Need to return a book I borrowed, so copy something here from the book:
"Women are like tea bags; put them in hot water and they get stronger." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"From birth to age 18, a girl needs good parents. From 18 to 35, she needs good looks. From 35 to 55 she needs a good personality. And from 55 on, she needs good cash." - Sophie Tucker
I would say, thank God I still have some years to be 55!
Isn't it challenging?
But I suppose it is challenging for both women and men. Don't men also face the challenge of having good looks, good personality and good cash?
Nobody is perfect, if I have to make a choice, I would like to have a man with good looks, good personality and who is a good person.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Holding A Baby
Still that day, when I was quietly happy but as dizzy as dumb, the group of us were sitting on the grass in Hyde Park, there were a big crowd, people everywhere, which I like. The afternoon sun was bright and strong, and everyone in our group were getting a darker shade of shining tan on our faces.
Except the baby. Oh, yes, there was a baby, about 10 months old. There were actually two bigger ones as well, two and three years old, all girls. The two year old was the one I liked instantly, she has such a cute little face, with soft curly hair, and looked like a wild cat. But I don't think she liked me too much, as she's too busy running away from wherever we were, she just wanted to run away, seemed not be able to stay still for even one second.
I was chatting to the mother, and there was a moment when she seriously need to go get her two-year old from running wild, she asked me could I mind the baby for a moment.
A real baby, heavy and soft in my hands. Not crying. Seemed comfortable enough after I figured out how to carry her in my arms and on my lap. First ever experience in my life. Maybe because I was so unfit at that moment and felt the connection and vulnerability? Even at this moment, after a few days, when I am typing, I can still feel the strange feeling I had when I was holding the baby.
The baby wasn't crying as I expected (she later did natually). I got encouraged by the surprise and started to talk to her just as I normally do with a cat. And that was the moment when I idly looked up and I saw the eyes of the three year old girl - she was looking at me and the baby with such obvious envy and jealous and it made me proud that I must be doing a good job.
The mommy and daddy are both from Germany, daddy works and mommy stays home look after the two girls. I asked her, "will you stay in Australia forever?" She replied, "I don't think so, I feel very home sick."
And that was the most honest conversation I had with a Western woman in Sydney in a long time. I like her honesty and unpretentiousness, maybe because she is European. I haven't been back to Beijing for almost two years, and I miss Beijing so much, I miss the city that is so cosmopolitan and so alive and warm hearted. When I hear the same home sickness from someone who has a loving husband by her side and give her support, it made me feel so much better and less alone. And I am happy that the first baby I hold in my life is HER baby.
I also know that even though she is home sick, she is still happy most of the time. Just as I am.
Except the baby. Oh, yes, there was a baby, about 10 months old. There were actually two bigger ones as well, two and three years old, all girls. The two year old was the one I liked instantly, she has such a cute little face, with soft curly hair, and looked like a wild cat. But I don't think she liked me too much, as she's too busy running away from wherever we were, she just wanted to run away, seemed not be able to stay still for even one second.
I was chatting to the mother, and there was a moment when she seriously need to go get her two-year old from running wild, she asked me could I mind the baby for a moment.
A real baby, heavy and soft in my hands. Not crying. Seemed comfortable enough after I figured out how to carry her in my arms and on my lap. First ever experience in my life. Maybe because I was so unfit at that moment and felt the connection and vulnerability? Even at this moment, after a few days, when I am typing, I can still feel the strange feeling I had when I was holding the baby.
The baby wasn't crying as I expected (she later did natually). I got encouraged by the surprise and started to talk to her just as I normally do with a cat. And that was the moment when I idly looked up and I saw the eyes of the three year old girl - she was looking at me and the baby with such obvious envy and jealous and it made me proud that I must be doing a good job.
The mommy and daddy are both from Germany, daddy works and mommy stays home look after the two girls. I asked her, "will you stay in Australia forever?" She replied, "I don't think so, I feel very home sick."
And that was the most honest conversation I had with a Western woman in Sydney in a long time. I like her honesty and unpretentiousness, maybe because she is European. I haven't been back to Beijing for almost two years, and I miss Beijing so much, I miss the city that is so cosmopolitan and so alive and warm hearted. When I hear the same home sickness from someone who has a loving husband by her side and give her support, it made me feel so much better and less alone. And I am happy that the first baby I hold in my life is HER baby.
I also know that even though she is home sick, she is still happy most of the time. Just as I am.
