The past week and half, I have been following closely to the earthquake in my motherland. I feel the fragile of life, the helpless of seeing the natural disaster, the heart-broken connecting what happened there and my current environment. A lot of time, I could only use a word of "disbelieve" to describe, feeling guilty to live comfortably here. While I complain the hard choice of my career and investment, I forgot how important to live, to live without worries of food and clothes. Reading the news, I realize what I should consider important in life. The cards are re-prioritized. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
---- from Luo Lan ----
每个人都可能有环境不好，遭遇坎坷，工作辛苦的时候。说得严重一点，几乎可以说，在我们每个人降生到这个世界以前，就被注定了要背负起经历各种困难折磨的命运。
但这并不是说，因此就该认定人间没有乐趣，或生命没有价值。我们虽然被注定了
要靠劳力、靠工作来维持自己的生活，虽然被注定了有七情六欲来品尝人间各种各样的离合悲欢；但在另一方面，我们却有机会欣赏这有鸟语花香的世界，我们还有智慧可以体味人间苦乐的真谛，我们也还有心情来领略人间的爱心、善良和同情是何等的珍贵。总而言之，和我们所付出的代价比起来，我们的收获是值得的。
我常把人生比做一次旅行，辛劳和苦难算做是我们所不能不花的旅费。而在这一趟
旅程中，我们可以得到各种各样五色缤纷的经验。当我们痛苦的时候，可以当做那是我们在旅途中的涉水跋山、走狭路、过险桥。而当我们快乐的时候，那是我们到达了风光明媚的处所，卸下了行装，洗去了风尘，在欣赏留连。也正如旅行一样，不在某一处风景区永远停留，而只能在驻足一阵之后，就又该背起行囊去寻觅另一处佳境。
因此，人间的苦苦乐乐，我们都该把它看做理所当然。做生意顺利的时候，财源滚
滚而来，取之不尽，用之不竭，那是顺境。一旦遇上风险，逆境来临，就又要过一过节衣缩食的苦日子，不够坚强的人当逆境来临时，就难免会匆匆结束这次旅行，提早承认自己的失败；而假如我们够坚强，就该明白，我们就是为经历这些风险而来。
做为一个像样的旅行家需要勇气，也唯有有勇气承担旅途风险的人才可以到达人生
的胜境，才可以领略到一般人所领略不到的“化险为夷”，“夜尽天明”，“腊尽春回”等等的乐趣。因此，逢到逆境时，我们要忍一忍、熬一熬、再多拿出一分勇气和信心；不要只看旅途的艰苦，而要把希望的灯光点亮，去照见那你所想要去的地方。
我们每一个人都有受到环境压力的时候；但在这时候，你与其悲伤流泪，就不如将
就自己既有的条件去慢慢耕耘，等一旦机会来临，自己也有了足够的条件去应付了，境遇就好转了。许多事实使我相信，一个人的生活需要可以缩小到最小限度，而一样保持乐天达观的心倩。只要你自己不让自己消沉灰颓，环境是不能把你怎样的。
懂得旅行乐趣的人，往往对平坦好走、容易达到的地方没有兴趣，而偏偏喜欢去找
那些险峻的山，未开发的林，或没有人烟的岛。他们认为旅行的乐趣在于克服那些途中的困难，在于到达别人所不易到达的地方，在于发现新的佳境。
懂得人生的人也是一样，他们往往不喜欢平稳凡庸的生活，而有胆量去尝试一些困
难的、冒险的、但却有内容、有意义的生活。因为他们知道，当困难克服了，险境过去了，他们才会尝到一些人生的真味，他们才会真正懂得人生的苦是怎样的苦法，乐又是怎样的乐法，贫穷的滋味怎样，失恋的滋味如何，而他们最大的收获却往往是成功的快乐。
俗话说：“吃得苦中苦，方为人上人。”所谓“人上人”并不是一般功利的想法；
而是说，他可以在生活上比一般人较为豁达开通，眼光远大，做起事来可以得心应手。如果我们从小就安安稳稳无风无浪的像花朵一样生活在暖房里，我们所见的天日就只有那一点点，所能适应的温度也就只有那一点点，那还有什么意思呢？
--
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Two weeks notice!
