Little buddy --- the first day we met

Why do you want to have a puppy?

--- Get bored at home,  but tired of talking to humans
--- Like to observe, just want to look at their cute face, sweet!!!
--- Feel safe, when they are along
--- They are the best friends
If they are reasons you want to have a puppy, sorry, they are not all true. It was not easy to take care of them. Responsibility, Patience, Love, Pray are the qualities you'd better have. After all, you can expect once they grow up they may like what you look for.

I got my first puppy one month ago. It has been a very exciting, tiring, and busy month...

I didn't believe "love at the first sight", but after he was running in front of me --- such a tiny boy with a pair of innocent eyes. When I tried to hold him, he started to lick my face by his little pink tongue. "wow, wet and warm!" Can't understand the person like me always talking about hygiene allowed it happening so easily. At that moment, I realized that I am in Love...

On the way home by car, I was wrapping him with a blanket. He checked and smelled surrounding quickly, and fell sleeping during the rest of time. His whole body was lying on my legs.  He looked so relaxing and easy-going. Suddenly, I was so proud of my choice, because he was not like a little evil as other experienced friends said, he was an angel!

Once we reached home, he was excited to walk around and check rooms by himself while I was busy on preparing his food and water. After having his first dinner at home, he was peacefully settled down at a little corner in the living room. He was tired and asleep again. "Such a wonderful beginning! Can't get any more better."

I started to put some drops in toilet as my vet suggested to train him where to do as early as possible. I also put some old newspaper with drops close by him. Hope that he could do at right places. Refilled the water inside his bowl. Seemed everything was arranged for the night. When you enjoy doing something, you don't feel the time is flying. What else more you could ask for? Little cute buddy at home. Looking sweet and charming. I just could not remove my eyes on him...

Good night, my little buddy!

Actually, the real fun was the next day morning...

To be continued...


the word for today:

xiao gou

小    狗

puppy

The meaning of birthday

When I were small, I looked forwards to having my birthday because mum would cook my favorite noodle soup with pork chops. Until today, it was still my must-order dish whenever I came home meet her. 

When I became teenage, I started to feel the different way of celebrations. You received a lot of birthday cards & flowers from your schoolmates and friends. At home, some aunt bought you a birthday cake with chocolate chips on top. Everybody surrounded you, sang happy birthday songs, asked you to make a wish and then blew the candles.  

Can't remember since when, suddenly I enjoyed the quiet and peaceful time by myself at birthday. I can't stop flashing back what I have been done this year and planning what I suppose to do next year.  At late night, I call some friends out for drinks and try to get crazy. It is still a difficult day to get a good sleep. 

It is really scaring me when the numbers of candles on the cake are keeping increasing, you have not achieved what you planed to be at this age. The funny thing is nowadays, it seems very hard for us to satisfy with anything: 

You study in one of the best universities, but not sure I could get the best job;

You work in one of the top companies, but not sure my salary is the highest;

You get the best offer, but not sure my future partner is as good as me;

You have family, but you can't make enough money to make them happy;

You have family and money, but you cant have time to spend it with them;

or You have money and time, but you cant have love ones beside; 

The saddest time, you have all, but you cant have good health to enjoy everything.

------ So what's the real meaning of our births?  Why are we celebrating it if we are never happy?

 "I want to grow up fast!' "No, you will regret what you said. Take your time to grow." I believe this is a very common conversation between kids and their parents. However, the meaning of it you will only understand when you are grow-ups. 

When I were sitting there and watching a PPT show at one lady's 60th birthday party, my tears wet my eyes. In such a long journey, she has been a beautiful daughter, caring sister, amazing wife, loving mother, wonderful mother-in-law, and happy grandma. Although cooking is her passion, she had to stop her cooking classes because of so many roles she must play at home. Today, she won all respects from entire family, since she gave up her dream without any compliant to fulfill others' dreams.

The meaning of birthday, maybe it is the day coming once a year for us to reborn, to make a new choice, to renew our plan, to reconsider our future, to remind you what you are really looking for in life. It allows us to have the opportunity to spend time with important people in our lives. Maybe unperfected life is actually more beautiful. 

 

Girl talks

Once upon time, all girls dreamed to be an office lady (OL) because they were jealous of those (OL) who sat in front of AC and had their own desks in a clean room with big windows on the high floors inside tall buildings. Whenever there were OL scenes in TV series and movies, you could see all young girls' eyes shining and blinking. Everybody started to talk about their fashionable dresses, beautiful makeups and good-looking boyfriends. You could definitely felt the excitements among these young girls and their wishes of being one of them.

