I love you all , my dear F......Ds

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year



If you didnot laugh, scramp it. :)

Expensive Tofu

Tofu is made from soy beans. It is a popular food in far east Asian countries. Here I can only go to China town to get it because Western supermarkets do not sell it. Because this food is tender and thus hard for the storage and transportation, it is seen that it is produced locally, very often made in house. This time I surprisingly found out that Tofu I bought is made in the United States! If to count the price by tracing carbon footprint of this tofu, it should be very expensive!

John Howard's time passed!

Strange, strange, strange! The world is changing and everything could happen!

Always see someone in the western world to be crowned with the degree in law or politics, but in Australia, this time, the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has his first degree in Chinese language and history. Nowhere could you find his ambition to put his feet on the top post of this country from what he learned at his young time, because the subject is simply so far from law, politics, or even the western literature.

The Queen's diamond wedding

BBC reported:

A suitably regal anniversary
“ It was a very British kind of celebration.
As the drizzle came down on the grey London pavement, Westminster Abbey witnessed a distinctly restrained display of pageantry.
This was, after all, the diamond wedding anniversary of the head of state and her consort.
Elsewhere, such an event would probably be marked with fireworks, triumphal music and military parades.
Here, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh opened a new public walkway and unveiled a plaque.
There were no street parties, no state banquet. The night before, Prince Charles hosted a black tie dinner for his parents and 20 close friends. And after the church service, that was it. ......”

Comments: This is the celebration for the Queen's 60 years marriage. It sounds that the celebration was not that grandy as it should be to match the glamour of the so called diamond wedding. However, it is suitable at “A time of rationing, bomb-scarred cities, and making the best of one's circumstances”. And most important, after all, it is “very British kind of celebration”, in other words, the form is not the most important.

Laughter ------ scarce commodity, but not here

If you want to watch an old Hollywood movie,
If you want to see Marilyn Monroe,
If you want to laugh,
...... (too many reasons to be listed)

Definitely recommend: Some like it hot

I have rarely laughed as much as when I watched this movie.

Weekends

Doing Autumn shopping ,
Writing back to friends,
......
Then Monday is already here.

Another IT ｍｉｒａｃｌｅ

"Microsoft has paid $240m (£117m) for a 1.6% stake in Facebook that values the hugely popular social networking site at $15bn (£7.3bn)."

Ａｌｔｈｏｕｇｈ　Ｆａｃｅｂｏｏｋ　ｈａｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｅａｒｎｅｄ　ｏｎｅ　ｐｅｎcｅ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｍｅ，　ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｓｉｍｐｌｙ　ａｎ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒｓｔｕｎｎｉｎｇ　ｍｉｒａｃｌｅ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｙｏｕtｕｂｅ．　Ｓｈｏｕｌｄ　Ｉ expect soon the total wealth of IT billionnairs in the world match an American's GDP?

Lenovo,everywhere

Especially at the Grand Prix in Brazil today.

Smile or not?

At the western wedding, everyone expects to see the bride feel happy which means she've got to smile and laugh a lot. At the eastern wedding, the situation is just opposite: the bride is expected to feel sad because she is leaving her mother and her own family. With both side's mothers present, what should I do? Smiling much would make my mother sad while being sad makes my mother-in-law uneasy. So I was swinging between thees two expressions, hoping others would not look at me as if I was a clown. :)

Gone with the summer

The summer has not come yet, but it is already gone;
I have not been fed up with my new sandals, but it is already not suitable for the season.

Could this be made up for by only an apology?

Mattel sorry for 'design flaws'

"Mattel has admitted that most of the toys recalled in recent safety scares had "design flaws" and that Chinese manufacturers were not to blame".------ BBC

But the reputaion of Chinese products is already damaged and one boss of one Chinese toy factory suicided because of the huge pressure put on him in this crisis.

The meaning of marriage

1.To share happiness and sadness

2.To complete the meaning of one's life

3.To have children
......

Whatever, it is a milestone.

The wedding culture (2)

(resumed)

After around almost 2 hours, when the day was getting dark, the dinner started at the third venue after another 30 minutes driving. Because it is a big party, more than 80 people, the seating were already and guests easily found their seats by finding their names on the table. The newly weds sat with their witnesses and several family members, in the centre of the room. The meal was progressed from the starter, the main dish to the dessert. Between each course, DJ organized a set of programs for guests, including newly weds show and various types of dancing. The most traditional program is “the first dance”. Dancing is a main program in the wedding, and newly weds first started dancing to open the dancing night at the party and then guests joined in. Dancing often starts from Waltz. After that, the music passed to Rock, Salsa, Disco and even Tango, the favourites of young people. Luckily dance is still in my legs after several years since I attended the dancing competition, I got through the party night. Cutting the wedding cake is another traditional program. The newly weds cut the cake first and then guests were invited to share it. A traditional French wedding cake is Piece Montee, but nowadays people are free to choose a cake they like, eg. in the party, the cakes were chocolate ones.


