Author Archives: sinyaw

Street Banking

Here in China, company’s cafeteria serve three meals a day at very reasonable prices. Since other options are not really more attractive, it becomes a popular dinner solution. Employees usually leave work around 8pm after the meal. On this day, … Continue reading

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Clinton on Google

Hillary Rodham Clinton stood by Google on its case against China. “Censorship should not be in any way accepted by any company from anywhere,” Mrs. Clinton said. “American companies need to take a principled stand. This needs to be part … Continue reading

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A Fine Day at Hong Kong

The best things to do in Hong Kong are shopping and eating, no fun without a company. When I learned that I would have a weekend free, we arranged to stay with an old friend and she was a great … Continue reading

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Becoming Human

Becoming Human http://www.becominghuman.org/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/beta/evolution/ PBS recently aired this 3-part series of human evolution. The style and structure are like other PBS documentary/educational programs: a narrator with impeccable voice, interviews with impressive experts, and revelations of break-through knowledge. This subject, human … Continue reading

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水滸: 悽涼結局

其實我忘了水滸的結局了. 小時候看到招安,就義憤填噟,摔書不看了. 這次耐性的一回回的聽完了. 中國的四大小說,設計都是說書的型式. iPod,正好提供聽書的環境. 戰死沙場的也就罷了,船伙張橫的英魂,武松的左手,都令人嘆息. 但那是打戰的代價. 方臘那邊,不也死了許多嗎? 平方臘後,水滸散將,一個個走了. 李俊赴船出海. 武松出家. 燕青也消遙而去. 這些都能令人暗嘆佩服. 但宋江,盧俊義被奸黨毒害,沒得好死. 是不是施耐庵暗示宋江的領導錯誤? 只是陪上了李逵,花榮,當了副將. 最悽涼的是吳用. 他雖無武功,但在梁山,征南,宋江給了他舞台. 從此只是一介文人,滿腹雄韜,沒有發揮的可能. 那就罷了. 現在連能說話的朋友都沒了. 於是鬱悶到了無生趣,自盡忠義堂. 水滸悲劇,給人最大的感嘆,是英雄慘死,奸黨得勝. 讀者及聽眾的不平,也就是水滸流傳不衰的重點原因了. 這是我重讀四大小說的第一本. 老實說,我紅樓從來沒看完過,也不會去看了. 但三國西遊,現在十分嚮往開讀哦.

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Loma Prieta memory

Yes. That was a jolt, I stood up quickly, walked to the office door, and waited. Earthquake Center: A light earthquake occurred at 10:09:35 AM (PST) on Thursday, January 7, 2010. The magnitude 4.1 event occurred 11 km (7 miles) … Continue reading

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It’s about productivity, Dr. Krugman

Many economists believe that the US will have a short-lived recovery and head right back to recession once the stimulus money runs out. They think the “multiplier” effect of the stimulus is about one, or even a bit less. This … Continue reading

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A bit too long…

Avatar James Cameron We all went to the bathroom before the movie started and stayed away from any liquid during the entire show. That was a good plan. We came out of the theater with different opinions. She shrugged, “It’s … Continue reading

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The Resolution

This entry is about new year’s resolutions, particularly the one I made for 2008. Like many of you, I resolved to exercise more. Specifically, I set the goal to work out three times a week. Also like many of you, … Continue reading

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初到深圳

初看深圳,感觉和北京上海没什么不同,一样的大街,靓丽的大楼,购物中心有国际级的奢华品牌。说起来,和东京,纽约,旧金山,洛杉矶也没什么不同。高挡公寓冲天而立,遥望城景海水。旧住家区,像旧金山的中国城:矮楼,小店,邻居。但深圳气候温暖,多了许多青青大树。深圳君悦(Grand Hyatt) 今年底开张,肯定了它的商业重要性。 深圳的“关外”,是指经济特区的分界点。香港回归后,这“关”只是虚设的个历史结构罢了。但关外比较不繁华,治安也差些。龙岗区的坂田村,几年前是农地。今天已是个新兴的边缘城市。看来是个炒楼的战略地点。 遥望香港,真是此一时彼一时,回归前和今天,天壤之别。深圳边现在一样繁华,只是空间多了太太多。朋友住在海边的高楼,能收到香港的手机和电视讯号。有通行证的深圳人,十五分钟能到中环购物,人民币一样好使。香港居民也几乎可以自由来去。想想为什么要忍受五倍以上的房价挤在香港呢? 深圳市基本上都是外地人,文化上不能说是广东。看看餐馆,比比都是川湘菜,粤菜还少些。特别找了几家粤菜馆子,口味也一般。可能香港的粤菜还正宗地道。不是说深圳的餐馆不好,其实档次颇高的,环境,口味,服务都不输上海北京。只是没有传统本地菜。 大概因为不是个观光城,没有看到北京的秀水街,上海的襄阳市场这种外销卖点。倒是高挡超市不少。也有好几个高挡消费区,看电影,购物,吃饭,喝茶聊天,区内走走就到。问了几个深圳人休闲做什么,都答不出来。想来没有什么休闲的观念。工余就是休息罢了。这是个今天在忙着赚钱的城市,慢慢他也会走出自己的文化出来的。

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