starting from a river dam at the base of the hike
hiking up!
peek a boo
shouting to fellow hikers at the other peaks
a small celebration~
the three of us
Running up!
chillin'
jumpin'
my inner 孙悟空...
what a view!
a message on the great wall :P
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Great Wall
starting from a river dam at the base of the hike
hiking up!
peek a boo
shouting to fellow hikers at the other peaks
a small celebration~
the three of us
Running up!
chillin'
jumpin'
my inner 孙悟空...
what a view!
a message on the great wall :P
My aunt visits Beijing!
This past week, my aunt came to visit me for about 6 days. She is the most interminably energetic person I have ever met, and while I am currently absolutely exhausted, we also had a lot of fun.
Forbidden Palace
Floatin'/Rapturin'
Some obscure corner in the concubine sleeping quarters
Resting in style
The long corridor at Beihai Park
How many goldfish do you spy?
Spinning the prayer wheel at the Llama Temple
failed jump pic
Olympic swimming pool
Forbidden Palace
Floatin'/Rapturin'
Some obscure corner in the concubine sleeping quarters
Resting in style
The long corridor at Beihai Park
How many goldfish do you spy?
Spinning the prayer wheel at the Llama Temple
failed jump pic
Olympic swimming pool
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Being in Chaoyang
For some reason, I am much happier in Beijing now that I've relocated from Haidian to Chaoyang. I think it has to do, for the most part, with who is around me. Back at Haidian, I felt like I was all alone with all of the ACC students gone. In Chaoyang, I've started anew and I'm feeling very refreshed (even in my cramped room). I also feel calmer and more collected. I think a change of scenery was just what I needed.
I really enjoy Chaoyang also because I have friends here and things to do. One of the biggest perks is that my friend from ACC, Jason lives like a 3 minute bike ride away from my house, and he and his bf Liliang, often invite me over to their house for home-cooked dinner/to hang out.
I've also joined a badminton club, for funsies on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Moreover, I have discovered daily routines, such as morning stretching exercises and nightly meditation exercises. Most of all, I feel like I'm just flowing, removed from things that could normally cause me stress.
I really enjoy Chaoyang also because I have friends here and things to do. One of the biggest perks is that my friend from ACC, Jason lives like a 3 minute bike ride away from my house, and he and his bf Liliang, often invite me over to their house for home-cooked dinner/to hang out.
I've also joined a badminton club, for funsies on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Moreover, I have discovered daily routines, such as morning stretching exercises and nightly meditation exercises. Most of all, I feel like I'm just flowing, removed from things that could normally cause me stress.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Buddhist Wedding
Today I was invited to a Buddhist wedding by one of my friends. It was hosted at a vegetarian restaurant (aka Buddhist restaurant near Wangfujing). I didn't know the bride or groom, other than that they met at one of Beijing's many Buddhist club's singles mixer event. It was an interesting exposure to 1) weddings (fun fact, I've never attended a wedding as an honest to god guest, but have a serial propensity for crashing weddings), 2) Buddhist culture in Beijing (a differences in outlook and also strong emphasis on preserving traditional culture), and 3) online-real life social fabric. Many people who attended this wedding did not know the couple personally (which might seem a bit strange at first).
Thursday, June 9, 2011
too late...
1) I kind of wish I were a double major in Statistics...I really enjoyed math in high school and I've real hard science in my education curriculum
- an alternative reason is that I wish I knew how to do Data Mining.
2) My environmental studies senior essay is leaning towards becoming an East Asia Studies or Poli Sci senior essay...
I think overall, my Environmental Studies major has broadened my world views and introduced me to many new novel concepts that I would otherwise have not encountered, for that, I am grateful for. However, at the same time, coming across so many other things that people are learning about has made me regretful that I did not have the opportunity to learn more indepth about those topics as well.
Perhaps in my last year at college I should cut down on some of my liberal artsy classes and focus on a few more quantitative classes.
- an alternative reason is that I wish I knew how to do Data Mining.
2) My environmental studies senior essay is leaning towards becoming an East Asia Studies or Poli Sci senior essay...
I think overall, my Environmental Studies major has broadened my world views and introduced me to many new novel concepts that I would otherwise have not encountered, for that, I am grateful for. However, at the same time, coming across so many other things that people are learning about has made me regretful that I did not have the opportunity to learn more indepth about those topics as well.
Perhaps in my last year at college I should cut down on some of my liberal artsy classes and focus on a few more quantitative classes.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
What is going on America?!
I'm a little bit out of the loop with things going on the US because of distance, but everyday I try to read the news and today, article titles abound really frightened me and set me off with exclamation marks!
"World on U.S. Debt Default: ‘Frightening,’ ‘Huge Panic Globally’"
I hope that most of you guys have been following the US's government's financial situation because it seems to me one of the most crucial moments of modern history.
Why do I think its so important? We'll have to start with 2008. In 2008, the economic downturn was the result of lax lending on the part of the homeowner industry, or to put it more simply the result of a seemingly growing American habit of "spending more than you have and making up for the difference in borrowing." In the end, when housing prices came to a plateau, people could only default on their debts and allow banks to take back their homes and sell them as foreclosure homes (I happened to be working in office of a mortgage consultant--one who helps to sell these foreclosed homes--in the summer of 2008, when this was happening).
