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June 29 The Secret LanguageForgot to talk about the opera Bastien and Bastienne which I went to watch last week in Civic Theatre,Tallaght. My first opera in Ireland...
It was short one-act piece sung in English,accompanying with piano.Written by Mozart at the age of 12,it's already embodied the main style of his later works: playful and elastic.
As it was my first opera experience in Ireland,I took an interest in observing the audience.And here is my conclusion:
1 Most are aged people.I saw no more than 10 people below thirty among about 200 persons.
2 Most are white people.I saw only 1 black lady and 3 asians including myself.This is different from the National Concert Hall in city center where I have been for concerts.So I reckon this is something local.
3 Some people had knew nothing about the opera before they read the brochure handed out in the entrance.I heard a lot of them saying "oh,it's a love story then!"
4 Most dressed like queens or kings.lol.I know I am a bit exaggerating.
I did see some in formal gowns.And the lady sit in front of me kept waving an exquisite lady fan.oh,but it was chilly!
I always agree to the dressing code when attending concert or opera. However,this was a bit too much in my opinion.After all,it was only a 50 min one-act!
Well,somethings else about arts.I am fascinated with a painting these days:The Ambassadors.
The thing extraordinary is the secret language used in this masterpiece : symbols!I found an article deciphering the painting in details. I have particular interest in the skull,which could only be seen from a certain angle.
As the article mentioned,the skull is a symbol of immortality.Similar in Caravaggio's Bacchus,the over-ripe fruits symbolized the trasient youth.
I found out that The Ambassadors is collected in the National Gallery in London.I'd love to fly over there right now and read the secret language with my own eyes.
(DH brought home the bill of dental treatment: more than 1k euro!gosh,how come it is so expensive here?! forget about the trip to London then...) June 11 Watched Atonement last nightWatched the film Atonement last night which was adapted from McEwan's novel.
I've never read the book before watching the film.But I can assumably tell that the novel must be a subtle delicate intriguing exquisite work. The screenplay writer was brilliant to have the story (which's not supposed to amaze audience too much after The Shawshank Redemption and Sliding Doors) rewritten in an ingenious film style.While watching it, like other viewers I guess,I felt that I perfectly understood what was going on among the characters and yet questions arouse all along.Things looked just reasonable but are also full of uncertainty.
What impressed me the most was the performance of the Scottish actor James McAvoy who played the leading hero in this film.I hardly believed that he was that poor Faun in Narnia! Bravo,Hollywood has got itself another Glasgow star after Ewan McGregor. I am looking forward to seeing his prosperous future in this industry.
Something funny about films recently:
My husband brought up an idea that the American film trailers reflect the unique American culture which is hero-worship.They are fascinated with those stories about a single man who become the saver/leader of people or at least his own families. So when a film trailer is shown in the US,no matter foreign or hollywoodien,it always starts like this: There was one man / hero who ... (in a low and solemn voice). After I checked up some examples in Youtube, this "theory" seems does make senses!
For example,I watched both American trailer and Chinese trailer of the film The Children of Huanshi.The American one focuses on the personal adventure of the hero who was assigned an dangerous but glorious mission to accomplish.The Chinese trailer,however,shows many battle scenes between the Chinese and Japanese troops.
This is really something cultural! June 09 TallaghtmanThese days I've been thinking about moving out of Tallaght,my Irish hometown,lol.
We knew little about this place when we moved here.Initially,when my husband accepted the job which sent him to Ireland from France,we barely knew anything about this country.We were informed that the company located in Tallaght so we searched around this area on daft.ie and booked a small home in Firhouse.
Firhouse is the southern neighbor to Tallaght and technically speaking,a purely residential area covered with houses and gardens.We often travelled to Tallaght town center-the square to do shopping.At that moment,tallaght town center appeared very attractive to us who were young (still now,hopefully) and without children.Seb's company is one-monute walk from the square;so are the luas station and bus station.So we decided to moved into a newly built appartment complex right beside the shopping center by the end of my third month in Ireland.
Although I was harassed by local teenagers and attacked by kids group several times,I still believed that it was normal.Because we were told by seb's colleagues who arrived here earlier than us that this is the Irish!The irish young generation is bound to be like this.So we accepted it until one day (nearly 1.5 years later!) I read a thread put on the local chinese community website.It gave tips about how to protect oneself in Dublin.One of the tips: avoid to go to dangerous areas in Dublin ie finglas ballymun tallaght... What?! I finally got to know that Tallaght is not a common area of Dublin.Thus,those kids don't represent the irish young generation then?
