During these scorching hot summer days, I think back when I cursed at Winter's cruelty. Those below zero temperature and freezing chills that left me unable to move because of the thickness of the jackets and coverings that engulf me. The fevers and colds I had to suffer under. Now I long for the bleak whiteness embrace.Is this the beauty of having four seasons? Each season serves to make one appreciate the other season. Studies indicate people become more hot-tempered, and easily angered during extreme weathers. More so during these summer heats. Normal recommendation is 8 glasses of water. These days I go for 14-16 glasses. One habit I've picked up is to bring a 1 to 1.5 Liter bottle wherever I go. And whenever it is empty, I find a way to refill it right away even when I am not yet thirsty. Since the bigger bottle is heavier to carry around, I'll be encouraged to drink more to lessen the weight I have to carry around. Thus making me drink more.Please stay cool.

Do This Before You Say Yes to that Marriage Proposal**This is for all the special ladies who will one day get married. The Main Concern: Is he the right one?The number one concern of women before they say yes to the proposal of their life is whether they would be one day be included in the statistics of divorces. For the Filipino women, just because our country doesn’t have divorce does not mean the wife is guaranteed happily ever after. For all the technical arguments on both sides, it is an unfortunate reality that there are some married couples who are no better than a cat and a dog caged together. So before you ladies decide, do the steps below.You know your partner is a good lover when you bring him off an edge of a cliff overlooking the sea and he gathers the courage to jump. If this is his first time, and he jumps, then you have a catch. Because you can be sure you have in that person someone who will jump into love, with all its uncertainties. If they go back and go for a second dive, marry that person because you know that he or she will fight for love, even with all its trials and tribulations.Requirements on LoveLove requires humility, to be able to show one’s weaknesses including what most guys consider to include the showing of emotions, and— more importantly—to recover, resume, and reinforce the relationship afterwards. When one jumps off a cliff, one is forced to do the unnatural aka. silly, stupid acts which inevitably brings out a plethora of emotions like a first-time diver screaming obscenities at the top of his lungs, mistaking his dexterity to be that of superman, then hitting the water belly-flat and having to walk around with a burning-red mark…. If you can get a guy to get up on the diving board again and re-do everything… you got a lover for life. Love requires a suspension of disbelief, or a leap of faith from the giver. Imagine two personalities who come from completely different backgrounds, trying to make it work (if they get married at around age 25 to 30, and live until age 90, that means they would have to live with this once-stranger for two-thirds of their lives. Let’s be honest, if we can’t even stand to live with our parents 24/7, then how much more another stranger? (Marriage is the most unnatural if we really rationalize it, yet every major society is fundamentally based on this institution. But that’s for another writing.) Essentially, to love is to trust that everything will work out in the end of everything just as a dive from a cliff will turn out okay, no matter how one jumps and summersaults (or belly-flops) into it. This is why the best lens to how your man epitomizes love is the moment when the man has to jump off a cliff until he plunges into the water (or never dives). You get a first-hand view of his natural responses that will surely help you make the right decision.If I were the Pope, I’d make cliff-diving a prerequisite to marriage, like a rite of passage. I would go so far as wager the divorce rate would decrease, whether it’s because the “test of fire” would strengthen the mettle of the husband to equip him with the resolve needed to overcome the challenges of marriage or it would filter out those unable to withstand the heat. Either way, it’ll help with the eternality of marriage.*Two disclaimers: Please note that there is a difference between a professional diver and a first-timer just as there is a difference between a man with Cassanova and a virgin seducing a girl. To be fair, I’m not saying that an experienced man cannot be trusted to be faithful, only that the failure to distinguish may cause one to be mistake spontaneity for sincerity. In this modern age, the woman might find it hard to find a pristine cliff for this undertaking. In such case a Olympic-style pool with a diving board would suffice. Before I take my exit, what is a definition of a good lover? Now that has been known for ages… one that will be with you: “in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, and who will love you and honor you for all the days of your life.”

Went to a business/tech incubator cafe near Zhongcuancun... and I saw the future.It's amazing to feel alive at this very moment. Like Im in the middle of a moment when the life of Star Wars and Star Trek becomes reality and the life our forefathers knew slowly fleeting away. So close yet so far on both sides. But to be alive in the middle of the past and future really is a present.Motion-sensored computer mouse...