This totally irresponsible habit on an individual level and on an institutional level (let's not forget the banks) has proved dangerous for the US and the world, sinking both a whirlwind of economic downturn, but now there are serious talks in Congress (proposed by Republicans to scare America into cutting its spending budget) of the US government defaulting on its 15 trillion dollars of debt. Apparently, the lesson of how defaulting on debt in America can disastrously send the world into economic chaos, destabilize governments, create unemployment and poverty around the world was not learned (I should think that it cannot have been forgotten after just 2 years).
Reading news headlines from the US (I begin to wonder if I should read news at all; there seems to be an abundance of unpleasant scandals), I can't help but look at America with incredulity. Perhaps the safety of home and the normality of Santa Barbara's exclusive bubble will assure me, but from a global perspective, America needs to get its act together.
In a conversation with my dad, nearly a year ago last August, I remember him positing the potential benefits to the US if it were to engage in war with China, with the first major benefit being that the US could default on its debt to the enemy country. I laughed out loud and brushed aside the possibility as totally improbable. First, how could a gargantuan superpower like the US default on its debt? Second, there is no way that they would do enter into war with China just to default on debt--it's so dishonorable. But it was always set uneasily with me as the US economic situation continued to worsen. The US has entered in a few wars in our recent times without any real justification (all under another name of course may it be liberation or WMDs). It is plain to see that the war in Iraq is largely because of oil, but it was still done and it is still going on. If the security of cheap oil is worth a war with Iraq, is 3 trillion US dollars worth a war with China (perhaps it could be under the banner of Taiwan liberation? Human Rights? democracy for the Chinese people?)?
This is all silly talk and hypothetical's over brunch, but our current political leaders don't give me much material to be confident in. I like to keep up with Royal Gossip from the UK, but lately, I don't even need to read those trashy tabloids because there is plenty of scandalous buzz just from the US. While Royal Gossip, I would contend makes little impact on the state of the UK (they kind of seem like silly hat-wearing figureheads in comparison to the actual legislative powers), the gossip and scandals surrounding US politicians is much more serious because these are our democratically elected leaders who vote on legislation that affects the course of the nation. If one after the other, they can't be counted on to be faithful to their wives and families, how are we suppose to have trust in their "claimed" moral character? John Edwards cheated on his wife who had incurable breast cancer, while running for Presidency ( I repeat, PRESIDENCY) on the FAMILY MAN ballot--holy fuck, how did he live with himself and his inconsistencies?
Arnold cheated with the nanny and had a kid, and then continued to employ her in the household for 13 more years! Just imagine how must his wife have felt, knowing that she (and Arnold!) lived for 20 years under the same roof as the woman who he cheated on her and had a kid with and also allowed her to be the caretaker of their kids!
And now we have an extra-special Congressmen like Mr. Weiner who likes to partake in the hobby of sending pictures of his crotch to females over the internet. He, amazingly enough has been married for less than a year! I'm not saying that men don't cheat on their wives, because it seems like it happens a lot, but the ones who do are scums and definitely should not be the leaders of the US. Get your act together American politicians before you tarnish the national image (or is it already too late) and make America seem like a land of men ruled by stupidity and impulsive behavior.
I'm not the only one who is feeling a bit pessimistic about the US. Recent survey data collected by the Pew shows that a full 66% of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction the nation is going. Read here for the Pew report (have I mentioned lately how I've gotten into survey data? a bit of a strange hobbie).
Morning Rant Out.
Jon Stewart's lighter-hearted spin on this:
"World on U.S. Debt Default: ‘Frightening,’ ‘Huge Panic Globally’"
I hope that most of you guys have been following the US's government's financial situation because it seems to me one of the most crucial moments of modern history.
Why do I think its so important? We'll have to start with 2008. In 2008, the economic downturn was the result of lax lending on the part of the homeowner industry, or to put it more simply the result of a seemingly growing American habit of "spending more than you have and making up for the difference in borrowing." In the end, when housing prices came to a plateau, people could only default on their debts and allow banks to take back their homes and sell them as foreclosure homes (I happened to be working in office of a mortgage consultant--one who helps to sell these foreclosed homes--in the summer of 2008, when this was happening).
This totally irresponsible habit on an individual level and on an institutional level (let's not forget the banks) has proved dangerous for the US and the world, sinking both a whirlwind of economic downturn, but now there are serious talks in Congress (proposed by Republicans to scare America into cutting its spending budget) of the US government defaulting on its 15 trillion dollars of debt. Apparently, the lesson of how defaulting on debt in America can disastrously send the world into economic chaos, destabilize governments, create unemployment and poverty around the world was not learned (I should think that it cannot have been forgotten after just 2 years).
Reading news headlines from the US (I begin to wonder if I should read news at all; there seems to be an abundance of unpleasant scandals), I can't help but look at America with incredulity. Perhaps the safety of home and the normality of Santa Barbara's exclusive bubble will assure me, but from a global perspective, America needs to get its act together.
