About the Movie
I saw the movie "Black Book" tonight. I like the movie a lot. However, my friend who saw the movie with me has a very different idea of the movie. The critics have divided reviews of the movie, and it is not surprising my friend and I are divided on the movie as well.
About the Media
When I was searching for the reviews of the movie, the Google provided the American websites on the top of the search results. It sounds "VERY" logical that Americans are more likely to read American websites. Google and search engines always show the websites from the user's nation at the top in the result.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Quit Mountaineering Class
I quited the mountaineering class last weekend. It was a hard decision. I haven't made any progress on my school work since this quarter. I wish I could manage my time better to do both: school and mountaineering.
I'll take the class again. I have invested so much on my gear. I can't waste them. I can't give up the beautiful mountains either.
I'll take the class again. I have invested so much on my gear. I can't waste them. I can't give up the beautiful mountains either.
File Cabinet
I got a file cabinet from a schoolmate today. I'm quite excited. Finally, I can organize my papers and academic journal articles better.
One of lab-mates said you like file cabinets when you are older. You need to do archiving when you get older.
One of lab-mates said you like file cabinets when you are older. You need to do archiving when you get older.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Snow Camping
Last weekend, I went snow camping in Olympic National Park with my mountaineering group "Glacial Monkeys".
We hiked 7 miles to the campground. Each of us had 35-50 pls in the backpack. It was raining, snowing all the time. We were completed wet, inside and out. The next day, when we woke up, our tents were covered with snow. By the time we got back to the parking lot and took off our backpacks, we have never felt better.^_^.
(Courtesy of Jeff--one of Glacial monkeys)
We hiked 7 miles to the campground. Each of us had 35-50 pls in the backpack. It was raining, snowing all the time. We were completed wet, inside and out. The next day, when we woke up, our tents were covered with snow. By the time we got back to the parking lot and took off our backpacks, we have never felt better.^_^.
(Courtesy of Jeff--one of Glacial monkeys)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Mountaineering Expense
hard shell rain jacket $216.44
hiking boots $329.45
climbing gear $206.52
sleeping bag $266.92
mountaineering class $300.00
Total $1,319.33
(lookout from Mt. Erie)
(eagle at Mt. Erie)
(Big Chief)
(Ice Axe rescue at Big Chief)
All pictures are provided by Jeff--one of Glacial monkeys.
hiking boots $329.45
climbing gear $206.52
sleeping bag $266.92
mountaineering class $300.00
Total $1,319.33
(lookout from Mt. Erie)
(eagle at Mt. Erie)
(Big Chief)
(Ice Axe rescue at Big Chief)
All pictures are provided by Jeff--one of Glacial monkeys.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
It was February 10th that I helped her moved to the new place.
This morning, I went to her place again to move her things out.
In February, she hired a mover. We used two vehicles and took us three rounds to finish.
This morning, it only needed one U-haul to move everything. Her sister, her boss, and all her close friends came. However, she is not there......
This morning, I went to her place again to move her things out.
In February, she hired a mover. We used two vehicles and took us three rounds to finish.
This morning, it only needed one U-haul to move everything. Her sister, her boss, and all her close friends came. However, she is not there......
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Rebecca
You were beautiful.
You were slim.
You were a bit shy.
It was three and half years ago I first met you. I just joined Urban Form Lab. You were working in the same office but at Real Estate Research Center. Luc introduced us to each other. You were beautiful with a very sweet smile. At the same time, you were a little bit shy. I knew right away that I would have good time sharing office with you.
We went brunch, lunch, dinner together.
We went clubbing together.
We went drinking together.
We went to see movies together.
We went shopping together.
We went oystering together.
We went on trip together.
We had done a lot of fun things together. We became good friends. I also got to know you better.
You were determined.
You were sometimes nervous.
You were caring.
You were very considerate for others.
You were generous for friends.
You were also generous for strangers, not only because you were a good tipper.
You were the only one who was brave enough to drive with me and believed in my driving.
The last time we did things together was two weeks ago. We ran stairs. I want to climb Mt. Rainier this summer. You joined me for running stairs. However, I was out of breath only after a few minutes. You were walking at head of me, often stopped and waited for me. I started to doubt that if I really should plan to climb Mt. Rainier. Maybe you should do that.
You were slim.
