Through the Cyberfair project I’ve learned the origin and the structure of palanquins, a knowledge which can’t be learned from the school text.

        Also, my most memorable moment was seeing the master finish carving a pattern within seconds. That was awesome! Although it seemed easy, but I am sure that in real life it is very difficult. Due to safety reasons we were not allowed to experience it for ourselves. None the less, this is still a valuable experience. Later, the master gave us an introduction on the structure of a palanquin. We even went to visit the palanquin factory. Although the machines were really fast, but the work of a machine can’t replace the delicate workmanship of the carving masters.

         Since we all grew up in Fuhsing Township, it’s very unfortunate that we didn’t know anything about the culture of our town! Therefore, this semester our instructing teacher taught us to use PPT to do a presentation on the origin and different types of palanquins for the students and teachers of the entire school. When we first started the presentation, we were very nervous and were afraid to read out loud. However, after we’ve answered a few questions it didn’t seem so scary anymore, and we were able to report out loud. After the presentation I felt glad that everybody now has a basic knowledge of holy palanquin.

          By taking part in the Cyberfair project, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge. I would like to thank our school principal and instructing teacher for giving me this wonderful chance. Finally I wish our team, the “Screaming Palanquins”, would do well in the competition.

       When I first found out that I was chosen to take part in the Cyberfair project I was very nervous. After all I’ve never heard of Cyberfair. What is it? What do I have to do? How much time does it take to finish? With anxiety and excitement, I started my journey on the Cyberfair project.

        First, we went to the principal’s office to discuss the project topic. It was after this that I had a sense of what we were doing. Our teachers gave us lots of encouragements, telling us not to be nervous. Then we started the project and did many things. The thing which I find most interesting is the making of the recycled palanquin, which we worked together to complete. Some of the classmates drew, some decorated, and some painted. As I watched everybody working together, I felt their determination to complete the project. Finally through the hard works of the team members, the recycled palanquin was complete. After that, we all decided to carry the palanquin we made on the community street parade to pray for blessings. Some people carry the palanquin, some people sound the gong, and there were also some who waved the flags feverishly. Waves of laughter, and the silly way we appeared, made the community residents laugh with joy. The scene was very vibrantly!

         By joining the Cyberfair project, I’ve learned a lot of things, and there is also a greater sense of harmony between the students. I would like to thank our teachers for helping us. I would also like to thank the palanquin masters for giving us knowledge about palanquins. I am glad to be a member of the Cyberfair project team; I truly gained a lot from it!

          I was very anxious when I joined the Cyberfair project, because I heard that you would have to do a lot of things, write a lot of afterthought reports, and visit many places. It sounded like a lot of work. However, after taking part in the project I experienced the joy of great rewards after a period of hard work. I’ve benefited abundantly from it. Although I spent a lot of time interviews and records, I had a fulfilling and unforgettable learning experience.

         The things we did during the making of the Cyberfair project were: visiting Honghua Palanquin Shop, learning to design webpages, learning to collect and applying information from the internet, making mini god statues and recycled palanquin, seeing the Nan Yao Temple pilgrimage parade, taking part in the community street parade, promoting school sports day, selling mini god statues for charity, and visiting Senyuan Palanquin Shop and the Lukang Folk Arts Museum searching for the origin of the palanquins. On top of all that, we also wrote research afterthoughts and presented a report on the findings of the palanquins to the entire school. Through the project I’ve learned many interview techniques, and I also gained a lot of knowledge about the palanquins. This gave me a great sense of accomplishment. Ever since I took part in the Cyberfair project, I am busier. My life is more fulfilled.

         By taking part in the project, I’ve gained a lot of interview skills, and I hope that through our interviews others would get to know this unique industry of our hometown, palanquins.

         When I first found out that I was going to represent the school in the Cyberfair project, I was very nervous, because the topic of the project was on Palanquins, a topic which I knew little of. This would explain my feelings of fear and uncertainty.

         When we were making the recycled palanquin, after we assembled the main components of the palanquin we first painted its interior. Then we coiled the paper dragon we made onto the pillars and fixed it on the palanquin. Later we hung the decorations onto the palanquin. Lastly we made the poles for the carrying of the palanquin. The process may seem easy, but in fact it took us a lot of hard work to get this difficult job done.

          My most memorable memories when taking part in the Cyberfair project was the interviewing of the palanquin masters. During the interviews, I was very nervous, because for the first time I had to interview them as a reporter. This is something which I find extremely difficult. During the interview I tried my best to carefully read out the interview questions, and I was scared that I would make a mistake and make a fool of myself. After carefully listening to the explanations of the masters, I realized that making a palanquin does not only take a lot of time but it is also a lot of hard work. To wrap it up, the making of a palanquin is very challenging!

          By participating in the Cyberfair project, I’ve learned a lot and had also gained a lot of knowledge about palanquins. Lastly, I would like to say that without the devotion and efforts of our principal, teachers, and classmates, we couldn’t have completed the project webpage. I hope through the hard work of everyone we will gain honor and prestige for our school.

          In the beginning of the semester, when I heard that I was chosen by our teacher to take part in the Cyberfair project and that you have to do interviews and collect information about the palanquin, I felt very uneasy. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this mission. Nonetheless, I bit the bullet and went on with the project.

         Since we didn’t have any interview experiences, for the Cyberfair project, our school invited Mandarin Daily News reporter Ms. Cai-feng Chang to instruct on interview techniques. Later we visited and interviewed Taizi Palanquin Shop, Senyuan Palanquin Shop, and Honhua Palanquin Shop. The skillful palanquin masters of the shops gave us a demonstration of some carving techniques. They also explained to us the process of palanquin making. Lastly, we, junior reporters, we interviewed the masters about the palanquins. Things asked were questions such as the history and origin of the palanquins. The masters affectionately explained and answered all our questions. By taking part in the Cyberfair project I’ve gained a lot.

          I am honored to have taken part in this meaningful event. I am astonished by the fact that there were so many valuable palanquin cultural resources in my hometown. It’s something which I never knew. I am very grateful for the wonderful chance the school had granted me. I have learned a lot of knowledge about palanquins, a dying cultural industry. Such a meaningful research should continue and hopefully, one day, the people of the world will see Taiwan’s palanquins and understand the cultural meaning behind them. Through this, the palanquin industry may become a cultural industry which we could look forward to.

          In the beginning of the semester our school principal told us that we were going to take part in the Cyberfair project, and that if we won the competition the prestige and honor would be tremendous! Of course I would give my all to fulfill the expectations of our teachers.

         After discussing with our school teachers and principal we decided to do our project on holy palanquins. Therefore, we started by visiting nearby palanquin stores operated by the Chen Clan. We also made recycled palanquins and joined to the community street parade. What I remembered most was the fact that I was covered with paint during making of the palanquin. It almost drove me nuts. Furthermore, our school principal took us to see the Matzu pilgrimage parade in Shun Tian Temple, Wurih district. On that day the momentum of the parade was immense. On the way we were surrounded by the sound of firecrackers. The impact was unbelievable!

         Through numerous trips our knowledge of holy palanquins has increased day by day. The professor and students of Tunghai University gave us lessons on the making of webpages. At the same time, our school principal also invited Mandarin Daily News reporter Ms. Cai-feng Chang to give us lessons on interview techniques. On top of that as our Cyberfair Project Presentation our teacher also taught us how to make PowerPoint of the introduction of holy palanquins, and let us present it to the entire school.

        Although the Cyberfair project was a lot of hard work, but as long as we give glory to our school, the obstacles we faced meant nothing! We should try to accomplish it at all cost.