Yesterday I was at the US Consulate General in Vancouver again, for the working Visa interview. I was amazed how efficient and responsive the US Consulate was. I do think they are one of the best governmental teams in the world.
After I got my Visitor for Pleasure Visa, I was told that I had to apply for my working Visa for my job in California and that my joining date would be Feb. 14 2009. However, the earliest Visa interview appointment date I could obtain on the On-line Visa Interview Appointment Reservation System was Feb. 17 2009, three days after my joining date.
I had experienced many, many, slow, bureaucratic and even corrupt embassies, consulates and governmental organizations in the world, and I did not expect that the US Consulate would consider my case seriously, having seen how many cases they had to deal with everyday.
But I thought I could as hell try, so I sent them an email on Jan. 23, explaining how urgent my case was and I needed to reschedule my appointment to an much earlier date.
Within 2-3 seconds I got their automatic email, telling me they would respond within 2 business days. Then within an hour, I got another personal email from them, asking me to give them an exact date. So I wrote back saying I would prefer any date before Feb 2.
Then, sadly, the weekend came, and based on my vast experience in Canada, nobody in the government would work on Saturday or Sunday.
Monday morning, ie Jan. 26, when I woke up, I checked my email and didn't find any email from them. Then I checked my On-line Visa Interview Appointment Reservation System, and found that my appointment date had been rescheduled to Jan. 26, which I had already missed.
I sent them another email, telling them that since I didn't check the On-line Reservation System on Saturday or Sunday, I missed the appointment. I also asked them to reschedule it again, to Jan. 27. Then within only one hour, they replied to my request by email, telling me that they appreciated the opportunity to serve me and that my new appointment date would be Jan. 27! There was no extra charge for my expedited appointment.
Yesterday, after a brief interview, the interviewer asked me to pick up my Visa in 2 days. While waiting to be interviewed, I saw that an interviewer rejected to issue a Russian woman a Visa. The interviewer told her that she failed to show any ties to Canada and so she couldn't issue her the Visa. It made sense to me, as the Russian woman was here in Canada on a temporary working Visa and now she wanted to go to the US. She looked so desperate and nervous.
Not all interviews were brief or relaxed. I saw that an East Indian guy was almost begging the interviewer to issue him a Visa and he went crazy when he was told to pick up the Visa in 2 days. I also saw that a family from South America spent much time explaining how much money they had in the bank (he said CAD$30,000) and what kind of bicycle store they were running here.
On the side of the interview counter was a notice--if you lie to the Consular, you may be kept out of the US forever.
On the way back home I saw the Russian woman again, in the lobby. She looked very depressed.
US Consulate Encounter
It was quite an experience at the US Consulate General in Vancouver. The security check took me 2 hours while the actual interview took me only one minute!
My appointment was supposed to be at 8:30AM, but when I got there shortly after 8AM, there were already three long lines waiting outside of the door, with two security guards, one Chinese-looking and one East Indian looking, calling one by one to get into the small entrance for security check. The security guards were of course not friendly, especially the Indian guy, who was even a bit nasty to some people who appeared to be slow or had difficulty understanding his English. But I wouldn't mind, as you should never expect any security guard to treat you like a high end client.
So they searched each and everyone of us inside out. Everyone had to take off their coats, jackets, belts, watches and every piece of paper and envelope we carried with us, and every card or bill in our wallets, and every pocket in our clothes and pants had to be checked. Needless to say no one should bring a cell phone, an MP3 player, or food and beverage to the Consulate.
Then everyone must go through a door frame like in an airport, and if there was a beep, you should get back to the security guards and have yourself checked again.
After the first level of security check, we came up to the second floor and lined up again. All the officers there were Asian or white females, very friendly and patient. A pretty Chinese woman guided everyone what documents to hand in and where to line up. We waited in a long line for quite a while just to turn in our interview confirmation letter with the bar code on it, and our application fee receipt from the Scotia Bank, and of course our passport. Then we got a number, waiting to be called to do the finger print.
Again we waited in our seats for quite a while, with black, white and Chinese kids crawling and screaming here and there on the floor. It was quite a scene.
Finally it was my turn to get to counter one to do my finger print, from left hand to right hand and then two thumbs, which had been a mandatory routine to get into the US since 911. Meanwhile I also got my passport back and had to go to the 20th floor for the interview.
On the 20th floor, the inside out security check repeated all over again. This time it was a butch young white woman in uniform and the Indian guy. She even tested my key chain with her fingers from top to bottom to see if could turn out to be a weapon. After that we were let in the interview room, with some 6 counters separated by dividers. The interviewers were all sitting inside while the interviewees stood outside.
The screens on the ceiling and walls showed the number of the next interviewee and which counter to go to. Before too long I saw my number on it and the number of the counter I should go to.
My interviewer was a very friendly Chinese man who smiled the whole time. He was very casual, and even had some sense of humor. He was particularly interested in my film studies and asked me if I was working on any project and whom I was going to work with. It just seemed to be a casual chat that had nothing to do with my visa application. Then after a minute, he told me to come back to pick up my passport and visa in three days.
A friend here who also went to the visa interview told me that the visa officer for the interview asked her cautiously why she went to Russia before and what she did in Russia. Another friend told me that the visa officer questioned him a lot about his previous trip to Iran.
Unfortunately, after my B2 (visitor for pleasure) visa interview, I was told by my employer in California that I had to apply for my working visa in the US, so the same procedure will have to repeat all over again.
My appointment was supposed to be at 8:30AM, but when I got there shortly after 8AM, there were already three long lines waiting outside of the door, with two security guards, one Chinese-looking and one East Indian looking, calling one by one to get into the small entrance for security check. The security guards were of course not friendly, especially the Indian guy, who was even a bit nasty to some people who appeared to be slow or had difficulty understanding his English. But I wouldn't mind, as you should never expect any security guard to treat you like a high end client.
So they searched each and everyone of us inside out. Everyone had to take off their coats, jackets, belts, watches and every piece of paper and envelope we carried with us, and every card or bill in our wallets, and every pocket in our clothes and pants had to be checked. Needless to say no one should bring a cell phone, an MP3 player, or food and beverage to the Consulate.
Then everyone must go through a door frame like in an airport, and if there was a beep, you should get back to the security guards and have yourself checked again.
