tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69250229596327921422024-03-13T09:04:02.961-04:00Jennie's Nonlinear LifeJENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-24593629186248031992023-10-29T19:20:00.056-04:002023-11-02T10:27:00.643-04:00Fall Foliage Lightens You Up<div><br /></div>Thanks to the Four Corners Conference, I need to drive to Malvern, a suburb of Philadelphia. Over the years, I only took trains from DC to Philly and had no chance to explore its rich collections of gardens, like Morris Arboretum, Azalea Garden, Jenkins Garden, etc. Believe it or not, the Greater Philadelphia region has more gardens in close proximity than anywhere else on the continent, with 38 public gardens all located within 30 miles. Many of them are close to Malvern, the Vanguard company's headquarter.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This time, I have a car, so I plan to visit the long-awaited <a href="https://japanphilly.org/shofuso/shofuso-history/">Shofuso</a> Japanese Garden. Alas, I arrived in Philly too late for Shofuso on Wednesday afternoon. What one loses on the swings, she gets back on the roundabouts. I missed Shofuso, but I encountered the most beautiful garden I have ever seen: <a href="https://www.chanticleergarden.org/">Chanticleer</a>.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmXTiXQUszeuMCOENKCu2Wi6Tiq09BIJA8Rh9gZhPuPLi-GMasUwFM_Zp47a8wQyuXTUNR72PeJfqeizTg_H9Zmk4uEMCrYfbei9y_7s-Gq5iyCkidYb8b0UgcefCx1sfarTVSVF24_CtcZ7dcWepBbZDIvwR64pe0IL_QwkOJPtKO-GCbAlEiCptmTw/s4080/PXL_20231025_201125314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmXTiXQUszeuMCOENKCu2Wi6Tiq09BIJA8Rh9gZhPuPLi-GMasUwFM_Zp47a8wQyuXTUNR72PeJfqeizTg_H9Zmk4uEMCrYfbei9y_7s-Gq5iyCkidYb8b0UgcefCx1sfarTVSVF24_CtcZ7dcWepBbZDIvwR64pe0IL_QwkOJPtKO-GCbAlEiCptmTw/s320/PXL_20231025_201125314.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chanticleer is romantic, imaginative, and exciting. The garden is a study of textures and forms, where foliage trumps flowers, the gardeners lead the design, and even the drinking fountains are sculptural. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SlpSXtaMhdonPexxXFklzYram4oyOQkZXNBHTPlOfkACLfifWh7KL6OwN5Pg2pxjRE6suvn__SmqVO_Ef-cOM1LOVdtdaWjSOlobzXNmYU5bJwnx-0ymYjKwswPMwGXPB3r7fd9NBHQNp-7zntkW3JTu_H4th08_rMN8tYH1fBxmv73NnJNQYdFHA6s/s4080/PXL_20231028_144959002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SlpSXtaMhdonPexxXFklzYram4oyOQkZXNBHTPlOfkACLfifWh7KL6OwN5Pg2pxjRE6suvn__SmqVO_Ef-cOM1LOVdtdaWjSOlobzXNmYU5bJwnx-0ymYjKwswPMwGXPB3r7fd9NBHQNp-7zntkW3JTu_H4th08_rMN8tYH1fBxmv73NnJNQYdFHA6s/s320/PXL_20231028_144959002.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRUmIvwy2b47cPcGLxP4OsftVvxisp2c9pQI0CiawtmEsI8HIf8c28wrLEkuBTNW-HEmqb56viXGF51blg7pNKr3rf7bcgXZ4Jg9jRfMtDyanL_E16d_vDDhRVWkJKHSrL5ab2NSW1dW2BYX51PVtFzuc622mBUMcO7ND_tSC7KhicHqpiA_VtsUDs7s/s4080/PXL_20231028_142300705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRUmIvwy2b47cPcGLxP4OsftVvxisp2c9pQI0CiawtmEsI8HIf8c28wrLEkuBTNW-HEmqb56viXGF51blg7pNKr3rf7bcgXZ4Jg9jRfMtDyanL_E16d_vDDhRVWkJKHSrL5ab2NSW1dW2BYX51PVtFzuc622mBUMcO7ND_tSC7KhicHqpiA_VtsUDs7s/s320/PXL_20231028_142300705.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />The gardeners have a clever idea. They collected dropped flowers into a water basin. Being together, these fallen angels gained a second life and became the best offering on the altar, the offering to the Goddess of Nature! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwyfaMX-9XuLJcx2ma9S_AuXjk0fDaOib5DkUEv73mSKL7SLlPt75dIpq24fNKHShowe-xAaVSFwxcdVgqFlTwAnCOYL45hzvpmXw9fbgUOD40NypPb1iPMYq9MvjW3fDKOu74kSXyXR_tOCec3WvXRMwxWkLUgQYsU59rhymAI14Eef_PrMUei1J7Fs/s4080/PXL_20231025_190128205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwyfaMX-9XuLJcx2ma9S_AuXjk0fDaOib5DkUEv73mSKL7SLlPt75dIpq24fNKHShowe-xAaVSFwxcdVgqFlTwAnCOYL45hzvpmXw9fbgUOD40NypPb1iPMYq9MvjW3fDKOu74kSXyXR_tOCec3WvXRMwxWkLUgQYsU59rhymAI14Eef_PrMUei1J7Fs/s320/PXL_20231025_190128205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div> </div><div>Sit and enjoy the views. Relax, read, converse, meditate. Feel the sun on your back and the grass beneath your feet as you listen to the birds and enjoy the fall's breath.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrvhG3c8Ep22ABfFuKZvK7gPkOlBpMH70A2zLrBK_I-UJyfCUoJCnNnbSWO-afjIb0xVSSFI8NHh_2ZbH7731Cyfghmcjk7Sw4ZB9kLhnj02cOMNPi0aZA81SD1hwtO55L_AWj-N7IYlaZ2GcIbLWa9YtEC063PUmMitbRl7IFle9tAg2AWyZLLkR8Hc/s4080/PXL_20231025_191714011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrvhG3c8Ep22ABfFuKZvK7gPkOlBpMH70A2zLrBK_I-UJyfCUoJCnNnbSWO-afjIb0xVSSFI8NHh_2ZbH7731Cyfghmcjk7Sw4ZB9kLhnj02cOMNPi0aZA81SD1hwtO55L_AWj-N7IYlaZ2GcIbLWa9YtEC063PUmMitbRl7IFle9tAg2AWyZLLkR8Hc/s320/PXL_20231025_191714011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3LnYVzn99UYsZJ_GpIuyf3hyphenhypheni4O4HOWitoIXAuYm09wafjal9uVwC9yAkcbRonJWgNQD2bkBGh1VWSX204kIwyOxc9EwTePuEBjZ3S2Ytg4zu7bx93Q5ounPODYrN-xpVFn5Y5h0iKSlSE7LonKNSOTdymQgxLxC_VNNltAv4UbOnivwyFzo4kdMGFo/s4080/PXL_20231028_195019477.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3LnYVzn99UYsZJ_GpIuyf3hyphenhypheni4O4HOWitoIXAuYm09wafjal9uVwC9yAkcbRonJWgNQD2bkBGh1VWSX204kIwyOxc9EwTePuEBjZ3S2Ytg4zu7bx93Q5ounPODYrN-xpVFn5Y5h0iKSlSE7LonKNSOTdymQgxLxC_VNNltAv4UbOnivwyFzo4kdMGFo/s320/PXL_20231028_195019477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div><br />My favorite part of the garden is an area called "Ruins." The incomplete masonry sets a contrast against the beautiful blue sky. The little fountain hosts several pieces of sculptures, sharply impressive. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXTQE4EZO5MmXvJjo3BdXrM6vd2QL5aLd3JqQr1BSM2pwLcp6XvezQHOCK7aBvWqzQuXmul79aif57FNxMhM-CNbgyKM5X9K1jK-24yo9UrcAJQuhhdSUbMShfuDrzQQfCAT9kfU6TYVR9F76et2s4xZcHfDGuQJAPPuX7N1a81ny7EwPLov0c-j0Z-o/s4080/PXL_20231025_193753932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXTQE4EZO5MmXvJjo3BdXrM6vd2QL5aLd3JqQr1BSM2pwLcp6XvezQHOCK7aBvWqzQuXmul79aif57FNxMhM-CNbgyKM5X9K1jK-24yo9UrcAJQuhhdSUbMShfuDrzQQfCAT9kfU6TYVR9F76et2s4xZcHfDGuQJAPPuX7N1a81ny7EwPLov0c-j0Z-o/s320/PXL_20231025_193753932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UTfcQjTdn636xZ6R4gdUbqFEqAUKvkCrm-swjYRmGm1eouyOdcymDb5zMMQJ42l8w7klaH9NwF-_S3NYCFBLaNKfDLLrZSOUe6Sr2Qdk7cA6o3T7Mhn2oBWP9oDLeWMzpgyEQpD24_sWu1EJ-IFiHop5b9tTyWWydxxqnat8RzLFjMfRdjIMXtXqoOI/s4080/PXL_20231025_193702001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UTfcQjTdn636xZ6R4gdUbqFEqAUKvkCrm-swjYRmGm1eouyOdcymDb5zMMQJ42l8w7klaH9NwF-_S3NYCFBLaNKfDLLrZSOUe6Sr2Qdk7cA6o3T7Mhn2oBWP9oDLeWMzpgyEQpD24_sWu1EJ-IFiHop5b9tTyWWydxxqnat8RzLFjMfRdjIMXtXqoOI/s320/PXL_20231025_193702001.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEdgE1ZzOuGSMq2W72cJ4QK5HqjObWMuIw_ZU56KJOq1Kpz8wET3c3wHOMW8KbWukCveM5Jhh4tWdClY2szOclo2dOSR9hKfluNaTA3J_zXaUmLal4A7Z9EjJnT0qZOw-xdCiKEXMTkaHxBkoagBQ3imjUldM3unpS-IHRqBCNztYN6bKUZ1DP1RSDt8/s4080/PXL_20231025_194044072.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEdgE1ZzOuGSMq2W72cJ4QK5HqjObWMuIw_ZU56KJOq1Kpz8wET3c3wHOMW8KbWukCveM5Jhh4tWdClY2szOclo2dOSR9hKfluNaTA3J_zXaUmLal4A7Z9EjJnT0qZOw-xdCiKEXMTkaHxBkoagBQ3imjUldM3unpS-IHRqBCNztYN6bKUZ1DP1RSDt8/s320/PXL_20231025_194044072.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgu1eSjgQuFhnb3A9KwO2zKT3Z_O3kwS0L8kKodrauhzqUH8VFTIIoY_ATgtD-y_XgJJYXNTnIy_Vo6n50nyIgQZwkiaaUSRt3y8Kc4sBpfjopz2E_fXfEyELT6uEdIhrEJ2yOGY9zj_Tz0xL-MDx19UMNdfeWAvkAd292M8RXev1VUPYa6L7hdwbKwQ/s4080/PXL_20231025_194027187.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgu1eSjgQuFhnb3A9KwO2zKT3Z_O3kwS0L8kKodrauhzqUH8VFTIIoY_ATgtD-y_XgJJYXNTnIy_Vo6n50nyIgQZwkiaaUSRt3y8Kc4sBpfjopz2E_fXfEyELT6uEdIhrEJ2yOGY9zj_Tz0xL-MDx19UMNdfeWAvkAd292M8RXev1VUPYa6L7hdwbKwQ/s320/PXL_20231025_194027187.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I walked and walked till the garden was closed, whole-heartedly purified and satisfied. Nature is always my sanctuary, in particular during this time of year when trees, plants, and flowers are coming to life. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7U-LkOvQFH90PynVvj5rAHJ0zeMnITkPBzU0iXdvrLD1Vz7L8rL4rMuc6PRW_R4TC-QV8D2Qs_hEOIu7EBDIdQWsCJj-nPAZAIIeWP6mhA4qE8lo-EDIclGp7Mbds-APdGiIUIMTBeKuSdG7vjvx29hNCsAE5DtWH-XHk1LHD-K0TvoUI9mMDlobiJA/s4080/PXL_20231025_201609647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7U-LkOvQFH90PynVvj5rAHJ0zeMnITkPBzU0iXdvrLD1Vz7L8rL4rMuc6PRW_R4TC-QV8D2Qs_hEOIu7EBDIdQWsCJj-nPAZAIIeWP6mhA4qE8lo-EDIclGp7Mbds-APdGiIUIMTBeKuSdG7vjvx29hNCsAE5DtWH-XHk1LHD-K0TvoUI9mMDlobiJA/s320/PXL_20231025_201609647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht2qIsUX5fIlqfwdEKN3BjexP442ro1zsLzRaHXoW2t2B7BqU9K1SgL_TjpjpvmOCj9zJQnvTn5CenDvj7jx2M8qfcAdK-14Y_ak_q7uIp06Ihum_6kjmTCB2AwdV40eCEQAlVkmoJNMg57ugLle9nMzlLTgYMCBwCGIhf4OumSlSKZYh7YA3T7pnWDw/s4080/PXL_20231025_193949390.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht2qIsUX5fIlqfwdEKN3BjexP442ro1zsLzRaHXoW2t2B7BqU9K1SgL_TjpjpvmOCj9zJQnvTn5CenDvj7jx2M8qfcAdK-14Y_ak_q7uIp06Ihum_6kjmTCB2AwdV40eCEQAlVkmoJNMg57ugLle9nMzlLTgYMCBwCGIhf4OumSlSKZYh7YA3T7pnWDw/s320/PXL_20231025_193949390.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbZI8f8YFToz-2u7n6bqRE7e4ESjflxaOhkto4mqxFthOcw2qKNr6WN9RZYb6gJysMQ14m5MNRrGgeBHKZcsTZIXYdCt71x_spQ4r95mu1d2-nEsGw7mIYDkE-RfZPSowLPslqA0vnb3yIH_zhuN4v2P9lkiiexaCm2mg5br5H5U-mtB1tim3nKy5kus/s4080/PXL_20231025_191334938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbZI8f8YFToz-2u7n6bqRE7e4ESjflxaOhkto4mqxFthOcw2qKNr6WN9RZYb6gJysMQ14m5MNRrGgeBHKZcsTZIXYdCt71x_spQ4r95mu1d2-nEsGw7mIYDkE-RfZPSowLPslqA0vnb3yIH_zhuN4v2P9lkiiexaCm2mg5br5H5U-mtB1tim3nKy5kus/s320/PXL_20231025_191334938.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OUgCVMMYAAJ8iWLFP5eFOYOGEWBWwkj2ZBT56oE_b9sQymoxMhImJld8n2oBzlMcz6DkcnAkUfFfsKmGcrF8J7OMSwD2zYzFbjCGBXHh2K8G7MgTLHKRquHV_GNjXxa0WHbRn3vCvu_N6IVkb8UrJyuyKuVC0M38uvbiyFh8I0wr3tpgRlNDWFhID_o/s4080/PXL_20231025_190411633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OUgCVMMYAAJ8iWLFP5eFOYOGEWBWwkj2ZBT56oE_b9sQymoxMhImJld8n2oBzlMcz6DkcnAkUfFfsKmGcrF8J7OMSwD2zYzFbjCGBXHh2K8G7MgTLHKRquHV_GNjXxa0WHbRn3vCvu_N6IVkb8UrJyuyKuVC0M38uvbiyFh8I0wr3tpgRlNDWFhID_o/w320-h242/PXL_20231025_190411633.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I saw more colors and spirits of the fall on the road back to DC. Meanwhile, I finished listening to the audiobook <i>Klingsor's Last Summer, </i>a book by Hermann Hesse, my favorite novelist. Many years ago, I encountered the Museum of Hermann Hesse in Switzerland during another conference (the story is <a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/search/label/Swiss" target="_blank">here</a>). Karma brings him to me again; I unexpectedly found this book before starting this road trip. His other books, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel)" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>Siddhartha</i></span></a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Glass_Bead_Game" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">the Glass Bead Game</span></i></a>, have profoundly affected me in some dark moments of my life. They have guided me on how to face the struggles and to find wholeness and meaning in life. And this book, again, hit my heart unexceptionally. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Klingsor's Last Summer</i>, is somehow autobiographical. It was written in 1919 at the end of World War I. That year, Hesse was 42 years old. His hometown turned into a ruin in the war, and so did his marriage. What he had been proud of and cherished was gone. "If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you" (Nietzsche). He suffered, looking for an answer and an uplift. I don't know how Hesse went through the ordeal. However, without the rotten leaves in the fall, there wouldn't be the beautiful flowers in the spring and the fresh fruits in the summer. Similarly, without the self-analyzing <i>Klingsor's Last Summer</i> (1919), there wouldn't be the more famous books later such as <i>Siddhartha </i>(1922), <i>Steppenwolf </i>(1927), and <i>The Glass Bead Game</i> (1943). </div><div><br /></div><div>This book comes at such a time. I also experienced difficulties. But all cyclical dark moments in life are temporary. One can still cultivate inner peace, as Hesse told us through Klingsor's words:</div><div> </div><div><blockquote><span style="color: #3d85c6;">There was not a thing in the world that was not just as beautiful, just as desirable, just as joyous as it’s opposite. It was blissful to live, it was blissful to die, as soon as you hung suspended in space. Peace from without did not exist; there was no peace in the graveyard, no peace in God. No magic ever interrupted the eternal chain of births, the endless succession of God’s breaths. But there was another kind of peace, to be found within your own self. It’s name was: </span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;"></span></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;"></span></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">Let yourself fall</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">Do not fight back</span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Die gladly</span></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">Live Gladly!"</span></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;"></span></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;"></span></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><br /></blockquote></div><div><div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoU-O29MQ0w4NDKdCsLQXeUrdBKYGl1BEagqlx4Kg-ZhtfHwloQHiwo_Ze45-CUJQEgKaYVIrFtPIhgwM3xNq1JhQrDsChgSiuq9xWNIZ23_Oecv3QsY5F1dGZcfzXxIoot-cAsNgbcgjkJGCQT_dT2LoQ0U86eXUw07fAGbBC3f1vWRNfa1KcgkYiEA/s4080/PXL_20231028_145915591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoU-O29MQ0w4NDKdCsLQXeUrdBKYGl1BEagqlx4Kg-ZhtfHwloQHiwo_Ze45-CUJQEgKaYVIrFtPIhgwM3xNq1JhQrDsChgSiuq9xWNIZ23_Oecv3QsY5F1dGZcfzXxIoot-cAsNgbcgjkJGCQT_dT2LoQ0U86eXUw07fAGbBC3f1vWRNfa1KcgkYiEA/s320/PXL_20231028_145915591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNL__pUNIoBFCa1xXTgpRnSEQYC6hwSMqzTLxHPWdmJzGz6MzYLrjCawlQyitQ98KNzELgBOusw1GzOfW6WwU2lpfEIxh8gY85MOv7-jlvMoBw7LGEVKgpvDX4cMPIVAQjrfl8oyRl7XU7bI8J3rayIxuKTfzbGjXLPGjxin50DZ35p5bFbw1lx1JVPY/s4080/PXL_20231028_150211540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNL__pUNIoBFCa1xXTgpRnSEQYC6hwSMqzTLxHPWdmJzGz6MzYLrjCawlQyitQ98KNzELgBOusw1GzOfW6WwU2lpfEIxh8gY85MOv7-jlvMoBw7LGEVKgpvDX4cMPIVAQjrfl8oyRl7XU7bI8J3rayIxuKTfzbGjXLPGjxin50DZ35p5bFbw1lx1JVPY/s320/PXL_20231028_150211540.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p></p></div></div></div>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-34297156747401497842022-12-29T14:22:00.009-05:002023-01-02T10:22:18.239-05:00Ichigo Ichie 一期一会 いちごいちえ<p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"></span></p><blockquote><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><span>一场新冠,恍若隔世</span><span>。一期一会, 此生无憾。</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;"></span></p><blockquote><span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;">Covid seems to have a time dilation effect... When people finally start meeting again in person, we feel like the last meeting was ages ago. Sometimes we couldn't remember the exact time of the last meeting except that it surely happened before Covid. The pandemic has taught us a lesson in many ways. One of them is to cherish the people around us and to live in the moment. In Japanese words, ichi-go ichi-e,いちごいちえ. </span></span></blockquote><span style="color: #222222;"></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBwntKS4irUlZc0yTnKXOJWQJWcy8UfUnMRXzbUYLFijz3Xmb8wCpzIjVh7dkHBtPGuVyOg6hDZtC1bjEqPk-V-_mwEwwCKS8y5Ux_EQdy--NfmIkY81LYi8TZymkydMHWVG4nc_RBy-IHv-MbGoR6kRwJkjNC6ThJD8HM_JPx9STTO0pPtQzbECKO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="640" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBwntKS4irUlZc0yTnKXOJWQJWcy8UfUnMRXzbUYLFijz3Xmb8wCpzIjVh7dkHBtPGuVyOg6hDZtC1bjEqPk-V-_mwEwwCKS8y5Ux_EQdy--NfmIkY81LYi8TZymkydMHWVG4nc_RBy-IHv-MbGoR6kRwJkjNC6ThJD8HM_JPx9STTO0pPtQzbECKO=w400-h390" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I started learning Chado, the way of tea, in the summer of 2022. </p><p><br /></p><p>The idea of learning Chado, in particular, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urasenke#Urasenke_in_popular_culture" target="_blank">Urasenke</a>, was a seed planted many years ago. In the early 2000s, I visited London for a graduate student conference. On a sunny spring day, I was strolling in the city and discovered a poster on a Japanese restaurant's window: "Keiko (tea classes) offered by the Urasenke London branch..." I was immediately absorbed by the small poster. Even after almost fifteen years, I still remember my eagerness then to take the tea classes, like a child lushing for her favorite toys. Unfortunately, Chicago, the city I lived in then, did not have such a resource. Also, I could hardly find the time. </p><p>Without rhyme or reason, I googled "tea classes" on a spring day in 2022 and found the Urasenke DC branch. It was such a joyful surprise! I sent an email consulting for class information and decided to study Chado against all odds. Looking back, this unexpected Google search action is probably the first lesson I learned on the tea journey:<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> If you want to do something, do it now and do not wait for tomorrow. </span>There are more than one hundred reasons to postpone action. But dreams cannot wait. You never know which will come first, your tomorrow or your end. I have entered my 40s and every tomorrow is a blessing. I want to live each remaining day without regrets. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSKzN-AB0CezdJJPSZsxgF6LEiey0mXGbl8TRCDADGkHmoScF5Zu39W4grcoVjKgfGDMvnLhGrVp__Jqoliq3aO2ffWjQ9sEe8SzmA9typAEyrhb1ghkZqM_3hp_f1ZDFTObTlL8cJhjp4mhoBPev9H_hgq8273vyQL4TvBCcTVFnQMQgFrrgnYUi1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1568" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSKzN-AB0CezdJJPSZsxgF6LEiey0mXGbl8TRCDADGkHmoScF5Zu39W4grcoVjKgfGDMvnLhGrVp__Jqoliq3aO2ffWjQ9sEe8SzmA9typAEyrhb1ghkZqM_3hp_f1ZDFTObTlL8cJhjp4mhoBPev9H_hgq8273vyQL4TvBCcTVFnQMQgFrrgnYUi1=w400-h194" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">(Washin'an at Urasenke DC)</span></p><p>
