Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Poem about School Trip to DaFu Mountain in June


A Wonderful Day

by Tina (Grade '05)


When come to the park

I’m very happy

When climb the slope

I’m very tired

When go downhill

I’m very excited


When play the game

Very wonderful

When it is rain

A little sad

When the sun come out

The sky very beautiful






When drink the water

Oh, very cool

When eat the

watermelon

Oh, very sweet

And cheer






When have supper

The beautiful story

When come back

Sleep in the car



When recall it

So wonderful

On Being Whole

One of my students found this story in a magazine and shared it in class.

健全的人生

一个健全的人生是怎样的?是完美无缺?还是既有鲜花、鸟语也有狂风和乌云?来听听一个"圆圈"的故事,你能从中领悟到什么呢?

Once a circle missed a wedge. The circle wanted to be whole, so it went around looking for its missing piece. But because it was incomplete and therefore could roll only very slowly, it admired the flowers along the way. It chatted with worms. It enjoyed the sunshine. It found lots of different pieces, but none of them fit. So it left them all by the side of the road and kept on searching.

Then one day the circle found a piece that fit perfectly. It was so happy. Now it could be whole, with nothing missing. It incorporated the missing piece into itself and began to roll. Now that it was a perfect circle, it could roll very fast, too fast to notice flowers or talk to the worms. When it realized how different the world seemed when it rolled so quickly, it stopped, left its found piece by the side of the road and rolled slowly away.

The lesson of the story, I suggested, was that in some strange sense we are more whole when we are missing something. The man who has everything is in some ways a poor man. He will never know what it feels like to yearn, to hope, to nourish his soul with the dream of something better. He will never know the experience of having someone who loves him give him something he has always wanted or never had.

There is a wholeness about the person who has come to terms with his limitations, who has been brave enough to let go of his unrealistic dreams and not feel like a failure for doing so. There is a wholeness about the man or woman who has learned that he or she is strong enough to go through a tragedy and survive, she can lose someone and still feel like a complete person.

If Today Were My Last Day on Earth

假如今天是我生命中的最后一天


I will live this day as if it is my last.
假如今天是我生命中的最后一天。

And what shall I do with this last precious day which remains in my keeping? First, I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand. I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday’s misfortunes, yesterday’s defeats; yesterday's aches of the heart, for why should I throw good after bad?
我要如何利用这最后、最宝贵的一天呢?首先,我要把一天的时间珍藏好,不让一分一秒的时间滴漏。我不为昨日的不幸叹息,过去的已够不幸,不要再赔上今日的运道。
Can sand flow upward in the hour glass? Will the sun rise where it sets and set where it rises? Can I relive the errors of yesterday and right them? Can I call back yesterday's wounds and make them whole? Can I become younger than yesterday? Can I take back the evil that was spoken, the blows that were struck, the pain that was caused? No. Yesterday is buried forever and I will think of it no more.
时光会倒流吗?太阳会西升东落吗?我可以纠正昨天的错误吗?我能扶平昨日的创伤吗?我能比昨天年轻吗?一句出口的恶言,一记挥出的拳头,一切造成的伤痛,能收回吗?
不能!过去的永远过去了,我不再去想它。

I will live this day as if it is my last.
假如今天是我生命中的最后一天。
And what then shall I do? Forgetting yesterday neither will I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw note after maybe? Can tomorrow's sand flow through the glass before today's? Will the sun rise twice this morning? Can I perform tomorrow's deeds while standing in today's path? Can I place tomorrow's gold in today's purse? Can tomorrow’s child be born today? Can tomorrow's death cast its shadow backward and darken today's joy? Should I concern myself over events which l may never witness? Should I torment myself with problems that may never come to pass? No! Tomorrow lies buried with yesterday, and I will think of it no more.
我该怎么办?忘记昨天,也不要痴想明天。明天是一个未知数,为什么要把今天的精力浪费在未知的事上?想着明天的种种,今天的时光也白白流逝了。企盼今早的 太阳再次升起,太阳已经落山。走在今天的路上,能做明天的事吗?我能把明天的金币放进今天的钱袋里吗?明日瓜熟,今日能蒂落吗?明天的死亡能将今天的欢乐 蒙上阴影吗?我能杞人忧天吗?明天和明天一样被我埋葬。我不再想它。
I will live this day as if it is my last.
今天是我生命中的最后一天.