Now I finally submit the final two weeks notice. I will begin the new job on 27th. To be honest, I am very much looking forward to this new change. This is just a beginning step which I have been wanting to take for several years. A lot of time, the brick wall is build by myself with my hesitation and assumptions.
To be or not to be on the path I originally planned, I learn that it is important to keep my mind open and look at other opportunities.
To be or not to be on the path I originally planned, I learn that it is important to keep my mind open and look at other opportunities.
Are you a A-student or B-student?
I re-read the book of "lucky or smart". Just really like this little small book, making you think and trying to see what kind of student you are, A or B student? The author has an interesting analyzing method. I feel that I am B-student. Hope, I will follow the B type pursue the dream smoothly.
Today I finished the audio book "crack millionaire code", quite lengthy but fascinating one. Friday when I visited David and Ann for his birthday, David suggested me to list the books I have been finished. well, I doubt I have the energy to go back to look, but could start recording now.
Now, I am working on "The Reengineering Revolution" by Michael Hammer and Steven A. Stanton.
Today I finished the audio book "crack millionaire code", quite lengthy but fascinating one. Friday when I visited David and Ann for his birthday, David suggested me to list the books I have been finished. well, I doubt I have the energy to go back to look, but could start recording now.
Now, I am working on "The Reengineering Revolution" by Michael Hammer and Steven A. Stanton.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
A new bike
Yesterday I got a new bike, first thing I did, I falled and scratched right knee. But it was just very funny as right cross the street, a bunch of teenager riding bicycles looking at me, wondering if I could ride the bike. The truth is, I did not know how to ride on a bike until I came to U.S. oh, can you believe that I am originally from China. ye, all my friends can not believe this truth. I tried to find all kind of excuses for not riding a bike in front of them. Until someday, my friend Tricia realized and decided to teach me on how to ride a bike.
Apparently, now I need to shape my skill. It is a cross bike with 21 speeds. Quote my mom's word here "I do hope to see you ride on your bike more than 10 minutes!" wow, I'd better beat that challenge.
Apparently, now I need to shape my skill. It is a cross bike with 21 speeds. Quote my mom's word here "I do hope to see you ride on your bike more than 10 minutes!" wow, I'd better beat that challenge.
Are you living your life in full?
I am always impressed with the conversations with elders who decibed how they live their lives. As odd it could sound like, I do enjoy the conversations with people who are older than me, feeling like to communicate with wiseman/wisewoman. Almost all of them, without any reservation, share with me their happiness, sadness and certain regrets. Their sincerity and patience make me comfortable to tell them my struggles and seek the advice. I like to hear each of their advice, then process these in my brain, plus what I have thought, the final decision is always way better than my single-minded process. That is the main reason that I love to read biography, feeling just like to talk to an elder, listening to his life-long stories.
When I was in Pittsburgh in Feb, visiting CMU for a week. With much of my intersts I went to a few classes, visiting a few people in arts school, music school, CS and Human Computing Institute, as well as Tepper. When I was at HCI, a few professors and students repetitively mentioned one person's name "Randy Pausch", who was a professor there before. When they found out that I have no clue, they asked me if I ever watch TV, I said "no, I do not watch it.". They said "why don't you search online". With sort of wonder and curiousity, I watched Randy's "Last Lecture" on youtube. It was encouraging at the moment when I was questioning myself for the step I plan to take, it was inspiration that I will pursue the dream I have, the brick wall is to stop people who do not want that much, but not for people who desperately want it. It is the strength while I was standing in the cold pittsburgh rainy windy downtown, I told myself that I am still alive, I can coninually dream big and make it happen. It was the soul shaking that I have been too serious about my innovation, forgetting why I decided to start at the beginning -- all about fun! Randy's dark humor delivers a lot beyond the words. My prayers are with his family.
