There can be comfort in having other people make decisions for us, even life altering ones. When we are unsure or afraid, it is not uncommon to turn to others-experts-to help us decide whatto do, wha! path to take. Pe...There can be comfort in having other people make decisions for us, even life altering ones. When we are unsure or afraid, it is not uncommon to turn to others-experts-to help us decide whatto do, wha! path to take. Perhaps we don＇t trust our own instincts or maybe we really don＇t know what to do in a specific situation. Rather than rely on our own self-knowledge, we seek outside advice. We want to defer the decision making to others, get an ironclad, black or white answer to questions that sometimes reside in a shade of gray. One time when I was at a dermatologist＇s office, she told me There are three things I want you to do： take an aspirin every day, use suntan lotion every time you go outside in the sun and wear a baseball hat if you are in the sun for a prolonged period of time.展开更多
As I wrap up three years of teaching at China .Women＇s University here in Beijing -- my first teaching gig ever - 1 am filled with appreciation, smiles and sometimes outright laughter at what a completely unexpected ...As I wrap up three years of teaching at China .Women＇s University here in Beijing -- my first teaching gig ever - 1 am filled with appreciation, smiles and sometimes outright laughter at what a completely unexpected adventure it has been.展开更多
When I was living in Beijing in 2008 I often found myself in morning meetings that would be promptly interrupted for a two hour midday break. While most of my associates recessed for a lunch at one of the nearby resta...When I was living in Beijing in 2008 I often found myself in morning meetings that would be promptly interrupted for a two hour midday break. While most of my associates recessed for a lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or five star hotels, 1 would inevitably wander the back alleys - hutongs - of my adopted second home.展开更多
I strolled away from one of my places of employment, in this case a Chinese university in the Chaoyang section of Beijing. It was a beatitiful, brisk, sun-drenched Friday afternoon. I loosened nay tie and jauntily swu...I strolled away from one of my places of employment, in this case a Chinese university in the Chaoyang section of Beijing. It was a beatitiful, brisk, sun-drenched Friday afternoon. I loosened nay tie and jauntily swung my briefcase as I smilingly saluted the security guard at the gate and ventured onto the less than usually busy street.展开更多
While teaching a class called Spoken English at China Women＇s University in Beijing, I often mix medias -- presentations, readings, original plays written by the students, music, film -- to broaden their learning per...While teaching a class called Spoken English at China Women＇s University in Beijing, I often mix medias -- presentations, readings, original plays written by the students, music, film -- to broaden their learning perspective, inaprove their English language retention and, mostly, to keep them and me from becoming bored. Also, in a class of 42 enrolled students and 10 to 15 sitting in on the class on any given day, it is mandatory to have a wellorganized class period that moves along at a brisk clip.展开更多
The corner newsstand. When he was young he used to tell family and friends, his parents included, that he would like to run a newsstand at some heavily traveled location. ＂You mean, as a summer job？＂ his morn polit...The corner newsstand. When he was young he used to tell family and friends, his parents included, that he would like to run a newsstand at some heavily traveled location. ＂You mean, as a summer job？＂ his morn politely offered. ＂No,＂ he remembered exclaiming, ＂for my life.＂展开更多
Again I make the “around the world” journey back to my home, New York City. Having lived primarily in Beijing for the past four years, my internal bearing,my internal clock takes longer to realign with the new place...Again I make the “around the world” journey back to my home, New York City. Having lived primarily in Beijing for the past four years, my internal bearing,my internal clock takes longer to realign with the new place, the new time （day is night） and the returning though momentarily unfamiliar culture.展开更多
I grew up on 39th Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. I went to Benjamin Stoddert public school for kindergarten. It was a block fi-om my apartment. My best friend lived across the hall and life seemed quite idyllic ...I grew up on 39th Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. I went to Benjamin Stoddert public school for kindergarten. It was a block fi-om my apartment. My best friend lived across the hall and life seemed quite idyllic in early 1960＇s America. My cousins lived tip the street as did my loving but stern grandmother. This all changed when ! was eight years old.展开更多
I read yesterday that within five years one quarter of all the malls in America will close. Many are losing their ＂anchor＂ tenants, large stores no longer able to compete in a ＂brick and mortar＂ scenario. This is ...I read yesterday that within five years one quarter of all the malls in America will close. Many are losing their ＂anchor＂ tenants, large stores no longer able to compete in a ＂brick and mortar＂ scenario. This is due to a combination of factors, primarily the incessant surge in online purchasing as well as skyrocketing rents and increased pressure from lower priced competitors both at home and abroad.展开更多
