Good Morning with Earthquake Call, Today!

As I settle into my favorite corner of the local coffee shop, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, I can’t help but chuckle at the unconventional alarm clock that roused me this morning. The National Alarm Warning on my phone, with its urgent beeps, announced yet another earthquake in Taiwan. It’s a peculiar way to start the day, but one we’ve grown oddly accustomed to in our island home.

As I take my first sip of coffee, savoring its comforting warmth, my mind wanders to the recent headlines. Taiwan’s government has finally publicly admitted what we’ve all known for a while – our struggle with huge electricity support. It’s a candid acknowledgment, refreshing in its honesty, yet tinged with concern for our future.

The café buzzes with the usual morning chatter, and I overhear snippets of conversation about the latest iPhone. It makes me wonder – do we really need iPhone 19, 20, or whatever comes next? Most of us barely scratch the surface of our smartphones’ capabilities. Social media, photography, emails, web browsing – what else do we truly need? It’s a thought that lingers as I watch patrons tapping away on their devices.

As I people-watch, a personal observation bubbles up, bringing a smile to my face. Want to be president? The recipe seems simple – go bankrupt a few times and make sure you’re seen jogging every morning! It’s a jest, of course, but one that speaks volumes about the image-driven nature of modern politics.

The news playing softly in the background catches my attention. TSMC, our technological pride, continues to make headlines with its impressive growth projections – a steady 23% year-over-year increase until 2028. It’s a beacon of progress in these uncertain times, a reminder of Taiwan’s resilience and innovation.

My thoughts take a more somber turn as I remember a friend who recently lost her husband. Her story, coupled with snippets of conversation I’ve overheard here in the café, paints an interesting picture of our evolving society. It seems some retirees are finding renewed purpose in the government’s long-term care system, often outperforming younger generations and foreign workers. Perhaps it’s the empathy that comes with age and experience.

As I order another coffee, I can’t help but feel it’s a bit more bitter today. The world seems in disarray, with intractable disputes and a political landscape that feels increasingly disconnected from the people it serves. Elections have become more akin to TikTok trends, focused on public relations and showmanship rather than substance.

In this climate of uncertainty, I find myself hoping for a world that settles into peace soon. It’s easy to point fingers at greedy politicians and their blind followers, but perhaps what we really need is to shift our focus. Maybe it’s time to write more about mental health and meditation, helping people release pressure and anxiety. After all, we don’t need heroes; we need ordinary people doing their best to live by the law.

As I prepare to leave the café, I reach for my earbuds, queuing up my personal pick-me-up – the timeless “Hotel California.” Its familiar chords remind me that while we can’t always control the world around us, we can choose how we respond to it.

In the face of earthquakes, political uncertainties, and technological overload, perhaps the best approach is to ground ourselves in the simple things – a cup of coffee, a favorite song, and the resilience to face whatever the day may bring. After all, in Taiwan, even an earthquake can’t shake our spirit for long.