Are you living your life in full? living in your full potencial? If you can choose, will you choose the easy life, well, between meadiocore peacefully living and risky advantrous exploration? it is personal choice, but I know which one I will choose.
When I was in Pittsburgh in Feb, visiting CMU for a week. With much of my intersts I went to a few classes, visiting a few people in arts school, music school, CS and Human Computing Institute, as well as Tepper. When I was at HCI, a few professors and students repetitively mentioned one person's name "Randy Pausch", who was a professor there before. When they found out that I have no clue, they asked me if I ever watch TV, I said "no, I do not watch it.". They said "why don't you search online". With sort of wonder and curiousity, I watched Randy's "Last Lecture" on youtube. It was encouraging at the moment when I was questioning myself for the step I plan to take, it was inspiration that I will pursue the dream I have, the brick wall is to stop people who do not want that much, but not for people who desperately want it. It is the strength while I was standing in the cold pittsburgh rainy windy downtown, I told myself that I am still alive, I can coninually dream big and make it happen. It was the soul shaking that I have been too serious about my innovation, forgetting why I decided to start at the beginning -- all about fun! Randy's dark humor delivers a lot beyond the words. My prayers are with his family.
Are you living your life in full? living in your full potencial? If you can choose, will you choose the easy life, well, between meadiocore peacefully living and risky advantrous exploration? it is personal choice, but I know which one I will choose.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Good news!! I will work for US Olympics Committee
May 1, 2008, I received the notice from USOC (United States Olympic Committee) about my new role this summer in Beijing Olympic Game. I am very happy to get this opportunity, to be one of 35 volunteers to server USOC.
"Greetings!
This email serves as your official invitation you to represent the USOC as a volunteer at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China this summer. Below are the steps you need to take to secure your space at the Games. Please review the attached documents for information on tourist visas, housing and dress code...
"
I vividly remember the interview, talking about my professional work, leadership skills, event-planning abilities, hobbies and other activities. When she found out that I have been working for BBBS(Big Brother, Big Sister) over 8 years, she reponsed "I am the Big too!" wow, immediately, we felt we were much closer and trust between us. Later I look back, when I volunteered for BBBS, it was purely from my heart and passion for Children's growth. Little did I know that it led me more opportunities in several events and expend network horizon. I wonder if BBBS has helped me more then I did.
I am going home to do something which I am longing for, being a bridge between two counties I truly love and appreciate. USOC requires me to be in Beijing from Aug.1 to Aug.24. I will spend the day of Aug. 18 in Beijing. That is a very special day, by Aug. 18, 2008 I come to U.S. totally ten years. I have tought about how special it will be and what I should do to make it very meaningful. see, I will make a circle, staying in China and helping Americans to know more about my country and help them to enjoy this special event in my motherland!
There were couple opportunities that I could work for two famous althetes as interpreter during the game. They will cover my flight, boarding expense and pay for my work. After thinking over, I decided to take this volunteer, long-length, paying all these expense from my own pocket job. I do not want to be in Olympics as audience, or just see the games, not only those, but being involve more in the structure set of organication settings. While many questions my decision, I encourage myself to follow my heart and do what I like to do.
Elissa told me that I will work at the Beijing Hilton -- USOC headquarter (3rd Ring Road) and USA House -- business and hospitality center (right beside Worker Stadium). They are about a 10 minute cab ride from one another and very close to my uncle's place. Ye, Beijing, I am back!
My crazy schedule continues, no complaints here, but more fun and I enjoy it absolutely, really! Yesterday strategic management class we discussed Disney case. Later I found out that I am one of two students never been to disneyland or disneyworld. me, and another american girl. Last year if I did not plan to pursue my plan travelling to east coast, I would have been to disneyland. Maybe I should consider this as my next vacation location. Strategic Management becomes one of my favoriate classes now, though there are tons of reading, referenced reading. I told myself that I will finish all the readings and fully prepared before the class. Though I could get by, I'd rather use my time wisely.