Most Sinful Country On Earth
Read something interesting, and what's more interesting is some people's reaction.
The original article is attached below.
"BBC magazine Focus found Australians scored highly for the seven deadly sins, making Australia the 'most sinful' country on Earth.
Researchers used a points system to determine which countries committed the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride), the most.
The tally compared national statistics for plastic surgery (pride), theft (envy), violent crime (wrath), number of annual holidays (sloth), annual salary (greed), money spent on fast food (gluttony) and porn (lust).
Australians ranked first for envy and third for lust and gluttony.
Despite a fondness for the occasional sickie, sloth was was identified as the sin Australians were least likely to commit, with eight other countries considered lazier.
Highest in each of the sin categories were the US (gluttony), Mexico (greed), South Korea (lust), Iceland (sloth and pride), Australia (envy) and South Africa (wrath)."
Here are some of the comments online- I didn't correct the typo:
1. Of course it's load of rubbish - but funny. Interesting that the UK doesn't appear in any of the top sinners lists - too depressed to commit any sins poor buggers
2. What a lot of pommy unwashed garbish
3. My my ... JEALOUSY Britian must rate the highest in the world then..... MMM just weeks ago we were the second highest ranked country to live in.... Wow I think Britian has little penis syndrom.... MMMM
And here is a poll on another website regarding the same article:
3982 votes since Jan 28 2010
Which deadly sin catches you out?
pride 16% 651 votes
envy 11% 455 votes
wrath 6% 225 votes
sloth 10% 402 votes
greed 7% 264 votes
gluttony 12% 482 votes
lust 38% 1503 votes
I voted in the poll, so I contributed to one of that 651 votes of "pride", so I suppose I am sinful as well.
I find two things very interesting for the research.
1) It says "despite a fondness for the occasional sickie, sloth was was identified as the sin Australians were least likely to commit, with eight other countries considered lazier". I think it's so true. We always have the conception that Australians are "lazy" but it's false. I found out Australians must be one of the most hard working people in the world, even though they don't seem like to acknowledge that.
2) The research take "theft" as "envy", which Australians ranked first. Interesting considering the history.
What's more interesting is some people's reaction. I've noticed in many occasions whenever people make a matter-of-fact comment, there are always people take it personal and become aggressive.
I think it's a funny research, and I am intrigued to know - what is "little penis syndrome"? Maybe I should make a research on it just as the BBC Focus did on Sin:)
The original article is attached below.
"BBC magazine Focus found Australians scored highly for the seven deadly sins, making Australia the 'most sinful' country on Earth.
Researchers used a points system to determine which countries committed the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride), the most.
The tally compared national statistics for plastic surgery (pride), theft (envy), violent crime (wrath), number of annual holidays (sloth), annual salary (greed), money spent on fast food (gluttony) and porn (lust).
Australians ranked first for envy and third for lust and gluttony.
Despite a fondness for the occasional sickie, sloth was was identified as the sin Australians were least likely to commit, with eight other countries considered lazier.
Highest in each of the sin categories were the US (gluttony), Mexico (greed), South Korea (lust), Iceland (sloth and pride), Australia (envy) and South Africa (wrath)."
Here are some of the comments online- I didn't correct the typo:
1. Of course it's load of rubbish - but funny. Interesting that the UK doesn't appear in any of the top sinners lists - too depressed to commit any sins poor buggers
2. What a lot of pommy unwashed garbish
3. My my ... JEALOUSY Britian must rate the highest in the world then..... MMM just weeks ago we were the second highest ranked country to live in.... Wow I think Britian has little penis syndrom.... MMMM
And here is a poll on another website regarding the same article:
3982 votes since Jan 28 2010
Which deadly sin catches you out?
pride 16% 651 votes
envy 11% 455 votes
wrath 6% 225 votes
sloth 10% 402 votes
greed 7% 264 votes
gluttony 12% 482 votes
lust 38% 1503 votes
I voted in the poll, so I contributed to one of that 651 votes of "pride", so I suppose I am sinful as well.
I find two things very interesting for the research.
1) It says "despite a fondness for the occasional sickie, sloth was was identified as the sin Australians were least likely to commit, with eight other countries considered lazier". I think it's so true. We always have the conception that Australians are "lazy" but it's false. I found out Australians must be one of the most hard working people in the world, even though they don't seem like to acknowledge that.
