Author Archives: sinyaw

Samir Patel

Posted on June 25, 2008 by sinyaw

I met Samir, 1993, at Kubota Pacific, the afterlife of Ardent Computer, an ambitious project to make super-computing workstation. Samir was the compiler head for Ardent. When Kubota acquired Ardent and launched the grandeur plan to become the dominant player … Continue reading →

Posted in Witness to my life | 2 Comments

Father’s Day Afternon

Posted on June 16, 2008 by sinyaw

It is hard to underestimate the draw Tiger has. I was riveted to the TV Sunday watching intense 3-way race between Rocco Mediate, Tiger Woods, and Lee Westwood. Surprised, my daughter was riveted on my side. She even called me … Continue reading →

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China Bans Plastic Bags

Posted on June 12, 2008 by sinyaw

China just banned flimsy (0.025mm or less) plastic bags. Stores cannot provide them free of charge anymore. In days, usage shrank by 80%. Triumph for environmentalists. It seems. People hate paying for something that was free. Ignorant or defiant customers … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 Words, China | 1 Comment

We are what we eat

Posted on June 8, 2008 by sinyaw

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals Michael Pollan ISBN: 978-0143038580 Pub. Date: August 28, 2007 Publisher: Penguin In this world of evolution, the fittest survives. Surely we homo sapiens are the reigning king on top of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reviews | 1 Comment

Hmm, Sesame

Posted on June 4, 2008 by sinyaw

I love sesame paste, a simple food of two ingredients: ground sesame and sugar. The sesame oil provides the consistency similar to peanut butter, only grittier. It has nice aroma, fine texture, and, of course, the simple sweetness. Chinese use … Continue reading →

Posted in Tour guides, Witness to my life | 1 Comment

Religion and Governance 宗教与统治

Posted on June 1, 2008 by sinyaw

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw A few thousand years ago, rulers pondered on how to govern. Citizens were not quite literate. The society was tiered. A legal system seemed futile: first they need to learn the laws, then must build an … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Peek into my mind | Leave a comment

Prague

Posted on May 29, 2008 by sinyaw

Ask someone who has never been to Europe to describe it, he will come up with something close to Prague: magnificent churches, medieval cobble-stone streets that are mere alleys for Americans, friendly waiting staff with strange accents offering interesting but … Continue reading →

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Skin Scraping 刮痧

Posted on May 28, 2008 by sinyaw

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw Somewhere between Xi’An and Beijing, my friend and her daughter caught a cold — an ordinary travel story except for the treatment she sought. Traditional Chinese medicine has 4 standard treatment methods: pressure points massage, acupuncture, … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Tour guides, Witness to my life | 1 Comment

Good Country for Earthquake

Posted on May 26, 2008 by sinyaw

Normalcy comes back. A girl brushes teeth in the open air, to a stainless steel sink part of a long row, in front of a tent city. A motherly woman misses cooking, saying the mess-hall foods lack home flavors. An … Continue reading →

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ErWang Temple, no more 二王庙不再

Posted on May 25, 2008 by sinyaw

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw Just saw the report that ErWang Temple of DuJianYan collapsed during the earthquake. I took the picture on the left last November. This temple was first built probably 1000 years ago. Last renovations was around 1908. … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Peek into my mind | 1 Comment