Not going anywhere

A 4-day holiday is too short to go out, yet too long to stay in. This time last year, I was on a biz trip to Shanghai. Today, however, due to the bad economic situation, marketing events are either postponed or cancelled. My workload is somewhat lessened. The hot weather coupled with the risk of contracting H1N1 makes traveling not so appropriate. So I’m stuck.

I received a friend's wedding photos this Monday, followed by another friend's wedding invitation. 2009. Friends getting married. Alas! I’m so left behind.

Blooming flowers

All pictures taken at the Beijing Botanical Garden in late Apr.

Spring is ephemeral. Summer arrived before I had a chance to try my new spring dress.

It’s not exaggerating to say Beijing is a city of two seasons: winter and summer.

Flashbacks in May

From a stack of old textbooks, I dug out Introduction to Literature.

On a cool autumn morning, in a classroom in the newly-built Yifulou, the professor was reading Shakespeare with his royal British accent:

Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And Summer's lease hath all too short a date…

A final exam paper was lying in between the pages. The last question was to analyze a poem by Robert Frost:

The Road Not Taken

… Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The poem was like a prophecy that foretold the choices I was going to face after graduation.

It’s been five years. I can barely remember the meanings of the poetry terms, but my understanding of the poem has become much deeper.

The other day I came to 中国书店 (Cathay bookshop) by chance. It sells and recycles second-hand books, most of which were older than me. It reminded me of our school library, and the encyclopedia which would raise a cloud of dust with a turn of the page.

It’s hard to find a decent library outside the university. All around are glittering shopping malls and fancy star hotels. But I’m glad to see my bookshelf getting full and pleased to say I’ve read each book.

"Sorry, the number you dialed does not exist."

“… Would you consider selling or renting your apartment?”
“No.” I must have received a million calls from these real estate agencies.

“Hello, blah blah blah…”
When I heard the word “insurance”, I hung up the phone.

“… Are you interested in joining our equestrian club?”
“What?!” I still can’t figure out how my number fell into the hands of an equestrian club.

“Brand new BMW: 50,000RMB, Toyota: 30,000RMB…” the text message read.
Come on! Are you kidding?!

“You have won a laptop in the lucky draw. Please remit 200RMB to this bank account as postage.”
“Really?! When did I become the lucky dog?”

“Zara, MNG, Nike… 50-70% off!”
Hum, is this good news?

I’ve had enough. Last month I changed my cell phone number and it works, at least for now. And I also get of rid people whom I don’t want to contact anymore, for example, stalkers. Next time when a stranger calls, the only thing he will hear is “Sorry, the number you dialed does not exist.”

H&M finally opens in Beijing

The opening of H&M’s first store in Beijing must have created quite a sensation. I can imagine that.

I’ve been to the stores in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Nanjing. It’s become a must-shop during my travels. I like it not just because it’s cheap and chic. What matters more is I couldn’t have it in Beijing. It’s the rarity that makes it more alluring. People are always desperate for things they cannot get, and things they have lost or missed.

Today the store is right on Qianmen strip, adding another page to our shopping list.

Walking Bruges

Picturesque scenery, nice music, great acting, witty dialogues and a juice story… what else can I expect from a movie?

HBO Asia is airing the fairy tale version of In Bruges, as all the f-words have been surreptitiously deleted. It’s more fun watching it on DVD.

Spring

Willow leaves are gently dancing in the wind;
Cherry blossoms are silently drifting to ground;
White clouds are smiling in the sky;
Bright sunshine is shimmering on the river.

I’ve been walking a lot recently and my foot hurt. After seeing the doctor yesterday morning, I was in no hurry to go to work. Slowing down, I discovered the peaceful scene. It’s right around our office building beside Liangma river.