Couple weeks ago, the language agency asked me to help an american family in Children's clinic as interpreter since they just got back from China, adopting one boy(after they have adopted two girls in China.) I said yes. During the interpretering time, I got to know this lady Patty and kid Kai, a cutest nicest kid ever! She expressed the interst about getting Kai and her two girls' Chinese language education. After she found out that I have taught in Chinese school and wondered if I could do the job, I told her "Yes, I will". I know, how crazy my schedule is, but, I just could not say no to her, a nice American lady willing to take three kids to their lives and try her best to keep their heritage and language skills. Plus, I really like this little boy, goofy, funny and very adorable. This monday I spent 1.5 hours there working on their Chinese speaking. I have to admit, these three kids are very committed to learn. They even work on writing those Chinese Characters, cool!
Lately, I found some nice way to get those top rating good books through UW. I am very excited! so far, I still keep up with my new year resolution: one book per week. The Everlynnwood reading skills are helpful for me to read the big books fast without loosing to grasp the meaning of contents. Keep it up, Girl!
This week reading:
1. Developmental entrepreneurship : adversity, risk, and isolation
2. Growing Up With China -- interesting.
Here are the book review for "Growing Up With China" by Wall Street Jounal.
Socialism Is Great!
By Lijia Zhang
(Atlas Books, 320 pages, $24)
Bookshelves are replete with poignant memoirs set during China's Cultural Revolution – but few and far between are personal accounts of the 1980s. The decade that began with Deng Xiaoping opening China to the outside world and ended with the protests of Tiananmen Square in 1989 was transformative not just for China's economy, but also for the people living through it.
This is the backdrop of "Socialism is Great!" a memoir by journalist Zhang Lijia. The book chronicles 10 years in Ms. Zhang's life as a factory worker, during which she is transformed from a dutiful communist leading her school class to a nonconformist responsible for organizing the largest pro-democracy protest in Nanjing in 1989. Socialism is not "great," as the title ironically notes, but rather fosters an air of paranoia and repression so strong that Ms. Zhang is soon doing everything in her power to break out of the mold. Trapped in the stultifying environment typical of a state-owned enterprise characterized by "surplus labor flow and inefficiency" – often leaving workers with little to do other than gossip – Ms. Zhang describes herself as a "frog trapped in a well, unable to access the world beyond."
"Socialism is Great!" is a riveting tale, but it would have benefited from more historical context. The ups and downs of the '80s play a secondary role to Ms. Zhang's coming-of-age story. Now a world traveller and accomplished journalist, Ms. Zhang is full of political insights about the era of her youth. "The 1980s was a big missed opportunity," she notes in an interview. "Political reform is now off-limits. Though people enjoy far more personal freedom – it is freedom to make money, not political freedom. Politically, China is still a cage – but the cage is so big that people don't feel its limits." Perhaps that should be the subject of her next book.
"Greetings!
This email serves as your official invitation you to represent the USOC as a volunteer at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China this summer. Below are the steps you need to take to secure your space at the Games. Please review the attached documents for information on tourist visas, housing and dress code...
"
I vividly remember the interview, talking about my professional work, leadership skills, event-planning abilities, hobbies and other activities. When she found out that I have been working for BBBS(Big Brother, Big Sister) over 8 years, she reponsed "I am the Big too!" wow, immediately, we felt we were much closer and trust between us. Later I look back, when I volunteered for BBBS, it was purely from my heart and passion for Children's growth. Little did I know that it led me more opportunities in several events and expend network horizon. I wonder if BBBS has helped me more then I did.
I am going home to do something which I am longing for, being a bridge between two counties I truly love and appreciate. USOC requires me to be in Beijing from Aug.1 to Aug.24. I will spend the day of Aug. 18 in Beijing. That is a very special day, by Aug. 18, 2008 I come to U.S. totally ten years. I have tought about how special it will be and what I should do to make it very meaningful. see, I will make a circle, staying in China and helping Americans to know more about my country and help them to enjoy this special event in my motherland!