For all the talk about pollution and high level Beijing smog, it is noteworthy to point out that May has been just beautiful. Breezy wind, clear skies, and ladies in colorful blouses For those who've stayed longer in China, is the good weather/air we are getting these days common in the month of May?

On a recent bus ride that took about 5 hours, I offered my seat to an old lady who had probably been standing for at least a good hour. Though I couldn't understand her completely due to her thick accent, it was clear she was thanking me profusely. When she found out I was a foreigner (I am often mistaken for being a native Chinese), she said, with a hint of regretful affection, something like "it's ___ that a foreigner rather than one of these Chinese would offer his seats". I wish I could've gotten the adjective she had given, but the context of her message was unmistakeable as she zoomed-in around to the young Chinese men seated around us. It was sad because I knew for a fact that being a foreigner does not make me any more considerate or generous than a native Chinese. I am sure many more Chinese are more generous than me. This leads me to wonder what were the others' motivations for not standing up. It was sadder that my supposed kind gesture was not given without hesitation. What was going on in my head during the whole trip:1.) Before I gave up my seat, I debated in my mind whether I actually should for a good ten minutes or so. Out of all the possible reasons, mine was based on my fear of rejection, that I would lose face, when she would decline my offer. I wonder if this is normal, whether this was also what the other guys were thinking that made them not bother to give up their seats.2.) I wonder what the old lady was thinking the whole time she was standing. Her knees shaking, her waist aching. What was she thinking of the people seating down comfortably, snugly along. 3.) I understand the business motivation of squeezing as many passengers in the bus as possible. However, as much as citizens are encouraged to be considerate of society's less able or less fortunate, the bus operator must also have a responsibility to ensure such passengers as the old lady are given seats before taking them in. 4.) I knew the destination was less than an 1 hour or so away. I wonder whether I would've given up my seat if the destination was still 4 hours away, knowing surely that no seat would be available for the whole trip... Would you?

Visiting Guangzhou for a few days.Been hearing there are stark contrasts between "bei-fang-ren" and "nan-fang-ren". What are some of the famous ones?

Recently a spate of doctors being stabbed by angry patients/family members in Chinese hospitals has been reported in the news. It is a sad and scary thought. Having had 'bad' experiences in Beijing hospitals as a patient, I was not very fond of them and their doctors, and to some extent, empathized with the patients' more serious ordeals. Never once did I consider the plight of the doctors. I was privileged to have the chance to talk up close about this issue with one of my students, who is incidentally also the top surgeon in one of the most prestigious public hospitals in Beijing.On the day we talked about this issue, he had just accompanied me during one of his rounds. One of the patients we had visited had terminal cancer, which not only became immediately obvious as the atmosphere of the room emanated an inevitable sense of gloom but the anxiety on the relatives faces were difficult to miss as they talked, bombarding and pleading at the same time, with our doctor when he came in.Throughout the whole ordeal, in addition to the sympathies for the family, I could not stop wondering at the internal resolve and strength needed for our doctor to manage such an ordeal on a regular basis. To make things more unreal, that same morning, our doctor's son was just rushed in another hospital for an infection that had come about from a recent surgery. I wondered whether I would be able to handle and balance such emotionally-rich situations at the same time. I will try to find time to share the details of our conversation afterwards in another blog if readers are interested-- which lasted for almost 2 hours...