In May, I started my weekly Chado classes. The first class happened on the same day as Georgetown's commencement. Walking through the crowd (excited graduates and their parents) on campus, I scanned a share bike from Lyft and rode to Washin'an (和深庵), the tearoom in DC's downtown. I only knew later that I gained an award in the commencement, and my promotion from associate to a full professorship was formally announced too. So my tea journey started, with such an unforgettable opening. </p><p></p><p>Washin'an is an authentic tearoom built by Japanese craftsmen in Kyoto and transported to Washington, DC in 2012. Washin'an consists of the words “wa” (harmony), “shin” (deep), and “an” (retreat), and translates as “retreat for deepening harmony.” Indeed, this tearoom became my retreat from secular worries since this summer. It not only teaches me Chado, but it also inspires me on a meditated journey. </p><p>Since the Samurai period (1185-1868), Chado has been only for men of status, including high-ranking warriors. Before crawling into the tearoom, Samurai would take off his sword, second in importance to his life, along with his status. He relinquished himself in pursuit of the instant of profound serenity. Before entering the tearoom, I also wash my hands and try to empty my mind, leaving those endless thoughts, doubts, regrets, and concerns outside the small doorway. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI8cOOKInvFZdZn9ndQWlvFmFKtts_EEN8vm__lWjZDTawEKniR0bDly4JU4hUFhzuEfD3XSR80DIfXbW3gnksLYnJYCMPka8UA33Gyzi46c5UQcsBQfnn8LHjFLNxBwExsct2GkdH3hrRqgNsqgslY6iuqS4QKUlnx0FlDCPd2sFXLQvklAM2VRAj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI8cOOKInvFZdZn9ndQWlvFmFKtts_EEN8vm__lWjZDTawEKniR0bDly4JU4hUFhzuEfD3XSR80DIfXbW3gnksLYnJYCMPka8UA33Gyzi46c5UQcsBQfnn8LHjFLNxBwExsct2GkdH3hrRqgNsqgslY6iuqS4QKUlnx0FlDCPd2sFXLQvklAM2VRAj=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p>In tea, form comes first. You shape the form to provide a vessel for the spirit, which comes later. My esteemed teacher, Mioko sensai, often says, "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">Your hands know what to do. Trust your hands and try listening to them. Do not think with your head.</span>" In the tearoom, it is almost impossible for me to think about other things. I have to devote myself entirely and wholeheartedly to innumerable tiny details such as how to walk on Tatami, where to put my hands, how to purify a Natsume, how to fold the fukusa, how to swish the bamboo whisk, and so on. The meticulous attention to hands and feet rules out the possibility of thinking, a similar experience I ever had in flowing yoga where Chi, or <a href="https://www.yogabasics.com/learn/the-flow-of-prana/" target="_blank">prana</a>, becomes the sole focus. In so doing, one becomes fully mindful and lives in the moment.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIPnRpmiDVxOIlvgAAgi-Xb6fUMjqF9SvgMNI_wrr9IAEoKRQEUNI2JYWEcG71nbSYaPerizTXXLnayjUqzv_MR3-I6rHwVL5uc5X00KjGJ7iXoz4K-zZ7xh5kly5mcbGvZKJSCeJgk-JDgeCcyUqEg0r5CSbaQz3lLtIpLRYV6p0XKdfTX41m-6uh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIPnRpmiDVxOIlvgAAgi-Xb6fUMjqF9SvgMNI_wrr9IAEoKRQEUNI2JYWEcG71nbSYaPerizTXXLnayjUqzv_MR3-I6rHwVL5uc5X00KjGJ7iXoz4K-zZ7xh5kly5mcbGvZKJSCeJgk-JDgeCcyUqEg0r5CSbaQz3lLtIpLRYV6p0XKdfTX41m-6uh=w275-h400" width="275" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">(Folding the fukusa, woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">Maintaining my weekly class is only seemingly easy. When there are deadlines or important issues, I always struggle with whether I should "waste" half a day for a non-urgent Chado class. However, I would always have that moment where I thought, " I am so glad I came after all!" There is always something waiting for me in the tearoom: seasonal </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagashi" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">wagashi </a><span style="text-align: left;">and gorgeous utensils, let alone the delicious bowl of tea! In each class, Sensai will prepare flowers (</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikebana" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">ikebana</a><span style="text-align: left;">), scrolls, sweets, and even her </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Kimono </a><span style="text-align: left;">coherently with the season. Each piece is elegant and beautiful, purifying my mind. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh879ulE2ethGXgMHa4BXtdg8Abrt2Ud4u78koDMvM3zRL7FMA8lm5feX1bdSEbFUnR8QNf5PiFbpCwfk90G43Cqf77U2PwM1K-fJeOXBLshDbQWJC6Y3zkPwhWL2rsOhtp0xBZiHE59jy0bDd7JOV0WtQTBE9rP2NNskqStmX5EF3h4d4K2j4HR3Xi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="400" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh879ulE2ethGXgMHa4BXtdg8Abrt2Ud4u78koDMvM3zRL7FMA8lm5feX1bdSEbFUnR8QNf5PiFbpCwfk90G43Cqf77U2PwM1K-fJeOXBLshDbQWJC6Y3zkPwhWL2rsOhtp0xBZiHE59jy0bDd7JOV0WtQTBE9rP2NNskqStmX5EF3h4d4K2j4HR3Xi" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghpJLn2qmOe8j5yjwEfXBWkuqnSK4m7QEdewQPRnYLw5KylYgbQgY-MOC6NGpQD_hyhMQZQz1h4KpBd8C9idaMWUslQ2egdjKVHNRF7MlRpY19AImdkbNA30npEOqchBk88YqMB_oQ03Cx_tMW9U6reX9PLrDm8UFpPbsp7wpaI1BNaIQF85Kcq7KV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="470" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghpJLn2qmOe8j5yjwEfXBWkuqnSK4m7QEdewQPRnYLw5KylYgbQgY-MOC6NGpQD_hyhMQZQz1h4KpBd8C9idaMWUslQ2egdjKVHNRF7MlRpY19AImdkbNA30npEOqchBk88YqMB_oQ03Cx_tMW9U6reX9PLrDm8UFpPbsp7wpaI1BNaIQF85Kcq7KV" width="320" /></a></div><br />(Usagi Manju, a special sweet in celebrating the year of rabbit, 2023)<div><br /><p></p><p>Such a pleasure came to a stop unexpectedly in August.</p><p>Toward the end of summer, my son got sick badly. We had to go to the emergency room and eventually sent him to the Children's hospital. After he got out of the hospital, my mother had a severe fracture, requiring surgery to change the elbow. Then came the intensive seven-week teaching, four days a week and five hours a day. With all the turmoil, I stopped going to tea lessons for several months. </p><p>When I returned to the tearoom in December, I almost forgot everything, and my hands and feet became clumsy. Sensai consoled me, with a warm smile, "You have not practiced Chado for years. Eventually, your hands start to move of their own accord." Only after more practice, till my hands could do things more naturally, did I understand her words better. This is another lesson I learned on the tea journey, "Chado is not just about tea, it is more about physically experiencing the aesthetics and the way of life, which sets great store on living in harmony with the changing seasons.<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> Planting a seed, simply wait for its own pace to bud, blossom, and harvest. Before then, water it, nourish it, and leave it to the mighty nature</span>. " (isn't it similar to working on an academic paper? All we should and could do is to kindle a great idea and polish the paper while leaving the publication to its own path.)</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRvDB-9QYncwPRIzfhJiQNHuIdYb-F67IVOcjRkyUpvcnTT4vb0a1umrmRSaSjKqWWyVxoL5c69cIbGtLC-xjE4fwshxu3qyZgGVeyPa0u2B0FgLzRjD5jnAd4nS9BzXILd3jCI_QgRx9Zy4RdMjeeb39QMlqkW81-nnkSrCjnpHIVRoEoSx4HY0bD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="790" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRvDB-9QYncwPRIzfhJiQNHuIdYb-F67IVOcjRkyUpvcnTT4vb0a1umrmRSaSjKqWWyVxoL5c69cIbGtLC-xjE4fwshxu3qyZgGVeyPa0u2B0FgLzRjD5jnAd4nS9BzXILd3jCI_QgRx9Zy4RdMjeeb39QMlqkW81-nnkSrCjnpHIVRoEoSx4HY0bD=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br />Inspired by my experience in Washin'an, I converted a master bedroom into a tearoom, called <a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020.html" target="_blank">Jo-An</a> (如庵), the same name as my house. Whoever is reading this blog now--karma has led you here-- I would cordially invite you to visit Jo-An. Please allow me to serve you a bowl of tea. <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOkQga5rbE7oNTq-9tr8HDiIZkpVXHtQwxSy76vOSQf_6ObSU99Ijm-SLw-BYhOSYmMpqsui3TkfqppnXqHoLYsurE_j0WNTe7IEx9RCyFSWSKmCtfa15WCVOpx3-7RBxqBBs1XK_X5u-Jlja3A6zlEcXQ4qmcLyymXLDyj0CnHhCkAvfBhcCsc_hp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOkQga5rbE7oNTq-9tr8HDiIZkpVXHtQwxSy76vOSQf_6ObSU99Ijm-SLw-BYhOSYmMpqsui3TkfqppnXqHoLYsurE_j0WNTe7IEx9RCyFSWSKmCtfa15WCVOpx3-7RBxqBBs1XK_X5u-Jlja3A6zlEcXQ4qmcLyymXLDyj0CnHhCkAvfBhcCsc_hp=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>My tea journey will continue in the new year of 2023. I am sure that Chado will teach me more lessons in this journey. Till then, I look forward to seeing you in Jo-An. I also would like to share with you the excerpts from a book by Noriko Morishita, <i>Every Day a Good Day</i>: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"When the flowers boom, celebrate. When joy comes to you, share it with others. when you find happiness, embrace and savor it wholeheartedly. If someone is special to you, seize every opportunity to eat with them, live with them, and enjoy their company. That, it turns out, is the meaning of ichi-go ichi-e..."</span></blockquote></div><div><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;"> Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</span><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-90490936427015644072021-09-12T21:45:00.007-04:002021-09-12T21:58:03.652-04:00Walk towards the Mountain<p></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nRV6vCdYsc/YT6rQpCHjnI/AAAAAAAAaeY/BhityFjDc9ggW2TpokKg7NgY5CRZMPlzwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210904_190657510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nRV6vCdYsc/YT6rQpCHjnI/AAAAAAAAaeY/BhityFjDc9ggW2TpokKg7NgY5CRZMPlzwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/PXL_20210904_190657510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> (Fossil from the Natural History Museum of Utah)<br /><p><br /></p><p>Twenty-one months have passed since I last traveled. And I am on the road again, finally. </p><p>Like many others, I ever thought 2021 would end the pandemic and bring the world back to order. Who dares to predict that living with the pandemic becomes new normalcy. Yet, on Labor Day weekend, the Delta variants of COVID hit a new record. In this background, I made my first travel during the pandemic. I was nervous since I could not bear the risk of spreading the exposure to my infant baby and the toddler. For two times, I almost wanted to give up the trip and asked the seminar organizer to switch to the virtual format. </p><p>I am glad that I still made the journey. </p><p>It is memorable. </p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light."</span></blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Like my paper has argued, human physical interactions are important and cannot be substituted by virtual ones. It is true not only for collecting soft information but also for experiencing life. Before this trip to Utah, I had not thought about life could be so simple, close to nature, and passionate. Over the years, I have lived in big cities like Washington DC, New York City, and even earlier, Chicago and Shanghai. The city culture is always sophisticated, so does the city life and city dwellers. Here in Salt Lake City, however, life is different. At least, it is a city where mountains are always in the vision anywhere you go. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Nqz0RdYAI8/YT1aZPC1TjI/AAAAAAAAabM/UP38aWrgy_EM5q1AWCGLafiI_QYZ1AZUQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210903_005539937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Nqz0RdYAI8/YT1aZPC1TjI/AAAAAAAAabM/UP38aWrgy_EM5q1AWCGLafiI_QYZ1AZUQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/PXL_20210903_005539937.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>(Rainbow near the University Guest House, with mountains in the distance)<br /><p><br /></p><p>Being able to travel again is so wonderful. It forces me away from my DC routines, thus offering fresh and distant observations on my life in the pandemic. Like what I have experienced from other journeys, this trip also helps me identify what is truly important and valuable in life --- When one is stranded in routines, those important and valuable become blurred, masked, and even inundated by daily activities.</p><p>Traveling also introduces me to an alternative life of others on the road. Can you imagine going hiking after work with colleagues? Even better, to have a beer afterward? Can you imagine hiking and mountain biking every week? Let alone live in the mountain with a million dollars view. Can you even imagine having skiing clubs to babysit your children? Yet, this is what can happen in Salt Lake City, at least for some of my local friends. No doubt, this is a totally different life from DC or NYC, a life I have never imagined before!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3q846gTHRc/YT6m-CB3yLI/AAAAAAAAad8/WbYoMkHeC2MCx8EOdCy0Q_nD4vNf8fVnACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210904_184259441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3q846gTHRc/YT6m-CB3yLI/AAAAAAAAad8/WbYoMkHeC2MCx8EOdCy0Q_nD4vNf8fVnACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210904_184259441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I have half-day leisure time and thought I could visit some museums, as I always do in other cities. Matt kindly drove me around near my lodging and suggested his favorite trail, short but scenic with mountain views and a happy companion of a creek. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auz_ptYOEHI/YT6i5F8zTYI/AAAAAAAAadE/HiznhjbwqrIdyTo7pyleBeG_cWsDzC4fgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210904_174337163.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auz_ptYOEHI/YT6i5F8zTYI/AAAAAAAAadE/HiznhjbwqrIdyTo7pyleBeG_cWsDzC4fgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210904_174337163.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>(view on the trail)<br /><p>By the end of the trail, I followed the sound of the creek and unexpectedly embarked on another trail, the one towards the mountain peak. When I climbed all the way to the hilltop, the world became so tranquil that I could hear my heartbeats; I could feel the pleasant touch of the wind, and I overlooked the city and saw more mountains on the other side. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjeQmVHoNVo/YT1h5gTFSPI/AAAAAAAAabk/PTqfIerxVxkjKW7h4IIxSg_iJNgUWlKSwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210904_181328279.