Lan Lijuan

PRESENTER

 

 

Lan Lijuan

Literary journalist

Q & A

Q: How do you start your day?

A: Every morning when I wake up, I like to open the window and read the colors of the sky, saying good morning to the city where I am. If passersby hear me, I just wink. I enjoy listening to the lively bubbling of water boiling in the kettle, having a cup of coffee or mango-flavored rooibos tea, and choosing a piece by Sibelius, Dvořák, or Brahms to stoke the fire in my soul.

Q: Where do you usually hang out?

A: The high-speed rail station—I think of it as a hub that funnels in travelers with dreams.

Q: Which restaurant do you go to most often?

A: At the Stage Tea House on the first floor of the National Theater, people flock there for its great-value braised beef noodle soup with tendon and meat, but I prefer the vegetable-and-pork wonton soup, along with a couple of plates of assorted braised snacks and a glass of sour plum juice.

Q: What do you do for fun after work?

A: Reading: I especially enjoy novels by Nobel Prize in Literature laureates, as well as works by Taiwanese writers. Movies: I prefer films with themes that prompt introspection and reflection, such as Norman and Manchester by the Sea.

Q: What’s a book you’ve read recently? What insights or thoughts did you have after finishing it?

A: *The Remains of the Day*, one of the major works by Kazuo Ishiguro, the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. It tells the story of a butler who, upholding professional dignity and forsaking personal feelings, devotes his entire life to his profession, only to become an accomplice to injustice (the Nazis). In his twilight years, the weathered rocks scrape at his proud memories. As the long day (the rest of his life) draws to a close, his dignity crumbles, raising waves of regret!

This novel has made me even more certain that people should not pursue professionalism at the expense of their conscience, whatever their field. One must first be a good person in order to become a good butler, journalist, doctor, legislator, or chef… Only by using conscience as one’s standard can one avoid being overwhelmed by professionalism.

Q: What motivated you to give up a good job in your early thirties and go to New Zealand to learn winemaking?

A: At the time, I believed that working diligently toward an organization’s goals was an important workplace attitude. But devoting all my time and energy to work threw my life out of balance, and I continued out of habit because I was afraid of change. It was only when my respected mentor died of cancer—he, too, was a perfectionist and a workaholic—that I suddenly realized, “Tomorrow isn’t always guaranteed.” I then asked myself: Pursuing the organization’s goals wholeheartedly is indeed important, but where are my own dreams? And so began a journey to New Zealand’s wine regions to explore myself. (See *Quit Your Job and Make Wine* for more.)

Q: What advice would you give to those who want to change but are afraid of change?

A: On a large sheet of paper (A4 or A3—the bigger the better), write down the following questions: (1) Why do I want to change? (2) What do I want to change? (3) What positive effects will there be after I make the change? (4) What negative consequences might there be? (5) Review your answers to (3) and (4), and ask yourself: What would I lose? If (4) outweighs (3), why do it? If (3) outweighs (4), you don’t need to make a major change; just introduce a few small changes into your daily life to break up your current routine. Draw a nine-square grid on the paper, sketch the things you enjoy, and find ways to fit each of them into your habitual routine. For example, bike to work, get off the subway one stop early each day, or make yourself learn one French sentence every day. Changing the scenery of your life can also create positive effects.

Q: What do you do when you feel stressed or down?

A: Reading. Especially novels by Nobel laureates in literature; they reflect my own life back to me, making me feel less alone.

Q: What do you find most interesting or appealing about Taiwan?

A: Taitung. Have you ever driven or cycled along Provincial Highway 9, taking in the East Coast? It’s the best way to face and embrace the Pacific. The warm, down-to-earth people, the fresh air, and the healing power of nature. One stretch of road leads into the East Rift Valley, where you can also experience the beauty of the land up close. I especially enjoy grass-sledding at Luye Highland and gazing out at the green landscape between the river valley and the plains.

Q: What do you look forward to most when staying at an inn?

A: Friendly and pleasant, with a warm, welcoming reception.

Q: What is your impression of the hotels under Taipei Inn?

A: I’ve stayed at the City Hotel on Section 1, Chang’an East Road. The lobby staff were warm and welcoming. The hotel’s overall design centers on playful, whimsical illustrations. The Point Good team guided and brought together the artwork of people with intellectual disabilities, transforming it into paintings on the walls, as well as illustrations on the window grilles and cushions. Staying there naturally put me in a cheerful mood. For a business hotel, the City Hotel’s breakfast especially exceeded my expectations. It offered a diverse selection suited to East Asian tastes without neglecting Western dietary habits.

Q & A