Answer = Problem

since when is answer equivalent to problem?

i was watching a Cantonese TVB problem on Ah Chan who's currently in Mauritius talking about his life and struggles and it got me thinking when he said that his daughter got to fend for herself when he became bankrupt. His daughter who lead a comfortable lifestyle got to adjust and work to support herself to get to university.

like in life, answers when given without the workings or how it was derived can be a problem itself. a person born with a silver spoon without knowing how it was earned can lead to many problems later in life.

the feeling of joy in life is better savour and appreciated when a person actually earns it. like starting a puzzle piece and completing the whole puzzle piece by piece. the joy gained at the end is different compared to the puzzle bought wholesale from a shop or as a gift from friend.

and this is what separates the wheat from the chaft and how it can makes a person better mentally. i believe that when we are born, we're like a piece of plasticine. as we grow, we are constantly shape by our surroundings and the environment but mostly, we are what we want the plasticine to be.

Ignorance and the Olympic Flame

been reading the news on how protesters are trying to disrupt the Olympic torch relay. I wonder what are they trying to prove? Free Tibet? Change the regime? Shame China?

it shows the blatant misunderstanding of the Chinese history and misguided thoughts by the westerners. If you compare the reactions by the EU and US against the Soviets over many issues, they basically suck thumb due to the vast amount of energy resources that Russia provide but against China, French president even have the cheek to say that he might boycott the opening ceremony, what an audacity, trying to score brownie points with his people.

"face" in Chinese definition can be vaguely describe as "respect or pride". u give people "face" as in not to publicly cause embarrassment to other people. it's a very important cultural norm that the westerner have not grapple with and not to hang dirty linens in the public. once u don't give face to other people, relationship or friendship cannot exist or progress. just like the thought of wearing mask by the brits at the opening is trying to show the world that China is not being a good host and that is a big faux pas. due to pollution, are they gonna wear the mask non stop through out the games, in games village, when they go shopping and R&R and everywhere they go and do? i dun think so.

after years of humiliation in the 1800s and early 1900s by foreign countries, the Chinese government will not submit to intimidation and giving up control of sovereignty aka Tibet if it ever happens can only be done on China's term. what the world have to understand is that economy can take a back seat and progress can be delay by 10, 20 yrs or more but the country must be kept intact. the Tiananmen incident is a very good example. If even own blood can be shed, what more can be said of those foreign demonstration to free tibet?

Chinese people by default are not as vocal as the westerners, they prefer not to create disturbance to the countries they reside in so as not to feed the hand that bites it. if you're poor, then work harder instead of relying on handouts like other migrants but if push comes to shove and the volcano finally erupts, the demonstration by the Chinese can by very emotional and violent as shown in many incidents in China.

For the people that participate in the disruption and the leaders of countries that hinted of boycotting the games, the effects will be felt after the games. The Chinese government will not take it laying down now that they know they're a world player. ground sentiments in internet forums are rallying Chinese to do their part to support their own country and for all Chinese over the world, this lack of "face" shown will be reciprocated.

Shame China? Who do you think you are?