"Ox People"

Happy Chinese New Year.  This week marks the beginning of the year of the Ox and many say it is a fitting animal to describe the current times.  Ox-like qualities like strength, endurance and patience are all qualities that can help the world out right now.

I found this excerpt describing "Ox people":

"They're quite dependable and possess an innate ability to achieve great things.  As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm and modest.  Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.  Ox people, according to tradition, need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise.  An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, though they have a tremendous imagination and an unparalleled appreciation for beauty.  These people speak little but are extremely intelligent.  When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent."

I'm out.

Last Saturday I packed up my things in Redondo Beach and drove thirty minutes to my new apartment in Los Angeles.  It's right off of Venice Blvd.  A great location, great roommates and a nice little oasis courtyard every time I walk to my front door.  Even though I'm a workaholic these days, visitors are welcome.  

L'hommage à la langue Française

{8 Juin 2006}

Il faut beaucoup de naïveté pour faire de grandes choses.  La plus perdue de toutes les journées est celle où l'on n'a pas ri.  Qui s'affecte d'une insulte, s'infecte.  Ce n'est pas assez d'avoir l'esprit bon, mais le principal est de l'appliquer bien.  Que ne ferait-on pas dans l'espoir d'une idée!  Les rêves sont seuls les réalités de la vie.  L'art du politique est de faire en sorte qu'il soit de l'intérêt de chacun d'être vertueux.  La vie passe à user une passion et à en reprendre un autre.  Je parle peu, main je dis bien--C'est le caractère du sage.  

Latest Read.

I recently finished the book, Three Cups of Tea, an inspiring true story about a humanitarian who built over 50 schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  The most striking part of Greg's story to me was how poor and simple he was before he began his life's work.  I borrowed the book from my grandmother who had just finished reading it herself.  

Greg overcame many obstacles, the most difficult being obtaining funds in America for his projects abroad.  But his endurance and incredible wife's support helped him to provide a secular education for children in an area where education is normally mixed with religious zeal.  This has been the cause for several international conflicts and Greg's mission works to overcome this flaw.

As I was nearing completion of this book, I came across a quote that had been underlined by my grandmother.  Some words were underlined twice and I wish to share it here.  The quote is a Muslim  response to the US reaction after 9/11.  The names and countries are specific to a certain time, but the main principle should be applied today and always.

"You have to attack the source of your enemy's strength.  In America's case, that's not Osama or Saddam or anyone else.  The enemy is ignorance.  The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business.  Otherwise the fight will go on forever."