我激怒時，他告訴我：寬恕！
我恐懼時，他告訴我：要勇敢！
我懷疑時，他對我說：要相信！
我焦慮時，他對我說：要冷靜！
我喜歡走我自己的路，他告訴我：來，跟隨我！
我做我自己的計畫，他告訴我：忘記它們！
我趨向物質的財富，他說：和它們背道而馳！
我想要安全感，他說：我絕不給你任何許諾！
我喜歡過我自己的生活，他說：失去你的生活！
我相信我是好的，他告訴我：好是不夠的！
我喜歡成為老闆，他說：服務！
我喜歡命令別人，他說：服從！
我喜歡了解，他說：相信！
我喜歡清楚明白，他用比喻對我說話！
我喜歡詩意，他用真實對我說話！
我喜歡寧靜，他喜歡我被打擾！
我喜歡激動，他說：願你平安！
我拔出刀劍，他說：放下它！
我想報復，他說：把另一邊面頰轉過來！
我談到秩序井然，他說：我已帶來刀劍！
我選擇憎恨，他說：愛你的仇敵！
我要播種融洽，他說：我來是為把火投在地上！
我喜歡成為最大的，他說：要學習像小孩子那樣小！
我喜歡隱藏，他說：要讓你的光照耀！
我注視最好的位置，他說：坐到末位去！
我喜歡被人注意，他說：拴上門在你的內室祈禱！
不，我不認識這位耶穌。
他挑動我。他使我困惑。
他的誡命太多，我寧可去跟隨另一位更明確並且要求少的師傅。
但我經驗到的幾乎和伯鐸一樣：「我不知除你以外，還有誰永生的話。」
巴西 SCJ會士Pe.Zezinho
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Good communication
Good communication begins with conveying what's the obvious. For one thing, the obvious to the speaker may not be so to the others and hence avoiding confusion. Secondly, it establishes a fundation for further discussion, which helps to identify the differences in opinions. Most of the time I jump to what I think is the key of the matter, skipping what I assume is the agreed common ground.
The ability to go down to the root of the matter is a very important skill, if not the most important one. Next to that is the ability to provide a bird's eye view of the entire situation. Both requires a very sharp mind.
The ability to go down to the root of the matter is a very important skill, if not the most important one. Next to that is the ability to provide a bird's eye view of the entire situation. Both requires a very sharp mind.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Taiwan
Let's do the numbers.
| Taiwan | China | California | L.A. County | Israel | |
| Area (miles^2) | 13,892 | 3,705,386 | 163,707 | 4,084 | 8,019 |
| Population (Mil) | 22.7 | 1,298.8 | 33.9 | 3.6 | 6.2 |
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
The thick wall
Many times in life I feel I'm in front of a thick wall. There's no way around it and I have to somehow get through it. The situation reminds me of the graduate school days when I made no progress in my research project for weeks. Pressured by time and commitments, frustrated by the complexity or difficulties of the problems, I'd feel ashamed and discouraged.
Sometimes I wish I can find a crack in the wall and use a sharp tool to make it bigger so the wall would crumble; sometimes I feel I need a strong and powerful drill to penetrate and make a breakthrough (the image of a coal mine worker in the narrow and obsure underground tunnel). At other times I feel I just need to have the persistence to push the wall and move it a little bit each day (especially with people, where hard methods wouldn't work so well), and eventually it'll tip over and fall on its own weight.
Most of the time I feel I lack those tools or the character. And I wander around. I waste time on browsing the web or entering mindless blogs (writing and editing it). I don't talk to other people in those situations (why bother others).
Exercise is a way to help me in the long run. I think if I'd swim or play balls then my focus and attention would restore over time.
Vision is the sharp tool; focus and sustained attention are the drill head that is made of diamond, which would cut through any hard problems.
It's all in the mind.
A clear mind, a sharp vision, a strong will and resilience. Those are the four foundation characters I believe I need to overcome the walls and roadblocks on my way. On top of that, I just need the wisdom to know which one is the best way.
Sometimes I wish I can find a crack in the wall and use a sharp tool to make it bigger so the wall would crumble; sometimes I feel I need a strong and powerful drill to penetrate and make a breakthrough (the image of a coal mine worker in the narrow and obsure underground tunnel). At other times I feel I just need to have the persistence to push the wall and move it a little bit each day (especially with people, where hard methods wouldn't work so well), and eventually it'll tip over and fall on its own weight.