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjeQmVHoNVo/YT1h5gTFSPI/AAAAAAAAabk/PTqfIerxVxkjKW7h4IIxSg_iJNgUWlKSwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/PXL_20210904_181328279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> (View from the hilltop, the overlook of the city)<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAcCDf29mn0/YT6mgz8aX9I/AAAAAAAAad0/HuSHiMkMvYgFyWJN-7SQX-_izakCfldigCPcBGAsYHg/s2046/PXL_20210904_173853668-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAcCDf29mn0/YT6mgz8aX9I/AAAAAAAAad0/HuSHiMkMvYgFyWJN-7SQX-_izakCfldigCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210904_173853668-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> (Vegetation on the trail towards the mountain peak)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcc0y-MrXmo/YT6o_0xclEI/AAAAAAAAaeM/aMO_j0R7z1MCm7VMU2mlR852KHoA_8dYgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210904_184823735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcc0y-MrXmo/YT6o_0xclEI/AAAAAAAAaeM/aMO_j0R7z1MCm7VMU2mlR852KHoA_8dYgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210904_184823735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>(Stones at one exit of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, located in front of the Natural History Museum of Utah.)<br /><p><br /></p><p>Before dropping me at the hotel, Matt told me, "you will not miss the path. The mountain is over there. Just walk towards the mountain, and you will find the way to enter it."</p><p>Yes, the mountain is there! The most important and valuable things in life that are worth lifelong effort, patience, and passion to go after. We may feel puzzled, get lost, and make detours. But they are there. Just walk towards the mountain! </p><p>Thank you, my friends, for an inspiring journey! </p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Photographed by Jennie Bai.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;"> Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</span></div><p><br /></p><p>Related articles: </p><p><a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2009/01/utah-hoodoos.html" target="_blank">Utah -- Hoodoos! </a></p><p><a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2008/09/montana-journey-of-understanding.html" target="_blank">Montana - The Journey of Understanding</a></p><p><a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2011/08/abisko-arctic-adventure.html" target="_blank">Abisko - Arctic 'Adventure'</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0Salt Lake City, UT, USA40.7607793 -111.891047412.450545463821157 -147.0472974 69.071013136178848 -76.7347974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-11074547054473227532021-02-11T22:16:00.003-05:002021-05-27T22:20:20.859-04:00冬去春又来 - Spring 2021<div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">The winter of 2020 is very long... One could hardly see the faint gleam of light at the end of the tunnel, the ending of pandemic. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, ... and Spring. Four seasons</span><span style="text-align: center;"> alternate, but my heart remains on tenterhooks.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">T.S. Eliot said in his poem <i>East Coker</i>: w</span>ait without hope.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope<br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For hope would be hope for the wrong thing; </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">wait without love<br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For love would be love of the wrong thing; </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">there is yet faith <br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting. <br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wait without thought,</span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">for you are not ready for thought: <br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">So the darkness shall be the light,</span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">and the stillness the dancing.</span></blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></div><div></div><div><div></div><div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Look at these winter buds... Spring can wait. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPI96qMLKlc/YLBQnxzYilI/AAAAAAAAZBk/Ew39j89Oz9MS_-wYxJwJt_rLad_ojZQDgCPcBGAsYHg/s826/winterbud.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="713" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPI96qMLKlc/YLBQnxzYilI/AAAAAAAAZBk/Ew39j89Oz9MS_-wYxJwJt_rLad_ojZQDgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/winterbud.png" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">(Source: Instagram account, winterbuds0123)</p><p><br /></p><p>2020年的冬天特别长。疫情的结束依然遥遥无期。一年中四季更迭,心却始终惶惶。想起《四首四重奏》,轻读艾略特。</p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">安静,不要抱任何希望地等待,</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">因为希望会是错误的希望,不要抱任何爱地等待,</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">因为爱可能是对错误对象的爱。</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">是的,还有信仰。</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">但是,信仰、爱和希望都是在等待中。</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">不加思索地等待吧, 因为你没有做好思索的准备,</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">所以黑暗将是光明,静止将是舞动。</span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>爱默生有一句话:请接受大自然的节奏,她的秘密是耐心。</p><p>是的呢,自然力的一切都是悄悄、慢慢,有节奏地往前走。知道离暖和的春天还有些日子,但迎面的风已变得温柔,我们已在春天里, 这就安心了。</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDzxDs7AIL0/YLBSEpJ_iyI/AAAAAAAAZB0/N6XctRDiI4E2LHuns_s9bAxjatghX3dTACPcBGAsYHg/s779/winterbud_2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="779" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDzxDs7AIL0/YLBSEpJ_iyI/AAAAAAAAZB0/N6XctRDiI4E2LHuns_s9bAxjatghX3dTACPcBGAsYHg/s320/winterbud_2.png" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">(Source: Instagram account, winterbuds0123)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-33181014635908852402020-11-28T21:19:00.004-05:002020-11-29T21:42:46.573-05:00The Nature of Reality -- 山光澄我心<p> </p><blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ct36_kIw71I/X8L0uwQq8NI/AAAAAAAAWbo/MuBnrH1hWlgz9pr4CvmyuGs5LuYQQBmKACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_20190513_142012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ct36_kIw71I/X8L0uwQq8NI/AAAAAAAAWbo/MuBnrH1hWlgz9pr4CvmyuGs5LuYQQBmKACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20190513_142012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote><p> (Photo was taken in Uji, Kyodo, Japan, May 2019)</p><blockquote><p></p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div>2020 is an eventful year, for the world, for America, also for myself. The lockdown life continues, and the light at the end of the tunnel remains dim. Since AFA, I have been staying at home for almost eleven months, taking care of a toddler and elderly parents, moving, handling all kinds of house chores, teaching, and struggling to find time for research and a little personal space. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the beginning of the pandemic, I, like many others, were nervous, scared, and overreacting. Then we started to embrace the reality, modifying our life styles and taking the abnormality as the new normality. My family luckily moved into a house from a two-bedroom condo in the summer, and the increased physical space significantly helped alleviate the difficulties encountered during the lockdown, in particular it made it possible that I can teach online in an undisturbed room. However, I started to feel anxious and distressed for unknown reasons after a few months in lockdown. </div><div><br /></div><div>The anxiety is most likely the ramifications of cumulative pressure, the misbalance of life and work, the lack of face-to-face interactions with friends, and a long time being stranded at home. The extension of external space helps but its role is limited. Fundamentally, the solution can only be sought after internally. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dk9PoeErKo/X8A6tiRB3uI/AAAAAAAAWXQ/lL8gmHoxewArGhizqT0GNy4kDB8iFcWdwCPcBGAsYHg/s540/mmexport1591098897165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="392" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dk9PoeErKo/X8A6tiRB3uI/AAAAAAAAWXQ/lL8gmHoxewArGhizqT0GNy4kDB8iFcWdwCPcBGAsYHg/w290-h400/mmexport1591098897165.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> (raking in Japanese rock garden)</div><br /><div>Being aware of my anxiety, I started a series of dialogues with my self, asking questions and hoping to find the answers of some if not all: What do I feel at the moment? What am I eager to do? What makes me stressed and what brings me joy? One thing I endeavor to is to make spaces that restore the humanity, particularly in the confined space of lockdown life. To regain stillness in one's kokoro (literally "spirit, heat, and mind"), to calmly return to oneself, only nature can offer the space to feel such grace. I thus embarked on a project to design and build a garden for my new home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SvJ32Z7dSHs/X8A69F9rdcI/AAAAAAAAWXY/aIX2bpmMFGU3mBxkYv3FTS6n-pq70cSmgCPcBGAsYHg/s628/mmexport1600515155335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="628" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SvJ32Z7dSHs/X8A69F9rdcI/AAAAAAAAWXY/aIX2bpmMFGU3mBxkYv3FTS6n-pq70cSmgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h330/mmexport1600515155335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> (Stone basin, an element in Japanese garden)</div><div><br /></div><div><div>The objective is to create space, both physical and mental, for meditation and contemplation within the chaos of daily pandemic life. For me, the garden is a special spiritual place where the mind dwells. -- a place to leave behind the information-laden contemporary world and to spend time with my own thoughts, searching for truth and serenity. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Every morning, I start my day by sweeping the garden and raking the gravel. Such a physical work is part of mindful practice, named <i>samu </i>in the Zen Buddhism. The meditative act of <i>samu</i>, despite involving physical activity, is not so different from the seated form of meditation known as <i>zazen</i>. For both forms of meditation, the goal is to free the mind of worldly cares and celebrate a life directed toward the concrete thing--activities of everyday life.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ80EK310dU/X8PA18ovqNI/AAAAAAAAWcU/MD8fKk3EUggUn9QRHXUdkvXu3GPsJGrxwCPcBGAsYHg/s1280/Design2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ80EK310dU/X8PA18ovqNI/AAAAAAAAWcU/MD8fKk3EUggUn9QRHXUdkvXu3GPsJGrxwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/Design2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div> (The expected garden in the summer; currently there are no flowers or flowering trees)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div>Still, anxiety and distress comes and goes. Soon to enter the midlife, I indeed expect distresses together with challenges and difficulties will happen more often in the near future. My parents are getting old, and my mother suffered a severe sciatica in the past a few weeks. In addition to my many roles, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a teacher, and a researcher, I began to take another role as a doctor to help my mother to recover, with my knowledge and years of studies in a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/moxibustion">moxibustion </a>(艾灸). </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Helping others is my second therapy to deal with anxiety, in addition to getting close to nature. Shifting attention from my own world to others, especially those in need, my life suddenly is full of meaning. There is something in the world that I can do for others, -- even to have this idea in mind makes me so motivated. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before the pandemic, I have packed my schedule so intensely that I have little time to think about others --- except my essential duty as a mother, I devote most time in self improvement, advancing the career and learning new knowledge and skills. Due to the pandemic, I have lived with my parents for more than 18 months, the first time to live together for such a long time since I was 18 years old, leaving home for college. Thanks to the COVID-incurred family reunion, I get the chance to enter the everyday life of my parents, taking them to see doctors and to do dental treatment, trying to enrich their lives in lockdown, finding for my father suitable English classes to take, ordering him the painting kit, preparing their tax forms, and so on. On the surface, it seems like I am helping them; but indeed this process helps me restore my humanity and become a better human being. </div><div><br /></div><div>On her birthday over the Thanksgiving weekend, I cooked a duck soup and presented the soup in blue-and-white porcelain and the white rice in the Japanese red lacquer bowl. She said, "It is so delicious. I haven't eaten such a good meal for a long time." Her smiles and words made me happy. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_6zTqc_N4E/X8Luk5IBY7I/AAAAAAAAWaA/ukzNU2vf6AQNbHBTqYEErTSLSYWsNosxQCPcBGAsYHg/s696/mmexport1606567165070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="696" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_6zTqc_N4E/X8Luk5IBY7I/AAAAAAAAWaA/ukzNU2vf6AQNbHBTqYEErTSLSYWsNosxQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h264/mmexport1606567165070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Pandemic life continues...The foreseeable future will have more challenges. But the next time I feel distressed again, I probably will know how to get out of the darkness: getting closer to nature, and making time and effort for others. This is what the pandemic experience has taught me. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Epilogue: </div><div>I named my new house Jo-An, 如庵. Though an identical name as the famous Japanese teahouse, its true meaning for me is more in line with the Pali word, <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Reality_in_Buddhism" target="_blank">yatha-bhuta</a>, literally, seeing reality "as it is".</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVvQ4k-gsf8/X8MAkgGU8KI/AAAAAAAAWb8/ZtH1tNyb4nM8MCFlhbtUSspI0jw6ck6OACPcBGAsYHg/s646/Ru_An.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="646" height="116" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVvQ4k-gsf8/X8MAkgGU8KI/AAAAAAAAWb8/ZtH1tNyb4nM8MCFlhbtUSspI0jw6ck6OACPcBGAsYHg/w200-h116/Ru_An.png" width="200" /></a></div>(The name of the house, extracted from Chinese calligraphy)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Like what the Diamond Sutra has said, "<span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>All things contrived are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble and a shadow, and as dew and lightning. Thus they should be regarded as such.</i></span>" Success or failure, glory or obscurity, happiness or sadness, all is impermanent. Impermanent are all compounded things. When one perceives this with true insight, then one becomes detached from suffering; this is the path of purification. </div></div><div><br /></div><p> 一切有為法.如夢幻泡影.如露亦如電.應作如是觀. ── 金剛經</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATuPqACoznc/X8Lz4HLtS5I/AAAAAAAAWbg/TBaHbhYIWUgRbhrnTeLQcCxOdo6oxMqeACPcBGAsYHg/s3456/IMG_9225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2304" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATuPqACoznc/X8Lz4HLtS5I/AAAAAAAAWbg/TBaHbhYIWUgRbhrnTeLQcCxOdo6oxMqeACPcBGAsYHg/w266-h400/IMG_9225.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (My angel, Grace) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">Photographed by Jennie Bai.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;"> Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0McLean, VA 22101, USA38.9339378 -77.17732410.623703963821157 -112.333574 67.244171636178848 -42.021074tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-81601026847173404302019-12-29T17:04:00.000-05:002019-12-29T17:07:49.319-05:00The First Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"<br />
