Annotations from Peers

From Gabrielle:

"I love the choice you made for your text and really appreciated the thought you put into your object label (especially when you wrote: "This is an important text for me as it serves as an opportunity for me to connect with my grandfather in a new regard – to be able to learn more about his career successes and life story. In addition, I would like to find a way to preserve this text in hopes of passing my grandfather’s legacy down through future generations of the Cheng family.") I am curious about ways in which you have already connected with your grandfather, if this is "in a new regard" -- has he told you stories about his past career experiences before? What life lessons have you drawn from his example? I think I'm wondering where you can bring in a little more of what personal impact he has had on you/why you chose his speech, because it's such a unique and personal text!" 

From Jay:

"Of course such a good relationship was built through continuous efforts of our seniors in the past. We, as successors, both in Taiwan and Japan have responsibility to broaden and deepen such a good relationship."

One of the striking things about this speech is his humility and the extent to which Mr. Cheng attributes success not to himself, but to the people around him, including Ambassador Tarui and the people before him who had helped to set up good relations into the future. In receiving such a prestigious award, my first reaction would certainly be to get a swelled head and unrealistic idea about my greatness and accomplishments––it's inspiring to see him spend the whole speech attributing success to the people around him, in addition to pointing out all the work that he still has to do."