Sitting on this side of the world on black Friday has given me a new perspective. As my fellow Americans wake up at 2am to line up at Wal-mart to save a few bucks on item xyz, I wonder why do we blame China for exporting inexpensive products?
Do everyday Americans really want China to appreciate the Chinese currency? Do we really want our products to be made in the USA? If so, are we prepared to pay 2-4 times more for those same goods when we go to Wal-mart?
On this thanksgiving, I am thankful for the two countries I call home. I just hope instead of pointing fingers at each other. We can focus on fixing our own problems so our country will be a better place to live for all its citizens.
Here is a recent article on NYTimes that drives the point home about how we should focus our American energy and resources
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/opinion/01friedman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=wikichina&st=Search
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Who wears the pants in my family? By Lei
So Diana is now literally wearing my pants bc she has outgrown her own maternity sleeping pants. For some reason, it feels like she’s been wearing the pants since day 1. haha
So what does that say about the size of her belly and my belly? Do I also have a 5 month old baby in my stomach? Oh wait, those are just rolls. :P
I felt BZ move this past weekend. It was an awesome and yet scary experience.
So what does that say about the size of her belly and my belly? Do I also have a 5 month old baby in my stomach? Oh wait, those are just rolls. :P
I felt BZ move this past weekend. It was an awesome and yet scary experience.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
My world will be changed forever - By Lei
I watched this movie soon after our doctor's visit. This is a 1 minute clip that expressed my exact feelings... fears & joys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6GOUejPfo0&feature=related
Is this true my friend? Please tell me I have nothing to worry. hahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6GOUejPfo0&feature=related
Is this true my friend? Please tell me I have nothing to worry. hahaha
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Lei got hit by a moped…Lei “punched” the moped driver in the face…
Question: Did Lei get Shanghai’D? or did Lei Shanghai someone else?
I (Lei) am usually pretty impatient when it comes to crossing the street. I don’t wait for the green pedestrian light and just walk when I see no cars; I don’t care if there are bicycles.
One day while walking to work, I actually waited for the green light before crossing the street. As I crossed the street, a moped from the other direction sped into the intersection trying to catch the last second of his yellow light but of course he was 2 seconds too late.
The moped sped through the intersection trying to zigzag around all the cars, mopeds, bicycles that just started to move.
I got the “deer in the headlights” look as he came straight for me. Out of instinct, I put both hands up thinking maybe I can stop him. I don’t know what I was thinking. The moped was at least ~200lb and the guy weighted at least 150lb and both were moving at ~30mph.
Lucky for me he slammed on his breaks…still he hit me in my leg at about 5-10mph. With my hands up in defense fighting position like a boxer, my closed my fist and it connected with his face. The drivers gold rimed glasses fell to the ground. DOH!
Next thing I knew, I had a mashed banana in my hand. I had totally forgotten I had just bought two bananas to eat later.
The moped driver was just as in shock started to scream “why did you hit me? I can take you to the hospital if I hit you but you don’t need to punch me…”
I didn’t know what to do. Was I wrong? Was he wrong? I just wanted to get out of there because a small Chinese crowd started to gather to get their daily dose of street reality TV.
Luckily for me, I wasn’t really hurt but I held my leg in agony hoping the sorrow on my face will make him feel bad and leave me alone.
After a few seconds, without looking back I walked away with an exaggerated gimp down the street. Under my breath, I was say “I hope the guy doesn’t come after me… I don’t have time to waste by getting into a typical Shanghai oral-street-battle.”
Now that I look back, things happened so fast I hardly remember everything. It wasn’t funny at the time but any bystander probably got a good laugh out of this one… I know I would have enjoyed it more it if wasn’t me who got hit.
So did I get Shanghai’d or did the moped driver? Guess it was a lose-lose situation.
Life lesson:
• 10 years ago I was taken to the police station in Beijing over a $1.5 damage dispute with a cab driver. I knew I wanted nothing to do with China’s traffic issues ever again. ONE DOLLAR and FIFTY CENTS!!! That event 10 years ago wasted at least an hour of my free time. This is why after I was hit by the moped, I wanted to get away ASAP. Ask me another time about the $1.5 dispute.
