On the past Monday, former President Jamil of Ecuador gave my class a private talk. He shared many meaningful experiences with us during his years in the politics and his short but eventful presidency. Through his experiences, I got an impression of how delicate it is to be the head of state of a country during crisis time.
Whatever was portrayed in the media and perceived by the people can be so different by what was actually faced by him. Towards the end, a classmate of mine asked him to provide some advice on how to achieve our goals.
To this, he decided to tell us a story he learned. So he began:
Long time ago, in a rural village in China, there was a farmer. He had a very beautiful horse. One day, his neighbor came by and said:
"Wow, you have a very beautiful horse. You must be a very lucky man! How do you feel?"
The farmer simply replied, "Hmm ... it is just a horse. I don't feel anything"
A week later, his neighbor came by but did not see the horse. So he asked" What happened to your horse?" The farmer said, "A few days a go, my horse ran away". His neighbor, feeling sorry for him added on, "I am sorry. You must be very sad now." But to his surprise, the farmer told him, "Well, it is just it is. I don't feel anything."
Some time has passed by and his neightbor stopped by again. The farmer told him, "Guess what? My horse returned! ... and he brought with him a female horse. Now, I have 13 horses altogether." Upon hearing this, his neighbor said, "Wow, you must be very lucky. How do you feel?"
The farmer gave the same answer, "Well ... I don't feel anything. It is just the same." Feeling puzzled, his neighbor left. Then, a week later, his neighbor came by for dinner. This time the farmer told him, "You know ... my only son was trying to train the new horses. Yesterday, while training, he fell from a horse and broke his leg." Upon hearing this, the neighbor said, "You must be sad ... he is your only son." The farmer calmly replied again, "Well, it is just it is."
Soon, China went to war with Mongolia. The farmer met his neighbor again and told him. "Hey guess what, the Imperial came over and took all young men to war ... but when they saw my son lying in the bed with his leg broken, they left him alone."
So ... after my classmates and I listened to this story. We were thinking ... why did he tell us this story. To this ... shortly, President Jamil replied ... "In life, many things are what they turn out to be. We can give our best but in the end, nature has its say."
My main takeaway from this privileged interaction is:
Do our best and have no regrets.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
HKS Talent Show
I just came back from our school's annual Talent Show. It was awesome, hilarious and classy for some performance. I never knew some of my schoolmates are so talented. The performance by the MPAs on the musical "Chicago" is fantastic. The girls ... are sexxxxyyy ... and elegant. The guys ... man, they sure look kinky lol ...
But, personally, I like the solo performances. One guy managed to turn Outkast's song into a classy rendition with his classical guitar. That was simply amazing! Another pretty lady gave a wonderful opera performance.
I do pity the Mid-Career folks. They got hammered down by the MPPs so much that I think to it is a little overboard. But they took it in good faith. They funniest part is no doubt the video on bottled water. And Christian's performance really had me cracking and laughing. His rollerblading around the undergrad yard and hugging and kissing his bottled water is so damn funny ... especially with the song Dancing Queen being played in the background. The undergrads must be wondering "who the heck is this kuku?" ... hahaha ...
Of cause, talking about the undergrads, we had lots of laugh making fun of them ... imitating the way they usually ask questions in our regular Forum. Last but not least, the video coverage on the Business school was one of the best piece of the night. I pity those unassuming folks in HBS who were interviewed but not knowing what they were getting themselves into. Hahaha ... well, well, what else can I say? I am definitely going for it again next year.
But, personally, I like the solo performances. One guy managed to turn Outkast's song into a classy rendition with his classical guitar. That was simply amazing! Another pretty lady gave a wonderful opera performance.
I do pity the Mid-Career folks. They got hammered down by the MPPs so much that I think to it is a little overboard. But they took it in good faith. They funniest part is no doubt the video on bottled water. And Christian's performance really had me cracking and laughing. His rollerblading around the undergrad yard and hugging and kissing his bottled water is so damn funny ... especially with the song Dancing Queen being played in the background. The undergrads must be wondering "who the heck is this kuku?" ... hahaha ...
Of cause, talking about the undergrads, we had lots of laugh making fun of them ... imitating the way they usually ask questions in our regular Forum. Last but not least, the video coverage on the Business school was one of the best piece of the night. I pity those unassuming folks in HBS who were interviewed but not knowing what they were getting themselves into. Hahaha ... well, well, what else can I say? I am definitely going for it again next year.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A saturday night quest
I have been yearning for some nice Japanese food lately. However, the Harvard Square area is particularly boring in this area and lacks good Japanese food. Sure, we have Takemura, Wagamama and Cafe Sushi. But, they are all not up to par. Sorry to say this but after living for 6 years in the bay area, it is just hard to give really high marks to these Cambridge joints.
