A Simple Story

So much has happened in the last few months, and I guess we got lazy.. well really lazy in updating our blog. In D’s defense, she’s in law school, and in my defense.. well I guess I don’t have an excuse..

I’ve been on the move again for a new job but hopefully this is the last time in a while (unless I get laid-off..haha). I looked back and realized that I’ve moved five times from city to city in 2008, and now I’m ready to stay put, at least for a little bit.　

I moved out here to Shanghai a week and a half ago and just started my second week at work. I cannot say I have much of an opinion on this city yet since I’ve pretty much just stayed within the distance of work and home. Not having much of a work-life balance means all I want to do after work is fall asleep. Though yesterday I did get off early (around 7:00pm) and realized I have no idea what I should do with my time. Not sure where this post is going but.. I’ll write something more meaningful next time and hopefully posts some pictures of Shanghai (meaning I’ve actually ventured out of my area!).

Oh! It’s Chinese New Year in two weeks and a rush of people with boxes of decorations just came into the office, now they’re on ladders and such making our office red and gold J

Posted by S. at 6:43 PM | 0 comments Links to this post  
Labels: random

The best of luck to my best friend who's going through law firm interviews!

<3

Posted by S. at 8:06 AM | 0 comments Links to this post  
Labels: school

Being a girl who's lived in Los Angeles for 7 years, you'd think I'd be immune to traffic.

Beijing is definitely the Asian reciprocal of LA, I've once again taken rush hour traffic into account as I plan my daily schedule. I'm not looking forward to when they take off the odd-even license plate system (which is going to be September 20, the end of the para-Olympics). Cars have gotten increasingly cheap that people just buy a second car to go around the inconvenience cause by the regulation. With the influx of households with 1+ cars, I can't imagine the amount of traffic on the street after the 20th. At least here I wouldn't be the one driving. Maybe with more cars on the road, my taxi drivers won't be able to drive like maniacs on the streets, then I can finally arrive home at the end of each day without headaches.

Posted by S. at 9:37 PM | 0 comments Links to this post  
Labels: random

Apparently one of the main reasons Jamaicans have been winning a lot of the sprints is because of this fast-twitch muscle they were blessed with.

From the Slate: Jamaican Me Speedy

Posted by S. at 9:52 AM | 0 comments Links to this post  
Labels: random, sports

We've been slow on the blogging cause D and I (she came up to visit me in Beijing) have been busy watching the Olympics.

Anyway, D noticed an article in the New York Times that made us so mad. Yet again, NYT has decided to step on China as hard as possible.

background: Liu Xiang, the Chinese star athlete who had a World Record in hurdles, had to pull out of the race today but he has been suffering from major injuries in his right leg. The whole nation is sad that he had to pull out of the race but the general sentiment is that we're proud of him and of all his has achieved and hopefully he will regain his health soon. In other words, a different picture than what NYT decided to paint.

Two quotes that angered me the most in the article:

1. "Liu's body had failed, which, in the eyes of many Chinese people, meant they had failed, too."
- that's not true. Yes, his body went through injuries, and the Chinese people are sad that one of the best athletes in the world cannot represent China to compete in this historic and brilliant event. But we don't think his body that "failed" to let him compete in the race translates to Chinese people being hit in the heart by the feeling of failure.

2. "A visitor to China wanted to hug the horrified fans and say:

It's all right. Your athletes are leading the Olympics in gold medals by a huge margin. Your young people are the sweetest, most prepared volunteers any Olympics has ever seen. Your government has organized an efficient Olympic Games."

- I personally don't appreciate the quote from a visitor who had wanted to say "your young people are the sweetest and most prepared volunteers." I'm sure this person is really nice , but for NYT to put it in a widely circulated article.. it's like saying to the world: I'm sorry you can't compete in this international event, but gosh darn-it, your mama bakes the best cupcakes.

Here's the article if you want to read the whole thing: A Country Feels a Hurdler’s Pain

Posted by S. at 8:37 AM | 0 comments Links to this post  
Labels: current events

I really don't know what the New York Times is trying to pull with their article "Chinese Man Kills Relative of U.S. Olympic Coach," when even Fox News knew better than to try to antagonize an entire people ("In-Laws of U.S. Men's Volleyball Coach Stabbed in Beijing, 1 Dead"). Apparently NYT has tried this before with something like "Gay Man Abducts Baby" then took out the word "gay" after people started complaining.

Posted by Dawne at 6:22 PM | 0 comments Links to this post  
Labels: current events

I just found out that China has the world largest Artificial Weather Program. To prepare the city for the Olympics, China made it rain to clear out some smog and to cool the city down. The government shot pellets filled with silver-iodide particle in the air. Moisture tends to gather around silver-iodide, thus creating heavy clouds and rainfall.

The cooler weather made it possible for my 2 hour hike up to the peak of XiangShan (aka Western/Fragrant Hills). XiangShan is a mountain North-West of the city center. It's been the inspiration for many renowned Chinese poets dating back to at least the 1200's.

Beijing from the peak of XiangShan:

This city is huge.. I couldn't capture the whole thing with my little camera.


The Chinese Olympic Dolls (wasn't too fond of them at first, they've kind of grown on me now):

Posted by S. at 8:56 AM | 0 comments Links to this post