This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity. I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death. I lift mine arms with thanks for this priceless gift of a new day. So too, I will beat upon my heart with gratitude as I consider all who greeted yesterterday's sunrise who are no longer with the living today. I am indeed a fortunate man and today's hours are but a bonus, undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others,far better than I, have departed? Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved? Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be? Is there a purpose in nature? Is this my day to excel?
这是我仅有的一天,是现实的永恒。我像被赦免死刑的囚犯,用喜悦的泪水拥抱新生的太阳。我举起双手,感谢这无与伦比的一天。当我想到昨天和我一起迎接日出 的朋友,今天已不复存在时,我为自己的幸存,感激上苍。我是无比幸运的人,今天的时光是额外的奖赏。许多强者都先我而去,为什么我得到这额外的一天?是不 是因为他们已大功告成,而我尚在途中跋涉?如果这样,这是不是成就我的一次机会,让我功德国满?造物主的安排是否别具匠心?今天是不是我超越他人的机会? 今天是我生命中的最后一天。

I will live this day as if it is my last.I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of time. When I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste today I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore, each hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow, for who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I grasp with both hands and fondle with love for its value is beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless!
生命只有一次,而人生也不过是时间的累积。我若让今天的时光白白流逝,就等于毁掉入生最后一页。因此,我珍惜今天的~分一秒,因为它们将一去不复返。我无 法把今天存入银行,明天再来取用。时间像风一样不可捕捉。每一分一秒,我要用双手捧住,用爱心抚摸,因为它们如此宝贵。垂死的人用毕生的钱财都无法换得一 口生气。我无法计算时间的价值,它们是无价之宝; 今天是我生命中的最后一天。

I will live this day as if it is my last.I will avoid with fury the killers of time. Procrastination I will destroy with action; doubt I will bury under faith; fear I will dismember with confidence. Where there are idle mouths I will listen not; where there are idle hands I will linger not; where there are idle bodies I will visit not. Henceforth I know that to court idleness is to steal food, clothing, and warmth from those I love. I am not a thief. I am a man of love and today is my last chance to prove my love and my greatness.
我憎恨那些浪费时间的行为.我要摧毁拖延的习性.我要以真诚埋葬怀疑,用信心驱赶恐惧。我不听闲话、不游手好闲,不与不务正业的人来往。我终于醒悟到,若是懒惰,无异于从我所爱之人手中窃取食物和衣裳。我不是贼,我有爱心,今天是我最后的机会,我要证明我的爱心和伟大。

I will live this day as if it is my last.
The duties of today I shall fu1fill today. Today I shall fondle my children while they are young; tomorrow they will be gone, and so will I. Today I shall embrace my woman with sweet kisses; tomorrow she will be gone, and so will I. Today I shall lift up a friend in need; tomorrow he will no longer cry for help, nor will I hear his cries. Today I shall give myself in sacrifice and work; tomorrow I will have nothing to give, and there will be none to receive.
今天是我生命中的最后一天.
今日事今日毕。今天我要趁孩子还小的时候,多加爱护,明天他们将离我而去,我也会离开。今天我要深情地拥抱我的妻子,给她甜蜜的热吻,明天她会离去,我也 是。今天我要帮助落难的朋友,明天他不再求援,我也听不到他的哀求。我要乐于奉献,因为明天我无法给予,也没有人来领受了。 今天是我生命中的最后一天.

