Today I found I almost lost my credit in my weekend tennis court.
While I was one of the three doing warm up and wait for the 4th person to play double, the anticipated fourth person was still watching the game under progress in the first court. When we were almost worn out, he still sit in there without joining in. Then the "lady Caroline" came, as always on this timing, filling in the 4 spot for warming up. With her in, the other two are not interested in playing game because of different level of game. Actually, she is fine in stroking, but people just teasing her and avoid teaming up with her. I really don't mind and suggest for a game, the other two kept silent, and the warming up become wearing out. I was getting mad and almost to that guy to tell him "if you don't want to play, why you come, and ruin the game?" I didn't, at the last minutes.
Then when we are all resting up, I saw him walking across our center court with a very stiff back, and slow speed. And I realized he was injured with spine. He was actually young and strong in serve, from my experience partnering up with him. I almost did a stupid thing if I let my temper erupt.
Then I played with Eddie, a familiar Philipino, a younger brother of Bob, another "persistent
guy " in this court for decades. We were playing well, and he made a good passing shot that I complimented. Later I also made one shot that caught my opponent unable to return back. He made a bigger compliment. I responded and said to him "I learn from you". It seems be be a courtesy back to him that put him in a mixed emotion for a while. I figure he might wonder how nice this guy is to make two persons happy with one comment, or how humble this Chinese guy is. Yes, it is our Chinese culture made us quite complicated for foreigners to figure out. At end, I served for a 6-4 win. He asked for another match, I had to excuse out since it is getting late and I was guilty of having my own fun and ingore my wife's health concern. She will always blame me for not taking her to a walk. I have to explain that I do not know if you are able to get up to walk, or just keep sleeping. ha ha, a routine argument that is her way to cover her weakness to sleep, I guesss.
We are mostly humble in individual level, but in a group, we may be totally different. Just yesterday our motherland China was doing different kind of huge event on the 60th anniversary of National Anniversary. The unprecedented scale of parade with army has delivered to the world this country is no more the one that was attacked under united front of eight invading countries. They are not hesitent in showing their richness in wealth, and strength in national defence.
On the other side of the trait, Taiwan, my home town country is very humble because its prosperity rely on China on a daily basis. It is also under two possible Typhoon on the eve of Moon Festival after a "human typhoon" attacked by Rebiya Kadeer, leader of Uighur association of Xinjiang providence. DPP, the political-minded only party ushered in such controversial figure into this island just in order to embarrass the ruling party and gain some votes in the coming election. They are really the minority group of people making Taiwan so humble, and their most popular icon is the prisoned ex-President, S.B. Chen.
God bless Taiwan. Be it free of nature disaster and self-destruction of their own people.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Estonia, what a strange country to me
Tallinn, Estonia Sunday, August 30, 2009
Estonia is known as one of the three little countries, along with Lithuania and Latvia. Long learned from georgrphic book in high school, I was exctited to put my feet on this tiny land. Being neighbored with the powerful and hostile Russia, this country has been long governed by Russia, in succeeding to Denmark occupation. It territory is 50% covered by forest, with not too much resource to enjoy. However, this country has been famous recently in internet technology. Skype is headquartered here, and those cruise tourists long limited in internet excess find it very convenient to use their device here to reach out the rest of the world. I feel this is another good example that Taiwan can stand out in similar patten, or even better because we have even richer resources.
Here we stopped over about one hour, in which my brain start to work for a pair of new friend who asked me to make a poem with their names. The husband is 張榮, the wife is named 素容.
Since I know them little, except that they are in babacco and liquor business, I later come up with this:
張口閉口皆生意欣欣向榮
素顏紅顏都自在翩翩雍容.
They seem to love it and said will calligraphy it and hang in office.
I was quite satisfied with this piece with a sense of humor too. I really appreciate that they like it. At least they give me a good echo. I has other experience to a more familiar friend, and they reacted without much excitement, and I also forget quickly what I wrote for them. You can't win all the time. Sometimes you lose even you have good card, ha ha.
Estonia is known as one of the three little countries, along with Lithuania and Latvia. Long learned from georgrphic book in high school, I was exctited to put my feet on this tiny land. Being neighbored with the powerful and hostile Russia, this country has been long governed by Russia, in succeeding to Denmark occupation. It territory is 50% covered by forest, with not too much resource to enjoy. However, this country has been famous recently in internet technology. Skype is headquartered here, and those cruise tourists long limited in internet excess find it very convenient to use their device here to reach out the rest of the world. I feel this is another good example that Taiwan can stand out in similar patten, or even better because we have even richer resources.
Here we stopped over about one hour, in which my brain start to work for a pair of new friend who asked me to make a poem with their names. The husband is 張榮, the wife is named 素容.
Since I know them little, except that they are in babacco and liquor business, I later come up with this:
張口閉口皆生意欣欣向榮
素顏紅顏都自在翩翩雍容.
They seem to love it and said will calligraphy it and hang in office.