I am going to Israel for the TAU conference! When thinking of Israel, what comes to your mind? Religious history, rich culture, historical locations? As a person loving history, I have watched many YouTube videos about Jerusalem and several documentaries about Israel before the journey, such as Dancing in Jaffa, the Gatekeepers, etc. I am earnestly looking forward to the trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scenes from the viewpoint near Hebrew University of Jerusalem</span></td></tr>
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At the airport, I started to feel the ambiance of Israel. It was probably the most rigorous security check I have experienced all these years---indeed, this is one of those on the journey that I will encounter as the first time in many years. The boarding gate was separated from other gates and everyone, even those in premium member status, had to wait in one line and went through manual examination, one more time after the normal security check. Except that, the plane to Tel Aviv seems to have more men carrying a hat box, which Google says it is called "Tefillin". The plane also had many children and of course, many families in a large size.<br />
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We happily landed at Tel Aviv, the jewel of the Mediterranean Sea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tel Aviv, view from the Jaffa port</td></tr>
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<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Whichever city I visit for the first time, I'd like to follow some conventions to get to know the place best. </span></h4>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Rule 1: </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">take public transportation alone to the lodging; no taxi, no Uber/Lyft. </span></span></blockquote>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The test was easily passed. I collected a city map from the information desk at the airport, purchased a local transportation card called Rav-Cav, took the train from the airport to the nearest station in the city, then transferred a local bus and arrived at my lodging in one hour. Except difficulties in reading Hebrew, the trip was smooth. Israel is an English-friendly country, which makes the communication much easier, though most time a map is sufficient for me. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">In the afternoon of my first day, I already can move freely with any bus in Tel Aviv. I took different buses to and from Jaffa harbor and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in <a href="https://www.ilanagoormuseum.org/en/" target="_blank">the Ilana Goor Museum</a>. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Sculpture Garden in the Ilana Goor Museum<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Rule 2: </b>rent an airbnb apartment and talk to local people.</span></blockquote>
I enjoy talking to local residents. They often share with me their favorite restaurants which only locals frequent. In this trip, I tasted the best hummus in my life. Even writing this sentence, I can recall the luscious taste when having in mouth the warm hummus covered by juicy eggplant. In the culture of Israel, food is love.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummus at Etsel Mikha</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Rule 3: </b>shop in local grocery stores and cook breakfast with local yogurt, fruit, and veggie</span></blockquote>
My favorite drink in Mediterranean area is pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed. In Tel Aviv, there are many fruit stalls, some even running 24 hours. Getting a cup of pomegranate juice is always the highlight of my day. Just a sip can feel like an instant immune booster injected straight into your veins, which isn’t that far from the truth.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Rule 4:</b> visit a local yoga studio</span></blockquote>
I squeezed in one yoga class on Tuesday morning before the start of the conference. Chandra yoga studio is located in a quiet residential area and I didn't expect that I would learn something new: Vijnana yoga, which extends Iyengar Yoga while emphasizes practicing, feeling, and understanding from inside. Quite a satisfactory experience, such unexpected moments are the beauty of travelling.<br />
<h4>
<b>The first surprise</b></h4>
Some unexpected moments are beautiful, some are not.<br />
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Twenty-four hours after landing, I lost my wallet, the first surprise in this journey. For no reason the wallet slipped from my hand after paying lunch, without a notice. Hm...when was the last time I lost my wallet? Almost 15 years ago! Such odds -- probably I should buy lottery. Instead of buying lottery, I made a journal submission that night. Let's see what will happen. :)<br />
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Coming up with the surprise is my first lesson learned on this trip:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;">On the road, always having a backup credit card and cash in a place other than the wallet, for example, the luggage. </span></blockquote>
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Fortunately, I still had my passport. Even more, I had about 170 Israel Shekel exchanged earlier at the airport. Though it was less than 50 dollars, it turned out sufficient for the remaining three days. Thanks to the generosity of the conference organizer for providing free lunches and dinners. Thank you, Francesco, for paying me the dinner. Thank you, Yaron, Zack, Yuliy, for offering to lending me money. With a zero cost of capital they offer me, maybe I should borrow some? Remember Finance 101, there is no free lunch! :)<br />
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Still, thank you, my friends! It is such a great pleasure to get to know all of you in Israel!<br />
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<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div>
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More stories:<br />
--<a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-second-surprise-on-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">The Second Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"</a><br />
--<a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-third-surprise-on-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">The Third Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"</a><br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel32.0852999 34.78176759999996631.977676400000004 34.620406099999968 32.192923400000005 34.943129099999965tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-46900653794760952412019-12-27T16:31:00.001-05:002019-12-29T17:08:26.737-05:00The Second Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"<br />
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One highlight of the conference is a daily tour to Jerusalem, the center of the Holy Land. For Christians, this is where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. For Muslims, this is where Muhammad journeyed to Heaven. And for Jews, this is where the Temple of Solomon stood. As the crossroads of three great religions, Jerusalem is the closest place on Earth to Heaven for so many people.<br />
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I am not religious, but regardless, it will be a wonderful experience to witness. I expected to head to the airport right after the tour and take an 11PM flight back to DC. Then it came, the second surprise.<br />
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Everything was exotic for me in the old city of Jerusalem. After hopping off the coach, we were immersed in the joyful celebration of <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Bar_and_bat_mitzvah" target="_blank">Bar Mitzvah</a>, a Jewish coming-of-age ritual for boys when they turn to 13 years old.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem (Source: Google)</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6ToK7IWcuotoWJxGyHsXfoA9ZloG-T1HDWzCeCS_ZDElIVDk68K1TeRKu50oocL42QNmeKL93Xk24dlI96w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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(A video I recorded in front of Dung Gate in the Old City)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.72px;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Following the flow of people, we trekked to the Western Wall. For a moment, I had the illusion of being in China: the square was swarming with people.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.976px;">Square at the Western Wall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Everywhere was people: school boys singing <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Song_of_Songs" target="_blank">the Song of Songs</a>, Jewish families around the world celebrating bar mitzvah, pious believer praying to the Wall, and tourists eating and shopping around. The music, the attire, the religious zenith, the emotional singing, all happened at the Western Wall. I was overwhelmed and decided to find a quiet corner for rest.</span><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>The second surprise</b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">I took out my phone. A new text message emerged: "Your flight to Washington DC is cancelled. Please contact the customer service of </span>United Airline", and the reason was simply that pilots cannot come. There was no further notice, email or message, about what I should do or whether I will be arranged to another flight. No more information.<br />
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I have encountered domestic flight cancellation or the delayed departure of international flight. As a loyal customer to United Airline over 16 years, I have never experienced an cancellation of an overnight international flight. My experience told me that I should call United as soon as possible.<br />
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After the tour guide brought us to the Arabic quarter for lunch, I hasted to find a Wi-Fi spot. Leaning back the front door of the restaurant, I held my phone to the ear, resignedly waiting to be connected to a human voice from the United service center. One minute, two minutes, five, ten, ..., fifteen minutes passed, I was still waiting in vain. Thanks to the Old City, the waiting was not so intolerable. The Arabic alleys are rich with sights, sounds, and experiences that reward the curious travelers. The shops were jammed, and the energy was exhilarating. Simply people-watching can yield the most fascinating cultural insights.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A store near our restaurant, selling spices</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Jerusalem bread, Matzah</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />When </span>the group finished lunch, my problem was still not solved. I cannot hold the whole group waiting for me, that means, I have to leave the wi-fi spot and cut off the call. Thus, I pleaded the customer service to call me back once he finds a not-so-bad solution -- at that moment the 'best' alternative route is to leave Tel Aviv one day later, which I was reluctant to take.<br />
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The following tour was about the Via Dolorosa, the route it's believed Jesus walked as he carried the cross. We would retrace the 14 stations of the cross, like what pilgrims do, and end the Pilgrim's journey in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Throughout the route, I was badly hung up on the flight cancellation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OP8gZrMRJwo/XgZwo2iKy7I/AAAAAAAAPwg/K6lZWeWx_88xehhNx1iWbH66wyJAHjbugCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_151350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OP8gZrMRJwo/XgZwo2iKy7I/AAAAAAAAPwg/K6lZWeWx_88xehhNx1iWbH66wyJAHjbugCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_151350.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mural in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre</td></tr>
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I didn't hear much what our tour guide said, except some repetitive words, "holy of holy", "the most important church", "the most sacred site", etc. He said the lives of many Christians are divided into two parts, the one before visiting this church and the one after it. For me, my mood was divided into before knowing flight cancellation and afterwards. The problem was eventually solved by taking a 5:20AM flight and arriving home 12 hours later than initially planned, but my uneasiness and disappointment persisted.<br />
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It was the optimistic words from other conference participants that eventually warmed me up. Mete said, "well, this is at least better than you have to leave to the airport right now." You are right. If so, my experience in Jerusalem would be significantly shortened. I was unhappy since I couldn't go home as expected, but if changing a benchmark, it was indeed not too bad. Other people offered a variety of kindnesses from suggestions, jokes, to soothing words. Yaron even helped me fulfill my last wish in Israel, to have one more cup of pomegranate juice!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjCHFeeMmBo/XgZ30_QBvNI/AAAAAAAAPws/BA4mzgscq4YeT-Bd71MmC2_X-Igm58UngCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_150725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjCHFeeMmBo/XgZ30_QBvNI/AAAAAAAAPws/BA4mzgscq4YeT-Bd71MmC2_X-Igm58UngCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_150725.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<br />
Many of these people only got to know me for the first time at this conference. Yet they generously shared with me their great kindness and valuable help, which uplifted my spirit. Thinking of this, spending the night till 5AM at the airport did not seem so miserable. What I didn't know at that moment was the third surprise awaiting ahead.<br />
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</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Photographed by Jennie Bai.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<br />
More stories:<br />
--<a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-first-surprise-in-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">The First Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"</a><br />
--<a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-third-surprise-on-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">The Third Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"</a><br /></span><br />
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</span>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-1319774654112228112019-12-25T17:04:00.001-05:002019-12-30T21:17:27.950-05:00The Third Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXfr8SfY8hU/XgbV7QiIWdI/AAAAAAAAPxI/xb6eYOf9hzoRNFhz-Lh4G64BFxL9XXKSACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191218_170409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXfr8SfY8hU/XgbV7QiIWdI/AAAAAAAAPxI/xb6eYOf9hzoRNFhz-Lh4G64BFxL9XXKSACKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191218_170409.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:00PM Hilton Beach, Tel Aviv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I arrived at the Tel Aviv airport around 7pm. Knowing that I was re-scheduled to a one-stop flight at 5:20AM, I still want to try my luck -- maybe I could catch the 12:20AM non-stop flight to Washington DC. I tried three times throughout the day, all in vain, always receiving the same answer: the flight I wanted was sold out. <br />
<br />
No United customer service exists at the airport. The original 11:20PM flight was officially cancelled. Some passengers got automatic arrangements, for example, transferring in DC then heading to their destinations. Some were told to take a next-day flight. More people had no idea of what to do. Finally, United check-in desks opened at 9:20PM, however these are for the check-in service to the 12:20AM flight. United reserved one line to handle passengers of the cancelled flight. Worry and frustrations were written on the faces of the people in this sluggish line; it sometimes took 10 minutes to handle one person's flight modification.<br />
<br />