• My roommate and I took “Self defense for men” back in college at BU. I think that’s where I learned my defensive stance against the moped and probably where my right hook developed. Who ever said that a college education was a waste of time?
I (Lei) am usually pretty impatient when it comes to crossing the street. I don’t wait for the green pedestrian light and just walk when I see no cars; I don’t care if there are bicycles.
One day while walking to work, I actually waited for the green light before crossing the street. As I crossed the street, a moped from the other direction sped into the intersection trying to catch the last second of his yellow light but of course he was 2 seconds too late.
The moped sped through the intersection trying to zigzag around all the cars, mopeds, bicycles that just started to move.
I got the “deer in the headlights” look as he came straight for me. Out of instinct, I put both hands up thinking maybe I can stop him. I don’t know what I was thinking. The moped was at least ~200lb and the guy weighted at least 150lb and both were moving at ~30mph.
Lucky for me he slammed on his breaks…still he hit me in my leg at about 5-10mph. With my hands up in defense fighting position like a boxer, my closed my fist and it connected with his face. The drivers gold rimed glasses fell to the ground. DOH!
Next thing I knew, I had a mashed banana in my hand. I had totally forgotten I had just bought two bananas to eat later.
The moped driver was just as in shock started to scream “why did you hit me? I can take you to the hospital if I hit you but you don’t need to punch me…”
I didn’t know what to do. Was I wrong? Was he wrong? I just wanted to get out of there because a small Chinese crowd started to gather to get their daily dose of street reality TV.
Luckily for me, I wasn’t really hurt but I held my leg in agony hoping the sorrow on my face will make him feel bad and leave me alone.
After a few seconds, without looking back I walked away with an exaggerated gimp down the street. Under my breath, I was say “I hope the guy doesn’t come after me… I don’t have time to waste by getting into a typical Shanghai oral-street-battle.”
Now that I look back, things happened so fast I hardly remember everything. It wasn’t funny at the time but any bystander probably got a good laugh out of this one… I know I would have enjoyed it more it if wasn’t me who got hit.
So did I get Shanghai’d or did the moped driver? Guess it was a lose-lose situation.
Life lesson:
• 10 years ago I was taken to the police station in Beijing over a $1.5 damage dispute with a cab driver. I knew I wanted nothing to do with China’s traffic issues ever again. ONE DOLLAR and FIFTY CENTS!!! That event 10 years ago wasted at least an hour of my free time. This is why after I was hit by the moped, I wanted to get away ASAP. Ask me another time about the $1.5 dispute.
• My roommate and I took “Self defense for men” back in college at BU. I think that’s where I learned my defensive stance against the moped and probably where my right hook developed. Who ever said that a college education was a waste of time?
Friday, January 8, 2010
Changing the world by Lei
If you never read the book "Leaving Microsoft to change the world" then get a copy and read it now. The book made me laugh and cry. Most of all it inspired me to seek to do more with my life and the opportunities in which I been blessed with.
I thank my friend Mae for introducing the book to me and for Grace who lend me her copy. This is now my top 10 book of all times.
http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Microsoft-Change-World-Entrepreneurs/dp/006112107X
www.roomtoread.org
I thank my friend Mae for introducing the book to me and for Grace who lend me her copy. This is now my top 10 book of all times.
http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Microsoft-Change-World-Entrepreneurs/dp/006112107X
www.roomtoread.org
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Back to our crazy (or not so crazy) city by Lei
I never thought I would be glad to get into a Shanghai cab and into the crazy Shanghai traffic and pollution. After riding around in the 20+ years old taxis in bumpy streets of Cairo, I eagerly jumped into my Shanghai cab at the airport and instantly felt at ease. The pollution in Cairo made Shanghai air quality seem like breathing fresh air at a national park. I guess everything in life is relative…
Despite all the "bad" that comes with a developing country, Egypt is an amazing place with awesome historical sites... I would say that you must visit this magical place at least one time in your life.
We will write more about our Christmas vacation in Israel and Egypt later but it is great to be home after 2 weeks on the road.
Despite all the "bad" that comes with a developing country, Egypt is an amazing place with awesome historical sites... I would say that you must visit this magical place at least one time in your life.
We will write more about our Christmas vacation in Israel and Egypt later but it is great to be home after 2 weeks on the road.
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