After the first level of security check, we came up to the second floor and lined up again. All the officers there were Asian or white females, very friendly and patient. A pretty Chinese woman guided everyone what documents to hand in and where to line up. We waited in a long line for quite a while just to turn in our interview confirmation letter with the bar code on it, and our application fee receipt from the Scotia Bank, and of course our passport. Then we got a number, waiting to be called to do the finger print.
Again we waited in our seats for quite a while, with black, white and Chinese kids crawling and screaming here and there on the floor. It was quite a scene.
Finally it was my turn to get to counter one to do my finger print, from left hand to right hand and then two thumbs, which had been a mandatory routine to get into the US since 911. Meanwhile I also got my passport back and had to go to the 20th floor for the interview.
On the 20th floor, the inside out security check repeated all over again. This time it was a butch young white woman in uniform and the Indian guy. She even tested my key chain with her fingers from top to bottom to see if could turn out to be a weapon. After that we were let in the interview room, with some 6 counters separated by dividers. The interviewers were all sitting inside while the interviewees stood outside.
The screens on the ceiling and walls showed the number of the next interviewee and which counter to go to. Before too long I saw my number on it and the number of the counter I should go to.
My interviewer was a very friendly Chinese man who smiled the whole time. He was very casual, and even had some sense of humor. He was particularly interested in my film studies and asked me if I was working on any project and whom I was going to work with. It just seemed to be a casual chat that had nothing to do with my visa application. Then after a minute, he told me to come back to pick up my passport and visa in three days.
A friend here who also went to the visa interview told me that the visa officer for the interview asked her cautiously why she went to Russia before and what she did in Russia. Another friend told me that the visa officer questioned him a lot about his previous trip to Iran.
Unfortunately, after my B2 (visitor for pleasure) visa interview, I was told by my employer in California that I had to apply for my working visa in the US, so the same procedure will have to repeat all over again.
Lifestyles and Health
I recently passed a highly demanding physical examination for my new job in the US. And I've found out that I'm totally fit except that my LDL cholesterol is a bit high due to my eating habit here in Canada. I have a sweet tooth and love eating cheese, butter, chocolate, ice cream, cookies, muffins, brownies..., which are all unhealthy and may be the cause of my LDL cholesterol level.
I have done a research on the Internet about food and health concerns, only to find that people in North America eat a lot of unhealthy food and have more bad habits in eating and drinking compared to Chinese and Japanese.
According to a research by American scientists, tea is healthy, especially Chinese green tea, but drinking tea with sugar is not healthy. And Chinese people do not drink tea with sugar or milk. In fact most Chinese love strong tea.
Healthy food listed on the Internet that may help lower LDL cholesterol level includes tofu, soy milk, apples, seaweeds, carrots and corn.
Most Japanese food is even healthier than Chinese food, except that Japanese eat more raw fish. They eat lots of sea food, not so oily, not salty either. No wonder the Japanese all live a long time and so few of them are obese.
Chinese people buy fresh vegetables and fruits on a daily basis, which is healthy, while Westerners eat more frozen food and all fill their refrigerators with food for several days, which is unhealthy.
Chinese people drink herbal tea without sugar or milk, which is healthy, while Westerners drink tea with tea bags and much sugar, which is unhealthy.
I just have to warn myself that I should eat less dessert. Many people here in Vancouver simply run to work and eat a muffin for breakfast, along with a cup of fresh coffee. Sometimes I have just dessert as a meal, too, which is dangerous.
In the long history of Chinese cuisine, the Chinese have always combined food with health improvement. Up to today, most Chinese people have a general knowledge about food and nutrition. Below is the translation (proof-read by my American soul-sister Cheryl) I made for an upscale restaurant in Beijing who once served the Fortune Forum guests including Bill Gates. Simply have a glimpse of the Chinese food and nutrition culture even though animal lovers and vegetarians like me may be against eating them--
Bird's Nest
Bird’s nest is a delicacy that has been favored by emperors and beauties for thousands of years.
Living in the grottoes of Southeast Asia, this magical bird creates it’s tender nest, readying it for the eggs which she lays in April. Since the nest is made from the salivary glands of the birds, these glands are highly developed and specialized.
Bird’s nest contains protein, calcium, amino acid and carbohydrate, which are indispensable to human beings. More significantly, bird’s nest also contains two types of collagen, which may accelerate cell division and contribute to the growth of epidermis. In short, bird’s nest is rich in beauty genes so as to activate the aging skin cells.
The bird’s nest used by South China Restaurant is top class bird’s nest all from Indonesia. Remade by our chefs, it creates a tender and refreshing feel in your mouth.
Shark Fin
Sharks live in the depths of the ocean, and not in the polluted shallows, so their flesh is very pure.
Shark fins are dorsal fin, caudle fin, pectoral fins, pelvic fin and anal fin removed from a shark and dried in the sun.
With high protein and low fat, shark fins are rich in as organic colloid, protein, and trace elements like phosphorus and iron. The collagen that shark fins contain is widely known as a kind of animal protein good for the skin. Eating shark fins regularly may help one stay young, strong and healthy.
Imported from the seas of Norway, the shark fins used by South China Restaurant are prepared in the classic Chinese manner by our master chefs. The texture is thick yet tender, and creates an incredibly delicious shark fin soup.
Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumber, an ancient species living in the depths of the mysterious ocean, is the only animal food found, thus far, that does not contain cholesterol. It is rich in chemical components that enhance the human immune system.
Sea cucumber, an invertebrate in the sea, usually lives under the reef where the wave is calm, sea weeds are luxuriant, and no fresh water comes in, or under hard sand.
A rare nutritional supplement with high protein, low fat, no sugar and no cholesterol, sea cucumber may help keep human organs and skin from aging, strengthen the flexibility of blood vessels, and contribute to the improvement of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and cancer.
The preparation method for sea cucumber, at South China Restaurant, is meticulous and exacting, as our master chefs take care to preserve the freshness and vitamins in each dish.
Abalone
Abalone, the ultimate perfect protein from the sea, is not a scavenger shellfish, but lives on pure seawater and seaweeds.
Abalone usually inhabits reefs with a high salt level, with abundant seaweeds, where the flow of wind and tide keep the waters pure.
Abalone contains very high protein, vitamins, and nutritional elements including calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorus, and has very low fat and almost no cholesterol. It also contains three elements -- specific to the species -- which destroy the metabolite needed by cancer cells, and thus enhances human immune response.
The abalone prepared at South China Restaurant is kept tender, pure and tasty by the classical clay pot method of cooking. We use clean charcoal and ventilation stoves with new and improved technology to produce the best-tasting dish with a rich, thick sauce.