The newly weds are full of romantic spirit. Every detail in the wedding was paid attention, from small programs, eg. breaking champaign glass at each venue, wedding colors...... to the groom's tie knot. The pity is that I could not take all into my camera. Hope these pictures here could extend your imagination.

The time when I got out of the party is already 4am. Exhausted!

The wedding culture (1)

Recently I attended a French wedding at Alsace in the eastern France. The wedding was conducted in a very traditional way (now traditional weddings are almost extinct in those metropolitans) and I recorded this rare occasion here for those who still have the interest in the traditions.

In France, there are two types of wedding ceremonies. The wedding ceremony hold at Town Hall is a civil ceremony. This ceremony is obligatory for every newly weds and it gives the legal recognition of the marriage from the government. The other one is a religious ceremony hold at a Christian church for those religious people. This is optional. Because the newly weds' parents are very religious, they arranged two ceremonies. The civil ceremony was on the morning with the presence of the close family members. The religious ceremony was on the afternoon with family members and invited guests. When I arrived at the church, the car which carried the bride was just approaching with horns sounding.

At 4pm, guests were seated and the ceremony started. With “Bridal March” from Wagner, one extremely traditional wedding music played by an organist, the groom first entered into the church, accompanied by family members. After the groom arrived to the front hall of the church, the bride started to enter into the church, accompanied by her father. At this time, guests were standing to welcome both. The ceremony is guided by the priest. First, the priest gave a talk that conveys his best wishes and the meaning of Christian to newly weds, comprising singings together with guests and a small talk given by family members. Then, newly weds exchange vows ( at this wedding, newly weds read the vows themselves without the participation of the priest) and rings ( the ring is usually kept by a witness. At this wedding, it was kept by a youngest witness, a three years old kid. It was a lovely moment when the little kid stumbled to deliver the rings to newly weds.) The newly weds and the witnesses signed the register so that their marriage is recognized by the church. It also ended the ceremony. With “Wedding March” from Mendelssohn on, guests walked out of the church first and waited for the newly weds. When newly weds came out, guests threw rose petals to them and sent the congratulations to them. The ceremony lasted one hour.

After the ceremony, it was an apperitive at the second venue. After 20 minutes drive, we came to a countryside place. There is a beautiful lake surrounded by nice grassland and trees. Guests were free to enjoy Champagne and Canapies and talked with each other. It is also a moment to take nice pictures for newly weds against nice natural background. I liked this natural view a lot and stole the chance to take many pictures. :P

N/A

Doing research is like taking Roller Coaster: sometimes high, sometimes low. Will it be one day I am at the plateau?

The independence of culture?

Recently a couple from Palestine, very likely only a country where peace has not been landed since its birth, came to the school to say Bye to us, as both of them have finished their PhD here. I know, as their once officemate, what they are awarded today mean so much to them, a couple at the age of forty. They brought us not only deliberately cooked food, but also their four kids and their 80 years old mothers, to say thanks to our support and accompany these years. My impression for that place is a place always filled with bombs and conflicts, people living in hatred. I hardly believed people there have the mood and the time to pursue advanced education. Being with them in the same office opened another side of the world to me. I learned that there is grassland and lively rivers in that piece of land, instead of only desert; the people have their own life, even in very modern style; people like western culture, but very different is that they have their own belief, more than only Islamism; and every one is so closely tied to each own's belief that it is part of their lives, inseparable.

Starbucks in the Forbidden City

Recently I heard from the Internet someone complained that having the Starbucks in the forbidden city is not proper, because Starbucks is one typical symbol of the American culture and opening a starbucks in the symbolic monument of Chinese culture gives a hint of the invasion of western culture into Chinese culture. Someone might say it is a bit over reactive. I could give you one example from my experience of how Americans responded to it.

Several years ago, I took one opportunity to accompany my American friend’s daughter, Kristine, to the Forbidden City. She was very interested in ancient Chinese culture and took pictures everywhere, mostly scenery pictures. When she found out that there was a starbucks there, she was so surprised and told me that she did not expect that she even could have her favourite coffee at her favourite historical place. She especially asked me to take a picture for her in front of the Starbucks. To my surprise, she also liked Chairman Mao much and asked me to take a picture for her in front of the big poster of him. I thought she would hate him because it is Chairman Mao who fought against Americans and built the communism.

My opinion is that if it is allowed to open a business in the Forbidden city, by following the national policy of free market economy, why should we give the foreign brand the discrimination? At least people could have their quality drinks there. I might start caring this issue when the second Starbucks open in the Forbidden City. At least, I still want that place is like a home for Chinese emperors, instead of a White House. That is the main reason people go to visit there.