I was in this line, restless for the unknown outcome. I entertained myself by observing people. I always enjoy observing people.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Mimm_CuK8o/XgkBbuQBlXI/AAAAAAAAPxk/qZdpArlGVrIU9hM-LrMvQp5ZF260F87pQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191218_170104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Mimm_CuK8o/XgkBbuQBlXI/AAAAAAAAPxk/qZdpArlGVrIU9hM-LrMvQp5ZF260F87pQCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191218_170104.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:30PM, Independence Park, Tel Aviv</td></tr>
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"Sir, it is not your turn yet. You need to wait in that line. " A United clerk stopped one anxious passenger trying to cut in, "You see that lady, she has already waited for a long time. It is her turn next."<br />
<br />
Following the clerk's pointing, I noticed a women quietly standing there, waiting. She was not attractive or energetic. She actually looked a little worn out. I observed she had a short conversation with the clerk, no arguing, no grumbling, she simply accepted the clerk's suggestion and stepped away to wait in her seat. When it finally came to my turn, I was told again that the later flight departing at 12:20AM has no availability, but if I wanted to try my luck, I could come back and check around 11:30.<br />
<br />
In the following two hours, I ran across that quiet lady twice and we even briefly exchanged information about the flight updates. Around 11:15PM, we both got back to the seats near the United desk. I was exhausted from getting up at sunrise and having a whole day tour in Jerusalem.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4Gyuwb83Xw/XgkLGOBIQzI/AAAAAAAAPxw/QJ_jKmxqzAwsMiVkX_Dp3JOVRQZhuP3jgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_070133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4Gyuwb83Xw/XgkLGOBIQzI/AAAAAAAAPxw/QJ_jKmxqzAwsMiVkX_Dp3JOVRQZhuP3jgCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_070133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5:30AM, Hilton Beach, Tel Aviv</td></tr>
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" Hi, it is a long day!" I tried to initiate a chat across three empty red seats from that lady. "Where are you going? "<br />
<br />
"Charlotte, North Carolina." She turned to me, answering with a poker face.<br />
<br />
"Mine is to Washington DC. You know, many people in this cancelled flight were arranged to take the 12:20AM flight and transfer in DC. But their destinations are Houston, San Francisco, and other cities, while my destination is DC but I was not arranged. This is not fair."<br />
<br />
"My other friends were also automatically arranged by United since the cancellation notice at 10AM. But I was not arranged either. Now I need to transfer twice, first in Amsterdam and then Chicago before going home. Hopefully I can get in the 12:20AM flight then I can avoid the 22-hour two-stop journey," She said calmly.<br />
<br />
"This is not fun! How come you are not angry? You seem not disturbed at all." I couldn't hold back my curiosity that had grown in the past two hours while observing her.<br />
<br />
"Well, there is nothing we can do. It simply happens." She smiled to me then got back to her computer.<br />
<br />
I got back to my computer too, -- I was sketching a referee report. But after a few minutes, I cannot help but speak to her again, "Do you mind if I ask you a question? If you were almost hit by a reckless driver while crossing the road, what would you do?" -- in the past six months, I was almost hit by a car while as a passenger, I have the full right on the crosswalk. This happened twice, making me very angry, thus I googled online hoping to find a solution to handle/punish reckless drivers.<br />
<br />
"I will pray for them." She replied.<br />
<br />
"Pray? In a situation where they almost take away your life, you pray for them? Pray for what?" It was hard for me to believe my ears.<br />
<br />
"I would pray that they will not hurt others. Also, it is only "almost", it didn't actually happen. I understand. I appreciate them for not hitting me."<br />
<br />
Seeing my puzzling eyes, she moved across three empty seats and sat next to me, "God told us that he will never leave us. We are at his hand, thus I have no fear, no complaint. I don't need to worry what will happen to me. God is wise enough and I give myself to him."<br />
<br />
Oh. My. God. It seemed I had encountered a genuine Christian. Was this because I showed no understanding or interest during the Pilgrimage journey since I had been so distracted by the flight cancellation? Then God sent his messenger to make my Israeli trip a pilgrimage?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IUQLvjCJfw/Xgkg06fRjOI/AAAAAAAAPyI/msJMrKX-MSAoDBiwEaGavvQVr9OdS-5gACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_070830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IUQLvjCJfw/Xgkg06fRjOI/AAAAAAAAPyI/msJMrKX-MSAoDBiwEaGavvQVr9OdS-5gACKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_070830.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We then started a conversation about how to face unfair treatments in life. She earnestly showed me God's words online. The ones most relevant and inspiring for me are below:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;">He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace. -- Proverbs 11:12</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;">Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. - Hebrews 13:5</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEtYbgl5lMk/XgkhmXxzBcI/AAAAAAAAPyU/8wr-l4ILhRMyE7RN3j4sW8EJBXzcpLGFgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_065734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEtYbgl5lMk/XgkhmXxzBcI/AAAAAAAAPyU/8wr-l4ILhRMyE7RN3j4sW8EJBXzcpLGFgCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_065734.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6:00AM, Hilton Beach, Tel Aviv</td></tr>
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<br />
While we were having the interesting spiritual dialogue, we were called up by the United clerk. It turned out that she, me, and a third man, we three can be arranged to the 12:20AM flight to Washington DC.<br />
<br />
"He didn't leave you. He answered you!" I happily said to her. "Me too! Thank you for sharing all this with me!"<br />
<br />
We got the boarding pass and ran all the way to the terminal gate. We were the last two passengers, the two most cheerful ones full of appreciation for the unexpected gift! Before boarding, she handed me a note with her name, email, and phone number, "Mya Florence," She cordially said, "if you have any question, please feel free to contact me. I wish you all the best!"<br />
<br />
This is the third and last surprise on my trip to Israel. I ended up arriving in DC at 6AM, which was even four hours earlier than my initial flight which has to transfer in NYC.<br />
<br />
It is truly like what the tour guide had said, many people's lives are divided into the one before the trip to Jerusalem and the one afterwards. So is my life.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Mya!<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDaucjI0U1M/XgkawIBohfI/AAAAAAAAPx8/guzTF-GswG4lK_G8cf7-7VAWy9zrqYS5QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_065536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDaucjI0U1M/XgkawIBohfI/AAAAAAAAPx8/guzTF-GswG4lK_G8cf7-7VAWy9zrqYS5QCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_065536.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6AM (black and white), Hilton Beach, Tel Aviv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Photographed by Jennie Bai.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
PS: in case you are curious what I found in Google, below is the question in <b>Quora </b>and trimmed answers by me:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;">"What are some ways to avenge a reckless driver who cut me off, almost hit me, and insulted and showed me and everyone his middle finger?"</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: blue;">Answer One:</span><br />
Let it go. If you’re old enough to drive, you are old enough to understand this will happen, and you need to be mature and let it go. Most people feel a rush of annoyance, and let it go.... Turn on the radio, and just let it go. You’ll feel better. Clinging to anger will never make you happy. Learn to smile and forget driving issues.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Answer two:</span><br />
Forget it. There was no actual harm done, other than bruised pride.<br />
<br />
This is not the last time something like this is going to happen to you. Embrace it, learn from it, and move on. If you're having trouble letting it go, do what I do - take a moment to reflect on the blessing in your life: kids, family, pets --whatever it is--think about it and be thankful.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Answer three:</span><br />
The way I'd suggest is to bless him instead. If you're a believer in the law of every action reaps reaction, you can leave this incident unreacted. By reacting negatively, you're in affect, activating the boomerang effect that's going to hit you. Remember an old saying "love your enemy"? Well, that loving your energy never aim to serve your enemy but to benefit you. So forgive and let go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ehlBTYpQQo/XgkirW5Vi3I/AAAAAAAAPyg/4DhP_uwS6uMzsj_qOYfr0vIcdRpqTNpxQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191219_065829-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ehlBTYpQQo/XgkirW5Vi3I/AAAAAAAAPyg/4DhP_uwS6uMzsj_qOYfr0vIcdRpqTNpxQCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_20191219_065829-EFFECTS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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PPS: Before leaving Tel Aviv, the security check will ask at least 10 questions about your everyday activity and your personal background. While I was questioned, I heard the dialogue three feet from me.<br />
<br />
Q: "Why did you visit Turkey?"<br />
A: "family trip."<br />
<br />
Q: "With whom?"<br />
A: "My wife and kids."<br />
<br />
Q: "How many kids do you have?"<br />
A: "XX".<br />
<br />
Q: "What do you do?"<br />
A:"I am an CEO of a software company?"<br />
<br />
Q: "Which company?"<br />
A: "<b>Quora</b>."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;">
Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div>
<br />
<br />
More stories:<br />
--<a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-second-surprise-on-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">The Second Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"</a><br />
--<a href="https://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-first-surprise-in-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">The First Surprise on the "Pilgrimage"</a><br />
<br />
<br />JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-90444383818948202922019-06-20T15:26:00.003-04:002019-06-20T15:39:41.331-04:00B.E.A.C.H.: Best Escape Anyone Can Have<br />
It's WFA again. As always, I am engaged in intense intellectual activities and hectic social meetings. I kind of enjoy the fun and the inspiration, but I cannot deny that it also burns my brain and make me dizzy. Often I can refresh myself by taking a leisure tour to local museums or visiting local parks. For this year however, the tight two-day agenda limited such possibility. Also, the weather didn't cooperate; it was unpleasantly cold and cloudy.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80YIzS7h9Z0/XQupDaETX6I/AAAAAAAAMxs/27F1kd_b2Lc1Tul8nx5QPhJk4wZNPEGsQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190619_063636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80YIzS7h9Z0/XQupDaETX6I/AAAAAAAAMxs/27F1kd_b2Lc1Tul8nx5QPhJk4wZNPEGsQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190619_063636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(crossing Pacific Coast Hwy)</div>
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"OK. I will just attend sessions then fly back to DC," I planned so. And I told my Uber driver on the way from my Airbnb lodging to the conference hotel when being asked how I plan to enjoy this trip.<br />
<br />
"Uh-oh, I am sorry! The weather is indeed unusual this year. But maybe, you could still have some time for yourself? Sometimes, I just go to beach, lying down and listening to the waves of the ocean." The silver-haired grandpa-like Uber driver smiled to me, full of expectation. His sincere smile suddenly touched me.<br />
<br />
"That's a good idea! Maybe I could squeeze some time." I smiled back with gratitude, sort of answering a promise to Grandpa, though I know that I could hardly make it.<br />
<br />
The next morning I woke up at 5:30AM, unexpectedly. The ocean is calling. A strong inner desire urges me. I followed my heart, and it led me to the beach.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAj43jTjGE8/XQuwapchfVI/AAAAAAAAMx4/-zLi4HA6iDgrBhXTZ2x5jefJ0FGjHKBDQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190619_064722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAj43jTjGE8/XQuwapchfVI/AAAAAAAAMx4/-zLi4HA6iDgrBhXTZ2x5jefJ0FGjHKBDQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190619_064722.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(The quiet beach, only surfers)</div>
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It was 6:00AM, 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The beach was quiet, with few people and several seagulls. The moment touching the sand, I knew that I was in the right place. All my senses joined the journey. I felt the tiny grains of sand beneath my feet and the cool spray of mist; I heard the sea's rhythmic roar as the waves advance and retreat; I smelt the tang of salt in the air. All of theses instantly made me very happy. I was so glad that I came to the beach, even just for one hour, which lit up the entire trip!<br />
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Adjusting breath, closing eyes, and sitting in lotus posture, I started to meditate by the sea.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1B5Qez7GTlI/XQqnWrVTd1I/AAAAAAAAMxU/rUXO7kIaM9gyJd1D4kNklJ4-GbU2b8gOwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190619_064611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1B5Qez7GTlI/XQqnWrVTd1I/AAAAAAAAMxU/rUXO7kIaM9gyJd1D4kNklJ4-GbU2b8gOwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190619_064611.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"<i><span style="color: blue;">Every time I see the sea, I feel a calming sense of security, as if visiting my ancestral home; I embark on a voyage of seeing</span></i>" (by <span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.sugimotohiroshi.com/seascapes-1" target="_blank">Hiroshi Sugimoto</a> </span>杉本博司<span style="text-align: center;">). I see both </span> those visible in front of my eyes and those invisible inside my heart. At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents and plan by the tides.<br />
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The waves come and go. I thought of my unbearable loss in Japan. It is gone. I thought of my hard time and dark moments in the past decade. They are gone. And I know they will come back, and go away again... It is hard to predict life's peaks and troughs. But we could try to remain equanimous and face it and accept it as it is, since all up's and down's are impermanent like the sea's waves, and they will eventually pass. This is the law of nature, "<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/anicca" target="_blank">anicca</a>" as in Pali.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtcbNd6fuxk/XQvUODI-FLI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/YPLf4zYMrLgB1LY3JofESS8lM5exLyJ1QCKgBGAs/s1600/Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="640" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtcbNd6fuxk/XQvUODI-FLI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/YPLf4zYMrLgB1LY3JofESS8lM5exLyJ1QCKgBGAs/s400/Sea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Caribbean Sea, Jamaica, 1980, Photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto. Image source: Google)</div>
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If you ever visit places close to the sea, please do visit the beach, even just for a few minutes. Most likely, you will be glad for such decision like me. There you could have a better understanding of yourself. Let the sound of the ocean speaks to your soul.<br />