I have done a research on the Internet about food and health concerns, only to find that people in North America eat a lot of unhealthy food and have more bad habits in eating and drinking compared to Chinese and Japanese.
According to a research by American scientists, tea is healthy, especially Chinese green tea, but drinking tea with sugar is not healthy. And Chinese people do not drink tea with sugar or milk. In fact most Chinese love strong tea.
Healthy food listed on the Internet that may help lower LDL cholesterol level includes tofu, soy milk, apples, seaweeds, carrots and corn.
Most Japanese food is even healthier than Chinese food, except that Japanese eat more raw fish. They eat lots of sea food, not so oily, not salty either. No wonder the Japanese all live a long time and so few of them are obese.
Chinese people buy fresh vegetables and fruits on a daily basis, which is healthy, while Westerners eat more frozen food and all fill their refrigerators with food for several days, which is unhealthy.
Chinese people drink herbal tea without sugar or milk, which is healthy, while Westerners drink tea with tea bags and much sugar, which is unhealthy.
I just have to warn myself that I should eat less dessert. Many people here in Vancouver simply run to work and eat a muffin for breakfast, along with a cup of fresh coffee. Sometimes I have just dessert as a meal, too, which is dangerous.
In the long history of Chinese cuisine, the Chinese have always combined food with health improvement. Up to today, most Chinese people have a general knowledge about food and nutrition. Below is the translation (proof-read by my American soul-sister Cheryl) I made for an upscale restaurant in Beijing who once served the Fortune Forum guests including Bill Gates. Simply have a glimpse of the Chinese food and nutrition culture even though animal lovers and vegetarians like me may be against eating them--
Bird's Nest
Bird’s nest is a delicacy that has been favored by emperors and beauties for thousands of years.
Living in the grottoes of Southeast Asia, this magical bird creates it’s tender nest, readying it for the eggs which she lays in April. Since the nest is made from the salivary glands of the birds, these glands are highly developed and specialized.
Bird’s nest contains protein, calcium, amino acid and carbohydrate, which are indispensable to human beings. More significantly, bird’s nest also contains two types of collagen, which may accelerate cell division and contribute to the growth of epidermis. In short, bird’s nest is rich in beauty genes so as to activate the aging skin cells.
The bird’s nest used by South China Restaurant is top class bird’s nest all from Indonesia. Remade by our chefs, it creates a tender and refreshing feel in your mouth.
Shark Fin
Sharks live in the depths of the ocean, and not in the polluted shallows, so their flesh is very pure.
Shark fins are dorsal fin, caudle fin, pectoral fins, pelvic fin and anal fin removed from a shark and dried in the sun.
With high protein and low fat, shark fins are rich in as organic colloid, protein, and trace elements like phosphorus and iron. The collagen that shark fins contain is widely known as a kind of animal protein good for the skin. Eating shark fins regularly may help one stay young, strong and healthy.
Imported from the seas of Norway, the shark fins used by South China Restaurant are prepared in the classic Chinese manner by our master chefs. The texture is thick yet tender, and creates an incredibly delicious shark fin soup.
Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumber, an ancient species living in the depths of the mysterious ocean, is the only animal food found, thus far, that does not contain cholesterol. It is rich in chemical components that enhance the human immune system.
Sea cucumber, an invertebrate in the sea, usually lives under the reef where the wave is calm, sea weeds are luxuriant, and no fresh water comes in, or under hard sand.
A rare nutritional supplement with high protein, low fat, no sugar and no cholesterol, sea cucumber may help keep human organs and skin from aging, strengthen the flexibility of blood vessels, and contribute to the improvement of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and cancer.
The preparation method for sea cucumber, at South China Restaurant, is meticulous and exacting, as our master chefs take care to preserve the freshness and vitamins in each dish.
Abalone
Abalone, the ultimate perfect protein from the sea, is not a scavenger shellfish, but lives on pure seawater and seaweeds.
Abalone usually inhabits reefs with a high salt level, with abundant seaweeds, where the flow of wind and tide keep the waters pure.
Abalone contains very high protein, vitamins, and nutritional elements including calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorus, and has very low fat and almost no cholesterol. It also contains three elements -- specific to the species -- which destroy the metabolite needed by cancer cells, and thus enhances human immune response.
The abalone prepared at South China Restaurant is kept tender, pure and tasty by the classical clay pot method of cooking. We use clean charcoal and ventilation stoves with new and improved technology to produce the best-tasting dish with a rich, thick sauce.
Eating and Living
It is widely known that Chinese cuisine has the longest history in the world, and food lovers all would love to go to China. Beijing has a collection of world famous cuisines with uncountable luxury restaurants, which impress tourists with their size, large scale and packedness everyday and every night.Eating is more of an issue in China than in many other countries. In North America, many people say that the food here is just to fill the stomach, and people are not so critical about its color, smell and flavor. In my experience, that's one of the reasons why Chinese immigrants here are all nostalgic and are likely to return to China after getting their citizenship.
While Chinese have a big food culture, Westerners are more critical about the comfort, convenience, tidiness and style of living. If you visit someone's home here, you will always marvel at how artistic and stylish their lobby, hallway, living room, bedroom, bathroom can be, even though they are not necessarily luxurious.
Having visited the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Chateau de Versailles in Paris, many people realize that Chinese emperors didn't care about enjoying life as much as Western emperors did. Simmons, sofa, eiderdown quilts and pillows, toilet bowl and bathtub were all invented by Westerners. When Louis XV of France was sleeping in his king-sized sofa bed, Kangxi the Great of the Qing Dynasty in China had to take a bath in a wood bucket without tap water. And when Kangxi the Great was sleeping on his hardwood bed, Louis XV might be smoking a cigar in his bubble bath.But the Chinese emperor always had over 100 dishes served during a meal, and for European royalty, it was no more than a soup, a salad, steak, and then a dessert, along with wine. This is the cultural difference.
The pictures above are of some of the restaurants I've been to in Beijing and some residential buildings in Vancouver, Canada, which are very typical.
The above picture is of the bedroom of the wife of Louise XIV at Palace Versailles. The picture below is of the bedroom of the Empress Cixin at the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Observations in Canada
Having lived in China and Canada and having traveled to many countries including Russia, Korea, Britain, Thailand, Egypt, Qatar, I do think Canada is one of the best managed countries in the world, and compared to Canada, the Chinese concept is so wrong on many levels--In China, from east to west, from north to south, you might have seen millions of small sticker ads on walls, floors, staircases and poles, about creating fake diplomas and certificates for people who need to showcase their qualifications. There is a market for those things simply because employers don't check their employees' reference and background.