So when it was about the time to choose future careers --- the intelligent girl selected finance and accounting, the outgoing girl considered hotel industry, the shy one preferred to be in administrations and the beautiful one keen to be a secretary in some big company.

After 5 years, everybody met again. "how is your life?" All these girls have become women now! The intelligent one complained that her OL life is all about making budgets, studying revenues, calculating profits, handling greedy investors and working overtimes. She loved facing challenges and proving her ability before, but now she only wants to have some quality time to rest. She earned enough money, but sadly having no spare time to spend it and no one to enjoy with. "I have great fun with my life. I don't really sit in offices at work. I walk around the hotel to greet people. I party hard with my potential clients after work. Job has become a part of my enjoyments. Let me know If you want to hung out. I have connections in all best clubs, pubs, and restaurants!". The outgoing one proposed. "Do you have any saving? You seem to have pretty expensive lifestyle." The shy one asked. "en... Of course! I can have 3 free meals at staff canteen. Uniform is provided. Happy hours with clients and phone bills are paid by hotels. What else do I need to spend by myself?" Proudly answered by the hotelier. "Don't worry. Your new director is a very wise investor. You will get some ideas of double your fortune or even more!" the intelligent one updated latest news to the shy one. "I heard that he resigned from the pervious job and got divorced because of some affairs with his staff. You'd better keep some distance!" the outgoing one gossiped. "I'm having 2 lovely kids with my husband. We are happy together." the shy one smiled timidly. 3 of them looked at each other and laughed loudly. "Why are you so quiet,beauty?" "I just found out something important. You will be busy on arranging my wedding ceremony at hotel. You will work at my wedding reception desk. And you will definitely come to congraduate us with a great gift!" The beautiful one said calmly "I'm so released that I will not end the same as my former one. Thank you, shy!"

Oops, silence is golden!

The world for Today:
Cheng mo Shi jin
沉 默 是 金
Silence is golden.

A pinch of five-spice lit up your eyes

I can not remember when it was the last time I cried or had tears full of my eyes, but the annual awards function I attended last week really made me feel the warm of tears because it came right out from my heart many times within 2 hours.  The function is organized by an individual doctor since 2005. The main propose of the function is to felicitate the people who manage to lead normal and happy lives despite fighting severe disabilities and diseases.

I think all of us feel sorry for the people who was born with physical disabilities and diseases. Whenever we meet them, we automatically show our sympathy to them and their families. Actually, instead of making them feel better, are we realized that maybe we hurt them more and more, again and again? 

Can you believe that a  46 year-old lady who was born with some diseases make her lose the ability of speaking, writing and walking, has become a CEO of her own organization to help the people have same problems? On the stage, she was very proud to tell everybody by talking slowly with her mum's help that she never gave up her own life to catch her own dream. She wanted to be educated like the other kids, so she got a MBA from London University. She wanted to be a useful person to the society, today she tried her best to light up other people's hopes. I was touched by her mum's short speech. She said that she does not like people call those kids disabled because they are very sensitive inside. They may have the difficulty to act physically,  but we should treat them like normal kids and let them have positive attitudes towards their own lives. This makes me think about the other case. Can you imagine that a 7 year-old kid is hidden inside her house for years and hardly have any neighbor see her? The simple reason is "Her parents just feel tired of answering the same question about how she became like that again and again. They thought it was better let her live in her own peace and get rid of the crowds."

I admire those parents who encourage their kids to have a normal life as others, but somehow, it is also difficult to blame on these parents who feel shame to bring their kids out of the shadow. We, the public, the people surround them, may give them too many pressures and unnecessary attentions. I respected all awards winner, because they show their positive attitudes and bring the hopes to the others like them. The most important part is We, who consider ourselves as Normal human beings, must feel thankful of lives. Whenever we meet them,  we should reconsider our reactions behaviors before we take the actions.



The word for today:

Zun Zhong
尊    重
Respect

The definition of Happy Life

The meaning of Happiness is different to everyone, so we all expect to have our own kind of happy life. It is funny to hear some people around always complaint that they couldn't have any saving after working many years while they just keep buying LV bags, dining at fine dinning restaurants, and shopping at department stores.

These days, when Samsung becomes a piece of hot cake, everybody in the office from staff to managers slowly starts to change their cell phones. Actually, most of them don't even know what is so special about it. But they know that if you don't have it, which means that you don't understand the fashion. It is such a pity that you lost your simple demanding of happiness to meet others' standard. You start to follow other people's living style which you think it make you look better within the groups. Thinking carefully for a while, you may find out that their way of living is not suitable for you because of the capacity of earnings or different tastes. However, what to do, you can't change. You are scared of being laughed by others or you just can't get rid of the life called luxury.