I have finally given in to the tact that my life, to a great degree, has been created by, shaped by, continually influenced by, tormented by, enlightened by, thrilled by, exalted by and, occasionally, controlled by ...I have finally given in to the tact that my life, to a great degree, has been created by, shaped by, continually influenced by, tormented by, enlightened by, thrilled by, exalted by and, occasionally, controlled by （primarily my daughter） ... women. This brings me no shame, no loss of face, no questioning of my identity. Rather it has brought me unmitigated joy and omnipresent selfrevelation.I feet nothing but gratitude.展开更多
It＇s time for a revolution in thought. Revolutions are the ultimate change agents, in and of itself,revolution merely means deep-seated, sometimes gradual sometimes abrupt, altering of the status quo. Naturally this ...It＇s time for a revolution in thought. Revolutions are the ultimate change agents, in and of itself,revolution merely means deep-seated, sometimes gradual sometimes abrupt, altering of the status quo. Naturally this goes against the grain, goes against the wishes and imperatives of whatever forces are in control when revolution takes place.展开更多
文摘There can be comfort in having other people make decisions for us, even life altering ones. When we are unsure or afraid, it is not uncommon to turn to others-experts-to help us decide whatto do, wha! path to take. Perhaps we don＇t trust our own instincts or maybe we really don＇t know what to do in a specific situation. Rather than rely on our own self-knowledge, we seek outside advice. We want to defer the decision making to others, get an ironclad, black or white answer to questions that sometimes reside in a shade of gray. One time when I was at a dermatologist＇s office, she told me There are three things I want you to do： take an aspirin every day, use suntan lotion every time you go outside in the sun and wear a baseball hat if you are in the sun for a prolonged period of time.
文摘As I wrap up three years of teaching at China .Women＇s University here in Beijing -- my first teaching gig ever - 1 am filled with appreciation, smiles and sometimes outright laughter at what a completely unexpected adventure it has been.
文摘When I was living in Beijing in 2008 I often found myself in morning meetings that would be promptly interrupted for a two hour midday break. While most of my associates recessed for a lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or five star hotels, 1 would inevitably wander the back alleys - hutongs - of my adopted second home.
文摘I strolled away from one of my places of employment, in this case a Chinese university in the Chaoyang section of Beijing. It was a beatitiful, brisk, sun-drenched Friday afternoon. I loosened nay tie and jauntily swung my briefcase as I smilingly saluted the security guard at the gate and ventured onto the less than usually busy street.
文摘While teaching a class called Spoken English at China Women＇s University in Beijing, I often mix medias -- presentations, readings, original plays written by the students, music, film -- to broaden their learning perspective, inaprove their English language retention and, mostly, to keep them and me from becoming bored. Also, in a class of 42 enrolled students and 10 to 15 sitting in on the class on any given day, it is mandatory to have a wellorganized class period that moves along at a brisk clip.
文摘The corner newsstand. When he was young he used to tell family and friends, his parents included, that he would like to run a newsstand at some heavily traveled location. ＂You mean, as a summer job？＂ his morn politely offered. ＂No,＂ he remembered exclaiming, ＂for my life.＂
文摘Again I make the “around the world” journey back to my home, New York City. Having lived primarily in Beijing for the past four years, my internal bearing,my internal clock takes longer to realign with the new place, the new time （day is night） and the returning though momentarily unfamiliar culture.
文摘I grew up on 39th Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. I went to Benjamin Stoddert public school for kindergarten. It was a block fi-om my apartment. My best friend lived across the hall and life seemed quite idyllic in early 1960＇s America. My cousins lived tip the street as did my loving but stern grandmother. This all changed when ! was eight years old.
文摘I read yesterday that within five years one quarter of all the malls in America will close. Many are losing their ＂anchor＂ tenants, large stores no longer able to compete in a ＂brick and mortar＂ scenario. This is due to a combination of factors, primarily the incessant surge in online purchasing as well as skyrocketing rents and increased pressure from lower priced competitors both at home and abroad.
文摘I have finally given in to the tact that my life, to a great degree, has been created by, shaped by, continually influenced by, tormented by, enlightened by, thrilled by, exalted by and, occasionally, controlled by （primarily my daughter） ... women. This brings me no shame, no loss of face, no questioning of my identity. Rather it has brought me unmitigated joy and omnipresent selfrevelation.I feet nothing but gratitude.
文摘It＇s time for a revolution in thought. Revolutions are the ultimate change agents, in and of itself,revolution merely means deep-seated, sometimes gradual sometimes abrupt, altering of the status quo. Naturally this goes against the grain, goes against the wishes and imperatives of whatever forces are in control when revolution takes place.
