Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Thoughts and reality

This is an interesting post by Mr Wang. In it, a scientist (Emoto) theorizes that thoughts can affect the formation of water crystals if they are directed at the water before it is frozen. Woah... I think this is just the tip of the iceberg as to what thoughts can do for the self.

As I keep stressing, positivity also helps. And it especially helps when you're in a new environment and everything is bewildering you, like what I am facing now :)

Things are falling into place for me, but only because I thought it would. Have a nice day folks!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Constitutional amendment

Looks like the ruling government are making even more dubious decisions after their last pay raise issue (click on the above link to read Molly's take on it - a rather good one I must say). This post is not meant to be a commentary, but rather as a record for myself to come back and look at after some time.

After being out of the country for some time, I've more or less lost touch with the happenings on the ground. Now I'm trying to make up for lost time.

Keep up the good work, fellow bloggers! Our people are learning to read online articles for more news! =)

Right-of-way

Like everywhere else, one has to learn to quickly adapt or become redundant. Luckily for me, it is an inborn thing to want to ACT like the locals from the area I am in (whilst not necessarily accepting their values as mine).

So, this post is about right-of-way. In China, at least of what I've seen, this word/phrase is not commonly used/known, not least because the people here don't use English, but more because of their nature.

What I am talking about? Lest people start accusing me of broadly tarring everyone here with the same brush, I have to account for my stand.

1. On the road - in Shenzhen it is not as bad, but in Tianjin (where I was briefly for 2 days), the number of times I heard the car/bus/lorry/van/whatever vehicle horn was uncountable. Really, I kid you not. It almost seemed like the cacophony of noise was as continuous as air from an air-conditioner (a working one!), only that it jarred on my nerves. People here don't really allow others to cut into their lanes, and also, they have no sense of traffic rules. A two-way street quickly becomes one-way when one of the lanes become congested with traffic, and then a deadlock happens as a result because traffic on both sides are stuck with no possibility of either side advancing. And no one has the brains to reverse their cars apparently. It takes a policeman to come direct the people to MOVE IT! MOVE IT!

2. Rushing for lifts/trains/buses - While it is fair to clarify that the problem is not as acute for trains and buses because it is relatively less crowded than the lifts in particular I am talking about, the problem remains. One thing that stands out from what I recall, is that the DOOR OPEN button is rarely used in the lift situation. The person nearest the lift buttons would be furiously pressing on the DOOR CLOSE button instead, all whilst people are trying to come into the lift. LIKE WTF #$%^&?! And people here take it as a given! OMG bozos!! What were you guys thinking? Are we all like pigs to the slaughter, rushing into some sanctuary or something? Did you really have to press the Door Close button so many times as people are coming in? Will it get you any faster to your office? Stupid fugheads.

OK, I hope this piece entertained you a little. I'm still trying to figure out the enigma that is the Chinaman. Till then, there will be more of this shit coming up.