After I paid extra attention when I went to Ballsbridge for embassy stuffs;when I visited friend who lives in Rathgar,I understood that it's true that my poor Tallaght is different.
Shall we move? maybe to Terenure? or back to Firhouse? for the sake of my little boy.
But 10 minutes to my school,5 minutes to company,2 minutes to shopping center,theatres,library,1 minute to luas station...all on foot. that is more than convenient!
To move or not to move,this is the question.
The Square
June 06 Empty MianyangHad to wear myself out for the exams in May which followed by in-laws' visiting in Ireland,blah blah,so i hadn't any chance to update this space.
I believe that everyone has already watched enough news about the catastrophic earthquake happend in Sichuan,my dearest hometown. I cannot remember how many times I'd cried and sobbed in front of the monitor.
I was informed by my FIL from France at noon of that very day. Skeptically,I turned the computer and logged on to Sohu.com.Shocking,it was right my province and very near to my city.I tried to contact my parents through cellphones or landline but all failed in vain.Finally,some people in China posted online that texts might be able to reach the damaged area.I asked a friend of mine who was in Beijing to send a text to my mom's cellphone.And it worked!My parents were ok and the appartment building was still toughly standing.
Everything will become better,said by a friend whose newly-decorated appartment was totally destroyed.
The new problem my city is facing now is about the damaged dam nearby.Nearly all the residents in citycenter area were evacuated by now.Take a look at today's Mianyang,my beautiful mother town:
People are re-installed temporarily in a park on a hill (the hill in the back part of this pic):
Wish them the best!!!
April 18 18 AprilTomorrow,there will be a naitonal-wide pro-China demonstration in France.
Things have esclated since the incidident happend in Paris.In China,people are talking about boycotting Carrefour and other french products. I read news about some young nationalists burnt the French flags and the website of Carrefour was hacked down by chinese hackers...
Chinese people are really insulted this time.
When we were seen as "Sick Men from East Asia", wewere called The Peril.
When we strived to get stronger, we are called The Threat. When we closed our doors to the world, you forced them open with drugs andguns. When we finally embraced Free Trade, you blame us for taking away your jobs. When we were falling apart, you marched in your troops and robbed us blind. When we put the broken pieces back together again, "Free Tibet" youscreamed, it was an invasion! So, we tried Communism, you hated us for being Communists. Then we learned from Capitalism, you hated us for being Capitalists. When we had a billion people, you said "The planet is starving." So we tried to limit our population, you said it was Human Rights Abuse. When we were poor, you think we are dogs. When we loan you cash, you blame us for your debts. When we build our industries, you blame us for global warming. When we sell you goods you can afford, you blame us for dumping inferior products. When we buy oil, you called that exploitation and assisting genocide. When you fight for oil, you called that Liberation of Its People. When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you wanted Rules of Law for us. When we uphold our law and order against violence, you called that ViolatingHuman Rights. When we were silent, you said we have No Free Speech. When we are NOW silent no more, you say we are merely "Brainwashed". "Why do you hate us so much?" We asked. "No" You answered, "We don't hate you." Truth is we really don't hate you either, but do you understand us? "Of course we do" You said, "We have BBC, CNN and AFPs." So we ask you now "What do you really know and want from us?" And "Why do you find it SO hard to accept us?" Fortunately,not everyone is blind.Here are two clips of a French senator's opinion on Olypimcs:
March 23 Tibet is always a part of ChinaI am outraged by the infamous scheme behind!!!What should I say?
I am from Sichuan province which is adjacent to Tibet.There're many Tibetans living in my province as well.I have been to their place and known people there.We have always been happily living together!
To all the bewitched audience in the western countries: please don't judge before you know the truth!
March 22 Wonderful MarchWicklow Mountains
1 Bray
During the second weekend of March,I went to the national park with Karen,one of my best friends who came from Oxford to join me for the trip.
We took the route Dulin-Bray-Glendalough for the purpose to spend some time on the most beautiful 6-mile walk (Bray-Greystone). To catch the bus from Bray to Glendalough,we had to give up the most parts of the 6-mile walk except Bray head which was satisfyingly stunning.
