Rain is so rare in Beijing that I can even remember what I was doing and which umbrella I was holding on those days. The scene after the rain is refreshing: the fragrance in the air, the touch of the raindrops on the leaves, composing a misty landscape painting.
Rainstorms begin to frequent the city in early summer. However heavy the rain is, what follows is always a brilliant sunny day. Half of the year has gone by.
Times passes as quietly as water in a brook.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Gao Kao
June 7 and 8 are two holy days for Chinese high school graduates as this is the time when Gaokao, or college entrance exam is held.
It’s really incredible that an exam can become a sensation in such a big country and the whole society is making a fuss about it. A plausible explanation is that it is too important to be neglected. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to be recruited to universities and change their future.
I have sympathy on Chinese students. From kindergarten, they were forced by their parents to learn all kinds of extracurricular skills, regardless of their interest or gift. Then they will experience over ten years of hard work, which is only a preparation for the Last Judgement.
In spite of all their efforts, they are not in a fair play game. Students in provincial capitals seem to have more priority and their way to success isn’t so strenuous as those in small towns. Some with special talents, or various certificates, or being ethnic minorities, or whose parent is somebody…, are all privileged.
Hope some day every test-taker can be judged more fairly and this exam will not be the front page story.
It’s really incredible that an exam can become a sensation in such a big country and the whole society is making a fuss about it. A plausible explanation is that it is too important to be neglected. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to be recruited to universities and change their future.
I have sympathy on Chinese students. From kindergarten, they were forced by their parents to learn all kinds of extracurricular skills, regardless of their interest or gift. Then they will experience over ten years of hard work, which is only a preparation for the Last Judgement.
In spite of all their efforts, they are not in a fair play game. Students in provincial capitals seem to have more priority and their way to success isn’t so strenuous as those in small towns. Some with special talents, or various certificates, or being ethnic minorities, or whose parent is somebody…, are all privileged.
Hope some day every test-taker can be judged more fairly and this exam will not be the front page story.
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Soul of a city
Having been back at home for a couple of days, I find myself being somewhat unaccustomed to the old way of life. My hometown, a small tranquil coastal city with fresh air and mild climate, remain unchanged. Then what’s wrong? Something indescribable is missing.
It’s the soul of a city. One thing I like about Beijing is its diversity. From various newspapers, TV programs, to miscellaneous exhibitions and performances, no one would ignore the charm of this metropolis. Many people may have an ambivalent attitude toward Beijing. No matter how much they hate the sandstorm, the forever-grey sky, the terrible traffic… they still like it because they’ve far been used to the life inside it.
To fully explore a city, one must live in it and interact with its people. Rushing from one place to another on a tour bus is hardly enough to scratch the surface.
It’s the soul of a city. One thing I like about Beijing is its diversity. From various newspapers, TV programs, to miscellaneous exhibitions and performances, no one would ignore the charm of this metropolis. Many people may have an ambivalent attitude toward Beijing. No matter how much they hate the sandstorm, the forever-grey sky, the terrible traffic… they still like it because they’ve far been used to the life inside it.
To fully explore a city, one must live in it and interact with its people. Rushing from one place to another on a tour bus is hardly enough to scratch the surface.
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