Here in Vancouver, I have been going through reference check and criminal record check for my new job. Sometimes HR managers will call my previous employers to check my performance at my previous work.
In China, so many schools in major cities have marble floors in their school buildings to show their wealth, and yet have no central heating and so students all freeze to death in their luxurious classrooms. Facilities are up-to-date but not open to students at all times unless VIP guests come to inspect.
Here in Vancouver, schools are not luxurious at all, where walls are just painted and floors covered by cheap carpet or simply plastic or rubber leatherette which is not used in China anymore due to the cheap look. But the schools all supply photocopiers, printers and paper to students and open their equipment rooms, gym rooms and library to students as much as possible.
In Beijing I have been to this newly opened amusement park, very modern and very high tech, with one of the largest roller coasters in the world. Apparently the investment was huge. But all the public washrooms are not heated, so in winter it is -10 outside and -8 in the washrooms. People have to shit or pee in the freezing cold and wash their hands with cold water. I always wonder why they don't want to make the washrooms more comfortable like in Canada?
I've been to a fishing village in Canton/Guangdong, China, where every family has millions of RMB in their bank account as the villagers all go fishing and export fish to the U.S. market. No matter how wealthy they are, they all live in filthy 2-3 story houses, ugly and dark, with bare light bulbs, tacky fake flowers, crappy, worn out furniture that they have never thought about abandoning for something new. It's not that they cannot afford it. They are all wealthier than any of us probably. They just don't care about their living environment. Interestingly, right next to their ugly "modern" houses I see the remaining ancient style Chinese residential architecture where the villagers' ancestors lived. They are beautiful and delicate, elegantly structured, with painted beams and ceilings and wood carvings on the symetrical window frames. They tell me that all the old buildings were ruined during the Cultural Revolution for they all belonged to the "four olds" that should be totally destroyed according to Chairman Mao.
The above pictures are of the apartment of my neighbor, Kenny, in West End of Vancouver. He doesn't have money, and barely finished high school, but his home looks prettier, tidier and more comfortable even than a university professor's home in China. Of course his house can by no means compare to mine in Beijing, since I'm highly educated and better-to-do. But I would say no high school graduates in China may make their home as clean or tidy as Kenny's.
Simply check these lovely pictures closely. Kenny just loves to clean and decorate the apartment and loves to collect knick knacks. His kitchen is spotless and his bathroom is neat like hell.
Let me know if what it is like in your country. Is it the same as Canada?
The Elderly And Death
I have a 72 year old friend--a respected Buddhist, who suffered from constant dizziness and insomnia recently. It was quite frustrating. Yesterday the illness came back. Then last night I dreamt that she was going to pass away. Since people tend to believe that the dream is always the opposite to what actually happens after-wards, my dream might indicate something good according to our interpretation.
Among my friends are many older people, as the elderly are kinder, more thoughtful, more moderate and also wiser. By learning about their life experience, the younger may avoid many detours. Older people tend to believe the doctrine of predestination. They like to joke about their life expectancy and to laugh at their age, but in fact there is fear of death and insecurity about afterlife behind that.
I asked this Buddhist friend, "What is it about the idea of death that frightens most people?" The Buddha said, "Where there is something that can be distinguished by signs, there is deception." So, there's nothing in the world that we should be attached to. Am I not living to die? Sometimes I wish I could feel short of breath all of a sudden and so I could go to the Elysium.
She said, "You are still young. Don't you think about that so early." But I think that either a long life or a short one is simply a moment in the infinite expanse of the universe, compared to hundreds of millions of light-years, and the earth is just a pixel in the Milky Way galaxy. So, life expectancy only matters in the eye of an ordinary human. The same way we look at an ant or a mosquito, whose life we won't bless, and whose death we won't pity--it makes no difference if they die now or later.
I envy Zhai Zhigang, the Chinese astronaut who made China's first spacewalk not long ago. Should I have a chance like that, I would choose to stay in outer space, leaving my body decaying and my soul lingering and drifting out there. I'd be a spirit in the universe rather than a human on the earth. Otherwise I would like to reincarnate into an alien to look down at the earth.
In my childhood I loved to lift up my eyes unto the sky, hoping there would be a UFO to befall before me. And I called to the universe, "If there are any creatures from outer space, please come and take me away!"
Among my friends are many older people, as the elderly are kinder, more thoughtful, more moderate and also wiser. By learning about their life experience, the younger may avoid many detours. Older people tend to believe the doctrine of predestination. They like to joke about their life expectancy and to laugh at their age, but in fact there is fear of death and insecurity about afterlife behind that.
I asked this Buddhist friend, "What is it about the idea of death that frightens most people?" The Buddha said, "Where there is something that can be distinguished by signs, there is deception." So, there's nothing in the world that we should be attached to. Am I not living to die? Sometimes I wish I could feel short of breath all of a sudden and so I could go to the Elysium.
She said, "You are still young. Don't you think about that so early." But I think that either a long life or a short one is simply a moment in the infinite expanse of the universe, compared to hundreds of millions of light-years, and the earth is just a pixel in the Milky Way galaxy. So, life expectancy only matters in the eye of an ordinary human. The same way we look at an ant or a mosquito, whose life we won't bless, and whose death we won't pity--it makes no difference if they die now or later.
I envy Zhai Zhigang, the Chinese astronaut who made China's first spacewalk not long ago. Should I have a chance like that, I would choose to stay in outer space, leaving my body decaying and my soul lingering and drifting out there. I'd be a spirit in the universe rather than a human on the earth. Otherwise I would like to reincarnate into an alien to look down at the earth.
In my childhood I loved to lift up my eyes unto the sky, hoping there would be a UFO to befall before me. And I called to the universe, "If there are any creatures from outer space, please come and take me away!"
One Makes Two
Such a story have I been told --
One makes two --
Two make three --
Three make everything --
A frighteningly new world begins its journey --
Without end...
Without end...
1992
One makes two --
Two make three --
Three make everything --
A frighteningly new world begins its journey --
Without end...
Without end...
1992
The Moment I Saw Thine Eyes
The moment I saw thine eyes --
My heart became a quivering leaf --
And the seconds seemed like hours --
Making my tongue so stiff --
What made the tea so sweet?