For me, the definition of happy life:
1. Sleep at least 8 hours per day, sleep until whenever I want to wake up at weekends
2. Eat mum's food very often
3. Have a group of friends to have a tea/coffee time once a week
4. Travel once a while
5. Spend some quality time with family
6. Have time to read a few pages of book everyday
7. Get out of the office on time
8. Do some sports daily
9. Get a smile from a stranger daily
10. Have good health
11. Find someone to love
12. Have a dream and keep fulfilling it
... ... ...
 The most important thing is to live as myself and for myself.

You can never make everyone like you or admire you, but you can assure to make yourself happy without hurting others.

The world for Today:
Huo Chu Zi Wo
活    出   自我
Live for yourself

A Smile

When I was teenage, I lived in a small town for many years. Maybe, it was my first experience living aboard by myself, until today I still remember most of things clearly. I used to walk along the lake for hours everyday, because I simply fell in love with its beauty. I used to go to that post office at the corner, because I usually went there to pick up the box my mum sent to me. I used to pass by that street very often, because one shop there had my favorite chocolate. I used to climb up that small hill every night, because it was the only way home. Of course, the Irish bar I went with friends at weekends, the Ice Cream kiosk near the lakeside, the platform 1 at the train station, once upon time, they were all very important parts in my life. How can I forget  people there? Doesn't matter if you met before or not,  when they see you they always greet you with a big smile first. It was very enjoying to make new friends there, because people were polite and open to talk.

After coming back to the big city life, I moved in an apartment in a tall building. Maybe I got used to smile at strangers to show my politeness for many years, I had applied the same way to greet people I met in elevators. Surprisingly, I did not get the reaction as I expected. I felt that most of people just thought I was fool or crazy, some of them didn't even bother to look at me. "Maybe I am foreigner, so they are shy?" I asked, my colleague told me that she still doesn't know her neighbors' names after living on the same floor for 5 years. Everybody is too busy with their own lives and no time to spend with others.

Slowly, I gave up my old habits and behave like a "normal".  Somehow, I can't stop thinking the old time in that small town, where people did not mind giving a smile to a stranger. In fact, it really makes the other feel warm and welcomed. Here, in big city, people seems to be cool to be alone. It is a kind of sad. Hope one day, I will be brave enough to start to smile at strangers again even they look at me like an idiot.  



The world for today:

Wei Xiao

 微   笑

Smile

The world peace, a dream?

Why is it so difficult to have the world peace? Reading our history books and watching news, it is interesting to see that actually the war never ends. It is quite upset to hear that everyday there are some innocent people die without any reason.  

Turning on TV, China is having problems with Japan because of one island. Checking on newspaper, US ambassador was killed in Syria. Chatting on internet with friends and family, it is all about "be careful of bomb blasts in India." and then, Korea suddenly came up and claimed that one island belongs to them. Finally, the entire world becomes so excited and looks forwards to hearing some breaking news and headlines. Everybody starts to take actions to unite their friends, partners, followers or supporters. The audience is getting ready to guess when the war will start. 

When you take time to think, you will realize that everything happens mainly only because of different opinions of religions and territories. Normally, it started from 2 nations, but ended up by involving several countries. It is quite interesting to see different reactions among different nations when they come to the frontline: 

1. US :         Whoever I don't like at this moment, let's fight. 

2. China:      Whoever has problems, let's talk, don't fight.

3. UK:          Whoever US doesn't like, I don't like neither.

4. Japan:       Whoever has problems with me, don't worry, I have US at front.

5. S.Korea:   Whoever is angry with me, US, let's show our weapons together. Fighting!

6. N.Korea:  Whoever upsets me, cross the 3/8 line. S. Korea, all problems started because of you!

7. Pakistan:   Whoever questions me about bomb blasts, I did not know anything.

8. India:         Whoever creates problems, I will know from the debates on private TV channels. 

How to support your nations: 

In US, working out and better learn some KongFu. You are needed to save the civilization of the rest of world at anytime. 

In China, being a good negotiator and learning English well. You must have the ability to convince the rest of world by tongue to declaim belongings. Anyway, take it easy, it is not really a matter if others agree or not.

In UK, just following CNN or NBC, wherever US goes, you will go right after. 

In Japan, giving more free lands to US, and then you are safe. 

In S. Korea and N. Korea, better reunite ASAP. 

In Pakistan, I need your suggestions. Don't know what to do.

In India, don't watch any debate. You will slowly be convinced that government did great jobs. 

