Category: Life

Saw the following words from a Doctor’s office today. I believe many people would agree it. But how many of us are actually following it? I think I should also put it on the wall so I won’t forget it.
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Nothing in the world can take the place of PERSISTENCE.

TALENT will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

GENIUS will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

EDUCATION will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On,” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge — 1932

It seems like China is going to get only one Gold Medal at this Winter Olympics games. It’s a bit disappointing for many Chinese who care about the game, including me. I think lots of people, especially the team China expected to win more gold medals this time. I believe four years ago we got at least two gold (Yang Yang, short track speed skating). This time we had gold hope on Pair figure skating, speed skating (both regular and short track), women’s skiing Aerial (jump), etc. But we only got one on Women’s short track. Why the disappointment? I think one reason is expectation is too high. While we had hope in those games, the competition is very intense and our opponents are very strong too. A lot depends on the performance at the spot. But we Chinese ususally can not do well when we try too hard.

This is not a problem for Chinese Athlets. Michelle Kwan, 5 times world figure skating champion, tried very hard to win a gold medal in 1998 and 2002 Olympics, did not get what she wished for. She tried again in this year but had to withdrawl at last minute because of injury. I think she tried too hard.

I want to share my own experience on this too. I wanted to go to Shanghai Jiaotong University when I graduated from high school in 1989. I was so nervous that I did not get any sleep during the college admission exam (black July). And did not make it. Four years later, I tried very hard to take the Graduate Admission Exam in order to get to the same university, I failed again. This time I failed on Math.

We have seen plenty of images on TV on the West Virginia coal mine accident these two days. The outcome was terrible, 12 miners died and one survived. I don’t know how much this get covered in China. Note recently China had many coal mine accidents, which usually involves greater human loss. I believe some people in China may wonder why there are so many miners take the risk to work in coal mines in the US. The US is a rich country, can not find any safer work? Yes or No. There are safer jobs, such as work in WalMart store (no offense to Walmart and its workers), but the pay and benefits will not be as good. Because the miners need the income to support their family, they are willing to take the risk and sacrifice. I believe in those small towns in West Virgina, those are very good and secure jobs. With the globalization, the US manufacuring industry moved many well paid blue colloar jobs to China. The mining industry is an exception.

As a twist, my alma mater, University of Missouri at Rolla, is formerly called Missouri School of Mines. As a “miner” myself, I have great respect for the 12 fallen WV coal miners. They worked hard to support their family. While in danger, they worked together to build up the barricade. I only wish may they rest in heaven, and God bless their family and loved ones.

Year 2006 is around the corner. For people back home in China they are already in 2006. We are still 3 hours away. There will be some celebrations in major cities such as New York Time Square, Las Vegas, etc. And there will be Rose Parade in Pasadena (LA) tomorrow. I don’t know about how people living in China think about the New Year (or Xmas for that matter) activities in the US. Years ago I read about “Studying in the US” by Qian Ning . I remember a story says “students walking from campus to apartment in Iowa City”. The street and road side are beautiful. But the author said it’s not a romantic thing because there are not many people walk there (most people drive), and the students feel lonely.

I think that story reflects the lives of Chinese students and working professionals in the US very well. I think most will have some sort of lonely feeling during the holidays. We can gather toegther and party. But we surely miss our families and friends at home.