Most of the time I feel I lack those tools or the character. And I wander around. I waste time on browsing the web or entering mindless blogs (writing and editing it). I don't talk to other people in those situations (why bother others).
Exercise is a way to help me in the long run. I think if I'd swim or play balls then my focus and attention would restore over time.
Vision is the sharp tool; focus and sustained attention are the drill head that is made of diamond, which would cut through any hard problems.
It's all in the mind.
A clear mind, a sharp vision, a strong will and resilience. Those are the four foundation characters I believe I need to overcome the walls and roadblocks on my way. On top of that, I just need the wisdom to know which one is the best way.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Trip to L.A.
On Feb. 19, we moved to L.A. Driving in the white Toyota with i and G, 400 miles and almost 7 hours later, we arrived at our friend's place in Fullerton (and they were waiting for us to have dinner together!).
What a journey from almost exactly one year ago when LS got the phone call from M for an interview at B University. Yes, after one year and the seemingly long process of house-selling, house-hunting, house-buying, etc., the costly relocation is finally ending. And the date happened to be our 7th wedding anniversary. Champainge!
Another thing, it's the 5th wettest year in the history of L.A. Rain. Rain. Torrential rain. Thunderstorm. Floodings. Mudslides. Fatal accidents. Desarester area. etc. etc. etc. When it finally stopped, it was then the blue sky, the lingering gray clouds, and the majestic mountain all covered with snow. What a welcoming show we had!
And what a friend we have. They cooked, they buy groceries, clean, borrow futon, baby chair, etc. The food. Mmmm. Cantonese soup, hand-made Jiaozi, hotpot on Yuanxiao night, etc. etc. etc. And what friends we had for the past 5 weeks. PP, UC, YT all showed us their hospitality. i had 2 birthday parties, he learned to walk at YT's place and now improving in DY&ZR's. We've been cared by the angels!
Now the rain had stopped, we'll be moving into the new house Friday 225! We've put in new ceiling, the recessed lights, and the wall by our contractor MB and had the house and the carpet all cleaned, bought the frig and washer/dryer. BU is even agreeing to pick up the tab for the local move. PTL!!
What a beginning of a new chapter in our lives.
What a journey from almost exactly one year ago when LS got the phone call from M for an interview at B University. Yes, after one year and the seemingly long process of house-selling, house-hunting, house-buying, etc., the costly relocation is finally ending. And the date happened to be our 7th wedding anniversary. Champainge!
Another thing, it's the 5th wettest year in the history of L.A. Rain. Rain. Torrential rain. Thunderstorm. Floodings. Mudslides. Fatal accidents. Desarester area. etc. etc. etc. When it finally stopped, it was then the blue sky, the lingering gray clouds, and the majestic mountain all covered with snow. What a welcoming show we had!
And what a friend we have. They cooked, they buy groceries, clean, borrow futon, baby chair, etc. The food. Mmmm. Cantonese soup, hand-made Jiaozi, hotpot on Yuanxiao night, etc. etc. etc. And what friends we had for the past 5 weeks. PP, UC, YT all showed us their hospitality. i had 2 birthday parties, he learned to walk at YT's place and now improving in DY&ZR's. We've been cared by the angels!
Now the rain had stopped, we'll be moving into the new house Friday 225! We've put in new ceiling, the recessed lights, and the wall by our contractor MB and had the house and the carpet all cleaned, bought the frig and washer/dryer. BU is even agreeing to pick up the tab for the local move. PTL!!