I will live this day as if it is my last.
And if it is my last, it will be my greatest monument. This day I will make the best day of my life. This day I will drink every minute to its full. I will savor its taste and give thanks. I will make the every hour count and each minute I will trade only for something of value. I will labor harder than ever before and push my muscles
until they cry for relief, and then I will continue.I will make more calls than ever before. I will sell more goods than ever before. I will earn more gold than ever before. Each minute of today will be more fruitful than hours of yesterday. My last must be my best.I will live this day as if it is my last. And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.
如果这是我的末日,那么它就是不朽的纪念日,我把它当成最美好的日子。我要把每分每秒化为甘露,一口一口,细细品尝,满怀感激。我要每一分钟都有价值。我 要加倍努力,直到精疲力竭。即使这样,我还要继续努力。我要拜访更多的顾客,销售更多的货物,赚取更多的财富。今天的每一分钟都胜过昨天的每一小时,最后 的也是最好的。




假如今天是我生命中的最后一天. 如果不是的话,我要跪倒在上苍面前,深深致谢。
世界是什么?对于我来说我的家就是整个世界,因为我是一个弱小的女孩。我有爱我的爸爸妈妈,爱我的姐姐弟弟。不在乎别人的耻笑,因为我是一只小小的蜗牛,而我的壳就是我的整个世界。

曾经,风华正茂,憧憬着美好的未来。曾经,健步如飞,立志勇闯天下,踏遍万水千山。可是一场无情的车祸,夺去了我灵活的双腿。我再也无法去我想去的地方。我不得不与轮椅相伴。为什么?为什么是我?为什么会这样?

谁能了解,我对知识的渴望;又有谁能告诉我,为什么自己一心求学却四处碰壁?时常质问上天,为何如此造物弄人,慷慨地给予我生命,却又吝啬给我健康。无奈地想着,既然活着本身就是幸运,我还能奢望什么呢?无心追求,混沌度日,不能自拔……

人生是什么?人生对于我来说不过就是日复一日、年复一年的上课下课、上班下班。无聊乏味的生活就像每天在喝一杯同样的白开水,让我如此地厌倦。只有那虚拟的网络、疯狂的游戏还有各种声色刺激,才能麻醉我空虚寂寞的灵魂。

就在某一天,心里有个声音在呐喊:不,不能够这样盲目地活着。挫折,不是逃避的借口;残疾,不是放弃的理由。我的青春不可以荒废,我的人生不可以蹉跎,即使步履蹒跚,即使拼尽全力,即使头破血流……因为青春只有一次,生命也有一次;因为海伦·凯勒曾说过,要是人们把活着的每一天都看作生命的最后一天,就更能显出生命的价值。

今天是我生命中的最后一天?假如今天是我生命中的最后一天,我还有什么事情要做呢? 一直以来,我只是在抱怨生活的平淡乏味,但却未曾想到过我的父母。我甚至从未认真端详过他们的面容。我一定要最后一次看一眼我的爸爸妈妈。当我回头望他们时,我看见他们苍老的面容上平添了许多忧愁的皱纹。那是他们为我操劳的皱纹哪!那一刻,我哭了。

假如今天是我生命中的最后一天,我该怎么办呢?有太多的事情我还未曾做过。我还没有看过大海,还没去过森林,还没感受过爱情的真谛。我要从壳里走出来,去看看大海,到森林探探险,去寻找爱情。原来在这过程中,我发现我也可以伸出我瘦小的双手去帮助有需要的人,我体验未曾有过的快乐。对,我要乐于奉献,因为明天我无法给予,也没有人来领受了。

今天是我生命中的最后一天。

这是我仅有的一天,是现实的永恒。我像被赦免死刑的囚犯,用喜悦的泪水拥抱新生的太阳。我举起双手,感谢这无与伦比的一天。当我想到昨天和我一起迎接日出的朋友,今天已经不复存在时,我为自己的幸存,感激上苍。我是无比幸运的人,今天的时光是额外的奖赏。为什么我得到额外的一天?这是不是成就我的一次机会?如果是这样,今天就是我超越别人的机会。



Bonnie's birthday

June 6, 2007

Today I was super happy because it was my birthday. At night I would celebrate it with my classmates, roommates and teachers. So from the day on, I was very excited when I received many messages or wishes form my friends.

In the morning, something happened to Ben, so he had to cancel our classes. We were free during the morning. Then sunny came back to celebrate for me. At noon, we went out for lunch with my mother. Sunny treated us. My mother gave me the lucky money.