In a conversation with my dad, nearly a year ago last August, I remember him positing the potential benefits to the US if it were to engage in war with China, with the first major benefit being that the US could default on its debt to the enemy country. I laughed out loud and brushed aside the possibility as totally improbable. First, how could a gargantuan superpower like the US default on its debt? Second, there is no way that they would do enter into war with China just to default on debt--it's so dishonorable. But it was always set uneasily with me as the US economic situation continued to worsen. The US has entered in a few wars in our recent times without any real justification (all under another name of course may it be liberation or WMDs). It is plain to see that the war in Iraq is largely because of oil, but it was still done and it is still going on. If the security of cheap oil is worth a war with Iraq, is 3 trillion US dollars worth a war with China (perhaps it could be under the banner of Taiwan liberation? Human Rights? democracy for the Chinese people?)?
This is all silly talk and hypothetical's over brunch, but our current political leaders don't give me much material to be confident in. I like to keep up with Royal Gossip from the UK, but lately, I don't even need to read those trashy tabloids because there is plenty of scandalous buzz just from the US. While Royal Gossip, I would contend makes little impact on the state of the UK (they kind of seem like silly hat-wearing figureheads in comparison to the actual legislative powers), the gossip and scandals surrounding US politicians is much more serious because these are our democratically elected leaders who vote on legislation that affects the course of the nation. If one after the other, they can't be counted on to be faithful to their wives and families, how are we suppose to have trust in their "claimed" moral character? John Edwards cheated on his wife who had incurable breast cancer, while running for Presidency ( I repeat, PRESIDENCY) on the FAMILY MAN ballot--holy fuck, how did he live with himself and his inconsistencies?
Arnold cheated with the nanny and had a kid, and then continued to employ her in the household for 13 more years! Just imagine how must his wife have felt, knowing that she (and Arnold!) lived for 20 years under the same roof as the woman who he cheated on her and had a kid with and also allowed her to be the caretaker of their kids!
And now we have an extra-special Congressmen like Mr. Weiner who likes to partake in the hobby of sending pictures of his crotch to females over the internet. He, amazingly enough has been married for less than a year! I'm not saying that men don't cheat on their wives, because it seems like it happens a lot, but the ones who do are scums and definitely should not be the leaders of the US. Get your act together American politicians before you tarnish the national image (or is it already too late) and make America seem like a land of men ruled by stupidity and impulsive behavior.
I'm not the only one who is feeling a bit pessimistic about the US. Recent survey data collected by the Pew shows that a full 66% of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction the nation is going. Read here for the Pew report (have I mentioned lately how I've gotten into survey data? a bit of a strange hobbie).
Morning Rant Out.
Jon Stewart's lighter-hearted spin on this:
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Temple of Heaven
Last night, I fell asleep to lightning flickering across the night sky without rest. One after the other, they came, at such rapid frequency that there could have been a lighthouse outside my window and I wouldn't have questioned it (stranger things are possible in Beijing). The weather this morning was a whole different story. I knew it was going to be wonderful before I even opened my window. And indeed, following the giant thunder storm, Beijing had nothing to offer by the rare blues skies and crisp air. I had to go outside. Where to? I decided to revisit the most inspiring architecture in Beijing-- the Temple of Heaven.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Go Li Na 李娜!
I don't follow tennis, or that many sports in general, but way to go Li Na for making history. Chinese female maverick ftw.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
At my aunt's house
Going around digging up old pictures of my cousins :)
Same two cousins in the bakery photo
More cousins!
Bakery cousin being adorable!
Same two cousins in the bakery photo
More cousins!
Bakery cousin being adorable!
面包房
好吃好吃！Visiting my cousin's bakery!
cousin (refer to child drinker in the post below) and cousin (bakery owner)
mmmmm
a little community garden outside of the residential building opposite of his bakery
the making of 凉皮!
and all done!
cousin (refer to child drinker in the post below) and cousin (bakery owner)
mmmmm
a little community garden outside of the residential building opposite of his bakery
the making of 凉皮!
and all done!
Going home
I was very happy to have gone home this weekend! Once again, I heard a lot of stories and learned a lot more about our family. Even though I'm not around most of the time, I think I can be our generation's oral historian. :) For example, I now know all about our family's superstitions, my grandmother's fortune-telling/possessed friend, my uncle's encounter with a white fox that then reappeared before him as an old man with crazy white hair and a very long beard. ahhhh, my family is so cool! I basically spent the weekend hanging out with different relatives. :) So blessed. Currently, I'm trying to convince my aunt to visit me in Beijing because she's never really left our hometown.
First post is of my stay at Uncle II's house
pretty bike in the stairway
lots of advertisements all over the doors and stairway
my aunt and my cousin in the PJE (pre-joy-era)
found a picture of my uncle from back in the day!
funny picture of my cousin drinking beer (also back in the day)!
First post is of my stay at Uncle II's house
pretty bike in the stairway
lots of advertisements all over the doors and stairway
my aunt and my cousin in the PJE (pre-joy-era)
found a picture of my uncle from back in the day!
funny picture of my cousin drinking beer (also back in the day)!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)