What a beginning of a new chapter in our lives.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
指 九 天以 為 正 兮, 夫 唯 靈 脩 之 故 也
-- 屈原 离騷
指 ， 語 也 。 九 天 ， 謂 中 央 八方 也 。 正 ， 平 也 。
靈， 神 也 。 脩 ， 遠 也 。 能 神 明 遠 見 者 君 德 ， 故 以 諭 君 。 言己 將 陳 忠 策 內 慮 之 心 ， 上 指 九 天 ， 告 語 神 明 ， 使 平 正 之。 唯 用 懷 王 之 故 ， 欲 自 盡 也 。
指 ， 語 也 。 九 天 ， 謂 中 央 八方 也 。 正 ， 平 也 。
靈， 神 也 。 脩 ， 遠 也 。 能 神 明 遠 見 者 君 德 ， 故 以 諭 君 。 言己 將 陳 忠 策 內 慮 之 心 ， 上 指 九 天 ， 告 語 神 明 ， 使 平 正 之。 唯 用 懷 王 之 故 ， 欲 自 盡 也 。
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Mardi Gras
It's French for "Fat Tuesday", a day of feasting before the Lent, which is the 40-day fasting period prior to Easter. The 40-day measures 6 six-day-weeks plus 4 days before Easter Sunday, so Lent always begins on a Wednesday (called Ash Wednesday). Naturally, people will have a big feast on the Tuesday before they starting fasting on Wednesday. Since Easter moves, so does the day of Mardi Gras each year. The date generally falls in February or early March:
2004 - February 24
2005 - February 8
2006 - February 28
2007 - February 20
2008 - February 5
2009 - February 24
2010 - February 16
The craziest time during Carnival is the Friday before Mardi Gras through the holiday itself.
The three colors of Mardi Gras were decreed by Rex and the colors mean the following: purple = justice, green = faith and gold = power.
2004 - February 24
2005 - February 8
2006 - February 28
2007 - February 20
2008 - February 5
2009 - February 24
2010 - February 16
The craziest time during Carnival is the Friday before Mardi Gras through the holiday itself.
The three colors of Mardi Gras were decreed by Rex and the colors mean the following: purple = justice, green = faith and gold = power.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Theology
Haven't seen Pastor C and his wife for 3 years. They haven't changed much (he even wore the same deep purple shirt I've seen at least 3 years ago). But for the last 3 years, Pastor has spend much of his time and energy studying theology, and he gave me a glims of it last night.
It is hard to summarize theology in a few words, but basically it is, as he said, Bible plus logic. The more I think about it, theology is men's struggle to answer the inevitable questions in Christian faith. That is, trying to use human logic to rationalize our understanding of God.
There're Calvinism (the TULIP), Arminianism, the 5C, 3C, 2.5C, 5A, Openism, etc. All these are results of serious thinkings of the same scripture, but probably the only thing they can agree on is the inerrancy of it. Since the Bible itself is not a book of doctrins and theories, but rather a book of mostly events and letters, it's neither explicit nor strict on the defination of doctrines such as predestination vs. free will, trinity, or ??? (the three areas where theologists have been debating for ages).
Without theology faith can be criticized as irrational, but too much of it are proven dangerous (poisonous, as Pastor C described). Many difficult questions from a non-believer may be found in the theology books, but none of them provides the same answer, probably.
What's my take? Well, to be brief: the existance of tri-une God and inerrancy of the Bible. Perhaps there's a middle ground somewhere between 5C and 5A that I can accept. One thing is clear, theology is interesting. As Pastor C said, you need a starting point even though later on you might find it wrong.
It is hard to summarize theology in a few words, but basically it is, as he said, Bible plus logic. The more I think about it, theology is men's struggle to answer the inevitable questions in Christian faith. That is, trying to use human logic to rationalize our understanding of God.
There're Calvinism (the TULIP), Arminianism, the 5C, 3C, 2.5C, 5A, Openism, etc. All these are results of serious thinkings of the same scripture, but probably the only thing they can agree on is the inerrancy of it. Since the Bible itself is not a book of doctrins and theories, but rather a book of mostly events and letters, it's neither explicit nor strict on the defination of doctrines such as predestination vs. free will, trinity, or ??? (the three areas where theologists have been debating for ages).
Without theology faith can be criticized as irrational, but too much of it are proven dangerous (poisonous, as Pastor C described). Many difficult questions from a non-believer may be found in the theology books, but none of them provides the same answer, probably.
What's my take? Well, to be brief: the existance of tri-une God and inerrancy of the Bible. Perhaps there's a middle ground somewhere between 5C and 5A that I can accept. One thing is clear, theology is interesting. As Pastor C said, you need a starting point even though later on you might find it wrong.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Inspirational
If there's one speaker that consistantly inspiring it has to be Tony Robbins. I first heard about him over 10 years ago (from my friend Tony Z). I still remember one thing my friend strongly agreed with--to continuously make tiny steps towards the goal of your life.
