American Dreams in China

I had told S about the Chinese movie 'American Dreams in China' when we first met again.

Wang Yang, being the only guy of the trio of friends that has dated a Western girl, was giving a class on Western culture / thoughts /perspectives.

House-visiting:  The Chinese says, 'Welcome! Please come in!' The American does not tell his friend 'Welcome!' Americans are not so polite. He'll say it in a more straightforward manner - 'Come on in!' - And you just walk in.

Relationships: You've been going out with a girl for four years. One day she comes to you and tells you,
I'm returning to America!' What should you say?
(Students responded with, 'Why? Don't you love me anymore?')

Don't say anything, just turn and leave. Otherwise, she would treat you like how she treats her baggage.


*           *           *
 
On the 2nd last night before we parted, she told me that Wang Yang was pretty much spot on.
And that was all that I needed to turn and leave.

A little late, but better late than never.

ReCap: 2013 Resolutions

1. Visit Japan/Taiwan/Bali (About time to make it happen already!)

✔ Japan & Taiwan - Need to go back to both :) 

2. Get a full-time job. ✔

3. Complete home renovation + Clear out the boxes of stuff at home.  

✗ HDB beat me to it. I'll aim to do something about it...

4. Exercise weekly.

✗ Just 11 gym sessions & some runs at MacRitchie.. worse than 2012. x_x
I'd like to think it was because I hurt my foot. 

5. Read books, write songs: Total target = 20.

✔ I didn't count but I think this worked out fine after furiously digesting many 九把刀 novels. And one good job with the song that went on TV in early 2014 ;)

6. Increase net worth by 50%.

✔ Easy with the low base and full time job kicking in.

7. 30 hours of community service.

✔ UnderTheHood, Vietnam Build Trip and Corporate Service Day.

8. Pick up a new skill/language.

✔ Two coursera modules. This should count.

ReNew: 2014 Resolutions

1. Visit Brazil / Chiang Mai / Bali
(Tickets are booked for Brazil, so this is a giveaway)

2. Read books (including 3 non-fiction books  and 1 about lighting) + write songs. Total 20.
(This is a good one to keep)

3. Exercise 80 times.
4. Throw away / Recycle 100kg of stuff (waste not included).
5.  Sort out insurance plans
6. Increase net worth by 30%.
7. Sign up for a creative course - guitar, book binding, whatever.
8. Watch one inspirational talk per week on TED etc.

Skipping the community service hours this year cos I am with the CSR team so it would happen by default.