One afternoon, the author interviewed one of the women at the elderly care center. The woman that was interviewed is currently 84 years old who lives a happy life where she goes to the elderly day care on some days. On the others, she would go up to the Rizhao Center (a learning center established by the government for the elderly). When she does go to the care center, she usually spends her time in the care center playing Rummikub (A board game where players take turns placing numbered tiles in runs and groups click to see Rummikub website) and talking with her friends. Sometimes they have singing activities in the care center but she has expressed her dislike for singing. She can understand chinese but usually speak Taiwanese. On the days she goes to the care center, she would take the taxi. Her house is not far from the care center allowing her to take the taxi.

She did not say much about her early years. However, she spoke mainly Taiwanese which the interviewer did not understand much. From what the interviewer understood, she mentioned that she was able to graduate from elementry school after the war ended. That made sense because at that time it was already mandatory that kids go to school (Republic of China (Taiwan), Republic of, n.d.). To give more context, the Japanese forces in Taiwan were ordered to surrender unconditionally to the government of the Republic of China (SCAP General Order no. 1, 2002). When asked of her thoughts about war, she felt very strongly that there should be no war and there should be peace. She recalls that sometimes, she would need to go hide in bomb shelters when there was war. After graduating, she said that she would cook for her family. When asked of what she liked to cook, the only thing the interviewer could undestand was she cooked meat balls. She also wanted to say something else but the interviewer could not understand. The interviewer should go practice more Taiwanese. At that time, she also mentioned that sometimes she would learn to sew clothes but did not sell clothes. She also mentioned that she did not work outside. When asked what she liked to eat likes to eat, she says she can eat anything and that she did have a preferance. During our conversation, she also mentioned that she was vegetarian. She explained that she joined a religion where being vegetarian was a requirement. That is very interesting because at that time people ate anything and being vegetarian is probably expensive now. 60 years ago, it might have been so expensive that most people cannot afford it She also shared about her love for tai-chi. When she was younger, she would take the bus up Yuanshan mountain as for as she could. Then she would hike the rest of the way up. After getting up the mountain she would practice tai-chi. Then, she would go to the temple and read the chinese bible (Sutra). When asked if she could demonstrate, she declined as she could not stand for long periods of time before getting tired.

She then started to look sad. She shared that her memory is getting worse. She then talked to us about her headache problems. She said that she went to the hospital because of her headaches but the hospital could not find a reason for her headaches. Not wanting to continue talking about this sad topic, the interviewer asked about her family. That was something she was quite willing to talk about it. First, she mentioned that she was a greatgrandmother. Then, she told us about her 2 sons and 2 daughters, who were 50-70 years old. She also mentioned that she had 4 other siblings. One younger and three older, who have left. Furthermore, she mentioned her deceased husband who left about ten years ago. The interviewer did not understand enough Taiwanese to understand the story of how they met. Next, we talked about her friends there. She pointed out a few other old ladies who play Rummikub with her.

Next, she shared about her life in the present, she lives with her youngest son and she currently has plans to continue going to the care center and reading the chinese bibles in YuanShan temple. However, she has no plans to quit being a vegetarian because she says that she is used to it. She also has decided to continue playing Rummikub and things like dramas and news on TV. When being interviewed she was very cooperative and elaborated on her points which gave the interviewer the feeling that she was a kind and caring woman. Before ending the interview, she mentioned that one of the things that made her really happy was hearing her children get good grades at school and she also mentioned her family a lot in very loving ways. It is clear that she is very proud of the people her loved ones have grown into.

1. China (Taiwan), M. of F. A., Republic of. (1966, April 1). Fair of Face—And FREE [Website]. Taiwan Today; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=12&post=23309

2. SCAP General Order no. 1. (2002, October 14). https://web.archive.org/web/20021014090104/http://taiwandocuments.org/surrender05.htm

3. File:School for Taiwan Natives.JPG - Wikipedia. (28 April 20008). Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:School_for_Taiwan_Natives.JPG

4. Mat Distef. (2018). Women at work [Photo]. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mathieu_distefano/42445439612/

5. Lane, G. (1945). 5a8f72d4f0eb8.jpg (JPEG Image, 640 × 457 pixels). Flickr. https://tnimage.s3.hicloud.net.tw/photos/shares/5a8f72d4f0eb8.jpg