| H: Right now, your mother… if you really rode home in a motorcycle, how long does it take to travel from Taipei to Tao Yuen? J: Most probably one hour and 30-40 minutes. H: For example, before you ride home, would you first tell your mother “ I’ll be going home…” J: In most cases, I would call first. H: Afterwards, would she prepare you a sumptuous meal… J: I know my mother, once I leave the house, she would start saving. Everyday, eating left over food. I know she will do that. When we meet… I always think, how would I change my mother’s old ways and not let her be always like this. Since she is not feeling well right now, I would say “ It’s all because you refuse to eat more nutritious foods, letting your body absorb nutrients that’s why you are not feeling well.” I always think that way. And when she gets sick, she refuses to see a doctor. And because of this, in wanting to change her ways, I would often argue with her or something like that. I wish my mother will not cause me any more worries. When I went home yesterday, after working for the whole day finishing late, my mother has not been feeling very well lately… H: How is she not feeling well? Bring her for some tests or something J: Right, I thought of doing it too, but I have very little time. Not that I refuse to. Actually, like today, for example, I don’t know if the company told you – originally, I didn’t want to come here but with a very important reason. When I saw my mother yesterday, I was very sad. You know I went home yesterday. It’s because lately I have been preparing for the book. That’s why I had to go home yesterday to get some papers and then had to hurry back for a meeting. When I arrived, my mother was not at home, when she came back later on, I felt so bad when I saw her face. She told me that she had been having upset stomach lately and kept throwing up until her voice became hoarse. It was already night time when I arrived and I thought of bringing her to the hospital. But then, I knew the big hospitals always finish off at daytime. That’s why I thought of bringing my mother over today to see a doctor because for me that is the most important thing to do. H: Right J: But the company told me they are worried that you might be offended; but my thought was very simple. It was because at that instance, I was really worried about my mother. Then yesterday, after seeing her like this, I worry even more. H: We can do something about it. Actually, not necessarily involving you since you still have to line up at the hospital, still have many tests, there should be someone to help you. J: No need, because I just wish to first bring her over so that at least I would feel better knowing what is happening to her and at least find out what is causing her to feel ill. Because my mother is…let me tell you this… even in matters like these, she is still frugal. My mother is afraid to visit doctors. Do you know why? I know that its because from the smallest to the biggest in our family, we are all afraid to visit doctors. Because if you visit a doctor and an operation is needed, then you need money for it. Our family is not capable that’s why we are afraid. At anytime, you would be afraid and say what if something suddenly comes up and your body gets sick with something, then you still have to shoulder the treatment and medicine bills, which for us is really a burden. So my mother still has that idea and simply refuses to see a doctor. I am so angry, do you know that? It was because of yesterday that I got real mad and asked her why she refuses to see the doctor. I tell her seeing a doctor is very normal. Where can you find people who get sick, just buy any medicine and then you think you can better on your own. And even if they do recover, you will never know if the illness might have late manifestations and might do more harm to your body later on. We will never know. I’d rather we go to the doctor. I wish my mother can see this part of the show right now. H: Give me your mother’s phone number J: Did you know that before when I directly requested someone to fetch her, what angers my mother the most is … that she just goes to… not that I’m saying it’s bad, it’s just that it’s too superstitious. My mother goes to “bai bai” (i.e. goes to a temple for worship) and this god would tell her body is like that…because of this, she would believe these things and would not rely on the methods of medical treatment. But I still believe that doctors are more scientific, you cannot say you don’t believe them. It’s not that I have anything against religion; that I can accept, but you don’t let something like this cause us to neglect this aspect of our civilization. The more I think about this, the more I feel sad. Do you believe in the so-called going up the hill to gather medicine? I have gone up the hill once to help my mother gather medicine. (shows scenes from next interview) At the studio: J: Do you believe in the so-called going up the hill to gather medicine? I have gone up the hill onceto help my mother gather medicine. And it is even that kind on the hilltop, I am not lying to you, I swear, it’s funny, whenever I tell it, nobody believes me but it’s true. H: Who gave you the prescription? J: It’s from the place where my mother goes for “bai-bai” ( worship). They said the doctor did not take a good look at my mother, and that “you have to take some herbal medicine”. This herbal medicine cannot be bought from just anywhere, you have to go to a certain hill, I forgot the name of this hill, it’s near our Tao Yuan. This mountain can be found right along the highway, you know it’s very dangerous. Then they said she has to gather this herbal medicine from the hilltop. I don’t know the name of this medicine but you have to uproot it one by one. My mother can only eat this kind of medicine. H: But in the end, was it effective? J: You can say it was ok but I don’t know if it was effective or not but she did not say anything after that. If she can use this means, then it must be right. But I am afraid that… H: Sometimes, it’s all in the mind. J: Right. Everybody says the god is very accurate. Of course, I approve of your going to worship there. All we ask is that there be good faith but I would still like help on her health through scientific means and from there we proceed using both ways. At that time, I just started in the business and still had some free time on my hands to help her get that medicine. But the more I thought about it, that my mother relies solely on this medicine, the more it worries me. That to see my mother go on like this is not the right way. H: Worrying is useless, you have to act. J: Actually, I told the company yesterday I was thinking of not attending today’s talk, but it also did not occur to me that I might be misunderstood again. But I was simply expressing my thoughts and I told them later on I have to leave in a hurry in order to will bring my mother to the doctor. This time, I requested the company’s car because I have no car and I can’t bring my mother in a motorbike. I just asked the company to bring me home in a car so I can bring my mother to see the doctor. H: I have a car and a driver who can bring you too. J: No need, our company has already. I hope this program can help my mother know that I do not wish to have any more arguments on this matter. And what I have said today is all for her own good. I don’t want her to go through anything H: It’s not even intended as a luxury for her. You just want her to protect her body … |