Last night, I saw Tony's infomercial on TV again. I was even thinking about buying his lastest CDs (for myself and as a gift to others). This morning during my regular thinking time in the shower, I realized two things:
1. Invest on things that can make you more efficient (e.g. broadband internet)
2. Invest on things that can improve the quality of your life
Today I checked Tony's website (http://www.anthonyrobbins.com) and like this he wrote:
I MOVE TOWARDS:
1. Healthy & Vital
2. Love & Warmth
3. Intelligence
4. Cheerfulness
5. Honesty
6. Passion
7. Grateful
8. Fun & Happy
9. Make A Difference
10. Learn & Grow
11. Achieve
12. Be My Best
13. Invest
14. Contribute
15. Create
I MOVE AWAY FROM:
1. Consistent unnecessary worry
2. Consistent debilitation anger/resentment
3. Consistent inappropriate harshness
4. Consistent vulgarity
5. Consistent laying blame as a way of abdicating or avoiding responsibility
6. Consistent not walking my talk
Last night, I saw Tony's infomercial on TV again. I was even thinking about buying his lastest CDs (for myself and as a gift to others). This morning during my regular thinking time in the shower, I realized two things:
1. Invest on things that can make you more efficient (e.g. broadband internet)
2. Invest on things that can improve the quality of your life
Today I checked Tony's website (http://www.anthonyrobbins.com) and like this he wrote:
I MOVE TOWARDS:
1. Healthy & Vital
2. Love & Warmth
3. Intelligence
4. Cheerfulness
5. Honesty
6. Passion
7. Grateful
8. Fun & Happy
9. Make A Difference
10. Learn & Grow
11. Achieve
12. Be My Best
13. Invest
14. Contribute
15. Create
I MOVE AWAY FROM:
1. Consistent unnecessary worry
2. Consistent debilitation anger/resentment
3. Consistent inappropriate harshness
4. Consistent vulgarity
5. Consistent laying blame as a way of abdicating or avoiding responsibility
6. Consistent not walking my talk
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Precarious
Reminds me of the feeling of graduate school. The time to graduate is not entirely at your own control--a big difference from undergrad.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Exclusiveness is not rude
Nor should it be unreasonable. Truth itself is exclusive. It's as simple as 1+1=2, not 3. A father can deny his own son, or vice versa. But if he is truely the biological father, then everyone else has to be excluded from claiming that title. That's not rude because only he can be the one. Same goes for the argument of 'Christianity is a rude religion because it excludes every other religion from being true.' It simply can't stand. Now, if a religion is so inclusive that it accept even contradictory religions or idologies, then it must be a false religion.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Monday, July 12, 2004
The ultimate list of my favorate melancholy/farewell songs
- A Valediction (by Li Shutong, music by J.P. Ordway)
- O Danny Boy (Irish folk)
- The Last Farewell (by Roger Whittaker & R.A. Webster)
- Brother In Arms (by Dire Straits)
Lyrics.
- O Danny Boy (Irish folk)
- The Last Farewell (by Roger Whittaker & R.A. Webster)
- Brother In Arms (by Dire Straits)
Lyrics.
When I died..
I would like the Battle Hymn of the Republic sung in my funeral (if there is one!). This song is written by Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910) and is probably sung in all the presidential funerals in recent history. I had known and loved the melody of the song before I came to US.
* * *
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
* * *
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
Friday, July 02, 2004
One of those days
Disappointed. The best hope did not materialize. Frustrated. Lack of vision for desirable alternatives. But still fortunate. After all is said and done, the most important assets remain intact. Health. Family. Hope. They say in life you win some and you loose some. So perhaps a real looser is only those who give up too soon.
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
In Memory of UM
送别
长亭外,古道边,芳草碧连天.晚风拂柳笛声残,夕阳山外山.
天之涯,地之角,知交半零落;一杯浊酒尽余欢,今宵别梦寒.
-李叔同作(1880-1942)
Note: K went to see UM Monday night before he passed away. This was his favorite song.
Other note: The lyricist was born in Tianjin, China. When he was 28 years old, he became a buddhus monk (named 弘一). The music was written by American composer John P. Ordway.
长亭外,古道边,芳草碧连天.晚风拂柳笛声残,夕阳山外山.
天之涯,地之角,知交半零落;一杯浊酒尽余欢,今宵别梦寒.
-李叔同作(1880-1942)
Note: K went to see UM Monday night before he passed away. This was his favorite song.
Other note: The lyricist was born in Tianjin, China. When he was 28 years old, he became a buddhus monk (named 弘一). The music was written by American composer John P. Ordway.
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