(Shame that I forgot to bring my camera with me that day.Here are some pics borrowed
 from Internet.It did exactly look the same.) 2 taxi-driver (no.1)
Althought Karen and I ran like athletes on the streets in Bray after our brief hiking, very unfortunately,we missed the bus to Glendalough.Sadly,we went back to the rainstaion and were told that a taxi could cost us up to 70 euro to go there.We were so frustrated and thinking to cancel this vist while walking out of the station.There was a taxi out there in which a middle-age driver was reading newspaper.Holding the last hope,we decided to ask him for a quote and possible bargain.To the surprise,this kind local driver said that he'd only charge us 40.
Like many irish taxi drivers,he was very talkative.He told us the origin of the name Glendalough which means valley of two lakes in Irish.From him,I learnt that Bally- means town in Irish.Ha,that's why there re so many place's names started with Bally-. The driver was pretty knowledgeable when it comes to folklores and history,which has gained lots of respect from us.Karen is currently studying in Linguisitcs in ox so that she kept poping up questions regarding irish or viking's.Maybe this impressed the kind taxidriver as well,he proposed to bring us to a resort for free.So we went to Djouce where has appeared in films like Braveheart and King Athur. It was just AMAZING!
(pics borrowed from internet)
3Glendalough
The national park is mainly consisted of the two lakes and the ruins the monastic site of st.Kevin's. We were lucky to have beautiful weather during the two-day's stay there.The only thing we regretted was that we had little time to learn more about the history in the museum.The celtic culture is more appealing to us after this visit.
The international youth hostel which we were accomodated was worth recommendation!
4 kind taxidriver (no.2)
There's an incident I'd love to mention in my blog.The night when Karen arrived in Dublin airport,we took a taxi to go to my home.The next day,she found that she'd left an important folder with her passport and travelling document in the taxi.She had just had the passport visa-ed by the UK (she is american citizen who studies there).It would cost a fortune to get everything redone for a poor student.Besides she was due to fly to Florida in the coming Friday.
We were devastated after called several lost and found services.Finally,it was that taxidriver himself contacted us after found that folder on the back seat.He even drove by to return it!!!
How grateful we were!
Something interesting was that both kind drivers named John. :)
St Patrick's day
It was so crowded!!!just take a look at the equipement people pre-prepared:
But it was fun.And we enjoyed the atmosphere.||||||
February 23 Here and Now!Today we went to shopping at the local retail park.There's a store named Banana Tree which sells exquisite/exotic/chic decorations and homewares.
My husband browsed for a while and showed great interest in several things.So I said to him "if you really like them,buy them then."
He answered :"No,not now.I will buy these things when we move to a bigger and more beautiful house."
But our current one is neither old nor small!
People are like this : either dwell on the past, or only look at the future. I know a lot of hand-working men,especially in China,saved each possible penny for their children and for their retirement.A fortune is made at last but the life is already gone 2/3.
Like Chinese old saying :"The bitter first,then the sweet ".
However,the most precious to us is Here and Now. Plan well,budget well,we can enjoy everyday,the day we are living right now and right here!
February 07 Happy Chinese New YearHappy New Year!Good Luck in the year of Rat.Even Vodafone sent me a text in Mandarin pinyin to say Xin Nian Kuai Le (happy new year) yesterday.Wow,it gets more popular now.
Hmm...but how does vodafone know that i am chinese???
I didn't go to classes yesterday evening for the new year eve dinner is much more attractive. To my surprise,my lecturer approved this truancy and told me that yesterday's class wasn't so important.
 And kind classmates helped with all the notes and hand-outs.Thus, a delicious dinner of spicy hotpot until midnight!Really enjoyed it!Phoned families in China and did feel a bit nostalgic.
This morning,according to the tradition,I prepared a Hongbao (red pocket/bag) for my son. Instead of cash, I put a cheque inside as it is much safer for a 8-mth old baby.
He didn't appreciate it at all (I knew he'd prefere a toy. But tradition is tradition)... Well,anyway,he will learn to love Hongbao one day and expect the new year day as well as christmas.
January 30 I like you = I love youBeing indulged in some Korean soap series these days
. As an Eastern Asian,I could easily understand their way of expressing love/affection.After all,we share the very same culture root.But this can be a puzzle for someone who has grown up in another culture.