Takemura serves passable Jap food but it is not really really Jap. It is opened by Koreans. Wagamama, as you know, is a fusion place. Even far off the traditional style. Cafe Sushi is ok. But it lacks a complete menu. (I know I sound very picky ;p ... but that's me, I love to eat)
So tonight, I decided to venture to Porter Square. It is about 1.4 miles away from my studio. Took me about 15 to 20 minues to walk there => good workout before and after dinner. But nevermind, with my iPod as my companion, the walk seems relatively short. I took a nice evening stroll down Mass Ave. Well, I have to say Spring in Cambridge is really nice. It is sunny and the air is crisp and refreshing, not cold at all. And the nice thing is the weather will stay nice and warm until October ... yeah ...for next 6 months.
Back to food. So I reached Porter Square and I sought out 2 places. Sapporo Ramen and Ittyo. I was deciding which should I choose - Ramen ... which I haven't had in Cambridge before or curryyyyy!!! ... hmmm you know which I ate ... hahaha. I ordered Tonkatsu curry rice ... and man ... I downed it in like less than 20 minutes. I haven't had Tonkatsu curry rice in so long. Although not as good as the one I used to go in Sunnyvale/Saratoga with my buddies ... I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Next time (maybe tomorrow?) ... I will try Sapporo Ramen ;p ... yum yum.
I was about to leave but ... as I turned around, I saw a Japanese bakery ... hahah. I stopped by and started asking the girl about all the different types of cakes and pastries she has. (pretty Jap girl ... ;)) Seeing me asking so many questions, the lady boss came over. I thought ... shit was she unhappy that I was asking these questions? ... but no ... turned out that she was very friendly. And when she found out that I moved from SF, California to Boston, she was even friendlier because her son is working in SF. (I dunno maybe I remind her of her son ... since she started telling me which cake her son likes and keep asking me to try ;p) We chatted for a while and she even told me where to get authentic Jap food and gave me the chef name - Hiro san.
So in the end, I bought a fruit tart and a strawberry short cakes. I just finished the tart and I am looking at the cake now ... heh heh ... but I will probably leave that to tomorrow. Still feeling well fed and happy from my curry rice ;p
Takemura serves passable Jap food but it is not really really Jap. It is opened by Koreans. Wagamama, as you know, is a fusion place. Even far off the traditional style. Cafe Sushi is ok. But it lacks a complete menu. (I know I sound very picky ;p ... but that's me, I love to eat)
So tonight, I decided to venture to Porter Square. It is about 1.4 miles away from my studio. Took me about 15 to 20 minues to walk there => good workout before and after dinner. But nevermind, with my iPod as my companion, the walk seems relatively short. I took a nice evening stroll down Mass Ave. Well, I have to say Spring in Cambridge is really nice. It is sunny and the air is crisp and refreshing, not cold at all. And the nice thing is the weather will stay nice and warm until October ... yeah ...for next 6 months.
Back to food. So I reached Porter Square and I sought out 2 places. Sapporo Ramen and Ittyo. I was deciding which should I choose - Ramen ... which I haven't had in Cambridge before or curryyyyy!!! ... hmmm you know which I ate ... hahaha. I ordered Tonkatsu curry rice ... and man ... I downed it in like less than 20 minutes. I haven't had Tonkatsu curry rice in so long. Although not as good as the one I used to go in Sunnyvale/Saratoga with my buddies ... I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Next time (maybe tomorrow?) ... I will try Sapporo Ramen ;p ... yum yum.
I was about to leave but ... as I turned around, I saw a Japanese bakery ... hahah. I stopped by and started asking the girl about all the different types of cakes and pastries she has. (pretty Jap girl ... ;)) Seeing me asking so many questions, the lady boss came over. I thought ... shit was she unhappy that I was asking these questions? ... but no ... turned out that she was very friendly. And when she found out that I moved from SF, California to Boston, she was even friendlier because her son is working in SF. (I dunno maybe I remind her of her son ... since she started telling me which cake her son likes and keep asking me to try ;p) We chatted for a while and she even told me where to get authentic Jap food and gave me the chef name - Hiro san.
So in the end, I bought a fruit tart and a strawberry short cakes. I just finished the tart and I am looking at the cake now ... heh heh ... but I will probably leave that to tomorrow. Still feeling well fed and happy from my curry rice ;p
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mary says
Wang LeeHom had an ex-girlfriend called Mary Bai ... I was randomly browsing videos through YouTube and I discovered this video. It is a heart warming song, attributed to his relationship with her.
"Mary says" - enjoy the song ;p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je0e3OetPgw
"Mary says" - enjoy the song ;p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je0e3OetPgw
三十而立
I was told this recently. At 30, I am independent.
