"辜鸿铭从这一独特的视角出发，把中国人和美国人、英国人、德国人、法国人进行了对比，凸显出中国人的特征之所在：美国人博大、纯朴，但不深沉；英国人深沉、纯朴，却不博大；德国人博大、深沉，而不纯朴；法国人没有德国人天然的深沉，不如美国人心胸博大和英国人心地纯朴，却拥有这三个民族所缺乏的灵敏；只有中国人全面具备了这四种优秀的精神特质。也正因如此，辜鸿铭说，中国人给人留下的总体印象是“温良”，“那种难以言表的温良”。在中国人温良的形象背后，隐藏着他们“纯真的赤子之心”和“成年人的智慧”。辜鸿铭写道，中国人“过着孩子般的生活——一种心灵的生活”。

今天是独立日，早上起来查邮件，朋友从巴勒斯坦回来，还有很多他拍的照片，链接如下：

 

很有思想的一个人，令我很佩服。去过很多地方，不是去旅游。早些时候访春假的时候，他去了Katrina 的受灾区。

 

最近看了一部电影叫《Pay it forward》,讲的是一个初中一年级社会学教师给孩子们出了一个题目，要每个人设计一个方案能给我们的社会带来变化。其中有一个孩子Trevor（Haley Joel Osment扮演，他在电影第六感中就有非常出色的表现)提议：由自己开始，去帮助三个人，受助的三个人不能回头报答施恩者，只能向前支付，去分别帮助其他的三个人，这样子爱的链条不断延伸，最终改变社会。这是一个孩子的想法，可能有些幼稚，但同时又是那样的纯洁和真实渴望。“I don't know whether it will work or not, but let's say, why not give it a try?” 方案在落实中不断招受残酷现实的打击，但是最终给Trevor周围的人带来了改变，希望。影片结尾有点残忍（类似于American history X的结局），Trevor 在帮助好朋友脱离高年级同学的暴力中死了，离开了这个让他几经欢喜和失落的世界，但是他在摄像机镜头讲的话，带给人们深深的思考，这条链条不会因为他的离去而中断，它会一直延伸，延伸。。。

 

我在和朋友的信中提及这个故事，"

I feel so blessed here, people give me a lot of help and cares, very touching. I used to care too much about myself and my future,too focus on success and competition. I wouldn't say it is wrong, just feel if our parents and teachers in China can teach our kids more to love others, that would be better. I watched a movie called <pay it forward>, you can find it on imdb.com for preview and plot outline.Care about people and help them, it is very rewarding and pleasant experience. Here I want tell you an interesting story occurred to me recently. As you guys know, i went to Spokane for a National Eduation for Women program, from June 15 to 18. that afternoon right after that program, I went to a local bookstore( while my friends were shopping around, to me, I have big chemisty with books, always.) When I was flipping an English book about Chinese culture, out of curiosity, a gentleman came to me and we started to talk. He has been in Asia for 6 years , at service in Navy, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, etc. And has huge interest in Chinese culture. Seeing me holding the book of the art of the war( I picked that for my American friend), he said he read that several times, and we talked about that book and later moved to politics , China, America, society.  I was thrilled to find that he is a big fan of Dao De Jing by Lao Zi, with 6 translation versions at home. WOOOW.  anyway, very nice talk. Don't get me wrong here, he is with his wife, and we are just connected by books and cultures, and God(Morning chuch and afternoon bookstores is his regular Sunday, he told me). five mins after goodbye, he returned to me with a bag. "25 years ago, I bought this book, and this is latest edition, i hope you will like it." In my hand, a book, Tao Te Ching, 25th-Annicersary Edition."this is the gift receipt and, have a good day!" He returned to his wife, with his smile, disappearning in the crowds, before I could say a word( actually, I didn't know what to say.) I was shocked, by his deep understanding of asian culture and generosity, and more, appreciate the life God bestows, full of surprise and richness. I have been so blessed, and all the beautiful experience changed me to a better person, with stronger faith and strength. I am learning and enjoying, taking and giving.." PAY IT FORWARD!

