to be seen; nor of ears when there was nothing to be heard; and there was no surrounding atmosphere to be breathed; nor would there have been any use of organs by the help of which he might receive his food or get rid of what he had already digeated, since there was nothing which went from him or came into hin: for there was nothing beside him. Of design he was created thus, his own waste providing his own food, and all that he did or suffered taking place in and by himself. For the Creator conceived that a being which was self-sufficient would be far more excellent than one which lacked anything; and , as he had no need to take anything or defend himself against any one, the Creator did not think it necessary to bestow upon him hands: nor had he any need of feet, nor of the whole apparatue of walking; but the movement suited to his spherical form was assigned to him, being of all the seven that which is most appropriate to mind and intelligence; and he was made to move in the same manner and on the same spot, within his own limits revolving in a circle. All the other six motions were taken away from him, and he was made not to partake of their deviations. And as this circular movement required no feet, the universe was created without legs and without feet." (Plato, Timaeus, 33;translated by Benjamin jowett)

The description above was quite detailed, and it implied to the original ideal model of the everything; thus, later the alchemists regarded this archetype as the power or the root of the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life. The snake was self-comsuming, self-creating and living in a unknown space, so it didn't need any other supplies because of the obvious immotality and uniqueness of itself. It was 100% recycling utility which is a dream of any technology. Sometimes, I was thinking that what gave the energy to the singularity that led to the big bang, and the Ouroborous gave me a comfort. That is why through millions of years scientists are still attempting to discover a nearly permanent source of energy. They have the dreams of the possibility of everthing. I even wondered if the Ouroboros does exist in some ways that we cannot easily tell.

There are still countless symbols in the world, and in Dan Brown's books , I got to know some excellent ideas of symbols. Thus, here I recommend Dan Brown's novels ,such as Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and The Lost Symbol.

Other bunches of mysticism are Kabbalah (The Tree of Life),Gnosticism, Hermeticism,etc..However, those are beyong my ability to explain clearly.

Here is a video of Kabbalah's tree of life, and I really like the backgroung music...

this is the tree of life.

Kabbalah actually was a modern type of explanatory and practical theory on the Tree of Life. The concept of the Tree of Life is from the Hebrew Bible previously. The tree itself was a system and the branches of the tree implied the different parts of the universe or a single being, and then it showed the connections among those various parts and the ways to being sublime and radiant.

P.S. Any other field derived advantages from those abstract concepts is psychology, especially in Carl Jung's analyses of one's development of personality. I had read about his "Four Archetypes" roughly and he was the one who absorbed the essence of alchemy and applied it to his academic rearches of psychological analyses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBHhSVJ_S6A

Hi, I'll introduce about 'Tango'. I think everybody have experience that heard about 'Tango'. When I was young, I watched the movie 'Scent of a Woman'( I really like movie since when I was young). In the movie, 'Alfred James Pacino'( We usually call him as Al Pacino) is a blind old man who were retired from army. He travel to City(sorry I don't remember it's correct name of city) with a young guy who will take care, because he is blind. Al Pacino did a dance with a young girl who met in the restaurant in short time during their travel. Wow. It was amazing. I couldn't take my eyes off the scene and I thought that I'll learn tango someday. However I realized that someday never will come if I will not take action, so I learn tango about two months. Unfortunately, I prepared another exam last year, so I couldn't learn much things. In StonyBrook University, I found some club and lessons but I couldn't join them because they are canceled with few people. I will start learn tango when I come back to Korea.

As I said I'll introduce about 'Tango'. Tango has history about two hundred years. People think tango were originated three sources. At first it's from Africa slave's dance. They were hauled to Cuba from Africa and introduce their dance to the south american continent. Second source is the Habanera, dance of slaves in Havana(capital of Cuba) in nineteen century. The european accept this dance and call as 'Andalusian Tango' The last source is 'Milonga', dance of the poor in Buenos Aires (capital of the Argentine Republic). These three dances were conbined; therefore tango was born. There are lost of history of tango, but I'll tell about some of them. (p.s : Milonga means the place which people to tango. Tango was the dance for the lower classes at first, because it is gorgeous and erotic dance. However it was getting changed as elegant, and become the important skill in Buenos Aires.

It was the golden age of tango when nineteen century to before W.W.Ⅱ. During the W.W.Ⅱ, tango was getting be dull. After end of war, the tango cafe was opened, but Argentina's young people thought that tango is culture of old people. However many people tried to introduce tango to other people and keep going on.

Here are three movie about tango. First one is 'take the lead'. This movie's tango is good and they do dance passionately. Second one is 'Scent of a Woman', my favorite. Wow I think this movie's tango is awesome. Last one is 'Geraldine Rojas y Pablo Veron'. I didn't watch this, but this video's tango is very general and high quality. I hope you guys will enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6VvR3hkePI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBHhSVJ_S6A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x6xSdfsDPo

Taiwanese traditional Cuisines

My home country, Taiwan, is quite famous for the traditional ''xiao-chi'' ( Xiao-chi translates broadly into snacks or ''small eats'').

''Xiao-chi'' is the one of the most representative local culture in Taiwan, it even shaped the specific diet culture - Night Market Culture, which is also another distinguishing characteristic of my country. In fact, night market culture has become a indispensable part of Taiwanese daily life. You can find there are various kinds of ''xiao-chi'' sold in night markets; the diversity of food will definitely dizzle you!

Now, I would like to introduce few typical ''xiao-chi'' in Taiwan to you.