I spent my teenage years learning and mastering skills. In my twenties, I graduated with different skill sets, started wondering around the world, building my experience. Looking back, I am happy to say my adventures have been very meaningful. I have tasted all flavors of life in the past 10 years. I would say more 甜 than anything else, which is great! The twenties was a time of carefree lifestyle, formless and aimless in the sense. I didn't worry about my lifelong goals too much, I didn't have the responsibility and burden of carrying a family and I wasn't expected to play a significant role in most things. So, being a yuppie in California, I had the best time.
However, time keeps moving forward and eventually, every human being has to face his aspirations and challenges. At which point, he has to make a decision whether to continue with life as it has been or move forward to the next phase.
I have arrived at this point in my life. I am at a stage where I have gained substantial experience and capability to navigate on my own. I am no longer dependant of the established or fearful of the establishment. I am able to defy irrational traditions and say "no" to anyone deemed incorrect or insensible, no longer succumbing to the pressure of inexperience.
So, 三十而立 ... indeed, very true. It is time to assume the rightful place and role in this society. It is time to take charge and be in control. It is time to take over and lead.
[子 日] : 三十而立
[虎 日] : 三十以後 全力而進
I spent my teenage years learning and mastering skills. In my twenties, I graduated with different skill sets, started wondering around the world, building my experience. Looking back, I am happy to say my adventures have been very meaningful. I have tasted all flavors of life in the past 10 years. I would say more 甜 than anything else, which is great! The twenties was a time of carefree lifestyle, formless and aimless in the sense. I didn't worry about my lifelong goals too much, I didn't have the responsibility and burden of carrying a family and I wasn't expected to play a significant role in most things. So, being a yuppie in California, I had the best time.
However, time keeps moving forward and eventually, every human being has to face his aspirations and challenges. At which point, he has to make a decision whether to continue with life as it has been or move forward to the next phase.
I have arrived at this point in my life. I am at a stage where I have gained substantial experience and capability to navigate on my own. I am no longer dependant of the established or fearful of the establishment. I am able to defy irrational traditions and say "no" to anyone deemed incorrect or insensible, no longer succumbing to the pressure of inexperience.
So, 三十而立 ... indeed, very true. It is time to assume the rightful place and role in this society. It is time to take charge and be in control. It is time to take over and lead.
[子 日] : 三十而立
[虎 日] : 三十以後 全力而進
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Should be sunny soon
Sunday, here am I at the Taubman building at the Kennedy School sitting anxiously waiting for my CA to arrive. I have a few questions on Game Theory that I need clarify. It is drizzling outside but the weather forecast says the next few days will be very sunny and warm.
See, I am not a Lee Hom fan but somehow I stumbled into this this morning and I find it really nice. Those who know me, know that I am a big fan of nostalgic, sentimental Mandarin songs ... especially those which resemble that "lost era" of early modern China (Think of songs like Shanghai 1943 - Jay Chou, 千里之外 - Jay Chou) ... ie. when China is capitalist, unique and has its own cultural charm. Maybe it is due to my upbringing but nevertheless, these songs never fail to bring me back to that era and allow me to see things from my grandparents' visions.
Anyway, back to Lee Hom ... this song 花田錯 is nice and soothing to listen to. And I like the part when he blends the Peking (or rather Beijing) opera style into the mandarin hip hop. Ahhh ... I couldn't wait for summer to come. Maybe I will try to spend my summer in Taipei or Beijing this time ... learn some mandarin ... travel to Tainan or southern China to experience the "ben du feng wei" and deepen my language and understanding of the culture.
Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SDSHNJRlXk&feature=related
See, I am not a Lee Hom fan but somehow I stumbled into this this morning and I find it really nice. Those who know me, know that I am a big fan of nostalgic, sentimental Mandarin songs ... especially those which resemble that "lost era" of early modern China (Think of songs like Shanghai 1943 - Jay Chou, 千里之外 - Jay Chou) ... ie. when China is capitalist, unique and has its own cultural charm. Maybe it is due to my upbringing but nevertheless, these songs never fail to bring me back to that era and allow me to see things from my grandparents' visions.
Anyway, back to Lee Hom ... this song 花田錯 is nice and soothing to listen to. And I like the part when he blends the Peking (or rather Beijing) opera style into the mandarin hip hop. Ahhh ... I couldn't wait for summer to come. Maybe I will try to spend my summer in Taipei or Beijing this time ... learn some mandarin ... travel to Tainan or southern China to experience the "ben du feng wei" and deepen my language and understanding of the culture.
Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SDSHNJRlXk&feature=related
Thursday, April 03, 2008
I will march on
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