Recipe: Miracle

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

                             - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Dilemma in Winter

In my sleep I heard doors and windows slamming. I knew it is going to be a cold day, just like the day when I rode so hard yet my bicycle didn't move forward. I looked out of the window, smoke from Shaoyuan's restaurant was flat - Google weather says -12 degree Celcius, wind travels at 40km/h. I decided to walk instead of ride to the canteen. It's too risky to fight against the wind, I'll definitely lose.

I walked to the canteen, ordered 6 paus and a bowl of soya. The crowd of students filled the canteen, so I took my tray of food outside. I spilled some soya on the tray as I forced my way through the queueing crowd. I ate with my gloves on, in no time I couldn't feel my fingers. In 10 minutes, the spilled soya froze on the tray. I'm not joking.

I walked to the cultural market, thinking since today's the last day of sale, might as well buy a few more books for the holiday - last day people can usually bargain more. Before I even reach there, my feet were quite frozen already. I stayed there for 30 minutes, then I walked back to Shaoyuan. I couldn't feel my face.

This is not even the coldest time of winter in Beijing yet. Luckily the semester's ending, I can stay in the room all day if it gets colder. But what about food? I can't and shouldn't eat instant noodles and oatmeal everyday! Should I walk to the canteen or ride? Give me your advice!

BIG People

Today I attended the 2nd Youth Conference of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) organised by my college. Managing to attend the conference made my effort to rush off one of the reports at 3am this morning (due at 00:00 today, anyway), made my day. The morning session was splitted into 6 groups, I joined the group which I felt most interested in amongst another 2, and I think I made the right choice. Why? The Dean and Associate Deans of my college, and the famous Chinese Linguist Prof Liu Xun also chose to attend this group! Area of discussion is the development of TCSL, hehe. I will work hard to have achievements like these great lecturers!

胡壮麟教授与王玉凌Prof Hu Zhuanglin and Wang Yuling Prof Hu is a well-achiever in Chinese Linguistics. Yuling managed to catch Prof Hu for a photo together! My camera didn't respond quick enough, I didn't want to disturb Prof Hu by holding him back, so I missed the chance... But it's ok, I'm better at Photoshop now... :p Nah, a little regret is a little spice to the memory, I figured.

李晓琪教授与我Prof Li Xiaoqi and I Prof Li is the Dean of my department, very friendly when I approached her for a photo, even pat my shoulder and said, "I have fans". Haha.

王若江教授、王玉凌与我Prof. Wang Ruojiang, Wang Yuling and I The one and only Prof. Wang, who helped me secure a bed at SY, who wrote me recommendation letter to the Beijing Gov Scholarship application, who's also very patient with me in her lectures... I owe so much to her. And Yuling, if she hadn't insisted that I take some pictures, I wouldn't have all memories to show and share. Prof Wang is the Associate Dean in-charging of Administration Affairs.

李红印教授与我Prof Li Hongyin and I Prof Li is the Associate Dean of my department, in-charging of the researcher students' affairs. So obviously, he's the one whom I approached for approval to any type of scholarship application...

赵杨教授、王玉凌与我Prof Zhao Yang, Wang Yuling and I Prof Zhao did his PhD in UK, hence having a very open mind when comes to viewing new ideas. He wrote me a recommendation letter but later I told him frankly that I wouldn't use it to be fair for both of us...

詹成峰老师与我Lecturer Zhan Chengfeng and I When I arrived at the registration counter during orientation 2008, Zhan laoshi was the first teacher who welcomed me with a GREAT smile. I mentioned my name and immediately knew that I'm a foreigner, he offered me his h/p number just in case I need help. And he remembers my name since day one!

（韩）宋时黄“主席”与（台）信世昌教授 (Korean)"President" Song Shihuang and (Taiwanese) Prof. Xin Shichang Song is my classmate (PhD student), he did his Master's in National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) where Prof Xin heads the Department of Teaching Chinese as A Second Language (TSCL).

庄美芳与耿直(Thai) Zhuang Meifang and (Chinese) Gengzhi are my classmates too. Both PhD students. Zhuang has very long Thai name. Gengzhi plays ping pong very well, he's only 24 but very smart!

（韩）韩智香与我(Korean) Hanjandi and IHanjandi and I work closely as one when comes to sharing lecture recordings and notes. She will be a PhD student soon (details to be explained during winter holiday, as promised to mom). A very generous friend when comes to sharing academically :)

刘珣教授 Prof. Liu Xun发表他对“对外汉语教学”学科名称的看法时的神情 when he voiced his views on the naming of "Chinese Teaching to Foreigners"

And I saw the famous professor in Chinese character teaching, Prof Zhou Jian(周健), for a second time! (First time was when I was studying at Jinan, Prof Zhou lectures in Jinan). I felt too little to ask for photo or autograph... Someday, I shall...

Anyway, thank you, dad, mom, for sending me to Beijing, making this experience possible.

Tomorrow I'll go to the World's Confucius Institute Conference.

My First Time... Seeing and Feeling Snow

“不经一番寒彻骨，怎得梅花扑鼻香”- without going through the chilly winter, how would plum blossom (willow, in this case) get its smell

Frozen Weiming Lake

On Ice Someone's already standing on the lake!

Weiming Lake So cold yet part of the lake is not frozen yet - look at the line that parts the frozen part and the watery part. I just don't understand the significant difference in the same lake...

Spoiler Every morning the factory operates...



Gated garden A newly-discovered sight in the school: Ralph Lapwood Randolph Sailer Garden - on a hilly site, pagar-ed