1. Stinky tofu

Undoubtedly,Stinky tofu is the most famous ''xiao-chi'' in Taiwan. It is well known all over the world for its ''unusual'' smell. The speciality of this dish is the use of fermented tofu, which causes the strong flaver of Stinky tofu. I know most of the foreign people don’t dare to taste this dish; however, I strongly advice you to give it a try if ther is a chance. I bet you will like it!

2.Beef noodles

Beef Noodle is another representative gourmet in Taiwan. It is a kind of Chinese noodle soup made of stewed beef, beef broth, vegetables and Chinese noodles. Chinese noodles looks similar with Spaghetti ; however, the taste is quite different with Western-style noodles.

3. Oyster omelet

Although Oyster omelet is not as famous as Stinky tofu, it is a really popular ''xiao-chi'' in night markets. Oyster omelet is composed of oysters, eggs, vegetables, and potato starch. People usually enjoy it with some souse. The English name of this dish is ''Oyster omelet'', but it actually tastes differently with the western omelet, the ingredients are different as well.

4.Coffin

This dish may sound frightening, but it is very delicious! The name-''coffin'' came from its appearance; the hollow toast looks like a coffin. We fill seafood, vegetables ,and stew meat in the hollow toast.

5. Bubble tea (pearl milk tea)

Bubble tea is originated from Taichung, Taiwan. This drink consists of iced tea, milk, and tapioca; the black balls at the bottom of the cup are made of tapioca. The origin of given name ''pearl milk tea'' is due to the symbolization of the black ball-pearl.

These days, when I was in the New York City, I saw Bubble tea shop!I felt honor for Bubble tea!

6. Doubled layer roll (sausage)

The Doubled layer roll looks like the hot-dog roll here in America.

The inner sausage is pork sausage; the outer part is rice roll.

It is an old-time flavor of Taiwan; usually char-grilled.

7.Braised pork rice

Braised pork rice is a food with great significance in Taiwan. It looks quite ordinary; however, it brings olderly Taiwanese back memories of times. In the ancient poverty ages, rice with meat juice is the main food in Taiwan.

These are some typical representive ''xiao-chi'' in Taiwan; they are only the tiny part of variety of Taiwanese food. If you ask me which dish I like most, I really can not make the choice. I like them all indeed!

If you have an opportunity to travel in Taiwan in the future, you must go to the night markets. They are worth to visit! There are various kinds of food offered and you can have them with the very low prices. From the bottom of my heart, I strongly recommend you to experience the night market culture in Taiwan!

Any comment is welcome.Thank you for yor reading!

The European Music

Which musician do you like most? Bach, Mozart or Beethoven? We almost know lots of musicians which come from European music. European music has begun developed from the Renaissance. These are 3 main periods of music to identify European music which is Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. These periods music has different styles, texture, and rhythm even different compositions by typical musicians. Different periods of music represent different culture and history, they also represent the kind of music is popular in European music.

Because the reason I play the piano, I know lots of the european music, and like them especially the romantic music. I'd like to talk about the european music.

Baroque belongs to the much decorated style of music that was common in European in the 17^th century. The typical musician of Baroque period is Johann Sebastian Bach (Mar 21, 1685- July 28, 1750), from 1700 he had several positions like singer, violinist and organist. Much of his music contains an extremely convincing of the two styles. At St.thomas he wrote more than 200 church compositions. His orchestral works include the six Brandenburg concertos, four orchestral concertos, and many harpsichord concertos, a format he invented. Today, Bach is considered as the greatest composer of the Baroque era, and the greatest composer of all time. During the period, composers and performers used more tiny musical decoration, made changes in musical item, and developed new instrumental playing techniques. Baroque music extended the size, range, and complexity of instrumental performance, and also established opera as a musical style. Many musical terms and concepts from this era are still in use today.

(this link is about some sample music of Baroque music with some introduction)

The Classical period, from about 1750 to 1820, established many of the forms of composition, presentation and style. In the classical period, the piano became the main keyboard instrument. However, the term classical music is used to describe a variety of Western musical styles from the ninth century to the present, and especially from the sixteenth or seventeenth to the nineteenth. In the middle of the 18th century , Europe began to move towards a new style in archecture, literature, and the arts, generally known as Classism. That make music moved away from the Baroque period, towards a style where a melody over a subordinate harmony. Classical music has a lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music and is less complex. The typical musician of classical periods is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Jan 27, 1756-Dec 5, 1791). In his last year he composed the opera The Magic Flute and his great Requiem. Despite his success, he always lacked money and had to borrow heavily from friends.


(The sample music of classical period)

The Romantic movement in music agree with a general Romantic movement in all arts. At this period, the arts of literature and painting began to influence music. In the Romantic era, music achieved lyric or sensible meaning. Romantic music struggled to increase emotional expression and power to describe these deeper truths, it saved even extended the formal structures from the classical period. The romantic music has a freedom in form and design and more intense personal expression of emotion in which fantasy, imagination. The Romantic era produced many great composers whose names and music are still familiar and popular today. Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Schubert, Chopin, and Wagner are perhaps the most well-known, but there are plenty of others who may also be familiar, including Strauss, Verdi, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Puccini, and Maishler. These composers are i most like. The typical musician is Ludwig van Beethoven, the most famous composer of all, is harder to replace. His early works are from the Classical period and are clearly Classical in style. But his later music, including the majority of his most famous music, is just as clearly Romantic.

(the sample music of The Romantic period music)

European music had developed for a long time. Baroque, Classical and Romantic, these are different periods have different contributions for European music. Most western music based on these periods of music. It is fun to classify and explode music, even other area music.

Thanks for your reading, do you guys know more about the European music?

How's your feelings ? And do you have some favorite musicans?

What do you think about the European music? What kind of music do you like?

Leave some comments....