Following Clifton Fadiman's book, The Lifetime Reading Plan, I picked up Anna Karenina off my shelf (it's been sitting there for a long time). Why? Just because I have heard many people say that this is the best novel of all time (of course, some might say it's War and Peace - also by Tolstoy. Imagine that! Two books that you written are on the greatest of all time list)
So, I vowed to not only finish Anna, but to read every single word of it. And not just read, but understand every sentences. If it is unclear, I'd read it again and again until I feel I have understood the meaning of it. So, all in all, I've read ever word that makes up 790 odd pages of this novel (my patience ran out for the last 30 pages of the book). For two weeks, it's Anna by my side - I read the book during lunch time, traffic, before going to bed, in the bathroom, etc. In short, Anna occupied every single moment of my free time.
Overall, I like the book up until when Anna commits suicide. I could care less about Levin and his religious angst that makes up the last 30 pages of the novel. But, for all the life of me, I really don't feel emotionally connected to any of the characters.
I find Anna to be shallow, stupid and self centered. Levin and his angst towards everything annoys me. Kitty I find to be a goodie two shoe that she makes me nauseous. Vronsky, I feel sorry for him at the end because he really came to love Anna. The only character that I like is Stiva and his flirtatious, noncommittal attitude.
What I like most about this novel is the beautiful Tolstoyian sentences. I read somewhere that Tolstoy is like a painter. First, he sketches the painting then he fills in the details. As a result, reading this novel, we get a sweeping scenes of 19th century Russian society, the lives they lead, the activities, the customs...
So, on to the next book on Fadiman's list: Bleak House by Dickens...it's winter, it's depressing, daylights are short, nights are long.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Nation of Elitists
As I was reading an article in NY Times today I was struck by the growing concern of our dire education system (by our I mean American). Apparently, even Bill Gates is appalled at our public education, especially in the math & science department, when compared to the likes of other Western European nations.
Well, I knew our public education is in a sorry ass state when the ability to speak clearly and intelligently or think critically is being viewed as elitist. How did we get to this stage? My guess would be around 2004 when Bush pointed to Kerry and labeled him an elitist. Or was it in 2000, when he pointed to Gore and called him an elitist.
When I was in high school, those qualities were the most prized. I remembered spent countless hours reading books after books trying to come up with well supported evidence for my essays. I spent days organizing and perfecting my thoughts/arguments before I wrote them down on papers for assignments. My English classes were either about parsing sentences or discussing classics such as Dickens, Austen, or Camus.
I remembered spending days learning how to break down the molecular structure of key elements (like that will come in handy in my everyday life) or trying to keep up with whatever my math teachers were trying to teach.
I didn't enjoy high school because of the rigorous curricula, but I wouldn't have traded them for anything easier. Because, in the end, I truly believe that learning is supposed to be difficult...it takes hard work and dedication to learn things that are worth knowing.
In today's education, teachers/parents/kids have this mentality that too much hard work prevents learning. They want everything to be easy for kids - no homework more play time, replace Shakespeare with Dan Brown (ARGH!!!), if it can't be googled, then let's skip the research process (what about going to the library and searching the catalogue?).
And we wonder why American kids lag behind other developed countries.
So, I say, let's bring back the 'elitist' mentality and forget about the 'average American' mumbled jumbled crap. After all, haven't we suffered enough during the eight years of Bush administration? I wouldn't mind having an elitist president for a change - at least he speaks good, understandable English (even if I had to look up some words in the dictionary).
I'd rather be viewed as a nation of elitists rather than a nation of fools.
Well, I knew our public education is in a sorry ass state when the ability to speak clearly and intelligently or think critically is being viewed as elitist. How did we get to this stage? My guess would be around 2004 when Bush pointed to Kerry and labeled him an elitist. Or was it in 2000, when he pointed to Gore and called him an elitist.
When I was in high school, those qualities were the most prized. I remembered spent countless hours reading books after books trying to come up with well supported evidence for my essays. I spent days organizing and perfecting my thoughts/arguments before I wrote them down on papers for assignments. My English classes were either about parsing sentences or discussing classics such as Dickens, Austen, or Camus.
I remembered spending days learning how to break down the molecular structure of key elements (like that will come in handy in my everyday life) or trying to keep up with whatever my math teachers were trying to teach.