 

 

For more details of the Movie: <Pay it forward>

暑假过了一半，感觉跟上学一样忙。汇报一下最新情况吧。

6月15号至18号，在Spokane（城市）参加一个国民女性教育项目（旨在提高女性政治领导力和建立关系网，相互支持）。之前在学校的网上看到，觉得很好玩，而且费用由主办方赞助（每个与会者1500美元），自己对政治舆论和社会体系一直很感兴趣（前两天还和一个美国人对人权问题争得面红耳赤，不过最后还是在饭桌上和平熄火）。所以就趁这个免费机会（谢谢纳税人的钱），在网上报名，当然还要拉上一个同党Karen来壮胆。

 

15号下午下榻在Spokane的Double tree hotel， 傍晚5点集合，主办方欢迎和介绍，每个人都拿到一整套的资料，项目简介，日程安排，酒店城市介绍，与会者的个人简介和联系方式，公开演讲联系和技巧，新闻发布联系和技巧，以及额外的资料。（很专业，和当时我在北京志愿服务的YPO很像）。粗粗翻了一下日程安排，看来这次不是来玩的。（事实证明我的初断没错，那几天平均睡眠时间4-5个小时每天）。每次早餐会，都是一边吃早餐，一边看资料或者准备材料，或者讨论（有人开玩笑说，我们这就开始国会早餐会了。）

 

16号上午，panel: women&public leadership

嘉宾：YWCA(基督教女青年协会)领导，市长，城市议会代表和交流公众事务代表（都是女的）。她们是陆续到餐厅，跟我们共进早餐。每个人气质很好，而且各有特色。 我能感觉到那种令人折服的魅力。早餐之后，嘉宾上台，各自介绍之后，回答主持人或者台下的问题（前一晚上我们都对嘉宾google了一下）。与国内的座谈会不同，这边少了客套，多了实质，可能因为都是女人，我们还问了很多比较私人的问题，台上都一一认真回答，有点推心置腹（至少感觉上是），喜欢这种感觉，没有距离感，类似于上次在香港听讲座的感觉，很有收获。

15号午餐很健康，色拉和三纹鱼，但是忘了什么滋味，因为忙着采访另座的嘉宾Bettie（我餐后要做公开演讲介绍她。）Bettie是美籍华人第三代，致力于促进多元文化和中国文化在美国的传播-文化艺术家。见到她，很有鼓舞，因为之前看到很多黑人和拉丁美洲的美国人在抗议，宣言，还有很多活动，但总是听不到亚洲人的声音（心里总觉得有点失落）。今天看到Bettie，很受鼓舞，感觉华人在渐渐崛起，沉默不应该是我们的标签。现任美国劳工部长赵小兰鼓舞了很多华人。今天我看到了另一个榜样。（No wait, each of us can make things happen.）6点参议员Lisa Brown接见我们，一一握手，当时我一紧张，冒出一句：虽然我没有选举权，但是我是你的坚定支持者。^______^!!!!之后Lisa演讲。晚上我们就开始分组，准备竞选Campaign.

 

16号早餐会照常的忙碌，上午的嘉宾不同肤色（前一天是全“白“），都是美国人，但是起源：黄色的印第安人，黑色的非洲人，白色的欧洲人，棕色的拉丁美洲人（多元化是美国的一个很大的特点和优势）。下午的workshop非常精彩，而且很贵（嘉宾是一对夫妇，给国会议员竞选作咨询的，每小时最低收费200美元）。主题是有效传达信息。晚上，接着准备第二天上午的“提高最低工资法案”的竞选和新闻发布会（模拟）。我们组6个人外加一个顾问，奋战到凌晨1:30am(我的室友那组好像到3点)。幸亏酒店可无限上网，我们就在酒店餐厅旁边的过道，席地办公。第二天的新闻发布会很成功，我们顾问团的成员身份有参议员发言人，中小企业家代表，社会问题专家，我干本行--经济学教授（经济理论方面的问题由我来挡）。果然受到Challenge,下面的新闻界提的问题很尖锐，那个专业竞选顾问提了经济学和社会学方面的问题，并要我给出相关的数据证明。这下体会到了事前的信息资料收集有多重要。好在我在这方面平时有所积累（政治电影和经济杂志，还有每天的CCN和FOX news总算没有白看），知道大概的数据和来源，和回答新闻记者的技巧，就当场捏造了，台下还一个劲为我的“专业回答“鼓掌。大家可以看看我们组的得以团体照~

 

短短三四天就在我们的意犹未尽中结束了。12点check out, Thuy开车来接我和Karen, 还带来了SOon和Yukari,之后去Spokane shopping.