I was inspired to write this after reading a couple of awesome blogs that shared tips on how to live healthily in Beijing. Special thanks to #jiewei798 http://blog.chinadaily.com.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=1363600&do=blog&id=16944&cid=32526!I propose we can also do our share to make Beijing more green, by consuming less. It doesn't mean we have to lower our living standards, all it takes is a little bit more consideration and care for Mother Earth. There are many creative way. Here's my top 5:1.) Lessen "take-out" or "home-delivery" meals. These consume a lot of waste which in turn will add to the pollution footprint we create. If you are not in a rush, spend 5 or 10 minutes longer dining-in or going down to the restaurant. In addition to the pollution created by the styrofoams, plastics, including the gas or electric needed to power the deliveryman's motor, eating from styrofoams have been said to be dangerous to health. You see this when you order something hot or oily and the pack it comes with is either melted or feels thinner. These residues have to go somewhere...While your at it, if you really have to eat on the go, you can bring your own plastic/metal containers. 2.) Carry your own durable water bottles.So you don't always have to buy water bottled plastics. You'll not only help Mother Earth, you'll save money too! This is really good for summer.3.) Walking is sexy. I often have to travel between two campuses that are two bus stations away. I realize during rush hour, I have to wait for 30-45 minutes for the bus. So one day I decided to walk it and realized it took just about the same time. At first I couldnt stop thinking of the distance, but when I started enjoying the walk by observing my surrounding details, next thing I knew, I had reached my destination. Also great to have a walking buddy. Im sure it made me sexier along the way too haha. (If you have a bike, this can be applied the same way too. Although as the previous post advice, try to lessen such outdoor activities during heavy smog days).4.) Turn off appliances when not needed.This is a no-brainer, but laziness often gets in the way.5.) Turn off gadgets-- Cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc.We don't realize it, but those small gadgets are power hungry and our usage do add up. Turning them off will not only mean less times to charge, it will also mean more time for you to focus on "living" and not be distracted from the demands and distractions of the gadget. I turn off my phone when I sleep and one day a week (usually Sundays). I noticed instead of charging daily, I can survive with 2 to 3 days... also started to enjoy people's company more.What are your suggestions? We should make this list... Let's do our share.Designed by my student. Inspired me to be more considerate, especially for those who are without power.Garbage mountain from a province in China. Photo from EH.

There are many "temptations" in life. Hang out with friends, meet new friends, join an extracurricular club, learn calligraphy or martial arts, study Chinese, attend extra classes, make some money teaching, hang out in the mall and window shop or people-watching, check out the latest high-priced items in branded stores, visit tourists attractions, attend the theater... What other activities do you love Beijing offers?I believe this vibrant way of life is often under-represented when Beijing is portrayed in the Media. It's such a great city for being able to not only offer, but nurture these concoction of goodies.How do you guys find the balance? How do you take it all in? #reallystartingtofallinlovewithbeijing

*Warning-- please only use this advice if you feel you REALLY deserve to go to the dream US college you had applied for. And you don't understand why you were rejected. There's no guarantee that the advice below will work for anyone, but if it's worth a try. The story: One of my student (let's call her JennJenn) was rejected from the US school she had applied in. She was totally confused as to why she had been rejected because the college had actually visited her Beijing school and one of the American professors who had seen her perform said if she could only meet the university application, she would surely be accepted. (she had applied for the music school).Her main weakness was she only made the minimum TOEFL score. She felt her school grades, her musical performance and portfolio, and all the other application requirements were all strong. There are many reasons why a university rejects applicants, even good ones! We should respect their decision . However if you really feel like you are qualified and deserving, there are actually some steps you can take to "ASK for a RECONSIDERATION". most universities would not mind doing this.To ask for a reconsideration:1.) Write a RESPECTFUL, CONSIDERATE, and CLEAR "letter for reconsideration" to the contact person who you communicate with during the whole application process (usually this is the Ofc. of Admission).2.) Explain clearly why you deserve to be part of the incoming batch of students:+List down all the accomplishments you've made since applying+Any improvements/additional classes you may have had. Noting you've taken extra efforts to improve your English helps a lot.(Universities want student who are not complacent and strive to improve themselves. So if you show them you continued being a hard-working student even though you already applied for college admission, this would show a good characteristic of a future college student).+What makes the college special. Why is it unique that you REALLY have to be part of it. for example, does it have a special program/library/professor that you know that sets the college apart from other colleges? Otherwise, they'd think you are just pushing your luck to be accepted by any US university to get out of China. Nobody wants this.3.) If possible, get a recommendation letter from a teacher (preferably English teacher) who can confirm your fluency in the English language and verify the achievements you mentioned in your letter.This is what JennJenn did. And luckily it worked!Remember: ASK ASK ASK! As long as you ask, in a respectful and sincere way, most Americans would be happy to help even after they've rejected you.Please share this to students who may have been traumatized or continue to be confused due to a rejection letter they may have recently received. +++++++++++++++The first rejection letter.Acceptance Letter after Reconsideration. I'm so proud of you! You deserve this!For others, good luck! Stay positive, don't give up :)