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Sand on, stress off.<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div>
<a href="https://www.sugimotohiroshi.com/" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.sugimotohiroshi.com/&ved=2ahUKEwjuoPGktvjiAhUMnFkKHcK9A_YQFjAAegQIARAB" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Epilogue:</b></span>Every journey, long or short, has joyful surprises. During the 48 hours at Huntington Beach, a grandpa-like Uber driver inspired me to a meditation by the sea, my airbnb hostess shared with me her uplifting story of how to rebuild herself after the sudden death of her husband by running half-Marathon at the age of 75, another Cuban-born Uber driver initiated our discussion on how to seek a stable relationship in the materialistic society. Their kindness, warmth, and positive energy struck a chord with me, which I am deeply grateful thus hope to keep such memory through this blog.<br />
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May you also feel the light and warmth on your road!<br />
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(Rose in the patio of my Airbnb lodging)</div>
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PS: California has a flora with brilliant colors, that also conveys the power of healing. For more pictures, see my another WFA trip to Montery Bay: <a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2014/06/healing-in-cali-monterey.html" target="_blank">Healing in Cali - Montery</a>, or directly here<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com//photos/jenniebai/sets/72157644807828309/show">https://www.flickr.com//photos/jenniebai/sets/72157644807828309/show</a><br />
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<br />JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com1Huntington Beach, CA, USA33.6594835 -117.9988025999999833.448101 -118.32152609999997 33.870866 -117.67607909999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-39990656578089008232018-02-03T18:35:00.001-05:002018-02-03T18:35:07.597-05:00Chinese New Year - 2018<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Lo, the rains perish which Ether-father throws<br />
</span><span style="color: blue;">Down to the bosom of Earth-mother; but then<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"> -- Lucretius, "On the Nature of Things"</span></blockquote>
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(Photo taken in Dallas, September 2016)</div>
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Many things happened in my life in the past year. I just realized that I didn't record any footprint until another (Chinese) New Year coming at the corner. In 2017, I have made significant progress in work, though I also occasionally question the meaning of life. The process of identifying a problem then solving it brings me intellectual inspiration and a pleasant sense of achievement. Meanwhile, the stylized discipline day by day hinders the utter freedom and wears out my sensitivity and keenness to the beauty of everyday life. <br />
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When I am trapped in the goal-oriented circle: set up a goal - meet the goal - check - set up the next goal, I find my life corrupted into the mundane noise. Life becomes a rush. Too many new things to learn, too many materials to shop, too many places to go, too many gourmet meals to taste, whereas too little time to sleep... It sounds extremely busy, but they only add to the emptiness since little is essential goodness to life.<br />
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(Photo taken in Stedelijk Museum, Den Bosch, Holland, October 2016)</div>
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What uplift me from the goal-oriented circle is traveling, museums, and unexpected shocks in life.<br />
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In the past May, I photographed the funeral of a friend. The work was heart wrenching and overwhelming, and . . . ultimately . . . it was tender, intimate, and astonishingly and inexplicably, beautiful. I left that day completely changed, as a photographer and as a human being. We’re used to taking millions of selfies and group shots when we’re happy, but when we’re having a bad or sad time, we just want to be left alone, right?<br />
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I took a different perspective of life and death. All emotion is beautiful. Life is full of a range of experiences and emotions and if we focus only on the sugary glossy ones, we miss the important part of being a human. I tried to capture the 'beauty' of grief: the moments how the people show their respect, support, and love to the departed and his family. One day, when the children grow up and review those photos, I wish they could understand that they have a great father deeply loved and respected by many many people. The funeral is thus an outpouring of love. It’s beautiful to be able to see the impact that your loved one had on people around them. It’s also a great reminder that we are all human, and suffering is what unites us.<br />
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Like what <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Heidegger" target="_blank">Heidegger</a> explains in <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_and_Time" target="_blank">Being and Time</a></i>: being is time and time is finite. For human beings, time comes to an end with our death. Therefore, if we want to understand what it means to be an authentic human being, then it is essential that we constantly project our lives onto the horizon of our death. This is what Heidegger famously calls "being-towards-death" (向死而生).<br />
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Life is time bestowed to us which allows the possibility to pursue what we truly love.<br />
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Life is short, thus we need to focus on one or a few things.<br />
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Living towards death, I sow myself into the earth of life, growing myself into the light which can enlighten myself and nourish other beings. This is my happiness, and the one thing I determine to pursue throughout my life.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. </span><span style="color: blue;">And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”</span> <span style="color: blue;"> - Albert Camus</span></blockquote>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniebai/39168730695" title="IMG_6919"><img alt="IMG_6919" height="367" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4755/39168730695_b9873f21a5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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(Photo taken in Jheronimus Bosch Art Center, Oct2016)</div>
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我的新年愿望(Jennie's Chinese New Year resolution):<br />
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愿你多笑,对自己笑,也对他人笑。<br />
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愿你对世界多一分相信,少一分猜疑。</div>
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愿你不论何时何境,保持静水流深的心,安静缓慢地成为想要的自己</div>
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愿你不论回应,始终爱得真诚<br />
愿你优雅面对生活<br />
愿你与家人分享喜悦</div>
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每天认真做饭,认真吃饭,认真做事。</div>
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不问前程,只为心中无憾,无惧,常持欢喜<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-26199064032737948732016-12-31T09:12:00.000-05:002017-04-02T09:16:14.443-04:00Unknown<br />
回到海南的家,每晚去海边看潮汐。海天一线,神秘未知,让人心中敬畏,不由得感慨人生。王介甫曾言,“吾行有定止,潮汐自东西。”(注) 命运自有定数,唯勉力精进,不虚度光阴。<br />
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Below are pictures taken in Lausanne. It's also the one line linking the sky and the sea. But it's more peaceful and beautiful, compared to the scene I saw in Hainan. The former inspires one to feel the kindness of life, whereas the latter tells you the mystery and uncertainty of Karma.<br />
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终有化茧成蝶的一天吧。<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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注1:</div>
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泊姚江 </div>
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王安石</div>
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轧轧橹声急,苍苍江日低。</div>
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吾行有定止,潮汐自东西。</div>
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-7984459708613724362016-12-26T22:23:00.000-05:002017-01-16T12:00:51.356-05:00It's my home, your home too!<br />
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I spend quite a time on the road... If likely, I prefer living in B&B instead of an international hotel. In a chained hotel it's convenient, offering an familiar environment. Yet I enjoy more the adventure of living in other people's home, especially if it is in a place full of history and culture -- Every home owner has his/her own favorite local restaurants or a quiet corner where tourists rarely touch. Some of my best experience in life are all on the road; it's the trust and kindness from a stranger which makes me firmly believe in the world.(See also <a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2016/07/trust-on-road.html" target="_blank">Trust on the Road</a>)<br />
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(Floating Point - Zen Inn</div>
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浮点 禅隐 客栈 -- 昆山锦溪古镇)</div>
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Differing from the concept of serving an customer, Airbnb or bnb is more about the idea of sharing: It's my home, your home too! Welcome home!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniebai/31044860254/in/photostream/" title="door"><img alt="door" height="333" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/715/31044860254_9236f80dc0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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(The door in Floating Point - Zen Inn)</div>
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In this trip to China, I by chance spent one night in Floating Point - Zen Inn, located in the water town of Jinxi near Shanghai. This is a beautiful surprise which allows me to understand the situation of B&B in China.<br />
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回国前看到一篇关于中国民宿的文章,赞赏不已。那一腔一式,古意盎然。恰恰这家民宿就在昆山,便借出差上海的机会,小住一晚。到了之后,才知我是“唯一”的客人,整幢小楼包场,中国美院的一个民宿研习班晚些时候到达,明日听设计师讲课。真是有意思的事情!这班上的学生不是有十几年从业经验的设计师, 就是民宿的投资人,对中国民宿的状况了如指掌。他们从莫干山,同里的民宿一圈考察下来,最后一站是锦溪,浮点-禅隐客栈,也就是我住的这家。<br />
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(Lobby)</div>
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(Guest Room)</div>
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(Patio on the second floor, ideal to viewing the full moon. Below pebbles are five-layers glasses serving as the ceiling of the lobby. In the winter, sun shines the lobby though glasses, whereas in the summer, pebbles provide shade. The night I was there has the full moon)<br />
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中国有许许多多的资源,美丽的山山水水。真高兴有心人开始营造民宿。“这是我的家,也是你的家!” 每一个民宿的主人都有自己的故事。大家坐在一起,听故事,也讲述自己的故事,是多么有趣啊!夫子说,“友直,友谅,友多闻。” 2017年,但愿结识更多有故事的人!<br />
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关于民宿的几个网站:<br />
A few websites on selected lodging:<br />
几何生活:<a href="https://site.douban.com/253416/">https://site.douban.com/253416/</a><br />
莫干山民宿:<a href="http://www.lotour.com/zhengwen/1/lg-mt-13784.shtml">http://www.lotour.com/zhengwen/1/lg-mt-13784.shtml</a><br />
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The CICF will be held in Hanzhou in July! Let's go to Mount Mogan!<br />
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Below are pictures of the water town, JinXi.<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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<br />JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-31170044391523895512016-12-26T04:55:00.000-05:002016-12-26T04:55:27.124-05:00My Parents - 2016<br />
又值岁末,终于得一两日清闲,于海南家中承欢父母膝下。自2013年起,我每年都会记录下父母的容颜。今年是在Charleston, SC. 妈妈今年做了小手术,间或小病小恙。但只要在镜头下,她总是神采奕奕。能歌善舞,爱笑的人,总是鼓舞着她身边的人。 岁月啊,我的妈妈这么美丽,请你一定善待她。<br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">All these years mom and dad seem to become one being, the two cannot be separated. They are like the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine. I always wonder what's their secret.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;">It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...</span><br />
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden</blockquote>
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Location: Charleston, SC<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div>
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<br />JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0Charleston, SC, USA32.7764749 -79.93105120000001332.3494714 -80.576498200000017 33.203478399999995 -79.285604200000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-23725330692553838862016-11-12T18:35:00.001-05:002016-11-12T18:48:38.215-05:00Red: Ming Dynasty / Mark Rothko<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Dish with copper-red-glaze 祭红釉盘,</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> China, Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ming Dynasty, Xuande (1425-36) period</span></div>
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They’re 500 years apart, an imperial Chinese porcelain dish and a painting by Mark Rothko. Being juxtaposed, these two pieces of art demonstrate that the power of color transcends time and place, which for me is a profound enlightenment.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Untitled – Seagram Mural sketch Painting, Mark Rothko 1959)</span><br />
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The artworks are perfectly exhibited. Only the dish and the painting in the room! Even exhibit text is on the walls of a separate chamber. Without any distraction and without any knowledge of what they are, one is invited to the pure experience of the artworks. And you immediately feel the visceral dialogue between the porcelain dish and the oil and acrylic painting -- they uncannily echo each other!<br />
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Luminous. Luscious. Velvety.<br />
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I indulge myself in the immensity of the color red, almost weeping.<br />
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The single word "red" cannot really tell the subtlety and nuances, it's an alchemy of color, texture, shape and edge! What's more, all of the different tonalities of red could have the power to open your emotions, "making you feel happy, sad, everything.” (Jan Stuart)<br />
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For “quiet contemplation and intelligent comparison," go to see this exhibition curated by Jan Stuart. Thanks to her unlimited imagination and great taste, we could have such a visual feast.<br />
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> (“<a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/red/" target="_blank">Red: Ming Dynasty/Mark Rothko”</a> is on view in the Sackler Gallery through Feb. 20, 2017.)</i><br />
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />Note: </i><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. Chinese m</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">onochrome porcelains are among the greatest achievements in world ceramics, and no color is more complex to create and more coveted than the luscious copper-red glaze that was perfected during the reign of the Xuande Emperor (1426-36). The triumph of this glaze lies in its combination of color and texture. Millions of trapped, unbroken bubbles suffuse the glaze with a network of dark speckles. Subtle color irregularities make the smooth glaze resemble freshly crushed raspberries and look as if it would be plush and velvety to the touch.</span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></i><br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-73790364944575675492016-07-23T22:06:00.000-04:002016-07-24T09:05:06.049-04:00Trust on the Road<br />
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(Street view in Alfama district, Lisbon)</div>