 

写到这里肚子很饿，午饭时间了，估计这个星期的事要下次再汇报了。先做一个小小的预告：最天晚上我们5个亚洲女生来了一个Asia Fantasy,一律黑色的dress，席卷了酒吧。谢谢Karen的创意，还有我们的专业化装师Thuy.照片我过两天上传，13岁以下不宜，哈哈。

 

Btw,最近在看几本书，和大家分享一下：

书名：Design your self

作者：Karim Rashid

 

书名：Don't think of an elephant

作者： George Lakoff

 

 

 

"This feather may look worthless, but it comes from afar and carries with it all my good intentions."

 

Yes, it is a movie about a swan feather, a movie carrying over 2 generations, a movie about mother-daughter relationship , and a movie about hope,value and love.  8 stories across 2 generations, 4 mothers and their 4 daughters. It is a big challenge to develop those stories in a well organized way, but Amy Tan made it all the way through in her unique form of vignettes.

 

I was so touched that I cried several times  during the movie, simply because it reminds me of myself and I can feel the way exactly is. I see my problems in the reality, and it help me to find and define myself.

 

Each country has its own way to discuss the female topic, and the movie is always a good place to start.Besides this <喜福会>(the joy luck club) for China, I also recommend the Japanese TV series< 百年の物语>(the story of one century, starring NANAKO MATSUSHITA) and the Spanish movie<todo sobre mi madre>(all about my mother, directed by Pedro Almodovar).

 

Part of every woman is a mother.
Part of every woman is an actress.
Part of every woman is a sinner.
Part of every woman is a saint.
Part of every man is a woman. 

 

Finishing the last final means the beginning of summer as well as the ending of my first academic year in the United States. So many things just come up to my mind. “Grateful” is the best word could describe my current feeling. I don’t want to indulge myself into this too-emotional status; rather, I would turn them into the strength and faith for the coming life.

 

During this period, I learned what’s the professional, how to social (enjoy life at the same time do the business professionally), not be afraid of fear, face it and push myself a little, because things are always not as hard as we think. I got a lot of help and cares from other people, from whom I am learning how to deal with things, how to love others, how to share with each other and build each other. Opportunity doesn’t happen by accident, it only to the people who are ready to go.

 

Stand still and be strong in faith.

"在林恩教授的另一本专著《智商与国富论》中，他仅仅列出了决定国家贫富的三个因素（根据重要性大小排列）：国民智商水平高低；是否实行市场经济；是否拥有有价值的自然资源。这次在回答我的问题时，他似乎在无意中承认：除了他过去说的三个因素外，还有一个经济管理好坏的问题。"

For details, please visit http://www.ftchinese.com/sc/story.jsp?id=001003808&loc=DAILY%20EMAIL

 

I think it is also the case to individual development.

<The Rise and Fall of Enron>

 

Great Article! (Issue in April 2002,old still valuable)

 

 

 

 

Spring Break和好朋友一起去了拉斯维加斯，赌城，花花公子，还有club,美食，还有极具诱惑力的show,2天基本没怎么睡觉，totally wild~~只能抓紧时间在飞机上“养精蓄锐”。

几个精彩片断：

1。开门红：刚出发，我们的车子就在路上被卡车撞了。不过只碎了玻璃，接着开，没有耽误航班。赶紧拍照记录现场。

2。时间安排紧凑，在拉斯维加斯的33个小时中，一共睡了4个小时左右，一上飞机，四个人倒头就睡，无一例外。

3。Club爆满。原来打算一个晚上去3，4个，没想到排队就得2，3个小时。幸亏靠关系排到Guest list上面走绿色通道。算是见识了什么叫upscale的club,连保安也巨帅。可怜我们的两个哥们儿只能排长队（只有女生才可以进Guest list）,第一次觉得做女人好，哈哈。还看到了美国几个海军，想起了sex and the city中7月4日独立日的那一集，OMG, so HOT!!!