You were a bit shy.
It was three and half years ago I first met you. I just joined Urban Form Lab. You were working in the same office but at Real Estate Research Center. Luc introduced us to each other. You were beautiful with a very sweet smile. At the same time, you were a little bit shy. I knew right away that I would have good time sharing office with you.
We went brunch, lunch, dinner together.
We went clubbing together.
We went drinking together.
We went to see movies together.
We went shopping together.
We went oystering together.
We went on trip together.
We had done a lot of fun things together. We became good friends. I also got to know you better.
You were determined.
You were sometimes nervous.
You were caring.
You were very considerate for others.
You were generous for friends.
You were also generous for strangers, not only because you were a good tipper.
You were the only one who was brave enough to drive with me and believed in my driving.
The last time we did things together was two weeks ago. We ran stairs. I want to climb Mt. Rainier this summer. You joined me for running stairs. However, I was out of breath only after a few minutes. You were walking at head of me, often stopped and waited for me. I started to doubt that if I really should plan to climb Mt. Rainier. Maybe you should do that.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Accents
I just read an article on British accents from BBC News. If I read this article five years ago, I wouldn't appreciate it. Surprisingly, how much I enjoy it now.
If you have read my blog, you might remember that I was asked if I was from China first time I talked to my former landlady on the phone for two minutes. Then I heard people said Americans love accents, more accurately European accents. I thought that was very strange. A few years later, I watched the movie "Love Actually", and found the story about a young British fellow who couldn't attract women in UK became very popular in the US because of his British accent very funny. I thought it could only happen in movies. How could it possible American women be attracted to men just because of their accents? I realized I was wrong very soon. One of my American girl friends told me that she liked this guy from Europe and he had a very cute accent!
Ironically, I started to notice accents last year. I have to admit it is pleasant to listen to BBC. However, I do find it more difficult to understand.
If you have read my blog, you might remember that I was asked if I was from China first time I talked to my former landlady on the phone for two minutes. Then I heard people said Americans love accents, more accurately European accents. I thought that was very strange. A few years later, I watched the movie "Love Actually", and found the story about a young British fellow who couldn't attract women in UK became very popular in the US because of his British accent very funny. I thought it could only happen in movies. How could it possible American women be attracted to men just because of their accents? I realized I was wrong very soon. One of my American girl friends told me that she liked this guy from Europe and he had a very cute accent!
Ironically, I started to notice accents last year. I have to admit it is pleasant to listen to BBC. However, I do find it more difficult to understand.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Catch up with the trends in China
Team shopping has been popular in China recently. It seems like there are quite a lot of new things coming out each year in China. Every time I visited my parents in China, I felt like I was "刘姥姥进大观园"--everything was new to me.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
I have used "Google" a lot, from Email, blog, calender, photo, maps, search,.... I added one more thing yesterday called "Google Reader". I have to say I like it.
There are only a few other things I use on the Internet not "Google" related, including music (I use Pandora), school email (I still keep my school email), and messenger (I have a MSN account). I can't image the life without "Google" functioning.
I'm not sure if the rule of investment (diversifying investment) should be applied here. For now I'll just "consolidate" for the sake of convenience.
There are only a few other things I use on the Internet not "Google" related, including music (I use Pandora), school email (I still keep my school email), and messenger (I have a MSN account). I can't image the life without "Google" functioning.
I'm not sure if the rule of investment (diversifying investment) should be applied here. For now I'll just "consolidate" for the sake of convenience.
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Relationship between Student Government & Government
I wish I remember the name of the program from NPR last November just right before the general election. It reported a student election in a high school in the US. Student candidates were campaigning for the election by doing fund raising, posting ads,... Everything was just like what the candidates of the senators and the congressmen were doing for their elections. At the end, student candidates with highest campaign money won. Those student candidates who had brilliant ideas and presented majority student interests did not get elected due to lacking of rich friends who were willing to denote money for their campaigns. Their ideas and agenda could not reach out to majority of the students. Surprisingly, this was similar to the results of all the president, senator, and congressman elections in the US.
