Favourite Song of the Moment

Jack Johnson never ceases to amaze me with the beauty and depth of his music. I had this song on replay all day today, this obsession isn't dying out anywhere soon. =)

Things that Inspire Me.

Sometimes we all need a little reminder that dreams are worth pursuing.

Greg Mortenson



Bryce Courtenay: The Power of One
A favorite since encountering it in Borders, Auckland, New Zealand in 2004.




每当夜间疲倦，正想偷懒时，仰面在灯光中瞥见他黑瘦的面貌，似乎正要说出抑扬顿挫的话来，便使我忽又良心发现，而且增加勇气了，于是点上一枝烟，再继续写些为“正人君子”之流所深恶痛疾的文字。

- 鲁迅 《藤野先生》



Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Henley

浪漫人生

周四晚上无所事事,心血来潮地在指甲上涂了一层OPI In Style Red。经灯光下仔细观察，发现效果果然不错，使整个人都变得更有女人味！ 哈哈！ 在红指甲的启发下，我又翻出化装包，给自己画了个实实在在的”小烟熏“。 正在端详自己的新look,突然想起三毛也是这样化装的。

三毛呀三毛，你害得我好苦。去年夏天刚刚发现《撒哈拉的故事》的那段日子，我简直是读的神魂颠倒、鬼迷心窍。我多么向往你的生活！你逃脱了世俗，不受社会的拘束，与自己的爱人走遍地球上最神秘的土地。我一度曾经做梦都在办理退学手续，然后背上书包不顾一切地去探索一个新世界。我不仅憧憬你的生活经历，也羡慕你的爱情。你和荷西的婚姻虽然不幸地结束了，但是你们曾经拥有的幸福使一切都值得！很多人（包括我的母亲）都认为你其貌不扬，可是我觉得你尤其迷人。你的美丽不是所有人都能欣赏的，可是你独特、超凡脱俗的气质令人难忘。

你过世快20年了。为了纪念你的精神，明天我也要画上黑眼线。但愿有一天，我也能忘掉现代社会中繁琐的事物，在沙漠中欣赏游牧民族的雕刻，寻找着那些被人遗忘了的骆驼骨头。

Thoughts on China's Rise

It's no secret that China's not a favorite of the American public.

In a very insightful paper on trade politics I recently read in class, there was a survey of public opinion on trade with various countries.The exact statistics escape my mind, but I remember being struck by the fact that over 70% thought trade with Canada was a positive thing, 50% thought trade with Japan was a positive thing, and only 15% felt good about trade with China. Why is that? Bear in mind that these people are already ardent supporters of free trade.

If trade is about maximizing welfare gains and benefiting American consumers and producers, does it really matter THAT much who you trade with? Americans are practical, so what makes Japan ok and China utterly unacceptable? You could make an argument about Mao, communism, blah blah blah, but that's in the past. 50 years ago Japan was the yellow peril and got the A-bomb treatment, now Japan is a key ally in the Asia-Pacific region.

So apparently China is a threat. The most popular villain in campaign adds now are not greedy Wall Street Bankers or Al-Qaeda, it's Beijing. This hostility is worrying. Although many optimists feel that this is just a case of "lack of understanding", it is inherently more than that. China is rising, but it is not intending on upsetting the global balance of power. I can't speak for the future, but right now the Chinese government has a lot more to worry about than becoming a superpower to rival the US. Maybe when we solve our own problems of unequal distribution of income, development in rural areas, the gender gap, then we can start thinking about dabbling in global affairs.

It is understandable why China's actions are perceived as threatening. True, we are the cause of massive trade deficits and we spend a bit too much on military expenses, but shouldn't a state have the right to the belated growth that it should have had 100 years ago? China is not an upstart, in fact as one of the oldest civilizations in the world it has the right to be a powerful country like its western counterparts. If a few events had one differently in 1644, our path to growth and modernization would not have been blocked until 1979, but that's evoking too much history and regret. For now, we would appreciate being left alone. Prosperity is a natural right of nations, so why deem it anything else?

Moral Perfection fail.

Why is it that every time I blog, I'm actually in Crerar supposedly writing a paper?
Anyways...

As a person, I am actually pretty easily impressed by things.
I gawk at physics professors and even grad students at work, I'm in awe of all of my own professors this quarter, and when people make intelligent comments in class, I do this 'nod of approval' thing which is totally lame but something I just can't help but do.

But I haven't been this impressed by anyone in a very very long time.

Ben Franklin.