4。晚上看stripper dance，觉得不值，可能因为是女人。。。

5。第二天，沿着strip走了一天，大饱眼福，沿路酒店各有特色（大家可以看看照片）从威尼斯刚古拉，阿拉丁神灯，巴黎埃菲尔，纽约自由女神，一直到埃及狮身人面像。可惜没有找到东亚风格的，好不容易看到一个酒家招牌上有两种文字，和好友同时惊叫起来，赶紧拍照留念^^

6。中途在街头露天酒吧小憩，很有意思。

7。蜡像馆和名人零距离接触

8。看街头夏威夷现场表演，结果被抓去上台跳草裙舞，以后要多做臀部运动*__*

9。在金字塔中吃自助餐，还有吃到最喜欢的日本寿司和苹果派，在看一眼旁边的木乃伊，满足了。

10。晚上看American Storm，全场75分钟，尖叫不断，也难怪，谁让除了台上的，都是女人呢。。。

11。之后去一家阿拉伯酒吧，第一次看到hookah,尝了地道的阿拉伯美食，中看不中吃，味道淡了一点。不过我那个朋友跳阿拉伯舞真是很高效，笑得我肚子都疼了（中东的肚皮舞就是这么锻炼出来的？？！！）

12。酒足饭饱之后，老板还派人送我们去RIO55层看城市夜景，可惜赶到那里正好2点，关门了。（谁说拉斯维加斯24小时运转！！广告水分。。。想起今天是3。15， 应该去消协投诉，呵呵）

13。下飞机后，朋友开车回家，下车他才说，“其实刚才我开车处于半睡半醒状态，不过没好意思告诉你们”。#^%&^**

 

 

吃完越南菜回到我的apt，更新blog 和照片，现在就去睡觉了，困死我了。。。

今天浏览朋友的blog,发现距离上一次浏览已经有一段时间了，大家的blog又有很多新的冬冬，时间荏苒啊。看到兔兔的space上的一段话，觉得很感动，就随手转载于此。

 

 

 

可能在blog上记载的多是entertainment的冬冬，所以给大家一个错觉，以为我变成了一个party girl,其实我学习，工作也很努力的。。。entertainment 很多时候是一种放松的方式，至少我觉得比网聊和没完没了地泡在电视机前健康，至少可以认识人，好可以burn calories,haha.

 

Blog是一个放松和沟通的港湾，myspace 和 facebook没有这样的功能。美国人的生活太忙碌了，或者没有思考这些冬冬的习惯（至少我的绝大多数的美国朋友是）。我想我应该多花一些时间来记录的思考和感受（并且尽量用中文），这样爸爸妈妈还有我的朋友们可以知道我的近况。

 

谢谢妈妈昨天的长聊，让我意识到很多被我忽略的冬冬。

至于阳光小熊，不用担心，下次你见到我，肯定可以一眼认出我来的，因为有些东西是永远不会变的：）

 

顺便提一下，昨天看了电影'the notebook'（netflix上租的），很感人的爱情故事，有闲情的朋友不妨找来看看。have a good weekend~

WELL, TOO MUCH STUFF GOING ON RECENTLY. HERE IS MY LIFE IN FEB.

 

SCHOOL, TA, INTERVIEW, AND HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS. NEW HOBBY--TALKING ON PHONE.'PHONEMATE'?? !! WEIRD NAME,HEHE. START TO PLAN FOR MY SUMMER, SINCE THE WORKING AUTHORIZATION IS NOT AS EASY AS I THINK, I PROB WILL COME BACK TO CHINA DURING THE BREAK AND MEET MY OLD FRIENDS. MISSING MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. TRAVEL AROUND(ASIA? EUROPE?) , MAYBE TAKE SOME LANGUAGE COURSE IF POSSIBLE.LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, WENT THEATER FOR A SHOW, CALLED 'vAGINA'S MONOLOGUE', PRETTY WILD . IT'S ALSO FOR FUND-RAISING TO STOP VOLIENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

 

KINDA LOST FOCUS THIS WEEK, TRY TO CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY , SO JUST LET IT GO. LAS VEGAS FOR SPRING BREAK, JUST BOUGHT THE TICKETS ON LINE, THE PACKAGE IS $ 260 PER PERSON(WE HAVE THREE TRAVELLING TOGETHER), GOOD DEAL. SHOULD WORK OUT AND BUY SOME CLOTHES BEFORE GOING, CASINO, HOTTIES, AND CLUB NIGHT, WOOH!