What made the chill feel so warm?
'Tis the magic thou hast got, if not --
I'd rather stay in my dream --
I'd like to prolong the silence --
To sense the world, saying nothing --
That was simply enough to us --
Your eyes told me everything --
1992
My heart became a quivering leaf --
And the seconds seemed like hours --
Making my tongue so stiff --
What made the tea so sweet?
What made the chill feel so warm?
'Tis the magic thou hast got, if not --
I'd rather stay in my dream --
I'd like to prolong the silence --
To sense the world, saying nothing --
That was simply enough to us --
Your eyes told me everything --
1992
How Delighted I AM
How delighted I am
Lying quietly in my tomb
Of dark I hear the sound
Of soil I smell the fume
When I was above ground
One truth I never found
On my way to the grave
But for home I was bound!
In all this life we slave --
Yet I went with a wave
Mind not your skin, not save
Listen to me, be brave!
1992
Lying quietly in my tomb
Of dark I hear the sound
Of soil I smell the fume
When I was above ground
One truth I never found
On my way to the grave
But for home I was bound!
In all this life we slave --
Yet I went with a wave
Mind not your skin, not save
Listen to me, be brave!
1992
Ode to Peking Opera
There is beauty in everything --
In ther color of the voice,
In the melody of movements,
In the intensity of the air,
In the rythm of footsteps,
In the glitter of the ornaments,
In unspoken words of the sleeves,
In the sudden silence,
In the absence of settings,
In the pressure of the curtains,
In wiping invisible tears,
In telling a 5,000 year old dream,
Inscribed in each heart...
1996
In ther color of the voice,
In the melody of movements,
In the intensity of the air,
In the rythm of footsteps,
In the glitter of the ornaments,
In unspoken words of the sleeves,
In the sudden silence,
In the absence of settings,
In the pressure of the curtains,
In wiping invisible tears,
In telling a 5,000 year old dream,
Inscribed in each heart...
1996
View From The Top
Most people prefer to live a steady life, with a perfect family and a stable job, day after day, year after year, until one day, they retire from their job.
Most of the Chinese people have never left or never thought about leaving this land till they pass away. All the money made with great efforts is spent on housing, education and self-support when they get old. A high school pal of mine who worked at a savings agency 10 years ago, now still works there, only with a husband and a kid added to her life, in addition to the extra weight she has put on.
But I have been unwilling to live this kind of life since I could remember. The life I dream to have is filled with suspense and uncertainties. So, a few years ago, I started a new life in Canada with two suitcases. Thinking of those early European immigrants who came to the new continent to cultivate this land, I felt I really was lucky.
I settled down in the beautiful and relaxing Vancouver, but I was not fulfilled. I couldn't let someone tell me I had seen enough of Canada, so I flew to Toronto with my suitcases. Where was I going to stay? What good people was I going to run into? What romantic affairs was I going to have? Whenever I thought about those questions I really felt high.
I still remember the days I had in Egypt, after I traveled through a time and space tunnel that spanned across over 7,000 years. Every day and every night I was intoxicated. For the first time I had the privilege to be nearly worshiped by the people of Egypt. I figured, life could be this colorful, as long as you dared to travel alone and take risks. I also remember when I flew to London and then headed for Edinburgh. Knowing nobody there pretty much excited me. Who was going to show up in my destiny? All the suspense motivated me to wait anxiously every night till tomorrow came.
Traveling overseas doesn't need a sound financial support, because the awareness of owning excessive financial resource may ruin the heroic feeling of having the sky as my quilt and the earth my bed. And God favors those who are bold and loving, so even though I've been roaming around quite a bit, I have never gone through any financial crisis. My trick for surviving is smile. Therefore, all those I have encountered have been helpful to me.
The joy of living is, to me, not eating, drinking, working and making money, but seeing as much of this world as possible. You won't waste your lifetime if you have experienced various cultures, sights and lives. As long as you can afford a flight ticket, go ahead and see the world!
Most of the Chinese people have never left or never thought about leaving this land till they pass away. All the money made with great efforts is spent on housing, education and self-support when they get old. A high school pal of mine who worked at a savings agency 10 years ago, now still works there, only with a husband and a kid added to her life, in addition to the extra weight she has put on.
But I have been unwilling to live this kind of life since I could remember. The life I dream to have is filled with suspense and uncertainties. So, a few years ago, I started a new life in Canada with two suitcases. Thinking of those early European immigrants who came to the new continent to cultivate this land, I felt I really was lucky.
I settled down in the beautiful and relaxing Vancouver, but I was not fulfilled. I couldn't let someone tell me I had seen enough of Canada, so I flew to Toronto with my suitcases. Where was I going to stay? What good people was I going to run into? What romantic affairs was I going to have? Whenever I thought about those questions I really felt high.
I still remember the days I had in Egypt, after I traveled through a time and space tunnel that spanned across over 7,000 years. Every day and every night I was intoxicated. For the first time I had the privilege to be nearly worshiped by the people of Egypt. I figured, life could be this colorful, as long as you dared to travel alone and take risks. I also remember when I flew to London and then headed for Edinburgh. Knowing nobody there pretty much excited me. Who was going to show up in my destiny? All the suspense motivated me to wait anxiously every night till tomorrow came.
Traveling overseas doesn't need a sound financial support, because the awareness of owning excessive financial resource may ruin the heroic feeling of having the sky as my quilt and the earth my bed. And God favors those who are bold and loving, so even though I've been roaming around quite a bit, I have never gone through any financial crisis. My trick for surviving is smile. Therefore, all those I have encountered have been helpful to me.
The joy of living is, to me, not eating, drinking, working and making money, but seeing as much of this world as possible. You won't waste your lifetime if you have experienced various cultures, sights and lives. As long as you can afford a flight ticket, go ahead and see the world!
Small World
Douglas, one of my friends of 8 years, from Montreal, Canada, invited me to bring a couple friends to his cafe to try new recipes, new organic food and drinks. So I brought my film producer friend Ms. Li, and a Vancouver-based Canadian modern and contemporary dancer, Kevin, who is currently working at the British Columbia Pavilion in Beijing for the Canadian Olympic delegation.I met Kevin in Vancouver and bumped into him 4-5 times at the Vancouver Aquatic Center. It seemed to me that yesterday we were still walking on Beach Avenue in Vancouver and now we were walking in the CBD of Beijing. What a small world!