2) The research take "theft" as "envy", which Australians ranked first. Interesting considering the history.
What's more interesting is some people's reaction. I've noticed in many occasions whenever people make a matter-of-fact comment, there are always people take it personal and become aggressive.
I think it's a funny research, and I am intrigued to know - what is "little penis syndrome"? Maybe I should make a research on it just as the BBC Focus did on Sin:)
Good Day
It was a good day, Australia Day.
I can remember the sun was shining over the harbour, the sky was blue, the water was blue with the white lines by the racing boats, we were on top of the Pylon of the Harbour Bridge overlooking the race and loved the feeling of sweat from my hot body.
I remember we were sitting in the shade having a short "nap", and when I opened my eyes, there was the dream-like pink smoke by the parachute landed on the water; and the big Australia flag over flowing the Opera House.
I remember the crowd, colorfully dressed with the patriotic theme, people of all shapes and different appearances that normally can't be seen in a normal day, which made me wonder if those people only come out once a year, but I enjoyed watching them and felt very much amused.
I remember of course the fireworks over the water in Darling Harbour, just as it is called - spectacular. The line of boats with their sail opening up and lighted with coordinated changing colors, with the fading music and the balmy summer evening as the background, it was almost like a moving poem. And when the fireworks sparked and soared to the sky from the little platforms on the water, one highlight after another, like roars of laughters putting on a show shared by the happily entertained audience.
Yes, it was a memorable day, we were out for 12 hours and walked the whole city for 10 kilometers. What I didn't let anyone know was that I was not feeling well, or I was actually sick.
I was with a great guy whom I don't know too well, I felt too embarrased to tell him I was sick so I didn't say anything. What I didn't realise was that we would have been out for so long - I love it totally, from the bottom of my heart, and honestly was ok even not feeling so fit that day. But I didn't have the energy to engage in lively conversations, my brain wasn't working and I couldn't think and be witting or chatty.
If that's not embarrassing enough, along the day and the different venues, there were more and more people joining us, people who are his friends, people whom I met for the first time, and who speak a different language between themselves. On top of that, they were hinting and joking that I was the girlfriend! I would be over the moon if that's true, but I don't think I get any signal from him that he likes me anything more than a normal friend. I wish the earth opened up a hole at these moments and I could dive in hiding there. If only I knew, if only I knew I would meet new people and have the image of a gf, at least I would have wear something less casual, or maybe I could have planned to leave home a bit later, or think of some other ways to overcome my unfitness for that day. I could have been much better prepared, I could have made my friend very proud.
In most cases, I give people very good first impressions. If I'm not feeling myself, I would avoid meeting new people. In this case, it's not about me at all, I feel very guilty of causing my friend the embarrassment. I apologize if his friends wonder why he has such a boring girl as a friend.
I hope I won't lose the friendship that is still so fragile and hasn't have much chance to develop.
And I want to thank him for a good day, if not for him, I wouldn't have been to so many activities, and I enjoyed them, even without being able to express the enjoyment in words. Because of the lack of energy, it felt like I was walking in a silent dream, I was happy but silent, I can't remember much what people were talking, but what was vivid in my memory was the images, the color, the adorable summer heat, and the happy feeling of being surrounded by nice people.
I can remember the sun was shining over the harbour, the sky was blue, the water was blue with the white lines by the racing boats, we were on top of the Pylon of the Harbour Bridge overlooking the race and loved the feeling of sweat from my hot body.
I remember we were sitting in the shade having a short "nap", and when I opened my eyes, there was the dream-like pink smoke by the parachute landed on the water; and the big Australia flag over flowing the Opera House.
I remember the crowd, colorfully dressed with the patriotic theme, people of all shapes and different appearances that normally can't be seen in a normal day, which made me wonder if those people only come out once a year, but I enjoyed watching them and felt very much amused.
I remember of course the fireworks over the water in Darling Harbour, just as it is called - spectacular. The line of boats with their sail opening up and lighted with coordinated changing colors, with the fading music and the balmy summer evening as the background, it was almost like a moving poem. And when the fireworks sparked and soared to the sky from the little platforms on the water, one highlight after another, like roars of laughters putting on a show shared by the happily entertained audience.
Yes, it was a memorable day, we were out for 12 hours and walked the whole city for 10 kilometers. What I didn't let anyone know was that I was not feeling well, or I was actually sick.
