Fast Walking City

Came across an interesting article:

A study carried out in the early 1990s demonstrated that pedestrians’ speed of walking provides a reliable measure of the pace of life in a city, and that people in fast-moving cities are less likely to help others and have higher rates of coronary heart disease. Using identical methods to those employed in the previous work, the present day research teams discovered that the pace of life is now 10% faster than in the early 1990s.

The biggest changes were found in the Far East, with the pace of life in Guangzhou (China) increasing by over 20%, and Singapore showing a 30% increase, resulting in it becoming the fastest moving city in the study.

The Fastest Walking Cities
1) Singapore (Singapore); 10.55:
2) Copenhagen (Denmark); 10.82:
3) Madrid (Spain); 10.89:
4) Guangzhou (China): 10.94:
5) Dublin (Ireland); 11.03:

The Slow-Walkers
28) Damascus (Syria); 14.94:
29) Amman (Jordan); 15.95:
30) Bern (Switzerland); 17.37:
31) Manama (Bahrain); 17.69:
32) Blantyre (Malawi); 31.60.

苏轼《江城子》

十年生死两茫茫，
不思量，
自难忘。
千里孤坟，
无处话凄凉。
纵使相逢应不识，
尘满面，
鬓如霜。

夜来幽梦忽还乡，
小轩窗，
正梳妆。
相顾无言，
唯有泪千行。
料得年年肠断处，
明月夜，
短松冈。

--

译文：

十年来生死相隔，音容渺茫。不用思量，自然难忘。你远在千里之外的孤坟，我无处述说自己人生的凄凉。即使我们相逢了你也应该是认不出我了，现在的我已是风尘满面，鬓白如霜。

夜里幽幽的梦中我忽然回到了家乡。梦见你正在小轩窗的前面，精心的梳妆。我们相顾无言，只有泪落千行。想来你年年思念丈夫我而极度悲伤之处，就是你的坟地所在的明亮的月夜，种着小松的山冈。

疑难点注释：
①苏轼（1036－1101），字子瞻，号东坡居士。
②乙卯：熙宁八年（1075）。
③苏轼十九岁与同郡王弗结婚，嗣后出蜀入仕，夫妻琴瑟调和，甘苦与共。十年后王弗亡故，归葬于家乡的祖莹。这首词是苏轼在密州一次梦见王弗后写的，距王弗之卒又是十年了。
④孟启《本事诗·徵异第五》载张姓妻孔氏赠夫诗：“欲知肠断处，明月照孤坟。”


赏析点拨：

这首词最大的特点是将现实与梦境、悼亡与伤时结合起来写，抒发了对妻子的无限真情，感人肺腑，催人泪下。上片写梦前，夫妇幽明相隔，无法相见，已是十年，然而却无时无刻不在思念妻子，表现了对妻子的无限的深情。然后写自己的孤独凄凉，人生的坎坷，而“纵使”的假设又从反面突出了对妻子的依恋和因妻子亡故自身坎坷的伤感。下片写入梦，虽有“小轩窗，正梳妆”之句的美好形象的再现，然而潜意识里面二人毕竟是幽明异路，所以二人只能是相顾无言，惟有泪千行，生者死者不尽的情意无数的生离死别之恨全都涵蕴其中，令我们读者也不禁唏嘘感喟！这是多么令人通彻肺腑多么令人遗恨终生而又无可奈何的人生憾事！结尾句作者又从妻子的角度设想，不仅表现了自己对妻子的缱绻相知，更表现了妻子的孤独凄凉和对丈夫的不尽的思念与生死不渝的感情，堪称真挚爱情的绝唱！

--

Melancholic stuff right? But I think it is written really well.

Roadkill Construction

This is ridiculous...

Music School

Ann Arbor

Hello. I finally reappear. For those who are still unaware, I'm currently in grad sch, U of Michigan. It's fall break now (2 days only though) and the weather's awesome. The past 6 weeks of school has been both intense and enjoyable. :) It has been a while since I felt passionate about my coursework. The learning environment is conducive, positive. My learning curve's comfortably 'steep (make sense?).

Life's good now. I hope things will remain on track and more good things will come my way.

*hugs*

P/S: One of my submissions for digital photography assignment.

Time

It has been months since I have time to while away. (Technically, these 2 weeks were set aside for packing so I'm suppose to be busy) It's great to have flexibility w my time.... I can finally meet up w dear friends or simply head to the library and pore over a book, oblivious to the world. No more 9 to 6.30, no more early morning/late night teleconference meetings...


A senior was talking about his dissertation over dinner the other day and we launched into an in-depth discussion about architecture, art, people and the city. It was invigorating! It has been so long since I had contact w academic stuff and my mind was somewhat 'racing' after that. The next thing I know, I pulled out all my old notes on urban design. (which reminds me.. another big ticket item to pack) At that point, I thought about I wanted to achieve in school etc. and I was reminded abt what my boss said about my senior, 'very natural... no pretense, no facade'. I was mulling over his words. The statement seems straightforward enough, but how many people actually wear the same face at home and at work... being natural and honest to one's wishes/intentions?

I'm praying my time in the States will be fulfilling and fun. Live it w no regrets, be natural, be me.

Still happy

Happy happy

I passed my driving on the first try & took less than 3 mths! :D Sure feels good to put something out of the way. FYI I've shelved driving for... 5 years! Yikes. Although ironically, my parents forbid me to drive in the States for safety reasons. While I understand & agree w them, the reason that propelled me to hurry w driving lessons was so that I could drive during grad school. Oh well *shrugs* doesn't matter... I've been in a perpetual good mood since I got my license.

Kinda feel like doing this...


I miss dance...