At night, we held a party in our classroom. It was the unforgettable time in my life. I never though that my classmate would become crazy. They were really crazy. At the beginning of the party all things seemed be peaceful. We just talked and sang songs, or ate the food. But after they brought out the birthday cake and I cut the cake, everything seemed to be changed.


Nick, I remembered this bad guy, he put the cake on Cosion’s face. Then Jojo and Phlip followed him to put the cake on Cosion’s face. Then Ben’s turn. They became crazy. I also suffered from this disaster. Nick put the cake on my face, because I was wearing the glasses, so the cake covered my glasses. I couldn’t see everything. Tina, Lena, Miki, Rainnee, Micol, Andy, they were the same as me. But I thought Philip was the most pitiful one. He wore a white shirt, but after this party, it was colorful. The cake stuck on our hairs.

During this birthday, I got many presents. For example, Coco gave me a handbag; Barbara, Dodo, Doris, and Candy gave me the towels (towel is my symbol), they are very useful; Miki, Micol, and Rainnee gave me three boxes of cookies; my sister, Yandy, gave me a pair of hairdress, they are two hearts; Jojo gave me the most beautiful gift, a photo frame. It has a picture of my all classtames and Jojo. It’s shape looks like an apple. It’s very beautiful, I like it very much.

The birthday of this year is the most wonderful one for me. Before today, I was afraid of it that would be boring. Because we had had many parties before and we jst sat, ate, and talked. But today, it went far beyond my thought. I like it though I had bought many food and nobody enjoyed hem. This was my first birthday party which I held with my all classmates and teachers. And maybe it also was the last time. Next year, all of us will graduate and will be working. It is impossible for me to hold it again. I cherished this time, I will never forget it.

Thank all my classmates, Jojo, Ben, Yandy, Candy, Doris, Miki, Micol and Rainnee for giving me such a wonderful party.

I’m so tired now, so I have to sleep.

Hope everything will be well.


written by Bonnie (in her Writing Journal)


I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again

And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave
And its me you need to show

Chorus:
How deep is your love
I really need to learn
cause were living in a world of fools
Breaking us down
When they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
You're the light in my deepest darkest hour
You're my savior when I fall
And you may not think
I care for you
When you know down inside
That I really do
And its me you need to show




Monday, July 9, 2007

Spin, Spin, Spin

My god, these last several days have surely wiped me out. Full, full, busy, busy. Tired, tired. Spin, Spin, Spin.

Monday school teachers’ meeting. Taught my class. Showed rest of Castaway in evening.

Tuesday, brought Cherie and her family to the school for a free talk – then accompanied David and son Jules to Changlong circus – but arrived so late.

Wednesday class was a burn. Then showed tumblebook. Then went out to 6-banyan tree temple and ice-cream with Colin. Met with Tommy, Hankey, and Tiger to share insights with Tiger about English study. Then late night desert with Nick, Chris, Yoson.

Thursday helped Colin in morning. Then tumblebook. Then to Tommy’s for bai zhou, post office, and GZ library. Then to bai jia for mango ice cream ingredients. With Hankey and Kaka to prepare ppt to welcome qingtian.

Today class. Tumblebook. Mango ice-cream fiasco. Qingtian visit/activity. Dinner in my dorm. Movie night: Rear Window. Snack with Leo/Landy, snack with Nick, Yoson, Chris, Tiger. Call brother/home.

Looking down the line, I just see more of the same. Please help me not to go nuts.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

On Being Ah Q

生活在感恩的世界
The words on the poster behind everyone is called Living in a Grateful world
.

感激伤害你的人Be grateful to those who have hurt or harmed you


因为他磨练了你的心志for they have reinforced your determination


感激欺骗你的人Be grateful to those who have deceived you


因为他增进了你的见识for they have deepened your insight


The four people sitting here (one teacher, one graduate, two students) each embody these words as they daily live them out. They are among the most kind-hearted people in our school; always busy trying to help their classmates, students, and friends; rarely taking time to care for themselves.