By connecting with each other, opportunities all came up. Ms. Li was looking for foreign cast (one white male in 40s, and 2 white males in 20s) for a Hollywood production shot in China--Mermaid Island, with the director coming to Beijing from L.A. next week. Kevin was very excited about the part, and hopefully Ms. Li was going to arrange for him to meet the director next week.
Then, impressed by the cafe owned by Douglas, Kevin would love to bring his co-workers to try the food at his cafe. Ms. Li planned to hold a French wine tasting party at his cafe, though.
After the lunch I went to the newly opened ancient street--Qian Men Avenue, to enjoy the renovated ancient architecture. It reminded me of London, England.
At night I was invited to a party at my big star friend Wang Ji's apartment. It was a huge duplex apartment in a very nice complex, very luxurious and spacious. Her master bathroom was even bigger than my master bedroom, needless to say she bought this apartment only for her daughter. She has quite a few apartments and houses both here in Beijing and Beverly Hills in L.A. I guess she must be doing really well. While most actors I know cannot make both ends meet, she has one contract after another. She just finished a 50 part TV series and was flying to another city for a movie the following day.
I was glad to meet her friend from L.A., Jimmie, Director of the Center of International Scholars of UCLA, who came to Beijing to watch the Olympics, especially basketball and track and field. He was a very interesting guy, born and raised in a slum in L.A., serving the US army in Germany during the Cold War, then going to law school at UCLA. He helped Wang Ji a lot when she was studying acting at UCLA during the 1980s, and now it was time to Wang Ji to pay back.
Olympics Coming, Pollution Gone
We're counting the days to the Olympic Games. Last Saturday I was invited to visit a farm in the suburb that plants and supplies organic vegetables for the Olympic Village. With many factories shut down temporarily and even-and-odd license plate private car owners driving on alternate days, air quality has improved a great deal.The picture shows the blue sky is back in Beijing, which has been unseen for over 10 years. Water is clearer and grass greener.
All 205 countries are sending their biggest team in history. Over 80 countries have confirmed their presidents' attendance of the opening ceremony. George W. Bush is coming with over 600 body guards. Stephen Harper is not coming and has caused disputes in his government. Over 200,000 PLA soldiers are committed to protecting the Olympic Games from terrorists' attack.
I strongly hope that the pollution will not come back after the Games.
In Memory of My Poodle Puppy
My dearest Poodle puppy, Baobao, passed away at the veterinary office near my home at 9:30AM on July 17, 2008. He died of CPV infection and was only 68 days old. He was most probably infected when I walked him in a park before his vaccination was completed. Veterinarians also said that my neighborhood was a large CPV-infected area with many adult dogs carrying the virus.He dehydrated rapidly due to vomiting and diarrhea. Medical treatments finally failed since he was too young to have a strong enough immune status.
It was a nightmare to see him losing appetite in depression, then struggling and groaning in pain and fear, and finally losing energy, closing his eyes and stopping breathing in my hands. Upon seeing him dying, I felt that I made a right choice to have chosen to become a vegetarian in the past months. There's no doubt that all living things are as afraid to die as human beings are, even though dogs seem to have more communication with us human beings than most other animals. How can we eat them even though we don't kill them with our own hands? And what if we are eaten by beings much wiser than we are?
I buried him in the garden outside of my balcony window, near where he used to live, jump, and entertain me, so I could keep him as a neighborly companion for ever and see where he slept through my window when I thought of him. I lingered around him for a while, watched the earthworms creeping out of the loose mud, expecting his resurrection to no avail. I sighed. He seemed very peaceful, slumbering in the quiet earth, beneath the delicate shades of green and red so that no one could ever disturb him.
Although my life is much longer than his, I wonder in the vast universe what difference it makes between 68 days and 100 billion years, as time and space are just an illusion to us. I can imagine that someday we shall be buried by our beloved very much the same way as I did him. I miss him already. Deep at night, I look through my window at the place where I buried him, wondering how many souls are drifting around out there waiting for their reincarnation. I believe he will be back for me, soon, since no one has ever loved him as much as I do.
A friend of mine who owns 6 dogs says to me that my puppy didn't come to the world for nothing; at least he had my greatest love and nursing care when he was my company during the past month. She has promised to give me a new Poodle puppy when her dog gives birth in August. But how can I forget the deceased?
As I'm writing this, night is wearing away. I wish the sun would never rise again so my dearest puppy could enjoy the longest sleep under the starry sky.
A Mysterious Friend
I've known Xiao Cui for 3 years now without much interaction until recently I reconnected with him. He is an actor, pretty good, but not so famous, and still struggling to make both ends meet. He is believed to be possessed by a spirit and can always surprise people by what he says about them by instinct.I used to think he was simply a great observer, spell-binder and entertainer. But this time, after 2 years of living abroad and not seeing him, I've found he is really something.
My 72 year old Buddhist friend says that Xiao Cui's case is a typical spirit-possessed one. I've tested him with pictures of friends in Vancouver and in other countries. He can tell roughly what kind of person it is by simply looking at his or her picture. It is definitely not a random guess. There is something beyond explanation.
Here is something he says about my Vancouver friends, associates and/or classmates--
R: He has some ego. A nice guy, and is very fond of you.
K: She is very active, and very loyal to you, and has some romantic feelings for you.
R: He is a very good person, very easy to work with.
N: He is very reliable and loyal.
C: He likes you, has lower IQ, and is very vulnerable.
M: He is a nice enough guy and hates you.
R: He is nice, but very tempromental.
To test him more, I bought him to one of my closest friends, Kim, without revealing anything about Kim prior to their meet.
Kim, somehow skeptical, asked Xiao Cui to say something about himself right from the beginning. I was a little shocked as I heard Xiao Cui saying, "Please forgive me for being straightforward" since I knew Kim was not doing very well at the moment. On the other hand, any shrewd observer might say the same, so I was not convinced enough.
Then Xiao Cui said a whole bunch of things about Kim, which were so accurate. It was apparently not a guess, not possibly, and so I asked Xiao Cui how he could know so much about a complete stranger. He said that when he was asked a question, he could hear someone speaking in his mind, and he just followed that voice.
People are normally more likely to believe neuropsychiatrists than spirit-possessed people. In China one can always run into people who have supernatural abilities, either innate or acquired through Buddhist or Daoist practice.
So if you come to Beijing someday, Xiao Cui will be happy to meet you and tell you about your past, present and future.