I was with a great guy whom I don't know too well, I felt too embarrased to tell him I was sick so I didn't say anything. What I didn't realise was that we would have been out for so long - I love it totally, from the bottom of my heart, and honestly was ok even not feeling so fit that day. But I didn't have the energy to engage in lively conversations, my brain wasn't working and I couldn't think and be witting or chatty.
If that's not embarrassing enough, along the day and the different venues, there were more and more people joining us, people who are his friends, people whom I met for the first time, and who speak a different language between themselves. On top of that, they were hinting and joking that I was the girlfriend! I would be over the moon if that's true, but I don't think I get any signal from him that he likes me anything more than a normal friend. I wish the earth opened up a hole at these moments and I could dive in hiding there. If only I knew, if only I knew I would meet new people and have the image of a gf, at least I would have wear something less casual, or maybe I could have planned to leave home a bit later, or think of some other ways to overcome my unfitness for that day. I could have been much better prepared, I could have made my friend very proud.
In most cases, I give people very good first impressions. If I'm not feeling myself, I would avoid meeting new people. In this case, it's not about me at all, I feel very guilty of causing my friend the embarrassment. I apologize if his friends wonder why he has such a boring girl as a friend.
I hope I won't lose the friendship that is still so fragile and hasn't have much chance to develop.
And I want to thank him for a good day, if not for him, I wouldn't have been to so many activities, and I enjoyed them, even without being able to express the enjoyment in words. Because of the lack of energy, it felt like I was walking in a silent dream, I was happy but silent, I can't remember much what people were talking, but what was vivid in my memory was the images, the color, the adorable summer heat, and the happy feeling of being surrounded by nice people.
Friday, January 29, 2010
BBB and WW
BBB stands for Brunch By the Beach. A friend was helping me to set up this blog - did I say "thank you"? Yes, and I would like to say it again here in my first paragraph, thank you, from the bottom of my heart!:) - we were doing it step by step, and he asked, "what do you want for a title?"
I don't know how you feel, I am scared of these online step by step registrations. Always need a title (need to be catchy), a user name (need to be cute and unique), a password (need to be hard to guess), a description (!!!). Awww. Anyway, I need to think of one title in seconds as we need to go to the next step.
It was lunch time and I was hungry and was cooking some cheese and spinage puffs in the oven. I want to eat, I don't want to think! Ahh, yes, I got it, what about "Brunch By the Beach"?
I will be rambling on topics, as if with friends chatting over a meal. "Brunch" sounds leisure, sunny, fulfilling when hungry. "Beach" is where I live, is light hearted, fresh sea breeze, care free.
WW stands for Why and What.
I don't want to bore anyone to explain why, I understand that nobody except myself really cares:)
I remember a line from a so so movie, the married man was complaining to his male friend, "when we were single, we talk about art, politics and sex..."
Exactly, that's what we talk about.
Art - I don't know much about art, but I will talk about movies. I'd call it "The Discreet Life of the Bourgeois". Not exactly, but I like the title, it's from one of my favorite movies of all times.
Politics - I'd call it "A Tale of Two Cities".
Sex - I'd call it "Love Story". Yes, I know, you might be expecting something more attention grabbing, but trust me, it will be interesting to read- I hope:)
I don't know how you feel, I am scared of these online step by step registrations. Always need a title (need to be catchy), a user name (need to be cute and unique), a password (need to be hard to guess), a description (!!!). Awww. Anyway, I need to think of one title in seconds as we need to go to the next step.
It was lunch time and I was hungry and was cooking some cheese and spinage puffs in the oven. I want to eat, I don't want to think! Ahh, yes, I got it, what about "Brunch By the Beach"?
I will be rambling on topics, as if with friends chatting over a meal. "Brunch" sounds leisure, sunny, fulfilling when hungry. "Beach" is where I live, is light hearted, fresh sea breeze, care free.
WW stands for Why and What.
I don't want to bore anyone to explain why, I understand that nobody except myself really cares:)
I remember a line from a so so movie, the married man was complaining to his male friend, "when we were single, we talk about art, politics and sex..."
Exactly, that's what we talk about.
Art - I don't know much about art, but I will talk about movies. I'd call it "The Discreet Life of the Bourgeois". Not exactly, but I like the title, it's from one of my favorite movies of all times.
Politics - I'd call it "A Tale of Two Cities".
Sex - I'd call it "Love Story". Yes, I know, you might be expecting something more attention grabbing, but trust me, it will be interesting to read- I hope:)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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