I didn't enjoy high school because of the rigorous curricula, but I wouldn't have traded them for anything easier. Because, in the end, I truly believe that learning is supposed to be difficult...it takes hard work and dedication to learn things that are worth knowing.
In today's education, teachers/parents/kids have this mentality that too much hard work prevents learning. They want everything to be easy for kids - no homework more play time, replace Shakespeare with Dan Brown (ARGH!!!), if it can't be googled, then let's skip the research process (what about going to the library and searching the catalogue?).
And we wonder why American kids lag behind other developed countries.
So, I say, let's bring back the 'elitist' mentality and forget about the 'average American' mumbled jumbled crap. After all, haven't we suffered enough during the eight years of Bush administration? I wouldn't mind having an elitist president for a change - at least he speaks good, understandable English (even if I had to look up some words in the dictionary).
I'd rather be viewed as a nation of elitists rather than a nation of fools.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Thoughts on life
When things enter your life, you have to be prepared when they depart...
oh, but it is so so hard. The dead do not mourn - it's the people that are left behind - it's them that have to pick up the pieces and move on.
And don't they know...don't they know that once their miseries are over...the others have just begun theirs...
Was it Homer who once said that human beings are the most unfortunate creatures in the world? We were created to love, to feel, to become attached and when we are most at our happiest, Fate looked down upon us and snatched it all away leaving only grief and sorrow...
Maybe the ancient Greeks had it right...one shouldn't become too attached to things; the Gods do have wicked sense of humor.
รัก...รักเธอจนหมดของหัวใจ ซึ่งเรานั้นเก็บไว้ข้างใน เธอได้ยินมั้ยคนดี...
oh, but it is so so hard. The dead do not mourn - it's the people that are left behind - it's them that have to pick up the pieces and move on.
And don't they know...don't they know that once their miseries are over...the others have just begun theirs...
Was it Homer who once said that human beings are the most unfortunate creatures in the world? We were created to love, to feel, to become attached and when we are most at our happiest, Fate looked down upon us and snatched it all away leaving only grief and sorrow...
Maybe the ancient Greeks had it right...one shouldn't become too attached to things; the Gods do have wicked sense of humor.
รัก...รักเธอจนหมดของหัวใจ ซึ่งเรานั้นเก็บไว้ข้างใน เธอได้ยินมั้ยคนดี...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hua Hin, Thailand
Hua Hin, company trip, October 23 - 25.
Sunrise...after an hour of waiting and setting up, the long awaited sunrise came and gone within five minutes. This is the only shot I could snapped. By the time I moved my tripod/camera to another location, the dark blue sky with streaks of orange was gone.
Nighttime - view from the resort balcony
Too bad the pool was closed - it would be pretty romantic to swim under the moonlight - even when swimming alone.
The architecture of this resort is really beautiful especially the shadows created by bright sunlight.
Fireworks - our last night so let's have some fun. I don't think fireworks is illegal in Thailand, is it?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Seeking Courage and Thunder Road
I often wonder what it would be like to be able to say things that are on my mind without having to care about other people's feelings. I am often in awe of those people who are able to articulate their thoughts in a well spoken words.
I, however, have come to a conclusion that I lack these qualities: I can't put my thoughts into comprehensible sentences nor am I able to speak my mind freely. As a result, I've ended up agonizing over my incompetence, replaying the same scenes in my mind over and over again.
Once again today I had an opportunity to point out problems, but, instead of blurting them out, I chose the roundabout route, which, in the end came out to nothing. Not only that, but as a result of my indecision, I didn't help anybody.
You can hide 'neath your covers/And study your pain/
Make crosses from your lovers/Throw roses in the rain/Waste your summer praying in vain/For a savior to rise from these streets -- Thunder Road
I, however, have come to a conclusion that I lack these qualities: I can't put my thoughts into comprehensible sentences nor am I able to speak my mind freely. As a result, I've ended up agonizing over my incompetence, replaying the same scenes in my mind over and over again.
Once again today I had an opportunity to point out problems, but, instead of blurting them out, I chose the roundabout route, which, in the end came out to nothing. Not only that, but as a result of my indecision, I didn't help anybody.