It is said the most powerful supernatural people are some lamas from Tibet, who have a special way of achieving a high spiritual state. Some have the third eye, which I have tested and proved, and some may walk through a wall, which I've heard constantly but never seen.
Welcome to China if you wish to explore the unknown and pursue your spiritual potential!
Tibet These Days
I phoned some friends in China the other night, including my Tibetan Buddhist master, to discuss the current situation in Tibet. My Tibetan Buddhist master, a widely respected high profile lama, is currently in Beijing. He believed the riots were basically started by some monks who got drunk. The monks involved in the riots were not real monks, as violence and crimes were absolutely against the teachings of the Buddha. These monks burned the shops, schools and hospital, attacked both Tibetans and Han Chinese, as well as children and tourists including an Australian woman.
The riots are over. It seems to have been mis-interpreted by some people who have been brainwashed by media. No intellectuals should rely merely on media to get the truth. Silence is golden.
I saw Richard Gere passionately talking about Tibet on CNN. He knows shit about Tibet. I believe there are many foreigners out there who have been brainwashed and manipulated by their media. Any news about China has to be negative so that they will believe it--from the "poisonous" toys to the dumplings, the news always ended up with an apology to China. Some foreign media has a particular interest in bitching about human rights and pollution in China, totally blind to all those progressive changes.
In reality, no government can make EVERYONE happy. It's nothing to panic about if we hear voices against the government.
I also read some news coverage and online discussions in foreign countries made by those who have never been to Tibet, who have zero knowledge about the history of China and the history of Tibet, and who have not even lived among Tibetans for an extended period of time. These people have NO rights to comment on China and Tibet. They'd better mind their own business, just like we don't say a word about England and Scotland, or Canada and Quebec.
There is a Chinese saying--"The baby who cries more gets more milk." It does not necessarily mean that those Tibetans in exile deserve sympathy so they must be completely correct about everything they say.
I encourage you to visit Tibet. Seeing is believing. In Beijing it is very trendy to accept the Tibetan style Buddhism and we are having a great time with our Tibetan Buddhist masters. They are not simply jaw-dropping fortune-tellers. They see everything beyond your past and future. Their profound wisdom has inspired me over the years.
The riots are over. It seems to have been mis-interpreted by some people who have been brainwashed by media. No intellectuals should rely merely on media to get the truth. Silence is golden.
I saw Richard Gere passionately talking about Tibet on CNN. He knows shit about Tibet. I believe there are many foreigners out there who have been brainwashed and manipulated by their media. Any news about China has to be negative so that they will believe it--from the "poisonous" toys to the dumplings, the news always ended up with an apology to China. Some foreign media has a particular interest in bitching about human rights and pollution in China, totally blind to all those progressive changes.
In reality, no government can make EVERYONE happy. It's nothing to panic about if we hear voices against the government.
I also read some news coverage and online discussions in foreign countries made by those who have never been to Tibet, who have zero knowledge about the history of China and the history of Tibet, and who have not even lived among Tibetans for an extended period of time. These people have NO rights to comment on China and Tibet. They'd better mind their own business, just like we don't say a word about England and Scotland, or Canada and Quebec.
There is a Chinese saying--"The baby who cries more gets more milk." It does not necessarily mean that those Tibetans in exile deserve sympathy so they must be completely correct about everything they say.
I encourage you to visit Tibet. Seeing is believing. In Beijing it is very trendy to accept the Tibetan style Buddhism and we are having a great time with our Tibetan Buddhist masters. They are not simply jaw-dropping fortune-tellers. They see everything beyond your past and future. Their profound wisdom has inspired me over the years.
Single Eyelids or Double Eyelids?
In North America, I have constantly seen people talking about double eyelids on the Internet. They desperately want to believe that East Asians have double eyelid surgery just in order to look more western.
Speaking of cosmetic surgery, the most popular procedures in USA are liposuction, breast augmentation and nose job, while in East Asia, the most popular procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation and double eyelid surgery.
So you see there are similarities and differences. People all want to be slim, women all want big boobs, and white people want to get rid of their big nose and East Asian women want double eyelids.
East Asians' double eyelids is different than Caucasian eyelids. Caucasians, strictly speaking, have the look of "double eyelids" because of their deepset eyes and protruding eyebrow bones, and thus when they open their eyes, look upcast, it looks like they have "double eyelids".
However, many East Asians may have a fold, a natural crease above their eyelids, which adds some beauty to the eyes, and which is what those who don't have this may dream about. In Japan, 70% of the population have single eyelids, while in China 70% of the population have double eyelids. In Korea, I believe most people are born with single eyelids because I have seen the kids there ALL having single eyelids.
Double eyelids has actually been an issue only in East Asia, but some white reporters brought this topic back to their country to please its people by relating it to East Asians hoping to look "more white". That's ridiculous.
In USA, there are millions of cosmetic surgery patients who want to get rid of their big nose, but they do not necessarily want to look more oriental. Likewise, an oriental woman who would like to have bigger eyes may not want to look more American.
Therefore, cosmetic surgery is all about looking more beautiful; its nothing to do with looking like one race. That's what some people who feel insecure about themselves might like to believe.
Speaking of cosmetic surgery, the most popular procedures in USA are liposuction, breast augmentation and nose job, while in East Asia, the most popular procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation and double eyelid surgery.
So you see there are similarities and differences. People all want to be slim, women all want big boobs, and white people want to get rid of their big nose and East Asian women want double eyelids.
East Asians' double eyelids is different than Caucasian eyelids. Caucasians, strictly speaking, have the look of "double eyelids" because of their deepset eyes and protruding eyebrow bones, and thus when they open their eyes, look upcast, it looks like they have "double eyelids".
However, many East Asians may have a fold, a natural crease above their eyelids, which adds some beauty to the eyes, and which is what those who don't have this may dream about. In Japan, 70% of the population have single eyelids, while in China 70% of the population have double eyelids. In Korea, I believe most people are born with single eyelids because I have seen the kids there ALL having single eyelids.
Double eyelids has actually been an issue only in East Asia, but some white reporters brought this topic back to their country to please its people by relating it to East Asians hoping to look "more white". That's ridiculous.
In USA, there are millions of cosmetic surgery patients who want to get rid of their big nose, but they do not necessarily want to look more oriental. Likewise, an oriental woman who would like to have bigger eyes may not want to look more American.