 

GONNA GO FOR MY STUDY NOW, 3 EXAMS AHEAD, TOUGH WEEK:( GOOD LUCK TO ME AND I WILL TALK TO YOU GUYS LATER^^

 

 

 

高中同学要结婚，大学同学要订婚，OMG!!!

 

Did I miss something??!!__haha, happy for them and best wishes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gavin's class and Grandpa's 69th birthday.

 

When I got off train at Penn Station, btw 7th avenue and 32nd street, I saw the crowds, nothing special, k=just like bigger Hongkong or Shnaghai, I said to myself. But when I got my first step out of the subway station, I changed my mind,180 degree. I knew I could never be ready to take the shock---It's breathtaking!!! The skyscrapers, the billborads, the flows and the NY yellow cabs, I knew, "It's the big apple!" It's the #1 metropolis on this planet. Following the flow, I went down the 32nd street,through the 6th avenue, visiting Manhattan Mall and Macy's, the largest store in the word. It's amazing! But what's really surprise me was the price was not as high as I expected, almost the same as that in Beijing, sth even cheaper. And ppl who live here earn 8-10 times as we do in Beijing. No wonder Americans like to go shopping, coz it's so cheap compared to their incomes. Later, I found the core of the apple, the empire state building. No need for introduction, everyone knows that movie. It used to stand with its buddies, the twin tower, but not any more. Painful moment, the lady next to me started sobbing. When I overlooked the landscape of this city, no word could describe my current feelings. (refer to the pic updated) It's the city worthing the whole human to be proud of.

6pm, met Uncle George at the cross of the 6th avenue and 34th street, then walking along the broadway. OMG, he is more than a  professional tour guide!!! Don't surprise, he used to do that when he studies in NYC. "I've been walking along the broadway from beginning to end many times, I love the street and I love the culture here." Yeah, the whole city is just like a huge museum, welcoming ppl from all over the world.The next stop is Time Square. All the Big Names came to my eyes, refer to the pix. Not enough time for the fifth avenure and rockefeller, which was part of my schedule. I will do that other day, they are too good to miss.

 

New York, exciting, alive, you can even feel its oulse and beat when you are here."New york? !! You'r gonna love it!!!' everyone told me that before I came, now it's the moment for believing......

"

 

No strike tmr.

"T.G.I. Friday"--Thank God, It's Friday.

 

 

 

"I love New York"--Madonna

 

I don't like cities
But I like new york
Other places make me feel like a dork
Los Angeles is for people who sleep
Paris and London
Baby you can keep

[Chorus]
Other cities always make me mad
Other places always make me sad
No other city ever made me glad except New York
I love New York [X3]

If you don't like my attitude
Then you can F off
Just go to Texas
Isn't that where they golf

New York is not for little pussies who scream
If you can't stand the heat
Then get off my street [repeat]

[Chorus]

I love New York [repeat]
Get off my street [repeat]

This is the 25th hour since I jumped off the JFK airport. I am in New York City now, yes, not Manhattan, but in my uncle George's house, long island.  I know, you guys are eagering to hear about my journey , story and plan. Well, that will be a quite long story, and here is the starting. I updated some new pics taken along the way, maybe  those could bring us closer.

 

We saw off Jenna to Boston at Spokan airport and headed for Wendy's house, Seattle. It was Dec 18th, really bright day.The next day I visited the downtown bymyself, 1st-6th streets and pike market, space needle, international district, chinatown,starbucks, big Macy's and  beach, park and many interesting ppl.The lady in the cigarrette store, the man in starbucks, with that cute reendeer hat, the anti-rape supporter  at the bus stop, and the Japanese artist in pike market, ohh, and the Mr.streetguard. I can't help falling in love with this beautiful city, will I be here years later? could be. It's not Bi Apple, not Washintong DC. it's more like Hangzhou in China, feminine, especially when you are walking in the quiet street with little rain. If you want a break, sneak into a starbucks around some street corner, with a cup of Cappuccino, aroma permeating through the air, into every single cell of your body, sweet and worm,--yeah, it's my favorite flavor, Christmas.Now,it's time  to slow down your pace and taste the city.

 

Tuesday, quite a day for flight, from Seattle to Los Angelas and to New York City.I switched my watch 3 hours ahead, I AM IN NYC NOW.