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In “The Ministry of Fear,” a novel set in World War II England, the author Graham Greene wrote, “It is impossible to go through life without trust: That is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself.”<br />
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Unfortunately, most people are so concerned with protecting their fragile egos that they simply can’t get themselves to risk opening up in order to initiate genuine trust. In the bittersweet process of growing up, the innocent non-existing ego of an infant gradually becomes fragile under one after the other negative shocks, which could be betrayal, cheating, wrongdoing, or simply a broke-up relationship.<br />
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In the country level, see what happened in the world in the recent two months? The Orlando shooting, the Nice attack, the Turkish coup, an EU dissolving, a Middle East on fire... every morning some headline news shocked the world. I initially followed those reports and even comments till I was so sick and refused to read any hatred and hostility!<br />
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In such a turmoil world, I especially cherish the peace in my little office and the tranquility walking in Georgetown alleys. I also often recall the kindness and trust from strangers I deeply felt in my recent journey to Portugal.<br />
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(In a parking lot, Lisbon)</div>
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I went to Portugal for the FIRS conference. Since I had trips right before and after the conference which were also in Europe, I got some in-between free time to see Porto and Lisbon. Needless to say, I encountered all sorts of people.<br />
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(street performer, Lisbon)</div>
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(curious travelers)</div>
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(Old-fashioned photographer with his ad.)</div>
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I have one whole week in Lisbon, so I rented a 2-BR flat from Airbnb. It's an apartment in a historical building, with high ceilings, an iron-cast balcony, Rococo-style reliefs, and renovated with modern furniture and kitchen, even having a home theater. It is one of the best apartments I ever rented in Airbnb, but the total cost is still far lower than the conference hotel.<br />
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(homemade breakfast)</div>
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With more time on the road over years, I are inclined to make each visiting place a local 'home'. Living in an Airbnb is part of such experience. I enjoy going to local grocery stores, buying fresh vegetables, eggs, yogurt, fruits, and cooking myself a lovely breakfast. On a luminous morning after the conference, I carried with me from the farmers market the colorful beauty of the sun-- the shiny pink cherries full of juice under their transparent skins.<br />
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(in the harbor, Lisbon)</div>
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Continuing the shareconomy experience in Airbnb, I also used Uber for most transportation in Lisbon. Each driver has his/her own story. I was quite surprised for the depth and diversity of the topic. Our dialogues usually started with "how do you like being a Uber driver?" Very often I found people have a strong willing of telling.<br />
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One told me that he was debating to wait for the public service in treating his disease, or paying 50,000 euros out of pocket for a private treatment, which was a lot of money for him. He was so glad to have the disease fixed sooner and then he drove Uber to partially cover the expense. We then had a discussion comparing the insurance system in Portugal and in USA.<br />
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The other straightly told me that he was in the process of fighting for skin cancer. He felt driving Uber and occasionaly talking to passengers with diverse backgrounds helped distract his intense attention, and he now had more optimism and confidence on life... Fortunately, the cancer was well under control and he was recovering.<br />
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(maybe talk to a dog?)</div>
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I always wonder why they could be so honest with me, a stranger? Yes, maybe because I am a stranger, risk is low that I can have any overlapping with their lives.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Fundamentally, we all have our own vulnerabilities and we need a listener</span>, a role sometimes cannot be served by those intimate in our life like parents or partners. <br />
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For me, those Uber drivers and Airbnb hosts are also strangers. I think heavily of their trust. I am deeply indebted to them for hosting me with their own homes! I am grateful to their trust to take good care of their homes. I always do cleaning and restore the apartment in the same condition as I take it. I am also grateful to those who share with me their life stories. Their words resound in my heart and encourage me to embrace the world with more appreciation. Meanwhile, I also become a good listener. </div>
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The world is full of disagreement, pain and error. I may not fix them, but I will always be a listener. Listen to the world, and listen to people whom I know and I don't. Most people are kind and inclined to trust strangers; the world is not only those negative news reported in the media. </div>
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Being a listener. Being understanding. Being empathic. This is what I want to become in this world.</div>
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(Photo taken at a ruin site, Porto, Portugal)</div>
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More articles on trust:<br />
<a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2013/10/alone-and-together.html" target="_blank">Alone and Together</a><br />
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More articles on Portugal:<br />
<a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2016/07/lisbon.html" target="_blank"> Lisbon</a><br />
<a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2016/07/o-porto.html" target="_blank">O Porto!</a><br />
Azulejos: once upon a tile<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div>
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<br />JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-68490855212271497742016-07-23T21:06:00.002-04:002016-07-24T13:58:39.846-04:00Lisbon<br />
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The New York Times has a travel column called "36 Hours in XX." That is the exact description for my experience in Lisbon. Though having almost five days in the city, I rarely have time for its cafe culture or the soulful Fado music. Riding Tram 28 through the Alfama area, however, is the highlight of my stay. So is the visit to<a href="http://www.museudoazulejo.pt/en-GB/default.aspx" target="_blank"> Museu Nacional do Azulejo</a>, the tile museum, which I will introduce in a separate article (Azulejos: once upon a tile).<br />
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</div>Riding the tram was such a great, leisurely way to familiarize yourself with the city, especially in the alleys of Alfama. For this article, I decide to use both real photos and postcards to show you the best of Lisbon. Can you tell which ones are postcards? :)<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Colorful balconies.</span><br />
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</div>Various windows with colorful tiles.<br />
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And doors.<br />
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Alfama is a Moorish district. The 1755 earthquake and tsunami razed most of Lisbon, but this Medieval district was left intact. It is a sharp reminder of the four centuries Lisbon spent under Moorish rule until captured by King Afonso I in 1147, with narrow, winding streets, frequent flights of stairs, and tall, white Arabian buildings.<br />
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The habitants mostly enjoy the Old Lisboa are probably the cats.<br />
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</div>And beautiful women on the street<br />
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Lisbon is such a colorful city. If you have an afternoon, try the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets that wind their way up a steep hill overlooking the Rio Tejo. It feels like stepping back in time.<br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-56023613339607877732016-05-29T14:41:00.000-04:002016-05-29T15:18:00.808-04:00The Color of Sky<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">(7:30pm, around the National Monument)</span></div>
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I saw a poetic sky the other day. Jointed together, rose quartz and serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace. The combination of these two colors happen to be the color of year 2016 according to Pantone Color Institute. (more examples <a href="http://www.voicer.me/archives/31343" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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Do you like it? May the view on your jogging road also brings you a soothing sense of peace!<br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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</footer>JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-64458950022955807002016-03-27T13:18:00.001-04:002016-03-27T22:51:01.299-04:00Cherry Blossom II<br />
Sakura, together with the Japanese spirit it symbolizes, has a peculiar fascination on me. Sakura bloom in glowing color and then fall to the ground within a week. They are a reminder to many Japanese of mono no aware (物の哀れ), a Buddhist concept that recognizes the impermanence of life. Last year I recorded moments (see <a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.com/2015/04/cherry-blossom.html" target="_blank">Cherry Blossom I</a>) of cherry blossom in the daylight, 観桜, while I hope to complement the image with cherry blossom illuminated at nights, which has a special word in Japanese called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami" target="_blank">Yozakura </a>夜桜.<br />
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Ideally, night cherry blossom is a poem of blossom AND light. Imagine thousands of white and pink pedals wafting like snowflakes through the light of the moon and red lanterns... for example, the image below from Hirosaki Park, Japan. Or you can feel the scene from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAX0J9IF1R8" target="_blank">video </a>on YouTube.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Source: Google Image by searching "Yozakura")</span></div>
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Unfortunately, immigrated culture no longer keeps its original essence. In Washington DC, there are no light in any famous cherry blossom spot. My wish fell through. However, the immigrated culture absorbs new energy from the American spirit. Along the Tidal Basin near the Monument, I have seen beautiful smiling faces and felt easily contagious cheerful mood.<br />
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If you had not or couldn't view the cherry blossom by yourself, let the wind bring you my sincere Spring wishes!<br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-1657863796626611292015-11-14T23:16:00.000-05:002017-01-16T11:59:01.641-05:00Elegia Eroica<br />
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On the way from Georgetown to Kennedy Center, the taxi passed by the Embassy of France. Candles, flowers, solace escorted the sorrow in the air. My heart was heavy, and even more when hearing the first piece of tonight's program: Elegia Eroica, Op. 29, composed by Alfredo Casella in 1916, performed by National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Before performing, the conductor of NSO said "let's dedicated this music to the people of France."<br />
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When planning the concert program one year earlier, the NSO may not have predicted what would happen in Paris the night before this piece's premiere in DC. Alas, such a sad coincidence... In 1916, Casella dedicated the "Elegia" to "the memory of a soldier killed in war." (as he describes it in the score.) It's the lullaby a mother sings to her dead son during World War I. Born in Turin into a family of musicians, Casella was already in his thirties and had been living in Paris for almost two decades when the Great War broke out. In 1915 he returned to his native Italy and composed <i>Elegia eroica</i> as a musical memorial. As reported in an article from the January 1920 issue of The Musical Quarterly, the composer experienced "the first lightnings" of the war in Paris and "saw the flood of Belgian and French refugees bring consternation to the metropolis..."<br />
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The history repeats itself.<br />
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It's 2015, one hundred years after the music was composed. The <i>Elegia eroica</i> has – sadly – lost none of its topicality to this day; it is at once timeless and timely music.<br />
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If any words could describe my emotion after the concert, that will be the same recalled by the composer after Elegia's premiere in Rome in 1917,<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">"I returned home that night with a sense of loneliness greater than I have ever felt, before or since."</span></blockquote>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniebai/22825929149/in/dateposted-public/" title="Georgetown Healy Hall"><img alt="Georgetown Healy Hall" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5626/22825929149_9f8bd6bc60_z.jpg" width="360" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Healy Hall, Georgetown University<br />
In memory of the Paris attack<br />
November 13, 2015<br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-54858125625956343342015-05-21T04:06:00.000-04:002015-05-22T10:30:04.019-04:00A Journey of Emptying <br />
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<span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: blue; font-family: SimSun; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">微云淡河汉,疏雨滴梧桐</span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">– <span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: SimSun; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">孟浩然</span></span></div>
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(Streetview on Wu Kang Road)</div>
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The night after arriving in Shanghai took its break from a heavy rain. Phoenix trees (firmiana simplex, 梧桐树) along Xing Guo Road are washed brighter and greener, with rain drops filtering through leaves and lamplights rendered dim by its branches. Walking along this elegant road, one could indulge oneself into the dream of Shanghai in the late 19th century...<br />
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(In the garden of Xing Guo Hotel)</div>
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Many people in my career travel frequently. Their reputation and achievement take them within or across continents. But some of my friends told me that they don't have jet lag! How could it happen? My admiration! It's 6am, and I already finished a yoga sequence and started jogging in the hotel garden. It's a vast garden surrounded by three roads, Xingguo, Hunan, and Jiangsu. Inside there are many hundred-years-old trees, including my favorite magnolia. In Georgetown's campus live also such magnolia trees, strong and offering a sense of reliability. In the Spring they contribute white showy grandifloras.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniebai/17689781908" title="IMG_3960 by Jennie Bai, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3960" height="333" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8832/17689781908_d9e678ac52.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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(bonsai outside of Villa No.2)</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This short stay in Shanghai and an excursion nearby has quite a few zen moments. I have been deeply attracted so that I am engaged in idleness. The mind and all senses nourished by the green turn to be sharper. I realize that I start to notice things I would often ignore in the routine life of DC.</span><br />