Therefore, cosmetic surgery is all about looking more beautiful; its nothing to do with looking like one race. That's what some people who feel insecure about themselves might like to believe.
Ego, Attitude and Loneliness
I'm sure there are millions of lonely hearts in the world.
I believe that while many people choose to be alone without feeling lonely, many others can't help being alone and feeling lonely.
People with attitude are very likely to stay lonely, since they build up a fortress to surround themselves, to defend themselves from being hurt. Attitude always goes with ego, which always goes with insecurities, sensitivity and vulnerabilities. Sometimes it may also be a reflection of an unpleasant past experience.
As I have observed, those who seem to have an attitude are not very happy, even though they crave for attention, friendship and love as much as anyone else. They have very few good friends, and are hardly gratified with their love life.
People were not born with attitude. For them, attitude is a conditional reflex, as a way to protect their self-esteem, when they assume a certain person they will confront may have an attitude.
No human beings can live alone. Happiness often lies in how well one interacts with people surrounding him or her, and yet loneliness and isolation certainly won't bring happiness. To achieve happiness, we need to live truthfully, to approach those who cross our path without a disguise and with an open heart.
Attitude that comes from ego is bad, as it will hurt others and yet it won't do good to you, either.
I believe that while many people choose to be alone without feeling lonely, many others can't help being alone and feeling lonely.
People with attitude are very likely to stay lonely, since they build up a fortress to surround themselves, to defend themselves from being hurt. Attitude always goes with ego, which always goes with insecurities, sensitivity and vulnerabilities. Sometimes it may also be a reflection of an unpleasant past experience.
As I have observed, those who seem to have an attitude are not very happy, even though they crave for attention, friendship and love as much as anyone else. They have very few good friends, and are hardly gratified with their love life.
People were not born with attitude. For them, attitude is a conditional reflex, as a way to protect their self-esteem, when they assume a certain person they will confront may have an attitude.
No human beings can live alone. Happiness often lies in how well one interacts with people surrounding him or her, and yet loneliness and isolation certainly won't bring happiness. To achieve happiness, we need to live truthfully, to approach those who cross our path without a disguise and with an open heart.
Attitude that comes from ego is bad, as it will hurt others and yet it won't do good to you, either.
Who Really Care About Us?
I know sometimes, in order to survive, to earn a living, to love and to be loved, we have to sell ourselves and may seem to have a lot to show off.
But most people don't really care who I am, or who you are... They neither love you nor hate you. They see you as no different than a tree, a cluster of grass, a stone or a bird.
We may struggle for the attention, respect or recognition we think we deserve, but we are not living for most other people. We are living only for ourselves and for the very few who really care about you.
It's more than enough to have a family to hold on to and a few really good, genuine friends.
But most people don't really care who I am, or who you are... They neither love you nor hate you. They see you as no different than a tree, a cluster of grass, a stone or a bird.
We may struggle for the attention, respect or recognition we think we deserve, but we are not living for most other people. We are living only for ourselves and for the very few who really care about you.
It's more than enough to have a family to hold on to and a few really good, genuine friends.
Those Old Movie Stars: Wang Danfeng
Wang Danfeng, born in 1925 and still living, is one of my favorite movie stars in Shanghai. She rose to fame from age 16 in Shanghai. She was a prolific super star in the 1940s. During the civil war she moved to Hong Kong, and returned to Shanghai in 1951 and joined Shanghai Film Studio. She currently runs a famous vegetarian restaurant Gong De Ling in Hong Kong. She is a great actress and a great woman. She is considered one of the greatest film actresses in Chinese history.
Those Old Movie Stars: Feng Zhe
Nobody exactly knows how many artists in China were killed or tortured to death during the Cultural Revolution from 1966 till 1976. Feng Zhe was one of those victims. He was a superstar in Shanghai in the 1940s. He moved to Hong Kong along with many other Shanghai filmmakers during the civil war in China between the Communists led by Mao and the Nationalists led by Chiang Kai-shek. In 1951, in order to devote himself to the film industry in the New China, he gave up his already established superstar status and high pay in Hong Kong and returned to Shanghai, working at the government-run Shanghai Film Studio. He acted in many communist propaganda movies, playing heroes, Party leaders and Communist secret agents.During the 1960s, he became the target of revolution by many of his counterparts in the film industry who were jealous of him. He was forced to leave Shanghai to join Emei Film Studio in Western China's impoverished Sichuan province, simply because he stalked a beautiful woman on the street in Shanghai, who happened to be a policewoman in plain clothes. In Sichuan, because he acted in the movie--The Peach Flower Fan, based on the Ming dynasty's classical Chinese tragedy, which was categorized as a counterrevolutionary movie for being suggestive of the Communist Party overthrowing the Nationalist government, he was insulated, tortured all day and all night till he was found dead. It was believed that he was murdered, but the people who tortured him faked a suicidal setting.
Churchill once said that he would lose India rather than Shakespeare. In the history of many great countries, either Britain, or France, or Russia, or USA, or ancient China, the Golden Ages of these countries were all the golden ages for the artists, when not only the economy was booming, but also art, literature and science were flourising. The future of a nation is largely decided by its cultural strength. I hope that China will treat its artists better with more freedom and rights.
My University
This is the university I attended--Nanjing Normal University. It has a classical Chinese campus, which used to be the rear garden of a wealthy family in the Song dynasty. Many of the buildings are centuries old. There are also several hills and a lake on the campus. During WWII, it served as an international refuge but the Japanese invaders still came here to kill refugees and rape women, despite international protest.In my department, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, we had quite many teachers from USA and Canada, but for some reasons we had no teachers from Britain. I became a Peking Opera star from here, mostly because our department's Communist Party secretary was a huge Peking Opera fan. She allowed me to spend a lot of time outside of the campus training with renowned artists at the provincial Peking Opera theatrical company. She also supported my shows at the art festivals. However, she didn't approve my application for Communist Party membership because, as she told me, all the girls in my class were for it and all the men were against it.
Regarding my graduation review, Professor Bob Sanford from Canada offered highly favorable comments. His wife said, "Trust Bob. If he thinks highly of you, then you must be real good." The Dean of the Department, who had an opposite opinion, died of heart attack in his apartment a few months later. His body had already rotted and smelled when he was found dead by his neighbors. Bob Sanford, totally retired now, is living a long, happy life in British Columbia in Canada. His address is--
Bob Sanford
Box 105 Gillies Bay
Texada Island BC
V0N 1WO Canada
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