There were couple opportunities that I could work for two famous althetes as interpreter during the game. They will cover my flight, boarding expense and pay for my work. After thinking over, I decided to take this volunteer, long-length, paying all these expense from my own pocket job. I do not want to be in Olympics as audience, or just see the games, not only those, but being involve more in the structure set of organication settings. While many questions my decision, I encourage myself to follow my heart and do what I like to do.
Elissa told me that I will work at the Beijing Hilton -- USOC headquarter (3rd Ring Road) and USA House -- business and hospitality center (right beside Worker Stadium). They are about a 10 minute cab ride from one another and very close to my uncle's place. Ye, Beijing, I am back!
My crazy schedule continues, no complaints here, but more fun and I enjoy it absolutely, really! Yesterday strategic management class we discussed Disney case. Later I found out that I am one of two students never been to disneyland or disneyworld. me, and another american girl. Last year if I did not plan to pursue my plan travelling to east coast, I would have been to disneyland. Maybe I should consider this as my next vacation location. Strategic Management becomes one of my favoriate classes now, though there are tons of reading, referenced reading. I told myself that I will finish all the readings and fully prepared before the class. Though I could get by, I'd rather use my time wisely.
Couple weeks ago, the language agency asked me to help an american family in Children's clinic as interpreter since they just got back from China, adopting one boy(after they have adopted two girls in China.) I said yes. During the interpretering time, I got to know this lady Patty and kid Kai, a cutest nicest kid ever! She expressed the interst about getting Kai and her two girls' Chinese language education. After she found out that I have taught in Chinese school and wondered if I could do the job, I told her "Yes, I will". I know, how crazy my schedule is, but, I just could not say no to her, a nice American lady willing to take three kids to their lives and try her best to keep their heritage and language skills. Plus, I really like this little boy, goofy, funny and very adorable. This monday I spent 1.5 hours there working on their Chinese speaking. I have to admit, these three kids are very committed to learn. They even work on writing those Chinese Characters, cool!
Lately, I found some nice way to get those top rating good books through UW. I am very excited! so far, I still keep up with my new year resolution: one book per week. The Everlynnwood reading skills are helpful for me to read the big books fast without loosing to grasp the meaning of contents. Keep it up, Girl!
This week reading:
1. Developmental entrepreneurship : adversity, risk, and isolation
2. Growing Up With China -- interesting.
Here are the book review for "Growing Up With China" by Wall Street Jounal.
Socialism Is Great!
By Lijia Zhang
(Atlas Books, 320 pages, $24)
Bookshelves are replete with poignant memoirs set during China's Cultural Revolution – but few and far between are personal accounts of the 1980s. The decade that began with Deng Xiaoping opening China to the outside world and ended with the protests of Tiananmen Square in 1989 was transformative not just for China's economy, but also for the people living through it.
This is the backdrop of "Socialism is Great!" a memoir by journalist Zhang Lijia. The book chronicles 10 years in Ms. Zhang's life as a factory worker, during which she is transformed from a dutiful communist leading her school class to a nonconformist responsible for organizing the largest pro-democracy protest in Nanjing in 1989. Socialism is not "great," as the title ironically notes, but rather fosters an air of paranoia and repression so strong that Ms. Zhang is soon doing everything in her power to break out of the mold. Trapped in the stultifying environment typical of a state-owned enterprise characterized by "surplus labor flow and inefficiency" – often leaving workers with little to do other than gossip – Ms. Zhang describes herself as a "frog trapped in a well, unable to access the world beyond."
"Socialism is Great!" is a riveting tale, but it would have benefited from more historical context. The ups and downs of the '80s play a secondary role to Ms. Zhang's coming-of-age story. Now a world traveller and accomplished journalist, Ms. Zhang is full of political insights about the era of her youth. "The 1980s was a big missed opportunity," she notes in an interview. "Political reform is now off-limits. Though people enjoy far more personal freedom – it is freedom to make money, not political freedom. Politically, China is still a cage – but the cage is so big that people don't feel its limits." Perhaps that should be the subject of her next book.
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