Isn't it wonderful? We can see the US political system in the student government in the school. However, I didn't think about looking at the Chinese political system in the Chinese student government in the school until recently. I was chatting with my PhD adviser about the school syllabus in the US and China. Some public schools in the states cancel PE class due to lack of funding. I said my high school also canceled PE class for all seniors, however, my schoolmates protested and we got PE class back. Among all the schoolmates who were protesting, none of them were "student leaders" (I mean student president, anyone from the student government). Why they didn't say anything? I realized that those "student leaders" were appointed by the school or the teachers. Appointed by the school or the teachers meant working for the school or the teacher. Thus, it shouldn't be surprising to see that none of "student leaders" take part in the protest.
The different processes of forming government might be one of reasons that representatives in the US "aim" for the public, while their counterparts in China "aim" for the government--the Chinese government is cleverly defined for the public "people's government".
Isn't it wonderful? We can see the US political system in the student government in the school. However, I didn't think about looking at the Chinese political system in the Chinese student government in the school until recently. I was chatting with my PhD adviser about the school syllabus in the US and China. Some public schools in the states cancel PE class due to lack of funding. I said my high school also canceled PE class for all seniors, however, my schoolmates protested and we got PE class back. Among all the schoolmates who were protesting, none of them were "student leaders" (I mean student president, anyone from the student government). Why they didn't say anything? I realized that those "student leaders" were appointed by the school or the teachers. Appointed by the school or the teachers meant working for the school or the teacher. Thus, it shouldn't be surprising to see that none of "student leaders" take part in the protest.
The different processes of forming government might be one of reasons that representatives in the US "aim" for the public, while their counterparts in China "aim" for the government--the Chinese government is cleverly defined for the public "people's government".
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Mountaineering
I plan to climb to the top of Mt. Rainier (Elevation gain 3,200 m/10,500 ft) this summer. I signed up a 11-week mountaineering training course and went to the orientation last night. I should come out a training/exercise plan soon.
Following is my hiking resume
2004 Mt.St.Helens (Elevation gain 1 700 m/5,600 ft)
2005, 2006 Mt. Dickerman (Elevation gain 1,200 m/3,900 ft)
Following is my hiking resume
2004 Mt.St.Helens (Elevation gain 1 700 m/5,600 ft)
2005, 2006 Mt. Dickerman (Elevation gain 1,200 m/3,900 ft)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's day
I don't remember when I found him. It might have been a few years. I only remember I found him in a store. He has the characteristics I like. I checked him out. I fell for him. Then he became my "the one and only". He is great. When I need him, he always gives me comfort and satisfaction. He is so sweet.
However, last week, I couldn't find him. I have tried three times! Maybe I should try new things. I did, however, I didn't have the same comfort or satisfaction he gave to me. Yesterday, I went to find him again. He was there. I was soooooo thrill!
That was the story of my "Vanana" yogurt. Last week for three days I went to Trader Joe's, they went out the "Vanana" yogurt each time I went. Yesterday afternoon, I went to the store again, and they have it. I was sooo glad. It is Valentine's day today. I think my story today should be romantic.^_^.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
However, last week, I couldn't find him. I have tried three times! Maybe I should try new things. I did, however, I didn't have the same comfort or satisfaction he gave to me. Yesterday, I went to find him again. He was there. I was soooooo thrill!
That was the story of my "Vanana" yogurt. Last week for three days I went to Trader Joe's, they went out the "Vanana" yogurt each time I went. Yesterday afternoon, I went to the store again, and they have it. I was sooo glad. It is Valentine's day today. I think my story today should be romantic.^_^.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Wedding
Saturday, I attended a gay wedding. The wedding was for two men, and it was very lovely.
The grooms are good friends of one of my housemates. Even though I don't know the grooms very well, I got invited to the wedding, as the wedding was held at the house where I live. I had only been to wedding once before. I was looking forward to the wedding.
The house was decorated nicely. The catered food was quite delicious. The highlight of the wedding was when grooms exchanging their vows. I could hear the moving and happy weepings from different corners of the room. Their love touched everyone in the house.
I have to mention two other things. First, both of grooms' ex-boyfriends were invited and attended their wedding. They were all happy to see the couples being happy together. Second, the wedding cake that my housemate's brother made was very delicious.
The grooms are good friends of one of my housemates. Even though I don't know the grooms very well, I got invited to the wedding, as the wedding was held at the house where I live. I had only been to wedding once before. I was looking forward to the wedding.