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(View outside the hotel window, Village Meiling, Hangzhou)</div>
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There is a German word "Die Waldeinsamkeit" quite fitting here, that means the feeling of being alone in the woods. The word might seem scary or unsettling, but it is definitely a beautiful contemplation. The hotel located in Village Meiling is hidden among bamboo groves and tea gardens. There I found a total connection with nature, and a graceful solitude.<br />
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(Tea gardens under Lion Peak Mountain, Hangzhou)</div>
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During the daytime, I often take a solitary stroll through bamboo groves or along creeks in Jiuxi (九溪). The sunshine filtering through the leaves of trees remind me of a Japanese word "Komorebi." It's the interplay between the light and the leaves. Here I feel the peculiar sense of belonging.<br />
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(Jiuxi 九溪, Hangzhou)</div>
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I can smell the sunshine mixed with the fresh fragrance of tea leaves -- if you ever know that this area is the most famous green tea field in China: Dragon Well (龙井). In combination with the water from Tiger Running Spring (虎跑泉), this makes the best green tea. Would you like to join me for a cup of freshness?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniebai/17874799992" title="IMG_4113 by Jennie Bai, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4113" height="333" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7667/17874799992_9310afb7fc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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(Tea leaves just picked, Village Longjing)</div>
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(Last step in making green tea: drying)</div>
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Indulged in nature, I find my refined aesthetic sensibility even developed. In the Japanese language, there is a word "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi" target="_blank">Wabi-sabi </a>(侘寂)." Its spirit of the acceptance of transience and imperfection is what I have been pursuing these years. Wabi-sabi resides in the inconspicuous and overlooked details, in the minor and the hidden, in the tentative and ephemeral. But in order to appreciate these qualities, <i>emptying</i> is at least for me extremely helpful. In life and work, we endeavor to gain, to achieve, to accumulate, and to add the glory in CV. However, isn't the curiosity on truth and the creation to uncover truth that brings us the most satisfaction? And extreme creation is always going to be balanced by extreme emptiness. It's the law of physics, conservation of energy.<br />
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I have been unloading myself in the short journey... I am ready to welcome possibilities out of the emptiness. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: SimSun; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">小住为佳,且吃了赵州茶去</span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: SimSun; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">日归可缓,试同歌陌上花来</span></span></div>
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-2880585037619009052015-05-21T04:02:00.001-04:002015-05-21T04:04:44.341-04:00The Old Town of TangQi 塘栖<br />
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Tang Qi is an old water town along<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_%28China%29" target="_blank"> the Grand Canal </a>which is now a UNESCO world heritage site, the longest canal in the world originally built during the Sui Dynasty (581-- 618 AD). I have been to more beautiful watertowns (<a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.jp/2013/07/one-quiet-day-in-nanxun_28.html">Nan Xun</a>, <a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.jp/2009/07/xi-tang-story-of-time.html" target="_blank">Xi Tang</a>, <a href="http://jenniebai.blogspot.jp/2010/07/one-night-in-border-town.html" target="_blank">Zhen Yuan</a>, etc.), but Tang Qi still impresses me by a decaying church. <br />
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The church was built by the Scotland Missionary King Leonard in 1899, when China was under the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The church has witnessed the Republic of China, the Anti-Japan War, the Liberation, the Cultural Revolution, till the Reform and Opening-up. The missionary, the two generations of presbyters and the old villa have all gone to stones, affirming Jesus Christ’s prediction for the Holy Place:<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. </span><span style="color: blue;">(这地方的每一块石头都会被拆下来,没有一块石头会留在另一块上面)</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">--- Mark 13:2</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniebai/17301676934" title="IMG_4164 by Jennie Bai, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4164" height="333" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5461/17301676934_b3ebe54d5f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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(The Church of Tang Qi )</div>
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-75333918113456089812015-04-12T16:15:00.000-04:002016-03-26T20:40:54.094-04:00Cherry Blossom I<br />
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<span style="color: #191919; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Tens of thousands of people pour into DC for the peak of cherry blossom. Every smile tells the enjoyment of human beings on exalted cherry trees, gift from Japan in 1912. Over the one hundred years, generations of people explore the happiness and comfort from the gift of trees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Hand-colored photograph taken several years after the March 27, 1912 gift of cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington. </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">(Photo: </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Library of Congress)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">A pleasant walk around the Tidal Basin during the 1920s with cherry blossoms. (Photo: Library of Congress) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Though most people indulge in the ardent massive beauty of cherry trees, few know that cherry (in Japanese name, Sakura) also symbolizes the Japanese spirit. As well captured in t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he Japanese saying, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"To find the soul of Japan, look at the cherry trees under the sunshine." (</span><span style="text-align: center;">欲问大和魂,朝阳底下看樱花)</span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Japanese Buddhist traditions, falling sakura petals represent the impermanence of life. Sakura petals only live a week. They bloom brilliantly and fall with the wind. The beauty of falling sakura has been the topic of countless Japanese poems and songs. (the topic will be discussed in another article "<i>Yozakura 夜桜 "</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">In these spring days,<br />
when tranquil light encompasses<br />
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why do the blossoms scatter<br />
with such uneasy hearts?</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Ki no Tomonori (c. 850 – c. 904)</span></blockquote>
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-74942574548908821142015-04-12T14:11:00.001-04:002015-04-12T14:14:33.038-04:00春在溪头<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"> 鹧鸪天</span></blockquote>
-- 辛弃疾<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">陌上柔桑破嫩芽,东邻蚕种已生些。<br />
平冈细草鸣黄犊,斜日寒林点暮鸦。<br />
山远近,路横斜,青旗沽酒有人家。 <br />
城中桃李愁风雨,春在溪头荠菜花。</span></blockquote>
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又到春天,满城花开,荠菜花犹盛。妈妈带我们摘荠菜, 踏青,也慰藉童年美味: 荠菜豆腐羹,荠菜葱油饼。谁知却把蒲公英错当成了荠菜,两者还真真像。将错就错,饼间依然带着田野气息的鲜味。<br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-24669241771226184002015-02-01T00:25:00.000-05:002016-06-19T17:52:24.178-04:004'33''<br />
4'33'' is one of the most famous compositions in the contemporary music history, written by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cage" target="_blank">John Cage</a>(more information is <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artist/john-cage" target="_blank">here</a>). It's a piece that has become an icon in post-war culture, like Andy Whahol's <i>Soup Cans</i>, Marcel Duchamp's <i>Fountain</i>: evidence of the extremity of destructive avant-garde art. This blog however is not about art, rather my ephemeral visit to Boston Public Library during the AFA conference.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> (Vault in the entrance hall, Boston Public Library)</span></div>
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Year after year, the same symphony is played in the annual conference: intensive staves filled with interviews, presentations, and endless meetings. Most audience and players come here with clear goals and search for the meaning of every act. And I am one of them.<br />
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However, I am also an economist inspired by experimental music, especially 4'33''. This composition, also called 'silent piece', instructs the performer not to play their instrument during the entire duration of the piece, that is commonly perceived as "four minutes thirty-three seconds of <i>silence</i>". Such compositional philosophy resounded in my mind, echoing the idea of <i>Tao</i> I have talked about throughout my blogs: NO action (无为).<br />
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Putting it in the conference scenario, it means doing things with no intention, searching not for meaning. It's such unintentional sound that leads me to visit Boston Public Library on a sunny winter morning.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> (Vault in the entrance hall)</span><br />
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"Silence is not acoustic," he (John Cage) said, "It is a change of mind. A turning around."</span></blockquote>
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Boston public library is an imposing stone building with a neo-renaissance style. I have noticed the building in the taxi the first day arriving in Boston. It instantly aroused my interest to visit even without knowing its name. Such wish became even stronger when I realized that my hotel, Westin, was just across the street from the library.<br />
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Saturday was fully scheduled, as if performing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Ring_des_Nibelungen" target="_blank">Ring </a>cycle of Richard Wagner without any interception. The hope to visit the library evaporated like a dew under the sun.<br />
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So was Sunday...<br />
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Monday was my last day in Boston. Chance of a bulk break was still slim. Yet the wish was so strong that I felt the calling of the building. Governed by whim, I decided to skip the breakfast and to take the 15min gap to visit the library, then rush back to meet my co-authors.<br />
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I spent only about 14 minutes in the library. On my flight back to DC, I thought about the music of 4'33'', and linked it to my 14'33'' stay in Boston Public Library.<br />
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(Light entering the Abbey Room. In the dark are the walls graced by the murals titled the "Quest of the Holy Grail," featuring 150 life-sized figures illustrating the Arthurian legend. The ground is French rouge antique marble, and the beamed ceiling is modeled after one in the library of the Doge's Palace in Venice.)<br />
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(Iron Door at the hallway, with sunlight)<br />
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4'33'' marked a significant change in John Cage's musical thought -- specifically how it forms a point-of-no-return from the conventional communicative, self-expressive and intentional purpose of music. Back to the conference scenario, all behaviors are supposed to be professional, communicative, self-expressive and intentional. But coming to the library gave me a no-meaning break and a complete tranquil peace, echoing the essential meaning of silence in music: the giving up of intention.<br />
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However, Cage's work is not silent at all. It embraces the whole world of unintentional sound; i.e., it is full of sounds. The library visit also enriched my mind.<br />
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In 1946, when an Indian student, Gita Sarabhai, arrived to study Western counterpoint with Cage in exchange for lessons on Indian music. He asked her what the purpose of music was in India. She replied that her teacher thought that the purpose of music was to quiet the mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences. Cage was tremendously struck by this.<br />
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He then determined to find out what was a "quiet mind" and what were "divine influences". For eighteen months he immersed himself in the philosophy of East and West, and began studying Zen Buddhism with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._T._Suzuki" target="_blank">Daisetz T. Suzuki</a>. "I had the impression that I was changing -- you might say growing up. I realized that my previous understanding was that of a child."<br />
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(Bates Hall which features a majestic barrel-arched ceiling enclosed by half domes on each end, English oak bookcases, and busts of eminent authors.)<br />
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4'33" continues to baffle and confound people today. Intentional sounds and egocentric actions have no place there. When leaving the iron door behind and standing again in the sun, I am full of unspeakable joy. I went back to the intentional, professional world, being peaceful and humble, ready to embrace the universe of sound as music. <br />
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Photographed by Jennie Bai.</div>
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Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</div>
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<br />JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925022959632792142.post-49905824046716861522015-01-01T23:11:00.000-05:002015-01-01T23:19:54.009-05:00One Night with YU<div style="text-align: left;">
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Being with Yu, you will never miss a merry meal. This lady is notable bon viveur. Summoned by Yu, we half-way left the conference dinner and were led to a hidden garden, which now is converted to a speakeasy catering private cuisine that features traditional family recipes. Outside the house was probably the most flourishing alley in Chengdu, Kuan Xiangzi (宽巷子).<br />
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Let's follow Yu to enjoy an aesthetic and edible treasure!</div>
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Now for those who are reading this blog but having missed the chance to join us, are you regretting? Next time, ask Lady Yu!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Photographed by Jennie Bai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Copyright ©Jennie Bai. All Rights Reserved.</span><br />
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JENNIE BAIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584731017537245932noreply@blogger.com0