I was quite satisfied with this piece with a sense of humor too. I really appreciate that they like it. At least they give me a good echo. I has other experience to a more familiar friend, and they reacted without much excitement, and I also forget quickly what I wrote for them. You can't win all the time. Sometimes you lose even you have good card, ha ha.
Poland, a well remembered name in this region
G'dansk, Poland August 31, 2009
We visited the Labor camp in Gdansk as first stop today. The local guide Barbara is a teacher, who takes summer vacation to work as guide for extra side job income. The whole group of our tourists was about 22. After taking off the bus, some of them rushing for rest rooms, as always. Then we saw the mountian of shoe sols in the room, and the poor living place, eating facility and hospital. People getting less and less, I noticed. When we approached the gas chamber, a big empty room for a more economical way of killing, there was not too many friends around. When we turned into the cremation site, in which the cold air and a row of flags make me feel chilly from the spine, I found I was the only audience to the confusing guide.
Later she asked why people spent money for the trip, but they disappeared from this important historical site. My answer is not quite easy and clear to make. I remember I told her my people were too overwhelmed by the massacre, and, and, and, they do not like to be in anything about dead. Is that true, my friends from Walnut/Diamond BAr/Hacienda Heights area?
Through the whole process, I murmured a few times of 往生咒 for the victims. I do not know if this good will from a Buddist helps those victims who were in totally different religion? At least I hope they understand my sincerity in mourning them in the 70 years anniversay of their sacrifice.
This city is the igniting place that led to World War II when the German makde hte first attack at 4:45 in the morning. Today they happen to prepare to celebrate their 70 year anniversary of the event. We saw a lot of flags hung along the main streets in the city. The two "land" countries were separately the invading target of two negihboring powers. Finland was aimed by Russian while Poland was embraced by Germany. However, they all emerged as independent countries now after the WWII. Patiences works even for a country, I believe.
We visited the Labor camp in Gdansk as first stop today. The local guide Barbara is a teacher, who takes summer vacation to work as guide for extra side job income. The whole group of our tourists was about 22. After taking off the bus, some of them rushing for rest rooms, as always. Then we saw the mountian of shoe sols in the room, and the poor living place, eating facility and hospital. People getting less and less, I noticed. When we approached the gas chamber, a big empty room for a more economical way of killing, there was not too many friends around. When we turned into the cremation site, in which the cold air and a row of flags make me feel chilly from the spine, I found I was the only audience to the confusing guide.
Later she asked why people spent money for the trip, but they disappeared from this important historical site. My answer is not quite easy and clear to make. I remember I told her my people were too overwhelmed by the massacre, and, and, and, they do not like to be in anything about dead. Is that true, my friends from Walnut/Diamond BAr/Hacienda Heights area?
Through the whole process, I murmured a few times of 往生咒 for the victims. I do not know if this good will from a Buddist helps those victims who were in totally different religion? At least I hope they understand my sincerity in mourning them in the 70 years anniversay of their sacrifice.
This city is the igniting place that led to World War II when the German makde hte first attack at 4:45 in the morning. Today they happen to prepare to celebrate their 70 year anniversary of the event. We saw a lot of flags hung along the main streets in the city. The two "land" countries were separately the invading target of two negihboring powers. Finland was aimed by Russian while Poland was embraced by Germany. However, they all emerged as independent countries now after the WWII. Patiences works even for a country, I believe.
Monday, August 17, 2009
窮山惡水夠嗆,潑婦刁民更傷
日前八八浩劫,除了救災十萬火急, 指責與謾罵也此起彼落. 主事者動輒得咎,不動更會獲罪. 只是身為國家的負責單位,任勞任怨本是份內的事. 可是昨日看到少數災民不分青紅皂白,見人就嗆作秀,當頭棒喝,不留情面, 對於身為殘障卻有心去安慰鼓勱廣大災民的胡志強夫人而言,又情可以堪? 若其他有心前往安慰鼓勱災民的人為免受辱而因此裹足不前, 對於其他需要安慰鼓勱的人是否太不公平?對促進社會祥和的努力是否遭到無端的戕害?
天地相應,表現在水火無情. 大自然此刻大開殺戒,傷人無數, 人若再彼此相殘,就會天誅地滅,再無生路, 真的應驗了"天作孽猶可為,自作孽不可活"的絕讖. 我們的社會必需更懂得分辨是非,並兼具慈悲與寬容,才能相互扶持,共同療傷止痛. 否則再多的捐獻與救濟也只事倍功半,更有損於人性的光輝.
天地相應,表現在水火無情. 大自然此刻大開殺戒,傷人無數, 人若再彼此相殘,就會天誅地滅,再無生路, 真的應驗了"天作孽猶可為,自作孽不可活"的絕讖. 我們的社會必需更懂得分辨是非,並兼具慈悲與寬容,才能相互扶持,共同療傷止痛. 否則再多的捐獻與救濟也只事倍功半,更有損於人性的光輝.