Above all, just my personal thoughts for fun. NO OFFENSE! Anyway, as individual, we can only wish that there is no war in the world, so we can be happily living with beloved ones as long as possible. Hope that the world peace is not only a dream. It will really come in near future. 

Great fun for 11 days!

Famous one in Pune

GSB, Mumbai

Driving is always a big headache in Mumbai due to the poor road conditions and horrible traffic. However, these days people love to step out their houses either to see the idols in public or invited by their friends and family to visit the idols at their homes because it is a great joy to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi together --- the Hindu festival celebrated on the birthday (19 Sep this year) of Lord Ganesha (well-known as Elephant God), the son of Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel, so this festival has become one of the most important festivals in India. It will last for 11 days until the 29th. 

The artist paints the idol

Baby Ganesha Idol at
 neighbor's home

Thousands and thousands of idols were made by professional artists 2 or 3 weeks before the festival. The idols have different sizes and styles by choices. Many of my neighbors are placing idols at home. I am glad that I am also invited to visit their homes ---The entire house is decorated by flowers. The table is full of sweets (Ganesha is a big sweets lover). Everybody wears their new traditional dress and expensive jewelry to show their respects and happiness to the God. There is a special birthday song for Ganesha, so everybody sings it together for him (Normally, once in morning and once at night) All visitors bring sweets for the God, and the host will give some homemade sweets or other small gift as return. The entire procedure is quite simple but you do feel people's love for Ganesha.  Some societies ordered their own idols as well and place him inside neighborhoods which is open for 24 hours. Everybody lives there is welcomed to come as well as outsiders who like to walk in and make a visit. Many societies will organize some events on several days, so everybody can dance, eat, sing or play games together. It is a great opportunity for people to get along with each other and having fun. Of course, it is also the most loving festival for kids. They will practice for the play, draw pictures and more and more. 

Ladys are still preparing for the
event in society

Kids drawing

The word for today:

Xiang Shou

享        受

Enjoy

I seriously hate to be in traffic and get into crowds, so I asked my local friends to show me around after midnight to see some big idols in famous public locations. I heard that the biggest one is 70 feet-high. I share some photos with you, hope that you can also feel the happiness and blessing by the God.  There are still few days to go. I will keep going around and see more idols! Great fun!  

Idol in one of the society

Homesick

When you are young, you love to travel around and live aboard for some time because you are curious how the life of people is over there such as which language they speak, what music they listen to, how their food taste like, why they believe in different religions, and so on.  Of course, if you are lucky enough, you may meet a local beau or belle and start a romantic journey together... ... ... Every day, you are so excited to wake up early and ready to experience something new. It is amazing there is no fear in your mind even though you are alone surrounded by strangers. You are brave and have the confidence to face all difficulties by yourself.

However, with the increasing of your age, homesick has become a big problem. Before, you were so happy to be a free bird and far away from your parents, now you just desire to have a bite of mom's cookie and enjoy a small debate with dad. Before, you were so annoyed by all relatives who love to check on your love life, now you just hope to hear some aunties' dramas and laugh at some uncles' jokes. Before, you were so glad to avoid contact with your friends because you were tired of the competition about job and salary, now you just keep remembering the good time you spent together. You can't help stoping the reverse of your memories --- the places you used to go, the people you used to be,  --- there is a lot of more.  Sometimes, you will only realize the value of things when you lose them. Just hope it will never be too late to get them back.

I believe that at different ages, we have different tasks to complete. When you are young, you can go as far as you want to fulfill your dream or achieve your goal, but at certain time, you need to come back. Back to the home you belongs to, doesn't matter how far you are. Back to the people you love, and don't be shy to show your love. Back to the people you dislike, because of them, you are motivated to have better life.


The word for Today:

Jia
家
Home

Why do people tell lies?

So many lies are happening around these days. Why do people tell lies?
The governments are telling lies to get your votes so that they can plan their next corruptions. The managers are telling lies to make you work harder with less pay. Some friends are telling lies to get your sympathy for additional helps. Sometimes, even your close families are telling lies for some reasons. We used to believe all these lies easily because we have such a pure mind and trust that people do care about you and your conditions. However, after we had enough experiences, some we may treat them as entertainment, but it is very sad to face the truth that not all lies are acceptable or forgivable.

Some people tell lies because they don't want the truth to hurt you or impact on your normal life, which most of people will understand or even appreciate it.  Some people tell lies because of their own benefits or profits, however, if they are not too over, once or twice, it is still OK. The most scary thing is when you meet someone who is the series-liar and there is no way for you to get rid of it.