I don't know how anybody can possibly be nerdier than me. I took an interest in something from civ class and read everything I could find on Franklin's life. He is just a remarkable human being. Mathematician, politician, statesman, writer, scientist, how one person could be so intellectually superior at everything is just beyond me. But what impressed me the most is his constant quest for improvement. Others thought the 13 virtues for Moral Perfection were hilarious, I thought they were ingenious. It is certainly very reminiscent of the preachings of Confucius and Mencius. Franklin admitted in his Autobiography that he never managed to achieve all of them. To commemorate his spirit, I decided to evaluate myself on the 13 virtues as outlined by Franklin.

1. Temperance
Eat not to Dullness. Drink not to Elevation.

Well, I certainly don't drink to elevation (except when in Singapore), but there are definitely times when I don't know why the fuck I am eating. Hmmm...

2. Silence
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation.

Having a big mouth isn't one of my problems, but when I think of all the times I wasted gushing over football players or fashion or some movie or just nonsense...it seems that the content of my conversations are more trifling than substance. fail.

3. Order
Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time.

If there is one thing I desperately need in my life. It's order. I am doing better now by rigorously following my planner, but life still isn't as orderly as I like.

4.Resolution
Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

I often make resolutions, but fail to keep them.

5.Frugality
Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself: ie. Waste Nothing

I sincerely try.

6.Industry
Lose no Time. Be always employ'd in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions.

Uh-oh, is blogging necessary? No. Is cranking out that civ paper necessary? Yes. THEN WTF AM I DOING?

7. Sincerity
Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly, and if you speak; speak accordingly.

I may be many things, but I'm not a bitch. In fact, I am often too nice and see good in people that is actually nonexistent. This virtue is impractical for survival in modern society. Franklin fail.

8.Justice
Wrong non, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty.

see above.

9.Moderation
Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Moderation, thanks to the Chineseness ingrained in my spirit, has always been something I abide in.

10. Cleanliness.
Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, clothes or Habitation.

Personal hygiene isn't an issue, but I sense Franklin is telling me, "Go clean THY ROOM. NOW"

11. Tranquility.
Be not disturbed at Trifles, or Accidents common or unavoidable.

ZEN = god

12. Chastity
Rarely use Venery but for health of Offspring

Again, not a problem.

13. Humility.
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Considering Jesus was crucified and Socrates stoned to death for "corrupting the minds of youth", I don't really know what Franklin is getting at here. Most cryptic of all descriptions. Religious figures ain't my cup of tea, but I will happily imitate Socrates for his wit and courage. ^_^

Conclusion: I have A LONG WAY to go before achieving moral perfection. First step should probably be getting off the internet.

我觉得坦途在前，人又何必因了一点小障碍而不走路呢？

回忆

父母常常劝我多照相，说等你毕业后就该后悔没有记录下来大学生活的点点滴滴。我每次都不耐烦地回掉，说太忙，没时间，没什么可照的。其实，他们的用心良苦我怎么不理解。现在每次翻出来高中时的留影，看看几个人那天真的笑容，都能感到一种莫名其妙的幸福。

回想起高中时常自居为“wise beyond my years", 真是又气又笑。那时候与M和P写的模仿New York Times风格的长篇大论还存在电脑里面。翻出来一看，不禁感叹我们当时多么幼稚，也回想起高中时最熟悉的情景。

狮城的5月小雨绵绵，空气中透着闷热。四个人照常放学后去Orchard Road上的starbucks喝冰咖啡。把书包胡乱仍在地上，翘起二郎腿聊个海阔天空。我又在抱怨H - 为什么他真么冷漠，去了澳洲后像变了一个人。R感叹新加坡太小，小的令人窒息，容不下我们这些体验过世界的”international kids"，这就是为何H一定要走。话题转到下周末的SAT - 一直在复习，作题，梦想着满分，为什么？为了考上名牌大学，拿到奖学金，去美国。

M是几个人中最恋家的，她心甘情愿准备留在新加坡。“你们都要走了，难道不会想念这里？想念滴尘不染的街道，路边的大排挡，花园般美丽的城市 ..." 其实，狮城对我们谁来说都不是“真正”的家。P怀念着曼谷，我也忘不了北京，可是这里不是家又是什么？Home is where family is, 何况我们在此度过了多少快乐的时光。

夜深人静的晚上，我总爱怀旧。越来越不能自拔。20岁都不到的人也要怀旧，真是荒唐！ 也罢，白天要面对现实中的一个个未知数，夜里去那无忧无虑的日子“梦游”一下也别有一番滋味。

翻出电话卡给M打个电话吧。