Example: in our culture,
"I like you" means "I love you". If a Chinese girl told a Chinese boy "I like you",the boy should understand immediately that the girl fell for him.But If it was said to a western man,the man could understand that the girl wanted to be friends with him,etc.
In general,we tend to contemplate while the westerners tend to act when it comes to love. This was ,in my own opinion,resulted from the Confuciusm through which a series of etiquette of daily behavior has been propoganda-ed.The expression of affection,especially the love between man and woman,was restrained.Any direct cooing/flirting were considered morally inappropriate and therefore should be prohibited.
Tracing back to 3000 years ago (prior to the birth of Confucius),we might be astonished by how our ancestors showing their passion of love. There're several poems/songs in The Book of Songs which are worth referring to: 关 雎/击 鼓/溱 洧/静 女/木 瓜/蒹 葭.
Transaltion (by Zhounan) of the first one:
Guan! Guan! Cry the fish hawks
on sandbars in the river: a mild-mannered good girl, fine match for the gentleman. A ragged fringe is the floating-heart, I search but cannot find her, A ragged fringe is the floating-heart, A ragged fringe is the floating-heart, November 26 4 p.m. in DublinI promised a friend to get some scenery pics done in the weekend.So I went to the park near my home in the afternoon.
The night comes earlier now.At around 4 p.m.,it's already as gloomy as this:
Chang'e-1 sent back the first picture of the moonFew European media has reported about Chang'e-1,China's first lunar probe.At least I didn't see any news about it on my NTL channels. Because of jealousy?
Neverthless,the project is carrying on succesfully.On the 26th,our orbiter sent back the first picture of the moon:
November 11 maths for third-level students in Ireland/Europe I happend to pick up some math exercise sheets left by the students of the last class.
To be frank,I couldn't believe that these exercises are for thrid-level students no matter which major they take. I've done most of them when i was in primary school (before age 12)except for questions like example 2.I have never been great in maths but I finished the total 12 questions in 5minutes without using a working sheet!
Later in the evening,I had them tried by my french cheri.He couldn't find a clue!Shame,he was even a technology student in highschool.
I take no pride in the Chinese maths education nor slur on the european one.Actually,I feel pretty sorry for chinese students,including myself,who have to learn maths to a very high extent in order to pass the exams in China.However the stuff on which we spent years to learn doesn't help our furture work at all.
Here is the question:
Rearrange each of the following formulas to make T the subject.
November 04 World's worst touristsA poll of 15,000 European hoteliers in May 2007 showed that France came out as the worst nation of tourists, followed by India, China, Russia and Britain.The Japanese were voted the world's best tourists, followed by the Americans and the Swiss.
The reason given for choosing the French tourists were unwilling to speak the local language, ungenerous and impolite.
Many people know how loyal can a frenchman be when it comes to the language.When I lived in france,I was pretty annoyed by their attitude towards foreign languages.Not only refuse to speak other languages whenenver it's possible,they also try to convert the foreign languages into a french style.
How about the allegation of being impolite? Actually most of the french are good-manner persons in their own country.I was once shocked by the way in which french parents discipline their children.Kids are not allowed to talk loudly in public,which is kind of against the nature.However,once the french comes to a foreign country,the behavior is less appreciable. E.g. I notice some french friends (include my husband) like to put their feet on the seats on LUAS.But I can assure you that none of them would do this in France.I asked my husband why do you do this?He answered because the irish does it as well!
As for the Chinese tourists,we're advised to follow the guidelines of behavior :
Keep peaceful in public places, don't talk loud and avoid sticking out.
Don't get involved in other people's quarrels in public places.
When the legal rights are violated, avoid making things worse and resolve the problem through upright channels, not through extortion or other illegal methods. October 30 The Children of Huang shiSince I mentioned Jonathan Rhys Meyers yesterday,I'm updating sth "Chinese" about him: The Children of Huang Shi, new film of Roger Spottiswoode.
This movie is about young British journalist, George Hogg (Rhys Meyers), who with the assistance of a courageous Australian nurse (Radha Mitchell) and a Chinese partisan fighter (Chow Yun Fat), saves a group of orphaned children during the Japanese occupation of China in 1937.
This film,by Spottiswoode,starred Jonathan Rhys Meyer, Yun-Fat Chow, Michelle Yeoh , is said to be competitive in the coming Oscar.
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