The house was decorated nicely. The catered food was quite delicious. The highlight of the wedding was when grooms exchanging their vows. I could hear the moving and happy weepings from different corners of the room. Their love touched everyone in the house.
I have to mention two other things. First, both of grooms' ex-boyfriends were invited and attended their wedding. They were all happy to see the couples being happy together. Second, the wedding cake that my housemate's brother made was very delicious.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
孟子 (Mencius)
"故天将降大任于是人也，必先苦其心志，劳其筋骨，饿其体肤，空乏其身，行拂乱其所为，所以动心忍性，曾益其所不能。"－－《孟子·告子下》
"Thus, when Heaven is going to give a great responsibility to someone, it first makes his mind endure suffering. It makes his sinews and bones experience toil, and his body to suffer hunger. It inflicts him with poverty and knocks down everything he tries to build.
In this way Heaven stimulates his mind, stabilizes his temper and develops his weak points. People will always err, but it is only after making mistakes that they can correct themselves. Only when you have been mentally constricted can you become creative."--Mencius (Translation is taken from a website of a Japanese college)
This is great about the Internet. If anything comes to my mind, I can look it up in Google and find something related to it. If I find something in Chinese, I can also find its translated versions.
Now, I remember why I cited Mencius. I think Chinese have emphasized or appreciated too much that suffering is to lead to success. Enjoyment has been negate.
"Thus, when Heaven is going to give a great responsibility to someone, it first makes his mind endure suffering. It makes his sinews and bones experience toil, and his body to suffer hunger. It inflicts him with poverty and knocks down everything he tries to build.
In this way Heaven stimulates his mind, stabilizes his temper and develops his weak points. People will always err, but it is only after making mistakes that they can correct themselves. Only when you have been mentally constricted can you become creative."--Mencius (Translation is taken from a website of a Japanese college)
This is great about the Internet. If anything comes to my mind, I can look it up in Google and find something related to it. If I find something in Chinese, I can also find its translated versions.
Now, I remember why I cited Mencius. I think Chinese have emphasized or appreciated too much that suffering is to lead to success. Enjoyment has been negate.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Driving
I finally officially started driving in January 2007, even though I passed US driving exam and got my driver's license in 2004.
When I finished the second driving exam, the driving examiner said:"I can't believe you passed the exam!" That was how I got my driver's license.
In 2005, after one year I had my license, first time I got a chance to drive on the road. A friend of mine and I rent a car and planned to go to Grand Canyon from Los Verges. My friend let me drive for an hour or so, and he said to me:" Lin put off of the freeway. I'll drive for the rest of the trip." So I did, as I have never seen him being so serious.
Due to my glamours driving history, none of my friends were willing to let me drive their cars. Last December, I joined the flexcar program for the purpose of driving practice. The program covers cost of gas, comprehensive driving insurance, and automobiles. That means I can officially drive now. The first trip was to warm up. My friend, Rebecca, was brave enough to sit in the car with me to give me instructions. Rebecca thought I was a careful driver but I need to speed up a little bit. My second trip was tonight to a Korean restaurant in Lynnwood, locating about 20 miles north of Seattle. I did all right to the restaurant, except that I missed one traffic light on highway 99.
So people, relax! I won't get onto the freeway until July of this year.
Make the force with me.
When I finished the second driving exam, the driving examiner said:"I can't believe you passed the exam!" That was how I got my driver's license.
In 2005, after one year I had my license, first time I got a chance to drive on the road. A friend of mine and I rent a car and planned to go to Grand Canyon from Los Verges. My friend let me drive for an hour or so, and he said to me:" Lin put off of the freeway. I'll drive for the rest of the trip." So I did, as I have never seen him being so serious.
Due to my glamours driving history, none of my friends were willing to let me drive their cars. Last December, I joined the flexcar program for the purpose of driving practice. The program covers cost of gas, comprehensive driving insurance, and automobiles. That means I can officially drive now. The first trip was to warm up. My friend, Rebecca, was brave enough to sit in the car with me to give me instructions. Rebecca thought I was a careful driver but I need to speed up a little bit. My second trip was tonight to a Korean restaurant in Lynnwood, locating about 20 miles north of Seattle. I did all right to the restaurant, except that I missed one traffic light on highway 99.
So people, relax! I won't get onto the freeway until July of this year.
Make the force with me.
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