Archive for December, 2005
Wild Swans a Book
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I received a book for Christmas from my sister-in-law Xiao Hui titled, “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China”. This is an important book for those interested in the history of 20th Century China. The book recounts the memoirs of three generations of women and chronicals the history of the Japanese invasion of Northern China through the Communist peoples revolution. Finally, Wild Swans tells the story of a search for freedom and justice that is inherent in all people.
With the ending of the ‘Cultural Revolution’ in the mid 1970′s China has gone through a remarkable transformation from an isolated country with thought control to a ‘Most Favored Nation‘ status as of the late 1990′s.
Xiao Hui grew up during the Cultural Revolution. I can not imagine what that must have been like to be subjected to that kind of intense scrutiny. Thank you Xiao Hui for the book and for opening my eyes to see the world in a different way. What a gift that is. Below is a quote from the author of the book during the early days of the Communist take over of China.
“The Party’s all-around intrusion into people’s lives was the very point of the process known as ‘thought reform’. Mao wanted not only external discipline, but the total subjection of all thoughts, large or small. Every week a meeting for ‘thought examination’ was held for those ‘in the revolution’. Everyone had both to criticize themselves for incorrect thoughts and be subject to the criticism of others. The meetings tended to be dominated by self-righteous and petty-minded people, who used them to vent their envy and frustration; people of peasant origin used them to attack those from ‘bourgeois’ backgrounds. The ideas was that people should be reformed to be more like peasants, because the Communist revolution was in essence a peasant revolution. This process appealed to the guilt feelings of the educated; they had been living better than the peasants, and self-criticism tapped into this.”
This is an important work and should be considered standard reading for anyone interested in modern China. There is hope now for modern China.
Two Shanghai Sisters
Posted by: | CommentsShanghai is reaching new heights of affluence. The commercialism and consumerism here is really astonishing. In a country with such disparaging degrees of wealth among its people, the advertising and rush into the 21st century is reaching all classes of society. From the latest of European fashion to the most current cell phones and electronic goods, the Shanghai people are reaching for it all. Even the poorer classes of people sport cell phones that are newer than mine. I had a chance to visit two sister’s homes this past week with camera in hand and wanted to share their differences in taste.
Xiao Hui and Xiao Zhong are two sisters that grew up during the Cultural Revolution. The older sister is a Communist Party Member and lawyer while the younger sister is involved in business with her husband. Both of them are quiet wealthy by any countries standards. Xiao Zhong’s taste in furniture runs in a more traditional vein. Her two-story penthouse condominium is truly beautiful.
Xiao Hui’s exquisite home is filled with antiques and Italian furnishings. As a side note, the apartments that are available for sale here in China come with bare concrete walls and floors. In order to complete the construction of one of these apartments the new owner is faced with the unlimited choices for finishing the construction. Xiao Hui choose to import some of the finest flooring and moldings from Italy. The doors and wood trim is some of the finest that I have ever seen. Additionally, the windows are exquisite. These choices were all decided before the decision of furniture was made. Xiao Hui is a collector. In the course of time she has gathered an impressive number of antiques. Enjoy the pictures.
What I enjoyed most in visiting these two sisters is the unhesitating hospitality and warmth that the Chinese people always show their guests. Coming into a Chinese home is like visiting old friends or family. These two examples of Shanghai living are certainly not the norm but not too uncommon either. There is a growing class of nuevo-riche here in China.
To see all of the pictures visit flickr “Christmas in Chinaâ€.
Shanghai in December
Posted by: | CommentsVisiting Shanghai is a treat. Ranked as one of the largest cities in the world Shanghai has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade. Coming here to the center of Western influence in Asia after a two years hiatus has been a revelation in how fast things change here in this part of the word. Here is an example.
Five years ago when Jennifer and I came to Shanghai to visit her parents and for me to meet them for the first time, the number of cars on the road in the city was impressive but the bicycle traffic was equally dense. The amount of motor scooter traffic was very small and the types of cars on the road were mainly small compacts. Not many foreign imports here really at that time for what I recall. The very wealthy were driven around in Bentley’s and the larger Mercedes but these were very few. This year while visiting Shanghai, the auto traffic is denser and the motor scooters on the road are many. Shanghai is not the place for idle jaywalking I can assure you.
According to a recent report China is the fastest growing nation in its demand for oil products. If the growth continues at this pace here in China the United States will be paying more at the pump simply due to the increased demand worldwide.
While here in Shanghai Jennifer was able to revisit her childhood. We stopped by the building that she grew up in. Actually its around the corner from the very modern high-rise building that her parents live in now so we did not have to go out of our way to see the old building.
Its cold here in Shanghai this time of year with temperatures running in the low to freezing range. A long sleeve shirt and sweater under a nice coat is about right for morning walks along the crowded streets hunting for bargains here. The afternoons are pleasant and for brief outings a sweater is all that is required.
To see all of the China 2005 pictures visit flickr “China at Christmas“
China visit for Christmas
Posted by: | CommentsJennifer and I left for Shanghai this past weekend and this is the first time that I have been able to get to a computor. “Its Cold Outside” or so the song goes and that is true for Shanghai as well. Seeing family again after two years away from China has been really terrific these past two days.
I have been taking tons of pictures and will be uploading them all to flickr shortly. This afternoon I will get getting internet connection at Jennifer’s parents home so that I can upload the pictures directly.
This evening Henry, Jennifers big brother, is planning a celebration diner for us welcoming us back to China. After the banquet we will go to our favorite foot soak and masage place. It hurts so good. Tomorrow we are off to Sanya which will mean a two hour airplane flight to the south and warmer weather. We will be staying on the beach for the next week enjoying the sights and just relaxing.
To see all of the China 2005 pictures visit flickr “China at Christmas“
Three Cheers for Berny
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Life is so good sometimes. Today I received a great letter from my dear friend Berny. Between finishing up finals this semester and the rigors of clinical rotations now receiving this letter from Berny is a great treat. Sometimes you have to see where you have come from to appreciate where you are now. The workload lately has been tremendous and this is one of the little rewards along the way that I wanted to pass along.
David,
How is life treating you? How are your holidays? Well, I just wanted to write you to update you. I got accepted to Buffalo, New York. New York was my number one pick! I just want to thank you for helping me out with all your advice and encouragement. You have helped me a lot, more than you’ll ever know! Thank you for taking the time to write the awesome recommendations you wrote me! Anesthesia school has been my goal for so long! I’m finally going to make it happen! David, I can’t THANK YOU enough! I hope life is treating you and your wife well!
Happy Holidays!
Berny
Berny is a friend of mine from UCLA that I have been encouraging to pursue a career in nurse anesthesia. We worked together in the cardio-thoracic ICU for a couple of years before I jumped ship and trapped off to school at USC – the cross town rival.
Congratulations Bernadette on your acceptance to the University of Buffalo and their great nurse anesthesia program. You will love it there I am sure. Josette, another contributor at NurseAnesthetist.org has is a student at Buffalo and will show you the ropes at Buffalo. Good luck and continue to study hard. It is all so worth it.
I am so happy for Bernadette. Good for her. You see if Berny and I can get into school after lots of hard work and preparation, those with enough determination and desire will succeed. Again, congratulations to Berny on being accepted into anesthesia school at the University of Buffalo.
Patric O'Brian
Radical Brewing
