A Freshwater Fish--Sepat

Typhoon Sepat is roaring over the Pacific Ocean with sustained winds of 184 kilometers and gusts of 227 kilometers. Accordling to Central Weather Bureau, it'll be the strongest storm to threaten Taiwan this year. Many authorities announced the cancel of weekend activities, so was the Share the Spirit Concert postponed till next weekend.

But, what is Sepat, the name of the super typhoon? As of 1 January 2000, tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific basin are now being named from a new and very different list of names. The new names are Asian names and were contributed by all the nations and territories that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee. The names by and large are not personal names. There are a few men's and women's names, but the majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, or even foods, etc, while some are descriptive adjectives. Sepat is a Malaysian word for a freshwater fish.

As Sepat is picking up energy as it moves over the ocean and turn into a super typhoon, a storm can wash out everything not made of cement or steel with that wind. Golden ladies Toastmasters might be forced to cancel our reading gathering in August as well. I'm still praying for the possibility to have our monthly gathering in Taipei on schedule, no matter how bad the typhoon could hit Taiwan.

No doubt, the power of nature is immense. All scheduled activities must be either postponed or cancelled. Of course, some lucky people can still carry out their activities as planned at home. Less fortunate people must fight hard with the natural disasters to protect their sweet homes.

When I was a child, I simply loved Typhoon holidays. No school, no homework, plenty of free time to play with friends in the neighborhood. Today, I still like typhoon days in a unique way, I could feel the strong wind blowing the windows. I love to walk in the rain to feel the rain drop hard on the umbrella.

I never miss the chance to ride my bike on the streets after a typhoon, to see the falling signs on the streets. Some trees fall down. Some trunks are broken into half. The road is messy with garbages everywhere. But there is a tranquility in the air after the tempest. In no time, everything will return to normal routine-hustle and bustle again. Doesn't it remind you of the unexpected romantic love, somehow? No matter how strong the intensity might be, it will subside eventually.

I always believe a word has a meaning in itself. Just imagine how a freshwater fish is going to sweep Taiwan this weekend. I'm curious about the passions and emotions of Sepat. I look forward to its power to transform me into a playful mermaid! Sherry