I am looking for the answers for following questions about the series-liar:
1. Why love to make up stories to trouble harmless people in front of the third person?
2. Why enjoy creating unnecessary problems among families?
3. What make them so confident to believe that nobody knows which game they are playing?
4. What kind of past can make people like this?
5. Is there anyway to change them or tell them stop living in lies?
6. or the best solution for us is : shutup, walking away, and keep distance?
7. but somehow, it is impossible to avoid them. SO?

Life is not easy. We should save more energy to make our life more beautiful and outstanding based on our knowledge, network, imagination and hard working. Telling lies may make you feel that it is an easy way to access to the gate of fortunes or position, however, it is actually the obstacle for you to enter that gate because those people who you lie to they are smart enough to figure out your true face. The bigger lie you told, the more you will lose. Time is the only matter. God is also seeing.

The word for Today:

Cheng Shi

  诚     实

honesty

7 No's

"Wow, you are from Shanghai! We heard a lot about your city. "
"Shanghai! Our government has set up your city as our goal. Mumbai is going to be like yours soon!"
... ... ... ... ... ...

It is a great feeling when people around you are keeping talking good things about your home town.  Recently, I watched a new Bollywood movie named "Shanghai". Actually, the whole story was nothing really about the city, but it started from a promise of making a town like Shanghai. In the last two decades Shanghai has been one of the fastest developing cities in the world. Therefore, people are really impressed by the speed of changing such as the economy, basic infrastructure, public transportation, lifestyle,and fashion.

After I arrived Mumbai, to be honest, I was upset at the beginning. The city
looks pretty dirty. The air is full of dust and unknown smell. When walking on streets, I can hardly find any trash bins. The trash is thrown everywhere. It was really uncomfortable to walk alone, because pedestrians stare at me like I am from some other planet. I was shocked to see so many homeless dogs sleep everywhere on roads. I have to admit that it was very difficult for me to get used to all these conditions during first few months. Sometimes, "being the other Shanghai" topic comes up to my mind. Is it only about keeping building towers or making economic zone? When Shanghai Government decided to speed up development back to early 1990s, I was still in the primary school. One day, our teacher came to the classroom with a post called "7 No's" . I can still remember it clearly:

1. No Vulgarity
2. No Damage Public Property
3. No Littering
4. No Harming Green
5. No Jay-walking
6. No Spitting
7. No Smoking in Public Area
Our teacher took us out to pick up litter on sidewalks in neighbourhood once a week. We stood next to zebra lines to stop people who tried to cross when the red traffic light was on. Surprisingly, most of people they listened to us and felt sorry after we explained to them the reason behind. I have experienced big differences during last 15 years in Shanghai.



If I could give one suggestion to Mumbai Government, I will tell them to launch something similar like that in schools and colleges. There is the time line can set up for constructions, but the good habits take much long time to bring up. The citizens should behave themselves well in public and understand the importance of keep everything properly and value all these efforts. Hoping to live in a better condition is a human nature, however, we must take note of our own behavours first.



The word for Today:

Geng Hao de Sheng Huo

更      好   的    生     活

 Better                 Life

The Festival I don't want to celebrate

--- Don't go out at night
--- Don't stay over night
--- Don't lean on any wall
--- Don't pick up any coin on streets
--- Don't let the others call your name at night
--- --- ---

Food offered to ancestors by their relatives in the temple

The hell bank notes are burned to send to ancestors

Today, all elders at home will warn every family members seriously before they go out in the morning in China. You may think "How can we not celebrate tonight? It is Friday Night!". Unfortunately, according to Chinese calender, today, it is the 15th day of the 7th lunar month which is called The Ghost Day. Yes, in Chinese tradition, we believe that the gates of Hell will open up at midnight and ghosts are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment. These ghosts are believed to be ancestors of those who forgot to pay tribute to them after they died, or those who were never given a proper ritual send-off. They have long needle-thin necks because they have not been fed by their family, or as a punishment so that they are unable to swallow. In general, they are all unhappy ghosts. The most important thing is they love to follow or attach themselves on somebody who is awake until late night because the living spirits are weak which it is easy for them to attack. Some of them may only want to play around and have fun, anyway it is concerned as a very bad luck. When I was small, my grandma used to say that ghosts love to take kids to the hell and play with them. You may understand that it is better to avoid night life, but why you could not lean on the wall and pick up any coin on streets? --- The reason is simple. Ghosts normally sleep on walls. The coins on streets actually are left by Ghosts in order to corrupt officers from Hell to let them stay longer on the earth.

Even though I am not in China, I think it is better to follow the traditions. It is quite late here. Believe or not, I am going to bed NOW!

The word for Today:

Zhou Mo Yu Kuai

周    末   愉  快

 Happy Weekend!