Author Archives: sinyaw

Got No Respect?

Posted on April 25, 2012 by sinyaw

An employee came to me, frustrated, seeking a transfer. After 30 minutes or so, I came to the realization, “So what you are saying is that people don’t value your opinion?” He agreed that was the source of his frustration … Continue reading →

Posted in Management Thoughts | 3 Comments

My First Steve Berry

Posted on April 20, 2012 by sinyaw

On one of my trips, my fellow passenger was a hedge fund manager from Idaho (never got his name). His wife stuffed this book into his bag and he highly recommended it. I reserved the eBook from Seattle Public Library … Continue reading →

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中文或英文

Posted on April 17, 2012 by sinyaw

我很少去看我這blog的讀者量. 開始時,天天關心有多少人看我的大作. 現在基本上是個公開的日記,整理自己的思路,練練文筆. 所謂”筆耕”,大概就是這意思吧. 誰看誰不看,我寫我的. 今天心血來潮,發現有半數的讀者是以中文上網.而我多數的”作品”是英文. 嘿!

Posted in Witness to my life | 5 Comments

American Irons

Posted on April 15, 2012 by sinyaw

Buying a car is so hard. Large sums of money are involved. The consequence of making a mistake is very regrettable. The purchasing process is arduously unpleasant. And there isn’t enough information to make good decisions with. Fortunately, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Peek into my mind | 1 Comment

智化寺

Posted on April 12, 2012 by sinyaw

智化寺在二环边上，朝内小街东，金宝街北，禄米仓胡同的最东一段。不好找，但值得一游。最精彩的是西配殿，叫“藏殿”。中有个转轮藏，木雕精美完整，可以流连细看。正殿祭如来佛，台后有个壁画，但光线昏暗，难以欣赏。西边有个达摩像，我看了就喜欢。 藏殿的藻井早年被盗，现存美国The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art。 这寺是明英宗宠幸太监王振的家庙。据明史记载，“振跋扈不可制，作大第皇城东，建智化寺，穷极土木”。王振的个家庙就如此，可想见其他。英宗于正统14年率50万大军御驾亲征入侵的瓦刺。大败被俘，王振死于乱军之中。史称“土木之变”。明朝太监干政，始予王振，也自此由盛轉衰。看智化寺的精美，像恭王府一样，想到和珅也是个“倾国倾朝”的宦官。 寺内的几个赑屃（bi4 xi3)居然几百年还完好，细节生动，碑文也还能读，不容易。三进的大殿是二层楼也不常见。好像山门中经常有音乐表演，我没赶上。

Posted in China, Tour guides | 1 Comment

Qing Ming

Posted on April 8, 2012 by sinyaw

Several years ago, China has three golden weeks every year. Those are week-long national holidays that wreak havoc to the whole country. Everyone must go somewhere; all tourist spots busted in seams; transportation system ground to halt; international transactions disrupted. … Continue reading →

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Salt

Posted on March 31, 2012 by sinyaw

Unlike oil, salt and water are reusable and also among the most abundant elements on earth. There is no shortage of either one to last humanity through eternity. Except without energy, we just can’t make good use of them. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Individual Mandate

Posted on March 26, 2012 by sinyaw

In a society where hospitals cannot turn away patients, regardless of their ability or willingness to pay, individual mandate on health insurance is a necessity. I have seen and heard so many times of lives that withered away unnecessarily because … Continue reading →

Posted in Peek into my mind | Leave a comment

DFW

Posted on March 18, 2012 by sinyaw

I landed at DFW oh so many decades ago from oh so far away. Together with several literal FOBs (fresh off the boat), we set out to try the quintessential Americana: McDonald’s Big Mac. As we walked the streets of … Continue reading →

Posted in Peek into my mind, Witness to my life | 2 Comments

Corned Beef

Posted on March 17, 2012 by sinyaw

I look forward to St. Patrick’s day, not for all those Irish festivities and folk stories, but for corned beef. Like turkey, I always wondered why they are popular only on this occasion. In the old days, the only way … Continue reading →

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