You can hide 'neath your covers/And study your pain/
Make crosses from your lovers/Throw roses in the rain/Waste your summer praying in vain/For a savior to rise from these streets -- Thunder Road
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Tribute to Old Dogs
Rarely do I cry while reading a newspaper articles or books, but this one just left me sobbing - Gene Weingarten's article about old dogs. The link is here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092602860.html
"It's no big deal to love a dog; they make it so easy for you. They find you brilliant, even if you are a witling. You fascinate them, even if you are as dull as a butter knife. They are fond of you, even if you are a genocidal maniac. Hitler loved his dogs, and they loved him." - Gene Weingarten
How true those words are. I grew up with a mixed Lab named Lucky. We picked him up from a pound when he was only six weeks old. I was ten years old. In a way, he and I both grew up together - through my adolescents, his transformation from a puppy to a healthy dog, my graduations and, finally, his entering old age.
Throughout most of his life, Lucky never listened to me. He often ignored me whenever I called, never sit when I told him to, would often slept in my bed, taking up most of the space and in the morning, I would find him chewing on my wallet - having eaten all of my money. In short, he was a dog from hell.
But, as Lucky became older, he became more subdued and, in a sense, more vulnerable. Coincidentally, it was my transition from college to finding my first job. As I waited at home for prospect employer to call while others went to work, I was basically responsible for taking care of Lucky - helping him walk, feeding him, giving him a bath, massaging his arthritic legs and comforting him whenever lightning struck. In turn, he became the first one who I turned to for comfort, complaints, and solace.
Lucky became my best friend.
Seven years later, whenever people asked me, what makes me happiest? Without hesitation, I would say the best moment in my life is sitting on a front porch in the evening with Lucky and my two best friends in early autumn weather. We watched the cars go by, runners jogging and other people walking their dogs. It's always the simplest thing that brings joy to our lives.
I have often said, unashamedly, that I only have three friends in my life: two are humans and one is a dog. That still hasn't changed.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092602860.html
"It's no big deal to love a dog; they make it so easy for you. They find you brilliant, even if you are a witling. You fascinate them, even if you are as dull as a butter knife. They are fond of you, even if you are a genocidal maniac. Hitler loved his dogs, and they loved him." - Gene Weingarten
How true those words are. I grew up with a mixed Lab named Lucky. We picked him up from a pound when he was only six weeks old. I was ten years old. In a way, he and I both grew up together - through my adolescents, his transformation from a puppy to a healthy dog, my graduations and, finally, his entering old age.
Throughout most of his life, Lucky never listened to me. He often ignored me whenever I called, never sit when I told him to, would often slept in my bed, taking up most of the space and in the morning, I would find him chewing on my wallet - having eaten all of my money. In short, he was a dog from hell.
But, as Lucky became older, he became more subdued and, in a sense, more vulnerable. Coincidentally, it was my transition from college to finding my first job. As I waited at home for prospect employer to call while others went to work, I was basically responsible for taking care of Lucky - helping him walk, feeding him, giving him a bath, massaging his arthritic legs and comforting him whenever lightning struck. In turn, he became the first one who I turned to for comfort, complaints, and solace.
Lucky became my best friend.
Seven years later, whenever people asked me, what makes me happiest? Without hesitation, I would say the best moment in my life is sitting on a front porch in the evening with Lucky and my two best friends in early autumn weather. We watched the cars go by, runners jogging and other people walking their dogs. It's always the simplest thing that brings joy to our lives.
I have often said, unashamedly, that I only have three friends in my life: two are humans and one is a dog. That still hasn't changed.
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Villain in My Life
"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher"That's not what I've been doing. Lately, I found myself stuck with people who drag me lower and lower until I hit the depth of despair. People come in different shape, size and personality. I'm not naive: I don't expect to meet angels and saints all the time. However, I also didn't expect to meet so many devils.
Villain #1: YOU MAKE MY LIFE A LIVING HELL! (And this is really unfortunate considering that when I'm dead, I might not make it to heaven.) So, because of YOU I will never know what 7th heaven feels like.
It's amazing really - people don't do their jobs properly and the problems begin to snowball - oftentimes right at me. I'm sitting at my desk, minding my own business and KABOOM - the bazooka falls on my head. Of course, the people who started the snowball are nowhere to be found.
I should have signed up for a janitor position since I've been cleaning other people's shit all the time. (no offense to janitors)
Villain #2: Oh, I don't know who is worse: you or #1? Those who has power, but don't use them properly or those who have power, but abuse them absolutely. You remind me of Mr. Arafat: 'He never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity'.
So, there you have it. The two villains of my life. In my own narcissistic world, you two would be...thump thump thump...(I'm banging my fist on the table). You get the message.
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