Friday, August 14, 2009
八八浩劫
為此八八水災引來的浩劫國際注目. 今天晚上也失眠了. 看到友人伝送來的金帥飯店原先照片,對照那頹然倒入溪中的那一冪,加上災民受難,殊屬可憐,但仍捨近求遠,罵求總統的政治異象,真是百感交集. 剛好深圳方面生意上的友人來信關怀打氣, 就順便回覆:
应兄,
收到來函,正是我清晨難眠之際. 您的關心與打氯令我感動,可是這山崩地裂,家破人亡, 滿目蒼痍的景象仍是在心中割痛,難以平復. 十年前921大地震,我家鄉南投埔里受創頗重,親人遭難. 此刻雖無此直接沖擊,對於故國鄉親的傷痛卻有相同的不捨/ 聊作拙詩以敘此際之吾情:
國在山河破, 天怒水土崩
餐飯須臾間, 家破人失魂
回顧昔日村, 活埋多少人
淚眼望家國, 何日再生春?
相信如您所說,921,汶川等浩劫皆可彌平修復, 此劫也非末日.但仍願災難遠離,團圓可期.
永池
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Two world, two sentiment, one sinking heart
On August 8, I witnessed two worlds with totally different sentiment, and my heart covers two layers of impact, joy and sadness.
Here in the U.S. my 1st grandchild Avery was having her 1 year birthday party at a beautiful local park in Chino Hill in a picture-perfect weather. About 70 friends/realatives with their kids enjoyed a great event that celebrates Avery's arrival to our family for one year. She is really adorable in her cuteness, healthiness and a little cunningness. She is bringing the whole big family total excitement through her daily development of skills.
In the same time in our homeland Taiwan, our folks there were under a century-scale attack by floods that were formed by typhoon Morakot. They said the rainfall of the whole year was pouered down in just three days. Without much outlet the vicious torrents ran wild. The rivers were burdened with 80 times of water than normal. Tens of bridges broken, hundreds of houses toppled and swallowed by the torrent, and most shockingly was many villagers were buried alivemudslide that consists of stone, debris and water. This is a natural disaster that severely damaged Taiwan just like the 921 earthquake that shook the same island and kill thousands of civilians 10 years ago.
On the same day I have given out two kinds of money:
One for my grandchild as gift for her birthday. Another one as charity to suffering folks at the homeland. Both are my beloved objects to the most.
I believe Mother Nature is making her voice sound. Our environment is sick, and the weather is the messenger to give us a warning. We have to do something to fix our earth in order to keep the mother nature behave as nicely as what it has been before.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Stop wasting, BlackRock
I finally took action, as a small shrimp, to challenge the big whale against wasting
paper, printing and all resources. I hope the letter goes to the right person. Anyone who are responsible for not getting it to the right person should be condemn as an enemy to our effort to stop poluting our world.
August 10, 2009
BLACK ROCK
P.O. Box 9819
Providence, RI 02940-8019
To the management of BlackRock
I am writing this letter to you just to show my concern that Black Rock has been sending me statements that are not at all giving us any information. (enclosed you can get one for your reference). I checked my agent and she also suggest that we ignore it.
However, such statement has been periodically sent to me in other forms in even bigger volumes, often in stacks of larger size of paper. I have to send it right into the trash can. I have been wondering why in the world that you have to print such trash and mail to our trash can? For legal protection? If so, this legal system is just not helping anybody, but making a huge waste . In fact, the whole thing is just a ridiculous waste of resource and great jeopardy of our globe.
Our Earth is suffering the unprecedented environmental crisis, and I believe every human being has to do their share to help. As a small person, I am doing my tiny effort to contribute in salvaging our earth, I feel it is a shame that BlackRock as a big organization is ignoring it.
Your attention in this matter is highly appreciated. If granted your compliance, I believe the whole globe will appreciate your great contribution in saving our earth.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Shih
paper, printing and all resources. I hope the letter goes to the right person. Anyone who are responsible for not getting it to the right person should be condemn as an enemy to our effort to stop poluting our world.
August 10, 2009
BLACK ROCK
P.O. Box 9819
Providence, RI 02940-8019
To the management of BlackRock
I am writing this letter to you just to show my concern that Black Rock has been sending me statements that are not at all giving us any information. (enclosed you can get one for your reference). I checked my agent and she also suggest that we ignore it.
However, such statement has been periodically sent to me in other forms in even bigger volumes, often in stacks of larger size of paper. I have to send it right into the trash can. I have been wondering why in the world that you have to print such trash and mail to our trash can? For legal protection? If so, this legal system is just not helping anybody, but making a huge waste . In fact, the whole thing is just a ridiculous waste of resource and great jeopardy of our globe.
Our Earth is suffering the unprecedented environmental crisis, and I believe every human being has to do their share to help. As a small person, I am doing my tiny effort to contribute in salvaging our earth, I feel it is a shame that BlackRock as a big organization is ignoring it.
Your attention in this matter is highly appreciated. If granted your compliance, I believe the whole globe will appreciate your great contribution in saving our earth.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Shih
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