In fact our school demands a lot from all its students, often lending everyone to a state of busyness and feeling of overwork. Several weeks before, I had spoken with another student, Hankey, regarding his feeling of discouragement with his study and the many tasks assigned to him by the school. On occasion, Hankey and I seem to argue; I think always it stems from misunderstanding. I was trying to encourage him about his new responsibilities because they can teach him to be independent; he agreed, but then remarked, sometimes to have Ah Q Spirit can also be useful.

For several months, I didn’t puzzle together what Hankey meant. In Lu Xun’s famous short story, Ah Q represents the root of China’s problems/weakness in late 20th – early 21st century. I picked up the story again and read it through; immediately I caught Hankey’s meaning. Ah Q Spirit is the ability to win mental victories in all circumstances. In the story, how Ah Q’s Spirit serves him well is not apparent; each time Ah Q loses, he tells himself he has won; but in fact he loses, his ultimate demise being his execution.

Yet denial can be strong medicine: though we get our heads knocked against walls repeatedly, and change is nowhere to be found, yet we persist, unable or unwilling to stop.



It seems so many of us in CP have caught this Ah Q spirit. Although our school faces many problems, we try to look the other way, and keep pushing on to our peril, as in the Chinese idiom, “yan er dao ling”. The wisest action may be to stop and perhaps in that way, learn from our mistakes.

In the top picture, we say a toast for One’s birthday. But we may as well be saying a toast “Long Live Ah Q!” or “In fond memory of Ah Q!”

One is cheerleader, monitor, organizer and for his class. He wants to resolve their problems and often has the most responsibility for their affairs and activities.

Two has gone through many trials in seeking a new job. Four jobs in two months. Some might consider this persistence as honorable; but ultimately it is exhausting and very tenuous.

Three has worked in the school many years because of a love and passion for the students. But three has found working in the school has left her feeling unappreciated, overworked, and limited with regard to future options.

Four is a star, but a sympathetic one. So, many responsibilities and affairs have fallen to her.

And then me. Originally on this night, we had gathered to watch the airing of a TV interview of Colin and myself on Expat Chat. Actually, it didn’t show that night, so we wondered if we’d been cancelled. We learned later, we had been postponed for another week. A minor setback, but I think representative of my own less-than-satisfactory performance. At school as well, I find my work is slow, my teaching uninspiring. Are the signs clearly telling me teaching is not my place?

The words on the wall can also be construed as a form of Ah Q Spirit, a way of winning mental victories over others. Then, is there any difference between Ah Q and all of us? I’d like to say the difference is awareness. The one who practices the words here appreciates the existence of the difficulties they face. They deny their failure, because they believe there is something greater they must accomplish. They perceive that obstacles and frustrations can always serve as opportunities for improvement and greater awareness. Ah Q is not aware, and doesn’t accept. He only denies and then lives in confusion.

There is usefulness in Ah Q’s doggedness, but this should be tempered with learning and consideration. Then we can truly win. We will win lessons and learning for ourselves and benefit for those we care for.



现代生活十则
Ten Principles for Modern Life.

嘴巴甜一点 Speak more graciously

脑筋活一点 Think more clearly

行动快一点 Act more quickly

效率高一点 Be more efficient

理由少一点 Give fewer excuses

做事多一点 Do more work

度量大一点 Be more upright

脾气小一点 Be less ill-tempered

说话轻一点 Speak more gently

微笑露一点 Be more cheerful




生活在感恩的世界
Living in a Grateful world
.


感激伤害你的人Be grateful to those who have hurt or harmed you


因为他磨练了你的心志for they have reinforced your determination


感激欺骗你的人Be grateful to those who have deceived you


因为他增进了你的见识for they have deepened your insight


感激鞭打你的人Be grateful to those who have hit you


因为他消除了你的业障for they have reduced your karmic obstacles


感激遗弃你的人Be grateful to those who have abandoned you


因为他教导了你应自立for they have taught you to be independent


感激绊倒你的人Be grateful to those who have made you stumble you


因为他强化了你的能力for they have strengthened your ability


感激斥责你的人Be grateful to those who have denounced you


因为他助长了你的定慧for they have contributed to your concentration and wisdom



感激所有使你坚定成熟的人Be grateful to those who made you Firm and Resolute