My conquest achieved continued)

This is the continuation of my previous blog: Milk Powder.

After I waited for several months since the April I sent out my claim form for the compensation of my damaged parcel: milk powder, at the time I almost forgot it, suddenly, one day, I remembered that I have not got my compensation back! One voice told me that I should do something!

So I picked up the phone and called ParcelForce. Here is the conversation:

Person A: Hello, how can I help you.

Me: Hello. I sent my claims form several months ago, but so far I have not got any response. Could you let me know the progress?

Person A: OK. Let me have a look. (after one minute) Well, our oversea partner is doing the investigation on the receiver side.

Me (astonished): Still? Last time, in May, I called you and someone told me they were doing the investigation. After almost four months, you have not finished it yet? (angry)

Person A: well......

Me( realizing that the other side want to find an excuse, so very angry): I have sent my claim four months ago. The damaged parcel is milk powder to a baby, as my gift.

Person A: Oh, one more thing, the sender has not sent the confirmation form back......

Me( frustrated with her another excuse): another form? This is my gift. If you need more forms, could you pass the form through me to the sender? This is my gift to a baby! Because it got damaged, I felt very bad for it. Now I am fine with anything I have to do to be cooperative, but why this claim process has to involve the sender side? This can only make both side feel worse.

Person A (feeling sympathetic): I understood, I understood. But we need that form.

Me: OK, this way, is that possible for you to send that form again, because I am afraid the sender might have not kept it now.

Person A: Wait a minute, I will forward you to another person.

Me( surprised): OK.

Person B: Hello.

Me: explaining the situation again.

Person B: I am reading your documents. Did you send us the receipt of goods?

Me: I sent it.

Person B: It is a copy. We want original ones.

Me (knowing the other side looking for excuses): I sent original ones. I am keeping every document at my hand now. Which one you want?

Person B: Wait a minute, right, I saw it. Your documents are complete.

Person B: Where did you post your parcel? Did you post it at Amazon?

Me ( desperate and furious): No, I sent it at the post office. I packed it very well. Ten boxes, most are damaged! Because they are for baby and it is food, it is not usable at all. All are wasted!

Person B: Could I forward you to another person?

Me ( turned my rage to the firm resolution: fight till the end!)

Person C: Hello.

Me: Explained my situation again, patiently but firmly, to convince her that this compensation is more than money to me, but a proof to my lovely little cousin that his aunt did prepare a nice gift for him.

Person C: OK, I understand. We are sorry for the trouble caused on you by our service. We will refund you with a check. You should receive it in a week.

Me ( Shocked with this sudden turn): OK...... Thank you......

Me: Victorious cheers! ( not on the phone!)

Lesson learned: If you think the truth is in you hand, you should fight till the end!

Le Tour De France ----- Team Work

It is the biggest cycling event in the world, lasting for three weeks, sponsored by France, and is attended by cyclists worldwide. This year Le Tour De France started in London, more specifically, Tower Bridge. I was not that interested in it at the beginning, because, although cycling is more and more often recommended by gym coaches to keep fit or by the government to keep green, still, in my eyes, it is neither a sports as complicated as swimming having many postures , and nor something as speedy as Formula one. Every cyclist keeps one position all the time, and admittedly, it is lack of visual attractiveness. When I almost shrugged this event off, what one fan of Le Tour De France told me hold my interest back. This seemingly individual event is actually an utterly team effort. This team is not that team including coaches, bicycle sponsors….., but each team of cyclists in a match. I was confused: is not it the award only going to individuals? Why do they attend in a team?

The reason is found out from the theory of cycling. Because of the theory about speed and “resistance” caused by cyclists’ moving in the air, when an individual cycles alone with great speed, it receives more “resistance” than when cycling with others together. When a group of people cycle together, the one who is in the front spends much more effort than the one following behind, to keep the same speed. Therefore, it is very important for cyclists to stay at a good position in the competition. In a cycling competition, the one who is ahead is very often not the one who wins at last.

In the Le Tour De France, cyclists compete individually but compete in a team. In each team, there is the best one who is most competent to win. The other cyclists know they have little chance to win, but they can cycle around the best cyclist to protect the best one from exhausting energy too early. That is why we will often see, in a team, cyclists often exchange their positions between the front and the back but the one in the centre does not change often. By applying this team strategy, the best cyclist is well protected from unfair positions in a competition to get that tempting yellow jersy, eg. the front, while the runner-ups, like those who know they are not competent enough to win, still have the chance to earn their proportions of the pot.

Is my hair straight?

I went to an Asian haircutter:

Haircutter: your hair is a bit curly.

Me: Oh……

I went to a Western haircutter:

Haircutter: did you straighten your hair?

Me (confused): no, never. Why?

Haircutter: you hair is straight enough.

Me: Oh……